Quiet.

Sounds like a plan (and a good one at that). Why is it we need to consciously make ourselves slow down and savor? Oh well, as long as we do.
I was thinking about you, your blog, and everything you're about while I was cleaning the glass on my french doors today (don't ask me why!). I want to thank you for bringing so much joy and inspiration to us in everything you do. I appreciate that it's not *all* about just scrapping, but about journaling, heritage, wall art, and so on. Thanks!
After all, encouragement isn't encouragement, unless spoken, right?

ohh, gotta love those Backyardigans! By the way, I love the garage sale finds. I love to go out and find great deals!

You have inspired me in so many ways but today you have inspired me to pick up my copy of The Poisonwood Bible which I have started and stopped 2 or 3 times. Thanks for reminding me to try something old and look at it with different eyes!

oh, i love the poisonwood bible. push through -- it's excellent. i cried at the end because i didn't want it to be over. i read it years ago, but i still have bits of its language pop back in my head from time to time.

Simon and my Lucas would get along famously.
You have me hooked on Etsy, by the way! You constantly inspire and motivate me. Thanks Ali.

I am totally like you - I have started The Poisonwood Bible probably 4 times and never got past the first 4 chapters. You've inspired me to give it another try and persist with it.
Enjoy your couple of quiet days.

Poisonwood Bible is a toughy, but interesting once you get into it. My favorite, though, is Prodigal Summer. And don't forget to give us a review of her latest when you get to it (unless I get to it first!). :-)
Thanks for CKU Anaheim, I loved loved loved the Week in the Life album project. Hope to complete it at my crop Friday night.
Krista

finish poisonwood bible. you will not regret it. it's my favorite book of all time.

All of Barbara Kingsolver's books are beautiful...pull through and you'll be so glad that you did! Another one of hers that you may want to try is The Bean Trees, very, very good!

I'm tempted to tell you to just put Poisonwood down (and pick up History of Love---best book in ages!), but it does feel good to finish. I love Kingsolver, just finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle (now we have Friday pizza and movie night:-), but Poisonwood Bible, her "masterpiece" was tiresome and preachy to me.
Has Simon seen "Wonder Pets"? I love how my 5 yr old sings their "Teamwork" song now.

let's hear it for summer. your quiet days sound wonderful.

I just love the poisonwood Bible. It was one of my real "big girl" books that I started reading. I think I started with Memoirs of a Geisha and moved on to that one. You MUST read Red Tent if you like historical events mixed in with fiction. It is kind of like the a portion of the bible through the eyes of a woman.
I love your flea finds post and isn't great to just "do" and enjoy the summer.

I absolutely loved Barbara Kingsolvers Prodigal Summer but I've tried to read the Poisenwood Bible half a dozen times and still have not gotten through it... Glad I'm not the only one... The bad thing is, I find the story interesting and really want to finish it... Happy Reading!

I am one of those that adore Poisonwood Bible. Have you read anything else by Barbara Kingsolver? She's one of my top ten favorite living authors. Prodigal Summer is also another favorite. Good luck!

Poisonwood Bible...I don't think I've ever read a book that was more well written. Every word in that book is there for a reason. Savor it!
Valerie

i am another one who has started that book but then put it back on the shelf. maybe this summer i will try again...
love those quiet days...

I've had the same trouble with the Poisonwood Bible...good to know that I might have a chance of getting it read one of these days. You've inspired me to pick it up again.

Keep on with Kingsolver, it's worth it. I promise you will reach a point where you can't put it down and wish you had a book club meeting to go to for discussion when you are though. There's something wonderful about discussing familiar characters in that group setting, this book just takes a bit but it's there and it'll keep you up until the wee hours if that one chapter catches and keeps your attention. :-)

OH my gosh... my nephew LOVES the Backyardigans! :) They had an episode where they were singing about a "Scurvy Pirate" and he learned the song and sings it ALL the time... its pretty funny, actually. The first time he sang it to me, I was pushing him in a swing and he started singing (he's two and a half). I couldn't understand him, so I said "What are you singing?" He just sang it again... and again... and again. Finally, with some help from his mom, I'm able to sing along. :) Thanks for making me remember that sweet moment!
BTW, ToysRUs has a great sing-along book with all sorts of Backyardigan songs - you have to turn the dial thingie on the book to match the symbol on the page and then the pages have the song lyrics. I bought it for my nephew and he is having a great time learning all their songs... even if he can't read, yet :)
Love all the Simon stories... you are very blessed :)

Oh man, The Tenth Circle left me feeling a little empty. Cant explain it, just empty. Although oddly, I dont regret reading it???!!

Poisonwood bible is a great book! Keep reading. I love her other books too, my absolute favorite is The Bean Trees, if you're looking for another recommendation.

Did the same thing with the Poisonwood Bible....it's still on my bookshelf though, because of how much I enjoyed the prodigal summer. Must also get through "chocolat".
Down here, we are in winter, expecting a big chill - which usually means about 3 degrees C, morning temp, upto 16 C midday. It's short and sharp, then back to the 10-20 degree range. So lucky!

Hi Ali
Loved The Poisonwood Bible. I had a hard time getting into it too but then found it to be fascinating! Hope you enjoy it.

i'm trying to muck my way into the poisonwood bible as well. i'm about 100 pages in and i'm still not totally gripped.
but i have lots of distractions, like working with my five year old on "tracing" letters in preparation for beginning kindergarten. gack.

Ali, try the Smithsonian shops for planet projects. don't know, just an idea.
scrappinJudy, nee slowJudy