Summer Readin'

Is there anything better than lounging in the sun on a hot day with a good book? 

OK, maybe curled up in front of the fireplace on a cold day is pretty great too.

The point I'm trying to make is that I love a good book!

Fiction, non-fiction, something to help me grow, something that's total fluff - I just love a good book.

Here's my Summer reading list:

Nobody's Cuter than You: A Memoir about the Beauty of Friendship by Melanie Shankle
You and Me Forever: Marriage in Light of Eternity by Francis & Lisa Chan
Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Parenting the Wholehearted Child: Captivating Your Child's Heart with God's Extravagant Grace by Jeannie Cunnion
Success Is Not An Accident by Tommy Newberry
Own Your Life by Sally Clarkson



So what are you reading this Summer?

My July Reading List.

Hi.  I'm Charli and I'm a book hoarder.

I've heard that admitting your problem is the first step, so here goes.

I love books.  I love to read.  And honestly, until the past year or two, I had no time to read for myself.  I was too busy with little guys.  The only reading I routinely did was limited to in depth works such as Llama, Llama, Mad at Momma or One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.  I mean after the 376th reading, there's really not much more to be said about a mad llama or oddly rhyming fish. 

While perusing my Kindle for something to read last night, I realized I have a bit of a problem.  Between free (or really cheap) deals on ebooks and the wonder that is WVDELI, where I can make giant wish lists and check out ebooks for free from the comfort of my home, I have a ton of books that I've squirrelled for later and not actually read. 

So I've decided that each month I'm going to list the four books for me that I'd like to read as well as my current read a loud with the boys. 

Here's my list for the remainder of July:

A Woman of Courage on the West Virginia Frontier by Robert N. Thompson
     This is the story of Phebe Tucker Cunningham, her life in the Alleghenies and the ways of the          Wyandot tribe, including her marriage at Prickett's Fort.  This is available from WVDELI to  
     check out for free.

Say Goodbye to Survival Mode by Crystal Paine
      Crystal Paine and her blog Money Saving Mom are one of my favorite blogs.  She has great time
      saving and money saving tips.  I've actually read the first five chapters of this book, then life got
      busy and I put it down.  I'm excited to finish this.

The Circle Maker by Mark Batterson
     We're actually doing this as a group Bible study at church on Wednesday nights.  I'll be honest,
      I thought the whole "circle making" bit was a little gimmicky at first, but there is some great
     truths in this book.  I'm enjoying this study.


As far as read alouds, we're still on a Dan Gutman kick.  If you haven't read his My Weird School series you should.  The boys have really enjoyed it and it's at WVDELI to check out for free.  This month, we're going to read The Genius Files:  Mission Unstoppable.

I know, I know.  This is only part of my reading goal.  Well, it's only part of a month since I came up with this idea!  It's at least three more books that I can mark off my big ol' list.

And don't forget to comment below or on my Facebook page letting me know what you're reading.  Because while I know I have a book squirreling problem, I'm also aware that I'm not going to stop.

I'd love to know what books have caught your attention.

Book Review: Money Saving Mom's Budget

Let me start by being completely honest. 

I love Crystal at Money Saving Mom. 

I think she is just fab.  I've made many of her recipes and freezer meals.  I've used lots of her posts to save money by coupon matching and I've even earned free gift cards to restaurants or Amazon from her advice on taking surveys and using SwagBucks.

I went into this book fully expecting to like it.....and I did. 

Crystal and her husband drank the Dave Ramsey kool-aid just like Ronnie & I.  A lot of her money management appears based on his plans.  Cash only, no credit cards, buy used.  But she puts it out there in such a way that it doesn't seem overwhelming.  Each chapter breaks down a different money saving technique.  Couponing, budgeting, meal planning, making goals.  She breaks it down.  Step by step.

I love that she keeps reinforcing the fact that you don't have to have a perfect system on day one.  Just start. Make a plan and tweak it to suit your family and your situation.  Take it slow.

