summer reading list.

I mentioned wanting to do some reading this summer. And I mentioned thinking I needed to run out and buy something interesting to read. But I also mentioned that I had plenty of unread reading material in my possession so buying something new was not only not necessary, but silly.

I decided to shop my book shelves for interesting reads for this summer...this is the stack I came up with...

bird by bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott - I have started this book  a half dozen times but haven't ever read it to the end. I'm thinking it might have something to do with what Steven Pressfield had to say when interviewed by Oprah on Super Soul Sunday. I don't make it a habit to watch Super Soul Sunday (and quite frankly, I think the name is just stupid) but when another show ended and I happened to catch the beginning of what this guy had to say my interest was piqued. He talked about creativity, and resistance, and why we have such a hard time fulfilling our creative calling. I don't necessarily agree with the delivery of his philosophy, and wasn't appreciative of his wishy-washy "spirituality". But the main idea was spot on. It got me thinking. So with all of that being said, my goal is to actually finish bird by bird...and we'll see if it sinks in this time.

The Old Farmer's Almanac - This little booklet is just always on the reading list. I ask for it in my stocking every Christmas, and it makes me happy, but I have yet to actually read it cover to cover. Who knows? I might learn something!

One Thousand Gifts by Anne Voskamp - This book was all the rage a few years back. Everyone was reading it and going on and on about how great it was. So naturally, not wanting to jump on anyone's bandwagon, I resisted. But then...but then one day a dear friend sent it to me as a gift...and was I ever glad that she did. (I really need to get a handle on this rebellion of mine...it really works against me most times.) We began to read it together...making notes in the margins, placing sticky note after sticky note with arrows and exclamation points and "Amen's" plastered here and there...then having a discussion vie email. Unfortunately, I didn't finish reading this book either. I think it had something to do with where I was at spiritually (which wasn't the best place, if I'm honest, and I am) so I just sort of let myself drift further away from the book and eventually it landed on the bottom of the book pile. But I never stopped thinking about it...which in spiritual terms (for me, anyway) means that I really need to read it and let it soak in.

The Circle Maker: Praying Circles Around Your Biggest Dreams and Greatest Fears by Mark Batterson - I purchased this book several weeks ago. I stopped in to the Christian book store to purchase a small gift for a coworker. And I couldn't help but check out the sale table. I had never heard of the book nor the author. But the subtitle intrigued me. And the price was right. So I bought it. I'm thinking it's gonna be helpful and enlightening.

Permission to Speak Freely by Anne Jackson - I bought this book a LONG time ago. And I can't remember why. I don't know if I'd read about it or heard about it or what. But a major book seller was going out of business here in town and I found it sitting all alone on a shelf marked way down. So I bought it. And now, I need to read it.

The Gift of an Ordinary Day by Katrina Kenison - This is another one of those books that was so popular a while back. I stumbled across an excerpt from it one day and just knew that I had to read the whole book. I found it on sale during one of my periodic trips to the book store and snatched it up. I haven't even cracked the spine. Yet. It's gonna get read this summer. And as has been recommended, I will keep a lot of tissue handy.

Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver - Definitely one of my all-time favorite books EVER. It was life-changing. Yes, I've already read it. But it is SO worth a second (or a third or a fourth) read. And I can't wait to dig in again.

The Honey Prescription by Nathaniel Altman - this was a (very thoughtful) gift from my mom for my birthday. She knows how intrigued I am with bees and honey and that when I'm not feeling well I like to try something natural before resorting to a pill. (I'm pretty sure I got this from her...she wasn't one to just instantly give us a pill or run right to the doctor for any little ailment...thank goodness.) There's a little bit about it here....I am really looking forward to reading this one!

Becoming Myself by Stasi Eldredge - This was another sale table find at the Christian book store. The title caught my attention as I feel like that is what I have been doing over the past several years. God didn't create us to be like everyone else. He created us to be unique, ourselves. He created us for a purpose and has a divine plan for our lives. But I think for many of us circumstances, bad choices, unhealthy relationships have turned us into a warped version of what God had in mind when He knit us together in our mothers' wombs. I'm thinking this book might be a piece of the puzzle that helps me find my way back to God's original plan for my life. I'm hoping so, anyway.

