Resolutions for 2011

This is the first New Year's Eve I will celebrate through my blog, so I have decided to post my main resolutions here. Feel free to share some of your resolutions, as well! We can encourage each other as we express our hopes for 2011. =)

Exercise

As a blog-lover and student, I spend a lot of time indoors (in front of my computer). We have a lovely gym on campus, as well as a nature trail, and while I have used them in the past, I have become much more inconsistent with my workouts. I don't want to limit myself to only specific types of workouts, but I do want to work out at least three times a week, in some form or fashion. God has given me this body, and I need to take better care of it. In that sense, I also want to work on eating healthier (especially eating fewer sweets).

Learn to Drive

As some of you already know, I do not have my driver's license. I have never taken Driver's Education classes. I don't have my permit. And while I certainly don't want to rush into driving, I think it's time to learn. I'm still nervous, yes. And I don't want to get a car (which entails paying for gas and paying for car insurance) until it's absolutely necessary. But I know that I would gain more independence and be a greater help to my family if I knew how to drive. So my goal is to get my license before 2011 is over (preferably during the summer when I am at home).

Finish my Manuscript

This is a big one for me this year. I've had high hopes in the past of completing my manuscript, but it hasn't happened yet. This year, though, I'm setting forth a game plan. I told a dear friend about my desire to go to the Oregon Christian Writer's Conference this summer, and she encouraged me to go ahead and act as if I am going, even if it doesn't work out. So my goal is to finish my manuscript by May 31, 2011, and then polish and edit so that I can write a proposal and submit it for the conference. I'm about halfway through as of now. I love this story God has allowed me to write so far, and if it is His will I want to start taking the steps toward publication this year. Only He knows where it will go, but I think it's time to step out in faith and really set aside the time to write.

"Wake up with the Dawn"

One movie that has really touched me and blessed me is Tuck Everlasting. As a believer, I love the movie's message about not fearing death and truly living one's life. There are many great quotes from the movie, but one that I want to really live out this year is when Jesse tells Winnie, "Wake up with the dawn." If I don't have to be somewhere in the morning, I have a really hard time waking up early. (This could be partly due to the fact that I'm quite the night owl!) While I don't necessarily want to "wake up with the dawn" literally, I do want to treat each day as the gift it is and wake up earlier. I want to spend more time with the Lord, and I think it really does make a difference to start your day focusing on Him. I often wake up, get ready, and then look at my blog before rushing about with the activities of everyday life. I want to change that, and I know I can only do that through God's help. May I truly live for Him alone!

Whatever our resolutions are, may we seek God's will and seek His mercy and strength in living lives that will please Him throughout 2011 and all the days of our lives. See you in the New Year!

Blog Award # 9

I couldn't begin 2011 without taking care of some unfinished business! ;)

My dear blogging friend, Hannah from Project Journal, presented me with this really fun award a few months ago:

Pretty cool, huh? I'm sorry it took me so long to post about this! I don't know if there are any official rules I need to follow for passing this award on to others, so I'll just choose five bloggers whose blogs regularly inspire me with their awesomeness. And they are:

• Casey from Writing for Christ, Operation Encourage an Author, and The Writer's Alley
• Joy from Edgy Inspirational Romance
• Julia from Dark Glass Ponderings and The Writer's Alley
• Renee from Black 'n Gold Girl's Bookspot
• Renee Ann from Doorkeeper

There are many more I could include on this list, so if your blog isn't mentioned in this specific post, don't think for one moment that you aren't awesome! ;)

Thank you, ladies, for your awesome posts on your awesome blogs! And don't forget to visit Hannah's awesome blog, too!

Looking Ahead: 2011 and "Seasons of Humility"

Thank you all for making 2010 a most memorable year for me! I can't believe it's been close to a year since I started to blog. On the other hand, I can't believe it's only been that long. Time is a funny thing!

I have loved taking this journey with you. God has blessed me abundantly through "Seasons of Humility"--through your friendship, your kindness, and your encouragement. I hope this blog will be a place you'll want to visit often in 2011, as well!

I'm excited to give you a glimpse into my hopes for this blog in 2011. Of course, this is by no means a list of what exactly will happen in 2011. As Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart deviseth his way: but the Lord directeth his steps."

