Congratulations to Valerie R., who won a Kindle or Nook copy of the short story Amish Blizzards set or the paperback, Nook, or Kindle version of An Autumn Wind in Walnut Creek.! Thanks to all who have entered! 

XOXO

Sicily

Blog Hop

   I am giving away a FREE Kindle or Nook set of my best-selling Amish Blizzards series to one lucky winner!  Comment below, with your favorite summertime treat to win.Those without a Nook or Kindle will be entered to win a hard-copy of An Autumn Wind in Walnut Creek, signed by me.

Morning Blessings

Good Morning, Fans!  I am picking up some supplies tomorrow to bake bread with my daughters this weekend, and Ashlee Anne is coming over to clean all day. She is shampooing my carpets. The car wreck is still poking at me, but I will one day be healed through Jesus Christ' stripes. The Bible promises this. All I need is the faith of  a mustard seed.
   Do you sometimes doubt, second-guessing God? We all do from time to time, but if we replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts, our minds can be refocused on believing that we can conquer the problem at hand. I've done this, time and time again, and it change my whole day.
   Prayer is essential. Prayer Warriors change lives as God works through them. Some of the strongest Christian sisters that I know spend a lot of time on their knees. You've seen them on social media, they are always lifting everyone else up. What would the world be like if a teenager group of cowgirls thought they could transform each community that they go compete in?  That's a lot of praying, isn't it?
   Cowgirls for Jesus is my new series, and it will be written as I travel, following my son, Jason Taylor, on the rodeo circuit. He competes in rodeos. While I pray. And I pray hard. Now, if he was roping cattle, I admit, which he has done for years, I wouldn't have been praying as much since that's almost natural in farm settings.
   The big question is, why would I have been praying less? The Bible says to pray without ceasing. There are several teachings that say that mothers should pray over their children. In this case, I have failed as a parent.
   The good thing is that today is a new day, and I can become a better parent. We can all learn from the past and strengthen our faith, love, and courage. I'm sure I'll be stronger one rodeo at a time. Come along with me for the ride! I will be keeping a journal, entitled  "Rodeo Prayers."


XOXO

SICILY

"The best place to find God is down on the floor."

I know that you've heard the saying, "All good things must come to an end." Well, that is how it is with my very popular  short-story serial, Amish Blizzards. The last volume will be out next weekend. As I look back on the previous volumes, I reflect on how the "cowboy" is always so enticing in many romance stories. He is intriguing, rough, and resilient.
   When he is a Christian, it makes him even more of a man, in my opinion, mainly, because faith and courage is hard during extreme hardships, especially for farmers. One would think that I love to write about the Amish and Mennonites because of this strong bond of family, the land, and faith, and that would be partly true.
   You seem, my "second parents," since I was around twenty-one-years-old, are conservative Mennonites, and I learned how to drive next to the church/school, and I spent a summer living next to the church/school. "Write about what you know" is another very common saying, and most people do write about what they know.
   I would be fibbing, for sure, if I said that I began writing because I wanted to solely write about what I know. Of course, part of the reason that I told my Chas Levy supervisor that I would write a book in the book section in K-Mart, where we we were stocking the weekly shipment, was because I enjoyed telling about my "second parents" and how I felt more connected to God when I was there. It is this "connection" that I set out to show fans. I felt like I have done that very well in Amish Blizzards, but I have also done a good job of providing a need: comfort.
   Books provide comfort. I saw if first hand when I was a book merchandiser. The mother that had just came from the doctor's office where she found out that she has terminal cancer needed a good romance book. The teen that decided to keep her baby wanted a book with a real teen like her who had made mistakes. And the man whose wife was on oxygen and only had an hour a day where she would sit in her chair and he would read her love stories. That was the main reason that I chose to write.
   Books inspire, they make people laugh, cry, and even scream sometimes, and all of these emotions help people feel comfort that they are still worthy, even with their flaws, all because there is a God of Angel Armies Who strengthens, molds, and fixes boo-boos in the least expectant ways.
   I hope that you will pick up all eight volumes of Amish Blizzards and eagerly wait for the last one, An Amish Wedding,  which comes out next weekend and feel more connected to God.  Pick up the first volume on Amazon at: Amish Blizzards: Volume Eight: Abby's Choice.

Blessings in Jesus' Arms,

XOXO
___________
Sicily

"I can do climb all mountains if Christ carries me."

The Guardian is out!! I and a large group of  friends stayed up to wait for it to be released. I think that it is the "Book of the Decade."  The series is fast-paced but tugs at your heartstrings. Beverly Lewis is the #1 Amish Author, a writing legend in her own right. Her heart is as big as the heroines in her Christian love stories, and I have her as my top Christian author. Please check out the Home to Hickory Hollow series. Please read them in order to fully enjoy the plots!  The following bio is used with permission by Beverly Lewis:

Beverly Marie Jones (Lewis) was born in the heart of Amish country—Lancaster, Pennsylvania. At the tender age of nine, she began writing short stories and poetry.
A member of the National League of American Pen Women, as well as a Distinguished Alumnus of Evangel University, Lewis has written over 80 books for children, youth, and adults, many of them award-winning. She and her husband, David, make their home in Colorado, where they enjoy hiking, biking, and spending time with their family. They are also avid musicians and fiction "book worms."

