Friday Fun - The Friday 56 and First Lines for December 16, 2022

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I lay on my side, staring into the shadows gathered at the edges of the room, when the door to the dressing chamber clicked open behind me.

~from page 56 of A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber

March 1832. Edinburgh, Scotland. Kiera and Gage have been eagerly awaiting their bundle of joy, but trouble has been brewing in the form of roguish criminal Bonnie Brock Kincaid. A new book and subsequent play feature some of Kincaid's daring exploits as well as thinly veiled representations of Kiera and Gage. Rumors are swirling that Bonnie Brock, not Gage, is the father of Kiera's unborn child. Once again Kiera finds herself fighting off scandalous lies while the play's popularity continues to grow.

A rash of crimes break out across the city, seemingly inspired by the play and book. When the publisher is found brutally murdered - in an imitation of a gruesome scene - the finger points not only to Bonnie Brock as the possibly culprit, but also to the Gages, who have been outspoken in their condemnation of the tale. Now, the Gages are on a hunt to unmask a deadly fiend. But family quarrels and the revelation of a secret Kiera has been keeping from Sebastian threaten to undermine their investigation. When they find themselves in the crosshairs of the killer, they will soon discover that the truth does not always set you free, and death can lurk around any corner.

 

The Friday 56 is hosted at Freda's Voice

*Grab a book, any book.

*Turn to Page 56 or 56% on your e-reader.

*Find a snippet, short and sweet.

*Post it, and share in the Linky.

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I blamed it on the salmon mousse. That, and my preoccupation with the stilted conversation around my sister's dinner table that evening.

~From the beginning of A Wicked Conceit by Anna Lee Huber

Book Beginnings on Fridays is hosted by Rose City Reader.

*It's Book Beginnings on Fridays! Time to gather with our fellow book lovers and share the opening sentence (or so) of the books we are reading this week. Or share from a book that is on your mind right now -- whatever catches your fancy.

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First Line Fridays is hosted at Reading is My SuperPower

*Share the first line or two of the book closest to you, then visit other FLF participants.

*Please keep posts family friendly or clean reads.

*Link back to Reading is My SuperPower within your post or grab a button.

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It's been several years since I participated in the Book Blogger Hop, hosted by Billy at Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer, but I've decided to try to include it in my Friday Fun posts again.  

This Week's Question: Which time of day do you prefer to read: morning, afternoon, or evening? 

My Answer: When I'm on a reading roll, I'll read any time during the day, but my preference is evening. I almost always read in bed, whether chapter after chapter, or just a paragraph or two before I'm too tired.

Book Blogger Hop

 ©2008-2022 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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Book Blogger Hop - May 6, 2016

This post contains affiliate links. 

It's been many weeks since I answered a Book Blogger Hop question from Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer. Well, today is the day I take the time to do it again. Here goes:

Why did you start your blog? 

I originally started a blog about our homeschooling experience, but started to feel like discussing books I was reading and a few other things didn't fit the focus of that blog. So I started Just A Second as a blog that could be about all kinds of other things. It looks like I only have about three years of homeschooling left, so perhaps at that point, this 'second' blog will become my primary blog!

By the way, if you're interested in the homeschooling blog, it's Homeschool Coffee Break.

©2008-2016 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/

Book Blogger Hop - My Blog's Name

This post may contain affiliate links.

I haven't done this for awhile, but I happened to notice the Book Blogger Hop question of the week from Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer and decided to answer it. There is, of course, no guarantee that I will remember to do it again next week or any week following, but I will try.

How many years have you been blogging, and is there a story behind your blog's name?  

I started blogging in 2006, on a homeschool blogging platform. I was a complete noob and my earliest posts were pretty much what I would have written in a diary. After gaining some experience and switching platforms I wound up where I blog now. My "main" blog is Homeschool Coffee Break, so named because I'm a homeschool mom who loves coffee. My standard excuse for being at the computer reading or writing blog posts or interacting on message boards was that I was "on my coffee break" so that became the name of the blog. I also was writing little reviews of books I read and some other things that weren't really related to homeschooling, so I set up a second blog, and named it Just A Second. After all, when I'm caught up in a book or a blog and somebody tries to get my attention, chances are I will holler "just a second!" And I'm always up for a second (or third, or fourth...) cup of coffee.

©2008-2015 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/

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #154

I always feel like I'm a little late for the weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch hosted by Everyday Ruralty. But I don't think I am. Let me just refill my coffee and then I'll answer the questions that Patrice has put to us this week.

