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A Mom's Year

Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time

March 2, 2012

Weekend Links

{ image: mochatini via pinterest }

Just looking at this room makes me happy. I know some people would feel overwhelmed by the clutter. Would you? I’m not a fan of clutter, but books have never felt like clutter to me. My favorite thing in the photo is the Sound of Music record sitting on the floor. Do you see it over there by the flowers? My mother had this very album and passed it along to me. I’m pretty sure I wore it out.

I always have books on my mind, but especially so today because our elementary school is celebrating the culmination of its annual February reading contest. It’s a wonderful event and gets the entire school reading. Our school librarian puts together a special assembly on Dr. Seuss’s birthday to announce the winners and it’s so exciting to hear kids cheering for reading. This year, if the school reaches its goal of reading 375,000 minutes, then the principal has to spend a day on the roof. (The year that Andrew won, he got to smash a pie into the principal’s face. I think he may have smashed a little too enthusiastically, though, because no pies have shown up since.) I think our youngest three did a good job this year. Lexie won for the school last year, but her need to write her own stuff was at odds with her desire to read. A good problem to have! As for me, I’ll just be glad to go back to reading without having to record all the minutes.

Are you enjoying any good books right now? I love the new feature Tim installed on the left sidebar that shows what we’re reading around here. If you have book recommendations, please share. I’m always looking for ideas.

Here are some fun links:

  • A sweet post about sending a surprise gift here. And while you’re there, check out the Babar birthday party. So sophisticated.
  • After watching two movies set in Paris this week (Hugo and Midnight in Paris), I’m itching to go! While I save my pennies, maybe this post will tide me over. My crew would especially love #1.
  • Once again, we’re outgrowing our bookshelf space. Do you like any of these?
  • I usually give in and buy the holiday-cookies-in-a-tube. Do you know the ones I’m talking about? These might be a slightly healthier alternative.
  • Speaking of healthy, I’m on a mission to find the perfect granola recipe. Could this be it?
  • This outfit has me wishing for spring.
  • Free Hunger Games printable bookmarks. Lexie will love these.
  • Muppet Cake Pops! Genius.

I hope you have a great weekend. Maybe spring is starting to make an appearance where you live? If so, enjoy the warmth and please come back next week!

Filed Under: Cooking, Inspiration Shannon 6 Comments

Reader Interactions

Can We Talk? / Parenting Taboos
Mug of Wisdom #31 / Lucy Maud Montgomery

Comments

  1. Judy L. says

    March 2, 2012 at 2:11 pm

    Wasn’t Midnight In Paris wonderful??

    Reply
  2. Marilyn says

    March 2, 2012 at 6:10 pm

    Mmm…my favorite used bookstores look just like that. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Shannon says

    March 2, 2012 at 8:03 pm

    Judy, I thought it was so charming and fun.

    Marilyn, I’d love to know where the photo was taken. When I have a minute, I’ll do a little digging.

    Reply
  4. Diane says

    March 3, 2012 at 3:58 pm

    I could live in this room.

    Reply
  5. Michelle says

    March 6, 2012 at 8:38 am

    I could never think of stacks of books as clutter. They make me feel good. 🙂 I like that you’re listing the books you’re reading too. I try to keep my own blog updated with what I’m reading too. Right now, I am loving Donald Miller’s A Million Miles in a Thousand Years. I can think of a list of friends and family I’d like to give it to, and I know it’s one of the few books I will pick up and read again.

    Reply
  6. Shannon says

    March 6, 2012 at 1:54 pm

    Michelle, I linked to a great article Miller wrote about New Year’s resolutions last year and I meant to read his book. I forgot all about it, so thanks for the reminder!

    Reply

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Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Hello! My name is Shannon Taylor and I’m a mom of four, originally from Minnesota and now living in Maryland. I "published" my first newsletter when I was nine, and since then, I’ve written and edited for magazines, websites, and textbooks. I started this blog when my kids were small to reflect on life, share ideas, and preserve memories. Now that my children are grown, I continue to use this space to document meaningful moments and practical ideas.

