Happy Friday friends! It is hard to believe that we ending May! In some ways the days seem to move so slowly, and then other times it feels like they fly by during this time. Today I am so excited to share my book, movie, and TV review with y'all for May! Before I start though- if you have any suggestions for me for June please let me know! I am constantly looking for new ideas so please pass on your suggestions!
Books
{one}Being Known
I have shared so many times here on the blog about my love of Robin Jones Gunn's writings and so when her newest book was released this Spring I was so excited to save up my pennies and read it. I really enjoyed it and it had some things to really think through that I think are so relatable to lots of people (especially if you are married) with the concept of "emotional affairs". I haven't seen another Christian book address this in a tender way like this one did and so I would whole heartedly recommend it.
Similar book recommendations that I have read by Robin Jones Gunn that I would recommend to this book:
This was the first book in the series (but you could read them as stand alone books too) that I have talked about this book SO much on the blog - but it truly was something that I feel was her best book ever written! I took away so many precious nuggets from the story, cried and laughed through it and was completely encouraged. You can find it to purchase HERE.
Also by Robin Jones Gunn, this series (not written in first person *smiles*) is incredibly sweet and encouraging. You can read the books in any order but they do loosely follow and build on each other if you want to read them in order. And guess what? Hallmark is releasing the first book in the series (Secrets) as a Christmas movie this December! I am SO excited!
{two} Journeying Through Grief
Over the last year I have been given so many (well-meaning) suggestions on books to read for grief. Many of them I found completely unhelpful and discouraging and a few i thought were "okay" but just didn't relate to me at all. At one point we were handed the first book in this four part book series, called A Time to Grieve. The paperback book is thin, easy to read and at first I tossed it on our table without another thought. A couple of weeks after my father died I picked it up (I am embarrassed to admit) to more become sarcastic over the book then anything. I opened it up and then started to read and immediately had tears. It was well written, incredibly kind and compassionate, and came from someone who obviously had experienced deep grief in their own life.
I can't recommend them enough and have started to hand them out to friends who are going through incredible heartache like we have experienced. And we have read through them hundreds of times ourselves.
If you are grieving and feeling like no one understands I can't recommend this series enough. Take the chance, reach out and get a copy because they will feel like a friend is tenderly embracing you.
If you are looking for a gift for a friend who is in grief I can't recommend this enough either. When you order it you receive four books:
Book 1: A Time to Grieve (to be sent 3 weeks after the loss)
Book 2: Experiencing Grief (to be sent 3 months after the loss)
Book 3: Finding Hope and Healing (to be sent 6 months after the loss)
Book 4: Rebuilding and Remembering (to be sent 11 months after the loss)
You will receive note cards even to include with suggested comments and notes to your loved one at these different stages and you will also have a reminder card so that you can help remember people throughout the year. I have to admit... this has been the hardest thing for me- people at the beginning are all around and then they just seem to forget... these books provide a tangible way to reach out and to remind people that you care deeply about them.
*full disclosure: you can find this set of books cheaper on the Stephen's Ministry website*
Similar book recommendations that I have read on grief that I would recommend to this book:
This book is not just for those in grief but for those who may be struggling with different circumstances in life. It is tenderly written and was an encouragement to me.
I really wanted to love this book like so many people did (and recommended to me) but for me it was not something that I found as encouraging as the books above. I do think that it would be helpful though and encouraging for some people so I am listing it here too.
*smiles* And all of my former students who may be reading this are laughing out loud that I am mentioning this book...
When this book came out in 2011 I was so excited and shared it with a ton of my former students who may or may not have been as excited. *smiles* I recently saw that it was on Amazon for $6 and wanted to read something lighthearted and fun and purchased it. It was interesting to read again the story of them but also the early days of their childhood, time at the university and their dating era. My mom ended up reading it too and we both agreed that it was something that was lighthearted and interesting to read!
