200g ginger

1-2 apples, 2-3tbsps honey for taste

2.5c water

Juice of 6-7 lemons

Turmeric & curcumin (to taste or 2 tbsps each)

Blend, strain with a muslin cloth and pour!

Robert Walton is a young explorer, setting out for the North Pole. He is writing a series of letters to his sister, in which he recounts that he and his crew saw The Monster (appearing to be a large man) trekking across the ice. He then rescues Victor Frankenstein from near death and brings him aboard the ship. Upon hearing Walton’s ambitions, Frankenstein becomes emotional and decides to tell Walton his story, so Walton can avoid the same fate as Frankenstein.

*Fun Fact: Frankenstein is not the Monster, Victor Frankenstein is the name of the doctor who created the Monster.

Frankenstein was written in 1818 (just after the American Revolution, which is wild to think about) by Mary Shelley. As you can guess, anyone who could write something like Frankenstein was a deeply troubled soul. Let’s start with Shelley’s parents, Mary Wollstonecraft and William Godwin. Wollstonecraft has often been crowned as the first feminist *yikes* and William Godwin was equally as radical, being a huge proponent of moral and sexual revolution. Wollstonecraft died eleven days after the birth of Mary and Mary was left to her father and two half sisters.

You’ll recall Godwin was a radical and was, therefore, used to having passionate young men dote after and study under him. But one (married) man took a special interest in Godwin’s work, becoming a patron and eventually leaving his pregnant wife to move in with Godwin’s family. This man was Percy Bysshe Shelley and as you may have guessed from the surname, he eventually became romantically involved with Mary. Mary and her younger sister, Claire, left home with Shelley, causing their father’s turmoil and Shelley’s wife to commit suicide. Rather ironic that Godwin was upset by his daughter’s… sexual and moral behavior. Hm. Just goes to show, we are all catechizing our children.

In 1816, Mary birthed a daughter who died days later. Claire, Mary, and Percy joined poet Lord Byron and it was during their time together that Mary wrote Frankenstein. It was also during this time that Mary’s other sister, Fanny, committed suicide. In 1818 Frankenstein was published, anonymously.

Over the next few years, Mary and Percy lost two more children and Mary was widowed at 24 when Percy died at sea. Mary wrote three other books which were not published until after her death (brain cancer) at the age of 53.

So, as we can see, Mary had a sunny life and was all around a solid lady. *Sarcasm*

This week let’s try to make it through the introduction, preface, and Letters 1-4. If that’s too much, we’ll slow down for next week. I have the Canon Classics version of this book so I’ll be dropping great questions and insights from the author of the Worldview Guide, Jake McAtee. The above information on Mary’s life was also gathered from the Worldview Guide.

Edith Schaeffer was born in 1914 to missionary parents in China. She met her husband, Francis, at Beaver College in Pennsylvania and they married in 1935. After Francis attended Westminster Theological Seminary, the couple were sent to Switzerland as missionaries in 1948. In 1955 they left their mission organization and opened their home as a place to share the gospel and love people. They named it L’Abri, meaning “shelter”. Edith wrote and co-wrote twenty books throughout her life. Edith went to be with the Lord in 2013 at the age of 98.

“She taught me about the beauty of home and family. She modeled the wonderful and powerful virtues of Christian hospitality.” -Tim Challie’s’ mother who visited L’Abri with her husband soon after their conversion.

This info was found on Tim Challies’ website.

Also, “Into the mouth of the wolf” “May the wolf die” gave me chills.

We’re starting The Sinking City today 😆 Chapters 1-4

Christine Cohen is a Christian author living in Moscow, ID with her husband and three kids. She is the director of the MFA program at New Saint Andrews College. She posts great book recommendations on Instagram and also funny memes 😆 Christine also has a book, The Winter King, that is a great read.

From the moment I started reading, I felt uncomfortable. The whole story just had a dark shadow to it. Our next short story is by PG Wodehouse and I have higher hopes for a more cheery disposition from him 😆

I think she did have good intentions. Seemed she wanted to help Harry from the beginning of the story and felt sorry for his lot in life.

