Tales of the Traveling Tote: Florida's 30-A Beaches

Hello, My Lovelies!  Welcome to another Tales of the Traveling Tote post!

This might be the worst post ever photo-wise because I was on Grandma Duty for our family trip to the beach!

I have so many fond memories of taking our girls to the beaches of 30-A Florida.  I can remember visiting as a girl before Seaside existed, when it was Grayton Beach and Santa Rosa Beach.  Seaside was established when I was in college, and our first trip as a family to Seaside was when Shanley Belle was one year old.

Now it's time for another generation to discover the beauty of this area of Florida.

Shanley Belle, Christopher, and our Little Starling flew down from Detroit last month and met us at the beach.  Of course I was in heaven because I got to do alllllll the Grandma Things, including babysit while Mom and Dad had dates.  That's the main reason that I didn't take many photos because I was too busy!  Also, Shanley and Christopher don't want any photos of Starling on the Internet, and I don't blame them.

But she is so cute.  You will have to take my word for it!  She has the best features of both her parents, and she might even be a redhead.  The jury is still out on that one!

Below I'll share a few photos from our trip with captions.

This is a very famous view of Western Lake with the strand of pine trees in the distance.

It has inspired many artists, and we have a small watercolor of this view in our home.

We had only one rainy day the entire week we were there.  We were lucky, and the weather was also unseasonably cool.

On the rainy day we took a drive to Rosemary Beach and did a little shopping.  Shanley and I always enjoy shopping at indie bookstores when we travel.

This is the post office at Seaside.  The flag is at half-staff in honor of Dolly Parton.

La Countess de Monet would've been very upset if I hadn't taken her to my mothership, Sun Dog Books.  I didn't buy many books for myself, but I purchased several for Starling.

We've been eating at Pickles since forever.  It was one of the first businesses in Seaside.

A view of the beach from the Watercolor Beach Club.

My daughters and I discovered the neatest shop in Seaside called Poeta.

It was the shopping hit of the trip.

Everything in the shop was quilted, and the fabric patterns were so cute.  

I purchased a nice pencil case for my art class and a journal.

I also purchased this adorable bracelet because of course I did!

;P

I will cherish the memories from our trip, and I hope that there will be many more in our future with Little Starling.  

Please visit the other participants' posts.  I promise they will have more and better photos!  

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!) 

Join us in January for fall and early winter adventures!

Until next time...

Blessings!
Ricki Jill

Tales of the Traveling Tote: Florida's 30-A Beaches

Tuesday, September 15, 2026

Book Review: A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving

 

Happy Thursday, My Lovelies!  I am reading the best 30-day devotional I've read in a very long time:  A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God's Goodness by Wendy Speake.

About A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving: 30 Days of Rejoicing in God’s Goodness

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: September 1, 2026

When life is bright and blessings abound, are you quick to feel grateful and lift a song of thanks to God? What about the seasons when heartache and hopelessness overwhelm, and deep soul-sadness threatens? When life feels awful, do you find it awfully hard to persevere in praise and rejoice in God’s goodness? Discover strength and renewal in times when praise feels more like a sacrifice than a natural overflow of the heart.

God’s Word is clear: we are to bless Him at all times! But it can be difficult when we don’t feel blessed—or are simply distracted by all of our blessings. 

A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving will help readers:

• Come honestly to the Lord regardless of life’s circumstances.
• Witness the power of praise to break through spiritual barriers.
• Rejoice in trials, knowing that they produce endurance, character, and hope.
• Maintain a steadfast heart of worship when life feels unsteady.
• Thank God for His character, even when we don’t understand His ways.

In the first half of this uplifting 30-day devotional, you will explore the profound gift that praising and thanking God is to you! Then, as you progress, you will shift your focus from those personal benefits to the One who is simply worthy of your worship.

Wendy Speake, bestselling author of The 40-Day Sugar Fast and The 40-Day Social Media Fast, invites you to consider “fasting from asking” along this journey. Yes, that’s right: For 30 days you’ll turn your petitions into praise as you lift your eyes from yourself and your circumstances to the praiseworthy and thankworthy One! This 30-day “ask fast” will teach you to give God your praise and thanks at all times, every day, even when it feels like a sacrificial offering.