* * *

Honestly, this list is pretty ambitious of me as I am not a big reader. I don't have a book going at all times and if I do have a book going but it turns out I don't care for it, I stop reading it. I don't read for the sake of reading.

I do read blogs. And magazine articles. But it's rare for me to finish a book cover to cover. I'm more of a skimmer. Call it ADD. Call it commitment issues. Or maybe it's my visual learning style. Whatever it is, I just don't read a ton. I am also a picky reader. It has to be really interesting or contain really helpful info for me to read it from start to finish. So we'll see how I do with this list...I'll keep you posted!

books, lists and should vs. want

One of the things I want to add to my summer manifesto (that I keep mentioning but have yet to write) is reading...a book, or two (or three or four)...from start to finish.

I have been reading other people's reading lists and perusing the book aisle at Costco now and then to see what I might like to read. So I'm sitting here thinking about books I need to look into, and thinking about the manifesto and the summer break and how I know it's gonna fly by so fast I'm not even going to believe it and how I really should do my should-do's before my want-to's, when it occurred to me...

...I have a stack of books on my very own bookshelf (and on my nightstand and on my other book shelf) that I have yet to read. Why is it I am looking for ways to gather more reading material when I haven't even read the material I already have? Isn't this always the question? I blame Pinterest...constantly gathering ideas and inspiration but never making the time to execute any of it. (Except recipes...I execute those, thank goodness or I'd feel like a total Pinterest fail!)

So...along with the manifesto, I will be writing a list of books I already have in my possession and I will make my selections from there. Novel idea, eh? (Get it? Did you see what I did there? Man, I crack myself up.)

Another thought just occurred to me...it's looking like I am going to need to make a list of the lists I need to make. Have I mentioned how much I love lists? Maybe once or twice, I'm thinking.

How about you? What are you reading this summer? Maybe I already have it on my bookshelf and we can compare notes!

the dust is settling...



Flickr favorites...mostly brown...see who did all of this....

I'm going slow...yesterday and today.

Yesterday turned into an impromptu "clean out under the kitchen sink" day...which then led to a on my hands and knees bathroom floor scrubbing day...not to mention taking care of a good four or five loads of laundry.

Thank goodness for leftovers.

I don't have much to say today...my thoughts are still deep...but there were a few things that I wanted to share.

Some of you have inquired about the mosaics of photos like the one above...I make them at bighugelabs.com...click on Mosaic Maker..and go for it!

Chris and I signed up for Netflix a few weeks ago. I was searching around for a documentary...had clicked on Food Inc. and was going to watch it but really wasn't in the mood for something that heavy. I dug around a bit more when I came across Food Matters...an amazing and informative documentary focusing on food for health...vs. medications. It really confirmed much of what's been rumbling through my brain lately.

Have you seen Born Into Brothels? Incredible. Moving. And hard to take. This documentary should not be viewed around children...the language is over the top offensive. Really. And the subject matter, obviously, is not for everyone. I grabbed it on a whim at the library and was glad that I did...an eye-opener to say the least.

I'm reading through The Kind Diet...it's inspiring me to add more raw food to our meals. I'm quite sure I won't be making raw pizza or raw lasagna...the idea of trying to make something gooey out of uncooked random ingredients is not at all appetizing to me. However, eating raw veggies, raw fruits and good salads full of good, nutritious food is.

I'm also reading through A Householder's Guide to the Universe: A Calendar of Basics for the Home and Beyond. Entertaining. Informative. And down to earth...

Oh...and while I'm at it, sharing controversial things and all, I'll go ahead and recommend another great documentary...Collapse by Michael Ruppert. I'll let you look it up if you want to...peak oil...government...etc. Good stuff...if you're interested in those things.

I hope all is well in your little corner of the world. I hope your gardens are growing...your families are well...and your hearts are full. xo

Back to school.

As many of you know, I have recently returned to college to complete my degree. FINALLY. Going to college is a lot different now than it was when I started. (Which was just a few years ago...right? What? It WAS just a few years ago! At least it feels like it was...!)

