Books We Got and Gave on Christmas
This was a very richly endowed book exchange holiday for us. In this post you can see the books we got and gave– mostly non-fiction, and only one novel!
Polly Castor
With Those for Whom There is No Room (Quote by Thomas Merton)
Into this world, this demented inn, in which there is absolutely no room for him at all, Christ comes uninvited.
Do Not Believe in Walls (Quote by Jörg Zink)
If we open them and enter, we can unlock ourselves, too, and so await whatever is coming to free us and make us whole.
Best Books of the Year (Reading Challenge Summary)
I read 68 books this year, ten of which were art and cookbooks, 13 were other non-fiction, and the rest were novels. I listened 22 on audio. I gave 19 books five stars this year.
Advent Darkness (quote by Fleming Rutledge)
Advent bids us to take a fearless inventory of the darkness: the darkness without and the darkness within.
Advent Visitation (Poem by Lucy Shaw)
These still December mornings
I fancy I live in a clear envelope of angels like a cellophane womb. Or a soap bubble, the colors drifting, curling.
What Comes Next (Poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer)
Love relentlessly, she said, and I want to slip these two words into every cell in my body, not the sound of the words, but the truth of them…
Crispy Black Bean Tacos (Recipe)
These are delicious and easy to make. It makes tacos enough for four people, and since we are only two over here, I make a full recipe of beans but only assemble and bake half of them. I refrigerate the rest of the beans and assemble the half later in the week.
Nice Board Book Gift Idea
These are delightful in every way, with wonderful art and rhyme, as well as peek-a-boo holes to see through onto other pages. They would be a great gift for you little loved one.
Still Flourishing (Conceptual Abstract Landscape Collage)
I was thinking about the autumnal season of life, and how it is still glorious, interesting, strong, and dynamic – just gorgeous.
Advent (quote by Alfred Delp)
It is time to waken from sleep. A waking up must begin somewhere. It is time to put things back where God intended them.
Sword Catcher (Book Review)
This is the only book over 500 pages I read this year and I really enjoyed it. I’ll be reading its sequel soon in the New Year.
God Knows What You Need (New Poem by Polly Castor)
God is a joiner, like a carpenter, splicing together mitered corners, with flush, beautiful transitions, meeting together just right.
Love a Dynamic Process (Quote by Maria Popova)
Love is simply the breadth of the aperture through which you let in the reality of another and the quality of attention you pay…
The Comforts of Pure Love (New Painting in Pastel)
Love is comfortable and comforting, supportive, warm, exciting, fun, and divine. What a delightful thing to paint!
Roasted Boursin Mashed Potatoes (Recipe)
I happen to love regular mashed potatoes, but if you want to jazz it up for company or the holidays, this super easy dish is for you.