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  1. Brenda I was so glad to hearthat you would also include comments about movies and other shows on t.v. and from streaming services. I do not read nearly as much as you do and when I do I like to read biographies and auto bios. My eyesight has gotten much worse as I age[ugh] I read a lot just not fiction; I prefer to read about things that are true. Also about podcasts how do you find out how to connect to them??? I also wish and hope for your health and mobility issues to improve! My mother always told me when I was complaining about something that “WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD HEALTH YOU HAVE EVERYTHING” and she was soo right!!! SANDEE.

  2. I am currently reading a book you wrote about last January, Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. It’s hard to imagine that children could survive such abuse and that there were totally unprotected.

    Regarding your new venture, I like reading books by British authors. The different terms they use for common things and the turns of phrase they use are fun.

  3. This blog is nearly 14 years old? I must have been with you from nearly the beginning! In late 2009, my divorce was nearly complete, and I was moving back to San Diego. I was purchasing a tiny 744 sq.ft. condo, and I was doing internet searches for decorating tiny and cozy homes. Your blog popped up. I remember you describing your home near a pine forest (?). You had kitties and doggies, and doted on your garden. You weren’t yet talking about your own divorce. I really wish I could remember the first blog of yours that I read. Fourteen years. Time is just whizzing by.

  4. Well, first of all, I never get tired of reading your daily posts. I look forward to reading them everyday. I enjoy reading the comments as well. This leads me to my second comment… The community you built here is wonderful! I wish that same success for your book blog too. We all feel like friends, and that’s thanks to you, Brenda. I really appreciate all the hard work and effort you put into your posts. And it’s so sweet of you to take the extra time to respond to us. It’s a labor of love for sure. Happy New Year!

    1. PS- I love your new blog picture! It’s soooo cute! You can definately tell that kitty is your sweet Miss Ivy! The person you paid to make that graphic image did such a beautiful job!

  5. Your new book blog sounds interesting, even though I don’t care for the same genre of books that you do (mystery and suspense). That’s ok though…I’ll still follow your new blog because it’ll be interesting to read your reviews of books, movies and TV shows. We started watching Somebody Somewhere on HBO this weekend and we’re really enjoying it.

  6. Please post something letting your followers know when the new book blog is up. I know we are all looking forward to a chance to read anything you do.

  7. Wow, admire your ambition and teaching yourself how to do things!! Wishing you all the best in this new blog too!!

  8. I look forward to the new book blog. If it is as good as Cozy Little House, it will be a success. I have been an avid reader for 5 years and plan to continue for many more. Keep up the good work.

  9. Brenda,
    I am so excited for your new blog. YOU can do anything you set your mind too and if it is a passion of yours I am sure that we will all enjoy it. I don’t watch tv so I will be there for the books and the music.
    I too have been blogging for 14 years and it takes a tremendous amount of time, effort and dedication. I have been reading your blog for that long and I remember when you lost your posts. Thankfully you were able to start again.
    Happy New YEAR! I cannot wait to see what wonderful things the new year brings to you, my hope is that your blessings will be immense and your mobility be one of them.
    Take care my friend,
    xo Elizabeth

  10. This is so exciting, Brenda! I just can’t imagine putting it all together as you do —and will in the new blog.
    Also loved the quotes, especially the one about the shards of the past becoming part of the new.
    We’re all behind you, our community of women.

    1. Did you notice the new blog header I did today? I added pots of flowers, the new Ivy graphic, a watering can, and a tiny hummingbird.

  11. Wow wow you sure are talented Brenda!!!
    Honestly, I’d have zero idea how to get something like a book blog going.
    Just not at all in my imagination or cleverness to do.
    I love reading your blog.
    Will be likewise for the book, tv, music ,,,,, and everything (review) blog corner!!
    Can’t wait to learn more of your latest creative creation!!

    1. I’m having fun with it. Just playing around until I get it the way I want it. I love playing with graphics. I’m self-taught so it’s taken me years to figure it out. It will all come together.

