A Fresh Cup of Coffee

Sunday, January 28, 2024

Scripture and a Snapshot - In All Things

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

~Romans 8:26-28~

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Saturday, January 27, 2024

WQ - Inspired By Good Books

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I'm participating in the Wednesday Quotes link-up hosted by Marsha at Always Write, and despite the link-up being titled WEDNESDAY Quotes, for crying in the sink, I almost never post mine on Wednesdays! It can't be helped at this point. Thankfully, the linky is open for several days, which helps me out. The prompt this week centers around Literature or Media that Inspires.

Although I've barely scratched the surface in reading the books that might be considered the greatest classic literature of all time, I certainly do enjoy a good book, and a well-told story can be very inspiring. Skillful, elegant writing is inspiring too, and the combination of a compelling story and masterful writing is what characterizes the books that we call Classics.

A classic is a book that has never finished saying what it has to say. ~Italo Calvino

A classic is a successful book that has survived the reaction of the next period or generation. Then it's safe, like a style in architecture or furniture. It's acquired a picturesque dignity to take the place of its fashion. . . " ~The Beautiful and Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

With so many classics to choose from, which ones do you read? I've read some because they were assigned to me in school, and I've read a few more because I assigned them to my students! There's a few that I've read because I thought I should, but in general I read books ― classic or not so much ― because they interest me. They inspire my imagination or my thoughts in some way.

Classic literature is still something that hangs in the air like a song. ~Gilbert K. Chesterton

Good books tell the truth, even when they're about things that never have been and never will be. They're truthful in a different way. ~Stanislaw Lem

Fairy tales and other stories of heroes and romance help us understand love, courage, and the battle between good and evil. And inspire us to believe that truth and courage and love will triumph over wickedness and hate.

A well-composed book is a magic carpet on which we are wafted to a world that we cannot enter in any other way. ~Caroline Gordon

Stories about other times and other places inspire us to consider other perspectives and perhaps to learn about history or about other cultures.

Some books leave us free and some books make us free. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Once you learn to read, you will be forever free. ~Frederick Douglass

If you can read, you can explore the world. You can learn almost anything you want to learn.

The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go. ~Dr. Seuss

I declare after all there is no enjoyment like reading! How much sooner one tires of any thing than of a book! ― When I have a house of my own, I shall be miserable if I have not an excellent library. ~Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

What are some of my favorite books, or those I found most inspiring? I always have a tough time choosing favorites. I'll just list some that come to mind! Some of the classics that have really stuck with me for various reasons include (in no particular order):

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen (everything by Austen, actually)

The Scarlet Letter - Nathaniel Hawthorne

The Hobbit - J.R.R. Tolkien

The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis

A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities - Charles Dickens

Dracula - Bram Stoker

Frankenstein - Mary Shelley

The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde

The Friendly Persuasion - Jessamyn West

Recent favorites:

The Crumbs Off Heaven's Table - D.M. Griffin

Remarkably Bright Creatures - Shelby Van Pelt

The Travelling Cat Chronicles - Hiro Arikawa

Hope Between the Pages - Pepper Basham

Favorite authors:

Pepper Basham

Connilynn Cossette

Michelle Griep

Anna Lee Huber

Hannah Linder

Deanna Raybourn

There's so many other authors, so many other books that I've loved, and I just can't name them all! I used to read so much more, but in the last couple years I've not been able to keep up the pace of reading that I'd like to. I don't have the same amount of time to read for some reason, and I don't read as quickly either, it seems. Anyway, if you are interested in my reading, you can see it over on my book blog, Just A Second

Wednesday Quotes 2024 is hosted by Marsha at Always Write. This post will be linked at #WQ #157: Literature/Media That Inspires/Washington's Birthday

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Five Minute Friday - Far

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

that's going too far

a bridge too far

so far away

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I have a little experience with feeling like I'm too far away from my loved ones, and it's not a great feeling at all. Thirty years ago now, we packed up our little car and a moving van and set off across almost the entire continent on a move that took us far away from my family and all my friends. We weren't quite as far away from my in-laws, but still. It was an adventure and we soon made new friends, but we were So. Far. Away from my kids' grandparents.

