I'm always curious to hear what other people are reading, aren't you? I love a good book recommendation. Almost as much as I love my sister. Which is saying a lot. Sisters are the best.

I digress.

Here's what on my nightstand these days:

1.) I've just recently started reading this packed tome! What a book! Dr. George attends our church. Or rather we attend Dr. George's church. ToMAto. ToMAHto. Andrew and I were able to attend a lecture Dr. George presented on his book. It was a fascinating look into Psychology 101. 

Untangling The Mind by D. Theodore George, M.D.

2. Oh, this book is meaty! My dear friend, Alisa, sent me this last spring when she was unable to attend my bridal shower. It arrived in the mail with Pioneer Woman's cookbook. A perfect combination if you ask me. Marriage is a mysterious, magical thing but it's also a bread and butter and "what's for dinner" type of thing. You need good food and good beliefs. Anyway, this book is wonderful on the beliefs part. Just a treasure to read.

Family Vocation: God's Calling in Marriage, Parenting, and Childhood by Gene Edward Veith, Jr. 

3. Don't get me started on Joel Rosenberg--I may never stop. He is one of my favorite fiction writers. I fly through his books. He writes the kind of novels that have you thinking at 1:30am, "Just one more page..." This is the second in a series. Oh it is GOOD!

The Tehran Initiative by Joel Rosenberg

4. I started this book well over a year ago and am still savoring it. I wish I could have met Edith Schaeffer. Her writing conveys such joy for the everyday. And creativity! I've loved reading about some of her ideas to make a house a home.

The Hidden Art of Homemaking by Edith Schaeffer

5. My Mom gave me this darling little book in my Christmas stocking (Andrew got the "Don't For Husbands"!). This book is teensy tiny and was written in 1913. It's amazed me how much of the little pieces of advice can be applied today...things like:

-"Don't expect all the 'give' to be on his side, and all the 'take' on yours."

-"Don't be afraid to rough it now and again with your husband as a companion."

-"Don't expect life to be all sunshine. Besides, if there are no clouds, you will lose the opportunity of showing your husband what a good chum you can be."

Aren't those clever? I've had fun reading them.

Don't For Wives by Blanche Ebbutt

Now your turn! Tell me what's on your nightstand? :)

Snow days

We got a few inches of snow here yesterday! I love snow days. Aren't they the best? They're a gentle reminder to be thankful for those things we take for granted in life...like a roof over our heads! and indoor heating! and a day of rest! I don't mind the snow at all. Or four very distinct seasons. There's beauty all year round--you just have to look for it!

Andrew and I tried in vain to take Admiral Byrd on a walk in the snow early this morning. He was not having it. We made it about halfway down the sidewalk before he started whimpering. He's a little on the dramatic side. ;) We're thankful to be indoors today--enjoying the beauty of wind-whipped snow from the comfort of our home! 

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Happy new year! I'm alive! I hardly know where to begin with a recap...our holidays were action-packed! Andrew and I spent a few days away with my family after Christmas in Hot Springs, Virginia (we stayed at the original Virginia Homestead!), returned home on New Year's Day, did a quick turnaround and flew out of town the next morning with my in-laws to Orlando, Florida! We spent a week in the Sunshine State before returning to snowy Virginia. Every single one of us promptly got sick! Hah! 

We're still a little behind over here. We have Christmas decorations covering the living room floor (I keep meaning to box them up), and I'm embarrassed to admit our suitcases have been hanging out in our bedroom begging for someone to unpack them. Real life! 

I'm hoping to do a little photo montage soon of all these fun trips we took! Until then, here's one I swiped off the Disney PhotoPass site...