Quick Takes #238: Late October Life

1. So how was your October? Good here; but feeling like having found a good rhythm with school got leveled up with scouts starting for the big kids and other fall activities.
2. Elisabeth is headed to her first Halloween party tonight. We were browsing a costume store and she announced that she wanted to be an archer (Robin Hood not Merida) and we had a lot fun putting all the pieces together.  Liam is Charizard which is not his favorite Pokemon but he thought the costume was fun ~ and I thought he would easily be warm enough.  Caitlin is dressing as Minnie Mouse this year; which I'm happy for memory sake since of the kids she has definitely been the bigger Mickey/Minnie fan.
3. Reason #228 why I love my kids school: having to been trying for a family rosary all month this week I got to attend as their school organized a living rosary. Elisabeth as a member of the children's choir performed the opening and closing hymn and all the 7th graders acted as the individual beads.
4. Am really excited for the return of Fixer Upper and The Crown in about a month. In the meantime favorite new show of the season The Brave.  Any other new shows I should check out?
5. Liam's Cross Country season ends this weekend.  He did not enjoy it as much as I thought he would but did say he would like to join the team again next fall ~ and could he please try Karate now!
6. After temps all over the map for most of the month it seems like fall is settling in. Hope the crazy weather doesn't curtail leaves changing colors too much.
7. Pumpkin picking and Liam's last cross country race this weekend. Whatever your's holds ~ have a good one!!

Please head over to Kelly's for more 7QT's!

The 40 Book Bookcase

So I read this book which began with the idea of reading only from the books the author already owned for a year and ended with her making a list of perfect bookcase containing 40 books ~ and so I thought I'd make mine too; so in no particular order except #1 on her list gets top billing on mine too.

1. The Bible
2. Amazing Grace by K. Norris
3. Cloister Walk by K. Norris
4. Look to the Mountain by L. Cannon
5. Pride and Prejudice by J. Austen
6. Persuasion by J. Austen
7. Memory by L.M. Bujold
8. A Civil Campaign by L.M. Bujold
9. Paladin of Souls by L.M. Bujold
10. A Civil Contract by G. Heyer
11. These Old Shades by G. Heyer
12. The Grand Sophy by G. Heyer
13. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
14. Anne's House of Dreams by L.M. Montgomery
15. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery
16. The Little Prince by A. Saint-Exupery
17. To the Lighthouse by V. Woolf
18. Mrs Dalloway by V. Woolf
19. Interior Castle by Saint Theresa Avila
20. Circle of Quiet by M. L'Engle
21. Two Part Invention by M. L'Engle
22. Wrinkle in Time by M. L'Engle
23. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
24. The Wind in the Willows by K. Grahame
25. Younger than Springtime by A. Greeley
26. A Christmas Wedding by A. Greeley
27. Star Bright by A. Greeley
28. September by R. Pilcher
29. Winter Solstice by R. Pilcher 
30. Leaves of Grass by W. Whitman
31. Ragamuffin Gospel by B. Manning
32. Innocents Abroad by M. Twain
33. A Room with a View by E.M Forester
34. Only Love by E Lowell
35. Jade Island by E. Lowell
36. We Two by Gillian Gill
37. The Wives of Henry VIII by A. Fraser
38. Woman Warrior by M. Kingston
39. God is An Englishman by R.F. Delderfield
40. In Search of Our Mother's Gardens by A. Walker

What would be on yours?
Linking up with Bobbi of Revolution of Love for Weekly Writing in October.

Open Book ~ October '17

In the past month I finished Poems and read

 In This House of Brede by Rumer Godden which is a lovely story about a group of Benedictine nuns living in the English countryside.  The story begins as Philippa Talbot a successful businesswoman leaves her London life and enters the cloister.  While she is how we gain entrance to the community the book is really the story of House and varied rhythms of the liturgical year and the many gains and losses of the women who live in community
  It is a long read but one I really enjoyed; there are enough characters to keep me interested but not so many that I felt lost.  While there is not really a plot, the changes and growths in the various characters are well explored and fun to follow.

Next up The Summer before the War.

Please head over to Carolyn's for more Open Book.

Where I'm From

Have noticed a few new followers (welcome) and thought I would repost this piece from 2011.

Where I'm From

I am from metal swing sets, from Tupperware cups and Kool-aid to drink.

I am from the best driveway to roller skate down, watching for deers out the back window, European elegance and American Craftsmanship.

I am from the Christmas cactus growing inside, and  tomatoes and lily of the valley growing outside

I am from leaving my shoe out for St. Nicholas and talking at the table after dinner, from Milou  and Pierre, Roland and Hazel.

I am from bring a stack of books home from the library, pancakes on the weekend and jumping into the leave pile.

From 'get your hair out of your face' and "What are We Men!".

I am from Amazing Grace, One Bread One Body, from sacraments of grace, and men of good will seeking tolerance and understanding

I’m from Providence, Galilee Beach, and Loon Mountain by way of Belgium, from lobsters, clam cakes, and fighting for the piece of chocolate with the elephant.

From the Bon Papa who wanted grandchildren, the Apple Girl, and the URI graduate.

I am from many, many albums kept in the dresser, color pictures under clear plastic covers and black & white held by the corners. from slide shows late at night, from stories told and re-told, cherished and honored.