I have a lot of thoughts in my head right now but just not enough time to get them all down on paper. But I’m heading to Houston tomorrow and I’m hoping that some quiet time in a hotel room will give me a little bit of time to actually write paragraphs and such. I’m also hoping it will afford me the opportunity to order a cheese plate and a glass of wine from room service while I watch something on Bravo on TV.
And in case you’re in the area, I’m speaking at the women’s spring luncheon at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston on Wednesday, the 26th and will be in College Station on Friday, the 28th to speak at the Aggie Women’s Legacy Luncheon at the Annenberg Presidential Conference Center.
Here’s a quick list of things you might like and/or might make you laugh and/or might just be informational.
I got this She Reads Truth Bible in the mail about two weeks ago and it’s quickly become one of my favorite things. It’s the Christian Standard Version of the Bible and includes built-in devotionals, reading plans, cultural context and even an opening few pages on how to read and study the Bible. A friend told me a few weeks ago that she felt like she needed a “Bible For Dummies” and this is kind of that but wrapped in a beautiful, smart package.
It seems to be backordered a lot of places, but you might be able to find one in your local LifeWay store or just order on Amazon and know that in a few weeks your future self will thank your past self for being heads up and placing an order.
2. At Home in the World by Tsh Oxenreider
I am such a homebody. There just isn’t anywhere I’d rather be than in my own house and even on the best vacations, I find myself ready to come home. Which is why I love the idea that home and family can really be found in different ways. Tsh is a beautiful writer and this would make a great summer read.
From the inside flap:
What would you say if your spouse suggested selling the house, putting the furniture in storage, and taking your three kids under age ten on a nine-month trip around the world? Tsh Oxenreider said, “Thank you for bringing it up first.”
In this intimate, transporting memoir, Tsh shares the story of how her family spent a rather ordinary nine months in an extraordinary way: circumnavigating the earth to see, firsthand, the places they’ve always wanted to explore. She chronicles their global journey from China to Singapore to Australia, Uganda, France, Croatia, and beyond, as they fill their days with mouth-watering food, breathtaking sights, train schedules, world-schooling the kids, and the gradual awareness of all the world teaches about itself, its inhabitants, and the places we call home.
From releasing paper lanterns in Thailand to experiencing the community of strangers in Zimbabwe, Tsh invites readers to join her on a trek around the globe without the cost of a ticket; to discover the people, places, and stories worth knowing about; to belong in the familiar and yet feel at home outside of it; and to find the balance between wanderlust and rootedness. “Travel has taught me the blessing of ordinariness, of rootedness and stability,” she writes. “It can be found anywhere on the globe.”
3. gap sleeveless drapey scoop-neck dress
I ordered this dress from Gap last week and now it’s on sale for just $24. It’s super soft, totally lightweight and also comes in gray, black or navy. It’s a great dress for summer.
4. febreze laundry odor eliminator
I bought this at HEB last week out of desperation because Piper and Mabel think our outdoor furniture is for them and so they are always on it. This is fine until we are actually having people over and want it to smell like not dog. However, it was hard to get the dog smell out.
This Febreze laundry odor eliminator works like a charm. You just add it in with your normal detergent and it has made even the stinkiest things smell fresh. When you have a husband who owns a landscape business and a daughter who plays soccer, that is known as a miracle in a bottle.
5. dior addict long-wearing tattoo color tint
I haven’t bought this yet because I’m not sure what color to get, but I am excited about the promise of it. I love a long-wearing lip color and this one is allegedly not drying and stays on a long time.
6. 13 Reasons Why…Your Life Matters
I’ve been hearing about the Netflix show 13 Reasons Why and was glad to see that my friend Sissy Goff, the Director of Child and Adolescent Counseling at Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville, is writing about it for both kids and parents.
7. It’s Not Okay To Just Start Talking to People You Don’t Know
Sophie’s friend, Daphne, linked to this on Facebook and it cracked me up. You know what they say, there’s always some truth in comedy.
8. 19 Best Children’s Book Quotes
I loved reading all of these and it included some of my personal favorites.
Caroline is a reading machine and sometimes she can’t find a new book. This teen blog at B&N has been a great resource and has helped her find some things that she may not have found otherwise. Not all of them are necessarily for everyone, but it’s definitely got some great suggestions.
And the B&N Reads Blog is a great place to look when I need something new to read. I plan to read all the books this summer because my spring reading has been lackluster at best.
10. caffeinated tee
And now I’m going to bed because there’s a reason I keep looking at this Caffeinated tee from Milk & Honey and thinking I need it.
Have a great day.