December (& 2017) Happenings

Wow. It’s time to say goodbye to December and goodbye to another year. This makes me all kinds of nostalgic! There’s just something bright about a year beginning in all its possibility and newness. But first, I’m taking one last look at 2017 and the month of December with the usual rundown and some fun yearly favorites.

on the bookshelf

New on the bookshelf this December: One Christmas in Winter by Bell Renshaw, Desert Duet by Debra E. Marvin, A Log Cabin Christmas Collection by various authors, The Saturday Night Supper Club by Carla Laureano, A Sweethaven Christmas by Courtney Walsh, A Song Unheard by Roseanna M. White, Troubled Waters by Susan May Warren, Bespoke: A Tiny Christmas Tale by Amanda Dykes, and both A Season to Love and A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese.

on the blog

December popular posts:

1. Best of 2017
2. First Line Fridays # 7: Ordinary Snowflakes
3. First Line Fridays #8 Special Christmas Edition: The Story of the Other Wise Man
4. The Joy of Christmas Book Tag
5. Favorite Quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen

December popular reviews:

1. The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon (plus author interview)
2. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
3. A Cliché Christmas by Nicole Deese

2017’s most popular posts & reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid!)
3. 4 Reasons to Read Inspirational Fiction
4. Best of 2017
5. Favorite Quotes from “Persuasion” by Jane Austen
6. Top Ten Tuesday:  Top 10 Books on my Winter TBR
7. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Jane Austen-Esque Romances
8. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books with Bookish Heroines (and Heroes!)
9. Book Spotlight & Author Interview: My Unexpected Hope by Tammy L. Gray
10. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

in the kitchen

December was a month for baking, both on the job (cupcakes galore!) and for family. My favorite new recipe I tried was, yet again, from a “Bake From Scratch” magazine. It was the Spiced Coconut Oil Cake with Bourbon Glaze. I’m always on the lookout for easily-adaptable dairy free recipes, and this one was simple! (I substituted coconut almond milk with a tad of vinegar for the buttermilk.)

on the screen

Murder on the Orient Express was a cinematic masterpiece. The costumes, cinematography, script, and even the little moments I found humorous all work to portray the era and gripping story line perfectly.

The Lady Eve — sometimes a little silly, this is still the classic era of film at its best. Barbara Stanwycke is as glamorous as ever, and Henry Fonda plays the rare comedic relief piece as his world is turned upside down by “Eve” and her schemes. My favorite scene involves HIS father looking for his breakfast!

around the web

My year in books on Goodreads 

So many best-of book lists! Kara, Rissi, Becky, and Beth‘s to name a few.

THE INSPYs ARE OPEN! Check out Rel’s post with all the details. The INSPYs are annual blogger/reader nominated-and-judged inspirational fiction awards, given in several categories. Go vote for your favorite books now!

2018 plans

So far, my 2018 to-do list is short. Besides a few work-related plans, I’m going to be participating in the Mansfield Park Read-Along Amber is hosting starting January 3rd! (PS you’re invited to join!)

And, I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next SSD installment in February, as just announced here. Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled. The steady story and character development of these movies is always my fav!

Thank you for being my blog readers and friends in 2017. Now, time to ask for your feedback!!! What would you like to see from me on the blog? More reviews? More guest authors? More bookish (or non-bookish) discussions? Movie reviews? I’ve been toying with that last idea for a while… 

November Happenings

Whew! It’s already December, the very last month of 2017. You know what that means?!!! It’s time for another monthly wrap-up!

on the bookshelf

Books added to the shelves this past November include: paperbacks of Charming the Troublemaker AND A Twist Faith by Pepper Basham, Enchanted: A Christmas Collection by Melissa Tagg, Sell Out by Tammy L. Gray, The Gift of Christmas Past by Cindy and Erin Woodsmall, and The Uncloaked trilogy by J. Rodes.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books on my Winter TBR
2. ‘Inspired by Classics’ Guest Post by Pepper Basham (+ Review)
3. First Line Fridays #5 Special Military Edition: Conspiracy of Silence

Most popular book reviews:

1. Charming the Troublemaker by Pepper Basham
2. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
3. The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin + Movie Thoughts

in the kitchen

So I made a bundt cake. Actually, half of one. But ya’ll, it was SO GOOD! It was this Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Bundt Cake from Bake from Scratch. I WILL be making it again!

on the screen

In November, one movie on the big screen that I really, really loved was Same Kind of Different as Me. It’s a movie I can recommend to anyone with a deeply touching story. And, the fact that its a true story, depicted in such a way that it broadcasts a message of forgiveness, made it all the more a blessing.

