Faith, Fancy, & Beautiful Blues

On December 21, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Art, Poetry60 Comments

Dear Friends,

I finished my final round of book reviews, finally feeling caught up! So, I’m excited to share them with you! Hopefully, one, two, or all three of these wonderful books will find themselves on your TBR that’s close to toppling over. 😊

Have you ever struggled with faith? In the midst of feeling blue, does the beauty still shine through? Do you long to get in the kitchen to create something fancy, especially during this holiday season? Look no further, and if you would like to visit the authors’ blogs, simply click on their names.

Finding My Father’s Faith by Wynne Leon is proof that civil conversation about beliefs can bring peace and understanding to the forefront which then reduces gaps in relationships. Leon expresses that she finds “peace, healing, and joy” by carving out moments for meditating, but her story is about finding common ground and respect with her father, Pastor Dick Leon. Her father exuded patience, understanding, and kindness, and wasn’t judgmental when he would listen to her views. These are qualities that any child, regardless of age, want parents to possess. Children want to be heard, and they need to know that their parents support them, even though they may not understand or agree.

Authenticity is found in every nugget of Leon’s memories about struggling with faith, such as in this statement, “I didn’t find the truth or comfort in the church that my dad did. I didn’t rebel hard against it, just found myself falling away from it in college.” Leon opens up about her divorce, realizing that although her marriage didn’t mirror her parents’ lasting partnership, when she embarks on one of her climbing adventures, “defeat can mean I had survived to climb again.”

My husband and I have backpacked, so I really enjoyed learning about Leon’s incredible mountain climbing experiences. The details she conveys with such clarity are jaw-dropping, but they’re also profound because the climb isn’t the end-all. It’s how Leon feels when she reaches the top of a mountain. “It feels like a Divine test…it’s a physical realization of the spiritual – everything is momentous, the view, the accomplishment, the exhilaration, and yet I can’t stay there because I’m tiny. I see the manifestation of my place in the universe, I’m small, my concerns are small, and this life is huge, far more than I can see or understand.”

Leon offers insight through her introspection, and the pages aren’t only a beautiful tribute to her father and a lens into their loving relationship, but they are an honest and compelling account of her journey to discovering faith. Highly recommended for you who have grappled with your faith, or who find comfort in immersing yourself into touching stories about family. If you read this soul-stirring book, you won’t feel alone as you do your own soul-searching.

The Blues and the Beautiful by Nicole Sara is her second poetry collection. I loved her first book so much that I knew I was in for another treat with this publication. In this compilation with a cover so calming, Sara shares her heart through beautiful thoughts that were penned in the last three years. She writes about many layers in life and nature such as “The Beauty in Broken” and an “Interview with a Rose.” Stunning, color photographs enhance the reader’s experience. As I read each verse, absorbing its beauty and message, it felt like taking a slow ride on a cloud, almost reaching the sky or touching my very own glimmering star. I felt like I was entering into a storybook of charm and whimsy.

Sara writes with such elegance, and her soft rhymes merrily dance on the pages. The poems in this lovely collection explore the beauty of life and nature not only when elation is at play, but also during the times of sorrow. Sunrises and sunsets have always been a huge part of my photo collection, so “Golden Song Sweeping Clean” touched my heart and soul:

Golden has to be the horizon…
Golden as the sun rising clean,
Golden
With a silvery trimming,
Bathing soft smiles through dream…

In “Reflections” Sara begins with a quote from Henry David Thoreau. He expresses that “A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature” and since my husband and I have our favorite lake in the Sierra Mountains that we vacation at each year, this poem resonates…

mirrors
and seasons,
evenings and mornings
spinning whispers together
of summer through winter serene,
and spring rippling over the weather…

Take time out for you and give yourself a beautiful gift of this poetry that will invite you into a world of charm and whimsy, steeling you away from any chaos desiring your attention. Cozy up with your copy while watching the sun rise or witnessing another glorious sunset. Highly recommended!

