This is our gorgeous Diana's third anniversary on the OWG blog! We've changed our name since she joined us and added three more "Angels" to the blog.
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| Carrie and Diana on Day One When she joined the blog! |
Since she's been contributing, Diana has done too many reviews for me to count them all!!!
Diana is our official "Senior Reviewer" on the OWG blog, meaning she has the status of being the senior or lead reviewer. Diana is also a Beta reader for published authors. And since she's been reviewing on OWG she has also been quoted by Christian media publications and publishers for promotional purposes! So when Diana talks, people listen.
One of my favorite things about Diana is when we both get the same Bible verse at the same time!!! Love when that happens. It is like the Holy Spirit is speaking to us both about the same things.
Let's celebrate and raise our glasses to a toast to Diana! Come out into the yard and enjoy some lemonade or tea and some delicious cupcakes! Of course they are pink--you are in Carrie's garden! Gluten free, too, and baked by my sweet daughter. Her puppy has gone home so you don't need to worry about having your crop pants or capris nipped at.
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| Here is Diana's 26 layer Chocolate Cake which we may have already sampled! YUM! |
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| Australian Pink Bottlebrushes |
Congratulations Blondie on your OWG 3 year
Anniversary!! You, and your reviews, my dear SC sister, have always been a
massive inspiration to me! Thank you for all your encouragement, help, and
advice since I've joined the team. Enjoy the beautiful garden party, and the
Australian pink Bottlebrushes. They attract Lorikeets so you may have some
feathery friends fly by to say G’day!
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| One of those Sunday's we showed up at church dressed alike. |
Diana what a precious friend you have been
to me since we met years ago. It's always been so much fun comparing our similar
tastes especially when we show up at Church dressed alike! I want you to know what
a blessing your beautiful reviews are along with your sweet words of
encouragement you share with everyone. Congrats BFF on the three years and the
many more to come!
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| Windmill with Dutch flag. |
Did you know that Diana's mother was full Dutch? So that means Diana is half Dutch. And that makes her extra special to this Dutchy (Marian).
I will spin a windmill for you today, Diana. Love you!!
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| Diana with her Kindle Fire; a device that brings her much joy! |
Whether it's an ebook on her Kindle or a brand new paperback. Diana LOVES books!
Giveaway: We're giving away any three books that Diana has reviewed in the past three years, winners choice of format. (US Residents Only)
Feel free to wish Diana a Happy OWG Anniversary and you might be one of our blessed winners!!
Happy Anniversary to You ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸☺ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Anniversary to You ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸☼ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Anniversary Dear Diana,, ♪♫•*¨*•.¸¸☺ ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ Happy Anniversary to You! Hope you have a wonderful day! Love you!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Teresa! Eyes are filled with tears right now at your sweet words above!
DeleteThe windmill is spinning for you, my dear Diana! Hehe!! Happy Anniversary & have a great day!!
ReplyDeleteWondered why I woke up spinning this morning, Marian! Thank you...this is so awesome!
DeleteSorry you were spinning, Diana. I only meant to spin the windmill. :) Enjoy the day! :)
DeleteHappy anniversary! I enjoy reading your thoughtful reviews!
ReplyDeletecolorvibrant at gmail dot com
HEIDI, it's faithful viewers like you who keep the blog going and I appreciate you so much! Thank you!
DeleteHappy 3rd OWG Anniversary Diana!!! Have a wonderful time celebrating ALL good things today!! <3 I love you Blondie!!!
ReplyDeleteNOELA, thanks a lot for making me cry (all of you!) at the kind things you have said and done here. What a lovely party, and I couldn't be blessed with better cohorts than you, Teresa, Carrie, and Marian! Thank God for all of you and OWG blog!
DeleteFelicitous salutations on this special day! I would send you a bouquet of marsh marigolds - they are lovely golden buttercups and some of the first wildflowers of spring around here (and currently all that's blooming). God bless!
