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Let’s Chat with Katherine: Winter Book List

1 / 25 / 191 / 25 / 19

Hi everyone! I am excited to be back! I wrote a post in December for Christmas book recommendations and glad to be back again.

Currently, it is a beautiful sunny and snowy day here in Chicagoland.  We had kids pulling each other in sleds, my husband shoveling the driveway and I was put in charge of cocoa.  I love to be in charge of cocoa.

Winter is feared by those who don’t live in it, but it does bring about a coziness that I love.  I also love that it invites us to slow down, turn on the fire and take on a task we wouldn’t normally consider.  One of my favorite activities during these cold days is to snuggle up under blankets next to the fire and read with my kids.  So, here are a group of books highlighting this beautiful season.

Mama Dug a Little DenAlmost a Full Moon

You're Snug With Me  Got to Get to Bear's!

Mama Dug a Little Den by Jennifer Ward and Steve Jenkins–A sweet and lilting story with rhyme incorporates nonfiction elements. Each page describes how a different animal family builds a den for their loved ones.

Almost a Full Moon by Hawksley Workman and Jensine Eckwall–Beautiful illustrations capture the coziness of winter and how a simple pot soup can bring people together.  Enchanting.

You’re Snug with Me by Chitra Sounder and Poonam Mistry–As new baby cubs learn about the earth around them, they feel comforted as Mama repeats, “You’re snug with me.”  Illustrations are particularly interesting.

Got to Get to Bear’s by Brian Lies–This fun book talks about friendship and adventure.  I loved how loyalty and kindness is also highlighted with wonderful illustrations and perfect characters.

Samson in the Snow  The Snow Bear

Duck Skates  Katy and the Big Snow

Samson in the Snow by Philip C. Stead–A woolly mammoth encounters a little red bird in search of a yellow flower for her friend.  Samson wonders what it would be like to have a friend.  A sweet story of kindness and unlikely friendship.

The Snow Bear by Miriam Moss and Maggie Kneen–A polar bear cub wanders away from home and when she struggles to find her mama, she begins to use the snow to create a safe place.  Her woodland friends help along the way.

Duck Skates by Lynne Berry and Hiroe Hakata–Sweet little book of ducks going out to enjoy the snow.  Fun way to practice counting and delightful illustrations give lots to entertain.

Katy and the Big Snow by Virginia Lee Burton–A classic that kids of all ages will love, Katy a strong and loyal tractor works hard to clear all the snow that keeps coming in her community.

Maple Syrup Season  Hurry Hurry Mary Dear

Snow Sounds: An Onomatopoeic StorySnow

Maple Syrup Season byAnn Purmell and Jill Weber–The Brockwell family works together to collect the maple syrup on their farm.  Fun illustrations captivate while learning something new!

Hurry, Hurry, Mary Dear by N. M. Bodeker and Erik Blegvad–While her husband rushes her along, Mary works hard to prepare for the coming winter.  Rhyming text and detailed illustrations make this a cozy read.

Snow Sounds: An Onomatopaeic Story by D. A. Johnson–“Hush, yawn, swoosh, slush, smoosh.”  Delightful illustrations captivate readers as you simply “listen” to the sounds of winter.

Snow! by Cynthia Rylant and Lauren Stringer–A girl and her grandmother are charmed by the snow that has blanketed their home overnight.  Beautiful prose and descriptions make this a lovely read.

Snow  Owl Moon

[(Snowflake Bentley )] [Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin] [Dec-2009]  Snowflakes in Photographs (Dover Pictorial Archive)

Snow by Uri Shulevitz–A Caldecott winner, this enchanting book shows the progression of snowfall in the city.  Landscapes are often open or wild in these types of books so a city was a fun change.  Also understanding the concept that when one snowflake keeps adding to another, it can make a big impact.

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen and John Schoenherr–This book captivated me so much when I read it the first time.  The story of a girl and her father on the hunt for owls on a late evening walk through the snow.  Absolutely lovely.

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and Mary Azarian–Another Caldecott winner tells the true story of Wilson Bentley who studied and captured beautiful photographs of snowflakes.

Snowflakes in Photographs by W. A. Bentley–A beautiful nonfiction title showing photos of all the different types of snowflakes.  Little ones may struggle with amount and depth of the text, but the photographs alone are stunning.  A wonderful companion to Snowflake Bentley.

~Katherine

For other book lists, please click here.

You can also find more about Katherine at her blog, The Comfort Table!

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Small Shifts, Significant Impacts

1 / 21 / 19

Laura
Laura

I have a new little goal for myself this year ladies!

Laura
Anna
Anna

Let’s hear it!!

Anna
Laura
Laura

I’m just trying to clear off the kitchen table each night.

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

Oooh! That’s a good one! How has it been going?

Michelle
Laura
Laura

I haven’t done it every single day, but when I do, it helps me think a little clearer that morning!

Laura
Anna
Anna

Hey, anything that helps give clarity of mind is awesome in my world!! What made you decide that you needed to do this?

Anna
Laura
Laura

When we came down to the table each morning, there were always little piles on the table of school papers or unfinished crafts or a few little Legos, and then one thing would lead to another, and the boys were playing and not eating breakfast, and then we were running behind and then I was yelling to hurry up! Ugh…

Laura
Anna
Anna

Oh yeah, I totally get that. It’s like a snowball effect.

