Hey everyone. As you probably know, I haven't blogged in a very long while. I've been working on my poetry and have just launched a new blog over on wordpress. If you are interested in following me as I chase my poetry you can find my new blog here.
I enjoyed my time on this blog and I'm excited to see what happens as I work in new directions.

Book Review: Newton and Polly by Jody Hedlund

I love the old hymns and I love delving into the history behind what I love, so Jody Hedlund's latest book was a perfect fit for me. Newton and Polly: A Novel of Amazing Grace told a story I thought I knew, but apparently didn't know very well because I had never heard of Polly.

Polly is a good girl who loves the Lord and strives to honor her parents. Newton is a charming boy who does exactly what he wants even when the consequences are severe. What he wants more than anything is Polly. He wants to spend time with her, marry her. He knows that she is the girl for him. Polly loves him too, but how can she be more than a friend to a boy who disregards everything she believes in?

The timeline of this book takes place over several years. Several years of Polly growing up into a godly woman and Newton getting into every sort of trouble imaginable. It shows Polly's struggle to do what is right and Newton's desire to get what he wants and get it his way. I ached for Polly and cringed at Newton's continued short comings.

Throughout the story we see how God used Polly even when she couldn't see it. We see how Newton's love for her kept him going and how God changed his heart. I found the story to be inspiring, not just because God used a man like Newton to write one of the greatest hymns of all time, but because of Polly. Sometimes God doesn't work in huge ways that you can see. Sometimes He might use you in such a subtle way that you don't see it until after the story has been written.



I received a copy of this book from the author and publisher in exchange for my review.  

Reflections and Direction

What direction should I go? That is what is rattling in my brain right now. I've been writing and regularly but it's time for... something. Instead of picking a focus I tend to add more things on top of what I'm already doing until I am spinning in circles. Sigh. Enough circle spinning.

It's time to simplify, to choose what it is that will get me where it is I need to go. The problem with that is that it means cutting out the excess. The social media that doesn't really bring me joy or advance me in the direction I'm trying to go, the time I spend learning things that are wonderful but aren't for this time in my life, the things that are distracting me from being the mom and writer that I want to be.

I'm posting this because I don't think I'm alone it my reflections. I don't think I'm the only person with a dream burning so strong that they panic and stunt their own growth. Noticing we are overcommitting or just not focusing on what matters is an important step but not as important as doing something about. I'm on my way to close down some social media and give myself the gift of time for the things that matter the most.

Each beat of my heart

forces me to face the question

Who am I?

and am I 

living up to that?

                  -Sare Chafin

Updates and Poetry

Hello World,

  I've been hiding... but the good sort of hiding. The past year has been full of changes and challenges but I spent all of June reading, writing and getting my dreams back on track (as best as possible with my entourage of littles). I finished the first draft of my gothic YA novel and I'm letting it sit for a week before I dive into revisions. I've also been writing poetry at a fairly steady pace. Most of it is posted on Instagram but I just started a collection on Watpad as well.

I love that I'm in over my head in the world of words but I can't help but wonder, what next? Where do I go from here?





 

Challenges (Type 1 Diabetes)

 I keep trying to blog but I think I have to come to terms that it is just going to be sporadic right now. I miss it, but sometimes life smacks you down and that's where I've been, smacked down and scrambling to get back up. I love blogging so I'm keeping it up but only as much as is fun and not stressful.


 There have been many factors that have contributed to my currant exhausted state, but one of the main ones is that my daughter was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes in February. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Type 1, it is not the same as Type 2. It is an unpreventable and incurable autoimmune disease. Basically my daughter's pancreas no longer produces insulin so her body can not process carbs. Without insulin my daughter would die.

  It took me awhile to catch what was going on. My lively, dancer girl started to spend more and more time reading and drawing at the table. I wasn't worried, maybe she was growing up and enjoyed those things more than riding her bike or running outside with her brothers. Then she started having to go to the bath room ALL THE TIME. A new stage? She's only seven and seven year olds try out different things, right? She began sneaking into the bathroom for water late at night and then she started dropping weight. I took her to the doctor. He didn't seem to concerned as there was no family history but he sent us for blood work just to make sure. The results came in and we were sent straight to ER. We spent the rest of the week in the hospital. Her blood sugar was close to 700. The doctors were amazed that she was acting as healthy as she was. Of course I was kicking myself for not realizing what was going on sooner (despite praise from the doctor on how quickly I caught that something was wrong).

