Books Archives - OutAndBack

Summertime Fun List 2017

June 21, 2017 Michael Ann Comments 24 comments

Today is the summer solstice! This day always makes me a little sad because the days will begin to get shorter, but today I shall focus on being HAPPY about summertime! I’m joining up with some other bloggers to share our bucket/fun lists for this sunny season!

I live near Savannah, Georgia, and y’all, it is HOT here! My springtime fun list featured a lot of outdoor activities, but my summertime fun list includes a lot of indoor, stay-in-the-air-conditioning-so-we-don’t-have-a-heat-stroke goals.

Here’s what I hope to do during summer 2017:

Pantry: Reorganize my pantry.
Boxes: Clear boxes out of garage.
Letters: Write one real letter each week.
New Places: Eat at two new restaurants in Savannah.
Books: Read at least five books from Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Summer Reading Guide.
Intentional Friendship IRL: Meet up with a friend at least once a month. (IRL means “in real life.”)
Intentional Friendship Virtually: Skype with a long-distance friend at least once a month.
Time for Parents: Call my parents and my in-laws once a week.

Here’s the (little) scoop on each goal.

Pantry: We’ve been in our house about two and a half years now, and it’s time to sort out my pantry. Parts of it work; parts of it just don’t.

Boxes: Did I mention we’ve been in our house about two and a half years now? Yeah. It’s time to deal with the last of the boxes. Seriously.

Letters: This was on my springtime fun list, and I wrote NOT ONE LETTER. Epic fail, dear readers. I will do better this season!

New Places: Going into downtown Savannah is a pain in the neck, but it’s such a beautiful place once we get there! I’ve said it before, but I need to just put this on the calendar so that we have a better chance of making it happen.

Books: I love to read!!! Summertime is a perfect time to grab a glass of tea and hit the sofa with a good book. Modern Mrs. Darcy’s Summer Reading Guide stoked my reading flame, and I’m ready to dig in!

Intentional Friendship IRL: Surely I’m not the only one who sees a friend at church and says, “We really MUST get together soon!” and then we don’t. I’m determined to be intentional about actually making that happen. Hopefully I can do this more than once a month, but I figure once is better than never.

Intentional Friendship Virtually: My friends live all over the world. That’s what comes from being an Air Force family! I’ve promised a friend of mine for months now that we’ll Skype “sometime.” That time is here. Technology is too good and too easy to NOT do this.

Time for parents: My parents aren’t on Facebook, and I forget that they’re not seeing all my amazing status updates about what’s going on in my life! Days (weeks?!?) go by, and I haven’t called my mom and dad just to chat. That’s unacceptable. (My mom and I text a bit, but we all know that’s not the same.) My mother-in-law IS on Facebook, but calling to chat still needs to happen! I’ve been way too lazy about this.

I’m excited about tackling my list! Do YOU have a summer fun list? What do YOU have going on? Leave a comment below and let me know!

It’s always fun to get ideas from other folks, and you can do just that by checking out my blogging friends’ lists! Click through a few (below), and I bet you’ll start or add to your own list of summertime fun goals!

Currently – May 2017

May 3, 2017 Michael Ann Comments 8 comments

Today I’m linking up with Anne and Nancy for this month’s Currently! This month we’re sharing what we’re currently baking, listening to, loving, planting, and remembering.

I am currently…

Baking: shortbread! I got a GREAT deal on some mini cookie cutters at World Market just before Easter, and I knew I just HAD to make shortbread to take to our family Easter gathering! They turned out so stinking cute! …

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What I Read – December 2016

January 3, 2017 Michael Ann Comments 1 comment

December is a perfect month for some fun, lighthearted reading, am I right? Of course, right! And what a bonus if the books are ALSO powerful, funny, well-written, and clean. I recently discovered new-to-me author Chautona Havig, and I’m just loving her stuff.

She summarizes her writing as “Christian fiction without apology or pretense — lived, not preached.” That PERFECTLY describes her books! Check out her bio and blog here.

I’ve been binge reading her Christmas stories. So far I’ve read Carol and the Belles, 31 Kisses, and Christmas Stalkings. The first of her books that I read was Corner Booth. That one’s not a Christmas story, but it’s a good one! I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of them! I posted a review of Corner Booth here.

Christmas Stalkings is one of the four novellas in Christmas Lights: A Collection of Inspiring Christmas Novellas. The other three stories in this collection are:

The Heart of Joy by Vikki Kestell. This one reminded me of a Grace Livingston Hill book; a little old fashioned but nice.
Snow Angels by Cathe Swanson. A great story that begins with a misunderstanding and good intentions.
Trip the Light Fantastic by April Hayman. What’s not to love about a clumsy FBI agent with a big heart?!?

Chautona JUST released her new book, New Year’s Revolutions, and it’s a joy to read as well. One thing I love about her books is that each book is unique. No formulaic stories for her!

