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Sunday, November 23, 2025
Friday, November 21, 2025
Friday Book Review~ One Snowy Swedish Christmas: A Spicey Holiday Novella
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Author: Elina Scott
Publication Date: November 17, 2025
Print Length: 131 pages
Since this is a novella, it's a quick, easy Christmas read. Overall, One Snowy Swedish Christmas is fairly good. I always have problems with novellas. I want a more developed storyline, but that's pretty challenging to achieve in such a quick read.
I have to be honest. I was not a fan of the FMC, Casey. She was way too old to be acting like a spoiled brat. She came across as selfish and a little unhinged. I don't know too many grown adult children who would actively fly across the world to break up their mother's marriage at Christmastime.
The romance part of the story is not bad. It's a little taboo. Casey and her stepbrother, Erik, start to have feelings for each other. Casey does try to avoid them because of the fact that their parents are married. It is a little awkward, but they're not related, so it is plausible. Casey doesn't want to get involved with her stepbrother at first. She doesn't want to destroy the happiness her mother has found, which Casey has finally admitted to. We see Casey mature somewhat during the Christmas visit to Sweden.
Since this is a novella, everything is fast-paced. The storyline moves quickly. I do feel like the relationship between Casey and her stepbrother moved a little too fast. They've met once before and suddenly fall madly in love in a few days. Her actions go against everything she believed with her mom and her new husband. She was so upset that her mom married a man after knowing him for a few months. Now, she's falling in love with a man in a few days. The plots contradict themselves. Yes, people can change, but not that quickly.
The story itself is not bad. It has some great potential. I would have loved to see more growth and understanding between Casey and her mom. The quick turnaround didn't flow that well for me. The love story between Casey and her stepbrother felt rushed and not authentic. If the story could have been longer and developed more, I feel it would have been better. I would have loved more details and descriptions of Sweden, so that as the reader, I could have felt like I was there.
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Overall, the story was fairly good. It just wasn't for me. If you're younger and looking for a quick Christmas read, I'm sure you'd enjoy it.
I received this book as an advanced reader's copy for my honest opinion.
Sunday, November 16, 2025
Sunday Inspiration~ November 16, 2025
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Wednesday, November 12, 2025
Wednesady Hodgepodge~ November 12, 2025
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Hello friends! I'm joining Joyce over at From This Side of the Pond for Wednesday's Hodgepodge. Each week, she hosts a weekly link-up that is a collection of questions for bloggers to answer. It's to help bloggers get to know each other better and have a little bit of fun! It's a great way to hang out with friends. So grab a cup of coffee or tea if you prefer and join in on the fun.
So, what is a hodgepodge? A hodgepodge is an unorganized mixture of various things, a jumble of items that don't belong together.
Here are this week's questions and my answers for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge~
1. What does patriotism mean to you?
Patriotism to me is having pride in your country, loving your country. It means loving the traditions and the history of your country and heritage. Respect is also a huge part of patriotism. Respect for our flag, our National Parks, and the beauty of the land around us. It means preserving historical sites and the National Parks, so we can share them with future generations to come.
2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere, use these months but sub spring for the word fall.
I'd say I love November the most. Thanksgiving and spending time with family are incredibly important to me. I cherish the memories we are creating. I also decorate for Christmas during the month of November. I love the cozy feel the house has when it's all decorated. It's enchanting.
We usually start burning the wood stove in November. The warmth and glow of the fire are so comforting. It just adds to the cozy feeling of winter days.
3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word) in the title or lyrics?
I have no clue. I love music and listen to it all the time, but I usually have no clue what the titles of songs are, and often have no clue who sings them. I just don't pay attention.
4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and _____________________ . Oh, and you can't say jelly.
I love peanut butter, so I'm a big fan. Peanut butter cookies are one of my favorite cookies. The last thing I ate with peanut butter in it was a Reese's Peanut Butter cup.
Peanut butter and chocolate together are the best!
5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for?
There's not one specific event that I'm grateful for. I am grateful for the love of my family. I'm grateful that everyone is healthy and happy. My daughter expecting our first grandchild, is definitely a huge event. I'm thankful for the blessing of welcoming a new life into our family.
6. Insert your own random thought here.
Life has been crazy here lately. I visited my parents, and we've been cleaning and purging the house. Trying to get a nursery set up for the new little peanut that we are welcoming in February. I keep saying when things slow down, but why does it never seem to do that?
Monday, November 10, 2025
Happy Homemaker Monday~ November 10, 2025
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Well, October flew by. I had every intention of blogging during the month, but we were just busy with life. We finished up most of the porch remodel. We gave some painting to do, but that will have to wait until the spring now. We cleaned out the guest room for the baby. Once Christmas is over, we'll put the crib up. It's getting close. I know that time will fly by with the holidays. I visited my parents the last week of October. It was a nice visit, but I'm glad to be back. There's just something about sleeping in your own bed. I hope you had a fantastic October. It's hard to believe that November is here, but I'm ready for the Christmas season. I'll be decorating the house over the next few weeks. So, let's get started with Happy Homemaker Monday with our beautiful hostess, Sandra from Diary of a Stay at Home Mom. Be sure to stop in, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and say hi.
