Notes from Me
I ended the year, in the words of T.S. Eliot, “not with a bang, but with a whimper.” A case of sinusitis leeched energy from me for a week. It humbled me, especially as our schedule was full with traveling to seeing loved ones. I am glad I was in the care of my family members who were quick to give me space to rest and the best of care. Being sick and limping back into the swing of things post-holidays meant I was not able to send out my newsletter on the first of the month, which is minor in the scheme of things. Sickness also invited me to consider my own fragility and limitations – fitting reminders as I start the year.
The turnover of the calendar is a time when people often reflect on the year before and come up with “favorite” or “best-of” lists. I resonate with this habit (after all, I did name this publication “The Roundup”). I like to live backwards, only moving forward after I have formed my thoughts through reflection and contemplation (hence the Christmas content and reading favorites lists in this post).
Another popular seasonal practice is the making and sharing of New Year’s Resolutions. While reflecting looks back, goal setting looks forward.
There is the modern lure to reinvent ourselves and pretend we have the power to change anything instantly. We want to have a before and after picture of ourselves with the fanfare and speed of an online kitchen renovation, swiping our thumb across the screen to unveil the result in one second. That’s what we want to do with our bad habits, our lack of discipline, our roadblocks. However, that is not how God has made the world. Even that kitchen renovation took time, careful measuring, cutting, forming, and finishing. Much of the process is slow and unglamorous.
In this slow process of habit formation and goal reaching, I want to reassert my dependence on the LORD Jesus Christ. Even as I strive toward worthy goals, I want to welcome challenges that God can use to remind me that he is all-sufficient (not me). May my response to my own limitations and failings or others who get in the way of my agenda be a reorientation to give him the glory above all things.
Reading: In this post, I briefly share about my five favorite books from the last year.
Listening: Here are three favorite songs from December 2022: Silent Night, Rent Party Slide, and Little Drummer Boy.
With the Boys
Watching: This last month we watched How The Grinch Stole Christmas
and A Charlie Brown Christmas.
These two animated movies (full-length clips slung together on You Tube) are full of vintage charm.
Reading:
Here I share some favorite chapter book read-alouds and audiobooks my sons and I enjoyed in 2022.
We liked reading Nikki Grimes’ poetry collection, Under the Christmas Tree in December. Here is the boys’ favorite poem:
Christmas Window by Nikki Grimes
My baby brother’s such a child
Squealing, “Mommy! Look!”
Pointing to a store window with
Characters from a book.
The mannequins seem real to him
But I know they’re just fake.
Their rosy cheeks are painted on.
Their pearly teeth can’t ache.
They’re only dolls the store dressed up
To help sell toys and clothes.
I’m six now, so you can’t fool—hey!
Did one just scratch his nose?
In the Kitchen
I linked a PDF file above to a recipe for Stuffed Shells with Marinara (modified from my mother-in-law’s recipe, which she found in Taste of Home). This is my go-to main entree when having people over for dinner (plus tossed salad, sliced fruit, this garlic bread (sometimes I use softened butter instead of melted), these chocolate chip cookies and vanilla ice cream). This recipe makes enough to serve a party of 6+ for two meals. It also freezes well!
Small Joy
Two recent joys: traveling with my sons over the holidays to visit beloved relatives who live far away, and my three-year-old son calling our luggage “soupcases."
Until next month,
Susie
P.S. I am deeply resonating with this YouTuber’s book-loving energy :). Children’s book awards are announced on January 30!
Thanks Susie!
It’s helpful and interesting to see what your learning, loving, and reading. Thanks for sharing!