When the voice can no longer sing, can the heart rise and soar?

My family knows how much music has meant to me throughout life. I have loved listening to beautiful music and I have loved to sing. This Christmas season is less bright than previous Christmases and the simple reason is that I can't sing.

No. The voice is no longer there. There has been an ongoing hoarsness made worse by speaking and definitely by singing. Doctors are trying to help and don't see any major problem such as a cancer. But the problem persists.

I was never an "accomplished" or "trained" vocalist. I just loved to sing and beautiful Christmas carols have filled my heart and throat for many seasons. But not this year.

So I feel sad. 

I feel void and somewhat empty. 

My moments of driving and singing along with the radio songs - gone. My lifting my heart and voice in congregational singing - gone.

I just read the lovely words of "Hark the Herals Angels Sing"..... and they are stunning. They are true revelations! They are so beautiful and speak of the majesty and beauty of our Lord. 

I knew that. I've read them for decades. But today I really READ them.

So whilst my voice is silent, my heart can surely soar.

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King! 

Peace on earth, and mercy mild, 

God and sinners reconciled." 

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, 

Join the triumph of the skies; 

With th' angelic host proclaim, 

"Christ is born in Bethlehem." 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored: 

Christ, the everlasting Lord; 

Late in time behold him come, 

Offspring of the favoured one. 

Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see; 

Hail, th'incarnate Deity: 

Pleased, as man, with men to dwell, 

Jesus, our Emmanuel! 

Hark! the herald angels sing, 

"Glory to the new-born King!

Hail! the heaven-born Prince of peace! 

Hail! the Son of Righteousness! 

Light and life to all he brings, 

Risen with healing in his wings 

Mild he lays his glory by, 

Born that man no more may die: 

Born to raise the son of earth, 

Born to give them second birth. 

Hark! the herald angels sing,

"Glory to the new-born King !"

(Songwriters: Paul Bateman)

--Vera G.

Hello Lilac, Good Morning Yellow by Judith Drews [Review & Giveaway US/CANADA]

My thoughts:  Using a colorful palette of pastels (perhaps oil pastels or chalks) the author/artist takes the young reader on a romp that involves the reader (or book's story) chatting with the colors. Greeting them in a variety of ways. Each color's page is a hodge-podge of words that the young reader can have read aloud to him or her and they can point to the object.

Curiously, to me at least, the words associated with a particular color are not necessarily usually seen in that color. So it is an exercise in word and object recognition at that point. On some pages objects could easily be the color emphasized on that page - crown for gold, sun for yellow, rose for red. Brown is pretty much a "color true" object recognition page, but not so the other pages.

A cute book with a nice approach to learning colors, word and object recognition, and a light cheery read, too.

About the book: Hello Lilac, Good Morning Yellow: Introducing children to colors and in the process expanding their vocabulary, this book will delight young readers, who will recognize the myriad of things that make their world colorful. A sunny morning introduces the color yellow and leads young readers to a light bulb, a fuzzy baby chick, a lemon, and a friendly lion. A snowman, a sheep, an egg, and a soccer ball reveal that white has endless variations. Green takes readers outside to look at a leaf, a frog, and a caterpillar while a brown bear is surrounded by a wooden spoon, a basket, a girl’s braid, and a broom. Gorgeously illustrated, this engaging book is sure to capture a child’s imagination and is perfect for young ones to read with their parents.

GIVEAWAY

Begins December 18

Ends January 8 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA/CANADA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy to facilitate this review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

Fly With me: A Celebration of Birds through Pictures, Poems, and Stories by Jane Yolen and Heidi Stemple - 5-stop blog tour from December 10 - 14 [Giveaway US/CANADA]

Welcome to Fly With Me Blog Tour!

To celebrate the release of Fly With Me by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple, blogs across the web are featuring exclusive content from the Yolen-Stemple family plus 5 chances to win a copy!

A Family Collaboration
by Jane Yolen, Heidi E. Y. Stemple, Adam Stemple, and Jason Stemple

Back (L to R): Jane, David
Front (L to R): Adam, Jason, Heidi

Heidi: It’s no surprise that when I put out the call for my mother and brothers, all the co-authors of our new book FLY WITH ME, to write something for this blog tour, everyone wrote about my Dad.  We all wish he was here to see it. He taught us to live peacefully in the world alongside nature. He taught us to watch and listen for birds. He taught us to respect and protect the environment. This book is about passing that passion on—to paying it forward. From him, to us, to you.

So, what was it like working on this book? How did we collaborate? Who did what?

