Things that seem so ordinary…But the intricacy of those movements is nothing short of a miracle.

I’m currently studying to become a certified fitness instructor. (Anybody remember my bucket list post from several months ago? I’m one step closer to crossing one of them off…Woohoo!)

The thing that has struck me in my studies is how intricately we are made. The way God designed our bodies truly is miraculous and it’s something only HE could do. What creativity!

To showcase His handiwork, I thought I’d share a few facts (I figure some of you may have forgotten these since 10th grade biology like I did):

- The skeleton consists of 206 bones. Our bones work together with muscles and joints to allow movement. (Think of all the tiny joints and muscles that work together just so you can type a sentence.)
- Our body adapts to different forms of exertion, giving us the exact fuel we need for short bursts of energy or long stretches of exercise.
- The heart is a four-chambered organ that collects blood from the body, sends it to the lungs for oxygenation, then pumps it throughout the body.
- Water accounts for about 60% of our body weight, and it helps regulate our body temperatures and carry nutrients to cells.
- 60% of our muscle make-up is involuntary, meaning it adapts to the needs of the heart and aids in digestion and blood flow without us even thinking about it.

I don’t know about you, but these things remind me to thank my Creator. Whenever I criticize something about the way I’m designed, I’m criticizing HIM. And the miracle of this vessel He’s entrusted to me…I don’t want to let it go to waste.

What about you? Did any of these facts surprise you or interest you? What takeaways come to mind when you think of your intricate design?

*Photo by Renjith Krishnan / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’m doing a little switcheroo on my Wednesday posts. Every other week I post over at my group blog, The Writers Alley, and I’ve discovered it’s really hard to be two places at once. (Shocking, I know. )

So in an effort to maximize my time, I’ve decided to provide a link on my Writers Alley days and leave it at that. I hope you all don’t mind!

This week, I’m sharing four ways that writers can incorporate health and wellness into their writing routines. I hope to see you all over there! And if you don’t have time to blog hop today, feel free to jump in the comments here and say hi!

I’m so excited to welcome Courtney Walsh as my guest today! I’ll never forget when I first met Courtney at a writers conference last year. My friend Wendy Miller introduced us and said, “Courtney has an awesome blog and is fabulous. You should follow her.” So I did. And I discovered Wendy was right. I love Courtney’s sincerity and down-homeness (is that a word?). Anyway, let’s get to know her and you’ll see what I mean…

Courtney Walsh is a published author, scrapbooking expert, theatre director and playwright. Her debut novel, A Sweethaven Summer, will be released in February, 2012 by Guideposts/Summerside, followed by two additional novels in the series. She has also written two papercrafting books, Scrapbooking Your Faith and The Busy Scrapper and is currently working on her third, The Scrapcrafter’s Idea Book (F&W Publications, August, 2012.) Courtney has been a contributing editor for Memory Makers Magazine and Children’s Ministry Magazine and lives in Colorado with her husband and three kids where she consumes entirely too much coffee.

You can connect with her at her website, her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

—–

Welcome, Courtney! Now on to the fun…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Creative, encouraging, obstinate, sarcastic, hard-working, persistent, a really bad cook (does that count?)

Sure, we’ll count it!

Either/Or Questions:

1)      Prince Edward Island or Beverly Hills? Prince Edward Island! I’m a HUGE Anne of Green Gables fan, so always Prince Edward Island! I’ve never been anywhere in Canada, but I remember the first time I saw the movie version of that book, I was 100% smitten. Besides, I don’t think my yoga pants would be a good fit for Beverly Hills!

2)      Indoors or outdoors? I HATE to say it, but indoors. I am a homebody. Probably the worst one ever. I LOVE to be home, in my little nest, with my family. That said, I moved to Colorado a little over a year ago and the weather here is SO nice that I’m finding myself outside more than I used to be! Maybe this one will change in another few years!

3)      Herbivore or carnivore? Carnivore, baby! Truly, I’ve thought about becoming a vegetarian because I don’t eat that much meat anyway, but then I think “gosh, where would I get any protein?” Then I eat a steak.

