Reading

Summer scenes like these are heartstrings to me. 

 

Reading

Recently I was organizing some things around our home and I had a huge stack of books I'd been saving up to read. I love to read and I'm always reading several books at the same time. For example I'm always reading: 

💗during my devotional time I love my stack of devotionals but those I only read that excerpt from each day so it's not a lot of actual reading

💗during my prayer time I've got another stack of prayer books that I love so much (and of course my Bible too - I'm always reading that) 

💗school books - I love to stay current and inspired so right now I'm reading a book on reading - bit by bit, piece by piece

💗cookbooks - I'm always reading one of those - I love seasonal ones and I read those when I want to escape and feel cozy and plan something wonderful for my family to eat

💗Home books - I have a little stack of those that I'll have to post on soon. They inspire me to make all things comfy and cozy at home and it helps me enjoy the season I'm in right now. 

So yes, that is a LOT of reading just there. But that reading is here and there in little chunks. 

But then I wanted to plan out my real book reading for the year as I had collected books I wanted to "get to". 

So I took out my calendar for the year and wrote at the top of each month what book I wanted to read that month. I moved those Christmas books to October and November to get jolly and ready in my heart for Christmas, and then I spaced out all of the rest. 

When I look at that stack I do realize that there is no fiction and I'm okay with that. It's another reason that I like to give myself a whole month for a book (1) I read so many books at once (2) my books are a lot of "food for thought" and I need time to digest the issues presented in them/the ideas in them. They are not exactly 'page turners' and I go slowly, underlying and applying things I love to my life as I go. 

This year I'd like to begin to blog my thoughts about all of these books as I go. I just finished up my January book and I'll start to write about that this week as I can. It was wonderful and so much is underlined and page corners are turned over. I have so much to share. 

I really am looking forward to more reading this year. It makes me so happy and fills my soul. 

January: Your Mom Walk with God, Sally Clarkson

February: Uniquely You, Sally Clarkson

March: Sacred Art Every Catholic Should Know

April: Well Lived: Sally Clarkson

May: Theology of Home III

June: Spirit and Life: The Holy Sacraments

July: I saved a space this month because I know I'll come across another wonderful one and will need a place to plug it into my calendar. 

August: Same as above for this month too. 

September:  A Farm Country Christmas

October: Christmas on the Farm

November: Pie For Breakfast, Averill, 1953

December: Farmer Takes a Wife, John Gould, 1942

Off to write up a blog post on my January book. 💗

 

I Could Never Get Tired of This

A thunderstorm rolled in this afternoon. It got dark and windy. We were reading and all I noticed was I needed to turn on the lights. But then it started pouring. (best day ever) And I noticed this

and it's true. In forever I could never get tired of seeing this. 

Yesterday I ran into a student from this year while shopping with Abigail. I was so excited to see her (it's hard to go from seeing them every single day all day to not at all). I hugged and hugged her and we chatted. And her Mom said to Abigail something like "your Mom is a great teacher. She really got Sia to read!" And Abigail said, "yeah, that's her thing." 

So true. It's my thing. 

And I'll always love an afternoon reading.  

Summer Rhythms, Routines, and Rituals

"Plan and practice regular rhythms in your home to care for what and whom you most value." Sally Clarkson

I so admire Sally Clarkson and totally believe what she said in that above quote. I didn't know it way back then when I was developing rhythms in our home. I just knew we needed time and a place (especially in the summertime) to brought us closer. Some might think with a 20 and 16 year old those old days of time at home together doing things is long past. I actually think it can be even more important to have those set times that say to my girls

💛We are a family

💛This is what we do

💛We make time for each other regularly

When these regular things are already set and in place, nothing takes their place.  Here are just a few of ours. 

Reading on the Couch

Started this way way way back when Abigail was napping in her crib as a baby and toddler Anna and I had some time together in the afternoon. Way back then I made a "nest" (yes, we called it a nest). I put a blanket on the floor in our bedroom and some pillows from the bed. She cozied on that blanket. I piled up books for her to 'read' (I clearly remember Fancy Nancy). She couldn't read the words yet but had memorized the stories and would out loud 'read' the book to herself. I remember a pile of camera/photography books I read back then as I was trying to teach myself how to use my camera. 

