Fragrant Whiffs of Joy by Dorcas Smucker (It's Giveaway time)
Ah yes, this was just what the doctor ordered. I've wanted to review Dorcas' last book or two and was always too chicken to ask, but this time I threw caution to the wind and said, "Yes, I want to review your book." And I'm so glad I did. It was the perfect book for this stage in my life.
Short, easy to read chapters that can be picked up and read whenever and wherever. They are guaranteed to either make you laugh, smile, cry, or or just give you that ah-ha feeling that someone else experiences life like that too. I could quote from pretty much every chapter something that struck me in one of those ways, but I really want you to go buy the book so I won't do that many spoilers. I only want to give you a hint of what is to come in the book.
First off, isn't the cover beautiful? I can dream of a kitchen table like that with the apple pie still steaming and the tea pot, or coffee pot more likely, full to the brim and a beautiful arrangement of flowers hand picked from my profusely blooming flower garden, all arranged on a perfectly cleared off table. Oh and the friendship and chatter would be of the most upbuilding and edifying sort around. Ah, the stuff dreams are made of.
Anyway, more on to the meat of the book. One chapter in particular resonated deep in my soul right now and it's called "The Dark Clouds of Winter". Thank you Dorcas for being willing to share your struggle with SAD and the things you've found that have helped. I don't think I struggle with SAD, but adjusting to two littles has taken its toll on me and I've not been the nicest person to be around always. So vitamin D, exercise, and veggies here I come.
I laughed over the story of Dorcas' dad tipping over in his lawn chair in the doomed-to-failure trip to the beach one cold day. I also loved the story of him faithfully writing his letters and the magic he seemed to bring with him that caused the chickens to lay eggs in abundance, the grapes to produce prolifically and so on.
And then the chapter on The Words I Said I'd Never Say reminds me to cherish this littles season. Right now, I cannot imagine looking back with nostalgia on the middle of the night feedings for the baby or the inconsolable crying fits of the two year old, also in the middle of the night. I can't imagine missing the daily reminders to stop whining and the frequent trips to the bathroom to aid in the elimination process. But maybe I will someday miss that, so it's a good reminder for me to hang on to those moments.
I've gone on enough, but I want to leave you with one quote that I think can resonate with all of us, especially those of us who like to write. "You don't have to live someone else's life or write another culture's story. You have a life, a history, a story of your own. It is worthy of telling, and no one else will ever tell it quite like you can. It is yours to tell and if you tell it well, I promise we will all be eagerly listening." I need this reminder too when I want to look around at others' lives and think they have it so much better than me.
Thank you Dorcas for the chance to read your newest book and review it. If I have it figured right, there are 36 chapters in this book. This book is composed of her once a month essays for the Register Guard. That means in 2020, we should be looking for a new book!!! At least I hope so.
And now the important things: how to buy this book and all of Dorcas' other ones for Christmas gifts.
Order the book from Dorcas Smucker at 31148 Substation Drive, Harrisburg, OR 97446.
Books are $12 each plus $2 postage.
Checks or PayPal accepted. (dorcassmucker@gmail.com)
Or you can go to Amazon and buy it for $1 more without the personal interaction with the author. Just saying.
You can also order her other books from her at the same time. If you go to this post she lists them all, along with her dad's and her daughter's books.
And the next most important thing: a giveaway. I was given three copies from Dorcas, one to giveaway through this post, one to give to someone who needs a fragrant whiff of joy, and one for me to keep. And so, drum roll please, to enter to win a copy of this book, please comment below one thing that brought you joy today. And if you had no joy, you should buy this book pronto, because it will bring you some. Also, to help advertise this book, if you share it on Facebook and let me know that you shared it, I will give you a second entry in the drawing!! The contest will end November 22 at noon and I will try to announce a winner that day yet, but be patient if I don't get it done. We are going to be gone for Thanksgiving weekend, leaving that evening.
I liked that I could sleep in today.😀 But just in case that's not joyful enough - I was happy with my kids teachers yesterday. PTA Meeting yesterday and i could tell the teachers had thought through each student to give good areas and the places they need help.
ReplyDeleteIt brings me joy to see older siblings helping or entertaining younger siblings without being told to.
ReplyDeleteWhen my daughter 3 years old was belting out songs about Jesus on her own.
ReplyDeleteKristy Goode kls1999@juno.com
Being gone last evening and arriving home to a clean house and bouquet of flowers from my children brought me a lot of joy! I thank God for my children �� and a clean house to start the day is a joyful occasion! Shared on Facebook for a double entry :)
ReplyDeleteparamedicwife@yahoo.com
Visiting my grandmother this morning and enjoying a cup of coffee and muffin, and of course chatting. Candi candilea07@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteA faithful husband, three blessings of children that God has given to us. A Christian school close by to send them to. A small church body of believers who love the Lord. The health to be able to get out of bed this morning enjoy a warm cup of coffee! Brenda Bross. Brosscoffeetime@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I thought maybe I'd see this on your blog! I never win a thing, even though I enter many giveaways I'd love to win including this book...but I'll still leave my joy comment: Vince settling down for a nice nap after a morning of fussing. 🙂
ReplyDeleteInteracting with customers at my job brought me joy today.
ReplyDeleteEnjoying coffee at a friend's house.
ReplyDeleteThinking of my new and first grandbaby brings me lots of joy. Also enjoyed watching Ryan and one of his friends play together after school today.
ReplyDeleteOur weekly ladies prayer circle.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting this giveaway. One thing that brought me joy recently was meeting for lunch with a friend who loves many of the same books. =) We talked for so long about our favorite stories.
ReplyDeleteMy email is PinkTree.13 (at) gmail (dot) com
Thinking ahead to our busy, fun-filled weekend with friends and family gives me joy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the give away.
My sister's inviting me along on a fabric store shopping trip
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Watching our son have a giggle-fit while playing with Daddy.
ReplyDeleteKansasunshine90@gmail.com
Thanks for entering me!
ReplyDeleteThe auto repair shop only charged $10 instead of some larger sum he could have charged.
ReplyDeleteOur daughter loves reading Dorcas's blogs and books and would really enjoy getting this book!:) Commenting on all these blog posts for a chance to win this book brought her joy today! You can reach me at hesscroft@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy husband taking the 1 year old so I had a quieter evening with the baby☺
ReplyDeleteBeautiful frost on the ground this morning
ReplyDeleteIt brings me joy to sit in the living room and drink coffee with Eric this morning!
ReplyDeleteMy three year old niece makes me laugh with her funny comments. :)
ReplyDeleteThe soft pink cheeks of my newborn baby girl! What joy!!
ReplyDeleteI was just going to say "cheerful birthday greetings" when my sister knocked at my door with flowers!
ReplyDelete0H I love her books :)
ReplyDeletesorry that last comment got sent before ready :) Joy is what i find in a squirmy little guy on my lap. lol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sunrise this morning! - Dawn
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