12 Days of Christmas // Movie Recs

Can you believe it's only FOUR days until Christmas?! I'm honestly a bit surprised to realize that... xD Wasn't it summertime, like, last week? Apparently not.

Today I have some movie recommendations for y'all! These aren't necessarily my favorites (though two of them are) or ones I watch every year, but they are good ones. ;)

The Christmas Note {2015}

Having just moved back to her hometown without her serviceman husband but with her young son, Gretchen Daniels finds her life in disarray as Christmas approaches. But she discovers new purpose when she helps to deliver a message to her neighbor, Melissa, which makes her an ally in the quest to find the neighbor's sibling she never knew she had. The women become bonded not only by the search, but by the understanding that being there for each other means they're no longer alone. This friendship becomes the greatest Christmas gift of their lives.


I watched this movie after seeing a friend's review last year, and I ended up really enjoying the mystery aspect!

Last Ounce of Courage {2012}

Last Ounce of Courage is the story of an American hero standing up for his beliefs in a time of cynicism and fear. Inspired by his grandson, a grieving father and courageous youth will rally their community to conserve the freedoms we the people hold dear. Bob Revere is a small town Mayor and combat decorated veteran. He faces a root of bitterness from his past filled with heartbreaking loss. His grandson comes back into his life after many years to ask the most important question, What are we doing with our life to make a difference? Bob had grown apathetic along with an entire town. Now with the help of children, a group of people all band together to inspire hope, take back the freedoms that are being lost and take a stand for truth.


Oh my, this movie... Although it's not listed/marked/mentioned to be a Christmas movie, it most definitely is. It's also a story of family, love, freedom, America, sacrifice, justice, second chances, and standing up for what's right. If you can watch it without tearing up... well, don't tell me. xD

Home for Christmas Day {2017}

When a young woman falls in love and develops a long-distance relationship with a soldier in active duty, her protective mother tries her best to steer her daughter away from heartache. Little do they know they are about to learn important lessons of the heart and that taking chances can make this Christmas one they will cherish forever.


I actually watched this movie last year and...didn't care for it that much? It was good, but not one I particularly liked. But then I watched it again this year and enjoyed it so much more! (Any Hearties out there? Doug is in this one...)

The Bridge {2015 & 2016}

The profound friendship Molly and Ryan form during college becomes a defining moment in their lives. But when a misunderstanding tears them apart, only a tragedy at their favorite bookshop can reunite them. Will they open their hearts to second chances---for the store, its owners, and themselves?


Technically two movies (although, if you can stop and not immediately binge the second one...you have epic self-control), The Bridge is a fabulous tale. Not only is the love story PRECIOUS, the whole save-the-bookstore storyline is epic. The book (which I reviewed yesterday!) is darling as well.

// today's schedule

Literatura || My Birthday & Christmas

Read Another Page || Hartly Manor

The Peculiar Messenger || Rejoice

Lit Aflame || Mini Book Reviews // Christmas Books and Recommendations

RebekahAshleigh || Favorite Christmas Books video

Inside Out Designs || 20 Christmas Plot Starters

Rebekah's Reading Room || A Carol in Her Heart (part 2)

Hands Made to Love || Christmas in Sweden

Life of Heritage || Christmas Story (part 5)

Resting Life || Every Night Holy // O Holy Night // Goodness

Chosen Vessels || Kind



Favorite Christmas movie? Saw any of these? 
~Faith

Christmas Trees, Shoeboxes, and Meeting a Friend || November Recap

So apparently there's only 31 days left in the year. Faith is slightly in denial over the fact, but since there's little she can do it about... Ya know. Moving on.

|| Life. || 

>> Allll the pretty leaves. *heart eyes* We usually have nice color in mid-October, but it was on into November this year. 

>> So I wore plaid, like, daily this month. Because...because that's what you do when the temperatures droop lower and leaves are changing and there's pumpkin stuff everywhere. (Also, I voted for the first time! And I'm slightly proud of it. Check out the sticker on the back of my phone case. xD)

>> One night, I ended up talking about Marine haircuts with my bro. While brushing my teeth. Yeah, not sure what happened there...

