Favourites

I've been thinking about the books that I am constantly going back to. You know, the ones that you read, and then would be happy to read again. And again. And again.

I am rather guilty of that. Depending on what I feel like, I love to revisit my old friends in my favourite books, so I thought I'd list a few of them here. I'd love to know if you have any of the same favourites on your bookshelf.

Thrillers

I keep coming back to this. It's brilliant writing.

I love the spiritual insights in this story.







In my opinion, his best book. There's something fascinating about the supposedly 'lucky' break the hero gets.







Who can resist Tommy and Tuppence. I know I can't!






Children

I am transported to another world when I read this particular book in the Anne series. I love the whimsy and innocence of a lovely time in history. 

 One of my absolute favourites from this 1920's author. My grandad used to say that you were lucky to be born in the 1920's, and after reading Arthur Ransome's books, I think he might just be right.

 This is my favourite of all the 'little house' books. I love the struggle against winter. Maybe it's because we don't get the harsh big snows here in NZ that makes this story compelling.




The Railway Children is a delight. Pure and simple.

  

All my children love this story. A must-read! The funny thing about this story is that it actually is believable.

Classics

My favourite of the Jane Austen books. I think because I see so much of myself in Elenor and Marianne.

Yes, I am a Dickens nut, but I cannot express enough how the characters live and breath in this story. I come back to it time and time again. At nearly 40 hours on audio, it's a lovely, long, leisurely visit.

In the Dark Days

When I go through hard times I always - almost impulsively, turn back to the roots of my christian faith and the old, old music that I was raised with. There's something so comforting and hopeful about the old songs. I have been listening to them alot lately, and letting God minister to my soul through the words.

I am not free to share publicly what I am going through - only a handful of people are aware of it - it has nothing to do with my marriage, my house, my kids or the new place we are living; neither is it a health issue. It is a journey into the past for me, reliving old memories, reconnecting with old friends, redefining who I am. It has tipped things upside down for me. I am learning to find my strength when I feel my weakness. I am discovering how God has literally, physically protected me and guided me, and kept me from harm. He has been faithful when I have not. I wish I could tell you all about it.

This is very real and very tangible to me right now. It has been a revelation. It has renewed my faith and it has given me hope in the midst of sadness and confusion.

I love this song. My heart, though troubled, has been living it:

I find - that when everything else is stripped away - I can still cling to God. He never leaves me nor forsakes me.

Shall I ..... ???

.... get my hair cut in this style?

Source: daily-deals-top-deals.info via Rachel on Pinterest

I'm loving having long hair, but kind of getting tired of the same old, same old. This is the first haircut I've seen that I've thought might actually work for me. What do you think?

A Spoonful of Sugar....

....helps the medicine go down!

I have some things going on in my life right now that are absorbing a lot of my mental and emotional energy and I needed a break from it yesterday. So I made jam.

Making jam is not the sort of occupation you can do while distracted, so I had to really focus on what I was doing and put all other distractions aside.

One of the great things about living in the Bay of Plenty is our extended family. We are really enjoying being closer to Rob's older brothers and some of his cousins. The blessing is that one of his brothers has been here for years and years and has a really well-established garden with a bountiful Feijoa hedge.
We are just crazy about feijoas! We helped ourselves to some of the windfall last weekend, and yesterday my house was full of that wonderful, delicious aroma of cooking feijoas.

I made jam and syrup (cordial) for drinking. The syrup isn't quite perfect - probably a little too much texture in it from the feijoas, but I couldn't figure out how to stop that from happening, unless I hang it overnight. Anyone know?

But it tastes beautiful, and I don't think it will last long. It's very nice with Sprite or Soda Water. My daughter dug into the jam as soon as she got home from school. I will put the recipe up on my cooking blog soon.

I love Feijoa season!