Happy Thursday! I βtriedβ to group these by main genre topic. β₯οΈ Iβm hoping to add more for reference! A few of these donβt regularly update, but there is a TREASURE TROVE of back posts!
Writing/General Memoir/Nature:
Poetry (among other gems):
Essays/Articles:
Home/Domestic/Family:
Reading/Homeschool:
Booktube Absolute Favorites:
Happy reading/watching! This would be a perfect place to dive into on your next rainy day! So thankful for creativity and words! π²β₯οΈπ
Assault
I had forgotten how the frogs must sound
After a year of silence, else I think
I should not so have ventured forth alone
At dusk upon this unfrequented road.
I am waylaid by Beauty. Who will walk
Between me and the crying of the frogs?
Oh, savage Beauty, suffer me to pass,
That am a timid woman, on her way
From one house to another!
~ Edna St. Vincent Millay~
Millayβs poetry has been recently touching me deeply. Do you have a current favorite poet? Mine is constantly changing. Iβm a lover of words and Beauty of poetry often waylays me! The other morning I stopped with great delight over my steaming coffee and knew that I was hearing the spring peepers on our little pond. It brought me so much joy. I received a Barnes & Noble gift card for Christmas last year and Iβm sooo glad I picked this giant tome of her work. β₯οΈβ₯οΈβ₯οΈ
What beauty touched you recently?
Dear Friends ~
Iβm sure you feel like me, scrambling to soak the last few rays of sunshine and squeeze out all the remaining summer juiciness. Autumn activities are fast approaching {just 18 days till our homeschool co op beginsβ¦eeek!} so I thought Iβd attempt to finish my thoughts I started weeks ago π and in Part 1 of this post. I love the chatty bits of social media, the longer form things, that slow me to a snailβs pace so I can reflect and practice gratitude. This has got me seriously considering my online haunts and which are serving and encouraging me or stressing me?! Still considering that.
We squeezed in a last few summer-y things and hosted my 3rd homeschool graduates party in the last few weeks. Whew. Iβm thankful for a few weeks of quiet {ish} home time to spruce things up and finalize my homeschool plans. Just off the top of my head, here are a few things Iβm focusing on, looking forward to, and challenging myself in for these next few weeksβ¦
Home Education Inspiration ~ Jen over at heavenstobetty had a wonderful, inspiring post about her DIY Mother Summer Conference. I was particularly inspired by her vision board. I collaged one for myself while listening to my audiobook of Physik by Angie Sage. Iβm focusing on seasonal rhythms, simplicity, home, books, and 1 Thess. 4:11. Iβm praying and meditating on the direction, images, hopes for this coming school year. Asking the Lord for a humble heart stayed on Him. β₯οΈ
Habit Cultivation ~ Iβm working on really cementing some habits that I worked on this summer, little things that add up with my home, health, and my heartβ¦
Walking after my prayer time, cleaning up after each meal as much as I can, and taking extended breaks from mediaβ¦
Faithfulness to the Small ~ The Lord is faithful to take our pitiful offerings and steps of obedience, blessing us with growth, direction, and His loving Presence. πΏ Thereβs a lot swirling in my heart and mind, but Iβm still prayerfully trying to trust that the Lord is untangling all my knots. Iβm hoping to finish cleaning a few things, finish my lessons for our co op, and drink in all the beauty right around me each day. I hoping to resurrect my fledgling poetry writing. So thankful for all the summer bounty, the hard, the beautiful, tangible and intangible, alike.
What a bountiful, beautiful summer ~ Till next time, bless you, friends!
Amyπ²β₯οΈ
Remember how I said I wouldnβt overload my Winter DIY Womanβs Degree?! ππ€·π»ββοΈπ€ͺπβ₯οΈβοΈβοΈ Never mind that! Hereβs some of my reading ideas. I tried to categorize them here so it is easier for you to go to one that may interest you. Iβm going to try crossing off/checking these off as I go. Some of these are planned possibilities and I also have my mood reading genres that Iβm interested in currently. Quite a few of these are rereads, which I absolutely love doing. I realize this is excessive nerd overkill π€ and very detailed but I find it fun! Itβs something to aim at and look forward too with the cold. I hold it super loosely and thatβs why I call these βpossibilitiesβ. I didnβt include my Bible reading, Christian devotionals, or poetry because those three are always on the go.
