A Year in Books

   Reading has always been a favorite hobby of mine and increasingly a key form of self-care, and this year was no different. Through worries about loved ones far away and the stress of virtual learning, reading has been my refuge and my pleasure.  Last January I set my Goodreads reading goal as 40 books ( I read 42 in '18, and 43 in '19), I've currently read 87 books.  

   I'm not at all expecting to maintain that pace this coming year. I am h0wever grateful for all the new book-focused Instagram accounts I have found in the corner known as Bookstagram and all of their reviews and recommendations. These accounts also provided the needed adult conversations during those moments during the spring and summer when needed.

  It was amazingly a year of few misses and many 4* and 5* reads including;

• 
  
  
  Ayesha at Last
• Brown Girl Dreaming
• The Jane Austen Society
• The Warmth of Other Suns
• A Lovely War

Summary for 2020
Books Read: 87

Fiction: 75  // Non-Fiction: 12
Kindle Books: 31  // Paper Books: 56 // Rereads: 6

Quick Takes #290: Mid-June Check-in

1. Hi ~  we made it to Friday. In my case a sunny morning ~ storms predicted for afternoon Friday but still a chance to put down a few thoughts. Here we are slowly resuming to going places; wearing a mask and with a lot of crowd control but expanding the bubble none the less.
2. Our community pool has opened and we have been a couple of times. The older two quickly passed their deep water test and Caitlin re-found her 'doggie paddle.  One of the adjustments for this year is that the pool is not offering lessons so it looks like it will be up to Dr Dad and me to help Caitlin organize her movements into an actual stroke.  So good to actually see people (at a respectful distance) and watch my kids play with some of the friends they are been missing.
3. One upside of the otherwise bummer of no camp is that there is a lot of options of when to do the summer work assigned in a day. After a well deserved break from school work; we are now back at it but at a more leisurely pace.  
4. In the category of 'better late than never' I finally got a couple of tomato plants in the ground, as well as some basil and trying for the first time this year summer squash.  As always we already have a bumper crop of mint, but I am hopefully that with a steady weeding the others plants might have their chance.
5. Nice weather and a still mostly empty calendar has allowed me to keep reading at a wonderful pace. Currently reading this and these titles coming up next.  I had in January set the Goodread challenge of reading 40 books this year; however in the craziness that is this year I'm likely to hit that goal next month!!
6. Another treat that June has brought is the return of HGTV's Good Bones.  While their design direction is often different from mine, I love the mother-daughter dynamic!  The show also really makes me want to go to Indianapolis; which I haven't thought a lot about since I was a kid watch One Day at a Time.
7. Wishing everyone a good weekend ~ and the dads out in blogland Happy Father's Day!!

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First Day ~ Last Day 2019-20

First two trimesters spent in the brick & mortar and the last spent remote learning from home!!

Liam ~ 3rd Grade

Caitlin ~ 1st grade

 Elisabeth ~ 6th grade

Quick Takes #289: As My Remote Schoolhouse closes for the summer

1. Today is the last day of the school year give or take returning textbooks and chrome books next week. The bigs each have papers due today; and we are all a little crispy around the edges after a week of exams and finishing final projects.
2. That being said I am extremely proud of all of them and how they met every challenge given by their teachers really well.  I am also taking a moment to acknowledge how well I think I rose the challenge as well.  With a significant shout-out to Dr Dad who came to my rescue a few times when technology tried to get the better of me.
3. Memories to hold on; Lisbeth and Dr Dad discussing/commiserating how to attend several Zoom meetings a day and still get your work in on time.  Morning prayer time when they would take turns leading the Morning Offering and saying the pledge. Caitlin also tried to teach me the school song with mixed results.
4. I also had fun introducing the youngest two to some of my favorites from Grammar Rock when they were learning about conjunctions and adjectives.
5. It was also fascinating to see their learning styles up close; for example I see a standing desk in Liam's future.  Lisbeth preferred to work on the floor in her bedroom where she could spread her papers out in a circular manner; organized chaos if you like.  She also won a few prizes for her enthusiasm in zoom meetings.  Caitlin is struggling the most with missing seeing her friends but also finished the year strong.
6. As the many different options for the next year are discussed and given how many of them include as least part-time remote learning I'm glad to know we can do it if we need to.  But first summer ~ and summer work; but that is for another day!

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Quick Takes #288: Thoughts as May blooms

1. Happy May Day! Channeling Mr Darcy to Elizabeth "I hope your family is in good health"; we are all doing fine here and my Lily of the Valley have come up nicely which always seems a good omen for the month to me.
2. Speaking of Pride and Prejudice, one of the post school day pleasures I am enjoying is listening to Jennifer Ehle's Youtube channel where she is reading the book chapter by chapter. Lovely!! 
3. Another treat I really enjoy is reading on the front porch which I had been early in April, unfortunately the last two weeks have been too chilly. Fingers crossed that May allows for more porch sitting and reading. 
4. School lessons are continuing well with us overall in a good pattern, but with just enough hiccups and technical glitches to keep me on my toes. The teachers and administrators arranged a car parade this week and it was so much fun.  The planned route went right by our house so we were able to stand in the front year with the signs the kids made and cheer. The kids really enjoyed seeing their teachers and it broke up the monotony of week.
5. With so much uncertain about summer plans we paid our community pool dues but are otherwise trying to stay in the present.  Focusing on making remote learning go smoothly; and finding some fun in each day while keeping it quiet when Dr Dad is tele-conferencing.
6. With good weather predicted we have high hopes for knocking out jobs both inside and out; but I'm also planning on some porch reading. Whatever your weekend holds ~ Enjoy!

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Wordless Wednesday; Easter in the time of Corona

Happy Easter Wednesday!!

Quick Takes #287: Ma Bailey's 3 Room Schoolhouse

1. Greetings from my corner of world where I am mostly successfully maintaining social distance except from my little and medium loves to whom I'm teaching about the distance their dear introverted mother needs on occasion.
2. One week in remote learning is largely going well; though I am still taking a wary deep breath each morning as I log-in to find my orders for the day.  As in their teachers create the plan, and I to the best of my ability execute. Mostly this week has been a lesson in when they can work independently versus when I really need to sit with them.
3. Hopefully next week goes even smoother; the weather continues to allow for outside time. Hopefully we begin to know if we are in fact 'flattening the curve', and what the timeline looks for the next few weeks.
4. The world outside my window is starting to show signs of spring.  Our daffodils are in bloom, as is our forsythia. Trees all around are beginning to blossom and the smell in the air is beginning to change. About half of our yard was torn up for the addition construction leaving ample area for mud but hopefully soon grass seed.
5. On the topic of the addition; I owe you a really post on this but... it is complete!! We now have a working bathroom!!  There is still a lot painting still to do, not to mention putting the rooms disrupted by the construction back in order but the biggest hurdle crossed.  
6. Philadelphia along with many other dioceses has closed Mass to the general population so we will be watching one that is being streamed. But to be honest I am struggling to wrap my brain around what Tridium and Easter will be like, hoping if we start now by those important days I will have something in place here in our domestic church for my little family.  
7. As with many of you, there are good days and tough days.  The uncertainty is tough but prayer is constant; and be assured of mine.

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