fascinating, inspiring, thought-provoking,
some laugh,
some meditate,
others ache with old age, but still have wisdom;
some are disease-ridden, some deceitful;
but others are a delight to behold,
and many travel to foreign lands;
some cry, some teach, others are lots of fun,
they are excellent companions,
and all have individuality -
Books are friends.
What person has too many friends?
-- Gladys Hunt, Honey for a Child's Heart (noted below)
I love books. I come by it honestly, as both my Oma and mother love to read as well. My sister became a librarian and also loves books. I don't post often about books, mostly because I am coming out of a fog. The past four years have been a wonderful adventure adjusting to motherhood. Between a lack of sleep and any concentration I had going towards books related to pregnancy, birth, first year, toddler years, etc., etc. I had little left for any other reading. But OH, have I been reading lately. This is not a review of the books below, as I have not finished ANY of them yet (some I have barely started!).
Firstly, I am still using my ESV Study Bible for my Devos' and Bible Study. I have just started using a 'Journible' through the book of James. I am writing out the book and recording my reflections as I go. We are also continuing to host Bible Study on the book of Romans and our newly gifted Complete Matthew Henry's Commentary has come in mighty handy.
This year my parents gave all of us daughters the most brilliant organizer I have ever seen! Seriously! It is called the Time Keeper: Finding Joy in a Well Kept Life. It has a Month at a Glance with room for monthly Project Lists. Each week takes up two pages opposite eachother and look like this:
The menu planning spot, and room for lists and notes to the right are my favourite part. In the back are perforated grocery list sheets, Gift Idea section, Planning Ahead for 2013, etc. There is scripture and inspiration on each page. A month in and I am still using it and finding it so helpful.
Next, I have been making my way through Karen Anderola's The Charlotte Mason Companion
This book has been such a blessing to me as a I ponder/plan for our homeschooling adventures. It has really confirmed what I already believed and experienced in the classroom and in working with little ones. Although written as a companion to Charlotte Mason's works on Education, I have found it encouraging in my parenting and homemaking as well.The following books, Hints on Child Training and Honey for a Child's Heart were recommended in the Charlotte Mason Companion. The first is a parenting book from 1890, written by H. Clay Trumbull and he had a passion for Child Evangelism and restoring peace and order in the home. It may just be my new favourite 'parenting book'.
Honey for a Child's Heart is summed in it's tagline: "The imaginative Use of Books in Family Life" and so much more. My children already love books, but this book beautifully illustrates the blessings of quality literature in the home and has really great booklists in the back that I plan to photo copy and keep in my organizer.
Healthy Choices, the cookbook for people who want wholesome, nutritous food. No sugar. No white flour. No artificial anything. I am currently borrowing it from my mom for the second time. This time I promised myself I will copy out the recipes that interest me!