A few days ago, I got my review copy of Amanda Soule‘s newest book, Handmade Home.  It doesn’t officially hit the market until August 11, but I’m interviewing her and doing a review of the book on Simple Mom to promote her launch.

The book ROCKS.  Seriously.  I can’t put it down.  I’ve been carrying it with me everywhere, reading snippets here and there and adding Post-Its to the ideas I can’t wait to try.  Chickpea has been reading alongside me, making me stop at her favorite photos of bags, flowers, and dresses.

So I’ve got that, and I’ve also been itching to keep my hands busy.  When we returned here this spring, I brought loads of felt, some more sewing supplies, and a bit of embroidery stuff.  I ordered several patterns here to make felt food, and I’ve had a blast crafting them.  It’s addictive.  They’re kinda slow-going, but they’re small and easy, and I can carry them around and work with them as I have a second here and there.

And finally, I’ve been exploring our different homeschool options for the fall.  So far, I think I’m sold on Five in a Row, since it fits our family’s interests, time, and culture.  We’ll continue with learning to read, and our lofty mathematical ambition is counting to 20 in a row.  Chick has 1-13 down, and then it gets a little hairy — 17, 82, 43, 65, 19, 20.  She can read sentences, but numbers?  Let’s just say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

In between it all, I’ve been writing, writing, writing.  It’s been a challenge with everything we have going on right now, since it’s hard to think straight.  Plus, I have two people in this family under four feet tall that need my attention about every two minutes.  Hard to have a complex, grown-up thought in the midst of all that.

Life’s been admittedly hard the past week.  Physically, emotionally, and geographically painful.  The Lord has been unspeakably near.  The passage of Scripture that really helped me get through yesterday was Psalm 33:18-22:

“Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that He may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine. Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart is glad in Him, because we trust in His holy name. Let your steadfast love, O Lord, be upon us, even as we hope in you.”

He is good.

posted: 09 July 23
under: family