Favorite Things

(more) Random Favorites III – 31:31

~ Teresa ~ 3 Comments

Today is the end of the 31 days of writing.  I am patting myself on the back just a little that I made it for the entire 31 days.  I wasn’t sure what direction to go for my last post in this series.  I thought it should be something profound or gasp worthy. You know, go out with a bang! So you’d come back for more. The truth is, I still have lots of favorites marinating around in the back of my head and I couldn’t quite choose just one.  I thought about a list of my favorite quotes, or talking about my favorite ice cream.  Finally, I decided to just go with another list of random favorites.

1.  Current favorite ice cream – Kroger Private Selection Denali Caramel Caribou Ice Cream.  You can thank me later. After you have experienced it’s smooth creamy decadence.

2. One of my favorite magazines – Country Living.  I first fell in love with CL in my early 20’s when I was in full mode country decor phase.  In many ways I guess I would still be somewhat of a country decor gal, but not so much the layered country look.  Although if you came to my house right now you’d probably tell me it looked layered. In recent years CL has gone with a simple, clean, crisp country look for the most part. And they have kept up with the current trend of going vintage to re-purpose items.

3.  One of my favorite decorating elements is old windows:

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This is leaning in my kitchen window – the lights were up at Christmas.

4.  Using white lights and tulle to decorate for Christmas and silver ornaments:

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5.  My favorite Italian Restaurant – Melini Cucina.  We have eaten there several times and have never been disappointed.  The food is well worth the wait and everything I have tried has been wonderful.  My mouth is watering now just thinking about it.

6.  In closing I will leave you with a few of my favorite quotes:

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for info about Marcus Tullius Cicero click here

PicMonkey Collage..quote.wilde

PM.mail.quote7.  And a favorite scripture quote – I discovered this one several years ago and I thought it was good advice:

ecclesiastes7.14

Enjoying favorites in grace,

Teresa (Sadie Grace)

Favorite Book (one of) – 31:30

~ Teresa ~ 5 Comments

For me to say I have a favorite book would be like asking Imelda Marcos to choose a favorite pair of shoes.  Although, I don’t think I have quite as many books as she did shoes, nor, do I think you can compare my love of books with her love of shoes.  I think the motives behind the love are different.  Still, you must get the point.  I could never have just one favorite book.

Some of my books in the book hutch that found me
Some of my books in the book hutch that found me

I love books, and given cash to shop I would more than likely spend the money on books rather than shoes.  Shoes wear out and go out of style.  Books are timeless.  A good book transcends time and is relevant throughout the ages.

This would be where I would now list a very classic book that has been around since forever, proving it’s timelessness, that all great literary persons have read and recommend.  Except, I am not.  The book I have chosen to talk about today would be considered shallow by a lot of book lovers.

It’s a romance novel; one of the few books I’ve read more than once, or even twice and will probably read again at some point in the future.  I love all manner of books. And if you browse my shelves you will notice everything – children’s, classics, novels, self-help, organization, home decor, hymn books, Bibles, bible commentaries, inspirational, devotional, spiritual growth, humor, history, poetry….Some of the books would be profound and some would be fluff.  I have a pretty wide range of interests. But, I have always loved a good romance.

I grew up reading Grace Livingston Hill and Emilie Loring Romance novels.  There were very few books that were mom-approved for my reading list.  Harlequin romance novels were off-limits, although I have read a few in my time.  My mom considered them not fit for my teenage mind.  I think some of them had a few bad words and too much kissing.

As I have gotten older the romance novel has interested me less, unless it is very well-written.  Which is why I think I still like some of the Emilie Loring books.  Even though they can be cliche, she still has somewhat of a classic style.  She has good description and she occasionally quotes snippets of classic poems, showing that she was well-read.  There is of course somewhat of a formula to romance novels, which is to be expected, but I think that was part of the attraction.  They provided a chance to escape for a while.  I could get lost in someone else’s life and imagine my life a little different, if just for awhile.

My favorite Emilie Loring book is Forsaking All Others.  It is about a young and upcoming stage actress who has become the guardian of her young nephew and for the sake of his health must give up her career and move to a better climate.  There is also a very young doctor who needs a wife to protect his reputation in a very gossipy dessert town. Throw in the older, mutual friend, who thinks marriage between the two would solve both their problems and you have the basic plot for a marriage of convenience that might just turn into real love.  Sappy, I know.  What can I say.  But there you have it. One of my favorite all time romance novels is Forsaking All Others.

A few months ago, I decided I needed to find a hardback copy of this book.  I found a first edition library copy at a reasonable price, so purchased it.  When it arrived I read the book again.  It did not disappoint. It now sits in the book hutch that found me waiting patiently to be loved again.

