5 Good Things

Ready or not, here comes another week. It’s going to be a busy one around the Norman house. I’ve got three meetings this week for work- it astounds me how many meetings teachers have to attend, a book club meeting, and I’m praying very hard my potential outfit for the game on Saturday makes it in time. We’re heading to the loveliest village on the Plains for the first time in years. It’s a white out, so I had to get my hands on a few white dresses that will be both comfortable and carry me into fall as good layering pieces. And I know there’ll be something else to present itself that will need to be done, but I’m thankful for the busyness of life right now because the faster this week is over, the faster we get to September. And the faster we get to September the faster we get to fall and (hopefully) some cooler temperatures. But while those good things are coming, let me share some good things I discovered this past week.

#10Days10Books

I’ve shared about Laura Tremaine countless times here and on my Instagram. She is an author, podcaster, blogger, and all around champion of knowing yourself and sharing about it because it’s powerful. Clearly I agree with her or else I wouldn’t be here telling you about it. Anywho, Laura hosts challenges on her Instagram page a few times a year, and she announced she was going to be doing one based on the topic of books. I’m no stranger to sharing books with the internet, so I was all in and had a blast picking out the books for each day’s prompt. The challenge is over on August 31, so there’s still a few days to join in. Here’s what I’ve shared so far:

Fall Shoes

I’m crushing hard on the lug sole penny loafers for fall. I jumped on the clog trend at an inexpensive Walmart price, but I think I want black loafers, and black loafers have to be good in order to not look too cheap. I’m going back and forth between the patent leather and regular leather options. I really love the look and have so many outfit ideas in my head. Here’s some I like:

Sam Edelman

The Sam Edelmans are my favorites, but they’re also the most expensive. (Go figure) I’m also considering Mary Janes instead of loafers, but I’ll save those for another day. Decisions, decisions. How do you feel about loafers for fall?

House of the Dragon

Game of Thrones fans were very happy last weekend when House of the Dragon premiered. I don’t know if you watched, but it was full of all the Game of Thrones intensity and visual goodness we’d been missing. The actors were remarkable, the dragons were so cool, and while it was tough to watch at times (hello c-section), I already can’t wait for the next episode. There’s also an accompanying podcast that I like to listen to called Oysters, Clams, and Cockles. Ross and Barrett break down the episode scene by scene, and if you’re into deep-diving your favorite shows, these two are extremely entertaining and knowledgeable. But be warned- the language is terrible. Don’t listen around little ears.

Bird Clock

Growing up my grandparents had a clock in their house at one point that would make a bird chirping noise on the hour. I’ve been wanting one for my classroom for a while, and I finally got it. I got it second hand, but it works perfectly, and my students love it. It really freaked them out the first day or two, but now we giggle every time we’re interrupted by a mockingbird or an owl. We read a story about a warbler last week in class, so it was very appropriate that I brought the clock in and surprised them with it. I hope it brings us all much joy this year. You can get one here on Amazon.

Prep Schools

I’m reading a book for book club about a girl who goes to a prep school. While I’m not sure yet if I really like the book (I’ll get back to you when I finish.), I do find the concept of prep schools very interesting. We were talking about the book this past week and remembering our high school selves and discussing if we’d have been able to go off to school at such a young age. I concluded I wasn’t sure that I could have. I don’t think I’d have wanted to leave my family that early, but also, I don’t think I would have been mature enough to be on my own. I know that much of who you become and think about yourself is heavily based on those very formative years. I value my upbringing in this small town and how close I am to my family. It’s important to me that that’s how I was raised. But a tiny part of me is curious what someone’s life would have been like to go off and have to become an adult away from the people who love you most.
I don’t disagree with it. I think it is an excellent opportunity that the majority of the population doesn’t get. The main character in the book goes to this school without knowing a soul. That I could not have done. Had I been able to go with a friend or small group of friends, I might have been more willing, but to go alone is incredibly intimidating.
Anyway, we were so intrigued that one of the members sent us a list of prep schools in the United States. First, I didn’t know there were so many. Second, wow, are they expensive. Here’s the link if you’re curious now.

