April Books

One of my favorite things ever is books. Reading books, reading about books, looking at books, talking about books, sharing books... well, you get the idea.

So when I discovered there is a for real Book of the Month club, I had to check it out. I held myself back for a few weeks and finally gave in. Today I requested my book for April. It should arrive next week! I'll report back soon! 

https://www.bookofthemonth.com

Wordless Wednesday - Spring in March

Easter Dinner

Is there anything better than a home cooked meal?

Only one that is surrounded by the people we hold closest to our hearts. I think that's why Easter and Thanksgiving are some of the best times our family has together. This year was no different. 

Mama's Apple Pie 

New Attempts

I didn't make resolutions this year, because really? Do we ever stick to those for more than a day? A week, at most. Last year I started this blog and it fizzled out within a few months. I think it's because I wanted perfection! Perfect reviews, perfect books, all of that. *sigh*

So, this is in no way a resolution. Just a new attempt. I may post a book review. I may post a picture of my day. I may forget to post for a week. Because life just gets busy. But for now I'll keep it short and sweet and just give myself the option of blogging again without the pressure of perfection.

Hopefully, you'll still be reading and I'll see you again soon! 

Unplug, Unwind, and Find…

After experiencing some heartache this week, I found myself unable to concentrate enough to read. I was browsing more through social media, especially on Facebook. The more I looked at smiling faces and status updates, the more depressed I became. I also wondered, how many of these people are representing their authentic selves? Can all these people be happy couples? Beaming, glowing families of joy? Constantly? It’s exhausting just to think about.

If I’m having a bad day, I usually don’t post on FB. I'll browse on Pinterest for introspective quotes that best fit my mood or something that seems to soothe my spirit. But really. Is that the best use of my time? What am I accomplishing by doing this?

Since I was looking at a long weekend coming up, the "official start" to summer. I want to challenge myself. (I welcome you to take up the challenge as well.) Stop comparing my life to the reflection of others online. Be real. Be authentic. Unplug from social media. Take a break from Facebook. Turn off those alerts.

Unwind. Relax. Breathe. Take long walks outside. Go to the woods. Teach your kids what it’s like to feel mud between your fingers. Do they know the right consistency for a mud pie? Teach them. Feel the dew on the grass when you walk barefoot. Catch fireflies. Sit on the front porch with someone, drink homemade lemonade and talk about old times. Make new memories.

Find…well, that’s up to you.

Peace. Quiet. Nature. Time. God. Family. Love. Joy. Happiness. Adventure.

Unplug, unwind, and find what you need. Have a wonderful summer. :)

Book Review #9 - Wolf Winter

Wolf Winter by Cecilia Ekback

*4 Stars*



I received this as a part of Powell’s Indiespensible (which I highly recommend if you enjoy having books and book treats delivered to your door, and really who doesn’t?!). It’s been a couple of months now since I’ve read it but when I close my eyes I still can sense the cold and the dark that was present throughout the entire story. It’s another novel that takes you back in time and slowly puts you through the suspense of what is going on during this bleak and desperate winter. 

I enjoy historical fiction and thriller/suspense fiction. This was slow at times, however the anticipation was there… that “something” was out there. 

Book Review #8 - The Nightingale

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

*5 Stars*

I love Kristin Hannah. I had forgotten how beautiful her writing could be until I opened “The Nightingale” and read the first line and just sank into the words, and felt myself get swept back in time. I had a hard time stepping away from this book, and the story of sisters Vianne and Isabelle during the second war.

If you are a fan of Hannah’s or of historical fiction, if Hannah’s “Winter Garden” ripped your heart out like it did mine, then I highly recommend this book. I don’t want to spoil anything. Just read it. With tissues, of course.