ReplyDeleterdalquis(at)css(dot)edu
I will picture them in my mind, lovely RACHAEL. After reading sooo many books you learn to do that! lol Thank you! Please have a piece of cake and some lemonade and enjoy Carrie's lovely garden.
DeleteCongratulations on your anniversary! Wow, that 26-layer cake is something else. I've never seen a cake quite like that. Hope it was as amazing as it looks!
ReplyDeletegarfsgirl [at] hotmail [dot] com
Thx, LIZ! Actually we froze some for this occasion, so won't you try a piece? ;) It was melt in your mouth delish!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! What a nice post! I love windmills and while in Europe, I take a picture of each one I see!
ReplyDeleteSONJA, thank you for coming to my party. I love windmills and petunias -- guess it's the Dutch blood flowing through my veins! Please have some lemonade and sit amongst these sweet smelling flowers!
DeleteWow, happy anniversary!! Congratulations on 3 years!! Yay!!!
ReplyDelete~Cindi Altman
CINDI, it's been quite a ride! Thank you and come partake of some refreshments!
DeleteDiana, I thank God that He brought us together. I can't believe it has been three years!!! You are such a blessing to me! XOXOXOXO
ReplyDeleteTime flies when you're having fun, CARRIE! YOU are the blessing dear friend, and I thank God for you always!
DeleteI never dreamed of the joys that would await me the day Carrie asked me to join her blog. Besides meeting such wonderful authors and YOU our viewers, I get to "work" alongside of some of the sweetest, most encouraging prayer warriors ever.
ReplyDeleteMARIAN, you are so special to me, too, honey, and you always make me laugh and feel uplifted. TERESA, you have the kindest soul, a heart for God, bake the best desserts!, and have been a wonderful friend to me. NOELA, you are so witty and talented, and I love having you for my friend and encourager! And last but not least, CARRIE, a mighty woman of God and one of the most generous, compassionate ppl I know, and such a warm, special friend. Thank you for all you do, and for this awesome party! I'm quite taken aback! I love all of you with my whole heart.
Even with that horrible storm and GPS that took me to a nonexistent dead end road, God made a way for me to get to meet you in SC Diana! I marvel over that. And we have to thank Paul, too, for getting me there, and for being so supportive of your reviewing! Praying God blesses you abundantly in the coming year!!!
DeleteI remember my disappointment in thinking the storm was going to keep you from coming, but you plowed right on through! With the same persistency you live your life! Blessings right back your way, CARRIE!
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diana! Those 3 years flew by.....You write great reviews. Your reviews make me want to read every book you review.
ReplyDeleteJoan Wilke (goangaz@aol.com)
JOAN! Thank you. Joan is my Weight Watchers inspiration (when I get to go to the meetings, that is), and one of my best friends and prayer partners ever. God has added such great new friends to my life the past 10 yrs or so. It's so wonderful and I am so blessed!
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diana, from one South Carolinian to another! I love to read, but don't think I could do it on a 'deadline' so to speak.. keep up the good work!
ReplyDeletepattymh2000(at)yahoo(dot)cm
Thank you so much. PATTY! Are you a Gamecocks fan? lol We schedule them as we can w/out a lot of pressure, bc that would take the joy of reading away from us.
DeleteHappy Anniversary to you! I really enjoy your reviews! You do an excellent job!
ReplyDeleteNancycooks4u(at)gmail(dot)com
NANCY, thank you so much! I love what I do, and I hope that shines through! Have a cupcake and a glass of fresh squeezed lemonade!
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diana, there are some beautiful pictures on here. I have appreciated your reviews you've posted.
ReplyDeletewfnren(at)aol(dot)com
WENDY, thank you so much for your kind words! Didn't the "angels" do a wonderful job on this? :)
DeleteCongrats on your 3rd year on this wonderful blog!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you have used your love of books to write great detailed reviews as well recommending new books and authors.
Happy Anniversary and God bless you Diana.