 My daughter is doing well now. She has gained weight and is on the move all the time. The thing with Type 1 diabetes is that it is sneaky. She will seem fine and then she will be in tears and wanting to lie down. I'll check her blood sugar and it will be scarily low. Other times we will be eating the same healthy diet (every carb counted and mostly low glycemic) and she will just be off, sort of flushed and irritable. So I check her blood sugar and find it only a few numbers from call the doctor high. I've been learning to rely on God in a way so much deeper than I did before. It is scary to put your daughter to bed and not know what her blood sugar will do while she is asleep. Will she drop and I won't know? Will I find her passed out? I can feed her the best I know how, I can document every thing she eats, I can make sure she has snacks at the right times and insulin at the right times and check on her throughout the night, but none of that guarantees anything, so I pray.

 I've been learning to not judge others. We don't know what they are going through.

I hoover over my daughter. Helicopter mom? Or just a mom who knows how fragile the balance of her daughter's health is?

I stay home more. Recluse? Or just a mom who is trying to balance one thing to many?

My house is never all the way clean. Slob? Lazy? Or a mom that's trying to cook healthy food that her entire family can eat while balancing homeschooling and the rest of life's craziness?

I crave understanding from others so I'm trying to make sure I offer the same thing.

Type 1 is wildly misunderstood. I have to put up with people who think it's because I didn't feed my daughter well or that think I just have to feed her less sugar and she will be fine. That's ok. I can't expect everyone to know. I didn't before all this started. It makes me wonder about all the unseen burdens of those around me, all those who are misunderstood.

Book Review- A Daring Sacrifice by Jody Hedlund

  I grew up on a steady diet of Robin Hood stories. I loved every one I found and I spent many happy afternoons pretending I was wearing Lincoln green. My own children have seen the Disney movie version and have sat for many hours while I read them tales of Robin and his merry men. They even have a love for archery! That makes my heart happy. Anyway, I was thrilled to find out that Jody Hedlund's latest YA novel is very Robin Hood-esque!

Gorgeous! 

  A Daring Sacrifice is an inspirational YA set in 1390. It is the second in the series but could work as a stand alone. The first line drew me straight into a world of villains, thieves, noble deeds and horrific torture. 

  The Cloaked Bandit is on the prowl. If you are a poor citizen of Wessex you need not fear, but if you are a nobleman you had better watch your back, or more accurately, your purse. What the people of Wessex don't know is that famed Cloaked Bandit is Juliana Wessex, the rightful ruler of their land. They believe that she is dead, just like her father. 

  Living in the woods, stealing from the rich to provide for the poor, is Juliana's life. It is the only way she knows of to stay alive and help her people. She wants nothing to do with nobility or the life that she lost but then she steals from a young knight, Collin Goodrich, and he sees through her disguise. He isn't about to let her just disappear back into the forest.

 

 Juliana isn't open to a relationship, friendship or otherwise with Collin, but he stubbornly sets out to show her that just because he is rich doesn't mean he is evil. Tensions are rising, both in Wessex and in Juliana's heart. She must find a way to help her people without being killed by her uncle and she has to figure out how Collin fits into it all. 

 This was a very sweet story, the kind I hope my daughter will enjoy in a few years. It had all the elements of a beloved fairy tale and the sort of morals I feel good about recommending. I'm happy that I was able to be an influencer for this uplifting book.

It can be purchased at Amazon or your favorite book seller.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my review. 

Book Review- Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund

 I read this book over a month ago but my life sort of exploded between then and now, so I'm finally posting the review this book deserves.

 Undaunted Hope is the third book in the Beacons of Hope series and I think it might be the best one yet. It is about Tessa Taylor who has arrived at a mining town in Michigan with the hopes of redeeming her less than perfect reputation. Before she can even set foot in her new town she is met with challenges, and a dashing man who pulls her out of the lake. Having to be rescued from a lake is only the beginning of her problems. Soon she is fighting to keep the teaching position that her new life depends upon, keep her past firmly in the past and help the mining community that she is falling in love with.

 Tessa is a strong character. She is constantly battling with who she was and the woman of God that she is striving to be. I enjoyed reading about a character with this inward struggle because it is one that I am very familiar with and I'm sure other readers will find encouragement in it too.

 Alex, the lighthouse keeper who pulled her from the lake, is an equally strong character. He has given up everything to help his brother. That was fine, until his brother met Tessa. Suddenly setting aside his own desires and dreams is much more difficult.

