Scripture Memory Verse ~ 8/25/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

"I leave you peace; My peace I give you.  I do not give it to you as the world does.  So don't let your hearts be troubled or afraid."

John 14:27

Colletta

Saturday 9 ~ No One's Here to Sleep ~ 8/24/19

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

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No One's Here to Sleep (2013)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 1) This song is the theme of How to Get Away with Murder, the legal drama that premiered in 2014 and airs on Thursday nights. Are you a fan?
I started watching the show when it first came out but other shows took precedence over it and I've not gotten back to it.

2) The song's refrain says, "I'll never catch up with you." Behind the wheel, do you carefully observe the speed limit? Or do you have a lead foot, making it hard for anyone to catch up with you?
I'm going to confess that I have a bit of a lead foot, but not too bad!  I usually try to go no more tan 5 miles an hour over the speed limit unless I'm running late.  Then look out!


3) How to Get Away with Murder is about Annalise Keating, a law professor at a top Philadelphia university. She has a reputation for being tough, demanding and able to turn her students into successful defense attorneys. Tell us about a teacher who helped prepare you for life after graduation.

Mrs. VanMeter was my high school English teacher.  She taught me a love of reading and also of grammar.  It comes in handy while writing my blog and teaching my daughters to speak correctly :)

 4) The students she feels show the most promise -- and are recruited to help her solve murders -- are known as The Keating Four. Did you ever sense that you were your teacher's favorite?

I always got very good grades but I never felt as though I was a "favorite".  I was too shy for that...

 5) Viola Davis was just nominated for an Emmy for playing Professor Keating. Ms. Davis was born on a farm in SC. Have you spent more of your life in a rural, suburban or urban setting?
We live in the middle of nowhere so I guess that would qualify as rural.

6) Next to Annalise Keating, Viola Davis is best known for her Oscar-nominated role as Aibileen in the movie, The Help. Have you seen it?

Yes, I have seen the movie but it was a few years ago and I only saw it once. 

7) In 2014, the year How to Get Away with Murder premiered, we lost two famous comedians: Robin Williams and Joan Rivers. Who was the last person to make you laugh out loud? (This means actually, literally laughing out loud, not just keystroking LOL.)

My girls and hubby make me laugh every day!

 8) The 2014 Olympics were held in Sochi. Have you ever been to Russia? If not, is it a dream destination of yours?

I can't say that a trip to Russia is on my Bucket List...

 9) Random question: The sign on the railing says, "Wet Paint." Do you touch the railing to see if it's really wet?

Hmmmm????  I might!
 

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Colletta 

P.S.  I hope you will join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 



First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 8/23/19

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:
 

First Lines

 

Death unfolds like a budding flower,

Tentatively, sweetly.

Unfurling in majestic power

Until then, my love...until then.

 

Black roses last week, now spidery words scrawled on a scrap of paper with "Meade Funeral Home" printed across the top.  Someone was stalking her, and they wanted her to know it.

 Page 56

 

 
One more year and he wouldn't have to ask anybody for anything.  The money would be his to spend any way he wanted.  All five million.

 

Colletta 

P.S. I'd love for you to come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Also linking up to:

 

Books from the Backlog ~ 8/22/19

Books from the Backlog hosted by Carole's Random Life in Books is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

 

This week's neglected book is:

 

 

 

Someone Like You by Victoria Bylin

Series: N/A
Publication Date:    May 3, 2016  
Publisher: Bethany House
 

Blurb:

 

 Julia Dare is trying to run her own business, raise her young son, Max, and help her widowed mother. Her biggest worry, though, is keeping Max's father from being a bad influence while still allowing the boy to spend time with his dad. When an account from her event-planning business sends her to Caliente Springs resort, she's shocked to encounter Zeke Monroe, her college sweetheart.

Zeke is determined to keep Caliente Springs running despite financial trouble. When Julia walks back into his life, he's surprised at the feelings she stirs up. As they work together on an important client's wedding, the fate of the resort soon depends on their success. With Zeke and Julia both pushed to their limits, will their history put up walls between them or bring them together?

