I originally posted this back in 2021 and we still love these little mailboxes ❤️ . They are one of our favorite Valentine’s traditions. We put little treats or notes leading up to Valentine’s in them . They create excitement in sharing and showing love to each other . . We are also still loving how these wool balls from @strandcreativeco they add a whimsical touch to our fireplace mantle and look great with our mailboxes💜They are still in great shape and definitely a favorite . . Do you have any Valentines traditions? Share them below. I’d love to hear!
Wow! What a year we had! As you can tell we read all genres this past year . I definitely came through these with some of my new favorite authors ❤️ So many of them gave such different perspectives into my faith.
Each book was unique and I love that! Just an FYI on how we decide as a book club what to read – Our curator gathers 3 books for our whole club to vote on when we gather once a month to discuss the current book we have read. We then announce the next months book once we have taken a paper vote. Some months , there is a clear winner and others we need a tiebreaker .
Below you will find a few highlights of things I loved about each book or that I found challenging . Think of it as a quick review of each book. ⬇️
⭐️ The Prophetess -Loved how the author brought a full story to Deborah which gave me something to ponder. It was fictional but made me see her in a whole new light.
⭐️ The Italian Ballerina -One of my favorite reads! It gave me a glimpse into WW2 that I had never explored with the Syndrome K sickness and the London ballet stage. Loved all the historical references throughout and the beauty from such heartache.
⭐️ Yesterday’s Tides – Another one of my favorite picks from 2024. I discovered something I had never heard of , Okracoke Island . I loved how the author combined WW1 to WW2 in such a beautiful way. We also had the opportunity to zoom with the author during our book club which was a fun treat!
⭐️ The Extraordinary Deaths of Mrs. Kip – Wow! I want to be a Mrs.Kip! Such a great read and left me feeling that it is never to late to share Gods love❤️
⭐️ The Forgotten Life of Eva Gordon – This one started out slow but I was so thankful that I stuck with it. We all need a neighbor like Mabel . I may just one day step into a funeral to celebrate the life of someone I have never met because of her .
⭐️ Drawn in Ash– This one was out of my comfort zone but I’m so glad I read it. It took a bit to understand all that was happening, but gave a glimpse of how things can change when we spend time talking to others instead of going with preconceived ideas. It is based on the story of Esther.
⭐️ The Number of Love – A beautiful story of the secretive Room 40 during WW2 and the power of prayer.
⭐️ Blink of an Eye– Thrilling but left me wanting a better ending . We discovered in book club that there are two editions of this and the first was better in our opinion
⭐️ Daughter of Eden – This fictional story of Adam and Eve gave me so much to ponder ! It gave me lots to think of with how pride and selfishness separated the relationship with God and left me yearning to have what Adam and Eve had before the fall.
⭐️ The Screwtape Letters – This is such a deep book . I have read it several times and each time get something different from it. It really highlights the spiritual warfare that is all around us and from the enemy’s perspective.
⭐️ The Last Exchange -This is such a beautiful unexpected love story . It is thrilling and just when you think it is all predictable. Watch out the turn you never saw coming is right around the corner. One of my favorite quotes of the book is “A life laid down is better than one picked up.
⭐️ We Three Kings -This Christmas Novella follows three generations of the Weise Family as they seek Jesus throughout each one. This was the perfect Christmas Book.
I hope our Book Club list from 2024 helps encourage you to start your own Book Club or gives you some new books to read ❤️ I would love to hear if you already do a Book Club and how yours works or if you would like to hear more about how we do ours send me a message .
And yes our 2025 Book Club has already started! Looking forward to a New Year and some new reads!
This is a good reminder for me today . I often want to hurry and get through moments or schedules but I am realizing that every moment is part of my story .The in between schedules , the late nights or the days when everything comes undone. These are the moments that build or tear down and my prayer this 2025 new year , is there will be more building then tearing down. That my story will be one that shows grace, forgiveness,kindness,humbleness and fun . . What about you? Have you ever looked at your life as a story? Not just the Instagram moments but all the moments? What do you want your story to show ? Share below ⬇️ .. I would love to hear and cheer you on ❤️
The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron gives a rare look into the Nazi occupation of Rome and the fake Syndrome K of WW2 . Based on actual historical events it leaves you wanting to go back in history to reread events you may have missed. She gives the reader a wonderful story of the beauty even in the war from the London ballet stage and the allies storming the beaches of Salerno to the one moment that forever changed a soldier and a little girls life and those that got swept into life changing moments alongside them . The book bridges the beauty in how God can use each of us in a mighty way and create family where there is none. . As the story unfolds I couldn’t help but think of the holocaust museum in Washington DC and the moment where I stood in the hallway and countless photographs were hung of those who were missing or killed in the war. Families that stepped from this world to eternity . It made me wonder and think about how their pictures ended up there . I’m sure there is a story in all of it and this book reminded me of that . However, they did, I’m so thankful they did so that they could be remembered❤️⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
Grace Thomas Tea Party complete with macarons the girls made and ofcourse our passport to Paris and travel luggage for their dolls filled with strawberry pretzels.. yumm! Tea Party day is my fav❤️
Here’s what I am currently reading so be watching for reviews.. I already posted the Lady Unrivaled..so good!
.
What are you reading? I gather most of my must read books from others recommendation so I would love to hear what you are loving right now. Post in comments❤️
Have you ever seen a Seed Library? We were so excited to see this when we popped into a library . What a wonderful treat!! . We were able to pick several seeds to plant and it helped to minimize our cost in buying seeds. . Plus it gave the littles an opportunity to pick things that we would not normally buy like a quinoa plant and a few others. . We are so happy to see this back in some of the libraries this spring! Have you seen one at your local library?
