This is a powerful song written and performed by Mark Lowry:
Mary Did You Know?
Friday, December 25, 2020
Merry Christmas 2020
Have a blessed Christmas!
This is a powerful song written and performed by Mark Lowry:
This is a powerful song written and performed by Mark Lowry:
Thursday, December 24, 2020
Blessings for Christmas Eve 2020
Rather than focus on the difficulties of the past year, I am focused on God's gifts.
As we prepare to Celebrate Christmas - even if only online with family - I am ever mindful of the reason we celebrate. God has given us the greatest gift of redemption through the blood of His son. That gift was planned from the beginning and reaches an important peak (not the climax) with the birth of Jesus.
I am sharing this song on Christmas Eve as it speaks to Mary's experience and how she offers what she can - herself - for God's plan. Luke 1:29-38. Do we submit and offer ourselves to the sovereignty of God?
I pray that you focus on your blessings this Christmas,
find peace and hope in God's gift,
and share His Love with others!
Notice of Delay for Friday Pick
I should have noted this last week but I will post Friday Pick and Winners Saturday 12/26 rather than Christmas morning. Merry Christmas Everyone! 
Wednesday, December 23, 2020
Audio Book Review: Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel by Annie England Noblin
This is a sweet romance story with flawed characters.
Review:
Brydie is struggling to make a comeback after her husband cheated on her and divorced her for the ‘other’ woman. Her husband was also her business partner in the bakery they built together. Brydie left all of that mess, but not the heart-break, behind and has lived for months with her best friend, Elliott. Now that Elliott and her husband are preparing to welcome their second child, Brydie needs to find another place to live. Elliott recommends a house that needs ‘sitting’ for Mrs. Neumann, a woman in a nursing retirement home. The house comes with an important occupant – Mrs. Neumann’s beloved pug, Teddy Roosevelt. Brydie has never had a dog and she has to find a way to engage this elderly, reluctant animal.
Elliott suggests that Brydie take Teddy to a nearby dog park. Finally, the dog shows some enthusiasm except he throws up on the shoes of Nathan Reid who is there with his lively Irish Wolfhound, Sasha. Brydie takes off in embarrassment but gets to meet Nathan again when she visits Mrs. Neumann in the nursing facility. Nathan turns out to be a local doctor with rotating duties at the retirement home. It is clear that all the single nurses (and some of the residents) are interested in the handsome doctor. Brydie has trouble accepting the fact that Nathan is interested in dating her.
Byrdie takes a night-shift job at a local grocery where she begins to make new friends, but also makes mistakes. Byrdie experiments making dog treats to tempt Teddy to eat. This leads to a group of customers from the dog park and the nursing home.
When Byrdie uncovers a family mystery at Mrs. Neumann’s home, her curiosity is pushing her to ask Mrs. Neumann about the locked trunk. Nathan insists that doctor’s orders are not to raise the issue as it is likely to upset his patient. Byrdie takes umbrage at the doctor’s position and cuts off their growing relationship. Although Byrdie’s confidence begins to return with her baking, she continues to struggle to control her emotions.
First, I need to note that the blurb is not totally accurate as the new Pupcakes bakery isn’t really established until very near the end of the book. Second, I have to admit that I was frustrated by Byrdie’s despondency and self-absorption. I was relieved when she finally stepped away from her negative attitudes. In contrast, I found Nathan to be extraordinarily patient and kind. The romance develops with a subdued spark but some natural urges. The dogs add fun interest with birthday parties and stolen turkey antics. I liked the sweet (if predictable) surprise at the end even though the ending does seem rushed. As long as the reader can push through Byrdie's emotions, I recommend this as a sweet read/listen.
Audio Notes: Amy McFadden does a satisfactory job with the narration. She provides distinct voices and manages to convey Byrdie’s struggling emotions. I was glad to be able to listen to this story.
Pupcakes: A Christmas Novel
Written By: Annie England Noblin
Narrated By: Amy McFadden
Date: October 2017
Duration: 9 hours 59 minutes
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Animals, Women's Divorce, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.
Summary:
Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.
All she wants is a settled-down life.
What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.
And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?
Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!...
Written By: Annie England Noblin
Narrated By: Amy McFadden
Duration: 9 hours 59 minutes
Publisher: HarperAudio
Genre: Animals, Women's Divorce, Romance
My Rating: 3.75 of 5.0 Overall; Story 3.75; Narration 3.75.