OK, fine. It was many years ago. But...that's not the point here. The point here is that I finally learned how to go into the college web site! I deciphered all of my PINS and all of my passwords. I learned how to get my school email, how to attend a class online, AND how to check my grades. And guess what? I got an A in my first class!!! Oh my gosh...talk about excited! I was SO excited. But it was funny...I was at the college office, surrounded by very somber people, and I'm trying to hoot and holler over my A and nobody is humoring me. At all. Not even a little. I guess people get A's all the time or something. And good for them! I'm not one of them, however. So this was BIG for me! It made my day. And night. I was still pumped at 11 o'clock last night. Come to think of it, I'm still pumped this morning!

Getting an A really boosted my confidence in this whole "back to school" thing I got going. I question myself daily about this decision. And I sometimes doubt that I'll be able to do it. I wonder what the heck I'm thinking trying to go to college AND work AND raise kids AND pay attention to my hubby AND everything else.

But you know...so far it's been really good. And my family is so supportive and has really stepped up to the plate with helping me around here. If I have to study or write a paper they take care of things. They really clear the way for me to do what I need to do. What a blessing...I'm one lucky girl.

Once I got over my doubt...and realized that I really am going to be able to DO this...I confidently signed up for my first online class. I am still struggling with my major. So I took a class that applies to either one. I will have to make a decision this next week, though....Social Science or Liberal Studies. Liberal Studies is the best decision. Social Science is the most interesting decision. But...as we know...time is of the essence. So...it's looking like I'm about to be a Liberal Studies major. Which is fine. It's good. It's all just a means to an end. And if I can do it in three fewer classes as a Lib Studies major, why is there even a question? I'll tell you why there's a question. Because once I get something in my mind it takes a while for me to readjust my thinking when things change. Because I'm stubborn. And rigid at times. That's why. But I'm working on that...really. I am.

Another change was that originally I planned on taking two classes each 8-week session. But this time around I'm only taking one, again. Eventually, I will need to take two classes per session if I want a degree before I'm a hundred years old. But for now...at this season of life I feel like I need one more session to get my feet wet. Especially since I'm trying my hand at an online class. I've never taken an online class before and I had no idea what to expect. So I decided to take just one class again. If the online class goes well I will probably arrange it so I can take one class online and one class on campus each session until I'm done. That way I won't have to be gone so much. It sounds good on paper...I'm hoping it works out like I imagine it will.

So what class are you taking, Michelle? Why, thank you for asking! I'm going to take Liberal Studies 300...a required course by Chapman. To tell you the truth...I don't even know what Liberal Studies IS. But I'm about to find out! See that stack of books in the picture? The top three books are for my class. And you know the great thing about those three books? I didn't have to pay for them! The financial aide guy at the college, Mario, had them and let me borrow them! He told me it was on my "honor". I replied, "I'm honorable!" So I better not lose them...I'd be so embarrassed!

And for someone who was never really a big reader (I went in spurts when I was younger...but hated to read books that were assigned. Such a rebel, aren't I? A brat is more like it!) I sure have a big stack of books on my night stand! I have to say, in the past 3 years or so I've come to really love reading and learning new things. I will admit, though, I'm still feeling a little rebellious about reading something someone tells me to read. Because I can be a bit of a brat on occasion (no comments from the peanut gallery!) I only want to read what I WANT to read. But I am almost 43 for crying out loud. I think it's time to stop acting 14. You think? I'll have to discipline myself to read school books first, library books second. I'll have to treat my self like I treat my kids. Because apparently rebellion isn't something one outgrows so easily.

Stack of library goodness.

I had placed a hold on Made from Scratch last week and on Sunday I received an email from the library that it was in. Have I ever mentioned how much I love the library's online hold option? Oh. I have? I'm sorry. I can't help it. I just...love it!

Is it still a pile if I call it a "stack"?

I had to run a few errands on Sunday and decided to pop into the library real quick to grab my book. On my way to the Hold Shelf I passed by the New Arrivals. And as you can see, there were quite a few that caught my eye.

