As This Reading Year Ends

     In 2019 I challenged myself to read 35 books and in the end read 43.  For this coming year I think I'm going to go for 40.  In addition to again taking the Modern Mrs Darcy reading challenge I will also likely join the Catholic Lit challenge hosted by Haley of Carrots for Michaelmas.  Allowing for some overlap I should hopefully be able to strike a good balance between reading for fun and stretching my reading muscles.

     Some favorites from this year; Introduction to the Devout Life, Death Comes for the Archbishop and Eight Cousins.

What were some of your favorite reads of the year?

Summary for 2019

Books Read: 43

Fiction: 31  // Non-Fiction: 12
Kindle Books: 16  // Paper Books: 27 // Rereads: 2

Quick Takes #284: Mid December Check-In

1. Greeting and Salutations; not sure how all of November and nearly half of December has pasted since my last Quick Takes. November was overall very nice and Thanksgiving in particular as we had a wonderful time with my family including my nephew who surprised us by coming home from college, and encountered remarkably little traffic for a holiday weekend.
2. Advent is going well. The kids seem to enjoy our wreath tradition while of course debating whose turn it is to light or blow out the candles. I've been pleasantly surprised how independent Caitlin is when it is her turn to read the prayer.
3. This week in particular is very fun #liturgicalliving wise. In addition to the Good Bishop visiting us last Friday with chocolate and oranges; last night the kids enjoyed Choco Taco in honored of Our Lady of Guadalupe (thanks Colleen for that idea).  Given that I knew dinner was going to be a bit of a rush job given the school's Christmas Tableau I appreciated a fun and easy way to mark the feast.  This morning I made cinnamon rolls to mark the Feast of St. Lucy.
4. The Christmas Tableau was lovely with all of the kids doing a lovely job under the direction of the school's wonderful music director.  It is the tradition that the 6th graders act out the Christmas Story during the show.  It was such fun for me to watch these kids many of whom I've known since Lisbeth was in Kindergarten perform (she by the way was one of the dancers who ushered the Romans in the proclaim the census).
5. I am finishing The Cross which is will wrap-up my book challenge reading for this year; and with Modern Mrs Darcy announcement of next year's reading challenge I'm excited to start thinking about next years reading.
6. We truly love our house but from the time we bought 5 years ago we knew at some point we wanted to put in a bathroom on the first floor; and it is finally happening.  Seriously the whole getting estimates and finding a contractor took much longer than I would have ever guessed.  We have already pulled up our deck in preparation and will this weekend take down some fencing to make way for the builders this week.
7. Some pictures to share:

Please head over to Kelly's for more Quick Takes!

Open Book ~ December '19

    As the year winds down I'm focused on finishing up the bigger books I chose for the different reading challenges I'm joining this year.

She-Wolves by Helen Castor is fascinating look at English history after William I when his granddaughter Empress Matilda tried and failed to ascend the throne and what changed and evolved in England and France by 1553 when first Queen Mary and then Queen Elizabeth managed to rule and reign in their own name.  Connecting the dots the author also profiles Eleanor of the Aquitaine, Isabella of France, and Margaret Anjou; women who ruled as the mother or wife of the monarch.  An approachable book that balances well sharing these women's biographies and analysis of the psychology of the times regarding 'the weaker sex'; also changes in military strategies and the politics regarding France, Germany and Rome.

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

Fall Daybook ~ 2019

Thinking about:  
       Getting ready for Advent and Christmas; have ordered cards and the kids have started working on their lists.  Gathering ideas and suggestions on what to get other people.  
    
Excited For:
    Thanksgiving ~ one of my favorite holidays, and we are headed down to celebrate with my mom and sisters.  Advent ~ I have my devotional and candles for the Advent wreath.
   

Wearing:
   Mostly jeans and clogs or wedges; I know for most fall means breaking out the boots (and I have a pair that gets some wear) but for me fall means my favorite wedges and wearing clogs again.  Also my navy pea-coat which helps me feel pulled together when I'm heading out into the world.

In the Yard:

    The trees have dropped most of their leaves so lots of raking to go but the end is in sight and then onto the pruning.  Planted some winter pansies, curious to see how they far this winter.  


Watching and Listening to:
    Enjoying the return of This is Us and Madame Secretary's last season, also The Crown on Netflix. Recently finished back seasons of The Good Place and have yet to find our next comedy to binge watch.
     
