Thus says the LORD,
Stand by the ways and see and ask for the
ancient paths,
Where the good way is, and walk in it;
And you will find rest for your soulsβ¦
Book of Jeremiah 6:16a
Monday Ponderings {September 4th}
Category: Faith
Saturday Sips & Stacks πβοΈπ»πβ₯οΈππ
What are you reading π, exploring, or creating this weekend? Happy September, friends! ππ₯°π»β₯οΈβοΈππππππ€ππππ¬πβ¨πΎππ²
Iβm mostly sipping coffee βοΈ {maybe Tazoβs Lemon π Loaf tea, later} and loving The Grasmere Journals by Dorothy Wordsworth π₯°.
Wednesday Wonders
There is wonder all around usβ¦
Listeningβ¦ Risking Enchantment episode on Studio Ghibli themes. β₯οΈπ
Readingβ¦ Iβm loving reading along with the Librivox audio to Jerome K. Jeromeβs Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of The Dog) . This is a hilarious Victorian story full of sarcasm and British wit. Iβm really enjoying it. I hope to finish it this week so I can attend a Zoom discussion on it.
Watchingβ¦ I found Half of Carlaβs tips here about reducing stress to be helpful!
Noticingβ¦weβve had a super dry summer, but are having a high humidity wave currently. I love the warmth, but itβs not fun to work in! Iβm loving the mixture of yellows and purples on the roadsides. Late summer flowers. β₯οΈ
What are you listening to, reading, watching, and noticing? There is so much wonder! β₯οΈ
πβ₯οΈπποΈπ¦βοΈπβ₯οΈ
π²whole person work π² check in: second week August 2023
{previous check-ins and intro to series}
Donβt you feel a tug, a yearning to sink down into the silence and solitude of God? Donβt you long for something more? Doesnβt every breath crave a deeper, fuller exposure to his Presence? It is the Discipline of solitude that will open the door. You are welcome to come in and βlisten to Godβs speech in his wondrous, terrible, gentle, loving, all-embracing silence.β
Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline, p. 109
Focus Areas:
Spiritual ~ I was a bit sluggish this week about REALLY pressing into my quiet times and calming myself down enough to enter in. We came off a wonderful, but exhausting graduation party for my oldest son and it takes me a long time to recover from events. I kept up with my group reading plan, but didnβt deeply meditate and pray/journal as much as I want to. The end of this week has been better and it feels so good to soak in Matthew among other things. My sister reminded me of Pray As You Go app which helps me focus as I begin my prayer times. β₯οΈ
Physical ~ I honestly struggled a bit with getting in the groove with my food. Just grazing and bingeing, even on βhealthyβ things. Out of exhaustion or anxiety, finding myself feeling hungry in my MIND not legitimately hungry in my stomach. I found that listening to the audiobook of Rezoom by Susan Peirce Thompson or Half of Carlaβs YouTube really helped me calm down a bit. Not making or having unhealthy choices in the house really helps me, too. I did get out on my walks with my audiobook. Iβm 56% through Klara & the Sun and π― itβs thoroughly intriguing. I bought a new tshirt and struggled with the mental battle about my worth because it was a bigger size. π Just be brutally honest here. I am excited to receive it, though, and support my friendβs creative endeavor .
Mental ~ I had so much fun updating my book journal and purging/ organizing my reading stacks. I decided to focus on one particular stack of things Iβm reading with others or have wanted to read for a long time. I gave myself permission to set aside books that were too silly, not grabbing my attention, or just weighing me down. I read a few poemβs every day (Oliver, Wordsworth, and Native Nations poems) and it was so nice. Iβm super interested in learning about the βBalkansβ area after finishing the historical fiction thriller The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova.
