O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

Here we are at a lot not even five minutes from our house picking out a beautiful noble fir for just $25. We could have gotten a better deal, but the $10 spot was closed. Yes, we’re very lucky…as I just talked to Aunt Judy in WY and a noble fir of the same height […]

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Excuses, Excuses

I haven’t blogged for almost a week! Not that there are too many people reading this who might even notice, but for posterity’s sake, for when my great-grandchildren find an old electronic file to read on whatever device they’ll be using then, I want to have shown consistency. But all I’ve got is excuses…I could […]

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Never Grow Up

(We will now listen in at the Berry family dinner table.) Joshua, 5 years old: I never want to grow up. Andrea, 7: Then you’d better find Peter Pan and go with him to Neverland. Mom: How long would you go to Neverland for? Joshua: 100 years! Mom: If you stayed that long, when you […]

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Let It Snow, Let It Snow

First of all, let me just say congratulations to the Gaston School Board for knowing almost a year ago that today would be the first day of snow and planning a Report Card Day of no school for the children. Wonderful foresight! All four of our kids together. The beautiful view from our house. The […]

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Happy Thanksgiving!

I awoke this morning feeling crummy, but probably feeling better than most turkeys! The kids and I, because Kevin had to work, drove to the Alzheimer’s facility where my Grandma Peterson lives. We had a wonderful, private meal in the conference room. We ate until we were stuffed…as stuffed as a turkey. Wow, what a […]

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Let ‘er Buck!

The Portland area Buckarettes, class of ’95! We all went to high school in Pendleton, home of the WORLD FAMOUS PENDLETON ROUNDUP! Impressed, aren’t you? From the back left: Kim, baby Evie, Gillian, Holli, Nicole, baby Lauren, and Allyson. Front left: me, Amelia, Alison, and baby Eli. (Oh, I’m really hoping I didn’t get Amelia’s […]

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Passionate Patience

My friend, published author Angela Meuser, introduced me to that phrase. I think every unpublished author needs to post it by his/her computer. Romans 8: 24b-25 is discussing a different subject within the context of that chapter, but I think it applies to being published, too. Who hopes for what he already has? But if […]

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Testing of Faith

I have this faith that we will be published at some point in time, so where does all the rejection fit into this? “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you […]

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Faith for the Future

One night, I finished reading one of Jane Kirkpatrick’s books and I lay there sobbing. Lord, how can I even think to call myself a writer? I could never, ever write a book of this quality, with this much research. She’s just sooo talented… He brought to mind the parable of the talents. I was […]

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Sour Note at the End of a Beautiful Tune

Have you ever done something idiotic and then kicked yourself in the pants for hours afterwards? First of all, today has been a day full of affirmation. Since Mom and I officially launched our website (www.ashberrylane.net), emails for subscriptions to our newsletter and entries into the contest have been flooding in. The life of a […]

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