Scripture Memory Verse ~ 2/17/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.


1 John 3:11 NIV

Colletta

Song I'm Loving ~ Clean by Natalie Grant

What a great reminder today!

Colletta

Let's Look February 2019 ~ Favorite Reads

Every 2nd Wednesday Erika and Shay host a linkup to "Look At" different small aspects of your life.  I'm a little late to the party but better late than never, right?

For February we're "looking at" our favorite reads.

I'm super excited about this because I LOVE to read!  I try to read at least 1 book a week.  That may seem like a lot or a little to you but it sets a good pace for me.

So far this year I've read 6 books and 4 of them were what I would consider "5 Stars".  They are (in no particular order)

A Respectable Actress by Dorothy Love

Close to You by Kara Isaac

Dawn at Emberwilde by Sarah E. Ladd

 

Rising Darkness by Nancy Mehl

So tell me...what have been your favorite reads this year???

Heads up:  Next month the hosts are posting the "Let's Look" party early on March 5th!

Colletta

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 2/15/19

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

"Wait right here, Cissy,"  Mama said.  "I need to step into the powder room for a sec."

 

 Page 56

 
His comments rendered Cissy totally speechless.  She hadn't seen that one coming.
 

Colletta
 

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 2/14/19

~Happy Valentine's Day!  I mentioned in yesterday's Wednesday Medley that the hubby and I already had our Valentine's date this past Saturday.  Nobody was going to be home with Laken so we let her tag along.  The question I posed yesterday:  "Does the hubby still owe me a one-on-one Valentine Date?"  :)


~Save the Date!  We received a "Save the Date" card from my cousin and his fiancé.  Brian and Rachel will be getting married on September 7th at our Church.  Brian was born when I was 15 years old and was my little baby.  I toted him around everywhere.  He holds a special place in my heart and Rachel is such a sweet girl.  I can't wait to attend the wedding :)


~Softball sign-ups!  Laken decided that she wants to play softball.  She had played t-ball when she was just a little bitty but didn't really enjoy playing with the boys!  lol  Now she is older and has made lots of new friends in her new school who are playing (girls only) softball this year.  We signed her up and now her daddy is excitedly looking at spikes and bats and gloves.  It gives us all something to look forward to after this nasty winter :)


~College acceptance letter!  Kaylee received her college acceptance letter in the mail a few days ago with tons of information about what she needs to do before actually starting classes.  I think she is getting excited about getting back into school mode :)


~The Book Fair!  Laken's school had a Book Fair and as you know I'm a book lover.  Family night was Tuesdsay.  The hubby and I have made it a tradition to go with the girls to their Book Fairs and monitor what they buy and therefore read.  This time Laken got the book "A Dog's Way Home" and a book about the actual dog that plays in the movie.  I love Book Fairs :)







What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Wednesday Medley ~ Valentine's Day ~ 2/13/19

Come join Terri @ Your Friend From Florida every Wednesday.

Okay, okay. I'm going off calendar a bit.  The National Days for Wednesday the 13th are National Cheddar Day and National Tortellini Day.  We did food last week and I can't let Valentine's Day go by without some attention.

VALENTINE’S DAY – February 14

VALENTINE’S DAY

Valentine’s Day began as St. Valentine’s Day, a liturgical celebration of one or more early Christian saints named Valentinus.  February 14th, Valentine’s, Day first became associated with romantic love during the High Middle Ages as the tradition of courtly love was then flourishing.  During 18th century England, this day evolved into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending Valentine cards.    

HOW TO OBSERVE

Get something special for your Valentine and use #ValentinesDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

Credit is traditionally given to Pope Gelasius for declaring February 14 as Saint Valentine’s Day around the year 496 to separate the church from the Roman celebration of Lupercalia, an ancient pagan fertility festival which occurred on February 15th.  

1.  I think St. Valentine's Day is for everyone, whether you have a romantic love interest or not.  I received a Valentine card from my sister (thank you Patti!) - case in point.  It is all about LOVE, not just romantic love.  What are your traditions for celebrating Valentine's Day?

The hubby and I usually have a date night either the Saturday before or after Valentine's Day.  The hubby will get the girls a little gift from him also.  He loves them so and they love their daddy!

