Author Agatha Christie and The Winner Is

Getting Back To Business

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I'm back to business today after celebrating three years of blogging in my last post. But first, I want to thank all of you who read my celebration post and those of you who left such sweet comments. It made me happy to read your kind words and inspired me to keep on blogging! After all, a blog needs readers and my readers are the very best! I know you want to know who won the giveaway from my celebration blog post. So, without further ado....drum roll please....the winner from the drawing for the necklace and earring set is.....Mary Lou! Congratulations, Mary Lou, on winning and I will be in touch to confirm your address for mailing the jewelry to you. 

I'm sharing another favorite author with you today and it's one that everyone has heard of-Dame Agatha Christie. She was a prolific writer who published over 78 books in her lifetime along with 19 plays and over 100 short stories. Although she wrote mysteries that focused on different types of characters, my favorite of her books are the Hercule Poirot mysteries. I own many of these books and also own several of the DVD's of the Poirot mysteries. I watch them over and over again and they never fail to please. 

In my opinion, there will never be another actor who plays Poirot as well as David Suchet. In my mind, whenever I read a Poirot mystery, Suchet's face is the one I picture as the quirky detective. I also like the particular mysteries that include Poirot's sidekick, Captain Hastings. In the videos, Hastings is portrayed as more of a humorous character than in the novels. But, both character types appeal to me whether reading or watching. 

To be honest, I didn't know much about the history of Agatha Christie until I did some research to write this post. Agatha lived from 1890-1976, passing away one year before I graduated from high school. She was married twice and had one child only, a daughter named Rosalind. Her first marriage, to Archibald Christie, ended unhappily with tales of his infidelity. Her second marriage, to Max Mallowan, was said to be happy and lasted until her death. The image seen above was made of Christie during a trip to Greece in 1958. According to accounts I read, Agatha also had a mysterious disappearance of her own in 1926 when she went missing for 10 days. This happened right after her first husband asked for a divorce because he had fallen in love with another woman. Her disappearance sparked a public outcry which included pressuring of the police by the Home Secretary and a reward being offered by a newspaper. After being missing for 10 days, she was found at a hotel in Yorkshire registered under the surname of her husband's mistress. She appeared to have no memory of why she was there. Much speculation, both at the time and in later years, was given to why this mysterious disappearance occurred and ideas ranged from amnesia to depression to wanting to frame her first husband for murder to a publicity stunt. Christie, herself, made no mention of the incident in her own autobiography. Christie had a lifelong interest in archeology. Her second husband was an archeologist and she accompanied him on many of his archaeological trips. Her archaeological interest found its way into many of her books including, Death on the Nile. 

Are you an Agatha Christie fan like me? Do you prefer the books or the DVD's? Which of her characters are your favorites? I do hope you will take a moment to leave a comment. I enjoy hearing from you!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

*Images of Agatha Christie and David Suchet are taken from Wikimedia Commons sites here, here and here. 

Celebrating My Third Blog Anniversary And a Giveaway!

Celebrating Three Years of Blogging!

It's party day, dear readers, as I prepare to celebrate three years of blogging! Hope you'll come to the party! And, just because I'm in a partyin' kind of mood, I am doing my first giveaway on the blog. Read to the end of this post for details of how to enter. You do like presents, don't you?!

My third year of blogging has brought some exciting posts and a few changes.

By far, one of my favorite posts was the three part series I did on styling my little black dress in formal, semi-casual and casual ways. These posts garnered a lot of interest. 

I also shared some favorite authors and books I enjoyed. 

And had the pleasure of meeting author Jan Karon and spending the evening with her at a local bookstore! (I'm still pinching myself to believe that this really happened!) Luckily, my dear friend was there to remind that it did, indeed, happen!

I dusted off my tiara for the Royal Wedding.

And tried my hand (or should I say feet?) at my first ever race for a good cause!

And, just for good measure, Mr.thisandthat and I welcomed these two fur cuties into our family. 

Many of my posts have remained predictable such as my ever-changing foyer stylings and attempts at tablescapes. 

While some of my style posts show me taking a few risks with fashion. 

My main goal, however, as a blogger continues to be to give my readers a little bit of this and that in my posts. Variety is truly the spice of life in my opinion!