 

 

Why did I add Someone Like You to my bookshelf?:

 

I really, really love the cover of this book!  The story also sounds sweet :)
 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

 

Colletta

P.S. I'd love for you to come join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Weekly Weigh In ~ Week 4 ~ WW Freestyle

My goal for August is to lose 3% of my starting weight which is 8.8 lbs.  I've lost 11 lbs so far in August!  That's right!  11 lbs in 3 weeks!  Whoohoo!

My Daily Smart Points stayed the same for this week at 31 points.  I'm learning how to plan out my meals for the day and stay within my points.  The great thing about WW is that I can eat ANYTHING I want--in moderation.  I don't have to deprive myself of pizza.  I just have to budget my eating for the day around that 1 or 2 slices I want to eat.

My Fit Point goal is still set to 52 points.  Once again, I squeezed by my goal by 1 Fit Point for a total of 53.  I've mainly been sticking to cardio dance and aerobics.  I was looking around on youtube for some exercise videos and found a ton of old school classics:  Leslie Sansone, Denise Austin, Gilad....etc.  I like varying my exercise routine so that I don't get sick and tired of the same thing all the time, which I do very quickly.

Now,

On to the weigh in:

Starting Weight ~ 7/27/19 ~ 290.8 lbs

Last Week's Weight ~ 8/10/19 ~ 281.2 lbs

This Week's Weight ~ 8/17/19 ~ 279.8 lbs

This Week's Total:  -1.4 lbs

 
Grand Total: -11.0 lbs


I was excited to get my 10 lbs charm at my WW workshop.  My next mini-goal is 275.0 lbs.

I'll be weighing in on Saturdays and posting my results on Wednesday.  If you'd like to join in on the journey, I'd love to have some weight loss friends! 

 
Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to join the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Goals

 

 

I'm hosting my first ever Reading Challenge!

The Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

 

To sign up, check out THIS POST!

 

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My Goals:

 

I'm a very fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants reader;  a mood reader, if you will.  Therefore, I'm going to set my goal to read 10 books this Fall but I don't yet know what those books will be.

 

I'll be using this post to keep track of my Fall Into Reading Challenge books.

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. 

 

 

I hope you'll join in!

 

Colletta

Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 ~ Sign Up Post

I've been looking for a Fall Reading Challenge but haven't had any luck finding one that I can participate in.  So...I decided to host one of my own.

I'd love for this to be a fun, reading filled Fall activity.  NO PRESSURE!

The Fall Into Reading Challenge 2019 will run from September 1st - November 30th. 

The Challenge is super simple:

1.  Decide how many books you'd like to challenge yourself to read this Fall.  It can be 5, 10, 15, 20, ...etc.

2.  Create a post about the Challenge telling us how many books you are going to read, if you are picking out certain books you'd like to read or if you are going to freestyle it.  Make sure you put a link back to this Sign-up post so all your friends can join in!

3.  Come back to this post and leave a comment with a link to your sign up post.  I'll then add you to the Participant list below.

4.  Visit the other participants' sign up posts

5.  Read, Read, Read!!!!

Each week, on Saturday, I'll have a post where we can link up any reviews written about our Fall Into Reading 2019 books.  There may even be prizes!  (I'm still working that out :)

I can't wait to get started!  You can read about my goal HERE!

Colletta


Participants:

1.  Colletta @ Colletta's Kitchen Sink
2.  Carol @ Slaters' Funny Farm
3.   Books In Bloom
4.  Kwizgiver @ As Good As It Gets

10 Book of Summer 2019 ~ Completed!!!!

Cathy over at 746 Books is hosting a summer reading challenge called "20 Book of Summer 2019".

 

