August | 2024 | Amy Scott's Thoughts

What I’ve Been Reading – August 2024 August 31, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 9:45 am

Bookish Thoughts for August

My book list this month is super long! There are a few reasons for this, so let me explain. (1) I was home alone while my family was at summer camp and I had extra time to read. (2) My boys came home from summer camp with colds and we had four days of cancelled plans to spend at home. (3) Our beach vacation was very chill with plenty of time to read. (4) Many of the books listed are under 300 pages, which means I can read them in just a few hours. All of these factors combined into a very bookish month! I’m not complaining! (Okay, it would have been nice to not have summer colds, but… other than that, I’m not complaining.)

Highlights from this very bookish month would be binge reading Katie Bailey and Marie Soleil. I really enjoyed The Midnight Princess by Kiera Dominguez which was a reverse Princess Diaries – the prince gets the makeover and learns how to be royal. It’s been ages since I read a regency romance so I enjoyed the change of genre with Sarah Adams and Kasey Stockton’s novels. Courtney Walsh is a favorite of mine and her new release, The Summer of Yes, was the perfect beach read while on vacation.

Another highlight of the month has been my new study Bible (pictured below). I loved using the NLT Filament Bible journals to study the gospels these last few months. I wanted the Filament app content for the whole Bible so I bought a new Bible to accomplish that. I’ve used it to read the Book of Acts and I’m now into Romans. I love way the Filament app enhances my Bible study, especially the videos from The Bible Project. Plus, this Bible is super pretty. I love my new beautiful and nerdy Bible!

Top Picks for August

The Book List for August
1 Star = I did not like it. 2 stars = It was okay. 3 stars = I liked it. 4 stars = I really liked it. 5 stars = It was amazing.

Non-Fiction:

NLT Filament Bible Journal: The Gospel of John – 5 stars
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer – 5 stars
Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs Most from You by Monica Swanson – 4 stars

Fiction:

The Midnight Princess by Kiera Dominguez – 4 stars
Stay Close by Kiera Dominguez – 3 stars
So That Happened by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
I Think He Knows by Katie Bailey – 3 stars
Resorting to Romance by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
Mistress Pat by L.M. Montgomery – 4 stars
To Con a Gentleman by Sarah Adams – 4 stars
To Catch a Suitor by Sarah Adams – 3 stars
But He’s My Roommate by Annah Conwell – 3 stars
Speak Your Truth by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Feel the Rhythm by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Let Love In by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Take a Chance by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Cookies & Kisses by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Love is a Roller Coaster by Marie Soleil – 3 stars
Exceptional Emma by Marie Soleil – 4 stars
The Summer of Yes by Courtney Walsh – 4 stars
Love in the Bargain by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Love for the Spinster by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Love at the House Party by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
Love in the Wager by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
Love in the Ballroom by Kasey Stockton – 4 stars
A Groom of One’s Own by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars
Runaway Bride & Prejudice by Emma St. Clair – 3 stars

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A Week at the Beach August 28, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Simply Me,Travels — Amy Scott @ 2:15 pm

We just got back from our final hurrah of the summer – a week at the Oregon Coast! We stayed in Oceanside for the first time. It’s near a favorite of ours, the Tillamook Creamery (we visited three times on this trip). While the creamery was familiar, this section of beach was new to us. We loved discovering a new stretch of the Oregon Coast. Highlights from the trip include visiting the Yaquina Head and Bay Lighthouse in Newport, exploring tidepools, collecting rocks and shells, daily beach walks, a tour at the Cape Meares Lighthouse, and a walk to the Octopus Tree. We enjoyed our favorite coast restaurants – Mo’s and Pig ‘N Pancake. We visited Terra Del Mar and Pacific City for the first time. We visited Jacobsen Salt Co. and learned how they harvest salt from Netarts Bay. Jeremy and the boys tried their hands at crabbing and clamming. There was also lots of restful downtime around the beach house. We played board games, the boys got video game time, and I read many books! We appreciated the extra time spent with my parents and sister. All around it was a great trip and an excellent way to wrap up our summer vacation!

Collecting cheese samples at the Tillamook Creamery

Exploring the Cobble Beach tide pools by the Yaquina Head Lighthouse

Birding at Sitka Sedge State Natural Area

The ice cream line at the Tillamook Creamery was too long our last night, so we all got pints at Safeway. A tasty way to wrap up our trip.