On the small screen, I enjoyed watching new shows and old classics alike, like a Thanksgiving rewatch of Yours, Mine and Ours (the Lucille Ball version, of course!) and a few new Hallmark movies. My favorite Halllmarks so far include A Bramble House Christmas and Engaging Father Christmas.

around the web

This Gift Guide for the Jane Austen fan is absolutely perfect inspiration for gifting an Austen lover you know! (Ahem, family: hint hint. I already have #5 & #7!)

Since we’re still talking Hallmark movies, here’s the “part 2” list of new movies coming this season on Silver Petticoat.

 

YOUR TURN! How was your November? Did you celebrate Thanksgiving with lots of turkey? What are your favorites “things” (recipes, books, movies, etc.) from this month?

October Happenings

I cannot believe it is the end of October. Where did the month go?!

 

on the bookshelf

New books on the shelf this month include a paperback of Conspiracy of Silence by Ronie Kendig, a paperback of The Austen Escape by Katherine Reay (eeek!), Blind Spot by Dani Pettrey, With No Reservations by Laurie Tomlinson, Lady Jayne Disappears by Joanna Davidson Politano, The Recipe by Candace Calvert, The Redeeming by Tamara Leigh, and The Esther Paradigm by Sarah Monzon.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. First Line Fridays #2: Christmas at Gate 18
2. Top Ten Tuesday: Meal Planning 101 (AKA Yummy Foods in Books)
3. First Line Fridays #3: Charming the Troublemaker

Most popular book reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. All This Time by Melissa Tagg (with Author Interview!)
3. Christmas at Gate 18 by Amy Matayo

on the screen

October ushered in Season 3 of ITV’s Poldark here in the US on Masterpiece PBS. I confess I’m a big fan, continually impressed with the character development and atmospheric setting of every episode. (I want to go to Cornwall!) While I’m still very upset with Ross for some season 2 shenanigans, I do hope he will still prove me wrong because everyone is redeemable. Demelza, Verity, and Caroline are still my favorites. One thing I’m enjoying in this season is how George tries SO HARD to advance his political career/social standing and works at it by manipulating and bringing others down, while Ross doesn’t even want to try to gain that sort of ground yet does so out of some natural good decisions (i.e. friendship and loyalty), especially in ep 5.

around the web

Carrie over at Reading is my Superpower had a wonderful guest post this month from author Sondra Kraak about Reading Fiction in Him. It’s such a cool way to approach story!

I stumbled across Book Riot’s article about how “Chrome’s Library Extension Will Change Your Life”. Choose your local library system and you can see whether or not they have a copy of books you’re browsing on Goodreads and Amazon. It’s awesome.

With November nearly upon us, Hallmark has begun the most wonderful yearly tradition of Christmas movies 24/7 on its networks AKA WATCH HALLMARK ALLLLL THE TIME season. Here’s a great preview of new movies to come for the first part of the season over on Silver Petticoat.

 

YOUR TURN! Are you loving the change of season October brought? What books did you add to your TBR this month?

