Making Peace With February

I don't know what it is about February, but it's my least favorite month. With rare exception, February always and ironically feels like the longest month ever. Plus, I hate to be cold and February is typically the coldest month of the year in my little corner of the world. When I get chilled, I don't want to do anything or go anywhere which makes the days feel even longer. 

Knowing my feelings for February, I decided to challenge myself to three things: 

1) Write a blog post every day (After my long hiatus from regular blogging, that's quite a feat!) 

2) Create one piece of envelope art every day

3) Read at least one chapter from a book each day 

Today is February 28 and guess what? Once I publish this blog post, I will have reached my goals! I can honestly say that having those three goals really helped; surprisingly, it didn't feel like a burden. Now that February is over, I'm hoping to post to my blog somewhat regularly. As for the envelope art, I enjoyed the creative process, but these past few days I've really struggled to come up with people to address envelopes to. So I won't keep that up, but I took pictures of every envelope I designed so it will be easy for me to recreate specific designs when I want to send something fun. And I hope to continue reading at least one chapter a day. In February, I finished reading "Mere Christianity," by C. S. Lewis and "Atomic Habits," by James Clear. I'm now reading "A Grief Observed," by C. S. Lewis which I should finish tomorrow. I just picked up some new books from the library so I have a few choices about what to read next. I love reading and I'm glad to get back into it. It's been a while since I've taken the time.

It's been a good month. Sure, we had our ridiculous cold spell where I just wanted to snuggle up on the couch all day, but I was grateful for the motivation to get up off the couch and do something. I'm just grateful I can finally say that February isn't all that bad. 

One of my favorite envelopes. My friend gave me the dancing stamps so I had to come up with an envelope to send to Sam, our ballroom dancer. He loved it! :)

The Laddie Wha Lived

We all like Harry Potter so I was excited when my friend told me about a Scots language edition of the first book in the series, "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stane."

It's a riot to read out loud, and somehow that seems to be the only way we can read it around here. It makes me miss my bonnie Scotland more than usual. The best part is when my kids attempt the accent. Sometimes they sound Indian or Irish. Sometimes they get it just right. Sadie is hooked and is getting pretty good at it.

We were hooked from the start. Page one had us all laughing, especially the paragraph describing the Dursleys:

The whole book is like that! It's pretty great and a fun investment.

Cheerio!

Don't Judge A Book By Its Cover

If I'd seen this book in the library, I would have walked right past it. This does not look like my kind of book. But I was intrigued when a friend, whose judgement I respect and trust, gave it five stars (which she seldom does) and said it's "just about perfect."

So I checked it out.

A Monster Calls is very compelling. I found myself picking it up whenever I could sneak in a minute or two (or 15 or 60). Spencer had a bunch of friends over this afternoon. I was reading in the living room, but had to discreetly get up and go in my bedroom when the tears started. I couldn't help it. I knew if I had to talk to anyone, I'd be a disaster. I pretty much cried through the last fourth of the book. I had decided I'd like to read it aloud with Soren, but I quickly realized there were parts where I would not be able to talk through the tears.

The illustrations throughout are beautifully haunting, and completely appropriate for the story.

Here is the book description from Goodreads:

The monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

I know how it looks, but A Monster Calls isn't scary. It's just very honest and real. And sad. And completely unique. I'm not sure I've ever read a book like it before.

If you read it, I'd love to hear your thoughts.

{Recommended for ages 12+.}

Life-Changing Magic

A somewhat trendy book right now is The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, by Marie Kondo. I loved this book! I felt like Marie Kondo was giving me permission to finally get rid of all the odds-and-ends I've been holding onto. You know, all the stuff that we don't use or really need, but that we might wish we had "someday." Well, someday never seems to come around here! 

I started purging way before I finished reading. I just couldn't wait. We donated bags and bags of items that just needed a new home and threw out probably half as many in trash. I'm not finished yet, but we're off to a great start and I love the feeling of freedom each time I place another item in the donation bin. 

An unexpected (but somewhat obvious) perk? I find I don't spend as much money because I don't want to bring more stuff back in! I love the feeling of being uncluttered and free from the responsibility of stuff. Don't get me wrong, we still have more than we need, but it's a work in progress and I'm motivated to continue to simplify until we're down to the basics. 

The trunk completely full of donations for goodwill. It wouldn't all fit. We filled the backseat as well (next photo).

