Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Sunday Joy

Can you believe the beauty of Assisi, Italy? It is FULL of meandering lanes, ancient looking buildings, tiny niches, cats, flowers, tiny gardens, and wonders around every corner. Even though I was sick with what I thought a head cold, it was a joy to wander and discover all to be seen in the short time we had there.

My word for 2023 was JOY. I didn’t think about trying to find Bible verses about joy until part way through the year, and then it became a challenge. And it has been my JOY to share them here.

Today is the last day before I switch to a new word for 2024, but I hope what I thought about as I considered JOY will carry on in my life for the next many years.

Do you choose a word of the year? What was your word for 2023? Do you have a new one for 2024? I’m 99% sure of my word for the new year, but I think it will be much more challenging to stick with it when I choose Bible verses or passages for my Sunday post.

Happy New Year, friends!


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Haiku Moment: playtime

i often wonder

why the couch looks like this-yikes-

playtime strikes again

playtime by Angie Quantrell

inspiration: Monet, destroyer of couch and assorted other household locations

I woke up one morning composing this haiku in my head. I was literally playing with words and counting out lines while I was in that between fully asleep and fully awake stage. That’s never happened before. I grabbed for my phone to take notes before my eyes were even fully open. LOL. My honey thought something was wrong, I grabbed the phone so fast.

Have you ever sleep-dreamed a poem or story idea?

Monet would like to know. And wonders if you have a couch she can destroy, or at the least, rearrange.


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Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you! The Quantrells, Bachmeiers, and Aucutts (I couldn’t fit all the names on the picture).

The Quantrells, plus the Ginger. Who views herself as a Quantrell. 🙂

The Bachmeiers and Aucutts, plus two 4-legged family members, Bear and puppy Timber.

Next year, I will try and remember to take a tripod so everyone can be in the same photo.

Wishing you and yours a blessed and joy-filled Christmas and a happy new year!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

xoxo


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Haiku Moment: autumn’s end

purple-y icing,

frosted blooms hanging on for

dear life-autumn’s end

autumn’s end by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Tree Hunting ’23

Ah, the good old family tradition of going tree hunting. That’s what we like to call it here in the northwest. After purchasing forest permits, we loaded up and drove to the nearby mountains to hunt down our tree. We found this fun creation. Not sure about the purpose, but it was great for photos. And possibly, with additional brush and a campfire, it might be quite cozy!

Poor people. They just have to put up with my attempts at taking pictures! As the almost shortest member with arms just as short, selfies are often quite comical.

Dogs (3, but never in the same picture), adults, and grands had a great time. A heavy blanket of snow added Christmas cheer and plenty of opportunities for the dogs to race, roll, and rumble. Snow gear was welcome in the often up-to-my-knees snow.

The Bachmeiers and Aucutts, plus Bear and new canine member Timber, crowd into the tree shelter. I mean, look at that! The dogs are facing forward and almost everyone is looking AT the camera. It’s a Christmas miracle.

The Quantrells also get a gold star (even grinning Ginger) for faces forward, eyes on the camera. Two Christmas miracles in one day!

The senior Quantrells took their turn in the tree shelter with all the grands. All eyes on the camera! Whoohoo! In the category of who is taller than Nana, the answer is nearly 50%.

My partner in life, love, and crime. We wish you all “Happy Christmas!”


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Book Review: Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble by Mirka Hokkanen (Holiday House)

Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble

By Mirka Hokkanen

Holiday House, 2023

Will you just look at this early reader I Like to Read Comics picture book by Mirka Hokkanen? Fun, adorable, and engaging. Thank you, Jena Benton Lasley and Mirka Hokkanen for sending me this most excellent comic picture book! Our family will enjoy reading it over and over again.

There is double trouble in this installment of Mossy and Tweed, when a new unicorn arrives on the scene, upstaging Wise Old Unicorn. Much fun and adventure follow in Gnome Woods. Two thumbs up for Mossy and Tweed: Double Trouble.

I adore maps that set the scene, and Mossy and Tweed does not disappoint. It makes me want to go exploring.

What I like about this book:

~ graphic novel comic

~ early reader, just right for those who are learning to read

~ imaginative

~ fun characters and setting

~ easy to read illustrations and format

~ great story

Thank you, Mirka and Jena. Well done!