 So, basically, if you enjoy historical fiction that has great characters, a creepy bad guy and just enough romance, you will love this book! Reading it was like a vacation for my brain. I was entertained and encouraged all at once.

I received a copy of this book from the publishing company in exchange for my review.

Book Review- Einkorn, Recipes For Nature's Original Wheat

I have taken forever to review this book. The book itself is gorgeous. The recipes look amazing but I don't think I would have chosen this book if I knew how expensive Einkorn flour is!

Isn't it pretty though?

  Carla Bartolucci certainly knows about einkorn and her reasons for using this flour are compelling.

The first section of the book is information on the benefits of this grain. Next it moves on to recipes that made me want to jump right in and eat (ahem, bake) them all.

  The recipes range from a sourdough starter to artisan bread to pizza dough and desserts. Most of them are paired with stunning pictures and interesting blurbs that tell more about the recipe. This book is complete enough to switch entirely to einkorn and not be deprived of delicious breads and other wheat items. 

 Anyone that wants to explore the benefits of einkorn or is trying to live a low gluten lifestyle would enjoy this book. My main complaint isn't about the book at all. It's about how expensive the flour is. I plan to try some of these recipes but I'm hesitant to jump into the sourdough or anything I'd want to make on a regular basis.  It may be worth tweaking the budget for but for now I will stick with some of the other high nutrient flours on the market. 

I received a copy of this book to review from Blogging For Books.

Currently

  It feels like I haven't blogged in forever. Life took over, with its overwhelming blend of good, bad and everything in-between. I think I'm back. I hope so, but I'm not sure if I want to blog like I have in the past or if its time to change it up. Oh well. I know I love writing and blogging so I'll just write and blog and see what happens.

I figured that a Currently post would be perfect for jumping back in.

So...

Currently I am...

Loving

 Hmm. I'm loving so many things right now. 

 I'm loving crocheting in the evenings. I'm making a gigantic granny square afghan out of leftover yarn. It looks like a color explosion but its soft and has a charming quirkiness going on. 

It's about five times bigger and brighter now :)

 I'm loving wearing slouchy hats and that it's cool enough for sweaters (some days).

I'm loving my fenced yard and how much enjoyment my four year old gets by simply running in circles and digging in the sand.

I'm loving that my room is slowly turning into a fresh and relaxing space. 

I'm loving that my fresh and relaxing room now has a desk by the window so I can think and be, write and create, all while having a perfect view of the back yard and the woods behind it.

  

Reading

I love Christmas but it effectively zapped all of my reading time. Of course part of that was because I decided that I was going to make many of the presents myself... Fun, but I'm so glad that it is all done and over with. Now maybe I will be able to read more.

I have read one book so far this year and it was under 70 pages. It was Writing Day in and Day Out: Living a Practice of Words by Andi Cumbo-Floyd. I loved it. It was exactly the soul nourishing sort of book that I needed.

Watching

The thing about crocheting is that it lends itself well to doing other things, like say, binge watching Netflix. After watching heaps of Christmas movies with my children I felt like watching something deep and gritty so I started watching the show The Killing. I may be hooked... It is full of mystery and twists and I'm in love with Liden and Holder's characters and how much depth they have. 

I also watched my favorite movie ever (over and over and over) The Decoy Bride (quirk, romance, gorgeous setting and David Tennant) and Jackie and Ryan. I really need to watch Jackie and Ryan again.

Listening

Does arguing children count? How do they find so many things to argue about? 

My daughter is very into Lindsey Sterling so I've been listening to a lot of her music and my youngest loves Laurie Berkner. Variety, right? When I get to choose I've been listening to Gungor and Ben Howard along with various modern folk artists. I love songs that have emotion and meaning in the lyrics.

I almost always have an audio book going and my current selection is Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo. I want to say that I love it but I'm on the fence. I can't even pin point why.

Thinking About

Everything, all at once, in a never ending tangle. The main threads are about writing, and how to best homeschool my crazy, intelligent children, how to make our home an inspiring environment, what to make for breakfast... You get the idea. 

Anticipating

I discovered this adorable bakery in a small coastal town about an hour and a half away from us. I haven't taken my children yet and I can't wait for them to see it. It has fresh bread, huge cookies and the owner picks her own rosemary in the morning to sprinkle on the focaccia.  Yum. It isn't very far from an island with a lighthouse so I'm thinking that we will be having a field trip one day very soon!

