Happy New Year! 🙂 Stay safe and warm!
Month: December 2018
Classic Movie Friday!
Blossoms In the Dust (1941)
Greer Carson Walter Pidgeon Felix Bressart
Marsha Hunt Fay Holden Samuel S. Hinds
This film is the story of Edna Gladney (1886-1961). Apparently this is based on a true story. After the death of her adopted sister Charlotte (Marsha Hunt), Edna marries Sam Gladney (Walter Pidgeon). Sam operates a wheat mill. After they are wed, she discovers how unfair and horrible children without parents are treated and she decides to do something about this injustice. She fought for children in Texas. Apparently she visited every home in Texas for financial support. That’s a big task!!! The law discriminated against children whose parents were unknown and this stigma followed these children into adulthood. She opened an orphanage for these little ones and found homes for them. She had some opposition. It was not easy going at all. She leads the way to remove the stigma of illegitimacy on birth certificates and fights in the Texas legislature.
This is a story about tragedy, loss, sorrow, grief, injustice and victory!
My Favorite Books In 2018!
Hello Peoples. It’s the end of 2018 and we are in a snowstorm. The snowflakes are big and there isn’t any wind. It’s really a nice snowstorm. Below is the list of my favorite books for 2018, excluding the cozy mysteries. I participated in the cozy mystery challenge and I read more than 30 cozy mysteries this year, however, the cozies are a different list.
These favorite lists can be difficult to create, but I will do my best! 🙂 Since I liked them all so much, I didn’t list them in any particular order.
~ Paul Apostle of Christ by Angela Hunt
~ My Hands Come Away Red by Lisa McKay
~ The Trembling Hills by Phyllis A. Whitney
~ A Rumored Fortune by Joanna Davidson Politano
~ The House on Foster Hill by Jaime Jo Wright
~ Peace In the Valley by Ruth Logan Herne
~ The Sunflower Girl by Rosanna Chiofalo
Favorite chapter books for kids ~
The VanDerBeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser
The VanDerBeekers and the Hidden Garden
Much love ~
Kathy
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
I hope everyone had a happy Christmas! Rick and I saw Mary Poppins Returns on Christmas. It’s everything I would expect in a Mary Poppins film and so much more. I loved it.
Jane (Emily Mortimer) and Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) are adults. Sadly, Michael has been widowed for twelve months and he has three young children. He loved his wife dearly and misses her so much. The bank is foreclosing on his home and Michael is experiencing a considerable amount of stress. At just the right time, Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) arrives on the wind.
It was magical and full of wonder. The animation was great. The music, singing and dancing were great. I thoroughly enjoyed. There were times in the theater I felt like applauding! It was magical and full of wonder. Everyone was costumed correctly, for a Mary Poppins film. Highly recommend. 🙂
Merry Christmas!
photo credit ~ unsplash
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ~NIV
‘Tis the Season Book Tag ~
Ho Ho Ho! Merry Christmas! Rissi has a fun tag on her blog. I enjoy tags, so, I thought I would join in the fun! This one is simply and festive. You can find her blog at ~
Jingle Bell on over and check out her fun blog?
Creator ~ Richard Denney
~Do you have a favorite winter read?
Thank-you for asking. 🙂 Yes, I do.
Seeking The Star by Traci Borum
~Find a book with blue on the cover.
A Christmas By the Sea by Melody Carlson
~Find a book you’d use as the star on a Christmas tree.
That’s a tough one. I’d use either A Christmas by the Sea by Melody Carlson or Seeking the Star by Traci Borum.
~Pick one fictional place that would be perfect for a winter vacation.
Mitford! 🙂 I would love to visit Mitford during winter or the holiday season.
~Pick one fictional character you’d take with you on your winter vacation.
Raleigh Harmon of the Raleigh Harmon Mysteries by Sibella Giorello!
Name one book on your wish list this year.
Royally In Trouble by Jenny B. Jones. 🙂
Favorite holiday drink, treat and movie.
Steamy, decadent, hot, dark chocolate. Yummy. There are so many holiday treats I like. Christmas cookies! And my favorite holiday movie is ~ It Happened On 5th Avenue (1947). I’ve watched it three or four times now and I love it every time.
