Home Projects

Another Homefront, Another Project

deborahanndykeman

I love this post I wrote about five years ago! The pictures brought back so many great memories. I loved that little house, and all that was accomplished there in the years our family owned it.

That same grandson has been a huge help with our newest little house. I love a cottage feel, and I love white and cobalt blue colors. Our grandson has helped me get that ambience here in the Ozarks, and our oldest daughter has done all the painting…something that I am WAY over! These are the pictures of our little kitchen; with cabinet colors I wouldn’t have thought of before. They are really growing on me! The dining room is my absolute favorite! Check out our newest coffee station. Somehow, coffee tastes even better in just the right space.

We are still working on the kitchen here. The same flooring in the dining room will be in the kitchen. I need to install a backsplash. But for now, the holidays are upon us, followed by winter. It’s time for a break. More pictures to come of the finished projects!

On the Homefront
A Day to Remember

A Special Day

deborahanndykeman

Today is our anniversary. Forty-two years! It will feel warm today here in the Ozarks, but not as warm as that day in the Catskill mountains.

Lots of pictures to remind me of that day. Many people not with us anymore. Five people, our children that have made our forty-two years an adventure.

And that’s the best word for it. Enjoy!

Friday Trivia – Our Wedding!
Our Christian Walk, Parenting 101

Good Or Bad, Not A Lot Has Changed

deborahanndykeman

Talk about transparency! The new stylish word for letting it all hang out. I think that is what was said back in the 1970s when you spoke openly and honestly.

I wish I could say a lot has changed since I wrote this post. Other than my age…almost 62, and the years married…42 on Tuesday, things are about the same. Still no master’s degree in anything.

That was a difficult period in our lives, but my husband’s Parkinson’s diagnosis and the deaths of both my parents within two years have given me a different kind of perspective. Again, good and bad aspects of life.

Just life.

Truth Be Told
Where do I go?

The Creative Process

deborahanndykeman

This post was written when I was in the middle of writing the When series of books. These books were my first efforts of designing my own covers as well. It was pretty exciting stuff for me!

I still love creating covers. It really gets me into the headspace of what my characters look like, where they live, etc. Rather like a book with pictures that we loved so much when we were litttle.

Three books became the When series, which started out with only the first book being a stand-alone. I titled it, The Dead Deserted Garden, and my editor said, “No!”

That title still intrigues me! Especially with Halloween just around the corner. My writing brain goes to many different places with that one.

Get your copies of the three-book series: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NTG1VH9?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tkin

Tuesday Teaser
A Quick Thought

Not Happening!

deborahanndykeman

This has been one long and hot summer! With the temperature at 81 degrees before noon today, it’s still miserable in my opinion.

I’ve always changed the sheets to flannel and accomplished my autumn major cleaning around the first of October. With our recent move, the cleaning isn’t as much of a priority because I’ve been major cleaning since we moved in the first of June! Because of some home projects I’m just now unpacking my decor items which have been snuggled in my curtains. Walls washed, curtains washed, windows washed…all check.

But it’s going to be a few more days before the flannel comes out. I also switch over to our winter wardrobe around the first of the month. That will also have to wait. Shorts and a t-shirt are still the at home wear for now!

I enjoyed reading this post, and it made me miss our cat, Cassie. She was one-of-a-kind. Somewhere on this site I wrote a post about her leaving and the reason behind it. Two more kitties joined our family because of that, but it was still sad to remember.

Anyway…off to paint because the sheet change is not happening! Have a great day!

Time to Change the Sheets!
Just For Fun!

Bird Knowledge

deborahanndykeman

If the picture above doesn’t cause anxiety from a certain movie, please continue to read. 😉

Repost from 2017, and I still don’t know the answers! How knowledgeable are you when it comes to birds?

Friday Trivia
Writing

Congratulations!

deborahanndykeman

One hundred readers won an e-book copy of Sweet Forbearance at the end of my Goodreads Giveaway, September 30th.

Thank you to all that entered!

The giveaways are always a fun way to get my books into the hands of readers. I look forward to doing another one very soon! In the meantime, be watching for the release of the fourth book in the series, Sweet Endurance. Currently working on that and making progress! Yay! If you have followed the Atkins family in the first three books, you will be excited to read about Chris. He’s been one interesting guy and continues to be.

As you head into your weekend, stay safe, relax and take some time to just…be!

A Quick Thought, Just For Fun!

A bit of fun trivia…

deborahanndykeman

I’ve had this site for 10+ years now!

Because of that, I do have way more content than I ever thought I would when I was first dipping my toes into the very new and challenging world of blogging. It’s been kind of fun for me to read my old posts, and in so doing, I will be sharing some of them again. (Yes, because some of them were just really good. ;))

If you’ve read much on here, or know me, you also know I have a love of cars. When I saw this post, I had to share because these cars are gorgeous!

Take the little trivia test on here for fun.

I flunked it! Even though I shared it! Have a fantastic weekend!

Friday Trivia
Writing

I’ll Take It

deborahanndykeman

I’m excited to announce that I’m on BookBub! This is my author page: https://deborah-ann-dykeman.author-pages.com/ Please check it out and follow me. Eventually I will have a mailing list as well. I’m learning the ropes and getting it figured out.

A kindly reminder that my newest release, Sweet Forbearance, #3 in the Love Defined series is currently in a Goodreads Giveaway. For one more week!

You may enter to win right here: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/449206-sweet-forbearance-brad-and-anna

For whatever reason, I’m having a bit of attention given to this book. My editor thinks it is AI generated interest, and it more than likely is.

But I’ll take it!

I find it interesting that these people, readers, etc. are contacting me, and telling me about my story. They are fairly accurate. I love reading what their conclusions are about what they have read. It makes for fantastic book club reads and discussions! And of course, I would like to say to them that each of my books deal with the kinds of emotions, tragedies, problem-solving, and love that they are finding in Sweet Forbearance. This book written by me is not unique in that.

So, enter to win your free copy of Sweet Forbearance. But definitely check out my other books available right here: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Deborah-Ann-Dykeman/author/B01B2BYPK6?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1790190674&sr=1-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=0c7ea4a4-b37e-470b-8966-ce878741fdf6

As always, I would love to hear what you think about what you’ve read. If you are really a person, and have really read my book, even more so! 😉

Writing

Word Expression

deborahanndykeman

Is the key that unlocks a writer’s very soul. This post from almost 10 years ago reminds me of that, and the need I have within me to dig deeper. Express more.

This Life is Real…and so are the Answers. My life is real. Not made up, not expounded upon for attention. The answers I have are from living through, surviving, and going on from the trauma, the hurt, trust issues, and wondering if I was worthy of love.

Please stayed tuned.

Expression of Who You Are