Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Monthly Recap vol. 28 ~ December 2015

Well, I've already given you a pretty thorough recap of our month, so:  See these posts if you need to catch up.

Advent Week One



Advent Week Four...coming soon. ;)

Reading...

I updated my book post for the year. I finished my 50 books goal by reading two more books for December, and they were... {drumroll}...

The Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (reread)
I couldn't believe how much I forgot since 5th grade! ;) I was especially surprised at her treatment of "Indians." The gratefulness, self-sufficiency, and frugality was just as inspiring to me as a grown-up as it was once upon a time. And I just love this one in particular, from the series, because of the stories about Christmas. So it was great timing to read it in December! I read it on our way to the Biltmore and back. ;)

and a really, really great way to end the year, was reading...
Father Sergius (short story/novella) and other stories/selections from this book by Leo Tolstoy, which I highly, highly recommend having in your home library.

Tolstoy's stories are really so readable.  The Death of Ivan Illych, in particular, will really fill you with the fear of God.  You'll ponder, love, death, marriage, and spirituality. Tolstoy easily makes the ignorant self-aware, and the silly, worldly, and self-conscious among us, he puts right back in our/their humble place! Like reading Shakespeare (his sonnets, especially, are gorgeous) or Dante, I truly could feel the presence of God as I read The Death of Ivan Illych.

I also really want to read The Faithful Departed, so I might just order it and read it before 2016. ;)

I didn't do too much watching, but we saw quite a number of Christmas films over our children's shoulder (I was usually writing or cleaning during those).  I always love and will recommend until I'm blue in the face "Emmett Otters Jug Band Christmas," a Jim Henson film. Stephen and I watched the "Bill Murray Christmas Special," and we were DYING laughing when the movie goes from Miley Cyrus performing "Silent Night," to George Clooney singing 'Santa Claus Wants Some Lovin'.'  There were just enough comical contrasts like that to make me think it was really, legitimately funny... just not long enough for me. I love Music Specials where every five minutes there's a new song that starts up. I wish there were more specials like this.  And I loved the cast.  Again, I just wish it had simply been a bit longer. (And I wish Amy Grant's old Christmas specials would just show up on Netflix!)

Other things of note...


Anders got his first real (good) haircut.

Annabel is the sweetest, dearest gift in the world.


Reading Online...

All of my links are worth sticking around for. Take a couple of extra minutes and read these: (And don't forget to look at the interesting memes I saved for you down at the bottom!)

This is the Advent Tradition You've Been Looking For @ Dappled Things

Do Muslims and Christians Worship the Same God? College Suspends Professor Who Said Yes @ Washington Post

How Real Men Beat Lust {Guest Post} @ Mama Needs Coffee

Christmas Tour of Homes 2015 @ Sometimes Martha Always Mary {Loved this!}




Left to right: Han Solo, Darth Vader, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, R2-D2

I think I also saw this meme as saying, "Unfriend you I will." 
hahaha! ;)


Dec. 17!



I think I heard he corrected "formula" and changed it to breast pumps! ;)

LOL!

See how many details you can spot.
Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! :-)

Linking up with Tuesday Talk

1 comment:

charmingfarming.com said...

I love the idea of setting a book goal for the year. I think I'll do that for 2016. I get so busy writing and mothering that I don't read as much as I want to. Thanks for the Tolstoy rec. I'll put it on my list. Also, I love the memes. Especially Jose and Maria outside a convenience store. And your children are darling! Have a Merry Christmas!
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