So here's what's keeping me busy while I hibernate. ;)
1) Sara Groves "Abide With Me"
I got this for Christmas and it's so beautiful. Dan and I had a chance to see her in concert right before Christmas in an old church she and her husband have converted into a concert space called Art House North. And this album was actually recorded there! It's full of old hymns that she has redone, sometimes to new melody altogether. So lovely.
2) Aldi's Seeded Rolled Tortilla Chips
I grabbed these on a whim at Aldi a couple of weeks ago. As it turns out, they're only around for a limited time, so I've stocked up. They are perfect for dipping in hummus or, well, just about anything. Super tasty!
3) Sharpie pens
I love a good pen. You can spend a small fortune on a decent pen, which is why I love Sharpie pens. They're cheap and awesome, and I just got a brand new pack with all of these colors. Happy writing. :)
4) Koselig candle
Dan and I had a day date about a month ago and after lunch we ended up doing some browsing in the shops in the North Loop in Minneapolis. We happened into Askov Finlayson, where everything costs over $100 (or so it seemed) and we found this candle. Koselig is the Norwegian word for cozy, similar to the Danish concept of Hygge. And this candle smells so amazing. They had a couple of scents in the store (and have a handful more online), but this lavender spruce is perfect.
5) Books
Too many for long reviews, but here are some of my favorites lately. :)
Brene Brown's "Braving the Wilderness" is one of her best books yet. She's the queen of vulnerability research and I really loved her thoughts on belonging.
Katie Davis Majors' "Daring to Hope" is a beautiful follow-up to her book "Kisses from Katie." Katie lives in Africa and has adopted 13 young girls there. Her stories are both heartbreaking and inspiring.
"Heating and Cooling" by Beth Ann Fennelly was a random recommendation on someone's Instagram story a couple months ago. It's a quick read full of essays that are hilarious and thought-provoking.
"The Nesting Place" by Myquillyn Smith is best described by the book's subtitle: "It doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful." She has great ideas for making your home feel welcoming and comfortable.
And a few books for the younger crowd.....or those who enjoy a little YALit. ;)
"Out of My Mind" by Sharon Draper is about a girl with cerebral palsy who is learning how to communicate without being able to speak, and navigating school and friends in the process.
Julie Buxbaum's "Tell Me Three Things" was a cute, quick read about a teenager who moves from Chicago to California and has to assimilate to a brand new school and culture in the wake of her mother's death.
John Green's "Turtles All the Way Down" comes on the heels of his popular "The Fault in Our Stars" and "Paper Towns." This is another fascinating storyline with interesting characters and I'd love to see it as a movie. :)
Happy winter, friends! Hope you're all surviving well. ;)