And as James 4:13-15 says, "Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."

So this is just a look at some tentative plans for this blog in 2011:

To Keep and Continue:

• Sundays by the Sea--I have enjoyed having this weekly feature, even if doesn't always happen every week! ;) When I'm at school in Oregon, I'm farther from the ocean than when I'm at home in Northern California, but nevertheless I have loved taking a deeper look at this aspect of God's creation and writing devotional posts. I hope to continue this weekly feature, looking at the sea from different angles and sharing hope and encouragement with you at the beginning of the week.

• Mondays for the Military--Along with "Sundays by the Sea," this weekly feature has lasted through the months and become a bigger gift than I could have anticipated. It has been such a privilege to meet military men and women, as well as those who minister to them, through these posts. Thank you to all of you for making it such a success! It is my hope to not only continue this feature, but expand it--to post more regularly and introduce you to even more of our nation's heroes. I'm going to enable the comments on this feature's page, so feel free to visit and share your thoughts about the feature (and let me know about any military men and women you know who might like to be featured here!).
  

• Sightseeing by the Seasons--Let me start by apologizing for not pursuing this series more actively...yet. I haven't given up, though, and I'm thinking about bribing some of you to help me give this feature the shove it needs to take off! ;) Be looking for a post or two regarding this series near the beginning of this new year. And feel free to take a look at this feature's page. I'm going to enable the comments on this page, as well, so if you have any suggestions for me, fire away! I would love any assistance!
  

Annual Events:

• Camp Humility--I had so much fun hosting this "summer camp" here on my blog, that I would love to do it again! Last year we had a great time rafting, hiking, telling stories around the campfire, etc. So be looking for the Second Annual Week-Long Camp Humility in May or June!

• End of Summer Bash--It's hard to see the end of summer approaching, knowing that the carefree days of warmth (and no homework!) are coming to an end. But end the summer with a bang and join me for the Second Annual End of Summer Bash in August, where you'll see some of your favorite authors and enjoy lots of fun giveaways!

• Love Finds You Blog Party--What an event this was in 2010! Join us in late fall/early winter of 2011 for another party celebrating the "Love Finds You" book series. More authors, more giveaways, and more travels to the fun and quirky towns featured in these books!

New Events:

• Contentment Reading Challenge 2011--This is the first reading challenge I've ever joined, and the first one I've ever hosted! The purpose of the challenge is to foster an overall attitude of contentment and encourage all those who join to look back on the books they love and read them again. You can read all of the details (and join the challenge) by going to this feature's page. The comments have been enabled. Since this is a year-long feature, there will be monthly posts regarding the challenge. Hopefully, there will be some fun extras for all who join. More information to come in January 2011!

• Valentine's Day Party--Original, I know. This is not the final name of the party, so no worries! ;) I have nothing official to tell you about this yet, but just know that there's a party in the works (at least in my imagination so far!), and it should be pretty sweet!

• Blogoversary--The end of March marks the first birthday of this blog, which is cause to celebrate! I'm hoping to have a big party, so stay tuned!

This is just a taste of some of my dreams for this blog in 2011! Of course, there will still be plenty of book reviews, movie reviews (including more PBS Masterpiece!), themed weeks, and updates about the everyday life of Amber Stokes. ;) I can't wait to start this new year with all of you!

On New Year's Eve be looking for a post about my resolutions. I love a new year!

(Note: The picture above is of another one of our Christmas decorations!)

My Review of Love Finds You Under the Mistletoe

Here's a description of the two-in-one book from Summerside Press:

"Irene Brand

Love Finds You under the Mistletoe: An Appalachian Christmas

A promise to her dying sister compels Julia Mayfield to take her young nephew to Mistletoe, Kentucky, a tiny town tucked away in the Appalachian Mountains. Sparks fly when she meets David Armstrong, a World War II veteran like herself. Even as shadows from the past weave a dangerous web around Julia and David, will their love flourish like the mistletoe that blankets the nearby hills?

Anita Higman

Love Finds You under the Mistletoe: Once Upon a Christmas Eve

Hollie Goodnight’s store has just been voted best Christmas shop in America. All the new publicity draws flamboyant novelist Van Keaton to the cozy town of Noel, Missouri, demanding to write Hollie’s story—a dramatic tale of misfortune and triumph. She is swept up in his world of beautiful words and fanciful interludes…until Owen Quigly, her lifelong best friend, launches a plan to win her back."