Janella
arieljo12 (at) hotmail (dot) com
God bless you for your sweet words, JANELLA. Christian fiction authors have given so much enjoyment to me...this is my little way of giving back.
DeleteWhat a delicious party - love the cupcakes, tea, beautiful flowers, and all the pink!! Thank you, Carrie!!
ReplyDeleteAlso love YOU, Diana - and all the other OWG ladies!! You are ALL blessings to me, each in her own way, and I thank God for allowing our paths to cross!! I DO have hopes of meeting each of you USA OWG ladies before the year is up!!
Congrats on your third year and thanks for your many wonderful reviews, Diana!! I'm looking forward to many more!!
Love and hugs to you, my dear!!
BONNIE, you are such a joy and meeting wonderful ladies such as yourself is one of the best parts of being on this blog. Thanks so much for your kind words for all of us, and hoping to meet you, too, someday! Gotta get us all "in the pink" first. Although Carrie stays in the pink I believe. LOL Love and hugs back!
DeleteLOL, yes I am in pink today and we are so glad you came by to celebrate with us, Bonnie!!! I totally agree with Diana! Hugs!
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diana! You are part of a very special group....praying that you ladies continue to bless us all for years and years to come! Hugs and God bless!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the well wishes, DEBBIE! These ladies are very special and I'm so very blessed!
DeleteDIANA, happy THREE year anniversary on this wonderful blog, my sweet and funny gal pal!! You are SUCH an enhancement to both authors and readers with your fabulous personality and sweet spirit! You always make me laugh and you always shine through with that incredible heart of yours :) Three years goes by FAST, doesn't it! :) Thank you for being such a great friend, reviewer, and prayer warrior......you are so loved and appreciated.
ReplyDeleteWhat a GREAT party my OWG sisters have put together, so beautiful and touching!! I'm delighted to call you my friends and fellow reviewers, you each love Christ and books as much as I do :)
Keep up the good work, Diana, here's to many more reading adventures and LOTS more fun blogging to you!! Hugs and blessings to you, Kara (your friend and encourager)
*love the photos here!! the cake and cupcakes look so delish!*
*not an entry, just had to send some love to Diana*
KARA, you are simply a doll! Us OWG gals fell in love with you from day one! Thank you for your precious words that brought tears to my eyes. Let me go dip my head in the lemonade bowl so no one can tell I'm boo hooing. ;) Speaking of lemonade, I hope you'll grab a glass and sit a spell in Carrie's lovely garden.
DeleteKara, you are such a sweety! So glad you could come by and sit in the cool garden. It's only 65 today!!! We've really enjoyed getting to know you better and visiting your nice blog, too!
Deletethank you both, your friendship and this blog has been such a blessing to me :) all right for a beautiful day in the garden! such a relief to have cooler temps after the 90 degree heat in Miami, although we did get some rain today :) praising God for great summer weather and the chance to achieve a tan :) Keep smiling that beautiful smile, Diana, love you girl! love and hugs to you Carrie, Marian, and Noela as well! *big smiles to my OWG sistas!*
DeleteCongratulations, Diana! What kind of dinner would you like for your celebration? I was shocked to see that 26 layer cake. That is not something one sees everyday! :)
ReplyDeletenina4sm/at/gmail/dot/com
That is so neat about you being half Dutch, Diana. Do you speak the language? I love paying attention to HM Queen Maxima of the Netherlands.
DeleteThank you, SYLVIA! A porterhouse steak wold be nice! ;) TERESA, makes these cakes quite often, but I never fail to be impressed by them. I just know I would break those teeny layers getting them out of the pan.
DeleteNo, the only Dutch I speak is the little I learned from my friend and cohort, Marian Baay. Maybe 3 words? My mom spoke it some but she didn't teach it to us kids.
