I just finished re-reading The Screwtape Letters, and I love how some books only get better with each reading. Our pastor used this text as well as the current New York Times bestseller, Heaven Is For Real by Todd Burpo (that I reviewed earlier in the year) as the basis for a four part series “Distracted from Heaven.” It has been at least ten years since I’ve picked up C.S. Lewis’ Christian satire, so I figured it was due another read.
The Screwtape Letters is a epistolary novel, a series of …

So while my sweetie and I were in Charleston last week, I reconnected with a dear college friend, K Cooper Ray. He’s the writer, creator and designer behind Social Primer, a company whose website is subtitled: Manners, Conversation, Style and Handling Your Liquor. (Never underestimate that last one!) He is also working on a book – The Bill of Rights for the American Man, an etiquette guide for men and THE book I will be giving to every senior boy I know. I was lucky to see an early draft …

My sweetie and I took a road trip to the Holy City last week to celebrate our fourth anniversary. We were trying to decide between Charleston and Savannah, knowing that either one had the potential for being hot as hades, but something about Charleston had a little more appeal to it. We’re happy with our choice. The heat wave broke, and though it was in the 90′s, it was bearable.
When researching a place to stay, I had  a few “must haves”: location, king-size beds, and charm. There were other things …

This is a NO BOYS ALLOWED post. That’s right, fellas. Just skip on over to my review of I Know This Much Is True or the post about Quail Hollow Gardens, but read no further here! Today’s “Things I Love Thursday” is for girls only.  If you do keep reading, let me just say that you were warned.
************No Boys Beyond This Point ************

Now that we got that out of the way, this is that post. Yes, the post I alluded to in my first “Things I Love Thursday” that I …

Because it is Sunday and about this time every Sunday I begin to dread the work week, this is what I’d love to say:

Swestie and I were raised like cousins, so I’ve known & loved her literally my whole life. You can find more of her art here. (You can always find her as one of the links on the right.)
Thanks for sharing your art with me, Swestie!

When I finished Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much Is True, I knew I had experienced another epic tale whose characters – their struggles and triumphs – would stay with me long after the book’s closing words.
Lamb opens with a man’s burden – in this case a twin brother – of caring for a family member who is mentally ill but doesn’t want to get better. Lamb’s insight  into this complex dichotomy of instinct – to want both to protect the weak and ensure self-preservation – struck so early that I …

Since I posted last week about a recent wine tasting with my girlfriends, today’s “Things I love Thursday” is about my new favorite summer wine. You need to know – if you don’t already – that I’m a red wine gal. I drink it winter, spring, summer and fall; I drink it with beef & bass, chicken & cheese.
The one change I do make in the summer is that I look for a lighter red to sip on, one that is not as full, deep or heavy as one I’d choose …

So even after my mom raved about Ron Rash’s Serena, I’ve finally just now gotten around to reading it. Some of you who have been with me for a while may remember when she submitted a guest review on this one, and because her review is excellent, I’m reposting it here.
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I don’t habitually read beyond midnight, but I could not put down Ron Rash’s Serena once the last chase began. The impact of his villainess left me reeling.
One reviewer wrote that Serena “is certainly not serene in any sense of the word.” …

One of the recent gatherings of the SOC Sistas Book Club was recrafted as a wine tasting.  I know what you’re thinking, “Isn’t every book club a wine tasting?” Well, yes. But this one came complete with 10 wines and a hostess.
What is wonderful about a wine tasting is that you are able to try wines and discover new favorites that you never would have before. I’m not going to describe every one, just a few that rose to the top of my list. But, here’s the list …