And then just over a year ago, my husband and I moved to Ohio and even though the distance wasn't nearly so great, it felt very far away from our kids in Maryland. And especially far away from our little granddaughter! Six hours drive isn't terrible, but it's definitely too far away to go back for church every weekend, y'know?

My husband and I both drive about half an hour to get to work, and we don't mind, but honestly it's farther than I like to drive during rush hours and when I'm tired.

Why does everything and everyone have to be so far away?

I get what the Psalmist was feeling when he lamented that God seemed terribly far away. I've certainly felt that as well, like I'm so alone and comfort seems so very far from me, and it's tempting to wonder if God even hears or cares. But woven into the cries of grief are the statements of fact as the Psalmist reminds himself that God is trustworthy, and he absolutely does hear our cries. The feeling that he is far away is just that ― a feeling. He is near to those who call on him and he's always listening. Hang on. Help is on the way, and it's not far.

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me,

so far from my cries of anguish?

My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer,

by night, but I find no rest.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;

you are the one Israel praises.

In you our ancestors put their trust;

they trusted and you delivered them.

To you they cried out and were saved;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near

and there is no one to help.

But you, LORD, do not be far from me.

You are my strength; come quickly to help me.

For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one;

he has not hidden his face from him

but has listened to his cry for help.

~Psalm 22:1-5, 11, 19, 24~

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Please enjoy the song that has been my earworm inspired by the prompt:

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

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Thursday, January 25, 2024

Monthly Musings - Taking Care This Winter

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Can you believe January is almost over already? Nearing the end of the month means it's time for another round of Monthly Musings and we're talking about taking good care of ourselves during the winter. Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best co-host this monthly sharing of tips, tricks, and conversation starters.

1. How do you take care of yourself in winter?

I am more intentional about staying hydrated, because it doesn't come quite as naturally to drink all that cold water when it's cold outside. I'm careful to take vitamins and supplements to boost my immune system, because I don't like being sick! I guess that's been pretty successful, because I've managed to stay generally healthy through the past several winters. (But of course I'm battling a cold or something right now. Not horrible, but I'm sniffly and a bit under the weather, and that could also be because I just had an oral surgery on Tuesday and all the tiredness and malaise that follows.) It feels luxurious to treat myself to an Irish coffee, hot chocolate, or hot buttered rum on some evenings, or to enjoy a good book in a hot bubble bath.

2. How do you fight the winter blues?

I don't fight them as much as I just roll with them. I try to keep home warm and cozy, and I enjoy daylight when I can get it. I make sure to appreciate the beauty of winter instead of dwelling on how cold or uncomfortable I am. There's something awe-inspiring about a fresh fallen snow, crisp clear starlit winter nights, and even icicles. It cheers me up to see birds at my feeders, especially the bolder colored ones like cardinals, blue jays, and woodpeckers. Most of all, I try to give myself grace if I'm feeling a little down or sluggish because it's usually just temporary. (Last winter I learned the difference between temporary winter blues and real soul sadness and depression.)

3. Tips to make your living space cozy?

Soft and warm lighting, and candles in warm and comforting scents. Throw blankets always available. I don't know if it's cozy exactly, but it's cheery and helps me to have fresh flowers in the dining room. I've got a holiday decorated ivy wreath in my dining room window right now but it's soon time for me to start splurging about once a week on a clearance bouquet of cut flowers from the supermarket! And just having a cat seems to make it feel cozier and homier too.

4. Suggestions for fun wintertime activities?

My winter fun activities are a lot different now compared to when I had young kids! Sledding and skating and snowball fights are a NO for me these days, although I'd gladly go along to watch the granddaughters if I could! I've found that winter walks in the city's Metro Parks are a very good thing, but walks are for the weekends only now, since I'm at work during the daylight hours. Birdwatching is something I enjoy, although it's very limited here. My husband likes to do puzzles, but I don't care for that, though I will watch hockey games or movies with him, and I plan on watching the Super Bowl every year, even though I don't care even the tiniest bit about the NFL! It's getting together with family or friends, good food, and evaluating the commercials that entertain me!

