Amy’s Bookshelf | Amy Scott's Thoughts

Getting Outside June 8, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Family Time — Amy Scott @ 1:48 pm

We’ve had a stretch of delightful weather here in the PNW and we’ve been loving the outside time that affords. If you ever find it odd how often I comment when we have nice weather, please realize that in Washington state we sometimes have June-uary, where June feels like January. We never take sunny days for granted because they can be rare, even as we near the start of summer. What kind of outside fun have we been having? I’m glad you asked!

Last Thursday kicked off the month of June and it was the start of our local library’s summer reading program. As a special treat, we went into the library. (We almost always use the drive-thru window). The boys selected their free books and received a new library tote bag and free tickets to our local fair. They get another free book and more rewards when they complete the reading program. Of course, all the books we came home with from the library were about birds. We have a serious case of bird brain in this household. Being a bird nerd takes research!

Friday, we took a walk to the beaver dam behind our house. Jeremy recently downloaded a bird ID app based on the bird’s song. We have quite a few forest birds that we hear, but never see. Owen hoped that by walking into the woods, we would spot a few of these elusive birds, but sadly, we did not. It was still a lovely walk, though. The trail was green and smelled of wildflowers. We saw plenty of signs from our active beaver neighbors.

On Saturday, we observed one of the deer in our yard might be pregnant. I was watching her around 2:00pm and wondering about her behavior. Around 5:00pm, Graham yelled that there was a baby deer in the yard. It took a little searching, but we discovered the new baby, only a few hours old. The boys have taken to calling the mama deer, Rosie, and the baby deer, Fern. We now spot Rosie and Fern daily and we all gush over Fern’s cuteness.

We attended a soccer birthday party on Sunday for one of the cousins. The kids had a blast playing a game of soccer – kids vs. adults. According to the kids, they won. I’m guessing that’s true since it was a mob of kids out there. They were a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, Owen and Jeremy’s allergies were stirred up by the wind and the grasses. It’s definitely allergy season and one of the few “cons” to going outside right now.

The boys have opted to be in the pool most afternoons. We had a pool playdate earlier this week. I love chatting with a friend while the kids splash around. We have another playdate this afternoon and we are excited! Swimming is an excellent way to wear out rambunctious boys. It’s a joy to watch them float through their summer afternoons. Because we are hosting multiple playdates this week, I made “cool” treats to share with our friends. I love making ice cream cone and popsicle shaped cookies. They are surprisingly easy to decorate and they are so adorable! I enjoy picking the colors and giving them a summertime feel.

That’s the update from our neck of the woods. These are good days to get outside, enjoy nature, and make a splash! (Also, to eat cookies… and read books!)

Kicking off the summer reading program at the library!

These are the books you’ll find laying on beds, couches, the coffee table, the dining room table, the floor… pretty much everywhere around our house! Luckily, I haven’t found them in the bathroom… yet.

This trail leads to what the kids call *Beaver National Park*.

Soccer Sunday! Nana shared allergy eye drops with Owen after this picture.

Some “cool” treats to share with friends

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What I’ve Been Reading – May 2023 May 31, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 2:22 pm

Bookish Thoughts for May

I renewed my subscription to Kindle Unlimited this month and plowed through quite a few new releases from my favorite independent authors! I also dove back into reading through Courtney Walsh’s books. I reread books by Emma St. Clair to prepare for her new June release, The Pocket Pair. All my fiction was in the solid three star camp this month. I liked the books, but none of them were a new favorite. Just good stories to add joy to my day. I only read one non-fiction book this month. I feel a bit guilty about that. I have four non-fiction books on my TBR list at the moment. I’ll try to prioritize them in June. I have a strong pull to stories and it won this month. Since picking my favorites was too difficult this month, I thought I would write a short thought about each book I read.

My boys gave me an Amazon gift card for Mother’s Day and told me it was for books. I ordered two devotionals and a book by John Mark Comer. I’m slowly trying to add all his books to my home library. I’m using The Lives We Actually Have: 100 Blessings for Imperfect Days alongside my daily quiet time. When I finish, I plan to switch to Bob Goff’s devotional, Live in Grace, Walk in Love: A 365-Day Journey.

The current theme with my boys is birds. Below is their choice for their June books. Additionally, they each spent their own dollars and purchased used books from Thriftbooks this month. They fell in love with the books in the library birding backpack and wanted their own copies. Graham selected Birds of the Puget Sound Region and Owen picked The National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds, Western Region. They are in a bird nerd phase at the moment. Reference books are always a fun addition to our home library. (Okay, I think most books are a good addition to our home library…)

The Book List for May
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:

Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brené Brown PhD. LMSW – 4 stars – Through research and stories, Brown shares how to grow and rise up after challenges and failures. Not an easy topic, but such good insight.

