a new Bible Adventure

A couple weeks ago I read By the Waters of Babylon.  It is a BIblical ficition story based off Psalm 137.  It left me with a desire to read the Bible chronologically.  A feat I have never attempted before. I've also been feeling like my devotional life has been a little flat.  This seemed like a good opportunity to dig deeper into God's Word and be refreshed.

After much debate I decided to purchase a journaling Bible to aid me on this new adventure.  I have been wanting a journaling Bible for a few years now but have never taken the leap.  This was the perfect time for it.  I also like that this is a different Bible version than I usually read.  That too I feel like will add a different and fresh perspective.

I purchased the One Year Chronological Bible Expressions.  Its the New Living Translation.  It has wide margins for journaling as well as some pages that already have artwork in the margins for coloring.

The only draw back to a One Year Bible is that it is already dated each day...starting with January. It occured to me that since I was planning on journaling in this Bible I could just cover up the dates as I go.  Today I had a relaxing afternoon of coloring and transforming my January page heading into July.  All ready to begin tomorrow.

I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out.  I'm really looking forward to this new endeavor and journaling my way through the whole Bible.  My prayer is that God would speak to my heart and make his word fresh and alive in a whole new way for me through this.  I'll be sharing some of my pages here and on Instagram. =)

You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Dog Songs *book review*

What would the world be like without music or 

rivers or the green and tender grass? 

What would this world be like without dogs? 

- Mary Oliver, Dog Songs p 121

What indeed? Dogs are pretty much my favorite. 

Back in the spring I think I read another book of poetry by Mary Oliver - Felicity: Poems. Because of that I happened to find that she had also written a volume about dogs!  What could be better? I read it almost in one sitting- I found myself saying oh, just one more page... and then of just one more! Until I fell asleep.

 I think the 1st poem in the book was my favorite.  Maybe because we have just gotten a new puppy.

Be Kind to Yourself... But don't be a weenie

These are the two thoughts I had during Monday night's run.

I have been seriously slacking last week in running.  Getting the new puppy totally threw off my routine.  I complained to my children on Sunday night how discouraged I was with running.  They offered tough love and basically told me to suck it up and make it happen. :P

So I decided in the morning I was going to take Chance for a walk (once the road cooled off after dinner) and then go run.

Chance was beyond happy when I changed into shorts and running shoes and asked... "Are you ready?" He bounded off the bed and towards the door.

It was kinda hot and humid but I didn't give in.  I remember the words my sister has told me so often- "You have to push yourself to get stronger." I thought about a blog I read about acclimating to running in summer weather. Be kind to yourself. It said.  But don't be a weenie- I told myself.  Keep running.

Yesterday morning on my run I happened by the new Little Free Library. It makes me so happy!

Keep running! And Happy summer!

Remember to be kind to yourself! Do things that make you feel good!

The River *book review*

I'm still sorting out my feelings about this book.  The River by Peter Heller. I reserved it at my library and was really excited about it after initially hearing about it on Anne Bogel's summer reading guide. She touted it as her favorite book of the year so far. I think she also recommended it on a podcast. Couple that with finding out the HeRead*SheRead podcast chose it for their June buddy read and I could not wait to read it.

I found the beginning a little slow moving. Although it did make me long for the woods, camping and kayaking...

It the story of Jack and Wynn.  A pair of best friends on summer break from college.  They are taking a  canoe expedition in the wilderness of Canada.  They end up in the path of a wildfire.  They hear a couple yelling in the fog and being good citizens turn back to try and warn them of the wildfire headed their way, which leads them all into a fight for survival.  Although maybe "fight" is too strong of a word.

The story itself was good; a bit like the river itself.  Quietly slow and meandering at times, fast and bumpy like rapids at others.  I learned a new word "riffle" meaning- a rocky or shallow part of a stream or river with rough water.

I found the ending abrupt and disappointing... but maybe that's just me.  It just was not as thrilling and fast paced as I was expecting.

