'Their Inheritance' Thursday

Hello, Everybody!

Today, I am introducing  you to a big part of my book world: Their Inheritance. Many of you may already know about and have read my first ebook publication, Their Inheritance, but I am going to be [SPOTLIGHTING]  the ebook even more right here! Starting today, and every Thursday, I will be focusing on a different topic found in Their Inheritance. Download your copy from PBP, and we can discuss the different topics together!

First Synopsis

It is the winter of 1889. Seventeen-year-old James and sixteen-year-old Alexandra Williams have lost both their parents to illness. James and Alexandra are left to raise their two younger siblings while mourning and trying to manage the family farm. 
Through trials and triumphs, the children face their inheritance with the values their parents taught them and their personal faith.

I can't wait to feature more about Their Inheritance here every Thursday! Thanks for reading and being a part of my book world.

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages

Toccoa (not taco) Tuesdays

Hello, Everybody!

It snowed in Georgia last week! Yes, I survived winter storm Jonas. Fortunately, the amount of ice that fell was less than estimated and I did not suffer through power outages. I was blessed to be able to spend time in the snow and living in northeast Georgia, I had hills to sled down! I also engaged in intense snowball battles against siblings. They were packed so hard, those snowballs hurt! My fur baby enjoyed the snow (not as much as I did, though).

Merry Mae a.k.a. furry baby

Toccoa's January 23, 2015 snowfall

January 22, 2015 snowfall in Toccoa, GA

Enough about the magically wonderful and rare snow that Georgia received! Moving on...I am introducing a new weekly blog post theme: Toccoa Tuesday. Not to be confused with Taco Tuesday, Toccoa Tuesday is a series of posts about the town where I live and work in Georgia. Toccoa means "Beautiful". Toccoa is full of history and natural beauty. I look forward to virtually sharing parts of my town with you!

I will continue to post about the book world and everyday life that it accompanies. Just showing a bit of love to Toccoa! Another weekly topic will be Their Inheritance Thursdays.

Believe.

Caitlin
Purple Butterfly Pages & Publications

Yesteryear's Winter

Hello, Everybody!

I am at my desk listening to the radio as rain falls on the tin roof sings in the background. I am awaiting the snow side of 2016 winter storm Jonas. I am a bit of a weather nerd. The power that God put into the weather fascinates me so much. As I was busy preparing for some winter weather this weekend, I was thinking back a little bit. Ok, a lot back, to the late 1800's. What were their winters like?

Winter has not changed that much over time, but there have been changes to society's knowledge and preparation of winter weather. Could you imagine going to bed with  grey skies above and then waking up to head to work or hang out the wash and finding a foot or more of snow; or, watching an afternoon snowfall turn into a week-long blizzard? Winter happened yesteryear just as it is happening today. They were more dependent on the Farmer's Almanac and weather patterns and we are more dependent on The Weather Channel and our local meteorologists to tell us when to expect bad weather. They had little time to prepare their lives for the disruptions that a winter storm brings. Today, meteorologists work to inform citizens of severe weather weeks in advance.

Back then, the families had very little time before a blizzard hit to get their livestock taken care of, food from the cellar, trees chopped for firewood, and few had healthy winter clothing to protect them from the bitter cold temperatures that accompanied big snowfalls and ice storms. In preparation for winter weather on its way today, I made a pot of chili, my younger sisters made a batch of cookies and Momma made a gnocchi and potato soup. Daddy made the grocery store stop for bread and milk....we will not starve this weekend! All the food can be heated over the grill. :) I stocked up on batteries for my radio/cd player. Yes, I still listen to am/fm radio and prefer to own CDs rather than digital music. That discussion is for another blog! SO, I am feeling as prepared for winter storm Jonas as a northeast Georgian can be.