Dec β24 – Jan β25 – Feb β25 Reading List:
Buddy Reads:
December 2024
Christmas Mummers by Charlotte Mary Yonge, online buddy read βοΈ
Christmas at Thompson Hall by Anthony Trollope
(online group buddy read) short storyβοΈ
Last Christmas in Paris by Webb & Gaynor βοΈ
(online buddy read with Elizabeth B.)
January 2025
So Big by Edna Ferber βοΈ
(online group buddy read)
The Man They Called Thursday by Chesterton
(preread with local friend for our HS Lit Class in our Charlotte Mason co op)
Books Iβd Love to Read to my Kids this Winter:
Finish By the Shores of Silver Lake βοΈand begin The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Continue/Finish The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge
Read Story Girl and The Golden Road by LM Montgomery
Start the Narnia Series by CLS
Read The Blue Castle by LM Montgomery
Continuing listening to Penderwicks when we can get audiobooks from library βοΈβοΈ
Personal Study Challenge:
Start The Illiad (journal through it) Long introduction and 24 parts, I think? One a week over 3 months? Seems doable?
Possible joining of a few BookLoveJennaβs 2025 online book club – Iβm interested in Praying with Jane Eyre, The Love Letters, and Letters of a Portuguese Nun in the winter selections. Iβm very slow with nonfiction, so this group may help me finish? This is a very big maybe. I did too many buddy reads/challenges this year andIβm not going to put as much pressure on myself.
Till We Have Faces and Miracles by CS Lewis
Read a memoir: Merry Hall by Beverly Nichols and Isle of Dreams by Susan Branch
Fantasy:
Iβd love to continue reading βThe Stormlight Archivesβ by Brandon Sanderson- Iβm in the middle of Words of Radiance. My older kids are so excited for our preordered 5th book in this cycle. I think technically thereβs some short stories/lore to be read inbetween the 5 massive books out. I enjoy his work, but they are a bit more intricate and political than I usually like so these are a loose goal mostly to be reading something with my young adults.
Reread The Fellowship of the Ring by JRRT
Ember Blade by Chris Wooding
Continue Dune Series with Dune Messiah
Reread Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell
Reread The Night Circus
Continue Byzantium by Stephan Lawhead
Victorian Things/Cozy Reads & Rereads:
Finish Nicholas Nickelby βοΈ
Finish Woman in White
Finish Deerbrooke βοΈ
Reread Anne Series
Reread Emily Series
Finish Moominvalley in November
The Enchanted Sonata by Dixon βοΈ
Skating Shoes by Streitfeild
Start Elizabeth Goudge Reread/Complete 2 Yr Project with Pilgrimβs Inn, Gentian Hill, and Towers in the Mist
Shirley by Charlotte Bronte
Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope
Start Romola by George Eliot
Current Reading Moods:
Classic/cozy mystery/spy
Cozy domestic & holiday
Dips into creativity/writing nonfiction shelf
Cozy fantasy
Deep middle grade/childrenβs literature, classic or with classic feel
Victorian Lit
This above is a CRAZY unrealisticπ€ͺ, but fun βbucketβ list for this winter! Haha! π What are some things on your list? I havenβt made many home keeping, home educating, or health goals yet. Iβm still thinking on that. I think I have my focus phrase for the coming year, so maybe Iβll share that eventually. Iβd like to update here on the blog as a fun way of checking in and narrating/processing what Iβm learning or enjoying. Weβll see. Holding it all loosely, remember, Amy?! π€£
How about you? Do you plan things out a bit? Or fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants? I really love making seasonal lists! Chat with me in comments, please! Iβd love to hear your thoughts! βοΈπ²β₯οΈβοΈπ²β₯οΈ
I could go on! Godβs gifts are never-ending. How about you? Anything bringing you joy recently?
πβ₯οΈπ¬πππΏππ πππΈοΈπ·οΈ
To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.
