Cozy Corners πŸ¦‹βœ¨πŸŒ»β™₯️🌿

Hello πŸ‘‹ ~

It’s taken me until today (Friday) to feel a little more relaxed! 😌 I realized I was trying to β€œforce” myself and the kiddos to relax. Ha. πŸ™ƒπŸ˜‚ We were able to pop into our lovely small local library and browse. A couple of my kids have been enjoying the summer reading program, so we picked up some more picture books. I’m sure missing my wonderful, curated living books which are packed away, as you know, for continued remodeling. I may treat myself later by pulling out a few bins of our history period we are studying this coming school year. It will satisfy my itch to be among my β€˜friends’ for a little while. My 14 yo daughter chose after the library to get an iced matcha and my two boys chose ice cream from our little drive in diner. We love the local hippy coffee shop with cheerful vibes and the fun diner. Our area has SO much natural beauty, too, and we have a couple of places we plan to haunt soon.

Our lovely friends let us chrysalis babysit and we got to watch three Monarchs hatch this week. 😍β™₯οΈπŸŒΏπŸ¦‹ Such a rewarding experience!

We spent the afternoon at a nearby lake and I truly felt myself relaxing. The cool wind and toasty sun, flickering through the trees was perfect. I’ve been wanting to reread my Summer Book by Susan Branch and I was able to slowly savor her lovely illustrations, quotes she collects, and recipes. I love her work so much! It made me excited to be a home keeper again. πŸ˜β˜•οΈβœ¨πŸŒ» One of my favorite things was sitting on the fishing dock with the sun beating on me. The weather was perfect. We also saw a pair of Belted Kingfishers flying low over the water. πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯°πŸ₯°

I did a little journaling set up! I like doing little goals sheets, not religiously or anything, but to give myself a pretty way to track my habits etc that I’m continuing to work on. I’ve done these little symbol keys before! They are fun! β™₯️

I made a massive Brain Dump List and some other to-do things because it helps me to focus and calm down without all that rattling around in my brain. I’m also figuring out a way of curating the quotes from my reading that I want to jot into my commonplace. I read a lot and mark my books up, but I want to figure out how to better choose quotes! I loved this video about recently on this topic. I’m letting Jane Austen’s Bookshelf simmer before choosing favorite quotes to add out of the ones I marked.

I’ve been on a Booktube watching break and it’s interesting how many other things I get done and how much actual reading I get in! 🀣 I finished The Opt-Out Family and I must say it may be so far one of my favorite things I’ve read this year. I’m going to slowly go back through it, as I want to note ideas and passages better. Highly recommend! β™₯️✨

Finished my reread! Love Miss Austen so much! This isn’t a favorite of hers for me, but the 2nd half was such a wonderful character study. β™₯️✨

How was your week? β™₯οΈπŸ˜πŸŒΏβœ¨β˜•οΈπŸŒ»

Little Pockets ✨

Slowly catching my breath β€’ little pockets of goodness β€’ catching up with things and people needing attention β€’ trying to press into the Lord’s peace~ βœ¨πŸŒΏβ˜•οΈβ™₯️

Monday Ponderings β™₯️🌿✨ Baggins β€œcore” (with a Side of Tookishness) Refresh Week

Hello, Friends! 😁β™₯️✨🌿 We are on the other side of my daughter’s wedding! It was a lovely day. πŸ₯°πŸ₯²β™₯️ I thought I’d do a cozy refresh this week before I dive full force into to my autumn planning for all my homeschool and other responsibilities. The house needs some deeper cleaning and organizing, but mostly, my younger children and I need some summer cozy and fun. I’d like to bring you along and share little bits here and there. 😍πŸ₯°β˜ΊοΈ What are you up to this week?

πŸ₯°πŸŒΏπŸ˜βœ¨β™₯️

The Simple Woman’s Daybook β™₯️🌿✨

I used to participate in this blog link up on my old blog YEARS ago! I don’t think it’s done officially anymore, but loved reading them, so unofficially joining here. My Wednesday Wonders post is inspired by this original one! Thank you to the original creator wherever you are! β™₯️✨

FOR TODAY~
~Outside my window… it’s gorgeous! Less humidity, sunny and smells so summery!


~I am thinking…about the wedding in a few days! I’m thinking about time flyingβ€¦πŸ˜­β™₯️


I am thankful for…so many things! Today though, for my hubby who works so hard. He puts up with my crazy moods. πŸ˜­πŸ˜†πŸ€£β˜ οΈ


From the kitchen…not much! It’s been so hot and busy, my cooking is uninspired currently. Brats, hotdogs and watermelon a lot these days. My aunt made delicious food during our visit and I helped by adding fruits and veggies. 🀣


I am creating…just been working on my reading journal a tiny bit. Looking forward to after the wedding to do some writing and penpal-ing.


