Rhythms

I have been reading two books lately that have me pondering domesticity and the rhythms of our lives. I have been reading Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures and The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home.   One of the things I noticed is that both women seem to have an appreciation for slowing down and relishing the patterns that make up our lives. I think too often we rush through things that should be cherished. It is the simple, almost mundane things that are unique to each of our lives that bring us comfort and peace. They are the things that in some way keep us grounded.

There is a quote from each book that drives this home for me.

First from The Gentle Art of Domesticity: Stitching, Baking, Nature, Art & the Comforts of Home: It helps to have a state of mind that can turn even the smallest indulgence into a luxury. This means looking positively at your life--considering not what you want to have, but what you can or already have. (pg. 178)

From Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Repurpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures: These specifics of our homes are as varied as we are, but I do believe something connects them all: they have soul. These items in our homes, and our homes in general, are in some way a reflection of ourselves and our lives, a connection to our past, a dream for our future. In other words, they have life to them. (pg. 178) 

Both of those snippets got me thinking. What is a luxury in my life? What gives my home soul? This is especially meaningful to me as we set up home in a new city far from our friends, family, support systems--all those external things that often seem to define us. Here's what came to my mind:

• The ritual of making coffee: hearing the whistling of the tea kettle, the whir of the coffee grinder, the aroma of the steam when the coffee and water first meet and blend, the steeping, the pressing, the pouring and finally that first sip. 

• Sitting in my bright "front room" in my new favorite chair drinking coffee, reading The Word and praying over my little household.

• The hubbub and chaos that is dinner time with small children. Ralph and I dancing around each other in possibly our smallest kitchen to date. Nugget running around needing more attention that usual. Zita deciding to no longer be content wherever it is that she is. The give and take of one taking over kid patrol, the other dinner and trading places as needed. This is a short season of life that will be missed when it is passed but will be replaced by something new and equally challenging.

• Being surrounded by my favorite things: my green fuzzy kitchen rug, coffee mugs that are pleasing to my eye and hand, my favorite fork (seriously, I have a favorite fork), being surrounded by my books that feel like old friends (some from my earliest memories), my photos that bring my favorite places and people into this new space, my pillow that cradles my head each night

• Oddly enough, our morning routine before I go to work. The early morning quiet broken only by the sound of the espresso machine hissing and steaming. Providing my the inertia needed to start my day. The few quiet moments of visiting with my husband. The drive to work that now provides glimpses of mountains that remind me of where my help comes from.

• My days "off" that start earlier than I would like with precious smiles from Zita who is just tickled pink to see us each morning. The comforting routine of Nugget running to her bath each morning, excited to take part in her morning routine. Sharing coffee with my husband. 

• Creating tasty menus, meals and treats for my family. Testing the limits of what can be made at home. Bringing some order to the chaos that comes with small children.

• Quiet evenings and late nights after both girls are asleep hanging out with my husband--relaxing;  reading; testing a new dessert (more often than is truly healthy); researching this, that, and the other thing; watching our favorite TV shows together; and/or plotting our next family adventure.

• New rituals like eating our leisurely Saturday breakfast on the back deck instead of the front porch. Walking to church Sunday mornings. Finding new places to explore on a regular basis.

What would you call a luxury in your home/life? What gives your home soul? What grounds you?

  

Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington

 I just finished Love Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington. It was a very cute book. I really enjoyed that it took place in our new backyard. It gave me some great ideas about places to visit. I enjoyed reading the book and actually knowing some of the places they were describing. For the most part I really liked the story, I love reading about the time period it was placed in--WWII. It was a unique picture of what was going on in our country at that time. However, sometimes in an effort to be authentic the verbiage ended up sounding stilted at times. It didn't flow for me. I am curious about the other "Love Finds You" books and will probably try to find some of them.

Thank you to litFUSE Group for providing this book in exchange for my honest review. 

About Finds You in Victory Heights, Washington: The war has stolen Rosalie’s fiancé, Vic, from her forever. But rather than wallow, Rosalie distracts herself by cramming her days full of activity—mainly by shooting rivets into the B-17 bombers that will destroy the enemy. When a reporter dubs her “Seattle's Own Rosie the Riveter,” even more responsibility piles up. Her strong arms bear all this, but when intense feelings surface for Kenny, the handsome, kind-hearted, and spiritually unwavering reporter, the fear of losing another love propels Rosalie to leave. It’s only when Rosalie realizes that God has brought her to this place—and this person—for a reason, the sparkling grace of God compels her to let go of her own strength and lean on His, as well as open her heart to love.