So far I've looked at:

• The 5-Minute Face by Carmindy of What Not to Wear - not impressed. It would be nice if I had perfect, flawless skin and a party to attend every other night. But...I don't.
• Material Obsession - VERY impressed. To the point of putting it on my Wishlist at Amazon. I need this book.The quilting instructions and supply lists are so clear and concise that I truly believe I could actually make one of these quilts. Because really...at this point in my life...I seriously need something new to start. I really do. Especially after telling myself (and ALL of YOU) that I wasn't going to try anything new. And that I was going to focus on what I can do already and learn to do those things well. And of course, I'm also getting ready to start COLLEGE and really need to have some sort of large creative project going as a distraction. Or at least to start and not finish. Because what fun is life if it's not totally crazy and full of half-started projects? Right? However, in my defense, I do know how to sew. And so what if it's just straight lines? Because when it comes to the two main quilts I would like to try, straight lines are all I'm required to know. So, technically, I will be doing something I already know how to do AND improving on it. Right? Right? So really...I'm doing exactly what I said I was going to do. Come on...go with me here. Work with me, people.

Anyway...I haven't looked at any of the other books, yet. I've been too busy obsessing over easy quilt patterns and gorgeous fabrics. The book at the top, Grace (Eventually) by Anne Lamott is actually my book. I just put it at the top of the stack because I started reading it the other night. Anne Lamott is one of my favorite author's. I read Traveling Mercies years ago and it is one of my favorite books, ever. So when I saw a few other titles by Lamott at the used book store I snatched them up to read at a later date. And here we are, at "a later date".

Did you notice the two books on bees? I was giggling to myself on my way out of the library as I tried to balance my giant pile of library goodness, realizing that before I actually got The Girls, I would do the same thing with books about keeping chickens. Uh oh. I'm just sayin'....

This post got totally out of control.

Now what am I doing, you ask? More reading. More, more, more.

I have to admit, I haven't always been a big reader. I've gone in spurts. There was a time when I was little, around 9 or 10 or so, that I read a lot. It was a really rainy winter and the Bookmobile came to my neighborhood. What a cool thing that was. I don't know if you've ever been witness to a Bookmobile, but it's just a big ol' bus turned into a travelling library! And the one in my neighborhood parked maybe three blocks away. So my mom let me walk to it. What an adventure...a walk in the rain, a big responsibility, freedom...and a few new books to boot. I remember one particular memory of coming home, flopping on the couch, and getting lost in the story. It was a good thing when the Bookmobile came around.

Well, when I was 10 my family moved to a small town for my dad's job. And there was no Bookmobile. And then reading got linked with school...I had to read what they told me to read. So, being a bit of a rebel, I decided that reading was boring. And that's how it went for years. I would read now and then...mostly Stephen King because my friend would loan them to me. Or a few romance novels now and again, because another friend loaned them to me. But it wasn't very often that the book got read to the last page. I was bored. And I could never seem to find author's that spoke to me and kept my interest.

Fast forward to about 10 years ago...and Oprah's Book Club. There was a time when Oprah spoke and I listened. Not anymore...I have to make that very clear. Oprah has changed over the years...and I don't agree with the direction she's going. But...I'm not here to talk about Oprah. Anyway, the book club was good for me. But I didn't read with the club...I waited to hear what the book was about during their discussion THEN I read it if it sounded interesting. And during that time, I read quite a bit. White Oleander, Stones from the River, The Book of Ruth, The Rapture of Canaan...very good books. I also read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe by Fannie Flagg...and it has become one of my all-time favorites. Then a few years ago a friend of mine I met through an online art group recommended a book by Anne Lamott, Traveling Mercies. Wow. I was blown away. And I had finally found the voice of an author that I could relate to. Anne Lamott spoke in a way that I thought, "You know, I could sit and have coffee with this woman."

That was about 5 years ago...maybe 7...and my interest in reading was forever piqued. But, again, I had a hard time finding author's I could relate to. I read everything I could find by Fannie Flagg...and everything by Anne Lamott...but once I was done with all of them, I was stuck again. Keep in mind, too, I was of the mind that I had to BUY all of the books I read. The library wasn't an option. Not that I was against the library....I just never thought to GO there. So of course budget was a consideration.