Mary Oliver
Focus Areas:
Spiritual:
Iβm still plugging along with my Read Through the Bible Chronologically group. Habakkuk was challenging and inspiring. Iβm loving the You Version app topical devotions. I went through one on anxiety, fear, and now, I found one for addiction! So good and challenging. I started a memoir, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating and itβs been a powerful reminder of the value of the small in our life. A womanβs illness brings her life to a standstill and she reflects on life as she watches a π in his habit next to her bed. Sobering and beautiful. Itβs speaking to me spiritually.
Physically:
Iβve been walking a lot and itβs LOVELY. We went hiking as a family recently and it was so nice. Iβm working visits to our local state park into our autumn π homeschool plans. I also want to take my children to play basketball. It was a huge part of my teen/young adult years and I want to share my love of it with them. Thereβs a court right next to our public library, so we can make a fun afternoon of it. πβ₯οΈ My food choices arenβt great. Iβm committing here *gulp* to go back to the ease and simplicity of what was working before with Bright Line Eating. I may need to get back into a support group.
Mental:
Iβve been LOVING the creative process of collaging pages about favorite reads. I recently did pages for The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and Klara and the Sun by Kazau Ishiguro. We also got to visit an art πΌοΈ museum and that was so mentally refreshing to me. Iβve been doing daily planning with stickers and itβs helpful and keeps me moving forward. I need to focus on creative output to encourage vs just continual passive input from Booktube or even excessive reading. Iβve been loving soaking in poetry by Wordsworth and Mary Oliver. π₯°πβ₯οΈ
Emotional:
Being outdoors is crucial for helping me balance my emotions. I need to start searching thrift stores for a good coat/boots for myself. Iβm considering comparing/contrasting Rising Strong by Brene Brown and Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson. Both have interesting, challenging ideas, but one is from a secular standpoint and another faith-based. Would you be interested in this? I sat outdoors one night with a bonfire, the moon, and no media. It was, honestly, the first time I felt really relaxed in I donβt know how long. ππβ₯οΈπ Iβm planning on picking some of my zinnias, black-eyed Susanβs, and Queenβs Lace and making a little bouquets in this pretty glass maple syrup jug and maybe in my owl vase! Just cultivating simple beauty. These things help set the mood for the day. β₯οΈ I saw Indian Pipe for the first time on our hike and I canβt tell you how much it blessed me!
Servanthood:
I need to really work on my heart here. The true servant gives without expectation of anything in return. β₯οΈ I hit the Discipline of Service chapter in Richard J. Fosterβs book and wowsers, itβs powerful. I really need a reminder in how deeply listening to someone with compassion and sympathy can be the greatest form of service. The Lord Jesus is really helping me dig deep π¬π¨π« π in this area.
Verse focus of the Week:
β¦but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:26b – 28 β₯οΈ
How are you, friends? Getting excited about end of summer, early autumn? ππβ₯οΈππππΎβοΈπ»π§‘π€ππ©΅Iβd love to hear from you!
Love and peace to you, Amyπ©·
Iβve been holding my stale breath for what seems an age. I release the musty, dusty, time-worn puff in one lingering whiff. The old, bent figure of a woman startles for a moment, but then shuffles deeper into my innards. Something about the way she moves reminds me of yesteryear. The wind shifts outside, my half open door creaks, branches brush my windows, the keys tinkling in her bent hands. βSo, youβre still standing, eh, Maggie. Your bones arenβt a wee bit broken,β she muttersβ¦a memory flashes through my hall, down the twisty staircase, a bit of ashes stirring on the forgotten stone hearth. I shift a little, creaking and groaning. That name rings a bellβ¦ βMaggieβ, memory whistles up the chimney and into the gloaming. These old rafters and cobwebbed corners arenβt what they used to be, but they remember. Time-stamped. She shakes out her rough dress, along with the gloom and pats the shrouded furniture. βSuch promise, such love, wee lass, you were filled to the over brimming.β Birdsong bursts forth out of doors and Iβm flashing back to a young servant lovingly scrubbing my wooden floor to a golden-hued gleam. βI dub you Margaret,β she had whispered to me, βafter my sweet departed mother.β She lifted her small pale face, dark curls pulled back in a very similar kerchief that she wears even now, old wise eyes caressing me down to the last rusty, hand-hewn nail. She had come to us, myself and the family, through tragedy. A motherless waif that brought joy to the widower and his young son. Her cheerful songs, bubbling, snapping eager quickness brought all out of the gloom of our missing mistress. Memories stirred as she pulls off sheets, fingers dusty frames, and creeps quietly about, reverently. But then things turned, I remember now, shivering deep. The youngster and herself were swept away by a rush of water, he never to be found. Master blamed the sweet lass, but it were a freak thing. I sigh again, a bit of dust shaking down from loft. So much loss. She looks up, green eyes still sharp, β Well, Maggie βole girl. It seems Iβve been forgiven, heavens be praised, β she mumbles a bit grimly. βIn yet another death, thereβs yet a bit more life worth living,β that small smile I now well remember sneaking out. She rustles in her gray striped apron pocket, a creased letter pulled out. I shift and squint to get a good look. Itβs a letter about a will, Master has passed, leaving me to her! I rustle a bit in contentment. The warmth, delicious smells, and care she gave flashes in again. The will goes on to say that he knew how much his son loved her and how much I meant to both of them. βWell, letβs see if we can love ye a wee back into health, old friend.β She grabs the old wooden bucket and heads out to the stream, Iβm for sure certain. Love has come home again.
