Tales of the Traveling Tote: Friends and Family Edition

Hello, My Lovelies!  Welcome to my Friends and Family Edition of Tales of the Traveling Tote!  We have not been traveling much recently, only to visit friends and family in Louisiana and Michigan.  We went to Louisiana in December because I was a hostess for our niece's baby shower.  We stayed at the lovely Southern Hotel in Covington, Louisiana, which is one of my very favorite small hotels.

La Countess de Monet loves the Southern Hotel, too.

We visited Covington the first weekend in December, and the Southern was decorated for Christmas.

The gardens surrounding the hotel are so beautiful, even in December.

Our niece Molly

I promise we did not coordinate outfits for the baby shower!

It was nice spending time with Molly and seeing her extended family and friends at the shower.  Molly and Brandon welcomed a baby girl in late January.  Shelley and I had such a nice time, and we love visiting Covington with its quaint shops and lovely restaurants.

In February we visited friends in New Orleans for a Mardi Gras ball and a couple of parties.

The weather was gorgeous while we were in New Orleans.  We stayed by Audubon Park and took a couple of walks around the park.  We loved our walks!

We did just a little shopping this trip, and one of our favorite stores is the Tasc flagship store on Magazine Street.

Tasc is a New Orleans based business that manufactures activewear made out of bamboo.  My son-in-law loves their golf shirts, and I love their yoga pants.  I wear them to my stretch and yoga classes.

One of our favorite Mardi Gras parades is presented by Le Krewe D’Etat, a highly satirical krewe that pokes fun at politics and pop culture.  The male-only krewe is led by a "Dictator" (The Dic) whose identity is kept secret (I kid you not).  We have several friends who are members of this krewe, and they invited us to their den party.  A den party allows revelers to preview the floats before the parade.  Below is one of my favorites.  Keep in mind that no one is safe from this krewe's disdain:  They are equal-opportunity lampooners.

Poor Elmo!  He's on fire!

Last month, I went to Ann Arbor to visit our daughter and son-in-law.  It was a working trip to help them redecorate a special room because:

We are so happy!

We are not really able to take big trips until our home renovation is complete.  We are hoping to get away a little this summer to Lake Martin, and of course I will be flying to Ann Arbor a lot!

As far as our renovation goes, I'm still waiting on one project for the library to be finished, and a couple of tweaks in our kitchen.  I'm hoping that in two weeks both will be DONE!  

The Ferguson people delivered our new bath and bath fixtures for our bathroom today.  The bathroom renovation will start soon, and I'm hoping it goes a little more smoothly than our kitchen.  Our library went extremely well, though.

I have been doing a little bit of gardening.  I planted our giant planters out back, and our New Dawn Rose was spectacular a couple of weeks ago.

Plumbago always performs well in this spot.

Our New Dawn Rose

That's all I have to report for now, but I think I shared some pretty big news!  

We are also giving away this lovely tote:

So please leave a comment here on my blog in order to win!

You must have a Google account to leave a comment on my blog; I do no allow anonymous comments.

Please visit the other participating blogs.  Links are below!

Debbie with Miss Aurora @ Mountain Breaths 

Emily with Miss Courtney Childs@ The French Hutch

 Patti with Miss Kenzie @ Pandora's Box

Linda P with Miss Lola @ Life and Linda

Rita with Miss Luna C @ Panoply 

Sarah with Miss Merri Mac @ Hyacinths for the Soul

Jackie and Miss Madi K @ Purple Chocolat Home

Ricki Jill and Countess De Monet @ The Sketchy Reader (You're here!) 

Until next time...

Blessings!

Ricki Jill

Tales of the Traveling Tote: Friends and Family Edition

Friday, May 15, 2026

Bookish Feature: God Won't Leave You There

 

Happy Monday, My Lovelies!  How was your Mother's Day weekend?  We had such a nice one.  We watched baseball, went to Mother's Day Brunch at our country club, and relaxed.  

I keep intending to share a few of our house renovations projects, but none of our rooms are completely done yet.  I want to post the rooms once they're completely finished.  It's a process, y'all!

In the interim, I will be sharing a few books and travel here on the blog.  

Today I'm featuring a book co-written by a mother/daughter duo about Joseph:  God Won't Leave You There.

About God Won’t Leave You There

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: March 31, 2026

Print length: 256 pages

God Won’t Leave You There: Joseph’s Story, an incredible testimony of jaw-dropping faith and patient perseverance in the face of devastating trials, will leave you in awe at what God can do in and through one person. It’s a powerful reminder that wherever you find yourself, God is at work putting the pieces of your life together to bring about His sovereign plan.

Through the lens of Joseph’s remarkable journey, Anne Graham Lotz and Rachel-Ruth Lotz Wright reveal how one man’s life was turned upside down and set on a path he would have never chosen himself but one that would lead to God’s ultimate purpose for his life.

