BOOK REVIEW: The Curator's Secret by Denise Weimer

I love books set in the American Gilded Age. Once again, Denise Weimer has written a lovely story set in Georgia's Jekyll Island. Denise has set several of her novels during the Gilded Age and she knows all of the elements to write a deep, fulfilling, character-driven novel. 

With this book, the characters, Lacey and Trent, are working at the golden Isles Christian Camp, and each have their past troubles to work through, especially when they are thrown together again to work closely on a new project. 

 Lacey is being harassed by someone who knows her from the past and the threats against her are piling up as creepy mysteries cause her to watch every step she takes. Who is out to "get her" and why do they want to cause her harm? Trent comes to her aid even though he denies his feelings for Lacey.

The personal secret that Lacey is hiding is a very real, very troublesome one and Trent is devastated when he learns about it. Can love and forgiveness overcome the issue that is still prevalent in today's world? 

In the end, will Lacey find out who is threatening her and will she be safe to stay in her new job as the museum curator? Can Lacey and Trent come to terms with their past and find the happily-ever-after they deserve? 

This is a fantastic page-turner with mysterious trouble and danger that may cause readers to not sleep because they need to find out who the perpetrator is! I received a copy of this book from the author to give an honest review and this is my opinion of the book. 

***GENRE: Christian mystery and suspense, Contemporary Christian Romance 

COMING SOON: BOOK REVIEW "Wildflower Bride" by Mary Connealy

 

COMING SOON: The last book in the Wildflower Bride series, Mary Connealy does it again, writing a bang-up wonderfully adventurous book set in the wilds of Montana with a funny, Christian romance about characters chasing down outlaws in the Wild West. 

Celebrate Lit is on tour with the book from August 18 through August 31. 

COMING SOON: BOOK REVIEW "The Bachelor Spy" by Pepper Basham

 

"The Bachelor Spy: A Freddie and Grace Mystery", Volume 5 will be on tour with Celebrate Lit from July 30th through August 12. I had the pleasure of reading a copy that was provided by Celebrate Lit for my later review. 

You won't want to miss this wonderfully written adventurous mystery! 

COMING SOON: BOOK REVIEW "A Guided Gratitude Journal" by author Donna Wyland

 

My book review of  "A Guided Gratitude Journal" by Donna Wyland is coming soon.....you won't want to miss the review because I recommend it for everyone who needs to dig deep into their soul and find that gratitude will usually be there waiting for you to discover it......

Mid-Year: Reflections

Luke 12:27 (NIV), "Consider how the wildflowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." 

Now that we are in the month of July, the year is half over. As you go through your days, reflect on what the last six months have held for you and what the next six months might bring.  

Proverbs 27:19 (NIV) tells us, "As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart." 

Here are a few questions to consider as you visit the last six months of this year...... 

John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that who so ever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." 

1 Do you have a relationship with the Lord? If you do, is your relationship a strong one, or are there areas you might want to strengthen? If you don't have a relationship with Jesus, how is your life going right now? Jesus doesn't take the hurt away, but He sure makes it better for you to travel the heartaches of life with Him, rather than without Him. Consider asking Jesus to come live in your heart by admitting you're a sinner and repent, ask Jesus us forgive you, and invite him to lift you up out of the earthly pit of the world to live within you. 

Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  

2 Have you set goals for the year? Have you accomplished what you set out to do? If you have met the goals you have set, consider making a new goal(s) for the rest of the year.

1 Thessalonians 5:11, "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." 

3 How are your relationships with your friends, family, and community? Are those relationships healthy and thriving or are they fractured? Are any of these relationship's in need of healing and repair? Or maybe you have been busy and you might want to strengthen a few relationships; get in touch with those people again.

3 John 1:2, "Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well." 

4 How is your health - physically, mentally/emotionally, and spiritually? Do you get your wellness exams regularly to ward off health problems? In our hurried world, do you take time for yourself and be still - to listen and hear the Lord speaking to you? Do you take time to enjoy nature and being outdoors and enjoy what you love to do? 

1 Corinthians 12: 4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributed them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord."

5 Are you using your spiritual gifts given to you from the Lord? Do you know what special gifts God has bestowed upon you? Everyone has special gifts the Lord has given, and we are to use them to help others, serve in all ways to fulfill the purpose in which they are given. 

I hope these questions will help you reminisce about the last six months of 2026 and you can celebrate what you have accomplished. Hopefully, your year is going well and remember that we all experience heartache, disappointments, and problems. But it's much easier to get through it all when we are walking with the Lord. 

I wish you many blessings through the next six months of 2026. Christmas will be here before we know it! 

VINTAGE RECIPE: Grandma's Summer Veggie Salad

 

The fresh scent of summer filled my kitchen as I sliced crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes,

and a sweet red onion into an old glass bowl. Their earthy, garden-fresh aroma

mingled together, reminding me that some of the best meals don't come from fancy

recipes—they come from simple ingredients picked fresh from the garden.