September Happenings

September was a busy blogging month! I honestly don’t know how that worked out — most of the month was a blur. BUT, we did get to welcome fall (my favorite season) and barely start to feel the cooler days in my neck of the woods.

on the bookshelf

Oh my, I’m turning into a book hoarder. My mother would agree. New titles on the shelves, both virtual and paperback, include the “Targeted for Danger” ebook novella collection, The Last Summer by Brandy Bruce, Chasing Haven by Rachel Fallin… and for upcoming review Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig, All This Time by Melissa Tagg, Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh, Too Far Down by Mary Connealy, The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner, The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright, Returning Home by Toni Shiloh, and Impossible Saints by Clarissa Harwood.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Books with Bookish Heroines (and Heroes!)
2. 4 Reasons to Read Inspirational Fiction
3. Author Interview & Giveaway: A New Shade of Summer by Nicole Deese
4. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid!)
5. Let’s Talk Rereads!

Most popular book reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. The Long Shadows of Summer by Robin E. Mason
3. Many Sparrows by Lori Benton

in the kitchen

I tried this fresh raspberry pie recipe from PBS Food (yes, them again. They just post some good recipes!). It was light and fun and soooo good.

I’m also having fun with a new Christmas cookie cookbook…. more on that, and a review, soon.

on the screen

I admit it, I’ve never read an Agatha Christie book OR seen any adaptations (that I know of). So, I watched the “classic” Murder on the Orient Express from 1974 because the new one looks just so darn good. I admit, I didn’t see some of the twists coming! It has a 1970s drama flair to it that I will be anxious to compare with the new one.

Of course, I watched the new Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Home Again Hallmark production (shoutout to the #POstables fans!!!). I’ve been following this saga for most of its duration, happily rooting for the characters, friendships, and (finally) romance of the series. This latest made me happy, once again! I really, really appreciate how the ongoing relationships have steadily grown in complexity and depth over several installments — and not just with the 4 main characters, but with the extended family dynamic and other characters. Also, I LOVE how the series refocuses on a fresh storyline yet frequently retains a thread of patriotism and honors historical events.

around the web

Merriam Webster added new words to the dictionary. You might learn a thing or two from their announcement, or be glad your slang terms are now “official” (I’m talking about froyo here.)

And this is SUPER nerdy, but I was amused by this TED video on alphabetizing and types of sorting algorithms:

Exciting covers were revealed this month for two 2018 releases: Rachel McMillan’s upcoming Murder at the Flamingo AND Joanne Bischof’s Sons of Blackbird Mountain! Both are gorgeous and creative and exquisite.

Bethany House’s blog post featuring Five Bookish Mysteries to Solve is witty and fun!

YOUR TURN! How was September for you? Did you accomplish that “to-do” list or do anything exciting?

August Happenings

It’s the last day of August! That means back-to-school season and last hurrahs of summer. It’s been a quieter month on the blog, but this monthly wrap-up proves I was a little productive.

on the bookshelf

New titles on the shelf this month include The Girl Who Could See by Kara Swanson, Someplace Familiar by Teresa Tysinger, My Hope Next Door AND Shattered Rose by Tammy L. Gray, Uncloaked by J. Rodes, and for review, The Engagement Plot by Krista Phillips, The Long Shadows of Summer by Robin E. Mason. + a few fun reference books at a library book sale, along with a cute little copy of Cranford by Elizabeth Gaskell (yay for classics!).

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project
2. Top Ten Tuesday: True History in Fiction
3. July Happenings

Most popular book reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White
3. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron

in the kitchen

I’ve been happily cooking with a few fresh veggies from the garden. My favorite veggie-to-hide-in-baked things is zucchini. After a few frozen loaves of the normal cinnamon zucchini bread (grandma’s recipe 🙂 ), I was ready to try something different. I found THIS 2-loaf lemon zucchini bread recipe, and it’s A-ma-zing! It’s more like a light lemon cake. You’re welcome.

on the screen

One of the things I enjoyed “on the screen” this month was a Queen Elizabeth II TV special (from last year) on the Smithsonian Channel called The Queen at 90. It was a delightful look at some of the queen’s yearly duties, everyday life (including her sweet love for her horses), and her life through the years, with interviews from her own family (including some fun comments from Prince William!).

around the web

This lovely “Romance Rendezvous” interview with author Pepper Basham over on Katie’s Fiction Aficionado blog covers some fun points on romance in Christian fiction and character talk.