Fiction: All 3 stars

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart – Quirky characters and suspenseful adventure.
Ripped & Shipped by Savannah Scott – The title made me cringe, but it was book 7 in a series and I’m a sucker for reading a whole series. Loved the focus on looking past stereotypes and not letting past prejudice define the future.
Why Trey Let Me Get Away by Kortney Keisel – A sports romcom. Loved the teammate involvement and acknowledgement of the 5 Love Languages.
Desire or Defense by Leah Brunner – Another sports romcom. The teammate involvement made the book!
That Time I Kissed the Groomsman Grump by Julie Christianson – A spin-off of her Apple Valley series. I enjoy reconnecting with characters I’ve met in multiple books.
Juniper Bean Resorts to Murder by Gracie Ruth Mitchell – I was drawn to the idea of an author who kept killing off her main characters unintentionally.
How to Kiss Your Enemy by Jenny Proctor – I enjoy the farm setting in this series and how each book reveals more about the Hawthorne family.
Kissing for Keeps by Martha Keyes – A follow-up to a Christmas novel I read and the start of a new series.
Hometown Girl by Courtney Walsh – Small town Hallmark vibes with a kidnapping cold case to solve.
The Buy-In by Emma St. Clair – First book in the Graham brother’s series, I read it to refresh my memory before the next book comes out in June.
The Bluff by Emma St. Clair – Second book in the series, same as before.
Things Left Unsaid by Courtney Walsh – Great focus on forgiveness, honesty, and healing from the past.
A Sweethaven Summer by Courtney Walsh – Finding friendship and family in a small Lake Michigan tourist town.
A Sweethaven Homecoming by Courtney Walsh – Book two, focuses on forgiveness and coming home to family.

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What I’ve Been Reading – April 2023 April 30, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 3:54 pm

Bookish Thoughts for April

We are a third of the way through 2023! I haven’t shared my page stats with you and I thought this month would be a good time to dive into some book math. I started keeping track of my pages read in January. It’s been interesting to see how my reading life has shifted month to month. Each month, I’ve read less pages, which on paper looks so depressing to me! Instead of looking at this month and being sad that my page total and book total are the lowest to date, I’m deciding to be pleased that I got as much reading into my month while juggling so many other things (holidays, illness, conferences, travel). Here are the stats so far in 2023:

January: 6,484 pages read, 21 books (308 average pages per book)
February: 5,400 pages read, 21 books (257 average)
March: 4,045 pages read, 13 books (311 average)
April: 3,574 pages read, 12 books (297 average)

I took a break from Kindle Unlimited this month. I plan on re-subscribing in May. I have my eye on half a dozen books in KU. I use KU to read my beloved sweet rom-coms, which usually ups my page and book total. I can fly through those books. After a month without them, I’m excited to have them back in my reading mix. This month was an equal mix of non-fiction and fiction, which doesn’t happen every often. I love non-fiction, but fiction truly has my heart. I’m looking forward to a few good stories coming my way soon. I also hope to work on my To-Be-Read list and finally read a few books that have been sitting on my bookshelf for months. I’m contemplating taking a break from new-to-me books this summer and doing a dive back into The Hunger Games or The Lunar Chronicles. I might give myself a summer vacation with some favorites from the past. We shall see!

In case you’re wondering what my kids are reading right now – it’s all about birds! We’ve stocked up on bird books and flashcards over the last month. Two of the books in the photo below are their books for May. They got them a few days early. It’s fun to see bird books scattered around the house, usually with binoculars and a check list nearby.

We are learning all the bird facts over here! Thankful for books that not only educate, but inspire my boys!

Top Picks for April

Non-Fiction: God has a name by John Mark Comer. I’m enjoying reading through the works of John Mark Comer. God has a name is a deep look into Exodus where God shares His name with Moses. Comer unpacks the attributes God uses to describe himself and what that meant not only for Israel, but also us. My minor in college was Biblical Studies, so books like this take me back to the good old days in a classroom studying God’s Word. Knowing what God says about Himself is powerful and it bears reminding that our God has a name. He is a personal God. He is clear on who He is and what He is about!

Fiction: Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna M. White. I’m not 100% sure, but I think this has been my book of the month before. I’m 100% positive I’ve mentioned it before. I’ve read it numerous times. This month it was my “sick” read. When I was down with strep throat, I needed a story I knew and loved to keep me company while I rested. This was the first book I read by Roseanna M. White and it’s still one of my favorites by her. I love Lark’s spirit and the determination of Emerson (the main characters, I’m also a big fan of Lark’s brother, Wiley, as a side character – good side characters make a good book). It’s also historical fiction, which is my next favorite genre after sweet rom-coms. This book was originally published in a series that highlighted stories all over the US (and parts of Canada), but its been republished as A Heart’s Revolution. I know the titles and cover are cheesy, but trust me, it’s a good read!

The Book List for April
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.

