January Books, Podcasts and Other Loves

For a few months, I thought winter was going to forfeit its seat this year, finally relenting to my lifelong wish to go from fall to spring. But here we are, the last full week of January, and it finally decided to show up. I suppose the daffodils sprouting in our yard and the bumblebees buzzing around were a sign we needed a cold snap.

The start of the year has felt so hopeful for our family. I’m reminding myself daily that, even if I’m not pregnant, we are one day closer to a second baby. I have no idea how or what it will look like along the way, but I’m trying to stay present and approach each day with open hands.

We spent last weekend in Florida for Chris’ grandad’s 90th birthday. It was such a sweet weekend and we got to introduce Mac to his great grandpa. Four generations of Saxon men in one room! It was beautiful.

Books

I’ve been reading a lot this month, trying to get in bed early each night. Embracing those short hours of daylight, you could say. I read This Tender Land, which was incredible and I highly recommend, especially if you liked Where the Crawdads Sing. Right now, I’m reading Bringing Down the Duke, about which I’ve yet to decide how I feel. I’m also listening to The Dutch House (Audible version), which is narrated by Tom Hanks and - so far - incredible. Anything Tom Hanks touches really does turn to gold. Coincidentally, I tried to read Waiting for Tom Hanks and couldn’t get through it.

Podcasts

I’ve gotten hooked on Food, We Need to Talk. Also, Blood Ties and That Sounds Fun.

Other Loves

We’ve been buying our groceries through Imperfect Produce, which I’ve really liked. They have their imperfections, if you will, as a grocery delivery service. But overall we love the quality of the products and that they are reducing food waste. We got amazing feta because the label had a typo and delicious salmon because it was cut the wrong shape. The way food is wasted is so scary and buying from Imperfect Produce sort of feels like recycling - something small we can do to make a difference.

I’ve also been ordering a lot of products on Thrive Market, which means I am rarely going to the grocery. It’s weird! :) I’m love, loving Thrive. It has been an incredible experience and allows us to get better prices for high-quality ingredients. A few of my favorite purchases have been: Sprouted Spelt Flour and Cacao Nibs, both of which I used to make these delicious cookies. I also got the chickpea “bread” crumbs, which I’m going to use to make spicy chicken tenders.

After a lot of debate, we recently changed from the ScanPan to the Xtrema Ceramic Skillet. We got the ScanPan for our wedding and have absolutely loved it, but ever since having Mac, I’ve been nervous about it. They say their nonstick surface doesn’t leach below 600-degrees, but it was stressing me out. We LOVE the Xtrema! Something about ceramic makes me feel hardcore, too. Like running in a snowstorm.

Anyway, those are some of the updates we’ve made around the house in the new year. I hope your 2020 is off to a wonderful, hopeful start!

Holiday Reading!

I’m sitting here eating my favorite holiday treats (pretzels, drizzled with chocolate and sprinkled with candy canes). I’ve been trying to avoid this snack, but there are boxes upon boxes of in our cabinet. Let’s just say I’m being festive?

It’s 60 and sunny here, which is absolutely my kind of December. Mac and I went on a walk sans coats today. I’ve been thinking a lot, lately, about what I want the holidays to look like for him as he grows up.

Over Christmas break when I was younger, I remember playing outside and reading a lot. I think I read Chicken Noodle Soup for the Soul in one sitting when I was 12. Those stories were so good, man.

I don’t know that I’ll read as much this Christmas season. McCoy isn’t really into family reading yet :) But, I thought I’d share a few books I’d recommend for those who might be pounding the pages over the next week.

1. Where the Crawdads Sing // I just started reading this one and, honestly, can’t say enough about it. It feels like summer. Reads easily. And the story will hook you fast.

2. The President Is Missing // I feel like I need to preface this one: it’s cheesy. But if you want a fast-paced, mindless read, this will fit the bill. It’s basically like 24 in a book.

3. Liturgy of the Ordinary // This is the perfect book to read to start the new year with an appreciation for the daily routine. It will help you recognize the beauty in the mundane, like making your bed or mowing the lawn.