Wishing

I'm wishing to find the ever elusive balance between what needs to be done and what I would like to be doing.

Making Me Happy

Everything from the I am loving section. 

One of my favorite slouchy hats.
I wear it everywhere.

Also, I've been working out using Fitness Blender's workouts and my new found muscles are definitely making me happy :)  I have to be able to keep up with my energetic kiddos, you know.  

What have you been up to Currently?

Any favorite books?

Any simple things that just make you feel like you?

Book Review- Luther and Katharina by Jody Hedlund

  

Martin Luther is one of my favorite historical figures, so you can imagine how excited I was to get an email to help promote Jody Hedlund's latest book Luther and Katharina. Honestly, there are not many inspirational/historical fiction that takes place in the 1500's and I love stories set during this time period. This book had the characters, pacing and detailed setting that I love about Jody Hedlund's books combined with a huge dose of history. I was one happy reader!

 Luther and Katharina is the story of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora. While the focus is on their relationship, it also is rich in history about the reformation. This turbulent time in history is brought to life in a way that showcases the importance of Luther's work and the sacrifices he made. I loved how the book showed both his strengths and his weaknesses. It made him seem so human, not some faint echo in a history book.

 It took awhile before I liked Katharina. She came off almost annoyingly headstrong. I may or may not be able to relate to her personality... By the end of the book I found myself wanting to know more about this strong woman who forsake the life she knew and married a man who was willing to give his life for his beliefs.

  I found this book to be very inspirational. It had me reflecting on the past, comparing it to the present and left me wanting to have the spiritual strength portrayed in the book. I will definitely be recommending this one.

You can learn more about the book here.
Jody Hedlund also has an excellent blog that is full of book news and writing advice.
If you want to purchase a copy you can do so here, or at your favorite book retailer.

I received a copy of this book to review thanks to  Waterbrook Press and the author. 

Monday, Monday

  It's hard to find anyone with anything positive to say about Mondays. As a home schooling mom, I find Mondays can be a true struggle. I don't want to get up and going, the kids don't want to get up and going and the garbage man seems to think it's hilarious to stop by extra early, leaving me chasing him with an overflowing can, or just pretending that I didn't here it rumbling by. Oh, and of course I can't put the can out on Sunday because the bears will scatter it all over the road. There are good things about Mondays, right?
 
Mondays are a fresh start, a beginning. I love most beginnings. The start of a school year has me happily collecting new notebooks and pencils. The beginning of autumn has me adding pumpkin and apples to everything. The beginning of a year has me setting goals and reflecting on what I want to change to be the best me I can be. Why can't some of this newness rub off into Mondays?

 Today is shaping up to be a classic Monday at my house. I will spare you the details. But what is good about this Monday? What can I hold onto and use to help set the mood for an awesome week?

1. It's raining and I love the tranquillity of rainy days. I can definitely enhance it with some coffee and a good book.  I can't think of a better way to start the week. 
2. My daughter has dance today so I can tuck into some remote corner of the building and use the hour to work on the hat I'm crocheting for my oldest son. Rain and crochet? I can do that!
3. I actually have a start on the enchiladas I'm making for dinner. Yay!

So, good things can happen on Mondays. It might take a bit more creativity to find them, but they are there.

What has been good about your Monday?

YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge Update

I'm not sure how two entire months of the YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge have gone by already. I'm grateful that there is still a month left to go as I still have several books to read!

Here is my progress (purple = complete):

Banned Book- Um... any recommendations?

Set During Summer- Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Historical Novel- I'm working on A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly

Book with Diverse MC- The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh

Adapted Into a Movie- not sure yet but I do have Paper Towns sitting on a shelf

Published your Grad Year- A Great and Terrible Beauty by Libba Bray

Book by your Favorite Author- Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

Freebie- The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Graphic Novel- Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Road Trip Book-  One Plus One by Jojo Moyes (I had this under a different category but it fits here just fine)

Translated From Another Language- Emerald Green by Kersten Gier

Rory Gilmore Book- ?

Book you Own but Haven't Read- ?  I have so many choices...

Set on a Different Continent- Little Beach Street Bakery by Jenny Colgan

Non-fiction/writing/craft- I'm working on Deconstructing Penguins by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone

So, nine down, six left to go. Totally doable. Right?

