I’m so excited to feature Patti Lacy as my guest today! I met Patti through blogging a while back and had the joy of being her roommate at the ACFW Conference in September. Let me tell you, this lady is the real deal. She and I bonded over organic soaps, almond butter, and God’s Word. She’s the epitome of encouragement, and I can’t wait for you to get to know her better here. Let’s start with the basics, shall we?
At the age of fifty, Patti traded in her grade books for a writer’s pen after the Still, Small Voice encouraged her to novelize the story of her best friend. Patti’s first three novels, An Irishwoman’s Tale, What the Bayou Saw, and The Rhythm of Secrets, explore the secrets women keep and why they keep them.
Patti’s fourth book, Reclaiming Lily, a Bethany House title, transports readers to the steps of a Chinese orphanage, where two cultures and two women collide. Claiming writers as diverse as Francine Rivers and Jodi Piccoult as influences for this novel, Patti weaves a story of grace and God’s mercy with an insidious hereditary disease and a rebellious teenager. Reclaiming Lily transports the reader from Fort Worth to China to Boston in a quest journey of faith, of love…of Joy.
Patti soothes her itch to teach by leading seminars, facilitating writing classes, and speaking at women’s events. Patti and her husband, Alan, a college administrator, live in Normal. They have two grown children and a dog named Laura.
Welcome, Patti! Let’s get to the questions.
Opener Question: What seven words best describe you? Shattered pieces reassembled with God’s redemptive grace.
Either/Or Questions:
1) Indoors or outdoors? Outdoors! In nature, God chats with me, especially if I’m jogging!
2) Spring or fall? Fall, when the leaves whisper their wave to the cooling earth.
3) Out on the town or Take-out and a movie? Take-out and a movie, snuggled on the couch with my man!!!
4) Cereal and milk or eggs and toast? Homemade granola? Organic oats, sesame and sunflower seeds, a tincture of honey, wheat germ, coconut, walnuts, cranberries, rye flakes, cinnamon, nutmeg…you name it, it’s sometimes found in my granola!
5) Food Network or Cartoon Network? Oops! We have no TV, but if we did, FOOD NETWORK!!!
6) Convertible or pick-up truck? Convertible. Can’t get that mind’s eye image of wind-blown hair outta my head!!!
7) Snoopy or Garfield? Snoopy!!!
You know I’m salivating over your granola, right, Patti? I have four different varieties of granola in my house at the moment, but yours sounds better than all of them! 🙂 I can totally picture you with that wind-blown hair, and wow, I loved your seven-word description. Powerful.
Thank you so much for being my guest today!
Blog Readers: Let’s talk…What five ingredients would be a must-have in your granola? If you rode in a convertible, would you have your hair tied in a ponytail, or would you let the wind have its way?
If you’d like to connect with Patti and learn more about her books, you can visit her website or find her on Facebook.
*flower photo by Twigy Posts
Hi Sarah & Patti –
Fun interview! I just finished Patti’s new book and loved it! Patti your writing just gets better and better.
Blessings,
Susan 🙂
Isn’t her writing beautiful, Susan? It comes through even in a short interview like this one.
What a great interview. Your homemade granola sounds delicious and is making me hungry. “Reclaiming LIly” sounds like a great book.
Blessings,
Jo
I’m hungry too, Jo! I think granola can be a great afternoon snack, don’t you? 🙂
Love this interview! Patti’s book Reclaiming Lily is next up on my to-be-read pile! I know I’m in for a treat. Her writing is phenomenal!
And Sarah – I love your questions. Way too much fun!
BTW, I would totally put my hair in a ponytail! Otherwise the entire drive, my hair would be driving me nuts!
Thanks, Katie! 🙂
Susan, thank you for stopping by! I so appreciate your powerful “influence.”
Jo, just had banana coconut almond pancakes. SO GOOD! Hope you soothe that belly hunger!!! Katie, fun questions, aren’t they? Glad to see you here!
Susan, you are such a good influencer! I’m so blessed to know you!
Jo, just made banana coconut almond pancakes–with a side of raspberries. Hope I’m not making you salivate!
Katie, glad you are blowing by, with that ponytail! Thanks for the sweet comment!
Blessings,
Patti
Good morning, ladies! I just finished my coffee, emptied the dishwasher, and now I have a quick minute to pop in here and say, “Welcome, Patti!” I’m thinking some homemade granola might be in order for my mid-morning snack. Yum! 🙂
Pop over to my blog (I’ll not promote the URL here unless you wish) and maybe you’ll win the Torani Flavored Syrup giveaway to go with your coffee. Ends Nov. 19
Good Morning, Patti and Sarah!
