{ Say all the Unspoken Things by John Sowers - TLC Book Tour }

 

 All the Unspoken Things: A Book of Letters
Publisher: Thomas Nelson (February 1, 2022)
Paperback: 240 pages

From the author: “Many of us go through life with words and feelings stranded in our hearts. Words we deeply feel but never say. Sometimes we never have the chance. We don’t always get to say goodbye. We don’t always know when will be our last hug, high five, smile, laugh or ‘I love you.’ All we have is today, now, and what we do in this one, shining moment.”

Say All the Unspoken Things is about living, speaking and loving from our deep hearts. Written as personal letters from a father to his daughters, it covers topics such as: bravery, wonder, beauty, kindness, romance, and God’s patient love. This book will help us find our stranded words, speak more freely and move away from a distracted and shallow life.

 

 

 ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

John Sowers is a published author and speaker, and his work and writings have been featured by Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, ESPN, Mariah Shriver, Oprah Radio, The Oregonian, The Oklahoman, and others. John received the President’s Champion of Change award at the White House from President Obama.

John has led a homeless shelter, and worked with youth and in prisons. He co-founded The Mentoring Project with Donald Miller, and was multi-language director for the Billy Graham Association, working with twenty-six language groups in Los Angeles and New York. He received his Masters Of Divinity from Trinity and his Doctorate from Gordon Conwell. He is the author of: Fatherless Generation: Redeeming the Story and Heroic Path: In Search of the Masculine Heart. He has written for the White House, Relevant magazine, Wilderness, and others. But his favorite pastime is being a dad to his daughters, Rosie, Dassi, and Eva. John lives in a cabin in the woods near Ozark, Missouri.

 

 

REVIEW: 

This book couldn't have come at a better time in my life.  

Say all the Unspoken Things, invites us to say it all, to make our feelings known, to tell the people we love how much we love and appreciate them.  To not leave anything unsaid.

I have found that the last two years have been so difficult for so many of us.  There have been numerous losses, health crises, a pulling and a shaping, a molding and pressing into our souls, that have at times left us speechless.  

John Sowers decided in 2020, right in the beginning of the year, to start writing letters to his daughters.  It came about after the loss of his mom, the previous year.  He felt he had so much to say, so many words stuck in his heart that needed to come out.

The book is written in the form of short letters to his three girls.  Pouring into the letters, his innermost thoughts and feelings.  He was determined to leave nothing unspoken.

I don't think there is anything in this book that I didn't love.  The fact that it is written in short chapters (letters), is a big plus because throughout my days, I was able to read just one or two, depending on the time I had.

The book made me realize that my blog, IS my own way of writing letters, that will be here long after I'm gone.  So in a way, I have been leaving my thoughts and feelings written down.  The truth is that each day we have is a blessing, each could be our last.  But how many of us are living just from moment to moment, leaving things unsaid?  Have you told your children, your spouse, your parents or siblings and friends, that you love them?  

Have you taken the time to express to them what you appreciate, the things they've done for you, how they've blessed your life?

This book urges you to really take a look at the things you have kept deep within your heart and soul, because sometimes we don't get the chance to say them.

In the kind of chaotic world we are living in at the moment, I think it's imperative that we really take the time to speak and live these words out.  I appreciate John Sowers for reminding me that the shallow life around us, is just a distraction, from what really needs to be said and lived.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours and Thomas Nelson Publishers for providing me with a review copy.

{ Winter's last hoorah and an old book }

I've been so busy the past week.  There have been things to decide, things to discuss, things to finalize, and a house that I have been giving a good clean, top to bottom.

The homemaking bug started nibbling at me, the week prior.  This niggling need to clean and organize.  Perhaps as a precursor to Spring coming up, or perhaps just my need to keep my hands busy while other more important issues, are out of my control.

I will say, that as in true Godly fashion, one of the issues seemed so impossible for us to get around, but after casting it upon the Lord, in no time it was fixed and easily dealt with.  Praise the Lord for always coming through.

