La Vie Est Belle 2015: Inspiration for the Year to Come

A New Year is such a delicious thing. Old years (while full of blessings, joy, and delight) are full of pain, mistakes, past-darkness, and fears. Not that the bad outweighs the good. At this time last year, I was unpublished, unemployed, and wondering what on earth I meant to do for money. Exactly twelve months later, I am well-established as a nanny, have two novels independently published, a novella more or less traditionally published, and a children's book ready to make the rounds. I went to Romania and came back, I traveled to work two summer camps, my best friend and best big brother got married, I had a whirlwind 24-hour jaunt to DC to see my other best friend after 2 1/2 years apart, and I fulfilled a long-held dream of acting as Stylist for a client or two. Another close friend got married, so many became engaged, babies were born everywhere, and God has continued to provide for our needs in miraculous ways.  So while twenty-fourteen was a hugely happy year full of new paths, new accomplishments, new jobs and relationships and lessons and faithfulness, I am also conscious that it was a year of turmoil for many people. I think of the unrest in Russia and Ukraine, Syria, Israel, the riots and mobs over racial matters in our country, the terror of ISIS and the many sadistic crimes it has committed...I think of several people who will not be living 2015 and the empty spaces they leave in the lives of their families and friends. Twenty-fourteen was a BIG year. For me, it was a good year. But I am tired of those twelve-months. Tired in a way I have seldom been tired before. It's funny how finishing with your tail whipped in a marathon and finishing triumphant feel nearly the same: you're still winded and breathless and ready to rest. It's time to bury 2014 in the gentle, winter snow (which has yet to appear) and to look forward with joyful anticipation to the fresh year ahead and all God intends to do in my life for His glory in it.

I have goals marked out for 2015, but enough about that in a different post. For now, I will give you the gift some of the beautiful images that have begun to serve as inspiration for this infant year due any day now. I have let myself wander through Pinterest in my Christmas break, pulling from here and there images that inspire me creatively, stylistically, spiritually, and practically. The funny thing about nearly every one of these pictures is its simplicity. I think I'm craving a rest from the craziness that was 2014. So funny how your subconscious tells on you! One of my main goals for 2015 is "Less of okay, more of excellent," in many many aspects of life. Including the things I allow to crowd my life. The simplifying begins with a series of photos I have given myself time to enjoy:

What is your gift to yourself before 2015 starts?

(you can find these images and more on my "Essentially Rachel" board)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer's a time for reading

"I am simply a 'book drunkard.' Books have that same irresistible temptation for me that liquor has for its devotee. I cannot withstand them." ;)

-Lucy Maud Montgomery

 Inspired by a post on Living on Literary Lane, I thought I would give you girls a peek into some of the books I hope to add to my Have-Read list this summer. Unlike a lot of families, summer has never been a season where we do what we want when we want it all season long. There have always been projects to do and places to be. But there are some moments quiet enough for reading. And today, when the world is mad and merrily blue and green; when I thank the Lord there is such a thing as June; when the temperature hovers perfectly around 74 degrees; I begin to think of the poet's wish:

"Oh for a book and a shadye nook ayther in a'doors or out!" :)

That being said, here is my prospective library:

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

I read the whole Lord of the Rings series when I was about 11, and since have re-read The Hobbit and bits of The Fellowship several times. However, I don't remember all the little details and I thought it high time I re-read the series in its entirety. After all, the Hobbit movie comes out December 12, and I want to be well-up on my lore.

The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Funny, that of all the Sherlock stories I've read, I've never actually read this book. Doubtless because of its great length and I always seem to already be in a book when I think of it. But as soon as I finish The Fellowship of the Ring (which I'm half-way through) I plan to start reading it. I feel like being "deliciously scared" as one friend put it, and I must set myself straight on the true details, after having watched "The Hounds of Baskerville" from the BBC's Sherlock series, in which they took numerous liberties.

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit

This is one of my all-time-favorite books for children, and I have a great interest to read it for the third (or fourth) time, as I am writing a children's book and wish to be re-inspired. :) I also hope to read The Treasure Seekers, Five Children and It, and several of her other books. We only own the first title, however, so though I put all of them on my birthday list, I'm not certain if I'll get a chance. (And our library is ridiculously empty of all good titles.)

A Hitch-hiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

I have heard so much about this book (so much that is hilarious and laughable and amazing) that I am bent on reading it. Sarah has long tried to hold it at our library, but for some reason the person who has it out has not returned it for months on end, and even after we get hold of it, Sarah will have to read it first. :P

Hard Times by Charles Dickens

The only Dickens book I own that I have not read. It is not thick, and therefore I think I can manage it fairly quickly. I haven't heard much about it and therefore am not expecting it to be the most amazing example of Dickens I'll ever read, but it is a goal of mine to read all of Charles Dickens' books, and so I will read it and enjoy it, I'm sure. :) I also want to read Our Mutual Friend and Martin Chuzzlewit, and Dombey & Sons, but again, our library is negligent in the care of classics-loving people like myself.

The Silver Branch by Rosemary Sutcliff

I've heard so much about this book too, and it seems it helped teach Jenny Freitag how to write as she does. I don't know where I'll get hold of a copy, but I would love to read this book this summer. :) I read The Eagle of the Ninth by Ms. Sutcliff and really enjoyed that, so I have high hopes for The Silver Branch.

Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell

This title is a re-read, and strictly to help along with my writing, which I'm still pegging away at. I have  found this book to be a must-have for all aspiring writers, and I am interested to read some of his other titles in his series of books for writers, including The Art of War for Writers and Conflict & Suspense. 

In other news as to Can't Tell Where I'll Find It, I would love to read Arthur Ransom's Swallows & Amazons. I know you can read it on projectgutenburg.com, but I hate reading on a computer. I will never own a Kindle. Well, now from my book-list, you can tell what you can get me for my birthday (pssst! July 20, people!) if you want. I also accept Barnes & Noble and Amazon.com gift cards. ;)

What titles are on your Summer Reading List?