Have a fantastic week, friends! I’ll be joyfully saying goodbye to August and welcoming all the fall things. Try to find five good things this week and share them with a friend. You’ll be so grateful to see to the good in each week.

Is It Fall Yet?

I’ve got a real hankering for colder weather, soups, boots, sweaters, and warm blankets. Wanting to keep those cozy fall vibes I’ve got running through me right now, I decided to pick up a children’s book I’ve never read before: Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery. After three pages I read a line out loud to a coworker early one morning before school had started. She had read the book before (all of them, actually) and knew exactly what this fascination was all about. I don’t know that I would have appreciated it as a child and been so mesmerized by the prose, but I am positively delighted every time I open this book.

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Monday Musings

Well, the back-to-school germs got me pretty good this weekend. I noticed a tickle in my throat Friday night when I was getting in bed and woke up in need of meds. That’s pretty much what I did all weekend- take meds and rest. This happens every year like clockwork. Anyone else get a back-to-school cold? I’m thankful to be feeling a little better, though, because I’ve got a long week ahead of me.

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The Summer I Read All the Books

Guys….I have read so. many. books. It’s what I set out to do this summer…read all the books I could. I succeeded. Well, except I have one more on my list that I really want to read, but it’s good knowing I have one carrying me into the school year. I’ll tell you what it is at the end of this post.

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How to Read More Books

Have you ever wanted to be one of those people that puts their phone down and picks up a book? I’ll be honest, I’m still guilty of this, and I actually really like reading. I came up with a few things that have helped me increase my book count over the years. I posted earlier this year that I read 59 books in 2021, and you don’t get to that number without picking up a few tips and tricks along the way. That’s what I’m sharing with you today.

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Small Shops I’m Loving

This Christmas I was gifted several things from small shops. Some were local, some were Etsy shops, and one was an independent bookstore. I have had such pleasant experiences with them that I wanted to shout their praises here today. I also hope this reminds you to support all small businesses that you love. We shop big box stores and Amazon so often that we can forget what these creatives and hard working people have to offer.

Greenville’s Gems

The Roost- Ronaldo Bracelet
Now that I work at The Roost, I once again have access to an inventory of Ronaldo jewelry. For those of you that didn’t know, when the Wisteria Cottage storefront closed, The Roost was able to acquire their Ronaldo inventory. Well, not too long ago, a shipment of new Ronaldo bracelets came in, and I fell in love with the Drawn to You bracelet. I was very happy and surprised to open it on Christmas and have worn it almost everyday since! If you’re a fan of Ronaldo jewelry, The Roost can help you get the perfect piece for yourself or a loved one.

Drawn to You Bracelet at The Roost

True South- Hat
True South is always a fun store to go in that has unique and trendy pieces. I know I can always count on some good accessories there, too, and that was just the thing I got. I have quite a collection of hats, but I didn’t have a navy blue one. Plus, this particular hat is red on the bottom side of the brim, and that is just the type of detail that can totally elevate an outfit.

True South Hat

McFerrin’s- Cross Necklace
I have pretty much lost count at the number of times I’ve received a McFerrin’s box over the course of my life, and it isn’t lost on me what a privilege it is to say that. When I opened another one this Christmas, I was extremely touched by what I found inside. Paul and my mom worked together this Christmas to match a gold cross from my childhood with the perfect gold chain. Jehle found the perfect color match and length of chain to create exactly what I wanted. Job well done to all three of them for giving me a very special piece of jewelry that I’ll cherish forever.

Gold chain from McFerrin’s

Etsy Shops

Shop Hello Harper- Holiday Styrofoam Cups
This holiday season I helped host a Christmas gathering with some friends, a Christmas Crawl, if you will, and I was responsible for hosting the cocktail hour of the crawl. In my search for the perfect coup glass, I found that my budget did not match my taste in barware. Go figure… Then I started thinking that maybe I could turn this into something cute, memorable, and travel friendly. Enter Etsy and Shop Hello Harper. The shop offers tons of styles and personalized options at a great price point. I was very pleased, and they carried me through several holiday gatherings.