If you are not in the path of 2016 winter storm Jonas, enjoy your winter weekend and make the most of it! To everyone in the path of winter storm Jonas, make the most of it. Embrace the magical snowfall and the powerful layered ice. If you lose electricity, embrace the unplugged pause. It is not always a bad thing to have to reschedule the weekend's plans. Use the "unplugged" winter storm time to get some work done or items crossed off your "to-do" list. There is no time like the present. Everyone, have a safe weekend! Share your wintery pix with me and other readers on my Facebook page: Purple Butterfly Pages! I want to see some snow. I will share my winter storm pix in my next post.

Believe.

Caitlin 
Purple Butterfly Pages

How Lucky is 13?

Hello, Everybody!

Hoping the first thirteen days of this new year is treating you all well. So far, my 2016 has been about refreshment. I have been exploring different avenues of creativity outside of the book world. By spreading the creativity around, I have found more inspiration to use for my book world! I grew up watching my Momma sew by hand and on her sewing machine. I have made it a personal goal for the new year to create more of my own closet items and sew more gifts. How are you coming along with your goals for the new year? Is anybody trying to sew more?! Have you had any luck with your own sewing? I would love to know your tricks!

Speaking of luck...

I am wondering how many Americans feel lucky today and will venture out to their local convenience store or gas station and buy a Powerball lottery ticket. Do you feel lucky? As a publisher, I am thinking how many books the current jackpot could buy! A couple of books could be purchased I am sure. Have you asked yourself what you would do with the estimated $1.4 billion Powerball jackpot (if you are playing)?

Losers

What about when you don't win any money from the historic lottery drawing? Would you still be able to call yourself a winner? I believe everyone can...if you are grateful for what you already have. If you choose gratefulness over greediness, you will be a happy loser! Be happy for the winner (if there is one)! Make the most of life with what you have. Strive to be grateful for what you have as you work to gain more. Someone who chooses to be grateful instead of greedy is a winner in my book!

Believe.  

Best of luck on this thirteenth day of January! You have what it takes to accomplish whatever you set out to do today.  

*If you want an encouraging read, check out Their Inheritance on Amazon! 

Caitlin

Purple Butterfly Pages &Publications

Those Twelve Months

Hello, Everybody!

Happy New Year's Eve! I had a wonderful Christmas with family. I hope you did as well! I've spent the week so far reflecting on the last twelve months. I am not sure how the year has come to an end so abruptly! Thanks for counting down my #TOP5 posts of 2015 with me! Without you reading the blog I wouldn't have the fun of putting together the countdown. 

#1 Stepping Away With Lack of Words

#2 Hello, New Year

#3 Mrs. Dianne Lawson

#4 Proud to Join the Fight Against Child Abuse

#5 Filling the Gap TIED with CMW 2015

2015 was about embracing the accomplishments and realizing (and learning from) the mishaps. Here are a few honest final thoughts on the past professional and personal year.

Professionally

I'll start by saying I did not reach every goal that I set for Purple Butterfly Pages this year, however, I find success in the unmet goals by realizing harder work is what it will take to meet those goals! I worked to accomplish things this year such as sponsoring and participating in the Power House for Kids 5k/10k; guest blogging for Stephens County's Chamber of Commerce blog; and watching Their Inheritance climb to #12 on the Top 100 Free Christian Historical-Fiction ebooks list during March! Woo-hoo!! 

Personally

Part of connecting with readers, customers and future clients is being more open. This is why I started to blog! In my journey to being a better business owner and blogger I want to let you all know what is happening by letting you know more about myself. About the last twelve months...I can honestly say it was a good, but not for reasons you might think. I didn't have fun every day. I wasn't always happy with how situations turned out. I had angry and confused days. I did not reach all of my goals I set for the year. Watched family and friends go through really difficult times But....

I made unforgettable memories. LEARNED a lot about myself. Made new and existing relationships stronger through personal changes. I gained confidence. I accepted more people and situations for who/what they were instead of wishing they were different. I sought God in more situations and in life more this year...and He was always there. 