It was glorious day after day. And it instantly became a tradition. Every day. Every summer. Every year since then. 

So these pictures were from our first day of summer (Monday) and it was just like no time went by from last summer! 

This was my view from the couch. We eat lunch on the porch every day (dinner too) and so when we are done all we do is take a step inside. 

Here are a few other posts on reading that are fun to look back on: 

I love this post on reading and growing into stronger texts

I love this post on the importance of bedtime stories {even when you read all day long to kids in your classroom}

I love this post on what they were reading two summers ago.

I love this post because this photo -- snapped quickly before school says so much.

I love this post because this series is long ago gone but still filled with love.

I love this post because she used to read on the 'couch' in the kitchen.

I love this post because I remember having books (by theme) in baskets all around the house.

I love this post because this was the beginning of the 'chapter book library' in our playroom which is now 5 shelves longer!

I love this post because she was a little reader way back then!

I love this post because Anna was 10.

I love this post on reading.

I love this post because of how Anna recommended a book to me and I still love it!

I love this post because of a book I had just finished reading to the girls.

I love this post because of the stack on Anna's dresser.

Read Aloud Time 

Anna is twenty. Abigail is sixteen. They both know that living here means read alouds. Forever. 

Reading aloud is calming, soothing. We go on "adventures" together. 

Once again it is a time that is set aside in our day - nothing else matters. This summer we started Prince Caspian by CS Lewis. 

A Designated No Screen Time 

There are no screens until dinner some nights and other nights no screens from dinner til bedtime. It all depends on the day. My girls are used to this. I truly believe (and it works for us, not judging any other family) that kids need to unwind their brain in the summer - to have a feeling of being bored - to then get creative - go for a walk, draw, create, find something that brings them joy. And I know for my girls a screen won't bring them joy. I snapped this picture to remember the first day we put our screens aside. 

So these traditions are our every day rhythms that help it F E E L  like summer. They are relaxing and they help us to unwind from the whirlwind of our school year days. We have plenty of fun too! We love a grand adventure in the summer and we love day trips too. But taking the time to chill (and building it in) can even be better than any adventure we have. 

This Time...

... this book

... this us

 

Oh This Book and Reading Aloud

I'm not sure I've ever written about reading aloud on this blog. But boy do I believe in it - in the power of story and in the feeling of being together. 

This summer we wanted to read a book that we had all read on our own but have never aloud together. There was a big list for us. So many to get to. But choosing this summer was easy. I'll explain. 

This past school year (Anna's freshman year at Holy Cross) she took a class on C.S. Lewis. It changed her life. I know that seems like a sweeping big statement but it's true. 

I just asked her what that class meant to her. Here is what Anna said: 

"My C.S. Lewis class was fascinating, riveting, intellectually fascinating, and spiritually enlightening. 

It just cleared up so many things about God and Jesus and faith for me.

I feel like I fully understand who Jesus is - not just what society's misconceptions were. 

God is not just a bumbly grandfather who just 'wants the kids to be happy.' He is our father. It's not that God is complacently allowing us to suffer, he guides us through darker times just as a parent does. In The Problem of Pain by CS Lewis, Lewis states that in joy, God is quiet but in pain, God shouts. If life were always perfect, we would not need to rely on God. In pain, we learn to lean on God and are able to witness his grace. 

CS Lewis' Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, and The Problem of Pain were all faith-changing reads that makes you see Christianity and your faith in an entirely new light. Coupled with The Chronicles of Narnia which puts faith into action, CS Lewis helped me to see who God was clearly and to clear away all the doubts and false assumptions. 

Not all stories work well as read-alouds but in fact, reading aloud The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe actually enhances the experience and makes the magical world of Narnia come to life. It is a classic for a reason. The Narnia series has stood the test of time and is a one-of-a-kind gem. Another reason why Narnia is such a timeless classic is because it is wonderful to reread. Read it first to grasp the plot and understand the world, read it again to read between the lines and begin to pick up on CS Lewis' biblical references. As a child, the allusions may not be so obvious but the fantastical world is sure to broaden any child's imagination. As a teenager or adult, re-read it again to see what the underlying themes are.

