Love, Laughter, and Life

Adventures With a Book Lover

Category Archives: Small Things


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Book Review: Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol by Brigitte Weninger and Julie Wintz-Litty

Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol

Written by Brigitte Weninger

Illustrated by Julie Wintz-Litty

NorthSouth Books, 2018 English translation

I adore Christmas music. And Christmas books. When I recently replied to an email from NorthSouth Books, sharing which book I would love to read (from a generous list of choices), I won a copy of Silent Night, The wonderful story of the beloved Christmas carol. Merry Christmas to me!

Gorgeously illustrated, this lovely picture book has a longer text, but it easily engaged my attention as I read about the history of the beloved song. Seasonal yes, but I’ve been known to listen to Christmas music nearly any time of the year. Music and history lovers will enjoy reading how the song was born. Enchanting, beautiful, and perfect.

Thank you, NorthSouth Books!


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Sunday Joy

Photo by Angie Quantrell

Assisi, Italy


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Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Ones,

Happy Thanksgiving! May the Lord bless you, your family, and your friends as you remember and give thanks for what He has done.

Sending peace, beauty, love, and grace.

XOXO

Photo by Angie Quantrell

Assisi, Italy


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Haiku Moment: heart chewing bug

a random leaf i

think not, rather a love note

signed, heart chewing bug

heart chewing bug by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Sunday Joy

Photo by Angie Quantrell

Assisi, Italy


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Haiku Moment: frosted

lingering beauty

gleams brightly, clarion glow

frosted in autumn

frosted by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Sunday Joy

Photo by Angie Quantrell

La Strega, Siena, Italy


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Haiku Moment: out to dry

the rain is sopping

wet; must clip it on the rack,

hang it out to dry

out to dry by Angie Quantrell

photos by Angie Quantrell

Yakima Valley


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Sunday Joy

Photo by Angie Quantrell

Dublin, Ireland


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I Might Have a Problem.

Most people bring a variety of souvenirs home from their travels. Sure. I do that as well.

But also, when I travel, I am consumed with seeking out . . . tote bags! No matter the gift shop, museum, tourist trap venue, my eyes and fingers are drawn to the tote bag display. It might be a problem. Let’s call it a hobby. We’ll all feel better.

My recent travels to Ireland and Italy garnered me 7 tote bags. SEVEN. And I was practicing self-restraint.

And once I returned home, I had an email from my local library. “Mention this email and get a bag for your library books.”

I mentioned that email when I visited the library to pick up books they were holding for me. And received a lovely orange tote bag! That ups my total to 8 new tote bags for about one month of excitement.

I love using my tote bags for various purposes. Or just hanging them up as wall art, because, really, they are artfully designed and created with humor, purpose, reusability, delight, and beauty.

What do you collect as souvenirs when you explore new locations or favorite destinations?