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Favorite Novels of 2021

The rest of my booklist follows soon in a longer post! I love a good novel, dripping with suspense or…
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Enger: So Brave, Young, and Handsome
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I planted these back in the spring beside the toma

I planted these back in the spring beside the tomato plants and then never saw their vines come up. I thought they hadn’t sprouted. And now, here in November, my daughter came shrieking into the house waving some of these.
We found several handfuls of these beauties. Unfortunately, only a few were young enough to stir fry for supper. The big tough ones became decoration for our countertop. 😂
#bakercreekseeds #gardeningwithkids #funvegetables #eatyourveggies

You know it’s really fall when you’re washing

You know it’s really fall when you’re washing and drying acorns. 😂 #littleboypockets When you have kids, you never know what you’ll find rattling around in the dryer.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve washed and dried? 🍁🍂🍁🍂🍁🍁🍂 #autumn #happyfall #noisylaundry #cleanestacornsever

📷: a favorite place to walk when we can! Once

📷: a favorite place to walk when we can!

Once upon a time, my morning walks with my first baby were times of quiet reflection and prayer. These days, with older kids on bikes and only the youngest in the buggy, I feel that I’m a walking encyclopedia on tap. A few of the questions I fielded on a walk just this morning:
🍂 “Mom, why do oak leaves look like that?”
💀 “Mom, why are there skeletons in everyone’s yard?”
📖 “Mom, what’s the difference between Morse code and the Napoleonic code?”

Sometimes I miss my quiet mornings, but I’m also aware that in a couple short decades, my mornings will likely be quiet again and I will miss being considered the fount of all knowledge. 💕

#motherhood #homeschoolmomlife

The first photos are of my parents’ sprawling ru

John Constable’s The Haywain and Henry Ossawa Ta

John Constable’s The Haywain and Henry Ossawa Tanner’s The Banjo Lesson are two of my favorite paintings. (So much so that I have prints of them hanging on a wall in my house.) I’m looking for new artists to explore on Google Arts and Culture with my kids this summer. Recommendations, please?
#art #artwithkids #oilpainting

Hello, summer! My tomatoes, beans, corn, and sunfl

Hello, summer! My tomatoes, beans, corn, and sunflowers are happy, but the lettuce is beginning to get bitter in the heat. ☀️

Favorite finds during the beginning of our summer break:

- for kids, the art hub tutorials on YouTube(my kids have been drawing sea turtles and parrots that actually look pretty amazing while following the step by step directions!)
🎨
- book: remember reading Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry back when you were in middle school? Well, I finally read the book Mildred Taylor wrote about one of her ancestors: The Land. (Prequel to the other stories in the series.) It was a well written, hard, compelling story. I think it’s more for adults than kids. Give it a try if you need some fiction in your life! Especially if you prefer your fiction to be based in reality.
📖

- in the homemaking department, did you know you can put 2 TB of Castile soap in the bottom of your small foaming hand soap dispenser, mostly fill with water, and shake it up to have an extremely inexpensive foaming soap refill? I let my kids choose which essential oil scents to add, and they picked grapefruit for one and sweet orange for the other.
🍊

What are your favorite recent discoveries?

#gardening #gardeningintexas #urbangarden #reading #mildreddtaylor #amreading #homemaking #vitex #lilacchastetree

I’m using my short break from homeschool to try

I’m using my short break from homeschool to try making new things (hello, sourdough bagels!), paint bathrooms that have been in desperate need of some help, and do some deep cleaning. Also, planning for next year. My teenaged self would have rolled her eyes at the boredom of being a housewife. My adult self is really excited about fresh bagels and *potentially* clean closets. 😄 What good things are in store for you this summer? 🌴🌊🏝️#summer #boringmom #lifeisgood

“Mom!!! I found a baby tomato!” She’s the fi

“Mom!!! I found a baby tomato!” She’s the first to spy all of our new garden treats because she’s never afraid to stick her head and hands right in. 🥰 🍅

#gardeningwithkids #organicgardening #texasgarden #urbangarden

We are loving the sights and sounds of spring. A d

We are loving the sights and sounds of spring. A duck obligingly posed for my children to draw him in their nature journals. Rain showers have my tomatoes and lettuces growing each day. We hear mourning doves around us nonstop, and my irises are blooming.
This week I’ve been grateful that I have the privilege of staying home with my children and educating them in a way that keeps alive their wonder.