What a fun interview! I’m with you, Patti…Love the fall! And I don’t do eggs much anymore, so I’d take granola anyday over eggs. I would absolutely be over the moon to win Reclaiming Lily! (We have two beautiful nieces who were adopted from Chinese orphanages so under that premise alone, your book grabs me! The plot sounds intriguing!)
Sarah, the windblown look and I don’t get along…haha.
Thanks, ladies!
Oh wow, Cynthia, Reclaiming Lily would be an awesome read for you, especially knowing about your nieces. I’ve got you in the drawing! 🙂
Love this word picture–Fall, when the leaves whisper their wave to the cooling earth.
Love the interview. ladies! My 5 granola must haves–dried cranberries, almonds. oatmeal, honey, cinnamon.
Oh yum, Lisa, I’ll take some of your granola too. Goodness, I’m hungry all of a sudden. 🙂
Oh my, Sarah, what a TOTALLY unique (and fun!) interview for one of my TOTALLY unique (and favorite!) friends in the whole world AND soul sisters, Patti Lacy!!
Patti, LOVE the seven words!! And I’m with Susan — your writing just gets better and better, which is actually kind of shocking as you are already one of THE BEST writers I know!
Don’t enter me as I have already had the privilege and pleasure of reading Reclaiming Lily, which is one of the most haunting books I’ve read in a long, long time … well, actually, since Patti’s last book … 🙂
Although I LOVE the wind in my face, definitely a hair clip or ponytail as for someone as practical as me, the beauty and exhilaration of the wind loses something when I’m spitting hair out of my mouth … 🙂
Hugs,
Julie
LOL, Julie, I think you should go on the road as Patti’s personal saleswoman! I love your excitement about the lovely Patti Lacy! 🙂 And I’m getting the funniest mental image of you spitting hair out of your mouth…in that va-va-voom red shirt of yours, of course! 🙂
Hi, Patti! So good to see you here!
Granola musts? crasins, coconut, almonds, sunflower seeds, flax and maple syrup (grade B)!! YUM!
Oohhh, maple syrup…Good choice, Jennifer! 🙂
What a fun interview! I’d have my hair tied in a ponytail–I’d be scared the wind would blow my hair in my eyes and I wouldn’t be able to drive!
P.S. You sold me on Greek yogurt, Sarah. Tried it and loved it. I’ve been doing mango instead of granola, but I’ll have to try that too. Yum!
So glad you went Greek and loved it, Heidi! And mango sounds like an awesome choice! 🙂
So excited to read this one. Maybe her granola can go in your Greek yogurt.
Cool to see Patti featured here!
~ Wendy
Oh yeah, Wendy, you know I’m already plotting to put that granola on my yogurt. 🙂 Thanks for stopping in today!
Fun interview Sarah and Patti. The convertible question is easy for me–no hair has its advantages in windy conditions.
LOL, Slamdunk, I guess no ponytail for you, huh? 🙂
I haven’t had the privilege of reading one of Patti’s books yet. I’ll have to put that on my must-read list for sure!
I’ve never really tried granola, so I’ll answer the convertible question. Definitely ponytail, because I hate having tangled hair and mine is so thick, it would definitely get tangled.
Fun interview questions, btw. 🙂
I’m totally with you on the ponytail thing, Lindsay! Tangled, thick hair is no fun! 🙂
With the grains I would want pecans, raisins, cranberries, and pineapple. The book and author sound wonderfully enticing. Please enter me in the drawing. 🙂
Good granola choices, Vera! And yes, the book sounds even more enticing than Patti’s granola, doesn’t it? 🙂
Thanks for the fun interview, Sarah and Patty. I get to ride in a convertible anytime I want since my hubby owns a classic ’68 British MGB roadster. I have short hair, so a ponytail’s not an option. I like the feel of the wind whipping my hair as we zip down the road.
Oh my word, Keli, I would give anything to see you riding in that convertible!
Cynthia, ooh, would love to see a photo of those nieces. My vegan diet has limited eggs as well!!! Lisa, lovin’ the “aroma” of that granola! What’s REALLY good? Slice up pears or apples, top with granola, and BAKE!!!
Julie, you’re so sweet to pop by! Lovin’ you, girl!!!
Jennifer, my granola and your granola would pal around just great! Maybe ride in a convertible 🙂
Heidi, you are making me salivate for that Greek yogurt, which being vegan made me give up:( Glad you are here today!!!
Wendy, waving at you! Glad you are here, too!!!
Slamdunk, WOW! You may have the most unique answer of the early morning!!!
Lindsay, that’s a DEAL!! And on that to-read list, use a thick Sharpie, okay??? Smiles!!!
