Greetings!!
Summer has officially arrived, bringing with it hot temperatures and long days, warm nights, and endless opportunities for fun and relaxation. One of my most favorite things to do in the summer is collect sand plum with my grandkids. We have sand plums here on the homestead. We actually have two different spots to collect lots of fruit. We also have a mulberry tree that we normally put a sheet down on the ground and shake the tree enough to gather lots of mulberries. Creating memories that will last a lifetime is so important. Because when all is said and done it's what we have left are loved ones. Another thing that I love to do is collect wildflowers. Sometimes I will stop on the roadside and gather some beautiful blackeye-Susan or some pretty weeds to bring home. So even though it is hot try to make memories with your loved ones.

​The Dutch oven was used by many settlers, cowboys, loggers, and miners in which they happily made the American west.
Thanks to those that went before us and passed down family recipes throughout the years. I have a Dutch oven it was my great grandfathers Leonard Lee Davis, along with the family members before him. I had someone appraise it and it is placed in the early 1800s or earlier. I use it today when I cook, I always think of how many people cooked out of this old Dutch oven before me. If it could only tell stories what stories it would tell.
Do you have a Dutch Oven?

With the launch of my new book and my audible books I have been very busy. Let me tell you a little about the wonderful narrator that I have chosen.


Her name is Karen Brinton. Karen Brinton is new to voiceover industry but has a wide variety of experiences that has prepared her for her post-retirement career. She has honed her talents as an articulate speaker and expressive performer. Karen is also a professional vocalist and loves to experiment with vocal colors to bring characters to life. Her loving husband and sound production partner built a studio in their home and together they enjoy opening a reader's imagination by taking stories from the written words to the audible one!

With heat being in the 100's, grab a copy of my new release Looks to Timber. If you have little ones and can't read because you're doing household chores that's okay, plug into my selection of audibles books.

I hope everyone has a great day,

​Christine

Hello, everyone, so being in Deadwood was such an experience that I will treasure forever. I went there for the book signing event, but what I got out of it was a lot of inspiration for other books. Lord, I wish I had another week in Deadwood. The models that were present did such an amazing job. I like a lot of the pictures that could become covers for future books.
Being in Deadwood you had a sense of respect of what these locals and past pioneers had gone through. Walking the streets, you notice bricks, but then quickly imagine that at one time these streets were muddy and a sloppy mess. The winters are cold and hard. Yet, the spring and summer is blooming with wildflowers and green trees. It’s towns like these that keeps THE WEST alive.

Well, this past weekend, my youngest grandson turned three. My son-in-law and oldest daughter Bethany with their five kids, live in the Lawton area. The whole gang (my four adult children) and my mother and sister showed up for his birthday, including Dane's brothers. He was so excited that everyone was there. He had a paw patrol party; everything was decorated in paw patrol décor. At times I found myself reflecting on how fast he has grown up. Not just him but all my grandkids. They seem to grow a foot in a blink of an eye or become their person. It was beautiful to see my mother and sister. They live in Texas, so I don't see them as much.
We laughed and ate pizza and cupcakes; you can't forget the ice cream. He seemed to get every truck that he wanted. So, all the kids were busy playing as the adults visited and catching up.
I got to share about Deadwood before I knew it would be time to leave for that event. If I said I wasn't nervous, I would be lying.
Overall, the weekend was beautiful, and I enjoyed it every bit. I soak in these moments because time goes so fast.
Until next time,
Christine

​Spring is almost here. I'm ready to put up the long sleeves, swatersand barring out the shorts and flip flops. One of the things I love to do in the spring is plant flowers. Now keeping them alive is a different story. I think I have a green thumb but in reality I don't. If anyone has some helpful hints about keeping plants alive I'm open to them. Sometimes I wish I could call my kids and say it's flower season, let's plant. Then it would be done in one day with 4 adult kids. You could imagine how fast that would be.
Like everything else we all have our own lives and we are all so busy. Now don't get me wrong I'm not feeling sorry for myself. I"m just making a wishful hint, hint!! :) Well I hope everyone enjoys their wonderful day. Remember Spring is almost here. 
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!

   I hope everyone had a great Merry Christmas, along with enjoying your family.

Over the Holidays, I have been thinking of one very special lady. Not sure why she has popped into my thoughts. Haha
​
 Have you ever met someone that just stays with you, even when they are long gone you still think about this person off and on. Well here lately it has been Cozetta Hand.
 She was a daughter, sister, wife, mother and a singer. She loved the Lord with her whole-body heart and soul. Before she passed away, I had the honor of sitting with her and   experience life with her before the end came.
 She had a song that she would sing, and it has been on my heart lately. I think more because Dwayne and I had our 31st anniversary on the December 20th. I have come to realize that no matter how old you get, life is short, and we need to remember to bring the little things that once made us happy back into our lives.
 Here is the song,
 Blanket on the ground I don’t own the rights to this song.
 Come and look out through the window at that big old moon that is shining down, tell me now don’t it remind you of the blanket on the ground.
 Remember back when love first found us. We’d go slipping out of town and we’d love beneath the moon light on the blanket on the ground.
 I’ll get the blanket from the bedroom will go walking once again to that spot down by the river where our sweet love first began just because we are married don’t mean we can’t foul   around so let’s walk out through the midnight light and lay the blanket on the ground.
 Do you remember how excited we used to get when love was young that old moon was our best buddy, we couldn’t wait till nighttime would come now you know, you still excite me.   I know you love me like just like I still love you. I just wish once more you’d love me on that blanket on the ground.
 I love that song.
 So, I leave you with this, grab that old blanket and go lay it on the ground.
 
 Love you all,
Christine

Spending time alone, or "me time" as we call it, is hard to do for some of us. Some of you still have kids at home, some have a 9 to 5 job that keeps you busy, and sometimes it is just that life, in general, can get in the way of spending time alone.
We just got back from a small trip to Ozark Mountains in Arkansas. This whole trip, I did some self-reflection. You see, I have been feeling overwhelmed lately. So this trip came at the right time for me. Thanks to my loving sidekick, my husband, Dwayne, insisted that we go. Which I'm very thankful for. While on this trip, I did not work on any new books or look for new inspiration. It was solely to do some self-reflection. When I'm feeling overwhelmed, I don't want to create. The best medicine for me was being alone with Dwayne and taking a nature hike or just hanging out in camp. 
Spending time alone truly gives you a reflection about who you are and where you want to go in life. Self-reflection as humans and /or as artists, we should always encourage others and ourselves to do alone time. You will be surprised at what you can find out about yourself and what you need to improve on. 
So my goal is to mark out time for myself. Ways to do that are getting your hair done and going on a long walk. Go to a coffee shop and read a book that you have been putting off. You get the idea. So, I pray that we all take time for ourselves. I came back from Arkansas with a full cup which is overflowing now. I'm ready to create.
I love and appreciate you all. God Bless you, and have a great day.
Love Christine

P.S. Take time for yourself.

Hello, readers, my husband and I went on our 11-day trip. While we were gone, we stayed in our tent.  It is old-time camping and reminds me of when I was a kid. 
At one park that we stayed at, we heard coyotes all night long. It was so relaxing. Another night it rained all night long that was the best sleep ever.
Old-time camping is now called overlanding. You would be amazed at how many people do this type of camping.
So, are you a camper that stays in the RV or a tent? Drop me a note and let me know your thoughts.

Blessings,
Christine