The Saturday Six

One.

A few days ago, I wrote a post exploring how we lived before we had the internet at home. (LOVED the comments, by the way. You all thought of things I forgot!) But then I found this article which compares life fifty years ago to life today. Interesting stuff in here!

Two.

My friend Kari thinks Ryan and I need to take this trip someday. I've never heard of such a thing, but I agree it's pretty cool! It's an Air BnB in Scotland that allows vacationers to run a bookstore for two weeks while living in an apartment above it. I will admit it makes my heart skip a few beats! :)

Three.

You know I love Holley Gerth and her wise words. For those of you who might be feeling weak and weary this week, read this post. Brilliant and encouraging.

Four.

Heart-shaped quesadillas? What a cute idea for Valentine's Day! Doesn't matter if you're cooking for kids, a significant other, or yourself. Cute food can make you smile!

Five.

I made this Dashing Dish recipe this week (literally one of the only things I got off the couch to cook) and we both loved it. Yes, it's Brussels sprouts. I know those aren't for everyone, but we loved them, and I have to add - EASY!!!

Six.

Source

Last week, I read The Sound of Rain by Sarah Loudin Thomas. Though it's not Sarah's first book, it was my introduction to her.

Set in the mid 1950's,  The Sound of Rain tells the story of Judd Markley, a young Appalachian coal miner who survives a mine collapse that takes his brother's life. Once Judd recovers from his injuries, he decides he can't return to underground work - it's too literally and figuratively suffocating. His late brother had a dream to see more of the world, so Judd decides to see if he can follow that dream, even if in a small way.

Judd heads to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where he finds work at a thriving timber company. The boss's daughter, Larkin Heyward, is pretty and mysterious. Clearly outgoing and full of life, she seems driven by a dream to do more than just volunteer at the local hospital and dance with her friends on the weekend. She can't understand why Judd doesn't jump at the opportunity to help her pursue her dreams of helping the people of Appalachia.

After a hurricane ravages Myrtle Beach, Judd and Larkin find themselves pulled together with a desire to help those in need...and maybe even a bit more than that!

It's been a while since I read a book set in the 50's, so I enjoyed a visit to this time period. It's always interesting to realize how different life was in another time period, even one not so long ago! When we live in a world of up-to-the-minute weather forecasts and instant reports from every part of the country, it was fascinating to read what life was like when forecasts weren't so accurate and news didn't arrive so quickly after major events. 

It was also interesting to learn more about mining, the timber industry, and the early days of the candy striper program in hospitals. (I love learning history through fiction!)

The book was a good, steady read, with interesting characters and a story line that wasn't entirely predictable. It wasn't suspenseful, but some parts of the story definitely didn't resolve the way I thought they would, and I appreciated that! 

* Bethany House provided a copy of this book to me at no charge. All opinions are my own. *