5. What are your exercise routines in the winter?

Exercise routines? Ummmm. I'm sad to say I don't have any real exercise routine. I try to get in some brisk walking pretty much every day, but it's not far - just enough to move a bit and get some fresh air. And even that doesn't always work out for me. My personal practice time for chorus often involves a bit of cardio if I'm working any choreo. (Don't be fooled by the word choreo - it's movement, but I still can't dance! haha)

6. Best tips for restful sleep?

I could use some, honestly! I take melatonin many nights and I believe it helps. I've been trying to do better at maintaining a standard time for going to bed and for getting up and moving in the morning, in hopes that my body will get used to this rhythm and allow me to sleep better. We have a humidifier going in the bedroom and I generally sleep better when it's on because my throat and nose are less likely to be dry and irritated.

7. Favorite warm beverage?

Coffee, always!

8. Best winter skin-care tips?

My biggest problem in winter is dry skin, so the solution is pretty basic - moisturize! We try to keep a humidifier going to help with good sleep, but obviously keeping the air from being quite so dry is helpful for my skin too.

9. Flannel sheets - yes or no?

Yes, I really like having flannel sheets in winter! So cozy!

10. Favorite winter pajamas?

My choice of pajamas is a soft night shirt year round, but in the winter I especially like soft pajama pants for lounging around at home.

What are your best self-care tips for the winter months? Leave a comment and let me know!

I'm linking up with Monthly Musings hosted by Holly at Pink Lady and Patty at Good Better Best.

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Wednesday, January 24, 2024

Wednesday Hodgepodge - Tips To Share

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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. Do you have a word for the year (WOTY)? If so, and you'd like to share, please share. How do you decide on a word? If you don't have a word are still on the hunt for one for 2024?

I do have a WOTY, and it is Rhythm. When I do a WOTY, I try to choose something that I feel describes an overall need I have to focus on in order to do life better. I chose Rhythm for 2024 because I realized I'd need to adjust my routines and time management (which I'm lousy at anyway) to accommodate my new work schedule, and I couldn't be striving or fighting all the time - I need to establish a healthy, balanced rhythm to my days and weeks. And additionally, in the last part of 2023, I felt like God had really been speaking to me about the subject of Sabbath, and that he was inviting me to be more intentional about practicing and celebrating a Sabbath rhythm in my life. My WOTY post is here if you want to know more about it: WQ - Rhythm Inspires

2. January 23rd is National Pie Day . . . will you celebrate? Do you like pie? What's your favorite?

I didn't have any pie on the 23rd and now I'm disappointed that I missed my chance! Although I wouldn't have been able to chew it anyway. But for years I've been celebrating Pi Day on March 14th because I love pie but don't often bake it myself. Pi Day was my excuse to make my favorite meat pie for dinner, and bake up some dessert pies as well. My favorite main dish pie is French-Canadian Tourtiere, closely followed by Greek Chicken and Feta Pie. My favorite dessert pies are Pasta Frola (a Paraguayan Guava Jelly pie), Pumpkin, Cherry, and Rhubarb. And I love all the custard pies!

My recipes for Tourtiere, Chicken and Feta Pie, and Pasta Frola are included in this Homeschool Coffee Break post from March 2017: Favorite Pi(e) Recipes for Pi Day

Favorite Pi(e) Recipes for Pi Day on Homeschool Coffee Break @ kympossibleblog.blogspot.com #recipes #pie

3. Tipping. What are your thoughts, expectations, as to who, when, where? Do you appreciate a store/restaurant giving a 'suggested amount'? Have you ever left an extravagant tip?

We always tip at sit-down restaurants, and try to lean to the generous side. I do not consider it necessary to tip at self-service places like a coffee shop where you order at the counter and wait for them to hand you your drink. I have sometimes tipped at those kinds of places but it's not my usual practice. I usually get my hair done by a friend rather than at a salon, and honestly I have no idea what is standard for tipping a hairstylist. If someone wants to tell me in the comments, I'll tuck that info away for when I need it. I do like when the restaurant check comes with the percentage tips printed on the bottom of it because it saves me doing math! I don't remember a specific occasion when I gave a tip that was not just generous but truly extravagant, but I can think of some times when I've been with a large group at a restaurant where we all pitched in to leave a way above and beyond tip for the servers, even though the tip was automatically included on our check.