Fiction:

Start with Hello: (And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors) by Shannan Martin – 4 stars
God has a name by John Mark Comer – 4 stars
Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May – 3 stars
Eat More Dessert: More than 100 Simple-to-Make & Fun-to-Eat Baked Goods From the Baker to the Stars by Jenny Keller – 4 stars
Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy & Sandra Stanley – 4 stars
The God of the Garden: Thoughts on Creation, Culture, and the Kingdom by Andrew Peterson – 4 stars

Non-Fiction:

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit – 3 stars
Ember Falls by S.D. Smith – 3 stars
Still Alice by Lisa Genova – 4 stars
Love Finds You in Annapolis, Maryland by Roseanna M. White – 5 stars
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty – 3 stars
Sheltering Rain by Jojo Moyes – 3 stars

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Conferencing April 22, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Children's Ministry,Family Time,Travels,Women in Ministry — Amy Scott @ 3:36 pm

The antibiotics I mentioned last Friday kicked in and did the trick! I was well enough on Saturday to start a full week of conferencing. Last Saturday, our church offered an all-day parenting conference. I wasn’t sure if my throat would heal in time for me to attend, but it did! Being a homeschool mom has scaled back my ministry participation, so it was nice to jump into a one day event and be a support to our pastoral team. The conference was a full day with breaks for parents to discuss what they heard and make intentional plans forward. We received many positive comments from those who attended. It’s always a joy to equip and encourage parents. This is where world changers are formed – in our homes, with our parenting! The investment in our families has an astounding ripple affect. It’s neat to be a part of something much bigger than I can see and understand in this moment.

After the full day at the parenting conference, our family packed up on Sunday and took off for another conference. The boys got a “spring break” with Nana and Papa while Jeremy and I attended a ministry conference with our Assemblies of God network of ministers in Idaho. We are so thankful for Nana and Papa! They gave our boys an awesome experience while we were at both the parenting conference and Network Conference. We couldn’t have achieved all this conferencing without their support! Coeur d’Alene, ID is a beautiful location for a conference. We enjoyed eating out with our pastoral team, connecting with other children’s pastors, and learning from engaging and challenging speakers. My favorite moments of the conference were slipping away for time with just Jeremy. We don’t get a lot of kid-free time, so it was a treat to have a few “date” like moments for ourselves in the midst of the conference. My favorite times were walking around the park near our hotel and taking a hike along the lake. It was so nice to get out of our seats and stretch our legs. The hike along the lake was delightful and the fresh air (though chilly) was invigorating!

Now our family is back together and settled at home. I had book club last night, which is always a highlight of my month. I’ve had plenty of laundry to tackle and just general resettling to do around the house. The boys purchased Uno Attack and Uno All Wilds yesterday, so we’ve been alternating between variations of Uno and Wingspan at the dining room table. It feels good to be home! The margin for rest is appreciated. Between holidays, illness, and travels, all our social plans have landed in this coming week. I, personally, need to recharge before we tackle the week ahead. I’m thankful for the buffer this weekend offers before we dive into more good stuff!

I packed 5 books with me on this trip! Good thing we didn’t fly. I would have been over the weight limit, for sure!

This chilly hike might have been my favorite part of the week! It started to snow on us at the end, but worth it!

Jeremy and I each got a personal sized “Gooey” at the hotel restaurant. They are known from their over the top ice cream desserts!

Home time = Game time! The boys are loving the cardholders they made with Nana.

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What I’ve Been Reading – March 2023 March 31, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 3:58 pm

Bookish Thoughts for March

My pace of life changed in March and my reading life reflects that. While I was still able to read quite a bit, my total books read is lower than previous months. It doesn’t matter to me how many books I read as much as it does what books I read. Were they good books? Did I learn something? Did I support a favorite author or add to my home library? The answer to those questions was a resounding yes. And so, it was a good reading month, indeed.

I started the month with Royal Gone Rogue by Emma St. Clair. The release of this book had been delayed for months and I was thrilled to finally read it. I was nervous the wait would heighten my anticipation and then it would let me down – but it did not! It had Prince & Me, Return to Me, and Cinderella vibes. All of which I loved! The side characters were fantastic and it left me anxious for the next installment in the series. If I had a choice for runner up on top fiction pick, this book would be it.

I read All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr after having so many friends read it. I’ll often select a book just to see what the hype is about. I liked it, but true to most wartime historical fiction I read, it wasn’t quite the ending I hoped for. Modern Parens, Vintage Values was a wonderful parenting resource. I love these authors out of Daystar Counseling Ministries. They give parents such practical tools with heart and wisdom behind them. My mom let me borrow her copy of Beth Moore’s memoir, All My Knotted-Up Life, and I dove into it quickly. This is my third memoir this year and I’m finding this genre so fascinating. People are so layered and their life experiences so much deeper than the surface we often see. Even though I knew pieces of Beth’s story, it was so much more than I expected.