2.  When you were in elementary school, did you decorate a shoe box and deliver those little valentines to all your classmates?   Perhaps in Sunday School?

Of course!  I can still remember filling out my very first Valentine's Cards for my classmates.  The pictures were the cutest little animals :)

3.  Do you enjoy playing Cupid?  Have you ever introduced a couple who really clicked?

I've never played Cupid!  I am, however, very glad for some Church ladies who played Cupid and talked the hubby into asking me out on a date 19 years ago!  Time flies!

4.  Which traditional Valentine's Day gift would you rather receive:  Chocolate, flowers, or a card with a personal message?

I'm all about chocolate and flowers but if the card had a personal message I would be all melty inside!

5.  What is the best movie to watch on Valentine's Day?

I going to show Jane Austen some love and say the movie "Emma" with Gwyneth Paltrow.

6.  Tell us something random about your week!

The hubby and I went on our date this past Saturday.  We went to Applebee's and then shopping.  We couldn't get the girls their gifts because Laken tagged along.  If we had one of daughters with us on our "date" can it still be considered a date?  Or does the hubby owe me a one-on-one date still?  What are your opinions?

Colletta

10th Blogiversary!!!

Today is my 10th Blogiversary!


I've had this day marked on my calendar for about 2 months now so that I wouldn't forget to write a post to celebrate!


10 years ago when I started this blog I had no idea how much it would become part of my daily life.


I had no idea what I was doing, in fact my very first post was about how I deleted my "actual" first post.  You can read that epic post HERE.


I thought I would give you a few statistics about my blog so far.


~As of about 10 minutes ago I've had 1,086,643 post views
~I have 1,165 followers
~I've published 3,146 posts


~My top three viewed posts are:

#1.  Cheesy Potatoes and Smoked Sausage 

with 48,995 views

#2. Strawberry Fluff

with 46,791 views

#3.  White Bridal or Prayer Shawl

with 7,536 views

 

~Some of my very favorite posts to write are Happy Homemaker Monday and Book Reviews.

I would just like to thank each every one of readers (that's YOU) for helping me celebrate today and everyday!

Colletta





Book Review ~ Chameleon by Jillian Kent

 

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

 Blurb:

 

How much can you really know about someone?

Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.

Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.

 

My Thoughts:

 

I picked this book up at Ollie's for $1.99!  I love Ollie's!

But...I can't say that I loved this book :(

I found certain parts of the book difficult to follow as it skipped around a bit.  There were times that I had to reread certain parts to figure out where the next section was going and where it came from.

There were also some coincidences that were just a bit much.  For instance, Victoria just happened to be looking out her window (at least twice) and see someone in danger or the wings of the falcons.  In all of London, it just happened to occur in front of her bedroom window?

All that being said, I learned a lot about mental health issues in the early 1800's and how they were handled.  All I can say is "thank God for modern medicine"!

This book was the 2nd book in the Ravensmoore Chronicles.  I read the first book back in 2012 according to Goodreads but I couldn't find a review for it.  After reading this book, I don't think I'll be searching out book 3.



Colletta

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 2/11/19

 

 

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday.

 

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

The weather outside is::::

The begining of the week was rather mild but then the winds blew the cold air back in.  We're supposed to get 3-5 inches of snow today, so we'll see.
 



On my breakfast plate:

Frosted Shredded Wheat

  

As I look around the house::::

 

Things look pretty good today!

On today's to do list::::

Watch Damon
Read Thru the Word
Menu/Grocery List
Supper
Blog

Happening this week::::

 

Monday.... Babysit Damon, menu/grocery list, RTW
Tuesday...  groceries, exercise, Schedule, crochet, RTW, Ladies Meeting at Church
Wednesday... Babysit Damon, Prayer Meeting, RTW
Thursday... Exercise, crochet, RTW, laundry, bedding, floors
Friday...  Weigh-in, Babysit Damon, RTW, Family Dinner, Follow-up dr. appt.
Saturday...  Exercise, Laundry, crochet, RTW, DATE NIGHT!!!
Sunday...  Church, RTW

Currently reading::::

Last week I reviewed "A Respectable Actress" by Dorothy Love.
Click on the cover to read my review!