 

It's a great feeling!!

Romance Through the Ages

I don't promote many products on my blog, but sometimes something comes along that's just too good to keep to myself!

My friend, Karey, has teamed up with six other authors to bring you this amazing set of seven squeaky clean romance novels. I've read My Own Mr. Darcy and The Reluctant Bachelorette and loved them both. Savannah has read those plus Running Barefoot and says they are some of the best books she's ever read!

Valentine's Day is around the corner! So what are you waiting for?

Happy Reading!

My Own Mr. Darcy

My friend Karey has done it again. She's written a super clean, totally enjoyable book that I didn't want to end! My Own Mr. Darcy is all about a girl, Elizabeth, who sees Pride & Prejudice in the movie theater and can never look at guys the same again. Everyone is compared to Darcy and she will settle for nothing less. You can see all the problems this might create and all the good guys she would miss out on. Her roommate is determined to help her change her expectations but things like this are never as easy as they seem, especially when a man very much like Mr. Darcy enters the picture.

I love the way Karey has crafted her story. I love the contrasts between Matt (Mr. Darcy) and Chad (Mr. Nice Guy). I love how Elizabeth's roommate and the reader can see the problems that Elizabeth won't acknowledge. I love the suspense and the resolutions.

This plays out just as an entertaining chick flick should, only in book form. (Yes, it would make a great movie!) Savannah has declared it her favorite book of all time. She's already read it twice. Even Jeff and Sam enjoyed it. I hope you love it, too!

{If any of my local friends want to borrow it, I have a loaner copy!!}

Just Reading

Soren, at age 2, enjoying a good book

Soren loves to read. He enjoys snuggling up with a good book and losing himself in the story.

Soren hates to write about his reading. He despises reading logs and school assignments based on what he reads. Just knowing there is a reading log waiting to be filled out sucks all the fun out of reading so reading becomes a chore and something to be ignored until it just can't be ignored any longer.

Being the mom, I try to encourage him. "It's not that bad," I say. "You worry about it longer than it takes to do it. Just do it and get it over with." But it's just not that easy for Soren. He stews and storms and procrastinates.

This week he took matters into his own hands. On Tuesday he showed me this note.

Dear Ms. Goodchild,
     I hate writing about my reading. It takes away the enjoyment of reading. I used to love to read, but now I don't. I will happily read 30 minutes without writing about it. In my mind, I look at what I'm going to do after my reading. Write. So, just to let you know about that.
Soren

When Soren says he'll happily read for 30 minutes with no writing, he's trying to make up for the 20 minute reading + writing that is currently assigned. He turned the note into Ms. Goodchild's basket on Wednesday.

On Thursday she talked with him about it. Their compromise: Soren doesn't have to fill in his reading log. He will read 30 minutes and then discuss what he read with Ms. Goodchild the next day. Soren is pleased. For the record, Soren is a great writer and has plenty of other writing opportunities in school. He loves to make up stories and has a great imagination. He just doesn't like writing about his reading. I think this is a win/win situation and I applaud Ms. Goodchild for being open minded enough to work with a determined little boy.

For What It's Worth

My friend, Karey, has a new book coming out in December. I can't wait! I love the trailer and wanted to share so you can get excited, too...


The song is by Lenka and Karey's daughter drew the darling illustrations. What a fun way to introduce her book. You can pre-order it here.

Wak Upe and Tim To Go To Scooll

Sadie is an author.  She found this blank "Little Golden Book" sitting in our cupboard and she went right to work.  I'm pretty sure the little girl in the book is fictional.  At least I hope she is!  (To get the story 'Sadie style,' read everything in blue.  See below each for the translation.)

Wak Upe and Tim To Go To Scooll 
Wake Up and Time To Go To School
by Sadie Stowell

Wans there was a girl ho lovd to sleep and she only likte to sleep wenevr it was tiem to go to scooll. (yon)
Once there was a girl who loved to sleep and she only liked to sleep whenever it was time to go to school.  (Yawn.)
She nevr liket to go to scooll ethr. (I dont wonto go to scooll.)
She never liked to go to school either.  (I don't want to go to school.)

