A Fresh Cup of Coffee

Sunday, January 25, 2026

Scripture and a Snapshot - Live Wisely

For you used to be darkness; but now, united with the Lord, you are light. Live like children of light, for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth ― try to determine what will please the Lord.

Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life ― live wisely, not unwisely. Use your time well, for these are evil days. So don't be foolish, but try to understand what the will of the Lord is.

~Ephesians 5:8-10, 15-17~

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

I also link up at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email

©2006-2026 HS Coffee Break/Just A Second/A Fresh Cup of Coffee. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork, and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the author. This post was written by a human. https://morecoffeebreaks.blogspot.com/

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Saturday, January 24, 2026

Five Minute Friday - Unusual

One word. Five minutes to write about it. This is the idea behind Five Minute Friday and this is today's free-writing post.

unusual circumstances

Time changes every man. Unusual circumstances change them in unusual ways. ~Bryant Gumbel

********************

I'm sad to say that it's been so long since I contributed something for FMF that it's unusual for me to do so. And I waffled over whether to write something or not, so I'm actually sharing on Saturday instead of Friday. This entire weekend is not going as I'd expected anyway, thanks to the winter storm bearing down on much of the midwest and south, and the unusually large amount of snow coming our way. Or so we're told.

I was planning to attend a Sweet Adelines regional event in Louisville this weekend, but that area is exactly where some of the worst of the winter storm is expected to hit. So our chorus pulled out due to travel concerns and very shortly after that the region cancelled the entire event. We're all disappointed, but we cancelled our hotel reservations and started adjusting. I let our church worship director know I'd be here Sunday morning after all, and she put me on worship team. And now I'm waiting to hear whether we'll even have the church service.

My husband and I went grocery shopping last night and weren't greatly surprised to find many of the shelves all but empty. Hardly any fresh produce at all, hardly any meat, milk and eggs and bread not quite as scarce but far less than is usual available. Fortunately, what was on our shopping list in those departments was more in the way of "want" than "need" but we adjusted our menu plan for the weekend since there were no peppers or onions! We joked about how surprised we were that there was so much toilet paper left on the shelf!

Everything in life is unusual until you become accustomed to it. ~L. Frank Baum

How do we handle it when faced with unusual or unexpected circumstances? A lot of it comes down to personality. Those who need to feel a sense of control and to know what's next may be rattled and anxious when something is out of the ordinary. Those who are less inclined to have detailed plans and are okay with figuring it out as they go might roll with the changes more readily. For the most part, I'm in the "roll with the changes" crowd, and tend to see the bright side of things too, but I still get upset when things don't go as planned.

Every start on an untrodden path is a venture which only in unusual circumstances looks sensible and likely to succeed. ~Albert Schweitzer

Whatever the unusual circustances we find ourselves in, we can be confident that God is not surprised or dismayed by what we were unprepared for. If we learn to trust him and turn to him in every situation, we'll find that he IS preparing our hearts and will provide what we need.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

whose confidence is in him.

They will be like a tree planted by the water

that sends out its roots by the stream.

It does not fear when heat comes;

its leaves are always green.

It has no worries in a year of drought

and never fails to bear fruit.

~Jeremiah 17:7-8~

********************

This post is linked at Five Minute Friday for the word prompt "Unusual"

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

A Cold and Snowy Wednesday Hodgepodge

A hodgepodge is a jumble or assortment of things that might not appear to belong together. Joyce at From This Side of the Pond hosts a weekly link-up called Wednesday Hodgepodge that is a little collection of questions for bloggers to answer just for fun and to get to know each other. I always look forward to chatting with friends over coffee, so pour a cup of your favorite and let's visit for a few minutes!

Here are this week's questions - and my answers - for this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge.

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk . . . which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter?

Snowy walk, every time! I love snowy walks, as long as it's not TOO frigid or windy. I haven't skated or been sledding in decades, and I decided in my teens that I did not like skiing in the least. I would like to try cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, and I think I'd like both of those activities once I got the hang of it. Assuming I could, in fact, get the hang of it without injuring myself first! Haven't had the opportunity to play in the snow thus far this winter. But yes, I've been out on a few short snowy walks and hopefully can do it again soon.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun.

With the discussion of snow and snowy activities (plus I recently wrote a whole article about the subject for the Tell Us About link-up - Tell Us About . . . Snow: Snow Globe World) I looked in my January 2016 photo collection and sure enough, we had a big dump of snow ten years ago! One that shut most activities down for a couple of days. Not as deep as a couple of other big winter storms we had but it was a whole day's project and family effort to dig the vehicles out of the driveway. Looks like we're on track to get a whole lot of snow this coming weekend, so that should be . . . fun . . .

3. What's a trend you hope disappears in this new year?

Rioting and rebellion and spewing hatred. I don't know if that's a 'trend' but there's a sense that some people consider it 'trendy' and a flex of some kind to go on social media with insane rants about their wish to commit violence against authorities and law enforcement. That shouldn't be considered cool or edgy or popular in any way. And it's so terribly dangerous.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds?