Something Fancy by Robbie Cheadle is a delightful book to enhance your holiday festivities. The cover alone made me smile, wanting to discover the delicacies within the pages. This book is everything artistic from delicious recipes to masterpiece creations, from Christmas Cakes to Gingerbread Houses. Cheadle’s photos, recipes, and memories evoked wonderful memories of my childhood, playing with paper dolls and paper mâché. I enjoyed her recollections with Granny Joan and other family members who introduced her to the magical world of art. They nourished her love for reading, then writing, and her mum taught her about baking. Now, the backstory is known! Cheadle has always been an experimenter, and the outcomes of her fondant and elaborate cakes prove that she reaches success. But she didn’t stop at baking; she dived into drawing and painting, and her work is exquisite.

Learning about the history of Christmas Cakes and the variety around the world is fascinating. It is fun to see Stollen included because German heritage runs in my family. My mom used to spend hours in the kitchen, baking her Christmas sugar cookies that I bake each holiday, along with creating Stollen for our holiday festivities. I felt nostalgic, remembering those kitchen moments and gatherings by the Christmas Tree – my parents who aren’t with us anymore, the chatter and laughter, the togetherness. Cheadle also includes her wonderful poetry among the mouthwatering recipes. After most of us indulge in food and drink during the holidays, this micro poem resonated:

Post-Christmas fatigue/Couch beckons enticingly/Rejuvenation

As for cakes, the Jack Frost Cake is incredible! Cheadle shares interesting facts about the famous German Fairy Tale, Hansel and Gretel by the Brothers Grimm. She even inserts Covid into her art and poems. I’ve always been a baker just like my mom, but my patience level doesn’t stretch as high as Cheadle’s for the intricate recipes she follows. The color photos are amazing, and I found the conversion chart in the back to be very helpful. As a special feature of my review, I made the Lemon Shortbread in which I’m sharing before and after photos of this delicious recipe. I highly recommend this delightful collection of poetry and sweets, and if you ‘fancy’ mixing up ingredients to create your own masterpiece, skip the class, and read this book!

Robbie’s Lemon Shortbread

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I hope you enjoyed my reviews and won’t leave here empty-handed. And did you happen to try the lemon shortbread? If so, let me know what you think! 😉 Thank you for visiting, and my last post before the holiday break will be on Tuesday. Until then, I wish you love, peace, and an abundance of happiness during this holiday season. ❤️🎄

The ultimate gift for dog lovers and
pet parents in general. Click on the
***image to order your copy. Thank you!***

© Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com
Author and poet, Lauren Scott, enjoys small-town living in the Bay Area with her husband, Matt, of thirty-seven years. Their adult son and daughter live out of state, and with frequent visits and technology, the family of four remains close. Lauren has published four poetry collections, a memoir, and her first children’s book. Her latest poetry collection is a tribute to her family’s Chocolate Labrador who crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in spring 2025. Lauren is a recent Pushcart Nominee and has been a guest on several podcasts. Her writing is featured on Spillwords Press where she was voted Author of the Month and garnered Publication of the Month awards. She is a contributing author in several anthologies, and her work is also shared on Gobblers and Masticadores. Her muse discovers inspiration from her family, spending time outdoors, reveling in simple things, and marveling at the mysteries of life.

Early Easter Wishes!

On April 19, 2025April 19, 2025 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry100 Comments

This photo evokes many great Easter memories, even though our son doesn’t look too happy! Looking back, I’m not sure how thrilling it was for our children to visit The Easter Bunny or Santa Claus. But at the time, it’s what we did for that iconic photo! Do you remember those times? I think when they were younger like our son’s age in this photo, they were more agreeable with Santa Claus!

Easter is a Christian holiday that marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ after his crucifixion. Whether you believe in Jesus, or even if you’re concerned about the current political climate, Easter is also a fun day for children as they go on their Easter egg hunts. I always hope the rain will be kind to the children, letting the sun steal the show. I found the meaning of the Easter egg online: symbolizes the empty tomb from which Jesus resurrected, representing new life and rebirth.

Easter for Matt and I is quieter each year with our son and daughter living out of state, and our parents have both passed. My sisters are in Southern California and have their own families. We had always attended church, but we stepped away a few years ago when some members soured our experience. This had been ongoing, but we finally reached a point of making a decision. Then going to church changed to getting outdoors, spending time with nature…hiking on a trail, picnicking, walking on the beach, taking in all the beauty surrounding us and the blessings in our life.