Onto 2016!

The upcoming year holds plenty of opportunities. I aspire to connect more with you readers on levels of social media and through this blogging. On top of blogging more, I will be entering into the next stages of the publishing process with my current "project" in 2016! Can not wait to share more of that process with every one of you. I am so excited to be a more actively involved member of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce during the new year as well!

Wishing you all a safe, prosperous, happy, and healthy NEW YEAR! Go work for it! 

Believe.

Caitlin

www.PurpleButterflyPages.com

'Tis the Season

Hello, Everybody!

Sprinkle and kiss embellished sugar cookies

I am taking a few minutes break from baking Christmas cookies right now. My sister and I are hosting a Christmas cookie exchange party this evening. The punch ingredients are awaiting their mixing and the bourbon chicken is marinating! I want to take this "baking break" to reflect on the Christmas celebrations.

Embrace Your Pace

Are you are finding yourself bogged down with Christmas parties, responsibilities, gift-giving pressures, or time management stress that the month of December can bring? I am not selling you Vitameatavegemin (I'll leave that to Lucy),  but I do understand there are end of the year goals to meet, LOTS of people to visit before the year runs out, and have a cheery smile on your face all at at the same time. We can all get carried away with the tide of busyness during Christmas time. Then, there are those friends of ours who have nobody to visit with or to celebrate the wonderful Gift that we celebrate with. Whether you are the person finding themselves way too busy to keep up with life or if you are the person wanting a busier life, EMBRACE where you are and how fast life is moving quickly or slowly around you. 

Be grateful for the busy schedule. Each responsibility and event is serving a purpose in your life. Be grateful for the slow pace that you are living life. Spend your time really being there for those who are around you.

Never Too Old 

It is so important to not forget the magic of Christmas! There is the magic of Santa, the elves, the snowy days {so, maybe not much snow around this year, but in general ;) }. I am talking about the MOST important magical part of Christmas that I celebrate: Jesus' birth. The newborn who would save the world from eternal agony. The history of this baby is incredible. Find a Bible and read Luke 2:1-21, the story of Jesus' birth, and tell me it is not magical! I just want to remind you that nobody is too old to believe in magic, especially the spiritual kind!

A Christmas wish for you!

My Christmas wish for you all reading this:

Enjoy your Christmas whatever your circumstances. Create moments. Embrace those moments. Count every tiny blessing. Be a blessing to someone else. Don't forget to believe in the magic that surrounds you. May the peace that Jesus' birth brings film your hearts!

Merry Christmas to you and yours!!!!

Believe.

Caitlin

Proprietor & Publisherwww.PurpleButterflyPages.com

Stepping Away with Lack of Words

Hello, Everyone!

I hope you had a memorable Thanksgiving holiday. I spent time with my family (SURPRISE) and celebrated a couple of birthdays. We celebrated my youngest brother's birthday by spending the day with our cousins playing billiards and eating cake pops! Three days earlier, we celebrated my baby sister's birthday with a Yellow Submarine themed party. I have <ALOT of  fun being an older sister to say the least! The first week of December brought my mother's birthday. Yes, Purple Butterfly Publications' featured author, Stephanie Townsend Ayers, had a fantastic birthday with gifts, family game time, movies, and a meal at her favorite restaurant, Michaelee's, in Blairsville, Georgia. If you are looking for your next vacation destination with delicious Italian cuisine and delicate desserts, consider this place!

A rainbow over Young Harris, Georgia Thanksgiving week

Stepping away...

During this valuable family time, I took time away from my professional Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook accounts. Good timing for me to take a break for two main reasons. The first reason being that it is important to take time a way from social media. Stepping away during the last part of November and early December is what I did. Stepping away from certain work tasks for a brief time-out helped me to disconnect and reconnect by not sharing so much of what I'm thinking and doing throughout the day. Please, don't misunderstand, I love social media and believe in its many positive purposes (more details for a later blog)! The second reason stepping away from social media at this particular time was because there were days during this "break" that I would not have known what to say anyway. When the news broke that Mark Richt, one of my favorite head coaches in college football, had been fired, I had no words. Being "offline" was for the best at that time!