There was a BIG change (at least for me) that happened in May with my blog. I switched my blog name back to its original blogspot address and gave up owning my own domain. In retrospect, I may have been a bit hasty in some of the decisions I made, but at the time, I was very concerned with the changes I kept reading about regarding the new European Union laws regarding privacy of information. I feel like I have done all I can to be "legal", though, and probably didn't need to be as concerned as I was. Changing back to my blogspot address has been nice in many ways. Will I ever own my own domain again? Or work with brands again? I'm not sure. I'm kind of in a holding pattern right now and we'll see what happens in the future. 

I do need your help, though. Switching back caused me to lose quite a number of followers on "Feedburner." So, if you could follow me by email (think of it as a blog birthday gift) I would surely appreciate it! Also, feel free to pin my photos for reference later! 

But, most of all-I hope you will leave me a comment. Let me know which post you enjoyed most this last year. What would you like to see more of in my posts? If I put together a book of my devotions I've written, would you be interested in buying it? Hope you will take a moment to share. I always love hearing from you!

And, now, for the giveaway news! In honor of my third blog anniversary, if you leave a comment on this post between the time this post airs (which is Monday, July 30th, 2018) and midnight on Tuesday, July 31st, 2018 eastern standard time, I will enter your name in a drawing for the beautiful necklace and earring set you see in the photo below (scarf not included). One entry per commenter and no spam comments will be entered! Comments must be made on this blog post and not on another type of social media. I will announce the winner in my blog post on Thursday, August 2nd, 2018,  and will ask the winner to private email me your address so I can send the necklace and earring set to you! Due to mailing costs, this giveaway is only open to folks who reside in the *contiguous United States. I apologize to any Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and European readers! There will be only one winner, so be sure to leave a comment!

Necklace approx. 18" long. Both pieces are hypoallergenic. 

And, as always, thank you for being a loyal reader to debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com! 

Until Next Time,

Debbie

*Contiguous United States refers to the 48 connected states including Washington, D.C. but excluding Alaska, Hawaii and off shore insular areas/territories. 

Playing With Fashion

Fashion Should Be Fun!

Who out there likes to have fun with fashion? Really??  Me too!! Today's post is all about playing with fashion. Sort of like grown-up-girl-dress-up. So, how does one play with fashion you may ask? For me, it's taking a few reasonable risks with fashion and trying them out. I'm not a very risky person, though, so I have to kind of play it safe with fashion risk taking. I guess everyone has to define for themselves what amount of "risk taking," if any, they want to take with their fashion. 

Case in point, these earrings. I consider these a fashion risk for me. They are much larger and bolder than I usually wear. They are so much fun to wear, however!

I like the yellow yarn that is wrapped around the "dangle" part of the earring and the blue pom poms that hang down. This earring is colorful and cute and definitely different for me. I just got these yesterday at the local Rite Aid store which is going out of business and all their jewelry was 50% off. Since they were $3 to start with, I figured I could spend $1.50 on taking a risk with fashion! (Plus, they are hypoallergenic so they shouldn't turn my earlobes green!)

To further add to the risk taking of this outfit, I'm pairing a blue swing dress with white leggings and wearing tennis shoes. (I'm such a wild woman!) Not everyone I know dares to wear leggings with dresses or tennis shoes with dresses. But, I must tell you that this outfit was very comfy and my feet were happy the whole day! I wore this outfit to lunch and antiquing with a friend and was a happy camper. I do believe I will wear this exact outfit again! 

What do you think? Would you wear a similar outfit? And now, for something completely different for me with fashion risk taking. 

How about fishnet ankle socks with heels? Yeah, I know...this is a little risky. I can't say I dislike this look, however. 

What I don't like about this look is that my legs get chopped off between the edge of the dress' hemline and where the top of the ankle socks fall. But, I do like the pretty pearls at the top of the sock that makes the whole outfit "dressy." I would wear this outfit judiciously, however. Possibly out to a nice restaurant for dinner with my husband. Definitely not to church...it's too different a look for me and I would probably feel awkward. 

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I found a couple images of how others style this look. This style is quite popular and folks wear the fishnet ankle socks with flat shoes as well as heels. Some of the socks have pretty bows and other colors added in. If you visit the source links, you can see many styles. 