Book Review- Salsas and Moles by Deborah Schneider

I am still on my cookbook reviewing binge! It has been amazing in stretching my cooking repertoire and has reminded me of how much I love trying new recipes and reading through cookbooks. My latest review book is full of salsas and a multitude of other Hispanic sauces. Yum!

This book is the perfect choice for anyone who loves Mexican cuisine. There is a salsa or sauce to go with pretty much anything and it even has hints on what sort of food pairs well with which salsa. The vivid illustrations complement the bold flavors they are representing. Several of them had my mouth watering.

There are so many recipes that I can't wait to try but so far I have made the Simplest Enchilada Sauce. Yeah, I never want to use canned sauce again. The process was true to its title. It doesn't use any canned or processed ingredients yet it goes together with just enough work to leave you feeling accomplished, not worn out. I saved the leftover sauce in a mason jar in my fridge and had enough for a second 8x8 pan of enchiladas. It would be easy to adjust the level of heat by subbing in different peppers, I would think. There are charts about the different sorts of peppers, their flavors and heat levels for people like me who love salsa but don't know anything beyond the fact that jalapeños are spicy.

This book left me feeling very inspired. I make tacos on a regular basis and now I have all sorts of possible combinations to experiment with. If you have read any of my other cookbook reviews you'll know how much I enjoy a cookbook that is full of information. This one definitely qualifies!

I received a copy of this book to review from Blogging For Books. 

YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge Update

I haven't blogged about it until now, but I've been participating in the YA Buccaneer's Summer Reading Challenge. I've updated on twitter but I love talking about books so much I thought a post was in order.
It's not to late to join in the fun (there are some amazing giveaways going on including a fabulous two year anniversary giveaway).
Here are the basics. To check out the complete post, go here.

WHAT ABOUT A READING CHALLENGE?

Funny you should ask. It wouldn’t be summer without a YAB Summer Reading Challenge, and we’d love it if everyone would start reading with us today. Yes, today! Download a copy of our challenge card and choose a square. There are plenty of options and we want you to try for all of them. We’ve got non-fiction, books you’ve been meaning to read forever, and even a Rory Gilmore reading square. That girl had great taste!

Leave us a comment below to tell us which book you’re going to start with right away. Each Friday, we’ll do a check-in post to see how everyone is getting along. Tell us about a great new book you read, or revisit an old favorite and let us know if it was as wonderful as you remembered. We’re all about discussing books this summer, and we want the conversation to include YOU!

Here is the challenge!

So far I have read:

Book by Your Fave Author: Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

You can read my review here.

Freebie! Book of Your Choice: The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

This book was not my favorite. I really wanted to love it... 

Set During the Summer: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

I loved the setting and characters in this book but being a mom with a very opinionated daughter, I found myself worrying about the teen years... This girl did a lot of things that made my mom heart cringe. The writing was gorgeous though and I'm glad I finally read it. 

Set On A Different Continent: One plus One by JoJo Moyes.

I listened to this on Audible and the narration was fantastic. One of the best I've ever listened to. 

I don't read many adult books and this one does have some language and adult content but the story is hilarious. I am so in love with the characters in this story! I chose the book for this category because it is set in Great Britain and Scotland but it is also a road trip story so if you need something for that square it would be a fun choice (think quirky family, rich helpful guy, big slobbery dog and every imaginable obstacle). 

I'm currently reading The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh for my Book with a Diverse MC. I haven't had much time to read but this one keeps calling my name. The main character is spunky, the setting is exotic and it's a retelling of 1,001 nights. Yup. I want to go read now. 

What are you reading this summer?

Book Review: Hearts Made Whole by Jody Hedlund

 

This poor book had to stare at me for over a week before I had a chance to read it, but once I started I read it in a day. It helped that we were on a road trip! Hearts Made Whole is the latest book in Jody Hedlund's Beacon's of Hope Series. I enjoyed the first one but this book is by far my favorite of the two.
   The book is about Caroline Taylor, a young woman who has the world on her shoulders. Both of her parents have passed away leaving her to raise her younger siblings and take over her father's job as a lighthouse keeper. She loves keeping the light and is competent at it, but the man in charge of her area is dead set against having a women as the head keeper.
 When a civil war vet is hired to replace her, she wants to hate him for being there to take the job she needs, but there's something about him, something beyond the fact that he turns to drugs and alcohol to dull his pain. She sees past his injured hand, past everything, to the man he is beneath and she can't help but have compassion on him.
 Ryan Chambers just wants peace and quite after the war. He wants to forget his past and just exist. Caroline and her family's presence in his life begins to change all of that. He doesn't want to take the job some else needs, but he needs it too.
  The book was such a fun read and had some great inspirational nuggets woven in. I love it when I finish a book and feel not only entertained but encouraged. The romance was perfect, Caroline's anxious yet compassionate personality is easy to related to and the light house setting makes it all even better. Hearts Made Whole is easily one of my top three favorite books by Jody Hedlund (A Noble Groom is my very favorite, in case you want to know!).