4. Girl, Wash Your Face // If you’re looking to start the year off with some extra motivation.

5. One Day in December // I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s on my list!

I’m also wondering if anyone recommends Nine Perfect Strangers? I have not heard great reviews but being a major #LianeFan, I’d like to give it a go.

what books are teaching me about intuitive living

I really love books, but don’t know anyone who reads like my sister, Ashley. Something I’ve noticed since having Mac is that people have a tendency to say things like: I don’t have time to read now that I have a baby. But then I think of my sister, who has four kids and a very busy schedule and, yet, makes reading a priority. She does it by getting in bed early or - a real talent - reading while standing up and cooking dinner.

We were discussing books recently, which is one of my favorite things to talk about with her. Although our reading Venn diagram doesn’t overlap all that much, aside from YA, which we both share very much in common.

We were talking about how our minds tend to self-regulate when it comes to what we read. I might plow through two or three young adult novels in a row - Eleanor & Park followed by The Fault in Our Stars followed by Wonder. Then, suddenly, I absolutely cannot read any more YA and must get my hands on Brené Brown or Shauna Niequist. My mind knows its had enough fluff; it’s time for substance.

It’s intuitive reading! Just like intuitive eating allows me to fully enjoy a cheese platter or cupcake, but the next day undeniably craves a kale salad. It happens with exercise, too. After a week of hard workouts, by Sunday, my body tells me it’s time for a walk or a rest day.

Years ago, Chris and I decided we were going to practice intuitive drinking. We’d been trying out a rule that we couldn’t have wine during the week, but realized it made us crave it by Saturday night, and then we’d drink two or three glasses, as opposed to just one. When we changed to intuitive drinking, we realized that allowing ourselves to pour a glass on a random Wednesday, if wanted, suddenly made it so much less desirable. When it was no longer off limits, we found we didn’t crave it as much as we expected.

The more I live intuitively, the more I realize the Lord equipped us emotionally, mentally and physically to live with healthy boundaries. The key is learning to slow down and listen more carefully to what we need, as opposed to engaging with to the super noisy external voices that often tempt us.

I’ve been practicing, lately, living intuitively as much as possible. After I read Crazy Rich Asians, I started the second book in the series, China Rich Girlfriend. I was 50 pages in when it hit me: this isn’t fun anymore. I picked Bringing Up Bébé back up, which I’d put down after McCoy was born. Having a newborn, being sleep deprived and trying to read anything with substance certainly did not feel intuitive.

As I switched books, I realized it’s really all about having grace for ourselves. My natural tendency is to push through - to approach everything with a Grit mentality. But I’m learning that there are seasons for striving and seasons for being settled. There are seasons for hustle and seasons for slowness. Life continues to teach me that very few things are best experienced without a little balance and a lot of grace.

summer in a few words

Does August make anyone else feel angsty? I love it, but sometimes it gets me a little panicky. It marks the end of my very favorite season - one I'm never ready to see go. I don't know exactly what to make of it now that it doesn't mean back to school. There are no freshly sharpened No. 2 pencils and color coded folders in my vista. And yet, the days are getting shorter and it smells like cross country season.

August feels like saying goodbye to your high school sweetheart before college. You knew this was coming all summer, and yet it feels too soon. You both knew it was inevitable - the right choice - and good things are coming your way. But does it really have to be over already?

I don't know. It always makes me want to play Deana Carter's Strawberry Wine, followed immediately by We Danced Anyway as a counterbalance. 

This summer I spent a lot more time inside than I ever, ever have. Because, baby life! I'm excited for fall, which is something I've never said. Cooler temps and less intense sunshine will make it easier to take my tiny guy outside more. I'm dreaming of lots of walks with him.

Here's a recap of the summer in a few words: 

My summer in books: Bringing Up Bébé, Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, Liturgy of the Ordinary, Girl, Wash Your Face

My summer in food: Chickpea flour cookies (made them so many times!), green smoothies, peanut butter, sandwiches. I think I ate 50 sandwiches this summer :) #breastfeeding

My summer in songs: These Days by Jess Glynne, Good Ole Days by Macklemore, I am Here by Pink, Rivers Deep by Gabby Barrett, Girls Like You by Maroon 5 and 85 by Andy Grammer. It was an upbeat music kind of summer :) 

My summer in a few words: Grateful, growth, love, happy, coffee. 

How would you define your summer? And does anyone else feel mixed about August?