  

Since this look is what I would consider to be a "big" fashion risk for me, I kept the rest of my look toned down. No big jewelry or statement necklaces. One piece of "different" is enough for this outfit. I also was able to try out these fishnet socks for free as I had earned $5 in rewards at DSW and I used my reward to buy these socks. Again, just like with my pom pom earrings, I don't mind taking a fashion risk when I know I'm not out a lot of money!

So what do you think? Would you wear fishnet ankle socks? If so, how would you style them-with flats or with heels? 

I hope you will take a moment to share your thoughts on this post. And feel free to pin my photos! I do hope you are having fun with your fashion. After all, what's the fun of being over fifty if we can't take a few risks?!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

Foyer Tablescape and A Welcome Garden

Something Old and Something New

I enjoy changing up the foyer table every once in awhile, so here is my latest tablescape. This is the "something old" part of the post since I change the table and share it with you fairly often. I'm also using some pieces that I picked up at Goodwill as well as pewter pieces that I have owned for many years-also a part of the "something old."

I started out using a "bird" type theme for this tablescape, but I think it is really more of a "woodland animals" type theme. Perhaps even an "enchanted forest" theme with the little wooden cottage. 

As I mentioned, I have owned these pewter pieces for many, many years. I can't even recall, now, when or where I got them. I just know I like them and it's fun to showcase them on the foyer table. 

The bird on the branch is so sweet next to the bunny and kitten.

I felt like the table needed a little something extra, so I added the photo album in the middle of the table. It has birdhouses all along the edges of the cover. 

And, I'm still enjoying the canvas blackboard sign on the bottom shelf of the foyer table. I don't know if these are still in stock, but if you are interested in one I bought it at Walmart. 

And now for the "something new" part of the post! Meet our newest furry family member-Garden! We adopted her from Brother Wolf (same shelter where we found Cassie) about 1 1/2 weeks ago. Her name is an unusual one and she was given the name by Brother Wolf. We just decided to stick with it. So, we welcome "Garden" to our family!

Garden is a smaller cat than Cassie, but don't let size fool you!  She is full of spunk and speed and is not afraid to let her presence be known! We are fairly certain that her mix includes some Siamese which asserts itself in her body build, the way she carries herself, her personality and the shrill "shriek" if things aren't going her way!

She is also a lap cat and loves to be a snuggle bunny-when it suits her! 

Poor Cassie had a look of alarm when we first brought Garden home and there have had to be some "adjustments" in our household with two cats living here. But, amazingly, the girls seem to be making peace with one another. 

And, our sweet Cassie is getting more used to the idea of being a "big sister" to Garden! 

Although, Cassie would like to remind everyone that she is #1 and will always "rule the roost" in this house! (Or, at least, have first dibs on the top of the perch!)

And if that isn't enough animal pics for you, I spied this lovely creature in our backyard today!

So tell me, what is old...or new....in your life?  Do take a moment to share. I love to hear from you! 

By the way, are you following me by email so you never miss a post? It's easy and free. Just sign up on the sidebar of my blog. And please recommend debbiethisandthat.blogspot.com to your friends so my reader numbers can grow. Thanks much!

Until Next Time,

Debbie

*Photography by Debbie Ross

Weekend Inspiration-Wisdom and Common Sense

Wisdom Is A Female Trait

Source: Clipart Panda

Don't be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. Proverbs 3:7 (New Living Translation)

Have two goals: wisdom-that is, knowing and doing right--and common sense. Don't let them slip away, For they fill you with living energy, and are a feather in your cap. 

Proverbs 3:21-22 (Living Psalms and Proverbs)

Cling to wisdom-she will protect you. Love her-she will guard you.  

Proverbs 4:6 (Living Psalms and Proverbs)

I spent quite a bit of time today reading in Proverbs. I often turn to scriptures from this book when I am seeking answers and direction. Today, I was specifically looking for clarification for my writing life and, as with all aspects of my life, I turn to the Bible. I was drawn today to scriptures which specifically spoke to wisdom. It is always amazing to me how God points me in the right direction when I need it. I was also interested to see two other things pop out in these scriptures: the fact that wisdom is tied to common sense. And the fact that wisdom is given a female gender. 