4)      Run a mile or run a bunch of errands? Oooh. Can I say “neither”? I always think I should become a runner. There’s a part of me that wants to prove to myself I can do it, but the fact is, I hate it. I enjoy exercise that’s fun, usually in a class setting. But when I think of running errands, I have to groan. I can’t think of a bigger waste of time!! Unless there’s shopping involved…then I choose the errands!

5)      Tacos or lasagna? Mmmm…lasagna!! I do enjoy the occasional taco but nothing beats a great lasagna. I also like making lasagna…it’s like a casserole without the stereotype. (And generally, it’s one dish I don’t mess up!)

6)      E-reader or paperback? Paper! I’m a scrapbooker with a severe paper addiction to begin with. I also stare at a computer screen 24/7, so calling reading on a screen for “enjoyment” just doesn’t jive with me. Plus, there is something about the smell of a library, a book store, a new book. Being able to flip through the pages or write in the margins…there’s nothing like it.

7)      On the slopes or in the lodge? Ha. First of all, this conjures up the image of me trying to ski, which, if you know me, is beyond hilarious. One time in high school I decided to try roller blading. I didn’t think it’d be that different from roller skating, but I was wrong. I was amazed by the speed I picked up heading down a hill and panicked when I realized there was no way to stop myself. I aborted the mission halfway through and threw myself into a pick-up truck so I wouldn’t fly out into oncoming traffic. Little did I know, this would result in major blood and supreme humiliation. Especially when my high school math teacher had to cart my pathetic self back to my car because I couldn’t walk. Safe to say I’m choosing the lodge!

—–

LOL, Courtney, what a story! (I was about to say “fun story”, but I’m guessing it wasn’t so fun for you, huh?) And I’ll stay indoors with you too…unless we’re going to Prince Edward Island. Then I’ll run through the Great White Way of Delight and paddle across the Lake of Shining Waters with you. Is it a date?

Thanks for being my guest today!

—–

A Sweethaven Summer

Campbell Carter has come to Sweethaven in search of answers about her mother’s history. Just before losing a battle with cancer, Suzanne Carter wrote letters to childhood friends from her hometown of Sweethaven, Michigan. Suzanne’s three friends—Lila, Jane, and Meghan—haven’t spoken in years, yet each has pieces of a scrapbook they made together as girls. Suzanne’s letters have lured them all back to the idyllic lakeside town, where they meet Campbell and begin to remember what was so special about their long Sweethaven summers.
 
With the help of a handsome local man and her mother’s three friends, Campbell hopes to finally uncover her mother’s twenty-five-year old secret. In the process, she discovers a family she never knew and the home she’s always wanted. 
 
As the women reconnect over the pages of the old scrapbook, wounds are mended, lives are changed, and friendships are restored—just as Suzanne intended.

—–

Blog Readers: Let’s talk…If you could travel to any location from a book, where would it be? Do you have any favorite scenes from Anne of Green Gables? Or how about outdoor adventures…If you spent an entire day outside, what would you do?

*Giveaway Details: Courtney has offered to give a copy of A Sweethaven Summer to one lucky commenter! (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Sixty Acres giveaway is Barb Shelton! I’ll contact you this week with details.

***Other blogging news: Jessica Patch interviewed me at her site today. Come on over and say hi!

Did you know the American Heart Association recommends you eat two servings of fish per week? Fatty fish like salmon and tuna are chockful of omega-3′s, which are an essential component in reducing heart disease.

One of my favorite ways to eat tuna is to grill it. You can find tuna steaks in the meat department of your local grocery store. (The fresh stuff is really expensive, but you can find a cheaper version that is flash-frozen.)

So here it is…

Sarah’s Grilled Tuna Steaks

4 tuna steaks (about 6 ounces each)
Olive oil
Fresh lemon, cut in half
Minced garlic
Fresh minced basil (or dried basil works too)
Salt
Pepper

Drizzle both sides of the tuna steaks with oil, then squeeze half of the lemon’s juice on top. (I save the other half for fresh squeezing when the fish is served.) Rub the garlic, basil, salt, and pepper on both sides of the steaks. (I didn’t put any measurements because I usually sprinkle based on my tastes that night. )

Grill, covered, or broil for 4-5 minutes on each side or until done to your preference. (I like a little bit of pink in the center so it doesn’t get too dried out.) Broiling tip: Fill the bottom of the broil pan with a little bit of water. It keeps the meat from losing too many juices and it makes cleanup easier.