I do like granola bars, and usually choose the chewy variety. I haven't had regular granola in a long time, but I do like it. I enjoy just about anything in the 'breakfast bars' category. My current favorites are the sweet and salty combo ones, and the Kind breakfast protein bars.

5. A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well . . . which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like.

I think I'll go with frozen lake right now. Might look pretty and peaceful, but very little is moving or changing, and it's so cold. I'm struggling with getting stuff checked off my to-do list once again, and feeling rather sluggish about getting things done. Lacking a bit of motivation, one might say. Hopefully the Wednesday Quotes theme will give me a kick in the butt! The topic we chose is Motivation, and boy I need a bit of it!

The current link-up is here: WQ - What's My Motivation? Stop by and share a few thoughts and quotes!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I was really looking forward to our Sweet Adelines Regional event this weekend, but because of the impending snowstorm event, it has been cancelled. So no traveling, which is fine. But also no chorus fun with friends, and no visit to the Brown Hotel for a Kentucky Hot Brown. I was looking forward to that too. So we're adjusting our weekend plans and will stay home and stay warm. Praying for everyone affected by the snow and ice and cold temperatures to be safe!

Oh and don't forget the Everyday Images photo link-up which is open now and will have a new set of prompts next Thursday!

What kind of weather are you expecting on the weekend? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm sharing in this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge at From This Side of the Pond.

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

WQ - What's My Motivation?

How are we all doing with our New Year's Resolutions? Or any of the changes or new habits we've decided to make in our lives, whether we made actual resolutions or not? Very often we set out with great intentions of something good we're going to do to better our lives, or a big project to accomplish, and run out of steam before we get to the finish line. We need more than good intentions, we need powerful motivation. A purpose and a why that keeps us focused when we get distracted or discouraged.

Desire is the key to motivation, but it's determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal - a commitment to excellence - that will enable you to attain the success you seek. ~Mario Andretti

Some men have thousands of reason why they cannot do what they want to, when all they need is one reason why then can. ~Martha Graham

All of us perform better and more willingly when we know why we're doing what we have been told or asked to do. ~Zig Ziglar

That is certainly true for me. My attitude is not the greatest when I'm told to do a thing a certain way that doesn't make sense to me, but never told why it needs to be that way. This happens a lot at my job. They are constantly doing 'updates' to processes that we're told are going to be 'easier, better, more efficient' but in my experience that is not true. There are more steps to the task instead of fewer, and it takes longer. There are a number of tasks that seem to be monumentally inefficient, with me gathering information from a couple of different places, filling out a spreadsheet, attaching the spreadsheet to a smartsheet after putting most of the info from the spreadsheet right onto the smartsheet, and then waiting for someone somewhere else to perform the task I wanted done. There's got to be an easier way! Also, accounting jobs are like many other jobs in that you're never fully caught up. You can close the books at the end of a week or month or accounting period, but you will have to do the same tasks starting the next work day. So what motivates me at work? Often just the daily game of seeing how much I can check off the to-do list, and how clean I can get my inbox.

People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily. ~Zig Ziglar

I'm often in need of motivation in my personal life too. I tend to procrastinate, and I often want to avoid starting a task or project that I don't think I'll have time to finish in the time I have available. Which is silly, of course, but I'd rather finish than pause and have to figure out where I left off when I come back to it. And like most people, it's hard to stay motivated to work on something when I don't feel like I'm doing it well or don't see progress.

Honestly, sometimes it is helpful to frame it as a competition. Even if I'm the only one I'm competing against!

Work hard in silence, let success be your noise. ~Frank Ocean

Ability is what you're capable of doing. Motiviation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it. ~Lou Holtz

I think the satisfaction of having done a job well is great motivation. I want to give it my best effort, and maybe learn something along the way, and often challenge myself to do a little more or get outside of my comfort zone a bit.

Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might, because there is neither work nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom in the grave, the place where you will eventually go.

~Ecclesiastes 9:10~

That may sound a little fatalistic, but we only get one life and we aren't given a guarantee of how long it will be. The good things we want to accomplish won't always wait until another day, and we don't want to get to the end of our time and have regrets because we didn't do our best at the things that really mattered.

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

~Colossians 3:23-24~

That's often my motivation, especially for the tasks that it doesn't seem others notice or appreciate. It helps to remember that God notices when I do the right thing for the right reason. To bring honor and glory to him, not to me. Motivation boils down to knowing my purpose. The purpose for small day-to-day tasks is often hard to know, but the overall purpose of life is to know God and to live for him.

Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work. ~Robert Orben

What helps you stay motivated? Leave a comment and let me know!

*********************

Wednesday Quotes is a bi-weekly opportunity for bloggers to share their writing, poetry, photos, or stories inspired by our theme. We've chosen the themes as a starting point for your creativity, and the only requirement is that your post include at least one related quote. Feel free to combine or "double-dip" with other writing or photo challenges as well. Of course, we'd appreciate a link back to us, if you'd be so kind. Add your link and please visit others and leave a comment! The link is open for two weeks.

