Built on the Rock

This verse always feels like a gentle reality check for me. It reminds me that hearing truth is only the beginning. The real work happens when I try to live it out in everyday choices, conversations, and reactions. Building on the rock does not feel dramatic most days. It looks like small, steady obedience when no one is watching. I am learning that those quiet decisions are what keep me grounded when life gets shaky.

Living Set Apart in Everyday Moments

1 Corinthians 6:11

And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. (NIV)

Sanctified

                 The word “sanctified” means to be set apart.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, God sets us apart.  He expects us to be different from those who are not sanctified.  He has a specific purpose for us.  Can people tell that we are different form the unbelievers?  Do we have to wear a cross around our neck or have some kind of Christian symbol on our car for people to know we are different?  They should be able to tell by our speech what we do, what we don’t do and even how we drive.  Think about what you did yesterday, what you said, what you didn’t do and how you drove.  Were you a reflection of Jesus?  Let us practice being true to our sanctification.  Let us demonstrate to the world how a sanctified person acts, speaks and the things we don’t do.  Let us consistently honor our calling to follow our Lord Jesus, God’s Son, by reflecting Him in all we are. 

Devotion by Ginger Chapman

When I think about being sanctified, I remember that it is not about looking religious, it is about living changed. Following Jesus means something happened on the inside, and over time it should show on the outside. Not perfectly, but honestly.

I catch myself realizing how easy it is to blend in, to talk the same way, react the same way, or rush through life without thinking about who I represent. Sanctification reminds me to slow down and ask, does this sound like Jesus, does this reflect His patience, His kindness, His love.

Sometimes it is the small things. How I speak when I am tired. How I respond when I am frustrated. Even how I drive when I am in a hurry. Those moments reveal more than church stickers ever could.

Being set apart does not mean being better than others. It means being aware that my life is meant to point to Him. Every day is another chance to practice living like I belong to Jesus and to let the Spirit shape how I act, speak, and love.

Finding Stillness Along the Limestone Creeks of Austin, Texas

Sometimes Austin surprises you with how calm it can be. You’ll come across a stretch of limestone and water like this, and everything just slows down on its own.

The creek moves gently over the rock, collecting in shallow pools that reflect the sky. The limestone is worn smooth in places, rough in others, showing exactly how much time it’s been sitting here doing its thing. Leaves gather along the edges, the water stays clear, and nothing feels rushed.

This isn’t the kind of place you hike hard to reach or plan a whole day around. It’s the kind of place you stop at without meaning to—and then stay longer than expected. You stand there, listen to the water, watch the light shift, and forget about whatever was on your mind a few minutes before.

Austin has a lot of energy, but spots like this are a reminder that there’s also plenty of quiet if you know where to look. Just water, rock, and a little space to breathe.

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Kalbi

The ribs hit the grill with a sweet, smoky sizzle, caramelizing to that perfect island char. One bite delivered everything the dish was known for in Hawaiʻi—tender meat, bold flavor, and the familiar comfort of home.

Korean short ribs - one of my ALL-TIME favorite recipes

4 lb. short ribs
1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon honey
1/4 cup minced green onions
1/2 teaspoon minced ginger pool / teaspoon sesame oil
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic

If short ribs are thick, score on both sides. In a large bowl, combine remaining ingredients. Marinate short ribs in sauce for 4 hours. Arrange ribs on rack of broiler pan. Broil 3 inches from until in electric oven for 3 lo 5 on each side. Makes 6 servings.

A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn - A Review

Far, far far  too spicy for me—I almost DNFed it. Definitely need to start checking spice levels before picking books!

Still, it’s a cute, over-the-top romcom that knows exactly what it is. The fake engagement trope is fun, the banter is great, and Lachlan and Lottie’s chemistry works.

Light, funny, and very steamy. The audiobook narrators were fantastic. Awful title, though!

Awful title, though!

★★★(extra ★ if you like steam)

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Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens - A Review

Where the Crawdads Sing is a quiet, emotional story about loneliness, resilience, and the need to belong. Set in the marshes of North Carolina, the novel follows Kya Clark, the so called Marsh Girl, who grows up largely abandoned and must learn how to survive on her own.

Kya’s coming of age unfolds alongside a small town mystery, and the two storylines slowly weave together. Owens’ nature writing is the true standout. The marsh feels alive, almost like a character itself, offering beauty, danger, and refuge in equal measure.

While parts of the story move at a slower pace, the emotional weight carries it forward. It is an immersive and heartfelt read that lingers after the final page. 

★★★★

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Raccoon Key Donnah M. Cole - A Review

Raccoon Key is an easy mystery with a strong sense of place and a dual timeline built around a real unsolved lighthouse death from the 1870s. Cole does a great job bringing the coastal setting to life, the marshes, water, and island community feel vivid throughout the story. The historical mystery is interesting, and the slow-burn, second-chance romance adds some emotional depth without overwhelming the plot. 