This old-fashioned cucumber, tomato, and onion salad has been a summertime

favorite for generations. My mother made it every summer, and it always found its

place beside hamburgers, fried chicken, or anything cooked on the backyard grill.

Like many vintage family recipes, there are no strict rules. You can easily adjust

the ingredients to make a small bowl for two or a large batch for a family picnic

church potluck, or neighborhood barbecue.

I enjoy experimenting with recipes now and then. Recently, I reached into my

canning cupboard and found a packet of Mrs. Wages Kosher Dill Pickle Mix left

over from my canning days. I stirred about a teaspoon into the vinegar dressing and it

reminded me of homemade pickles. If you'd like to try it, you'll usually find it in the

canning section of most grocery stores or Walmart.

Ingredients For the Dressing

• 1 cup water

• ½ cup distilled white vinegar, apple cider vinegar, or red wine vinegar

• ¼ cup vegetable oil or olive oil

• ¼ cup granulated sugar

• ½ teaspoon dried dill weed

• ½ teaspoon garlic powder (or 1–2 cloves fresh garlic, minced)

• 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

Vegetables

• About 3 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced

• About 3 ripe tomatoes, cut into wedges

• 1 or 2 white, yellow, or red onion, sliced and separated into rings or

• bite-sized pieces

Optional Add-Ins

• 1 teaspoon Mrs. Wages Kosher Dill Pickle Mix

• A pinch of red pepper flakes for a little heat

• ½ teaspoon celery seed

Directions

Wash and prepare the vegetables, placing them into a large covered bowl. 

In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, vinegar, oil, sugar, and seasonings until the

sugar has dissolved and the dressing is well blended.

Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently stir until everything is evenly coated. Cover

and refrigerate for at least two hours before serving. The longer it chills, the better the flavors blend together.

As my Great-grandma used to say, "The garden's coming on." That means it's time to enjoy

those fresh summer vegetables while they're at their peak. On a hot Ozarks afternoon, this

cool, crisp salad is the perfect companion to burgers, barbecue chicken, grilled steaks, or

almost any summertime meal.

From my kitchen to yours, I hope this simple family recipe becomes one of your summertime

favorites, too.

Here’s a photo of the Kosher Dill Pickle Mix: 

       

The Hidden Cost of the Three C's: Controlling, Criticism, & Complaining

It was a typical Ozark summer evening with the air muggy and hot.

"I'm so mad because you hit a rock and it broke the bedroom window!" he grumbled, giving her a daggered look. His speech was littered with foul-mouthed words.

With a downturned mouth, she said nothing, pushing away the tears as the accusing words stabbed at her; those words sank into her and settled deep. Heaviness overcame her again and she felt the pull of sleepiness.  

The air in the stifling trailer was dry and stale from her husband's bickering. She made a mental note to later turn on the little box fan to help the air conditioning circulate the air better. 

"You know rocks fall out of those gravel flower beds, I can't help it if the mower flings them all over!" She finally pushed the defending words at him. 

"You just need to be more careful! It's funny because I can mow and never hit a rock! You know those rocks are there in the yard, don't run over them!" he yelled, his fists tight with rage, his cold eyes now ablaze. "Now I've got to fix the window!" Again a string of foul words followed his stomping down the hallway of the single-wide trailer, at the sound of the slamming door she was alone.

Closing her eyes she withdrew from the situation and snuggled into the fuzzy lap blanket as melancholy crawled over her. The weight of depression, humiliation, and disappointment squeezed her heart. She had to do better! Next time she mowed, she would keep an eye out and be sure and not hit any rocks. Maybe she should just stop mowing. When that thought struck her, she immediately retaliated with, No! I love mowing, it's a time of peace and tranquility and it brings me happiness. 

She had homework to do and an assignment was due on Sunday, but instead the fuzzy blanket drew her into the safe sleep she craved and she closed her brown eyes longing for the escape that a nap provided.

###

That story is true.

What struck me wasn't the broken window. Windows can be repaired. What troubled me was the damage

done to a human heart. The accusation was absurd. No one intentionally runs over rocks with a lawn mower to break a bedroom window. Yet the criticism landed exactly where criticism often lands—deep inside the spirit of the person hearing it.

Psalm 55:21 describes such words well: "His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords."

Words have power. They can encourage, heal, and build up. They can also wound, discourage, and tear down.

I remember what happened after hearing that conversation. Whenever I walked through the yard, I

found myself looking for stray rocks and tossing them back into the flower beds. I didn't want her

to accidentally hit one while mowing and have to endure another round of criticism. She loved mowing

my yard, I would try to help by making sure those stray rocks stayed out of the grass.

