Ellen Senechal's Blog, page 6

Monday Musings // Life Recently

We've gotten several inches of snow every weekend for the last three weeks, which is truly a rare experience to have where we live. Usually there's only one good snowfall a year; sometimes not even that. This past Saturday, a freezing rain made the snow crust over, causing it to break like glass under our feet (my sister especially loved it 😂). I slipped and fell on the ice in our driveway, bruising the heel of my left hand and pulling something in my leg. Thankfully, the pain didn't fully set in until later that day, after I got to my feet and went jogging as planned. 😄

School also kept me busy. Bible has always been a huge part of my curriculum, and I was recently assigned a book that at first I was unsure about, but now am really enjoying. It's called The Hour That Changes the World by Dick Eastman, and I would definitely recommend checking it out! You can find it on Goodreads HERE. 

My family had our own little game night, which was super fun. Mom baked cookies, and I played chess with my brother for the first time in a long while. Grandma was able to join us via video chat. 😁

We celebrated Valentine's Day with dairy-free cinnamon rolls (that Mom made) and candy and flowers (from Grandma). It was awesome! 🤗

Mom with the flowers Grandma sent. (tulips are her favorite!) Nothing says true love like chocolate. 😊
(thanks, Grandma!!)I ran out of storage space on my phone, so I was not able to edit my photos at all this week. 🙄 *ahem* . . . But I figured you guys would enjoy the dump anyway. 😉

The baby swing at our park. No way were we putting Ruby in that thing! 😂
So beautiful, filters or no. 😃
Being goofy together. 🤪 Winter wonderland. 😍 Yum!Final note: my friend Sandrina is posting regularly again on her blog, From the Notebook!! Her content is very uplifting and fun, so go take a peek and give her a follow! I know she'd love to hear from you. 🥰
How was your Valentine's Day? Did you get snow? Comment below! 
Blessings,Ellen S.

Monday Musings // I'm Back!

Hello and happy February, friends!! I can't believe it's been almost three weeks since I last posted on this blog. I've definitely missed it, although the break was good for me and gave me extra time to focus on some other, more pressing things going on in my life . . . like judging stories for the Circle C writing contest and taking the PSAT. (the former was fun; the latter, not so much. the test required tons of studying beforehand and absolutely no listening to music *gasp*, then spending four hours in a classroom with a bunch of strange kids and a mask on. I felt physically and emotionally drained for a while afterwards. however, on a positive note, it also meant watching a Sue Thomas episode on a weekday and having one-on-one time with Dad, so that was special. plus, I had great friends praying for me. 💜)Yesterday (Sunday) was Ruby's first birthday, and my family woke up to snow falling outside. We had several inches by evening. Mom made snow cream (a rare treat consisting of three simple ingredients: snow, milk, and sugar) just for the occasion. 😄Now, time for the slew of photos you all have been waiting for. 😁

Here I am right outside the school where I took my PSAT, masked up and feeling (somewhat) ready to begin. Selfie w/ my lil' sis. 😍😍😍
Eating Cheez-its and doing math together. A walk in the snow. 😃   So pretty!! 🤩
Did you enjoy reading this post? Have you ever made snow cream? Let's talk in the comments below!

Blessings,Ellen S.

Book Review // Stop the Rain by Kassie Angle

BACK-COVER SUMMARY:
He left his entire world in Iraq. So why did the war follow him home?Harley Keane and his best friend Nigel were just kids when 9/11 rocked their world and changed their lives forever. When they’re finally old enough to join the Army, all their childhood dreams seem about to come true. But war wasn’t supposed to be like this. A kid’s dream isn’t supposed to become a living nightmare. Fellow soldiers aren’t supposed to bleed out in front of your eyes.Back home, safe and unwounded, Harley feels anything but. Why would God spare him when so many others were taken? Why won’t the nightmares stop, even when he’s awake? And how long can he hide the truth that threatens everything he has left? When Harley’s invisible scars refuse to stay hidden, will he let anyone close enough to help? And how do you go on with life when “okay” isn’t okay at all?
MY REVIEW:5+/5 stars

I read this book in two days and have been thinking about it longer than that. Even now, I'm still struggling to find the words that would adequately describe the impact Stop the Rain has made on my life.
This book HURT like few other books I've read ever have (or probably ever will). At times I thought for sure I'd begin crying, which is something I don't usually experience in my reading journey. And now I've reached the end of the book, and my heart's still broken, seeing a trampoline reminds me only of Harley and Nigel, and I . . . won't be the same for a while. But that's okay; this novel was worth it. <33
Harley's story, although at first it started off slow and his own crying fits were constant and confusing, soon wrapped itself around my heart and didn't let go. Especially when I reminded myself partway through that he wasn't even twenty years old yet.
The characters--each and every one of them--were a.m.a.z.i.n.g. Sgt. Rhys, Keith Hayes, Russell, Trey, Levi, Hawkins, Paul, Savannah, & Jakob Carter . . . each with their own story and the longing to reach through to Harley, no matter how rough he may have been with them. (and yes, there were moments when I wanted to shake Harley and say, "These people are looking out for you! why are you acting so ungrateful?" but it made their patience and care for him all the more evident. <3)
So, yes, Stop the Rain has officially entered my very-most-favorites shelf. Excuse me while I go scream to the end of the earth how much I loved this novel by Kassie Angle. 6+ stars if I could.
Due to some violence + scenes of death + the weighty topic of PTSD, however, I wouldn't recommend this to young or sensitive readers.
I look forward to more by this author! =)
PLACES TO FIND YOUR COPY OF STOP THE RAIN:Amazon (for ebook)|| Goodreads || Kassie's website (for paperback)                                               Have you read this one yet? Ever cried over a book before? Comment below! <3
Blessings,Ellen S.

Monday Musings // More Randomness

Aaaand, we've successfully made it through another week in 2021. Time for a brief recap.

I smiled over . . .

this song by Matthew West//Nerf gun battles with my siblings (two kids to each of the three teams)//another trip to the BAM bookstore with my mom and brother//texts from Grandma

Monday Musings // First Post of 2021!!

Happy New Year, everyone! How many of you stayed up till midnight to officially welcome 2021? My sibs and I attempted it after our parents and the four youngest kiddos went to bed. We popped popcorn and several of us curled up on the couch to watch an episode of I Love Lucy and another of Little House on the Prairie. It was fun, even though I knew ahead of time I wouldn't last until twelve o'clock. Only my two brothers made it that long.

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 Musings // Last Full Week of 2020!!

A belated Merry Christmas + early Happy New Year to you all!

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

December 15, 2020 // Giveaway Winner Announced!

Congratulations to Annalise O'Brien for winning the giveaway!!

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.