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!) 

Searching the Internets: Content when you need to escape

My phone and computer are always low on battery when I can finally use them. I keep finding a little girl on some kind of media device in a room. Or I don't see them because no one has folded any clothes and there is a girl hiding underneath them with my phone. I want to be doing that too! My oldest has been doing zoom meetings and I finally said I had one too. I needed to get to this important meeting because people were waiting on me to make that important decision and needed to know my opinion.
( My girls laughed. I did too.) 

Yeah, its called I needed my own media time. Man, it was fun. I had hot tea, watched the rain and played on the computer. I barely remembered how to use my computer! I did Pinterest, looked up that shirt I might want to buy, and oh what about that book that just came out? And yes, what does that celebrity look like 30 years later after they had that one hit wonder? And on and on it went down a rabbit hole.

But I keep coming back to a few videos I watched that day. Ones that bring a laugh or ones that point me to Jesus. And I need Jesus right now. 

I love Switchfoot. And I hastaglovejonforeman. Man, I hate hashtags but when you add something funny to "hashtag" in conversation, its funny. Anyways, he is the main guy of Switchfoot for all you peeps out there living under a rock. And he is quality. He has played a song every night and posted on youtube. I like all  of them but I certainly like these two.

Thrive by Jon Foreman

And I love what he says at the beginning of this video. "We are held together by something bigger than an economical system or a political system. I hope this song finds you wherever you are and reminds you of the love of your Maker."

Your Love is Strong by Jon Foreman

And this one. Who doesn't need a blessing sung over them? Based on Numbers 6:24-25. The Lord bless you and keep you. My husbands parents always spoke that over him growing up. And my father in law toasted it to my husband and me at our rehearsal dinner. One of those situations that seemed thoughtful at the time but now I realize how special that moment is to me and my marriage. Kari Jobe and her husband Cody Carnes sing this one. 

The Blessing by Kari Jobe and Cody Carnes

Lastly, I have laughed and laughed and laughed so hard at this clip from Jimmy Fallon's home version of The Tonight Show. And then I texted it out to my two contacts. And made my husband watch it and he actually thought it was funny too. Ok, too much build up? Ugh. I hate when I do that. Just watch. I might have woken one of my girls up recently because I was laughing so loud at this again.

Girl walks into my bedroom at midnight with eyes half open. " Why are you so loud? Are you laughing? Are you still watching that annoying clip?"

Me still laughing. And still laughing. " Yes."

Enjoy!

Jimmy Fallon at Home Show

( yes, its supposed to start at 6:34 but only lasts for his bit called Go On, Git.)

And that's a wrap! 

Side note- with these trying times, I can't figure out how to properly link a youtube video and/or how to use correct grammar. We are all just in survival mode and making the best out of things. 

Books: How could I leave these out???

Alright folks. I have found more books that I really enjoyed. This has been a group effort between my bookshelf, my library card, my kids and my goodreads account. Oh and who could forget my amazon account? I know very few people are looking on Amazon right now.... Or they can't live without Amazon??

On to the books!

Puhlease. I adore these books. I think this is what got me excited about reading again. There are maybe 8 now in the series and it follows an 11 year old girl living in England in the 1930s. She is hilarious. Instead of saying "Yahoo!" she says "Yaroo!" We, being me, say that Yaroo now because of Flavia. She also has a name for her bike. Quirky and cute girl. 

Even if you don't like to cook, you will enjoy this book. Colwin writes like you are sitting with a friend with whom you can let your hair down. Or be in your pajamas all day with greasy hair. Just trying to make this current for quarantine days. Although, you wouldn't be together. You would be zooming with your friend. This book is hopeful and also teaches you a few simple meals.

I loved Poldark. I still have the last season saved! I can't believe I haven't watched it yet. I read the first 2 books of the series and it was like watching new episodes of Poldark. When this quarantine business is over, I will go and get the third in the series. 

Sorry this picture is so wee. I loved Gone with the Wind. This is the back story of Mammy. And while this is no Gone with the Wind, its a good book.  This author has also written, Rhett Butler's People, which I am currently reading. 

