Highlights From This Week Thus Far...

#1.

the oldest child has been on a baking spree.

{and a picture avoidance spree for the last 5 yrs-NOT a highlight}

 

 

#2.

It comes in handy that the local video store owner was BFFs with your lil sis in 5th grade, because she'll call you early on a shipment morn to ask if you want ALL season 3 of downton abbey before it hits the shelf.

what can i say?

i have connections.

 

 

#3.

this: 

 

 

 not my favorite brand, but i won't complain.

 

 

 

#4.

your friend sends you a birthday card.

2 months late. {she knows the real date}

that is a recycled card actually sent originally to her husband, but she thinks it's funny so she crosses out the original message and sends on over to you.

awesome.

 

and we're friends because she has the same ridiculous sense of humor.

 

 

#5.

salted.carmel.mocha.

my treat to myself when my mom takes the kids for a few hours each week.

 

 

 

#6.

this journal entry form the 6 year old:

 

 

 

 

the low light?

#1

puzzled by 2 men giving you a thorough check out in Staples  { let's face it, i'm not generally check out worthy},

only to realize your cardigan came undone and your shirt beneath is lacking and you are going victoria's secret in the martha stewart aisle...

i'll spare you a picture...

 

 

#2.

refer to #2 in the highlights section.

i'm caught up and i just have to say....

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

dev.a.stated.

 

 

 

 



2012 fiction favorites...

i've been dreading this post. 

hence it being almost Feb. before i posted last year's favorites.

it's a tad like trying to pick my favorite children.

i am not a super picky reader, i love so many books!  but i will try my best to narrow them down!

 

i don't think i can list in order of favorites, but i will tell you which ones i very strongly recommend.

 

The Count Of Monte Cristo, by Alexander Dumas.

 

I love his work.

it's historic, it's dramatic, it's fun, it's french.

need i say more?

this book is BIG.

most translations have inaccuracies and are abridged, even if they don't say they are.

for that reason {because i like authentic}, i strongly recommend Robin Buss's translation as it is the closest to the original.

one negative thing, i did not care for the way it ended...

the movie version, while about 1/16th of the story, is one of my all time favorite movies as well.

 

 

The Mark of the Lion trilogy by Francine Rivers.

 

the first 5 chapters, ugh.

stick with it!

this is a beautiful story, with an amazing heroine.

set in the time about 40 yrs. after Christ, in Rome.

a time when Christians were being murdered and Jews were slaughtered.

bring in a Christian Jewish girl who becomes a slave in a Roman house.

She tries to walk out her faith while staying true to her beliefs in the midst of fear for her life should anyone find out.

these books are historically remarkable, they bring Biblical places and people to life in a way i hadn't seen.

in my opinion, the third book was just slightly weaker than the first two, but still a worthy read.

 

 

Katherine, by Anya Seton.

 

another historical novel. 

are you sensing a theme?

This is a fiction work based on real people, mainly Katherine Swynford.

set in 14th century England, Katherine was a real lover to John of Gaunt, son of Richard 2nd.

steeped in real history from records, but taking liberties within the realms of fiction, this book was a real treat.  great writing.

Phillipa Gregory, author of The Other Boleyn Girl { another book i enjoyed last year}, gives praise to Anya Seton for paving the way for historic fiction for women. 

 

 

Emma, Jane Austen.

 

it's a Jane Austen novel.

duh. ;)

Emma is sweet and feisty and a little obnoxious and immature.

her love story blooms unexpectedly before her, with the appealing man of her dreams someone she hadn't thought to consider...

 

 

 

 

other books i loved:

A Shadow In The Wind,

Shiloh Autumn,

Pillars of The Earth,

The Other Boleyn Girl,

Shades of Blue

and

The Distant Hours.

 

have you read any of these?

what'd you think?!

 

 

 

 



my favorite reads from 2012 {non-fiction}...

i'm handing out tiaras to my favorite reads of 2012.

 

 

the winners in the non-fiction category are as follows:

 

3rd place:

Large Family Logistics by Kim Brenneman

this book is an all encompassing, home organizing, giant piece of pie.

kim shares how to run a household smoothly but with a fresh and Godly perspective and practical ideas.

 

 

2nd place:

Educating the Whole Hearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson.

 

 

this book is the Bible equivalent to a homeschooler.

sally is one of my favorite writers on motherhood, and this book covers homeschooling in all aspects.  from the whole home atmosphere, to parenting styles, to the nitty gritty of teaching math and science.

they guide without making you feel their way is the only way.  such a wealth of information in this huge book, it can be a little overwhelming, but i feel it's a necessity for my homeschool shelf!

 

 

1st place:

Captivating/Wild at Heart by John  and Stasi Eldredge

 

 

 

okay, okay, i cheated a little.

this is a 2 book win.  but, they tie into each other as companion books. 

one about a man's soul and one for the woman's.

i should warn you,

i have friends that hated these books.

i suppose it's where you are in your walk with Christ, but for me these books were eye openers that resonated with me at a soul deep level.

 

these will be rereads for years to come.

 

 

and finally...

the winner, the crowning moment.

 

my top pick for the best non-fiction book i read in 2012 was ...

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

 

i know everyone and their mother has already read this book,

but there's a reason for it people!

 

i wasn't sure at first i would be able to handle ann's flowery prose.

her blog sometimes touches me deeply and other times i have to skim-quickly.

 

but this book was a life changer for me and my approach to the throne of God.

counting the gifts He gives us in each moment is a way to a more fulfilling and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father.

my copy is highlighted and note~ridden and will be gifted as well. i love it to pieces!

 

 

winners in the fiction category soon!

none of these links are affiliate links.  all opinions are my own and i was not compensated in any way for these reviews.