About the Author

Whether on the stage or on the page, Wendy Speake ministers to women’s hearts through storytelling and biblical life application. With a background in Hollywood as a trained actress, she couples the power of God’s Word with personal testimony. Known for the uncanny way she meets women in their most common struggles, from sugar-addiction and mommy-anger to deep soul-sadness, Wendy uses every opportunity to point readers to the transforming power of God’s Word and the faithful nearness of His Holy Spirit.

Wendy is the author of multiple books, including The 40-Day Sugar Fast, The 40-Day Social Media Fast, and The 40-Day Feast. She’s also coauthor of the popular parenting books Triggers, Parenting Scripts, and Life Creative.

Though originally a California girl, Wendy now lives in the great state of Texas. When she isn’t ministering to others, Wendy enjoys gardening, taking walks in her neighborhood, and fixing meals for family and friends.

My Review

I am absolutely loving this devotional!  I was not sure that I would handle an "Ask Fast" very well, but it has actually been very freeing as I trust that God already knows what I need before I ask him.  It has been very refreshing to my soul setting aside all petitions/supplications and focusing on thanking and praising God.

I like how each daily devotion is organized.  Each lesson begins with scripture, followed by a lesson.  After the lesson there is a daily prayer and a guided journal activity.  Also, you can download Wendy's The 30 Days of Praise and Thanksgiving Journal for free!  HERE is the LINK.  The journal is 143 pages long, but there is plenty of room to write scripture and the guided journal assignments.  Some of the lessons also include meditation exercises and other thoughtful activities.  I emailed the journal to Kinko's and had them to print and bind it for me, but you can answer the questions and complete the activities in a composition notebook and use the journal on your computer as a guide.  I highly recommend using this free resource because it does enhance the devotional.

I have found it very difficult to live out the above verse in my faith walk.  Give thanks in EVERYTHING?  However, scripture admonishes us to do just that.  Wendy Speake has given us a very comprehensive handbook, and I can't think of a better devotional for any Christian who wants to grow her faith during the midst of trials.  I also enjoy Wendy's voice: I like how she writes!  She balances the biblical with personal anecdotes well, and her lessons are very engaging.  With Thanksgiving just over the horizon, I can't think of a better time of year to start this lovely devotional.  I highly recommend it, and I think it would make a thoughtful gift.

Have you read a devotional you'd recommend to my readers?  If so, please share in comments!

Disclosure:  I received a paperback copy of A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you so much for asking me to be a part of this tour: I love this devotional!  I can't rave about it enough.

TLC Review Tour Schedule:

Tuesday, September 1st: @fullybookedinkentucky 

Thursday, September 3rd: @she_reads_truth_365

Friday, September 4th: @nissa_the.bookworm

Tuesday, September 8th: Laura’s Reviews and @laurasreviews_1 

Tuesday, September 8th: @simplystevienicole on TikTok

Wednesday, September 9th: @the.joy.within.every.page

Thursday, September 10th: The Bookish Dilettante

Monday, September 14th: @danamarielovestoread 

Wednesday, September 16th: @natashasbookshelf on TikTok

Friday, September 18th: @deannaturnsthepage 

Tuesday, September 22nd: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering

Wednesday, September 23rd: @reading.in.azaleawoods

Thursday, September 24th: @beckys_bookshelves

Friday, September 25th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Until next time...

Happy reading!
Ricki Jill

Book Review: A Sacrifice of Praise and Thanksgiving

Thursday, September 10, 2026

Bookish Feature: The Heart of the Maker

 

Happy Pub Day to The Heart of the Maker:  How to Put Your Passion to Work by Jake Weidmann.  This is my current read, and I am learning so much about how Jake worked very hard to improve his art and support his family through his efforts.  

About The Heart of the Maker: How to Put Your Passion to Work

Publisher: Thomas Nelson

Publication date: September 1, 2026 

Unlock the transformation of your passion with the keys of purpose-driven work in The Heart of the Maker. Whether you’re an artist or entrepreneur, writer, weekend warrior or looking for a way to activate your calling, this book serves as a blueprint for turning creativity into meaningful action.

With hard-won lessons and a deep connection to the spiritual roots of creativity, this maker’s guide equips you with the tools to face uncertainty and emerge confidently into your creative calling.

