Daybook
July
Outside my window: After a night of thunderstorms followed by a drenching rain, the sky has a muted quality that is refreshing after a run of days under intense heat and sun. I welcome it.
Listening to: The sound of kitty paws pattering across wood floors as Milo and Lavender chase each other around the house. When my daughter moved back home earlier this month, she brought her two cats, Lavender and Venus, with her. Milo, the orange cat we adopted in March, now has some friends to keep him company. Having three cats is a little wild, but also very entertaining.
Clothing myself in: cropped white cotton pants, a black short sleeve v-neck, a ponytail
Reading:
Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry (literary fiction) *5 stars…one of my favorites!
The Imposters by Tom Rachman (literary fiction)
Famous for a Living by Melissa Ferguson (contemporary women’s fiction)
The Wisdom of Stability: Rooting Faith in a Mobile Culture by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove (non-fiction)
Thinking and thinking: about the plot and characters for my current work-in-progress. I’m past the halfway point in drafting the manuscript, and I really like where it’s going! It’s part of a multi-author project called the Apron Strings Series.
ONE COOKBOOK CONNECTS THEM ALL…
A string of heartfelt inspirational stories, featuring different women through the decades from 1920 to 2020
My book is called Kristen and it’s #9 in the series. It takes place in the early 2000s in Moscow, ID. The release date isn’t until September of 2024, but the first book in the series, titled Polly, by Naomi Musch, comes out first, in January. I’m excited to be a part of this project and I think this is going to be a really fun series for readers! We have a readers group on Facebook that you’re welcome to join.
Pondering: “You are enough….You don’t have to prove that you’re exceptional. You don’t have to get things outside of yourself to be worthy of being seen and heard.” -Janet Mock
Carefully Cultivating Rhythm: I’m trying to be more consistent with getting outside early in the morning and walking.
Creating By Hand: I’ve been slowly working my way through this whimsical little book of counted cross-stitch patterns. Having something to do with my hands while I listen to music or podcasts really helps me to focus.
Learning lessons in: Mothering adult children. It’s a whole different thing. : ) I have to keep telling myself to listen more, talk less, and stay in my own lane.
Keeping house: Organizing closets and bins…making room. When both kids moved back home earlier this month, we also brought a lot more stuff into the house.
To be fit and happy: Yoga, sauna, walking, golf.
Giving thanks: for having my whole family at home right now
Living the Liturgy: A blessing from the Kenyan Rite of the Anglican church:
All our problems
We send to the cross of Christ.
All our difficulties
We send to the cross of Christ.
All the devil’s works
We send to the cross of Christ.
All our hopes
We set on the risen Christ.
Planning for the week ahead: I’d like to spend more time working on my next book, I have some volunteer opportunities with kids at the park, and I’d like to get some good practice time in at the golf course.
Book Stuff: A Christmas in July sale! Right now, you can get my Christmas novella, America's Favorite Christmastown, for only 99 cents on Amazon Kindle! This is a great deal, and a wonderful opportunity to snag this book for yourself or as a gift for a friend.
What people are saying: "This captivating Christmas story drew me in immediately. The quaint setting and relatable characters were charming and easy to love. I needed a feel-good love story, and this was just the one!" -Amazon review
Don't miss out on this opportunity. Download your copy today and enjoy a sweet escape to America's Favorite Christmastown.
*Thank you to Elizabeth Foss, writer at In the Heart of My Home, for the inspiration and format behind this daybook.
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May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you: wherever he may send you; may he guide you through the wilderness: protect you through the storm; may he bring you home rejoicing: at the wonders he has shown you: may he bring you home rejoicing: once again into our doors.