Every year I love creating a reading list for the new year. I'm not by nature a list maker, but book lists are the exception. This year my main goal is to finish two giant classics. This is the THIRD YEAR that Les Mis is on my reading list and, although I'm almost halfway through, I can't believe that it's taken me this long. Anyhow, I'm giving myself several months to read the last 700 pages … [Read more...]
Archives for December 2014
Confessions of a Sugaraholic
I’ve been sugar-obsessed for as long as I can remember. I remember sneaking into the pantry when I was a little girl to just EAT LUMPS OF BROWN SUGAR. Seriously. In college I lived on Cinnamon Toast Crunch and coffee with a sludge of sugar in the bottom of the cup. I got sick a lot. Surprise! After my first pregnancy, I had a hard time bouncing back. I was tired ALL THE TIME. I … [Read more...]
Why I Don’t Want to Be “Healthy”
Health. It’s a good thing, right? Our bodies matter. We’re not just spiritual beings, we’re physical, too. That’s how God designed us and ignoring that….well, it’s just silly. And gnostic. So taking care of our bodies matters. Seeking to nourish them with good food and maintain an active lifestyle has a deeply moral dimension. But you know what makes me really uncomfortable? When we turn diets and … [Read more...]
My Favorite Posts of 2014
Yesterday I shared the 10 most popular posts at Carrots from 2014. But, as always, some of MY favorite posts weren't included. Because the funny thing about blogging is that you never know what's going to strike a chord. Sometimes the piece I spent weeks mulling over and crafting falls flat while the spur of the moment post goes viral. If I've learned anything, it's to just keep writing stuff that … [Read more...]
The Most Popular Carrots Posts of 2014
It's always really interesting to me to take a look at the previous year and see what posts really seemed to resonate with the Carrots readers. I'm usually surprised at what posts take off. Although sometimes it's the posts I spend weeks mulling over and crafting, most often it's the posts written in a sudden moment of inspiration that seem to be the most popular. Reflection on the year seems … [Read more...]
Pain, Joy, Love, and a Christmas Playlist for You
We've had record-breaking storms for the past few days. Our driveway is under water and yesterday when we were driving home after visiting some friends, a huge oak tree had fallen across the street. Detour time. Yesterday we woke up to a puddle in our kitchen where our roof was leaking. Sigh. But it's almost Christmas. And I think the little stubby purple candle from the first week of Advent is … [Read more...]
What I Read in 2014
I don't know why I'm so nosy about other people's reads, but...I totally am. And since some of you might be fellow bookshelf snoopers, I thought I'd share the books I read in 2014. In exchange, you have to tell me all about your favorite reads of 2014 in the comments! The one thing I hate about making these lists is that I always feel like I've missed a book....or ten. Non-Fiction I am … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 113
Just a few days til Christmas! How's your Advent going? I am feeling so ready to bust out the Christmas carols and decorate the tree. Lately we haven't been out and about very much. A few playdates with friends, trips to the grocery store and such, but not much else. Lots of snuggles and nursing in the morning next to the Christmas tree, though. Sorry for the bad quality photo. But this is … [Read more...]
O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Our Only Hope in the Darkness
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel has always been my favorite carol. I love the ancient chant-like melody and the images it conjures: monks singing by candlelight and waiting to celebrate the coming of the Light of the World while a cold, dark winter lingers on. It has many beautiful verses but the first and most familiar is: O Come, O Come, Emmanuel And ransom captive Israel That … [Read more...]
10 Ideas for YOUR Christmas List, Moms
When Daniel's parents ask for Christmas lists for the kids, I can rattle off several things right off the top of my head. But when I'm supposed to write down what I want....it's a different matter. I just stare at a blank page. I think other moms have the same issue. We spend our days focused on other little people and it feels weird to focus on ourselves. I just sit there for several minutes … [Read more...]
