Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover


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Book Share: Look by Gabi Snyder

Look

Words by Gabi Snyder

Pictures by Samantha Cotterill

A Paula Wiseman Book, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2024

Oh, this is the one to read today! This picture book is filled with hope and love, beauty and patterns. Beautiful!

Thanks to Kathy Temean and her blog, Writing and Illustrating, I won a copy of Gabi’s gorgeous book. Thank you both!

Each time I’ve read Look, I’ve been filled with the JOY of discovery and delight. There is so much to be found on each page, and the colors and words make the journey effortless and thoroughly engaging. With the detailed cut-paper illustrations, patterns pop from the page.

My Goodreads review:

This book is absolutely gorgeous! Filled with hope and love and a search for patterns, the poetic words by Gabi and the cut-paper illustrations by Samantha combine to make a beautiful journey for a young reader. A day in the life of a young child who goes out and about with his mother. LOOK helps the reader see the wonder of it all and allows them to take a peek at the grander picture of the whole world, but also at the tiniest of details. Ten thumbs up.

Happy reading!


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Haiku Moment: splendor

creep and cling, burst forth

glorious beauty tumbles

splendor for the eye

splendor by Angie Quantrell

Siena, Italy


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Sunday Peace

Florence, Italy


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Haiku Moment: eye candy

miniscule planets

avian winter treats drape,

walker’s eye candy

eye candy by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Haiku Moment: anything

lines, zags, speckles, dots, holes

heart, tower, treasure, or picture

rocks can be anything

anything by Angie Quantrell

rocks from her enormous rock collection

Sunday Peace

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Sunday Peace

Welcome to 2025! Over the years, I’ve changed the name of this type of post. Sunday Moments and Sunday Joy are just a few of the titles I’ve used. This feels like a good year to focus on Sunday Peace.

Whether rain, snow, ice, or sun, be brave and stand strong like this little pansy in one of my uncovered plant pots. Peace to you.


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More (A Letter for 2025)

Dear Lord,

Thank You in advance for the many blessings You bestow and will shower down upon me and my family this year. Bring each blessing to mind so I can notice and give thanks.

Help me, Lord, to

move more

think more

laugh more

learn more

care more

dream more

create more

write more

thank more

reach out more

encourage more

forgive more

LOVE more.

Let this be a year when WE grow closer as I lean into You.

Amen.


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The Christ Candle: Advent 5

On this, the 5th day of advent, we remember the Christ Child. Read the full story of Jesus in Luke 1-2.

Rejoice! Worship and give thanks! Long ago, a Child was born, a horn of salvation for us from the house of David. Jesus, the Messiah, God made flesh. For all of us.

Happy birthday, Jesus! Thank You for being clothed in humanity for our benefit. You came because You loved us, will always love us.

Hallelujah! Sing with joy and great adoration!

Let our hearts celebrate the birth of Jesus.


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The Wise Men Candle: Advent 4

On this, the 4th Sunday of advent, we consider the wise men, otherwise called the Magi. It was not on a whim they traveled long distances to find the One who was born King of the Jews. Studiers of the stars, they discovered one very special star announcing the birth of a king. The King. So they set out seeking He who was heralded by the Star. Matthew 2:1-12 tells the rest of the story.

The Magi came prepared to worship and honor the new King, placing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh at the foot of the Child. Gifts fit for a King. Oh, my heart, what gift can I place at the feet of the King?

Let us prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus.