Books Now Re-shelved Alphabetically Because That Is How I Roll:
- Gilead by Marilynne Robinson – haunting, lyrical, it made me fall more in love with life. And damn, that woman can write.
- The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht – loved this book. It kept me up a few nights, even after I put it down.
- Also read You’re Already Amazing by Holley Gerth and The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson, Quiet by Susan Cain
- And of course, all of that poetry I just won’t shut up about these days.
- Love Does by Bob Goff. If you’re read A Million Miles in a Thousand Years, you already know and love Bob. I know I do.
- Home by Marilynne Robinson – this is the follow up to Gilead above.
- Certain Women by Madeline L’Engle – found this for a buck at a thrift store and so far, I am really enjoying it.
T.V. Show Worth Watching:
I haven’t watched a thing since Downton Abbey ended its season. I simply haven’t the heart. How could anything be topped by that final scene between Matthew and Mary? It could not. Of course, the Stanley Cup playoffs have started. I’m cheering for the Kings because westerners stick together, and I have a soft spot for Darryl Sutter.
Movie I’ve Seen (in or out of the theater):
I watched a documentary called Freedom Riders about an aspect of the American civil rights movement. Very well done, very compelling. We did manage to get to the theatre to see The Hunger Games, too – first movie that Brian and I have watched together in a theatre since I was pregnant with Anne, if you can believe it.
But have you SEEN this? The trailer for Les Miserables was released and Christmas feels very, very, very far away now.
In My Ears:
We’ve recently fallen in love with Seeds Family Worship. I tend to just listen to one or two albums in a month so that the tinies can learn the songs well. These are just Bible verses, set to a music that does not make me want to barf, and now we’re all memorising Scripture like a boss. When Anne and Joe are working around on their little projects, particularly their art, they are usually singing these songs, these Bible verses, to themselves and it makes me happy. (Our current favourite is Seeds of Faith.)
For my own self, I’ve got the soundtrack for Midnight in Paris on repeat.
On my knitting needles:
I’ve been working on a few baby related projects, and my favourite pattern remains the Plain Vest (pattern link). This one below went to my friend, Ashleigh, and her third little boy, Sheldon. The yarn is so unbelievably delicious and knobby. I have another one on my needles now for our children’s pastor. I just love this pattern.
In My Kitchen:
It’s no secret that I would rather bake than cook, and I could live on the results. I picked up a bunch of rhubarb in a fit of nostalgia at the Farmer’s Market this past weekend and then I made this recipe, Cinnamon-Topped Rhubarb Muffins. And then I died dead of the goodness of it.
Brian’s plot at the community garden is coming along nicely so I better start getting my kale recipes ready though.
New (to me) Blogs that have caught my eye:
- How to Talk Evangelical – Addie Zierman has been a favourite of mine for a while but she’s been kicking them out of the park lately. Check out Organic Christianity.
- Hollywood Housewife - Laura went from a one-stoplight Oklahoma town to Hollywood. She’s married to a Hollywood producer/director, she writes about motherhood, fashion, lazy beauty, books, and life. She’s also become a good friend.
- Dear Abby Leigh – Abby is a poet and I love how she sees the world.
- Simple Design – I’m falling in love with thrifting, and I blame Arianne entirely for this. She’s now editor of the newest member of the Simple Mom family with this site.
- Rachelle Gardner – if you are at all interested in becoming a published writer, you can’t find a better resource than Rachelle’s blog. (She also happens to be my own literary agent.)
- Frank Viola – I’ve loved Frank’s books for a while but only recently discovered his blog. Check out How Not To Correct Another Christian and God’s View of a Woman
Favorite Pinterest find:
I’m curating a board for my OneWord, Fearless.
Source: google.com via Sarah on Pinterest
Signs I Made:
My brother (in-law-but-really-my-bro-because-I-love-him-so) did an amazing half-marathon today for the Run for Water. We went to the finishl ine to cheer him on but apparently sarcastic cheering signs are not as popular as one would have thought. Well, I thought they were funny.
Stuff I’m Painting Red:
Speaking of my preoccupation with thrifting these days (I want to wax philosophical about that – the theology of repurposing and reusing and so on…but I won’t….you’re welcome), I found this maple rocking chair for $28, brought it home, and promptly spray painted it bright red. It makes me so happy.
What I’m Looking Forward To Next Month:
Well, I’ll just say I might have an announcement about that little book of mine….
Do tell – what are YOU into right now?
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