Booksellers across the country, and around the world, have spread the word of Beverly's tender tales of Plain country life. A clerk in a Virginia bookstore wrote, "Beverly's books have a compelling freshness and spark. You just don't run across writing like that every day. I hope she'll keep writing stories about the Plain people for a long, long time."

Updates

I have been busy with family and am writing the next books to the Amish Blizzards and Amish Snowflakes series this week. The next book to the Single in Indiana series comes out next week. How has your February been going? Lots to do around my place. I am still facing chronic pain from the car wreck, so have missed church, but I have enjoyed church at my place. I have started a Bible Study page on Facebook. Please do join. This morning, I led the discussion from Psalms 1. Please note that I am a conservative Christian who has spent over two decades having a "second" family of conservative Mennonites. Although Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Arvin are not my biological family, they became like second parents to me more than two decades ago,and my foster children have grown up calling them, "Aunt Dorothy" and "Uncle Arvin." They are NOT Beachy Mennonite. They are conservative Mennonite and have no sister communities that are Beachy. Although I am more liberal, at times, I share a lot of the same beliefs about believing in Christ as our Savior, etc. Plans for the future: to enjoy being a "grandma" again, as Jessica, one of my foster children, is expecting her first child, to attend Dorothy and Arvin's church more often, and to eventually go back through instruction class. You have to go through instruction class to join the church. I once went to instruction class in another Mennonite community, but decided not to join. That was when my children were little. I hope that you have an awesome week. March is almost here!! Although I can't work in the garden because of the car wreck injuries, I hope to enjoy some good salads from an early garden.

Single in Indiana: Valentine's Kisses

   What are three things that would make your work day go smoother? If you're like most folks, a calmer work day is one of the top answers. A nagging boss, long commute, and overloaded workload all add stress, leaving one exhausted during the evening.

   At Dutch Farms Books, we can help your work day go smoother by providing a lunch-time escape into a more simple world. The Old Order Amish and many conservative Mennonites have a world all of their own. Mules plow the vast vegetable gardens, bonnet-covered children play along sprawling farm-side hills, and the fragrant aroma of piping-hot Shoofly pies echoes out of the wood-burning stoves. And if you listen closely, you might hear some hymns from The Ausbund
 
  At Dutch Farms Books, we have been providing lunch-time escapes since 2004, and we enjoy taking you away to Amish Country during your lunch hour. Our books are read at dawn, during lunch, at bedtime, or anytime readers need that quiet moment to relax and slip away into a farming land like no other: Amish Country.

Go ahead, browse our slideshow below and click on your next lunch-time escape.  Available on Kindle, Nook, and in paperback.  Kindle and Nook have free apps on their websites that you can download onto your phone and computer.







 
Sicily Yoder has published fifty-seven books, most being on Amazon's Best Seller Lists, and she is listed as one of the Most Popular Authors for Literary Fiction on Amazon.com. Readers from around the world have been enjoying their lunch hour escape, afternoon quiet time, and even their own personal time, after the kids are put to bed, reading her quaint, wholesome books. From more in-depth novels to flash short stories, there are many books to chose from to accommodate your leisure needs.

GRAB A BOOK AND ESCAPE

Most books have tasty recipes that you can simply cook up yourself on that long weekend or share in your kitchen with your family. From holiday entertaining to sustainable living, there is a cookbook for you. Don't overlook the combo books, which have short stories and a cookbook.

OWN THIS COMBO BOOK NOW

Ms. Yoder has Amish and conservative Mennonite friends, and her family is close to a conservative Mennonite couple, who took Ms. Yoder under their wing to be her "second" parents more than two decades ago. Her foster children have grown up calling them "Aunt" and "Uncle." A car wreck forced Ms. Yoder into writing full-time. It was then that she discovered that she could help people unwind and enjoy better leisure time through her simple, quaint writing. Traveling from beautiful Mackinaw Island to sunny Orlando, Florida, Ms. Yoder found that library patrons and school children loved her cooking demonstrations and Plain books; therefore, Dutch Farms Books was formed to meet the growing needs of people like you, who want to get away from that nagging boss, hectic rush-hour traffic, and office noise. Enjoy your lunch hour and slip into one of our books. We roll out the welcome mat to Amish Country.

OWN THIS BOXED SET NOW

   What are three things that would make your work day go smoother? If you're like most folks, a calmer work day is one of the top answers. A nagging boss, long commute, and overloaded workload all add stress, leaving one exhausted during the evening.

