Catching up!

I hope my readers are being patient! I am so far behind on my blog entries, but I plan to catch up this week.I have been so busy and have so much to talk about. In fact, I hadn't realized that my last post was May 8. Good grief! Today is the 27th already.You will all hear from me soon. I have several book reviews to post, as well as news from Memorial Day and a new project I'm working on.

Is it spring yet?

I'm beginning to wonder!
Although the weather reports are good and the thermometer claims it's warm, we have been innundated with cold winds that makes it seem almost chilly.
That's hasn't stopped progress on getting the yard ready for summer. We've been planting flowers, trimming and weeding beds, adding some new sod in places and generally cleaning up after winter.
Of course, there's still work to be done, but it's beginning to look nice.
I call our yard my "little oasis." On both sides, there is no lawn, just weeds. They aren't taken care of at all. In fact, our yard is the only one on our side of the block that is tended to. It's not picture perfect by any means, as I like the more natural look, but it does stand out when you drive up.
Hopefully, the wind will die down this afternoon so I can finish planting my petunias and pansies.

Goldeneyes

This is the first book by Delia Latham I've read and I was definitely pleasantly surprised.
It is a great read!
Juliana discovers her parents "bought" her as an infant. The news rocks her world -- to say the least -- and she is determined to find out the truth about who she is. She does love her parents and has been truly loved in return, but she can't leave the questions unanswered.
What she finds not only astounds her family, it also ultimately strengthens their faith.
Latham is a wonderful writer. The dialogue between these characters is so down-to-earth and believable that you feel you are actually listening to them talk. Right from the beginning, you feel as if you know them personally. She has a rare gift!
I hope I have the opportunity to read other books by this author.

Family Tree

What happens when a Caucasian couple gives birth to a black baby? Imagine the possible thoughts that would run through their minds!
This book by Barbara Delinsky explores that exact scenario.
Dana and Hugh have what many would consider a "perfect" marriage. Although they come from two different worlds, their love is one that many dream of someday finding. Yet, when their first child is born, their marriage is threatened as little Lizzie is obviously black. They realize that somewhere in their ancestry, there must be some African American blood.
The obvious choice would be Dana. She never knew her father, yet her mother died when Dana was just a child, so she is unable to ask her about it. She was raised by her grandmother, who also knows nothing about Dana's father. All they know is what little her mother told them ... he was a one-night stand while she was in college.
In the meantime, Hugh's family (rich, snobbish, self-assured and very white) begins flinging accusations. They remind him that he was warned against marrying this woman, especially in light of the fact that he knew nothing of her background or heritage. They also drop not-so-subtle hints that she may have had an affair.
Hugh begins to question his own feelings about this beautiful little girl. One part of him loves her because he knows deep down that she is his daughter. On the other hand, he demands DNA testing to prove -- to his family, he says -- that Lizzie is indeed their child. Dana is indignant, but agrees. After all, she has nothing to hide.
When the tests prove Lizzie is truly the child of Hugh and Dana, they begin a quest to discover who Dana's father is.
What they find will truly astound them!
This is a great book and one of Delinsky's best that I've read so far. She's a wonderful author and her books are always hard to put down.