something read

Share Four Somethings: December 2021

It’s the last S4S of 2021! I know the format is going to change a little for 2022 which means new topics and I’ll have to create a new graphic. Will I put myself in that one? We’ll see. If you’ve enjoyed reading my monthly highlights, I hope you’ll consider joining with your own Share Four Somethings in 2022. As always, the link up will be found over at HeatherGerwing.com. It’s a lot of fun! Check out my December highlights below. No surprise, they’re all Christmas-related!

Something Loved

I’m a lot like Buddy the Elf in that I am mesmerized by gorgeous Christmas trees. Each year I slake that thirst by visiting Biltmore Estate during their Christmas season and tour the house to get my fill of trees. One year I was told there were more than fifty decorated trees in the house and I believe it. This year I took the tour solo and thoroughly enjoyed all of the beautifully-decorated trees in the house. I consulted last year’s photos and saw that some decor had changed. This year’s gingerbread house of the Biltmore was phenomenal. If you ever get a chance to go see the Biltmore at Christmas, do it!

Something Read

I’ve gotten into the habit of reading Christmas-themed books in December. So much fun! This year’s pick I’d been dying to read ever since I discovered Christina Lauren in February and saw they have a Christmas book. Yes, I really waited ten months to read it. And I thoroughly enjoyed In a Holidaze. It starts out kind of like Groundhog’s Day (the movie) in that, after Mae makes the regrettable action of kissing the brother of the guy she’s secretly had a crush on for decades, she finds herself starting the vacation over with all previous memories intact while everyone else is oblivious. It’s a fun story about gaining the courage to reach for the life you want instead of staying where it’s safe.

Something Treasured

The kids and I decorated gingerbread houses one weekend. We use whatever Halloween candy we still have around along with whatever comes in the kit. I love seeing the kids’ creativity and it’s a fun time of talking about what we like in one another’s creations. I love doing all of the Christmas things with the kids. I hope when they’re adults, they’ll have fond memories of family traditions.

Something Ahead

I’ve been excited for months about our kids’ Christmas present and we’re almost there. We decided that this is the time to take the kids to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Universal Studios Florida. We’ve all read the books and watched the movies and the kids are at the age (and height) where they can ride just about everything. They have no idea but I know they’ll be thrilled when they open up their letters on Christmas day. My daughter has mentioned wanting to go at least twice this year. The kids are vaccinated and we’re boosted, so we’ve done what we can to stay healthy. We have express passes and park-to-park tickets so we can ride the Hogwart’s Express, but I haven’t been to Universal since 2008 and there was no Harry Potter world then. They were in the process of building a Simpsons ride at the time. Anyone who’s been, have any tips or tricks to share?

Share Four Somethings: November 2021

It’s almost December and one of my favorite times of year. I love it so much more now that I have kids. I love their excitement. I love all of the fun activities we do together. I love anticipating their joy when they open their gifts (especially this year!). I don’t love the colder weather, but if it snows enough for us to do a little sledding and make a snowman (maybe have a snowball fight) then it’s worth it. But, before we get to December, we have to wrap up November. Keep reading to find out a few of the month’s highlights and also consider sharing your own by participating in Share Four Somethings over on my friend’s website, HeatherGerwing.com.

Something Loved

When we moved into our house two years ago, we decided the too-small dining room would become a library instead. For awhile I’ve envisioned adding two reclining wingback chairs to the chair-and-a-half currently in there. On one of my trips to Goodwill, I found a pair, but one was in bad shape. I considered getting just the one, but ultimately decided not to. I thought about the chair throughout the next week and mentally kicked myself for not getting it. Exactly a week later, I decided to go back to the store and, if it was still there, get it. Not only was it still there, but they’d knocked twenty dollars off the price making it, unbelievably, only fifteen dollars. I snatched it up, took it home, and my cat has fallen in love with it. Also, it looks great. One down, one to go!

Have you discovered any awesome finds at thrift or consignment stores? I’d love to hear about it.

Something Read

There’s been a lot of buzz about Beth Allison Barr‘s The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth and it’s been on my shelf for about six months. I had to get through my designated TBR stack first, which I did, and then picked this one up. I appreciate this book so much. I’ve struggled for awhile about some denominations not allowing women to preach or lead in the church and didn’t feel like it was something God would condone. This book, written by a historian, provided valuable information about the history of church movements, how the Reformation changed women’s roles, and the influence of culture and society on various Bible translations through the years. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about church history and have wondered why it was okay for Deborah to lead and Mary Magdalene to preach in the Bible and why a few cherry-picked verses have been used to subjugate women.

