The Saturday Six

One.

Of course I sold all my stamps a few years ago, but if I still had them, I have a feeling I'd be doing this project. SO. ADORABLE. (Plus I'm just a sucker for decorating with books.)

Two.

These people bought an old schoolhouse (turned into a house) and renovated it to take it closer to its original roots while still keeping it modern. My favorite part? They're the Shaffers. It was like reading about ourselves! :)

Three.

This is an important post about the dangers of getting our Bible-reading fill from Instagram. (Or any social media, really.) I encourage you to read through the comments, too, to get some additional insight from the author of the post (Jen Wilkin). She's not bashing the opportunity we have to share encouragement from Scripture, but she is warning us that those places offer limited opportunity to explore the whole scope of those Scripture passages. It's good to be reminded to actually get into the Word to study and not just snack on social media.

Four.

A few weeks ago, I shared with you about a special friend of ours that left quite an impact on my life. He passed away this week, and in his honor, I wanted to share that post again. If you missed it the first time or just need a refresher, take a read! (P.S. - He read that post after I shared it the first time, and the next time we went to visit, he told me I shouldn't be such a liar. I'm not a liar. Every word was true, and he continued to live it.)

Five.

Have scrap wood and some chalkboard paint? Check out this fun, free toy idea. This. Is. Genius.

Six.

Source

Guess who had time to read a book this week? THIS GIRL!!!! I saw this one on the soon-to-be-released list a few weeks ago and knew right away I wanted to read it. It won't be hard for you to figure out why.

* It's called A Christmas by the Sea. I mean that right there should tell you why I found it to be a winner, right?

* I'm craving (CRAVINNNNNNNNG) the start of Christmas movie season on Hallmark. So the chance to read a book that's basically the printed version of the aforementioned movies? Obviously.

* It's a busy week, but with less than 200 pages in this novel, I gobbled it up in just a few hours!

* I'd read Melody Carlson before: this is actually the third year I've read one of her Christmas books. She's consistent in her feel-good fiction.

A Christmas by the Sea held true to what I've come to expect from (and love about) Melody Carlson. Her books are always really fun, easy reads that take me to the happiest of all the places. If you're looking for breathtaking suspense or a twisty plot, this isn't the book for you. But if you just need to escape to a warm and friendly place with lovable characters, Melody's your author!

In this book, Wendy Harper and her 12 year old son, Jackson, are headed from their home in Ohio to Seaside, Maine, to take a look at the cottage Wendy inherited from her late grandfather. Though she used to spend summers at the cottage with her grandparents when she was a little girl, she's not been there in many years and has no idea what to expect from the little cottage. Jackson is convinced this trip will be permanent and they'll never leave the coast. Wendy forces herself to be a responsible adult, aware that they must sell the cottage to pay for the unending medical costs left from her late husband's illness.

Wendy and Jackson arrive just before Thanksgiving to find that the cottage isn't quite as dilapidated as Wendy feared, and Seaside has come a long way from the dying town she remembers.

As Wendy dives in to try to update the cottage with the intent to sell it for the highest price, Jackson dives in to life in Seaside.

I quickly fell in love with the town of Seaside, the beach cottage (of course), and the residents of the little town. I loved Wendy and her son (whose personality reminded me of all the stories I've heard about Ryan as a kid). And after reading, I'm ready for Christmas!

** Revell provided a complimentary copy of this book to me. All opinions are my own!  **