I'm giving it 3 stars over all. I liked it.  I wouldn't re-read it. Reading some of the reviews its definitely a split camp on this one. People either seem to love it or just find it kinda meh. I guess it just didn't live up to the hype for me.  I'm eager to listen to the podcast and seeing how Curtis and Chelsey felt about it.  I do think it would have maybe made a good book club read despite my lukewarm feelings about it. I kinda want to talk to someone else about it! 😏

Updated to add: I listened to the podcast after dinner last night and I immensely enjoyed it.  Do NOT listen to it before you read the book as it does contain spoilers but I did feel some of my feelings validated and mirrored by Chelsey so that made me happy! :P

I would like to say again I did like the book- I just didn't love it.

That being said, after listening to them talk about it- I almost wanted to pick it up again.  It did satisfy a little of my bookclub craving to talk about it.

puppies and pampered chef

Puppy update! Sorry for in inundation of puppy pics following ;) Well- not really. We love our sweet new little puppers.

 Wednesday I took Bruno in for his first check up.  He weighs 13.6 pounds and had to get a shot. He was a very good boy.

 Seems like he's growing like a weed!

 Chance is slowly getting used to little brother.  They have had some good romps, playing together in the back yard.  He hides upstairs when he has had enough puppy foolishness.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon in the backyard- Chance got really excited when I moved the hammock back into the shady yard.  He took a flying leap onto it and made himself comfy.

Once Bruno tired himself out playing in the grass he joined us for a snooze.

Bliss

Saturday I had a Pampered Chef party in my Mom's amazing new kitchen! We had such fun and so much food!

This punch- Citrus Berry Smash is super yummy!  One note- I ended up doubling the Grapefruit Sparkling Water.

Our main demo recipe- Sausage and Egg Breakfast Ring- I was so pleased with how it came out.  Again super yummy!

The LIVE video of my demo is up at Amy's Pampered Kitchen =)  Let me just say... Pampered NOT Perfect! ;-)

By the Waters of Babylon *book review*

Last week I read this book and loved it! By The Water's of Babylon by Mesu Andrews.  I had purchased it a while back on my Kindle on a recommendation from my Dad.

Recently I noticed how many books I own both in print and on my kindle that I have yet to read.  I made the goal to try and work through some of them this summer.

This is a short little book and a quick read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.   It is the story of Merari, a young Israelite woman, captured by a mercenary Scythian prince. Driven toward Babylon by both hatred and hope, she endures captivity in hopes of reuniting with her husband.  Her faith in Yahweh is inspiring.  While her account is of course fictional, it really brings to life the Bible. It left me hungry for more of God myself.  It was a reminder to me of how much God cares for his people. That even in the most trying circumstances He is continually drawing us back to him and can turn any situation for the good.

This book also inspired me to want to read through the entire Bible in chronological order.  I plan to start this feat July 1.  I am still debating between just printing off a plan online (you know for free) or purchasing this journaling Bible and working my way through it. I think it might be kinda neat to Bible Journal my way through this endeavor.  Plus the cover of this Bible calls to me! :D

The Next Right Thing *book review*

This book I found to be right up my ally.  =) I seriously loved it. Cover to cover.  I heard the author on one of the What Should I read Next Podcasts.  Which also in turn led me to her own podcast- The Next Right Thing.  Which I listened to on this yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed as well.

I loved the simple, reflective style of this book.  I loved how she spoke intimately of God, ending each chapter with a prayer and challenge.  It reminded me that we don't always have to have the whole big picture figured out but just to look for the next right thing... and do it.  As a chronic procrastinator and queen of indecision this idea resonated with my soul. Just do the next thing.

"You have a God who walks and talks with you, who moves in you and through you, who sings over you... You are the one in who Christ delights and dwells and you live in the unshakable Kingdom of God." p. 12

"I can't do it all, but I can do one thing. And then I can do one more thing after that." p. 78

Introducing Bruno!