So, I wish you all a Blessed Easter whatever you believe,
and I wish you much love and joy not only on this celebrated day,
but on every day to come.
Spread the Love! 💜

A beautiful day
for little ones
running on lawns
with giggles
searching for pretty
Easter eggs
their bodies
full of wiggles
Sunshine high
in the sky
for this day
of celebration
smiling blooms
of new life
hopeful hearts
of elation

© Lauren Scott, BaydreamerWrites.com – All rights reserved.
This blog content cannot be used to train AI.

Available on Amazon, and Barnes & Noble,
but click on the image to purchase your
copy through Amazon. 💜

An Act of Kindness and Renewed Faith in Humanity

On January 7, 2023 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Personal Stories, Writing84 Comments

It was that time again to stock up the pantry and fridge, so I meandered through the grocery store, strolling up one aisle and down the next until everything on my list was checked off. When I was standing in line with a full cart for just a few minutes, I noticed the man behind me holding only two items in his hands. “Would you like to go ahead of me?” I offered.

“Oh, no thank you. I’m fine.” He replied.

“No, really. I don’t mind waiting.” I insisted, so he humbly accepted. While he paid for his items, I read a new text from my husband that just pinged. When I looked up, the man was finishing the transaction.

“Thanks again for your kindness,” he said to me, while gently tossing a $50 bill that I watched float through the air as in slow motion, landing on my loaf of bread! “Oh, my gosh! I can’t accept that!” I was shocked to see the money in the first place, but then realizing it was a $50 bill had me flabbergasted!

“Please, take it. Your kindness has renewed my faith in humanity.” He gently enforced and literally sprinted out of the store, vanishing in seconds. I stood there with Darlene, the checker staring back at me, the biggest smile brightening her face, both of us amazed at the man’s equaled kindness and generosity. She told me to accept the gift, so my first thought was to pass it onto her. Darlene was friendly and so kind, making each customer feel like the most important person in the world, exuding true customer service. And yet, she was not allowed to accept cash gifts. So, I reluctantly slipped the fifty into my purse, waves of shock still rippling through me as I exited the store.

There is no barometer in measuring the value of kindness, but it is apparent that kindness comes in all forms, and I can’t wait to pay it forward to reaffirm this generous man’s faith in humanity.

© Lauren Scott, baydreamerwrites.com – All rights reserved.
Images: Pixabay

Moving Forward

On September 19, 2018September 19, 2018 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry47 Comments

Dear Friends,

This is a follow-up to my last post…thank you for your love, prayers, positive thoughts, and support. I’m feeling much better, but healing on the inside is still needed. So, I’m in the process of scheduling a procedure that will provide answers.

In the meantime, it’s great to have my energy back; it’s no fun staying in bed not being able to contribute to the daily routine. My outlook is optimistic, but I’m also realistic. I don’t do well living in gray area, so we shall see…

On a lighter note, I love the cooler weather, and the season of Fall is one of my favorites…the colors, the smells, the foods, and the change of wardrobe. 🙂 And for the new season upon us, I’m including a fun haiku, and of course, Copper. My daughter took this photo a few years back, and it remains a favorite.

Copper in Autumn by Steph 2016

pumpkins on the porch
sandles in hybernation
hello socks and boots!

Wishing you all a Wonderful Wednesday. ❤❤❤

Journal Entry 9/10/18

On September 13, 2018September 13, 2018 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion, Poetry59 Comments

September 10, Monday

(hospital stay 9/7-9/9 Fri-Sun)

It’s evening when I usually pick up a good book, but my eyes are just too tired and my mind is too preoccupied to concentrate on anything. My body is also fatigued as though every ounce of energy has been zapped. Then when my head meets the pillow, my mind begins to wander again. Some thoughts lead into great memories of present or past. This is when I breathe deeply and thank God. And some start to tumble into a darker place where I have no desire to be. Those thoughts provoke wild emotions, and the last thing I need is puffy eyes in my morning reflection.