If you would like a copy, you can purchase this book on Amazon or your favorite book seller.
Oh, and just fyi, even though this is part of a series, this book could be read on its own and still make sense!

I received a copy of this book to review from the author and Bethany House Publishing. 

Grimm Tidings Cover Reveal

 I love participating in cover reveals but I'm extra excited about this one because the author is Katie Doyle, one of my longtime writing buddies! I love her writing (especially her characters) and I can't wait for her first two novellas to come out. 

Ashley "Ash" Prince hates using magic, but that doesn't stop her mother from forcing lessons on her. She resists except when it helps her stepbrother, Charlie.

Charlie is sick and none of the doctors knows why. When Ash has a witch dream, she is determined to find the elusive and rare Ghost Orchid—a flower that could be the key to saving him. Her mother begs her not to go because not only did Ash's dream reveal a way to heal her brother, it also hinted at her death. But when her brother gets worse, she refuses to sit around and let him die. In a race against time, Ash and a strange boy she met in a coffee shop go in search of the Ghost Orchid.

Only someone doesn't want her to find it. Family secrets are revealed and Ash has to decide whom to trust—the mother that raised her, or the boy she just met.

Love and family collide in this Cinderella retelling. 

Both books will be available on all platforms. 

Currently

The idea was to post this yesterday but the last few days were extra busy, so today it is! Thanks again for restarting this Katy Upperman!

Loving...

I'm loving watching the tiny tomatoes on our plants grow, my six year old discovering that she can read the Ramona books on her own, cuddling with my almost four year old in the early mornings, watching my oldest son teach his sister how to ride a bike.

Reading...

I read Magonia by Maria Dahvanna Headley. What an unusual book! I think my mouth dropped open a few times. I loved how unique and unexpected it was. Today I finished reading The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West and it was sweet and light like I was hoping. I'm now reading The Cage by Megan Shepard. 

Watching...

I finished watching Forever and I'm in mourning that it was canceled. I loved everything about that show but the characters were the thing I'll miss the most. I watched the pilot episode of Wayward Pines and it was creepy and compelling. 

Listening to...

I've been listening to a variety of folk music or music with a bit of that sound mixed in. 

Thinking about...

I've been thinking about summer and what I want to work on with my kids during our summer school session. We homeschool on an all year schedule so while we will have some extra time off, we will still be doing lessons. I want our summer lessons to be hands on and fun, not overly bookish. 

Anticipating...

I'm excited for June and JuNoWriMo.

Wishing...

I want to take my kids to see a waterfall. We see the ocean all the time, and its beautiful but my younger two don't remember waterfalls. Maybe we will find one when we go on vacation.

Making Me Happy...

Taking my kids for bike rides, watering the flowers I planted under the front windows, reading in the evenings, learning about the characters in the book I'm planning, learning how to do different sorts of braids on my daughter's hair.

Currently...

I have been suffering from major What's Up Wednesday withdrawals so I'm going to join some of the other bloggers and post a Currently post every other Tuesday. Thanks for starting this back up Katy Upperman!

Loving...

I'm loving my front patio and all the flowers and herbs growing there, wandering the beach and finding sea stars, having coffee with friends and reading with my children.

Reading...

I've been a bit scattered with my reading but I'm reading Dream a Little Dream by Kerstin Gier for myself and Little Pear by Eleanor Frances Lattimore to my children. I was surprised with a copy of Magonia by Maria Dahvanna Headley from Epic Reads today which caused an impromptu dance party.

 I also have A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas and The Fill-in Boyfriend by Kasie West waiting for me. Happiness!!!

Watching...

I'm watching Gilmore Girls while I wait for a new episode of Forever. 

Listening to...

I've been listing to Disney Princess Songs and not by choice! My daughter is obsessed. When I pick it's Mumford and Sons or Bastille. Oh and I listen to The Phantom of the Opera over and over. Each time I listen I get more ideas for my next WIP.

Thinking about...