Similar book recommendations that I have read that I would recommend to this book:
This is written by the same author who wrote the book above and is something that was really interesting to read if you like reading about the royal family.
{four} Choosing Life
I mentioned this last month, but wanted to mention it again here. I originally bought this devotional back in 2013 and have returned to it off and on over the years. I have always admired and appreciated Dodie's testimony of being miraculously healed of Cancer and her faith is so inspiring. This past month I decided to use this as my devotional again and I have been so gently encouraged. There is a devotional for each day and I find them to be simple and yet so full of truth! I definitely recommend this one! If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
{five} Choosing Life
I also mentioned this last month but wanted to mention it again too. I originally bought this book back in 2013 when I was first very very sick. It had a profound impact on my life then, but reading it through this past month ... after the loss of my dad was heart-wrenching and deeply healing. I took my time re-reading it and wept through it in many parts. Pete Greig expressed in more eloquent words than I ever could so many thoughts and feelings that I have had and struggled with and I can't recommend this book enough. I plan to do a whole post on it again but in the meantime - get the book. It is worth every single penny. If you want to check it out you can find the book HERE.
Movies & TV
Life has been so busy moving into the cabin and enjoying time at the lake that we haven't spent anytime in front of TV. When we have though we have been very purposeful to choose things that are light-hearted or funny or that are inspiring.We are still in the middle of somethings so I am going to save those reviews for next month y'all!
If you are curious about other book reading lists I have done in the past you can find those posts below:
Happy Friday friends! Thank you so much for reading today! What about you- what have you been watching and reading that you would recommend?
Happy Thursday friends!
Today I am excited to share more about our New England Winter Road Trip that we took in February (prior to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus and stay at home/shelter in place orders)! To read about the exact route that we took check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
You can read all of the posts from the trip by clicking the links below:
New Hampshire
After our time in Concord, New Hampshire, we started to make our way through and up the coast of Maine which was absolutely delightful. I had stopped at a couple of the places we spent time at on my one week road trip adventure through New England, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia (click HERE to read more) back in 2017, but to have this time with my mom added a special precious aspect to the trip.
Our first stop after grabbing some hot tea at Starbucks (after our freezing and chilly night at the Hotel Concord (you can read more about my review of this property HERE) was to drive up to the Nubble Lighthouse, or the Cape Neddick Lighthouse in York, Maine. We happily sipped on our hot tea as we blasted the heat and it was a lovely drive over to this coastal area.
For those of you that are reading that might be interested in taking a similar trip it only took us about an hour and 15 minutes to drive over to Nubble Lighthouse from Concord.
The Nubble Lighthouse, also known The Cape Neddick Lighthouse, was absolutely gorgeous with the waves crashing against the Maine coastline. It was freezing, but absolutely so pretty with the winter colors. I had to laugh because the last time that I was here in 2017 (in September) it was also freezing so all of my memories of this adorable Lighthouse seem to be chilly! *smiles*
Cape Neddick Lighthouse is located in Cape Neddick on Nubble Island in York, Maine. Commissioned in 1874 by Congress, the construction at the "Nubble" started in 1879. Congress appropriated approximately $15,000 to build the lighthouse, which is still used to this day.
There are lots of stories that surround the lighthouse, but there are three particular ones that I found really interesting.
One of the stories comes from the early 1900s. In 1912 the lighthouse keeper and his wife decided to lean into the booming tourist business that was taking place at the York beaches. They developed a thriving business that included taking tourists across to the little island where the lighthouse sits and gave tours.
Unfortunately, they were so successful that the lighthouse requirements became neglected and eventually the lighthouse keeper was fired from his position. Since that time the lighthouse has been closed to the public and has remained inaccessible.
A humorous story that came out of the Nubble Lighthouse was of another lighthouse keeper who was known to own a 19 pound cat who attracted a lot of attention. The cat was known to swim across the channel on many occasions to visit the crowds, or "his friends" on the mainland. *hahaha*
Getting food and supplies to the lighthouse proved to be a challenge, especially in the winter. Eventually in 1950 a bucket was suspended from cables from the lighthouse to the mainland. It was used for food and supplies, and on more than one occasion transported a newborn baby!
