The Joyful Bookcase

The Joyful Bookcase is a post on the last Wednesday of each month to recap what I have been reading.  For the month of November, I have JOYFULLY completed the following...

NKJV, ESV, NASB, MSG

James

1, 2, 3 John

Jude

2 Samuel

Sons of Encouragement: Biblical stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers... I have not completed this one, but I am over halfway done with it.

Hope you had a great November in your reading!

Monica

 

Front Porch Chat #2

 Today is Monday, November 20, 2023

I didn't have time to get my post up yesterday but didn't think one day would matter much.

Time - 6:10 a.m.

Scene - It's much colder this morning with some light rain.  It's still dark as I am up getting ready for work.  

Today's plan - I have to work this morning and still have much cleaning up from our Thanksgiving celebration yesterday.  I spent most of the time visiting and holding my precious little lady.  Time well spent if I do say so myself.

Drinking - Coffee with Southern Butter Pecan creamer

Listening to - News 

Reading - Sons of Encouragement... still.  I've been too busy to do much reading on this book.  But have been doing my November Bible reading.  I am in the Message version right now.

Watching - Not much.  I did relax one evening and watched an episode of Monarch of the Glen.

Randomness - Spent Friday with our middle daughter and the grandbaby! She loves her Pa Pa!

She was so sleepy and fought it for so long! LOL!

I hope you all have a blessed week and Happy Thanksgiving!

Monica

Front Porch Chat #1

On my old blog, I used to do a Front Porch chat post each week.  I thought I would do it here in place of the Simple Woman's Daybook since our friend Peggy doesn't seem to currently blogging much.  

Today is Sunday, November 12, 2023

Time - 7:40 a.m.

Scene - It looks like a beautiful morning.  Cold but the sun is shining.  The yard is clear of leaves but there is a breeze so I'm sure there will be more leaves down soon.

Today's plan - We have to get the cabin cleaned and ready for the next guest coming in at 3:00 today.  After that, I need to do a couple loads of laundry and get ready for the work week.

Drinking - Coffee with Pumpkin Spice creamer

Listening to - Bill Gaither's Holiday station on Pandora.  It's a mixture of hymns and Christmas music.

Reading - I am about 400 pages into a 1000-page book... Sons of Encouragement: Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers

In November I am reading 2 Samuel, James, 1, 2, 3 John, and Jude in NKJV, ESV, NASB, MSG.  I may not make it through all the versions of every book, but I will sure try.

Watching - If I watch television at all it has been NCIS.  Since Newsmax started charging for their viewing I have not been watching any news.  I don't pay for any channels or streaming apps.  Last night I looked up a series that my friend Linda shared, Monarch of the Glen.  It's a British series.  I got through the first episode and will be watching more.

Randomness - Yesterday after we finished picking up the leaves off the yard I went and visited with our daughter and grandbaby!  I must really wear her out.  After playing with Mimi for an hour she crashes in my arms and takes her nap.  Then she is ready to go again!   She is such a happy little thing!  Here are a few pictures to put smiles on your face! LOL!

After spending about four hours with them I went and did my grocery shopping for Thanksgiving dinner.  I was shocked to find that Walmart did not have everything that I needed.  Mostly the bread cubes for my stuffing!  When I asked, they said they didn't have it out yet.  What?!  They directed me to box stuffing! As if!  My family would revolt if I made that stuff!  Lol!

Next week I'll have some Thanksgiving to share!

I hope you all have a blessed week!

Monica

 

The Simple Woman's Daybook #2

Peggy hasn't posted on her SWDB blog for a few months but I will continue the tradition of linking back to her page at The Simple Woman to share a little about my week! 

Today is Sunday, November 5, 2023

Outside - Much different from last week!  It's windy but sunny and warm!

Thankful - For the time change.  I got an extra hour of sleep; more or less.  And this little bundle of joy!

Linda Lorene 4 months

Thinking - of when the homestead sells.  Trying not to be full of anxiety over where we will live and what we will do.  The Lord knows best and will have a plan for us that I am sure of.  And this little bundle of joy!

Linda and Papa

Wearing - black leggings and a sweatshirt

Creating - Reading plan for 2024

Wondering - About many of my old blogging friends and if they are still around.  I have touched base with two dear ladies, Dianne and Barbara.  Still waiting to hear from a couple others.

