Music Love // September 2016

Hello, lovelies!

Happy Fall, first of all! This is an exciting time of the year. There is actually a chill in the air, which just started on Sunday. I can finally start wearing boots and flannels and sipping hot drinks!

Today, I'm going to share some music that I've recently been loving. I won't say much about it. I'll just let it speak for itself :) Tell me what you think!

- Maddie

10 Picture Books I Would Unashamedly Read Now

Happy Tuesday, everyone!

How has your week been? I feel like it went by really fast. Anyway, today I'm linking up with Top Ten Tuesday for the theme "My Top Ten ALL TIME Favorite Books of X Genre," and giving you my top ten favorite picture books that I would still read today. Yeah, I know, it's not really a genre, but I figured if I did something like historical fiction, you guys would go, "Ugh, Maddie, we've heard you rant about Moon Over Manifest, The Golden Thread, Out of the Dust, etc. like 1,000 times, do you really need to tell us again?" So I decided to be nice and a little bit creative (cause that's always a good thing) and I came up with this.

Tea with Milk

Okay, so I pretty much adore this book. I think my mom read it to me and my siblings for school when I was like 9 or 10. It's about a Japanese girl who is born in America and feels at home here, but is homesick when she moves back to Japan. It's really interesting learning about the cultural differences. When the time comes for her to marry, her parents hire a matchmaker. She gets upset and decides to find her way on her own, and I believe she meets a man who had the same life situation and they get married and it's a really awesome biracial book with awesome prose. We used to own it and now we don't and I'm still sad that we don't have it, and I'm planning on buying it for myself soon because I'm still a child at heart... Wait, scratch that. You don't have to still be a child to like this book. C.S. Lewis said, "A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest." This is a good children's story, folks. As are all of the rest of the books on my list and you have to agree with me because my opinion is law. I'm going to buy this soon because it's a good book and you all can judge, but I don't care (and I don't think you would judge anyway). ;)

Love You Forever

Um, it's about loving your mom forever and moms loving their kids forever. What more could be said? I can still hear my mom's voice reading the words, and that just makes me really happy, but also kind of sad. I'll love my mommy forever. <3

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

So they made this into a movie a year or two ago, and it looks really cheesy and I'm upset. The book used to be one of my favorites when I was little. It's one of those that you can't remember a time when you first read it because your mom probably read it to you before you could remember (literally). It's a really cute book and I might consider buying this one, too, just because I think it would cheer me up when I'm having a bad day. It's funny because some of the things Alexander gets mad about are so trivial and silly, but if it were happening to me, I would probably not be having it either. So if you're having a bad day, reach for this book and I can pretty safely say you'll feel a little better after reading it.

The Berenstain Bears

Okay, I'm pretty sure I was still reading these when I was 12... yeah, yeah, I know. But these books have good lessons and the people er, bears in the stories actually take a while to come to conclusions. I mean the plot lasts longer than just two pages. Anyway, I guess I've pretty much always kept loving the things I loved in childhood, even if I had first read or watched it now I would not, you know what I mean? I mean I think I still love some things because I remember how much I used to love it when I was younger and I feel like it's a part of me and it's harder to tell myself I'm too old for it than to just keep liking it, even if it makes me look like a baby.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

Look at that cover though. It's so super cute. It makes me really happy. It's about how a little mouse would become your friend if you gave him a cookie. That my friends is what I call adorable.

Fox In Sox

I'm not gonna lie, I first read this book like this year, I think. This is my one year old brother's favorite book, so if he was crying, I would be like, "Hey, Xav, do you want to read Fox In Sox?" and he would stop and be happy and go find the book and bring it to me and we would read it over and over, mostly through skipping around back and forth all around the pages. I would be reading it (which, if you don't know, is all tongue twisters) and he would just stop every once in a while and look at me and smile like everything that was coming out of my mouth was gibberish and he thought it was hilarious. So yeah, I love this book and I also need to get my own copy. By the way, I really miss my little brother right now.

Madeline

This is my name, of course this is gonna be on my list. Oh, it's actually pronounced differently, by the way. Mine is pronounced Madelyn and the character's is pronounced Madeline. I actually tried to get my parents to change the pronunciation when I was like 8 or 9 because I thought it would be cool. Idk, don't ask. But anyway, I had a lot of Madeline things when I was little. A Madeline barbie doll, a Christmas tree ornament, most of the books, a few of the TV show episodes, the movie... I think it's funny because Madeline the character is "the smallest one" and everyone is always commenting about how tiny I am. She also has a big scar from surgery and I do too. Aaaaanyway....

Blueberries for Sal

I actually don't remember much about this book, but I remember it is really adorable and since I don't remember it, that makes me want to find it and read it now.