A.M. Pine
πΌοΈβ₯οΈIβve been loving the newsletter of Austin Kleon and he recently quoted Amy Krouse Rosenthal and it really struck me! She said, βPay attention to what you pay attention toβ or something along those lines. It really got me inspired, so my online writing group and I, Kim, Christi, and Sam are working on pieces that are inspired by the things weβre βpaying attention toβ! Iβm really excited about this project and hope to continue it here at my blog even after our group completes the initial challenge. What about you? Whatβs inspiring you? Have you ever specifically created your own creative piece off someone elseβs work? πβ₯οΈπΌοΈ
Hello, friends and fellow beauty chasers! β₯οΈβΊοΈπΏ Iβm finally getting a chance to list my favorite reads from the first quarter of this year! Hopefully, you find a delicious new read among these!
Dragonfly Pool by Eva Ibbotson- 5 stars π This is a childrenβs WWII historical fiction with a classic feel to it! We follow Tally as her widowed father sends her out of the city to an alternative, unschooling-type boarding school. This felt so cozy and it reminded me of our Charlotte Mason homeschool. Matthias was such an interesting character and there was an assignation plot with a Nazi angle.
The Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede- 4.5 stars πthis was a slow, introspective clean YA fantasy! It is an alternative history of the westward expansion in Americaβs frontier. Magical beasts threaten the pioneers and magicians help set protective barriers. Eff is the 13th child of a family of 14 children and seeing the world through her eyes was interesting! I love stories with big families! The 2nd in this series is a bit slow, love the 3rd.
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer – 5 stars π This reads like a classic nonfiction on the Christian faith. This was super challenging and a high calling while being βrelevantβ, in which Comer shared his thoughts on todayβs cultural and spiritual landscape. He really dove into the resistance of the world, the flesh, and the devil with Scriptures and practicing spiritual disciplines. It will be interesting to see if the specific topics he addressed will make this book feel dated, but I really was challenged!
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien – 5 stars π (reread) What can I say?! My reread of this was only made more wonderful by discussing this via Zoom with some Booktuber friends. πβ₯οΈ
The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arim – 5 stars π(reread) This was sooo what I needed to read at the time I picked it up! Beauty and nature as a healing agent, the intricacies of marriage, being fully human, religion vs. relationships, and so much more! This follows the lives of four women who spend April together in an Italian villa. I also rewatched the film and it was just as good as I remembered!
Sinking City by Christine Cohen – 4 stars π wonderful, clean YA fantasy set in a dreamy Italian setting. Creepy sea creatures have a mysterious pack with the Italian nobles. We follow the daughter of one of these nobles who has to take matters into her own hands and teems with a powerful, unstable magician!
Dragon & Thief by Timothy Zahn – 5 stars π This is the 1st in the Dragonback series, a childrenβs sci-fi fantasy story! This surrounds a symbiotic relationship between dragon-like alien and a orphaned boy! The dragon becomes a tattoo on the boyβs back. They work together to try and find out who betrayed the dragonβs kinsfolk and to clear the boyβs name.