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Laura, you are so smart!! So basically you looked at an area of your life that wasn’t working well and tried to figure out how to fix it?

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Right, just a small shift in the everyday routine that needed a little adjusting. How about you guys? Trying anything new?

Laura
Anna
Anna

I want to just take 15 minutes a day to have fun with my family. I have such a hard time putting down my to-do list constantly running in my head.

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

Oh man, I hear you. It is my constant struggle in motherhood. I didn’t think it would be so hard but when there’s dishes in the sink and stuff to be done, I have a really hard time turning it off! So that is awesome that you’re doing something proactive about it!

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Yes, but it’s just one choice you are making, you know? Play a game for a few minutes instead of doing those pesky dishes. They aren’t going anywhere!

Laura
Anna
Anna

They are not. And I always used to think that I’ll relax with my family after I get all my “stuff” done, but I realized that I will never actually get to the bottom of that list. So I might as well stop and have a little fun moment. Like today we played Peanuts (card game)!!!

Anna
Laura
Laura

Games are so good for family bonding!

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

So good! So you shifted the order of your to-do list to put your time with family higher on the list, huh?

Michelle
Anna
Anna

Oh yeah! I guess I did!

Anna
Michelle
Michelle

I am kinda trying something like that too right now when it comes to bedtime. It started because we just didn’t feel like we had enough intentional time with our girls.

Michelle
Laura
Laura

Is there ever enough of that?!

Laura
Michelle
Michelle

Ha, no. But we decided we needed to do something about it, and especially at bedtime because that is never the best time in the day for us. Our plan that we started last week is that my husband lays with one child for 10 minutes and me with the other, and then vise versa for 10 minutes.

Michelle
Laura
Laura

What a great idea! I bet they love that. And I bet you guys will really get to know about their little lives so well.

Laura
Anna
Anna

Plus you won’t lose your mind waiting for just one child to go to bed!

Anna
Laura
Laura

It’s just interesting that we all have these little changes and even when they are not done perfectly, they’re making a difference in our lives. Your change might not be what I need to do and my changes aren’t what you need. But these small adjustments accomplish the same things for each of us.

Laura
Anna
Anna

So we’re all just moving toward being connected with our families and with the person that we want to be, and even more connected with God, one baby step at a time.

Anna

Soaking in the Truth

Scripture to encourage you:

  • “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 NIV
  •  “…being confident of this that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6, NIV

Music to inspire you:

  • “I Am Who You Say I Am” by Hillsong
  • “He Who Began a Good Work In You” by Steve Green This is a crazy old school song, but it’s good!
  • “Courageous” by Casting Crowns
  • “Here Again” by Elevation Worship

Readings and Resources to come alongside of you:

  • “Small shifts in your thinking, and small changes in your energy, can lead to massive alterations of your end result.”― Kevin Michel, Moving Through Parallel Worlds To Achieve Your Dreams
  • Quarter Turns: Small Shifts, Big Impact  by Tim Furlong

Related Posts on Texting The Truth:

  • Simple Relationship Resolutions
  • Searching for What to Keep

Living Out the Truth

Ideas to try:

  • I (Laura) have been realizing lately that I tend to make these big, almost grandiose plans.  I see how I want my life to be or even just how I want my week to be, and I write down this whole list of how to accomplish that.  I don’t take into consideration that it would be IMPOSSIBLE to actually do everything on that list. Basically I’m setting myself up for failure.  I see that something needs to shift so I can scale way back in the big plans department, if you know what I mean. If you’re like me, maybe you could join me in praying for wisdom to take it slow and small.  When I’m tempted to plan too far ahead, I’m asking God to remind me in that moment to stop and have wisdom about what He wants me to do. He wants to bring my life into fullness, He doesn’t want me to do it myself because I can’t.  I’m praying that He will show me something small that He will help me to do. And then I’m going to ask how He wants me to do that small thing. Like with clearing off my table. I might clear it off at 10:30p.m. right before bed. But if I’m too tired, I’m going to receive grace to clear it off at 7:00a.m. before the boys come down for breakfast.  

Treasured Products we love:

  • Magnetic Refrigerator Whiteboard — make a shift to organize your meals!
  • Family Games — make a shift to have a little fun with your family every day! Othello (ages 7+); Cranium Family Edition (ages 8+); Sculpt It! (ages 5+ https://amzn.to/2T4O9Rt); Don’t Break the Ice! (ages 3+). You can always grab a deck of cards too! Sometimes we leave a deck of cards out on the table, and someone will just see it out and start a game.
  • Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner, Lemon Verbena — make a shift to keep that table or counter clean!
  • Wireless Earbuds — make a shift to listen while you do housework or work out, to make it more enjoyable!
  • Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid — make a shift to try a new recipe for dinner.
  • Jesus Calling — make a shift to spend some time with God.

{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more.

In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}

 

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We don’t claim to have motherhood figured out. Actually quite the opposite. We’re a group of women who first and foremost love the Lord and want to honor Him with our lives and talents. And we decided that what better way for us to sort out this beautiful and messy thing called motherhood but to process it together in text messages? Our prayer is that as we share our real-life stories and honest experiences, every mom who visits our blog will receive tangible truth and experience real grace.

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