Quirky. I bought this book at a bookstore I visited 3 times while in Denver this summer. Instead of buying gobs of tchotchkes, I bought books and let my girls buy books. Our luggage was a little heavy coming back! Actually, we bought another suitcase. I liked Sourdough. You will want to make bread after this. In a weird, quirky way. And tchotchkes is not used often enough. 

Yes. yes. yes. I originally thought this was a non-fiction book which sort of made me feel bleh about it. I finally checked it out and this book was amazing. Her grammar slowly gets better ( which in book 2 I realized I had missed the incorrect grammar- wonder why??) This is journal form which I adore. I find books that are epistolary form less intimidating. And have good stopping points. This one you won't want to stop. There are 4 now in this series but the first is by far the best.

This book is about a recent widow who owns her own diner and the cast of characters in her small town. I read it many years ago but I can't seem to get rid of it to make room for new books. I mean, certainly no one would think of me as a hoarder. Yeah... I still think about this book and to me, that's a sign of a good read.

I didn't know I would love Henri Nouwen until I did. I love his books. Real. In depth. His spiritual journey with Jesus is redemptive for this fallen world. Not a long book but just enough to make you want to read more of his work.

Whew lady. Catherine Marshalls' works are books that can change your life. Her words are like balm to the soul. Her experiences and her explanations of those experiences, changed my life. She wrote about Jesus and it made me want to read more and more about Jesus. She is a great one to read in a time of darkness and soul searching. 

Another book that was like water to a thirsty land. I am someone that struggles with anxiety and depression and this book brought Light to some of that. Light being Jesus. I have given this book out to many friends and I kind of wouldn't stop talking about this book for 2 years. Another book that is a good one to read during hard times. Its a thoughtful and restful book. And Jesus offers us that rest if we can abide in Him.  

Thanks for reading friends! 

May the Lord bless and keep you today and make His face shine upon you and give you Peace.

Books for Kids

After going back through our own bookshelves, I found a few more books that my girls have liked. Or I remembered a few books I gave my nephews over the years.
If you missed this first post about kids books, go here.

Let me begin!

( side note: there is no order to this and I am realizing now I should have had some organization. whatever, welcome to my home. and my mind. )

These are silly and cute. There are 3 in the series and contain black and white drawings. Sisters Kale and Jaundice from Dullsville go on an adventure!

This is a book my 10 year old read over Christmas break and she enjoyed it. 

This is a series of books we have collected over the internet, a shop in Colorado and a cousin in Canada. Its been a hit with my 7 year old and her sister before that. And a read aloud to my 5 year old. Great for animal lovers. 

Let me say this. Alice in Wonderland scared me as a little person and I still might be afraid of it. I put it in the category with Dorothy's Return to Oz, The Never Ending Story and Watcher in the Woods. And Labyrinth. Why would people make these?? So why am I sharing it? Because my 7 year old loved it. And actually the 10 year old too. This edition is part of a group of books by Puffin called Puffin Chalk. Black Beauty, Pippi Longstocking and a few others are others. But with fun covers, my girls were willing to read classics. And after we read it, we went to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens to see their lifesize sculptures with plants of the chesire cat and Alice. I was so proud of me for combining reading with gardening. 

There are many of these in this series about Amelia. Journal form. Afterwards, you will want to go get a composition notebook and create your own drawings and diary. These grow with your child. 

I included this one more for myself. For art lovers everywhere as well as journal lovers. Even if you don't like learning about art, Melissa Sweet creates amazing illustrations. She is so talented. There are 4 in this series. Charlotte in Paris, Charlotte in New York and Charlotte in London. A little girl goes on adventures with her family and meets lots of famous artists. Did you know Monet put so much pepper on his salad it looked black? Achoo!

This is a book I first saw in Seaside, then somewhere else and then I finally broke down and bought it. I gave it to my nephew but would be good for girls too. Mystery set in the south. I think there are 4 in this series now.

My older nephew when he was maybe 14 read this. He was hooked! Went on to read all the books by Peter Jenkins. It is an adult book but clean. 

A little bit mystery, a little bit adventure. I read this before one of my girls read it. A brother and sister run away to a museum. Yes. 

I have more books coming today and Friday. I love getting mail and deliveries! I will share those when they get here. Something for you to look forward too:)