Tag: Books & Reading

Read Along The Road ~ Christmas Edition

~ Emily ~ 1 Comment

A list of favorite Christmas tomes that adorn my bookshelves:

Christmas With Anne by L.M. Montgomery.

  • A fellow Anne fan gave this to me a couple years ago and I have read it every Christmas since. Christmas with Anne is a collection of 16 holiday stories, including favorites like “Matthew Insists on Puffed Sleeves” and others that have never appeared in book form.

Christmas Cookies by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

  • I was charmed by Amy’s first book, Cookies: Bite Size Life Lessons, and was so excited to see a Christmas themed follow-up.  Gorgeous illustrations accompany a delicious ABC dictionary of holiday lessons.
GRATITUDE means taking a minute to look around the table and be thankful for all the people and all the cookies.

 

The Greatest Shepherd of All: A Really Woolly Christmas Story by Holley Gerth

  • Grandpa Woolly shares the story of THE Shepherd to his little woolly grandkids – Faith, Hope, and Joy.  The whole Really Woolly line (brought to life by Julie Sawyer Phillips) makes me smile and this book is a prime example why.  Part allegory, part kid’s book, this little gem manages to be cute without being simpering.

Classics

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

  • It just so happens that one of my favorite novels also has plenty of Christmas spirit.  Little Women is wholesome and worth reading no matter what holiday is around the corner, but there’s something special about snuggling up to read the March women’s timeless story during the Winter months.

The Gift of The Magi by O. Henry

  • The twist ending in this popular short story has long lost its surprise, but O. Henry weaves a sentimental tale that continues to resonate with gift-givers everywhere.

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

  • Beneath the ethical and emotional transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge lies the subtle comedy of Dicken’s literary genius.  The story is oft adapted, but the original definitely earns its classic status.

 

Thankful Thursday: Unpacked Treasures

~ Emily ~ Leave a comment

Our stuff arrived on Tuesday evening! Tim and I watched our empty spaces become stacked high with boxes and furniture.  The resulting landscape was a bit daunting, but the idea of having an actual bed to sleep on, kitchen equipment, and bikes to ride overshadowed much of the foreboding linked to having cardboard mountains in our living room.

Eight hours of unpacking later and our mountains have become hills.  Progress is being made.  Our little abode is slowly becoming a reflection of its two occupants.  In the process, I unearthed some things that put a smile on my face.  I am grateful for these little treasures, reminders of people, pastimes, and pleasures that make life sweet.

  • Owl Salt & Pepper Shakers: It all started with a purse – a purse shaped like an owl.  Once I started toting it around, I became an owl girl.  I have owl earrings, owl clothing, and owl measuring cups.  By far my favorite owl objects are these vintage salt and pepper shakers.  My mom bought a whole box of owl figurines at an auction in Central New York for a dollar.  The cache included this set.  I adore their expression and brownware-esque color.
  • Keurig: We are coffee addicts and have spent way too much money purchasing our caffeine out on a daily basis.  My coffee with almond milk and sugar-free vanilla syrup has never tasted so delicious as it did this morning.
  • Books:  A solid third of our boxes are filled with books.  We had credit at an amazing bookstore in Pasadena (Archives Bookshop) and added to our large library the week before we left for Idaho.  On my growing “to-read” list, these have moved to the top.
  • Goggles: Tim and I can’t wait to swim at the Kroc Center!