Last November Hodge Podge

Welcome to the end of November and the Wednesday Hodgepodge. Raise your hand if your autumn flew by in the blink of an eye. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of Joyce's post. And be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because the best way to spread Christmas cheer is commenting loud for all to hear...something like that. Okay here we go-

1. Give us three rhyming words that say something about your Thanksgiving holiday (or your most recent holiday gathering if you didn't celebrate Thanksgiving).
Blessed with a huge mess in a shared nest.
2. When did you last say, 'the more the merrier'? Did you mean it?  It is a common phrase in my family.   We're more the merrier kind of people.  One year we packed over 30 of us in my cousins town house apt for the holidays. It was wall to wall beds....but loads of love. This year we rented a condo that sleeps six for us to spend Thanksgiving in....we were planning on throwing down an air mattress and sleeping eight....but at the last minute my cousin and her friend took her camper and camped near us.  It was a good idea.  Eight would have been too much.
3. What's one piece of advice you'd give someone who is your same age?  Embark on an adventure, make sure you have things to do....at least 26 when you retire.  Don't wait to do things....do them now.
4. You're ordering a veggie plate, what four veggies are on it?   Green beans, boiled red potatoes, boiled cabbage, and red ripe summer tomatoes! 
5. Shop til you drop! Did you? Have you ever? Will you between now and Christmas?
When I was younger I've shopped til I dropped.  I don't enjoy it any more.  I definitely do not enjoy Black Friday.  I shop all year so I am pretty much done by Thanksgiving.  I have now become a couple of hours kind of shopper.
6. What's your favorite chair in your house, and why is it a favorite?  My recliner.  I can see out the French doors from it, I can see the Christmas tree, I can read, I can relax.  Love my little corner of the den.

7. Share an early memory of faith, religion, or spirituality.  I grew up in church too and was not the child that needed prodding to attend. I loved it, and still do. My parents did not send me to church.  They took me to church.  They modeled faith for me.  Christmas was a holy time in my house and it revolved around Christ's birth.  Every night my dad would read from the Bible some part of the birth story.  I did the same with my kids.
8. Insert your own random thought here.  I am going to borrow Joyce's random thought.....If you're a person who prays please remember the firefighters, emergency personnel, and residents of Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding Smoky Mountain area of East Tennessee where fires have devastated the beautiful landscape and many homes, buildings, and schools. The high winds yesterday contributed to the rapid spread and the photographs are devastating. It's a part of the country so near and dear to the Korb's hearts, and we have family  and dear friends not far from there. 

The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year

About The Book:   The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Abingdon, October 2016)Celebrate 31 days of a Christ-filled Christmas season.  For Christians worldwide, the month of December is filled with joy and wonder as we anticipate the celebration of Christ's birth. There is no other time of the year that can compare to the Christmas season for both the young and young at heart.  From December to New Year's Eve, reawaken the wonder, joy, and magic that is Christmas with daily scripture and inspirational readings of stories behind popular Christmas traditions, carols and movies. Enjoy a wealth of fun activities to help make the most of the season, including heartwarming holiday recipes and homemade gift ideas.   With this soon-to-be-cherished holiday devotional, best-selling author Ace Collins will capture your imagination and help to make each day of December more memorable and meaningful to you, and those you love, by shining a light on the real spirit of the season.  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2frWQG8
About The Author:  Ace Collins defines himself as a storyteller. He has authored more than sixty books that have sold more than 2.5 million copies. His catalog includes novels, biographies, children's works as well as books on history, culture and faith. He has also been the featured speaker at the National Archives Distinguished Lecture Series, hosted a network television special and does college basketball play-by-play. Ace lives in Arkansas.
My Thoughts On The Book:  The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Ace  Collins is a month long devotional book that begins on Dec 1st and runs through the 31st.   Each day is a pleasant read and begins by focusing the reader on the reason for the season.  I loved that!  – Each day has a scripture and then a hymn with lyrics.  I loved that.  I am a musical person and I found myself singing each hymn as I got to it.  Not all the hymns are ones that are commonly song in every church so it was very refreshing. What I liked most of all, being a crafty person was that every single day ended with some kind of season craft, a diy gift, or some amazingly sounding recipe that I cannot wait to try!  This book was a win-win for me!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book  from Litfuse.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Happy Happy Happy Hodge Podging

Happy Hodgepodge everyone! It's nice to be back on the blog today. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of Joyce's post, then run say hello to your neighbor here. Here we go-

1. Let's all think happy thoughts...share one of yours here.
I will be spending Thanksgiving in Gulf Shores with Linda, Amanda, and Susan and their spouses.  I cannot wait!