This week's questions:

1. Please tell me something you have done recently that was really fun.
2. Do you worry about any issues regarding food/food quality/food production?
3. Have you painted any of your walls with colors other than white, beige, or tan?
4. What is your favorite way to have a hamburger?
5. Please finish this sentence. If I could, I'd like to play __________________________. (This could be a musical instrument, a part in a play - use your imagination.)

My answers:

1. Well, there hasn't been anything "big" lately, but I have a lot of fun doing everyday things. Things like going out for coffee with friends, going to music practice, even hanging out with the other moms and homeschool meetings. I'm looking forward to doing some fun things next week while on vacation!
2. I don't really worry about it, but I am paying more attention to how many additives are in the food. I'm trying to do more baking and 'from scratch' cooking, but I'm not exactly the crunchy-granola type and I don't like cooking that much, so that's a challenge. 
3. Any walls I've painted are something other than white, beige, or tan! Some of the rooms here we haven't painted (yet!!) and those are the ones that are still bland off-white. In my living room, there's wallpaper and a dark green wall. My kitchen and dining room have red/tan checkerboard wallpaper. My bathroom is bright green with a darker green sponged pattern. The upstairs bathroom is turquoise. My daughter's room is sage green, and my sons' room is a medium blue. The family room is the room we're working on painting - it's a light green. We also tried out a deep golden yellow in the stairwell, and liked it so that is probably what I'll put in the hallways and entry as well, and maybe even in the dining room someday.
4. I love burgers cooked on the grill, well-done, and with bacon and cheese. Sometimes I put just barbecue sauce on, but most of the time I put on mayo, ketchup, and mustard.
5. If I could, I'd like to play guitar! I learned to play when I was a teenager, but have rarely picked up a guitar since, so I've forgotten most of it.

Visit Chat 154 at Everyday Ruralty to join in!

©2008-2014 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/

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #153

I think I have time this morning for a quick weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch hosted by Everyday Ruralty. 

This week's questions:

1. What are you most looking forward in the remaining months of 2014?
2. Tell us about the last movie you saw, or book you read.
3. Do you ever make smoothies or juice?
4. Who do you wish you could talk to right now?
5. Please finish this sentence. "If I could spend a week in a lovely cabin in the mountains I would like to_______________________."

My answers:

1. I'm looking forward to a couple of vacations we still have planned, and I'm really looking forward to having my parents visit us during the Christmas season!
2. I can't remember what movie I saw last. I haven't seen one in a theater in ages, but I've watched bits and pieces of all kinds of movies on DVD recently - mostly The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings movies. The last book I finished was Loyal In Love and it was okay. It's a novelized biography of Queen Henrietta Maria of England. Right now I'm reading The Eight by Katherine Neville - it is one of my very favorite books.
3. Nope. My kids make milkshakes though.
4. There's a number of friends I'd like to talk to in person rather than just on Facebook, but it's a bit of a hike to go out for coffee with any of them.
5. If I could spend a week in a lovely cabin in the mountains, I would like to relax with some good books, and with my family and some board games. We did a vacation like that a couple years ago, and are hoping to do something very similar again this year.

   

Visit Chat 153 at Everyday Ruralty to join in!

©2008-2014 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/

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #151

Good morning! Time for another weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch hosted by Everyday Ruralty. My Wednesday evenings are usually full, so I am just planning to join in on the chat on Thursday morning. It's a good way to start the day, with a cup of coffee and a little visit.

This week's questions:

1. What's the earliest time in your life you can remember? Can you remember being 2 years old, 5 years old, etc?
2. What do you like to put on pasta? (Your favorite topping.)
3. Is there something that takes time away from more important things in your life? (TV, internet, talking on the telephone, etc.)
4. Do you buy many clothes that are "high maintenance"? (Clothes that need to be ironed, dry cleaned, or hand washed)
5. Please finish this sentence. "I'd like to visit the beach today and --------------."

My answers:

1. I have a couple of very vague memories from when I was about 3 or 4 years old, but it's from about 5 years old that I can more clearly remember events such as playing in the backyard that summer and my first days of school.
2. I'm not a big fan of tomato sauces on pasta, unless it's baked - like a lasagna. But I love alfredo sauce! When I make spaghetti and meatballs for the rest of the family, I serve it with the pasta in one bowl and the meatballs and sauce in another because I and a couple of my kids don't like the tomato sauce on our pasta. I eat my spaghetti with just butter. 
3. Seems like everything I do on the internet takes much longer than I planned for, and yeah - that keeps me from other things I should be doing. I am working on budgeting my time better. I have to, because school will be starting soon and I will have to stick to a better routine!
4. I really don't buy many clothes at all. I prefer things that are easy care, but it's usually not a deal-breaker if it's something that needs to be ironed or hand-washed. If it's dry clean only, I'd rather not get it.
5. I'd like to visit the beach today and visit with some friends. If I was going to the beach, I'd choose to go with a couple of good friends and do some catching up.

