Hello, friends. I have exciting news this morning! Darlene Beck-Jacobson invited me to visit her blog and talk about my new picture book, Be Kind, Make Friends. Such an honor!
I hope you can hop over to visit Darlene’s blog and read more about how Be Kind, Make Friends came to life. Make sure to leave a comment on Darlene’s blog to get your name in the hat for a chance to win a copy of Be Kind, Make Friends!
And as always, have a lovely, blessed day.
heart of sunflower
beams joy to avian friends,
buzzes, and humans
heart of sunflower by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
Two things about this picture.
First, just look at that handsome guy hanging out in his office at work. That’s my honey and God has really blessed me with a wonderful husband and best friend. ❤️
Second, check out the background. My honey is such a strong supporter and cheerleader for me. He’s proudly displaying and showing off Be Kind, Make Friends, my new picture book. What a great guy! I love you honey!
Read more at: Be Kind, Make Friends
Book available at: wmustore.com/preschool
OR call: 1-205-995-4850
My honey LOVES using up scrap wood to make garden tables. Mostly for me. 🙂 But he has gifted them to others.
Here are two of the newest projects. The small table used 2 slates from an old outdoor table and wood scraps from other projects. We always use the tables he makes outside and let them weather naturally. But this baby is inside Huckleberry Hutch, sitting perfectly beside my reading chair. Already topped with books. I might have to sneak it out sometimes to get some weathering going on.
Monet approves of this table. Actually, she approves of both tables.
The second table is also composed of wood scraps. It is solid! I love the long length and the design. This will stay outside where the elements will weather it to a lovely gray. We are using this one on the patio just outside the abode. Perfect!
I love the new additions to my Huckleberry and garden. Save those wood scraps and you can make awesome creations as well! Thanks, my love.
peek-a-boo face stares
swims, plays coy in the wet sand
rocky bed for fish
rocky bed by Angie Quantrell
My pansies and Johnny-jump-ups are fading fast in this heat, so I took a few hours to hammer flowers. I also snuck in a red rose that was nearing the end, to surprising results!
I haven’t figured out how to keep them firmly in place once I start hammering. I think my table is not as sturdy as it should be, so the whole thing bounces. Whoops. But I am not hammering on my oak table! Bouncing it is.
They turned out so well! These are the only colors that are still flowering, despite my deadheading.
I did one page in my mixed media journal, combining a bunch of inks and “stuff.” And I experimented with card-sized cardstock, which turned out well, but it takes MANY flowers to fit on one of those (I did 5 card fronts). Hammering flowers is a workout! My honey was outside and thought someone in the neighborhood had their bass up too loud. LOL.
Just look at the surprising color I got from the red rose! I didn’t finish the page in my journal yet, but I was fascinated by the results.
The leaves did not leave any color at all. Too tough and thick.
I have some zinnias getting ready to bloom. I might experiment, but they are pretty thick flowers. Flower hammering. Experimenting is fun. Creating is FUN!
Until next time.
Oh, yes! My son brought home fresh cherries and shared. Right off the tree. I love ripe cherries!
But I can only eat so many in one day and I didn’t want to waste them. What to do with the rest?
Clafoutis! Just in time I found this easy clafoutis recipe. Custardy, yummy, and filled with lots of cherries. Mmmm.
What is your favorite cherry recipe?
I still have some cherries left.
Yippee! Happy book birthday, Be Kind, Make Friends! The author 🙂 (me) is so very happy and pleased with this picture book!
Written by Angie Quantrell
Illustrated by Gayle West
Woman’s Missionary Union, 2024
So many people contributed this book, whether it be by sharing an idea, reading different drafts, offering suggestions, copyediting, proofreading, creating the fabulous illustrations, or getting the word out. Thank you! This was a labor of love, and I am thankful to the Lord and the community of helpers.
About this book:
What does it mean to be kind and make friends? Why is this important? Preschoolers will explore the whys and hows of being kind to others and making friends as they interact with the engaging text and colorful pictures found in Be Kind, Make Friends. You can encourage preschoolers to be kind and make friends with this picture book. Preschoolers will be especially glad to follow the examples when you share that missionaries show kindness and make friends with others in their work around the world.
Just in case you were wondering, Be Kind, Make Friends is available at wmustore.com.
A long ago trunk split, and then a gradual reconnecting across empty space stitched together this tree to make it amazingly strong. Plus, that window looking out across the park! Fascinating.
Palouse Falls, Washington State