🌷🪻🪻🌷🪻🪻🌷
Is spring your favorite month, too? Or is the pollen making you feel too miserable to enjoy the great outdoors right now?
🌷🌷🌷🌷🪻🪻🪻🪻🌷🌷🌷🌷🪻🪻🪻🪻
#naturejournal #spring #charlottemason

Happy Resurrection Day! The bluebonnets are everyw

Happy Resurrection Day! The bluebonnets are everywhere right now in Texas and the world around us looks beautiful as we celebrate our Lord’s conquering the grave.

Today for us looks like:
- making resurrection rolls with the kids (wrapping crescent rolls around marshmallows that have been dipped in cinnamon and other spices to remind us of the spices on Jesus’ body. When the rolls are baked, the marshmallows disappear and leave behind an “empty grave.”)
- reading again the beautiful story of the resurrection (you can find this story at the endings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John!)
- worshipping with other believers at our home church
- enjoying a meal as a family and with whoever stops by.

What does celebrating Easter look like for your family?

#happyeaster #bluebonnets #texaswildflowers #resurrectionday

Sourdough experts: why doesn’t the “ear” on

Sourdough experts: why doesn’t the “ear” on my sourdough bread curl up? My bread is absolutely delicious and has great texture. So I don’t necessarily need to make changes. But I’m curious about why some people consistently have an ear on their bread and my bread rarely does.
My favorite recipe so far is the simple one from @heartbeetkitchen! I’ve never had it not turn out well, especially since I stood in someone’s kitchen a couple years ago to watch how to do the stretch-and-fold. (Thanks, cousin Reneé!) #sourdough #bread #homemade #asktheexperts #sourdoughquestions

This second book about EE’s life is, honestly, n

This second book about EE’s life is, honestly, not the story I wanted to read. I have long admired EE and have devoured many of her writings. My knowledge of her life has been, like most people’s, primarily composed of the story told in Through Gates of Splendor and its accompanying news stories and movies. Jim Elliot is martyred and then his wife goes to share the gospel with and live among the people who murdered him. The camera fades upon a scene of her sitting joyfully in the jungle.
So, to read of EE’s personal shortcomings, especially in her romantic relationships, was a bit of a shock for me. I was grieved to read of how difficult her third (and by far longest-lasting) marriage was, and especially grieved that she married that third time almost purely for the security of being married.
But, as author Ellen Vaughn notes, EE wouldn’t have approved of being placed upon a pedestal. She would’ve been the first to affirm that no one is perfect but Christ alone. And so perhaps her being knocked from her pedestal is for the best. She was simply a woman. A gifted writer, a dedicated Christian, a woman with much wisdom—but still simply a human with failures like we all have. (I hate to think of someone reading everything I have privately recorded and publishing it for the world to read!)
I read this book quickly. The writing was compulsively readable. I do recommend it to people who love biography. But if you want an inspiring read, go instead to Elliot’s older books.
Click on the link for mini book reviews in my Instagram bio to read a bit more and see some of Elliot’s own favorite quotes.
#elisabethelliot #christianbiography

Snapshots of my life right now. Tired snuggles wit

Snapshots of my life right now. Tired snuggles with a baby who got me up every hour last night, water kefir fermenting on the counter, and the scarves I knitted for the older two kids drying out after fun in the half inch of snow we got during the night.

I’m oh-so-thankful for these little children and my life as their mama.

#countingblessings #newbornlife #winterintexas

Right before Baby was born, I finished compiling m

Right before Baby was born, I finished compiling my booklist for 2023. This time I’ve tried to make the list super easy to navigate by just posting the book covers and making them clickable so you can click on the one you want to read more about. The link is in my Instagram bio or you can follow this link in your browser: https://therestfulhome.com/favorite-books-of-2023/ Let me know if this format is easier/more difficult for you. 📚
This year I’m asking for book recommendations that are quick, simple reads a mom with a newborn can enjoy and be encouraged by! Biography, fiction, memoir, spiritual helps, poetry, or even slightly wacky books are welcomed.
I also want to mention some books that are not on my list: both of the books recently published by Jill and Jinger formerly-Duggar. Jinger’s was a really enlightening read for those who want to better understand Gothard’s legalistic version of Christianity. (Especially those who were impacted by it during their growing-up years.) Jill’s was a memoir that told a very sad story with an attempt to maintain kindness and grace toward her family. My husband and I watched Shiny Happy People this year, as well, and at some point I will try to write my thoughts about it. But I’m just too tired right now, folks! 🤣 😴
A happy new year to you all and please drop your recommendations in the comments! I love to add variety to my lists!
#amreading #newyearsameme #happynewyear #readingchallenge #booklist