4. Share with us one household 'tip' that works for you.

One 'tip' that I'm trying to bring back into my regular practice that worked for me years ago was to have a little list of chores that could be done in just a couple of minutes so that instead of letting things pile up, I could make use of the time I was on hold on the phone, had a few minutes while waiting for dinner to come out of the oven, and that sort of thing. Or jobs that didn't require thinking, so I could do them while I was on the phone. I even timed some of those jobs! So it's not unusually wise but basically the "Clean as you go" idea. It takes only a few seconds to wipe down the sink or the bathroom mirror, or even give the toilet a quick swish with the brush, so why not do that more often instead of having to spend a half hour or more scrubbing the whole bathroom? Also a rhythm I need to establish . . .

5. Influencers on social media are people who've built a reputation for their knowledge and expertise on a particular subject. Do you follow any influencers online? Have you made a purchase or tried something new because of that 'influence'? If there's one you particularly enjoy tell us who they are and why you enjoy them.

I don't follow any influencers in particular, not actively. I can think of one influencer I subscribe to on YouTube: Pretty Over Fifty and have tried some of her skincare and makeup tips, but haven't purchased anything, I don't believe. I haven't watched her stuff for a long time, but now that I've been reminded of it, maybe I'll have a look! I like her because she's pretty down-to-earth with makeup, skincare, and fashion advice, even though she obviously has WAY more time and money to spend on her face! And she seems so likeable, like someone I'd enjoy having coffee with sometime.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I mentioned not being able to chew - I had my dental post implant on Tuesday. It went well, and there was only one failed stick before they got the IV needle into me so that's a win! I haven't felt too much pain - trying to stay on top of that! - but half my face is still numb! And I guess I'll be sticking to softer and easier to chew foods for the next little while.

Got any time management or other tips to share? Leave a comment and let me know!

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

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Tuesday, January 23, 2024

Twenty-Six Lists - Things To Do This Winter

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Welcome to Twenty-Six Lists! I hope you'll join me in this simple link-up, where I share a writing prompt for some kind of list, and invite you to share what's on your list. Your list can be very simple or include lots of explanation; short or long; a bullet point list or essay style. Interpret the list prompts however you like, depending on how much time you have to spend, and how much background you'd like to share.

This time I'm inviting you to share a Things To Do List for Winter. Do you have projects you want to complete before spring? Tasks that you don't want to forget? Fun activities or creative pursuits you want to enjoy during this time of year? Any and all of these might be part of your list!

Here are some things on my list . . .

Things I NEED to do:

file taxes. Not fun but necessary.
come up with a budget. Also not fun but necessary.
menu plan so we can eat well.
clean and organize the spare room. Again. I keep putting things on the sofa "temporarily" for various reasons, but don't remove them.

Spare bedding not folded, and only the
blanket and pillow should be there! Random
papers and school things left there after last
week's class. Canvas bin I didn't put away.
At least it shouldn't take long to set right!

Things that are more fun!

learn new chorus music and figure out how to practice regularly
try some of the restaurants on our list
adventures with family as we have opportunities and ideas
go for walks. Need just the right conditions though - clear, not too cold or windy, and on a Saturday or Sunday when we have time.

read some books! I've got so many on my list and I've really had trouble finding both time and motivation to read. I just finished a great new book called The Crumbs Off Heaven's Table by D.M. Griffin and need to get my review posted. And I'm working on another excellent review book - The Juliet Code by Pepper Basham - and I have several books on my nightstand just calling my name!

grade papers and stay on top of my lesson plans. This is something I like doing but again, having a bit of a struggle adjusting my schedule so I don't wind up doing it last minute or feeling rushed.
blogging. I enjoy this hobby but I need to be careful of how much time I spend and that it doesn't take away from other things that I need to be doing.

What's on your winter to-do list? Please share!

The link-up is open for two weeks, with a new prompt every other Tuesday. I'd appreciate a link back to A Fresh Cup of Coffee if you join in.

If you'd like to think further ahead, you can find the list of all prompts for the 2024 Edition of Twenty-Six Lists on A Fresh Cup of Coffee here: Twenty-Six Lists - Accomplishments and Goals

Bonus List: The next few list prompts so you can think ahead!

February 6 - My Talents and Creative Skills

February 20 - Historical Figures

March 5 - A Feel Better List

March 19 - My Lucky Days

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Sunday, January 21, 2024

Scripture and a Snapshot - Rejoice Always

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

~I Thessalonians 5:16-18~

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, and at Selah hosted by A Spirit of Simplicity.

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