Last beach sunset (with Jeremy photobombing)

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Kids Camp & Mom Camp August 14, 2024

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Bible,Children's Ministry,Getting Creative,Parenthood,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 2:08 pm

Last week was a milestone! Both boys are now old enough to go to summer camp as campers! Two summers ago, Owen went as a first-time camper while Graham and I stayed home. Because Graham missed Owen and Jeremy so much (my company wasn’t enough), he and I went last year and stayed with Jeremy in his cabin (Jeremy is the co-director of kids camp). But this year! This year they could all go and I opted (with the blessing of my husband) to stay home.

I’ve dreamt of a having a solitude retreat for many years. I’ve read from multiple authors who suggest solitude retreats at hotels or conference centers, but I don’t have the time or budget for that in this season of life. Staying home while my family went to camp gave me the solitude retreat I’ve been envious of without paying to go away. Also, as a homeschool mom, I’m in the background (or forefront) of most of my kids’ activities. I figured by staying home, I could give them some growing independence and a chance to make memories without me. It’s difficult to say that since I love making fun memories with my kids, but I can also release them to have good experiences without me. I’m looking at it as preparation for launching adults someday. Baby steps toward the main goal!

Summer camp is always a whirlwind of activity! The kids enjoyed snack shack, swimming at the lake, boating, paddling boarding, climbing the rock wall, smores, chapel, and time with cousins and church friends. Summer camp is such an awesome experience not only to have fun, but to connect with God and deepen friendships. I went to this same camp as an elementary student. I love that the boys are making summer camp memories in the same spot I did.

I enjoyed my own version of summer camp – Mom Camp! I definitely had a plan for each day I was home. I’m so happy with what I was able to accomplish! Some of my home projects included mopping, washing all the bedding, and washing the sofa covers (all tasks that are easier alone). I did a mini-spa night with Crest White Strips and a hair mask. I watched Unsung Hero, both the movie and the extras. I worked on a diamond art coaster craft. I’ve never done this craft before and since I’m leading a workshop on it this fall, it was good practice. I was able to make photobook of our Yellowstone road trip on Shutterfly. I did some baking. I took extra long walks. I enjoyed so many good books and did a prayer exercise that really set the tone for my alone time. Right before the start of a new school year, it felt like the perfect time to invest in my physical, mental, and spiritual health. I’m already brainstorming and daydreaming about what next year could hold.

Making summer camp memories with the cousins!

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Family & Friends August 4, 2024

Filed under: Family Time,Tasty Treats,Travels — Amy Scott @ 1:49 pm

I just read a book where the characters would toast at dinner, “To friends who feel like family!” It got me thinking over the last week and how special it is to have friends who feel like family, but also to have family who feel like friends. These relationships make life extra sweet!

We’ve continued our super social summer with more dinners and playdates. There has been something fun almost every single day. The highlights since my last post were camping with the Scott family for the weekend at Iron Creek Campground in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and visiting with friends who now live across the country! We’ve been making lasting memories with treasured people.

Camping is always an adventure! Without fail, an air mattress always seems to die while we are out in the woods. Jeremy and I’s mattress needed to be refilled a couple times a night so we didn’t sleep on the hard ground. The lack of sleep out camping is probably my least favorite part, but there are lots of favorites to make up for the sacrifice. I’m a huge fan of camping food and reading by the campfire. The smell of campfire smoke that lingers long after the fire has been put out is definitely a favorite. I love watching the cousins run amuck in the moods or sitting around the campfire telling spooky stories which result in giggles more than chills. There were multiple card games and hikes and plenty of time to catch up.

The day after our camping trip, we hosted my forever friend, Maggie, and her family. We played games, ate pizza, and chatted around the table. The kids played hard and Owen fell in love with their puppies. Maggie moved to the other side of the country at the start of 2024. Visits like this will be few and far between with the miles that now separate us. It makes these times extra meaningful. I wish I could slow them down and live in them just a little longer. After having them over a visit, we spent Friday visiting them at the beach (their current home base). We enjoyed a morning of mini-golf, a trip to the bakery, a BBQ lunch, and an afternoon at the beach. My friendship with Maggie has spanned decades and it’s such a joy to watch our families be friends too.

We’ve made some good summer memories! These are the days I’ll think back to and smile. The smell of sunscreen, chlorine from the pool, campfire smoke, a dusty trail, the ocean breeze… all linked to happy times. It’s been a summer of popsicles, ice cream sandwiches, and chocolate chip cookies. Not to mention lots of wet and dirty laundry! These are all signs of a summer well-lived. I am beyond grateful!