And another tip: you can either read The Chronicles of Narnia in chronological order or published order. Nowadays, the series is marketed in its chronological order, starting with The Magician's Nephew. But CS Lewis published the books in the order he intended it to be read, starting with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. I suggest reading the books in the published order first because it heightens the whimsy and the lore. The payoff is better too, when you get around to the later books. It is a completely different experience reading the books in chronological order which can offer something new  in a re-read.

- Anna

So this time of us together, knowing how much C.S. Lewis changed her life made it magical for us. 

Our plan is to read aloud the entire series - it might take us a few summers and college breaks but we will. 

Magic! 

Getting Back to This

Well, here we are! It's summer! And I am thrilled! 

But I am so behind on things I want to keep on this blog. When I thought about where to start I knew I had to start with something simple -- so it's a few phone pictures and a few moments in the past 3 days since the last day of school. 

Our last day of school was Friday. (although Anna has been home from her freshman year of college for quite some time). 

We spent Friday afternoon with Scott's family celebrating our niece's high school graduation.  

And then on Sunday we celebrated Father's Day (more on that soon) with a special lunch out on the porch. 

Today was the first 'real' day of summer with my girls and I having the whole day sprawled out in front of us. We jumped right into one of our most cherished traditions -- reading on the couch after lunch. We've done this for 15 years!!!! Anna was a tiny toddler and Abigail an infant. When Abigail took her afternoon nap I used to make a little 'nest' out of blankets for Anna and I upstairs in my bedroom. We sat on the floor and she 'read' her books aloud (Fancy Nancy) and I read mine. It has been a tradition to read in the afternoon ever since. And today was the very first day! 

And there you have it -- back to summer. Now that I'm home I'll be on here way more often sharing tidbits of our summer and a few things that happened back in spring. I'd love if you'd leave me a comment if you stopped by. That way I can read your blog too (if you have one - even if you don't feel free to leave a comment)! 

Cheers to summer! 

The Night Before

I snapped this the night before Anna left. 

She had only hours left before leaving and she was reading. 

"I have to finish this book and I want to power through Pride and Prejudice" she said. 

I can see her Holy Cross tee hanging in the reflection, ready to go for the morning. Sigh.

If you're wondering, you're correct. I'm avoiding blogging moving her in. But I will, soon.  

Summer Afternoons

There is nothing I love more than our summer afternoons. Just me and my girls. I didn't realize when I was a young mama that the rhythms and celebrations I put in place would be not only some of our most special memories, but our anchors. 

It is difficult to put into words how these simple things are "just us" but they are. Things like: 

1. How after lunch while we are still in the kitchen was have our "Girls Club". 

It is a set-aside, special time. We've read through, talked through, discussed, several different books and topics. This year We are working though "Grace, Not Perfection".  It is such a wonderful time to nurture their faith as well as reaffirm my ideals. 

2. After our "girls club" is always "read on the couch". It started out years ago with Abigail in her crib for her afternoon nap, and toddler Anna with a pile of picture books "reading" to herself on a little fort made of blankets on my bedroom floor. I chose to not read to Anna at this time but for her to see herself as reader and to see mama reading her own book. After all of these years this is still such a treasured time. 

3. Sometimes afternoons you'll find us on a quick stop to Whole Foods for an ingredient and we often pop into the library for new inspiration. Or maybe our afternoons will be sorting or organizing. Even a girls movie might be in our plan. But we sure do love our summer afternoons. 

The Magic of Story

In the summer I find myself always wanting to reread a few titles that are classics to me. There is something about the story - but even more so, something about the writing, the use of language that draws me into a different place that I love. For me this week it was The Secret Garden. Have you read it again as a grownup? If you haven't, I know you'll love it. 

Even the most cynical reader would be hard pressed to remain umoved by The Secret Garden. There is an old-fashioned tenderness and joy to it; the sense that magic happens if you are observant and quiet and know it will. As Colin says, 'Of course there must be lots of magic in the world, but people don't know what it is like, or how to make it. Perhaps the beginning is just to say nice things are going to happen until you make them happen.' 

In reading this classic you will be carried away by this magic, it will transport you... 

A Bible Study (Wednesday books)

With big tears filling our eyes and huge smiles on our faces, I read aloud the last sentence of this book.



Girls Club: Cultivating Lasting Friendships in a Lonely World

It was our book that we read and discussed every day this summer.

It is a very deep book. We went very slowly and savored every story in it, every idea.

