It's the middle of summer and you haven't had time to relax? Can't get to the beach? Need a Staycation? Bring out the chocolate; send the kids to Aunt Augusta. It's time to schedule some time off for yourself - quick! 

When this happens at our house, we generally reach for a classic movie and bring out the pillows. The longer the movie, the better. Meals are leftovers or cold cuts served from the kitchen countertop. Fresh cherries or grapes, or apples with peanut butter, are available for the snacking. After a few hours of laughter, tears, and general escapism, we're ready for another round of busy days. 

Here are some of our favorite long classics for those days when we need some downtime. (Note: none of these are good for small children, but my teen girls enjoy these movies as much as I do.)

• Cranford. Based on the stories of Elizabeth Gaskell. The ladies of Cranford deal with etiquette, tradition, a new young doctor, and the shocking advent of the railroad in 1840s England. It's a story of friendship and fidelity, tragedy and unexpected joy.

• Wives and Daughters. Also based on the stories of Elizabeth Gaskell. It's a different kind of Cinderella story. There's no prince, but there is a hateful stepmother and a selfish stepsister, and happiness at the end.

• Sense and Sensibility. Based on the book by Jane Austen. Sisters grapple with understanding Love. Is it a fleeting fancy, a fervency of emotion, or a quiet faithfulness? When they relocate with their mother to a remote district, they discover their friends are not entirely what they seem.

• Little Dorrit. Based on the book by Charles Dickens. A young seamstress with a father who lives in a debtors prison learns about life and trust as circumstances propel her from wealth to poverty and back again. 

• Les Miserables. Musical, based on the book by Victor Hugo. This redemptive story of crime, justice, adoption, and grace, is set amidst the era of the French Revolution. Bring out the tissues.

Don't forget the ice cream! Relax and renew - it's summertime. :) 

- Nancy

Jesus is my Quarterback

When my grandpa was 82 years old, he gave his life to the Lord. An avid sportsman all his life, his fondest memories were of playing football, and that was the analogy he used when he told me about the experience. He said, "Now Jesus is my quarterback. He's calling all my plays."

We had a game on TV the other day and I was watching the plays, calling out advice from my rocking chair. The team, of course, didn't listen to me. And they didn't listen to the thunderous noise around them. Instead, they entered into the traditional huddle before each play so they could hear what the quarterback had to say. And they carried out his plan - not the advice being shouted from the stands - to the best of their ability.

I was reminded of that as I meditated upon my morning scripture reading (2 Thessalonians 2:13-17). Paul was writing to the church in Thessalonica, a Greek seaport, to a group of people who had turned to God from idols and who went on to endure successive attacks from barbarians who tried to stamp out their faith. In Paul's letter, you might say he was in the locker room with them at halftime, encouraging the "team." 

What kind of a pep talk did he give?

Hospitality - What Does It Mean To You?

Hospitality: what does it mean to you?

I have heard that hospitality is opening our homes and meeting the needs of those who come in. Sometimes we want to provide extra-special attention in the form of food or beverage, chocolate mints on the pillows, hot cider simmering, fragrant candles burning, or a bowl of fruit on a bedside table.

But the most important ingredient in hospitality is the welcoming heart. It's that spirit that pulls guests from the front door to the dinner table, even if the only items on the menu are soup and bread. It's the genuine smile accompanying the words, "Make yourself at home!"

Time Management - Reading List

My great-grandmother used to say, "Life is what happens when you make other plans."

Last week was one of those weeks for me. 

After the election, all I could think about was cleaning the house. I put the TV away (no more pundits postulating about candidates) and avoided the computer. I dusted things that hadn't seen any Pledge for a long time. I vacuumed everything in sight. (The cats should be glad they were put outside before the vacuuming fiesta began.) I uncluttered the corners and the closet. (I found some things.)

But I didn't blog about Hospitality, as I had originally planned to do.

Perhaps I need to read about Time Management?

If you want to join me, here are some suggested titles. I haven't read them yet, but I am certainly going to look them up!

This Week - Hospitality

The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Hospitality as "generous and friendly treatment of visitors and guests."

As we enter the holiday season, many of us are preparing to be hospitable. The rest of us will be the gracious recipients. How many of you are hosting the Thanksgiving meal? How many are already planning the Christmas get-togethers?

As we think about Hospitality, I'd like to collect and share some ideas for all of us to use in our homes. I will post some suggestions for family time and field trips that can help introduce the theme to kids. And we will share some recipes and books at the end of the week that might give us a creative boost as we plan.

So, check back in tomorrow. In the meantime, think about some ideas you might be able to share with us. We would love to see your comments.

Thanks for reading the blog!

Nancy

Aviation-Themed Books

Library day! 

Each week, we want to share some suggestions for your reading list based on the topic of the week.  We try to select books for every age level.

Since this week’s topic is Aviation, these book selections have aviation, pilots, or air travel as part of their theme.

 

Field Trips - The Zoo

They were brothers, twins, born the same month and year that our son, Peter, was born. Our Peter was born in a hospital in Texas. The twins were born in a Zoo in Pittsburg, PA.  They were Kodiak bears.

The twins came to the Indianapolis Zoo in 1988, just after we relocated to Indy, ourselves. So what would you do if you found out that a Zoo animal was your age or your kid’s age? I know what we did. We bonded with those bears.  After that, the highlight of every Zoo trip was visiting the enclosure for Peter’s birthday buds.

Zoos. We love them. Where else can you receive top notch, outside-the-box education disguised as fun? And this is the best time of year to visit a Zoo. In cooler weather the animals are perkier. The crowds are fewer. But you can still find great stories that will stick with you forever and give you a new appreciation for the creatures that share our world.

Field Trips - Autumn Walks

 

Autumn is my favorite season.  There’s the excitement of new school books, the crispness of cool air, and the festive, confetti-like quality of falling leaves.  Have you ever noticed how much autumn sounds like awesome?

               Some of our favorite field trips happen in autumn, too.  For an art/science combo, our Number One favorite is The Walk Around The Block.  This tradition was established when the kids were in preschool.  It involved giving the kids plastic sandwich bags to stuff full with pretty fall leaves.  At home, the leaves were ironed between pieces of waxed paper, framed with construction paper, and hung in the windows where they glowed in the light of the setting sun.

               As our search became more sophisticated, we moved out to local parks and state recreation areas.  Surrounded by leaf color at its peak, discussions on topics like botany, photography, or the color wheel took on new freshness. 

               Before you go out, investigate!  Ask questions, like: why do leaves change color?  What makes a good snapshot?  What colors complement the oranges, reds, and yellows of autumn?

               Locate parks and recreation areas near your home.  Check out their trail maps, entry fees, hours, and parking.  Note any park festivals you would like to attend – or avoid.  See if any naturalists offer onsite walking tours.  Get on your walking shoes and go.     

The Walk Around The Block?  Anytime!  Be sure to bring the bags for the colored leaves, acorns, and other treasures the kids might find.

You might find yourself saying autumn is awesome, too.