Writer/Reader's Dream Come True!

I have many happy places, some of which include being outside with a book, on my bed before a computer/journal, or in the van taking a road trip. But when I come across a place that holds sooooo many of my favorite things at once, my heart just seems to bubble over. 😍😍😍

Monday morning, my mom and I went antiquing. She loves anything pretty and vintage that could possibly be used in making a "junk journal", so antique stores are right up her alley. (if you'd like to check out some of her creations, visit her Instagram page.) On the way home, I told Mom, "I wish there was a writer's store that I could go to. You know, one that sells pens and paper and is full of inspirations specifically meant for published/budding authors . . ." 

The next day, Mom and I trekked out again, expecting to go to another antique shop. Their website had said they were open, but we realized too late that the information was false. Sitting in a parking lot forty-some minutes away from home, Mom and I debated what to do next.

"I think there's a Barnes & Noble around here somewhere," she said. "We can go there and then head back home."

We decided to give it a try. However, neither one of us had been in the area for a number of years, so we soon discovered that the Barnes & Noble had been replaced by a Books-a-Million (BAM!) store . . . which turned out to be THE BEST EVER. 🤩🤩🤩 It had lava/glitter lamps, books, stationery, notebooks, planners, fun trinkets, pens . . . yep, I was beyond excited. 😄 Truly, this was something only God could orchestrate!! He knew before I spoke a word just how much a place like this would mean to me . . . a place I wasn't even aware existed. 💜

All my goodies!! A copy of If I Run by Terri Blackstock (which had been highly recommended by a friend on Goodreads), a mug, three pens with useful grammar tips, and a world's smallest glitter lamp. 🥰😁

Do you have a BAM! store where you live? What's a way God has shown you recently that He's providing for you? Drop a comment and tell me!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // Last Full Week of 2020!!

A belated Merry Christmas + early Happy New Year to you all! 😀 Hope you guys are having fun and staying safe this holiday season. 🥰

My sister, Marah, and I went jogging Christmas Day. I was under the impression that our weather would rise as high as sixty degrees (Fahrenheit), so I came outside in shorts and a light jacket. Huge mistake. No matter how much or how hard I jogged, my legs went numb and stayed numb--it was that cold. 🥶 But the biggest surprise was yet to come: it snowed!!! That hadn't happened on Christmas Day in, like, ever. It was amazing!! 😄

We didn't do presents or decorations this year, but we still had a big dinner as a family around the dining room table, so that was nice. We also saved the Silent Night Sue Thomas episode from season one of the series, which we watched on Christmas Eve. 🤗🤗🤗 And Mom made a pan of luscious cinnamon rolls and a couple trays of cookies. 😋

The following day (Saturday), I guest posted on Caleigh's blog. (go check it out, and be sure to enter the giveaway she's hosting right now!!)

Currently, I'm choosing a word for 2021. This past year I used both endurance and follow, and in previous years it's been possible (2019), serve (2018), and precious (2017). I'm trusting God to show me what He wants my next word to be. 😊

Some pictures from the week . . . 

Walk in the snow. 🙂

Mom and me. 💙

😍😍😍

How did your family celebrate Christmas? Do you have a word for 2021? Are you excited for the new year? Comment below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // Counting the Little Joys

Some things I'm thankful for from this past week . . . 

Squishy food keychains on sale at Michael's Craft store (of course, I couldn't resist getting a few 😄)

Brand-new lava/glitter lamps for my room 😁

Decorating dozens of sugar cookies

Enjoying a visit with friends from church for the first time in a long while

Homemade pizza (sorry, no pictures. we ate it up too fast.)

This song ⬇⬇⬇

Watching God's Not Dead (movies 1 and 2)

Walking in the rain

More Sue Thomas FBEye!! We had just finished the episode Prodigal Father from season two, and, not being able to take the suspense any longer, Mom and I both hopped online to search and see if Sue and Jack ever marry. Aaand the answer **HIGHLIGHT TO VIEW SPOILER**➡➡➡ they don't.

Do you like keychains (even if you don't have a key to put them on)? What's a song God has been using in your life recently? Let's talk in the comments below!

Blessings,

Ellen S.

December 15, 2020 // Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Annalise O'Brien for winning the giveaway!! 🎉🎉🎉 And thanks to all who entered for helping make this two-year blogiversary an epic one. 😄 @Annalise, you'll find my contact information below. Please slip me an email ASAP with your mailing address and book of choice (either There Was Always Laughter In Our House or More Tales from Memory Creek Ranch), so I can get your prizes shipped out! 🤗

This day brings back soooo many special memories. Sitting at the dining room table, Sadie (then eleven months old) in her highchair, watching me as I typed up my first post. When that was done and the URL ready to be shared, I promptly (and virtually) squealed the news to some email buddies, who've stuck by me and cheered me on ever since. *beams* 

In two years' time, Ellen's Musings has exceeded a hundred followers total through Blogger and email. Three thousand comments have been submitted, accepted, and posted. Over two hundred posts published . . . two hundred more in drafts. 😂 It's been an amazing journey, one only God could orchestrate. I've met many, many wonderful people and have received so much encouragement and support from you all. Each new comment brings a warmth to my heart. 💗 You guys are truly the best! 

"May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD." Psalm 104:34

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Monday Musings // Last Day to Enter the Giveaway!

The past couple of weeks have been busy ones between school, writing + reading, jogging, family, and setting aside time to watch a WWII movie (for history). A few highlights:

Pop Pop dropped by with early Christmas gifts for us all (from him and Grandma), and so our living room was a whirlwind of wrapping paper and excited squeals for a while. 😄🤩

We got snow for the first time this year. (just a flurry; nothing deep. and then the weather rose to the mid-60's over the weekend so that I could go jogging in shorts and a T-shirt.) 😮

Yesterday (Sunday) my mom and I made the hour-long trek to an antique mall, which was great. 🤗

I shoved Ruby down my jacket and she, my older brother, and I went around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights. Soooooo much fun! 😁

Aaaand now, a few pictures for your enjoyment. 😊

Checking the mail.

New books + reading in the car.

thanks, Grandma and Pop Pop!! 

It's so cool to see the "arrives before Christmas" under my book. *beams*

Don't forget that today is the last day to enter my BLOG BIRTHDAY GIVEAWAY. I hope to announce a winner tomorrow. 🎉

Have you entered the giveaway? Do you enjoy antiquing? Let's talk in the comments below! 

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Two Years Old // Blog Birthday Giveaway!!

Tuesday, December 15, 2020, will officially mark the two-year anniversary of Ellen's Musings. Soooo, to celebrate, it's time for a giveaway . . . quite possibly the biggest in the history of this blog. 😄 *alllll the confetti*

Watch the video below to find out what the prizes are, then read on for instructions! 

Ways you can enter:

💜Follow Ellen's Musings (via either email or Blogger)

💜Drop a comment with one (or all) of your favorite celebration emojis 🥳

💜Tell a friend or post about this giveaway on any social media site (IG, FB, Pinterest, your blog, Goodreads, etc.)

AND/OR

💜Watch the giveaway video 😀

You have from now until Monday, December 14, to submit your entries for a chance to win. Please note that this giveaway is open to USA residents only. 

Have fun and good luck!

Blessings,

Ellen S.