Share one of your five-star book recommendations with me in the comments.

Something Treasured

a group of kids during a performance of Mary Poppins musical

This month my daughter had three separate performances: a children’s reading theater at church, a dancing/acting/singing class, and a musical production of Mary Poppins (she played Bert the chimney sweep). I am so glad that she’s found something she loves doing and has been able to make friends in our new city because of it. I enjoy hearing her singing songs from whatever performance she’s preparing for around the house. I now have a sure-fire way of remembering how to spell Supercalifrigilisticexpialidocious thanks to the song I heard numerous times this fall. I treasure this opportunity to watch my children flourish in their passions.

Do you also have a musical/theater kid? Did they also love all of the performances during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade?

Something Ahead

decorated christmas tree in a library — If you look closely, you may be able to see Maui’s white nose and paw underneath the tree.

We’re coming up on December which means all of the Christmas things are ahead. We have Winter Lights at the N.C. Arboretum next Friday, a visit to the Biltmore if we so choose (or I choose if I don’t get any takers from my family), all of our favorite Christmas movies, Christmas-themed books, decorating gingerbread houses, holiday songs, baking cookies, and a holiday-themed chorus performance at my daughter’s school. It’s so much fun and I can’t wait to experience it all.

What’s your favorite thing about the holidays?

Share Four Somethings: October 2021

monthly highlights loved read treasured ahead

I can’t believe we’re at the end of another month! This month felt like one of the most normal ones of 2021 yet, besides the month we were able to spend in Boise with my family. We saw live theater, attended some outdoor social events including a haunted trail, a 5k at the airport, and a party. It feels so good to be able to hang out with other people. Keep reading for more highlights and feel free to link up your own or check out others’ posts over at HeatherGerwing.com!

Something Loved

I don’t listen to a lot of podcasts because I much prefer reading things than listening to them, but one has been in my ears for a year now and I love it. It’s called The Shit No One Tells You About Writing hosted by author Bianca Marais and now also co-hosted with CeCe Lyra and Carly Watters (agents from PS Literary). It’s format has changed over the past year. It started out as interviews of editors, agents, authors, and critique partners. Then they added a Books with Hooks segment in front of interviews where people can send in queries to the show and the two agents will critique them and the first five pages of the manuscript to help readers learn what agents are looking for and how to strengthen their own work. (There’s a submission form on Bianca’s website if you want your work considered for Books with Hooks.) It is a wealth of information and so fantastic.

Something Read

I managed to get my hands on an early e-copy of All the Feels by Olivia Dade (Amazon says it’ll be released November 16th). It’s the sequel to Spoiler Alert and I highly recommend reading that one first if you haven’t already. All the Feels focuses on Alex, a cast member of Gods of the Gates tv series who has a reputation for getting into trouble.

In the first book of the series (no spoilers here), we know he’s best friends with Marcus from the same series and has been assigned a minder, the cousin of the series producer, due to one of his latest stunts. The producer doesn’t want any of the cast to give away anything from the seventh, and last, season. Well, Alex goes off on a rant during an interview at a convention and that’s the last we see of him.

In this book, we start at the point where Alex is assigned Lauren Clegg, the producer’s cousin, to keep him from doing anything dumb after he’s been arrested for a bar fight. Alex does not like Ron and does not appreciate his rude comments toward Lauren. As they spend time together, Lauren realizes that Alex is more than the persona he presents and Alex begins to understand more about Lauren’s reticent disposition. We see everything leading up to the convention rant and then what happens after, which was so much fun. I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the book. Warnings: contains conversations regarding domestic violence and is a very spicy romance.

Something Treasured

I went to my first book club meeting in a year and it was so much fun. I hadn’t intended to take such a large break from the group, but there seemed to be things that would crop up to prevent me from attending. I was super excited about discussing The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett in May but my whole family came down with colds. Our most recent book was The Lost Apothecary and I was determined to go. I made it to the meeting point in September, texted the host, and learned it had been cancelled because she was sick. Thankfully, it was rescheduled for this month and I was able to go. It was so fun talking books with other women. I look forward to future meetings (after this next one which, unfortunately, I can’t attend due to a conflict). Are you part of a book club?