I am going…nowhere really. πŸ˜† My hubby and I may sneak out for a quick date tomorrow? Maybe get some BBQ and a salad?


I am wearing… blue jeans, black & white patterned button down short sleeve shirt, brown slide sandals, antique-looking cream teardrop stud earrings.


I am reading…a million and one things, but primarily, Sense & Sensibility.


I am hoping…that the wrinkles disappear from these wedding outfits I’m attempting to steam. πŸ€£πŸ™ƒπŸ€“


I am hearing…A/C gurgling and blowing.


Around the house…it’s quiet! Children are either working, getting nails done, on a picnic, etc! Hubby working. It’s actually strangely quiet.


One of my favorite things…TWO fat penpal letters in the post today!!! 😍β™₯️🌿✨


A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…steaming clothing, writing 3 minute speech, decorating, and getting myself plus two boys ready for wedding! πŸ’’ Cooking in there, too! 😏


Here is a picture thought I am sharing for you…

Just keep steaming…

Monday Ponderings at the Lake {Day 100} βœ¨β™₯️🌿

A quick visit to my aunt and uncle’s home has been so peaceful and perfect before things pick up this weekend. Praying for a yielded and submissive heart to the Holy Spirit’s soft whispers. ✨β™₯οΈπŸŒΏπŸ™πŸ» This ends my 100 Day Project, I didn’t quite do 100 days posting consecutively, but I really grew to love chatting and being purposeful about seeing my blessings. Hope to keep going here. How are you doing? ~

Sunday ✨β™₯️🌞 {Day 99}

For the kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

I Corinthians 4:20, NLT

~ Happy Sunday and the last week of July. πŸ˜¨πŸ˜­πŸ€“β™₯️✨🌿

Saturday Snaps πŸ“Έ + a Quote for Reflection {Day 98}

Miss Mason’s definition of an educated child both charms and challenges: β€œA child who possesses a sound and fairly wide knowledge of a number of subjects, all of which serve to interest him; such a child studies with delight.”

~ from Jack Beckman essay in When Children Love to Learn

Soaking up the sun 🌞 on these cooler days! ONE WEEK UNTIL WEDDING! β™₯οΈπŸ˜…πŸ™πŸ»

First β€˜26-β€˜27 Homeschool Year Purchase {Day 97} βœοΈβœ¨β™₯️

I’m getting very excited as I begin homeschool planning! 😍 The past couple of years, I’ve purchased a School Nest planner/record keeper, but I just never use all the features, even in the Minimalist version. I love the options and beautiful covers, but I just decided to go back to my $10 Walmart Pen & Gear brand! I love the calendar at a glance and the big daily slots. That’s really all I need. These are my β€˜brain’ and my record book.

I’m rereading this oldie, but goodie and it’s making me excited and refreshed as I pray about our learning!

I’m also going back through this little gem!

Are you getting excited about autumn πŸ‚ or are you still in summer mode? What do you do to prepare? Honestly, we are still in summer mode, but I love homeschooling and stationery and books, so it doesn’t take much for me to fall into this rabbit hole around August! πŸ˜…I felt a bit sad because I saw the Purple Lead Plant coming up and Sumac turning colors 😨 and it made me think of summer ending. I just love the seasonal shifts! β™₯️✨Happy Friday!

Wednesday Wonders {Day 95} πŸ“šπŸ¦‹

~listening to~ β™₯️🌿 I just barely started a new audiobook called Dream of Kings by Sharon Hinck. It’s a perfect listen on my riding lawnmower. I have wedding programs to work on later so I will probably listen to more! I heard about this free choice in the Audible Plus catalog if you have an Audible account from the lovely Booktuber, Emily

Colorful stack amongst my deck flowers! πŸ’ 😍β™₯️🌿 Trying a few and continuing others!