That's how much I wanted to protect her.

The longer I reflected on that moment, the more I realized that controlling, complaining, and critical

people often do more damage than they realize. A controlling person can drain the life from a relationship. Instead of creating an atmosphere of trust, they create an atmosphere of fear. Instead of offering grace, they demand perfection. Instead of building confidence, they slowly chip away at it.

The person on the receiving end begins to question everything:

• Was that my fault?

• Should I have done better?

• Maybe I shouldn't do it at all.

What begins as criticism can eventually become discouragement. What begins as complaining can become

contempt. What begins as control can become emotional bondage.

The Bible teaches a different way. In 2 Timothy 1:7 we read: "For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-control."

Notice that Scripture calls us to control ourselves, not other people. Romans 14:10 also reminds us: "Why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt?"

God calls His children to speak with kindness, patience, humility, and grace. None of us are perfect

We all make mistakes. We all break a few "windows" along the way.

The question is not whether people will fail. The question is how we will respond when they do. Will we wound with our words, or will we extend grace? Will we criticize, complain, and control? Or will we love as Christ loves us?

The Golden Rule remains as true today as it was when Jesus spoke it: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

May we be known not for the Three C's—controlling, complaining, and critical—but for three better

qualities: compassion, encouragement, and Christlike love.

**This is just one incident that I witnessed between my daughter and her husband. I documented three

years worth of narcissistic behavior that I plan to write about just in case someone else is living with

abuse and maybe it will help them. My daughter is dead now. If you live with someone that abuses you

verbally, physically, mentally, or whatever way, please get out of the situation! God wants you to be

happy and not put up with other people hurting you. This I pray....

BOOK REVIEW: The Sheriff's Secret Past by Tina Radcliffe

If you like small town contemporary romance with a unique cast of characters with their own style of kookiness, a touch of mystery, a sweet little girl, and an adorable dog named Bryon (Lord Byron), then you'll love Tina Radcliffe's first book in the Aspen Creek, Colorado series.

The Sheriff's Secret Past is sprinkled with lots of humor and highlighted by a sweet little girl and a precious pup named Bryon who comes into the heroine's life at the perfect moment.

Emily Taylor returns to Aspen Creek, Colorado; she is the "Spunky Kid" archetype heroine who is determined to bring back to life her newly bought newspaper business. Chase Taylor, the Aspen Creek sheriff is surprised to see Emily and he's immediately wary of her "nose for news" because he is harboring a secret - one that can make or break his career.

The characters who populate Aspen Creek are very unique and kooky, who will steal you heart and make you turn the pages of the story. You'll laugh at the Soul Sisters group of ladies and they will definitely warm your heart! At the end I didn't want to say goodbye and close the book.

I do hope Tina Radcliffe has in mind to write some of the other characters' stories, such as Harley's, Moss', and Hope's. On page 127 in the paperback book the conversation between Chase and Murphy will have you rolling with laughter.

This is an adorable romantic story and I want to read more stories from Aspen Creek! Check out Tina Radcliffe's website for Vintage recipes from the Soul Sisters and lots of news about the next books coming out in the Aspen Creek series......

I was gifted a print copy from Ms. Radcliffe and this review is my own thoughts. I highly recommend this story...Emily and Chase, the heroine and hero, are meant to be together and their story, as well as the other cast of characters, will stay with you long after you close the book!

Thunderstorms vs Cobwebs: A True Story

Southwest Missouri is known for severe weather—tornadoes, hailstorms, and straight-line winds that can strike at almost any time of the year. This year has brought an abundance of storms rolling through our state, sweeping up from Oklahoma and Kansas before tracking eastward. 

After living in the country for more than forty years, I now find myself living in a small town. And when the storm sirens begin to blare and whine, I get a little jumpy. 

 Actually, I get a lot jumpy. 

 As the sirens wail, my nerves shift into high alert. I become a whirlwind of activity, gathering my two cats into their carriers, stuffing necessities into my storm bag, and keeping a close eye on the radar as the storms slowly crawl across the television screen. Those moments always remind me of summer thunderstorms when my brothers and I stayed with our great-grandmother, Ollie. 

Ollie wasn't afraid of storms, but she respected them. Whenever threatening weather approached, she kept the television on and listened carefully to the forecasts. We kids watched and learned from her as she kept flashlights, quilts, and matches ready in the bedroom so she could grab them quickly if it was time to head for the root cellar. 

 While Ollie stayed indoors keeping an eye on the weather, we were usually outside running through the yard. We laughed, screamed, and raced around as the wind whipped through our hair. There was something thrilling about trying to capture the storm's energy in our young bodies as we ran like wild animals in circles around the backyard. 