Something Ahead

National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) starts November 1st. For those unfamiliar with the challenge, people are tasked with writing 50,000 words of a new novel in 30 days. It’s not a hard and fast rule. There are NaNo Rebels out there who work on existing manuscripts, write nonfiction, even song lyrics. I’ve participated the past two years and have had a blast doing it. I wrote my first rom-com and first ever novel in 2019. I wrote a middle-grade fantasy novel for my daughter in 2020. There’s a Facebook group I’m in that’s so encouraging and fun. People post writing memes or ask for help with their stories. It’s a wonderfully supportive community of 27,000 people. This year I’m planning to write the third installment of my Asheville rom-com series. I hope to start releasing them next year. If you’re participating, you can find my profile on the NaNoWriMo website and we can be buddies. I encourage you to check it out if this seems at all interesting to you. Have you participated in NaNoWriMo before? If so, how was your experience?

I hope that you’ve had a wonderful month of fall-like temperatures and color-changing leaves (if you live somewhere where that’s normal). Feel free to share a highlight or two from your month!

Share Four Somethings: September 2021

We’ve now been in school for a whole month! Very exciting stuff in these never ending unprecedented times. We’ve gotten car rider lines figured out, extracurricular activities are underway, and football is back! I managed to spend a good chunk of my family-free time working on writing projects. I feel like I’m making progress which is nice. I’ve gotten to get into an exercise routine which is good for my body and mind. I’ve even been able to connect with more people which is something we’ve hoped for since moving here two years ago. Below are a few highlights. You can read others’ Four Somethings or contribute your own over at HeatherGerwing.com!

Something Loved

I found two pairs of exercise pants with pockets at a consignment store recently. (Side note: It was a very clean and well-organized store for women’s clothing. I will be back.) I love the convenience and functionality of the pockets. I can store my phone while I’m walking around the house or out for a run. I’ve even used the pockets for my credit card and car keys for a purse-free trip to the grocery store. I wish all of my exercise pants had pockets. If you’re interested in acquiring your own pair, the shorts are Calvin Klein and the pants are Kirkland brand. If you have a favorite brand of pocketed yoga pants or exercise shorts, please share it with me as I’m on the hunt for more.

Something Read

I’ve heard that The Hating Game by Sally Thorne is the quintessential contemporary romance book and I finally picked it off my shelf and read it. It was a very enjoyable enemies-to-lovers themed book about two executive assistants who play games at work to try to annoy one another. Lucy wants everyone to like her and can’t understand why Joshua has hated her from the start. When they both go for a promotion that will make one the boss of the other, things ratchet up to another level. But when Joshua kisses her in the elevator, Lucy isn’t sure whether it’s just another game they’re playing or something more. I thoroughly enjoyed it, despite the low-level constant anxiety I experienced being inside Lucy’s head. I plan to read more books by this author.

Something Treasured

Since moving to Asheville, we’ve struggled with getting connected to a church. We attended one for a while, but COVID interrupted our attempts at community. A few weeks ago we attended a church we’d visited while initially church shopping and felt immediately welcomed. Multiple people came up to talk to us and tell us about upcoming programming for the kids (which was our primary interest). I loved that they had an outdoor service we could attend. My husband and I both knew that it was the place for our family after that first return visit. We signed our daughter up for confirmation class and we learned the first day that one of her friends would be joining her, obviously making it not as awkward for her being new to the church. I’m in awe of God’s provision and love for our whole family in this area. This move has seemed so right for us and I’m excited to continue to get to know others and get involved in the church.

Something Ahead

My daughter and her best friend love musical theater. They’re both part of a local after school and summer program that puts on musicals each semester and in camp form during the summer. When we all were blessed with Hamilton on Disney + in July of 2020, she was mesmerized and proceeded to memorize her favorite song, complete with her own choreography. The two of them are currently in cahoots working on finalizing a dance routine to go with one of the songs from Six. My husband and I decided that we’d try to get tickets for Wicked when it came to a city near us and were successful in acquiring some for an October performance. Our family of four is going and we’ll be taking my daughter’s friend with us. I only hope they don’t try to sing the whole thing (of course they already know many of the songs) and bother those around us. I’ve seen it before but am looking forward to seeing it again, especially through the girls’ eyes.

Thanks for reading. Please share one of your highlights with me in the comments!

