Our biggest news of February is that Andrew began his new job as a financial adviser. It starts with 14 weeks of training at home, so daily life hasn’t changed drastically for the kids and me, but we will definitely be on our own more in the future. We’re excited about Andrew’s new career and about house hunting this spring!

Otherwise, February involved the usual Bible study, choir practice, Skype book club, and socializing with church friends. Here are some of the best things I read, ate, and listened to.

Read

2019 continues to be a bumper year for reading. While several of the books I finished I only ranked as two or three stars, I’ll share the fiction and non fiction that I liked best.

I’ve now read four out of Ann Patchett’s seven novels and Run is my favourite so far. I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t make my top ten list for the year.

I have a longstanding interest in biographies of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman and found this fictionalized account of Joy’s life interesting. (I was left feeling a little more sympathetic for her than I did after reading Joy by Abigail Santamaria.)

I finally got around to reading The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert and am glad I did — lots to ponder about evangelism, repentance, foster care, and more.

I listened to this childhood favourite and it did not disappoint.

I read the kids this novel about a family homesteading in Alberta. Nothing extraordinary, but a good story.

Last night we finished this fun 1980 children’s novel about a piglet unlike any other.

Finally, Tacky the Penguin is a picture book that Andrew remembers fondly from childhood; it was new to me but I didn’t mind reading it aloud several times — short and hilarious. (Publisher’s description: “Tacky’s perfect friends find him annoying until his odd behavior saves the day.”)

Eat

We continued to eat lots of soups this month, generally moving through a rotation of lentil, chicken, sausage, and vegetable. For something that really stood out, though, here’s the recipe for Raspberry Swirl Rolls that I made when we had company for brunch. I’m thinking of making them again at Easter.

Listen

Here are two beautiful Bible-based songs I think you’ll enjoy.
(I need to check out more by these artists!)

Meditate

Here’s a verse I’m thinking of printing and framing:

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8

What are some of your February favourites? I’m always interested in recommended books, recipes, and music.