We pondered scripture and the Truth in God's Word as we went along.

And I will treasure our time together forever, knowing that intentionally building in time to teach my daughters - to discuss - to dive deep into the discussion of friendship, is what builds not only our relationship but the future relationships they will have.

What I loved about do this as a 'Bible Study' with my girls is what they brought to the discussion. I loved their ideas and thoughts. Oh it just filled me up inside.

There are so many sticky notes tucked in this book on pages we don't want to forget. There are underlines and notes scribbled in the margins - too many to mention on a blog post like this. Anna suggested that we go back and type up our favorite parts and some of the practical ideas that we want to never forget. For sure we will do that.



"Friendship isn't something that just happens, a gift dropped into our laps to be received. Friendship, I have come to understand, is something we both create and give, a word and an art we make space for again and again, a priority we choose amid the demands of life."

"The power to invite, to create the specific time and space for friendship and ask another person into it, lies in every one of us. You and I have this power available to us every single day, a huge force of possibility that we can choose to use for creativity and relationship."

"Good things - like friendship, a happy home, beautiful memories - rarely just happen. They are planned and worked for, and the people who have them have chosen the good work of preparation - a work that doesn't require anything more than considering when you will make space for friendship, how you will fill that time, and who you want to spend it with."

Books and Weather

Today was the perfect weather day. In the morning I needed a light sweater over my tee.

The windows were open and the breeze was blowing in all day.

The sun was shining and there was a hint {a tiny hint} of fall crisp in the air... the perfect weather for decorating for fall.

Abigail helped me all afternoon and was so much fun. We decorated the porch swing and shelf above, the kitchen, the baking center, the mud room, the family room and the living room. There are two huge piles for me to deal with... the kind that when you walk over them you think, "why did I do this"? Well, we know it always looks a mess before it looks better. One pile is summer waiting to be packed away. The other pile is fall spilling out of bins - things from different years that still might get used, but might now. You get the idea.

But it was so wonderful to see all of the things that I love, and to begin to get my home cozy for fall that is coming soon!

Each Wednesday in the summer I've posted what the girls and I are reading. It's been so fun doing this!

Abigail is loving this book:



Anna finally finished all of her summer work for her upcoming AP classes and now gets to relax and read {when she's not studying for the SAT that is on Saturday)



And I just started the sixth book in the lovely Anne series. I love these books!



Yes, this summer has been home. We didn't take our big trip but we've had so much time for beautiful days together. We have so many memories.

Books on a Glorious Afternoon

Today is the perfect weather day - no humidity, not too hot, puffy white clouds in a bright blue sky.



Perfect for a long reading session on the porch.



I am still reading Anne's House of Dreams.

Abigail started a new book in the Chronicles of Narnia series. (she read book 2 first and now is going back to book 1)



Anna is reading for her AP high school class that will start on September 8th.



It was such a lovely day that I decided we should have tea out of the porch with the rest of the scones I had tucked away in the freezer.

Reading This Week

This week we are reading wonderful books still.




Abigail just started the Chronicles of Narnia series. They are a beloved set from Anna - Anna almost didn't want her to pull them off of the Chapter Book Library we have in the playroom, they are that special to her. But Abigail promised to take good care of each book. I read the first chapter aloud and it's magical as a read aloud. I would read her the whole book but we are in the middle of another. I am thrilled she loves this one.
💞


And I started the fifth book in the Anne of Green Gables series. This one is titled Anne's House of Dreams. Still the third is my favorite {so far}. The third {Anne of the Island} is all about becoming and growing awkwardly into that season of life from childhood toward adulthood. It is so beautifully written.



Anna has been reading for school - there is a summer reading list she's trying to get through - I just didn't get a picture of her book this week.

Reading

So we had a hurricane come near us and got the tropical storm part here with winds - still cleaning up our yard from in days later and need to get a tree service to come out for some dangerous tree damage - we had no internet yesterday but are so blessed that we never lost power. Homes around us are being told that power will be restored between 7-10 days. We really are so happy to have kept our power...

Happily reading through August. And gardening. And decorating. And enjoying my girls.

I finished the first three Anne of Green Gables novels. My favorite so far is the third: Anne of the Island.



