The Saturday Six

One.

 I told you last week about Erica Wiggenhorn's new Bible study that comes out next month. I'm even MORE eager to dive into it now that I have my new Bible to go with it! ANYWAY! The release of the book is close enough now that the book is up for pre-order, and if you order here, you can get a free art print to go with it! Win-win!! This one will be great for small-group study, I can promise you. (Individual study, too! That's how I did the first book she wrote on Acts, and it worked GREAT as a solo study.)

Two.

Loved this article by Jamie Hilty, because it's a beautiful blend of the creativity of reusing items (you know how I love a good repurpose!) and the reuse of places, when one family has packed up its memories and another brings theirs.

Three.

 Did you know you can freeze avocados? I sure didn't know it. This is good to keep in mind since they are usually SO expensive and if I could find a sale...

Four.

Looking for some fun outdoor ideas for this summer? I think some of these work just as well for adults as they do for kids! So if you're planning parties, check them out!

Five.

 This post and its ideas are geared towards families/kids, but I think the daily themes could be EASILY converted to anyone of any age! Take a week this summer and theme it up!! I think it sounds really fun!

Six.

Source

Clearly I did NOT have time to read a book this week, even though I had one waiting in the wings to be read, but I do have a book to offer to you!


One of my friends invited me to her online Usborne book party, and even though I've heard of this company, I've never purchased any of their books (largely because, you know, no children)! But I wanted to help her out, and I had actually run across a recommendation of an Usborne book that's not new, but it's still available for purchase. So I chose that one in an attempt to continue to grow the kiddo library for our visiting kids.

That's how I ended up with the Big Book of Things to Spot. (It's written by Ruth Brocklehurst, Gillian Doherty and Anna Milbourne, Illustrated by Teri Gower, and designed by Susannah Owen.) I'd read about this book, which is actually part of a homeschool curriculum, so I figured it had the blend of both fun value and educational value. (Even though we don't have kids, I am a stickler about the things I add to our stash. I don't want them to be mindless, fluffy toys and activities. I want them to be things that are valuable in learning, while still being fun.)

The book came earlier this week, and I'm not gonna lie: I had fun looking through it myself! It's kind of "Where's Waldo" in style, in that the pages are full color illustrations, but you're supposed to look for certain things on each page. But it's much less crammed than the Waldo books, so it doesn't give you a headache.

The book is divided into four sections, and each section gives you 1001 things to spot in its pages. Section 1 is 1001 Animals to Spot, Section 2 is 1001 Things to Spot on the Farm, Section 3 is 1001 Things to Spot in the Town, and Section 4 is 1001 Things to Spot Long Ago. Each scene is a two page spread, and along the sides of the pages you'll find the instructions of what you're looking for and the number of them you should find.

For example, the first spread is called "On the Farm," so the scene includes a barn, some pasture, a pond, and a field. Somewhere across those two pages, you'll find 3 puppies, 5 ducks, 9 ducklings...etc. Along with the instructions of what to find, there's a sample photo of each thing, so you'll know exactly what to look for. It's great for working on counting, colors, identifying items, etc.

The final section, which talks about things from long ago, features different parts of the world and different years, like Pharaoh's Court in Egypt, 3500 years ago, Going Hunting in India 350 years ago and the Drive-In-Movies in North America, 45 years ago.

Lots of fun pictures, lots of color, lots of learning, and it doesn't make a single noise on its own. (I am not a fan of noise-making books.)

I am glad I picked this one and call it a good addition to our little library for visitors! Oh! And bonus: you can get this in either a paperback or hardback version, so you can choose the affordability and/or durability you need!

The Saturday Six

One.

 Maybe it's the book nerd in me, I don't know, but I found this post fascinating. Behind the scenes look at the design of a book cover. (And also - I wanna be a book cover model!! And also also - yes, I know I'm not a model.)

Two.

Last year, I did Erica Wiggenhorn's Bible Study, "An Unexplainable Life" twice. Once on my own and once leading the small group with Ryan's work friends. It really changed the way I view my relationship with the Lord and with the local church body. Well, Erica has a sequel study coming out NEXT MONTH, and I cannot wait to dig into it! It's called "The Unexplainable Church," and I hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiighly recommend it, based on what I know of the first study!! If your small group is scoping out studies to go over this fall, PICK THESE! 

Three.

 Garage sale season is upon us, and I found this article chronicling some of the best things to hunt for at these sales! Good ideas!

Four.

 Maybe THIS is why my running speeds aren't as fast as some??? I am not using these? (Although I did have a really good mile this week. Second mile was terrible, but mile one was AMAZING!)

