2009 November

Nov 26, 2009

Thankful for…

…my gracious Savior, who has rescued me, called me, loved me, and continues to work on me.

…my husband, who puts up with me (even when I’m acting a bit, um, crazy), helps me, loves me, spoils me, prays for me, takes care of me, encourages me.

…my two boys, who make me laugh, cause my to heart expand on a daily basis, make me proud, fill me with wonder, amaze me, love me, impress me, hug me.

…our extended families, who love God, love us, love our boys.

…dear friends who listen, affirm, advise, inspire, entertain, and put up with me.

…little daily delights like coffee, books, good music, dark chocolate.

…and so much more.

Thank you, God, for all these, and so many more, blessings.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Filed Under: General Ramblings 5 Comments

Nov 25, 2009

FIR Giveaway: The Silent Gift

written by katrina · 23 Comments

Note: This giveaway is going up a bit early this week, due to the arrival of Thanksgiving tomorrow.

Time for another Fall Into Reading 2009 book giveaway, sponsored by Bethany House! But first, here’s last week’s winner:

The winner of The Karma of Jesus is:

Comment #6: Brooke

Congrats!

Here’s how the giveaways during Fall Into Reading 2009 book giveaways work:

Every Thursday, I will post about a new book that’s up for grabs (occasionally, there may be more than one book!). If it sounds like a book you’d like and you want to be eligible to win it, just leave a comment on the post and I’ll put your name in the virtual hat. I’ll leave the post open for comments until the following Wednesday at noon. I’ll then randomly pick a commenter and announce that person as the winner when I put up the next giveaway.

Also, I apologize to any international readers, but these giveaways are only open to readers in the U.S. or Canada.

Disclosure/disclaimer: The books for the Fall Into Reading giveaways are graciously provided by the publisher. I have not had a chance to read them, so can not offer an endorsement or critique. All book information is provided by the publisher.

This week’s giveaway: [Read more...]

Nov 24, 2009

Fall Into Reading 2009: Less than a month to go!

written by katrina · 26 Comments

I fully intended to put up a post last Friday, when we actually had one month to go in Fall Into Reading 2009, but life seems to be conspiring against me. Due to a host of responsibilities, errands, minor crises, and trying to figure out what, exactly, we’re doing for Thanksgiving, I’ve had approximately zero brainpower with which to compose a blog post.

However, this evening I seem to have found a few moments of reprieve and decided that I would get this post up before heading to bed. So here we go!

Fall Into Reading 2009 will end on December 20th. And although that date, in theory, seems far away, it will be upon us before you know it — what with the holidays and the busyness and all. So I thought it wouldn’t be a bad idea to evaluate where we are in the challenge and maybe even revise game-plans where appropriate.

So where do you stand?

How far have you gotten in your Fall Into Reading 2009 challenge list?
Does the remainder of your list seem doable for the next couple of weeks?
Are you enjoying the books you’re reading?

As for me, I am flat-out astonished. I’ve actually read all but one of my Fall Into Reading 2009 books! I’m about 25% through my final book, though it’s one of those books I’m reading slowly, doing plenty of pondering and re-reading as I go. However, I also must admit that I’ve agreed to read two additional books as part of blog tours in the coming weeks. So there is a chance that — even with all my progress — I won’t quite finish. But I’m going to do my best. I think I can do it.

And if I do, it might be the first time I’ve finished every last book on my challenge list. Very exciting.

Even better, I think I’ve really enjoyed each book. One or two of them even kept me up reading late, late at night, because I just couldn’t stop. But more on that at the end of the challenge.

I know you’re probably knee-deep in turkey prep and pumpkin pie and vacuuming (or traveling), but if you have a moment, let me know how Fall Into Reading is going for you, at the 2/3rds+-way-through point.

Filed Under: Fall Into Reading 2009 26 Comments

Nov 19, 2009

FIR Giveaway: The Karma of Jesus

written by katrina · 11 Comments

Time for another Fall Into Reading 2009 book giveaway, sponsored by Bethany House! But first, here’s last week’s winner:

The winner of Leaving Yesterday is:

Comment #8: Stacy

Congrats!

Here’s how the giveaways during Fall Into Reading 2009 book giveaways work:

Also, I apologize to any international readers, but these giveaways are only open to readers in the U.S. or Canada.

This week’s giveaway: [Read more...]

Filed Under: Book giveaways, Giveaways 11 Comments

Nov 18, 2009

Two yummy seasonal offerings

written by katrina · 12 Comments

Sure, I like this time of year because of the music, and the upcoming holidays, and the baking. But there are two other reasons I really, really like this time of year.

Reason #1: Starbucks’ Peppermint Mocha

I enjoy the occasional Pumpkin Spice Latte during the fall, but to be honest, the drink that draws me to Starbucks again and again is their Peppermint Mocha. And yes, I know that you can get them year round, but there’s something special about a Peppermint Mocha sipped from their seasonal red cup, when there’s a little chill in the air. I have to exercise tremendous self-control in order to not visit the Starbucks drive through every single day.

(When I am successful in exercising said self-control, I compensate by using Coffee-Mate’s Peppermint Mocha creamer at home, which also makes an appearance at this time of year. It’s not exactly the same, but it’s still pretty good.)

(Update!! I just saw that Coffee-Mate tweeted that they’ll be offering Peppermint Mocha creamer all year long. Hm… That could be dangerous.)

Reason #2: Panera’s Cranberry Walnut Bagel (with Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, of course)

It’s true, I’m always interested in getting a bagel. I never tire of them. In fact, I never tire of getting the same old thing at Panera:

“Whole Grain Bagel, just sliced, with Honey Walnut Cream Cheese, and a medium coffee, please.”

BUT…

During November and December, Panera makes the most yummy bagel ever, at least in my book. The Cranberry Walnut Bagel. I love it. In fact, as I type this post, I’m sitting at Panera, having just eaten one. And there’s a little voice inside me saying, “You need another one. Go ahead. You can skip lunch. Have another bagel. But they’re only here for a few more weeks. Don’t let this opportunity slip away.”

I’m doing my best to quell that dangerous little voice…but it is tempting.

With two such scrumptious options only minutes from my home, it’s hard to keep myself from coming up with some “reason” that I “need” to be out and about around breakfast time every morning. Good thing January does not tempt me in this way. If I can only make it until then without too much over-indulgence.

What about you? Are you a fan of these holiday-time treats? Or is there another seasonal offering (this season or any other) that tempts you?

Filed Under: Etc. 12 Comments