2024 has come in like a lion here in Tennessee! We had a week of snow days so I feel like school has been very inconsistent around here since Thanksgiving. I love being home and cozied up by the fire, but I also like routine, knowing what’s expected and when it’s going to happen. So here’s to hoping the rest of the school year plays out like normal.
However, in all my free time at home, I’ve been watching and reading lots of things! I’ll share a few with you today and save some others for my February favorites.
Something to Watch:
- If you’re a fan of The Crown on Netflix and you haven’t watched Season 6, stop what you’re doing right now and turn it on. This was the best season of the series – I loved it so much! The storyline was endearing and heartbreaking and sweet and I cried several times. The cinematography was beautiful as well. I’m sad the series is over but I love the way this one ended.
- The Bear: Ok, this show is on Hulu and is not for the children. The language is atrocious and the characters are dysfunctional, but there’s something about it that I can’t stop watching. I binged the first season and I’m about to start the 2nd, which I’ve heard is the best season of tv ever in television history. We shall see…
Something to Read:
- Spare by Prince Harry: I apparently have been on a royals kick around here. I listened to Spare at the beginning of January and found it to be fascinating. If only 25% of it is true, then it’s still an amazing story. (And to be fair, I have no doubt that all of it is his truth.) It makes me feel terrible for Harry, the “spare,” and the way he’s supposedly been treated by those in his family.
- Tell Her Story: this book is a departure from the one above. Ha! It tackles the subject of women in the Bible and women in the church and let’s just say, it was eye-opening. As I was first reading it, I found myself becoming really angry that women have been pushed aside so much in the modern day church. Especially after reading about so many prominent women in the Bible. But if we know better, we’ll do better, right? So here’s to hoping those leading churches today will open their eyes and see the benefits of women in leadership positions.
- Happiness Falls: this was our January book club pick, a story about a family whose father goes missing and the only one who knows what happens is their nonverbal son. I loved this story because I work with nonverbal students every day and I could relate to the frustration of difficult communication and the excitement when there’s a breakthrough. I still have so many questions about this book, though…
Something for the New Year:
- The Passion Planner: If you’re like me and you’re always looking for a better planner to help you stay organized, this is one of my favorites. I’ve used this planner in the past, but switched from it to the Full Focus Planner a few years ago. I love, love, love the Full Focus Planner – it helped me set realistic goals and keep track of them – but it’s a 3-month planner instead of a yearly one. So for 2024, I decided to switch back to the Passion Planner. Each 2-page spread covers a week with half-hour increments for daily appointments. There’s also enough space at the bottom of each page to write down important things that need to be done personally and professionally. I also love the reflection questions at the end of each month. If you’re not really a journal-er but like to look back and see what happened during a particular month, these are a great way to do that!
- The Growth Book: And I’ll always recommend my beloved Growth Book. It’s a journal but also has a place to list all the books you’ve read for the year, a place to write down prayer requests and answers to those prayers, and a checklist you can complete to check off chapters of the Bible you’ve read. It’s truly an all-in-one!
Just for Fun!
- Family Game Night! We’ve been playing lots of games each night and two of our current favorites are Play Nine and SKYJO. These games are similar to each other so once you understand how to play one, the other is easy to figure out. If you’re looking for a quick and easy card game your whole family will enjoy, check these out!
- Kilwin’s caramel apples: We discovered Kilwin’s in Franklin, TN, a few months ago and have since been back twice. Their caramel apples are nothing short of of unbelievable plus they slice them right there in the store for you so you can start eating right away. If you have a Kilwin’s nearby, I encourage you to stop in and try some of their goodies. If you’re not a caramel apple fan, they’ve got fudge and chocolates and flavored popcorn, among other treats. Click here to see all their locations.
- This tinted moisturizer: My children love to tell me that I’m getting older, as if I don’t already know this. I’m always looking for something to help reduce the look of wrinkles as well as smooth out any uneven coloring. Sometimes I wear foundation but it often settles in those lovely creases around my eyes. Sigh… However, I recently discovered a great little tinted moisturizer with SPF of 30, and I love it. It goes on light and smooth and makes me feel a little put-together without all the heavy foundation. I think it’ll be great for summer too!
I think that’s it for January! I’d love to hear your recent favorites, and I’ll be back next month with a few new things!
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