CSFF Blog Tour: The Resurrection

This month, the CSFF Blog Tour is featuring The Resurrection by Mike Duran:

In the graveyard, overlooking the city of Stonetree, a petrified oak broods. It’s a monstrous thing, not just because of its size, but because of who was murdered there.

When Ruby Case limped into church that spring morning, she was not thinking about haunted graveyards. The handicapped mother of two young boys prays faithfully for God’s visitation upon the city. Yet when she inexplicably raises a boy from the dead, Ruby gets more than she bargained for.

Reverend Ian Clark does not believe in miracles. He is resigning from the ministry and has no interest in the city’s spiritual climate, much less its urban legends. Dogged by demons, both past and present, Clark is being unwittingly drawn into a secret religious order—one that threatens his very life. But he’s about to get a wake-up call.

The resurrection creates uproar in the quiet coastal town, turning Ruby into both a celebrity and a scapegoat, and forcing Clark to reconsider his growing agnosticism. Together, Ruby and Reverend Clark are thrust into a search for answers… and a collision with unspeakable darkness. For behind the quaint tourist shops and artist colonies lies a history of deceit. And a presence more malignant than anything they can imagine. Yet a battle is brewing, the resurrection is the first volley… and the unlikely duo are the only ones who can save them.

But can they overcome their own brokenness in time to stop the evil, or will they be its next victim?

For a great overview, check out this post by Fred Warren. And, as always, Becky Miller keeps track of all the postings here.

This is definitely a book that I’m interested in, just didn’t have the time to do it justice right now. Be sure to read what others have said about it, and check it out yourself!

Noah Arsenault - Brandon Barr - Red Bissell - Book Reviews By Molly - Keanan Brand - Kathy Brasby - Grace Bridges - Beckie Burnham - Melissa Carswell - Jeff Chapman - Christian Fiction Book Reviews - Carol Bruce Collett - Valerie Comer - Karri Compton - Wanda Costinak - Amy Cruson - CSFF Blog Tour - Janey DeMeo - Cynthia Dyer - Tori Greene - Nikole Hahn - Katie Hart - Joleen Howell - Bruce Hennigan - Becky Jesse - Cris Jesse - Jason Joyner - Carol Keen - Emily LaVigne - Shannon McNear - Matt Mikalatos - Rebecca LuElla Miller - Mirtika - Joan Nienhuis - Nissa - John W. Otte - Gavin Patchett - Sarah Sawyer - Andrea Schultz - Tammy Shelnut - Kathleen Smith - Donna Swanson - Jessica Thomas - Steve Trower - Fred Warren - Dona Watson - Phyllis Wheeler - Nicole White - Dave Wilson

Update on Jacinta’s Arm

We took Jacinta to the pediatric orthopedist the other day for a follow up on her right humerus fracture. It’s been 9 months since her last visit, and her right arm seems no different from her left arm. She uses both equally, and there is nothing noticeable on the outside that would indicate it was broken when she was born.

The doctor and physician’s assistant took a few x-rays with their handy, compact, in-office x-ray machine. Can I get a “Whoop whoop!” for not having to go to an imaging center?

 

(We were given this as a souvenir.)

They said that her bones look beautiful, and they don’t think she’ll have any problems in the future as a result of the fracture. While I was expecting that to be the outcome based on what I’d been observing, it was certainly nice to have that confirmed by the experts.

She’ll follow up just one more time when she is about two and a half years old to make sure that things continue to look fine. Thank goodness for Cactus Pediatric Orthopaedics! And thanks to all who kept our little pixie in prayer while she was healing from her injury.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day

A day late, but Happy St. Patrick’s Day nonetheless!

I hope you all enjoyed corned beef, cabbage, green treats and whatever else makes it St. Patty’s Day for you. Guinness, anyone?

Catholic Media Promotion Day

Just wanted to join in the fun and highlight some of my favorite Catholic Media sites.

1. Faith & Family Live: Faith & Family Live is where everyday moms offer one another inspiration, support, and encouragement in Catholic living. Anyone grappling with the meaning of life or the cleaning of laundry is welcome here. Read the blog, check out our magazine, join our community, learn more about our mission, and come on in!

I visit Faith & Family Live every day. There’s always bits of inspiration, nuggets of cool info and food for thought. All of the bloggers write thoughtful posts, whether they are writing about prayer, parenting or shopping! And the community of commenters is always willing to lend a helping hand and a prayer for those who ask.

2. Creative Minority Report: "Believing Christians should look upon themselves as such a creative minority and ... espouse once again the best of its heritage, thereby being at the service of humankind at large." --Joseph Ratzinger

Another daily must-read for me. Pat and Matt Archbold have a wealth of topics to blog about, from serious to hilarious and small snippit to long(ish) essay. You can always count on them to point out something offbeat and ridiculous, and then in their next post to wax philosophical (theological?) about parenting or something similar. Love those guys!

3. CatholicVote.org: CatholicVote.org is a community of patriotic Americans who believe our nation’s founding principles are good and true, and worth fighting for.

The last of my daily reads, CatholicVote.org features a variety of bloggers, including the American Papist, Thomas Peters. Keeping up with CatholicVote means keeping up with political issues that are currently relevant to Catholics. It’s how I get my daily dose of politics, without all the spin and media bias.

There are many other sites, blogs and resources out there, but these are the three that I find myself coming back to over and over. What are your favorite Catholic Media resources?

Dog Pile

Yesterday in the car, Veronica’s voice drifted up from the back seat.

V: We’re gonna do a dog pile!

Me: A dog pile?

V: Yeah!

Me: Who’s gonna do a dog pile, sweetie?

V: John Paul, Peter, Lucy, Emma…

Me: How did you learn what a dog pile was?

V: The big kids do a dog pile.

Me: Who did they dog-pile on top of?

V: The grass.

Me: Oh, of course. Well, who was at the bottom of the dog pile?

V: A dog!

Me: Naturally.

Carrot and Squash Curry Soup

My meal planning has definitely changed since we started getting our weekly Bountiful Basket last August. I never know exactly what we’re getting, so I have to base our meals around whatever shows up on Saturday morning. It does take away the ability to plan somewhat in advance, but has given us the opportunity to try a variety of new recipes. These fruits and veggies have got to be used!

In the recent weeks we’ve gotten a lot of carrots, and this last weekend some yellow squash, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to try PW’s Carrot and Squash Curry Soup. I had first seen it a while back and saved it in my Recipe Box. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but since it had curry in it I figured it would be interesting to say the least.

What a fantastic recipe! Not only is it super easy to prepare, but the flavor is wonderful. Give it a try! Just be sure to leave plenty of time for the veggies to simmer, it takes about an hour. I had to add a bit of water at the end because it was a little thick after I pureed it, but in the end it turned out great.

Like Father, Like Daughter

If sleeping with one’s head under the covers is genetic, then I definitely know what side she got it from.