This month’s favorite things will be a quickie because really, my favorite things from April are this:
and this…
and this…
and this.
We took advantage of the homeschool schedule one last time. While the rest of the country was spring breakin’ throughout March and April, we stuck to our school schedule (well…kinda) and dreamed of the beaches during the “low season.” And let me tell you, it’s pretty much us and the Baby Boomers hanging out on Hilton Head Island this week, and I am here for it. The rosy-cheeked darlings are running into waves, chasing seagulls, and staying up way too late. This morning we boated alongside dolphins, spent the afternoon volleying between the pool and the beach, and ended our night with ice cream for dinner. It’s been all the magic a beach vacation ought to be. And now, onto some favorites!
Reading
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett: I was late to the game on this one and am happy to report, it lived up to all the hype. I was hooked from page 1, and although the ending was somewhat unsatisfying, I’m hoping it’s because there might be a sequel in the future. Could this be true?
She’s been my-long-time favorite, and not only did Beth bring some fighting words this week, but holy cow, she’s starring in the gun show! “We’re not fragile little teacups…There’s still fight in you, girl.”
Reading with my Darlings
Just Beyond the Very Very Far North by Dan Bar-el: Back in February, I boldly declared The Very Very Far North one of the most delightful books I have ever read with my children. We read the sequel this month, and it was equally delightful! I do feel the need to give a forewarning about these books. The vocabulary is intense, so I do recommend reading them aloud. Secondly, these books are unusual in that after you’ve read the nearly 300 pages, and you’re asked what the book is about, you won’t be able to give a clear answer; however, you will adore the characters. My friend Shannon recently described this. “Give me characters over plot any day, I will happily read about a well-developed character making a grocery list.” This is sort of what happens in The Very Very Far North books. My kids and I still talk about these characters like we’re friends (What do you think Duane’s doing right now? You’re totally acting like Magic! I miss CeCe.)
My Father’s Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett: Each time we get away, I bring a short chapter book to read to the kids. I like to keep it short so we can finish the whole thing in one weekend/week, and then we can always connect that book with our travels. Freckle Juice, Chocolate Fever, and lots of Magic Treehouse have been recent picks. When we traveled to Maine in the fall, we read My Father’s Dragon. It was such a fun read, and we got through it in three days. For our Asheville/Hilton Head trip, I snagged the trilogy that includes My Father’s Dragon, Elmer and the Dragon, and The Dragons of Blueland. We’re loving them!
Eating
This month’s recipes come from my favorite food blog, Pinch of Yum, and my favorite cookbook (which I think I’ve mentioned nearly every month so far), Dinner A Love Story. This chicken salad was a success we tried for the first time, and I especially loved the dressing! This egg roll in a bowl really does take 15 minutes, and my family loves it. And this salmon salad screams summer, but spring is close enough, right?
And in case a chilly, rainy day sneaks into your spring, I shared our favorite creamy broccoli-cauliflower soup!
Listening To
I spend a lot of time in the car on Saturday afternoon. Between Charlotte’s dance classes and our foster daughter’s visitations with her mom, it is a solid two+ hours of back-and-forth driving. No complaints. This just means more time for podcasts. This episode from Human Hope with Carlos Wittaker was a standout.
My life-long-bestie sent me this podcast. The two of us grew up as die-hard youth groupers at a large evangelical church, and you can be sure our copies of I Kissed Dating Good-bye glowed with highlighter. Fast forward nearly twenty years (man, we’re getting old!), and we often refer to ourselves as “recovering survivors” of the purity culture. Josh and Nadia’s conversation felt like a snapshot of the young adult lives we are still processing.
Until next time,
