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| Hole in the Barn Door Quilt Block |
Between Heaven and Texas takes place in the fictional town of Too Much, Texas, ninety-five miles slightly southeast of Dallas. We learn how Too Much began: "When Texas was still a republic, George and Flagadine Tudmore and their four children set out from Arkansas to Austin with the intention of claiming the six hundred and forty acres of land that was being offered to new settlers. . . By the time the Tudmores reached the Texas border, the temperatures had been above one hundred for twenty-two days running, and the family's water supply was dangerously low." Flagadine said, 'It's just too much, George. Too much sun. Too much wind. Too much heat. Besides, there's something about this place, don't you agree? But whether you do or you don't, this is as far as I go.' And that . . . is how Too Much, Texas, got its start."
Mary Dell and her extended family live on the F-Bar-T Ranch established by their ancestors, George and (particularly) Flagadine Tudmore. "Each succeeding generation of Tudmore women signed the title of the ranch over to her daughter upon the younger woman's marriage."
If you'd like to make a block to go with the setting of the book, here are some suggestions to get you started. Click on the link to go to the free pattern:
Hole in the Barn Door Quilt Block
Texas Puzzle Quilt Block
Texas Treasures Quilt Block
Texas Rose Quilt Block
The Star of the Alamo Quilt Block
In an interview, author Marie Bostwick comments, "I was born in Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest, but I have lived in Texas four times as an adult and really came to appreciate the state and its people. There’s a unique sort of energy in Texas, a boldness, and, in a way, an innocence that I find appealing. They still believe that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to. Texans are proud to be from Texas and they make no apologies for that. It’s hard not to admire that spirit. And Mary Dell Templeton is a true blue Texan, the epitome of all that is good about Texas, with all the grit and grace that marks a true daughter of the Lone Star state."
Have you ever lived in or visited Texas? What are your impressions of the Lone Star state? Inquiring minds want to know! Answer in the comment section below. (If you are reading via email, you must first click on the blog title to be able to comment and read the comments of others.)
By commenting, you are entering your name in a giveaway of a fabulous prize pack containing Wedding Ring, Endless Chain, Lover’s Knot (first three books of the Shenandoah Album Series) and Mountain Away, all by Emilie Richards - courtesy of Harlequin!
Heads Up: Our September book is The Goodbye Quilt by Susan Wiggs. You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post here.
I finished reading the book last night (at 1 a.m. because I couldn't put it down) and one of the things that stuck out to me was how big Texas is. I haven't been to Texas but it's always been on my "to do" list. Texas has always had the reputation of "everything is bigger in Texas" which I was reminded of when they were discussing how many acres could be sold off in order to open the shop. I think the small town I grew up in was smaller than that many acres and that wasn't even all the ranch!
ReplyDeleteI was born and raised in a small ranching community on The Western Slope of the Rockies on the Wyoming Colorado border. We lived and ranched on the ranch that my great grandfather put together in the late 1890s. I married a Texan and have lived in Texas now for over 30 years, and everything Marie says about "us" is true! It is big, it is beautiful, it is diverse and most of the people have hearts just as big as Texas! The only thing I don't like, is the HOT summers! Thank the Lord for AC!!!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my all time favorite books!! Thanks, Susan, for including it on our reading list!!
Blessings
I have only touched down in Texas coming back from Hawaii. We were not allowed off the plane. LOL! I would love to visit though. My husband lived in Texas from the time he was 11 to 22. He has boots, a hat, and one of those bolo??? tie thingamajigs and he isn't allowed to wear any of that now because..well..I am a city slicker from Atlanta, GA and I don't do cowboys. LOL! Husband originally from Atlanta so he had to get back to his roots. LOL! We ride horses here with tennis shoes on which gives us a better grip.
ReplyDeleteI've landed in Dallas a couple times and we drove across the northern part going to New Mexico. It is big and where we were dry, not green like Indiana.
ReplyDeleteLove the book.
I have driven through Texas a few times and I'll try to find something positive to say about the Lone Star. It is way to flat and dry for me as I am a mountain person and like to be surrounded by greenery. I do like the Lone Star quilt-that was one of the first ones I made. I'm a West Virginia born Virginia girl now.