About Tricia Goyer: Tricia Goyer is the author of twenty-four books including Songbird Under a German Moon, The Swiss Courier, and the mommy memoir, Blue Like Play Dough. She won Historical Novel of the Year in 2005 and 2006 from ACFW, and was honored with the Writer of the Year award from Mt. Hermon Writer's Conference in 2003. Tricia's book Life Interrupted was a finalist for the Gold Medallion in 2005. In addition to her novels, Tricia writes non-fiction books and magazine articles for publications like MomSense and Thriving Family. Tricia is a regular speaker at conventions and conferences, and has been a workshop presenter at the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International Conventions. She and her family make their home in Little Rock, Arkansas where they are part of the ministry of FamilyLife. For more on Tricia visit www.triciagoyer.com

About Ocieanna Fleiss: Ocieanna Fleiss is a published writer and has edited six of Tricia Goyer’s historical novels. She lives with her husband and their four children in the Seattle area. For more about Ocieanna visit her blog.

Contest Info: Check out the reviews and win a Victory Prize Pack here.

 Check out the rest of the blog tour here!

 

Licensed for Trouble

A review of Licensed for Trouble (PJ Sugar) by Susan May Warren:

 I loved this book! I pretty much read it in one day. At one time, that wouldn't have sounded hard. Now I work full time, have two babies under2 and cook mostly from scratch. That doesn't leave a whole lot of time for reading any more. However, I just took time to read this book. Just ask my husband, I was about worthless for one day.

I thought this book was so fun and PJ Sugar is a great character. She's not perfect and everything is not wrapped into a neat little ball. However, I also love the fact that it is not so "real" that there isn't room for a little "fairy tale magic." (HELLO?! Way cool inheritance out of the blue! Fun!) I didn't think that I had read any of these but after I got into it I am pretty sure I read Nothing but Trouble (PJ Sugar Series #1). Anyway, don't let that stop you. I went out and reserved the first two at the library right after reading this and am reading them now. Enjoy! I sure did. Oh, and check out the very cool give away at the bottom of the post!


Thank you to Litfuse Group for a copy of this book to review.

About Licensed for Trouble: PJ Sugar receives shocking news that she's inherited the Kellogg family mansion. Though she has no idea why, the timing is perfect-PJ has clearly worn out her welcome at her sister's house. Unfortunately, the mansion is in shambles, and PJ is short on cash. Rescue comes in the form of Max Smith, a mysterious handyman willing to trade his services for PJ's investigative skills. But PJ already has a full docket with cramming for her PI license and nurturing a growing romance with her boss, Jeremy Kane. Can she take on Max's case without dropping the ball? Find out more about book one, Nothing But Trouble and book two, Double Trouble.

About Susan May Warren: Susan May Warren is the RITA award-winning author of twenty-four novels with Tyndale, Barbour and Steeple Hill. A four-time Christy award finalist, a two-time RITA Finalist, she’s also a multi-winner of the Inspirational Readers Choice award, and the ACFW Book of the Year. Susan's larger than life characters and layered plots have won her acclaim with readers and reviewers alike. A seasoned women’s events and retreats speaker, she’s a popular writing teacher at conferences around the nation and the author of the beginning writer’s workbook: From the Inside-Out: discover, create and publish the novel in you!. She is also the founder of www.MyBookTherapy.com, a story-crafting service that helps authors discover their voice. Susan makes her home in northern Minnesota, where she is busy cheering on her two sons in football, and her daughter in local theater productions (and desperately missing her college-age son!) A full listing of her titles, reviews and awards can be found at: www.susanmaywarren.com.




Enter PJ Sugar's "Sweet" Giveaway

Licensed for Trouble, Susan's brand new PJ Sugar novel, is in stores now! To celebrate the release, we’re giving away a Kindle!! You can enter using Twitter, Facebook, or e-mail using the icons below. One Grand Prize winner will receive a A SWEET Kindle prize package that includes:

• A brand new Kindle (Free 3G, 6”, Latest Generation)
• The entire PJ Sugar series by Susan May Warren

To enter, simply click on the icons below to fill out the entry form, then tell 5 or more friends about the contest. Oh, and enter soon! Winner will be announced on September 2nd.

Be sure to check out the blog tour here or purchase a copy of Licensed for Trouble here!