The Good Stuff ~ 3/4/2021

Here are some things that made me thankful/smile/excited this week:

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~A Baby Shower!  Steph is getting ready to pop!  She has less than 5 weeks until baby girl Annalea Marie makes her appearance.  After Church on Sunday, we had a Baby Shower to show Steph how much she is loved and appreciated.  It is hard work building a baby and she deserved to be showered with love!  It was lots of fun and CAKE!  There was CAKE!  :)

~March!  I am ever so glad that February is over and we have moved on to the month of March!  I'll be even more excited next Saturday when we Spring Forward!

~New Author!  Ivy Hart is a fun new-to-me author I discovered this week.  You can read about her first book of the Jardin Sisters HERE .  Isn't this cover gorgeous?

~Good Doctor's Appointment!  Yesterday I had my annual check-up with my family doctor.  Everything has been on an even keel medicine-wise for me (knock on wood!) so nothing major to talk about.  I go next week for routine blood work and yearly mammogram.  Gotta take care of myself :)

What are you thankful for/smiling/exited about this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

Blogging Challenge ~ My Greatest Weakness ~ 3/3/2021

This week's topic is:  

My Greatest Weakness:

This week's topic and last week's topics have been DEEP!  At least they've made me dig deep and reflect on myself.  How about you?

I think my greatest weakness is fear.  Especially fear that produces worry and anxiety.

I find that some of my greatest fears are surrounding my family.  I worry for their health.  I worry for their safety.  I worry for their general well-being.  I worry over their happiness.

Basically, if I can worry about it, I do!

I've made great strides over the years to tame down my worrisome nature but it still lingers in the back of my mind waiting to rear its ugly head.

One of the biggest ways I try to overcome my worry is to pray.  God's got my back!

Oh, and DEEP breaths!

So, what is your greatest weakness?  

Colletta

Book Review ~ What to Do With a Dastardly Duke by Ivy Hart ~ 3/2/2021

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Title:  What to Do With a Dastardly Duke by Ivy Hart

Series:  The Jardin Sisters Book #1

Pages:  64

Date Published:  January 12, 2021

Publisher:  

 Blurb:

Alison Jardin is determined. The oldest of her sisters and by far the most strident, she will keep her independence even if it means swearing off marriage forever. Yes, their small cottage on the edge of the Waltham Estate is crumbling to pieces, yes, their kitchen garden and assorted animals are growing unruly, but she won't give herself up to any gentleman. Especially someone like the pedantic, sarcastic Tarquin Black, Duke of Waltham, who seems to find any excuse possible to upbraid Alison for minor inconveniences.

One unlucky day, an escaped pig brings her once more into Tarquin Black's path. But talking to the duke at length brings more curiosity than irritation... and has she ever noticed quite how nice his eyes are?

Falling for Tarquin Black is the last thing she intends to do. But destiny may very well have other plans...

My Thoughts:

I've been in a semi-reading slump with a few DNF's lately.  I needed a fun, quick read to get back in the groove and that is what I got with this book!

I'm always a bit skeptical when I read a new-to-me author.  Is it going to be enjoyable?  Is it going to be irritating?  Is it going to be well-written?  So many factors go into making a book readable.

Alison's and Tarquin's characters were so much fun!  Their banter and sarcasm was hilarious.  Don't even get me started on the scene with Wilson, the pig :)  

I have to admit there were a few typos and grammatical errors that I caught but I was so enjoying the storyline that I didn't mind!

From the beginning to the end this book was entertaining!

I can't wait to read more about the lives of the Jardin sisters and, I hope, more of Alison and Tarquin :)  I already have the second book of the series downloaded.

I read this book through Kindle Unlimited.

Onto the next book!

Top Ten Tuesday ~ Dr. Seuss's Birthday ~ 3/2/2021

Celebrating Dr. Seuss's Birthday:

This week's topic is Characters Whose Job I Wish I Had.  I'm going off topic this week because I couldn't let Dr. Seuss's birthday go unnoticed.  

I can still remember eating Green Eggs and Ham in Kindergarten on Dr. Seuss's birthday.  Then years later when my girls were little, we were allowed to visit the school and eat lunch with them.  Yes, Green Eggs and Ham :)  Sweet memories :)

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Nine

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Please leave a comment with the link to your Top Ten Tuesday post so I can return the visit :)

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 3/1/2021

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello, and Happy Monday!