Share Four Somethings: July 2021

July has been an unusual month because thus far I’ve spent all of it in Idaho with my family. It has been a joy to hang out with people I haven’t seen since 2019. While I haven’t enjoyed the very high daily temperatures, it’s been well worth time with people I love. I hope that you, too, have been able to do something enjoyable this summer.

Now it’s time to get to a few of my favorite things from the month. Feel free to share yours in the comments or link up with me over at HeatherGerwing.com!

Something Loved

apple watch and bluetooth headphones for running

I don’t like running but I do it because supposedly it’s good for my heart and health. 🙂 It’s fairly easy to run in my parents’ neighborhood because there are lots of sidewalks and it’s pretty flat. I usually run with my phone in an armband but since I didn’t need to worry about being reached by a school or the kids, I decided to try running with the music on my apple watch and a pair of bluetooth headphones. I loved not having something on my arm that might come lose if I flexed too much or slid down my arm if my muscles contracted. I think I may continue to use this combo for running in the future when I’m not worried about missing an important phone call.

Something Read

save the cat writes a novel book cover image

I have read several great books this month. I thoroughly enjoyed Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, a nonfiction book about the common beats in successful novels and must-have elements in specific book genres. I found it really helpful in looking through my manuscripts and seeing where I need to rearrange or beef up various parts. I think it’ll be very helpful in future writing.

I also really enjoyed The Guncle by Steven Rowley. It’s been awhile since I teared up reading and it was a welcome experience. Patrick was a tv star but stepped away from the spotlight and his family after Joe’s death. When his sister-in-law dies and his brother checks himself into rehab, he finds himself responsible for his niece and nephew for the next three months. Will he be able to help them work through their grief while processing his own? A book with lots of heart and plenty of humor.

Something Treasured

four children sitting on a bench overlooking a gorge and the perrine bridge

It was so wonderful to be with family again, but I especially treasure the time my kids had with their cousins, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. The kids all had a blast together playing, celebrating special days, and even writing and performing a play! I’m so grateful that they were able to have this time together this year.

Something Ahead

While it’ll be sad to leave family in a few days, I am looking forward to seeing my husband again after three weeks apart. In addition to our reunion, we will get a little couple time when he goes to Nashville for work and I accompany him. It’ll be a fast trip, but I’m sure we’ll make the most of it. If you’ve been, let me know what we should try to do. Also, it’s our 15th anniversary next week!

That’s a wrap on July. I’d love to hear how your month has been. See you next month!

Share Four Somethings: June 2021

It’s the end of the first month of summer. It’s been a busy but enjoyable month which included Father’s Day, pool days, a visit to Lake Lure, play dates, athletic conditioning classes, a birthday, and a wedding. We still have another month and a half without school and I’m looking forward to discovering what else is in store during summer vacation. Without further ado, check out this month’s Four Somethings and feel free to link up your own over at HeatherGerwing.com.

Something Loved

My family gave me a pack of cute cat socks for my birthday last month and they are so adorable! They make me happy when I put them on and are very comfortable. I like wearing them with my slip-on canvas shoes.

Something Read

Embraced 100 Devotions by Lysa TerKeurst book

I’ve been reading this devotional – Embraced by Lysa TerKeurst. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I opened it up, but it has been a great encouragement along with providing some conviction. I was well aware that my connection to God wasn’t as close as it could or should be, but seemed to lack the motivation to do anything about it. This book has been the kick in the rear I’ve needed to remember how our relationship can be and increased my desire to be more open and intentional with God.

Something Treasured

chalk drawing of man saying he is on a date with his hot wife

My husband and I were blessed with an impromptu date night a week ago which we needed so much. We hadn’t gone out just the two of us since before Christmas, unless you count grocery shopping which I don’t. Some friends took our kids for the night and we went to dinner and a movie. It was nice to be able to relax together and do something that felt normal again. It reminded me that we need to be much more intentional in time together now that it’s safe to do so.

Something Ahead

This could be considered cheating because “ahead” means tonight, but I say it still counts. Later in the day, we are headed out west to see family we haven’t seen in a year and a half or longer. I’m super excited! My parents, brother, sister-in-law, and nieces all live in Idaho so I am thrilled to be able to spend some time with them. We’ll get in too late to really visit but it’ll be nice just to finally be in the same place again. A few extended family members are planning to visit while we’re there which I’m also looking forward to.

That’s my month. I’d love to hear a highlight or two from your June! Write it in the comments section.

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