If you're in the mood for a bit of Christmas cheer, you might enjoy THE ADVENT BOX, available wherever books are sold. You can click on the cover below to learn more.

Instagram

Dear America...

5 1
Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18084812023930902
Dear America...

I grew up in Minnesota. My mom was the Social Justice Chair at our Lutheran church, so it was normal to see her rush out at all hours to deliver food, diapers, and other aid to people in need. When St. Paul began welcoming Hmong refugees, my parents were among the first to help. For my Vietnam-vet dad, I`ve always believed it was an opportunity to atone for the sins our country committed in Vietnam. I remember two families in particular because they made wonderful food as a gift for my graduation party. Another time, a Somali woman and her daughter showed up at our church looking for community. So my mom invited them to Thanksgiving dinner.

That was the world I lived in and why adopting a child seemed like a natural extension of motherhood for me. I had faith that my child would be safe in my community. And my country.

Which brings me to the reason I`m writing this post. There are a lot of conversations right now about speaking up. I`m not sure anyone "owes" my family an explanation of their political beliefs. But we sure trust and appreciate those who speak out against a government that profiles people of color. And who are equally alarmed and ashamed that Mr. Thao, a U.S. citizen like my daughter, was pulled out of his shower after ICE agents broke his door down.

It’s painful to know that the neighbor who gave our daughter a delightful picture book when we brought her home is supporting a party that is encouraging its agents to ask, “Where do the Asians live?” It`s painful to be a guest in the home of someone who assumes my family is as white as hers and confidently tells me how glad she is that God is working through Trump to "clean up" our country and get rid of all these "dangerous criminals.”

I have so much admiration for people who speak up when they don`t have to. I mean, I`m on board this ship whether I like it or not because we`re an Asian-American family. To all of you out there fighting the good fight: I see you and I thank you.

To that end, I`m going to put resources I trust in the comments. Please share yours, too. Or DM me if you prefer.

18 14
Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18179362702374619
I grew up in Minnesota. My mom was the Social Justice Chair at our Lutheran church, so it was normal to see her rush out at all hours to deliver food, diapers, and other aid to people in need. When St. Paul began welcoming Hmong refugees, my parents were among the first to help. For my Vietnam-vet dad, I've always believed it was an opportunity to atone for the sins our country committed in Vietnam. I remember two families in particular because they made wonderful food as a gift for my graduation party. Another time, a Somali woman and her daughter showed up at our church looking for community. So my mom invited them to Thanksgiving dinner.

That was the world I lived in and why adopting a child seemed like a natural extension of motherhood for me. I had faith that my child would be safe in my community. And my country.

Which brings me to the reason I'm writing this post. There are a lot of conversations right now about speaking up. I'm not sure anyone "owes" my family an explanation of their political beliefs. But we sure trust and appreciate those who speak out against a government that profiles people of color. And who are equally alarmed and ashamed that Mr. Thao, a U.S. citizen like my daughter, was pulled out of his shower after ICE agents broke his door down.

It’s painful to know that the neighbor who gave our daughter a delightful picture book when we brought her home is supporting a party that is encouraging its agents to ask, “Where do the Asians live?” It's painful to be a guest in the home of someone who assumes my family is as white as hers and confidently tells me how glad she is that God is working through Trump to "clean up" our country and get rid of all these "dangerous criminals.”

I have so much admiration for people who speak up when they don't have to. I mean, I'm on board this ship whether I like it or not because we're an Asian-American family. To all of you out there fighting the good fight: I see you and I thank you. 

To that end, I'm going to put resources I trust in the comments. Please share yours, too. Or DM me if you prefer.

Had a great time at my first student band showcase! Thank you to Stages Music Arts; Brett, our awesome instructor; and my band mates for making it such a fun night.