This week I'm reading "Chameleon" by Jillian Kent.

How much can you really know about someone?Lady Victoria Grayson has always considered herself a keen observer of human behavior. After battling a chronic childhood illness that kept her homebound for years, she journeys to London determined to have the adventure of a lifetime.

Jaded by his wartime profession as a spy, Lord Witt understands, more than most, that everyone is not always who they pretend to be. He meets Victoria after the Regent requests an investigation into the activities of her physician brother, Lord Ravensmoore.

Witt and Victoria become increasingly entangled in a plot targeting the lords of Parliament. Victoria is forced to question how well she knows those close to her while challenging Witt’s cynical nature and doubts about God. Together they must confront their pasts in order to solve a mystery that could devastate their future.

 On the TV::::

Masked Singer (love/hate)
NCIS
FBI
Magnum PI

A Dog's Way Home at the theater!

Listening to:



This week I featured Freedom Hymn by Austin French.

On the menu this week::::

Monday -  Port Chops, Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday - Fish, Shells and Cheese
Wednesday - Turkey with gravy, biscuits
Thursday - Spaghetti w/ meatballs, garlic bread
Friday -  Chicken and Rice
Saturday - Breakfast, Pizza
Sunday - Dinner at Church

What I am creating at the moment::::


I am about a week behind on my crochet-a-longs  :( 
Hoping to get caught up this week.  Maybe...

Picture From the Camera

 Kona and Lilah sunning themselves while they had the chance!

Devotion/Inspiration

You can also see my Scripture Memory Verse for the week HERE!

Colletta 

Scripture Memory Verse ~ 2/10/19

This Week's Memory Verse:

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:43-45 NIV

Colletta

Song I'm Loving ~ Freedom Hymn by Austin French

Do you have a Freedom Hymn?

Colletta

First Lines Friday and 56 ~ 2/8/19

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

London, 29 March 1818


St. James Park Loomed in front of them, shrouded in a heavy mist that created difficulty for the horse and driver as the coach and four maneuvered its way into the park.

 

 Page 56

 
Rays of early morning sunshine slanted through the windows of Carlton House as Witt walked up the marble staircase to the second floor.

 

Colletta
 

Also linking up to:

 

Thankful Thursday ~ 2/7/19

~It is February!!  I'm so glad January is over and I got to turn the page on my calendar :)

~Groundhog Day is kind of a big deal in our house!  Not because we're excited to see Phil's predication (although an early Spring would be most welcome!) but because it is our youngest daughter's birthday!  Laken turned 12 year old and is counting down the days until she's a teenager :)  P.S.  Laken insists on baking and decorating her own birthday cake all on her own.

~We went to see "A Dog's Way Home" as part of Laken's birthday celebration!  It felt so good to get out of the house after the freezing cold temperatures of last week.  The movie was really cute :)



~Laken didn't pass out!  She had to get a booster shot and only got dizzy this time!  Last time she got a shot, she passed completely out and scared me to death.  I was really worried that it would happen again, but we took precautions (laying down and sitting for a while afterward) and she did just fine :)


~Prayers please!  My dearest Aunt Sherry who is 70 years old and has MS fell off a ladder a few days ago and broke her shoulder.  While we're very thankful that she wasn't more seriously hurt, she is still going to require surgery.  Your prayers are very much appreciated!



What are you thankful for today?

Colletta



Wednesday Medley ~ 2/6/19

Come join Terri @ Your Friend From Florida every Wednesday.

NATIONAL FROZEN YOGURT DAY

February 6

NATIONAL FROZEN YOGURT DAY

National Frozen Yogurt Day is observed annually on February 6th.

Frozen yogurt sales are increasing every year as people want a healthier alternative to ice cream. The explosion of flavors and topping choices add to the popularity of frozen yogurt.

Frozen yogurt was first developed 1970 in the United States as a soft-serve treat produced by H.P Hood called Frogurt. Humphreys and Dannon soon followed with their own versions of the treat. Its popularity grew in the 80s, mostly due to frozen yogurts “health food” status. Ice cream manufacturers soon caught on, offering low-fat options.