WE MADE IT TO MARCH!!!!

Can I get a hip-hip-hooray?

The weather outside is:

Look at that weather!  No snow in sight and lots of sunshine!  I'm so excited :)

On today's to-do list: 

The usual suspects.  Groceries, devotions, exercise, blogging and catching up from the weekend.

Happening this week:

Thank the Lord that Laken is back in school full-time starting today!  Some kids might excel and thrive with virtual schooling but Laken is not one of them.  She excels but does not thrive.  It is a delicate balance for a 14 year old psyche as it is.  She need some normalcy in her life.

Kaylee and I both have check-ups this week.

The hubby is on second shift, my least favorite...

Currently reading:

I'm currently reading "Hidden Currents" by Christy Barritt.  You can read about My Weekly Bookishness HERE!

On the TV:

Hallmark Movies

Listening to:

I featured   "Faithful God" by I Am They  this week on Songs on Sunday.

On the menu week:

Monday ~ Taco Bell

Tuesday ~ Ham, Fried Potatoes

Wednesday ~ Salisbury Steak, Noodles

Thursday ~  Irish Stew

Friday ~ Grilled Cheese and Soup

Saturday ~ Cheeseburger Pasta Bake

Sunday ~ Potluck at Church

In the Craft Basket:

Once again I decided to do something different with the Line I Love This Yarn.  I decided that instead of the Beautiful Shells pattern I'm going to make granny squares.  I love granny squares and I can work on them while I watch youtube or TV.

Memory Verse

"For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline." 2 Timothy 1:7

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

February 2021 Monthly Wrap-Up

The Monthly Wrap-Up Round-Up is hosted by Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction and Shannon @ It Starts at Midnight.

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January 2021 Wrap-up

You can find my January 2021 Wrap-Up HERE!

February 2021 Reviews:

I read 2 books in February.  Click on the cover to read my review :)

  

 

Goodreads Challenge:

Having read 2 books in February, at the end of February I was 6/26 books.

Favorite Book of February 2021:

Book Review With the Most Views:

DNF's

This book just wasn't doing it for me.  The female lead kept calling the male lead a "hottie" (to his face) and other such annoying words.  I was 50 pages in and decided to drop it like a "hottie" potato!

Again, what is with telling the guy how built he is; even if it is obvious?  I couldn't get over the gushing over all the firefighters' manliness by the "heroine".  I didn't make it very far into this one...

Where I've "Traveled":

Kauai, HI

South Carolina

Montana

Miami, FL 

North Carolina

Top Ten Tuesday Posts:

~Books Written Before I Was Born

~Books With Love In the Title

~Purple, Yellow and Green Covers for Mardi Gras

~Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud

My Weekly Bookishness:

This includes book hauls, teasers, and other great bookish fun :)

February 5th

February 12th

February 19th

Other Posts:

A few of my favorite posts from the blog:

Kaylee in the Kitchen ~ Enchilada Stuffed Shells

Songs on Sunday ~ Good God Almighty by Crowder

Three Things I Hate About Winter

Coming Up in March 2021:

Things were really hectic in my daily life during February with lots of stress and little reading time.  I'm hoping to get back on track of reading at least 1 book per week in March.  March is also my Birth Month, so I plan on celebrating as much as I can.  Gotta have something to look forward to this time year :)

Songs on Sunday ~ Faithful God by I Am They

A little bit late today, but here is a song :)

Colletta

Three Things ~ Favorite Bible Verses ~ 2/27/2021

This is a post containing a list of "Three Things".  

If you'd like to join in with a list of "Three Things" of your own, 

leave a link in the comments!

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Three of My Favorite Bible Verses:

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.  Jeremiah 29:11

But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.  Romans 8:37

Having cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares about you. 1 Peter 5:7

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What are some of your favorite Bible Verses?

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Colletta

The Good Stuff ~ 2/25/2021

Here are some things that made me thankful/smile/excited this week:

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~The Weather!  Sun, glorious sun!  Thank you, Jesus!  I crave the days when I can go outside when all the snow has melted and sit on my Porch Swing (yes, capitalized) and swing my worries away :)  We had some really nice days this week and the snow IS melting!