Merry Christmas! Christmas is very simple for us t

Merry Christmas! Christmas is very simple for us this year with a newborn, but oh so special as we tell our children the story of God’s Son who came to earth as a helpless infant. #comeemmanuel #merrychristmas

These are precious days, and I’m feeling so grat

These are precious days, and I’m feeling so grateful for the gift of new life. #newbornlife #kyrieeleison #greatmercy

Almost 38 weeks pregnant! Carrying this sweet chil

Almost 38 weeks pregnant! Carrying this sweet child has not been easy, but it has been a great gift from the Lord. Pray for us when you think of us, friends, as I prepare to labor to bring new life to the world and as we welcome a new baby to the family. 👩‍🍼

PC 📸: my second grader 😄

#motherhood #pregnancy #thankful #almostatthefinishline #hyperemesisgravidarum

Photo overload! My garden finally came to life thi

Photo overload!
My garden finally came to life this past month as temperatures cooled. It quickly became a vibrant mess. 😄 And now tomorrow it may all be dead from frost. Too hot, then too cold. #texasproblems
I had to chuckle when I caught this fat, happy hornworm chowing down on my tomato vine—he’s in for a rude surprise tomorrow, and I honestly have very little compassion to share with him. 🐛
Thanks, God, for the gift of plenty of basil for frozen pesto, fresh flowers, and a few lovely bell peppers that showed up in spite of my neglect. 🫑 🌸 🫑 #smallgarden #texasgardens #organic #messygarden

“Before I had children, I had confidence that if

“Before I had children, I had confidence that if I followed the wise advice of my parents and others who loved God, all would be well. My children would not embarrass me in public (or at least not very often). They would be obedient at home (or at least most of the time). I would fill their life with the best thoughts, art, music, and language. My voice would be calm and reasonable (most of the time).

The reality of parenting is that children are wild cards. You cannot predict when they will embarrass you, when they will forget all your patient (or impatient) training, and when they will suddenly decide to pull another child’s hair.

The reality of parenting is that I am also a wild card. I cannot predict when my patience will run out. I don’t know when I will embarrass all of us with my own sin and hypocrisy.

AND YET PARENTING IS A HOPEFUL BUSINESS. WHY?

I can parent with hope because Jesus didn’t come for those who think they are righteous, but for those who know they are sinners. (Mark 2:17) The messiness of parenting peels back my layers of conceit, of false self-sufficiency, and of selfishness. It exposes my weakness. And when I realize how very weak I am, I can turn to my strong refuge and Savior. When I am weak, He is strong. (See II Corinthians 12:10.) My failures can lead me to trust in the only One who can actually change my heart….”

The rest of this article is linked in my bio. :) What were some things that surprised you about the reality of parenting?
#faith #christianparenting

This photo I took of someone’s car parked outsid

This photo I took of someone’s car parked outside their apartment in the lovely medieval city of Granada is one of my favorites from our time in Spain! The second photo shows my website’s homepage, which has now been decorated by another Spain photo (from Toledo).
My Instagram bio contains a link to mini book reviews, but I’m also going to share a little here about my latest reads.
The review posted today was on the Supper of the Lamb, an extremely unorthodox “cookbook” that merits its original subtitle: A Culinary Entertainment. If you enjoy witty, funny writing that hops about from good food to theology to an ode to baking soda, this is the read for you. :)
Another recent read: You Are What You Love. I found its subtitle (The Spiritual Power of Habit) a bit misleading, as this book delved more into liturgy of all forms than practical habits. Read the whole review if you’ve been considering this book and aren’t sure whether it’s worth your time!
My favorite works of fiction lately? The Mrs. Pollifax mystery series! For a light, adventurous read, I highly recommend the first book in the series (The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax). It’s always interesting to see how heavily communism weighed on Americans during the Cold War era, and Mrs. Pollifax is the active, compassionate older lady we all wish we could be. 📚📚📚📚📚

#amreading #granada #españa #robertfarrarcapon #mrspollifax #youarewhatyoulove

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