Mr. Paradise!! What on earth. I thought he was coming to help the boy! I guess not. One commentary I read was that he was embodiment of a paradise afterlife. That Harry was leaving his current life situation and was going on to eternal paradise. Hence his seeing his face along as he floated along? Who knows. So odd.

As far as him taking the preacher’s words about the river literally. I think Harry’s life was so bleak he probably was hopefully to be able to reach any physical kingdom more hopeful than his own.

Here are a few questions for discussion after you read:

After reading the first couple of sentences, what is your original gut feeling about this story?

Do you think Mrs. Connin really wanted to help Harry or was she just swept up in the sensationalism of the river preaching?

Do you think Mr. Paradise had good intentions when he followed Harry to the river? Does Mr. Paradise represent a deeper meaning in the story or was he simply another odd character?

What did you think of Harry’s naivety in taking the preacher’s words so literally?

I’ll get a short bio up and some thoughts/questions for discussion!

Also the strange notion that so many young people think that if you marry young you are doomed to misery with no traveling. So sad that the advice being given delays these young adults to truly start living.

I’ve been wanting to continue on with the other books, plus I want Mya to read Little Women eventually and these copies are a bit more bite size and not so overwhelming-so a win all around! 💕

Also the end of page 41 on college and marriage. 💯! Derrick and I dated SIX years from my junior year in high school to me graduating college. We so wish we would have gotten married sooner looking back on it now. But like most parents, even Chrisitan parents, the goal to finish college and have a good job was always in our ear. God’s grace is sufficient though on all accounts and we’re thankful we feel better prepared to help guide our kids if and when that time comes for them. 🩶

“Our goal as parents must not be limited by our own vision. I am a finite, sinful, selfish man. Why would I want to plan out my child’s future when I can trust them to the infinite, omnipotent, immutable, sovereign Lord of the universe?” 🙌

I love when Marmee is giving Meg advice on how to balance being mom and wife and she says “For you are the sunshine-maker of the family, and if you get dismal there is no fair weather”. Now I need a shirt that says “Sunshine Maker” 😂😍

“ on the contrary, my wife and I are fanatics about our children’s education. However education is not our primary goal. It’s for them to walk with the Lord.”

I’ve been thinking about this lately! We are very serious about our kids education. But there are lots of things that are more important than that. Walk with Christ, family well being, community of believers. I like that he brought up this point.

Also so true the anti family culture in some Christian circles. Like mission work is glorious, family life or children are not. Tell that to Amy Carmichael, Gladys Alward…lol

I also liked how the chapter ended with a reminder that the stakes are high and the time is short. Can’t wait for chapter 2!

1. “It is as though Christian parents in America have been lulled to sleep while the thief has come to steal, kill, and destroy our children right under our noses.”

2. “Discipleship and multi-generational faithfulness begins and ends at home.”

3. “My family is the primary place where my walk with Christ takes on flesh… It’s my relationship with them that gives my walk with Christ legitimacy.

Voddie Baucham was born in America in 1969 and raised in a non-Christian, single parent home. He did not hear the gospel until he was a college student but has since gone on to earn an M. Div. and D. Min. In 1989 he married his wife Bridget and together they have nine children and three grandchildren. Mr. Baucham is now Dean of the School of Divinity at African Christian University in Lusaka, Zambia. (All of this info was found on his website.)

My favorite character is probably Laurie. He seems fun and treats all the March girls so nicely other than his pranks haha. I’m enjoying him getting to know Amy more.

Least favorite is probably Jo. She frustrates me. I just get a feminist vibe from her and can’t stand it.

On a different note, although Meg isn’t my favorite character I love her want to be such a cheerful wife for her husband and loves serving her home. I know in these later chapters there are issues but she still is always working and willing to be better for her home and husband.