Abel's Moon

This book is about a dad who travels and then tells his kids really awesome adventure stories. And then I think he builds them a secret fort thing where they can have their own adventures and pretend it's a spaceship or anything they want, and then when he comes home they can all tell each other stories. Basically, it's a book about a really awesome family who knows how to have fun.

Imagine a Night

I read this this year, I believe. The best thing about this book is the illustrations. If you look closely at the pictures, there are hidden people or faces, or the blanket on the bed looks like a field, etc. It's just really cool and creative.


So there it is, people! My favorite picture books of ever. Are any of yours on this list? Are you surprised that I actually came up with 10 books for a Top Ten Tuesday post this time? I hope you're having an awesome week!

Also, I have been changing a few little things on my blog, and I was wondering what you thought about the new look. Any suggestions?

Okay, peace out.

- Maddie

Coffee Shop Chats - The Third

Yay! I was hoping that Tessa would post another of these. I love these chats! They're so fun. Click the link to see the rules for this link-up!

What I did this week

You won't believe it - I went on a mini road trip by myself! Wednesday was my day off of work, and I had heard that there was adoration outside in the evening around half an hour outside of the city I used to live in. The city was about 1 hr and 1/2 away, and I'd never driven anywhere that far on my own before, so I was nervous, but I made it with the help of my GPS and a phone call to my dad (but, really, guys, my dad is awesome). I arrived in the city in the afternoon around dinner time and was able to see my new baby cousin who is the most adorable little munchkin ever. I had dinner with my grandma, and stopped in at a bookstore before heading out to the church. I met a friend, and we sat together. Adoration was amazing. I was overwhelmed with the beauty of it - adoring our Savior out under the stars. I was able to go to confession, and it was a very peaceful time. I'm really glad I was able to go, even though it was so far away.

Also, that morning, I started spiritual direction with my priest friend who is pastor of the churches on the Reservation where my family is. The first session went well, and I'm excited for this new way to grow closer to God.

Food I've enjoyed made

Guys, I'm really bad in the kitchen, okay? I have been eating super simple things lately, because I don't want to waste food by cooking things that will turn out badly. So mostly sandwiches and cereal - I'm serious. Anyway, the other night I decided to try to make spaghetti. Let's say it wasn't a masterpiece. I think I cooked the noodles too long and the meat I tried to use for the sauce turned out to taste sour. I didn't want to get sick, so I threw the whole thing out and ate candy for dinner. That's a completely healthy alternative, what are you talking about? Ahem.

Drinks I've enjoyed

On the plus side, I found a really easy recipe for coffee vanilla milkshakes, and I've been loving those. *Goes to make one so I can take a picture for you to see* 

You're welcome

Music I've enjoyed

I've been noticing lately that my taste in music has changed a little. Or maybe I'm just discovering more music than I knew about before. Either way, I've been enjoying some music my aunt introduced me to, including Switchfoot, and Jack Johnson. Also, one of the only popular songs that I like right now is Hello by Adele. All the feels.

Movies I've enjoyed

Well, it's mainly been shows. I started watching Downton Abbey a few weeks ago, and I was like, "Oh, this is a cute show. Not much feels crushing going on, but I like it. It's interesting." And then came season 3 and I was like, "WHOA SLOW DOWN, NOW YOU'RE OVERDOING THE WHOLE FEELS THING. I TAKE IT BACK, I DIDN'T MEAN IT, GO BACK TO BEING THE INNOCENT LITTLE SHOW THAT YOU WERE AT THE BEGINNING!" I stopped watching it for almost a week just to recover from the shock and get over a character's death (and I had other things I needed to get done). I started season 4 on Saturday morning, and I cried through pretty much the whole first episode. But of course I'm still going to watch the rest. #nerdprobs

Currently loving

My job. Really, guys. I was so, so nervous before I started here. What if I had only liked the people at the old facility, and don't actually like being an aide wherever I go? I was so worried about the probability of being around younger coworkers than at my last job because I'm socially awkward I thought I worked better around older adults. And then I started work, and right away I loved it. I realized that I really do love being a CNA. I love the many different people I am able to work with - coworkers and residents. I love listening to their stories, and how each person has their own little quirks and preferences. I love being an aide, and I hope I'm able to do this for a long time. I really thank God for this blessing because if I didn't like my job, I don't know how I'd make it through the next at least 8 months.

Currently hoping

That I am able to visit my family for Thanksgiving! I don't think that I'll be able to get Christmas off, since I just started working here, and they'll probably give the holiday to the people who worked it last year. So, Thanksgiving seems like the best option to aim for, because New Years is probably pretty big, too. So please pray that I am able to get off for a good few days around Thanksgiving so that I can go see my family!

