current books I am reading or are on my list

I keep looking at this photo and I worry that the books are about to fall off the table. Weird. 

These are books I want to read or am trying to read. Or I am reading. I seem to be in a book rut. Hate that. I think I have 5 books going right now where I am on about page 4 of each one. For someone who loves books so much, you would think I would never run out of something to read. Not true. And sometimes its just not the right time for a specific book. 

From time to time, I take a picture of the books I am currently reading or in the line up. Its fun to then go back and see them on my phone later and remember each one or what I read at the same time. 

I have also taken a picture of the books I am reading on a vacation with said vacation in the background. 

Hope you are enjoying a good book!

Adult Fiction Books: Part ?, Day ? ( who knows anymore!)

There is no order to these books or any of these posts.  There never seems to be kind of order at my house. It goes through my mind to clean it up and organize but meh. I remember when we had one toddler and a few friends came over and it was like a tornado went through here. Like not a place to put your foot down. It was bad. And these friends were very kind and said - its ok! You have a 2 year old! 

Little did they know, it was like that here long before we had kids. Eek. 

So, books, instead of cleaning. Or for your free time. Ever heard of that?

I could not put this down. I read it during the quarantine (on Day 2, back when we were having caviar and champagne every night and we were enjoying that new show on Netflix and thought this whole thing seemed fun) but this book was amazing. Again, set in Colorado, and because of my new love affair with Colorado, I stayed up way too late reading this book. Set on a river( great description Holly), we meet 2 college kids headed out on big adventure. The description of the setting is superb and the story quickly moves along. I got my Dad and one nephew to read this. 

This is a heavy one but so beautiful. I read this years ago and I would probably have a different take on it now but it came to mind the other day. The main character is a baker and she is working through her grief as she comes to grip with her family of origin. Because its been awhile for me, read more about it before you buy or download. 

I love this book. A love letter to Atlanta. ( Not sure I totally get that term but it could definitely apply here. Have you ever noticed on book endorsements on the back of the book, the "endorsers" use the words "hauntingly beautiful" and "tour de force." Ugh. Yuck. Get over yourselves. I don't know what they mean and why does every book have that same description?) 

Anywho, The Swan House (which is a real place) set in the 1960s, this is a young girls' coming of age story set against the South. Depth and beauty. She is an artist and her mother was an artist. Her mother was one of many well to do Atlanteans killed in a plane crash coming back from Paris. This part is true and there is a Rodin statue at the High Museum in Atlanta dedicated to these people. This is a great book when you want some depth. Like how beauty can be painful sometimes. But you are better because of it.  

This was a simple book but a wonderful story. I love reading books about stores. And unexpected friendships. This is one of those books. Surprisingly, I haven't read anything else by Berg which is strange because this is one I think about often. 

Same author as The Swan House listed above. Again, a story set in Atlanta but this one is during the Depression. A great story of friendship between 2 teenage girls battling financial issues and familial problems but for 2 very different reasons. A story of healing and hope. 

And of course we get to this one. The one book everyone seems to know about or at least has read. I finally read it. I am certainly glad I did. But to be honest, I think I had too much hype! That can happen sometimes. I still really enjoyed it. The descriptions of the marsh were breath taking. If you have read this, I think the descriptions of the river in The River is comparable. Well, not quite but you get my drift.

Happy Reading!

Chapter Books ages 9-12ish

Day 698 of quarantine. 

Good granite. 

We got this. 

We are doing it.  

So, while we are doing this thang, here are some more books you can bribe your kids to read. My gift closet is running low because I have given every gift out to entice people to do things. 

On a deeper level, just waking up is enough. You are enough. Without trying to homeschool kids, work, clean, fix supper, etc, etc or get them to read something. Jesus died for us when we were still sinners. STILL! So, even we are a train wreck, He died for you and me. And not only that, He loves us! And he likes us! Oh dude- we need that today. And everyday. 

Back to the books...enjoy!

We loved this one because its a good story but also has recipes. We do love a good book with recipes! 

I actually read this to my girls a few years ago. I fell in love with this family and I learned so much about Jewish holidays. There are several others however the order is quite confusing. After this first book,  the author wrote the next one but the publishers felt that it was too heavy of material for children. So, Taylor wrote another one but the orginal was published years letter. The little boy in the familys' age jumps around in each of the books. That was confusing even for me to try to get you to understand. Whatever. The books are good. 

