11 Reasons Fall Makes Me Happy

October 26, 2011By Karen Barnett 4 Comments

In no particular order… Toddlers wearing costumes around town…weeks before Halloween. Hearing the marching band from the HS stadium, 1/4 mile away. The color of the sunlight as it filters through the golden leaves. Kids (in rubber boots) going on pumpkin patch field trips. The first leaf-raking afternoon (I don’t so much enjoy all the other leaf … Read More

Surprise!

October 20, 2011By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

Have you ever noticed God’s gifts sometimes show up in strange places or at surprising moments in time? This past summer, we fostered a dachshund puppy. She struggled with potty training and no matter what we tried, she would wake in the middle of the night and NEED to go out to do her business. … Read More

Friday Book Pick: OVER THE EDGE by Brandilyn Collins

October 14, 2011By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

The winner of the Book Of Dreams contest is… Pamela J. Congratulations Pamela! I’ll be contacting you by email to find out your mailing address.You will be receiving a new copy of Davis Bunn’s Book of Dreams courtesy of Howard Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, Inc. The Book Pick for today is Brandilyn Collins’ … Read More

Welcome to Nut-Week!

December 1, 2010By Karen Barnett No Comments

I still remember my daughter’s huge eyes looking straight at me a few months ago when her dance teacher announced the Nutcracker auditions. My heart sank. We try very hard to keep our kids activities to a minimum and we were already over-committed for the fall. She was already taking three hours of dance a week and my … Read More

Who is Ready for a Long Winter’s Nap?

November 17, 2010By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

So, my husband called me from work today. This is how the conversation went… Him: “So, how are you doing?” Me: “Oh, fine. The weather’s pretty dreary though.”  He works in a basement office with no windows, so I always feel compelled to give him a weather report. Him: “Oh, yeah?” Me: “Yep. Pretty typical February … Read More

Don’t Miss The Amazon Freebies!

November 10, 2010By Karen Barnett No Comments

How many of you have made the leap into the digital world with your reading? I still haven’t decided whether to buy a Kindle, iPad or Nook, but I have discovered that I enjoy reading books on my Droid smartphone. With a free downloadable app, you can read Kindle e-books on your computer, iPad, iPhone, Droid, Blackberry … Read More

The Dangerous Creative Life

October 24, 2010By Karen Barnett 3 Comments

The tiny wooden mallets (or “hammers”) trembled, slipping around in my grasp. I adjusted the dulcimer on its wooden stand and glanced around the room. People were filing out, talking and laughing together at the end of the first Christmas service. Another service would begin soon. “It’s only fifteen minutes,” I murmured to myself. “Fifteen minutes of music between services and then you’re … Read More

Fading Fairy Dust

October 6, 2010By Karen Barnett 1 Comment

After receiving a good-night hug from my daughter last night, I noticed a tiny fleck of glitter on my arm. I couldn’t bring myself to brush it away. My husband and I used to laugh whenever we found loose bits of glitter on ourselves. “You’ve been fairy-dusted!” There’s something about having a little girl that suddenly your house becomes a … Read More

What REALLY bugs you?

July 13, 2010By Karen Barnett 4 Comments

My 8-year-old was reading the other day and asked me the meaning of “pet peeve.” “Something that annoys you,” I answered. She thought for a moment. “Like a big brother?” Exactly.  It’s got me thinking — what are some of your pet peeves? Do you want to know how to really annoy me? Here are five ways… in … Read More

Beginning the Journey

November 24, 2009By Karen Barnett 2 Comments

Christmas is coming. I can no longer deny it. In fact, the holiday train left the station weeks ago. I saw the first decorations well before Halloween. I love Christmas, but it’s difficult to maintain that “Holly Jolly Spirit” for three months. So, when I heard that someone was going to speak to my Moms group about … Read More