I've been thinking about the story I'm planning to write for JuNoWriMo next month and how to allude to the classic it's inspired by but still keep it original. 

Anticipating...

I can't wait for my daughter's dance recital this weekend. She is so excited!

Wishing...

I've been wishing for my parents to come visit. There are so many places I'd love to show them, especially my dad since he hasn't been down here yet. 

Making Me Happy...

Walking in the dark, listening to the frogs.

Stacks of books waiting for me to read them.

Learning the names of the local birds and plants with my children.

Strawberries. Fresh basil. Coffee.

Book Review- Fika: The Art of the Swedish Coffee Break

  One of my favorite ways to relax is by having coffee with a friend. Another of my favorite things is to sample food from far away places. This cookbook is perfect! So perfect that I already ordered a copy for a gift.

   Fika is the Swedish tradition of having coffee with something sweet to eat. It is about making coffee a break, not just adding it in as you run through life. I love everything about this concept. The book is full of information on Fika and it's place in Swedish culture. It is informative, yet cheerful and relaxing to read. The illustrations are charming and fit the simplistic style of the book.

  When I first saw the title, I figured it would have recipes for baked goods and coffee drinks. I was half right. It is full of baked goods ranging from traditional Swedish cookies and breads to more modern takes on the tradition. It even has a section for holiday treats and one that contains recipes that are substantial enough for lunch. There is not a single recipe for a stovetop latte, which is fine by me. It leaves more room for breads and cookies spiced with cardamon and toped with hazelnuts or pearl sugar. Yum!

   So far I have drooled over several recipes in this book and I've made two, pannkakor (Swedish Pancakes) and chokladbollar (chocolate balls). Both were delicious! I even invited a friend over for chokladbollar and coffee. It wasn't as relaxing as portrayed in the book because we had five children racing in circles around us, but it was fun!

  Several recipes in this book require ingredients that might not be in every American kitchen but they aren't so exotic that you can't find them. I was pleasantly surprised at how basic most of the ingredients are. I can see myself serving friends baked goods from this book for years to come.

  You can check it out on Amazon here or Goodreads here.

I received a copy of this book to review from Blogging for Books.

#JuNoWriMo Blog Hop and Giveaway!

 It's almost June (or close to almost June!) and I'm gearing up for a month of writing, and socializing with the wonderful writing community. I'm also hoarding coffee and planning some freezer meals because I know from experience that this is necessary. As part of the JuNoWriMo blog hop I've decided to share five random but related things.

1. I prefer writing late at night, often while I'm baking muffins or bread for the next morning's breakfast.
2. June is an awesome month for writing 50k because my kid's take a break from lessons, we don't do school most of the month so I don't have to put a lot of time into lesson plans and there aren't any holidays or birthdays to worry about. 
3. Taking a long walk is one of my favorite ways to reenergize.
4. This year I'm going to be writing a YA gothic/fantasy that came to me while I was listening to The Phantom of the Opera. 
5. If I need a breather from my main WIP, I have a fast paced MG sci-fi that I'm writing for my son, so I can always switch to it for a bit. 

If you want to join the blog hop and help spread the word, it's super easy!

1. Write a post.
You can copy and paste the post on the JuNoWriMo blog, create your own, or do a combo of the two. If you choose to write your own, have fun with it! Share a little bit about what you will be working on this June, talk about your favorite part of JuNoWriMo, share your favorite recipe for a late night snack on those nights when you need to stay up and write all the words, the sky is the limit. The only must is please include a link to the JuNoWriMo website.

2.  Join the linky list.
Once your post is live, join the linky list here. That way everyone else participating can visit and help promote your post.

3. Hop!
Visit a few of the other participant’s blogs. It’s a great way to meet some of the other writers before the event.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with JuNoWriMo, it’s a month long writing adventure in the style of NaNoWriMo, complete with word sprints and plenty of other writers to cheer you on. The goal is to write 50,000 in one month (1,667 words a day). You can write whatever you want. Fiction, non-fiction, the final 50k to something you started five years ago. Anything. We’d love to have you write with us!

You can learn more and sign up here.

Our Facebook group is here.

One more thing! There is a giveaway, and these prizes are perfect to get you ready to write.

First prize – writer care package including a pen, post-it notes, and this official JuNoWriMo notebook.

Second prize – JuNoWriMo swag pack including a JuNoWriMo button, JuNoWriMo sticker, and a hand-painted JuNoWriMo bookmark.

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