The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott Series

Hey friends! Just thought I'd hop on today and share some bookworm randomness + a fun series recommendation with y'all. :) 

Thanks to one of my awesome blog readers and Goodreads friend, Abby J., a couple months back I was inspired to read the six+ book collection, The Accidental Cases of Emily Abbott. I'd seen this series a number of times before, but one glance at the covers and blurbs made me certain the books would come off as sounding wayyyy too cheesy for my liking.

As it turns out . . . I was so wrong. THESE BOOKS ARE AMAZING! Right next to Mrs. Marlow's Circle C series, these are my favorite. :) (you've gotta check 'em out, guys . . . ASAP!) I had the whole series read within a twenty-four hour period (on top of trying to study for a difficult science test I was taking the following Monday. Now that, I don't recommend. xD). Each novella is clean, wholesome, and totally fit for readers of any age. A full five stars from me! 

After I'd finished them, I handed the Kindle over to my thirteen-year-old brother and he and I have both reread the series many times since. We even started dreaming up "codenames" inspired by Mrs. Kirkpatrick for the family. Mine is Agent Eagle Eye, one of my brothers' is Agent Obvious (don't worry, he's fine with it), baby Ruby's is Agent Ravine . . . and so on. :D

Did you enjoy this post? What have you been reading recently? Do you have a cool codename you'd care to share? Curious about the story behind mine? Comment below! <3

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Happy Independence Day!!

Happy Independence Day, friends!! ❤

July 4th for my family means fireworks, spending the morning at Grandma's, fresh crabs, fun in the sun, a handful of Liberty's Kids episodes, rereads (Hurrah for the Fourth of July!, Andi Had a Little Lamb, and the final chapter of Thick as Thieves, all by Susan K. Marlow) . . . but most importantly, celebrating our freedom as Americans. So thankful to be living in the US! 

Does your family have any plans for this special day? <3

The Simple Things Tag (2020 Edition)

The lovely Emma Starr tagged me for this last October. Now, a number of months later, I was nominated for it again by SawyerMarie from Sundrop Girls. (go check her blog out and give it  a follow, friends! she has some amazing, God-honoring content.) 

Since this is one of my favorite tags (and I was challenged by one of my favorite blogger friends), I figured I'd go ahead and do a 2020 edition of the "Simple Things" tag. :) Enjoy!

RULES:

1). Link back to the person who started the tag and thank them. Thanks, Camille! 

2). Link back to the person who tagged you and thank them. Done! ^^^^

3). Use the graphic below.

4). List 5 simple things that make you happy with pictures.

5). Tag 3 people.

6). Remind everyone to be joyful with the little things!

All righty, here goes! In no particular order, five simple things that make me happy would be . . . 

1). Walks w/ with these two cuties (aka my sisters). 

2). Checking my Spam folder. (and no, I'm not joking. xD) All Blogger, Wordpress, and Goodreads updates go here to be read and refiled in their correct locations. :)

3). The moving glitter in my phone case!! Believe it or not, I've wanted a case like this ALL. MY. LIFE. and finally, in May of this past year, my little dream has come true! Tilting this gorgeous case causes the white and gold heart-shaped confetti pieces to swirl and sparkle in a most spectacular display. (can you guess by now I'm obsessed with all things glitter??) *heart eyes*

(let it be known that yes, while not shown here, I do have a phone to go with the case. ;D)

4). Snail mail!!!! Opening the mailbox and discovering an envelope with YOUR name on it has to be one of the best, most exciting feelings in the world. 

5). Spending time daily with God and writing verses/thoughts in the journal my mom made for me. :D

Wow, that was bunches of fun! :) Now it's your turn. Comment below and tell me what five simple things make you happy (or if you'd prefer to do this tag on your blog, go right ahead!). I look forward to seeing your answers! <3

REMEMBER TO BE JOYFUL WITH THE LITTLE THINGS! (which, in reality, are not all that little.)

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Reviewers Needed!

Hey friends! Happy Monday! I hope your weekend was spectacular. :D

My family and I got a bunch of cleaning done and then had a little outing at the river, spotting crabs and jellyfish from a safe distance away and watching the boats go by. God's creation is certainly amazing! 

Anyways, I'm getting off topic. xD I signed in today to share some exciting news and a fun opportunity with you all (and neither announcement originally included talk of weekend excursions). :-)

Have you been eager to read The Whispers God Gives? Do you like receiving free e-bookmail? If so, read on . . . 

