Memories of How We Used to Spend Our Vacation #cartoon

August 28, 2019 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

image copyright James and Ellen Hrkach (please do not use without permission)

Advent Cartoon

December 5, 2014 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

copyright James and Ellen Hrkach. Please do not use without permission!

7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 88

September 13, 2013 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

Join Catholic bloggers over at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday!

1. Don’t You Forget About Me Teasers
Check out author Erin McCole Cupp’s short teasers from Don’t You Forget About Me, which will be published by Full Quiver Publishing on November 1st.

2. Book Review of Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious!
If you haven’t already checked out my book review of Blessed, Beautiful and Bodacious by Pat Gohn, please do. Leave a comment at the review (before Friday, September 20) to be entered for a chance to win a free autographed copy of this wonderful book!

3. Fr. Don Calloway
I’ve listened to Fr. Don speak several times and I’m really inspired by his enthusiasm and his love for the Church and Our Lady. He was signing books at the Catholic Marketing Network Trade Show recently and I had an opportunity to chat with him (the previous day, my youngest boys were able to hear him speak in Glassboro, NJ!)

4. A Subtle Grace Update
I’ve been struggling with a few plot issues in my upcoming novel, A Subtle Grace, after my developmental editor suggested I change a few of them. I’m now just finishing those edits. But given the fact that the novel currently sits at 130,000 words, I still need to shorten it and I’m just not sure which side stories or scenes need to be edited. I’m still hoping for a January release.

5. Stealing Jenny – Goodreads
Stealing Jenny just hit 500 ratings on Goodreads! If you’re on Goodreads, please feel free to add me as a friend.

6. Reading Shelf
Under the Mantle by Fr. Don Calloway
Hana-Lani – Christine Sunderland

7. Officially Married Cartoon

7 Quick Takes Friday – Volume 60

February 22, 2013 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

It’s time to join with other Catholic bloggers at Conversion Diary for 7 Quick Takes Friday.

1. Proactive Lent
Lent has begun in earnest. One of the things I do every year during Lent is “de-clutter.” I tend to let stacks of books, papers and other paraphernalia pile up without sorting properly. The end result is my house tends to be cluttered. I still give up a few things, but since I’ve already given up wheat, that takes care of most “goodies.” Since the beginning of Lent, I’ve sorted through books and a few large stacks of paper.

2. Popular Name from 1871-1880
In researching names for my fifth book, A Subtle Grace, I was surprised to discover “Ellen” was the 6th most popular girl’s name in that period. Can you guess one of the names that was more popular?(In the top five of this period). Comment below to be entered to win a print copy of God Moments III: True Love Leads to Life (I contributed three stories to this book).

3. Pope Leo XIII
I discovered this cool video of Pope Leo XIII in 1896 on youtube. There is a short audio clip of Pope Leo XII at the end. If you’re wondering why I have been doing research on this Pope, it’s because he makes a guest appearance in my upcoming novel, A Subtle Grace. To find out more about this Pope, click here.

4. Fan Mail
I’ve received more than the usual amount of fan mail this week and it’s been very humbling. It’s still hard to imagine or believe that I have “fans.”

5. Simultaneous Bestsellers!
Earlier this week, for the first time ever, all six of my company’s books, including my four, have simultaneously been on at least one bestsellers’ list.

6. Antique Books
Another thing I found this week while doing research was that many antique books from the 19th century are available FREE online. This book, entitled “The Science of a New Life” by John Cowan is a fascinating journey into Victorian attitudes, biases and religious overtones. What was so refreshing was the author does not attempt to hide his horror for “abortion” which at the time was called “Feticide.”

7. Texted Cartoon

Image copyright James & Ellen Hrkach

Don’t forget! Let me know one of the names you think might have been in the top five in the period 1871 to 1880 to be entered to win a free copy of God Moments III: True Love Leads to Life. You’ll get one entry for each name you guess correctly. Comment before Monday, February 25th @ eight p.m. to be eligible to enter!

Family Life Humor

April 16, 2012 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

Sunday Snippets – January 29

January 28, 2012 by Ellen Gable Hrkach

Join me and other Catholic bloggers at RAnn’s Place for Sunday Snippets where we share posts from the previous week.

If The Morning I shared the lyrics of a pro-life song my husband wrote when he was a teenager. The words are incredibly beautiful and it’s hard to believe he had this sort of wisdom at such a young age. The lyrics are included in my book Emily’s Hope.

God Messaging: Will You Accept the Friend Request Book Review My friend, Dana, who blogs at Catholic Working Mom, has written a beautiful series of essays in this newly-published book. You can buy her book at Amazon.com in paperback and on Kindle.

Wordless Wednesday – Venice For Wordless Wednesday, I posted a few photos from our trip to Europe in 2007. One of my favorite places in Europe was Venice. I especially enjoyed the beautiful outdoor art treasures.

7 Quick Takes Friday For 7 Quick Takes Friday, I shared a post about my son turning 16, my late grandmother’s birthday, a moment that God allowed me to stop and watch the sky, a cartoon, a Skype book club appearance and the CWG Blog sharing my recent bestseller news.

More NFP Humor Another NFP-themed cartoon.

For more Sunday Snippets, please visit RAnn’s Blog.