I did read some non-Chautona books too! Here they are:

The Shepherd, the Angel, and Walter the Christmas Miracle Dog by Dave Barry. Oh my goodness, this one is FUNNY! I dare you to try to read it out loud to your family! I read this one every December and chortle every time.

Letters from Father Christmas by J. R. R. Tolkien. My daughter and I listened to the audiobook, and we recommend it in print! The letters are great, but the music on the audiobook bugged us.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. I read this years ago when I was growing up and didn’t like it at all. I recently decided to give it another go, listened to the audiobook, and loved it. It’s painful in some spots, but boy is it good. Sissy Spacek narrated this book and gave a great performance. Looking back, I bet the book must have shocked me when I originally read it; I think I would have appreciated it more if I had discussed it with my parents.

Do you have any reading goals for 2017? Have you ever revisited a book that just wasn’t right for you the first time you read it? Do you like Christmas books?!? Leave a comment and let me know! I love talking about books!

What I Read – November 2016

December 27, 2016 Michael Ann Comments 4 comments

Yikes! DECEMBER is almost over, so I’m quickly backtracking to talk about the books I read in NOVEMBER!

My Southern Journey: True Southern Stories from the Heart of the South by Rick Bragg. If you’re from the South, you’ll want to read this book! If you’re NOT from the South, you’ll want to read this book! …

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READ::WATCH::LISTEN::FOLLOW – December 2016

December 9, 2016 Michael Ann Comments 10 comments

With all the visual and written media flying around these days, it can be hard to decide what to choose, what might be worth a little of our precious time. Behold! The Read::Watch::Listen::Follow link up! My friend Sheila hosts this every month, and the linked posts are chock full of great recommendations. Here are mine for this month.

booth

READ: I’ve read some GREAT books over the last few weeks! I plan to post my “Books Read in November” list tomorrow, but today I want to give a shout out to Corner Booth by Chautona Havig. This is a fun story of a professor and the woman who invades his corner booth of a restaurant in order to skip the line at the door. He’s recently been convicted that he talks way too much, so he determines to LISTEN to the woman; no talking (on his part), just listening. And thus begins a sweet yet powerful story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I finished it last night, and I was a little sad when I woke up this morning because I wasn’t going to get to hang out with all my new friends from this book today. (Y’all know that feeling, right?!?)

WATCH: My pastor shared this video with our church leadership team earlier this week, and I watched it this morning. Wow. Just WOW! Francis Chan delivers a powerful challenge to all believers to “climb the mountain” ourselves to spend time with God and not be satisfied with “hanging out with Moses” and hearing from God second hand. Let’s just say I might have needed a tissue or two by the end of the message, and I’ve determined to lace up my spiritual hiking boots and start climbing.

stillalice

LISTEN: Last week I listened to the audiobook Still Alice, written and narrated by Lisa Genova. This book is inspiring, heart breaking, and very well written. It’s a novel that reads like a memoir and tells the story of a 50-year-old, wife/mother, Harvard professor who is diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. I don’t want to say much more than that, but the construction of the book–how she tells the story–is amazing. If someone close to you is dealing with this disease, this may not be the book for you right now. And then again, maybe it is. Note: This isn’t the most dynamic audiobook I’ve ever listened to, but I don’t think it’s meant to be. Since the author is also the narrator, she can read it just the way she wrote it. It’s a straightforward book with a straightforward narration. The genius is that a story written without excess, hyped-up drama is so very dramatic and powerful.

koa

FOLLOW: I started following Kampgrounds of America (KOA) on Instagram, and now I want to go camping every single day! I’m a KOA girl. I grew up camping at KOAs, and Gene and I have been known to plan trips around KOA locations! The photos are fun, and they definitely inspire me to plan another trip SOON! (I’m on Instagram as outandback.live if you’d like to follow my adventures there as well as here.)

What are YOU reading, watching, listening to, and following? Link up at Making the Most of Every Day and/or leave some comments for me! This is always a fun discussion. I enjoy your recommendations.

Currently – December 2016

December 2, 2016 Michael Ann Comments 13 comments

Hooray for a new Currently link up! Here’s what I’m currently up to!

Doing: Visiting new friends in beautiful Thomasville, Georgia! I met some ladies at the #READSavannah event back in September, and two of them live in Thomasville. I had been here once before and discovered a delightful downtown area with loads of unique shops and some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. (I’m looking at you, Jonah’s Fish and Grits!) I’m here now to invest in these fledgling friendships and to eat more great food! What a joy it’s been! I’ve truly enjoyed getting to know Julie and Mary Jane better.

BONUS: I was also able to meet up with Susie, a “virtual” friend of mine I met on the GYPO Style Challenges. It was our first time to meet in real life! Talk about a blessing! Oh my! So this friendship, too, has taken great leaps forward this weekend. I thank God for prompting me to come and spend time with these ladies!