>> Christmas tree harvest...happened. So things are rather crazy at the Potts residence currently. *inserts image of all the baled thingies in the ditch* 

>> I got to meet a sweet online friend in person! I've known Angela (of The Peculiar Messenger fame) for a few years. She was nearby Thanksgiving weekend and we got to hang out. Chatting with this dear was such fun! <3

|| Books. || 

// Books 

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson -- 4 stars
Freedom's Ring by Heidi Chiavaroli -- 4 stars -- Review
When God Calls the Heart at Christmas by Brian Bird & Michelle Cox -- 5 stars -- Review
Hannah's Hope by Karen Kingsbury -- 5 stars
The Thief, the Damsel, and the Dragon by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars -- Review
Adventures and Adversities by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars
A Dog Named Christmas by Greg Kincaid -- 4 stars
O Come All Ye Faithful by Faith Blum -- 4 stars
Storyteller by Morgan Harper Nichols -- 5 stars
There was Always Laughter in Our House by Sarah Holman -- 5 stars -- Review
His Law is Love by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

Short Stories // 

Snip by Abigayle Claire -- 4 stars

Homeward by Angela R. Watts -- 4 stars

For My Good by Sarah Holman -- 4 stars 

The Christmas She Wanted by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars

Christmas by the Sea by Beth Wiseman -- 5 stars

First Christmas in American by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4 stars

A Christmas Disaster by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars

Befriended by Sarah Holman -- 3.5 stars 

Some Christmas Camouflage by Elisabeth Grace Foley -- 5 stars 

|| Writing. || 

Writing was kind of crazy this month. As in, crazily non-existent. The only actual writing I did was in a random fan-fiction story, and I've been editing War Tears.

Otherwise my focus was on... Behold! This month, I got the book back from my editor, applied edits, sent it to a formatter, got the final cover, ordered a proof copy, got the Kindle version up for preorder, arranged the blog tour, answered author interviews questions...

Yeah, all that good stuff. ;) Six days until release!

|| Blogging. || 

// Favorite Posts 

It Feels Like You Have Forever ~ Ordinary Girl, Extraordinary Father

This is Good ~ A Purpose and a Promise

Five Ways to Conquer Writers' Block ~ Inside Out Design

<3 ~ Like No Other

// My Posts

|| Goals. || 

// November Goals

>> Read 8 books.     YUSSS.

>> Do the final edit of Behold, get it formatted, and order proof.    *fist pump*

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.     Not quite, but I've made significant progress, so we're counting it. xD

>> Post weekly on both blogs.      Another yes. First time I'm completed all my goals in AGES.

// December Goals 

>> Read 15 books.

>> Publish Behold.

>> Host 12 Days of Christmas blog party.

>> Edit pt.2 of War Tears.



So how was your month, dear reader? Did you write 50k? Start getting ready for Christmas? 
~Faith

House Sitting, Book Fair, and the Arrival of Fall || September Recap

Tomorrow is October. If you freaked out when you realized that, you're not alone.

But whether you're on the "YAY FALL" team or the "COME BACK SUMMER" team, the season is upon us, so we might as well enjoy it. ^-^

|| Life. ||

>> So I got a house-sitting/dog-sitting job. For three weeks, so technically I'm still here until Wednesday. The independence is pretty cool, but I'm getting tired of having to drive 30+ minutes to get ANYWHERE. xD


>> I had a table at a local author book fair on the second Saturday of the month! Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures, but it was a super amazing time! And I sold over a dozen copies of my books. :D


>> I laughed over my family's insanity.

*starts raining*
Dad: *runs out to cover the paint sprayer*
Mom: Quick, sign the birthday card!
Tucker: *innocently* That was so smart of you, Mom, to make it rain so he'd have to leave the house.

