Category Archives: humor and health benefits

Advent Day #14 Window Shopping

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The only gift is a portion of thyself.  ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Yes, I know how you are feeling and what you are thinking. “I really need do more than just go window shopping.” The days are quickly passing and it will be Christmas before you know it. But you don’t know what to give your loved ones that will be different. Did I get it?

An inspiring story of love and humor that anyone can appreciate might be just the thing. A book that has a unique voice not hum-drum. Is that what you are looking for?

The award-winning anthology of stories, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected is all that and more! It is a book of heart and soul that will leave a lasting impact. Yet it’s an easy, pleasurable read -it’s light-hearted. You don’t have to study over it and it will make you chuckle. Who ever said Christian people have no sense of humor? Gift of a Lifetime has won three awards, one in the young adults’ category.

Book on shelf at Come & See Christian Books

Above Photo: There it sits on the shelf, at Come & See Christian Books & Gifts hoping some little elf will come by and pick up a few copies just in time for Christmas giving.

If you want to buy locally and support writers, it’s available in Steamboat Springs, Colorado at Come and See Christian Books and Gifts at 675 S. Lincoln Avenue. It’s also available in Towson, Maryland at Ukazoo Books. If you can, save yourself some shipping fees and pick it up in the stores because you might find other gift items for someone else in your community, house or family.

Save the Date! January 3rd, 2015 from 11:00 am to 1pm meet the award-winning author! Stop in at Come and See Christian Books and Gifts in Steamboat Springs, Colorado.  Have some refreshments and be one of the first to find out what’s in store for 2015. 

For those who live too far away from Steamboat, CO or Towson, MD the book is also available on-line through all the major on-line booksellers. It is available in paperback, award-winning audio and e-book.

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

 

12th Day of Advent: Meaning of Xmas

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“Christmas is not a time or a season, but a state of mind.” ~ Calvin Coolidge

Have you ever noticed some of life’s most meaningful conversations often come during car rides? Why is that?

A twins’ Christmastime ride in the car with their beloved Fanny leads to symptoms of the “Advent Virus” ~ feelings of hope, joy, love, peace and most of all, understanding.

christmas woodie car

For more information on ordering the award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, by Sue Batton Leonard, please go to these links.

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

Recipe for Xmas Cookies & Angels

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Recipe for an angelWe never forget the every day angels in our lives. In the award-winning memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, angels preside.

white sugar cookies2

 

 

One of the angels in my life left our family only a few months ago. She is now in another realm. She was my aunt, the wife of “King,” a real character in the life story of yours truly. She handed down to me the best recipe ever for sugar cookies. I share it with you now on this seventh day of Advent. I am so thankful for her long life, her gift of humor, and the time we spent together.

Dot’s Butter Cookies

Ingredients:

1 lb of 4X sugar (confectionary sugar)

1/2 lb butter       1/2 lb margarine

1/8 tsp salt          2 tsp vanilla

2 eggs                1/4 tsp nutmeg

4 cups of flour

Directions: 300 oven. 10 min approx – till edges are light brownCream sugar & butter – add eggs, salt, nutmeg, vanilla. Add flour. Drop by tsp on ungreased cookie sheet. Press with bottom of glass dipped in powdered sugar. Cool completely on rack.

For more information on Sue Batton Leonard’s award-winning memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, follow these links:

Audio Book  http://amzn.to/1trrTl9
Paperback  http://amzn.to/1qmcEHI
e-Book  http://amzn.to/1lx7oRh

 

Holiday Gift for the Family

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There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all. —Jacqueline Kennedy

book cover with two award stickers

What makes for good stories that families can read together?

One or more memorable characters

Writing that paints a picture

A unique voice (audio books hold the best treasures!)

Messages that make us either groan or laugh, reflect or ponder

Cause emotional reaction from the reader (feelings of sadness, love, hope, compassion)

Leaves the reader changed in some way (i.e. attitude or understanding about something)

Themes that are relevant to family life and are age appropriate

Topics that lead to engaging discussion for family members

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected contains all the elements of a good story for family enjoyment. Here are the words of some book reviewers ~

“This is a story of trust, faith, friendship and deep love for one another.” ~ Barbara Gueldner, Ph.D., MSE, Licensed Psychologist.

“Gift of a Lifetime is indeed that…a story of how the simplest words can have the most impact on our lives.” ~ Salley Gibney, You are Never Alone Foundation

“Sue’s ability, through dialogue, to share Fanny’s voice and powerful role in Sue’s developing years is a gift to readers.” ~ Mary B Kurtz, author

Share this warm hearted story with your family this holiday season!   It is available in the following three reading choices. How To Order:

Author Sue Batton Leonard has won three Book Awards for her debut publication.