~watching~β™₯️🌿 I really want to try the 1995 β€˜Little Princess’ movie! πŸŽ₯ I’ve only seen the Shirley Temple version. It just came in from the library so hopefully my kids and I can watch it soon. I’m loosely participating in The Hardest Reading Challenge You’ll Ever Do 3.0πŸ˜†πŸ˜‚, so I enjoyed watching the announcement for that, too. Albeit she’s very opinionated, just FYI. πŸ€£πŸ˜¬πŸ˜…

β€’readingβ€’β™₯️🌿~ my mood is still somewhat πŸ˜†nonfiction, and I finished up the YRE of Radium Girls (fantastic) and Do Something Beautiful for God (gorgeous!), but I feel a shift to cozy? stories. I did read one of the Great Mouse Detective stories on my deck the other night. Our weather went from boiling and smokey to gorgeous and cool! 😍 I’m most interested in finishing up my reread of Sense & Sensibility and continuing Jane Austen’s Bookshelf. I’m currently very intrigued by Artifact by Gigi Pandian (so far some language) and starting The Pink Motel by Carol Ryrie Brink! The truth is I have SO many good sounding books on my physical and kindle stacks. πŸ™ƒπŸ˜β™₯οΈπŸ“š I’ve been ordering picture books from library because most of ours are packed away. It’s been fun to curl on my bed and read these with my youngest three. I find this gals recommendations are overall GREAT!

~noticing~β™₯️🌿 the details for my daughter’s wedding are slowly coming together! It’s getting close! 😱😭😍 I’m struggling staying with some of my rhythms and habits that are helpful, so trying to ease back into them for my sanity. However, trying not to guilt trip myself either. I’m finally feeling the school planning shift. Making some lists and poking around on websites. Love looking at book recommendations! Where do you look most for homeschool inspiration? β™₯️

Well, that’s all, folks! πŸ˜…β™₯️Bless you! β™₯οΈπŸŒΏπŸ“šβ˜•οΈβœ¨πŸ₯°

Top Ten Books That Live in My Head Rent Free {Classic Edition} πŸ“šβœ¨~ {Day 94}

Joining here for TTT!
  1. The Holy Bible ~ this is not always an easy book to read and I don’t understand a lot of it, but my spirit connects with it. It’s foundational to my life and faith. My favorite books are Psalms and John.β™₯οΈπŸ™πŸ»πŸŒΏ
  2. The Peace of Wild Things by Wendell Berry ~ this collection of Berry’s poetry speaks to me deeply. It makes me consider time and future generations in a huge way. It makes me think of now. It makes me consider life outside of self. Our lives have meaning for a greater purpose!
  3. Jane of Lantern Hill by L.M. Montgomery ~ my handle online is Amy of Hearth Ridge directly inspired by this book. There’s something to be said for hoping to be useful and a blessing to someone else in your life. How living a selfless life actually is fulfilling. Beautiful story of a daughter and father’s restored relationship bringing healing to those around them.That home keeping can be art.
  4. Wives & Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell ~ I can’t begin to tell you how much I love the characters and journeys they go through! The father-daughter, mother-daughter, father-son, and marriage relationship studies in this Victorian novel are fantastic. This is a beautiful story!
  5. Persuasion by Jane Austen ~ a lovely story of redemption and finally being able to have a voice. How one can live kindly and generously in the wake of S.S. Selfish People. 🚒
  6. Home Education by Charlotte Mason ~ late 1800’s to early 1900’s British revolutionary educational philosophy. This is so very Christ-centric and focused on the personhood of children and mothers. A beautiful life-giving read.
  7. Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher ~ a lovely story of how a child can blossom under loving and listening caregivers.
  8. Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury ~ a father and son meeting evil together face on! Underlying themes of temptation, fear, and growing older! I’m due for a reread!
  9. Christy by Catherine Marshall ~ beautiful story of a young teacher’s growth and learning in a rural Appalachian school. Gorgeous lessons for her as the very people she came to β€˜help’ grow her so much in return. Wonderful female friendships embodied!
  10. The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder ~ the sheer bravery and strength of the early pioneers is astounding, convicting, and so inspiring! I often reevaluate my complaints after rereading this one. 😨β™₯️

I could have put Elizabeth Goudge on this list, Gladys Taber, Susan Branch, and many more poets! How about you? Which books do you think of over and over? β™₯οΈβœ¨πŸŒΏπŸ“š

Monday Ponderings πŸ’• {Day 93} β€’cozy corners, Scripture, fuzzy beastieβ€’

See, God has come to save me,

I will trust in him and not be afraid,

The LORD GOD is my strength and my song;

he has given me victory.

~Isaiah 12:2, NLT

Public Library Stack πŸ“š{Day 92}

Ummmm…. πŸ€£πŸ˜‚πŸ˜† I didn’t realize that I had so many books checked out from library! Some are for me to preview for our upcoming school year. What should I try first? I’ve started a few. I’m liking the Yellow Rose Bride and very intrigued by Turn Right at Machu Pichu. If it’s good, I may have my 17 yo read it this coming school year. I have an Elizabeth Mann picture book about Machu Pichu, too! 😍

What are you reading today? πŸ“šβœ¨