Five.

 I have a lot of teacher friends, and I know they are weary at the end of this school year. (And every school year.) I used to want to be a teacher, so I have a tender place in my soul for them and the work they do, especially when feeling so restricted by goals to achieve things that go far outside their intended subject. That's why this post is so perfect. If you're a teacher (or know and love one), read it!
 
Six.

 
Often when I tell you about a book I've read, I am quick to gush about how I flew through it. Couldn't put it down. I guess in my mind, that is one of the great compliments to a book: this one was so good, I just couldn't put it down. And probably for fiction, especially, that is true. But this week I learned the opposite can also be a high compliment to a book. Messy Beautiful Friendship was that book for me this week. It was so good, I had to keep putting it down so I could chew on the words and let them wash over me before I continued.

Christine Hoover is a Texas-loving pasttor's wife who left her beloved Texas roots (and friends) to follow her husband's ministry call to Virginia. This is not her first book, but it was my introduction to her, and my goodness, do I ever appreciate the heart, soul, and deep transparency she put into this book!

It's hard to write about friendship. I think it's harder now than ever, because friendship is so confusing (thanks, social media!) anymore. Facebook has redefined the word "friend" entirely, and we all have to stop and translate in our heads to know for sure where each person in our "friend" life actually fits.

Friendship is hard because we can be catty. Friendship is hard because we compare. Friendship is hard because we're busy. Friendship is hard because we're prideful. But friendship is a gift from the Lord designed (amazingly enough) NOT to fill our social media feed, but to fill our souls and push us closer to Him.

I've heard that about marriage before. I've never thought of it being the same for friendship until I read Christine's book. If we're doing friendship the way the Lord designed, we are friends filled with grace, we aren't afraid of conflict, we dig deep, we walk through the hard stuff just as faithfully as the fun stuff, and in the end, we both know we're nearer to the Lord because this friendship exists.

Christine shares many vulnerable stories from her own life and shows through her own successes and failures how to have honest conversations, move past assumptions (and their lies), walk through valleys, and believe the best from friends.

This book was very convicting to me. I'm not always the friend I want to be, and I read many reminders of why I need to do some things differently, as well as many convicting words about the proper role of friendships in my life.

This book isn't a fast read, and I mean that as a high compliment. If you do blow through it, I think you'll miss so many key points you should pause to digest, savor, and even implement.

If you're frustrated by your friendships, whether the lack or state of them, pick up this book. She has many wise nuggets to share (even a list of them in the back!) and she's safe to learn from, because she's not a perfect friend either. (And what a relief that was to know!)

* Baker Books sent me a copy of this book; all opinions are my own!*

A Shafferland Day in the Life, April 2017

Back in January, I did a "Day in the Life" post, to chronicle what our life is like in this season. I decided I wanted to do one of these posts each quarter this year, so I'm back with round two for 2017! (These posts are hosted by Julia over at Life in Transition, so you can also see what other people are doing with their days! Kind of fun!) 

Last time, I chronicled a Saturday, and this time I chose a Tuesday. This is a whole different kind of day for us, and we hope you enjoy a peek into our life in probably more detail than you wanted. Ha! (Also - I'm trying to dispel the myth that those who don't have a job outside the home don't work!) Without further ado, here is a kind of long post about our spring 2017!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017
Bekah is 38 years old
Ryan is 37 years old
Braeya (the cat) is 10 years old
Married 4 years (52 months)

5:05 a.m. || Awaken with a jolt when Braeya knocks my phone off the nightstand and it crashes onto the floor. It's her subtle way of letting me know she's ready to get up, though it's a trick she hasn't tried in several weeks. I'm not about to play the game and go back to sleep.

6:37 a.m. || Realize I've now officially overslept and so has Ryan. Also realize I've had some really weird dreams, including a trip to Magnolia Farms to meet Chip and JoJo. We get up, and I make the bed while Ryan gets ready for work.

6:42 a.m. || Break out the Halls Defense. Ryan woke up yesterday morning with a cold that came out of absolutely nowhere. He sounds horrible. I have to speak at an event this weekend, so I cannot catch this cold. I sit down with my laptop to do the morning internet rounds.

6:55 a.m. || Since it's Tuesday, I have a new Spill the Beans podcast to promote. Start sharing it on all the forms of social media.

7:13 a.m. || I am still full from yesterday, but Ryan needs breakfast, so I whip up some yogurt/berries/granola for him. I make a note to make more granola later, since the container is almost empty.