She didint like to do her wrek befor scooll. (No.)
She didn't like to do her work before school.  (No.)
At scooll she was rele bord.
At school she was really bored.
But at reeses she was not bord.
But at recess she was not bored.
She hadid math. (I hat math.)
She hated math.  (I hate math.)
She never likt to do homewrke. (I hat homwrke.)
She never liked to do homework.  (I hate homework.)
She never likt to do rednig ethr. (I hate rednig.)
She never liked to do reading either.  (I hate reading.)
But thar was u problum and the problum was evre time she wus dun with hr homewrke she had nuthig to do so she just wokt unrond the hase. (I hav nuthig to do.)
But there was a problem and the problem was every time she was done with her homework she had nothing to do so she just walked around the house.  (I have nothing to do.)

But wen dad was hame she wus not bord ene more.
But when dad was home she was not bored any more.
She lovd to sit necst to him drig dinr.
She loved to sit next to him during dinner.

She wontid to play a game wath him but he was to bisy.
She wanted to play a game with him but he was too busy.
She wantid to play oteside with him but he wus to bisy.
She wanted to play outside with him but he was too busy.
And so she was bord agane.
And so she was bored again.
She askt hr dad to tuc hr in and so he did.
She asked her dad to tuck her in and so he did.

She never had a drem onle sumtims.
She never had a dream, only sometimes.
Wen she wok up she wod allwase wok to hr moms and dad room.
When she woke up she would always walk to her mom and dad's room.
Then hr dad wod aske if she wontid brekfest and she sad yes. (yes.)
Then her dad would ask if she wanted breakfast and she said yes.  (Yes.)
Then she wod lay arownd doig nothig.
Then she would lay around doing nothing.
An then she wod hav lotse of fun.
Then she would have lots of fun.
Then she was bord agene.
Then she was bored again.

The end
(What a sad story!)

The School Library

Mr. Taylor, a favorite teacher of ours who has taught four of my kids, was asked at the end of last school year if he would consider taking on the role of school librarian.  Realizing this was an opportunity for a new challenge and a way to influence many more children, he accepted and got to work.  He spent many, many hours over the summer sorting books and decorating the library in his own style.  Because he has been teaching for 10 years, he has accumulated a lot of books.  The library has had a policy in the past that if a child forgets to return their library books, they cannot check out another.  Not ever wanting to deprive a child of reading, Mr. Taylor has placed his own books on a large cart so that children who forget to return their library books can choose one of his.  That's just the way he is.

This summer he approached me with a page full of quotes by authors or about books/reading.  He asked if I'd be willing to do vinyl lettering for them so he could hang them on the walls of the library.  I had fun working up each quote just the way I pictured it.  Mr. T framed them in paint splattered frames and they look great up on the walls. 
. 

Blurry with a glare, but you get the idea.

I did the lettering on this bulletin board for Mr. T's classroom last year.  He saved it and has it up in the library as well.

The Elementary School Library is a cheerful place!  It was fun to have a part in that.  :)

Library Elf

Does your library belong to Library Elf? 

At any given time, we have anywhere from 5-25 items checked out from our library.  I always get a little slip of paper showing what I have checked out, but I promptly lose or misplace the slip and would have no idea what we have out, let alone when each item is due, if it weren't for Library Elf.  It's a service that allows me to type in each of our library cards and then they e-mail me whenever:

• something is due (within 3 days)
• something is overdue
• something has arrived from inter-library loan

 A partial screen shot of an e-mail reminder from Library Elf 

I'm telling you, this simple service has saved me so many times.  There's nothing like a reminder that a book or DVD is due that you didn't even remember you checked out.  With the 3 day advance notice, there's plenty of time to check under the couch or in bedrooms or backpacks.  I returned some things on Monday then Library Elf sent me an e-mail yesterday showing that one of the items was overdue.  With the heads up, I was able to call the library, confirm they had the item on their shelf, and get it taken off my card.

I don't know what it takes for a library to join the service, but if your library doesn't offer it, it is worth asking about.  We regularly frequent our library and this is just one less thing for me to worry about.  I love it!