Well, a couple of years ago I decided to take a plunge into the blog world. And boy am I glad that I did. I found so many interesting people. with interesting things to say, and valuable information to share. I would read and read and read...blogs. Not books. At the same time, there was this book that kept catching my eye at Sam's Club...Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver. Every time I'd go to Sam's I'd have to take the book route. I'd look for cookbooks, mostly. As I really wasn't much of a reader. But I did like to cook...and eat! But one day...months after I'd first seen this curious book (with a beautiful cover, I might add)...I finally decided to buy it. And life hasn't been the same since.

Reading A,V, M changed how I saw the world..how I saw food...how I saw my life and my self. I know it sounds dramatic...but it's true.

Knowing that I had to make changes I began searching the internet for information. Simple living...sustainable lifestyle...preserving food...organic gardening...you name it, I searched it. And inevitably I'd stumble across a blog that would tell me what I wanted to know. And, as you know, once you visit one blog, you just have to click over to another blog...and so on, and so on, and so on...holy cow! This whole new world opened up to me! A world of recycling, which I was already doing pretty seriously, but I learned even MORE ways to do it. A world of reusing, thrifting, which I'd also always done, simplifying, buying less instead of more, being content with what I have, reading food labels, making it myself, the list goes on and on. And for a while, I was information overload! I wanted to do it ALL. But, I knew that wasn't realistic. So I started with what I knew...gardening. And I introduced one new thing this year...chickens. And next year, I'll add one more new thing....not sure what it is, yet. But ALL of this to say...I can't get enough reading material! I'm constantly reading...blogs, books and magazines (from the library of course...and if I love it and it contains valuable information that I need to know regularly for the lifestyle I'm heading toward, then I buy it.), newsletters, articles...

...hmmm, that's interesting. As I'm writing this post something is being brought to my mind. In the midst of ALL of this, I think it was July of 2007, I had decided to read my bible from cover to cover. I opened it up at Genesis, and read and read and read until I got to the very last word in Revelation. I think it took me about 7 or 8 months. I read the bible, and nothing else.

And what I found was...well, I found several things...the bible is relevant, it's interesting, it's dramatic, it's full of adventure and how-to articles. The bible is THE life handbook...and it gives the perfect picture of how life is one big circle. How everything that God created goes together. And nowhere in there does it mention grocery stores or high-fructose corn syrup or partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. It talks of hard work and pure food and trials and triumphs. It talks of life.

So if I'm being honest, the bible is what really opened it all up to me. It sparked the interest of reading...of planting...of preserving...of simplifying...of reducing, reusing and recycling. The year that I was reading the bible I went to our women's retreat. Our speaker passed out bible verses rolled up like tiny little scrolls. We each went up (80 of us) and grabbed our scrolls out of the basket and took them back to our seats. I was so excited to see what mine said.

Wasn't I surprised to find 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12...Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

Um, huh? Excuse me? Me? Be quiet? Mind my own business? Um...yeah...I definitely got the wrong scripture. Definitely. I tucked it in my bible and forgot about it.

About 6 months later it all began to make sense. I was reading books and blogs and Mother Earth News. Chris had put a copy of it in my stocking and that was the end of that. We are now subscribers! One day I'm sitting out on the deck reading my bible and that scripture on that little scroll slips out of my bible. And suddenly it all makes sense. A quiet life meaning quiet in it's impact. Minding my own business and working with my hands meaning gardening and preserving and doing instead of buying. All of this will then help me to be less dependent on anybody. Ahhhh, OK, now I get it.

I finally begin to see it, a common theme. I see that everything I read, everything crossing my path is leading to the same thing...simplifying. Quieting things down. Doing things myself. Being less dependent on "the man"...(I say this in jest but there is a bit of truth to it.)

Well, wow. Are you still here? I have to say, this is not what I had in mind when I began this post. I was originally going to talk about my latest interest, natural remedies. I sure veered away from that now didn't I?! But isn't it interesting...how one thing leads to another and another? And next thing you know, life is different. And you are different. And there's hope. Life is crazy sometimes...and such an adventure. I'm glad that I am actually learning how to participate in it...

What a mess! Or (I love parentheses)

I currently have 18 books checked out of the library. And I just got an email (I switched from phone calls to email for notification of Hold books arriving) that one more of my Holds is in. Yes. (Said in true Napoleon Dynamite form.)

