Wordless Wednesday - Circle of Life

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We've enjoyed a couple of snow days here. The birds have been taking advantage of the feeder, and I've been regretting that we left the screen in the window. It makes it pretty difficult to get a decent photo.

And perhaps the birds - and I - should have expected this. 

Another player was hoping to take advantage of the situation . . .

I just happened to be snapping a couple of quick pictures, and got "lucky" enough to capture this split second!

RIP cardinal.

We were pretty sad. When hubby got home from work, he blocked that space under the porch so the feral cats didn't have that place to lie in wait.

And the birds were all back, including cardinals. More than I'd seen prior to the capture, I think.

This post will be linked at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea Scribbles.

Pictorial Tuesday

 

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

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Recent Reads - A Pretty Deceit

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber - Verity Kent and her husband Sidney are beginning to feel that they can relax a bit more and enjoy the peacetime following their adventures during the Great War. They are still trying to track down the elusive and dangerous Lord Ardmore and hope they can bring him to justice for his treasonous activities, but are keeping this rather personal mission quiet.

As a favor to Verity's father, she agrees to visit his sister in Wiltshire and check up on her and the estate. She is a widow and her only son, Verity's cousin Reg, was blinded during his wartime service. The estate was used to quarter servicemen and Lady Popham complains of the damage they left and other strange goings-on. In addition to the damage and some missing art pieces, Verity and Sidney hear some suspicious stories from servants and grow curious. When a dead body is discovered on the grounds, things take a more sinister turn.

As they combine forces with their friend Max to continue hunting down Lord Ardmore, while also assisting in the investigation of the murder and other suspicious activity at the estate, they discover that there may be a connection. Lord Ardmore seems to stay one step ahead of them, but danger also follows them wherever they go. Can they solve the riddle left by Max's late father to find the truth about Ardmore before they become his next victims?

The suspense in this mystery is haunting because Ardmore seems to have eyes and ears everywhere, but at the same time I didn't find the connections and clues to be quite as clear in this installment. The personalities are bold, quirky, and likeable; and I love the interactions between Verity and Sidney, and the very real and raw characterizations of Verity's cousin and others who are coping with the aftermath of their wartime experiences.

By the same author: The Anatomist's Wife, Mortal Arts; A Grave Matter, A Study in Death, A Pressing Engagement, This Side of Murder, As Death Draws Near, A Brush With Shadows. Treacherous Is The Night, An Artless Demise, Secrets in the Mist, Penny for Your Secrets, A Stroke of Malice

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Written to Teach Us

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.

~Romans 15:4-7~

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I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles; and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Share Four Somethings - January 2021

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Happy New Year!

It's a new year and thus we begin a new series of Something Loved, Something Read, and Something Treasured and Something Ahead monthly collections.

Something Loved

It has been a frustrating couple of months of getting a new computer set up. Ugh. We had been planning to replace our desktop for awhile, but around Thanksgiving it actually shut down. Like for good. So we had to hurry up on our replacement plans. We purchased a new computer and when it arrived we took it and our old one to the Best Buy Geek Squad so they could salvage files from the old hard drive and transfer to the new computer. As you might imagine, they were busy and  things took longer because of restrictions, so that took a couple weeks. And then the new computer didn't work right. Whaaaaaat?!? Tried letting the Geek Squad work on it remotely, with limited success, so at the beginning of January we took it in and they determined that it was something faulty with the computer itself, so that was returned another new one ordered. We now have that computer up and running, BUT we have been unable to get the backed up files (photos, documents, and the like) onto it so there is still work to be done. 

But here's the takeaway and why I'm telling this story in the Something Loved category. We love having the technology of our computers and phones! And honestly, the Geek Squad and Best Buy have done a great job helping us out. Big thank you to all the technology experts that keep all of us running and connected, especially during times when we are more dependent on these devices than ever. 

Something Read

I completed three books during the month, but I'm behind on writing reviews! You can see more about my reading in my Monthly Bookshelf Review for January 2021.

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber

 

Something Treasured

Treasured friendships have been on my mind more this month. You see, one of my very best friends is moving out of state soon. Their decision to move went from zero to sixty very quickly, their house sold quickly and they are in beast mode for getting their stuff purged and packed and ready to go. Yesterday I managed to get her and several other friends together for an evening of fellowship. Not sure whether we'll be able to get a group together like that again before she leaves, but what a precious time it was. And how greatly we will miss each other when our weekly coffee break dates have to end. 