Aside from these stories emerges a rich history stating in 1602 when Bartholomew Gosnold dubbed the little island, "savage rock".
Despite the fact that many local mariners and the community had called for a lighthouse and a proposal was offered in 1837, it was later rejected.
Even after the wreck of the Isidore in 1842, the congressional approval would not come until 1874. Since its first inception in 1879, the lighthouse has remained a famous landmark that continues to provide help and protection to those traveling along the coast of Maine.
If you are interested in visiting the lighthouse it is available for viewing seven days a week. You can find out more information on the Nubble Lighthouse website by clicking HERE.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today! Please let me know if you have any questions about The Nubble Lighthouse or our New England Winter Road Trip!
Happy Wednesday friends! As I shared several months, I am excited to re-share some of the most popular devotional posts that I wrote in 2017-2018 (if you would like to see the complete list you can find it HERE!) and am excited to share this one this week! I hope that this continues to be a beautiful blessing even several years later!
One of the sweet scenes that stood out to me in When Calls the Heart Season 2 was the conversation that took place between the widows lawyer, Samantha, and Abigail. This comment made by Samantha, a single woman to Abigail, who had lost her husband and son in the mining accident reminded me of a timeless truth for all of us to consider... the legacy of love and suffering.
This past year as I watched the month of April slowly fade and we approached the month of May I have to admit that I silently groaned as my heart deeply aches. As a lady who has longed to be a mama for years and years I have to grudgingly admit that I view the month of celebrating Mother's Day with heartache. Am I deeply grateful for my precious mama? Absolutely yes. Do I rejoice with my friends who have been blessed with many children? Of course. Do I rejoice with my dear friends who have walked the road of infertility and this year celebrated becoming a mother? Absolutely. But is there a part of me that like many of my hurting friends who long to be a mommy that cries as we approach this date? Yes. Is there a part of me that wonders at how Proverbs 13:22 fits into my life? Yes.
As I watched this scene between Samantha and Abigail I was touched by the way that the writers of the show tenderly approached this topic. I am not sure if it was purposeful or not, but it appeared to me in this scene that Samantha was thinking and referencing her own sadness in longing to be a wife and a mama.
A few short days before Mother's Day I started thinking more deeply about the idea of "legacy", specifically the legacy that is formed in love and suffering. A dear former student contacted me the day before Mother's Day and said, "Thank you for your mother's heart that during my time in your classroom showed the joy of Christ, and watching your faith in this trial you are currently walking has shown me the steadfast hope and love only found in Christ. Your mother's heart has created a legacy of faith for me."
To be frank I broke down and wept. My faith seems so incredibly small in this journey and I had never considered the concept before that one could leave a legacy in suffering. I always equated legacy with children, and there is a legacy that is left there to be sure. But there is also a legacy created in other seasons of life... even in suffering where we can and we will leave some kind of legacy.
"I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us."
- Romans 8:18-
The reality is that when life is destroyed all around you it is hard to trust the truth of Romans 8. When we are faced with the death of a loved one, the unanswered prayers for healing, the loss of a job, infertility, chronic pain, broken relationships, and the loss of dreams it can literally stop us in our tracks. It catches our breathe. In many ways we expect, as I did before Mother's Day this year to silently groan and cry our tears in private till the moment passes. Like me, we want to turn the pages of the calendar days quickly so that we forget the pain. And in the midst of the "helpful and sage" advice that we are given, most of us just want to dull the crushing pain and move on to "better times". Like me wanting to avoid Mother's Day, we want to "avoid" the painful times of suffering.
But what about the legacy that is found in suffering? Are we showing the world how to lovingly and faithfully walk with Jesus during the difficult days here on earth, or are we showing them that we have Jesus only to quickly make it through the painful times? Are we showing the power and miraculous God that we have despite circumstances on earth? Or are we limiting our God as we box Him in to ways that we want Him to work?