The Kids: 

Elisabeth is thriving in 6th grade; enjoying changing classes, Advanced Math and preparing for the Science Fair.  Continues to excel at her gymnastics class, currently working on her back and front handspring.  The end of the day finds her in her loft bed reading, listening to music and playing Minecraft.

Liam has settled well into 3rd grade; reading better and better all the time.  Enjoyed playing soccer this fall and is currently a Bear Scout. Pokemon is still tops and he continuous to astonish us with his almost encyclopedic knowledge of their different strengths and fighting types.

Caitlin is loving 1st Grade and doing really well; becoming more independent with reading I'm now enjoying the times when she reads to me.  Has been enjoying her beginners ballet/tap class though that is currently on hold while she recovers from a sprained ankle.  

Open book ~ November'19

Autumn Throne completes Elizabeth Chadwick's trilogy of Eleanor of the Aquitaine beginning a few years into her house arrest by her husband King Henry II and covers the rest of her life.  As well written as the previous two it was fascinating to read the author's take on how her feelings for her husband shifted over time.  While technically historical fiction I come away from reading this trilogy feeling as if I have a good understanding of Queen Eleanor and the times in which she lived.

Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott continues the story begun in Eight Cousins picking up the story as Rose turns twenty and she and many of her older cousins navigate their way into adulthood.  The tone of this book was a bit heavier than the first but felt appropriately so as childhood challenges shift to adulthood questions and dilemmas.  So glad I have expanded into Alcott's other works.

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

Quick Takes #283: How is it already late October?

1. Happy Fall; the mums and asters are planted and Football is again a fixture.  Decided not to plant any bulbs but did plant some winter pansies.  After hearing many dire predictions that fall colors would likely be very dull due to lack of rain, have been enjoying what color there is.
2. School life is continuing a pace; everyone is settling in after a few bumps.  Elisabeth and Liam saw a jump in the homework required but are meeting the challenges with a minimum of complaint.  Caitlin is liking the 1st grade and slowly building independence with reading.
3. Out side of school life we are busy with sports and Scouts. After a bit hunting we found a wonderful gymnastics class for Lisbeth and she is loving it and happily making up for lost time.  Liam is on a great soccer team with a wonderful coach who is doing an amazing job of teaching strategies while keeping the focus on fun.   
4. Caitlin had requested to try ballet this fall and thanks to a tip from the mom of a friend of her's I found a fun beginners ballet and tap class. Unfortunately earlier this month Caitie sprained her ankle on a neighbors trampoline and so she needed to miss a few classes but she is getting back into the routine and having fun.
5. At the beginning of the month Dr Daddy and I had some fun, dressed up and attended the Penn Newman Anniversary Gala.  The Newman Center at the University of Pennsylvania was founded over 125 years ago becoming the first in the nation. Being long-timers we both remember the 100th Anniversary and was so happy to join in the festivity's for this anniversary.
6. Because in life sometimes everything happens at once the same weekend as the anniversary events was also the baptism of the daughter of friends of ours. So after returning home from the gala we loaded up the kids in their pj's and headed out into the night to NY.  We arrived in the early hours at a quaint hotel founded in the 1790's by a relative of John Adams and grabbed some sleep. The baptism was lovely, the reception fun, and aside from the rain the trip home went smoothly.
7. On the docket for the weekend; a soccer match, some home and house work, and getting pumpkins for carving.  Whatever yours hold ~ have a good weekend!

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

Open Book ~ October '19

Acedia and Me; Monks, Marriage and a Writer's Life by Kathleen Norris: is an exploration of acedia or the 'noonday demon' as it was known by medieval theologians Norris began when clinical depression didn't quite fit how she was feeling.  Using the writings of the Desert Fathers and psychologists Norris shares how the eight bad thoughts became the seven deadly sin.  I found this book more academic and less memoir than her earlier books and I missed the personal reflections but did enjoy the book and questions posed.

Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott is the story of Rose Campbell who after the loss of her father goes to live with her two great-aunts on the Aunt Hill; surrounded by her many other aunts, uncles and cousins.  This delightful coming of age story is smart, funny and wholesome without being preachy. I'm not sure how I missed this story during my growing up but am very glad to have it recommended and will definitely be reading the sequel at some point.

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