Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Curious about my blog title? The plain part describes my first 24 years as a Mennonite girl in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and the fancy follows as I move south: first to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then to Jacksonville, Florida.
Watch for stories about faith and family knitted together by memory. You have stories too—or responses to what’s happening now. Do comment. I love words. Share some of yours!
Expect me to post Wednesdays weekly. Subscribe now, so you don’t miss a one.
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Mennonite Daughter:
The Story of a Plain Girl
Read the Latest
Fifties Halloween Party with a Modern Writer’s Tip
Fun House Halloween was a big deal at our two-room school. Every October, the students in my teacher/aunt Miss Longenecker’s lower grades and Mrs. Kilhelfner’s upper-grades skipped class for Halloween amusement in the fun house that transformed the basement of Rheems...
Wordless Wednesday: Drying Rose Petals
Click below to hear the crackle of baked petals, sort of like crunchy leaves in autumn . . . in Florida, not! RevCrunchingPetals7704.TRIM How it began: A fresh-petal illustration from Mennonite Daughter, Chapter...
Memoirist Marian Joins Rave Reviews Book and Blog Party
Welcome to the #RRBC "ROCKIN' 2020 AWAY" BOOK, BLOG & TRAILER Block Party! @martabeaman #Giveaways * * * Here's What I'm Giving Away Today: $ 10.00 Target Gift Card Post a comment to go into the draw - Good Luck! (One winner only) Dear readers: Thank you...
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Purple Passages
My Word, it’s 2016!
Have you started a diet? Renewed your gym membership or decided to walk more? Maybe you have resolved to cut down on Facebook time this year . . . Along with such New Year’s resolutions, some of my friends each year choose a guide word to help navigate the unknown...
Kids, Oaks, and Quotes: Purple Passages for August 2015
A Short Story Once upon a time seven children from three different states came to visit their family in Pennsylvania. Some came from far away in a car, plane or train so they could see each other and get to know their grandparents and great-grandparents, who lived in...
Purple Passages in Rainbow Colors
Calm Thoughts, Relax Here Where we relaxed at the home place, counting cars on a Saturday night, swinging on the porch and eating watermelon! * * * Be grateful for calm skies . . . Forever is composed of nows. (# 690) Emily Dickinson * * * I'm going to enjoy every...
About Marian Longenecker Beaman
I publish my blog Plain and Fancy Girl on Wednesdays. Whether you are a commenter or reader only, I appreciate your noticing.
Book Reviews
I Didn’t See that Coming: My 2020 Schedule
The book promotion part of my life started out robust in early 2020. My calendar was chock full of goodies, bulging with Ways to engage with readers and market Mennonite Daughter. Here is what January looked like . . . Then came February . . . How...
Girl, Wash Your Face
Rachel Hollis is In your face Real Relevant Author Rachel Hollis' story is a rags to riches narrative, the heroine moving from Weedpatch (actual name!), California, to luxurious Bel Air, near Hollywood. Her book, published by Thomas Nelson in 2018, is also a...
Cherry Ames and Curious George, What Do They Have in Common?
Do You Remember the Bobbsey Twins Books? Recently I read Jennifer Weiner’s novel, Mrs. Everything, which alluded to iconic books and products of the 1950s, like the Bobbsey Twins, Almay soap, Prell shampoo and Ship ‘n Shore blouses. Overall, her book is not a...
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