Congratulations Diana on your blog. You are doing a wonderful job. I love to see Chrisian Fiction authors come together and share there new books that is already out or will be coming out. I would love to read your book
ReplyDeleteoh.hello.hiya.@gmail.com
Thanks so much, DANIE! I am not an author but I do write reviews, and if your name is drawn you will get a choice of one of the books I have reviewed here on the blog. Now THAT will be a difficult choice! lol
DeleteCongratulations, beautiful Diana. I'm so glad we've gotten to know each other. You're as gorgeous inside as you are outside. Thanks for everything you do for authors. We love you!
ReplyDeleteAwww...bless your heart, NANCY! You are such a kind, funny lady (I love your FB posts) not to mention a wonderful talent! I love my Christian authors...y'all provide so many hrs of enjoyment for me and my friends. We appreciate your hard work and this is our way of saying, "Thanks, we love you!"
DeleteHappy Anniversary OWG Diana!! Christian fiction is my favorite genre! I love following blogs that are not ashamed of their Christianity! Thanks to all of you for your hard work!
ReplyDeleteWhoops! Forgot my email: RW620(at)aol(dot)com Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! We love it, we promo it, but more than that as you so aptly put it...we are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ!
DeleteCongratulations, Diana. Thank you for bringing us all the great reviews. You are very gifted and we appreciate you so much!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the kind words, CARLA! My only regret is that I don't have two heads so that I can review everyone's books. lol Thank you for using your talent to write great Christian fiction!
DeleteWe keep that rocking chair ready over at Colonial Quills for anytime Diana wants to come do a guest review!!! Thanks for visiting, Carla.
DeleteHappy Anniversary, Diana! God has gifted you with a special talent--so glad you are using it in His service! Wishing you continued blessings. Katherine
ReplyDeleteKATHERINE, bless you for coming by! I hope you'll stay for refreshments!
DeleteTERESA MATHEWS just made a 24 layer lemon cake! I kid you not and it's too gorgeous to cut! But who wants the first piece? You may want ice cold milk with it since it may make your lemonade sour.
ReplyDeleteP.S. She really did honestly make one! I saw it with my own eyes!
Congratulations on your 3 year anniversary! And thank you for the wonderful contest! I enjoy your reviews and have chosen quite a few books to read based on them :-)
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Brittany McEuen
kbmceuen(at)yahoo(dot)com
Oh, BRITTANY! That does a reviewer's heart so much good to read that. I hope you enjoyed the books as much as I! Thank you!
Deletei made it! Congrats on 3 years, my friend! I have learned so much about reviewing from you. You are a master reader/reviewer :) Love you, GF!!!!
ReplyDeleteOH, ANNE! I read one of your reviews on your blog (well more than one) and I could sure take some lessons from you, gf! You are the BoMb at reviewing but I thank you for your kind compliments. Love you, too, Granny! hehe She is so beautiful and perfect!
DeleteHappy anniversary to you! I love reading your reviews and have bought many a book after doing so. :) Keep on reading those books for us!
ReplyDeletelattebooks at hotmail dot com
SUSAN, that does my heart good to know that! I'll do my best! Thank you and please help yourself to some dinner. I believe Carrie threw some steaks on the grill since it IS that time, but then again she may have just said, "Let them eat cake." LOL
DeleteHappy Anniversary Diana! Love this blog and the reviews. Who made the 26 layer cake?
ReplyDeletemissionwife@hotmail.com
DeleteTeresa makes those cakes, Melody! She made an awesome one for my birthday and Diana and Teresa and me ate it (and shared it!) at a restaurant in SC! So much fun! Thanks for coming by for Diana's party!
DeleteThank you, MELODY! We at OWG love having you and appreciate the work you do in the mission fields!
DeleteMelody my sister started making 12 layer cakes years ago so I decided to try my hand at it. One night I was baking one for my brother and I had leftover batter so I thought why not keep going so I made a 32 layer one that night! lol So far that's the record. :-)
DeleteGelukkige verjaardag!! Looks like you've had a lovely three years, and I, for one, look forward to many more years of delightful, insightful reviews. Hope you've enjoyed your day - well, I saw the pic of the cake, so I know you did!!!