Disenchanted: The Trials of Cinderella by Megan Morrison – 4.5 starsπ The plight of the working class weighs on Ellaβs shoulders and Prince Dash is lost without the curse that has plagued their family for generations. Fairy-Godfather Serge is struggling to return to his roots of caring for people in a meaningful way. These three characters as well as many others, converge into a WONDERFUL adventure story with a surprising deeper message. One caveat, I wouldnβt give this to younger children, due to some content.
Above Suspicion by Helen MacInnes – 4.5 stars π This 1940βs thriller/ mystery follows a married couple who find themselves falling into an espionage plot right before Britain entered WWII! This was a psychological, slower, introspective story and I loved the married coupleβs relationship. Slight humor and the last third of the novel picks up the pace.
A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park – 5 stars π Tree-Ear and Crane- Man are lovely characters in this story set in 12th century Korea. Tree-Ear admires and befriends a celadon potter. Beautiful lessons about found family, hard work, and love.
The Dollβs House by Rumer Godden – 5 stars π This follows two girls and their doll family, with interwoven reality and βunrealityβ. So poignant , deep, thoughtful, and full of longing. About family, love, and what does it mean to be alive. This is very sad and maybe a bit scary for a sensitive child. The Tasha Tudor illustrations make it shine. I read this with a friend via Voxer.
Gods, Graves, and Scholars by C.W. Mercam – 4 stars π I believe I got this recommendation from Carol years ago and Iβm so happy I finally tackled it! This was a fascinating nonfiction look at archeological discoveries up to about the 1950βs and the people that broke the codes, made the discoveries, or dug up the ruins. Egyptian, Greek, Assyrian, Babylonian, and Central America/Mexico finds were all touched on. I think what I loved most about this is how much this tied into my Bible reading especially in the beginning Old Testament books, because this made the Bible come alive.
Evelina by Francis Burney – 4 stars π This long novel is said to be Jane Austenβs favorite! This was set in the 1700βs and is full of subtle, snarky British humor and a lot of class dynamics. I can definitely see Burnleyβs influence on Austenβs writing. I found the excessive formality hilarious and there was a large cast of quirky characters. This has very little plot, but it was interesting to follow the young woman, Evelina, as she navigates growing older and finding her way in society. I listened an audiobook of this and really enjoyed the reader.
How about you? What have you read this year that you REALLY enjoyed? Iβd love to chat below! β₯οΈπΏ
β₯οΈDear Friends,
What is inspiring you or bringing you joy currently? Please join me in comments, in your journal, or on your blog!
Iβm loving right nowβ¦
|| thinking this article on Iris Murdock || Lesley Austinβs blog, YouTube, and email newsletter || purging books and filling up 5 main Little Free Libraries on my driving routes || Cherry-flavored water by Clear American from Walmart || golden-lit afternoons, summer sun filtering through Honey Locust leaves and shining through my kids hair as they play || adoring the photography and poetry at Leaf & Twig, even the blog name is enchanting || reading in sunshine and wind βοΈπ¬π₯
|| cozy lifestyle vlogs, Hyonyeo, cakes and cats in South Korea || popcorn and oatmeal cookie picnics while reading Prince Caspian under the tree|| lawn lounging days, my Motherβs Day hammock from a few years ago is getting a lot of use || our first bonfire, slowly burning up last years Christmas tree, my 3yo calling the sparks βfire birdsβ β₯οΈ|| Mary Azarianβs woodcut picture books || ponytails and rooster tails || swimming for the first time this summer ||
|| reading short story Watter Mitty and then watching older version with Danny Kaye together- so silly and hilarious! We also love the newer Ben Stiller version of it, too. || SundryWords bookmarks || the haunting, new-to-me author, David Almondβs book, Skellig || TWO recent mail surprises {including a Moomin journal π} from a Texan friend, Kim, THANK YOU! || Rae of Sunlightβs back Booktube vlogs || making a summer bucket list with the kids ||
Whatβs bringing you joy? Iβm so very blessed π₯Ή and I just love recording it! β₯οΈπβ₯οΈ Grace and peace to you, Amy
November sings out loudly my favorite practice of gratitude keeping. A sort of conscious, daily, or monthly digging for and airing of all the small things I have to be truly astonished by in life. Wonβt you join me in this November song?