~Last Week of Virtual School!  This is Laken's last week of virtual schooling.  Starting March 1st, her school will be going back to 100% in school learning.  She needs it.  I'm not going to lie, the longer the virtual schooling lasts, the tougher it is getting for her to want to do her work and it is starting to be a struggle.  Therefore, in school learning is a good thing for her.  I pray that all the students and staff stay healthly!

~Kaylee Got Another Raise!  About 2-3 weeks ago Kaylee got a $1.00/hr raise.  Whoohoo!  Then Monday evening, she had her first annual evaluation and got another $0.50/hr raise.  Whoohoo!  Her evaluation was great and they told her that she is a model employee :)

~Baby Gift Shopping!  We're having a surprise (shhhh...) baby shower for Steph and Annalea on Sunday after Church.  It was so much fun shopping for the baby.  The hubby picked out a stuffed elephant that talks and sings and I picked out some super cute outfits including a top and a tiny pair of jean leggings!  And get this...glow in the dark pacifiers (binkies)!  Is that not ingenious????  BTW, Steph chose to go with the pronunciation of Ann-A-Lee-Uh for the baby :)

~Fresh Contacts!  I admit that I wear my contacts much, much longer than I'm supposed to.  So yesterday, I decided it was finally time to put in a fresh pair.  So much better :)

What are you thankful for/smiling/exited about this week?  Tell me all the good stuff! 

Colletta

Blogging Challenge ~ My Greatest Strength ~ 2/24/2012

This week's topic is:  

My Greatest Strength:

 I don't often think of my strengths.  Most of the time I doubt I even have any.  Especially lately.

I'm not feeling very strong lately.  I don't know if it is stress or the weather or both.  All I know is that I can't think of a single strength.

Every time I think of something that I could write about, I always think of reasons I shouldn't.  

I'm feeling defeated right now.

But, I'm going to keep going.  Keep striving to overcome.  Maybe that in itself is a strength...

So, what is your greatest strength?  

Colletta

Top Ten ~ Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud ~ 2/23/2021

Books That Made Me Laugh Out Loud:

In no particular order...

(Click on the cover to read the blurb and my review)

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Seven

Eight

Nine

Ten

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Please leave a comment with the link to your Top Ten Tuesday post so I can return the visit :)

Happy Homemaker Monday ~ 2/22/2021

Come join Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday. 

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Hello, and Happy Monday!

The weather outside is:

Some blessedly warmer temperatures are on the way!

On today's to-do list: 

It is going to be a joyful day of groceries and taxes!  Just kidding...  Not so joyful!  We're scheduled to go get our taxes done at 5pm.  I hate getting taxes done.  There is just something about sitting there while the accountant/tax preparer inputs the information that is so nerve-wracking!

Happening this week:

This is Laken last week of virtual schooling.  As of March 1st they are supposed to be returning to school full-time.

Kaylee has an appointment Thursday and the hubby has an eye appointment on Wednesday.  He is well overdue for a new pair of glasses.  It is just so hard to get him to actually GO!  (actually to any dr!)

Other than that it is a pretty normal week with the hubby working night shift.

Currently reading:

Last week I read "The Redesigned Ranch" by Liz Isaacson.  It is the first in a series.  I'm currently reading "Hidden Currents" by Christy Barritt.  You can read about My Weekly Bookishness HERE!

On the TV:

Prodigal Son ~ Dolls are so creepy!

Walker ~ Loving this show!

Listening to:

I featured   "Fires" by Jordan St. Cyr  this week on Songs on Sunday.

On the menu week:

Monday ~ Pizza and Wings

Tuesday ~ Cheeseburger Pasta

Wednesday ~ Spinach Beef Soup

Thursday ~  Ham, Fried Potatoes

Friday ~ Salisbury Steak, Noodles

Saturday ~ Grilled Cheese And Soup

Sunday ~ Potluck at Church

In the Craft Basket:

I'm still working on the "Linen Beautiful Shells" blanket.  I've decided to work on it solely and get it finished as soon as possible so I can move onto something else :)

Memory Verse

"For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

Have a great Monday!

Colletta

Songs on Sunday ~ Fires by Jordan St. Cyr

Cause He's walking with me...

Colletta