>> My songs on repeat this month were...  Fly, After the Storm Blows Through, No Place Like You, and Downside of Growing Up by Maddie & Tae, and Always Sing, Lonely Call, Say, Love Triangle, and For a Boy by RaeLynn, and Leaving New Orleans and Slow Dance in a Parking Lot by Jordan Davis... What can I say? Being alone in a quiet house calls for lots of jam sessions.


>> I guest posted on my friend Ashley's blog! Read the post here, and check out the rest of the Month of Friendship series while you're there.


>> I watched a gazillion movies, y'all. Mostly Hallmarks. A Country Wedding, Soldier Love Story, Chance at Romance, The Wedding March 4, All of My Heart: Inn Love & The Wedding, and Soldier of Destiny. Plus Garage Sale Mysteries, Flower Shop Mysteries, Hailey Dean Mysteries, Morning Show Mysteries, and Aurora Teagarden Mysteries.

|| Books. ||

// Reads

Goldfish Secrets by Kellyn Roth -- 4 stars -- Review here.
The Twin Arrows by Kate Willis -- 4 stars
Yours Forever by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4 stars
Surprise Endings by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4 stars
Island Dreamer by Robin Jones Gunn -- 4.5 stars
A Heart Full of Hope by Robin Jones Gunn -- 3.5 stars
Faithful by Rebekah A. Morris -- 4.5 stars
Waiting for His Return by Carrie Turansky -- 4.5 stars
The Prisoner's Wife by Susan Page Davis -- 5 stars
Praying for Your Future Husband by Robin Jones Gunn & Tricia Goyer -- 5 stars
Give Attendance by Rebekah A. Morris -- 5 stars
Sometimes: A Storyteller's Journal by Deanna Lawrence -- 4 stars


I'm not going to list them, because I don't have pictures, but I got fourteen books from three different book sales/fairs. :D

|| Writing. ||

So writing was kind of interesting this month... I wrote about 5,000 words, edited most of Behold, and got some inspiration for editing War Tears. But other than that? I feel like I've been in a dry season which I'm slowing pulling out of it. And it was kinda awful, but it's getting better. I hope.

On another note, I found this quote on Pinterest and I LOVE IT. If we're not writing from our hearts, writing what we honestly think and genuinely feel down deep inside... what are we doing? How can we expect to make a difference in the world while hiding our true selves behind a facade? <33

|| Blogging. ||

// Favorite Posts 

Summer of 1999 ~ The First Time

Whimsical Writings for His Glory ~ Life Changes

The Barefoot Gal ~ Learning How to Embrace the Pain in Change

Dancing in the Rain ~ Sweet Dreams

One Name ~ God is Still in Control

Apples of Gold ~ Your Purpose Proceeds You

Life of Heritage ~ When Enough is Enough

Authoring Arrowheads ~ Hurricane Florence

RebekahAshleigh ~ Fall...One of my Favorite Seasons

// My Posts 

|| Goals. ||

~ September Goals 

>> Read 8 books.      Scored.

>> Send Behold to beta-readers.      Unscored? They'll be getting it this week though. xD

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.      Uh, nope. I haven't even touched that mess. Gotta get things rolling with Behold first.

>> Be a hosted author at a local book fair.       Yes, and it was F.A.B.U.L.O.U.S.

>> Host another readathon.     Yup! Rebekah, Brooklyne, Katja, Ryana, and I had so much fun that weekend! :D

~ October Goals

>> Read 8 books.

>> Start working full-time. *fingers crossed*

>> Send Behold to betas and apply feedback.

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.

>> Take part in the Five Fall Favorites party. (Starts tomorrow!)

Welp, this ended up rather lame and to the point, but I suppose that's all right. 

How was your month, pals? Buy any books? Have a favorite post? Are you excited for the party next week? 

~Faith

The Hallmark Movie tag + Upcoming Readathon

Hey, friends! My friend RebekahAshleigh tagged me to do her Hallmark movie tag a few months ago, and I'm finally getting around to it. :D

I also updated the Firefly's Readathon page with details about the readathon this weekend. Hop on over and check it out!