I started the fourth and am loving it so far. Of course I've searched far and wide (online) for a beautiful hard cover copy of Anne of Windy Poplars but can't find one so I'm reading from our paper back collection. The entire paperback collection of all of her Anne novels were gifted to us before our trip to Prince Edward Island a few summer ago. I love them because they are worn in and so pretty that they all match but I adore my hard covers more. 🖤



The girls, I just noticed, are both reading nonfiction. Abigail this one (sorry it's blurry, just noticed)



And Anna this.



We are still over a month of summer to go. School starts here on September 8 and I plan on soaking up summer all of those days.

Happy reading!

Reading

Some days in the summer I think it's important to read what you want to read. Well, some would argue that you should always read what you want to but when you are a child that is reaching for something in your future there are many days that reading what you must read takes precedence.

Anna is a diligent student. She strives and she has lofty goals. I must admit that she is leaps and bounds smarter than her daddy or I at her age. We saw it long ago and encouraged her to be all that she could. She recently scored a 5, the highest national score on her AP US History exam, earning her college credits. She is all signed up for 5 AP classes for her senior year and has stars in her eyes as she thinks about learning in a university.

The day Anna finished a summer class for Psychology through Boston College this summer I went in her bedroom and asked what are you doing to relax now that BC is done? "Oh, I'm teaching myself another language; I'd like to learn Japanese." Yes, that is Anna.

But summer is summer. And although there are a stack of books she must read this summer for her AP literature classes before school even starts this September, I smiled when she took an old, familiar, favorite, middle childhood series, off her bookshelf. They are 'comfort food' for her a brain that needs some rest.

So she is rereading this series and loving it. It's a step back in time for her and that makes this mama's heart happy.



Abigail has been plowing through books this summer. This is the one she is in this week:



And my dreamy, romantic, idealistic, old fashioned heart is so loving this 'first time through' this series. The Anne of Green Gables books. Each one more delightful than the one before. This is the third and I'm loving it oh so much.

Tuck Everlasting

The first week of August hangs at the very top of summer, the top of the live-long year, like the highest seat of a Ferris wheel when it pauses in its turning. The weeks that come before are only a climb from balmy spring, and those that follow a drop to the chill of autumn, but the first week of August is motionless, and hot. It is curiously silent, too, with blank white dawns and glaring noons, and sunsets smeared with too much color. Often t night there is lightning, but it quivers all alone. There is no thunder, no relieving rain. These are strange and breathless days, the dog days, when people are led to do things they are sure to be sorry for after.

One day at that time, not so very long ago, three things happened and at first there appeared to be no connection between them....

Magical Reading

If you were in my classroom you would know that I looooove books. The 4th graders know that about me before the first day is over. I want them to go home that very first day and when they are asked, "soooo what's your teacher like?" I want them to say "she really loves books!"

In my classroom I read a picture book a day - every single day. I have a whole bulletin board dedicated to something I call "Open The Magic". I also read a chapter book a little each day. Fostering reading in my classroom feels natural to me. Sometimes I pinch myself that each year I get a brand new group for 9 year olds that I get to help them fall in love with reading.

In my own home, since the moment Anna was placed in my arms I've fostered a love of reading in their lives - a love of books. In fact, in my hands was a board book about rainbows when she was placed in my arms. I was reading to her within the first 15 minutes she was ours. {there is a video of that somewhere}

✨magical✨

'Reading on the Couch' is something we do after lunch all summer long - since Anna was a baby. I can remember when baby and toddler Abigail took a nap in her crib in the afternoons and 4 year old Anna made up the words to her Fancy Nancy books. I made a 'nest' out of blankets on my bedroom floor, over in the corner, every day during Abigail's nap time. I read my book and Anna 'read' hers. It was magical.

✨magical✨

It feels easy to me to have my 'taught' my girls a love for reading - and simple really. I made it magical. Like this ordinary day:

It was time for 'reading on the couch' one day this week and Scott was working right where we were reading and we had to find a new spot. "Quick girls, let's go up on my bed". We turned on the air conditioning and snuggled under the covers and read.

✨magical✨

Abigail was on her last chapter of a very long book and I snuck out of bed, scooped a bit of our homemade strawberry ice cream in a little bowl, added some chocolate chips and we had a little "you finished your book party" right there.

✨magical✨

It doesn't take much, really. Just a little magic in an ordinary day to make reading come to life.