My least favorite was Jo as well. She does everything that I would probably advise her not to do. I felt myself kinda annoyed every time she talked 😂

Anyone else feel chapter 38 when Marmee was talking with Meg?! oh my!! To my younger selfs heart. I felt it lol! Even more reason for me to enjoy her character. She leaves Meg saying, “If you think it seems good.” (Not saying I am right my dear do what I say) Such a sweet mother.

Tell us:

Who is your favorite character? Why?

Who is your least favorite character? Why?

My favorite character is Laurie. He’s such a fun loving boy who is learning to become a man. I love the way that he fits in so perfectly to the March family, he calls Marmee mother, he is so protective and loving of the March ladies. He truly jumps at the chance to care for them. Even though he can be a rascal, he always makes it right.

My least favorite character is probably Jo 🙈 I know that’s controversial but I stand by it. She does a lot of good for her family and I can acknowledge that but for some reason she has always gotten on my nerves, even in the movies. I think because she’s always bucking against her femininity and for reasons that I won’t spoil that come later.

“Many wise and true sermons are preached us every day by unconscious ministers in street, school, office, or home…Amy’s conscience preached her a little sermon from that text, then and there; and she did what many of us do not always do-took the sermon to heart, and straightway put it in practice.”

This jumped out at me. How easy it can be to miss what God is teaching through our everyday lives! And how hard it can often be to take lessons to heart and put them into practice without grumbling.

“For the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them.”

Also I ended up watching the 90s Little Women movie last night. Although I know how the book is going to end now I did enjoy it! Lol

Each scene in the book is so cozy and lovely, I can just imagine myself there. My favorite setting has been the “Busy Bee Society”. Each of the girls has their work and Jo is reading aloud under a beautiful tree at the edge of the river. A turtle wanders up out of the river, the sun is shining, and a breeze is blowing. Just enchanting.

How interesting was the picnic? Beth being brave a warming up to the injured boy. Jo about to dook it out with his rude twin brother. Lawrence trying to hook up his tutor with Kate and turns out he only has eyes for Meg 😆.

I too got a kick out of the summer experiment Marmee allowed and how she ended it on the last day! All play and no work is just as bad as all work and no play.

As it progresses I am realizing how much more this story means to me as an adult and a mother. I guarantee I didn’t notice or appreciate Marmee’s love and guidance nearly as much as a child, and wouldn’t have realized she was such an example to look up to. 💕

“Make this home happy, so that you may be fit for homes of your own… ” She goes on to tell them its ok to hope for it and prepare for it so when the happy time comes, they feel ready for the duties and worthy of the joy.

Thinking of our daughters one day leaving to start their own families and homes is bitter sweet. I love this reminder for us moms though to help prepare our little girls for that time. We want them to be content with what God gives them and succeed in this beautiful role God calls them to. I definitely didn’t feel prepared when I got married and I hope to train Emma up in a way to love and care well for her own home and the people in it one day. 🤍

And the sweetness of father having a little signal with Marmee when he knew she was about to lose her temper. The devotion he showed in being willing to know her, watch her, and help her so diligently and without harshness.

I have absolutely loved this book. I love the sweet friendship and balance among the sisters, the love they have for Marmee, the sweet friendship developing between Laurie and the March family, just everything. I have found myself lost in the story line and love Alcott’s engaging, and simple way of writing. It’s easy to follow, but still pulls you in. I loved when the girls were all sitting around and telling stories of their day, then Marmee turned their discontented situations into lessons through a story for them. I love that approach she took to teaching her girls lessons. I also cried like a blubbering fool when Mr. Laurence gave Beth the little piano that belonged to his granddaughter. The beauty of Beth going to thank him and just curling up in his lap, and how they each comforted different sorrows for each other, him losing his granddaughter and her missing her father (and probably late grandfather as well), just beautiful. Every chapter holds new charm and I love it.

This book is SUCH an encouraging story full of good lessons. I’m excited we are beginning it!

Louisa May Alcott

Louisa was born in 1832, died in 1888, and lived in New England her whole life.

