We didn’t get out of the house too much this month, but I made lots of progress on my decluttering project and I’ve got some great books and a few photos to share. Enjoy.
Read
The best novel I’ve read recently (or rather am not quite finished reading and desperately need to finish tomorrow since it’s due back at the library!) is The Lincoln Highway, much anticipated latest book by Amor Towles.
We’d been reading Brighty of the Grand Canyon aloud for a while and finished with the audiobook version on Scribd. I never read much Margeurite Henry growing up, but it was good. (Also, Andrew has been listening to the Ralph Moody books and some Paddington with the kids.)
I’m excited about the picture books I have to share. This version of The Owl and the Pussycat, illustrated by Jan Brett, is lovely. I also enjoyed her folktale retelling, The Turnip. Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears is excellent. I had never read If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss before, but now I think it’s one of his best. Finally, my kids were vastly amused by Mac Barnett’s Triangle.
Eat
We ate well in February, but I don’t have much new to post. On Valentine’s Day we were beginning to get sick, but most of us enjoyed fresh white buns with bacon and tomato, fizzy pink drinks, and saucy hot fudge pudding (a childhood dessert that lives up to the memories).
I forgot to make pie on the fourth Friday of February (family tradition). We did have ham and broccoli quiche twice this month. (I use Martha Stewart’s recipe, more or less.)
I made bagels with the kids, which was a delicous Saturday project; the worst part is the seeds that scatter everywhere.
Do
- The kids were able to have a belated gingerbread house party with their Sunday school class.
- I discovered the joy of candlelit yoga (breathing, stretching, soft light, good smell… you don’t have to go for the mysticism).
Enjoy
In January I bought new slippers partially with a gift card I got for Christmas. They are Glerups: wool with a rubber sole made by a Danish company. I am cheap when it comes to buying clothes and shoes so these were a splurge, but I wear slippers constantly for half the year; these are very comfortable (after a couple days of breaking in) and I hope they will hold up for many years!
As a more modest splurge I bought tulips at the grocery store. So cheerful at the tail end of winter.
Watch
When we were sick for several days, we started watching Best in Miniature, a fairly entertaining competition show. Two episodes to go.
Meditate
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)
So enjoyed the Lincoln Highway…esp Billy’s character.
Your slippers look so cozy! Good footwear isn’t really a splurge, since we only receive one pair of feet to last us all our days. My favorite things in February were the snowy days when we didn’t have to go anywhere, and could just stay home and drink tea all day long.