When we first learned about Clementine, I read this aloud or parts of it to my girls . Its laugh out hilarious! There are many more in this series. 

This book was recommended by my mom. I had a really hard time finding it. The first one I located on the internets was $80! I kept looking for several months and found one for maybe $6. It was a steal compared to $80! Its a story about a family taking over a hotel in Florida, a land they didn't know much about. Slight mystery as well. I do love a good hotel story. When I have traveled with my husband for work, I would stay in some nice and some not so nice hotels along the way. Each one had its own quirks. I look back fondly on some of those hotels. Some, I thank God I am not currently staying in. Whew. 

My oldest read this a few years ago and loved it. A story about a class making up a made up word and taking on the teacher.  It was a hit because the main character seemed like someone you would know in your own school. Kid versus Teacher. Haven't we all tried to do something like this to a substitute at some point? Mine was in 1st grade. We thought we were rock stars. But that dream died quickly. 

Again, another one my oldest loved. My nephew loved them too. Priscilla Shirer, a Bible Study author and teacher, wrote these for her 3 boys but girls love them too. A description of spiritual warfare between God and Satan, Shirer created a world to help kids understand this very real battle. Spoiler- God wins! 

Good one to end on. God wins!

More-er Books and Easter

Books! 

As we engage in life the day before THE Resurrection, I am pondering how today would be different if I could go out into the world. And its not all bad to be home. I fed the birds, fed my girls, got my exercise from bringing in the groceries and wiping things down, blah, blah. I have a new perspective on good Friday and Jesus' Resurrection. I am eternally grateful. I have always been but I think in these special times, we all have time to think and to pray and to just be. To appreciate the simplicity. I was talking to a neighbor and she was saying they have been quiet. Their lives are quiet right now. That has stayed with me. So in the quietness, may you find a good book. 

And the goodness of God. 

I loved loved loved this book. Coming of age story about a girl who moves from the country to big city Baltimore  ( I can't remember the time period-1920s?) and becomes a house maid for a Jewish family. She learns the ins and outs of the family as well as the customs of the Jewish people. Diary form which I adore!

This is a story about two best friends in England ( again can't remember the time period- late 1960s?) and them trying to figure out a case of a missing neighbor. It has some depth but the banter between the girls is spot on and has a great sense of community. 

This one was a book I wouldn't normally pick up but I got hooked into the story from about page 1. For grammar people, clearly not me!,  you might go bonkers reading this book. I appreciated the lack of perfection. And isn't that what we are doing these days? Accepting our inability to create perfect things and to not be perfect. What a relief. Little do some know, we have always lacked perfection but are broken vessels waiting to be filled with the love of Jesus. Yeah, back to the book... I think there are making this one into a movie. I liked this book. 

Looking for a light hearted book with some laughs? This is it! The story moves along and I was intrigued. Now, this is an interesting one because I totally got into this book but couldn't even finish the second one and I don't think I even pretended to read the third. I think there is a third? But don't let that stop you from picking this one up. 

This was one of the first books I read from a translation. I took me twice to "get it" although when does it not take me two times to get it?? This was actually translated from German but what got me mixed up was the Italian phrases. Then when I got to page 3, I was okay. Yeah, long time. Auntie Poldi has moved to Italy and she is a hoot! She drinks, she swears and she has lots of adventures! She struggles with depression in the midst of this so to me, it made her human. She also reminded me of one of my grandmothers which made this book even more fun. And to make things even better, I found this hardback book, barely read, for $1! If you know me, I am not thrifty. But once in a blue moon, its exciting. I might see what Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman are on to... 

May you enjoy the simplicity of our needs today and are able to just be. To be in the presence of the Lord and feel the freedom to be yourself. 

Palm Sunday

I wrote this a few days ago and didn't get a chance to post it. We are still waiting on Jesus.
He. is. coming.
Prepare your hearts. Call on Him and He will answer.



In honor of Palm Sunday:

He is The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. 

Today, we celebrate and remember when Jesus made his triumphal entry into Jerusalem on his way to his death.

 Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest!

The people who loved Him and learned about His mercy, His goodness, His sweetness and His love for them came to honor Him and worship Him. They threw branches and their cloaks down for the Messiah to ride along with His donkey. 

Hosanna! Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!

May this day find you waiting expectantly for Him and that the upcoming resurrection fill you with hope that can only from God. Trust Him because He has proven to be trustworthy. 