When Great-Grandma decided it was time to go to the cellar, she'd call for us, and we'd hurry to her side. Sometimes we made the trip in pouring rain. Being the oldest, I always led the way, followed by my brothers, with Ollie bringing up the rear to make sure we reached the cellar safely. It was my job to unlock the cellar door and go down first. 

That's when the trouble began. 

I would unlock the old wooden door and stare into enormous sticky cobwebs stretched across the entrance. The webs billowed in the breeze like silver curtains, blocking the stone steps that disappeared into the damp darkness below. In my imagination, monstrous spiders lurked within them, waiting to leap out and sink their poisonous fangs into us. To my young mind, it was terrifying. 

My brothers would jump up and down, shouting for me to hurry and go down the steps. Ollie stood behind us holding the flashlight and gently coaxing me to brush the webs aside so everyone could get to safety. I wasn't about to break through those orbs of doom. Minutes seemed to pass as rain pelted us, thunder rolled overhead, and lightning flashed much too close for comfort. Finally, with plenty of screaming and protesting, I would force myself through the cobwebs and down those cellar steps. 

Once safely inside the cool, damp cellar, Ollie would light the kerosene lamp with fresh matches while my brothers and I bounced on the ancient spring bed. The earthy smell of the cellar filled the air. Rows of Mason jars lined the shelves, packed with freshly canned fruits and vegetables from her garden. As we waited for the storm to pass, Ollie entertained us with stories and hand shadows dancing across the walls in the flickering glow of the kerosene lamp. Somehow, she always knew when the storm had finally moved on and it was safe for us to return to the house and the fresh air outside. 

As I recall all those trips to the old cellar, I often find myself wondering why I didn't simply unlock the door and let my brothers go down first. Or why didn't we grab a broom so we could knock those icky webs away?  I chuckle at the thought. 

 And then I wonder, if I were faced with the same choice today, would I brave the ominous thunderstorm and stay in the house—or would I head for the cellar and once again face those frightening cobwebs? 

Years later, I inherited that kerosene lamp. It is a Bartlett-Collins glass lamp dating from the late 1930s or early 1940s. The white lamp fount is decorated with fired-on blue swallows and rests on a striking red glass base. Some of these lamps featured blue Scottie dogs, sailing ships, or floral vines. And mine still has its original, fully functional burner. Over the years, I've used it many times whenever thunderstorms knocked out the electricity.

I hope you are staying safe where you live and the storms do not cause damage. 

Giant Dandelions Hiding Among the Weeds

 

Giant Dandelions Along the Roadside

Driving through my hometown the other day, it was a typical southwest Missouri warm and humid day. I noticed huge white puffballs growing among the weeds along the roadside. Curious, I pulled my car over and went to investigate. There, standing among the grasses and roadside weeds, were clusters of larger-than-normal dandelions!

Being naturally curious, I snapped a few photos of the surprisingly large seed heads. I was tempted to step through the weeds and pick one of the puffballs to bring home, but the thought of chiggers and ticks lurking in the grass changed my mind.

Later, I researched my discovery and learned that these fascinating plants are called Western Salsify (Tragopogon dubius), though many people simply refer to them as Giant Dandelions. They are actually wildflowers, although they lack the bright colors we typically associate with wildflowers such as red, purple, white. pink, or blue.

Western Salsify thrives in disturbed areas, including railroad crossings, roadside ditches, fields, and meadows. Its yellow flowers resemble common dandelions but can be three to five times larger. They can be the size of golf balls to softballs! One of the most interesting facts about this plant is that its flowers open and close with the sun before they go to seed. Even more surprising, the shoots, roots, leaves, and flowers are all edible.

Like many gardeners and homeowners, we often think of dandelions as weeds and a nuisance in our lawns and gardens. Yet there are also people who intentionally grow and harvest them because every part of the plant is edible and rich in vitamins A, C, and K.

If you'd like to try dandelions as part of your diet, the roots can be scrubbed, roasted, and used as a coffee substitute. I've heard about folks using all kinds of roots to make substitute coffee in long ago days. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens. Flower buds may be sautéed in butter or olive oil with onions for a tasty side dish. And those bright yellow blossoms? Many people describe them as having a sweet, honey-like flavor that adds color and interest to an ordinary salad.

Of course, if you decide to forage for dandelions, be sure they have not been sprayed with pesticides or herbicides. As with any wild food, wash them thoroughly before eating to remove dirt and insects.

Who knew that those giant puffballs growing along a Missouri roadside could be both beautiful and useful? Sometimes the most interesting discoveries are waiting quietly beside the road or growing in unexpected places, reminding us that nature still has plenty of surprises left to share. 

And perhaps God tucked these giant wildflowers along the roadside to remind us that even the things we overlook can have unexpected value.

For more information and recipes, visit these helpful resources:

• Treehugger: "10 Ways to Eat Dandelions"
• FoodPrint: "How to Eat Dandelions"