Tea Tonic

Throughout history, honey has been effective as an analgesic (pain reliever) and perhaps even a healing remedy. Vinegar was always my mother’s favorite antiseptic, as it containing many purifying and therapeutic properties. With this delicious tea, you’ll get the restorative powers of both.

Begin by making a cup of hot tea, preferably decaffeinated. Add one teaspoon of honey and one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Any honey is good, but health advocates claim that honey made by bees in an individual’s own region is even more beneficial to the body’s system—especially if you deal with seasonal allergies.

This tea is very tasty and is known among the Amish as being helpful with headaches, colds, flu, sore throat, insomnia, and many other ailments.

*

Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig

Ronie Kendig is a debut novelist. That’s right a debut novelist! Her first book, Dead Reckoning, releases TODAY!!! Ronie is a suspense writer, and she’s devised MISSION JULIA! Look for clues in the text below, follow the trail from one blog to another, and you’ll have a chance to win a prize package that includes an iPod Nano!!

If you see names you don’t recognize, you may be engaging with her characters. I hope you’ll play and welcome Ronie and Dead Reckoning on the book circuit!

MISSION REPORT: Julia Jaxon is still missing. Her brother, Reece Jaxon, launched this mission to find his sister when details about her identity were inadvertently released in Ronie Kendig’s DEAD RECKONING. After hijacking Ronie’s post on Novel Journey, a team of specialists are searching for clues to her whereabouts. Won’t you please join us and help locate Julia? The more eyes roving the globe, the better the chance to find her.

When Shiloh Blake’s first large-scale unDerwater archeologIcal dig traps her in the middle of an internatioNal nuclear arms clash, she is forced to flee for her life into the streets of Mumbai , India . Is the man trailing her an enemy, or is hE sent by her CIA father to protect her? Whoever he is, the only way to end this nightmare and prevent a nuclear mEltdown is to join forces with former Navy SEAL Reece JaxoN.

For more information on how to play go to: http://supernaturalcraving.blogspot.com/

Ronie Kendig has a BS in Psychology and is a wife, Mother of four, and avid writer. Her novels Include Dead Reckoning (March 2010, Abingdon Press) and Nightshade (JuLy 2010, Barbour Publishing), Book#1 in The Discarded Heroes series.  She speaks to various groups, voLunteers with the American Christian Fiction WritErs (ACFW), and mentors new writeRs. Ronie can be found at www.roniekendig.com.

MISSION: JULIA (M:J) is entirely based upon a work of fiction entitled Dead Reckoning by Ronie Kendig. No lives are in jeopardy, but if you thought so—imagine how awesome Dead Reckoning will read!

THE CONTEST LISTED BELOW IS NOW CLOSED.

I love the aroma of foods, don’t you? —Chili, stews, or soups cooking all day in the Crock Pot or simmering on the stove, bread baking, casseroles in the oven, or steaks on the grill—to mention a few. The wafting scents each carry its own pleasure and those smells often bring memories with it. When I think of a great meal, desserts often come to mind. The sweet, spicy fragrance of a fresh-made pie or cake can linger in the home all day…and remain in the memory for a lifetime. Our Amish friends love to bake, but it’s just one part of a very busy day. Even though every Amish person I know grows their own vegetables and cans their own meat, you’ll find many also trying to save time by using cake mixes, packaged seasonings, or prepared foods from the grocery store. Do you find it surprising, disappointing, or encouraging that most Amish women use a few modern ways to help them accomplish their goals? Do you have a time-saving tip you can share with us? Do Amish novels encourage you to enjoy cooking?

If you’d like a chance to win a set of Amish-made potholders, gift cards, and your choice of one of my books  just leave a comment. Contest/sweepstake is open to those in the United States and Canada. A winner will be drawn Monday, March 1.

To my Facebook friends and fans, you’ll read this blog entry on Facebook through a feed, but if you’d like to be included in the chance to win, you need to go to my Web site and leave a comment. http://www.cindywoodsmall.com

Amish Chicken Noodle Soup
3 pounds chicken
2 quarts water
2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 cups chicken stock
2 cups celery, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
1 tart apple, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
Dash of pepper
4 cups egg noodles

Place chicken in kettle with 2 quarts water. Cover until tender (about 2 1/2 hours).
Remove chicken from kettle and strain broth. Debone chicken and return to kettle with strained broth. Add chicken stock, celery, carrots, apple, onions, and pepper and cook until vegetables are tender. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes.