Susie and me in The Book Shelf! I love this book store! It's owned and run by Susie's daughter, Annie. — Susie and me in The Book Shelf! I love this book store! It’s owned and run by Susie’s daughter, Annie. (Yes, I’m wearing LuLaRoe leggings again!)

Enjoying: Eating my way through Thomasville! I had lunch yesterday at Savannah Moon Bakery & Cafe; monster grilled cheese and tomato bisque! Dinner last night was at Jonah’s. The hush puppies were JUST as amazing as I remembered! I nearly wept over them the first time I had them. For real. Last night I chose (along with hush puppies) grilled mahi and grits with tasso gravy and a side of collard greens. Y’all! I was one happy Michael Ann! This morning I’m blogging from Grassroots Coffee, and in a minute I’m meeting Mary Jane at the Q Cafe for breakfast. Lunch plans are to be determined. I’m not ruling out a return trip to Jonah’s!

Cooking: I tried a new pressure cooker recipe for Chicken Cacciatore last week, and it was a hit! I used this recipe as a starting point and added a couple of cloves of garlic, a tablespoon or so of capers, and about 1/4 cup (maybe less) white wine. I used chicken thighs and cooked the whole thing for 15 minutes as the recipe said, then served it over brown rice (cooked in my second pressure cooker).

Wrapping: I’d love to say I’m wrapping up my Christmas shopping, but I’m just getting started! Thomasville offers some amazing shopping! Did I mention that already?

Firefly is one of my favorite shops in Thomasville. ONE of them!

Playing: Christmas music. Lots of it! Jordan Smith’s album is still a frequent flier, and I just located my Christmas in Velvet album. That was my favorite album when I was growing up (back when it really was a physical LP album!), and I still love it.

Link-up: Be sure to click over to Anne and Kellie to see what they (and a lot of other fun folks) are CURRENTLY up to!

So, what are YOU currently doing, enjoying, cooking, wrapping, and playing?!? DO tell in the comment section below!

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READ::WATCH::LISTEN::FOLLOW – November

November 11, 2016 Michael Ann Comments 6 comments

It’s time for a fun link up with Sheila at Making the Most of Every Day to share what we’re reading, watching, listening to, and following!

pettigrew

READ: Right now I’m reading Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand. Well, I’m listening to the audio book, so I’m going to count that as reading. It’s a great book! It tells the story of ever-so-British Major (Retired) Ernest Pettigrew and his budding friendship with Mrs. Ali, a Pakistani woman who runs a shop in their village. Major Pettigrew makes me laugh because he is so careful in everything he does. One MUST follow the rules. Mustn’t offend. Must honor the old ways of doing things. Right? …

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What I Read in October 2016

November 7, 2016 Michael Ann Comments 1 comment

I can’t believe how FEW books I read last month! October was just nuts. It started with a FANTASTIC friends reunion and then moved immediately to Hurricane Matthew. Life froze for a week or two as we anticipated, rode out, and then recovered from that. THEN the catch-up frenzy began. Add a Write 31 Days blogging challenge into the mix, and let’s just say that I did not read my usual number of books in October, and the books I did read looked a lot different from my usual genres! Here’s a summary of what I read!

Secrets of a Charmed Life by Susan Meissner. I met Susan at Read Savannah, a special reader/author event, in September. She intrigued me immediately when she shared that part of this story involves a mom struggling to decide whether to send her kids out of World War II London to live with strangers in the hope of keeping them safe. I first heard about the evacuation of children at an exhibit at the Imperial War Museum in London, and it broke my heart! (Can you image having to make that kind of decision?!?) This story actually begins years after World War II, but the bulk of the story plays out in the midst of the war.

Special Note: Susan wrote THE best hook I’ve ever read! I nearly came out of my chair (and may have yelled WHAT?!?), and the very same thing happened when my daughter read it. (I got QUITE the text from her!) Start reading the book. You’ll know when you get there! (I’ll hear you yelling WHAT?!?)

Secrets of a Charmed Life sits squarely in my wheelhouse of preferred book genres. I love historical fiction, mysteries, police procedurals, and some thrillers, but after Hurricane Matthew I found myself craving gentler stories. I remembered a review my friend Karla shared recently, and I quickly turned in that direction.

The Grace Livingstone Hill Collection by Grace Livingston Hill. This is a collection of 16 books, and I’ve read 3 of them so far. Grace Livingston Hill wrote her books in the early 1900s, so she employs a beautiful, older style of writing and language. These stories are gentle and inspirational while still being exciting and suspenseful. Just what my storm-weary heart needed!

The Enchanted Barn is the story of family is desperate need who makes a barn into a home, and gets blessed in some pretty special ways.

Exit Betty is the story of a wealthy, runaway bride who is forced to take refuge with a not-wealthy family she doesn’t know.

Marcia Schuyler brings a whole new level of “taking one for the team!” She marries a man after her no-account sister jilts him at the altar.

Did YOU read any great books in October? Please share your recommendations in the comments! I’m always looking for more books to read!