Jeremy offered to take the boys to Powell’s Books so they could select their April books in-person instead of online. Our family has come to love the Powell’s Books at Cedar Hills Crossing. It’s not the iconic downtown location, but we enjoy the store layout and selection. We comb the store and always come away with treasures. For me, it was God Has a Name by John Mark Comer. For Owen, a Boxcar Children book and the first book in The Hardy Boys series. Graham, an Animal Crossing guidebook and a collection of Frog and Toad stories. Jeremy found a Hidden Pictures book to use at church for the kids who arrive early. ThriftBooks also surprised me with a free book so I selected Loveology by John Mark Comer and Eat More Dessert by Jenny Keller (two books, so I could get free shipping… the slippery slope… one free books leads to buying another).

I sat down this week and made a list of new releases coming out between April and September. I have 8 books that I’m looking forward to and only July is missing a new release. I’m sure many happy reading days are ahead and I’m positive I’ll find something to look forward to reading in July. I’ve got time to stumble on a good a read!

We love our local library! It’s helping me research summer vacation plans!

The book haul from Powells! So many thoughts about this photo… First Graham wouldn’t stand up straight so he looks extra short… Don’t judge our mismatch pajama lifestyle. Sometimes Mama just wants a quick photo and this is as good as it gets. Ha!

Top Picks for March

Non-Fiction: Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. by Bob Goff. The title of the book sums it up well. Undistracted is about living your life on purpose, finding joy and meaning in everyday. Bob Goff has a very signature style of writing. There is no one quite like him on this earth. While Bob and I might quite different personalities, he never fails to inspire me and make me laugh out loud. His real life examples make me marvel at the life he leads. Bob Goff is one of my go-to author. If he writes it, I will read it.
Fiction: The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin. This is the second WWII book I’ve read by this author. The other was The Last Bookshop in London. While I enjoyed the first book, this second one moved me in a deeper way. The story focuses on two brave women. One an American librarian in Lisbon and the other operates a Resistance printing press in Lyon. Their stories overlap over the course of the book. I found myself thinking of both women long after I finished the book. The American librarian was particularly interesting to me because of her role in cataloging important information was new to me. Learning something new is a sign of a good book.

Book List for March
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:

Modern Parents, Vintage Values, Revised and Updated: Instilling Character in Today’s Kids by Sissy Goff and Melissa Trevathan – 4 stars
Undistracted: Capture Your Purpose. Rediscover Your Joy. by Bob Goff – 4 stars
All My Knotted-Up Life: A Memoir by Beth Moore – 4 stars

Fiction:

Royal Gone Rogue by Emma St. Clair – 4 stars
Cruise(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin – 4 stars
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – 4 stars
Betting on the Boy Next Door by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
Second Time Around by Melody Carlson – 3 stars
The Winter Princess by Keira Dominguez – 3 stars
Love at First Note by Jenny Proctor – 3 stars

Novellas:

That Time I Kissed My Brother’s Best Friend by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
A Little in Love with You by Jenny Proctor – 3 stars

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What I’ve Been Reading – February 2023 February 28, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 8:00 am

Bookish Thoughts for February

I thought I would take some time this month to talk about my obsession with the sweet romantic comedy genre. I often give them 3 star ratings, so why do I keep binge reading them? So many reasons! A friend once said, “Don’t underestimate a 3 star book.” When she wrote those words, I wasn’t actively keeping track of star ratings and I didn’t quite understand. Now, I do. 3 star books are good books. I enjoy them. They are not life-changing (for me, personally), but they are good. Nothing wrong with a good book.

I’m a sucker for a series (which most of these books come in). Give me multiple books set in the same town with the same group of friends/family and I will read them all. I love getting to know a place and becoming deeper friends with characters over the course of multiple books. I also love binging by author. You’ll see certain names on repeat in my book list. Once I’ve read one book by an author, I’m curious about their others.

In the sweet romcom world, most of these authors are independently published. I’ve seen behind the curtain, through their Instagram feeds and email newsletters, how much work they do themselves to get their books published. It’s admirable. They also advocate for each other. They are always sharing new releases and recommendations of each other’s books. You sense they are a community and they have each other’s backs. I love that!

Another reason I love sweet romcoms is they are great escape fiction. I can walk a mile in some else’s shoes. I can explore a new city – fictional or not – doesn’t matter. I love getting swept away in a story, especially a love story. Happily ever afters make my heart happy. These stories are “sweet” which means they are closed door. I don’t want to read about spicy bedroom scenes. When it comes to romance, I want to keep things PG. When I see the words “sweet romcom” and “closed door” I know what kind of book I’m starting.

My standard 3 star rating also follows me into quite a few of my historical fiction reads – however, I am more apt to give 4 stars to historical fiction if I feel it does a moving job of illuminating history. I’m more likely to give 4 or 5 stars to non-fiction because of the author’s vulnerability or knowledge of the content.