With Scripture, personal stories of hardship, and the unshakable hope found in God’s promises, this book offers encouragement for anyone facing life’s deepest struggles or just needing reassurance that God is in the details. Through Joseph’s story, we are reminded of these profound truths about God:

• He is with you.
• He is guiding you.
• He will bring you through.

Whether you’re navigating betrayal, seeking purpose, or longing for reconciliation, Joseph’s story offers hope and wisdom for today. Discover how God can use even the most broken circumstances to bring about His perfect plan. No matter how desperate you feel, you can rest in the God who is trustworthy, knowing He won’t leave you there!

About the Authors

Called “the best preacher in the family” by her late father, Billy Graham, Anne Graham Lotz speaks around the globe with the wisdom and authority of years spent studying God’s Word.

The New York Times named Anne one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. Her Just Give Me Jesus revivals have been held in more than thirty cities in twelve different countries, to hundreds of thousands of attendees.

Anne is a bestselling and award-winning author of twenty-one books. She is the President of AnGeL Ministries in Raleigh, North Carolina, and previously served as Chairman of the National Day of Prayer Task Force.

Whether contributing opinion pieces to a national newspaper or a groundbreaking speaker on platforms throughout the world, Anne’s aim is clear – to bring revival to the hearts of God’s people. And her message is consistent – calling people into a personal relationship with God through His Word.

Rachel-Ruth Wright is the daughter of Anne Graham Lotz and granddaughter of Billy Graham. She is married to Steven Wright and has three daughters and one son-in-law. Rachel-Ruth is Vice President of AnGeL Ministries and has shared God’s Word as a speaker around the world. She teaches an online Bible study that reaches over 137 different countries with thousands of registered attendees. Rachel-Ruth and her mother, Anne Graham Lotz, have coauthored two books: Jesus Followers and Preparing to Meet Jesus.

My Thoughts

I was so excited when TLC Book Tours asked me to be a part of the tour for this book because I have always loved the biblical story of Joseph.  He was his father Jacob's eleventh and favorite son (out of twelve), and his brothers resented him to the point that they wanted to kill him.  Instead, they sold him to Egyptian slave traders, and lied to their father and said that a wild animal had killed him.  Joseph was the oldest son of Jacob's favorite wife Rachel, and he was devastated when he heard the news.  Although tragic, Joseph's life story doesn't end there.  He becomes an official in the Egyptian government, thrown in prison for a crime he didn't commit, and eventually restored and promoted to the second highest in command in Egypt.  This placed Joseph into a very unique position to not only save his family during a famine, but to also save his country.  It's such a wonderful story to read about and study because readers throughout history can see God's hand in Joseph's story.  His story and heart have encouraged people for millennia.  The grace that Joseph extends his brothers after their betrayal warms my heart.

This book does a deep dive into the story of Joseph and his family.  The authors do a very good job applying the biblical truths of this story to our lives today.  But my very favorite chapter of the entire book is Chapter Eleven.  Entitled "God will Bring You Through By His Grace," it is mostly about when Jacob blesses and prophesies over all of his sons.  It was fun reading about how these prophecies play out.  Of course my very favorite is Judah's blessing because he had made so many egregious mistakes in his life.....yet he changed, and his father recognized it.  And you probably recall that Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah.  Again, the application in this chapter is so helpful as it asks if you can relate to the good and bad characteristics of each son.  

I found this book fascinating and encouraging, which is what I want in Christian nonfiction books.  I highly recommend it because if God through his grace can bring Joseph out of a dire situation and completely use it for good, then God can and will move mountains in our lives, too. 

DISCLOSURE:  I was given a hardcover copy of God Won't Leave You There from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC review tour schedule:

Monday, April 20th: @simplystevienicole on TikTok

Wednesday, April 22nd: @deannaturnsthepage

Thursday, April 23rd: @readingpastdark.marcia

Friday, April 24th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, April 27th: @cozycraftyreads 

Friday, May 1st: @beckys_bookshelves 

Sunday, May 3rd: @nissa_the.bookworm

Monday, May 4th: @danamarielovestoread

Wednesday, May 6th: The Bookish Dilettante

Friday, May 8th: @readingintheheartland

Until next time....

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Bookish Feature: God Won't Leave You There

Monday, May 11, 2026

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Divine Counselor

 

Hello, My Lovelies!  How is your May so far?  I love this time of year in Central Alabama:  It's Blackberry Winter, the sun is warm, the breeze is cool, and it's my favorite time of the year to enjoy nature and dining alfresco.  

Other than dining alfresco, I also enjoy reading outside these first couple of weeks of May.  I'm currently reading a book that is changing the way I think daily, and it's what I'm featuring on this week's What I'm Reading Wednesday post.  The Divine Counselor by Alex Seeley is about how the Holy Spirit wants to guide you and heal your soul.  Who wouldn't want to benefit from His Divine Counsel?

