Happy New Year, my friends!

What a year! As 2017 officially ended a few hours ago, how do you feel? In all honesty, I'm relieved. It's been a very interesting year for sure.  Going backwards in time (that's how I operate with thinking back), here are my personal highlights:

December - Quiet Christmas since our plans had to change last minute, but it was a well needed reprieve from the stressful months we've had. We even made a Christmas meal, even though it was just my Darcy and I. No fancy dishes, just us. Blessed.



November -  Towards the end of a 3 month respiratory infection, my first "fun" outing, I badly sprained my left shoulder and wrist. Took about 6 weeks to recover. Didn't realize reading my beloved books really does require two hands. However, the fact that I am a RIGHTY and can still function, blessed indeed.

At the end of November, a beloved uncle passed away. He is with our Lord, and I can imagine the interesting conversations they'll have.

For this God is our God for ever and ever; He will be our guide even to the end. (Psalm 48:14)

October - Recovery mode for my bad cold / respiratory infection.  A much needed rest after the September I had, plus I had my BOOKS and my Darcy bought me Latte Machiattos to help me recuperate. Blessings of the simple things.

Reagan

September - Car started smoking, and it was a lost. Caught a bad cold that led to a bronchial infection & sinusitis.  Had to abandon the blog for a bit to recover.  However, this little guy joined our family. He is such a good puppy. We almost named him "Spot," but opted for Reagan instead. Blessings just in time.

August - Christian Fiction Readers Retreat!! I get to see and chat with fellow readers, bloggers and authors! Need I say more?

July - London, England. It was just great. Afternoon tea was a highlight, and the Warner Brothers Studio to Harry Potter Film Studio. Also bought a few books. Blessed.



June  - Met up with my buddy, Carrie of Reading is My SuperPower and author Shelley Shepard Gray on a trip to Cincinnati.  And silly us forgot to take a pic! Still blessed.

May - Another cute nephew and from the looks of it (at 6 months), he's a reader. *wink wink. Blessing of life.

April - Honestly don't remember...will need to work on this one. But sometimes isn't just being without highlights, highlight it itself? Blessings of peace.

March - Our little angel, Gabby joined our family. We didn't expect to get a puppy, but she came over to my lap and just fell asleep. How could we not bring her home? She's been a true blessing since.

Gabby

February - Special days, special months, special time to just enjoy. I love Februaries. There's always a bit of sunshine with a little chill that makes it just refreshing.

January - A new word for a new year. Blessing.

As you can see, my year had it's ups and down, especially the last quarter of the year. Yet, in every situation, I can see God's abundant blessings in our lives.  I'm not sure if it's because of the word I chose (Blessings, in case you didn't figure it out yet), for 2017 to focus on or what, but it truly surrounded my heart with that knowledge.



GIVEAWAY

To start off the year, I want to thank my wonderful email subscribers with a chance to win something! Only open to my email subscribers, and 10 winners will be randomly chosen to receive an array of goodies - from some London souvenirs to bookish goodies to of course, books! Open internationally, but only US mailing addresses for physical prizes. International winners will be surprised with a digital ebook from Amazon or more. 


Just enter the email address you subscribed with in the Rafflecopter form and that's it!


Don't worry if you're not an email subscriber yet, you can subscribe HERE or on the right sidebar. Or if you prefer not to subscribe, I have many more giveaways coming for ALL my followers!