 

The past two years, my Bible has become my trusty friend.  I find myself reaching for it when I need inspiration, or when I need clarification for a specific issue at hand, or even current events in the world.  It's all right there, in those pages, all you have to do is open it up and let the glory flow through.

But as I've been leaning on my Bible so much, it has been showing wear and tear.  Specifically my tabs, which sometimes end up folded over, or tearing, or pulling this way and that.

I spent some time the other morning, going through and methodically applying pieces of tape to the back and front of the tabs.  It is now reinforced and hopefully able to withstand my constant flipping of pages, back and forth.

 

Last weekend, we had the most glorious of weather.  83 degrees.  Everyone was out in shorts, tank tops, dresses, flip flops or sandals.  There was a bright sun shining in the sky,  which seemed to lift people's spirits.  I have not seen as many smiling faces as I that weekend.  Beaming smiles, happy, content, joyful.

I took full advantage, slipped on some cute sandals and a cute dress, and hung some laundry to dry.  I didn't place it outside because my husband and I , along with my sister in law Hayley and my brother Miguel, were headed to Oklahoma  for the day.  The weather mentioned some high winds, and I really didn't want to think of returning home, to find my laundry had flown away.

Funny though how even just the scent of drying laundry, indoors, seems to lift the spirits.

But that was then, and here we are today, 25 degrees, expecting a last winter storm for tomorrow and leading into the weekend.  Snow and some wintry mix.  My mind says I should scream at the top of my lungs, or stomp my feet and beg this weather to leave, but that wouldn't be productive would it?  I don't think the weather would hear a single word I said, and in the end it would just do what it wants to anyway.

So, I will just say nothing and ride out this last winter hoorah. 

Although, days like these, are perfect for reading, especially if it's a good book.  I guess that's also subjective to the reader, and their taste.  Me, I prefer old books, stories of pioneers, or quilts, history novels, biographies from people who played important roles in history, the holocaust and tudor times......I think you get the idea.  

I've been sending out books through paperbackswap, there have been many requests lately, which mean I've managed to get rid of the books I no longer need or want to keep in my library, and in return, I've been collecting those that I've had on a wish list for many years.......like the Janette Oke's Women of the West Series.

And this one above.  A Lantern in her Hand by Bess Streeter Aldrich.  Oh I've been eyeing this one for so long, and could never find a copy, until last week.  I managed to find one, and as you can tell it is an old, very much used and loved book.  Some may dislike books in this condition, but I happen to love them.

See I believe that books tell a story, not only within it's pages, but also of the hands that have picked it up, flipped though, read each word.  It's these old books that I find fascinating.

If you're wondering what A Lantern in Her Hand is about, here is the summary for you:

"Sometimes it all comes over me," young Abbie said to her fiance, "that I can do big things. It's ahead of me...kind of like a light in the woods that shines and stays far away. And when I read verse or hear music...or...sing...it beckons me one, and my throat hurts with wanting to do something great."

Abbie Deal did do something great, even if it wasn't what she had dreamed of. And years later, when her children, raised in a rude sod hut, were prosperous men and women of a thriving state, she could say proudly, "I've seen everything...and I've hardly been away from this yard. I've seen the feeble beginnings of a raw state and the civilization that developed there, and I've been part of the beginning and part of the growth. But it's funny," she added, "I was always too busy filling up the youngsters and getting patches on the overalls to notice that I was part of the epic."

A strong an vigorous picture of pioneer life. The magnificent story of a young girl who went West as a bride -- and helped to build a nation.

Women of the West is also a series that I'm quite looking forward to reading.  I'm actually debating setting aside the books in my pile for this year, and slipping these in first.  

These books are about the pioneers and the women who made their way west, some alone, some with their families.  There are 12 books in the series, and you can find all the titles over on Goodreads.

