Good Reads and Gifts

There's a saying that goes "I collect books like some women collect shoes." That's me. If you look around my house, you will see piles of books on almost every usable surface. Neatly, of course. Although I usually prefer fiction, I've recently picked up several great books that are sort of memoir-ish in style. Because they are just too good not to share, here's a glimpse of what I'm currently reading:

Bread and Wine: A Love Letter to Life Around the Table With Recipes by Shauna Niequist: Bread and Wine is a collection of essays celebrating the joy of the table. With humor and honesty, Shauna discusses how food is more than fuel for our stomachs - it is a celebration, a way to nourish the bodies and souls of all who gather at our table. Mouth-watering recipes are included with each essay, along with helpful hints for preparation and serving. In addition to its thoughtful discussion of hospitality, Bread and Wine is just plain fun to read. The essays are like conversations with close friends, filled with a few tears and lots of laughs. Best of all, Shauna makes even the most reluctant, lackluster cook feel like she can tackle any food-related challenge. Let's say, for instance, that your only culinary accomplishment prior to marriage was successfully serving Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. Or perhaps you feed your family on a three meal rotation. Or maybe you know how to overcook every type of meat known to man. This is all hypothetical, of course; I'm not saying I have any experience with these cooking faux pas. :) BUT if you happen to fit into one of these categories, Shauna's book might be just what you need to build a little confidence in the kitchen.

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh:
Anne Morrow Lindbergh, wife of Charles Lindbergh, penned her memoir during a solitary vacation by the sea. In writing that is lyrical and lovely, Anne's essays meditate on finding peace, contentment, and solitude in the midst of life's busy-ness. The author draws inspiration from the shells she collects during her brief seashore sabbatical, tiny reminders of beauty and simplicity in a vast ocean landscape. To read Gift from the Sea is to escape life's demands and join Anne on her island retreat. Her writing, like the ebb and flow of waves, invites the reader to make room for contemplation in daily life.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp:
I haven't finished One Thousand Gifts, so I'll save a more detailed review for later. However, this book is challenging the way I view God and the gifts He has bestowed upon me. I can't stop thinking about it, so I have to share! Ann Voskamp writes about the transformative power of giving thanks. By sharing her own beautiful and heart-wrenching stories, Ann demonstrates how we can feel the wild love God has for us by practicing gratitude. After reading about the importance of thankfulness, Ann creates a list of the everyday gifts she witnesses in her own life. Simple gifts. Beautiful gifts. Gifts that bare the fingerprints of a loving, lavish God. Learning to be thankful is like any discipline - it takes time and practice. Therefore, like Ann and so many others, I am going to practice gratitude by noting a few of the gifts I see around me every day.

Don't these books sound great!? I pretty much want to be best friends with each of these women! :)

Today's Gifts

• #1 - Sharing breakfast with Asher - a literal breaking of the bread in the car
• #2 - The sweet article called "The Man Who Keeps Falling in Love with His Wife" - a beautiful story of rediscovering love, every single day; a must-read!
• #3 -  A lice-free classroom!
• #4 - Neon frosting that stains fingers and tongues
• #5 - Memorizing the feeling of sun on skin after a too-long winter
• #6 - Parenting with my best friend