God bless the step each foot will take.
Of each dear child a staunch soul make.
Help them to grow to do Thy will
And with Thy love my children fill.

(~Thyra Ferre Bjorn, Papa's Wife)

"Why, Pontus. It doesn't seem like work at all to me. It is such fun to watch the children growing up like little plants needing love and sunshine."

And they were growing up. The days and weeks and years seemed to float by, so filled with love and happiness that Mama couldn't believe there was another woman int he world as happy.
(~Thyra Ferre Bjorn, Papa's Wife)

A blank canvas, she kept arguing, was a treasure waiting to happen.
(~Jeannette Walls, Half-broke Horses)

"I've been praying daily to go back to the ranch, " she said, "Either God doesn't exist or He doesn't hear me."

"Of course He exists and of course He hears you," I said. "He has the right to say no, you know."
(~Jeannette Walls, Half-broke Horses, p. 223)

That bit about cleanliness being next to godliness was a lot of balderdash as far as I was concerned. In fact, I considered it downright insulting. Anyone who worked the land go dirty, and in Chicago I'd seen my share of less than godly people living in squeaky-clean mansions.
(~Jeannette Walls, Half-broke Horses, p. 143)

When you are ready to bake, prick the crust in several spot with a fork, line the pie plate or tart shell with foil or parchment paper, and fill it with rice or dried beans. Bake as directed then carefully remove the foil and the beans--the shell will have retained its form because of them. I like seeing how a substance that weighs heavily can, in the end, be lifted; I like the feel of the beans, like trouble that slips through your fingers. Most of all, I like the proof in the pastry: it is the things we have to bear that shape us. 
(~Jodi Picoult, Handle with Care, p. 123)

"You don't have to say, 'I love you' to say 'I love you'... All you have to do is say my name and I know... Can you hear it? When you love someone, you say their name different. Like it's safe inside your mouth."
(~Jodi Picoult, Handle with Care, p. 172)