Share Four Somethings - December 2020

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Just barely sneaking in before the end of December to look back on Something Loved, Something Read, and Something Treasured for the month. Let's hope that 2021 holds good things for Something Ahead.

Hope you had a Merry Christmas! Wishing you a Happy New Year!

 

Something Loved

Some general shout-outs for services I've really appreciated recently: Our county library system has been outstanding and greatly appreciated for a long time. Although the buildings have been closed for the majority of the past year, the library system did their best to make their services accessible anyway. We've been able to request books and materials online for pick-up at our local branches just like always, and the staff came up with a system to package our pick-ups to be picked up quickly in the local branch lobby by appointment. The library is also automatically renewing books when possible. 

Online ordering apps for restaurants and stores. This may come as a surprise to some people that know me, but I hate ordering at drive thru windows, especially when I'm the driver and there are other people in my car that I'm ordering for. Very stressful. Using the app and just pulling up to collect my order is the best. And most of the time, the restaurants are getting the orders correct. 

Something Read

I completed four books during this busy month, but still have to post a review for a couple of them. The review for Everyday Confetti should appear in the next few days, but I did write about it on Homeschool Coffee Break as it was my contribution to the Online Book Club. You can see more about my reading in my Monthly Bookshelf Review for December 2020.

To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette

Silas Marner by George Eliot

Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer

The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield

   

  

Something Treasured

It may be the cliche answer, but this has been another month in which time with family was something to be treasured. Early in the month my kids planned a low key Christmas party with a family and a few friends and it was so much fun. I've had opportunities to go shopping with my husband and with my kids and even though shopping isn't my favorite thing, spending time together is. Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with my people at home is something I treasure every year. And after Christmas we were able to spend a few days having another Christmas celebration with our oldest son and his family - reading stories and having fun times with a sweet granddaughter is the perfect way to end the year with a positive experience!

Something Ahead

Happy New Year!

Despite all the uncertainties and chaos around us, when we put our hope in Christ we have hope and peace and look forward to the new things God will do. I pray that 2021 holds good things for our family and for all of us.  

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

©2008-2020 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 - December 2020

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

December's Books Completed and Reviewed

To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette -  A young orphan girl runs away from her Philistine homeland and follows the Ark of the Covenant to Israel. There she is taken in by a Levite family and tries to find her place as tensions rise all around her. A beautiful novel of grace, acceptance, and second chances. (Read my full review HERE)

Silas Marner by George Eliot - I read this classic along with the students in my high school Literature class. The lonely and bitter weaver despairs after his hoard of gold is stolen, but he takes in a little orphan girl who softens his heart again. (Read my full review HERE)

 

Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer - I still need to write a wrap-up/review for this book that I read as part of an online book club for the theme "celebrations". It's an idea book geared especially for parents with suggestions for celebrating special events and making memories all throughout the year.

During December I started reading:

The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield - Luke Granger settles the debt of a ne'er-do-well farmer by taking his daughter in as his housekeeper rather than see her further mistreated. Luke and Philamena enter a marriage of convenience, but it isn't long before they are both falling in love.

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare - This is what my Literature class is currently working on and plans to wrap up in January!

During December I continued reading:

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber - I'll finish this one very 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.

 

Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass - I was very close to finished with this one at the beginning of the month but have set it aside temporarily. Will finish soon! It's a thoughtful look at what gratitude really is, and how we understand and express it in different ways. 

 During December I shelved:

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - I got started on this classic about living a life of gratitude, but had to set it aside when life got too busy. I did manage to renew it from the library, so hopefully I can get it finished at the beginning of the new year!

Coming Up in January!

I really have no idea! I've got several books stacked on my bedside table I want to get to, and we'll be starting on the next novel in the Literature class in a couple weeks, but I'm not sure what I will tackle next.

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

What I'm Reading - December 14, 2020

The Loneliness Solution - A FlyBy Review

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Five Minute Friday posts

Happy Boxing Day 2020

Twenty-Six Lists - Holiday Traditions

Coffee Break Reading List (December 15, 2020)

Twenty-Six Lists - Winter Fun

Online Book Club - December Theme: Celebrations

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up November: Thankful/Thanksgiving

This post will be linked at the December 2020 Wrap-Up Roundup and Giveaway hosted by Feed Your Fiction Addiction; (and at the weekly reading list meme hosted at Book Date.)

 

©2008-2020 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 - Silas Marner

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Silas Marner by George Eliot - As a young man, the weaver Silas Marner was falsely accused of stealing money and was betrayed by a friend. He moved to the village of Raveloe where he kept to himself and earned a reputation as an odd recluse and miser. He had, in fact, amassed quite a quantity of gold which he kept hidden in his sparsely furnished cottage and comforted himself by counting his little hoard.

One evening Silas's gold is stolen and after applying without success to the villagers for assistance in finding it, he once again accepts his fate and hard luck - but returns to his cottage to find that a little orphan girl has come in. He insists that he will care for the little one himself, as she has no other connections. 

The second part of the novel picks up some fifteen years later, with Eppie, the little girl, quite grown up. The village squire, Godfrey Cass, and his wife, who are childless, want to adopt Eppie themselves, but the bond between Silas and the girl is too strong and she will not leave him. And finally Godfrey allows his secrets to unravel so that the way his life and Silas's have been intertwined is revealed. Godfrey was secretly married to Eppie's mother but would not acknowledge her because of her low status. When this woman died, Godfrey saw his chance to be free of her and instead marry the woman from his own social sphere. As the threads are woven back together, the depth of affection between Silas and his adopted daughter remains strong, other secrets are revealed, and there are second chances and grace offered.