7:25 a.m. || I know that I'm going to be hard-pressed to get all my steps in today, so while Ryan gets ready, I take a few laps around the house to try to help myself so I'm not lapping the house for two hours at the end of the night.

7:30 a.m. || We are having company for dinner, so I start Rosie to vacuum the house and then sit down to have morning devos with Ryan. We're reading Beth Moore's David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His. Appropriately, today's reading is on the danger of anger, which is something we're both wrestling with just a bit. (Not toward each other.)

8:00 a.m. || Roll my sleeves up to work in the kitchen so I can put together the pot roast dinner that needs to hang out in the slow cooker all day. I intended to put it all together last night, but last night didn't go as planned, so I have to assemble it now! Decide on the fly to go ahead and take pictures while I prepare so I can make pot roast an official blog post.

8:28 a.m. || Notice (whoopsie!) that my friend Jamie has a birthday in two days. Probably should have mailed her card yesterday but didn't. Sit down to write a message on the card so I can get that out to the mailbox. Finally starting to feel hungry, so I think I'll make my own yogurt breakfast and eat that while I skim through some blogs.

8:55 a.m. || Head into the bathroom to get ready. It's a second-day-hair day (WOOT WOOT!) so it won't take long. It's also mud mask Tuesday! (That's not really a thing, and I know it, but it's how I remember how long it's been since my last mud mask.) Feeling wistful for the lake on this dreary spring day, so I choose white pants and a navy shirt so I can at least feel beachy.

9:33 a.m. || Slide into the car, leftover coffee in my travel mug, and all my Bible study supplies packed in my little bag. I've been part of a short term ladies Bible study on Tuesday mornings, and it's ending, which makes me sad. I've enjoyed my time with these girls. Decide to call my mom while I drive to the church, so I can see how she's feeling. (She has a cold too. I blame her for Ryan's.)

10:11 a.m. || Our group is a little small today and we've been very chatty, so Bible study starts a tiny bit late. Our leader is fantastic and does TONS of research ahead of time. I love learning from her and am prepared to take many notes. (And I do!)

11:10 a.m. || Back in the car to come home just in time to make lunch for Ryan. For the ride home, I decide to sing duets with David Phelps. I try to do these things when Ryan is not around to be offended. (Being in tune is not a requirement for my half of these duets.)

11:32 a.m. || While I was at Bible study, Ryan texted to see if I could get him a new bag of cough drops. Clearly the day is going well. I stop by the store on the way home to stock up again.

11:41 a.m. || Braeya greets me at the door, MOST displeased that she has had to go over an hour with no fresh water from the tap. (Never mind that she has a full bowl of water at all times. She is such a water snob that she insists on drinking from the sink.) I turn on the water and she gulps like she hasn't had water in a month.

11:50 a.m. || Thankfully we went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse last night and were so full after the appetizer that we didn't want our actual dinner. I move our food from take-out containers onto plates and wait for Ryan to come home from work so I can heat them up. Roadkill for him and chicken and veggies for me.

11:57 a.m. || Ryan texts that it will be a while before he can come home, so I grab the dustcloth and go over the house real fast. (This is why we have company: motivation to dust! KIDDING!)

12:09 p.m. || Ryan makes it home and we throw down our lunch before he has to move on to his next adventure. No savoring today! But it's good to see him, even for a few minutes!

12:36 p.m. || Sit down to answer a couple of emails and check Facebook before checking the tracking on my essential oils order. Seems like I got the notification that they shipped several days ago, but they've not arrived, and with Ryan's unexpected cold, I need a couple of them to hurry! Says it should be here between April 5th and 12th. Well, boo. That is not today, is it?

12:45 p.m. || I have fifteen minutes until my podcast interview with fiction writer Ann Gabhart. I need to pray for a bit (standard procedure of mine before any interview) and look over my questions one last time, and I'm really behind on steps because of such a sit-down morning. Grab my questions and take a few more laps around the house before I call her.

12:46 p.m. || As I take my first prep lap through the house, I smell the Razzleberry Pie (thanks, Marie Callender!!) baking in the oven and realize I put it in without one second of regard for when it will be done! And it will be done right in the middle of my interview with Ann. I begin formulating an apology for Ann about my lack for foresight and unprofessional behavior when I have to cut into the interview to rescue my pie from the oven. (Fun fact: our last Day in the Life post featured this same pie. I promise we do not eat it every day.)

1:10 p.m. || Mercifully, Ann wasn't at her phone when I called for the interview. I leave a message for her to call me back when she is available and then I wait for that blessed little pie to finish baking. Decide to do a little more praying and squeeze in a few extra steps while I wait for her call.

