And The Winner Is . . .

Thank you all of you who participated in The Reluctant Entertainer giveaway. The winner is Danni. I will be contacting you for your address.

I've enjoyed reading the book and I hope that Danni enjoys it as well. For those of you who didn't win, you can still order a book by clicking here.

Congratulations Danni and thank you Sandy Coughlin for allowing me to host this giveaway.

The Reluctant Entertainer

I’ve meet many people through blogging. I love my blog friends. They are wonderful people who share their lives and passions in blogland. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of them in person and talking to them on the phone.

One of these ladies is Sandy Coughlin. She has a web page called Reluctant Entertainer. Sandy recently released her book, The Reluctant Entertainer (every woman’s guide to simple and gracious hospitality).

The book is marvelous. There are stories, entertaining tips and recipes. She makes what might seem complicated into simple helpful and insightful tips. Any woman who may feel like if they can’t be perfect why entertain – this book is for you.

Some of the chapter titles include: Real Entertaining for Real People, Overcoming the Pitfalls of Perfectionism, Simplifying Entertaining, The Heart of Hospitality: Conversation.

The book is well done and has many photos of food, family and friends. I love entertaining and I wouldn’t consider myself a reluctant entertainer. I loved reading this book. The recipes are easy to follow, have variation suggestions to try, and look very yummy. I’m excited to try some and add to my repertoire.

Whether you are a seasoned entertainer or beginner, this book has something for everyone.

Sandy’s publisher is kind enough to do a giveaway on my blog. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment. The giveaway ends on October 14th. If you blog about it, I’ll enter your name twice, just leave me a comment letting me you have done so.

If you don’t win a free copy, you can order this book by clicking here. If you enjoy entertaining or would love to start it’s a great go-to book.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Burning Man - Wrap Up

The experience of Burning Man was amazing for me, but it did have it’s difficulties. Tom and I knew it was probably the last time we would go. It was physically demanding on us. I’ve had problems with my knees and spent the whole week with my knees swollen and in pain. I didn’t let it get to me. Everyone was kind and I did lots of things sitting down.

While we were there I found out that my mom broke her hip. It was two days after the fact. Connection to the internet was a bit rough. She had an operation while I was in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing I could do for her, but she was constantly on my mind. After I had a good cry on Tom’s shoulder, I decided there was only one thing I could do – leave her in God’s hand. I was powerless but not hopeless. What helped was going on the offensive and doing what I was there to do. Being engaged in encounters helped me to focus on others rather than myself. My mom is recovering, but it’s a slow road because of her Alzheimer’s. She keeps forgetting where she is and why she’s there.

One of the ladies on the team was helping her brother do a photo project called, “Why Do You Do What You Do?” It was fun to be part of this project.

Tom’s answer.

My answer.
Tom and I got to participate in a documentary on long term marriage. His name was Vision Air and he wanted to explore long term successful marriages. He was in the camp next door and there to interview couples on camera. A part of the documentary had to do with Burning Man and if it had an effect on long term marriages. He had interviewed some of the people from our camp and they told them about Tom and me. On the last day we filmed for about half an hour. He asked us questions about marriage and what we thought made for a successful marriage. We signed releases and gave him our information. If he uses our footage we will be part of his film named “Glue.”

Burning Man was an incredible experience. It was good even though at times it was hard. It moved me and changed me. I loved it and I’m grateful to the team for their kindness and their love. (The entire team is pictured above.)

Thank you for joining me on my journey.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Burning Man - Part VII

This was Tom’s third time going to Burning Man. In the past I was unable to go with him because of work. I always felt like I sent a part of me with him when he went. When he came home he would tell me stories about being there. I felt like I was there with him because my heart was with him.

When we got there one of the first questions Tom asked me was, “Is it what you imagined?” It was exactly as I imagined it to be. I felt like I was there before. I looked around and it looked familiar and felt right. It was amazing.

It’s not all fun and games on the playa. There is the fact that as team we agreed not to shower. When you have 40 members and only two RV’s either some shower or none at all. Body wipes are very helpful.

The other thing was the port-o-potties. They didn’t bother me. Mind you port-o-potties are gross, but you can wrap your mind around anything for only a week. There should be an unspoken rule when using port-o-potties - cover your poop. It appeared that there many who were proud of their creations. It doesn’t take much to throw extra paper in there to cover it up. I’m just sayin’.

The team worked hard during the day and at night after dinner, we got to relax and spend time with one another. It was great to get to know new people and spend time with folks we don’t get to see often. We laughed and then laughed some more. We told each other stories about ourselves and it was great. Some of the team members would go for a ride on the shopping cart.

My favorite part of the week was when James bought me an ice cream cone. That’s right – on Thursday, I had ice cream in the desert. It was glorious. I heard the angels sing. Thanks James, I love you. I want to thank Dr. Seuss for letting James know how much I wanted ice cream.

Here are some art work that was on display. My favorite is the Dancing Lady (pictured above and below).
The Human Ant Farm.

Art work at night.

Random pieces I enjoyed.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Burning Man - Part VI

Once our camp is set up the best part of Burning Man began – encounters. There are many theme camps at Burning Man. Our camp is called Spirit Dream Interpretation and Café.

In the Coffee Dome we offer free mochas, espressos and lattes. It’s run by a man named, Ron and his wife Cookie. Outside of the Encounter Tent we give away free water. Inside we offer dream interpretations (someone tells us their dream and we offer an interpretation), life readings (we ask Creator for an encouraging and uplifting word for the person), spiritual cleansings (we ask Creator’s light to come and remove the darkness), etc.

You might wonder why it’s all free. At Burning Man there is a gifting culture that fits perfectly own philosophy of gifting. Whenever we do these types of outreaches, we never charge money for it. Freely we are given and freely we give. We also don’t use religious language. Some people come to Burning Man for a spiritual experience and so using non-religious language fits better. An example would be we use the word Creator instead of God or Creator’s Light instead of the Holy Spirit.