Vera, I have never THOUGHT to add pineapple to my granola. Do you use the dried kind????
Okay, folks, it’s not even TEN, and I’m ready for lunch!!!
Keli, that must be SO fun! Never have had a convertible in the Lacy household…unless you count a sun roof as half:)
love dried pineapple
Great interview, Patti and Sarah! I have heard nothing but amazing things about your books, Patti, and it was fun to learn more about you. I think I’d probably have my hair tied back if I were in a convertible – I guess I don’t really like my hair in my face 🙂
I’m with you on the hair-in-face thing, Cindy. My hairdresser calls me a “tucker” because I usually tuck my hair behind my ears. 🙂
It’s great fun to get to know Patti better! I am going to have to try her granola mix. It sounds wonderful. Thanks to both of you, Sarah, and Patti, for doing this, and for offering the giveaway. I haven’t read Reclaiming Lily yet and am itching to. 🙂
I agree, Karen. I’m due to get to the store soon, so I’ll be on the lookout for her granola ingredients. 🙂
Hi Patti and Sarah! Fun interview! Reclaiming Lily sound good.
Sometimes for fun, I add Snowcaps to my granola. Yum.
I’m with Patti on the snowcaps thing, Loree. Do divulge. 🙂
Cindy, we’ve just gotta get one of those books in your hands…and your hearT!!! Funny how everyone’s drawn to the convertible question!!
Karen, I so appreciate all you’ve done to INFLUENCE my writing! Great to see you here!!!! Now go granola up!!!
Loree, dare I ask about Snowcaps? Call me cluelless in chia seed land!!!!
While I would love to indulge in granola, I usually have to bypass it because of gluten allergies. So I’ll just grab a handful of pecans and some mango (breakfast today) slices and be happy with that.
And, yeah, I’m with Katie about pulling my hair back into a ponytail while I’m in a convertible — or stuffing it into a hat. I’d love to let it go all wild and crazy in the wind, but that would make me c-r-a-z-y!
Going to tweet and FB this column!
Ohhh, Beth, you’ve GOTTA try the LoveGrown granola I featured in Friday’s post. It’s gluten-free and yummy! 🙂
Fun interview, roomies. 🙂 Patti, I’m so with you on #4. I love your food choices. 🙂
Mel
Hey, roomie!!! 🙂 I agree, Melanie…If we all make it to conference again next year, I vote that Patti’s in charge of breakfast. 🙂
Read & loved Reclaiming Lily but would love to win this for a gift for someone.
Need to look for the granola recipe too.
I’ll post this on FB too.
Thanks, Wilma
Hi Wilma! Thanks so much for spreading the word! I’ve got you entered twice. 🙂 (And did you see Patti shared her granola recipe in the comments below?! Hooray!)
I really want to read this book! It sounds so interesting!
Hi Marissa! I’ve got you entered. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Oh, Sarah, so glad you’ve connected with Patti! Wonderful interview:) Please don’t enter me in the drawing as this book is on my keeper shelf. Wow, wow, wow. Patti is the real deal on and off the page. Thanks so much for letting us enjoy her here on your beautiful blog!
Hi Laura! Isn’t she the real deal? Whenever I’m around her, I get the urge to call everyone “Sweetie”. 🙂
Fun interview! Patti, it was a joy meeting you at the BHP dinner in St. Louis at the ACFW conference. So enjoyed this interview.Let’s see… five ingredients I love in my granola are oats, honey, raisins, cinnamon and nutmeg. I also have a five ingredient trail mix that I love: almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, shredded coconut and chocolate chips–all organic or all natural 🙂
Hey Dani! Oh yum, your granola and trail mix both sound sooo good! I’m gonna need to print out the comments today and put all these yummy recipes in my cookbook. 🙂
Well, my roommates are cutting up and aren’t telling about all the strange foods we kept in our room & fridge during ACFW, including my kombucha!
Beth, can you make granola outta rye and red quinoa flakes? Seems like that would be a great substitute for the wheatie things.
Wilma, thank you, sweetie! I love the free advertising!! Good to “see” you here! Um, my granola recipe (more or less, depending on what I have in the cupboards and fridge:)
4 c. oats
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 cut walnuts or pecans
1/2 cup dried berries of some form
1/2 cup rye flakes if I have them. If not, poof (here I sling my hair, Julie style), forget it!
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
1/2 cup sesame seeds
1/2 cup coconut
Mix dry ingredients in BIG bowl.
In a spouted cup, mix 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup orange juice (or cranberry juice), 1-2 t. real vanilla, cinammon, nutmeg, mace if you’re daring, 1/4 cup lemon juice, and lemon zest (just grate the lemon rind and call it good 🙂 ) I beat this with the little egg beater thingie.
