Hi friends! Happy October/fall/PSL/football season! It’s great to be here. As always, Anne Shirley had it right.
I’ve missed writing here these past two months, but the progress I’ve made on my novel in the interim has been spectacular. Pesky plot holes have been filled—thanks to some insight from my increasingly brilliant ten-year-old—and I’ll be ready to send out new queries in about a week. I’m trying to get them in before most agents go on break during the holidays 🤞🏻.
Some quick updates from my end:
My oldest niece got married last weekend! I still can’t believe the beautiful baby girl who made me an aunt at fourteen is a grown and married woman. She was a STUNNING bride and I’m so thrilled to see her married to such a wonderful man!
The kids are loving their homeschool co-op and we’ve found a gentle rhythm for ourselves on the days they’re home with me. As I write this, Theo is upstairs crafting and Lucy is in her room painting. (None with any prompting from me, I might add.)
Also, Theo has become quite the little entomologist lately; he’s fearless when it comes to any sort of bug or small creature. We’ve had to make him start wearing gloves because he was forever coming into the house holding spiders and asking, “Mom, is this vemonis?” (😆) (Only one of those so far…please note my barely-contained panic):
This house feels more like home now than our last one ever did. We are so happy here. It was the gift we didn’t know we needed. As we approach the one-year anniversary of Pierce’s job loss, I am reminded of the bountiful harvest God has brought into our lives since that day. Thank you, Jesus.
Thanks to all my new subscribers who’ve decided to follow The Nook even while I’m away for a bit. I’ll be back soon! In the meantime, here are some fabulous books I’ve been reading lately. Be well, friends!
She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, & Speaking Up by Sheila Gregoire, etc. — This one hit so hard on every.single. purity culture line I ever heard or regurgitated as a True Love Waits kiddo. Oof. Great book!
The Wordhord: Daily Life in Old English by Hana Videen — Highly readable and such a fascinating book about the early English language for the history nerds among us. I can almost read some small parts of Beowulf now. Almost.
The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth by Beth Allison Barr — This has been on my list for a long time. Let’s just say it is 🔥🔥🔥.
The Lost Story by Meg Shaffer — Get some tissues ready. A modern and (very) loose take on The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, this is a beautiful story of friendship, courage, and family. Probably one of my favorite reads this year.
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood — I loved the quirky, supernatural premise of this romance and it was such a fun read! Lots of heart and humor.
I love seasonal artwork decor 😊
You are missed! Happy Fall! 🍁