Thanks to Marsha at Always Write for introducing us to the Wednesday Quotes challenge, and for passing the hosting duties along so we can continue sharing great quotes! Wednesday Quotes is co-hosted by Kym at A Fresh Cup of Coffee and Sadje at Keep It Alive.

Quoting reminds me there are other people in the world besides only me.

And other thoughts besides mine, and other ways of thinking.

~Gregory Maguire~

Wednesday Quotes 2026 Themes

January 7 - Resolutions

January 21 - Motivation

February 4 - Eating Out/Restaurants

February 18 - Being Responsible

March 4 - Libraries

March 18 - Perserverance

April 1 - Simplicity

April 15 - Conquering Fear

April 29 - Making a Difference

May 13 - Family Ties

May 27 - Courage

June 10 - Teachers/Mentors

June 24 - Connecting with Nature

July 8 - Milestones

July 22 - Sunrise

August 5 - Patience

August 19 - Taking a Break/Rest

September 2 - Learning from Mistakes

September 16 - Best Friends

September 30 - Elegance

October 14 - Reaching Goals

October 28 - Dreams/Nightmares

November 11 - Integrity

November 25 - Generosity

December 9 - Beauty in Nature

December 23 - True Love

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.

This post may contain affiliate links - using affiliate links from A Fresh Cup of Coffee helps continue the coffee breaks and conversation.

Sunday, January 18, 2026

Scripture and a Snapshot - Walk In The Light

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

~I John 1:5-9~

Thank you for joining Scripture & A Snapshot. Leave a link to your own post sharing a Scripture and a Snapshot. Take time to visit some of the other links and bless each other with comments.

I also link up at the Sweet Tea & Friends Monthly Link-up Party hosted by Grace-Filled Moments

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Thursday, January 15, 2026

Everyday Images #79

Welcome to my ongoing challenge and reminder to myself to take photos somewhat regularly. I'm not a photographer, but I enjoy taking everyday photos of things I find interesting or want to remember later, and I'm more likely to notice interesting things when I'm intentionally watching for them. Having some prompts that are open to interpretation has helped me pay a little more attention to what's around me. Here's how it works: Every two weeks I have a few words and phrases to focus on, and I try to find opportunities to take pictures of these things each week. The link-up post will be here every other Thursday, sharing my photos and offering a link-up for participants to share theirs. Right below the link-up is where you'll find the next set of prompts.

January Prompts - Everyday Images #79

~~~~~

current season (quarterly)

organized

cozy corner

heavy

beginning and/or end

on the shelf

Monday mood

~~~~~

current season (quarterly)

organized - one day I'll finish organizing my pantry. Probably right before we move.

cozy corner - not exactly a corner, but it is cozy

heavy - my prettiest cast iron pan, and it really is heavy

beginning and/or end - photos taken of the sky when I left home at the beginning of a day, and when I arrived home at the end of a day. Not the same day, but if I remember correctly, both photos were taken on Mondays.

on the shelf - my new raven lamp and new books acquired over the holidays

Monday mood - I guess this is more like Monday motivation, which will be a prompt at some point during the year. But chorus is what puts me in a good mood on Mondays, because I get to go sing with some genuinely amazing people.

And a few bonus photos:

We went on a brisk winter walk on New Years Day, and got together for dinner and games in the evening.

So fun to have most of the family together! A slightly different combo than we had for Christmas.

It's a busy couple of weeks for hockey. We had tickets to games last Sunday and this past Tuesday, and we'll be going to tonight's game as well.

I love this magnetic Scrabble game/message board I got for Christmas. It's hanging in the kitchen right now but I'm going to move it to a more suitable spot, as soon as I decide exactly where that will be.

These trailers at my work. Oh, they look nice and tidy all lined up there. But they are blocking most of the employee parking spots so this week I've wound up parking a good quarter mile from my door. While I do need the exercise, it's not fun to be trudging across the lot in crappy weather carrying all my stuff. I'm sick of it already.

We had a guest night on Monday and it was so much fun!

We got a surprise for Tuesday's game - a friend has club level seats for his company and they weren't using them for this game, so he gave them to us! Nice upgrade!

So glad the Blue Jackets posted a win to welcome their new coach! Although I wish it didn't have to be against my other favorite team, the Calgary Flames.

I am sharing my photos every other Thursday, along with my prompts for the next two weeks. You can use all or some of the prompts for your own photo posts, or none of the prompts and just link up a post featuring your photos. Simple rules: Your posts must be family-friendly; the photos must be your own; and the post must be mostly photos. If you do share I'd appreciate a mention and link to A Fresh Cup of Coffee on your post.

The Everyday Images link-up is posted every other Thursday, and is open for two weeks.

January Prompts - Everyday Images #80

~~~~~

out for a walk (quarterly)

logo

at home (monthly)

inside and/or outside

good food

curlicues

texture

Don't miss a coffee break! Subscribe to A Fresh Cup of Coffee by email.