I was so surprised and thrilled to look out in the audience and see two of my wonderful friends from our Special Olympics International days (back in the `90s!). And thank you to Tim and our girls for being there and being such a great audience. Will had class, but I hear there`s another showcase in April. Rock on! ❤️😂

29 14
Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18079265525197806
Had a great time at my first student band showcase! Thank you to Stages Music Arts; Brett, our awesome instructor; and my band mates for making it such a fun night. 

I was so surprised and thrilled to look out in the audience and see two of my wonderful friends from our Special Olympics International days (back in the '90s!). And thank you to Tim and our girls for being there and being such a great audience. Will had class, but I hear there's another showcase in April. Rock on! ❤️😂

Who wants to talk books?! These are the books I received this Christmas:

1: FRANNY AND ZOOEY by J. D. Salinger. I love Holden Caulfield in THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, so I don`t know how I’ve managed to go this long without reading this book!
2: MERRY by Susan Breen. From the cover copy: "Fans of family stories, classic literature, Christmas novels, and holiday season magic will adore MERRY." Also, it`s set in London and features a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL signed by Dickens. (We have a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL signed by Dickens`s great-great grandson, Gerald Dickens, from the one-man show he performed at the Saint Paul Hotel years ago. ❤️)
3: THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager. "Deliciously Gothic" and "jaw-dropping twists" sounds good to me.
4. 6:40 TO MONTREAL by Eva Jurczyk. This has an Agatha Christie vibe: locked-room, which is always fun, and the protagonist is a writer named Agatha who`s on her way to a writing retreat on a train with beautiful views when disaster strikes.
5. THE SNOW LIES DEEP by Paula Munier. Dogs, snow, and mystery is right up my alley.
6. STORY by Robert McKee from Andrew. I love the study of writing (English lit textbook editor and all), so I`m excited about diving into the definitive book on screenplays. Andrew and I have started a wonderful collaboration on our writing projects, so I hope this will help me understand the nuances of screenwriting—and maybe help me write my own for THE ADVENT BOX!

How about you? Did you get any books for Christmas? Please share!

P.S. My aunt Joan made these beautiful bookmarks for everyone. They arrived with a huge bag of homemade caramels. It doesn`t get any better than that! ❤️

10 4
Open post by shannontaylorwrites with ID 18054157025347750
Who wants to talk books?! These are the books I received this Christmas:

1: FRANNY AND ZOOEY by J. D. Salinger. I love Holden Caulfield in THE CATCHER IN THE RYE, so I don't know how I’ve managed to go this long without reading this  book! 
2: MERRY by Susan Breen. From the cover copy: "Fans of family stories, classic literature, Christmas novels, and holiday season magic will adore MERRY." Also, it's set in London and features a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL signed by Dickens. (We have a copy of A CHRISTMAS CAROL signed by Dickens's great-great grandson, Gerald Dickens, from the one-man show he performed at the Saint Paul Hotel years ago. ❤️)
3: THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager. "Deliciously Gothic" and "jaw-dropping twists" sounds good to me. 
4. 6:40 TO MONTREAL by Eva Jurczyk. This has an Agatha Christie vibe: locked-room, which is always fun, and the protagonist is a writer named Agatha who's on her way to a writing retreat on a train with beautiful views when disaster strikes.
5. THE SNOW LIES DEEP by Paula Munier. Dogs, snow, and mystery is right up my alley.
6. STORY by Robert McKee from Andrew. I love the study of writing (English lit textbook editor and all), so I'm excited about diving into the definitive book on screenplays. Andrew and I have started a wonderful collaboration on our writing projects, so I hope this will help me understand the nuances of screenwriting—and maybe help me write my own for THE ADVENT BOX!

How about you? Did you get any books for Christmas? Please share!

P.S. My aunt Joan made these beautiful bookmarks for everyone. They arrived with a huge bag of homemade caramels. It doesn't get any better than that! ❤️
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