Emotional~ I had some hard relational talks this week that were good. I tend to avoid and stuff down which isnβt healthy. I really tried to keep up on some household rhythms and itβs amazing how much that lifts my mood. Just putting a fresh weed π bouquet on a clean dining room table with tablecloth, washing the dishes after each meal, etc. Being outdoors really helped me! I also did a fun video about my favorite things and I wrote two snail mail letters. Iβve been trying to sleep a little in afternoons lately and itβs SO nice. I did get a little Totoro stamp set and some new, darling stickers which was a blessing. Maybe Iβll show them to you next week. Stationary is the way to my heart! ππ
Servanthood ~ this was tough this week. I think coming off the graduation party made it extra hard. I want to focus more on the little things I can do for those around me and do them well. Not be so distracted. I was able to do some fun things with others last week and it was wonderful to connect in those big things, but I can see some daily practices I believe Jesus wants me to give more in. β₯οΈ He is so gracious and faithful to help and strengthen us. I do want to start gratitude journaling again to practice thankfulness and get outside my head. Look for a Joy Journal entry soon, hopefully.
Verse Focus for Coming Week:
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Matthew 11:28-30
How about you? How did your week go? Bless you all! πΏπβ£οΈβ¨ππ»π§οΈππ₯¦βοΈπ³π±
ππΏwhole person work check in: first week in August 2023 πΏπ
{Introduction here to this series}
For a habit is a delight in itself; poor human nature is conscious of the ease that it is to repeat the doing of anything without effort; and, therefore , the formation of a habit, the gradually lessening sense of effort in a given act, is pleasurable.
Charlotte Mason, Home Education, p. 121
My focus areas:
Spiritual: been really trying to keep up with my YouVersion apps Bible readings with friends. However, I decided I needed a slower soak also, so I began the New Testament this week and wow, itβs been so lovely. Just Jesusβ words. Journaling and meditating on it all. Iβm reading a few devotionals and Mary Oliverβs nature poetry has been turning my heart π to my Creator. Iβve been prioritizing spending my quiet time outdoors, too, because it adds so much.
Physical: I was able to get out for a long walk one day and listen to an audiobook. It was wonderful! Hopefully, going again today. I tend to be pretty sedentary, so walks are something I want to make time for. I adjusted my food a lot this week and checked in with my sister each night. I felt very βhangryβ at times and journaled etc to help. Iβm admittedly seeing a few things that are creeping in that I canβt be moderate in. I will be just taking those out of my diet. I know this seems extreme, but for me, it works. Iβm trying something Iβm calling BLE Lite (Bright Line Eating), in which I follow the plan closely with a few planned exceptions. Iβm definitely easing back in as this program is pretty intense and structured. However, I do think I work better with clear boundaries.
Mental: Iβm trying to chose good books to read and journal/narrate/collage about them. Slowing down to create or discuss calms and soothes my anxiety. I participated in a Zoom book discussion on Anthony Trollopeβs The Belton Estate. I can get too introverted and find myself βhidingβ and I want to challenge myself and grow, not stagnate. Iβm rereading a challenging book about home as a ministry and itβs so good. Iβve been taking naps with my 4 yo occasionally and this makes a huge difference physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Emotional: I took off the week from YouTube and itβs been so nice. Iβm on a year break from Instagram. I enjoy aspects of social media, but I have to balance these delicately otherwise, I personally find myself anxious, discontent, and not present. Naps, nature, walks, etc all contribute to a more balanced emo π€ state for me! π I also did a few creative things this week that filled my cup like collaging, filming book reviews, sending a penpal letter, and writing. I took myself on a coffee date and also picked up a favorite magazine. I want to be careful not to always associate buying things for comfort, because I actually find more genuine peace in the things that cost π² NOTHING. However, occasionally, itβs fun to get a special gift. π
Servanthood: I wonβt be giving a ton of actual real life details here as this is a personal area between me and Jesus, but, I do want to share action steps I want to try. I want to include one or more children in whatever Iβm doing around the house, ie – take a child grocery shopping or take walks with kids sometimes, etc. I want to plan some activities to do WITH kids that arenβt work related. The reality of life here with a big family is we are often working together. Thatβs good, but I also want to do purposeful fun activities occasionally.