*Side note: This recipe is cleanse-friendly too! You’ll just want to eliminate the salt or use a little bit of sea-salt if you must have it.

—–

That’s it! Super easy, healthy, and yummy. I took a fancy picture, but alas, my camera decided to die and lose everything I’d taken in the last three months. So here’s a photo of another version of tuna steaks from Taste of Home.

Are you a big fish eater? What’s your favorite kind of fish to eat? Any cooking tips to add?

With Valentine’s Day being yesterday, I figure a few of us might have gone out on dates, perhaps to the movies. And when I think of movies, I think of popcorn.

I also have this quirk that I like to eat my popcorn just a teeny bit burnt (but not completely burnt). So I put two and two together and voila, here’s my latest Top 5 List. (It’s scary diving into my thought process, isn’t it?)

Why you should eat burnt popcorn (or slightly burnt popcorn)…

5. The smell is good for clearing the house when you need a moment of silence.

4. Potential free popcorn at the movie theater (cha-ching).

3. Low-calorie popcorn = no flavor. Your taste buds need something to cling to.

2. Carcinogens? That’s the same thing as Craisins, right?

1. No one else can stand the taste…How else would you get the whole bag to yourself?

How do you like your popcorn? How did you celebrate V-Day this week?

*photo by Carlos Porto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I can’t tell you how excited I am to welcome Regina Jennings here today! I first met her a couple years ago at a writers conference and then became an agency-mate and then celebrated the news of her debut novel. She’s one of those people who has a permanent smile, and she somehow blends sweet and funny in a winsome combo. (Wow, did I just use the word ‘winsome’? Well, it fits!)

Let’s get to know her a little better before we dive into the interview…

Regina Jennings is a graduate of Oklahoma Baptist University with a degree in English and a history minor. She has worked at The Mustang News and First Baptist Church of Mustang, along with time at the Oklahoma National Stockyards and various livestock shows. She lives in central Oklahoma with her husband and their four children.

She can be found online at her website, on Facebook, and on Twitter.

—–

Welcome, Regina! In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I’ve given my questions a Valentine-ish spin. So let’s get to it, shall we?

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

Content, unsophisticated, amused, smiley, curious, laid-back, friendly

1) How you met your hubby: Love at first sight or Grew into love?

How we met… that’s an embarrassing story that will forever brand me as the biggest nerd ever. We went to high school together for three years, but our paths had never crossed. We met my senior year. I was dressed as my mom and was taking my freshman sister around to meet her teachers at open house. Yes, I’m serious. I had my hair in a bun and was wearing my mom’s clothes and glasses. My sister stopped to flirt with this gorgeous basketball player that she’d met at the beginning of the year. We were introduced, but I didn’t want to stay and talk for obvious reasons.

I had to stop this narrative to ask him what it was about that meeting that caused him to hunt down my phone number. He says it was my sense of humor. I thought he liked the librarian look.

Love at first sight or grew into love? Did I mention that he’s hot? If I was deep and spiritual I’d say that I gradually grew to love his mature Christian faith. True, I didn’t realize what a wonderful man he was at first, but his looks kept me around until I had time to discover it.

2) Romantic getaway: Redwood Forest or Miami Beach?  I like to hide. A beach with tall hotels would aggravate my sniper phobia. Redwood Forest, definitely. (Yes, snipers can climb trees, but the leafy barrier would obstruct their view.)

3) A day with your valentine: Walk in the park or go to the movies?  A walk in the park, especially if it’s wild and I can pretend like we’re explorers.

4) Valentine’s dinner: Chicken marsala or Steak and potatoes?  What breed of chicken is a marsala? I’ve never seen one of those so I’ll have to go with steak and potatoes. Angus.

5) What you’ll wear: Fancy dress or Jeans and a nice sweater?  I hate jeans and sweaters. I’d wear a dress, even if we were going exploring. If it’s good enough for Sacajawea…

6) Sweet treat: Box of chocolates or chocolate cheesecake?  Chocolate Cheesecake. Mmmm…

7) Valentine flowers: Red roses or Pink daisies?  Tough choice. I like the traditional extravagance of red roses, but pink daises are probably more my style. How about a giant bouquet with both?

