Dear Friends, I'm back! Did you miss me? I missed chatting with you all here. I will be short and sweet today (Momma says I always am!) because I am a little under the weather. I have had some tummy trouble and spent yesterday visiting the vet. I am eating special food (it is delicious!) and taking meds, and hope to feel 100% again very soon. I took some time off from blogging to relax and enjoy summer with my Momma. On August 25th, I had a special day -- my 7th birthday! I just wanted to share a few photos with you. Momma dressed me up in a pink ruff. It is very frilly and girly, and I liked it!
On my birthday I had company and a tiny slice of cake and some exciting gifts (toys and treats). It was a very happy day!
Here I am thinking some deep thoughts in between all the fun:
And then back to fun again:
I have a new frog toy that I love very much. He makes a good lovey to cuddle with.
I'm looking for fun questions and topics for upcoming Friday posts, and I would love to hear any questions or topics that you have in the comments, below. I hope you are having a good week! Love to all, Abby xoxoxo
I took five weeks off from Blogland, but I am back and just getting settled in! I may be a little slow with posts as I get back into the swing of things, although my pup Abby is eager to start back with Dear Abby updates, and I have some scheduled book reviews. Music Monday and Did You Know Tuesday will be back shortly! This is my second planned blog break. I took one last year over the holidays as well. I missed blogging, but enjoyed some extra free time, and especially extra reading time. Speaking of -- I have some great reads to share with y'all! Over the past few weeks I read: Palisades Parkby Alan Brennert. This lovely historical novel (and family saga) is about a family who works at Palisades Park in New Jersey. The book spans the 1930's - 1960's, and I loved the glimpse of retro amusement park life found here. (This will surely be on my Top 10 list this year -- VERY HIGHLY recommended.) Joylandby Stephen King. Keeping up the amusement park theme, this is a coming of age novel and mystery set at a small, old fashioned amusement park in coastal North Carolina. Set in the 1970's, a young man works at the park during a break from college. He becomes interested in solving an old murder mystery at the park. This is a Stephen King book for readers who (like me) prefer mysteries to horror. The Exby Alafair Burke. Mystery about a lawyer whose ex-boyfriend is accused of murder. This book was hyped as a thriller, but really ended up being more of a legal mystery. (Not my cup of tea - I am not a big fan of legal mysteries.) Career of Evilby Robert Galbraith. I am an avid mystery reader and I'm pretty obsessed with this new series. The books were written by J.K. Rowling under the pseudonym of Robert Galbraith. The detective, Cormoran Strike, is a veteran who lost his leg in Afghanistan. He lives just over his modest detective agency office, where he works with his assistant (and budding detective) Robin Ellacott. This is the third book in the series, after The Cuckoo's Callingand The Silkworm. Cormoran and Robin set out to find a killer who sent a severed leg to their detective agency with a cryptic note. If you haven't read this series, I recommend it highly. The books are so smart and well written, the mysteries are well plotted, and I really love the detective pair! (I have decided they should be played by Tom Hardy and Emma Watson in the inevitable series of movies.) The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ward. Now this is a suspenseful novel, sure to please fans of The Girl on Train. I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. to finish this fast paced novel, about a travel writer who goes on a luxury yacht cruise for work ... and witnesses a murder. Serafina and the Black Cloakby Robert Beatty. I had high hopes for this children's novel, set in 1899 Asheville, North Carolina at the Biltmore Estate. It tells the story of Serafina, who lives in the basement of the Biltmore House with her father. She becomes involved in a mystery/fantasy involving a threatening man in a black cape. I didn't think the characters were very well developed, and the protagonist kept making very dangerous decisions (to the point that I became frustrated as a reader). Calico Palaceby Gwen Bristow. Historical novel set during the California Gold Rush, about two young women who move to California. One marries a gold miner and lives in a mining camp; the other sets up a gambling tent. I first read this novel as a teenager and loved it. I read it and reread it -- it was one of my first historical fiction reads. I was thrilled to find out that this is now on Kindle. It was so much fun to revisit these characters and this world again! So ... what have YOU been reading recently? I'd love to hear from you in the comment section, below. And I look forward to chatting regularly here again!