1:45 p.m. || No word from Ann yet. I'm beginning to be a little concerned, so I've prayed that all is well for her. On the flip-side, I now have 6000 steps conquered, so I come back to the office, diffuse Thieves (to try to ward off Ryan's germs from settling over me) and begin assembling the visual aids for my speaking engagement on Saturday.

1:55 p.m. || Ann is okay! Grateful to hear from her and find out it was just a mixup and not an emergency. I warm up my coffee and sit back down to call her for our interview.

2:45 p.m. || Wrap up my interview with Ann (delightful conversation) and clean up all my podcast equipment. Feeling a little hungry, so I find an apple and some peanut butter and slide back into my chair to have a quick afternoon snack while catching up on email.

3:15 p.m. || Just as I wrap up the last of my work emails, I  notice one that appears to be from the company that hosts my domain name (they have been a complete nightmare from the beginning) stating I have a past due balance with them. I know I shouldn't owe anything, but I also don't want my site shut down, so I call, where I am promptly put on hold. After about five minutes, I realize this could take a while, so I get up to clean the bathrooms and unload the dishwasher while the obnoxious hold music plays on speakerphone.

3:43 p.m. || Still on hold. (FYI, one of the "perks" of this company was prompt service. I have yet to experience this.) Decide to make the biscuits for dinner so everything will be officially ready to go.

4:06 p.m. || Still on hold. (It's been 48 minutes now, if you're keeping track.) Biscuits are in the oven, and I think I'll take this time to set the table. And yes, those are fall napkins I'm still using. Hashtag too cheap to buy current-season ones.

4:34 p.m. || Still on hold. (One hour and sixteen minutes, thankyouverymuch.) I hang up and go eat the tiny biscuit I made to taste-test. Then one last sweep through the house to look for clutter/dirt/things that need spruced up so we can be officially ready when our Tuesdays at the Table guests arrive! (And I decide to squeeze in making the batch of homemade granola. I have just enough time to bake it before dinner time.)

5:15 p.m. || Ryan comes home, feeling pretty miserable with his little cold, but rallies to make coffee!

5:33 p.m. || Our guests (Ryan's Mom and his Aunt Ruthie) arrive for dinner. The menu for tonight is pot roast, veggies, cheddar biscuits, and pie for dessert. We gather around the table and have a great time laughing and telling stories!

7:24 p.m. || Dinner wraps up and Ryan takes cleanup duty while we girls keep telling stories.

8:00 p.m. || Our brother-in-law-to-be, Andrew, comes over, because he and Bre are doing some wedding planning here with Ryan's mom. Bre is running late, though, so Andrew hangs out and eats while we all keep talking.

8:32 p.m. || Bre still hasn't arrived (working late), so we're all sitting around on our computers, tablets, and phones while we wait. I put the finishing touches on tomorrow's blog (wrote the content of it last week in a rare moment of inspiration) and also answer a few emails. 

8:40 p.m. || Bre arrives and wedding planning commences! I try to stay on the sidelines because no one needs too many opinions, but I toss in a thought now and then when asked. Ryan's resting on the couch watching Criminal Minds. Guess he's not planning with us!

9:38 p.m. || Wedding planning comes to an end for the evening, and I curl up with my journal and Bible to do some devos while Ryan keeps watching Criminal Minds. (Interesting combo, isn't it?)

10:06 p.m. || Time to change clothes so I can work out. Normally we work out together, but Ryan's taking tonight off in favor of a day when he can breathe a little better.

10:15 p.m. || Ryan grinds coffee and puts away dishes while I do the Dirty 30 workout. (I secretly love this workout because it's really only 28 minutes. Those two minutes count for a lot, mentally! I feel like I'm well into the workout when I first start!)

10:44 p.m. || All chores are done for the day. Ryan and Braeya are already curled up on Mo, and I join them with my novel for the week (which I still haven't started by a Tuesday evening. EEK!) Listening to Ryan sniff makes me go for another dose of Thieves and a Halls Defense. Must. Not. Get. Sick.

11:19 p.m. || Time to call it a day. We load up the diffuser with more Thieves and head to bed. I knockout the last of my daily goal of 10,000 steps just before I go to bed. I hate cutting it that close, but it wasn't bad for how much sitting the day involved!

(Ryan falls asleep immediately. I'm still staring at the clock until almost 12:30. I'll pay for that in the morning!) 

And that's a random Tuesday in the life of the Shaffers!