Our group that met together has a name - we are Homeschool Moms Emeritae. We are all homeschool moms, either recently "retired" or with only a year or two left in our homeschool career. Once your youngest student nears graduation day and you realize that you will no longer be a Homeschool Mom, you also start to realize just how much of your social life and support system is tied to the homeschool community. My friend and I began to see that a few years ago when her youngest was about to graduate, and we wanted to be intentional about staying connected with each other and with other friends in a similar place in life. We also saw that with our collective years of homeschool experience we might be able to mentor and encourage new homeschoolers. We're still figuring out exactly how to do that, but thankfully we've got our little unofficial Homeschool Moms Emeritae circle started. 

Something Ahead

We are in wedding planning mode around here! Less than a month until the bridal shower, and a bit more than two months until the wedding! My son and his fiancee both live with us - she is already a daughter to me! - so although I don't have a lot of tasks that I'm actively involved in, the planning and preparation are still front and center in our daily lives. My daughter is the maid of honor, so she and I are both focused on planning for the shower. And also, I need a dress for the wedding! 

This post will be linked at Share Four Somethings hosted by HeatherGerwing.com

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Monthly Bookshelf Review - January 2021

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee.

Things have been relatively quiet here, especially on my blogs, and I didn't get a whole lot of reading done. I've been busy with several other things, including trying to get a new computer up and running, and I'm surprised how quickly the month has slipped by!

January's Books Completed and Reviewed

The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield - Luke Granger agrees to settle the debt of a ne'er-do-well farmer by taking his daughter in as his housekeeper. At first it's because he doesn't want the young lady mistreated any further, but it doesn't take long before he starts to see the marriage of convenience as a possible love match after all - if he can win her over! (Read my full review HERE)

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking - This charming little book about the elements that contribute to a warm and cozy hospitality and happiness was part of my book club theme reading for January. (Read my full review HERE)

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare - My Literature class wrapped this up earlier this month, but I still need to write a review.

 

Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer - I did my December wrap-up before posting a review of this book. So if you're still interested, you can read my full review HERE.

During January I started reading:

Messiah: Biblical Retellings by C.A. Gray - A collection of short stories retelling the miracles of Jesus, along with a little commentary, and the passages of Scripture from which the stories are taken. Watch for my BookSirens review of this coming soon!

Timeless Treasure by MaryLu Tyndall - The only possessions Lexie has of her mother's are an old coin and some letters, and they lead her to a connection with a professor as they search for a pirate's treasure.

During January I continued reading:

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber - I'm finishing this one tonight so hopefully the review will be up soon! Verity and Sidney are hunting for evidence sufficient to stop the suspected traitor Lord Ardmore when thefts and a murder at the estate of Verity's aunt also claim their attention.

 

Coming Up in February!

The Lady in Residence by Allison Pittman

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

On my blogs recently . . . 

Besides the reviews, here on Just A Second you'll find:

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday - Icy Bridge

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Five Minute Friday posts

Word for 2021 - Embrace

Online Book Club - January Theme: Winter

December Photo Album

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up December: Celebrations

This post will be linked at the January 2021 Wrap-Up Roundup and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction; (and at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.)

 

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. 

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Recent Reads - The Little Book of Hygge

This post contains affiliate links - using affiliate links from Just A Second helps supply books and coffee. 

The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking - A book about the "Danish Secrets to Happy Living" by the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute sounds intriguing even if you're not familiar with the concept of hygge, doesn't it? Hygge can be difficult to define or explain, as Wiking acknowledges, but it encompasses the feelings of being warm, safe, and comfortable, and a sense of togetherness with loved ones. It's a big deal to Scandinavians, and in this little book Wiking describes it and all the elements that Danes consider to be essential to achieving it.

It's a quick read, with a lot of fascinating facts and statistics as well as charming illustrations like the one on the cover. Probably the most important aspect of hygge is light, and an entire chapter is devoted to explaining the Dane's love of candles and softer ambient light. Hygge also means togetherness, comforting foods, and cozy clothing and surroundings. Wiking includes some recipes, and plenty of ideas for creating a hyggelich atmosphere in your home and workplace, and for hyggelich activities throughout the year. 

The takeaway - at least for me - is that hygge is the cozy and homey brand of hospitality that I already try to practice, but didn't have a name for. And the best part is that it doesn't need to cost a lot of money and effort. 

This review will be included in my summary for the Online Book Club for January 2021 on Homeschool Coffee Break.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Be Transformed

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

~Romans 12:1-2~

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Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

I also link up at Sunday Scripture Blessings, hosted by Peabea's Photos 'n Scribbles; and at Selah, hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

©2008-2021 Just A Second. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. http://justasecondblog.blogspot.com/ 

 We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.