Watching someone’s life change or their life encouraged made it all worth it – the heat, the port-o-potties, the dust, etc. Some people come there and they haven’t been told positive things about themselves. They are changed when we say the things that reveal who they truly are. When burdens are lifted and their spirit is refreshed – it changed them. Some people come back with their friends and others come back every year.

I have many stories about these wonderful encounters, but it is a private thing that happened between us and I want to respect the privacy of those we ministered to. The team members come from all over the United States and one gal came from Scotland. Their various churches made gifts for us to give out to the Burners we have encounters with. It’s a way for them to remember their encounter. We gave out hundreds of necklaces and bracelets during the week.

I can tell you about an encounter I had when I came out of the port-o-potty. It appeared the hand sanitizer was empty and I forgot mine in the RV. A young lady asked if it was empty and when I replied that it was she said she thought she might have some. She shared hers with me. I was wearing a bracelet that looked like jewels to me. I took it off and said, “I would like to give you something. This bracelet reminds me of jewels. When you look at it I want it to be a reminder to you that you are a treasure to the Creator.” It was a quick word I heard when I looked at my bracelet. She was so touched and gave me a big hug. The smile on her face was priceless.

Stay tuned for more stories and pictures from the playa.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

The picture above is Dr. Phil and Tom during an encounter.

Francine Rivers - Her Daughter’s Dream

I interrupt my series on Burning Man to bring you this Francine Rivers blog tour event. The first book in this series, Her Mother’s Hope was excellent. I’m looking forward to reading the second book. Francine’s writing is easy to read and hard to put down.

Book Description

In the dramatic conclusion to the New York Times best seller Her Mother’s Hope, Francine Rivers delivers a rich and deeply moving story about the silent sorrows that can tear a family apart and the grace and forgiveness that can heal even the deepest wounds.

Growing up isn’t easy for little Carolyn Arundel. With her mother, Hildemara, quarantined to her room with tuberculosis, Carolyn forms a special bond with her oma Marta, who moves in to care for the household. But as tensions between Hildie and Marta escalate, Carolyn believes she is to blame. When Hildie returns to work and Marta leaves, Carolyn and her brother grow up as latchkey kids in a world gripped by the fear of the Cold War.

College offers Carolyn the chance to find herself, but a family tragedy shatters her newfound independence. Rather than return home, she cuts all ties and disappears into the heady counterculture of San Francisco. When she reemerges two years later, more lost than ever, she reluctantly turns to her family to help rebuild a life for her and her own daughter, May Flower Dawn.
Just like Carolyn, May Flower Dawn develops a closer bond with her grandmother, Hildie, than with her mother, causing yet another rift between generations. But as Dawn struggles to avoid the mistakes of those who went before her, she vows that somehow she will be a bridge between the women in her family rather than the wall that separates them forever.

Spanning from the 1950s to present day, Her Daughter’s Dream is the emotional final chapter of an unforgettable family saga about the sacrifices every mother makes for her daughter—and the very nature of unconditional love.

Questions for the author:

Writing a novel is not for the faint of heart. What was the most difficult part of writing this family saga? What came the most naturally to you?

The most difficult part of writing any novel is getting out of my own way. I have to get rid of preconceived notions about themes and characters and plot. The first draft of this novel came in at over 1000 pages and was too biographical. I wanted the story to shift back and forth from present to past, trying to show what happened to create the rifts and valleys between Hildemara, Carolyn and May Flower Dawn. I was too cautious, too afraid to harm to my grandmother and mother’s memory.

A wonderful editor wrote me an insightful letter in which she listed what she wanted to know about each the characters. Her letter got my creative juices flowing. She helped me look at the story in a new way. I set the first manuscript aside and started over. I found it better to move from one generation to the next in a linear story. This time the characters followed my grandmother and mother’s timeline, but took on a life of their own. They became unique individuals rather than the shadow of real people.

After readers finish this series what do you want them to remember? What questions and feelings do you want it to provoke on a spiritual and emotional level?
I hope and pray readers who have had difficult relationships with their mothers or daughters will let go of the pain and anger and allow God to work in their lives. God can work all things together for good for those who trust and love Him. Following Jesus’ example changes the way we see people. It changes the way we relate to one another. Even when the chasm is too deep to cross, we can decide to forgive. Some people wear grievances like a dirty coat. With God’s strength, we can strip it off and be free. When people finish reading Her Daughter’s Dream, I hope they will want to extend God’s grace and forgiveness. I hope they will tear down their walls and use their life experiences to begin building a bridge.

For a chance at receiving a free copy of the book join the Virtual Book Tour on Facebook. They are giving away THREE copies of the book: Click HERE and ONE copy on the Christian Speaker Services blog - Click HERE .

A complimentary copy of this book was provided to me as a blog tour host by Tyndale House Publishers in exchange for posting this interview on my blog. Please visit Christian Speaker Services at www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com for more information about blog tour management services.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Burning Man - Part V

Once the initial tents were put up, the only thing left to do on Monday was decorate. By the afternoon the Encounter Tent was open for business. (More on that in the next post.)

The Encounter Tent


Bracelets and Necklaces we use to gift the Burners are lined against wall to help with the decor.

The Coffee Dome

Chairs line up around the inside of the Coffee Dome. Pillows and blankets in the middle so people can gather.
Drums are also available for people to play.
Open for business.
Monday was a massive rain storm. It didn’t rain for long, but what was left was this double rainbow. It was beautiful.
The rain also left behind “clay.”
Look at my shoes. I’m glad I wore my old shoes.
The next day Bear took advantage of the rain caught on the roof of the shelter.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010