Wednesday, December 30, 2020

The Dress Shop on King Street

 



The debut novel by Ashley Clark is a story that connects the past with the present. A split- time story that follows the lives of two women.

Millie Middleton's story starts after the Great Depression. She leaves her mother and home in search of a dream of one day owning a dress shop. Present day, Harper Dupree dreams of opening a dress shop but is thwarted by an instructor who tells her that she lacks talent. With her hopes dashed, she returns to Fairhope Alabama, seeking out the woman who taught her to sew and gave her the dream. 

To me, the beginning of the book was a little slow going. But the story, although dual time, was well written and compelling. Complex, yet enlightening. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

An afternoon in Zephyrhills FL

 Visiting friends I could not help but capture this beautiful old Oak tree.

We have old oaks in our neighborhood, but this one was so magnificent.

The surrounding property was so serene as well.

And everyone had a good time.


Friday, December 25, 2020

Merry Christmas

 

 
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 
John 3:16-17

Wednesday, December 23, 2020

Let there be JOY

 One last table to for the holiday season.




Serving Hot Cider drinks, hot chocolate

or a piping hot cup of Tea...



At Christmas time I love to set a pretty table.

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

The Great Conjunction 2020

 

Did you see it? On Monday, December 21st, Saturn and Jupiter lined in conjunction. Though the planets will appear to overlap, Saturn and Jupiter won’t literally be close to each other, as both are massive planets — each roughly 760-1,300 times the size of Earth — and will still be hundreds of millions of miles apart.

Such an event, dubbed the “Jupiter-Saturn Great Conjunction,” occurs every 20 years. It also been referred to as the “Star of Bethlehem” due to its brightness, similar to the star that is said to have guided the three wise men to Bethlehem.

Monday, December 21, 2020

Milk and Cookies

 What is better on Christmas Eve then cookies, milk, or hot cocoa?











I hope your Christmas was as wonderful and delicious as a cold glass of milk, or a hot cup of tea and a freshly baked cookie.

Friday, December 18, 2020

Dreams of Savannah

Dreams of Savannah by Rosanna M. White is a stand alone novel, very much different than her previous Code Breaker series.

The Civil War era was a time of conflict. It was a time when society placed high expectations of marriage. Delia waiting for Phin to return from war. All the while her father pushing her to another more suited man. Meanwhile Phin is wounded and cared for by a British black man, Luther Bromley. Their story is very much at the heart of this novel.

As with her other novels, it is well researched by Rosanna M.White. I found the storyline to be a little heavy. Although it moved slow in some areas, the plot moved it along. A good historical novel.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.







Monday, December 14, 2020

Simply Christmas

 Sometimes simplicity is all we need.








I've always loved my Nikko Happy Holidays dinnerware. It still makes a beautiful table.


Friday, December 11, 2020

A Cowboy for Keeps

 


A Cowboy for Keeps by Jody Hedlund is a lighter story then others that I have read by this author. 

Greta Nilsson responds to an ad for a mail order bride. Her purpose it to take her young sister out west to help with her consumption. Everything seems to go wrong. First their stage is held up and she loses all her money. Next the man she was supposed to marry dies.  Which leaves her homeless and penniless. 

Wyatt McQuaid finds himself in town when the stage arrives. A fellow passenger, Mr. Steele, comes up with a plan to help Greta, and gives Wyatt an out for his struggles running a ranch.

Greta has a hard time reigning in her young sister as she gets herself into lots of trouble. Their sibling relationship strikes me as true to form.

The ending introduces you to Wyatt's siblings, and it looks like the continuation of the series.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through Net Galley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.




Monday, December 7, 2020

Christmas on the Porch

 Living in Florida affords the luxury of wonderful weather. Enjoying the warm and sunny days, I opened the doors to the porch and set a Christmas table.




 The tool box arrangement was inspired by a post from the amazing Rosemary and Thyme when she shared a Christmas Home Tour.


I hope this Christmas season is a joyous one for each and every one of you.