  • Merit EVVY Award – Anthology
  • 2nd Place EVVY Award – Audio Book
  • Winner of Harvest Book Contest – Young Adult Category

Film Friday: Sleep Walk with Me

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“The greatest enemy of the spiritual life is the human tendency to sleepwalk through life.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh

sleepwalk-with-me-blu-ray-cover-99From the producers of This American Life comes a film that has been critically acclaimed by some of the top film festivals in the country. Released in 2012, Sleep Walk with Me, a film from Mike Birbiglia, is about a stand-up comic whose anxiety causes a sleepwalking habit that becomes both a problem and a source of hilarity.

The film is a Sundance Film Festival top favorite among the audiences. And also a “Winner” in the SXSW (South by Southwest) Film Festival a few years back.

To watch the trailer and to read more about this film, please visit this website http://watch.sleepwalkmovie.com/

To learn more about the radio show This American Life, which is broadcast in more than 500 stations around the country, and has a following of 2.1 million listeners,please follow this link http://www.thisamericanlife.org/listen/stations. You can find information on how to tune listen in from your area on the website. Archived broadcasts of this American Life radio show are also available to download through podcasts or  on an phone app. http://www.thisamericanlife.org/listen/mobile.

What are you doing this weekend? How are you living this American life? Going through the days sleepwalking or fully engaged in all the good things life has to offer? See you back here on All Things Fulfilling on Monday. Until then, check out these sites:

http://personalexcellence.co/blog/sleepwalking/

Are you Sleepwalking through life?


http://bit.ly/1uJBTGy
This blog is brought to you by the award-winning author, Sue Batton Leonard. For more information on her memoir Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link http://amzn.to/141aW6S.

Fire is Lit, Ribbon in the Hair

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To My Dear Husband ~~~~

I am sorry that according to this 1955 article, I have failed you miserably. I have not always lived up to the Girl Scout creed of  “I promise to do my duty…..” and to The Good Wife Guide…..

The Good Wife

…I mean, sometimes, I let you cook breakfast. You changed dirty diapers, and too many times I told you about my day first. Then there is the matter of the fire, I didn’t always make it happen….well, I apologize.

And then there is the issue of our son. Ok, I’ll admit it. He often greeted you with a dirty face and hands. And his hair…what can I say…let’s just hope it never happens again now that he is an adult. I’m sure it won’t, after all he is a visual effects artist.  I’ll speak with him later about that matter. At least he is playing  the part well of the treasure that he is. That should make you feel better. It does, doesn’t it?

I’ll  see what I can do to mend my ways and not be such a modern day woman.  We are 34 years into this union. I hope you can forgive me if I start taking your shoes off. I know, I ruined many an evening when I didn’t have you   “lean back and relax in your chair…..” Well, I pledge from now on to remember…I’ll say it. I promise. No… really, I will. Yes, I am serious. Truly… I’m not kidding.

I hope you’ll agree to continue on this journey through life that we started. Happy Anniversary!

Much Love, hon ~ Sue

P.S. And by the way, the last item on the list – don’t worry! I do know my place. I belong beside you with a ribbon in my hair.

This blog brought to you by award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard and her award-winning publication “Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.” http://amzn.to/1ulyFYs.

Holding On to Memories

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 “Memory believes before knowing remembers.” ~ William Faulkner, Light in August

“I just knew you two would always be in my life,” stated Mary Grace as my sister and I walked down Lincoln Avenue in Steamboat after having stuffed ourselves with nachos and drinks at The Cantina last Saturday evening. Mary was in the middle and linked arms with both of us. We strolled toward Wild Horse Gallery.

“Why is that?” I asked.

“I don’t know, I just had a feeling,” said Mary.

“Thank God we are both still alive and kicking!”  I thought to myself. (For the back story on that thought, follow this link https://allthingsfulfilling.com/2014/06/04/sisters-of-the-heart/ )

I admitted to Mary that I sort of felt the same way. When I moved to Colorado, I was determined to find her. Last time I had heard she was in Fort Collins and I knew her married name. But, we had only been in touch at Christmas time (by snail mail) maybe twice or three times  since  our college years in 1973 or 1974.

“Mary, you are just the same,” Jan, my twin, stated. “Don’t you just love it when you have friends you can pick up with just like that even if it’s been decades since you’ve seen them?”

That is exactly what happened when we three got together. What a fulfilling weekend I had! Between spending it with my sister and my husband celebrating our three birthdays, reconnecting with Mary – a childhood friend who was included in my memoir and I have written about her on this site, too. Then there was the icing on the cake. I learned that Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected had won two EVVY book awards. It doesn’t get much better than that!