Hi all! I'm taking a summer blogging break, and will return after Labor Day! I'm looking forward to chatting with you more then. Abby is also looking forward to more Dear Abby posts in autumn. In the meantime, you can keep in touch online at:
Dear Friends, I hope you are having a great week! It has been a busy one here. Momma and I are taking a big blogging break for the next six weeks (!!) so we have been busy catching up here. I did take a little time off to see The Secret Life of Pets this week. This is an animated movie about what pets do when their people are out for the day. First, let's discuss the irony: this movie about what pets do when they are left alone will entice more people to leave their pets alone ... in order to see the movie! The star of the show is Max, a sweet and brave Jack Russell Terrier. (A reminder that I am a Doxie/Jack mix, so I was very thrilled to see a JRT in this movie.) Max has everything down pat, like making little happy circles and snuggling with his Momma. He has a very good life ... until his mother rescues a great big dog named Duke from the pound. Max isn't sure at all about Duke, and Duke wants to stake his claim in his new home. Max has many wonderful friends, like Chloe the cat, Gigi the fluffy dog, and Buddy THE DACHSHUND. Yes, you read that correctly. There is also a dachshund in this movie, and he steals the show a bit, if you ask me.
Max and Duke end up on an unexpected adventure outside of their apartment building. It leads them to danger and excitement all over New York City. There is a good pet rescue message in Duke's story, and the ending of the movie made Momma shed a happy tear. Here is a movie trailer for The Secret Life of Pets. I give this movie a very enthusiastic four paws up! I will be taking a blog break for a bit but will be back after Labor Day! In the meantime, I would love to hear from YOU in the comments below. Have you seen The Secret Life of Pets? Or do you just want to say hi? I would love to hear from you. Love, Abby xoxoxo
Overview Hear the Bible Come Alive in Dramatic Audio Theater™! This multi-voiced, scripted dramatization of the New King James
Version (NKJV) features a star-studded cast of actors, an original music
score, and incredible feature film quality sound effects. This
world-class production creates a dramatic audio theater experience that
makes you feel like you’re really there with Jesus and His disciples.
Listen in your car, on your MP3 player, or with your family or small
group to gain a new perspective of the Bible. The Word of Promise® New Testament Audio Bible is a 20-CD set and includes a bonus “Behind-the-Scenes” DVD. Cast Includes:
Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss (Mr. Holland's Opus, The Goodbye Girl) - Quotes from Moses
Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei (My Cousin Vinny, What Women Want) - Mary Magdalene
Golden Globe winner Stacy Keach (Prison Break, Hemingway) - Paul
Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Louis Gossett, Jr. (An Officer and a Gentleman, Roots) - John
Kimberly Williams-Paisley (According to Jim, Father of the Bride) - Mary, Mother of Jesus
And many others
My Review This is my first experience listening to a Bible audiobook. I am so impressed with the quality and production values of the Word of Promise New Testament! The voice actors include well known names like Jim Caviezel, Michael York, Richard Dreyfuss, Marissa Tomei, Stacy Keach, Louis Gossett Jr., John Heard, and more. Their readings are beautifully done, with much emotion. The production also features sound effects (i.e. the sounds of a marketplace, a storm, a door closing) and music. The music by Stefano Mainetti is a subtle and powerful addition to the audiobook. The varied voices, sound effects, and music give this production a more theatrical feel than a standard audiobook. I found myself absorbed in listening as I worked, and often realized that many chapters had gone by. The Bible translation is NKJV (New King James Version). I grew up with the KJV translation. I am not familiar with all the nuances of difference between the NKJV and the KJV, but this Bible translation really read beautifully, with familiar language. I enjoy reading the Bible, but there is something really unique about experiencing the Bible in audio format. I have already recommended this audiobook highly to my mother. I intend to keep this Word of Promise New Testament by my bedside to listen to when I need comfort or encouragement. I truly cannot recommend it highly enough. I received a copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for an honest review.