When I first got Goodreads in 2012, I entered as many book as I could and gave them star ratings (and then I walked away from my account for almost a decade). I’m realizing I was much freer with 4 and 5 star ratings in the past. My reading has diversified and my volume of reading has increased with time. It’s changed how I feel about books. It’s harder for me to fall in love with a book, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy the many books that cross my path. So, don’t look down on 3 star books. They are good books and I’m glad I’ve read them!

Top Picks for February

Non-Fiction: Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human. by John Mark Comer. This is the third book I’ve read by John Mark Comer. The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry is still my favorite, but Garden City is second now! By focusing on Genesis 1-3 and Revelation 21-22, this book shares the goodness of work, the blessing of rest, and humanities purpose. While the content wasn’t new to me, this book was so encouraging! The scriptural truths shared in these pages were empowering and impactful, not only for day-to-day life, but also eternity. I highly recommend this read!
Fiction: My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh. I love seasonal books! The Valentine vibes added a fun and lighthearted touch to this story. I liked that this book didn’t have some great miscommunication or falling out of the main characters toward the end of the book. It kept the angst of the story minimal. Both main characters have difficult pasts they’ve overcome and have to decide to be vulnerable about. There is also the small-town girl and big-city boy tension. Every story needs some struggle or it would be dull. The struggle in this book was just enough to not overpower the plot. It was sweet, joyful, and a seasonal treat.

Book List for February
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:

Find Your People: Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World by Jennie Allen – 4 stars
Garden City: Work, Rest, and the Art of Being Human. by John Mark Comer – 5 stars
Becoming Free Indeed: My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear by Jinger Duggar Vuolo – 4 stars
Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are by Lysa TerKeurst – 4 stars

Fiction:

First to Fall by Jenny B. Jones – 3 stars
Merritt and Her Childhood Crush by Emma St. Clair and Jenny Proctor – 3 stars
A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare – 3 stars
Censor(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
Doctor(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
My Phony Valentine by Courtney Walsh – 4 stars
The Paper Girl of Paris by Jordan Taylor – 3 stars
I’m Not Charlotte Lucas by Kasey Stockton – 3 stars
Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio – 3 stars
So Not My Thing by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
Here For It by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
Maybe I Will by Melanie Jacobson – 3 stars
Hannah Coulter by Wendell Berry – 3 stars

Novellas:

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan – 3 stars
Jill Came Tumbling by Julie Christianson – 3 stars
His Third Second Chance by Julie Christianson (short story) – 3 stars
Court(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 4 stars
Passion or Penalty by Leah Brunner – 3 stars
Love Beginning by Jenny Proctor – 4 stars

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The Quiet of Winter February 22, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Bible,Family Time,Homeschool Adventures,Simply Me — Amy Scott @ 3:28 pm

At the risk of sounding like a hermit, I’ve felt the pull toward hibernation in these winter months. Let’s just say, the damp weather and lack of daylight make outdoor adventures less appealing this time of year… Thanks to inflation, indoor adventures are also less enticing. Gas prices mixed with raised admission costs have kept me from pursuing new experiences. Instead, I’ve felt a strong desire to snuggle in and be cozy at home. We’ve kept soup stocked in our fridge and baked goods on the countertop. I’ve struggled with “blog-able” content because I usually share what neat things we’ve been up to over the course of a week. It would seem that our whole month has felt a bit like Groundhog’s Day. A lot of the same, over and over and over again. I’m not complaining about it! I’m a big fan of routine and margin on the calendar, but it’s not glamorous, that’s for sure.

When thinking about what to share with you, I decided to write about some of my daily things. My ordinary, day-in-and-out moments. My personality is all about self-discipline and I find that I quietly slip into certain tasks everyday, almost as if on auto-pilot. I’m always intrigued to hear what are the non-negotiables on other people’s calendars. What do they prioritize? It’s the little and sometimes mundane moments that snowball into how we live our lives. If you were to study a day in the life of Amy Scott, here are a few things you would see on repeat.

