It’s nice to get back on a routine. I love January-not the cold weather of course, but the quietness and the coziness in our warm home. Here are some things that are keeping us busy:
-I love this sweet painting so much that I am matting and framing Mr. Happy Reindeer so I can hang it each Christmas.
-A new bike + snow= what choice did I have? He goes around and around the circle.
-Sweet napping.
-Lots of puzzles.
-Good books.
I put my 2013 book list on my sidebar. Katrina Kenison’s new book is first up…I am waiting patiently for it to arrive on my doorstep.
Do you have any good book suggestions for me? What was your favorite read of 2012?
LOVE Little House on the Prairie books! The girls and I just finished one together the other night. Kole and I have been doing lots of puzzles together too. He got new Thomas the Train puzzles for Christmas. Wish we could hang out and visit while the kids play Sarah! Fun post. 🙂
The Disney version of the movie is awesome too and surprisingly true to the story! I'm using it to teach my homeschoolers a bit of history. 🙂
What Alice Forgot – Liane Moriarty 🙂
I just finished Still Alice by Lisa Genova and although unsettling, it was a great fast read.
I love when I see your boys doing things like riding bikes through the house. Mine are like little animals! I had family over the other day and someone mentioned the kids "energy" in sort of a "calm your kids down" tone. Asking my kids not to be active is like asking them not to breathe!
I did buy my girls the Little House series for Christmas. I just finished Confessions of a Mega-Church Pastor by Allen Hunt. A very interesting read about a Methodist pastor's conversion to Catholicism. It's a quick read that I think you would enjoy.
I have always loved the Little House books but somehow never read Farmer Boy until recently. My 8 and 10 year old boys LOVED it. It's like the boy version of little house. It is about Almanzo as a young boy. I'm not sure if you've read The Midwife, but I know you would love it . It takes place in England in the 1940s. There is a PBS series based on that book also. I read it when my youngest was about Janey's age and found myself feeling so very thankful for what I have.
My boys got new bikes and a scooter too…we have a nice little circle through the living room and kitchen ha! I've been reading most of your book suggestions lately. Love them, and can't wait for more! I don't know if you've read A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but it was one of my favorites of the year.
Our circle in the downstairs gets lot of use- in the past it's seen tricycles, roller skates, roller blades, a scooter, strollers, a mini shopping cart and the pitter-patter of many little feet running laps with their daddy- all thanks to a gravel driveway:-).
I could never pick one book so here are some that were totally differnt but vry enjoyable. The Buddha in the Attic by Otsuka, The Language of Flowers by Diffenbaugh and The Confidant by Helene Gremillon. Happy New Year. Short article you might enjoy:
http://news.yahoo.com/believe-farewell-optimism-233021286.html
I love the picture of him riding his new bike in the house! Priceless. Looking forward to some new books as well. Both my girls read Out of the Dust for school years ago. Our book club is currently reading Great House by Nicole Krauss. So far, I am enjoying it.
Those must be some good books! I'm trying to reserve them at the library and I'm at least 30th in line for most of them 🙂
I am in the middle of Unorthodox by Deborah Feldman and so far it's great! It's an autobio about a woman who grew up in a Hasidic home but leaves the orthodox community. She reads lots of books, which is forbidden.. but it enhances the story.
Last year I enjoyed Happier at Home by Gretchen Rubin. She has a lot of great ideas for living more purposefully. Otherwise, I am looking forward to Katrina Kenison's newest book. Right now, I am reading Rediscovering Catholicism upon your recommendation in another post. It's wonderful!!
Oooh! Gone Girl is such a great book. Not at all what I expected when I started it. I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on it!
My favorite reads this year were Little Britches By Ralph Moody (a male version of Little House), Scarlet Pimpernel, and Mrs. Mike. Thanks for the recommendations. Happy New Year!
Another vote for Lisa Genova's books. Still Alice is excellent but gut-wrenching if dementia is something you are dealing with in real life. I liked her second book, Left Neglect even more. I read a little bit of WWI and WWII historical fiction and this year I enjoyed The Bungalow and Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet. Happy reading!
We got our boys the Razor Rip Riders for Christmas – discovered them on your list of fave toys and just HAD to have them! Honestly, I'm not sure who loves them more – me or them!
Just finished "The Midwife of Hope River" and loved it. I think you would, too. Now I'm reading "The Painted Bridge," another one that seems up your alley based on other books you recommend. Both are historical novels.
Did you read "Wild" by Cheryl Strayed yet?
I HIGHLY recommend "The Bungalow" and "The Violets of March," both by Sarah Jio. They are EXCELLENT.
I also have to thank you for sharing your paint colors on your blog. Over the holiday break, I needed (like n-e-e-d-e-d) to paint our kitchen & had been looking for a warm neutral color for months. I used Believable Buff and I am so in love with it!
sweet photos. I am in the middle of 'Simplicity Parenting' and really like it.
Sarah's Key is a book I will never forget and recommend to everyone!!
http://www.amazon.com/Sarahs-Special-Gift-Tatiana-Rosnay/dp/1250004217/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1357346181&sr=1-1&keywords=Sarah%27s+key
Ive been reading your blog for a few years and love seeing your family pictures–especially watching little Janie grow. Is there a reason you removed them? I hope nobody did something evil with your pictures.
Do so love your book lists.
We love the BOB books too! Another favorite of ours are the "Danny and the Dinosaur" books by Syd Hoff. My boys also LOVE "Truck Driver Tom." Great book for boys 🙂