I can't turn on the TV these days and hear all that is going on in our world without wondering what has happened to wisdom and, specifically, common sense. I won't get political here, but I'm sure you know whereof I speak. It gets a little depressing, I can tell you. The scriptures tell us that if we have wisdom and cling to it we are guarded and protected. But, we must fear the Lord and turn from evil. We must not be impressed by ourselves. We may think we are "smart" in the world's view and have all the answers, but we really don't. Only the Lord does. 

Wisdom is not just about knowing what is right, but also doing it. The two go hand in hand. As a Christian, I must ask myself this question: am I doing what I know is right?  And that can only come through time spent with the Lord, praying and reading scripture. 

We are told that wisdom and common sense will fill us with living energy. There is a freedom that comes in knowing that we are doing what is right. It feels "good" and "right" to us instead of feeling negative. 

I was impressed that wisdom was given a female gender in Proverbs when most of this book addresses "My son" or "Young Men."  Somehow, it feels good to have wisdom take on a feminine side. Perhaps that is what our world needs more of now-feminine wisdom, feminine leadership and feminine common sense. 

Today, as a writer, as a woman, I remember to be not wise in my own eyes-but to look for God's wisdom and common sense in my life. 

What are your thoughts on wisdom and common sense? Please feel free to share in a kind and thoughtful manner. 

Blessings,

Debbie 

My Latest Goodwill Acquisitions

Good Finds At Goodwill

Today I'm talking about shopping at Goodwill. Those of you who have read my blog awhile know that I love a good bargain. I'm pretty excited because I think I hit the jackpot today and I'm happy to share my purchases and my thoughts on Goodwill shopping with you. 

There's a lot on the blogs right now about folks who subscribe to services where they get a monthly "box" of clothing that a stylist has picked out for them. I haven't tried these subscription services for the same reason that I don't do a lot of online shopping. I still enjoy actually shopping in a store! I like touching the clothing, trying the clothing on and making my decisions knowing that I can wear my purchases the next day. No waiting for boxes to arrive that may or may not contain sizes and styles I can wear. Just my preference, I guess. I know others feel differently and that's ok. This top is a winner. I love the way it looks with my Vintage America Blues jeans and my wrap heels. The top didn't have a brand name so I can't link to anything for you. It's lightweight and airy and I know I will wear it frequently. I seem to be wearing sleeveless styles more this summer. 

 

I found this cold shoulder top by Cha Cha Vente and couldn't believe it! The bell sleeve t-shirt I showed you in an earlier post is also a Cha Cha Vente top and I wear it to death! I have found that this brand runs large so you may want to size down if you buy this brand. 

I love the swirls of color in this top. Both of the tops I've shown you so far have patterns that are subtle and read almost like a solid color. I like these types of patterns because I feel that I wear the pattern the pattern doesn't wear me. The wider shoulder straps on this cold shoulder top also mean that my bra straps won't show which is a nice feature. 

Next, we have this pretty blue Faded Glory brand peasant top. I bought the same top in dark purple/blue last summer at Walmart and was so pleased to find one today in blue and white. I don't believe this particular top had ever been worn. A nice feature of these peasant tops is that they include an attached tank to be worn underneath. The tank is attached with clear tabs on each shoulder. I cut the tabs on my purple/blue top so I can also wear the tank with other tops. I'll do the same with this one. I'm getting more bang for my buck that way-two tops but actually four pieces. 

I don't always hit the jackpot when I go to Goodwill.  Sometimes, I look and don't find anything I like that I would wear. I have also found that Goodwills can vary with the quality of clothing selections. If you have more than one Goodwill in your area it pays to visit them and look carefully at what they offer. You will soon figure out which ones are the best for good finds. Always check the clothing carefully for damage and stains. I don't know about the cost of the subscription boxes people get, but I do know that each of these tops I showed you cost $4 each! That's a bargain in my book! 

I also found this cute red straw purse for $3.75! I like its boxy style and it will be good not just for summer but for holiday time, as well! Straw purses are really trending this summer. 

And, I'm certain you'll be seeing these two pieces on a future tablescape! I did a post awhile ago on tips for shopping at Goodwill. If you missed it, or would like to review, be sure to visit the link. Have you shopped lately at Goodwill? Do you subscribe to any of the monthly subscription boxes? Which do you prefer? Which of my tops was your favorite? Hope you will take a moment to share. I guess you could say that Goodwill is my "subscription box" for good bargains!

Until Next Time,

Debbie