The book leans heavily on description, and while fans of detailed prose may enjoy this, it often slows the story down. The momentum noticeably dips before the middle. With tighter editing, the story could have been trimmed without losing anything essential, allowing the mystery to feel more engaging and focused. 

Overall, this is a solid, pleasant read with a compelling concept and strong atmosphere. Best suited for readers who enjoy calm, descriptive mysteries and don’t mind a slower pace.

★★★½

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Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy. These are my honest thoughts.

Snuggling Memories of My Little One

These photos mean even more now. This baby goat loved nothing more than curling up inside with his human mom, tucked in as close as he could get. He always relaxed the moment he was held, like the whole world felt safe in that spot. Those soft snuggles, the warm little body, the way he trusted completely — those moments stay with me.

He may be gone now, but these memories bring back all the sweetness of who he was. The gentle cuddles, the tiny breaths against my chest, the comfort he found just being held. I’m grateful for every second of it. These quiet moments are the ones that last. (YES, we were laying on the couch watching TV together.)

 

This chair has been officially claimed

She just sat down, draped herself over the arm, and decided this was hers now. One look says it all: comfortable, confident, and not moving anytime soon.

 

Don’t Let This Get Out in Pinckard by Celeste King Conner - A Review

This is a quiet but heavy story that slowly settles in rather than grabbing you right away. Set in a small Alabama town, it focuses on secrets, silence, and the way people choose comfort over truth. The atmosphere feels tight and tense, full of things everyone knows but refuses to say.

The characters are believable and flawed, and their choices make sense even when they’re frustrating. Nothing feels overdramatic. Instead, the story stays focused on the emotional weight of keeping secrets and how that silence impacts an entire community. It’s a slower read, but it lingers afterward.

Readers who enjoy literary, character driven stories will likely connect with this one. It’s not for everyone, but it resonates strongly with the audience it’s meant for.

★★★★

I received an advance copy of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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Crockpot Lemon Butter Chicken

From the archives:

Easy crockpot lemon chicken with a buttery sauce that’s perfect over mashed potatoes or rice.

6-8 boneless chicken breasts

1 cup lemon juice
1/2 stick butter (no substitute)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

Put all in crockpot and cook on LOW for 8-10 hours, or cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours.

This is good served with mashed potatoes or rice. The lemon sauce is great over the potatoes or rice.

The Emergency Playbook by Amy Edelman and Chris Begley - A Review

This book has strong ideas and clearly comes from experienced voices in emergency management. The authors cover preparation, communication, and leadership in a way that feels grounded in real world situations, and the core message is practical and relevant for anyone involved in crisis planning or response.

Unfortunately, the presentation makes it harder to fully benefit from the content. The book relies on constant changes in font, size, bold text, and italics, which quickly becomes distracting. There are no usable charts or lists, and what could have been helpful visual breakdowns are instead poorly structured and difficult to follow. Because of this, the book really needs reformatting to improve clarity and readability. As a reference style resource, it feels more exhausting than efficient.

Overall, the ideas are solid, but the layout works against them. With cleaner formatting and clearly organized lists or charts, this could be a much more effective and reader friendly guide.

★★★

I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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A Brewed Awakening by Pepper Basham - A Review

This was a cozy, charming small town romcom, but the first half was ridiculously slow. There’s a lot of internal monologue before the story really gets moving. Once it finds its footing, the community vibe is sweet and fun. 

Daphne and Finn had warm, easy chemistry, and I loved Finn as a single dad. His daughter Lucy absolutely stole the show. The foodie rivalry was cute, and the romance stayed clean but emotional. The final stretch was surprisingly strong, focusing on healing and community instead of a messy third act breakup. Faith elements were handled naturally.

Overall, a comforting read with heart and humor, even if it took far too long to get there.

(Disclosure: I received a digital review copy from NetGalley.)

★★★

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Making Room for God A Creative Guide for Praying Through Your Home by Cathy Baker - A Review

This book is a gentle, thoughtful invitation to experience prayer in a fresh and deeply personal way. Cathy Baker beautifully connects everyday spaces with spiritual reflection, showing how our homes can become places of intentional prayer, awareness, and connection with God.

What I appreciated most is how accessible and creative the approach feels. Each room becomes an opportunity to pause, reflect, and invite God into ordinary moments that are often overlooked. The prompts are simple but meaningful, encouraging mindfulness without feeling overwhelming or overly structured. It’s a wonderful reminder that prayer does not have to be confined to a specific time or place.

