Another lovely booklist curated by Tina. Merry Christmas reading! ~ Stephanie It’s that time of year again: I’m at a Christmas party and a friend asks for a few good reads for the Christmas season. And, suddenly I can’t remember anything I read last year. Which is why it’s a good thing that after … [Read more...] about Favorite Christmas Reads from 2020
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Savoring Fall {2021 Edition}
{Another installment of reads to savor from Tina. Read a couple of her other posts: Savoring the Slow Read ~ Summer Edition & Books for Fall and Winter Reading} The American Heritage Dictionary defines savor as: To taste or enjoy with zest; relish. For those of you who are looking for books … [Read more...] about Savoring Fall {2021 Edition}
Stepping into 2021 {5 books to begin the journey}
I begin this New Year hesitant and hopeful. I’m not yet prepared to charge or even briskly greet the possibilities of the next 365 days. I feel as if I’m peeking around the corner — looking at new vistas but also comprehending that my scenery will not change dramatically. It has been a year unlike … [Read more...] about Stepping into 2021 {5 books to begin the journey}
A Christmas Celebration Recipe ~ Old-Fashioned Ginger Strips (+Christmas Novella Pairings)
I'm not sure if my mom made these every year at Christmastime, but this recipe certainly set itself into the nostalgic remembrances of childhood Decembers. This year I've craved comfort comfort reads, comfort clothes, comfort blankets, and comfort food. I hadn't made these for several years, wanted … [Read more...] about A Christmas Celebration Recipe ~ Old-Fashioned Ginger Strips (+Christmas Novella Pairings)
Story & Celebration Recipes ~ {Our Favorite Family Christmas Movies + Themed Treats}
“Stories shape our existence because we recognize in a deep part of ourselves that life itself is a story. The tale of the world opens with a sort of divine 'once upon a time' or 'in the beginning'... The gospel itself comes to us in narrative form and one of its great tenets is that we have the … [Read more...] about Story & Celebration Recipes ~ {Our Favorite Family Christmas Movies + Themed Treats}
In Pictures ~ An Anne of Green Gables Brunch & Movie Morning
For my daughter’s 13th birthday several years ago, we celebrated by gathering her friends for a morning brunch and watching the Anne of Green Gables Movie. Let me tell you that standing in the background while 10 tween/teen girls watched this story was delightful. For them, it was an interactive … [Read more...] about In Pictures ~ An Anne of Green Gables Brunch & Movie Morning
The Wisdom of Kathleen Kelly
In our complicated, divided times, Kathleen Kelly is the hero we need. I’ve long considered Kathleen Kelly to be kindred spirit. She’s a fellow bibliophile and anglophile who makes me want to move to New York City and own a children’s book store. Yes, she is a fictional character. Yes, I may … [Read more...] about The Wisdom of Kathleen Kelly
Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews Edwards!
Julie Andrews Edwards celebrated a birthday on October 1st. Tina shares her favorite literary works of the beloved Julie Andrews! Enjoy! “The world is full of magical places, and the library has always been one of them for me. A library can be that special place for our children.”~Julie Andrews … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday, Julie Andrews Edwards!
Celebration Recipes ~ Ricotta Pancakes
We’re in birthday season for my kids and for every birthday we celebrate with an individualized pancake tower. Ricotta pancakes are the new staple pancake (discovered during quarantine!). They work great with our pancake molds, they re-heat fabulously in a toaster or toaster oven, and even if you do … [Read more...] about Celebration Recipes ~ Ricotta Pancakes
Super Simple Fall-Summer-Spring-Winter Gathering
I realize I included EVERY season in my title, but we are in Covid-Season after all, and does anyone really know where we are on the calendar? [Case in point, we had 90+ degree weather followed by snowing ash from our local and not-so-friendly Colorado wildfire, followed by rain and very wet … [Read more...] about Super Simple Fall-Summer-Spring-Winter Gathering
Mystery Series for Summer that are more than Mindless Page-Turners
{Guest post from my bookish friend and cohort, Tina} I enjoy a good page-turning mystery. When I pick up the newest Mary Higgins Clark, I know I’ll be done with it within two days. However, I won’t walk away feeling attached to the characters or pondering the plot. I’ll have enjoyed the … [Read more...] about Mystery Series for Summer that are more than Mindless Page-Turners
Happy Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder!
“Some old-fashioned things like fresh air and sunshine are hard to beat.” ― Laura Ingalls Wilder Ah, how right Laura is. In the midst of our modern world with its phones and cars and everlasting schedules, old-fashioned things can be just what we need to slow us down and remind us... ~ to … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday, Laura Ingalls Wilder!
Happy Birthday, A.A. Milne!
“It’s snowing still,” said Eeyore gloomily. “So it is.” "And freezing.” “Is it?” “Yes,” said Eeyore. “However,” he said, brightening up a little, "we haven’t had an earthquake lately.” ~The House at Pooh Corner, A.A. Milne If you’re like us, January is a hard month. The excitement of the … [Read more...] about Happy Birthday, A.A. Milne!
Our Girls Recommend
As a mother-daughter book club we have months where we meet together without having read a book. For September, to allow the girls to settle into a school routine, we simply gathered on a warm autumn night to play games, make s'mores, and share book recommendations from summer reading. We are … [Read more...] about Our Girls Recommend
Happy birthday, James Herriot!
"If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans."~James Herriot As a small child I was blessed to have a mother who was faithful to read to me. Sadly, I’ve forgotten many of those books over the years. But one of the … [Read more...] about Happy birthday, James Herriot!