Who do you tag?
Everyone! Enjoy!
Much Love ~
Kathy
Classic Movie Friday!
All Mine To Give (1957)
Glynis Johns Cameron Mitchell Rex Thompson Patty McCormack Stephen Wooten
Tom Nolan Yolanda White Jon Provost
Robert and Jo Eunson emigrate from Scotland to Wisconsin during the 1850’s. Jo Eunson (Glynis Johns) is pregnant and the couple want their first child to be born in the America. The couple work hard and build a life for themselves in their new home. Robert (Cameron Mitchell) loves his wife dearly and the couple have a great marriage. One baby arrives right after another and the couple soon have six children! The children are loved and well cared for and are growing up in a lively home. Unfortunately tragedy strikes the family and their oldest son Robbie (Rex Thompson) must make some tough decisions for himself and his brothers and sisters.
This is a touching and sad Christmas film, but it is good and I recommend it for all ages.
Cover Art!
Hello Peoples. I decided to do something a little different at the end of this amazing year. I want to share my favorite cover art for 2018! Even though there are so many books with great cover art, it wasn’t really difficult to narrow it down. I’ve selected two books that have perfect cover art. I’m not sure I can even describe the joyful feelings I experienced when I first saw the great art work on these two books. I haven’t read either book, but I will one day. *sigh* Here they are. My favorites. A BIG shout out to the artists and photographers!
Jane by the Book by Pepper Basham!
SummerHill Secrets 1 by Beverly Lewis!
Do you love cover art? Do you have favorites for 2018? The books don’t need to be published in 2018. Any year is fine. Hard to choose a favorite??? 🙂 Share your favorites. Love to hear from you.
Much love ~
Kathy
The Rancher’s Homecoming by Anna J. Stewart
A BIG thank-you to the author for mailing a signed copy of her book to me! 🙂
This is the 5th book in Return of the Blackwell Brothers Series.
“Ten years after he eloped with Katie Montgomery’s sister, Chance Blackwell is back in Montana to sell his family ranch. Katie could loose her job and the only home she’s known. But the loyal cowgirl is keeping a secret that could shatter trust and jeopardize her future with the widowed musician and her toddler niece. Unless Chance’s growing affection for her and all things Blackwell can earn Katie his forgiveness — and his love.” ~goodreads
I liked Chance and his daughter. Chance calls his daughter ~ Bug. Isn’t that the cutest name? She is a sweetheart. She loves pink, riding horses, the animals and the ranch. And Chance, is a musician. He writes music, strums on his guitar and sings the songs he writes, but when his beloved wife passed away, he lost his muse. Now that he has returned to the ranch and with a music comeback on the horizon, he turns to writing again. Chance is my favorite of the Blackwell brothers. I thought he was sensitive.
Katie has dedicated her life to the ranch. She has her hands full with her alcoholic and physically ill father, a home that isn’t getting the care it needs and a ranch to run. She’s definitely in love with Chance and wants to hold and love her niece forever. Of course, Big E and his shenanigans are standing in the way. That man!
The Blackwell family have so many strengths. When there was an accident in the story, the Blackwells were up for the challenge and ready to assist in any way they could. They are brothers!!! They fight like brothers, jest like brothers, banter like brothers, get in each other’s way, intrude in each other’s lives, laugh together like brothers . . . and on and on it goes. 🙂
I enjoyed this story. I loved Chance, Katie and Bug. What a great family they will make. There’s so much love in those three. 4.5 tender stars!
Mystery Blogger Award
Hello Peoples. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season and all is merry and bright! 🙂 Yesterday Rick and I went shopping and I came home exhausted! Wowzer! Today I’m making Christmas cookies. Yummy.
Rachel nominated me for the Mystery Blogger Award. You can meet Rachel and check out her blog at ~
https://musingsofacoffeeaddictedbibliophile.wordpress.com/2018/12/14/mystery-blogger-award/
A BIG thank-you Rachel! 🙂
What is the Mystery Blogger Award?
The Mystery Blogger is an award for amazing bloggers with ingenious posts. ~Thank-you Rachel. ~ Their blog not only captivates; it inspires and motivates. ~ Really??? Me??? They are one of the best out there, and they deserve every recognition they get. This award is also for bloggers who find fun and inspiration in blogging; and they do it with so much love and passion.