Adam: Working with my family on this book was an amazing experience. We had already done one book together (Animal Stories), and we dove into this one already knowing that we worked well together.

Though we pared down our subject from all the animals to just birds, we still managed to expand the content exponentially. This meant a lot of extra work—mostly for my sister, who handled most of the editing duties. I mainly researched and wrote, two of my very favorite activities. I learned new things about creatures I'd been fascinated with my whole life, and got to write stories about them.

And as a bonus, I got to work with a group of clever, witty, and very talented writers who I just happened to be related to.

Jason: Photography is my career and long been one of my main passions. But coming from a family of writers, I always had a small (very small compared to my surrounding family members) talent for the written word.  It has come in handy over the years, especially as a way to sell more photography and break into different segments of the photo industry-many magazines only buy photography as part of a package deal with an article. For me, photography comes naturally, writing is much harder and a struggle at times. That being said, the opportunity to work with such an iconic brand like Nat Geo, especially as a nature photographer, is one I just couldn’t pass up. This was very much a family project, with my mother and sister, both amazing editors, divvying up the work and keeping my run-on sentences in line. And, sticking with the family theme I’m sure it is evident in almost all corners of this book that it is a tribute and a monument to the man who introduced us all to birds and fostered the journey that led us all here-thanks Dad!

Jane: I feel complimented every day when a book of mine written with one of my children gets published, and to great reviews. Each of them has well over 25 books out (not all with me!) Only the last two were National Geographic books with full family participation. But FLY WITH ME holds a special place in all our hearts as you can see. And I have no doubt, if he were still alive, my husband David Stemple--their father--would have written his share of it as well. Though he would have been the most difficult of the bunch to edit! I learned from him  to pay attention to the natural world. How to be attuned to nature. How to stay open to new surprises in the wild. Especially when looking at birds.

We have tried to put what he taught us into this book. Not only the information, but the love of birding. We hope it comes across to our readers. And that some day when we see a fellow birder—young or old—with binoculars raised, and we stop and say as birders do, “Anything interesting?” that we notice that there is a copy of FLY WITH ME in their car, or in the basket of a bike, or in a backpack at their feet. And maybe one of them will say. Hey, aren’t you one of the Yolen-Stemples who wrote that book on birds? And we’d grin and say, “Why yes, yes we are.”

Then, introductions satisfied, the one with the binoculars would point out the bird, which rare or not, we will tick off on our day’s list.

Heidi: Now you know a bit about how FLY WITH ME came to be, how we worked together, and why we are so passionate about it.  We hope you enjoy it as much as we do, no matter if you are a seasoned birder, a complete novice, or somewhere in between.

From our family, to yours.
The Yolen-Stemples

*****

Blog Tour Schedule:

December 10th — A Dream Within a Dream
December 11th — Kid Lit Frenzy
December 12th — Christy's Cozy Corners
December 13th — Colorimetry
December 14th — Chat with Vera

Buy: National Geographic | Amazon | Indiebound

Add on Goodreads

Follow Jane: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Follow Heidi: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

Follow Adam: Website

Follow Jason: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Follow National Geographic Kids: Website | Twitter | Books Twitter | Facebook | Youtube

Enchanting stories, lyrical poems, stunning photography, and fascinating science fill the pages of this treasury celebrating the amazing world of birds.

This thoughtful and beautifully curated collection of our flying, feathery friends highlights the role birds play in human life from centuries ago to present day. While it's beautiful, it's also full of valuable real science about these wondrous creatures. From history and behavior to spotting and photographing, there's sure to be something for every bird fan in your flock. Young birders will learn all about migration and the importance of habitat conservation. They'll find stories about bird rescues and fun facts about the fastest, strongest, and tiniest fliers. They'll also discover the best bird nests, sweet songs to sing, ways to listen for and identify the birds around them, and more. Paired with stunning art and photography and beautiful design, this treasury is sure to become a classic for bird enthusiasts of all ages.

Fly with Me was created to help celebrate Year of the Bird, National Geographic's 2018 initiative to bring awareness to the plight of birds around the world.

"Yolen and her three children celebrate birds with a lavishly illustrated compendium of facts, photographs, and poetry...As is characteristic of National Geographic publications, the plentiful photographs are well-chosen and beautifully reproduced. A treasure for browsers and bird lovers everywhere." 

- Kirkus Starred Review

"With text that never talks down to its audience, this makes an ideal choice for family sharing or classroom browsing." 

- Booklist

L to R: Adam, Jane, Heidi, Jason

About the Authors: JANE YOLEN is an author of children's books, fantasy, and science fiction,
including Owl Moon, The Devil's Arithmetic, and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? She is also a poet, a teacher of writing and literature, and a reviewer of children's literature.