As always, between all this, good food still abounds.  I made an amazing Dulce de Leche Cheesecake last week.  I think it was the first time that I made a cheesecake that didn't crack on the top, it set beautifully and is so good, sooooooo good.  I will try to pass the recipe on to you all, either later today or tomorrow.

Last night for dinner, I made scrumptious calzones, using my usual honey pizza dough.  They turned out amazing, and I even managed to send one to work with hubby, for his lunch.  If you're looking for an easy pizza dough, this is the one.  It's been my go to for 15 years or so.

I am hoping this week is a bit more quiet and calmer than last, so that I can get a few more blog posts in.  We will have to see how it goes.

Today I am carpet cleaning the office and hallway, and I also need to go by the post office to mail off one more book.  I'm going to try and get that all done this morning, so that I have the rest of the day indoors, away from the cold.

I hope you're all having a wonderful week so far, I hope it's blessed, I hope you are happy and content, and staying strong and focused through these difficult times we're all living.

Remember if you need encouragement and help, you just need to look no further than the Bible, and our Lord who is always there ready, listening, waiting.

{ Happy Homemaker Monday - 03/07/2022 }

Good morning everyone, welcome back to my blog.  It's been a few days.  Last time I posted was Wednesday of last week.  I had a really busy week with a lot of things to tackle and didn't quite get the chance to come back and post.  It was one of those weeks, where your head hits the pillow and you're out cold.

 

Anyway, hope you've all been doing well.  Let's get on with our Happy Homemaker Monday. 

 

Have a blessed week friends ♥   

♥♥ The Weather ♥♥

We had gorgeous weather a few days ago, actually Saturday was 83 and just beautiful.  Everyone was out in shorts and tank tops, flip flops and sandals, enjoying the weather.  Then yesterday it dropped to 40, and the rest of the week we are looking at more cold weather.  

Please someone, get me off this insane ride.   

Monday - Sunshine and clouds, 50

Tuesday - AM clouds/PM sun, 51

Wednesday - Sunny, 61

Thursday - Sunny, 62 

Friday - AM snow showers/wind, 44

Saturday - Sunny, 56

Sunday - Sunny, 71

♥♥ As I look outside my window ♥♥

Beautiful blue skies, with not a single cloud in sight.  The sun is shining, the grass is turning green, but it's bitter cold still. 

 

 

♥♥ Right now I am ♥♥ 

Sitting on my bed, under the warm covers.  Listening to Kendall Rae on Youtube (crime channel), about the unsolved Chicago Tylenol Murders, as I type up this post.

 

 

♥♥ Thinking and pondering ♥♥ 

About our house sale.  There has been a bit of a hold up, but we are leaving it in God's hands because He is the only one that can move mountains, remove obstacles and make a way. 

 

 

 

 ♥♥ Homemaking tips ♥♥ 

When meal planning, try to plan for leftovers as well.  Meaning.....if you are making a whole roast chicken, and you know there will be leftovers the next day, make the next night's meal something that will use up that leftover chicken.  Whether it's enchiladas, a chicken pot pie, or even soup.

 

 

♥♥ How I am feeling ♥♥ 

Quite well, was able to get some really good sleep last night.  The change in the weather is making everyone sniffly and snotty again, so my sinus has reared it's ugly head, along with a cough which thankfully is a productive one. (if you know what I mean).   I think I still have so much gunk from my flu a few weeks ago, plus the post nasal drip, plus the bad allergies/asthma.  It's been interesting to say the least.  

But overall, I feel wonderful, thankfully.

♥♥ On the breakfast plate ♥♥

Cup of coffee with Hazelnut creamer.  (seems I've regained my taste of creamer, over the past few days), cheesy toast. 

♥♥ On my reading pile ♥

The Sugar Camp Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini.  

The Bible, reading through Genesis.

♥♥ On my TV ♥♥

*  My Portuguese soaps, Quero e Viver, Serra and Para Sempre. 

*  Doctor Who - I stopped watching back in Season 8, it was around the time we were moving States and so much going on.  But I have been missing the show so much, so am picking it back up. 