~ https://www.okotoenigmasblog.com/ (Creator of the Mystery Blogger Award)
The Rules ~
- Put the award logo and image on your blog.
- List all the rules.
- Thank whoever nominated you and provide a link to their blog.
- Mention the creator of the award and provide a link to the creator’s blog.
- Tell your reader’s three (3) things about yourself.
- Nominate 10 to 20 people.
- Notify your nominees by commenting on their blog.
- Ask your nominees any five (5) questions of your choice.
- Share a link to your best posts.
Three Things About Myself ~
I’m a vegetarian. I don’t eat any meat. A long time ago, I did eat meat, but I jut didn’t like it all that much. Turkey and chicken were the only meats I liked and one day I decided to end it all. I haven’t looked back. I do drink milk though. 🙂
I don’t like to go shopping. *gasp* Shocking, I know! I only shop when it’s necessary. Just entering the mall exhausts me. Shopping for clothes is the worst.
I enjoy loose leaf tea. 🙂 Assam is my favorite. I also like peach green tea. I only drink peach green tea icy cold. I also like English breakfast tea and Irish tea.
Questions ~
1.) What would be your ultimate location and scenario for reading a good book?
A window seat buried in pillows with afghans and blankets. Favorite books stacked in a pile nearby. In the summer a nice, steady rainfall. In the autumn, leaves falling from the trees and a steamy hot drink with a fire in the fireplace. In the winter, as the snow falls, a wooly sweater and a steamy hot chocolate with a fire roaring in the fireplace. In the spring as the flowers bloom, I snuggy up to my favorite pillow and continue to read. All of this happens at my window seat. 🙂
2.) If you could meet any author throughout history who would it be and why?
C. S. Lewis! I love the Chronicles of Narnia. After I get to know the man, I would love to talk to him about Narnia!
3.) If you could only read one book genre for the rest of your days, what would it be, and why?
Well, first I will read the Bible for the rest of my days. More than one genre there. 🙂 I’ll go with mystery/suspense. I like to think through the mystery. I look at all the characters, the clues, etc. and try to solve the mystery.
4.) What is one of your biggest book pet peeves?
Don’t let your book get wet. Please, don’t spill drink on it or leave it outside in the rain. Keep the pages dry and happy. 🙂
5.) Do you prefer coffee or tea?
Tea!
Now! My Best Posts ~
https://katiescottagebooks.wordpress.com/2014/04/22/rowdy/
Rowdy was our beloved border collie. We love her and we miss her. She died at the beginning of May 2018. Rowdy was a great dog.
https://katiescottagebooks.wordpress.com/2016/01/29/classic-movie-friday-14/
I blog about Classic Films every Friday. Casablanca (1942) Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman is my favorite classic film and that’s the reason I chose this one. 🙂
https://katiescottagebooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/16/introducing-jamie/
Jamie was my most popular blogging post EVER! I got more traffic on this post than any other.
https://katiescottagebooks.wordpress.com/2015/08/09/this-rough-magic-by-mary-stewart/
This Rough Magic is my favorite book by Mary Stewart! Love it!
https://katiescottagebooks.wordpress.com/2016/06/24/national-fairy-day/
TWIG!!!
Wow! That was really a trip down memory lane! I didn’t realize how much is on my blog. I really don’t know if these are my best posts but they all have special meaning to me. 🙂
I TAG ~
lilisblissfulpages.wordpress
biblioblonde.com
thisismytruth.com
stephsfictionandfamilylove.wordpress
joyofreading
thenovelgnome
mackmarie.wordpress
maddysdigitaldiary.wordpress
honestavocado.wordpress
rissiwrites.com
My Questions For You~
1.) What’s your favorite Christmas song/carol?
2.) Have you ever received a Christmas gift that was especially meaningful to you? What was it?
3.) Do you prefer to do your Christmas shopping on line or do you brave the Christmas shopping crowds in the stores?
4.) What’s your favorite Christmas goodie???
5.) Do you and your family have a traditional Christmas meal you serve every year? What is it?
katiescottagebooks 