So, it takes mustering up a lot of strength to bat those dark thoughts away as if they’re pesky, blood-sucking mosquitoes. This is when I also breathe deeply – slowly inhaling, slowly exhaling, hoping to relax and fall into a deep slumber where thinking is finished for the night. And I pray to God that I’ll be okay. One thing I’ve been reminded of is just how fragile life can be, and I didn’t need reminding.

With this being said, and even through an occasional two-minute-melt-down, I’ll keep the faith as the waiting and testing continues. I won’t let optimism out of my sight. Taking one day at a time still rings true. And I am beyond grateful for the love and support of my awesome family and friends.

(I hope to catch up on blog-reading real soon. Stay safe and well. Lauren ❤)

What I learned in ER

On March 7, 2018March 7, 2018 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Discussion37 Comments

1. That life’s course can change in a heartbeat.
2. That we need to be advocates for our loved ones when it comes to medical attention.
3. That I can find calmness and strength when it’s needed.
4. That we need to have faith in medical personnel.
5. That nothing is black and white.
6. That my faith in God has waned.
7. That asking why doesn’t bring answers.
8. That all I know is that I don’t know anything.
9. That “one day at a time” is no joke.
10. That sitting in the emergency room while the power went out was beyond spooky (even though hospitals have generators). And it happened twice.
11. That I commend medical staff wholeheartedly.
12. That even though we were there from 11:30 pm to 4 am, we survived.
13. That being a parent involves much more than changing diapers.
14. That even as children grow older parenting doesn’t end.
15. That worrying does no good but manages to surface anyway.
16. That the future still remains unknown.
17. That the last time I screamed at God wasn’t the last time.
18. That the feeling of helplessness is indescribable.
19. That since this event, time hasn’t stopped. Life goes on. We move forward.

“In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.”
~ Albert Camus

“Tears shed for another person are not a sign of weakness. They are a sign of a pure heart.”
~ Jose N. Harris

“Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
~ Maya Angelou

***Thanks to all who read this. Its purpose isn’t for sympathy, rather for therapeutic reasons. We all have stories of sorrow. But on the opposite end of sorrow, there is joy for many reasons, along with strength, optimism, and perseverance – the reason I ended with these great quotes. Sometimes, we just have to pour our hearts out, though, so thanks again for stopping by. And may you also find strength, optimism, and perseverance in any struggles you’re experiencing. ❤

Onward

On February 1, 2018February 1, 2018 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Poetry28 Comments

Everywhere, affecting our senses
We’re subjected to horror never-ending
How much more can our souls ache?
How much more can our hearts break?

Should we succumb to defeat that we feel?
Throw in the towel with arms in the air?
Are they winners again because we allow,
Or is perseverance what it’s all about?

Let’s not restrict our minds to the darkness
Instead, dare to dream with eyes wide open
Envision the world we desire to see
Surround ourselves with the light we need

light+and+hope

Lauren Scott © 2018
Photos courtesy of Google
(In view of the frequent negativity all around the world,
here is some Light to carry with you today.) ❤

The Season’s Spirit

On December 23, 2017 By Lauren Scott, AuthorIn Holidays, Poetry39 Comments

Guilt overshadows the season’s joy
when others’ loss becomes prevalent
They wish for a miracle of healing
their spirits hang on a thread so delicate

When will the blood stop shedding?
What will keep mouths from starving?
Do you hear it where you are?
The noise of despair is jarring

Is it so simple to say a prayer
for their anguish to be calmed
for love to hug their weary souls
for all to feel a connected bond?

This season of Magic, Miracles, and Faith isn’t joyous for everyone; for many it’s a Blue Christmas. So, may the Spirit find itself embracing all people, but especially those who are dealing with stress or depression from tragedy, and may Peace weave its way into their hearts, minds, and lives. Let us remember the Vision of “Goodwill to All Men.”

I’ll be away from blogging through the holiday weekend, so I wish you all a Christmas filled with an abundance of Love, Joy, and Peace. And a Big “Thank You” to all of you – both old and new friends – for your continued support here on WP.
~With Love, Lauren 💝