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My book hutch now, with a few more books than the first picture. Notice the copy of Shakespeare on the top shelf?
My book hutch now, with a few more books than the first picture. Notice the copy of Shakespeare on the top shelf?  I have other shelves of books too.

What about you?  Do you have a favorite romance book?  A favorite any book?  You can click here for more about my reading habits.

Reading in grace,

Teresa (Sadie Grace)

New Favorites (salty and sweet)- 31:29

~ Teresa ~ 1 Comment

A series on favorites would not be complete without new favorites that I have found. Just in this past week, actually.  And they are both connected. In a round about way.

Let me explain.  There is this wonderfully cheeky blog called BooMama. Go ahead, check her out, but please come back here when you’re finished.

Back?  OK.  Isn’t she funny?  She takes the ordinary stuff of life, the mundane even and elevates it to a whole new level.  She makes me laugh almost every time I read her.  Sometimes she does serious and she does it well.  But, she is primarily a very inspiring, funny lady.  I would say she could hold her own with Chonda Pierce.

But, if you read close she is more than just a funny lady.  She has depth and character.  It shines through.  I relate to her.  She writes as if she has been inside my head picking at my thoughts.

I have been reading her blog for a while now.  I think I found her while reading another blog.  Either someone had a link to her, or she left a comment somewhere and I was intrigued to go check her out.  Glad I did.

So, the new favorites are both thanks to BooMama.  She does have a name.  It is Sophie.  Read her about me page to find out about the BooMama. Anyway, she had a recent post about my new favorite pie and I am not even a pie person.

You can ask Rocky, when I took the first bite of this pie (about 30 minutes after it came out of the oven) all warm and delectable, I practically swooned. It was Facebook status worthy, with a link and everything.  See:

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It is that good and only 3 something at Wal-Mart, or the Wal-mart’s as BooMama would say.  She is from the deep south, y’all.

I plan to buy more for the freezer just in case.  It is hands down the best apple pie I have ever eaten, including any homemade that I may have had.  If you have ever made  me homemade apple pie, please don’t be insulted.  I’m sure yours was good, it’s just that these are sooooo good.  Save yourself time and just stock up on the Ultimate Plush Pippin Deep Dish Apple Pie. OK. You can thank me later.

So, you may have noticed some books on the left of my Facebook screen shot.  This would bring me to my second new favorite discovered just yesterday.  Y’all!  BooMama has a book.  I knew she had a book and I had filed the information in the back of my mind as a book I’d like to read.  I finally ordered it the other day (and got free 2-day shipping thanks to my free trial of Amazon Prime.  Thanks to my new friend Karin for explaining how this works – I will probably cancel my Netflix and go with prime – it’s a win, win). Ok, back to the book.  It came yesterday (two days after I ordered it).

I started reading it yesterday evening.  When Rocky went to bed around midnight, I was still reading.  I wanted to finish a chapter.  I read another chapter.  And around page 67, I was laughing so hard I thought I was going to lose bladder control and poor Rocky probably wondered what in the world.  I was laughing so hard, the pages were in danger of becoming water-soaked from the tears.  I can’t wait to finish the book!

And just so you know, BooMama (Sophie Hudson), Wal-mart and Maplehurst Bakeries, did not have anything to do with this post or the rave reviews.  It was all me sharing the new loves I found.

What are some new favorites you have discovered lately?  If your answer is nothing, then maybe it’s time to get out of your rut and discover something new.  It doesn’t have to be major, simple will do.  Like the simple pleasure of a delightful book and a scrumptious slice of pie. You may need a little salty to cut the sweet.

discovering the new, in grace,

Teresa (sadie grace)

Favorite Revisited IV – 31:28

~ Teresa ~ 5 Comments

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The 31 Day writing challenge is almost over.  I have been late a few days, but so far I have posted everyday.  This was a good discipline for me.  It has also been good for me to evaluate the things I consider favorites.  I have many more favorites that I will not have time for during these final few days, so I may have to do a regular favorites post once in a while.

In considering the things that are my favorites, it has also helped with gratefulness. Somehow, writing down things you love makes you realize just how much you have for which to be thankful.  I am blessed.

This weeks re-visit was a drive up and down winding county roads to look at the bounty of the season.  I mentioned in an earlier post that I love the fall color and taking drives, destination unknown.   Yesterday, Rocky planned a little drive for us, to an area we had never been before, to enjoy the changing leaves.  I took lots of pictures.  I was even inspired to write a little poem that I posted on my facebook status.  It is also on my poetry blog, Orange Comma. If you want to check it out click here.

Pictures say it best:

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Favorite Scripture IV – 31:27

~ Teresa ~ 1 Comment

roaring creek.

“Because of
the Lord’s
great love
we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is
your faithfulness.”
Lamentations 3:22-23

 

Finding new mornings in grace,

Teresa (Sadie Grace)