   At Dutch Farms Books, we can help your work day go smoother by providing a lunch-time escape into a more simple world. The Old Order Amish and many conservative Mennonites have a world all of their own. Mules plow the vast vegetable gardens, bonnet-covered children play along sprawling farm-side hills, and the fragrant aroma of piping-hot Shoofly pies echoes out of the wood-burning stoves. And if you listen closely, you might hear some hymns from The Ausbund.

   At Dutch Farms Books, we have been providing lunch-time escapes since 2004, and we have Plain family, so we know Plain folks well, and we enjoy taking you away to Amish Country during your lunch hour. Our books are read at dawn, during lunch, at bedtime, or anytime readers need that quiet moment to relax and slip away into a farming land like no other: Amish Country. Go ahead, browse our slideshow below and click on your next lunch-time escape. Available on Kindle, Nook, and in paperback. Kindle and Nook have free apps on their websites that you can download onto your phone and computer.

I have some freebies on Kindle.  My free weekly devotional is Walking with Jesus this week.  Snag your copy on Amazon.  My new YA devotional series is Amish Market: Devotions in Aisle Seven.  It is free to.  Stay tuned for more great news!

New Autumn Books

My two new books are out, as well as my free weekly devotional.  Check them out on Amazon.com!

We Have a Blog Hop Winner

   Congratulations to our Blog Hop winner, Linda Kish.  She gets to pick out a free book of mine on either Kindle or Nook!  Thanks for all who have entered, and if you didn't win this time, maybe you will be the name that I announce for the next Blog Hop!
 

Doughnuts
4 cups all-purpose flour
¼ teaspoon salt
2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
1 ¼ cups of sugar
1 cup milk

3 tablespoons Land O’ Lakes unsalted butter, softened
2 eggs
¼ teaspoon vanilla
2 pounds oil for frying

In a large bowl, sift flour, salt, and baking powder. Add sugar and set aside. In another bowl, stir milk, butter, eggs, and vanilla. Make a well in the flour mixture and add milk mixture in the middle of it. Mix until a soft, non-sticky dough is formed. Turn dough out on a floured surface. Using the rim of a drinking glass, cut out 3 or 4-inch rounds. Cut a 2-inch hole out of the middle. Fry in a deep pan of oil at 360 degrees. Turn over until golden brown. You can top with powdered sugar, cake frosting, or a glaze of ¼ cup hot water, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch ( heated together before adding sugar), and 1 to 2 cups powdered sugar. You cna add more water to thin the icing, depending on your preference.

My new book is out, and it is very inspirational.  Start your Monday mornings out with a good Amish Garden recipe and a devotional.  Amish Garden: Monday Mornings with Jesus has six Monday morning devotions and six breakfast recipes.  You can buy it for $1.99 at: Amish Garden: Monday Mornings with Jesus on Kindle.

BLOG HOP

Three good deals are going on at The Amish Garden.  Firstly, An Amish Teacher's Collection, which has the novella Amish Hope and recipes, is only $2.99.  Come watch a young Amish girl explore the city of Bloomington, Indiana  for the first time since being locked up in her house, due to a mysterious illness, for sixteen years.  Can I handsome traveling salesman help her to adapt to a life outside of her front door?  Surf on over to Amazon on this link to An Amish Teacher's Collection.
   Secondly, I am doing a Blog Hop, and each author on each blog is giving something away!  Enjoy hopping from blog to blog; you'll have fun, maybe wins some prizes, and make new friends. Post on the comment feed for the Blog Hop post, and you're entered to win two free book downloads.
   Lastly, as most of my regular readers know, my uncle is a conservative Plain Minister, and I may be moving there next year to join the church.  The good news is that my friend will be keeping up my Facebook page, as well as my blog, so you will still hear from me and see photos of my food, travels, and book-signings.  I have one other option, and I am still praying about which option that I shall take; I will let you know later this month.

Have a blessed day,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son, so that whosoever believith in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Amish Lilies by the Lakeside 

The above link goes to my Amish murder/mystery, which is available on Kindle.  it mixes in a little Mennonite culture, too.  My uncle is a conservative Mennonite Minister.  It is also my book to serve as a voice for abducted and abused children.  Please swing by and get your copy today. 

Blog Hop

I am giving away a free e-book copy of one of my books; your choice from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. Just comment to be entered into the contest.

We eat a lot of sweet potatoes at our place, and I enjoy them with Land O' Lakes Cinnamon Spread, a little shake of Tarragon, and some Praline Pecans.  How do you like your sweet potatoes?  Any family traditions or memories involving sweet potatoes?  
   Share your stories here and be entered to win a fall-themed gift bag stuffed with Amish goodies.  I am going up to Amish Country on October 1st to film for my next book trailer.  Will you be the winner?

Love from the simple life,

Teresa Ann Phillips

I  just released three new books, and each has favorite recipes from my kitchen to your kitchen as well as either a sample Amish Romance Novella or short story, or a complete  Amish Romance Novella or short story.  

   I am also having contests for readers, and they will be very interesting, unique ones for the month of September, so please check back!

XOXO from the simple life,

Teresa Ann Phillips