This week we welcome Penny Zeller to Author Memories.
Penny Zeller is the author of several books and numerous magazine articles, which are listed at the bottom of this post.
Penny is an active volunteer in her community, devoting her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom.
When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. While she is generally a health nut, Penny does have one small weakness: hot tamales (yes, the little red candy kind!)
Penny is an active volunteer in her community, devoting her time to assisting and nurturing women and children into a closer relationship with Christ. Her passion is to use the gift of the written word that God has given her to glorify Him and to benefit His kingdom.
When she's not writing, Penny enjoys spending time with her family and camping, hiking, canoeing, and playing volleyball. While she is generally a health nut, Penny does have one small weakness: hot tamales (yes, the little red candy kind!)
The Dream House
By Penny Zeller
I gazed at the brown and white playhouse with the pointed roof. I couldn’t take my eyes off of it - after all, it even had a crafted railing surrounding its own porch! A narrow white door led to the interior and I let myself imagine what it might be like inside this miniature dreamhouse.
“Do you want to look in the windows?” my dad asked, as if reading my mind. I could only nod. My mouth was wide open, but I couldn’t utter a word.
Dad led my mom, sister, brother, and me around the back of the playhouse where two windows, complete with screens, begged me for a peek within them.
I looked through the lower window. The miniature house was carpeted with brown carpet, and the builder had paneled the walls in a soft beige color. My imagination went to work deciding where I would put furniture, pictures, writing paper, and toys. If only this was my playhouse!
Dad lifted me so I could see inside the top window. An upstairs? I couldn’t believe it! I imagined a rounded staircase… Later I would discover it was a bunk and not an upstairs, but for the moment, I allowed my mind to wander.
“They’re selling raffle tickets to win the playhouse. It’s for a good cause,” Dad said, interrupting my thoughts.
“Did you buy some?” I asked, my question coming out more like a whispered gasp.
“Yes,”Dad said, rubbing his hand along the smooth outdoor brown and white siding.“I’m going to win this for you kids.”
“Eddie, don’t make promises like that,” I heard my mom whisper.
Dad only winked at me and I dared to believe just for a second that he was right.
For the next several days, I couldn’t get my mind off of that playhouse. The possibilities of home ownership at the age of 10 were just too great.
“Do you want to look in the windows?” my dad asked, as if reading my mind. I could only nod. My mouth was wide open, but I couldn’t utter a word.
Dad led my mom, sister, brother, and me around the back of the playhouse where two windows, complete with screens, begged me for a peek within them.
I looked through the lower window. The miniature house was carpeted with brown carpet, and the builder had paneled the walls in a soft beige color. My imagination went to work deciding where I would put furniture, pictures, writing paper, and toys. If only this was my playhouse!
Dad lifted me so I could see inside the top window. An upstairs? I couldn’t believe it! I imagined a rounded staircase… Later I would discover it was a bunk and not an upstairs, but for the moment, I allowed my mind to wander.
“They’re selling raffle tickets to win the playhouse. It’s for a good cause,” Dad said, interrupting my thoughts.
“Did you buy some?” I asked, my question coming out more like a whispered gasp.
“Yes,”Dad said, rubbing his hand along the smooth outdoor brown and white siding.“I’m going to win this for you kids.”
“Eddie, don’t make promises like that,” I heard my mom whisper.
Dad only winked at me and I dared to believe just for a second that he was right.
For the next several days, I couldn’t get my mind off of that playhouse. The possibilities of home ownership at the age of 10 were just too great.
Penny at age 10
Then one day, it happened. A large semi truck from my dad’s employment pulling a forklift drove down our dirt road. And what was strapped to the trailer of the semi? The playhouse!
My heart stopped and the volleyball I had been playing with fell to the ground. I rubbed my eyes. Surely, I was dreaming, as I had so many times before of this moment. (After all, I was known for my daydreams!)
We were a one-income family and my parents didn’t have much money. How then could Dad have purchased enough raffle tickets for us to win? Surely it was a miracle!
Minutes later, I realized it was true and not a dream. I saw the smile on Mom’s face and heard the squeals of my younger brother and sister as the semi truck made its way slowly down the road, down the hill, and into our backyard.
My heart stopped and the volleyball I had been playing with fell to the ground. I rubbed my eyes. Surely, I was dreaming, as I had so many times before of this moment. (After all, I was known for my daydreams!)
We were a one-income family and my parents didn’t have much money. How then could Dad have purchased enough raffle tickets for us to win? Surely it was a miracle!
Minutes later, I realized it was true and not a dream. I saw the smile on Mom’s face and heard the squeals of my younger brother and sister as the semi truck made its way slowly down the road, down the hill, and into our backyard.