Her parents were transcendentalists, believing that humans are, at their core, good and self-reliant. They believed society could corrupt people but overall, people are good. Her father helped begin a “utopian community” called Fruitlands, that failed. Louisa’s father did not provide well for his family and so she started working and writing to help care for her mother and four siblings. She never married and was always loyal to her family, caring for them and providing for them, despite her own poor health.

Little Women is her most famous book, along with its sequels but she also published a number of other poems, books, and short stories throughout her life.

Remember she had her childhood book on our bookshelf! I hope I can locate that old copy too.

*I will link below the PG Wodehouse and Flannery O’Connor books we will use*

Christmas is not my favorite time of the year, nor my favorite holiday. I have a cute household decoration that says, “Bah, humbug!” that I put up every Christmas as a funny reminder to my family that this season is just not my season, but after reading this book, I am reconsidering it…

Over all, a great little read. Short, sweet, and to the point 😊

The parts about learning to be content in receiving really got me thinking. I am a natural gift giver but am not great at receiving without feeling inner guilt or like I’m undeserving. I spent some time thinking through what the author said, and in my case it truly doesn’t stem from pride but from a fierce case of self-reliance due to many factors of my upbringing. So it really challenged me to be more open to receiving blessings and asking for help when I need it!

As a former public school teacher, I do not care for public education. However, I don’t have the solution to this problem. I’m also behind in my reading, but I’m looking forward to catching up a bit today and seeing what Uncle Douglas has to say.

I love that Jenna (whoever you are!! 🙂 ) is on a school board to open a Christian school, even though she may not send her children. This reminds me of the importance of being involved in our communities, even when our children may not be directly impacted. It has only been in recent years that I understand why people are on organizations, such as a local public school board, when their children no longer attend. It’s because what happens in that school matters to the community. I’m grateful that people are involved with these types of organizations even if their children are not directly impacted.

crush a few cloves of garlic, mix in coconut oil until smooth and rub on.

I also tend to grumble about the amount of toys my kids receive at Christmas. We have three kids and two of them have December birthdays (19th and 25th), so the gifts pile up very quickly in December. I can become ungrateful, thinking that people just don’t care how many junky toys I have to pick up off the floor every day. But this book has convicted me of my ungratefulness and being a bad receiver.

I really loved how he talks about the relationship and the need between giving and receiving! It has helped me look at everything in a bigger picture than just Christmas gift giving. I also liked the separation of the three types of giving!

Overall, great book and I enjoyed it a lot! Bring on Christmas gift giving and my favorite holiday season! I can’t wait to give and receive joyfully!

When he talks about the difference between joy and misery at Christmas in regards to the heart of our giving to others, it reminded me of when I was little. Present opening was slow and peaceful. We didn’t tear through the presents. We distributed the gifts to everyone until each person had a little pile. Then we took turns opening one present each. I remember that even on leaner years, when my parents didn’t get each other gifts, they were so happy just to watch us be excited about our carefully chosen gifts. As a parent now, I can look back at those memories and understand that seeing their children joyful and excited about each present, big or small, was truly the best gift for them.

I loved when he said “true receivers are being equipped to give. You are filled in the meal of communion, and then sent out into the world in order to overflow.” Last year, God blessed us by friends in a time of need. This year, he enabled us to love on others in similar ways. Love this picture of giving and receiving in the area of communion too.

Also loved the illustration with a dad giving his son a dollar to buy him a present with. All of what we have is on loan God and he has been unbelievably generous with us. May we in turn be generous with all of His that’s entrusted to us.

I also loved the portion where he talked about those that give being a shrewd farmer. That giving is fertile soil. Just because the prosperity gospel folk have misused scripture doesn’t mean that we should why away from the promises of scripture when we give generously.

I could say so much about this book but one more line that I thought was helpful was that burnout is a function of a bad input to output ratio. When we try to strive and give and do with our own fleshly willpower we will always burn out, but when we trust the lord to supply all that we need we are empowered.

