I'll Be Home for Christmas!

This is my 250th post, which is just one more reason to celebrate in addition to this completed checklist:

• Life Science Final: Check!
• Petrine Epistles Final: Check!
  
• Literary Criticism Final: Check!
• Personal Belief Statement: Check!
• General Psychology Final: Check!

And tomorrow morning I will start my journey home! It's true what they say: "There's no place like home for the holidays." I can't wait to see my family again!

The picture above is of me and my family last year. =)

Mom, Dad, Emily, Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Billy, Muffin Man (Emily's cat), Mr. Murphy (my cat), Shadow (my uncle's dog), and Candy (my sister's bunny) . . . I'm coming home!!! Can't wait to see you all!!!

And to my dear blogging friends, be looking for a book review or two, a "Book Blog Swap" with Joy from Edgy Inspirational Romance, a Christmas interview on Hannah's blog for her "Christmas Blogfest," and other fun posts in the coming days before Christmas!

150th Post Celebration!

Welcome to the party and book discussion, everyone! Since there has been so much excitement about Julie Lessman's books recently, I hope that it's alright if we discuss the last book of hers that I read: A Passion Denied. I think many of you have read it, and if you haven't, then feel free to join in the party anyway!

Before we get started with the book discussion, though, let's get the party started! I'm sure many of you have either read or heard of the book Making Waves by Lorna Seilstad. I'm not too far into the story, but I'm really enjoying it so far! Anyway, in honor of this book, how about we go sailing?

The weather is just right, don't you think? I love the warmth with a slight breeze surrounded by blue skies! Ashley, dear, don't lean out too far! Don't tell me you're trying to get Trip to rescue you? ;)

After sailing, perhaps we can play some miniature golf! Each person pick their favorite-colored golf ball. Oh, Renee, I think I found a black one with gold spots for you!

Julia, I had no idea you were so good at this! ;) We can all chat about Julie Lessman's books while we wait for our turns.

Now, after all of the fun and games, wouldn't it be great to find a nice place for an elegant meal, with comfortable chairs set up for our book discussion? What do you think of this?

Pretty neat, huh? I think it's just the right atmosphere for our party/book discussion! As far as food goes, there's some fresh fruit (grapes, sliced oranges, and strawberries), cheese, and dainty sandwiches. And of course we have dessert! Help yourself to some "Death by Chocolate" cake, lemon cake, vanilla ice cream, and more strawberries (this time dipped in chocolate!).

Go ahead and pile up your plates while I tell you about the giveaway! I recently read Love, Charleston and one of you can have a chance to read it, too. =) Since there will be various comments not pertaining to the giveaway, remember that you must let me know you want to be entered in the drawing, you must leave your e-mail address in your comment, you must be a follower, and you must have a U.S. mailing address if you want to enter the giveaway. The drawing is for today only, and a winner will be announced on Sunday! Be sure and read my review of this book first, just so you know what sort of book this is before you decide to enter the giveaway.

Is everyone settled in now? Casey, you can get more food than that--there's plenty for everyone! And Bluerose, you are going to have a piece of the "Death by Chocolate" cake, right? Now, let's get the discussion of A Passion Denied going!

--The verses at the beginning of the book are Psalm 104:1-4 (NLT), which read, "O Lord my God, how great you are! You are robed with honor and with majesty . . . You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind. The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants." What parts/ideas of the book really stood out for you as reminders that God is majestic and sovereign? And do you think the last verse describes Brady well? Why or why not? Or do you think it describes another character better?

--Who do you feel you relate to more: Brady or Beth/Lizzie? Whose struggles and hopes most fit your own?

--Do you agree or disagree with Lizzie's pursuit of Brady? Do you think she could have handled her feelings for Brady better or done (or not done) things differently to get his attention and convince him of her love for him?

--What did you learn from Marcy and Patrick's story in this particular book? Were you left encouraged and moved by how it all turned out?

There is a lot more to discuss from this book, so feel free to offer your own questions or only answer a few (or all) of the questions above. Whatever you would like to do! =)

Enjoy the celebration, and thank you for continuing to make blogging such a treat for me! You readers are wonderful!

(Pictures above are from my trip to Nevada this summer. The first is from Lake Tahoe, the second is from a golf course near Lake Tahoe, and the third is from a building--part of a former "Cider Factory"--near where we ate breakfast outside during our stay at Edith Palmer's Country Inn in Virginia City.)

Christmas in July: Day Two

A fun Christmas tradition that takes on many different forms and is completed in many different ways is . . . decorating!

Decorations lend a feeling of celebration to the season, and they can be so much fun to put up! Take, for example, my dorm room this last year at college. My roommate and I had a great time tacking a garland above the window, putting lights and little figurines around the room, and adding general merriment to our living space. (See picture above.) My parents sent decorations for practically every holiday, so our dorm room tended to be quite festive throughout the year!

And I just love how my mom decorates our home for Christmas! Inside and out, it is a beautiful sight! From our four stockings (and one for the cat, too!) hanging in the living room, to the gorgeous Christmas tree, to little scenes set up on tables and cabinets . . . our home is always decked out for the holidays.

Now, my uncle and my grandparents go all out, too. My uncle sets up the outside of the house like something right out of Christmas Vacation (well, almost!), and my grandma sets up the inside as a cozy haven for our family, with lots of miniatures, including a Dickens village over the fireplace!

Decorations help us set apart holidays and special occasions from day to day life. Just seeing any kind of decorations gives us a thrill because we know that something out of the ordinary is occurring. Decorations are so much fun!

But even though there are certain days set apart from others, when we are saved by the Lord, we have so much to celebrate every day! How blessed we are!

As we celebrate this day God has given us, let's talk about some of our favorite Christmas decorations! Would anybody like to share some Christmas decorating memories, as well?

(And if you would like to be entered in the Christmas giveaway this week, make sure to leave a comment on yesterday's post first! Thanks!)