  12. Conratulations on forging ahead with the Book Nook! May it be personally gratifying for you and I believe from everything you have said that you are coming at it from a place of love and that is the BEST way to begin any business. One step at a time and I predict you will be very successful with it (over time). You can definitely learn the other aspects like podcasts- the technology will likely be the easy part for an experienced blogger as yourself – the key is the podcast content so that people want to keep coming back for more. You can do it! We are all here behind you! Cheers to good health, happiness and peace in 2023.

    1. I’ll take that health bit, and I hope for great health for all of you. Avoiding COVID and all the new and ever-changing variants is my concern.

  13. I follow your blogs daily and will do the same with your book blog. You have a talent for presenting material and being an avid reader, I will probably be buying books through your blog, not into tv and movies as much. Are you still buying books from Book of the Month Club?
    Happiest of New Years to you this 2023!

    1. Yes, still getting Book Of The Month. Yes, books are more my thing than TV or movies. I just like to watch a couple of episodes of a series at night to break things up a little so I’m not continuously reading a computer, reading a book, etc. all the time. I have to rest my hands.

  14. I, too, can ‘hear’ the excitement in your post!
    Don’t fret about how long it’s taking for you to prepare your new blog. I’ll be ready to read and enjoy it when you’re ready.
    We had a very quiet New Year’s Eve and thoroughly enjoyed every minute in the Living Room. LOL I have been to New Year’s Eve parties in the past, hated every minute and can’t remember the last time. I prefer my own company!
    Happy New Year, Brenda! I’m looking forward to your posts in 2023.

    1. Oh thank you! I thoroughly enjoy blogging, writing, taking pictures. Haven’t been able to do much of the photography lately. But with time I will get back to all that I love.

  15. I can hear the excitement as you write about your new blog! I think it will
    be a wonderful new endeavor. And to think a PODCAST in the future!! You never cease to amaze me! And 14 years of blogging. That went by in a flash. I used to love your pictures from your place in Texas. Then again all of your pictures are fabulous! Happy New Year to you and Ivy❤️

  16. Sounds great! Looking forward to seeing the movie/TV info since I don’t read much fiction.

    The quotes in today’s post are wonderful.

    Happy New Year!

    1. I’m checking out how to find out about new movie and TV series releases. I just signed up for emails for that very thing a few minutes ago.

  17. Happy New Year Brenda. Wishing you health and the ability of pain free walking. First and foremost, you have achieved your goal making your blog community a safe place for us to interact with others and to share our feelings. This is the only blog I feel comfortable commenting on. I love the New and Notable Mentions and appreciate the time it takes for you to prepare, write and add photos to enhance your blog. I am glad to hear you will be adding tv, movies and maybe even music? to the new blog. I couldn’t do all you have to do to create a blog. After trying all the special shows last evening, we quickly gave up and went back to our current binge watching of Imposters on Netflix. We also like Yellowstone but neither one of us could get into White Lotus. Of all the quotes about the New Year, I love the first one you posted. We are all special in different ways and that should be celebrated and used to enhance our relationships with one another. Happy New Year, friends!

  18. I love the quote “ Every year we make a resolution to change ourselves, this year make a resolution to be yourself “. It does seem like a huge undertaking to do the book blog, but as we all know, you will pull it off beautifully!
    Happy and Healthy New Year to all.

  19. Thank you for the Saving Grace recommendation…I have been looking for something to stream that appealed to me, and this sounds like something I will like. Happy New Year dear Brenda…I hope each new day brings you closer to new healing.

    1. I think you’ll like it if you can get past all the rough language, etc. You will find out a reason why she tends to be the way she is later.

  20. Oh my goodness Brenda this seems like an awful lot of work and time consuming but I know if you are doing something you love then its not quite as it seems to others and of course dear Ivy must have the attention she so deserves.
    I do listen to quite a lot of Podcasts usually when I am working in the kitchen or crafting. Most of my reading is done in the summer months when I am relaxing in the garden or I will take a book to some appointments where waiting time is sometimes long. Thank you for taking on this (what appears to be a huge undertaking )for us, I am sure we will all love it.

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