—–

I like your thinking on the flowers, Regina. Equal opportunity. And your meet-the-hubby story is one of the best I’ve ever heard! I’m curious why you had to pose as your mom and if she really does wear a bun and glasses. But hey, whatever catches the guy in the end, right?

Thanks for being here today! You’re a blast!

—–

Sixty Acres and a Bride

She’s Finally Found a Place to Call Home… How Far Will She Go to Save It?

With nothing to their names, young widow Rosa Garner and her mother-in-law return to their Texas family ranch. Only now the county is demanding back taxes and the women have just three months to pay.

Though facing eviction, Rosa falls in love with the countryside and the wonderful extended family who want only her best. They welcome her vivacious spirit and try to help her navigate puzzling American customs. She can’t help but stand out, though, and her beauty captures attention. Where some offer help with dangerous strings attached, only one man seems honorable. But when Weston Garner, still grieving his own lost love, is unprepared to give his heart, Rosa must decide to what lengths she will go to save her future.

—–

Blog Readers: Let’s talk…Who or what is the strangest thing you’ve dressed up as? Any fun meet-the-hubby stories to share? Or how about flower preferences…pink or red?

*Giveaway Details: Regina has offered to give a copy of Sixty Acres and a Bride to one lucky commenter! (For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment.) Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Amazon giveaway is Small Footprints! I’ll email you this week with details.

Imagine you’re at the Starbucks counter on a frosty February morning (Not so hard to imagine for some of you, is it? ). What do you order?

(My answer to this changes depending on the day. But my standby is usually a skinny caramel vanilla latte. And if I’m feeling splurgey, I’ll add a blueberry scone to the order. Yum!)

Answer this question in the comments, and you’ll be entered in the drawing for a $10 Amazon e-gift card. Drawing ends on Friday at midnight. Winner will be announced in next week’s post. Good luck!

On a side note, I’m planning to unplug the rest of this week so I can catch up on things that have been piling up. I’ll see you all next Monday with a fun Valentine-ish Meet and Greet!

*The winner of last week’s Rosslyn Elliott giveaway is KarenK! I’ll contact you this week with details.

**Photo by digitalart / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Slather some Justin’s Maple Almond Butter on top and enjoy the yumminess!

Have you ever tried rice cakes? Love them or hate them? Have you discovered a way to make them taste good?

A good friend is like…

- A pair of fuzzy slippers — Comforting, supportive, and hard to part with. (In honor of Denise Hunter’s interview last week. )
- A shot — Willing to poke you where it hurts, but they always bring healing.
- A box of chocolates (cue Forrest Gump voice) — Sweet, sometimes nutty, and  full of surprises.
- A La-Z-Boy recliner — They beckon you to stay awhile.
- Elastic-waist sweatpants — No matter how much you grow or shrink, they’ll hang with you forever.

Your turn. What is a good friend like? Or if your creative juices aren’t flowing, what traits do you most admire in your friends?

*photo by John Kasawa / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

I’m excited to welcome Rosslyn Elliott as my guest today! I first heard about Rosslyn through mutual friends and since meeting her online, I’ve loved getting to know her better through her blog. I’ve also heard amazing things about her writing and am excited about her new release, which sounds sooo good (more details below)!

Before we dive into the interview, here’s a little more about her…

As the child of a career military man, Rosslyn Elliott lived in four states and two foreign countries before she graduated from high school. She attended Yale University, where she earned her BA in English and Theater Studies. After five years working first in corporate New York City, then as a schoolteacher, she entered the Ph.D. program at Emory University and finished her dissertation in 2006.

Her study of American literature spurred her to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction. She has won awards for her writing, including the 2011 Laurel Award and the 2011 Lime Award for Fairer than Morning, which was also selected as one of Lifeway’s Ten Favorite Fiction Reads for 2011.

Rosslyn lives with her husband and daughter in the southern United States, where they enjoy working with horses and pampering their dogs.

You can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and her website.