This also reminds me of how so many people function nowadays due to our luxury. What I mean by luxury is that we have running water, heated or cooled to our preference. Our homes are climate-controlled. We have refrigerators with food, and grocery stores have TONS of food options. We have personal vehicles to get us around. With no legitimate struggle for survival (mind you, I know we all have difficulties to get through, but nothing like day-to-day survival), our culture moves into a self-focused state in which we have to search for things to overcome…hence all the groups and causes that people are involved in.

As for the setting, the author does a good job of contrasting the faded yellow wallpaper with the fresh greenery of outside. This shows us how stagnate it was in the bedroom. I think we can also see that the woman wanted to get out of the room, and with the bars and the nailed-down bed, the room truly did feel like a jail.

I am torn between this house being a 3-month rest versus a mental home. If this was truly a place for her to rest and recover, the room in which she stayed encouraged her mental deterioration. She was doing the opposite of what she should have been doing (getting outside, CARING FOR HER CHILD, helping with household tasks). Instead, she was left to embrace her vivid imagination, which her husband had chastised her about having. I could see this being a mental home that caused more problems than good. In either case, the woman’s mental illness progressed with the time spent in that room.

I was a bit surprised that she didn’t try to hang herself. I gasped when she revealed that she had a rope for tying up the wallpaper woman. I wonder if her husband fainted because she had the rope around her neck and there was evidence that she had attempted suicide.

I didn’t think at the beginning the husband was neglecting or not accommodating her but as the read goes on he belittles her a little bit. Saying “as your physician” or “I am the doctor”. I think a lot of her decline was the late of support from him or him listening to her. She was afraid to inconvenience him with her condition and scared to talk to him about it. I couldn’t imagine having a husband that didn’t take what I said into account.

I will never understand mental illness because I personally have not struggled with it but I have a very close friend who does and she always says having her husband and her close friends to talk to about it really helps get it out of her head. She always says things to me and then pauses and goes “man that sounds crazy” but I always have to help her along the road of the thought and why she is having it. So with that being said, being alone in your own thoughts and not having support has to be so exhausting for her mind, especially with a mental illness. There are several mornings a week my friend calls or just wants to come over because she needs to get the thought out of her head. It was probably good she starting writing because that can be a form of that but she was even scared to be writing.

I don’t think I can quite talk about all things wallpaper yet haha I am still trying to sort all that out. The ending for me was hard to follow so I am going to read that again today. What did you think about the ending? Why did he faint? What exactly did the scene look like when he walked in for him to have that response?

I hate that though that relationship’s were so one-sided. It’s as if he married someone and didn’t actually know her. She had so much more to give. I understand why it’s considered a “feminist” book- but why is it that you can’t be both? An intelligent domestic woman- I do think the husband loved her but I don’t think he actually knew her. He doesn’t actually listen to her, he doesn’t spend any time with her- she was just expected to keep up a good reputation as the physician’s housewife. I don’t think it’s suspicious that he acted that way because back then if you had something to be embarrassed about you swept it under the rug. Others might have thought it suspicious but it would have been so wrong to confront it. I’m so grateful to be married to my best friend. Im not always right but thank goodness I can talk to him about anything, discuss sensitive topics and work out challenging concepts etc.

… so how she ended it… what do you think about that? Can’t trap me back in the wallpaper … dun dun dun

• This short story was published in 1892

• Pay close attention to descriptions and details of the setting

• Character development (how are the main character’s actions, thoughts, etc. changing as the story goes on)

• It’s ok for us to admit that in the past, we may not have known how to best handle mental health, without being woke feminists 😆

Looking forward to The Yellow Wallpaper!

Sunday we will start reading Yellow Wallpaper! I can’t wait for the discussion on this one. Here is the link to read it for free, or if you have any sort of American lit anthology or text book, it’s most likely in there 😊https://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdfhttps://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/theliteratureofprescription/exhibitionAssets/digitalDocs/The-Yellow-Wall-Paper.pdf

Elderberry

Xlear nasal spray

Breathe Easy (Earthley)

This week, let’s read chapters 5 & 6.