Verse Focus for coming week:
β¦His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.
from 2 Peter 1:3
So, overall, a good week, and Iβm hopeful! Planning on checking in next week. Thanks for being here. β£οΈβ£οΈβ£οΈ Let me know how you are? Lots of love, Amy π€π²π€
Art Begets Art πΌοΈ Piece #5 ~ βSpeaking Silenceβ
Inspired by RMβs song, βWildflowersβ
My life is silently watering
the flowers of my grave
long lasting work
slow-turned soil
roots cut, my place
dug deep
whatβs growing on my grave?
my remains fertilize
what remains
is love the single
word etched
on my cement slab?
whatβs leftover,
burned behind?
the swaying
rosebush, its pricks and petals
perfuming
the graveβs air
scent of life lingering
silence, speaking
of a flower bud
living on
A.M. Pine π²π€
Monday Ponderings {July 17th}
The truth is that weβve been blessed beyond telling by a Stranger who walked into our lives and showed us his heart, wept our tears, lived our life, and died our death.
It sounds simple and poetic except that weβve been asked to do the same; for this is the Stranger who, according to Paul, left within our hearts the same power he carried in his own (Romans 8:10-13).
Trusting the stranger means we take off our shoes to prepare for the coming of each new person who walks into our lives. It means that we stand on tiptoe to wait for the coming of each person into the fullness of life.
Macrina Wiederkehr, Seasons of Your Heart, p. 158, emphasis mine.
Wednesday Wonders
There is wonder all around usβ¦
Listening⦠How to Heal Your Relationship with Food
Reading⦠on the top of my stack: Seasons of Your Heart: Prayers & Reflections by Macrina Wiederkehr and Sense & Sensibility by Jane Austen. A wonderful, intriguing bit of Miyazaki to fill your joy cup.
Watching⦠slow, peaceful vlogs.
Noticingβ¦summer flowers, clouds, barn swallows, warmth, and summer smells! πΏ
What are you listening to, reading, watching, & noticing? β₯οΈπ₯°πΏ
Monday Ponderings {July 3rd}
Our search must be for the grains of gold, and, as we amass these, we shall live and walk in the continual intimacy of the divine Love, the constant worship of the divine Beauty, in the liberty of those whose the Truth makes free.
Charlotte Mason, Ourselves, Book 2, p. 187 π²
πΏArt Begets ArtπΏ Piece #4
These three above selections were shared by my friend and this is what I think has been brewing for awhile in my heart, but started coming out as I simmered a bit over them. A collage of bits of letters, ephemera, and poetry for you! β₯οΈπΏ
β₯οΈBecoming β₯οΈ
quilted by hand
mosaic shards
indigo dipped
puzzled over
collage pieced
~becoming~
sewn shut
stitched down
torn open
ironed flat
glued tight
~becoming~
rolled thin
poured out
mixed raw
washed clean
knit warm
~becoming~
idea inked
pencil erased
journal birthed
word soaked
being spoke
~becoming~
all together.
a bit of dust.
a bit of Divine.
swirl of a finger,
womenkind.
π²π€A.M. Pineπ€π²
2nd Quarter Favorite Reads 2023: Aprilπ²Mayπ²Juneπ²
Natureπ² and books π – two of my very favorite things! β₯οΈ
Hi Friends! Iβm loving all the summer space to soak in GREEN & BOOKS. Iβm closing out the books π, so to speak, on my favorite second quarter reading today! Hereβs first quarterβs favorites, if you are interested. I had a WONDERFUL few months of reading and I was surprised how they fell into a few main genres with a couple of wildcards. Iβm grouping my snippet reviews under those for your ease! Happiest Reading!
Historical Fiction ~
Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth by Shelia OβConner ~ 5 stars – lovely tale told through letters between a young girl and an older gentleman on her paper route. This is set during the Vietnam War and addresses conscientious objectors, war, prejudice, family, and is SO well done.
Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck ~ 4 stars – set during the Great Depression/Dust Bowl era we follow a family leaving Oklahoma to find work in California. This gorgeously written, raw, heartfelt, and disturbing. I will be thinking about it for a long time. Ma Joad was my favorite character to follow. Adult content and language.