ReplyDelete~ Robin
robinsnest212.wordpress.com
HI, ROBIN. We DID share the cake. lol Thank you for coming and for your kind words, and please do get a big piece of that cake!
DeleteHappy three years, Diana! Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to more reviews!! -Kelly kosterbind (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, KELLY! I think we have a few more cupcakes left, won't you have one?
DeleteWhat a wonderful celebration! Happy anniversary to you, Diana! It is such a joy and a blessing to read your reviews! Thank you so much for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeletetexaggs2000 at gmail dot com
BRITNEY, it's such a joy and blessing to share them with you all! Thank you and please stay for some refreshments. We have blueberry and banana nut muffins, and I do believe someone just brought in some Krispy Kreme Donuts...YUM!
DeleteOh, parties are so much fun, especially when they commemorate something wonderful. For three years of sharing your talents and doing such a wonderful job of it, Congratulations!!!!!!! Happy Anniversary!!!!
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
MELANIE, bless you for saying so! Please stay for refreshments; I believe it's too early for cake but coffee and a banana nut muffin?
DeleteHappy Anniversary to you sweet Diana.I enjoy your post and reviews.Thanks for sharing and here is a toast for many years to come.
ReplyDeleteJACKIE, you are so kind! Thank you -- and I'm so glad you have enjoyed our posts and reviews on OWG!
DeleteHappy 3rd OWG Anniversary sweet Diana. You really are a great reviewer. I'm glad to have been blessed to meet you here. I read another comment on some site about Diana being a top reviewer. Sorry, it's after midnight so officially Fri. Don't know how I missed this sooner. Thought had checked. GOD bless you my dear. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteMaxie mac262(at)me(dot)com Give hugs to my other OWG girls. :)
Oh my! I don't know about the "top" part! The key for me is to pray before I write every review...more than once. Because without God I can't write them, or do anything for that matter. Thank you, MAXIE, for being such a faithful follower and encourager of OWG...we love you and you are such a blessing!
DeleteCongrats on 3 years blogging here on OWG my dear friend. I'm so glad you decided to join OWG, and FB, because in not sure I would have found you again. You and the other OWG angels all do such a wonderful job o
ReplyDeleteSorry, my iPad posted when I was trying to make a correction--as I was saying--you OWG angels ALL do such a wonderful job of writing reviews in such a way, that you make every book sound like a great hook to read--I'm sure your authors love you as much, if not more than we viewers. I came earlier, but got sleepy & fell asleep. Oopsie--nothing to do with your talents--everything to do with staying up too late. LOL. Anyway--keep enjoying and keep writing. I'm so glad you joined OWG & FB--otherwise,I don't think I would have found you again, after so many years and miles separated us.
DeleteVICKI, I'm still amazed at your detective work in finding me. haha And after all those years of separation, finding out you loved to read as much as I do...Christian fiction, of course! Thank you for your kind words and I'm so glad you enjoy OWG!
DeleteWHOA, BABY ... A 3-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE ON ONE OF MY FAVORITE BLOGS ... AND 26 layer Chocolate Cake too?????? Be still my heart ... and my stomach!!
ReplyDeleteDIANA!!! Can hardly believe it's been three years already since Carrie exercised some of that abundant gray matter she's so famous for and brought you aboard!! She does have a knack for choosing some of the kindest, sweetest, and best reviewers in the Christian blog community, and I am SO blessed to be a member of yours and OWG's devoted fan club!!
Seriously, though, that 26 layer Chocolate Cake has boggled my mind!!! I didn't think anything had 26 layers except onions and my skin when I burn on the beach!!!
Here's to another three years X ten, at which time I will be eating 26 layer Chocolate Cake in heaven, I hope ... :)
Hugs and more hugs!!!
Julie
P.S. What a sweetheart you are to be holding DTLA -- Mmmmwah!!!
