The Grand Babylon Hotel by Arnold Bennett

by Carol2 Comments
I love vintage mysteries, a bit old-fashioned, no gratuitous sex or violence. They're comfort reads for me. I read a short story by Arnold Bennett in Resorting to Murder from Poisoned Pen Press and enjoyed it, so I picked up the free Kindle version of The Grand Babylon Hotel and I'm glad I did. It's a light mystery, but full of intrigue and adventure and a plucky young woman who's not afraid of a bit of danger. The hotel was an interesting setting. The Babylon is a quite distinguished hotel and often hosts royalty, which is what leads to the sequence of events here. An equerry (an officer of a royal household who attends or assists members of the royal family) is found murdered. His body disappears. A prince fails to arrive for an important meeting in the hotel.  Rackham learns that his stellar staff is perhaps not quite as above-board as they appear. The story is a bit over the...
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Thursday’s Tale: La Befana

by Carol4 Comments
While we were at Disney World last week, we spent two days at Epcot. Of course, I had to hear the Christmas witch's story in Italy. La Befana is a witch who delivers gifts to children throughout Italy on the Eve of Ephiphany. La Befana's story is sad to me. La Befana was at her home when then magi came a few days before the birth of Jesus. They asked for directions to where the Son of God was, as they had seen his star in the sky, but she didn't know. The magi invited her to join them on the journey to find the baby Jesus, but she declined, saying she was too busy with her housework. Later, La Befana had a change of heart, and tried to search out the astrologers and Jesus, but she couldn't find them. To this day, La Befana is still searching for the little baby. She leaves all the good gifts as one of them might just...
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Advent Illustrated: A Bible Journaling Challenge by Sara Laughed

by Carol3 Comments
I'm new to Bible journaling but I love the concept. Within the past six months or so, I've taken to carrying around a notebook to jot things down, quotes, things I need to remember, sermon notes. For me, Bible journaling is an artistic extension of that. It's another way of interacting with scripture, of responding to what I read, of highlighting what strikes me, of enjoying concepts or images. I'm not good at drawing, but that's not the point. Bible journaling is for me, not to impress anyone. Advent Illustrated is a good beginners book. She talks a bit about journaling and about basic supplies but I never felt like I can't do this. It's an encouraging book, even for those of us who are not as talented at drawing or painting as others. She makes it approachable. It is not a devotional, don't expect it to be. Each day has a short verse, usually a sentence or two, and a couple...
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Readers’ Workouts – 12/15

by Carol4 Comments
Here are my steps for the week. We were at Disney so we did a lot of walking. We had a great time!   My current plan is to do a core workout on Monday, cardio on Tuesday (60 mins), upper body on Wednesday, cardio on Thursday (60 mins), total body workout on Friday and cardio on Saturday (60+ mins). On vacation, I just had fun and didn't worry about getting in any workouts. Sunday - Walk with the dog Monday - Core workout Even with all that walking, I gained a couple of pounds on vacation. E;m even from 11/17. My goal is to lose 11 lbs. I usually listen to a book while I'm walking, jogging, whatever. This week I'm listening to City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett, How was your week? Readers’ Workouts is hosted by Joy at Joy’s Book Blog. Thanks!...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Christmas Rose

by Carol2 Comments
"The Christmas Rose" is a sweet legend telling how the Christmas rose got its name. I first shared it a couple of years ago. The story goes that on a dark cold night, Madelon, a shepherdess, saw a procession of Magi passing by her snow-covered field with their gift of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the Christ Child. Even the other shepherds heading to the stable took gifts of honey and fruits. Madelon longed to go and worship, too, but she had no gift to give. She searched the countryside for even a single flower to offer, but found none since the weather had been so cold and harsh. Finally she started crying and just then an angel passing over her over her saw her sadness, stopped, stopped down to the ground and brushed the snow. There, in the snow, sprung up a beautiful cluster of waxen white winter roses with pink tipped petals. The angel whispered to the girl...
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Saturday Snapshot

by Carol3 Comments
This is the nutcracker that The Center of Music and Art sponsored for the local nutcracker village. "Gerald Van Syoc, who runs The Center of Music and Art's art department, created this amazing nutcracker. Amber Evans (my daughter), student, did the Dali eyes. Gerald is an excellent artist and instructor. We are fortunate to have him on the CMA staff." Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Melinda at West Metro Mommy Reads....
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