2. There's a Chinese proverb that says, "If you want happiness for an hour take a nap, if you want happiness for a day-go fishing...." What say you? If you want happiness for a day _____________.
Read a book or watch the Hallmark Christmas Movies!

3. Where do you go to decompress from the world around you?
Into the pages of a book, to the beach, or up to the mountains.

4. What song never fails to make you happy?
I am a music lover....so I have to say lots.  Lots! Going with the first few that popped into my head-Don't Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin, Shackles by Mary Mary, Sister Acts version of Oh Happy Day, Happy Together by the Turtles.

5. Wednesday is National Fast Food Day. Should that be a thing? Apparently it is, so tell us what's the last 'fast food' you consumed? If you were putting together your own version of a 'happy meal' what would you include?
Chick-Fil A on Friday was the last fast food I have eaten.  We have not eaten there in a while and it was very tasty.  My perfect happy meal would include mixed fruit, a salad, and some form of chicken.
6. In a few sentences tell us why you blog.
I blog because it makes me happy.  I began when I was dealing with my mom and Alzheimer's and my dad's dying of cancer.  It was survival at that time.  I love to write and it keeps my mind functional.

7. List seven things you're feeling especially grateful for today.
My husband who has a huge heart and helps take care of others, Face Time, Skype, and Instant Messenger so I can talk with my daughter in Moldova.,

8. Insert your own random thought here. When you were in school how many days did you get out for Thanksgiving vacation.  We only got out for Thursday and Friday.  Now, we have a whole week.  I am excited for a fall break!

Trust My Heart

About The Book:  Trust My Heart (Waterfall Press, October 2016).  Grant McAllister arrives in Murphy, North Carolina, with one aim: to sell his inherited property and leave as quickly as possible.  The big-city lawyer has no interest in his late, estranged grandparents or the dilapidated mansion he just acquired. After his high-profile divorce, he should be avoiding perky reporters, too. But Jami Carlisle is honest, funny, and undeniably appealing.  After breaking up with her safe-but-smothering boyfriend, Jami is determined to ace her first big assignment. A story about the McAllister estate is too intriguing to ignore---much like its handsome, commitment-phobic heir. Thanks to her digging, the pieces of Grant's fraught family history are gradually fitting into place, but also upending all his old beliefs.  The two draw closer as they share their dreams, until misread signals and misunderstandings begin to test their trust. But in the unspoiled beauty of the Smoky Mountains, there's healing and forgiveness to be found. And for Grant, this unplanned detour may be just what's needed to finally guide him home...  Purchase a copy: http://bit.ly/2fg7WKG
About The Author:

From medical secretary to court reporter to property manager to owner of a special-events decorating company, Carol J. Post's résumé reads as if she hasn't yet decided what she wants to be when she grows up. But one thing that has remained constant through the years is her love of writing. She started as a child composing poetry for family and friends, then graduated to articles for religious and children's publications. Now she pens fun, fast-paced inspirational romance and romantic suspense stories. Her books have been nominated for an RT Reviewers' Choice Best Book award and selected as an RT Top Pick. When Carol isn't writing, she enjoys sailing, hiking, camping---almost anything outdoors. She also plays the piano and sings with her music-minister husband. Their two grown daughters and their grandkids live too far away for her liking, so she now pours all her nurturing into taking care of a fat and sassy black cat and a highly spoiled dachshund.

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My Thoughts On The Book:  This was a truly refreshing and wonderful Christian romance. The book is a combination of lifelike characters, intermingled with a touch of faith, a drop or two of romance and some mystery that drew me into the story and kept me there until the end.  I am a huge fan of Murphy, NC and many of the places Jami took Grant to I have seen which made the book that much more lifelike to me.  It was a touching book about how people can overcome their pasts and learn to grow and move on.  I LOVED this book and would highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read a good, clean, Christian romance.  I know I cannot wait until the next one comes out.   

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book  from Waterfall Press and Litfuse.  I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”