Hello Harper Etsy Shop

Engrave This, Inc- Roman Numeral Bracelet
During Holiday Market this October, I stopped at a booth, Engrave This, started talking to the adorable owner, and ordered the show-special bracelet. My sister-in-law, Anna, was with us and suggested I have my anniversary in Roman numerals engraved on it. After a quick Google search of the date, I wrote it down for the owner, and she said it would be her first bracelet with a Roman numeral date. Mrs. Robyn bought it for me and gave it to me for Christmas. I love it so much. Unfortunately, I don’t see the bracelet in her shop, but she has many beautiful pieces, and I love all the engraving options.

Engrave This Etsy Shop

The Bookshelf

I have been a long time listener of From the Front Porch Podcast that is hosted by the owner of an independent bookstore in Thomasville, Georgia called The Bookshelf. Annie gives me tons of titles to read, and I just love her honesty about reading and life and just all the things. I had a few books on my list this Christmas and wanted to support her shop, so I was thrilled to receive not one but two copies of Hill House Living by Paula Sutton. Naturally, I wanted to return one and get the other book that was on my list, so I emailed asking what I should do to return the extra book I had received. The customer service could not have been nicer and more personal. I have the highest respect for the women who are running that very successful bookstore. Give the podcast a listen here if you like reading, and see all of Annie’s book reviews on Instagram here. And check out the website for books and gifts that are sure to fit the likes of many a book lover on your gifting list.

Would you look at the personalization on the card! Those are the small business touches I love to see.

So, this got me thinking about other bookshops that I could support that are geographically closer to me. Here’s what I found:
Wetumpka, AL- Sweet Home Books
Birmingham, AL- Little Professor
Auburn, AL- Auburn Oil Co. Booksellers
Fairhope, AL- Page and Palette

I know most of you know how important it is to support our local and small businesses. I am guilty of taking advantage of the convenience and low prices of online shopping, but I know what a great feeling it is when we support these small businesses. Let’s support them more in 2022. Have a great day, friends!

Top 10 Books of 2021

I originally wanted this post to be the top five books of the year, but when you’ve read 58 books, it’s hard to narrow it down to just five. So, ten it is. When I finish reading a book, I imidiately log it into a Note on my phone with:

  • the title
  • the author
  • the date I finished the book
  • how I read it (audio, physical book, e-book)
  • if it was for book club
  • a few of my thoughts having just finished it
  • a 1-5 Star rating

I’ll start with my 5 star books in the order I read them and work my way down letting you know for each book what the rating is, a brief idea of what each book is about, and why I liked it. I won’t give spoilers, and I’ll link each one. Again, everything is linked through bookshop.org where you can select your local bookstore of choice so that they get your support when you purchase a book. Here’s to all the good ones we read this past year.

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What I Read in 2021

59 books! I read 59 books in 2021. As always, I count audiobooks and e-books as reading. The way I see it, any way you consume a book is reading to me, okay? Here’s how this post will go. I’ll do a little collage of the book covers and link them down below. I’m going to link everything through bookshop.org. This site allows you to choose an independent book store to support. Yes, we own kindles and subscribe to audible, but let’s support these hard working people who have made it their life’s work to provide us with good reads.
Also, I won’t go into great detail about each book, but I’ll let you know my real thoughts if you have questions. Just comment on the post and I’ll tell you everything! Let’s get to it, shall we?

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July 2021 Reads

Hello to you from the hottest month of the year. I loath August. I am a lover of cold weather and hate to sweat, so I’m generally a less pleasant person during this time of year. Factor in getting back to school, which means less sleep and more stress, and you may as well assume I’m not always in the greatest of moods.

Unless we’re talking about books, which is precisely what we’re doing today. I got through five books last month, and I liked them all! Read on to hear my thoughts about each one.

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What I Read in February

So far this year I’ve read ten books. This time last year I had only read six. My reading goal this year was to read at least one more book than I did last year. I read 39 books in 2020, so I’d say I’m off to a good start. You can see what I read in January 2021 here and here. Let’s dive into the ones I’ve just wrapped up.

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