*  Black Sails 

♥♥ On the menu ♥♥

 

Monday 

Pork Egg Rolls, Fried Rice

Tuesday 

Ham and Cheese Calzones, Onion rings

Wednesday 

Crockpot Ground Beef Casserole, Roasted Zucchini

 

Thursday 

Bangers and Mash, Cheesy Cauliflower 

 

Friday 

Pasta Carbonara, Garlic Bread, Salad

Saturday

Mexican Lasagna, Veggies

Sunday

Crack Chicken Sandwiches, Fries

♥♥ From the camera ♥♥

My water kettle decided to stop heating water.  It's so frustrating.  My previous water kettle lasted me about 5 years, this one?  I got it last year and it's already gone.  

 

I do have the normal kettles that I use on the stove, and will just use those for now.  Though the electric kettles are faster, it's not a must have, and there's no need to go out and spend money on something that can easily be substituted by my other traditional kettles. 

♥♥ Looking around the house ♥♥

My house is a total tip at the moment.  Curt got a new desk for the office, it was given to him at work because they've replaced all the older desks with new ones.  It is a beautiful u-shaped, solid wood desk, but weighs a ton.  (ok maybe exaggerating just slightly, but it's very heavy).

 

So Friday night, he and Nick removed the old desk, along with Nick's computer desk as well, and brought in and set up the new one.  The result is my living room housing 3 computer desks, along with bits and bobs that were removed from the office.  My hallway has another computer desk that Nick had in his room, and decided to switch with Curt's old office desk which is much sturdier.  

 

There is laundry on the couches to put away, there are empty boxes near the trash that need to go out.  There is a big trash bag filled with clothes, that I need to put in my car and take to the local goodwill.

 

There are cat toys and tunnels all over, and just a sense of total chaos which is making my eye twitch.  I like a clean, tidy and organized house.  I've never been one for a perfect looking home, where it looks like no one lives in it, but I also don't like a mess and things thrown about.  So guess what I'll be working on today?  Yep, my entire house. 

♥♥ To do list ♥♥

* Give this whole house a top to bottom clean

* Take pictures of the Dulce de Leche Cheesecake I made yesterday, for a blog post

* Laundry - I do a load during the week, then another on the weekend, but we were pretty much out of the house the whole weekend, so I have an overfilled basket needing attention.

* Cut up the pineapple, for easier snacking during the week.

* Devotional and Bible reading

 

 

♥♥  Prayer List ♥♥

My sister in law Hayley......this is her last week of radiation.  She has been doing ok though the treatments, but as you probably know, as the radiation progresses, it starts becoming quite painful. 

My mom Jacinta.....she has brain atrophy from her epilepsy and prolonged use of epilepsy medicine.  The atrophy and the shrinking white brain matter, cause frequent falls, loss of coordination, she can't walk and talk at the same time and she is quite confused.  She is 74 years old, and we are having to make some very difficult decisions at this time.

Ukraine and Russia.....for this senseless war to cease, and for the innocent citizens to be protected.  

For our country

For the sale of our house in Oklahoma

 

 

 

♥♥ Today's Devotional ♥♥

It's the heart that's the problem.  People, locations, and situations don't cause me to sin;  they're where the sin of my heart gets revealed.

 - New Morning Mercies Devotional by Paul David Tripp  

{ My Wednesday }

It has been such a beautiful day.  77 degrees, the most glorious warm sun shining down, not a cloud in the sky, and even a little breeze wafting in through the windows.

My back door was kept open, my windows were open wide as well, and the curtains swayed back and forth, ever so lightly.  It's little moments like these that warm my heart.

I think we so often let these precious moments go by, without paying any notice, as we go about our days.  So I'm glad I've learned to slow down, and take notice. 

Last year, I took a few cuttings from my Philodendron, to propagate.  This is the only one that survived and is only now starting to actually grow new leaves.  In the meantime, I think I mentioned last week that I had cut a whole bunch more to try and propagate.