“What are we becoming?” by Amy Matayo. Food for thought in this media-crazy, soap-box modern life.
What was your August like? Do you share a monthly wrap-up or favorites post? Share your link in the comments, I’d love to visit!

July Happenings

It’s the end of JULY already! Wow, the summer has flown by! I would love to hear how your summer is going or what you’ve been reading lately in the comments. As always, thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog.

on the bookshelf

July was a fun month for book gathering! Someone needs to stop me from clicking on the “purchase” and “request for review” buttons all. the. time. Or, someone could just lock me in a cabin with food and my TBR and I might make a dent after a few weeks…..

The bookshelves gained these titles: A Matter of Trust by Susan May Warren, Many Sparrows by Lori Benton, His Steadfast Love by Julie Lessman, Not by Sight by Kate Breslin, Just Look Up by Courtney Walsh, A Name Unknown by Roseanna M. White, Where the Light Falls by Allison Pataki and Owen Pataki, and finally a physical copy of Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Book Spotlight, Author Interview, & Giveaway: My Unexpected Hope by Tammy L. Gray
2. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Favorite Book Quotes About Books
3. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project

Most popular book reviews:

1. The Whys Have It by Amy Matayo (plus author interview)
2. His Steadfast Love by Julie Lessman (plus book snippet)
3. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones

in the kitchen

I altered this PBS food recipe for dairy-free spinach stuffed shells. Thanks to a cow dairy allergy, it caught my attention, though I did alter it by using ricotta made from almonds and a little sheep cheese. It’s highly recommended!

on the screen

Of the movies I’ve seen this month, Dunkirk (just released July 21) is the one that left the biggest impression. Extremely well done from start to finish, every element, from the cast to the cinematography, musical score, and riveting timeline of the story worked together to create an immersive experience. This lesser-known event (to those of us on this “side of the pond”) was of key import to the UK and its allies as it struggled to evade the advancing Germans and evacuate France from the beach of Dunkirk. It’s a film to be taken seriously — both its subject matter and story of the prevailing good of humanity during an atrocious time of history. I highly recommend it!

around the web

Carrying forward more Jane Austen fun (because you can never have too much Jane Austen), check out Hillary Manton Lodge’s Jane Austen Week interviews and recipes in honor of the bicentenary (200 year mark) of Jane’s passing. And, check out my #bookbestie Rissi’s review of Hillary’s novel, Jane of Austin, over at Finding Wonderland.

More bookish fun! Title news for Joanne Bischof’s upcoming series, book 1 releasing in 2018.

Fellow book blogger Kate over at Fiction Aficionado has published a fabulous series discussing a common book and story trope: the love triangle. She introduces and gives specific examples of several kinds (from the Christian fiction genre), then further discusses the good and the bad of this trope in two more posts!

• Romance Tropes: The Love Triangle
• Love Triangles: When do they get a thumbs up?
• Love Triangles: When do they get the thumbs down?

Finally, this is an old article, but SO MUCH FUN! 10 of the Best European Train Trips, compiled by National Geographic.

So, tell me: what was your month like?

 

 

May Happenings

Annnnd, it’s time for the May monthly wrap-up!

on the bookshelf

Added to the bookshelf this month, other than review copies, were a few for-fun ones! Life After by Katie Ganshert (after all the amazing #bookbestie reviews), Behind the Scenes by Jen Turano (yay for giveaways!), and finally a paperback version of The Cautious Maiden by Dawn Crandall (now my Everstone Chronicles series is complete on the shelf!).

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Memorable Moms in Literature
2. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid)
3. April Happenings

Most popular book reviews:

1. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
2. The White Feather Murders by Rachel McMillan
3. Right Where We Belong novella collection
4. Unraveling by Sara Ella (review + excerpt)

in the kitchen

One of the new things I made this month was this “healthy” flourless almond butter chocolate muffin recipe. Of course, I added extra chocolate chips. It was awesome!