Make a well in dry ingredients, pour in liquid. Gently stir. When ingredients are mixed well, spread about two cups on a cookie sheet. Bake at 300 degrees for about 20 minutes. Don’t let it get too brown! Turn occasionally.
Makes A LOT!!!
It really is EASY!!! I usually double the recipe cause we eat it on slice fruit and also for breakfast!!!
Oh yum, Patti! Thanks for sharing your recipe. I’m jotting down notes over here. 🙂
Marissa, love your enthusiasm! Laura, love your friendship. What would we do without writer soulmates?????? And y’all, if you have NOT READ “The Colonel’s Lady OR Julie’s latest, “A Heart Revealed,” get to it NOW!!! Historical romance–I like it so much, think I’ll try it myself. Yep, you heard it here–a Civil War novel!!!
Dani, waving across cyberspace!! Sounds like good granola AND trail mix! Oops! It’s dinner time! Potato and leek soup, bread, and garbanzo bean dip. Maybe a salad if we are still hungry!!!
See y’all later!!!
definitely would have to have a ponytail. in fact, i usually DON’T ride in convertibles for this very reason.
5 ingredients in my granola [checking the package] = oats, almond slices, cranberries, vanilla, and honey. yum.
Yum, Jeannie. Is that the Bear Naked brand?
Old fashioned oatmeal is a must, a main ingredient for the granola I used to make while our boys were growing up. (This has been more than 20 years now and I haven’t made it in longer than that so I’m just going by memory.) Nuts, honey, rolled wheat could be next three ingredients. Back then I bought fruit, especially tart apples and bananas, in bulk, when they were on sale and slice them thin and dehydrate them. I liked to chunk them up and add them occasionally. I know many people like raisins in theirs but two of the four of us didn’t so sometimes I’d substitute that with a scattering of chocolate chips mixed in well after the granola has been baked to perfection and cooled completely. I’m sure there are more ingredients, I actually left the computer to try to find the recipe and didn’t turn up anything. Will have to keep an eye out for it and make some again some day. It was really fun, filling and healthy too.
My hair is baby-fine AND about waist-length so it tangles exceptionally well and takes literally HOURS to de-tangle. I would HAVE to tie my hair back: not just in a pony tail but braided and pinned back and covered too.
I’d share this post on my facebook but have no idea how to do that, am almost totally facebook illiterate. But, I’m going there next to TRY to figure it out again. (I tried before for another blog post and maybe this time I can figure it out, will be back if it gets accomplished and let you know.
Jeannie, the convertible scenario keeps blowin’ in that wind. I’m seeing a novel here…
Pam!!! Good to meet here! You HAVE your next blog, right here on Sarah’s site! LOVE IT!!!
I think I DID it!! but too late, didn’t see where to click thumbnail or not so it might not have the book’s picture. sorry…
no, I went there and the picture came through.
should I tell you the address to put in the web browser address place? I think we are friends at facebook, Patti, so you should be able to see it.
No worries on the address, Pam. I’ll enter you twice in the drawing. Thanks for spreading the word! 🙂 And thanks for sharing your granola recipe! Those chocolate chips sound pretty good to me. 🙂
How cool you guys got to room together!! I love Patti! She is so sweet to everyone online.
I would let my hair fly if I rode in a convertible!!
Terri, She’s even sweeter in person if you can imagine it. And she’s got the most charming southern drawl. 🙂
Patti is the real deal–she walks what she talks, and love oozes from every pore. She is one of my mentors, and I’ve gained so much from her expertise and wisdom.
Granola? Almonds, craisins, carob chips, cashews, toasted oats. Now I’m hungry!
Wind in my hair, of course!
I already bought my copy of Lily; please give the gift to someone who has yet to discover the beauty of a Patti Lacy novel.
Hi Jeanette! “Love oozes from every pore”…Love that! And your granola sounds fabulous too! 🙂
Terri, way to go, hair-flying girl! You can definitely room with me!!! Jeanette, thanks for the online kudo!! I needed that!!!
Pam, checked out your FB! And thanks for the recipe!!!
Enjoyed the interview! In my granola, I’d have chocolate chips, oats, honey, almonds, and more chocolate chips! If I were riding in a convertible, I’d let my hair be free. Thanks for the contest. Sounds like a great book!
I love the double helping of chocolate chips! Can’t go wrong with that. 🙂
Now the Loopy Librarian is someone I’d love to meet…in a convertible, munching on granola 🙂 Okay, the loopiness is contagious!!!
Sarah, thanks for letting loopy people sneak onto your great blog!