Dawg Country

Coach Richt at the
2014 Belk Bowl where Bulldogs won against Cardinals in
Bank of America stadium Charlotte, NC

If you are not a fan of college football, keep scrolling to learn of PBP's Christmas specials!! Most of you know that I am a college football fan and that my two favorite teams are the UGA Bulldogs and the ECU Pirates. This has not been a good week to be a fan of either! Like I already mentioned, when I heard of Coach Richt's firing at UGA and then hiring by Miami, I wouldn't have even had the characters to tweet. As a Bulldog fan of nearly fourteen years, Mark Richt was the only coach that I had known. Once I was a fan, I never stopped being a fan. It would have been easy to be an on and off again type fan. Now, I understand that the university wanted more SEC titles and more championships than we had been winning, so the firing was not a huge shock. The upset was the way in which the head coach was fired. You beat an in-state rival and the next day you are fired without the chance of coaching at the Bowl game (which we are headed to because we had a decent season)?! Before Bulldog Country had time to celebrate Richt's legacy at the University of Georgia, BOOM he was out of here and starting all over in Miami. Not even a last win-it-for-the-coach type bowl game. I felt like Mark Richt was forgotten overnight and was a distant memory the next day in the minds of the UGA athletic division staff. Isn't it funny how one minute you are on top with people you thought were friends and within a few hours you are out the door and those "friends" are the ones shooing you on your way? I am glad I was not on Twitter to read the outraged tweets from other fans! Anyway, I just have to say thanks to Coach Richt for the good times, the memories, and the coaching legacy he left with the players! I am still a Bulldog fan, but will need to adjust. So, as the week went on and the weekend was getting started, I learned of more college football heartache.

Pirate Nation

My dad, twin, and I attended
ECU's Oct 2014 historic victory over UNC.
The "Purple Haze Sunset" was epic!

The news broke that another one of my favorite head coaches in college football, Ruffin McNeil, had been fired. It still does not seem realistic. I was genuinely shocked when I found out. My dad read it on..Twitter...and told me (again, glad I was offline)! While facing many obstacles, Coach Ruff did not have a winning season this year. However, he did make some momentous turnarounds in the ECU Pirates football department in the five years that he was head coach. I am not going to list his accomplishments. They are known! The upsetting part to this football fan, is the manner in which Coach Ruff was "relieved of his duties". He was immediately terminated. The AD enraged fans even more when he failed to provide a sensible reason to the decision. This coach, much like Mark Richt,  meant just as much to the Pirate players, fans, and community away from the sidelines as he did on the sidelines! The termination of this man's job should have been handled more honorably than with the disrespect that it was handled. The man did not even have time to meet with his players before the  termination news was announced nationwide! The fans, players, and coaches were disrespected by the way this firing was done. 

"I understand college football is a money making business. Sometimes the money makers forget to understand that without the games, players, coaches, and fans there would be no money in their pockets." -Caitlin Ayers

Moving On

I could say more about this college football drama, but I will stop here. After all, it is time to get back to work in the world of books!

ANNOUNCEMENT: Christmas specials are happening at Purple Butterfly Pages! You are the first to know! Mark these next few dates on your calendar: December 16, 22, & 29. These December days will be your chance to download Their Inheritance ebook for FREE!
Suitable for each gender, Their Inheritance by Stephanie Townsend Ayers is an inspirational Christian historical-fiction ebook. Read it yourself and gift it to your favorite reader friends (by favorite I mean all).

*Leave comments below. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the college football drama and your most recent Thanksgiving holiday memories!

Believe.

Caitlin Ayers, Proprietor & Publisher
www.PurpleButterflyPages.com