The Weather in My Neck of the Woods~
Fall has arrived and is here to stay. The mornings and evenings are cool. We have a chance of snow flurries up here on the mountain tonight. I'm not quite ready for snow.
I love the orange, yellow, and red hues of the trees. The fall colors are always so warm and inviting. Sadly, the colors didn't last too long. We had a few extremely windy days, so now most of the leaves are gone. The bare trees of winter are almost here.
Monday~ Partly Sunny, 47*
Tuesday~ Partly Sunny. 44*
Wednesday ~ Partly Sunny, 58*
Thursday~ Sunny, 57*
Friday~ Partly Sunny, 64*
Saturday~ Partly Sunny, 59*
Sunday~ Partly Sunny, 69*
As I Look Out My Window~
The sun is shining on a tree. The last remaining yellow leaves glitter like gold. The golden hue is stunning. The rest of the leaves are slowly fluttering to the ground. We have a slight breeze, so I see leaves swirling to the ground. It's that time of year again.
Thinking and Pondering~
The leaves are typically off the trees by Michael's birthday, which is this Friday. When he was little, his grandpa would take him birdwatching on his birthday. He talked about that the other day. It's hard to believe he'll be gone 4 years this January. Time goes by so much faster than we realize at times. I'm 51 now, and I still feel like a 16-year-old girl some days. It's hard, I want to slow down, but life just makes that so difficult at times. Visiting my parents was like a slap in the face. My parents have aged so much over the past 5 years. You always think your parents will always be there, but looking at them, I know that's not possible. Realistically, I know they can't live forever, but it's hard to imagine life without them. The people who created you. The people who shaped who you are. It's humbling to realize that our days are numbered. I hate how fast life moves at times. We get so distracted by so many useless things. I miss the days when family was so important. I miss going to Mass and having Sunday dinners at Grandma's house. Life was simple and easy. Of course, I was a kid then.
Grandmom's china~ A treasure from my dad
How I'm Feeling~
I'm feeling pretty good today. I had a few really bad migraines in October. One of them kept me in bed. I was doing really well. Allergies are still going strong. Now, I think it's the moldy leaves on the ground.
What's for Breakfast~
I'm going to have two eggs. I've had my cup of coffee with collagen. I use a mix of regular and chocolate to get a mocha latte.
Looking Around the House~
Fall is almost down and put away. I have a handful of things left to put away. I'll deep clean and put out Christmas as I go. I have just basic tidying up to do. I took most of the donations to the local thrift store. I have one more bag to drop off, but I'm waiting a bit to see if I find anything else as I clean and organize.
The house needs vacuumed and mopped, but that's a weekly occurrence around here with the dogs.
On My To-Do List This Week~
Monday~ Laundry
Tuesday~ Work on putting out Christmas
Wednesday ~ Work on putting out Christmas
Thursday ~ Work on putting out Christmas & bake a cake
Friday~ Nothing
Happening This Week~
Monday~
Tuesday~ Day off for hubby and son
Wednesday~
Thursday~ Bible Study
Friday~ Michael's Birthday
Giants in the Earth by O.E. Rolvagg (book club)
Hot Cocoa and Hotter Nights by Alexx Andria
Hazelnuts and Homicide: A Bonne Annee Mystery by N.E. Carlisle (ARC review)
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Rooted and Radient: A Study of Colossians with Walking with Purpose for our Bible study group.
What I'm Listening To~
I've been all over the place. Fall playlists, 90s, 80s, classic oldies from the 40s, etc.
On TV this week~
Netflix
Call the Midwives
Blindspot
Leanne
Grey's Anatomy (I restarted it)
YouTube
Cooking Videos
Quilting Videos
Exercise videos
Music
On the Menu this Week~
Monday~
Tuesday~
Wednesday~
Thursday~
Friday~ Birthday dinner for Michael (His choice)
Saturday~
I'm sitting down today to meal plan for the next few weeks and to plan Thanksgiving dinner. I have to get everyone's schedule to plan accordingly. It's crazy trying to plan meals with the weird schedule everyone has. My dear hubby is the only one with a normal 8-5 schedule. Everyone else gets home between 6:30 and 9. One even works nights occasionally. Chaos, I tell ya!
What I am Sewing, Quilting, and Creating~
I started a fall table topper, but I haven't finished it yet. I may put it aside and start working on the Christmas table topper. I bought the rest of the fabric I needed when I went and visited my mom. We went to a few quilting stores in Pennsylvania while I was up there. They have so many nice quilting stores.
My Simple Pleasures~
It's so not healthy, but I have discovered the Toasted White Chocolate Signature Latte from Dunkin' Donuts. It's so good. I tried it last week after taking Maddie to the vets. She hates going in the car and to the vets, so she always gets a treat afterwards. I decided to get myself a treat too.
Something fun to share (a blog, a video, a tip)~
From the Camera~
Praying For~
My parents
My husband and children
Our country
Friends and family
My 9 little ones
Inspirational Quote/Bible Verse/Faith~
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Sunday, November 9, 2025
Sunday Inspiration~ November 9, 2025
Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
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Sunday, November 2, 2025
Sunday Inspiration~ Novermber 2, 2025
Please note that posts may contain affiliate links. If you choose to click on a link, add it to your cart, and complete your purchase, I will receive a small percentage. We are very grateful for this additional source of income. Thank you.
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