This is my nightstand.

I took this photo the other morning...hence the coffee cup. What a mess, eh? Wow. And am I high-maintenance or what? Lotion and lip balm and Mentholatum (hey...give me a break...it's very soothing for migraines...just a dab under your nostrils and it's instant relief. And when a migraine strikes the last thing you feel like doing is rummaging through the medicine cabinet. So...on the nightstand it is!). High-maintenance AND a pack-rat...bookmarks and paper weights and notepads and pens...stacks of books, my own and library books. And of course...the fan remote. Gotta have the fan remote.

I always think I'm so low-maintenance...

I don't color my hair. (Yet. That gray is really creeping up on me, though. And the grays don't just lay flat and nice and pretty. They boing out like a corkscrew. Unruly I tell you.)

I don't get my nails done. (I do them at home, actually. Isn't that frugal of me? I'm just always looking for ways to cut costs and be a better steward of our finances. I mean I am just... What? What's my technique you ask? Oh...um...well...yeah...um...I bite them. What? That doesn't count? Whatever.)

I shop clearance racks and discount stores and thrift stores and yard sales. (95% of the time).

We have a small, modest home. (With dreams of country property someday...*sigh*)

Low-maintenance I tell you. But...by the looks of that nightstand? Needy. And high-maintenance. And don't get me started on going for drives and motion sickness. Oh boy...talk about needy. Cold water and full stomach and fresh air and the seat adjusted at the just the right height and inclination....sheesh. I'm worn out just thinking about it all. I don't know HOW my husband lives with me! I need to give him a hug...

I had written a post about my nightstand a few months back....implying that to look at someones nightstand would tell you about them as a person. But I meant...like...what they were interested in...and what they were filling their mind with...and what they liked to do in their spare time. You know...the GOOD stuff.

I didn't realize that while, yes, you would learn all of those good and interesting things about a person...you would also learn of their neuroses!

*Note to self: watch for a good deal on a nightstand with a drawer.

the internet isn't all bad.

Last week I went to my library online and placed some books on hold. A few days later I'm getting an automated call telling me my books are in. Yes! These are the books that were waiting for me when I arrived:

On the Wild Edge. Hmmm...I'm not sure how I ended up with this one...or what the chain of events were to lead me to it. But...here it is just the same...and so far it's pretty interesting!

This is sustainability to the extreme. But hey...to each his own. I'm hoping to glean some knowledge.

In Defense of Food was bragged on by Thy Hand Hath Provided...and I'd been eyeing it now and then...and figured it was time to give it a read. I never did read Omnivores Dilemma...I started to but just couldn't get into it. We'll see how this one grabs me. I'm a bit of a finicky reader...if a book doesn't grab me, I don't grab it! I'm not one to finish a book just because I started it if it's not all that great. So...I've read a few pages...and so far, so good.

Simply in Season. This was also bragged on by Thy Hand Hath Provided...not to mention she shared a vinaigrette recipe that was delicious. So I definitely needed to check this one out (no pun intended) myself. I'm glad I did. This one is worth owning and got placed on my Amazon Wish List!

My point here isn't really the books themselves, though. My point is the fact that I can go online, go to my library.com, find books and place them on hold....in like a minute and a half! Next thing I know I'm getting a phone call letting me know they've arrived!

I walked into the library....went directly to the Hold Shelf...grabbed my books...went to the self-checkout and used my handy-dandy keychain card and I was done. Just like that. Is that not the best thing ever?

What's on Your Nightstand?

I was getting ready the other morning and caught a glimpse of my nightstand. It's brimming over with books, magazines, lotions, potions, journals, sticky notes...and yes, some dust! One look made me think, "Wow, a person could just come in here, take a look at everything on my nightstand and really get an understanding of who I am, what I like (lotions), what I don't like (dusting!)..."

Because of that thought process, I've decided to do a small series on the contents of My Nightstand. I'll talk about what's on My Nightstand and what I think it says about me. In doing so, maybe you'll be able to learn a little bit about me. Heck, maybe I'll learn a little bit about my SELF.

Stay tuned...