Reading this week -   NKJV The Book of John chapters 6 - 21; James; 1, 2, 3 John; Jude

ESV 1 Samuel 6 - 31; 2 Samuel 1 - 8

The Sons of Encouragement: Biblical Stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers. 

Praying - Dan's cousin who had a heart attack this week.

Looking forward to - Thanksgiving with my girls!

Learning - to lean on Jesus!  A Never-ending lesson.

Around the house - Was going to pick up the leaves this weekend.  The weather was beautiful and dry. BUT, ended up doing other odd things that needed to be done to prepare for the sale of the house.  Like where we will be sleeping! LOL!  We have another home, but it is rented on VRBO and ABNB most of the time.  There is a shop that has tiny living quarters that we are working on. That is the extent of what I can do until I know when I have to move for sure.  When I get a date there will be a yard sale and lots of quick packing up.

Scripture of the week - James 1:2-3 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

Have a blessed week! 

Monica

The Simple Woman's Daybook #1

It would be awesome if you would join me in linking up with Peggy at The Simple Woman to share a little about your week!  It's been a long time but I am looking forward to this weekly post!

Today is Sunday October 29th, 2023

Outside - Cold and cloudy morning.

Thankful - for my job.  I had a season of discontentment.  The Lord has helped me to see that I have it pretty good and I'm not in need of anything.

Thinking - I'm not ready for this cold weather that is coming.

Wearing - blue jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt with IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL on the back.

Creating - a new blogging season.  I'm not a creative person so I hope this comes together with some sort of regularity.

Wondering - How long I will stick with it this time! LOL!

Reading this week -   NKJV The Book of John chapters 1 - 5

 ESV 1 Samuel 1 - 5

 The Sons of Encouragement: Biblical Stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas by Francine Rivers.  I just started this book yesterday; a cold and dreary day.

Praying - Daughters and their families, Dan, niece and her future, nephew and his marriage, sale of the homestead, and plans for our future.

Looking forward to - The sale of the homestead being over with.  This sort of thing really makes me fret and I know I shouldn't.

Learning - to lean on Jesus!

In the kitchen -   There hasn't been much going on in the kitchen for quite some time.  I hope with the holiday season coming I will be motivated to make something happen in there.

Around the homestead - There isn't much on this homestead anymore.  I have the place for sale and I have a contract being put together as we speak.  It may take some time to close as it is a Federal USDA Loan.  I still have chickens to care for but they will be sold with the homestead.

Scripture of the week - John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 

The first verse of my reading for this week.

Have a blessed week! 

Monica

Back to blogging

 I have been away from the blogging community for quite some time.  I've been working out life and trying to figure out what my future looks like.  After a divorce and reconciliation, I am ready to pick up the books again and write some blog posts.  

My reading was all over the place.  I have decided to only read books I wouldn't be ashamed to share with my wonderful Christian grandmother.  I am reading Francine Rivers Sons of Encouragement: Biblical stories of Aaron, Caleb, Jonathan, Amos, and Silas.  It's just over a thousand pages so it may take a bit for me to get through.

I'm back. I'm looking forward to sharing my reading and blessings here with you once again.

Seeds of Yesterday

The Seeds of Yesterday.  V. C. Andrews.  #4 Dollanganger series. Published by Pocket.  Originally 1984.  408 pages.  Source: Purchased from betterworldbooks.com.

First sentence: And so it came to pass the summer when I was fifty-two and Chris was fifty-four that our mother's promise of riches, made long ago when I was twelve and Chris was fourteen, was at last realized.

Plot:  Cathy and Chris, entwined with the evil that haunts their children, living with the fearful spectre of Foxworth Hall, are awaiting the final, shuddering climax... prisoners of a past they cannot escape.

My thoughts: This family needs more therapy than can be provided by one professional. Just saying. Cathy's youngest boy terrorized the family his entire life and she fed his crazy behavior instead of actually addressing it. Now in his manhood he is very wealthy thanks to his grandmother leaving him the vast majority of the Foxworth estate. And he continues to terrorize them all.  This story will make you believe that insanity is hereditary.  

Cathy lives in an alternate reality.  Thinking that life can be normal when your spouse is your brother!  This really is a sick and twisted story but I have to see it to the end.  One more book left in the series.