JULIE. What you do to my emotions! Your books make me laugh and cry, and your sweet comments make me laugh and cry! haha Carrie does have a lot of gray matter, let me tell you! She is one smart cookie! But that day 3 yrs. ago she listened to God, and here we are! We do have some of the kindest, sweetest, and best reviewers ever on this blog, and we so appreciate you saying so.
DeleteI can't wrap my mind around that cake either! I have been known to break the layers on a two layer cake...what would I do with 26? I believe Teresa's record is 32 layers. I know...I'm shaking my head, too! As much chocolate cake in Heaven as we want w/out gaining a pound! We all love you, dear Julie. {{{HUGS!}}}
JULIE if only you lived a little closer to me you would have one of my TOWER OF POWER Chocolate Cakes! lol Don't think it would make it in the mail! :-) Maybe I'll get to be the Cake Baker in Heaven!!
DeleteYou sure are the cake baker on earth, T! Ooh, just imagine though, you can just think up how many layers in Heaven and won't have to stand around for hours baking and frosting with achy feet and legs!
DeleteJULIE, I think God just wants to BLESS you because you are the first winner per random.org!!! And you were our Angels' Heart winner last year so I think HE is affirming that choice, too!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! I enjoy your reviews on OWG, it helps me choose great books.
ReplyDeleteworthy2bpraised at gmail dot com
Thx so much, MERRY! That's why we do what we do and I'm so glad it helps you!
DeleteHappy Anniversary ! That cake looks soooo good!
ReplyDeleteIt was so yummy, TONJA! We shared with the waitresses at the restaurant, too. lol Thank you!
DeleteWe have winner number two, JANELLA WILSON. Congrats and thanks for coming to my party, JANELLA!
ReplyDeleteYay, Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, EMMA! Blessings!
DeleteAnd the last winner of her choice of any book I have reviewed is Mary Zander! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThank you everyone for your loving and kind posts and for making this the best 3 years ever!
Happy 3rd OWG Anniversary to one of the nicest ladies anyone could know. You are a blessing to everyone that knows you.
ReplyDeleteHappy 3rd OWG Anniversary to one of the nicest ladies anyone could know. I wrote it first as Anonymous because i was having a senior moment. :) YOU are a blessing to everyone that knows you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your third year with OWG, Diana! Love the garden, Carrie, it's really beautiful! Diana, oh my, that 12 layer looks amazing! Will you share the recipe?
ReplyDeleteWow - Three years - Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteHallo, Hallo Ms. Flowers! :)
ReplyDeleteI remember celebrating your second year on OWG! Speaking of which, now that I have transferred all my lovely RSS Haunts to Bloglovin, I am finally able to resume my routes through the book blogosphere! I even gained back more than I lost when my computer died! Wicked sweet, eh!? This is how I am arriving to you today, actually! Go Bloglovin! It only took me half a year to realise the merits of how to use it properly! Laughs. What I think is so very lovely about OWG is the sisterhood connections you all give freely to your visitors and to each other! You're always rallying behind quality books & stories, celebrating the writers and the joy of reading books which uplift our spirits as much as they enlighten our imaginations! I do the same on my bookish blog, but to find a group blog who is able to this on a regular basis is always a place to celebrate! I am thrilled to peaches you've entered your 3rd year!
Also, do you guys check notes left on past blog posts!? I was going to drop-in on the posts for Tamera Alexander's novel "A Beauty So Rare" as I had the honour of hosting her book via TLC Book Tours!? I'd love to share my thoughts on how I read her novel with you, but I wasn't sure if you back-track or only keep focused on what is current during the week or the last week even!? Let me know! I'd love to leave you some notes on those posts! I had such a stacked full Spring, this Summer I am enjoying getting back into the groove of the book blogosphere - visiting, chatting, and resuming where I left off!
Congratulations on always making OWG a favourite place for me to hang my hat, sip a cuppa tea, and ease into a wicked sweet conversation! You all rock, and it is always a pleasure to read your insights and thoughts on what you read! :)