Paint Chips by Susie Finkbeiner ~ 4 stars – sobering and disturbing look at a mother (and her twin sister) and daughterβs journey through abuse and sexual trafficking. The Christian message was super well done, woven through this contemporary setting and difficult topic. This was told through alternating chapters and flashbacks. Good twist at ending.
Rose & Thistle by Laura Franz ~ 4 stars – this is a Christian historical fiction/ romance that I felt was pretty well done. A little bit of the clean cheesy romance, but overall, lovely setting and characters! This was set in England/ Scotland around the Jacobite Rebellion.
Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee ~ 4 stars – I really enjoyed this YA historical fiction that I received for my birthday about a Chinese American girl in the late 1800βs in Atlanta. Some of it seemed a wee bit unbelievable, but overall, so interesting with great characters, humor, and twists!!!! There was one weird, random sexual moment so FYI, if you are handing it to teens.
Fantasy~
The Princess Game by Melanie Cellier ~ 4 stars – unique, clean retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Interesting twist on fairytale, great main characters, plot, and action.
The Sword of Kaigen by M. L. Wang ~ 4 stars – I really loved this Asian (Japanese?)-inspired elemental magic fantasy novel. It started off VERY slow, but I grew to love the characters, mothering, family aspect to this and some deep, beautiful lessons about growing through terrible circumstances. FYI: This is EXTREMELY violent with sword-type warfare, war crimes etc.
Domestic-y Type, Gentle Fiction ~
Katherine Wentworth by D. E. Stevenson ~ 5 stars – so gentle, full of peace, hope, nature, and a charming cottage. Second chance story with lovely mother & children. This reminds me slightly of The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery, although not quite as quirky!
Mrs. Lorimerβs Quiet Summer by Molly Clavering ~ 5 stars – I read a lot of stories set in Scotland π΄σ §σ ’σ ³σ £σ ΄σ Ώ this quarter! Must be a sign. ππ A sweet family tale set in beautiful Scottish scenery. I found out that Clavering and D.E. Stevenson were friends. π
Because of Sam by Molly Clavering ~ 4 stars – A widow and her adult daughter living in Scotland! ππ₯° Sweet, humorous story with lots of delicious domestic details. Iβve read 3 of Claveringβs 8 novels so far and they are charming.
Nonfiction ~
The Alpine Path by L.M. Montgomery ~ 5 stars -reread. A short memoir on Montgomeryβs creative journey.
School Education by Charlotte Mason ~ 5 stars – reread. A challenging and encouraging vision for learning with children. The appendices are so helpful for practical application, too
Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson ~ 5 stars – a haunting poem that I so enjoyed. Thanks, Anne Shirley, for the recommendation. ππ
Unearthing the Secret Garden by Marta McDowell ~ 5 stars – such a lovely look at the 3 gardens created by Frances Hodgson Burnett in her lifetime.
Ourselves by Charlotte Mason ~ 5 stars – beautiful Christian philosophy for life! Reread with a friend!
Random Titles I loved ~
The Moorland Cottage by Elizabeth Gaskell ~ 4 stars – a Victorian novella/short story. I read and discussed this on Zoom with Booktube group. Beautiful setting, interesting widow with two children and how good parenting can make a difference. A bit over the top twisted ending, but overall, enjoyable.
Lonesome Road by Patricia Wentworth ~ a Golden Age-type mystery. The third in the Miss Silver mystery series. Very interesting and fun mystery solved by an older woman. I like these a little better than Miss Marple.
What a wonderful reading quarter! Can you believe we are halfway through the year? πππ² What were your favorite reads the past few months? Iβd love to chat below! β₯οΈ
Monday Ponderings {June 26th}
Homemaking Inspiration from Emily of Deep Valley ~
After pumping a pail of fresh water, she went into get into dinner. She put potatoes to boil, fried pork chops and opened a jar of tomatoes she had canned the summer before. She laid a cloth on the dining room table and put on jelly, bread and butter, a pot of tea. They sat down and her grandfather said grace. Through the bow window in which his easy chair stood, they could see small crooked willows and the slough, still wet from the spring rains. Some Syrian boys had a homemade boat in the pond. β₯οΈπΏ
Maud Hart Lovelace, p.33
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 