Behatz Hoffning (Embrace hope)!

P.S. The winner of the Facebook Contest for the Amish-made quilt is Facebook fan Mary Collins. Congratulations, Mary!

I’m having a special contest that will only last until February 15.

CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.

The winner of the quilt is Facebook fan Mary Collins!

CONGRATULATIONS, MARY!

The prize is an Amish-made quilt! The one seen in the photo above. This quilt was sewn by Anna, who is the daughter of a bishop. She’s signed and dated the quilt.

This special contest is for anyone who becomes a Cindy Woodsmall Facebook friend or fan. You are welcome to join either.

Are you already a friend or fan of mine on Facebook? I appreciate you so much and want you to join the contest, too. Just check out #2 on the entrance guidelines below.

Here’s how to enter:

1. Become a Facebook friend or fan. OR
2. If you are already a fan or friend, get one other person you know to join as a friend or fan. THEN…
3. After you become a Facebook friend or fan (or have recruited someone else), send a blank e-mail.
4. Place the words “Facebook Contest” in the subject line. If you’ve recruited someone else, put their name in the subject line as well. And they can enter the contest also!
5. Send to cindy@cindywoodsmall.com.
6. Each person may only submit ONE entry for this contest.

This contest is open to residents of the continental United States and Canada. If you have any questions, just zip me an e-mail.

Karen Kingsbury sent a letter to all her reader friends.  In it she shares trusted organizations we can give to and ways we can pray.

Letter posted by permission.

Dear Reader Friends,

As you know, Haiti was hit by a massive earthquake yesterday causing the loss of tens of thousands of lives and the collapse or ruin of most major buildings. Many of you have contacted me this morning asking which relief organization I’m supporting, and how you can help. For immediate relief needs, I’d like to suggest the following website:

*WorldVision.com is a Christian version of Red Cross - another great humanitarian organization. World Vision is set up and working to help people in the numerous locations in Haiti where their people are stationed. Even now World Vision is rallying food, water, blankets, tents, and emergency medical help. Your donation will be immediately felt with World Vision.

Other ways you can help the people of Haiti on a longterm basis:
* HandsandFeetProject.org - A grassroots organization that does an amazing job of caring for orphans and abandoned children and teaching the next generation about Jesus. I am personally connected to this group through Extraordinary Women, and I believe deeply in their efforts.

* Heart of God Ministries - A ministry that once included the orphanage where we adopted our three boys. Today they work exclusively in the revival, restoration and recovery of Haiti.

* Lifeline.org - A ministry that works year-round in the support and spiritual gowth of people in Haiti. This group is smaller, but very effective in their place in the city.

On a personal note, we have not heard from Josh’s birth mother - the only parent still alive and with whom we are still in contact. Josh is processing this, praying for her, and I’d ask you to do the same. The other boys are sort of stunned by pictures they see. They understand the great need, and in thier own way they want to help. They are pulling together birthday money and grade money to send to the relief effort. EJ’s middle school is rallying to send a donation, and our boys’ friends, friends of our families have formed a groundswell of willingness to help. Some way. However they might.
If you are unable to help financially, then please pray.
Pray for the thousands of American missionaries in Port au Prince, and the impact they might have in the coming days and weeks as this disaster continues to play out. Pray for the rescue workers - that they might arrive safely at a broken airport and quickly find their way to those still buried alive beneath buildings. Pray for revival in Haiti, that this small strife-ridden nation would place complete trust in God in the aftermath of this tragedy.
Pray for the families who have lost loved ones. Everyone is touched, everyone affected. I saw one video image of a young man wandering in the rubble, shock masking his bleeding face. He stopped, scanned the ground and moved another couple feet. There he picked up the lifeless body of a little boy who looked about two years old. A child lying dead in the street. What the people of Haiti are experienceing today is beyond our comprehension.
Still, miracles abound and will undoubtedly be told in the days to come. I heard today about a young American missionary who drove 12 hours through the night to the small hut where he knew his wife was working at the time of the quake. He saw only her hand sticking up from the rubble, but she was alive. Hours later he had unburied her from beneath slabs of cement and she is unharmed - the two of them turning all their efforts towards helping others. So please pray.
I’ll be sending out my January newsletter in a week or so. Just wanted to touch bases with all of you looking to help and give you a direction that will make the most of your donation, a direction I trust and support.
Give those you love an extra hug today, and thank God for the chance to do so.

In His light and love, until next time . . .

Karen Kingsbury

www.KarenKingsbury.com