Making the bed – It’s how I start everyday. The science of starting your day with a productive win works for me.
Getting 10,000 steps – in the warmer months, I strive for 13,000+ steps, but walking the extra 3,000 steps is harder in the colder, darker months. If it’s dry, you’ll find me walking up and down my driveway – often talking with my mom or boys. If it’s wet, you’ll see me walking laps around my kitchen/dining/living room as my family plays or watches TV. If I need space or quiet, you might find me on the treadmill in the garage. How I walk is optional, but walking is not! If I’m walking alone, For King & Country, Switchfoot, or the Hamilton soundtrack are often playing (and I’m singing along). I also use walking time to listen to friends and respond on Marco Polo.
Reading my Bible – I’m not a morning person, so this doesn’t happen in the wee, dark hours of the morning before my family wakes up. It often happens at the dining room table while I sit by a boy working on a homeschool assignment or during quiet time or after the kids have gone to bed. For the last decade, I’ve used the YouVersion app on my phone for their Bible reading plans. I’m about a month away from finishing a Whole Bible in Two Years plan and then I’m going to switch back to reading a physical, print Bible. My sons might read their Bibles on devices as technology advances, but I want them to have childhood memories of their mom with her Bible open.
Journaling – I might not write in my journal every day, but I would say I do most days. My journaling has taken on a variety of forms over the years. I started actively journaling as a middle schooler and it’s a habit that stuck. Not only that, I’ve kept all of those journals. They are in a box in my garage. I thought I would share them with my future daughters, which I did not end up with… so what to do with them… Maybe my future granddaughters will read them. Honestly, they aren’t brilliant – especially the middle school years where I gushed about my crush on JT from N’SYNC. Nowadays, I write about what we’ve been up and how I’m feeling about things. Sometimes it’s just facts, sometimes it’s emotions. I process my world best through the written word. It’s why I love this blog. It’s like therapy for me.
Chores – I’m a tidy person by nature. I do at least one load of laundry a day. I’ll run the Roomba during quiet time or when we are out of the house. You’ll often find me indulging my OCD by wiping down the counters 4 times a day, if not more. I also compulsively fluff pillows. Once I week I have a “house cleaning” day, but I clean as a go throughout the week. I’m not a fan of clutter and I’m a huge believer in every item having a home it returns to after use.
The Fun Stuff – Reading, baking, playing games, soaking in the hot tub! Reading is my favorite hobby and I make time for it daily. Baking happens at least once a week, if not more. Board games on free evenings are a family favorite (right now Wingspan is the game of choice). Also on free evenings, you’ll find our family soaking in our inflatable hot tub before bedtime. Oh! Jeremy and I are re-watching an episode of Once Upon a Time each evening after the kids go to bed. It’s been fun to revisit our favorite show.

Not every day is same old, same old. We love getting out of the house for church and co-op. This last week was book club for me. It’s a highlight of my month. These women have become my village and I love bonding over a shared love of books. We had a snowy start to Valentine’s Day and the kids had a blast at their co-op party. Jeremy and Owen picked up a Heartbreaker pizza and tulips for our family to celebrate. We had a windstorm this week that knocked out our power for four hours in the middle of the night. Some adventures find you even when you aren’t looking for them.

Our calendar has been a bit on the quieter side, but I’m savoring the slow before we head into a busy spring. March will shift our pace of life so don’t be surprised if I cozy on in and enjoy the winter hibernation vibes just a little bit longer. The quiet, slow, and ordinary days can be a beautiful masterpiece. They showcase faithfulness – faithfulness to family, home, community, education, and faith. As my favorite Eugene Peterson quote says, “A long obedience in the same direction.” Oh, how that resonates with me!

My favorite way to celebrate Valentine’s Day! Pretty cookies!

A snowy start to Valentine’s Day! It melted quickly, so I’m glad I let the kids play before school.

Owen has graduated to playing *Wingspan* by himself! No more partnering with a parent.

On a lazy Saturday, I don’t mind slipping back into bed to read. Graham join me. I guess I’m passing on a love of reading while being comfy to the next generation.

We just keep flirting with snow… still waiting for a “good” snow. My personal standard is the grass being completely covered!

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Hello February! February 2, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Family Time,Homeschool Adventures — Amy Scott @ 3:54 pm

Happy Groundhog’s Day! I’ve been informed that good, old Phil saw his shadow today and there will be six more weeks of winter. If “winter” could resemble this last week’s weather, I would happily accept. We’ve had a rare dry stretch here in the PNW. It’s been cold, but it’s been sunny! Something about January (and now February) sunshine feels like a gift. Despite the chill, I’ve done my best to get a walk in the brisk, fresh air everyday it’s clear. Gotta get that Vitamin D! It helps stave off my desire to hibernate during these winter weeks.

My blog posts have been sporadic this past month. I like to write weekly, but something about January… It’s kind of a slow month. We definitely keep busy, but not in the most interesting ways. January feels like a return to ordinary, to routine after the holidays. It’s back to school and the usual commitments that took a break in December. It’s also my birthday month… which means, lots of book shopping… and book reading. The quiet is appreciated. The return to routine is grounding. Not super exciting to write about, but very good in a simple kind of way.

So, what to share? Last week our family gave a presentation at our homeschool co-op about the national parks we’ve visited. Each week at co-op a different family gives a 3-5 minute presentation. The inspiration for this activity was to give the kids in our group a chance to practice public speaking. The day of our family presentation, we also took our drama class on a field trip to the main stage in our church. We talked about the sound board and the lighting. Jeremy came down to help me turn everything on. We talked about stage positions and showed them backstage. This class has been surprisingly fun to teach. While I don’t have professional drama experience, it’s been neat to watch the kids latch on to acting and sharing stories. The kids are greatly enjoying themselves and it’s a huge relief to me that we are pulling this off! I’m so thankful a dear friend is co-teaching with me as well. It’s been quite the experience for us all.