What's the best Hallmark Christmas movie you've seen?

If The Bridge (both parts) can count as a Christmas movie...definitely that one. Love it so much, and the book is amazing too! <3

What's the best Hallmark movie you've seen?

Oh, wow, I don't know... Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Impossible Dream would definitely be at the top of the list, along with the movie I previously mentioned.

What's your favorite Hallmark movie season?

I'll go with Christmas since I haven't really seen many from other seasons. xD I do love Christmas movies though!

The last Hallmark movie you saw?

The Hallmark movie I saw most recently was A Summer to Remember. It's set in Fiji, so there was lots of lovely scenery!

Have you ever decided to watch a Hallmark movie based off it's title?

I'm not 100% positive that it was the title that first drew me to it, but I'm going to go with Dashing Through the Snow. It's a really cute road-trip Christmas movie!

Do you like the Hallmark murder mysteries? If so, which one is your favorite?

I haven't saw any of the murder mysteries. ;) I'd like to try the Garage Sale Mysteries sometime though!

Favorite Hallmark series?

I love both the Hallmark TV series When Calls the Heart, and the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries series Signed, Sealed, Delivered. <33

A Hallmark movie that had you dying of laughter?

I watched All of My Heart for the first time a few weeks ago, and it was so funny! I was definitely 'dying of laughter.' ;D

Is there a Hallmark movie out that you haven't seen yet, but would like to?

There are several! To name a few, I plan to watch A Very Merry Mix-Up and Operation Christmas this holiday season, along with some others.

What's your most anticipated Hallmark movie?

I'm hoping to watch All of My Heart: Inn Love soon, and then the third All of My Heart movie as soon as it comes out. And I'm definitely looking forward to When Calls the Heart season 6!



I'm going to 'cheat' and not tag anyone by name, but if you're a Hallmark fan, you should totally give this one a spin!

What's your favorite Hallmark movie? Have you saw any of these? 

~Faith

Dog Sitting, Hallmark Movies, and a Farewell to Summer // August Recap

Guess who survived her first month of adulthood? *points to self* Guess who hasn't did anything too drastic like flee the country yet? *also points to self*

|| Life. ||

>> So, I finally started work this month. xD Not full time yet, but hopefully soon! In the meanwhile, I've found lots of random jobs to compensate. Pet sitting, for one. I looked after an older couple's dogs last Saturday, and then I've taken care of two dogs for the lady I work for several times this summer. Goodness, they're sweet girls. <33

>> I also ended up driving a neighbor to and from work one weekend and made some extra cash, so that was cool. Early one day, though...like get-up-at-6:00 kind of early. O.O  (I'm not a morning person. In case you couldn't tell.)

>> I attended a corn roast/cookout with my family! So that was cool. xD


>> One night, I was hunting for my desk for a somewhat empty binder that I could clean out to use for ASL 3. And I ended up clearing everything out of my desk, tossing it into the floor, and sorting through it. I may or may not have found stuff from like 24975 years ago. Along with books that someone lent me and I never read...or returned.


>> My favorite songs of the month were Love by Jane Kramer, Blue Tacoma by Russell Dickerson, Every Storm by Gary Allen, and Come On Down and Dear Life by High Valley. And basically everything from Scotty McCreery's latest album! <3

>> So...Dairy Queen closed, y'all. The one we went to the most closed. The Sunday evening hangout spot for, like, half the county. The place with lots of memories of ice cream and laughter and friends. <33


>> I watched lots of Hallmark this month! I finished my re-watch of the lovely Signed, Sealed, Delivered series. I also watched All of My Heart, Summer of Dreams, and A Summer to Remember.