I want to suggest that the legacy of love and suffering is a beautiful thing called joy. Joy in the midst of pain. Joy in the midst of heartache. Joy, not smiles that are on our faces, but true joy found deep in the heart of Hope in a God who promises to never leave us. Sweet friends, as we cry out in our pain, let us take the risk to walk the road of suffering joyfully confident in the one who carries us each day. Be brave friends in hope with your suffering.
Your sufferings may include a myriad of things that you want to share and discuss or they may be private heartaches that you feel that no one notices or understands. Your life and your story is unique and has purpose. Never think that your story does not have unique and noble callings to it even if it doesn't look like the way that you planned for things to look.
To each of the mamas reading this there is nothing (in my opinion) more noble than being a mama and wife, but I also know that even mamas have their own trials and stresses. To those longing to be a wife and mama your story can leave a legacy of nobility too as you wait and hope for that season in life. In each of our lives God creates a beautiful legacy out of suffering that spreads to those around you and offers redemption to the pain that we all experience here on earth. Our everlasting God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow is our everlasting hope, which brings joy. There is purpose in it. There is a legacy that will be formed. Your hope and longings will not be disappointed.
"And hope does not disappoint us..."
-Romans 5:5-
"A good man (or woman) leaves a legacy for his children's children."
-Proverbs 13:22-
*original post written in August 2017 prior to Lori Loughlin's departure from the show*
Looking for past From Hope Valley Devotionals? You can click HERE to find a complete listing of all of the devotionals!
I have received several emails asking me about the books by Janette Oke that the series is based on. You may remember that I mentioned in my very first From Hope Valley Devotional post that I had read Janette Oke's series back when I was a teenager. The original book series, "The Canadian West Series" was based on Elizabeth's aunt and her adventures (she also married a Mountie). Here are the listing of the books from that series (there are six) in order:
In the last several years Janette Oke released a new series entitled, "Return to the Canadian West" which you can find listed below in order:
I receive several emails a week asking where you can watch older episodes of "When Calls the Heart". If you have a Netflix account you can find seasons 1-3 there or you can purchase them on Amazon. You can purchase and watch all of the seasons and episodes by clicking on the links below:
*Please note that the quotes used in these weekly devotionals are the sole intellectual property of Hallmark Channel, WCTH, & Crown Media, LLC. These on-line posts are in no way supported, endorsed or affiliated with WCTH, Hallmark Channel, or Crown Media. They are simply encouragement inspired by Janette Oke and this precious show.*
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope that you had a wonderful weekend!
Today I am excited to share more about our New England Winter Road Trip that we took in February (prior to the outbreak of the COVID 19 virus and stay at home/shelter in place orders)! To read about the exact route that we took check out this post HERE! Here is a general overview...
We arrived in Concord around lunch time and after eating at Margaritas (you can read my review HERE) we drove less than a half a mile to explore the historic area of Concord. If you go to Concord in the warmer months you could easily walk this, but it was freezing and we chose to drive! *smiles* For those who may need it there is ample disability parking which is wonderful!
The first thing we did was explore the beautiful and historical St. Paul's Episcopal Church. You can read all about that HERE and then we spent time exploring the historical and awe-inspiring New Hampshire State House (click HERE to read more)! After exploring the State House we moved our car (mostly to warm up *smiles*) less than a half a block up to the New Hampshire State Library (which you can read about HERE).
After exploring and then taking time to drive around Concord more we headed back to our hotel for the evening, the Hotel Concord.
The Hotel Concord is located right in the heart of the historic district downtown and after a full day of driving, exploring, and adventures we were excited to stay so close to the historic downtown.
