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Plain and Simple

August 7th, 2009

I have been reading the book Plain and Simple: A Woman’s Journey to the Amish. So even though I am only about half way through, I wanted to share a few of the bits of wisdom from the book.

It is about a woman, Sue Bender, who has spent her life in the frantic pursuit of success, but who is inexplicably drawn to the Amish.

One Summer, she decided to live with an Amish family, to observe and learn their ways.

Here are a few excerpts from the book:

She described the process of the women canning vegetables… No one rushed. Every step was done with care. The women moved through the day unhurried. There was no rushing to finish so they could get on to the “important things.” For them, it was all important.

Everything was a ritual. Doing the dishes, mowing the lawn, baking the bread, quilting, canning, hanging out the laundry, picking fresh produce, weeding. Friday: housecleaning; Saturday: mowing the lawn; Monday: washing.

I have been thinking a lot about my days and how to make them simpler, less busy and less harried. I also love the idea of routine…. which is definitely not my strength.

It’s high time I get more of a routine: Mondays: ironing; Tuesdays: dusting and mopping; Wednesdays: bathrooms… and so on.

I think it would help me feel less like there is always too much to do and too little time.

I love the idea of deliberation and of being unhurried… of making each task important and of doing my best at each task. I think one of the keys to happiness is to enjoy the everyday things you have to do. And there is no enjoying anything when you are rushed.

This book has given me a lot to think about.

Sometime I would love to share my mother Leslie’s experience with the Amish… it’s quite a story.

Posted in read it, think about it | Tags: amish, make it do, plain and simple |

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Read me a Story Daddy

June 17th, 2009

With Father’s Day coming up, I asked the kids what they loved best about their Dad. Without hesitation Ben said, “I love when Daddy reads to me.”

Every night since Ben was a baby, Drew has read him a story. In Kindergarten, they started reading “chapter books.”

It’s something both of them look forward to each night. Over the last eight years, they have read an astonishing number of wonderful books together. Here are some of their favorites by age…

Age 1

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann
Dinosaur Roar (Picture Puffins) by Paul and Henrietta Stickland
Jesse Bear, What Will You Wear? by Nancy White Carlstrom and Bruce Degen

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Age 2

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

Age 3

Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner
How I Became a Pirate by Melinda Long and David Shannon
“Stand Back,” Said the Elephant, “I’m Going to Sneeze!” by Patricia Thomas and Wallace Tripp

Age 4

The Snail and the Whale by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler
The Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler (Yes I know all three books are from Julia Donaldson… we got on a kick that year… and we still love her books)

Age 5

Story of Little Black Sambo by Helen Bannerman and Christopher Bing (My husband and I were shocked to discover that one of our favorite children’s books when we were kids was now considered controversial and racist! Then we found this wonderful illustrated version from Christopher Bing. He gives an interesting explaination of the controversy at the back of the book. I don’t think anyone could find fault with this version…)
Knots on a Counting Rope by John Archambault, Ted Rand, and Bill Martin Jr.
Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Ted Rand

Age 6