The Challenge started June 1st and runs through September 3rd.

~~~~~~~~

It was my goal to read 10 books this Summer.  And guess what?

I did it!!!!

I'm very bad at following through with challenges (the whole reason I didn't try for 20 Book of Summer :)  This challenge, however, is one that I really wanted to finish.

I even had a little time to spare :)

Following are the books I've read this Summer.  Click on the title to go to my review.

On to the books!
 

1.  Beauty Begins by Chris Shook and Megan Shook Alpha ~ 6/11/19

 

2.  A Lasting Impression by Tamera Alexander ~ 6/24/19

 

 

 3.  Vendetta by Lisa Harris ~ 6/27/19

 

 

 4.  The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport ~ 7/2/19

 

 

 

5.  The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay ~ 7/7/19

 

 

 

6.  The Dilemma of Charlotte Farrow by Olivia Newport ~ 7/12/19

 

 

7.  Fatal Mistake by Susan Sleeman ~ 7/16/19

 

 

 

 8.  Keturah by Lisa T. Bergren ~ 7/21/19

 

  

9.  Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock ~ 7/25/19

 

 

 

 

10.  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

 

  

Colletta

P.S.  I'd love for you to join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

Book Review ~ A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

 

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Title:  A Confident Heart by Renee Swope

Series:  N/A

Pages:  225

Date Published:  August 1, 2011

Publisher:  Revell

 

 Blurb:

 

    Often the biggest obstacle to living out our faith is our own doubt--about our worth, our abilities, our relationship with God, and situations in our lives. A Confident Heart gives voice to the questions, doubts, struggles, and hopes so many women have. Author Renee Swope shows women how to identify, overcome, and even use doubt in order to live confidently in God's power, truth, and grace.

 

Perfect for women's small groups or individuals, A Confident Heart is an authentic, insight-filled and encouraging message for any woman who wants to exchange destructive thought patterns with biblical truth that will transform the way she thinks, feels, and lives.     

My Thoughts:

 

I started off my "10 Books of Summer" Challenge with a non-fiction read and decided to end it with another non-fiction book.  Yep, I finished a challenge!!!

 

This is a book that I had on my shelf for quite some time.  As you can see above, it was published in 2011.  I'm not sure exactly when I got it but it has been a while.

 

With everything that has been going on my life and the lives of my family members, I really liked the title and felt like I really needed to read about "How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God's Promises".

 

Although I didn't agree with all of the author's beliefs (See Way of Salvation in my header), I enjoyed her take on the subject of becoming a confident woman.  That confidence being a confidence that God created us to be exactly who we are.

 

I particularly like the fact that Ms. Swope wasn't afraid to show her own insecurities, fears and doubts.  I related to so many of the chapters.

 

I think I picked this book up to read at just the right time in my life.

 

 

 



Colletta

It's Monday! What Are You Reading ~ 8/19/19

 

 

It's Monday!  What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.  It is a place to share what you've read, what you are reading and what you are about to read.

 

~~~~~

 

 In Life

 

Summer.  Vacation.  Is.  Over.

 

My oldest daughter started College today.  I don't know how I feel.  Nervous?  Excited?  Old?...

 

We also have "Meet the Teacher" this evening for my youngest daughter.  She's starting 7th grade on Wednesday and has mixed emotions.  She has the same schedule as one of her friends, but the other 3 friends of their "group" have another schedule...together.  She is loving Volleyball (I secretly hoped she would!).

 

In other news...I didn't get much reading done this week.  Luckily I had a few good weeks and was able to schedule out a review for tomorrow.  After that review posts, I can officially say that I completed the "10 Books of Summer" Challenge!  Whoohoo!

 

Anyone know of a Fall/Autumn Reading Challenge?

 

Onto the books!

 

What I Read Last Week:

 

 I didn't finish anything last week.  Bummer!

 

 

What I'm Reading Now:

 

I'm hoping to get "A Lady Unrivaled" finished this week.

 

 

 

 

What's Up Next?:



 

Still planning on this read next!

 

 

 

Last Week's Posts:

~It's Monday!  What Are You Reading?
~Review:  Truth Stained Lies by Terri Blackstock
~Weekly Weigh In - Week 3
~Books from the Backlog
~First Lines Friday and 56


Colletta

P.S.  I hope you come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge.

 Also linking up to the following:

 

 

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 8/18/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

The person who loves God is the one God knows and cares for.

1 Corinthians 8:3

Colletta

Saturday 9 ~ Where You Lead ~ 8/17/19

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

Where You Lead (1971)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This is the theme of The Gilmore Girls, a TV show that ran  from 2000 to 2007. It recently enjoyed renewed popularity as a reboot. Were you a fan?

I've watched a few episodes but wasn't a hard core fan.  Maybe I need to check it out on Netflix.  What do you think?  Should I?

 2) The show is about thirtysomething Lorelai Gilmore, her teenage daughter Rory, and her parents, Richard and Emily. The four of them had dinner together every Friday night. Who did you have dinner with on Friday? What was on the menu?
Every Friday, we too, have a Family Dinner.  Last night was in celebration of my Brother's birthday so we had Pizza and Cake :)  Happy Birthday, Dan!