While the younger kids are learning drama, the older class is learning Shakespeare. I sit in on this class as the parent helper. I will happily admit I’m learning just as much as the students. The group is doing an adapted version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. I purchased my own copy of the play and I’ve almost finished it! This is the first time I’ve read Shakespeare since high school and the first time I’ve ever done it voluntarily. I love that our homeschool co-op is growing and challenging me as well as my kids.

The other co-op related highlight was our field trip to the fire station this week. We visited the fire station numerous times during our preschool years thanks to MOPS. This was the first time the kids have visited as elementary students. As we were driving to the station, we passed an aid car from the fire station. Then we came upon a fender bender were one of the cars had caught fire. The fire truck was there with the hose out. It had just put the fire out before we drove by. I explained to the boys that the firefighters might be too busy with this call to have us visit. The firefighters were slightly late, but they arrived at the station ready to give us a tour and answer our questions. The boys got to see all the equipment and sit inside the truck. They haven’t outgrown the age of fire trucks being cool. I appreciate having a group of families to do activities like this with. Our co-op has been a huge blessing to our homeschool journey.

What to say that’s not co-op related? We’ve had quite a bit of time around the house as we’ve settled back into routine. Lots of time for board games, books, and baking. The boys are into playing Animal Crossing on the Nintendo Switch. This game has sparked an interest in fish and bugs since they collect them on their island, Sunny Pear. I’ve picked up some new reference books (book club recommendations) and I love seeing the boys pouring through them – identifying creatures and sharing facts. The new thing to build with LEGOs is the variety of fish they can catch on Animal Crossing. While I’m not a huge fan of video games, I can get behind something that sparks their interest in the natural world.

I’m not sure if February will mimic January in its chill vibes. Apparently, Phil thinks so. I won’t mind if it does. I enjoy these winter days – snuggled inside, warm, cozy. It’s a good mix of commitments and down time. A quiet balance. As the weather improves, our calendar fills up. We’ve had lots of calendar talks recently (anyone else feel like their spring/summer is booked? Just me?). I know busy days are coming. Our calendar tends to ebb and flow. I can appreciate this slower season knowing it prepares for me what lies around the bend.

Sharing our love of national parks at co-op!

Don’t let those smiles fool you! They are ruthless Sorry players!

My baking buddy! Graham is a fan of sugar and spice!

February books! I learned about *Ocean Anatomy* and *Nature Anatomy* at book club. I hope to add more of these pretty reference books to our home library.

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What I’ve Been Reading – January 2023 January 31, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf — Amy Scott @ 6:30 pm

Bookish Thoughts for January

January is a fun book month! Birthday money equals book money! I enjoyed adding lots of books to my home library this month. Some are new, some are used. Some are books I’ve already read and some are books I hope to read soon. You’ll notice in the photo below that I purchased quite a few Roseanna M. White books this month. She has become a go-to author for me and I’ve already re-read many of her works. Her British historical fiction is a favorite of mine. Her January release, Yesterday’s Tides, is my top fiction pick of the month! Other January books of note, I picked up Spare by Prince Harry. The library had over 300 holds on it and I didn’t want to wait that long. I was super excited to find a used copy of Garden City by John Mark Comer at Powell’s for a great price. It’s been on my “To Be Read” list for a while. I ordered A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Shakespeare to read along with the older students at our homeschool co-op. I haven’t read Shakespeare since high school so this is certainly a stretch for me. Holy Hygee was a book club influence. At least four of us in the group now own copies! Book club often influences my book purchases. I’m also quick to buy books from trusted authors. I went back through my Goodreads account to see what books I’ve given high ratings. This helps refresh my memory on books I might like to own. While I do make good use of my local library and Kindle Unlimited, it’s also nice to own books. It’s like inviting friends to move in and stay a while!

Top Picks for January

Non-Fiction: More Than Your Number: A Christ-Centered Enneagram Approach to Becoming AWARE of Your Internal World by Beth & Jeff McCord – If you’ve followed my blog for a while, you are know I love the Enneagram. It’s such a powerful tool for understanding myself and others. I appreciated the unique take on the Enneagram in this book. Instead of focusing on just your one type, the McCords dial into the fact that many types influence our thinking. This is often why we can feel at odds with ourselves. The second half of the book is very nuts and bolts – super practical. As a Type One, it was interesting to lean into how the Type Two, Four, Seven, and Nine all influence my thinking. I am more than my number!
Fiction: Yesterday’s Day by Roseanna M. White – I briefly touched on this book in my birthday post. Not only did my signed copy arrive before it’s release day, I finished it on my birthday and it was such a perfect way to wrap up my special day. I don’t often give 5 stars so this book is something special. I enjoyed the dual timeline (WWI and WWII) set in the same location. You can tell some of the characters overlap, but it’s puzzle figuring out who and how. I also mentioned before that White wrote in cameo appearances from quite a few of her other WWI characters. “Bumping” into them was a delight. I also appreciate how White touched on racial injustice while highlighting strong female characters. This book was so good! I loved it!!!