My Rating: Spring

My Review:

This is a sweet book for the Christmas season, or anytime of the year! The first story by Irene Brand, "An Appalachian Christmas," is a cute story that transports the reader to Mistletoe, Kentucky. It's perhaps a bit syrupy sweet at times, in that it has rather traditional romantic elements that aren't too surprising, but it's still a fun trip. I confess that I had moments when I was rather frustrated with Julia, the main character, and I don't know if the tension/conflict throughout the story was overly compelling for me as the reader. However, what I really liked about the story was getting to visit Mistletoe and spend some time in the mountains with the characters. There are some great secondary characters, like Granny and Bobby!

The second story by Anita Higman, "Once Upon a Christmas Eve," is really fun! The plot and setting is rather unique, and the characters even more so. Holly and the two men vying for her attention, Van Keaton and Owen Quigley, are both quirky and charming. I was intrigued while reading this story, and I liked that it was a romantic story with almost outrageous elements that didn't compromise on authentic emotions.

Overall, I really enjoyed these two stories. In case you haven't seen this cover in person for yourself, let me assure you that it is quite lovely. It has a sort of silvery shine to it, which I love! And between the covers are two stories that shine with Christmas cheer and love.

Reminiscing: Favorite Books of 2010

Before we dive into today's discussion, I thought we could make our retreat/party even more hoppin' with some music and dancing! I recently bought a CD at Target (with a gift card from my grandparents) called "Big Band Memories." Gotta love that Big Band music!

So click on the video below to hear one of the songs, and enjoy the picture of some of our Charlie Brown Christmas decorations. ;) You can settle in on the couch here and enjoy, or get up and join me in some swing dance and lindy hop!



Phew! That was fun!

Today we're talking about our favorite books from 2010 (the books that were published this past year). I'll share my top 5 favorites with you, and count down backwards, starting with my 5th favorite. But first, I have to say that I don't know if this list is completely accurate, because I loved so many books that came out this past year, and I'm sure there are many more that could be put in this list! I should also add that there are 2010 releases I haven't read yet that could have made it on this list if I had read them by now.

Favorite Books of 2010

#5: Making Waves--This was such a cute book! I really enjoyed it, and it was so fun to travel to Lake Manawa through it's pages. A great summer read (or anytime you're longing for a summer vacation!). You can read my review of the book HERE.




# 4: Love Finds You in Lahaina, Hawaii--This book was so unique and so epic! The cover gives you a hint of the adventure found within the pages. Very beautiful! (And might I add that purple is one of my favorite colors!) And I love that this book has an historical and a modern storyline, and the romance is so sweet. You can read my review of the book HERE.

#3: A Tailor-Made Bride--This book has it all: swoon-worthy romance, a Western setting, and well-woven-in spiritual truths. I loved it! You can read my review of the book HERE.






# 2: She Walks in Beauty--This book is just plain beautiful. The historical detail is amazing, and the book is very well-written with great details that transport the reader into the past. And the romance...*sigh.* You can read my review of the book HERE.




#1: Courting Morrow Little--Gorgeous! The setting, the characters, the heartbreak, the drama, the romance, the love...this book is amazing! I couldn't put it down! With a grand cover and an even grander story, this book is not to be missed! You can read my review of the book HERE.



Haven't the covers been fabulous this past year?

Here are links to my reviews of some of the other 2010 books I loved (in no particular order):

• Within My Heart by Tamera Alexander
• A Hopeful Heart by Kim Vogel Sawyer
• Surrender the Heart by MaryLu Tyndall
• A Memory Between Us by Sarah Sundin
• Emily's Chance by Sharon Gillenwater
• Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania by Cerella Sechrist

What are your favorite books from this past year? And which books are you really looking forward to in 2011? I think if I dived into that last question, I would have to write another post! ;)

Reminiscing: Favorite Movies of 2010

Welcome back to the retreat! I've put a few more logs on the fire, so it should be quite comfortable inside. Anyone want some hot chocolate? With marshmallows and whipped cream? Oh, and of course some chocolate sauce and chocolate chips! ;)

Today we're talking about our favorite movies from 2010. I'm going to cheat a little and mention my top 5 favorite movies that I saw for the first time this year. They're not necessarily movies that were released this year. Hope you don't mind! I'll go backwards through the list, starting with my 5th favorite.