Frozen yogurt is again making a comeback as consumers have begun to prefer the tart taste of yogurt.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Give the following recipes a try:

Creamy Vanilla Frozen Yogurt
Chocolate Frozen Yogurt
Cherry Cheesecake Frozen Yogurt
Frozen Strawberry Yogurt

Use #NationalFrozenYogurtDay to post on social media.

HISTORY

Within our research, we were unable to identify the creator of National Frozen Yogurt Day. 

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Frozen Yogurt Day was the most fun of the choices for today's first question.  I have no idea why the creator chose a winter day to celebrate a frozen dessert, but here we are!!  Let's talk about food today (one of my favorite subjects)!

1.  Today, Wednesday, February 6th, is Frozen Yogurt Day!  A cold dessert on what must be a very cold day for most of you reading this today!  Do you enjoy frozen yogurt?  Does it matter what the weather is?  Share with us your favorite flavor and/or topping, please!!

My favorites are the old stand-bys of chocolate and vanilla.  My favorite topping is peanut butter sauce!

2.  What food do you know you shouldn't eat but can't help yourself?

Chips and all things snacky!

3.  If your life was a meal, what kind of meal would it be?

Freezer to oven to table :)

4.  Do you like spicy food?  Why or why not?  What is the spiciest food you have ever eaten?

I actually don't like spicy food.  I'm just very picky about flavors.

5.  (Most of you know I have been sick with a cold.) What food do you eat or crave when you have a bad cold?

Pizza, for some reason!

6.  Please tell us something random about your week (and maybe it will involve food).

Laken's 12th birthday was on Saturday and we went to Cracker Barrel for lunch.  After that we went to see "A Dog's Way Home" at the theater.  It was a very good day :)

Colletta

Book Review ~ A Respectable Actress by Dorothy Love

 

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

 Blurb:

 

When the illustrious India Hartley is accused of murder, she has to uncover the deceptions of others to save herself.

India Hartley, the famous and beautiful actress, is now alone in the world after her father’s death and embarks upon a tour of theaters across the South. Her first stop is Savannah’s Southern Palace. On the eve of the second night’s performance, something goes horribly wrong. Her co-star, Arthur Sterling, is shot dead on stage in front of a packed house, and India is arrested and accused of the crime.

A benefactor hires Philip Sinclair, the best—and handsomest—lawyer in Savannah to defend India. A widower, Philip is struggling to reinvent his worn-out plantation on St. Simons Island. He needs to increase his income from his law practice in order to restore Indigo Point, and hardly anything will bring him more new clients than successfully defending a famous actress on a murder charge.

Because India can’t go anywhere in town without being mobbed, Philip persuades the judge handling her case to let him take her to Indigo Point until her trial date. India is charmed by the beauty of the Georgia low country and is increasingly drawn to Philip. But a locked room that appears to be a shrine to Philip’s dead wife and the unsolved disappearance of a former slave girl raise troubling questions. Piecing together clues in an abandoned boat and a burned-out chapel, India discovers a trail of dark secrets that lead back to Philip, secrets that ultimately may hold the key to her freedom. If only he will believe her.

 

My Thoughts:

 

I picked this book up at Ollie's for $3.99.  The cover drew my attention and then the blurb sealed the deal for me even though I'd never read a book by this author before.

This book is filled with great information about the history of theater.  While that didn't interest me completely, the murder mystery that wound around it did!

I loved the time that India stayed at Indigo Point and all the mysteries shrouded there as well.

I don't know if I've ever read a book that was based on a lawyer-client relationship and it was fascinating.

I really liked India's and Philip's characters.  The romance was so cleverly wound around everything that was going on that I didn't completely know how it was going to end up.

Dororthy Love did a great job on "A Respectable Acress" and I look forward to reading more of her books!

If you haven't read this book, stop here!  If you've read the book or don't mind major spoilers, keep reading!

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

I COULD NOT believe that Laura, Philip's "wife" was still alive!  What a plot twist!

Her whole storyline was so disturbing with the murder of Hannah June just so she could fake her death!

Creeped me out a bit that someone could be so twiested!  lol



Colletta