HEIDI STEMPLE was 28 years old when she joined the family business, publishing her first short story in a book called Famous Writers and Their Kids Write Spooky Stories. The famous writer was her mom, author Jane Yolen. Since then, she has published 20 books and numerous short stories and poems, mostly for children.
Stemple, her two daughters, her mom, and a couple cats live in Massachusetts on a big old farm with two houses.

JASON STEMPLE is an author and photographer. He lives with his wife and children in Charleston, South Carolina.

ADAM STEMPLE is a novelist and musician. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

GIVEAWAY

• One (1) winner will receive a copy of Fly With Me
• US/Canada only
• Begins December 14, Ends January 5 at 12:01 a.m. EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DISCLOSURE: Information for this post was provided by the publicist and author. Giveaway copy is provided by same and shipped dirctly to the winner. Giveaway is unique to Chat With Vera blog for its readers.

Tell Her No Lies by Kelly Irvin

My thoughts:  The reader jumps in with both feet and hits the ground running as the pages turn at the beginning of "Tell Her No Lies." The author doesn't, though, keep up the rapid fire pace as the story progresses. A bit of a lag. That doesn't, however,  deter the reader from pursing this who-dunnit.

This book doesn't just tell the tale of who killed the judge. There are multiple murders and a slew of suspects.

Underlying the multi-layered suspense is the heroin's involvement with her photographic art and poetry that draws attention to the "homeless experience." She is a volunteer and supporter of efforts to help the homeless.

But this is not a societal issues propaganda story. This is a suspense with a bit of romance (just enough to call it Romantic Suspense). The "homeless experience" is a force from horrific memories in Nina's own personal life. The thread is woven into her very thought and experiences on a daily basis. She was a homeless waif along with her younger sister until rescued by her Uncle - the Judge that was found murdered at the beginning of the story.

So while the story lagged a bit and whilst it had more "murders" than I care to have sprinkled in books I read, the story was good. The detectives did their work and the case or cases were solved.

About the book: Combining romance and suspense, bestselling author Kelly Irvin’s Tell Her No Lies is a high-stakes race for the truth.

“A moving and compelling tale about the power of grace and forgiveness that reminds us how we become strongest in our most broken moments.”—Library Journal review of Upon a Spring Breeze

Even the most admired families have secrets to hide . . .

Nina Fischer carries a camera wherever she goes—so she can view life through a filter. Safely. After her mother abandoned her to the streets, Nina has kept people at a distance, including her uncle, who adopted Nina and her sister. Wealthy and proud, he is a good man, a fair judge, and someone many in San Antonio admire.

But when he is murdered, and the detective assigned to the case accuses Nina of the crime, she knows she must act. She’s determined to use her journalism background to find the real killer. The two men in her life want to help, but can she trust them? She’s known Rick since they were children, but now he’s an attorney whose political aspirations seem more important than Nina’s tragic loss. And then there’s Aaron, a news videographer; using their friendship could break the biggest story of his career.

Following the evidence leads Nina on a journey of discovery into her father’s shocking masquerade as a law-abiding, family-loving Christian. Unlocking these secrets could prove fatal, but it’s the only way Nina will ever be able to trust love again.

Combining romance and suspense, bestselling author Kelly Irvin’s Tell Her No Lies is a high-stakes race for the truth.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy from the BookLook Book Review program to facilitate a review. Opinions are my own and are freely given.

Christian Counseling in picture books for the young comes to life in the Good News for Little Hearts series

This a delightfully cute and sweetly illustrated series and children and parents will certainly love the illustrations by  Joe Hox. The critters that populate the pages of the stories are charming and beautifully drawn with a pallet of colors that delight the senses.

The text or story line is sweet and deeply infused with Biblical teaching that guides the critters through emotional mindfields helping them to understand reliance on God for help and control. The books are intentionally Scriptural and centered around Christian counseling.

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Buster's Ears Trip Him Up (When You Fall) by Edward T. Welch and illustrated b Joe Hox

Buster is a bunny rabbit and he is a lively character that loves to run, race, and win. As he goes off to camp he looks forward to running the race and being the winner. But he fails and feels terrible about it. He is consoled and learns a lesson from failing to win.

Zoe's Hiding Place (When You are Anxious) by David Powlison and illustrated by Joe Hox

Zoe doesn't pay attention to the teacher and gets lost and is scared or anxious. Having done the same previously and been counseled by her parents to handle her anxiety or fears realizing God is with her, she gets through the situaiton.