Book List of January
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:

More Than Your Number: A Christ-Centered Enneagram Approach to Becoming AWARE of Your Internal World by Beth & Jeff McCord – 4 stars
A Burning in My Bones: The Authorized Biography of Eugene H. Peterson, Translator of The Message by Winn Collier – 4 stars
Spare by Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex – 3 stars
Holy Hygge: Creating a Place for People to Gather and the Gospel to Grow by Jamie Erickson – 4 starts

Fiction:

Check Mate by Leah Brunner – 4 stars
Cabin Mate by Leach Brunner – 3 stars
House Rules by Jodi Picoult – 3 stars
Compared by Kortney Keisel – 4 stars
Complex by Kortney Keisel – 4 stars
Complete by Kortney Keisel – 4 stars
Commit by Kortney Keisel (novella) – 4 stars
Yesterday’s Tides by Roseanna M. White – 5 stars
The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman – 2 stars
One Day in December by Josie Silver – 2 stars
No More Bad Dates by Kate O’Keeffe – 3 stars
Friend(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
Battle(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 3 stars
Town(shipped) by Savannah Scott – 4 stars
The Borrowers Afield by Mary Norton – 3 stars
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery – 5 stars

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Happy Birthday to Me! January 15, 2023

Filed under: Amy's Bookshelf,Family Time — Amy Scott @ 5:37 pm

Yesterday was my 37th birthday! Happy birthday to me! It was a good day filled with food and family. Since our family likes to celebrate birthdays over multiple days, birthday “weekend” kicked off on Friday. The boys presented me with flowers and cards when I woke up. We picked up Chipotle for lunch, Crumbl Cookies for dessert, and Papa Murphy’s pizza for dinner. Part of the birthday celebration was not having to cook this weekend! Yesterday, Jeremy and the boys grabbed my free Starbuck drink and a Safeway maple bar for breakfast. We had mac and cheese and chocolate cake for lunch with my parents and sister. Then dinner was tacos and cranberry bliss bars with my in-laws. Now we’re living off the leftovers as we relax over this long weekend!

Books are big part of my birthday celebration as well! I’ve reached an age where my gifts come in envelopes and I’m totally okay with that. I’ve had a blast online book shopping this weekend. I love, love, love growing my home library. I’m super excited to share more about my new books at the end of the month in my book post. I will share two book highlights now, because my joy really can’t be contained!

Book highlight number one, my pre-ordered, signed copy of Roseanna M. White’s new book, Yesterday’s Tides, arrived on Thursday. This was an unexpected treat since the book doesn’t officially release until the 24th. I was able to read it Friday into Saturday and I absolutely loved it! Finishing it on my birthday felt like a gift. I was enthralled with the duel timeline set in WWI and WWII. It was a mysterious puzzle to see how the first timeline affected the second. A very compelling read! I also love that White included cameos of characters from her previous historical fiction works in this novel. It was like bumping into good friends. I couldn’t ask for a better way to wrap up my birthday!

My second book highlight involves our new coffee table. In 2021, I read The Landscapes of Anne of Green Gables: The Enchanting Island that Inspired L. M. Montgomery by Catherine Reid. I thought to myself that if we ever had a coffee table this book would go on it. Well, we got a coffee table, so I ordered the book! The beautiful Prince Edward Island landscapes that showcase the world of L.M. Montgomery practically make me heartsick. It’s a dream of mine to roam these spaces in-person someday. After studying L.M. Montgomery over the years, I’ve been deeply moved by her sense of place and belonging, especially in nature. Her friendship with the trees and flowers has colored my own view of home. On my walks around our house, I can’t help but admire our landscape, especially our trees, and feel a sense of companionship. Also, fun fact, I remove dust jackets from books and the foil art on this book is such a delight! The best kind of surprise reveal!

I’ve enjoyed styling our new coffee table. It’s been the project of the week. I pulled out the nice chess set the boys got for their birthday and set it up on the lower shelf. Beside the chess set, I have a beautifully illustrated nature poetry book (The Lost Words), a Where’s Waldo book (for fun), and my new PEI landscapes book. On top of the table, I found a tray to hold our remotes, coasters, and a fake plant to finish the look (I have no desire to keep real plants alive, not my skill set).

As you can tell, it’s been a lovely birthday weekend. I’m looking forward to the rest of this long weekend filled with comfy clothes, tasty leftovers, and plenty to read! I can’t wait for all my book mail to arrive so I can share the official birthday haul with you all soon!