The writing is warm, encouraging, and practical, making this guide easy to return to again and again. Whether you are new to prayer or looking to deepen an existing practice, this book offers inspiration, flexibility, and a sense of calm. It would also work beautifully for small groups or personal devotional time.

Making Room for God is a thoughtful resource that helps transform daily routines into sacred moments, reminding readers that God is present in every corner of our lives.

★★★★★

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. This review reflects my honest opinion.

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Halloween Search-and-Find Adventures: A Hunt Full of Tricks and Treats by Gus Morais - A Review

This was such a fun and festive read for Halloween. Halloween Search-and-Find Adventures is bright, busy, and full of playful spooky details that kids will love digging into again and again.

Each page is packed with colorful scenes featuring costumes, pumpkins, candy, and friendly Halloween vibes. I really liked that every spread includes a clear key showing exactly which objects to find. It makes the hunt easy to follow and keeps kids focused without feeling overwhelming.

There is also an answer key in the back, which is a great bonus. If someone gets stuck or feels frustrated, they can flip to the back for help and jump right back into the fun. That makes this a solid choice for independent browsing or sharing together.

The scenes are detailed enough to feel challenging but never too hard, and there is always something new to spot on repeat look throughs. It quietly builds observation and focus while still feeling like a game, not work.

Overall, this is a great seasonal pick for Halloween lovers. It is fun, interactive, and perfect for fall reading time at home or in the classroom.

★★★★★

This review was written voluntarily after receiving an advance copy from the publisher through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Book Proposal by K.J. Micciche - A Review

This book started with great flair and an immediately engaging, bookish setup that promised a fun and heartfelt second chance romance. The opening had energy, humor, and an insider publishing vibe that pulled me in quickly, and I appreciated the nostalgic tone of two former loves reconnecting through unfinished business and lingering feelings.

Unfortunately, that strong start stumbled. The crude bathroom humor early on felt unnecessary and cringy, clashing with the otherwise cozy romantic comedy tone. As the story moved into the middle, the pacing noticeably slumped. Emotional beats were rushed, deeper conversations were glossed over, and the unresolved history between the characters did not get the attention it deserved. Much of the conflict wrapped up too neatly, which weakened the emotional payoff.

Overall, this was a pleasant and easy read with an appealing concept and some genuinely sweet moments, but it never fully delivered on its promise. Enjoyable enough for a light, low stakes romance, especially for book lovers, but uneven execution kept it firmly in three star territory.

★★★

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Doers, Not Just Listeners

 

James 1:22 is a clear call to action. It reminds us that hearing God’s word isn’t enough on its own. Real faith shows up in what we do, not just what we know or agree with. Listening without living it out can quietly fool us into thinking we’re growing when we’re really standing still.

This verse feels like a gentle but firm nudge. It makes me pause and ask myself where I’m good at listening but slow to act. It’s easy to nod along to truth, highlight it, even share it, and still avoid letting it change my choices. James cuts through that comfort. He reminds me that obedience is where belief becomes real, and that small, everyday actions matter more than good intentions. It’s not about perfection, just honesty and follow through.

An Unexpected Blessing

I wasn’t trying to make anything special today—just pouring frothed cream into my coffee, going through the usual motions.

And then, there it was. A soft, unplanned heart on the surface.

I didn’t try to make it. It just happened. And it made me pause for a second, because it felt like a reminder: beauty doesn’t always come from effort. Sometimes it shows up when you least expect it.

In something as ordinary as a cup of coffee. In a moment you almost missed.

A small surprise, and a good reminder—not everything beautiful has to be chased. Sometimes, it just finds you.

The Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy by Nora Roberts - A Review

The Inn BoonsBoro Trilogy by Nora Roberts

Book 1: The Next Always –

The story follows Claire and Beckett as they find each other while solving a mystery together. Full of unique characters, romance, suspense, and otherworldly occurrences, it’s an engaging tale I highly recommend.

I needed a break from my typical mystery suspense novels, so I selected this from the library—and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Great character development, an engaging storyline, and entertaining pacing make this a very enjoyable read. Clean romance with just the right amount of drama and a hint of mystery!

Owen, the meticulous organizer of the Montgomery clan, runs the family’s construction business with an iron fist—and an even less flexible spreadsheet. Despite his brothers teasing him about his compulsive list-making, Owen is determined to get the Inn BoonsBoro open on schedule. What he didn’t plan for was Avery McTavish…

Avery runs a popular pizza place across the street, giving her a front-row seat to the inn’s renovation—and a newfound appreciation for Owen. As her first boyfriend, Owen has never been far from her thoughts, and the attraction she feels now is far from innocent.

As Owen and Avery cautiously explore their renewed relationship, the town of BoonsBoro celebrates the inn’s grand opening. But winning Avery’s trust—and helping her realize that her first boyfriend might just be her last—takes more time than Owen expected.

