This post contains spoilers. As I watched Netflix’s “Anne with an E”, my family had to tolerate my enraged shouts at my laptop and my bookish friends had to endure text message rants in real time: Every episode is worse than the last. WHY is this happening? They RUINED MATTHEW! I challenge anyone who likes this version to a duel! THAT’S THE LAST SCENE?! I was writing a … [Read more...]
Summer Reading Ideas (from Haley and Tsh)
If you're the podcast listening type (and you really should be because podcasts are fun), you might remember that in addition to the Fountains of Carrots podcast I co-host with Christy, I've been joining my friend Tsh Oxenreider once a month on The Simple Show to chat about books. Usually we just each share about one book we've read lately and loved. But this week, we shared summer reading … [Read more...]
The Literary Medicine Cabinet: Comfort Reads (and something I made for you!)
Psst! If you're looking for the new Literary Medicine Cabinet that I've expanded from a simple printable to a beautiful 35-page ebook, go here to check it out! When life is crazy, do you reach for certain titles on your bookshelves? I definitely do. During the year that we sold our house and moved from Florida to Texas so we could live on a farm and Daniel could switch careers and start a … [Read more...]
S-town: The Anti-Bedford Falls (Podcasts, Privacy, and the Human Soul)
I can’t write about S-town without giving away spoilers. So if you want to experience the whole series spoiler-free, this is not the post for you. Last weekend I started listening to Brian Reed’s new podcast S-town from the producers of Serial and This American Life. It has consumed my life a little bit over the past few days. If you’re not familiar, it’s set in rural Alabama and begins as an … [Read more...]
Hey New Bloggers, There’s Room for You! (& How to Create a Mastermind Group)
A week ago I was flying home after a weekend in the Twin Cities where I was speaking at a Catholic women’s blogging conference. I’m not sure why I use jazz hands when I’m speaking but there you are. A lovely venue (there are some seriously gorgeous Victorian homes in St. Paul!), thoughtful workshops, good food, great swag bags, and beautiful fellow speakers Nell and Laura really made it … [Read more...]
Your Favorite Jane Eyre Characters Sorted Into Hogwarts Houses
When I posted my guide to sorting Jane Austen characters into Hogwarts houses, there was a strong demand for a Jane Eyre sorting. I’m happy to oblige (especially since I’m currently doing my annual re-read of JE!), but be ye warned, this is a tricky one. The two main characters, Jane and Rochester are very difficult to sort! Need a refresher on which house has which characteristics? Here … [Read more...]
What Homeschooling Looks Like Right Now: Mid-Year Update
photo c/o my friend Holly Fish This is what my favorite moments of homeschooling look like. This is VERY RARELY what homeschooling looks like. Also, you can't see all the mud on the floor behind that pink couch. Just keeping it real, y'all. This time of year is definitely when most of us homeschooling moms start feeling the blahs. Cold weather and burnout make a terrible combination and … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 164 (Haircut, Holidays, Felines, and More)
Welcome to This Week's Miscellany, the occasional round up of Carrots family updates, photo dumps, books I'm reading, links I loved, and events where you can find me. Well, we're back to the daily grind on our little urban homestead after a trip to Florida to visit family for Christmas. It was wonderful to be with our families and friends in Tallahassee. But that drive, tho. Sooooo long. … [Read more...]
Which Jane Austen Novel Should I Read First?
“I’ve never read Jane Austen! Which one should I start with?” As an obsessed Janeite, this is definitely one of the most frequently asked questions I get. While I’m of the opinion that you really can’t go wrong choosing a first Austen because all six novels are splendid, I do think there’s an ideal order for most new readers to discover Austen’s novels. So at the risk of sounding terribly bossy … [Read more...]
How to Make a Yearly Reading List (as a Grown Up)
image source After I posted my 2017 reading list, I had a few questions on social media about how I come up with my yearly lists, why I make them, and how it works for me. I thought it might be helpful to walk you through it in case anyone is a bookish list-making mood! Why Make a List? I make a yearly list for a few reasons. While I’m not by nature a list maker, giving myself a little yearly … [Read more...]
