Fall Into Reading 2010

So, a friend sent me the link to this blog the other day because she knows my taste and thought it would be something I would enjoy. I immediately loved it. The author is doing a fabulous fall activity on her blog that she is inviting others to join. It's called Fall Into Reading 2010. I'm making a list of books I'd like to read during the autumn season-from September 22nd until December 20th. I will be posting my progress along the way and then do a final update in December. The following is my list of 10 books. I might read more than this, but I just discovered this blog and tossed a list together very quickly without much time to pursue additional interests. Enjoy! (Please excuse my inability to line up my book pictures with the words. I need some work with that!)

1) Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - I have read all the Harry Potter books multiple times. Because the first part of the seventh movie is coming out in November, I decided to reread the last 3 of the series to refresh my memory.









2) Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling














3) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling














4) Jane Austen Ruined My Life by Beth Pattillo - Taylor and I recently when to get our new library cards now that we are in Arlington, and while we were there I was looking through the new book section. A book called Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart caught my attention. I checked on the computer to see if it was part of a series. This book was listed by the same author, but it did not appear to be part of a series. I picked up Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart, read it, and LOVED it! I decided I wanted to try out this book as well, so we'll see how it compares!






5) The Shack by William P. Young - I read this a few years ago when it was still pretty new. I really enjoyed it, but have recently been wanting to revisit it. I thought this fall reading activity was a great time to do just that!













6) Sabrina by Lori Wick - I'm currently reading a book called Cassidy by Lori Wick. Lori Wick has long been a favorite Christian fiction author of mine. The Big Sky Dreams series is one of hers that I have never read. Therefore I added Sabrina and Jessie (see below) to this list so that I could finish the series.










7) Jessie by Lori Wick
















8) The Sweetgum Knit Lit Society by Beth Pattillo - While looking for some books to add to this list, I googled this author to see what else she had since I liked Mr. Darcy Ruined My Life. Honestly, this book is on here purely because I like the title. The title is too much fun, and it's apparently about a group of ladies that love literature and knitting. I really like that premise, so I could not help but add it to the list.









9) The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis - This book and the next book are on my list as sort of a challenge. I've never read C.S. Lewis. I own 3 or 4 of this books, but have never read them. It was time to change that, and I wanted to use my fall reading list as accountability to get out there and read something new and different!









10) The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis

Fall Ideas

Hello to my fabulous blog friends! I am looking to have some of your creativity rub off on me! I have a little cash set aside that I would like to use for fall decorations this year! I've never done fall decorations before, but I'd really like to. I'm not really into Halloween, so think just regular fall-that will take me all the way until Christmas decorating time! I would also love new and different ideas aside from carved pumpkins and wreaths on the door--love those ideas, but I already know them! I thinking about stealing this idea from my friend Jennifer! It's super cute!!!

Anyone else have any other fun fall ideas?

Mental Wonderings

The following are the random thoughts in my head today. Enjoy!

1) I had my second FriendSpeak session with Julia on Sunday. I have no idea if we made much, if any, progress with her English skills, but I got her to smile. :) That was worth the hour long session to me!

2) I think I need a creative outlet. Let me back up: I love being a stay-at-home wife. I feel productive and purposeful in our home. Between housewife and jewelry lady duties most of my days stay comfortably busy. But, there is an "ache" of sorts that I cannot diagnose. At first glance, one would think it's boredom. No, I'm not bored. What I keep landing on is a need to be creative. I do know how to crochet, but I am notorious for not finishing these projects that I start. I'm being cautious about starting another crocheting project for fear that once again I won't finish. Anyway, I'm doing some soul searching about what kind of creative project I might be able to do that will have purpose as well as satisfy my small inner "ache."

3) I think I'm going to start doing more book recommendations here on my blog. I've made recommendations in the past, but always focused on what I was reading for pleasure-mainly adult literature. But, since my background has left me with a fabulous library of children's and young adult literature I thought I might focus there. That way any mom's reading my blog might hear of a book or two they were not previously aware of that could be a possible choice for their child/family. So, be watching for this in the future!

4) The Christmas budget has been set! I have started perusing stores for gift ideas! I LOVE shopping for Christmas gifts! It's just so much fun to find something you think someone else will love! Let the fall and shopping season begin!