About The Divine Counselor: Renew Your Mind, Heal Your Soul, and Discover Your Purpose Through the Guidance of the Holy Spirit

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: April 7, 2026

Print length: 240 pages

Pastor Alex Seeley, co-founder of The Belonging Co., reveals how the Holy Spirit provides the deep healing, peace, and purpose beyond what therapy alone can provide.

At a time when many feel anxious and discouraged, the idea of living whole, healed, and empowered sounds wonderful–but often out of reach. Counseling, self-help books, and podcasts seem to offer temporary relief, but what about life-changing transformation?

In The Divine Counselor, Pastor Alex Seeley introduces readers to the best therapist they’ll ever meet: the Holy Spirit. Drawing on biblical insights and personal stories, Alex endeavors to answer readers’ deepest questions and doubts, while showing how the Holy Spirit . . .

• advocates on their behalf, interceding when they don’t have the words to pray;
• guides them toward healing, connecting spiritual health and emotional wellness;
• helps them change mind-sets, to bring freedom from destructive labels and past experiences;
• speaks with clarity and wisdom, helping believers discern His voice from their own; and
• equips them to live in victory, empowering them to overcome.

With an infectious passion for this often misunderstood and overlooked person of the Trinity, Alex inspires readers to embrace the Holy Spirit as their closest friend and trusted counselor–the One they were created to know intimately. As they invite the ultimate Comforter into their everyday lives, this book will help readers experience lasting peace and live a life of freedom and joy.

About the Author

Alex Seeley was born and raised in Australia and spent 17 years pastoring there. It is also where she met and married her husband, Henry. After relocating to Nashville in 2012, they founded The Belonging Co., a church where they minister together to thousands of people each week. She is a passionate teacher of the Word with the unique ability to reveal how the Word of God is applicable to our everyday lives.

My Thoughts So Far

One aspect of this book that has been interesting is how Alex Seeley refers to the Holy Spirit.  She calls him Holy Spirit as if it's his name based on a remarkable encounter her husband had with Him during a Youth Camp.  It has changed my thinking to the point that I want to edit the book blurb and delete all of the "thes" before Holy Spirit!  And this truly helps illustrate the truth that "Holy Spirit Is Not a What, He's a Who" which happens to be the chapter of the book I'm currently reading.  I can't wait to read one of the latter chapters entitled Learning to Know His Voice.  Holy Spirit has spoken to me, but my problem is being still and listening for His voice.  Having quiet time to communicate with Him is becoming more of a priority for me.

Although I'm enjoying the personal anecdotes in the book (I skipped ahead a little to the chapter entitled "The Proof Is In the Pudding"), I am most appreciative of the the prayers and challenges at the end of each chapter.  I have flagged a couple of them, and I know I will refer back to them often.

And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever —­ the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 

~ John 14:16–17

This book needs to be on every Christian nonfiction shelf.  It's a lovely primer on Holy Spirit's love for us and the role He wants to play in our lives.  It is such a life changing and encouraging read.

DISCLOSURE:  I received a paperback copy of The Divine Counselor from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.

TLC tour schedule:

Wednesday, April 8th: @books_by_the_bottle

Friday, April 10th: @spaceonthebookcase

Saturday, April 11th: @booksandcoffeemx 

Saturday, April 11th: @purrfectpages 

Monday, April 13th: @suzylew_bookreview 

Wednesday, April 15th: @simplystevienicole on TikTok

Friday, April 17th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Monday, April 20th: @deannaturnsthepage

Wednesday, April 22nd: @lovemybooks2020   

Friday, April 24th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering 

Monday, April 27th: @natashasbookshelf on TikTok

Wednesday, April 29th: @danamarielovestoread

Thursday, April 30th: @ink_drinker64

Saturday, May 2nd: @gigithebibliophile

Wednesday, May 6th: The Bookish Dilettante

Saturday, May 9th: @nissa_the.bookworm 

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

What I'm Reading Wednesday: The Divine Counselor

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

Book Mail: Nero & Paul

 

Happy Book Mail Monday, My Lovelies!

Today I'm sharing a very special book with you:  Nero & Paul by Kathie Lee Gifford!

About Nero & Paul: How the Gospel of Grace Defeated the Ruler of Rome (Ancient Evil, Living Hope)

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: March 10, 2026

Print length: 240 pages

Does gaining power, possessions, and popularity lead to happiness and fulfillment? Or does inner transformation and self-sacrificial love bring the most joy and satisfaction? New York Times bestselling author Kathie Lee Gifford and scholar Bryan Litfin dive into these questions by bringing the stories of Nero and Paul to life in this creative nonfiction tale and identifying how these moral questions can be applied to modern Christian life.

