You knew having a baby would change things. Nights out on the town would be few and far between. You wouldn’t sleep much during those newborn weeks. But if you’re like me, you weren’t expecting your bookworm tendencies to be so thwarted. Maybe you were an English major in college. Maybe you studied literature in grad school. Maybe you’ve just always been a bibliophile. But now you find yourself … [Read more...]
7 Books for New Moms
A Note from Haley: While we're enjoying vacation with no internet connection in the NC mountains with our extended family, my favorite librarian mama and dear friend, Katherine of shouting hallelujah, is sharing some of her favorite books for mamas. I may have a not-so-secret hope that Baby Gwen and Katherine's young Pip (see below) decide someday that it would be a fine idea to marry. Ahem. Enjoy … [Read more...]
6 Must-Have Books and Cookbooks for Seasonal Eating Inspiration
Since our conversion, I've gained more appreciation for the rhythms of the Christian Year and that by observing those seasons, the story of the Gospel unfolds. One way to participate in the Christian Year is to feast and fast according to the traditions of the Church which, obviously, involves food! Sharing food with family and friends should ideally be a daily reminder of sacred things: The Last … [Read more...]
8 Reasons Molly Weasley Is a Great Literary Mama
Since becoming a mother, I read my favorite children’s books with different eyes. I find myself more interested in Marmee than Jo March and more fascinated by Caroline Ingalls than by Laura. One of my favorite mamas from literature is Molly Weasley. But what exactly makes this stay-at-home mom of seven so admirable? (Note well! Spoilers within!) 1. She opens her heart. Although she loves her … [Read more...]
This Week’s Miscellany: Vol. 39
We had a lovely break from chilly weather and tried to get as much Vitamin D as we could from the gorgeous Florida sunshine at the park. Can I just tell you that this little sundress SLAYS me? And I think I'm (finally) caught up on responding to comments. So, if you left a comment this week that never received a response, go back and check it out. I try to respond to every single comment I … [Read more...]
Reading Goals for 2013
I feel pretty glum about the length of my 2012 completed reads. It was a year of sleep-deprivation and pregnancy nausea but I think that if ahead of time I'd had a plan for completing all the books I wanted to finish, maybe I wouldn't have dropped the ball? So, to have some accountability, I want to post my reading goals for 2013 and leave a little breathing room for your suggestions (I added … [Read more...]
Books I Read in 2012
I adore perusing everyone's reading lists from the previous year, so I thought I’d share mine as well. Though, I warn you, it’s not at all impressive! An infant that woke several times a night for the first half of the year, and the terrible morning sickness accompanying a new pregnancy during the second half of the year meant that any brain cells left for reading were in short supply. But without … [Read more...]
A Downton Abbey Children’s Book List
Since I'm bursting at the seams to start watching the new season of Downton Abbey, I thought I'd repost a wonderful guest post today from my dear friend (and new mama!) Katherine Grimm Bowers, children's literature expert extraordinaire. It combines two of my very favorite things: Edwardian Children's Lit and Dame Maggie Smith. Enjoy! - Haley I’ve been watching a lot of Downton Abbey, lately, … [Read more...]
Family Pics: A First!
Since Benjamin was born in 2009, we haven't had any photographs taken of our whole family by a real photographer. Last week, my friend Lauren of Simply Inspired Mama took some photos for us and I'm completely in love with them and can't wait to share my favorites with you! For a split second, I thought about buying a new dress for our pics. Then I remembered that I hate shopping. I also wanted … [Read more...]
The 10 Best Bookish iPhone Cases
Last week I said goodbye to the iPhone 3 I've had for 3.5 years (and even then, it was a hand-me-down from my generous big brother). After the lock button broke, the email app caused the phone to freeze, and I stopped being able to receive calls (I mean...that's what a phone's for, right?), I upgraded to the iPhone 4. It's white and sleek and lovely and the camera is so much better. I'm loving it … [Read more...]