Visit Chat 151 at Everyday Ruralty to join in! 

©2008-2014 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/

Chat on the Farmhouse Porch #150

Good morning! It's time for the weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch hosted by Everyday Ruralty. Actually, the others started chatting sometime yesterday, but I wasn't home to join in. This has been a strange week - my computer is being repaired, so I am making do with an older (and much slower!) one, which has limited my blogging and online time. Then my hubby cracked a rib so looking after him has taken my time as well.

This week's questions:

1. Do you ever watch old TV shows or movies from your childhood or youth?
2. Have you ever adopted a rescued animal?
3. Are you good at keeping track of paperwork and records?
4. What would you like the Magic Fairy Wendell to poof with his wand, and turn it into a treat for you? Any snack or sweet you would like. It doesn't have to do with carrots, or HE'D eat it!
5. Tell me something interesting - please.

My answers:

1. I don't watch much TV at all, but I think it's fun to watch old sitcoms and movies with my kids. Old TV show favorites are vintage cartoons (think The Flintstones or Bugs Bunny), Gilligan's Island, Magnum P.I., and The A-Team. Our whole family loves Seinfeld, but I was a young adult when that first came out. My daughter and I sometimes watch old movies together - mostly early Disney films.
2. No, I haven't, although one of our cats was rescued from a construction yard after being abandoned by its mama.
3. Ahem. Not really. I mean... I keep them, and know where they are, but unfortunately they are not very well-organized, so probably no one but me can find anything easily. I am working on tidying it up though!
4. It's been quite awhile since I had baklava, and I love it, so that's the treat I'd like to have if Wendell the Magic Horse is still taking requests today.
5. We had plans to take a day trip for our anniversary, which is tomorrow, but with hubby's cracked rib, he can hardly move, so I think we'll put off our plans for when he's healed up a bit.

Visit Chat 150 at Everyday Ruralty to join in! 

©2008-2014 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/

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch #149

I've decided to move my part in the weekly Chat on the Farmhouse Porch hosted by Everyday Ruralty to this blog instead of posting on my homeschool blog. Welcome to "Just A Second", especially if you haven't been here before. I started this blog to keep a record of books I was reading, plus some other things that didn't quite fit on a blog that was supposed to be dedicated to our homeschool. Well, I got to posting almost everything on my homeschool blog and only about books here, and neglected this one from time to time as well. Now that I've been posting here more, and trying to focus the Homeschool Coffee Break on homeschool a little more, I felt like some of these fun, chatty extra features belonged here. I hope you enjoy your visit, and I'd be glad to have you subscribe or follow, and come back any time. 

So... here are this week's questions:

1. Other than those who live in your home, who's the last person that came to your front door?
2. Do you have many photos around your home?
3. Do you like mint? Is there a favorite type of mint for you? How do you enjoy it?
4. Do you enjoy your own parties and other times with guests, or are you so busy working...?
5. What do you want to be when you grow up more? Job, hobby, self-improvement, etc.

My answers:

1. Well, we don't really use the "front" door at all, so the last time someone came there, it had to be someone that didn't know us at all! But I think the last person that came to our door would have been one of my son's friends.
2. There are quite a few framed family photos in my living room, and I have long had good intentions of framing and displaying more, but I somehow never get to it. I also have lots of photographs sitting in boxes waiting to be sorted and put into scrapbooks. Another project that will get done "someday", I suppose.
3. I can take it or leave it. I guess I like spearmint and wintergreen best. I don't care much for mint tea or mint flavored ice cream - gum and candy is enough mint for me!
4. When we have company, I try to keep it simple so things are prepared by the time guests arrive, and I prefer to leave the cleanup to do after they're gone. I like to spend the time visiting with people and relaxing, and I feel like I might be missing out on something if I am working!
5. I love how this question is worded, because I feel like I haven't completely grown up yet, even as old as I am! LOL I would like to find a job sometime, now that I don't need to be nearly as hands-on available with homeschooling any more, but I've been out of the workforce for so long now that I'm not sure what I would do. I'm trusting that when the time is right, I'll know. :-) I'd like to make more time for learning more musical skills (I'd like to relearn to play the guitar) and for some hobbies like sewing and knitting. And from my answer to Question #2, I guess I need to get some scrapbooking done!

Visit Chat 149 at Everyday Ruralty to join in! You'll especially want to look at the beautiful painting of a horse there today!

©2008-2014 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/