The King's Highway

I read this to my daughter tonight for her bedtime book.  I love the illustrations by Howard Fullmer in his retelling of an old fable.  Here is a summary from Goodreads:

Readers will discover the story of a king who must choose an heir to the throne. The king announces that whoever best travels his highway to the castle will be crowned the new king. But a pile of rubble on the king's highway is blocking passage. Watching the splendid parade of wealthy travelers, a shepherd boy named Michael decides to help and clear a path big enough for all the travelers to pass. In so doing, he uncovers an object that will make him the new ruler of the land.
"I am sorry it is so late, Your Highness," whispered Michael, his voice trembling. "I found this while traveling. No one was left to return it so I have come." Then carefully unwrapping his bundle, he revealed the king's ring for all to see.
Taking the ring in his hand, the wise king looked first at it, then at Michael. "That ring is not mine," he said.
"But it must be yours, Your Majesty," said the boy. "It bears your crest."
"Yes, it does bear the crest of royalty," said the king. "But the ring now belongs to you. I proclaimed that he who best traveled the highway would become the new king. By clearing the road so that all could travel, you showed that it is not fine clothing, fancy horses, or even great wealth that makes a king. It is by serving others that one becomes great."

A great moral and a great story.  Do you have a favorite book like that?  Please share! 

Book Review: 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny

Laugh-out-loud funny, super short chapters (easy to pick up when you have just a minute or two), and all too true.

Maybe it struck a chord with me because I have a third grader, but really, I think most people would enjoy this book.  I frequently found myself reading little parts out loud to my husband or kids, usually after something made me laugh and they wanted to know what was so funny.  The chapter called Words You Cannot Say In Class had us all laughing through tears!  And there were touching moments that choked me up.  I can't wait to read Mr. Done's next book, Close Encounters of the Third-Grade Kind.  His perspective is refreshing!

I'm going to miss this

I love it when my kids learn how to read.  Sadie has definitely caught the reading bug!  You can just tell from this picture of her reading to Jeff this morning how happy she is.  After she read to Jeff, she sat in that chair and listened to book after book; once she exhausted Jeff, it was my turn.  She must have sat there for an hour, never tiring of the stories she loves.  She won't always be like this, and she's my baby so I won't be teaching anyone else how to read.  I'm going to miss this!

Mr. Peabody's Apples

Have you read this?  Surprisingly, it's written by Madonna.  Yes, that Madonna.  It's one of my favorites.  A great message. I got to read it to Soren's 2nd grade class this week.  I think they liked it, too.

6,477,923

That’s how many words Spencer read this year.  In fact, he read the most of anyone in the school district and was recognized at the board meeting tonight.  Our schools participate in the Reading Counts program and Spencer had 1,430 points!!  If you want to get technical, he actually had 1,443 points (and a few more words) but he selected the wrong author on one test and inadvertently took the test for a retelling of Treasure Island worth 4 points instead of the original book which was worth 17.  In all, he read 75 books, and these are books like the Harry Potter series, the Redwall books, Fablehaven, and the Chronicles of Narnia, to name a few.  Not exactly quick reads!

Fifth grade wasn’t very challenging so Spencer would usually come home from school homework free and climb into his “comfy place” on the couch.  Some days he’d read for hours, always tuning out the world around him.  He definitely inherited his Grandpa’s love of reading.  Way to go, Spencer!

I’m sure Spencer would be up for some recommendations since he’s read everything in our house (at least once) and then some.  Reading is obviously his favorite pastime and we’ve got the whole Summer ahead of us…

Book Recommendation

I just wanted to give a thumbs up to this book.  I didn’t want it to end.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Here’s a description of the book from Goodreads:

January 1946: London is emerging from the shadow of the Second World War, and writer Juliet Ashton is looking for her next book subject. Who could imagine that she would find it in a letter from a man she’s never met, a native of the island of Guernsey, who has come across her name written inside a book by Charles Lamb.

As Juliet and her new correspondent exchange letters, Juliet is drawn into the world of this man and his friends and what a wonderfully eccentric world it is. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society–born as a spur-of-the-moment alibi when its members were discovered breaking curfew by the Germans occupying their island–boasts a charming, funny, deeply human cast of characters, from pig farmers to phrenologists, literature lovers all.

Juliet begins a remarkable correspondence with the society’s members, learning about their island, their taste in books, and the impact the recent German occupation has had on their lives. Captivated by their stories, she sets sail for Guernsey, and what she finds will change her forever.

Written with warmth and humor as a series of letters, this novel is a celebration of the written word in all its guises, and of finding connection in the most surprising ways.

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is one of the most delightful books I’ve read. I will admit that about 12 pages from the end, I peeked at the last page because I just couldn’t stand it anymore and had to know what was going to happen. I loved the way it was written, as a series of letters, and find myself wanting to be witty and charming and take up letter writing myself. Loved it!

View all my reviews.