Hosanna! Hosanna in the Highest! 

The dolls I created many years ago for my girls to enjoy and to help explain Palm Sunday and the Easter story. This book was my inspiration. I love Brian Wildsmiths' work. Such beautiful illustrations that give you a sense of the
Majesty of God.  

Childrens Picture Books Worth Buying: Part 1

If you are like me, you like to shop.

But then I discovered the library. And y'all, its free shopping. Wah???

But then you are a germaphobe like myself. Hashtagtorn.

So, you pick and choose which ones you will check out and which ones you will buy.

For example, never and I mean never, check out a children's book about potty training.

( I need to go wash my hands just reading that sentence.)

My girls and I have compiled a list of books worth owning. Ones we read and reread. So, if you are stuck at home, these are some good ones you may want to purchse for yourself or even better, buy for someone else and have it shipped! I am thinking grandmothers, godparents, special friends, etc. to get for the little ones in their lives.

FYI, Mom, we already own all of these. But feel free to ship me anything else!

Beautiful illustrations! Bright colors and such a happy theme makes this such a great book. I love most of everything this woman has written and illustrated. And I love gardening. 

While this might be a children's book for adults, I adore this book and my girls do too. The same author as the book mentioned above. This is her retelling of the influence of her parents on her life and how they fostered spaces ( literally and figuratively) for her to make and create. The pages are funny shapes and different objects like a glove and a watercolor set. Love!  

 After you read this, you will want to go have a cup of tea and find something warm to snuggle with. This is such a sweet book. For my girls who love kitties, it was spot on. Simple story about a mama kitty and her kittens and makes you think all will be right in the world again. And even if its not all right in the world right now, this book makes me grateful for my home and my children and husband and the simplicities of this life. 

Knitting is not required FYI. But you certainly could take it up right now! Good luck with that.

 I think this one might be out of print but you could get on Amazon or Thriftbooks. Have we talked about thriftbooks? Its so amozing. Its right on my phone which is dangerous. Spend $10 and its free shipping. I have found lots of out of print books here or books that are relatively new at more inexpensive prices. Use inexpensive instead of cheap. Makes you sound less cheap!

Back to this book. Its a great book for a baptism but its one my girls all enjoyed and we read and reread. Beautiful watercolors as well. 

This is a sweet book about a dress a little girl doesn't want to give up on as she grows. I know we have all been there...as adults. Sigh. I had a red skirt from J. Crew years ago that was flamenco like. I still dream about that skirt.

So, I understand this gal who wants to keep the dress. Her mom creates new things for her to wear out of the dress. There is also a sequel called I had a Favorite Hat.

I want to live with these rabbits! I don't know if there is an order to these but darling picture books about a rabbit and his mama. The illustrations are homey and of cakes and desserts and pretty pictures on the walls. The stories are great and great plays on words!

Little Rabbit has a "Night Mare." How clever! And takes a typically scary topic for kids and names it. 

 Same family and this time, they are knitting hats for all of their animal friends in their community. A good one to read right now, as little ones learn the importance of friendship and helping others. And while the snow storm comes, their community is back together in the end. Plus, they have darling hats!

I think my husband has read this 479 times. Actually, probably more. He has it memorized. Its about 4 girls who go shoe shopping and no one buys anything because none of the shoes work. Wonder what that is like??? Cute story about creating.

Having a sister, being a sister and having sisters in my home, I cannot tell you how sweet this story is. One of my favorite lines out of any book..." May you have a swing after supper."

Sweet. Also, there is a Brothers book. 

Another sweet story and the imagination of innocent children. A good one to read right now. Gardening is very healing and has helped me through many anxious times. I can tell when I have been in a difficult season because there will be very few weeds in my yard! I can also tell because I am living it. Whew. I am grateful to the words God has for us in simple children's books. This is one of those. It is not a Christian book but offers hope.  

This one seems timely for my home right now. Or really anytime you have a picky eatter. So, everyday. This is a cute story about 7 kids and how picky each one is and what they end up making with everyone's pickiness. How many times can I type picky???

These are my books for now. I have more. When does a hoarder not have more??:) 

Honestly, I thought I would be cleaning under beds and cleaning closets during this quarantine. Nope. Nada. Not interested. 

On to supper!

More Books!!!