Penny's cousin Katie stands by the dream house shortly after it was won
My imagination knew no limits, especially when it came to the playhouse. It was like a small Swiss chalet with its pointed roof, and it stood proud in our backyard next to the swingset and sandbox. My siblings, cousins, and I moved chairs onto the porch and lounged on hot summer days eating popsicles.
Inside the dream house, Mom hung two chalkboards on the wall for those times when we wanted to play school. (And yes, I was the teacher!) Dad put a desk and some shelves inside where we kept our books, stationery (for writing my stories!), and our special piggy bank fund for the less fortunate children.
My cousins were our neighbors and together we took great pride in our “new home.” We had sleepovers, played restaurant –complete with a drive-thru window and a decorated porch for outdoor dining. We moved our Fisher Price sink and oven into the playhouse to prepare special made-to-order meals (made almost exclusively out of different types of crackers).
We girls held special meetings, stayed up all night telling stories during sleepovers while eating a wide array of treats, and hid from our pesky younger brother and boy cousins during the day when they threatened to “torment” us.
Inside the dream house, Mom hung two chalkboards on the wall for those times when we wanted to play school. (And yes, I was the teacher!) Dad put a desk and some shelves inside where we kept our books, stationery (for writing my stories!), and our special piggy bank fund for the less fortunate children.
My cousins were our neighbors and together we took great pride in our “new home.” We had sleepovers, played restaurant –complete with a drive-thru window and a decorated porch for outdoor dining. We moved our Fisher Price sink and oven into the playhouse to prepare special made-to-order meals (made almost exclusively out of different types of crackers).
We girls held special meetings, stayed up all night telling stories during sleepovers while eating a wide array of treats, and hid from our pesky younger brother and boy cousins during the day when they threatened to “torment” us.
Penny, age 10 (center) with her brother, Luke, age 4 (left) and sister Becky, age 7 (right) goofing around with some wigs their aunt gave them.
Many years have passed since those days spent in the playhouse. We no longer have our little dream house, but one thing we do have is all the wonderful memories that were created and won’t ever be forgotten. I now share whose memories with my own children about that day when one of my most-wished-for wishes came true.
Did you have a special place you have fond memories of when you were young? Any secret clubs? Do you have a special place you go to now?
Did you have a special place you have fond memories of when you were young? Any secret clubs? Do you have a special place you go to now?
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GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, May 13th
to be entered in a draw for a copy of
Penny Zeller's Kaydie.
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GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment with a valid email address by midnight, May 13th
to be entered in a draw for a copy of
Penny Zeller's Kaydie.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Kaydie, Whitaker House, Sep 2011
For the first time in years, Kaydie Worthington Kraemer can breathe easily. Although she is still haunted by memories of her abusive husband, Darius, she takes comfort in knowing the man is dead. Staying with her sister McKenzie and brother–in–law, Zach Sawyer, at their ranch, Kaydie is still wary of men, especially now that she has another life inside of her to protect. As she looks forward to her baby's birth, she builds a protective wall around herself that won't be easy to tear down.
Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach's new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there's something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.
When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie's, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?
Ranch hand Jonah Dickenson views his boss, Zach, like a brother. He does not, however, envy Zach's new role as a husband. Deserted by his mother at a young age and forever despised and rejected by his own father, Jonah has few close relationships. But there's something about Kaydie that draws him to her and makes him question his decision to remain a bachelor.
When Cedric Van Aulst, an old friend of Kaydie's, comes to town, an unforeseen prospect of marriage arises. Cedric is someone Kaydie trusts. Will she settle for a safe union with him, or can she trust God to guard her heart and her life in the arms of Jonah?
Kaydie is part of the Montana Skies Historical Romance Series from Whitaker House:
Book 1 - McKenzie, Sep 2010
Book 2 - Kaydie, Mar 2011 (Book trailer above)
Book 3 - Hailee, Sep 2011 (Book trailer below)
Book 1 - McKenzie, Sep 2010
Book 2 - Kaydie, Mar 2011 (Book trailer above)
Book 3 - Hailee, Sep 2011 (Book trailer below)
Along with her Montana Skies series, Penny Zeller is the author of
77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others.
She is also the author of the blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author"
at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com
where she provides weekly doses of inspiration and humor,
along with movie reviews from a Christian worldview, and interviews with some of her favorite author friends.
Penny loves to hear from her readers at her website,
www.pennyzeller.com
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks.
77 Ways Your Family Can Make a Difference: Ideas and Activities for Serving Others.
She is also the author of the blog "A Day in the Life of a Wife, Mom, and Author"
at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com
where she provides weekly doses of inspiration and humor,
along with movie reviews from a Christian worldview, and interviews with some of her favorite author friends.
Penny loves to hear from her readers at her website,
www.pennyzeller.com
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pennyzellerbooks.