Favorite Movies of 2010

• #5: Northanger Abbey--The winter/spring of 2010 was my official foray into the world of PBS Masterpiece. I loved Northanger Abbey so much when I watched it on T.V. with one of my college friends that I ended up buying a DVD copy! While this had already aired on PBS Masterpiece before, I saw it for the first time this past year and fell in love with the humorous and charming Henry Tilney. You can read my review HERE.

• #4: How to Train Your Dragon--Even though the first time I watched this was through Amazon.com Video on Demand, I was still blown away by this epic and very sweet story! I watched it again the other night (after getting a copy for Christmas) on the big screen T.V. in our home, and I was even more impressed with the animation and the music. Great movie!

• #3: Toy Story 3--This might actually be my second favorite of the year, but wherever it fits it for sure has to be on this list! I have loved all of the Pixar movies thus far, and the Toy Story series is no exception. This latest installment has made me cry every time I have seen it (twice in theaters, and once at home so far). Very powerful! You can read my review HERE.

• #2: Sherlock--What an intriguing new series! Over this past year I have fallen in love with PBS Masterpiece, and this new PBS Masterpiece Mystery version of the story of Sherlock Holmes thrilled me with it's great characters, wonderful humor, and freaky plots. I have season 1 on DVD, and I cannot wait for season 2 to come out next year!!! You can read my reviews of this series HERE.
  

• #1: North & South--While I admit that this is not a 2010 release, I saw this movie/miniseries for the first time this past year, and it is absolutely breath-taking. Simply gorgeous! Thank you to everyone who recommended this movie to me--I am so, so glad I have seen it, and that I have it on DVD so I can watch it over and over again! You can read my review HERE.

What are your favorite movies you saw for the first time this past year? What are you looking forward to watching in 2011? (I know I'm looking forward to more PBS Masterpiece!)

(Note: The picture at the top of the post is of my grandparents' fireplace. Cozy!)

My Review of The Snowflake

Here's a description of the book from B & H Publishing:
"Christmas 1897. Ellen Pierce and her brother are determined to reach the Alaska gold rush. But when ice stalls their steamship, all seems lost, until Buck Lewis makes a decision: he'll lead all who dare to follow on foot toward Dawson City.

Buck is determined to leave behind a heartbreaking past. No amount of ice or weather will stop him. But he never counted on a woman joining a dangerous wilderness trek--or on falling in love with her.

As their journey unfolds and Christmas approaches, Ellen and Buck discover that the greatest gift of all can't be wrapped in paper and tied with a bow. It comes from, and is received in, the heart.

Come share in a soul-deep romance that gives a joyful reminder of a redeeming God who makes us each unique, yet loves us all the same."

My Rating: Spring/Summer

My Review:

Full of adventure, romance, and some rather deep topics, The Snowflake is a novella with a beautiful cover and an intriguing story! Right from the start, I was drawn in through the epigraph:

"They say that every snowflake is different. If that were true, how could the world go on? How could we ever get up off our knees? How could we ever recover from the wonder of it?" (From Jeanette Winterson, The Passion, 1987)

Talk about powerful! I appreciate the themes throughout this book of love (God's love, and romantic love), uniqueness, and being non-judgmental. And I've loved stories with this sort of setting for years: the Yukon, mining towns, gold rush, etc. For a short story, The Snowflake sets forth quite the journey!

However, the other side of that token is that this book could probably be continued/extended. I think The Snowflake would make a great full-length novel, especially because the two main characters (Buck and Ellen) could use some more time to get to know each other.

Also, a big issue at the beginning of the story is Ellen's brother's state of mind, and the way that this "issue" is resolved is a bit disturbing and leaves the reader wondering about Ellen's heart attitude (although she did have her share of suffering). There's just so much going on in the first part of the book, and I'm not sure it was completely explored in a way that fully satisfies.

All in all, though, The Snowflake shows the wonder of forgiveness and love, and it's a story that is hard to put down!

*With thanks to Linda from Mocha with Linda for my copy of the book, which I won during a giveaway on her blog.*