I'm just trying to walk myself home.
So in celebration of the last Monday in January (Amen!), here are few little happy things! This seriously unbelievable Instagram from @jimmy_chin kind of makes me want to pack up my camping gear and head on out into the great wide world. Even in January. I have a serious case of wanderlust right now. …
I am still working my way through The Warmth of Other Suns. I even read a few stories aloud at dinner this week. I am in the middle of Part 4, which is the is the largest section of The Warmth of Other Suns. The section is entitled The Kinder Mistress, from the Langston Hughes‘ …
My sister introduced me to the wonders of a roasted tomato years ago, and we’ve been making this roasted tomato basil soup in huge batches ever since. It is such a consistent family favorite that recently my mom, Whitney and I all made it within the space of a week. Usually we use a large …
Perched atop cliffs, overlooking the Mediterranean sea was our favorite stop in Monaco, the Musée Océanographique. What is funny is that I probably would not have toured it if I hadn’t had Mary Polly with me. The Musée Océanographique dates from 1901 and was the brainchild of Prince Albert I. Jacques Cousteau was even the director …
I haven’t done a What I Wore Wednesday post since before my Grandmother died at the beginning of December. I think that might partly be because my Grandmother was one of the only people in the world who cared whether or not I showed up for all of life in jeans and a t-shirt. Actually …
In September of 2012, my daughter, Mary Polly and I went on a Mediterranean cruise on the ship, the Carnival Breeze. This post is about our first stop. Cruise Port: Monaco. We had attended our cruise director’s lecture on the highlights of the cruise port Monaco and he was not lying when he told us …
It’s important to me at all times of the year to be reading about a culture that makes up half of the town I live in here in Arkansas, but especially during Black History month, I try to introduce some new aspect of African-American history at the Chino House. This year we are looking at …
In the same way that a pot of soup full of Herbes de Provence simmering on the stove makes me dream of far away countrysides, this Herbs of Provence Caldrea hand lotion is like a little breath of fresh French hillside air. This lotion is all natural and super rich, so I keep it by …
For several years I have used the same chili recipe that I hunted down from a friend after we had it at an event at church. I have made several alterations to it so now my recipe is scribbled on quite a bit, plus it is drizzled with red spots. I added garlic (of course) …
In September of 2012, my daughter, Mary Polly and I went on a Mediterranean Cruise. This post is all about the unbelievable boat that took us on this fabulous trip, the Carnival Breeze. We boarded this ship in Barcelona, Spain. Last year at this time, I had already booked our Mediterranean cruise on the Carnival …
Have you seen this precious new book from the author/illustrator duo, Sally Lloyd-Jones and Jago? A few years ago, they brought the world The Jesus Storybook Bible, which is my most favorite children’s Bible ever. Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing is already a treasure at our house. It is a beautiful devotional book for …
We are currently in the middle of a series at our church called DTR (Define The Reliationship). Last week, in his less than endearing off-the-cuff manner, Taido told the story of how our relationship changed one night when we had a DTR. We wouldn’t have called it that back then because Define The Relationship …
I could not possibly count how many cups of coffee and tea I have sipped over the last month. In the very near future I will be taking a hiatus from both (as part of a journey of fasting), the imminent arrival of which is making them seem ever more dear during the month of …
While Simon was under the weather over the school break, he requested a chicken soup with rice. Like in the book Chicken Soup with Rice by Maurice Sendak. When I served this one to him, he said that it was good, but it wasn’t really what he was thinking of. I’m pretty sure he was …
A few of my favorite reads of 2012 The Invisible Bridge by Julie Orringer The Madonnas of Leningrad by Debra Dean Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer The City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell Peace Like A River by Leif Enger The Fiddler’s Green by A.S. Peterson (sequel to The Fiddler’s …
I made these ornaments as a child with my mother. I think we made 56 snowmen one year. I have been homebound with sick ones this week so instead of attending Christmas school parties we stayed in our pajamas for four days while sorting legos and making ornaments. And watching The Lord of the Rings. …
Every day, I drive over one of the many bridges that connects my town to downtown Little Rock. We walk on them, ride bikes over them, drive to and from school over them. Most days, I give no thought to what is happening underneath these bridges, or more accurately, who is under them. This is …
My beautiful grandmother went home home to be with Jesus last Saturday. And though I earnestly prayed all last week that she might be released from her earthly body, I have found that with each day that dawns, the world seems darker without her in it. Today we will bury her and say goodbye. We …
As I write this morning, my Grandmother, who is the queen of the world in my heart, is fading from us. She is taking her last breaths on this earth, and every one seems more labored than the last. Yesterday at church, on this first Sunday of Advent, I sang Angels We Have Heard On …
Are you looking for something to read this Christmas? Here are my Advent Readings for this year. My six year old, Simon, is counting down the days until December 1st. He remembers fondly that even though there is currently no evidence of the coming season in our house, we usually start Christmas on December 1st …