Good news! I finished a book last night! I stayed up way too late but I got something accomplished. That's a good feeling. Just walking to the mailbox these days feel like an accomplishment. 

More books!

Growing up in Florida, I am embarrassed to say I knew little about Cuban history. I knew the big things but this book is a tutorial on Cuban history along with a family story and a bit of romance. There is a sequel which was a tad too romancey for me. I love the Cuban sandwich (ugh! I want one right now!) and had a best friend growing up who was half Cuban, but now I can say I am much better schooled in their history. Side note, I had friends in South Carolina where I went to college who never had heard of a Cuban sandwich. What is wrong with these people? There is an ongoing argument in my husbands family about what exactly went on a good Cuban sandwich. Don't care right now. Someone just cook for me and clean it up!

Also, this was a Reese Witherspoon book club choice and usually, hers are good books. 

 This book isn't going to change anyone's life just FYI. I liked the pop culture of the references. And it was a light book. I read it quickly and I have a small love affair with books about books. 

 This is the one I finished last night. Its about a bookshop and 3 women that work there. Its got a little depth but again, its not heavy and its a nice read for right now. It kept me interested enough to want to pick it up again and it really made me want to go to a shop. So that part was hard. I think that's why I keep getting so many boxes from Amazon and Target the last few days. My girls' Easter baskets are going to be amozing ( that's not a typo- we say that here) or I am going to be dragging out unopened boxes of Ibprofen and band aids the night before and putting in their baskets because I bought some weird stuff online. Katherine Reay has written several other books and  those fall in the same vain of some depth but not overwhelming. I loved the cover, too.

I have seen this at a darling bookstore in Apalachicola ( shout out for all you Forgotten Coast lovers) and I finally bought it in Denver. I can't seem to shut up about the trip. It was fun and I wasn't in this house. We were out in the world! Forget the beauty of Colorado, we discover mini containers of Nutella at our hotel. Back to the book. This is a mystery but nothing gory or dark. There was one scene I could have done without but this is a pretty clean mystery. I currently am hoarding the second in the series from the library. And my Dad and I had a mini book club about it so that was fun. 

Egad! I can't begin to say how much I adored this book. And then they made a show! I discovered  the Durrell family through anther book called Howard's End is on the Landing. A British author writes abut what she is currently reading and half of the books I hadn't ever heard of. She wrote about reading My Family and Other Animals while being in Greece at the same time. Ahh. This book is hilarious. Its the first book I read where I did laugh out loud. The descriptions of the land and the animals and the sea is breathtaking. 

This is a book that I think about still. The author is from north Florida somewhere which I liked. The After Party is a bit like the Help meets mental illness. I am not selling it well. I found it helpful because it gave me insight into peoples lives and why they do what they do. And we could all use more empathy. The time period is depicted well ( I guess, I wasn't alive then!) and this was another Dad and Daughter mini book club. I read this mostly in one afternoon which is rare for me. So it was good. Before the quaretentine, I bought the other novel by this author. One thing about this quarentine is that I am finally reading books I have on my shelves. So there's that. Hooray?? 

Now, let me preface this with, if I knew what was going to occur in this book, I wouldn't have read it. I do not like children dying in books.  However, the writing was beautiful and has made me purchase other books by William Kent Krueger. My dad is currently reading the first in a mystery series this guy wrote and I look forward to reading it next. One might say that I am my family's librarian. It is not a term I take lightly. For Christmas a few years ago, I gave everyone books and included an index card as to why I bought the book that I did for them. Some were winners and I was so proud! A few weren't and I probablly need to let that go:) 

So with that being said, here is my latest book installment. I am worried I will run out of books for y'all to read or read about. I find that sometimes I like just reading about the book, not reading the actual book. Like watching trailers for movies for an hour and half and not actually watching a movie.

Happy Reading folks!

Cookbooks for Adults and Kids

I am on a book roll right now. Lots of book posts! You would think that during this time at home, we would be reading reading reading. But there doesn't seem to be time for that. Time to eat again??? Ok by me!

When you have little kids and you are creative, your creativity takes on different forms. Mine came as food. Sometimes its good, sometimes its an "experiment." But over time, I have become better and better at cooking. I like it. I am hungry. I like food. And I have found some helpful cookbooks along the way. My oldest daughter and I compiled a list of cookbooks that are our go to books. Some are for kids and some for adults, but she and I cook out of both. And bake. She has perfected the biscuit. 