—–

Welcome, Rosslyn! Now on to the questions…

Opener Question: What seven words best describe you?

 A light always shines in the darkness.

Either/Or Questions:

1) African safari or European tour?

European tour. Much though I love animals, I have a deep love of European history that first struck when I lived in England as a girl with my military family. I would be so excited to take my daughter back to see some of the things I saw twenty-five years ago. Plus, I never made it to Spain or Italy, and I would love to see some of the beautiful cities there.

2) Pepperoni pizza or veggie pizza?

Veggie. I like pepperoni, but I always have to order it to please the kids, and so I love a good veggie pizza if I have the chance to get one! Green pepper, black olives, mushrooms, yum.

3) Mac or PC?

PC. I think Macs are great, but in my youth I never had the money to get one, and so I developed a PC habit.

4) Shop ’til you drop or Shop only if necessary?

Shop only if necessary. I like buying new things and feeling pretty, but I’m trying to be frugal to satisfy other priorities, like my daughter’s education. Plus, I’d really like to own some land and horses one day, and there may be a chance of that in the near future. So I’m highly motivated.

5) Green light or red light?

Green light. Go for it! I saw a poster recently that featured a dog running across a field with an expression on its face of pure exuberance and joy. The poster said “Live like someone left the gate open.” I love that. We can take pleasure and joy in our lives just by appreciating the gifts we’ve been given, this beautiful world, the love of our friends and family. And we should never be afraid to explore or try something new, or make a new friend.

6) Sedan or SUV?

SUV, I suppose. I want a vehicle that can haul stuff around and work for a living. For now, the actual choice is minivan! In the future, it might be a truck.

7) Mountain cabin or beach resort?

Mountain cabin is much more my style. I love nature, and I’d like to ride a horse through the mountains more than on the beach. Plus, there’s more natural food for horses in the mountains. Can you tell I’m really preoccupied with this dream of horse ownership right now? :) I can’t wait for the day when I post a picture of my first very own horse. I rode a lot as a child and teenager, but never owned—only borrowed or leased. I’m looking forward to teaching my daughter all the lessons that come with horse ownership: patience, compassion, responsibility, peace.

—–

Wow, Rosslyn, I loved your answers, especially to the opener question and the “Green Light” question. I think you just motivated me to try something new! And I love your passion for horses and the dream to own one or more someday. Your daughter is one lucky lady!

Thanks for being my guest today! I’ve loved having you here.

—–

Sweeter Than Birdsong

Music offers Kate sweet refuge from her troubles…

           But real freedom is sweeter.

Westerville, Ohio, 1855: Kate Winter’s dreams are almost within reach. As the first woman to graduate from Otterbein College, she’ll be guaranteed her deepest wish: escape from the dark secret haunting her family. But with her mother determined to marry her off to a wealthy man, Kate must face reality. She has to run. Now. And she has the perfect plan. Join the upcoming musical performance–and use it to mask her flight. 

Ben Hanby, Otterbein College’s musical genius, sees Kate Winter as an enigmatic creature, notable for her beauty, yet painfully shy. Then he hears her sing—and the glory of her voice moves him as never before. He determines to cast her in his musical and uncover the mystery that is Kate. Still, he must keep his own secret to himself. Not even this intriguing woman can know that his passionate faith is driving him to aid fugitives on the Underground Railroad.

A terrifying accident brings Kate and Ben together, but threatens to shatter both their secrets and their dreams. Kate can no longer deny the need to find her courage—and her voice—if she is to sing a new song for their future.

Sweeter than Birdsong is a stirring novel of hope and faith inspired by real historical people and events.

—–

Blog Readers: Let’s talk…What’s the most unique pet you’ve ever owned? What has pet ownership taught you about life? Any fun animal stories to share?

*Giveaway Details: Rosslyn has offered to give a copy of Sweeter Than Birdsong to one lucky commenter (must be from the continental U.S.). For extra entries, you can Tweet or share this post on Facebook…I’ll add an extra entry for each. Just make sure to mention it in your comment. Winner will be announced in next Monday’s post. Good luck!

**The winner of last week’s Denise Hunter giveaway is Sally! I’ll contact you this week with details.