Centuries ago, against the backdrop of Roman domination and decadence, a rabbi-turned-evangelist challenged the ideology of an immoral emperor. Two competing messages clashed—and they were messages that echo into our modern world.

One voice says, Do what feels good. Gain more influence. Focus on yourself and build your own kingdom. Another says, Live for something beyond yourself—something eternal. Carry out your God-given mission, no matter the cost. Follow your King to the end of the world if you must. Only then will you truly live.

Combining historical accuracy with narrative imagination, Nero and Paul drops you into the drama of human pride and divine destiny that unfolded on the stage of imperial Rome.

You’ll travel with Paul as he ventured from Jerusalem all the way to Spain, making friends, winning converts, and persisting through grueling opposition. You’ll see up close Nero’s kingdom of wealth, glamour, sex, and power—the proud trappings of a self-proclaimed god. In contrast, Paul boldly offered what the world desperately needed: the Messiah’s life-giving good news of God’s presence indwelling his people.

Though this epic clash of worldviews led to bloodshed and death, the crown of eternal life triumphed over the laurel wreaths of Rome—just as the light of Jesus triumphs over the darkness of the world in every age.

Don’t miss this ancient story with a timeless message that reverberates across the centuries and will light the fire of your faith today.

About the Authors

Kathie Lee Gifford’s four-time Emmy Award winning career has spanned television, film, recordings, Broadway, cabaret, and commercials. She has authored numerous books, including her most recent book, The God of the Way, and five New York Times bestselling books, including The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi and It’s Never Too Late. She is also an actress, singer, songwriter, playwright, producer, and director.

Dr. Bryan Litfin grew up in Dallas, TX; Oxford, England; and Memphis, TN. He earned a degree in print journalism from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in historical theology at Dallas Seminary, and a Ph.D. in the field of ancient church history at the University of Virginia. The author of four nonfiction books and six novels, Dr. Litfin now works as Professor of Bible and Theology at Rawlings School of Divinity at Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA.

I cannot wait to read this one, Lovelies.

I've skimmed it, and the dialogue between the authors is intriguing, and I appreciate the pretty maps!

Disclosure:  I received a hardcover copy of Nero & Paul from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a book mail feature.  Thank you!  

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Book Mail: Nero & Paul

Monday, April 13, 2026

Home Renovations Are Not for Sissies

 

Happy Friday, My Lovelies!  It has been a gorgeous spring week here in Central Alabama.   I hope it has been nice in your neighborhood, too.

Home renovations are not for sissies.  No.  They.  Are.  NOT!  

We started the process a little over a year ago, and then we put the brakes on when my mother had to be hospitalized.  We eventually finished our daughter's room and the library (for the most part) before Christmas.  Then after Christmas, my mom was better, so we decided to continue with the kitchen reno.  About two weeks in my mother declines rapidly and goes on hospice care.... while we were in the middle of the kitchen reno.

Because the upstairs went so well, I was expecting the same for the kitchen although it required a different crew.  

The kitchen reno was not very delightful (the drawers had to be redone three times), and we're still waiting on a couple of things to be fixed.  But in the interim, I wanted to share a little bit of the kitchen with you.

We have a new backsplash.  They are Moroccan Zellige tiles, and the color is oat.

from Tiles of Ezra

Another improvement is we raised the upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling to give us more storage and display area for our MacKenzie-Childs collection.

One thing that I'm having to get used to is the electrical under the cabinets.  You can barely see the strip in the first kitchen photo.  Most new kitchens either have them like this or pop-ups on the counter.  I chose to go up rather than down!  

I hate seeing cords, so I purchased cord covers.

  

I wish I could capture the color of our walls with my phone, but I can't seem to be able to do it.  They are Benjamin Moore's "vintage taupe," which has a lot of pink in it.  

New bar-height stools  

The kitchen island was also repainted in Benjamin Moore's "Gobi Desert."

Probably the best thing we did in this kitchen is organize it.  Our kitchen lacks cabinetry, and we do not have a pantry.  So what we did was add Rev-A-Shelf organizers in EVERY single base cabinet.  It has changed my life!  The organizers do take up more room, which means there's less space to shove organize your stuff.  I had to make some tough choices and only keep the things I use.  So far I have not missed one thing that is no longer in here.  I will post more about kitchen organization in a later post.

Because I was so busy during the end of March, I didn't really decorate for Easter this year.  I did put out a few spring pretties, though.

I also bought a couple of maidenhair ferns.  I love them, but I always kill them.  If you have any pointers on how to keep them alive, please share!

Hopefully soon I will be able to get my act together enough to share our library here on the blog.

On Monday I will be sharing some special book mail, so please come back then!  

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Home Renovations Are Not for Sissies

Friday, April 10, 2026