Looking Out My Windowβ¦ itβs definitely turned frostier around our edges, the finches at the feeders bring a smile to my face watching them fluffing up their feathers, pulling on their sweaters for winter. The days are pretty mild still for this time of year and one of my little boyβs eyes grew saucer-sized at the promise of Christmas next month.
Iβm Thinkingβ¦ about loved ones walking through covid, about the approaching holidays, and about NaNoWriMo – a lovely November collective challenge online of writers who write 50,000 words of a new novel. While Iβm not writing on a new project, Iβm making an effort to work on writing each day. Itβs gloriously inspiring! Do you NaNo?
Iβm Thankful Forβ¦ my oldest surprising me with a beautiful forest scene Kindle cover, a new stack of deliciousness to dip into from the public library, and anticipation over all the interesting things at our homeschool co-op tomorrow.
One of My Favorite Thingsβ¦ slowly collecting all of L.M. Montgomeryβs stories and other writings. Bonfires, stargazing, and my new-to-me striped floral blanket.
Iβm Wearingβ¦ my favorite green pants, new comfy jewel-toned socks, and tshirts and cardigans. I broke out my Red Converse and found some older, favorite earrings. I had to throw away my favorite slippers, so maybe Santa aka ME π will get me some new ones for Christmas.
Iβm Creatingβ¦ scenes for my two middle-grade stories, working on two short stories, morning pages/journaling, blog ideas, and planning little Christmas gift surprises.
Iβm Watchingβ¦ Hercule Poirot π and hopefully, Spirited Away soon.
Iβm Readingβ¦ L.M. Montgomery short story collections, rereading Emily Climbs, Ray Bradburyβs Green Shadows, White Whale, and peeking into a library stack to see if anything catches my fancy. I just finished βοΈ The Personal Diaries of Alison Uttley and it was so interesting.
Iβm Listeningβ¦ Spotify Japanese instrumental, Studio Ghibli soundtracks, and Hobbit/LoTR soundtracks.
Iβm Hopingβ¦ to keep up writing momentum, do Operation Christmas Child gift boxes with my children, and visit some favorite haunts with my husband soon.
In the Gardenβ¦ frost, friendly ghosts, and dreams of summer πβ₯οΈ
Iβm Learningβ¦ that writing, sharing, servanthood, and art can birth new art and giftsβ¦we fill to pour out ourselves. We return again and again in a glorious flowing seasonal circle of beauty.
In the Kitchenβ¦lots of pork sausage with cabbage stir fry. The children love this mixed with brown rice. I created a Chicken Taco Chili in the Instapot and it was a hit. Weβve been eating more butternut, acorn, and spaghetti squash, too!
In Homeschool Roomβ¦we are enjoying our group gatherings at the table to listen to music or Shakespeareβs Hamlet while we nature journal.
Shared Quoteβ¦ βLORD, we need more reincarnations of Thy perfect love like the Christ. Is that the goal every Christian ought to make his own? The question seems to answer itself. But how, God, can all these little Christians succeed when those who have best opportunity find it so hard? I see only two things: first, constant outpourings of Thy Holy Spirit; second, the doctrine of ever fresh beginnings. We may forgetfully sink for an hour, but we may also start over at any moment.β ~Frank C. Laubach
Let your heart rejoice, my friends! Love, Amy π
Hello Lovely Friends,
Warmest Greetings to September ~I’ve been slowly attempting to just stop with the {home} school prep. At some point, you have to just run with it and tweak as you go, right? I haven’t been reading as much, in sort of a period where I’m just dipping in and out of things and dreaming a bit. Honestly, I’m approaching this year of {home} school with a healthy dose of respect and finding myself on shaky knees of prayer. Summer loveliness hasn’t quite faded away yet, but my heart is turning slowly towards the anticipation of the richness of autumn and all it brings. I’ve been thinking and meditating much on the turning of the seasons, literally, but also more so figuratively. It’s got me pulling books off my shelves that lend to that lingering feeling of change in the air. So many books evoke feelings of excitement and delight as one burrows in or bursts out depending on our seasons or circumstances. I thought it would be fun to intersperse and share some favorites from my home library throughout this post and for the next while as whim and spirit moves.