Summary:
Sit! Stay! Speak! author Annie England Noblin’s novel takes one woman starting over, adds an aging pug named Teddy Roosevelt, and proves the power of a well-baked dog treat.
All she wants is a settled-down life.
What she gets is a dog—and a whole new normal . . .
There he stood in the doorway: overweight, depressed and nearly homeless—a pug named Teddy Roosevelt. Teddy was Brydie Benson’s latest problem, arriving on top of her messy divorce and sudden move. Brydie needed a place to start over, so this rent-free home seemed a great idea. She just never counted on Teddy, or his owner, the Germantown Retirement Village’s toughest customer, Pauline Neumann.
And because rent-free doesn’t mean bills-free, Brydie gets a night-shift job at a big-box grocery. Whoever guessed there were so many people who wanted baked goods after midnight?
Then, she gets an idea—why not combine her baking skills with her new-found dog knowledge? And so her store Pupcakes is born. Along with a new start comes a possible new love, in the form of Nathan Reid, a local doctor with a sassy Irish Wolfhound named Sasha. And as fall turns to winter, and then to Christmas, Brydie begins to realize that life is a little bit like learning a new recipe for puff pastry—it takes a few tries to get it just right!...
Review:
Brydie is struggling to make a comeback after her husband cheated on her and divorced her for the ‘other’ woman. Her husband was also her business partner in the bakery they built together. Brydie left all of that mess, but not the heart-break, behind and has lived for months with her best friend, Elliott. Now that Elliott and her husband are preparing to welcome their second child, Brydie needs to find another place to live. Elliott recommends a house that needs ‘sitting’ for Mrs. Neumann, a woman in a nursing retirement home. The house comes with an important occupant – Mrs. Neumann’s beloved pug, Teddy Roosevelt. Brydie has never had a dog and she has to find a way to engage this elderly, reluctant animal.
Elliott suggests that Brydie take Teddy to a nearby dog park. Finally, the dog shows some enthusiasm except he throws up on the shoes of Nathan Reid who is there with his lively Irish Wolfhound, Sasha. Brydie takes off in embarrassment but gets to meet Nathan again when she visits Mrs. Neumann in the nursing facility. Nathan turns out to be a local doctor with rotating duties at the retirement home. It is clear that all the single nurses (and some of the residents) are interested in the handsome doctor. Brydie has trouble accepting the fact that Nathan is interested in dating her.
Byrdie takes a night-shift job at a local grocery where she begins to make new friends, but also makes mistakes. Byrdie experiments making dog treats to tempt Teddy to eat. This leads to a group of customers from the dog park and the nursing home.
When Byrdie uncovers a family mystery at Mrs. Neumann’s home, her curiosity is pushing her to ask Mrs. Neumann about the locked trunk. Nathan insists that doctor’s orders are not to raise the issue as it is likely to upset his patient. Byrdie takes umbrage at the doctor’s position and cuts off their growing relationship. Although Byrdie’s confidence begins to return with her baking, she continues to struggle to control her emotions.
First, I need to note that the blurb is not totally accurate as the new Pupcakes bakery isn’t really established until very near the end of the book. Second, I have to admit that I was frustrated by Byrdie’s despondency and self-absorption. I was relieved when she finally stepped away from her negative attitudes. In contrast, I found Nathan to be extraordinarily patient and kind. The romance develops with a subdued spark but some natural urges. The dogs add fun interest with birthday parties and stolen turkey antics. I liked the sweet (if predictable) surprise at the end even though the ending does seem rushed. As long as the reader can push through Byrdie's emotions, I recommend this as a sweet read/listen.
Audio Notes: Amy McFadden does a satisfactory job with the narration. She provides distinct voices and manages to convey Byrdie’s struggling emotions. I was glad to be able to listen to this story.
Source: November 2019 Sale at Audiobooks.com $3.99. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.
Tuesday, December 22, 2020
Book Review: Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2) by Meggan Haller
This is a bit heart wrenching but heartwarming too.
Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2)
by Meggan Haller
![Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2) by [Meggan Haller]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41j5Tq1vTPL.jpg)
ASIN : B00OI8HSOQ
Publication date : October 13, 2014
File size : 1475 KB
Genre: Christmas, Young Adult, Short Story
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
"He saw the distinct shape of a hand carefully placing one more stocking alongside the others. Though Jakob was sure he saw it, at first he didn’t believe it was real. It took him a long time to figure out there was no Santa, and short of a miracle, he wouldn’t be quick to change his mind."