The Hotel Concord has a distinctive New England and specific New Hampshire "feel" to it. As you enter for check in at the street lobby (you park in a different area in the back of the hotel) you are immediately struck with an elegant setting. I wouldn't necessarily describe it as the typical (or what I expected) choice for my blog of "cozy luxury" because there was an air of "coolness" to it, but it was very lovely.
I think part of the reason for the feeling of the air of "coolness" more came from my encounter with the staff during check in when I asked for the easiest way to bring our luggage if someone had a disability. Now, if you have been around this blog for a while you know that this is something that I always do simply because so many of my readers are struggling with health issues. I was a little surprised when I was given instructions and no offer to help (which is often accompanied in boutique hotels such as The Hotel Concord). I asked if there was anyone to help and I was told, "no and it is a short and easy walk to the elevators". Now from our parking space (that was not handicapped) it was a short walk but it did include stairs that we had to carry our luggage down. There are about 5 of them and if you are disabled I would definitely call the hotel ahead of time to discuss this as you would need to come in through the front lobby, not through the parking garage. Again, it wasn't "bad" and there was not a meanness to these instructions (I understand that I look perfectly healthy asking these questions and someone in a wheelchair might receive a different response) it just didn't invoke a spirit of "cozy luxury" and "inclusiveness".
The other thing that is a bit different about this hotel than other properties that I have stayed and reviewed is that there really wasn't a "warm or cozy" environment that you would want to stay at or hang out in the main area/lobby area. Instead, you were given the impression that you were to check in and go to your room. It was totally fine, but just different than I imagined from the hotels website.
We headed up to our room and we immediately felt that it was absolutely lovely.
As we walked in, we both thought it was just wonderful. It was a little cold, but it looked lovely. As you can see in the picture above there were even a pair of slippers that beckoned you to put them on.
The Hotel Concord's rooms (there are nearly 40 of them) are all different and have a distinctive modern and sophisticated feel. To make themselves unique and different, The Hotel Concord has designed each of the rooms to be different in size and shape which was really neat to learn.
Our room was set up lovely and it was incredibly quiet. We had a view of the back of the hotel and while it was extremely quiet it was not "picturesque" at all so I didn't take any pictures.
There were tons of extra little touches all around that made it feel incredibly sophisticated and it was a lovely room. Each of the rooms at The Hotel Concord come with the following amenities (as shared on The Hotel Concord's website):
*work space with multiple USB charging ports
*Huge closets (California style)
*amazon echo dots
*large TV's with premium movie channels
*complimentary wifi
*a safe
*original artwork
*lovely and luxurious bed linens and plush robes
*refrigerators
*marble tiled bathrooms
*luxury toiletries
Our stay was extremely quiet, but I do have to note something that was odd/strange that happened that didn't allow us to have the most restful night and why I can't fully endorse a stay here.
When we arrived to our room we noticed that it was a bit chilly and cold. It was in the middle of February so it was freezing outside but we didn't expect our room to be cold. At first we both thought that maybe we were just tired or cold from being outside, but we stepped back into the hallway and realized that it was our room that was an issue. We tried (unsuccessfully) several times to change the temperature before we called downstairs. Someone came up and tried to set it and we were assured that the room would get warmer. It didn't seem to help and we didn't hear any heat go on but we were told that it would and to give it a bit of time. We were also offered additional blankets if we would like them but told "not to worry the heat would come on quickly".
We decided to go downstairs and order our dinner and let the room warm up. Unfortunately when we came back to the room (about an hour later) it was even colder than it was before. We again called down and a sweet woman came up (she was the receptionist/front desk person on duty that night) to try to help us. She couldn't change anything and in the meantime mom and I were in our winter coats shivering and freezing. We asked if there was someone on staff that could come fix it or if we could be moved to a different room and she said that she would need to call someone. As we were shivering she tried (unsuccessfully) to get a hold of the manager. There was no answer.