Forget who his mom is. Jamie Deen's food stands on its own. His recipes are food that we all want to eat and food that is good. Nothing is over the top hard, but its all really delicious. We especially love his chicken and dumplings. 

This is a book I look forward to some generation below me to keep and adore the way I do. "That cookbook was Granny Holly's book. Wasn't she so adorable and fun? I can't wait to cook the banana cake she was famous for." I am just guessing as to what this future granddaughter might say. But the banana cake is famous around here. Bascially famous between my house, my parents, my father in law and my sisters' home. Whatevs. I will take it. 

Side note- I bought this book at Wakulla Springs, which if you are familiar with the place, its like stepping back in time. There are pictures of my great grandmother on the walls and I kinda love that. Plus, the river boat cruise does not disappoint. 

Now we step into current times. This book was a gift from my mom to my oldest daughter and me. We love a good cheese board. I might have gained a few el bees's one Christmas because I discovered the cheese board. This is cheese and then some. I have made a really great hummus from this book. There are also dessert boards, California boards and hot chocolate boards. 

I don't know how I came across this one. Its one of my newer ones. It tends to be heavy on the cheese side, and when you have someone in your house not on the cheese wagon currently, it can be hard. Emotionally hard, without the cheese I meant. It's fresh tasting and the author is based out of Colorado and we went there this summer so I like that.

Oh, how could I forget? I make a chicken finger recipe out of here that isn't healthy but super good. Plus, there are leftovers for school for my girls the next day. Boo Yah! 

These illustrations are beautiful. The cookbook author and chef watercolors throughout the book. And each recipe has very few ingredients. Does anyone remember the movie Mermaids? The mom made dinner appetizers. Everything was an appetizer. This is similar. Everything in here you could have at a small get together. Remember those? Small get togethers. Before the quarantine? This is what I call a small get together-my family within my home eating together at the supper table.

There are several of these cookbooks

- one for kids, one for parties, and a Mediterranean one. 

This was a cookbook I added to my collection before I actually cooked. The coconut cake is super good. I could eat it right now. Sigh. 

This was a "throw-it-in-the-bag-because-I-want-this-girl-to-read-something" purchase. Don't you love when impulsive decisions work out? Its rare. If you know me, I am the impulsive one and my husband is not. Thank God for him. 

This cookbook has a great chicken recipe we have already made twice during this quarantine. Panko bread crumbs, Dijon mustard and an egg plus some kind of chicken you have. And people actually eat it around here at our small get togethers at the dining room table. ( Just kidding- we eat at the island these days. The table is puzzle central.)

Even in the midst of these trying times, I hope something at home can bring you joy. Cooking has for me. Blogging too. Thanks for reading. May you find joy today. And go looking for it. You will be surprised what comes to mind.

See Ya- 

Introducing Corona and Virus

Yay! We got two new kittens maybe 2 weeks ago? Or has it been 3? I don't even know what year it is.

These kitties are darling! We named them Corona and Virus. 

I am kidding. 

It's Covid and Nineteen.

The black and white tuxedo one we call Ace. These kitties were found outside an Ace Hardware. Actually, his name is Ace but we call him "Lee Tull Boy" with a funny accent. Go ahead. Try the accent.

The more white and less black kitty is named Birdie. They are brother and sister. She is coming around to us. She wasn't too sure about us at first. Heck, I am not either. But now she comes up and meows at your feet waiting for you to pick her up. And she is a loud purr-er. 

She does have eyes. I didn't seem to get any of them open. But hey, they are babies and its a quarantine. So, we are all sleeping more. 

We got them the day before the first round of things closing so I am glad we did it when we did! They have provided lots of entertainment and snuggles. 

And as animal people say, its much easier to get 2 at one time. These kitties entertain each other plus when you have 3 kids, there is less fighting over one poor kitten getting slung from kid to kid. 

Seen it. Or being worn as a scarf. Seen it too. 

Hope this provides a kitty fix for some of you.  Shout out to my oldest for her camera work and my aunt who works tirelessly finding good homes for pets of the great Wakulla County. And for allowing my texts to bombard her phone wondering " is it kitten season yet???" Little did she know I had 3 girls breathing down my neck wondering where the heck all the kittens were. FYI, it is now kitten season. Thank you God.

Happy Friday! ( Happy whatever day this is!)