March was a month busy with house hunting and homeschool planning. I chose the picture above because we saw snowdrops by the library entrance last week. Come on, Spring!

Read

I have plenty of book recommendations this month. Let’s start with nonfiction.

At the beginning of March I devoured Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport and decided to follow his initial advice of doing a “digital declutter” for 30 days or so. I took a break from texting, Googling things on my phone, updating Goodreads, and other nonessential uses of technology. This clarified for me that I am happier without my phone beside me all the time, alerting me to new emails and providing a distraction when I should be focusing on other parts of life. The second half of Newport’s books offers case studies and practical suggestions for using technology to serve your life and your greatest values. I think everyone should read this book.

I won 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do in a giveaway a year or two and finally got around to reading it. I found the whole thing interesting to read and some chapters pinpointed areas I need to work on, especially not taking shortcuts that have negative repercussions in the long run.

I’m a big fan of Gretchen Rubin so I was excited to be first on the library wait list for her latest book, Outer Order Inner Calm. My assessment is that it isn’t ground-breaking but a nice little book of practical tips.

As we get closer to buying a house I get more and more excited about decorating and organizing. Enter hCozy Minimalist Home by Myquillyn Smith. The author has a reasonable philosophy of home decorating and a specific order to guide you on your way.

I also read two memoirs that I think would provoke stimulating discussions: Inheritance by Dani Shapiro and Educated by Tara Westover (physical abuse in the latter is difficult to read but I couldn’t put the book down).

If you’re craving a classic (twentieth century) children’s book, pick up something by Beverly Cleary. I just read Ramona and Her Father and it’s as good as ever.

When looking for more novels for my daughter to read I checked out some recent (twenty-first century) middle-grade fiction from the library and read a couple myself. I enjoyed both The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs (old-timey feel with stories embedded) and wishtree (contemporary story of accepting others told from a tree’s perspective).

We read two classic readalouds this month: The Hobbit (1937) and Rascal (1963). Both highly recommended, of course!

I recently had my first exposure to the enormous Redwall series by Brian Jacques with the audiobook of the first book in the series, read by the author and a cast of actors. We’ve been listening to it almost any time we get in the car and I’m loving all the different characters. (Surprisingly graphic descriptions of death, even if they are evil rats!)

I’ll finish off my book recommendations with a list of picture books we particularly enjoyed: The World Jesus Knew, I’ll Wait, Mr. Panda, Shake the Tree, Who Eats Orange?, and Out and About (Shirley Hughes remains one of my favourite picture book authors).

Play

Andrew discovered a new game at the library, Cacao. I found it easy to learn yet interesting to play. We’ll have to try with four players sometime.

Listen

I’ve been immersing myself in Charlotte Mason’s education philosophy lately, so when I discovered a CM podcast called A Delectable Education I immediately began bingeing on it while cleaning the house. It’s nice to hear three knowledgeable women explain the foundations of the philosophy, give practical advice, and answer listener questions.

Watch

Andrew and I have been watching The Great British Baking Show on Saturday nights. It’s great fun to cheer on the bakers through three challenges (a signature bake, a technical bake, and a showstopper bake) on the same theme, such as bread or pies. Since watching food shows always makes me hungry, I’ve also been inspired to try new recipes and experiments (see below).

Eat

Some of this month’s baking included pizza bagel buns, cookies and cream brownies, bacon and broccoli quiche, and French coconut pie. What should I try next?

I can’t neglect to mention that for a family birthday this month we made a unicorn cake out of cupcakes. I was hoping it would turn out better but the birthday girl was over the moon, so I call that a success.

Meditate

Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
    and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
    but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
   and repent in dust and ashes.” – Job 42:1-6

Care to share any of your March favourites?