Jax's Tail Twitches (When You Are Angry) by David Powlison and illustrated by Joe Hox

Most everyone has issues at some point in their life with anger and managing it. Jax's dead giveaway is his twitching tail.

The story is how Jax gets angry and how he learns to manage the anger with God's help.

❀❀❀❀❀❀❀

The books are all a bit preachy but that is o.k. since the story line is intentionally designed to use children's story picture book venue to provide Christian Counseling. I think the books would be ideal for Christian school libraries, preschools, and Church libraries. Personally, I would take care about introducing these stories to children who do not exhibit these emotions or traits - anger, failing, and anxiety.

Find them at New Growth Press - click here 

DISCLOSURE: I was provided complimentary copies from New Growth Press to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine alone and are freely given.

End-of-the-Garden Vegetable Mix, a treasure to savor

It's not the right time of the year to talk about gardens and the delicious goodies gleaned from those rows of veggies. But the thought of "end of the garden" pot of goodies came to my mind as I saw an advertisement from a major vegetable cannery touting their veggie and bean combinations.

During the gardening and harvest season, we cook our peas, butter beans, snaps, crowders, and corn separately. Even okra is stewed, fried, ,etc. But at the end of the season, a few of each of these plants refuses to completely die, still yielding a little bit of their goodness. Not enough for a pot of peas. Not enough for a pot of butter beans. Just an ear of corn. A few string beans.

You don't want to just let it those brave few stay on the vines or stalks to wither and die, yielding to the summer bugs that proliferate.

No. You pick them. Take them into the house. Shell, snap, cut. Wash. Rinse. And then....

You put them all into one single pot.

You season according to your preference. A bit of salt. A shake of pepper. Some fat - a ham bone, butter, or oil. And you cook until the flavors merge into a savory taste that you only get to enjoy once or twice a year.

It is that "End-of-the-garden" flavor rich vegetable medley that is so rich, so tasty, so undeniably good.

And it is a treasure to savor, indeed.

And that reminds me of life in general. When the summer of our youth and middle age is past. We lack the quantity of strength. We lack an abundance of activity and fruitfulness. Our yield is quite limited.

We have grown older. And are easily left to wither and fade into the existence of shadow keeping to the background.

But there is still wholesome goodness in us. We can still yield a savory goodness to the pot that is life. We are not all used up. So.....

Pick from the limited yield we have to offer and see if you can find there, too, .....

............ a treasure to savor.

Good Earth Beauty has lovely holiday products and offers a Discount Code when you order. Plus a Giveaway hosted here on Chat With Vera open to USA entries

The holidays are almost upon us and much gift shopping has already happened; and for many of us, there is much still to be done. The folks at Good Earth Beauty (online all natural beauty products shop) are working diligently to fill all orders in a timely manner. 

Holiday flavors warm vanilla, candy cane, cocoa and sugar cookie

It is a delight to cruise their pages to see the products available. They put together a little goodie box of samples and full sizes in products suited for the holidays and sent it along to me. It isn't really "on the market" as shown, but it gives you grand ideas for ordering for yourself or someone special.

Shop the Gift Shop on Good Earth Beauty - click here

And Good Earth Beauty has said we can treat one of Chat With Vera's  readers with the fantastic prize of a little burlap bag of five of their all natural, vegan lip balms. I use the Pumpkin Spice lip balm and it is absolutely fabulous. "Tastes" wonderful and the effect on my lips is wonderful. I can easily say this is probably the best lip balm I have EVER used! 

5 Delightful lip balms. My favorite..... Pumpkin Spice - Value at $28.00

Product information: HOLIDAY GIFT-LIP BALM NATURAL VEGAN SET OF 5: Vegan - natural -  soothing and moisturizing - helps heal chapped lips. Lip Balm Natural Vegan set of  5 fun, original scents - Candy cane mint, chocolate mint, vanilla mint, vanilla marshmallow or pumpkin pie! Comes in small burlap gift bag shown. Made by Good Earth Beauty - Ingredients: Meadowfoam oil, olive oil, avocado butter, candellia wax, vitamin E, natural flavor oil

Go ahead and shop right now and use this DISCOUNT CODE - HOLIDAY10 - which will discount your total order by 10% and there is always FREE SHIPPING in USA. Click here to shop

GIVEAWAY

Little burlap bag of 5 lip balms, set value -$28 - Find it Here

Begins December 12

Ends January 7 at 12:01 a.m. EST

Open to USA addresses only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway DISCLOSURE: I received complimentary products to facilitate my opinion review of these products. Opinions are my own and given only after using the product myself or a family member using it. I was not compensated for this product review. #sponsored