Looking out my window...has got me swooning with soft, dreamy purple sun rises and the rich, gold-drenched sunsets. We’ve had some scorching days and some severe thunderstorms, but for the most part, WONDER-filled weather.
I’m thinking…about habits and the idea that how you spend your days is how you spend your life, Annie Dilliard, thankyouverymuch. See below for full quote.
I’m thankful for… my new art & idea journal and for all my books and for Jesus loving me at my lowest, my family bearing with me, for lovely writing ideas swirling and spinning, themes and threads, and how life-giving journaling has been for me, as of late. My trip to Minnesota to meet up with my health support ladies for prayer and relaxation was a God-send.
One of my favorite things… has been listening to Studio Ghibli instrumental soundtracks – you can find them everywhere, on Youtube, Spotify…just so inspiring, cheerful, and dreamy. We’ve been working on a couple puzzles recently and just got a new one ~ Japanese Tea Garden~ {I can’t find it on Amazon anymore?} that looks lovely to tie into our upcoming Japan focus for geography and some history. I’ve been loving short walks w/my two little guys in the afternoon or picking bouquets together.
I am wearing… casual has been my mainstay for the last couple of weeks, as it has been just a touch cooler – jean, black, or olive green pants, took a break from my beloved skirts. T-shirts with a cardigan or a button-down with my pearl or sand dollar earrings from the Gulf of Mexico have been my go-tos. I’ve been wearing my brown sandals nonstop. I got myself a little back to {home}school gift that I can’t wait to wear! EEEK! π I mean it had my name on it. π
I am creating…my art/idea journal, school plans, and slowly prepping my offerings for our Charlotte Mason community group, gathering handicraft supplies, and chemistry experiment stuff. Whew. I also have a sweet little cross stitch project I began on my trip with my friends that I’m super excited to work on. I have a short children’s story I’m working on for my online writing group next week, poetry knocking at the door of my brain, wanting OUT, and lots of words/themes/visions/ideas to put to pen.
I am watching…short art journal videos on Youtube, booktubers, and I’ve watched the movie Totoro a few times with my children. It’s so peaceful.
I am reading…as I said before, I’m not really reading anything super specific, more just dipping my toes into lots of things. I’m most excited about the nonfiction, Heaven’s Ditch by Jack Kelly, Toilers of the Sea (possibly?! it’s BIG) by Victor Hugo (honestly, I most drawn to this book because of the delightful woodcut art), and I’m going to keep choosing a few favorite light reads off my shelves for comfort as we begin school. Maybe Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge? or more Wendell Berry poetry which has been SO lifegiving lately. I did recently finish Agatha Christie’s The Secret of the Chimneys and it was a five-star read for me! So humorous and mysterious. Sigh.
I’m listening... as I already mentioned Studio Ghibli and also Salt of the Sound.
I am hoping…to canoe down a local stretch of river soon with my family and also write more about journaling.
In the garden...we’ve pulled out some sunflowers, tomatoes, zinnias, and our watermelons are coming along any day now ~grapes and apples, too.
I am learning…that I go ALOT slower these days~ I can’t read, do, or be as fast as I used to, and you know what, that’s ok. I need to eat well, nap when I can, and get outside. But I also have to work faithfully at my TO-DO list, at times it’s the best thing for me, meaningful work.
In the kitchen… we’ve been making a lot of veggie, meat, and brown rice concoctions of sorts ~ I added black beans to my browned beef, too, the other night to make it stretch and it was delish.
In the homeschool room… eeek. It’s coming, my friends. Easing in next week. I need to stop by the thrift store this weekend to let the children pick out old frames for our handicraft project and we are slowly purging the homeschool/game/craft closet. It’s positively frightening…the closet, that is. Not school starting. π
Shared Quote:
How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives. What we do with this hour and that one is what we are doing.
Annie Dillard
Some moments from my day {month}...
What are some books that evoke the change of seasons, literally or figuratively for you? How are you doing? Excited for autumn or holding on just a wee bit longer to summer? π
It was so nice to chat. Until next time, lots of love ~ Amy
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βItβs very pregnant,
The jewel that we find, we stop and takeβt
Because we see it, but what we do not see
We tread upon, and never think of it.
Shakespeare
A.M. Pine - Hearth Ridge Reflections 