Just a smattering of things. . .

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Carmen

First of all, here is the frame I made with my dad. (Thanks, Dad!) As I look at the photo, I’m realizing I really need to learn how to take better photos. (Josiah????) I am learning about wood with my book- The Handbuilt Home. For more info about the book, check out my post here. Josiah and I are going to make a step-stool for David next.

homemade frame

I didn’t record our library books from last week. . .there was nothing terribly exciting. I did read The Mothers, which had elements of a good story, but I was somewhat annoyed with the narrator. Josiah and I watched Mr. Popper’s Penguins, but it has been too long since I read the book, so I have no idea how much the movie follows the book.

Finally, I found a fun blog – The Modern Mrs. Darcy, and she (Anne) talks books a lot. Yay. She also has a downloadable list of recommended books – 2013 Ultimate Beach Reading Guide. I look forward to exploring her site more.

Our Favorite Books as a Couple (none of which are about marriage)

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Carmen

Well, I’m getting old. Josiah and I have been married 5 years, today. I’m so thankful to be married to this guy! In honor of our anniversary, I thought I’d share some of the books we’ve read together. And no, they are not marriage books.

Currently we are reading Little House on the Prairie. We just finished the Little House in the Big Woods.

Before that, we read through C.S. Lewis’s entire Chronicles of Narnia – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Magician’s Nephew, etc.

We also LOVE Roald Dahl, but I’m not sure exactly which ones we’ve read together. I know we’ve done Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and James and the Giant Peach.

I’m glad Josiah doesn’t think reading aloud is just for kids.

2 Recent Reads

Posted on April 1, 2013 by Carmen

I just wanted to share two books that I finished recently – Witchel’s All Gone, and Cain’s Quiet. I don’t have time to write a full review on either, since I really should be working on my sermon for Sunday (AAAHH!), but I wanted to at least note them.

allgone All Gone: A Memoir of My Mother’s Dementia, With Refreshments by Alex Witchel: This book especially interested me since our family is experiencing something similar. I haven’t read any books on dementia, so I appreciated the nuggets of information surrounded by story. I love hearing and reading people’s stories. And I love food! I enjoyed the recipes Witchel shared from her mother’s kitchen . . spinach kugel, anyone? (I’m not sure what spinach kugel is, but I have never gone wrong with spinach).

quiet Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Wow. This is incredible to read, even if you don’t consider yourself an introvert. I am very much an introvert and I found it empowering to read Cain’s research and work. I loved the combination of information/research and personal stories. I think I would like to read or listen to this again at some point, because the 2-week library loan was not long enough for me to fully absorb the goodness.

Are you reading anything interesting?

Photo credit: moriza / Foter.com / CC BY

I’m Back to Blogging (Never Stopped Reading)

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Carmen

: » Zitona « / Foter.com / CC BY

I’m coming back from a little blogging break -I’ve been working on some projects around the house, trying to figure out Photoshop so I can do more with photos/design with this blog, and chasing a toddler. I have not not been taking a break from reading, however!

Several of my recent reads include: a whole slew of books on digestive health including Digestive Wellness, Restoring Your Digestive Health, and Healthy Gut Workbook; Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys; and of course a bunch of fiction books. I had wanted to see why people were into Karen Kingsbury, so I did read some of hers that our local library had. I did enjoy some aspects of her books, but I find myself getting tired of boy-and-girl-finally-get-together type books.

Next up to read: Gut and Psychology Syndrome and Family Driven Faith. I found Family Driven Faith at a local thrift store for $1 and I am very excited to read it.

Expect a review shortly on one of my new favorites – Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys. I’m excited to share how much I enjoyed it!