This sorta fits in the kitchen category. I found myself drooling over several Instagram accounts one evening and stumbled upon this mostly-vegan Instagram account! It’s just SO PRETTY I want to stare at all the yummy food.

on the screen

I’ve seen a few movies this month, but the very best was Lion. A five-year-old Indian boy gets lost on the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home. He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia. 25 years later, he sets out to find his lost family. (summary from imdb.com) To say this is an excellent movie is an understatement. It is an emotional rollercoaster of the very best kind that exhibits the powerful love of family, whether related by blood or by choice. It was even more special to me because I have close family members who are adopted from India.

Oh, and another epic thing I finished this month was the PBS-aired American Experience 3 part documentary The Great War, outlining America’s role during that awful war, including fascinating profiles of individuals and a ton of footage and photographs. I’ve since added several of WWI-era books to my TBR (thank you, Rachel McMillan, for starting that list for me!). If you have any to recommend, please do so in the comments!

On the small screen, I enjoyed the new Hallmark movie The Art of Us. It took the “My Fair Lady” plot basis and turned it into a sweet romance and lesson in honesty. The characters were portrayed in a genuine manner by their respective actors. I thought the chemistry and flirty banter between the two leads was adorable! And, the way the ending was (and wasn’t) neatly wrapped up felt realistic. If I haven’t convinced you, check out this review of it on The Silver Petticoat Review.

around the web

Thanks to awesome author e-newsletters (I’m talking about you, Hillary Manton Lodge), I heard about this article touting Emma Watson’s acting skill and Oscar-worthy performance. It’s fun.

Rachael and Meghan have started a new blog series titled “Love Life & Literature: Romance in Real Life”, with new posts up each Friday. They are discussion relationships and singleness from a romance-loving, Christian worldview. Start with the first installment, On Meet-Cutes & Settling.

If you aspire to write or plot a story, you might find this Novel Rocket article by author Dawn Crandall helpful. I thought it an interesting way to plot the plot beforehand :).

 

 

 

April Happenings

I can’t believe it’s already time for the April monthly wrap-up!

on the bookshelf

Two of the MOST EXCITING titles added to my collection this month included an ARC of Sara Ella’s second novel, Unraveling, and the lovely novella collection Right Where We Belong with small-town stories from authors Deborah Raney, Melissa Tagg, and Courtney Walsh. Both of these should be reviewed on the blog this May.

on the blog

Most popular posts:

1. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Novels with the Most Unique Settings
2. Top Ten Tuesday: 10 things that will make me instantly want to read a book
3. How-To: Solar Dyed Yarn Project (With Kool-Aid)

Most popular book reviews:

1. Just the Way You Are by Pepper Basham (plus author interview)
2. I’ll Be Yours by Jenny B. Jones
3. Reclaimed by Jennifer Rodewald (plus book snippet)

in the kitchen

The most notable “new” recipe I made this month was this version of dairy free Hot Cross Buns for Easter weekend. They turned out great! I used a combination of dried currants and raisins because I like both.

on the screen

I had the privilege of seeing The Zookeeper’s Wife on the big screen…. And let me just say it was a fabulous production! It tells the fascinating inspired-by-a-true-account story of a zookeeper’s family sheltering Jews in occupied Poland during WWII. It appropriately portrayed the harshness of life for the Jews and the sacrifices of people who risked everything to help them. The quality of this film is very prominent, with the acting top-notch (especially Jessica Chastain!) and everything from the zoo animals to the furniture/clothing period-appropriate. This is one to see if you’re a fan of historical dramas or WWII.

around the web

Pepper Basham featured one of my favorite book heroes (ahem, book boyfriends) on one of her “Swoony Saturday” posts. It is Dr. DAVID ROSS. Enough said.

I ’m not planning a wedding ANY time in the near future. You kinda have to plan a groom first. But, if I were, I’d be all over this wedding entertainment option recently in the news: ALPACAS and LLAMAS!!!! This little animal therapy place in the OR/WA area offers options to book llamas and/or alpacas to be a part of a ceremony or to entertain guests. I’m thinking it needs to be extended to any social or family event. Wouldn’t it be fun to show up to a family reunion or birthday part to find alpacas to play with?! 🙂