I can’t help but bask in my memories of last weekend for just one more day. Tomorrow,  it’s time to get on with things. I have work to do to plan my East Coast book tour which begins mid-September.

For more information on the EVVY award-winning book Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1rArrRG.

Pictures from my fulfilling & rewarding Birthday Weekend

Sue & Jan Mt Werner

Twins Sue & Jan atop Mt Werner, Steamboat Springs, CO   Sunset picnic and hike

sue terry jan fishcreek fallsLeft to right – Terry, Jan & Sue  Fish Creek Falls, Steamboat

sue and mary wildhorse gallery

Sue & Mary  – Read the back story using this link  –

https://allthingsfulfilling.com/?s=horse+sense

Seems fitting  the veterinarian and I are sitting outside Wildhorse Gallery

sue jan mary 3Outside Wildhorse Gallery – Sue with Mark Twain & “Huck,” Mary  & Jan

sue & jan wildhorse gallerySue & Jan – First Birthday together for more than 30 years.

sue Jan & mary2

A reunion of 3 childhood friends – Jan, Sue & Mary Grace – a  real life character in my memoir

 Above- We found Eureka: Mediterranean Street Food, to be indeed golden!

We had great salads & meatballs for our next course, and a great place to catch up.

sue & terry at Fish creek falls 2

Bye, Jan. Bye, Mary – come back soon!

Beautiful setting and beautiful birthday weekend in Steamboat

This blog brought to you by the award-winning author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on Gift of a Lifetime:Finding Fufilling Things in the Unexpected, an EVVY Book Award book, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/1tKKiXF

Laboring At the Same Time

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Leo the LionBefore we close out this month of  celebrations for babies born under Leo the Lion zodiac sign, today it’s my husband’s turn. He was born on this day, August 21st many moons ago.

My twin sister, my husband and I will continue our yesterday’s birthday celebration for one more day. Tonight we look forward to a gondola ride to the top of the mountain, a picnic dinner and an evening hike.Hopefully, it will be a stellar evening with clear skies so we can see the twinkling stars and an impressive sunset.

The fact that my husband’s mother and my mother gave birth to us just one day apart is pretty neat. Statistically speaking, I can’t find any information about the odds of spouses with birthdays just one day apart (and in the same year).

Today, I’ll enjoy another August day with the two who have been at the top of my world for what seems like forever! They both make my life so much more fulfilling!

Dear Terry ~~~~

Terry bday cake

 

This blog brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. For information on Sue’s memoir, Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please follow this link http://amzn.to/1nb9tO0.

“Rock ‘N Roll Babe”

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Do you believe in rock and roll? Can music save your mortal soul? ~ Don McLean (American Pie)

A bad trip, ban the bra, beatniks, bean bag chairs, bellbottoms, Berkley, black lights, bongs, “blow your mind” and body paint are just a few words that describe this era. If are a baby boomer, and you are reading this story, that means you survived the age of Aquarius and the hippie generation. You were lucky, some didn’t! Aren’t you just the grooviest and out of sight!

Here are some images that further tell the psychedelic story. Only a few other words are needed. Peace, Love and Right On!  All Things Fulfilling often serves as a crash pad for remembering the “good ole days.”  It’s where I do my own thing!

Come back tomorrow – don’t be a cop out.  I plan to be here if I don’t have to go looking for my granny glasses and my earth shoes. Now, where did I put them…….probably with my Rock ‘N Roll, Hoochie Koo album by Johnny Winter.

age of aquarius

Age of aquarius4

 

Peace dude.

age of aquarius 5Age of Aquarius2Age of aquarius3age of aquarius 6

Old hippies don’t die, they just lie low until the laughter stops and their time comes around again! ~ Joseph Gallivan

If you like recalling times in our country’s cultural history,  you’ll enjoy Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.  Click here for more information! The book is now a FINALIST in the Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Book awards. http://amzn.to/1pMxnjH

Hot Flashes

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newsflashToday, instead of the Flashback blog that I had promised, we will post an independent publishing NEWS FLASH ! Short, sweet and to the point!

Flashes, are good  – it means something is hot, scintillating, light filled or illuminating! Here is the announcement ~

Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected has been nominated as a FINALIST in the

Colorado Independent Publishers Association EVVY Book Awards – anthology category!

 

quote about life

Tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling  there will be another sweet treat for our readers –flashbacks to songs for baby boomers! You are invited to celebrate with me.

shortbread pansie cookies

 

This blog is brought to you by author Sue Batton Leonard. For more information and ordering Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected, please visit this link. http://amzn.to/VcIcTO. Now available in audio book (the voice holds the real treat), paperback and e-book.