Jake Weidmann, renowned self-taught artist and the youngest Master Penman in the world, wants to show you how to:

• balance the sacred and the sellable in the business of soulful creation;
• embrace your gift in less-than-ideal times and spaces for your making;
• grow your skill while balancing the books, working with your spouse, dealing with stress, and fighting burnout;
• discover the importance of faith, family, and relationships as the foundation for great art and a meaningful life;
• grow closer to God by connecting with the spiritual roots of creativity;
• see your challenges as a way to stretch your ingenuity; and
• overcome self-doubt by trusting in God’s plan and stepping boldly into your unique creative purpose.

But this is more than a guide—it’s a call to action for anyone ready to leave behind the ordinary and make a lasting impact in their work and their life. With The Heart of the Maker, readers will learn how to view their creativity not just as a skill but as a gift, meant to be cultivated and shared to glorify God and bless others.

About the Author

Jake Weidmann – Jake is a professional artist and certified as one of nine Master Penmen in the world. Jake was certified through IAMPETH (International Association of Master Penmen, Engrossers, and Teachers of Handwriting) in July 2011. He holds the title as the youngest Master Penman by three decades and the youngest to ever attain the title. His journey into calligraphy has been the “special sauce” for everything he now creates, incorporating the traditional calligraphic flourishing into his fine art. Jake is self-taught in each of his disciplines (calligraphy, painting, drawing, woodworking, and engraving). While he typically works with private clients, Jake has worked with Apple, Inc., Crossway Books, and Biola University, and has spoken from countless stages including TEDx and Q, and was featured on the PBS series, A Craftsman’s Legacy.

My Thoughts So Far

The first thing I want to comment on is how organized the book is.  I love how the chapters (for the most part) have titles that relate to the artistic process.  Each chapter also builds from the previous ones, too.  So far my favorite chapter is entitled "Armature."  In this chapter, Jake does a lovely job of relating how our talents are part of God's purpose for our lives.  He stresses that we are to plan our work, and he gives a wonderful example from history of frescoes painted by daVinci and Michelangelo.  Da Vinci (unlike Michelangelo) tried to modernize the process, and many of his masterpieces fell apart during his lifetime.  Hence, a historical precedent can work as a type of "armature."  In order to be successful, you don't necessarily need to reinvent the wheel.  Planning also needs to involve God and his plans for us.  Sometimes it's hard to plan for our lives while concurrently surrendering to God's will.

If we want our lives to be modeled on and supported by God's purpose for us, then we need to take the time to identify exactly what that is.

~Page 85

Armature is an important element not only in the creative process, but also in the business and marketing processes as well.

In "Tools of the Trade," Jake emphasizes that the most important tools in our arsenals are our minds, bodies, and heart.  I love this section of the book so much because many creators are stuck in studios sitting down for a big part of the day.  I can remember reading an article years ago (before social media took off) entitled "Is Blogging Making You Fat?"  Jake has been taking care of his body since he was a chubby adolescent, and he even figured out a way to dictate parts of the book while exercising, including this very chapter!

The Heart of the Maker is so interesting, and I think it would be helpful for anyone who'd like to earn a living as a creative.  Jake Weidmann might be a Master Penman, but he is also a very creative and inspiring writer.  I highly recommend this book, and I am currently reading one of the latter chapters "Pray Your Work."  Y'all....this is so good.  You should buy it for the creative person in your life!  It's very helpful and encouraging.  

Disclosure:  I received a hardcover copy of the book from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.  Thank-you so much for asking me to be a part of the tour, especially on Pub Day!

TLC review tour schedule:

Tuesday, September 1st: The Bookish Dilettante 

Thursday, September 3rd: @readingpastdark.marcia 

Thursday, September 3rd: @therearenobadbooks

Wednesday, September 9th: @reading.withrach on TikTok

Thursday, September 10th: @teaandbookstoo and Reading, Writing, and Pondering 

Friday, September 11th: View from the Birdhouse 

Monday, September 14th: @oilycaffeinatedmama 

Wednesday, September 16th: @beckys_bookshelves

Friday, September 18th: Diary of a Stay at Home Mom

Sunday, September 20th: @subakka.bookstuff 

Monday, September 21st: @natashasbookshelf on TikTok

Orchid drawn with silverpoint

I think part of my problem as an artist is that I have way too many passions, like oil painting, colored pencil drawing, silverpoint, mixed media....you get the picture.

Maybe I can learn from this book to be a bit more focused and selective as an artist!  ;P

Until next time...

Happy reading and creating!

Ricki Jill

Bookish Feature: The Heart of the Maker

Tuesday, September 1, 2026