>> I may or may not have ate key lime pie for breakfast. Like three days in a row. #RockinTheAdultLife

|| Books. ||

// Reads

Outpourings of a Beloved Heart by Joan Embola -- 5 stars -- Review here.
The Boxcar Children Beginnings by Patricia MacLachlan -- 4 stars
I Survived: The Battle of Gettysburg, 1863 by Lauren Tarshis -- 4 stars
Shower Thoughts by Gray Marie Cox -- 5 stars
Love Finds a Way by Wanda Brunstetter -- 3 stars
Mere Hope by Jason G. Duesing -- 5 stars -- Review here.
The Hallelujah Lass by Wendy Lawton -- 4 stars
The River Between Us by Richard Peck -- 4 stars
Thoughts in Verse: A Collection of Poetry by Rebekah Eddy -- 4.5 stars
The Way to Go by Rebekah A. Morris -- 3 stars
Behind Enemy Lines: A Young Pilot's Story by H.R. DeMallie -- 4 stars
Child of Mine by Beverly Lewis -- 5 stars
The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof -- 5 stars
The Journal of Scott Pendleton Collins by Walter Dean Myers -- 4 stars
The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall -- 4 stars
Love Blind by Angie Thompson -- 4 stars

This month, I got nine Beverly Lewis books, two books from the Miracles of Marble Cove series, A Life of Joy by Amy Clipston, The Scent of Cherry Blossoms by Cindy Woodsmall, and Thoughts in Verse by Rebekah Eddy! :)

|| Writing. ||

The first half of the month was rather crazy in the writing world. I finished the second edit/third draft of A Soldier's Freedom, which included lots of new scenes. That book is now in the hands of beta-readers while I focus on other projects and decide what happens with it next. ;)

However, there wasn't much happening during the second half of the month. I worked on some random short stories, as well as planning out the stories that will be included in Behold.

Hmm, I haven't told y'all about that, have I? Behold is a Christmas short story collection that will be releasing on September 7th! Super excited for this one. <3 No cover yet, but here's the synopsis.

From two siblings caught up in the harrowing days of WWII to separated foster children in the US…
From a missing child in the wake of a natural disaster to a memorable roadtrip across the Southeast…
You’ll be swept into the Christmas spirit with the endearing stories tucked inside these pages. The storylines range from family to romance to the bond of community, with settings scattered across America and beyond.
Behold the beauty of the Savior’s birth with this gathering of stories that warm the soul and bless the heart.

So yes, that's what going on. Oh, and somewhere in there I technically failed the Go Teen Writers 100-for-100 challenge without realizing it. Whoops. xD

Word Count: 9,943

|| Blogging. ||

// Favorite Posts 

Apples of Gold ~ The Best Thing

twilight to dawn ~ DEFINING BRAVE

Counting Your Blessings One by One ~ Choosing Joy

The Rebelution ~ What Disappointment Taught Me About Dreaming Big

Inside Out Designs ~ Why Good Graphic Design is Crucial to Authors

The Introverted Extrovert ~ How are You for Real?

// My Posts

|| Goals. ||

~ August Goals 

>> Read 8 books.    Score!

>> Finish editing A Soldier's Freedom.      Yuusss. :D

>> Catch up on blog posts.     Most definitely!

>> Start editing War Tears.      Nope, but I decided to get Behold shipped off to betas first. xD So, halfway?

>> Go camping. *fingers crossed*      *sniffles* nope...

>> Complete a beta-reading project.        Yes, and gracious, it was fabulous. <33

~ September Goals 

>> Read 8 books.

>> Send Behold to beta-readers.

>> Edit pt.1 of War Tears.

>> Be a hosted author at a local book fair. #nervous

>> Host another readathon. (I'm thinking September 14th-16th... Would anyone be on board for that? I'll update the page and post more details soon!)


Quick announcement. I'm going to be participating in the Five Fall Favorites blog party again this October! Super excited to take part—and I was thrilled to see some new (though familiar) names on the list of participants. Take a peek at the invitation and be sure to mark your calendars for a week of bookish fun!

How was your August? Are you ready for fall? Saw any good movies lately? Last amazing book you read?! Let's talk! <33

~Faith