Books in Bed

Last night, Eric and I turned in a bit earlier than usual.

We lay side-by-side in bed, reading.

Wild at Heart his book of choice; mine The Meaning of Marriage.

(We're not always so studious. I recently spent a bittersweet ten days forcing my lids open in the wee hours of the morning nearly devouring The Hunger Games trilogy. Before that, I enjoyed Bossypants. Tina made me laugh (and blush) every few pages. I'm talking about literally lol'ing. The kind where people in Panera gave me funny looks and my husband kept asking "what?" in a nonchalant way until I read him what's so funny - and then he laughed too, of course.)

A chuckle here, a sigh there. Simultaneously gleaning wisdom from others' lives. A peaceful, connecting experience.

So many of our evenings are brimming with activity right up to the breaking point and then quickly numbed by the TV before trudging off to sleep.

(Ironically, since we no longer have cable, the only show on around this time of night is 30 Rock. Tina is getting more than her fair share of exposure in our home. She and Baldwin have us laughing then, as well).

Activity is wonderful and TV is fun.

But I rather like ending my night with a good book.  Somehow, snuggling up with my honey who is doing the same makes it all the better.

I have a few questions for you, if you are still out there.
- do you read books with (or alongside) your spouse, children or friends?
- in what other simple ways do you create special moments with loved ones?
- what books (fiction and non) made you think, laugh, cry or grow?

{photos via 1, 2, 3}

Summer Book Club

As you know, I am a bookworm.

To this day, my cousin makes fun of me for climbing up our front yard tree for an afternoon read when she visited us over the summer. (Wait. She teases me for crocheting in that tree. Fortunately, I don't recall it quite that way, so let's just say I was reading.  Selective memory is a wonderful gift).

While living in Chattanooga, I would make a quick drive up the mountain and sit on the wall at Signal Point, engrossed in the latest read. The view beyond my book was breathtaking and the gentle breeze inspired me to stay a while.

Now, I'll snuggle up on the couch, the porch or next to my honey with eager eyes, scanning the page with anticipation for what happens next.

Ahhh, I still love a good book.

This summer I joined a book club small group through our church.  A group of women, gathered over good food and chatting the night away about plot, characters and life application is just what this bookworm needs. 

First up, we are reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.  I must admit, I finished it a tad early and cried myself to sleep - an absolutely beautiful story!

Do you have any suggestions for our next book?  I recently enjoyed The Help by Kathryn Stockett and can't wait for the movie in August.

Have a great weekend and a happy 4th!

*images: a view I'd love to read to; stacked schoolgirl books; our current read

Gift Guide: Father's Day

Unless your dad is Barney Stinson, he neither needs nor wants another tie.  If your dad is Barney Stinson, he doesn't need one but probably wants one and you likely can't afford his expensive tastes.

What am I trying to say, folks?

Regardless of who invested in your gene pool, be sure to follow the gift guide below to make your pappy happy.

Shaving cream from a tube for a smooth face done the old-school way, $10

A masculine toiletry bag to store essentials when travelling, $30

Rad, casual sneakers so he looks stylish on summer dates with your mom, $42

A pictorial dictionary to enhance his already enviable vocabulary, $21

A collapsible bike to wow his friends and take up less room in the garage, $140

Two tickets for Super 8 so he can feel like a kid again, if just for a few hours, $18

The quittin' time clock because it's funny and gives him something to look forward to, $80

For an alternative gift, do what I did last year and invite him along for a morning hike.  All he really wants is quality time with his family. 

What are you getting your dad, grandpa or favorite guy for father's day?  

I'd love to hear!

All the Pretty Rooms

a bedroom, via under the sycamore

a sewing room, via Going Home to Roost

a baby's room, via Alice Lane

Our schedule has calmed down greatly over the past two weeks.  It's been so nice to be at home with my hubby, enjoying our rooms.  

Aren't the rooms above pretty and inspiring?

Gift Guide 4: Your newlywed sister who laughs with all of her might and loves playing (and usually wins) all types of games

A leather belt to go with her cognac boots, $40

A soft-hued tiffin box to store her lunch, $37

A 1946 Monopoly game, so she can beat her honey in vintage style, $22 

Polka dot tights for a wintry feminine touch, $22

Red hot suede pumps to match her fire engine hair as a kid, $49

A glamorous ornament to grace their first Christmas tree, $28

A funny book on being domestic and still having fun, $13

Gift Guide 1: Your book-loving sister who mixes patterns and coaxed her cat into chilling in a swaddled blanket

An invisible book shelf for clean lines and an easy reading selection, $12

Striped socks to pair with her colorful flats and skinny legs, $8

A hungry feline friend to hold her iPod, $18

A spicy citrus foam bath to relax while she reads, $13

Cool blue retro frames to help her see how pretty she is, $29

Inspirations, excerpts and narratives on classic literature to round out her knowledge, $16

A floral tapestry suitcase, to channel Nancy Drew in her travels, $18 (image here)

I'm excited to start this new series, inspired by A Cup of Jo.  Hope you Enjoy! 

I adore

this living room, via Design Sponge

this free 2011 printable calendar, via Finding My Aloha

this junior librarian party, via on hand + modern

All I need is blue paint, card stock and a cute kid.  

Inspiration to reality is a work in progress.  

What do you adore?

Local Favorites: Used Bookstore

I will never own an electronic reader.  When engulfed in a story, I need to turn the page, hold the binding, fold down the corner. And I want the book to be all mine.  The freedom to take my time and read for understanding; or pull an all-nighter and pass the book along to a friend.