 3) Lorelai is outgoing and talkative. How about you? Are you seldom at a loss for words?

As a young child I was VERY shy.  I wouldn't say I'm "talkative" now but I've come a long way, baby!

 4) Rory dreamed of going to an Ivy League school and then becoming a broadcast journalist. When you were in high school, what were your ambitions?
I've always wanted to be a wife and a mother.  Guess I'm living the dream!

5) Rory's grandfather (and Lorelai's dad) went to Yale and performed with the Whiffenpoofs, Yale's famous a cappella group. Have you ever sung in front of an audience?
I belong to our Church Choir (mostly a Ladies Choral these days).  So, yes, I've sung in front of an audience.  My Aunt Donna wants me to sing a solo but I'm just not into that.  I'll sing with a group but not by myself :) 

6) Rory's grandmother (and Lorelai's mother) Emily was very active in civic organizations and worked hard on the Hartford Zoological Society's Annual Silent Auction. Have you ever attended an auction? 
Does a White Elephant Sale count?

7) Alexis Bledel, who played Rory, went on to appear in Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale. Of these three shows -- Gilmore Girls, Mad Men and The Handmaid's Tale -- which would you prefer to binge watch?

I didn't know she was in The Handmaid's Tale.  I think I'll have to start binge watching that one.  I love period pieces, so that would be my pick.

8) Carole King originally wrote this week's song, "Where You Lead," for her Tapestry album. Do you have a favorite Carole King song?
Can't say that I do.

9) Random question: If zoo animals could talk, which animal do you imagine would be the rudest?

 The monkeys.

 

 

Please leave a comment with a link so I can return the visit!

Colletta 



First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 8/16/19

Today's "First Lines" and "56" are from:
 

I'm still reading " A Lady Unrivaled" so I'll give you the first line from the page I'm on and a different line from page 56.

First Lines

 

Paris, France

 

Kira Belova tucked her hand into the crook of Andrei's elbow, made sure her prettiest smile was in place, and prayed her knee didn't give out.

 Page 56

 

 
Cayton went to work on the little fingers nearest him.  "I daresay she is simply intrigued by the shade, my lady.  I don't know that she's ever seen red hair before."

 

Colletta 

P.S. I hope you come join in the Fall Into Reading Challenge!

 

Also linking up to:

 

Books from the Backlog ~ 8/15/19

Books from the Backlog hosted by Carole's Rand Life in Books is a fun way to feature some of those neglected books sitting on your bookshelf unread.  If you are anything like me, you might be surprised by some of the unread books hiding in your stacks.

 

This week's neglected book is:

 

 

 

A Beauty So Rare by Tamera Alexander

Series: Belmon Mansion
Publication Date:    March 25, 2014  
Publisher: Bethany House
 

Blurb:

 

 Plain, practical Eleanor Braddock knows she will never marry, but with a dying soldier's last whisper, she believes her life can still have meaning and determines to find his widow. Impoverished and struggling to care for her ailing father, Eleanor arrives at Belmont Mansion, home of her aunt, Adelicia Acklen, the richest woman in America--and possibly the most demanding, as well. Adelicia insists on finding her niece a husband, but a simple act of kindness leads Eleanor down a far different path--building a home for destitute widows and fatherless children from the Civil War. While Eleanor knows her own heart, she also knows her aunt will never approve of this endeavor.

Archduke Marcus Gottfried has come to Nashville from Austria in search of a life he determines, instead of one determined for him. Hiding his royal heritage, Marcus longs to combine his passion for nature with his expertise in architecture, but his plans to incorporate natural beauty into the design of the widows' and children's home run contrary to Eleanor's wishes/ AS work on the home draws them closer together, Marcus and Eleanor find common ground--and a love neither of them expects. But Marcus is not the man Adelicia has chosen for Eleanor, and even if he were, someone who knows his secrets is about to reveal them all.

 

 

Why did I add A Beauty So Rare to my bookshelf:

 

Tamera Alexander is one of my absolute favorite authors.  Everything she writes, I love!  I've read the first book of this series and loved it.  I might dig into this one soon :)
 

 

What are your thoughts? Have you read this book?  Would you recommend it to others?

 

Colletta