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Book 2: The Last Boyfriend – 
I read all three books in the trilogy back to back, and this one was just as enjoyable. A very clean romance with drama, a touch of mystery, and superb character development. The story moves along quickly and kept me thoroughly entertained. 

Owen’s story continues in the bustling town of BoonsBoro. While managing the opening of the Inn, he reconnects with Avery, his first love. The chemistry is undeniable, and the novel beautifully explores the rekindling of a childhood romance as the characters navigate their emotions, responsibilities, and community life.

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Book 3: The Perfect Hope – 

This final installment is absolutely wonderful! Compared to the second book, the writing feels more comfortable and really showcases Nora Roberts’ talent. While the second book was a little repetitive and slower, it was still essential to the story—and this third book makes it all worth it. The characters feel more real, the story flows beautifully, and the resolution is both poignant and satisfying, even a little unlikely in the best way.

What really stands out is the way Roberts weaves in family, friendship, and history, giving the story a warm, fulfilling glow. There’s even a touch of metaphysical awakening, which adds depth and a sense of destiny to the characters’ journeys. Overall, this crowning piece of the trilogy ties everything together perfectly, leaving you with a sense of joy, fulfillment, and a little bittersweet nostalgia for BoonsBoro.

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Overall Thoughts on the Trilogy:
This trilogy is perfect for anyone seeking clean, heartwarming romances with just the right amount of drama and mystery. Nora Roberts excels at character development, believable dialogue, and weaving romantic tension with light suspense. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a fun, uplifting, and engaging series.

From My Archives: May 11, 2018

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  Clean, Charming Romance with Just the Right Drama

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Tunnel fun

The goats had the best time exploring the tunnel. It's always fun watching how something so simple turns into a whole event for them.

 

Lion Meat- from the archives

 

Monday, October 27, 2008

Lion Meat

Tonight we went to Sam's Club! My 9yo and 11yo boys begged and begged to buy the LION meat and cook it tomorrow night! Poor guys I had to tell them it was loin not lion!

The Best Good Thing Discovering Joy on a Very Bad Smad Day by Anna Housley Juster - A Review

This sweet picture book is perfect for those rough days when nothing seems to go right. It does a great job showing kids that it’s okay to feel upset and that they don’t have to rush through those feelings to find happiness again.

The story is gentle and relatable, focusing on how even one small good thing can make a hard day feel a little lighter. The message is comforting without trying to “fix” the emotions, which makes it feel very real and reassuring. The illustrations add warmth and help show the emotional shifts in a way young readers will easily understand.

This is a great choice for read aloud time, classrooms, or bedtime, especially for kids learning how to handle big feelings. A lovely, calming book that reminds readers they’re not alone on their worst days.

★★★★★

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I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick - A Review

The Measure starts with a hook that’s impossible to ignore. One day, everyone receives a box. Inside is a string that tells you exactly how long you’ll live. From there, the book isn’t really about the strings themselves. It’s about what happens once certainty enters the room and refuses to leave.

The story moves through a wide (too wide) cast of characters, from everyday people to those in power, all reacting differently to the same truth. Some open their boxes immediately. Some never do. Some build their entire lives around the number they now know. The novel is at its best when it focuses on the quiet, personal fallout. Marriages strain. Parents make impossible choices. Love starts to feel conditional, measured not in years shared but years remaining.

Erlick’s writing is soft-spoken and thoughtful, which works well for the themes she’s exploring. There’s a steady emotional pull rather than big dramatic swings. The book makes a strong point that knowing more doesn’t make life easier. It often makes it smaller. Time becomes something to hoard, compare, and weaponize, and that shift feels uncomfortably believable.

Where the book stumbles a bit is in its scope. With so many perspectives, some characters feel more like ideas than fully realized people. The social commentary is interesting and often chilling, but it occasionally comes at the expense of deeper emotional connection. Even so, the questions the book raises may linger after you’re done reading.

The Measure doesn’t try to give answers. Instead, it leaves you sitting with the same unease as its characters. If you knew how long you had, would it change how you live. Or would it just change what you’re afraid of.

★★★½

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A Sneaky Sill‑Side Spectator

Caught this little explorer peeking out from behind the flowers on the window sill today. Cats always seem to find the perfect spot to hide, watch, and pretend they’re completely invisible.

 

Crispy Country Corn Fritters

Golden corn fritters made pantry simple, crisp outside and tender inside. Quick to mix, perfect with honey or butter for any meal.

CORN FRITTERS

1 can (approx. 2 c.) creamed corn
2 tsp. sugar
3 large eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients and mix just until flour is blended. Cook like thick pancakes until brown on both sides. Good with honey or butter.