The Saturday Six

One.

Katie Farrell's new book, Nourish, is on my list of books I want to get and read, but I wanted to share this teaser she shares on her blog this week. Her tips on how to practice mindful eating are excellent and are reminders I know I need...so I'm sure I'm not alone in that! 

Two.

One of my articles was featured on the Annesley website this week!

Three.

If you need a new boutique to check out and haven't heard of Neesee's Dresses, take a look! (And they're probably not even remotely to be classified as new, but they're new to me, so therefore I call them new.) Love the prices!!

Four.

Several years ago, the Gaithers recorded a couple of videos to honor the life of Billy Graham. They released a special (short) compilation this week that pays a final tribute to his life and ministry. It's less than five minutes if you'd like to take a look!

Five.

Graduation season is not far away (eek!) and if you're looking for some creative ways to give cash to the grads in your life, here are some suggestions. (We've actually used one of these for a graduation gift before. It's fun!)

Six.

Source

Last week I told you I'd read a vintage Irene Hannon book that my friend Shari handed down to me. Well she actually gave me two Irene Hannon books at once, and the second one, Rainbow's End, was my next read. This one was published back in 2007 and is the most delightful little read.

Young widower Keith Michaels is wandering about the United States trying to heal from the pain of his wife's death. He doesn't have any particular plan or destination. He just wants to feel better. While on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest, Keith is stranded by a storm, and the timing couldn't be worse. The whole island is filled with people who have come in for the 4th of July festivities, and no one has a place for him to stay until the storm has passed.

A local woman suggests he take refuge with the "widow lady" on the island. She has a spare cottage and would surely be able to offer him refuge. And she does. But Keith is shocked to find she's not the old widow lady he expects, but instead a mystifying young woman who has clearly dealt with more than a lifetime of pain herself.

With no place he has to be, Keith decides to stick around Orcas Island for a while, doing odd jobs and hopefully learning more of Jill Whelan's story.

Meanwhile, Jill is unprepared for the arrival of this stranger in her life. She prefers to stay in total seclusion, where no one can see (or stare), but she starts to remember the joy of human companionship. Between Keith's presence and the occasional visits of a young boy who seems to crave her company but won't speak to tell her his story, Jill's whole summer - and world - are turned upside down.

I love it when Irene Hannon sets stories in the Pacific Northwest. She's almost convinced me to move there, because she portrays it as such a beautiful place, and Rainbow's End is no exception. I loved reading about Keith and Jill, and Irene even had me cheering on an injured baby bird before the book ended. (That's how persuasive she can be in her writing!)

A comforting, easy read that was so pleasant. I loved it! (And I'm loving the discovery of all these Love Inspired books Irene wrote years ago!)