My favorite non fiction book so far!

You can see what others thought of this book over at Life as Mom.

First book of 2012....done!

Look at me!  I'm off to a great start.

I finished One Bite at a Time by Tsh Oxenreider.  I actually enjoyed this book.  Tsh had some great ideas to organize and simplify your life in 52 weekly projects.  Some are quick and easy, like drink more water.  Others are definitely more time consuming, like plant a garden. 

While I personally don't have time to pull off all 52 projects this year, there were quite a few I'm going to take a stab at.

My plan for this year:
1.  Establish a morning routine
2. Establish an evening routine
3.  Eat your frog.
4.  Take an annual vacation (or staycation)
5.  Schedule regular date nights.
6.  Create an essential papers file.
7.  Get more sleep.
8.  Plan in advance for the holidays.
9.  Regularly turn off your TV.
10.  Organize your photo collection.
11.  Make a compost bin.
12.  Use the envelope system.  (Again)
13.  Declutter your wardrobe (and focus on your outward appearance).
14.  Create a regular monthly budget.
15.  Drink more water.

A lot of her suggestions are things I keep planning on doing but never get around to.  A couple of things I really liked about the book were that the chapters are short and can be fully read without sacrificing a large chunk of your day (unlike staying up until 3am to finish The Help).  I also liked that I actually already do quite a few of the things she has as projects.

Things I've already done:
Make a debt free plan
    We're back to Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover system. 
Menu plan
     Nothing new here.  I don't know what I'd do without it (other than eat out!)
Streamline your receipt system
     We did this with our rental business this October using NeatDesk .  Love it.
Clean your kitchen as you cook.
      I have limited counter space....no other choice.
Plan weekly planning meetings with your spouse.
Eat whole foods (on a budget)
Declutter and rotate your kids toys
Switch to non toxic cleaners
      I generally either use Shaklee Get Clean, Murphy's oil soap or vinegar.
Start cooking staples from scratch.
Start a garden
Eat locally
      Can't get more local than the veggies in the yard and your cow in the field.
Make annual goals
Create a daily to do list.

If (and that's a big if) I pull of the projects I've listed above, there is one more project that I might consider for no other reason than pure and simple curiosity.  It's "Switch to gentle, eco-friendly hair care".  It's basically going shampoo free.  I've read about this on other semi-hippie blogs and in a way it does make sense, but in another way it also grosses me out to think about not using shampoo.  I guess if you see me at church all greased up you'll know I took the plunge to try it. 


I noticed that the book is priced at $5 on Amazon right now.  If you're interested, you can click my affiliate like below and help support my ongoing Amazon addiction. 

Be sure to stop by Life as Mom see what others had to say about this book and others.  

Reading Goals for 2012.

Confession time. 

I've always thought of homeschooling mommas as brainiacs in denim jumpers leading their homes something like the Von Trapp children when they marched in to the whistle, stepping forward and shouting out their names on cue. 

Since joining their ranks however, I've realized that is not at all the case, although there are days I long for that whistle.




I have to tell you that they are an impressive group of ladies.  However, sometimes after spending time with them, I realize my upbringing was....well, just different.

Growing up, I loved to read.  Other than assignments for school none of my reading could be classified as literature.  I was more the Sweet Valley High and Danielle Steele type reader. 

After college, I read more mysteries like James Patterson or Patricia Cornwell. 

After children, it was more like Goodnight Moon or whatever magazine I could read at a quick clip before falling asleep.

Then last summer, I decided to be more deliberate with reading.  To actually read real, grown up books just for me.  That's right.  I'm selfish like that.

I realized how much I do love reading.  I've even gone high tech redneck with my Kindle that I keep tucked in my purse. 

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been trying to come up with a reading list for this year.  I have a few choices from the library and more than a few books that I bought over the past years and never got around to actually reading.  (Anyone else have this problem?) 