After about 20 minutes with no answer from her manager, she also offered us blankets which we accepted and she brought back a couple to us. There was only two that she had and she brought us some extra robes. We asked again if we could move and she told us that while there were rooms available she couldn't move us without the managers permission. This was around 7 at night and I was a little irritated that the person who was in charge of the front desk duties didn't have this "power" as my poor mother was shivering and freezing. Shouldn't the front desk person on duty be able to make these decisions at night??
She told us that she was sorry and that she would keep trying till 10pm (when she was leaving her shift). She said that she would call us and keep us updated but when we didn't hear from her we had to call down and she told us that no one was answering. We tried calling her again around 9:30 and received no answer and then until about 10:30 we continued to call and no answer. I also went downstairs and didn't see anyone in the lobby. After waiting about 20 minutes I headed back up to our room tired and exhausted.
And so ... that night my mom and I put on several layers of clothes, the blankets, the robes, and even towels from the bathroom over us and both of us turned on our heating pads we brought and had a very unrestful night of sleep. In the morning we were burried under everything after a fitful night of sleep and ready to move and leave so we could get warm in our car!
I don't mean to sound rude, but in the middle of the winter, bless y'alls heart, The Hotel Concord, but there really needs to be heating or at least be willing to move people who are cold.
Honestly, I have to give this a negative review more because of the way it was handled then the fact that we were cold. I was shocked that this property (that comes so highly rated in different ways) didn't have a manager able to attend to this type of situation in the winter.
What surprised me even more was when I checked out. I mentioned our situation (expecting to get a credit of some sort on our stay due to everything) and the lady checking me out said, "sounds like it was an adventure". There was no apology, no offer of anything to help redeem the situation (I was literally still shivering when I saw her), no offer of even a cup of coffee on them to warm us up, no nothing. In addition to this when I asked if the hotel had been full she replied that it had only been at about 1/2 capacity! I asked why we hadn't been moved and she said she couldn't answer that.
Overall, I really couldn't recommend the property... not because we were cold but because of how the situation was handled.
Honestly, it is always hard to share a negative review here on the blog and this is only the fourth time here on the blog I have done so in the 7 years of travel writing. I hope that this helps people staying in the Concord area in the future to know how to make the best decisions for them on where to stay because sadly I can't recommend this property.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read today! Please let me know if you have any questions about The Hotel Concord or our New England Winter Road Trip!
Happy Tuesday friends! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Monday friends and Happy Memorial Day!
Today I am excited to share that each of my Etsy shops are having some sales! Read below for more details and as always THANK YOU so much for ALL of your support for my shops!
Looking for a beautiful and bespoke heirloom journal? Then please grab a cup of coffee and come and wander at my shop, December Caravan!
December Caravan is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Caravan donates a portion of all of its proceeds to charity!
Looking for beautiful travel watercolor prints? Then please stop in over at December Lane!
December Lane is offering a 20% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase a special gift for you or a loved one!!
December Lane also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to help children in the foster care system!
December Lane can be found HERE!
Looking for lovely vintage and modern art supplies? Check please stop in my shop, The Creators Barn. The Creators Barn is a special cozy shop that is designed to be a restful haven & shop for the creative soul hosting lovely vintage & modern craft supplies for the artistic soul!
The Creators Barn is offering a 15% discount for today ONLY! You can go directly to the shop by clicking HERE! There is no coupon that is needed so hurry on over to purchase special supplies for all of your artistic projects!
The Creators Barn also donates a portion of all of its proceeds to Charity!
The Creators Barn can be found HERE!
Looking for new and gently pre-loved pieces for the hopeful and adventurous heart to create a beautiful and affordable cozy-luxury life? Then please check out my Ebay Store, Caravan Sonnet Factory!
I shared a bit about this new Ebay store a couple of weeks ago on the blog (you can read more HERE) and I always welcome offers on all of my listings! You can find Caravan Sonnet Factory HERE!
Thank you so much again for all of your support of my Etsy Shops and my Ebay Store (Caravan Sonnet Factory)! You are truly a blessing! Thank you again friends and I hope you have a wonderful Memorial Day!
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