Just A Second

Sunday, December 17

Scripture and a Snapshot - God With Us (Advent)

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what was said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").

~Matthew 1:18-23~

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God."

~Revelation 21:3~

Scripture & a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

Glimpses is hosted by Embracing Every Day, a lifestyle blog by Barbie Swihart.

Wednesday, December 13

Wordless Wednesday - Decorations

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String Art Star by KAT, December 2017

Record Snowfall by KAT, December 2017

Record Snowfall *merry and bright* by KAT, December 2017

This post is linked at Wordless Wednesday, hosted by Life at Rossmont; and at Pictorial Tuesday, hosted by Peabea's Scribble Pad.

Tuesday, December 12

Teaser Tuesday/First Chapter First Paragraph - French Women Don't Get Fat

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Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Ambrosia at The Purple Booker. To play along, just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
Be careful not to include spoilers!
Share the title and author, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR lists if they like your teasers!

All the chatter about diets I hear at cocktail parties in America would make any French woman cringe. In France, we don't talk about "diets," certainly not with strangers. We may eventually share a trick or two we've learned with a very close friend -- some cunning refinement of an old French principle.

~French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano, page 8

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First Chapter/First Paragraph/Tuesday Intros is a weekly link-up hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea. To participate, share the first paragraph (or two) of a book you're reading, or thinking about reading.

OUVERTURE

Whatever the state of Franco-American relations -- admittedly a bit frayed from time to time -- we should not lose sight of the singular achievements of French civilization. Until now, I humbly submit, one glorious triumph has remained largely unacknowledged, yet it's a basic and familiar anthropological truth: French women don't get fat.

I am no physician, physiologist, psychologist, nutritionist, or any manner of "-ist" who helps or studies people professionally. I was, however, born and raised in France, and with two good eyes I've been observing the French for a lifetime. Plus, I eat a lot. One can find exceptions, as with any rule, but overwhelmingly, French women do as I do: they eat as they like and don't get fat. Pourquoi?

Here's the blurb:

French women don't get fat, even though they enjoy bread and pastry, wine, and regular three-course meals. Unlocking the simple secrets of this "French paradox"-- how they enjoy food while staing slim and healthy -- Mireille Guiliano gives us a charming, inspired take on health and eating for our times. For anyone who has slipped out of her Zone, missed the flight to South Beach, or accidentally let a carb pass her lips, here is a positive way to stay trim, a culture's most precious secrets recast for the twenty-first century. A life of wine, bread -- even chocolate -- without girth or guilt? Pourquoi pas?

What do you think? Would you continue reading?

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Monday, December 11

What I'm Reading - December 11, 2017

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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!

I finished reading . . .

India Black (A Madam of Espionage Mystery) by Carol K. Carr - A London madam teams up with a British spy to recover important documents before Russian operatives can get them out of the country in this exciting adventure. (Read my full review HERE.)

I'm currently reading . . .

An Awakened Heart (Orphan Train): An Orphan Train Novellaby Jody Hedlund - a prequel to With You Always, which I read and reviewed in the summer.

Isaiah's Daughter: A Novel of Prophets and Kings by Mesu Andrews - This one has become my "priority" read again, and I love it so much. The adopted daughter of the prophet Isaiah is the best friend and the betrothed of King Hezekiah.

French Women Don't Get Fat: The Secret of Eating for Pleasure by Mireille Guiliano - got started on this interesting book which begins with a bit of the author's biography.

Next on the stack...

My Heart Belongs in Castle Gate, Utah: Leanna's Choice by Angie Dicken
The Ladies of Ivy Cottage (Tales from Ivy Hill)by Julie Klassen
When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert

On my blogs recently . . .

Here on Just A Second:

Recent Reads - India Black
Scripture and a Snapshot - Away in a Manger (Advent)
Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Lights

And on my homeschool blog, Homeschool Coffee Break:

Homeschool Highlights - Holiday Edition (Week Fourteen)
Heirloom Audio Productions (Blogging Through the Alphabet)
Virtual Refrigerator Holiday Art Edition - Record Snowfall
Waiting For Saint Nicholas

What are you reading?

Sunday, December 10

Recent Reads - India Black

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India Black (A Madam of Espionage Mystery) by Carol K. Carr - I'm so glad I finally read this book that has been on my TBR for so long! It was a highly entertaining mystery and spy story with great characters. The tale is narrated by the enterprising India Black herself, and she opens her story by stating in no uncertain terms that she is a whore, but that the story she tells in the following pages will not be a salacious account of what goes on in the brothel she owns, but a narrative of how she managed to get mixed up in espionage and intrigue.

Sir Latham from the War Office has a heart attack and dies while in her establishment, and India quickly comes up with a plan to remove the body to be found somewhere else in hopes of keeping attention away from her business. Unfortunately, her activities are observed by an enigmatic British spy known only as French, and when the case of government documents Sir Latham had with him goes missing, French and the British government put pressure on India to help them steal the documents back. From the Russians. Which involves some pretty creative work on the part of India and some of her business associates. The enterprise is not entirely successful, but having played her part, India could wash her hands of the entire affair, but her pride and sense of adventure goad her into continuing the quest to obtain those papers.

India's narrative takes the reader along on the thrilling chase through the backstreets of London to the government offices and embassies; and then on a cross-country race to Dover in hopes of catching the Russians before they make the crossing to France. The uneasy partnership between India and French is tested several times, and more than once they must rely on the dirty young street urchin that is oddly loyal to both of them.

Although there are no graphic details, India makes no apology for her line of business and what goes on her brothel, and must make use of her particular knowledge and background in the attempts to thwart the foreign spies. The narrative does make clear reference to the activities of the brothel and its inhabitants throughout, so I don't recommend this book to anyone who would be offended or bothered by these types of descriptions and slightly coarse language, or by a general lack of modesty or morality.

Scripture and a Snapshot - Away In a Manger (Advent)

So Joseph also went up from Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

~Luke 2:4-7~

In peace I will lie down and sleep,

for you alone, LORD,

make me dwell in safety.

~Psalm 4:8~

Scripture & a Snapshot is hosted by A Glimpse of Our Life.

Sunday Scripture Blessings is hosted by Peabea Scribble Pad.

Glimpses is hosted by Embracing Every Day, a lifestyle blog by Barbie Swihart.

Wednesday, December 6

Wordless Wednesday - Holiday Lights

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The above picture was taken a couple weeks ago at a local store, in their holiday department.

On Saturday evening, the hubby and I went to Williamsport to try a barbecue place we'd heard about, and in order to make our trip a little more worthwhile, we also spent some time at the town's Annual Charlie Brown Christmas at Springfield Farm.