So without any further ramblings, here's my big list for 2012.

January:  One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler             
              The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy)

February:  The Money Saving Mom's Budget
                The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers

March:   The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food, and Love
              The Backyard Homestead

April:     Baked: New Frontiers in Baking                  
             All In Good Time: When to Save, Stock Up, and Schedule Everything for Your Home

May:  When Crickets Cry
         Quitter

June:  Bringing Up Boys
         The Hobbit

July:  The Food Nanny Rescues Dinner: Easy Family Meals for Every Day of the Week
         Pride and Prejudice

August:       Root Cellaring: Natural Cold Storage of Fruits & Vegetables

September:  Little Women (Unabridged Classics)

October:      EntreLeadership

November:  Don't Make Me Come Up There!: Quiet Moments for Busy Moms

December:  Kisses from Katie: A Story of Relentless Love and Redemption


I'm trying to be realistic and only planning on one book a month once canning season and school start.    Each book on the list is one that I'm excited to read, including a couple from my favorite bloggers. 

I'll share my thoughts on them with you as I go. 

All this talk about books is making me think it's a great day to light the fireplace and curl up on the couch with the boys for reading day. 

And that's just what we'll do.

Summer Reading Update.

I have to say, I'm surprised at just how much reading I did accomplish this Summer.  I'm sure it's in no small part to early mornings at the beach and a week of both swim lessons and VBS.

 I have made a conscience effort to read more and watch TV less of an evening this Summer and I remembered something.  I really like to read.  I've just not had much time for it the past five years with being chronically (happily) pregnant and chasing little guys. 

Here's what I finished this Summer:

The Help
Something Borrowed
Something Blue
Reshaping it All
Bringing Up Boys
Warrior Prayers
31 Days to Clean
Creative Correction
Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe
OAMC Family Favorites Cookbook
Total Money Makeover (re-read)
Stuff Christians Like

I'm about 3/4 of the way through Ministry of Motherhood, so I'm planning on finishing it before September.

My favorite books have been The Help and Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe.  

I had a Beth Moore Bible study on the list to finish, but I just haven't been able to get into it this summer.  I'll try again in a few months. 

Now to come up with my Winter reading list.

Here's some ideas I have so far:

War Stories:  Civil War in WV by David Phillips
The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom
Through my Eyes by Tim Tebow
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers (re-read)
The New Hide or Seek by James Dobson
Sheet Music by Kevin Lehman
Financial Peace Planner by Dave Ramsey
When Godly people do ungodly things by Beth Moore
How to save money every day by Ellie Kay


I'd love to hear your suggestions.  Please comment below and let me know if you've read anything great that I should consider for my list.

Summer Reading List

I'm trying to be more realistic this year about my summer reading goals. I always make an outrageous list of what I'm going to read this summer, and end up failing miserably. This is my final list for summer.

Creative Correction by Lisa Whelchel
Reshaping it all by Candace Cameron Burr
Ministry of motherhood by Sally Clarkson
Lies homeschooling moms believe by Todd Wilson
OAMC Family Favorites cookbook
Bringing up boys by Dr. James Dobson (audio book)
Finish the Esther bible study.


I'm planning on listening to the audio book with Ronnie on the way to the beach later this month. I've already started Lies homeschooling mom's believe - loving it! I'm starting an online book club/bible study with Courtney at http://womenlivingwell-courtney.blogspot.com/ for the Ministry of Motherhood and Reshaping it All. As far as the cookbook goes, I've been wanting to try once a month cooking for a while now. I already cook large batches and freeze extra from time to time, but I'd like to be more consistent and actually try for 1 baking day and 1 cooking day a month. I'll let you know how it goes.
I'll post the links if anyone would like to join me for the online book clubs. If your interested in making our own Good Morning Girls group, let me know. It's basically an accountability group for our devotional time. Check it out and post a comment or send me a FB message if your in.

Have a great day!