Once those start rooting, I'll move them into this same pot and hopefully get a big lush plant out of it.

If it were up to me, I would propagate and propagate and fill my house with these heart shaped philodendrons.  They're by far, the easiest plant I've ever cared for.

In the afternoon, I sat and worked on my menu.  Elliott was undernearth the white blanket on the upper left of the photo.  He is so cute when he sleeps.  The minute he sees me sit on my bed, he is on, looking for a blanket to cuddle under and get a good nap.

I didn't get much else done today, I am dealing with quite a bit of cramping at the moment, so on days like these, I try to get as much rest as possible.  The light headed feeling doesn't help motivate me to do much of anything, so I try to listen to my body and follow it's lead.

I mostly worked on the computer, got the meal plan pretty much written up, just need to go over it again and see if I want to change anything, or add anything, and then write up the grocery list as well.

Also checked on the review books that have already come in.  You can see above, those are the ones that have arrived and I'll be reviewing within the next few weeks.

The only other thing I did today, was start rewatching Season 5 of Outlander, in preparation for the new season beginning on Sunday.  I hadn't watched Outlander in so long that I wasn't quite sure where the last season had left off, and didn't want to go into the new one, completely blank.

Dinner was another family favorite that just came up without being on the menu.  No one felt like having the fried chicken, and in it's place, they picked sloppy joes, which happen to be one of Nick's favorites.  I made some steak fries to go with the sloppy joes, and that was our meal.  So yummy.

And that my friends, is it, a very quiet, laid back day.  

Oh, we are also in the final stages of closing on the sale of my mother in law's house in Oklahoma (well my husband and brother in law's house now).

Curt and I have been paying all the bills on that house, for the past year and 2 months, and it's been a huge burden on us financially, considering we had just bought our own house the year prior to my mother in law passing.

To say that we are ready to see it sold, and be done with it burden, is an understatement.  The good thing, is that we managed to sell it to one of Curt's cousins, who was only too happy to buy a house that meant so much to the family, and holds so many wonderful memories.

God always knows what is best, and we have no doubt that His hand is in this process from start to finish, even down to picking the perfect buyers for the home.  

I'm sure very soon, we will be living stress free and able to just concentrate on fixing our own house.

{ Spring cleaning has begun - The bedroom }

Officially it is not Spring until the 20th of March, but can you tell how eager I am for it to come around?

 

I am over the slush, ice, snow and bitter cold that cuts to the bone.  I'm giving it it's marching orders, and demanding it leaves my home immediately.  It saw itself in, and it can see itself out.

Thankfully, we seem to be over the cold temperatures, and starting this week we are going to be enjoying high 70s.  

 

The minute this happens each year, I kick into overdrive.  It is like, just as the new life is beginning to take place in preparation for Spring, something within me begins feeling and acting the same way.

The plans start spinning in my head, all sorts of lists, ideas, gardening, pool time and barbecues.

 

Nature begins preparing outside, and I begin preparing inside.

Yesterday morning, I got my beans soaking to cook later.  I always have beans in the freezer, divided into individual tupperware, that I pull out for our meals as needed.  Then I quickly moved around the kitchen cleaning up, tidying and setting things straight in the kitchen.  

I was determined to start cleaning in my bedroom.  My main idea was to dust and vacuum, clean the headboard, pull the mattress off and spray it etc.  To be fair, I hadn't planned on actually spring cleaning, but giving it a good clean and tidy.

But before I got stuck on that, I wanted to give the fireplace a good clean, since we had used it so much last week during the most recent, winter storm.

Once that was done.  I headed to the bedroom.  I started by moving the mattress and box springs off the frame, wiped down, dusted and vacuumed the bed frame and fabric headboard, the moved the bed out to vacuum underneath.  The wall behind the bed was full of dust and cat hair.....gross.