Next week will be 7 & 8.

The week of the 18th we’ll finish up with chapters 9 & 10.

Keep us updated on all your thoughts and favorites parts 😉

… “A perfect house, whether you like food or sleep or story telling or singing or just sitting and thinking best, or a mixture of them all. Merely to be there was a cure for weariness, fear, and sadness “

Really enjoying the adventure story. It’s refreshing to see men and friends devoted to one another, genuinely caring for each other, and knowing there are no underlying, hidden, same-sex attractions going on. This book reminds us of the value that comes from real friendship. What a terrific story for our teenagers to read, instead of the garbage promoted in the young adult literature genre. Now how to get this book promoted instead of the other books…

What about you Jacy?

I’m very grateful for knowing that Tolkien likes to keep some things a mystery. I like to KNOW all the background stuff that goes into characters and names and settings and scenarios. It bugs me that there isn’t any other answer to Bombadil and Goldberry besides the fact that they were meant to be mysterious. I do like the leprechaun possibility!

The moment Merry, Pippen, and Sam all let Frodo know they know and that by golly they are coming with him. Ah sweet relief and friendship and loyalty!Chapter 5
The moment Merry, Pippen, and Sam all let Frodo know they know and that by golly they are coming with him. Ah sweet relief and friendship and loyalty!

Sorry I have been MIA this past week, we were out of town. I over assigned last week so let’s take it slow and read chapter 8 this week. That will will give us all a chance to catch up, as I know most of us are starting our school year tomorrow!

Happy reading 😊

I don’t know if it’s technically non-toxic, but my favorite glass and window cleaner is equal parts wintergreen rubbing alcohol and water in a spray bottle. It smells fresh and cleans with zero streaks!

Multipurpose spray and bathroom spray: Thieves concentrate diluted from Young Living. Or I like to diffuse lemon or orange rinds in vinegar for a spray as well!

Disinfectant: Peroxide with a spray top screwed on!

Scrub for sinks and toilets: Bon Ami

Scrubbing the bathtub: baking soda and dish soap

Window Cleaner: Vinegar or warm water with a window cloth. For big window cleaning jobs a bucket of warm water with 1 drop dish soap. Wipe down with a microfiber cloth, and then dry with a dry one.

Dusting: bucket of warm water with some thieves concentrate.

Furniture Polish: I love the Method band one, but I would like to replace with a homemade option.

Floors: This is a tool, but the Shark vacmop is my #1 must have cleaning tool. Such a game changer.

I also have a Shark steam mop that I got at a yard sale for $10. LOVE it. Dries so fast, no streaks, disinfects. so nice.

I occasionally will traditionally mop my floors without the steam mop. For this I boil water, add some Castile soap, and EO of choice.

Chapter 2

“I wish it need not have happened in my time.” Said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf. “And so do all who live to see such times. But it is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given to us.”

Such a good inspirational line from Gandalf. No use wasting time wishing it wasn’t you Frodo. Instead, how are you gonna handle it. 👏🏻 I really like this whole second chapter and their fireside chat where Gandalf explain everything he’s learned about the ring over the last years. I can already tell I’m going to Love Sam. Loyalty! It’s a virtue not seen much in our day but boy is it a beautiful thing.

One moment I appreciate is that after Bilbo vanishes during his party, the people spin tales of that particular moment, creating of Bilbo something that reminds me of a leprechaun. It gives me the giggles.

I also love the character of Gandalf. There’s something about an old man, full of concern and wisdom for his little friends, who is willing to undertake tasks that are far too great for anyone, in order that he might save his little friends. Reminds me of Dumbledore from Harry Potter. And I’m sure there are other book characters who have a role like this, but none come to mind at the moment.

Loving the section where Bilbo’s parting gifts are given out. He’s funny and clever and thoughtful. Again, reading Tolkien is like watching a movie.