Our family grew this weekend! We adopted a puppy! We are all smitten with this little guy.

We found him online at East Coast Adoptions.  He was with his litter-mates at a foster home an hour or so away. He came from a high kill shelter in Tennessee.  He is around 10 weeks old, a Lab/German Shepherd mix.

Mikayla was lucky enough to be able to go with Rhett to pick him up on Friday morning.

 Boy, was it a long afternoon stuck at work until I was finally able to get my hands on him!

 Chance is still a little unsure about his new brother- but I think he's growing on him.  

They played a little bit last night.

Chance ended up sleeping on the Bruno's new bed while the puppy snoozed in his.

Welcome to the family Bruno!

Critters + muffins

I have had this book out from the library for a few weeks now and am finally getting around to trying some recipes.  Saturday I made Superhero Muffins and they are delicious!  There are some variations in the 2nd cookbook, Eat Fast, Cook Fast, Eat Slow, that I am eager to try as well.

 

 Pico joined our family this weekend.  We had been thinking about getting a companion for Hannah's guinea pig.  So when a friend contacted me saying her friend had a super friendly female guinea pig we immediately said we could take her. She is adorable and we love her! This morning when I fed the cat she was clamoring for attention.

 

Went for a lovely run with my sister early Saturday morning.

This little robin was in the middle of the trail.  I kinda shooed it into the grass so it wouldn't get trampled.

 Just because. Chance.

The new Toy Story products are available! Check the out -->HERE<--

Books and Miles

Here we are a solid week into June.  Time is going so swiftly it takes my breath away.  I have been having a bit of a time lately feeling like life is passing me by, that maybe I have squandered my best years already...

Then there's moments like today where the little things fill me with such joy.
Like- passing a couple running this morning, the lady pet Chance, they crossed the road and continued up our road; leaving me wondering if they are neighbors... seeing ducks in the creek. Just run along the creek.  Feeling the sunshine on my skin. The sound of my sneakers on the gravel trail.  Seeing an older guy headed into the park as I was leaving with his coffee and book.  Rhett waiting at the end of the driveway for me to run back down our road before he left for work.  Sitting on the front steps with Chance.

Miles: 47.6 (ugh this KILLS me! so close to 50!)

But still- a huge improvement over the previous months.  AND in the month of May I was able to bring my average pace back down into the 11s- which has me soooo excited!

2019 miles- making progress...

Books: 6

1. Her One Mistake by Heidi Perks - Kindle/Library - May 1 - ★★★★
2. The Huntress by Kate Quinn - print/library - May 2
3. The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson- own/kindle - May 14 - ★★★★
4. Let Your Mind Run by Deena Kaster- print/library - May 17 -★★★★
5. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller - kindle/amazonprime - May 21 - ★★★
6. The Sound of Glass by Karen White - kindle/library - May 24 - ★★★★

I really like all the books I read this month. I'm hard pressed to pick a favorite.  My least favorite was the Song of Achilles. It was pretty good, but some of it in the middle I felt just dragged on a bit.  I think maybe Let your mind Run would be top of the list just because its not a novel like the others and it had something that really stuck with me and helped me.  The Huntress was one our May book club book and I really, really loved it too.  In fact it doesn't have a rating because I was trying to decide if it was god enough for ★★★★★  I loved the story and the characters.  If you are looking for a book to read this summer- I highly recommend.  So maybe The Huntress was my favorite. I don't know. :D I loved them both for different reasons.

2019 total 40/100 - 1 behind schedule according to goodreads

Highlight: probably the Honor and Remembrance Run (shocking I know)

Goals for June:

I have decided June is going to be a catch up month.  Catching up on everything I didn't complete in the previous months before we head into the 2nd half of 2019.

• finish unpacking bedroom
• finish two in progress quilts
• sew my new placemats and napkins
• start nephew baby quilt
• run 50+ miles
• get back on track with my reading