ReplyDeleteI've been in Dallas twice; both times for technology conferences. The planners for the conferences really tried to show us some big Texas fun in the evenings. I remember line dancing in a huge barbecue restaurant that had one of those bulls you can ride on. On both occasions we took time out to visit Dealy Plaza and the Sixth Floor Museum. Didn't find the city itself all that impressive but we were right downtown both times. While I was there I always had this yearning to buy some cowboy boots but never did.
ReplyDeleteI was born in Tennessee 51 years ago, but have lived in Texas since 1986 (wow...it's been 27 1/2 years now) and absolutely LOVE it here!! I first visited when I was 12 years old and told my parents that "One day I will live in Texas). Sure enough, my DH (college boyfriend at the time) ended up with a job in Fort Worth. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. I love the hot weather (definitely not a winter person myself) and there is SOOO much to do. And really on the plus side...we have LOTS and LOTS of quilt shops within 1 1/2 hours of my location (at least 30).
ReplyDeleteI live in ohio and found a lovely quilt shop in Texas while browsing online for a particular fabric. The owners of the shop were so nice and friendly. I think if I ever move out of state I'll move to Texas.
ReplyDeleteDoes it count that I am jealous all who have been to TX? LOL
ReplyDeleteMy parents wintered in TX for about 30 yrs. and I was always
planning to visit, but never made it. Love the book and I'm
enjoying the characters.
Although I've never lived in TX more than a summer, my mom was born and raised in TX. She's lived away since she was 17, but says she was born a Texan and will die a Texan. Her mother is still living and will turn 98 in September. My great aunt, mom, and I all come from different states to have a slumber party at the Rathgeber House in Wichita Falls. We come to celebrate my Grandma Ruby's birthday. There is always a great deal of fun and laughter!
ReplyDeleteMy twin brother lived in Dallas for a while and our family went to visit. I remember how much air conditioning was going everywhere. I also recall my little nephew talking with us in regular English, and then switching to "Texan" when he walked out the door to meet his friends.
ReplyDeleteI have never been to Texas. I have a picture of everything there being very large.
ReplyDeleteLiving in the UK it is difficult to comprehend the vast areas of farms in Texas. I live in a rural area and have 10 acres of land which is pretty big for this area, but certainly nothing in comparison.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in Texas for 52 years. I enjoy everything about Texas except the last 10 years of unusually dry summers & heat. I'm sorry that some of the above posts revealed visitors that have only seen a small fraction of the state. Most of the state isn't flat and is very lush. I live in the Dallas area which enjoys tree covered hilly neighborhoods with beautiful landscaping, bubbling creeks & several lakes. Piney woods cover the eastern part of the state which includes lakes to enjoy & trails to hike. Also not to be missed is the beautiful "Hill Country" of the central portion of the state known for beautiful windflowers flanking the winding, hilly roads. You will see some cactus in this area but they enjoy some shade from large oak trees with huge spreading canopies. We also have the coastal areas of south Texas to give us the beach experience. The west side of the state is what most resembles the Texas portrayed in the movies. It has a landscape that includes flat areas contrasted by the canyons of the "Big Bend" area. Rock hunters enjoy the western part of the state & stargazers won't be disappointed with the vast nighttime viewing. A visit to the McDonald observatory is a must see. So I hope I've given "ya'll" some reasons to come visit us! Texans are always open to making new friends!
ReplyDeleteI'm a born and bred Texan (and VERY proud of it)! Both my sons were born there, too. We've lived in IL for the past 10 year (Tulsa for 8.5 years before that), but, if you ask either boy, they will tell you that they are from TEXAS. I've lived all over the state (born in East Texas, raised in DFW and West Texas, where our families still live). There are 5 different areas in Texas, all are very different from each other (weather, terrain, etc). If you heard me speak, you'd know that I was from Texas, even though I haven't lived there since 1995. Hubby still wears boots, and has a straw hat. Youngest son has several pairs of boots, too. You just can't take Texas out of someone.
ReplyDeletePlanning on going to Texas later this year.
ReplyDelete