The Saturday Six

One.

I'm not great at waiting. Anyone else?? But last week, I happened upon this article called "Waiting in Prayer," and I thought it contained a fantastic perspective on waiting productively - and with a good attitude. And let's face it: that can be hard to do! If you're waiting right now, whether just for a little bit or for years on end, let these words encourage you!

Two. 

I do NOT miss my commuting life at all. Not one little bit. Traveling to the spare bedroom to write suits me just fine. But I did happen upon this article and it made me think of all I could have done on a similar project (if I'd known how to knit, of course). This commuter made a scarf that records all her train delays for the year. Check it out!!

Three.

Do you love a little DIY? Are you on a budget? This blogger frequently posts ideas for projects she's made using Dollar Tree items, and in this post, she lists her top fifty favorite things to buy at Dollar Tree. Maybe you'll find some fresh inspiration!

Four.

In our week of hard stuff, I found great comfort in these words by Kristen Strong. Armloads of blessings...we will surely be excited to see those whenever God sees fit to send them. (And in all fairness, He HAS sent them in abundance. So many things I can't wait to tell you about when I have permission to do so. But sometimes I look forward to the blessing of calm as well.

Five.

A few years ago, I found a family cookbook in TJ Maxx (like a blank book to be filled in) and bought copies for my mom, sisters, niece, and myself. For about a year, we passed those books around, writing in our favorite recipes in our own handwriting. I treasure that book and the whole idea of having a family recipe book. (I'm actually creating one for Shafferland right now!) Here's a great post about creating a family recipe collection...might be a fun thing for 2019!

Six.

FINALLY! I read a book! My reading in the final quarter of 2018 was...well...nonexistent. But I'm (hopefully) back in my routine!

My first book of 2019 was Fit to Be Tied by Debby Mayne. This book is the second in the Bucklin Family Reunion Series, and I was introduced to this series and author by my friend Leslie. She had read the first book last year and when I read her review and said it sounded like a great book, she mailed it right out to me! (She is a good friend!) I read it, loved it, and shared it with my sister! So when I went to the mailbox a few weeks ago and saw a package from Leslie, I absolutely squealed in delight. BOOK TWO!!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Leslie, for sharing it with me!

These books have a really unique presentation, because each chapter is told from a different character's point of view. The twins - Sara and Sally, their mom - Sheila, their cousin - Coralee, their aunt - Marybeth, and even their teenage cousin - Brett - all take turns telling the many stories of the Bucklin family. The book picked up speed as it went along, and since the chapters are all told by different people, it felt like every chapter ending was its own cliffhanger!

This series is set so deep in the south that I hear the accents when I read. The Bucklin family women are deeply devoted to their people, but times are changing for them. Sara is newly married - newly eloped, actually. The Etsy shop she shares with her sister, Sally, is more successful than anyone in the family could guess. (Who knew that many mamas wanted to buy obnoxiously huge hairbows for their baby girls?) Shay and Puddin' (yes, you read that right) are enjoying their new boutique shop and even looking to expand it! Marybeth and Bucky are struggling under the weight of the riches and prosperity provided by the oil on their land, and their son is a teenage disaster in the making. Sheila and George are figuring out how to make a meaningful life in an empty nest. And dear Coralee is figuring out how to handle attention from guys for the first time in her life.

And in the middle of all the real-life ups and downs, the whole family gears up for one of their famous family reunions. (So famous, people outside the family hope to get invited as a plus-one, and the upcoming gathering includes a hired security guard to make sure nothing gets out of control. You know...after the explosion that took place at the last one.) As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to feel fit to be tied.

Know what I loved about the book? It's true, down-home southern. If you love little boutiques and cooking classes and charm, this book delivers. I also love that it isn't Hallmark-perfect. When I put the book down at the end, Ryan asked me if I felt like I'd just watched a Hallmark movie. I told him no. There are real-life struggles in this book. People are wrestling with their faith, struggling to grow up, hurting in their marriages, and trying to manage relationships. It may be set in a cutesy town, but it has a good dose of reality in it. And I do also love that there is a strong faith component woven throughout the book. It isn't forced. But it's present and honest.

Know what I didn't love about the book? Until I got my rhythm, it did take me a bit of extra focus to keep changing characters after every single chapter. But it didn't take me too long to get my rhythm, so that was a short-lived frustration. And it did sort of startle me every time Brett's chapters popped up. He's the only guy (and the youngest one) to tell part of the story, and it always took me a minute to get into his frame of mind after chapters full of girl talk. But it wasn't overly distracting.

I loved going back to this little town and visiting the Bucklins (and their reunion) again. I see that book three is releasing this spring, so it looks like I get to spend time with the Bucklins again! A fantastic way to kick off 2019's year of reading!