Before I begin this weekend's recommendations, I want to ask you this question: Do you have a special reading spot, a cozy corner of your home where you can get away from all of the chatter and bustle of this world and enter a new world within the covers of a book? If not, I encourage you to create one. On these ultra-chilly days when the thermometer is dropping to alarming lows, there's something so comforting and inviting about a comfy chair nestled in a corner, with a proper reading light, a place to put up your feet, a velvety throw, and a little table for a hot drink. We have a few of these reading nooks (see Joyful Reads Vol. 10, below), and almost nothing makes me happier than discovering one of my children cuddled up under a thick blanket and dreamily lost in the pages of a book. Often, you can find me in one of those corners as well. And now, some good reads for those nooks:
- My new blogging friend, Maureen, set off on a life-changing trip to the Andes. I loved reading about the (literal) highs and lows of her trip, but especially that she "caught a glimpse of what is possible."
- This post from Brandon Breen at Ensia resonated with me because I think we "greenies" often get it wrong in our approach to those who are "less green": Would you invite an environmentalist to your party?
- Pure coziness, courtesy of one of my favorite bloggers: Thankful.
- For the past two years, I've been trying to raise three dwarf citrus trees (lemon, lime, and mandarin orange), moving them indoors in winter. After delivering a few limes, one tree has kicked the bucket and I'm afraid the other two are close behind, so this article from Living Green Magazine about easy houseplants arrived just in time. I agree with their endorsement of peace lilies--we've had two of them thriving for over a decade and they are, by far, the easiest houseplants ever!
- Lastly, I want to recommend a book for these dark days of winter when you might like something particularly cozy, light, and amusing. Although it's supposedly for children, anyone who is a fan of the classic novel The Wind in the Willows will love it. It's "very British" and the illustrations are wonderful. I've read all of the sequels to the original novel, but this one is my favorite: Return to the Willows.
Wishing you warmth!
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