What I’m Reading:
Mr. Malcom’s List by Suzanne Allain – A friend raved about this book and let me borrow it. It’s a Jane Austen inspired novel. It was a light, quick read, but enjoyable. According to the book cover and a little internet research, it’s being made into a motion picture.
The Highly Sensitive Person by Elaine N. Aron, Ph. D – This book was mentioned in Introverted Mom by Jaime C. Martin. I can related to the highly sensitive person. I like that Aron explained how being a HSP is a neutral trait and displays itself in positive and negative ways. Being “sensitive” is often seen as a flaw, but it isn’t. I appreciated her perspective on HSPs.
My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult – I watched the movie when it came out a long time ago, but a friend told me I had to read the book. It was certainly an thoughtful book on ethics and life with cancer.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green – Same situation as before. I’ve seen the movie, but my friend said I should read the book. Two books about kids with cancer in a row might have been a bit of a downer this month. But they were both written well and I found them thought-provoking and honoring to those who struggle with cancer as well as those who support them.
Love Finds You in Sun Valley, ID by Angela Ruth* – My last Love Finds You book in my home library. After processing my personality and two novels about cancer, I needed something lighter to focus on.
Cold Tangerines by Shauna Nieguist* – In an effort to re-read my home library, I plan to re-read all my books by this favorite author of mine.
*Books I’ve read before, but not in the last calendar year.
What I’m Loving:
My MOPS & MOMSnext craft – We did a watercolor craft this month with washable markers, watercolor paper, a ziplock bag, and water. It was so easy and so fun. I turned mine into a print with a quote from L.M. Montgomery from Anne of Avonlea. I put it up in my closet by my dresser and it makes me happy (and thoughtful) every time I look it. I’m not super crafty, so this project turned out way better than my expectations.
Card Boxes – I love giving cards. October is prime card month with plenty of birthday cards and thank you cards necessary. I absolutely love the stash of cards I have on hand. They are best!
New Toys – Thank you to birthday month for an influx of new toys! My kids are happy campers and you can find them creatively playing with all their new items. Keeping these boys occupied means I can actually be a productive human – until the new toy needs assistance (which happens often with LEGOs or solar robots).
Fall Family Scavenger Hunt – It’s no surprised that I love playing this game with my family. Since I’m not seeing a lot of church families right now in-person, this activity created a sense of community. We were all competing and being silly/creative together. It’s been an intense competition (for me anyway) and it’s kept us active and engaged in a project.
Seeing Friends – I am doing my best to follow all the local guidelines and keep community at the same time. This means outdoor gatherings and keeping my social circle small. This month, I got have a lunch and a cider date with my two forever friends. I also gathered with my MOPS & MOMSnext steering team (outdoors and distanced) to hang out and catch up. We’ve continued to enjoy outdoor forest school with other homeschool families. These times of connection are so important. Distance doesn’t mean isolation.
Honorable Mention:
Waterfalls – It was so much fun to visit 7 waterfalls this month. We didn’t set out to make this a theme to our month. It just happened, but it was so much. We’ve been enjoying getting outside and enjoying the October sunshine as much as possible.
Hallmark Christmas Movies – I gave Hallmark movies a break for a few months. Now that Hallmark is airing their new Christmas movies, I’m back to recording every new movie. Yep. I’m that girl.
Amy Scott's Thoughts 