I wiped down the walls, gave everything a good clean, and then thought "while I have the bed moved, I may as well spring clean the entire bedroom, move the furniture around a bit and leave it all looking and smelling nice and fresh."

And so spring cleaning officially began.......I moved the bed to the opposite wall, and moved the tv to where the bed used to be.  I washed curtains, wiped down the ceiling fan, changed the bed linens, organized and tidied.

The only thing I didn't do, was wash all my pillows, which I'll be doing tomorrow so that I can set them outside to dry.  I also plan to wash all the windows on the outside, including the screens.

I don't often show my bedroom, it's just not something I tend to take photos of.  I don't particularly care for the color of the walls and still plan to paint them white, sometimes this spring.  But, I do love my bedroom and aside from the kitchen, it is by far, my favorite room in the house. 

This wall below, where my writing desk sits, is a tough one for me to decorate.  I just can't seem to figure out what to do with it, until about a month ago, when I was telling Curt that I need more bookshelves for all the books I have.

He came to me the next day with plans to show me, and I am soooooo excited to seem them come to life.  We are going to build a full wall bookshelf, to the left of the window, from floor to ceiling.  It will be slanted at the top, just following the natural line of the wall and the beams above.  

If I could snap my fingers and have it done already, I would.  I'm that excited for it.

I love our side tables as well.  They are simple, but so pretty and I really like the way the books look on it.  I keep my Bible, devotionals and some Christian books on my side.  On top, I have the Alexa Echo, and then a Cath Kidston metal box, where I keep my hand cream, my motrin,  and the tv controls.

I've had that box for so long but wasn't using it for anything, and I don't like a messy side table, so this way everything is contained, out of sight and I have a pretty box to display too.

Curt's side table has a Bible, some Christian books,  along with some science ones as well.  He is deciding on which box he wants to place on the table, he has quite a few really pretty wood boxes, just has to pick one.

But on the table, he also has his Armor of God box.  It is a metal box, containing all the different pieces of the Armor of God, that come out individually and each talks about what it is, along with the Bible verse that goes with it.  It is beautiful, I love it.

It took me a few hours to get everything done, but the room looks so pretty and welcoming.  I already loved spending time in there, and now I'll enjoy it even more.

After I was done, I had some lunch, then sat down to read my book, while Elliott napped beside me.  And shortly after, I had a knock at the door, with a new review book from the publisher.  

 

 

 

It looks quite interesting, I don't remember requesting this one, but then I have so many books sent to me that I probably just forgot.  It's called A Thousand Steps into Night by Traci Chee.

Will let you know how it was, when I review it here on the blog.

I then had to pick Jasmine up at 3, came back home and immediately got going with dinner.  I switched up the meal plan yesterday, I had pastries planned, but the family wanted the baked ziti instead, so that is what I made.  Paired it with a caesar salad and some breadsticks and it was the best dinner, ever.  

 

And that was my day, just cleaning and doing mom things, but it's the kind of life that I love and am so thankful and blessed to have.  I thrive on homemaking,  cooking for my family, cleaning my house and all those things that maybe others don't enjoy.  

Today, I am just taking it easy, my body is a bit sore from the cleaning and moving the bed and tv etc.  It is also that time you know, and I've noticed since I hit perimenopause, the first two days are just awful.  Hormonal headaches, cramping, light headed, and just generally feeling unwell.  So I'm going to hang out with Elliott in my cozy bedroom, catch up on my reading, working on my budget for this new month, plan my menu and things like that.  

Things that I can do while sitting down.  I don't know about you all, but I can't be still for very long without starting to feel really guilty, like I should be up doing things.  This way, I am sitting but I'm still being productive.  It's how I trick myself into enjoying down time.  Hahahah

 

I also went by and visited all of your Happy Homemaker Monday posts, and left comments.  I wish I was better about doing it every Monday, but it doesn't always happen.

 

Right, I better get on off here and go take a motrin, the cramps are starting to kick in again.