Our House in the Middle of Our Street

view from the top of Salt Spring Island, BC
I always love making an intentional list for the year ahead, but as I've been reflecting on the past year in my personal time, along with reflecting on our past half of our homeschooling year thus far, I've staretd to jot some 'things' down for this year as in years past, but I haven't been able to fill up the whole list and I have no idea why.  Maybe it's that I don't feel I have the brain space, maybe because it's nearly Feb. 1st already and I'm feeling behind already, or maybe it's because I just haven't let it sit and stew enough. That's ok. I'm learning to just go with it. I have about half.  I add to my list in my bullet journal, I more than likely won't remember to edit this post but (shrug), Oh Well. Such is life! 
19 in 2019 (or, ahem, a few less)
1) Watch Lo & Behold technology docuseries with Lukka. We watched Cosmos last year and that was a wonderful experience for us bot…

looking into 2019 like
Yes, I totally used this photo at the beginning of the year, too, but I love it. It represents looking forward, of course, at the year to come, but also a great reflection of what happened within a year that just passed. 
There is nothing special about New Years to me, aside from the fact that I have, at one time in my life, been a big List Person. As the kids grow up and our days get fuller, them going this way and that, it becomes imperative that I write down some sort of tangible activities we can do together (or I can do on my own!), and experiences I want to be intentional about getting to. Science says writing things down means they are more likely to happen.  Even if I only get to half my list-half is better than zero any day!
So, here's my 2018 list, and here's whatactually happened: 
I tried to make an honest effort to be in more photos as opposed to being the one always taking them. I made Stefan do more selfies with me on date nights, and made…

a friend's beautiful built-ins!
I love writing book reviews, talking books with friends (or let's be honest, complete strangers), and reading and attending my book club. One of my favorite ways to reflect on the past year also has to do with books; making a Top 10 list. I usually average about 60-80 books per year. I could up it if I listened to audiobooks, but they're just too long, and I love my podcasts for doing chores and driving instead.  I can usually easily hit 60 on my own, but the other 15-20 come from reading aloud to the kids, something I rarely miss per night. This past year we hunkered down with the hefty 4,000+ pages of Harry Potter, so we had fewer read-alouds than normal, but plenty of pages. Here are the favorite books I read over 2018; there's something here for everyone. I only included books on this list that I hadn't previously read (so, no HPs, is what I'm saying, though at least 3 would be on this list otherwise!). It's fun to see th…

This reading month was a little crazy: no reading at all while finishing up a big project and then a lot of reading while taking a break from life for about a week, then sporadically through the holidays. A little unbalanced, I suppose, but I did finish enough good books for me to call it a decent reading month!

 I'll be back early January with my 10 Favorites of the year, along with what did and didn't happen on my 18 in 2018 list, along with a new one for 2019. Now, onto the book list:

*He Who Dreams by Melanie Florence - This was a quick little YA book that I saw was the Langley Book of the Year on an endcap and with the topic (pow wow dancing) and big font I figured I could read it in a few sittings. I enjoyed it, but I don't know if I'd pass it on as a recommendation. The language was a bit too simple though the theme was well-done and positively executed.

*Dear Farenheit 451 by Annie Spence - I laughed out loud with this book so much, and had zero expectations o…

This might look like a title-heavy month, but don't let looks fool you-about half of these books are either extremely short, YA books (easy to read), or I started them in a previous month so didn't read them fully in November, just finished them this month. However, I have finally felt like our Fall season has been winding down the past week or so, and for that I can celebrate with more reading! While a lot of families' obligations ramp up right before Christmas break, ours really start winding down around the first week in December, leaving us plenty of margin through the holiday season and beginning of New Year. Prepare for another (hopefully!) large reading month in December, followed by a Top 10 Favorites list. What did you finish this month that you loved? 
*Adamant by Lisa Bevere - This was my small group's book choice for the Fall and although there were some great nuggets throughout, and it gave us great conversations, I didn't overly love this book. It wa…

thinking back to buckets and buckets of peonies in late summer!
 We've had a gorgeous Fall, with sunny skies, bright changing colors, and the rain was practically non-existent (except the one week my friends were here! ugh).  While some people despise the earlier dark, I relish it. The next three months is when I really hunker down, hibernate, slow our lives down significantly and just enjoy quiet, home, and rest. I recognize my seasonal ways and after very full Springs, Summers, and Fall craziness, I'm 100% on board with very little happening. Let the book season begin! 
We've had a gorgeous Fall, with sunny skies, bright changing colors, and the rain was practically non-existent (except the one week my friends were here! ugh).  While some people despise the earlier dark, I relish it. The next three months is when I really hunker down, hibernate, slow our lives down significantly and just enjoy quiet, home, and rest. I recognize my seasonal ways and after very full Spring…