I'm in need of a few more reviewers ASAP, so how about a cool blog sign-up? In exchange for a FREE ebook copy of The Whispers God Gives, you can leave reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, your blog . . . essentially anywhere you're able to! If you're interested, leave a comment or slip an email to my address (butterflyellenann [at] gmail [dot] com) for more info!
Thank you so much! <3 

Blessings,

Ellen S.

Life Lately // Impromptu Photo Dump

Hi friends!! Just thought I'd hop on and share with y'all some of the fun pictures I've taken recently along with a few other random tidbits of life. Enjoy! 

My sister, Marah, and I have been taking walks almost daily. Between mushrooms and blooming flowers (to see what I'm referring to, scroll down to the next few photos), headphones, water puddles (don't ask >.<), and an old wooden bridge with a scenic view, we're enjoying this time together immensely.

A new book!!!! "Overcomer" is amazing, you guys, and soooooo worth the five+ stars. (Thanks, Lilly, for suggesting I read it! <3)

Special K., almond milk, and fresh (green) bananas. Yummm. 

Photo shoots with my sweet four-month-old sister, Ruby Jane. :)

I get to be a judge in Mrs. Marlow's Circle C writing contest!!!!!!!!!!!!! This has been my dream for the past three+ years, so I'm REALLY excited. :D :D :D

Book signing!!!!!!

Lots of rain . . .

Styling my sister's hair. :D

My sweet friend, Emma, brought me some fantabulous bookmail the other day. *all the heart eyes*

By the river! 

My amazing (somewhat organized) bookshelf!!

Sisters. <3 <3 <3

And . . . another scenic pic. ;)

Did you enjoy this impromptu photo dump? What was your favorite picture? Do you like your bananas ripe or green? Any books on my shelf that you recognize/own/want to read? Let's talk in the comments below! 

And the Winner Is . . .

I'm so excited to be announcing the winner to my fifty+ followers giveaway! I received a lot of entrants (and a total of over sixty entries!). Thanks to all of you for your enthusiastic support. I enjoyed reading every comment and raving over the brilliant ice cream flavors you guys chose. ;D This was super fun, and I hope to do it again sometime soon! (hmm, maybe when we reach one hundred followers?)

Okay, yes, I'm rambling, and I know y'all are eager to find out who won. Keep scrolling!

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The single blessed winner of the giveaway is . . . 

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REBEKAH ASHLEIGH!!!!

Congratulations, Rebekah! Please send your mailing address to my email (found in the comments below) ASAP. I can't wait to ship out your prizes! 

Thanks again to each one of you for helping celebrate this memorial occasion. For following along and making this whole thing possible. <3 Virtual ice cream and cake for everyone!

Blessings,

Ellen S. 

Fifty Followers + Giveaway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

IT'S HERE. The day of celebration, intense excitement, and plenty of confetti. 

And since we're partying online, there are NO social distancing rules or the need for goopy hand sanitizer or face masks. This area is completely safe and virus-free. ;D 

All are welcome to join the fun, so be sure to stick around for a while, leave a few comments, and enter the giveaway!

Oh, and in case you don't know why we're celebrating . . . 

Thanks to you guys, ELLEN'S MUSINGS OFFICIALLY REACHED FIFTY FOLLOWERS ON THURSDAY, JUNE 11TH, 2020.

*squeals* *bounces on toes* Is this amazing or what? Honestly, I feel so tickled. *grins* And, seeing as how the whole thing wouldn't be possible without all your encouragement and support, I think there's only one appropriate way to show my thanks . . . 

IT'S GIVEAWAY TIME.

(full image credit for this amazing graphic belongs to my sweet blogger/email friend, SawyerMarie)

So, what're the prizes, you ask? A . . . 

beautiful, handmade necklace 

AND

 a signed copy of The Whispers God Gives.

I'm so super excited about this and can't wait to see who'll be the single blessed recipient of these awesome goodies!! (and if you've already read The Whispers God Gives, you can always enter to win a copy for a friend. 😉) 

Alrighty, time for the rules! This giveaway runs from Wednesday, June 17, to Wednesday, June 24, and is open to USA residents only. There are four different ways to enter. You can  . . . 

❤Follow my blog (via either email or Blogger)

❤Comment below and tell me what flavor ice cream you like best ('cause, you know, even for those of us who have dairy sensitivities, a celebration is never complete without ice cream) 😉

❤Share this giveaway with a friend or on any social media site

AND/OR 

❤Review The Whispers God Gives on Amazon, your blog/IG/FB, or Goodreads. (for every one you do, you'll receive an extra entry.) 

Welp, that's it! Don't forget to comment and let me know how many entries I should credit you for. 😊 

Have fun and good luck!

Blessings,

Ellen S.