I read this novel and studied it along with students in my high school literature co-op class, and we learned about themes and symbols. We discussed the contrast between Silas and Godfrey, and I suspect that the students all enjoyed the story more than they expected to! I sure did!

Our discussion and study was guided by the textbook Illuminating Literature: Characters in Crisis from Writing with Sharon Watson.

This is a classic I didn't read in school for the Modern Mrs. Darcy 2020 Reading Challenge.

©2008-2020 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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Scripture and a Snapshot - Magnificat

And Mary said:

"My soul glorifies the Lord,

and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me -

holy is his name.

His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.

He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;

he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones

but has lifted up the humble.

He has filled the hungry with good things

but has sent the rich away empty.

He has helped his servant Israel,

remembering to be merciful

to Abraham and his descendants forever,

just as he promised our ancestors."

~Luke 1:46-55~

Why am I sharing the Magnificat after Christmas, when this song of Mary's was spoken months before the birth of Jesus? I guess because it struck me again how much trust Mary put in God. She was obedient and understood her part as a servant right from the start. A humble young girl from a small town, but she knew God's promises and had a quiet and firm faith that God would keep those promises. And placed herself in his hands, as his servant, willing to do what was asked of her. She knew the Lord was her salvation, and she gave all praise to him for making her part of the story.

"Surely God is my salvation;

I will trust and not be afraid.

The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense;

he has become my salvation."

With joy you will draw water

from the wells of salvation.

In that day you will say:

"Give praise to the LORD, proclaim His name;

Make known among the nations what he has done,

and proclaim that His name is exalted.

Sing to the LORD, for He has done glorious things;

let this be known to all the world.

Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,

for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

~Isaiah 12:2-6~

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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.

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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.

©2008-2020 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.

Wordless Wednesday - Gifts of Advent

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

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

Pictorial Tuesday

 

©2008-2020 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 - We Have Seen His Glory

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the greatness of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the LORD Almighty

will accomplish this.

~Isaiah 9:6-7~

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

~John 1:14~

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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.

©2008-2020 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.

What I'm Reading - December 14, 2020

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

This weekly reading list meme is hosted at Book Date. Join in to see what others are reading and maybe get some ideas of what to read next! Although the Book Date link-up happens weekly, I don't manage to post that often. I aim to post and link about once a month, although I sometimes link up my monthly summary as well. 

I finished reading . . . 

To Dwell Among Cedars by Connilyn Cossette - Eliora flees her Philistine homeland to follow the ark of the covenant to Hebrew territory, where she finds a loving home with a priestly family. (Read my full review HERE)

The Calm I Seek by Christina Lourens - Rebecca is cautiously opening her wounded heart to Gabriel when she finds that he hasn't been completely truthful about something. Then a family tragedy strikes with the potential to splinter the family further or bring them all together. A novel about forgiveness and second chances. (Read my full review HERE)

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - I had finished this one when I wrote my last summary (a month ago!) but hadn't written up a review yet. You can now find that review HERE.

Silas Marner by George Eliot - This classic was next for our Lit class, and once again I've finished the book but haven't finished a review yet. Watch for it soon! 

I'm currently reading . . .

Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks by Diana Butler Bass - A thoughtful look at defining gratitude and how we understand and express it in different ways. This was my November Online Book Club choice, but I didn't quite finish by the end of the month. 

A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber - Verity and Sydney help out a relative by looking into the disappearance of some the artwork from the estate, and they are still on the trail of a traitor to England.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp - I started reading this just before Thanksgiving and need to finish up! Beautiful, lyrical writing that gives such a sense of peace.

Everyday Confetti by Karen Ehman & Glynnis Whitwer - This is my December Online Book Club pick. I'd just loaded it to my Kindle when our theme was assigned - Celebration - and it seemed perfect.

The Christmas Bargain by Shanna Hatfield - A town banker accepts the daughter of a farmer as payment on a defaulted loan because he doesn't want the young woman to suffer any further abuse. 

The Last Book in the Universe by Rodman Philbrick - I'm re-reading this YA novel along with the students in my fiction writing class. 

Next on the stack... 

Much Ado About Nothing by William Shakespeare

When Silence Sings by Sarah Loudin Thomas

   

What I'm Highlighting . . . Along with a few blogging friends, I'm participating in an Online Book Club that will be a little different. Instead of all reading the same title, we'll be reading books that have a theme in common. That way readers of all ages, homeschoolers or not, can participate. Our theme for December is Celebrations. Stop by Homeschool Coffee Break to find out more.

On my blogs recently . . . 

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

Scripture and a Snapshot posts

Wordless Wednesday posts

The Loneliness Solution - A FlyBy Review

Monthly Bookshelf Review - November 2020

Share Four Somethings - November 2020

The Anne of Green Gables Devotional

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Five Minute Friday (on Sunday) - Beyond

Twenty-Six Lists - Winter Fun

Online Book Club - December Theme: Celebrations

Five Minute Friday - Present

Online Book Club - Wrapping Up November: Thankful/Thanksgiving

Five Minute Friday - Grateful

Twenty-Six Lists - The Thanksgiving List

November Photo Album

International Flavors ~ Africa ~ Morocco

From the High School Lesson Book - The Blessings of Homeschooling Teens

Five Minute Friday - Cancel

Twenty-Six Lists - Favorite Museums

Dear Homeschool Mom . . . Come To A Quiet Place

What are you reading?

©2008-2020 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.