Another Christmas and nothing had changed for 5-year-old Jakob. Papa still had no job, the family still had no money, and Jakob still had the same pair of old, threadbare socks only now with holes in them. This was the Great Depression, a time of hardship for many families, the Strumpfs included.
Year after year, Santa brought nothing for the Strumpfs but a hand-written promise that next Christmas would be better. Jakob’s older brothers and sisters believed Santa would keep his promise and bring them a gift this year—even Mama and Papa believed—but Jakob doubted. When a sensitive boy loses heart, his family must help him find it.
These days, Christmas may be a season of abundance, but this solemn tale introduces young readers to an era of struggle. A generation after Bern learned to believe in Santa in Light in the Snow, Jakob carries on the Strumpf tradition of turning hardships into happiness. With contemplative and compassionate prose, this remarkable story reminds us that where there is love, hope can flourish despite poverty.
Review:
Jakob is the youngest of six children living during the Great Depression. As the youngest, at five years old, he has never experienced a gift at Christmas (or any other time of year). He is accustomed to having only hand-me-down clothes, including a cap (which he has lost) and socks which are holey. There are only five marbles to play with, so Jakob doesn’t get to play and is shut out of the circle. Although the eldest brother tries to draw Jakob aside to play, Jakob is too sullen, angry and hurt to be cajoled.
As Christmas Eve arrives, the other children are still willing to believe that Santa will visit the family. But Jakob is ready to give up. He has determined there is no reason to believe, there is no hope and all of his life is destined to be deprivation and hardship. Will the events of Christmas be able to change Jakob’s mind?
This story is so sad and heart wrenching as we watch Jakob’s frustration and disappointments. I was further saddened by his actions on Christmas Eve/morning. Fortunately, there is a an uplifting, very sweet ending… with hope. I encourage readers to share this little gem, especially with young people who don’t always appreciate the blessings that surround them.
Cold Feet: A Short Story for Christmas (Hand-Me-Downs Book 2)
by Meggan Haller
Publication date : October 13, 2014
File size : 1475 KB
Genre: Christmas, Young Adult, Short Story
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0.
"He saw the distinct shape of a hand carefully placing one more stocking alongside the others. Though Jakob was sure he saw it, at first he didn’t believe it was real. It took him a long time to figure out there was no Santa, and short of a miracle, he wouldn’t be quick to change his mind."
Another Christmas and nothing had changed for 5-year-old Jakob. Papa still had no job, the family still had no money, and Jakob still had the same pair of old, threadbare socks only now with holes in them. This was the Great Depression, a time of hardship for many families, the Strumpfs included.
Year after year, Santa brought nothing for the Strumpfs but a hand-written promise that next Christmas would be better. Jakob’s older brothers and sisters believed Santa would keep his promise and bring them a gift this year—even Mama and Papa believed—but Jakob doubted. When a sensitive boy loses heart, his family must help him find it.
These days, Christmas may be a season of abundance, but this solemn tale introduces young readers to an era of struggle. A generation after Bern learned to believe in Santa in Light in the Snow, Jakob carries on the Strumpf tradition of turning hardships into happiness. With contemplative and compassionate prose, this remarkable story reminds us that where there is love, hope can flourish despite poverty.
Review:
Jakob is the youngest of six children living during the Great Depression. As the youngest, at five years old, he has never experienced a gift at Christmas (or any other time of year). He is accustomed to having only hand-me-down clothes, including a cap (which he has lost) and socks which are holey. There are only five marbles to play with, so Jakob doesn’t get to play and is shut out of the circle. Although the eldest brother tries to draw Jakob aside to play, Jakob is too sullen, angry and hurt to be cajoled.
As Christmas Eve arrives, the other children are still willing to believe that Santa will visit the family. But Jakob is ready to give up. He has determined there is no reason to believe, there is no hope and all of his life is destined to be deprivation and hardship. Will the events of Christmas be able to change Jakob’s mind?
This story is so sad and heart wrenching as we watch Jakob’s frustration and disappointments. I was further saddened by his actions on Christmas Eve/morning. Fortunately, there is a an uplifting, very sweet ending… with hope. I encourage readers to share this little gem, especially with young people who don’t always appreciate the blessings that surround them.
Source: December 2016 Free Kindle download. This qualifies for 2020TBR goal.
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