Looking forward to

A trip to see my best friends Mia and Ellie and Esther in August! The former two are both getting back from World Youth Day and Ellie is also getting back from SPEC, where she worked as a missionary in England for a year. She's bringing her boyfriend, too, and I am excited to meet him in person. Mia and Ellie are both going back to SPEC towards the end of August, so this will be the last I will see them for a while. *Royal sulk because they're leaving me behind* I am really, really hoping to be able to go and visit them, possibly in February, so please pray that that works out, as well!

Quotes I'm enjoying

To Answer Some Questions

What's on your summer reading list?

Okay, so I stayed up till 4 am on Saturday night to finish To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han. Yes. Me. Staying up that late to finish a YA book. You know it must have been good. It was so beautifully written, and it felt so real. The dialogue sounded just like how teens talk now days. I could also relate so much to what Lara Jean was feeling when her sister left for college. In my case, I was the big sister who left, but I still felt her pain at being separated from the person she's spent her entire life with, and also the strain of all of the responsibilities she had to take on when Margot left. This book really spoke to me, because I'm going through a lot of what the characters in the book went through (even though I didn't write love letters that got sent out on accident). So, anyway, my quest for the summer is to be able to find and read the second book P.S. I Still Love You. Honestly, I don't really have anything else I'm planning on reading. I mean, I am going to read more, but I don't have something specific. I'm heading out to the library later to get a library card and I'm gonna look around while I'm there.

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?

In all honesty, I did nothing to celebrate. I know. I'm a horrible citizen. But at work we had a 4th of July party for all of the residents and staff and their families on the 1st of the month, so that kind of counts.

Convo Starters

Do you have any big plans for this summer?

Is there some special project you're currently working on, or that you've just completed?

What's on your summer reading list?

How did you celebrate the Fourth of July?

Do you write more during the summer or take a break?

What do you drink at Starbucks on hot days?

Do you prefer summer or fall?

- Maddie

Tag: Books + Chocolate (Basically Pure Awesome)

Why, yes, I did find a tag that involves both Chocolate AND Books! Yeah, "found." No one tagged me. Get over it. ;)

Oh, and before you go all crazy and think, "Hey, Maddie, didn't you do a free post last week? Doesn't that mean that this Tuesday's post should be your Monday's Minutes Challenge entry???" let me answer your question. In response to your query (before you ask it), yes, this is supposed to be the Tuesday where I post my MMC entry. However, a new challenge has not yet been posted, so I am obviously not capable of posting a story for it. :) So now you know what's up. Let's move onward!

Dark Chocolate

a book that covers a dark topic

I'm really not having a hard time with this one. Brave New World all the way. Yeah, this book was... interesting. I was going to read it for school, but then I started it and my mom didn't make me finish it. I think it was a really interesting and thought provoking idea, but I was just uncomfortable with actually reading something like that. Maybe later...

White Chocolate

your favorite light-hearted/humorous read

I think I'm going to have to go with Howl's Moving Castle. You could take almost every quote from the book and it will be funny, okay?

Milk Chocolate

a book with a lot of hype that you're dying to read

Hmmm. Let me think about this. I honestly don't know. I don't usually read popular books:P I know, I know. I'm an uncultured swine. But, truth be told, when I hear that a book is popular, I usually think, "Okay, what does it have in it that would make a lot of kids who usually don't like to read, read it?" And then I come up with a notion of what I believe the book contains in order to attract the modern teen, and when I do, I decide that if my list is correct, I am not going to read said book. Because what I think people believe are some (or all) of the things that YA fiction "needs" nowadays is romance (that doesn't stay pure), language (I mean the naughty kind, and not English or German, or whatever you were ready to sarcastically come up with, thank you very much), and/or teens saving the world (because when you're 16, you totally have the maturity, wit, and wisdom to do that, right? That was an issue that was foremost in your mind when you were that age, wasn't it? No? Oh.) And most of the time, I really would prefer to not read that stuff. Not that I have never enjoyed a single book that contains any or all of those things. I enjoyed The Hunger Games and The Book Thief... and anyone who has read them knows that the first is about teens saving the world, and the second has a lot (like, a lot, a lot) of language on almost every page and one scene that was absolutely unnecessary to the plot (aka something that sort of went along with not so pure relationships.... Not that it went to that great of an extent, but... I'm still including it.) So, I did enjoy those books, but I also felt like they had themes that were worth reading for. And when I read the synopsises (anyone know how to spell this???) of popular books, I just feel like they would be pointless + have junk in them, and that, therefore, I would be wasting my time reading them. Does that make sense?  

Chocolate with a Caramel Center

a book that makes you feel all gooey in the middle while you read it

Can we just appreciate how funny this question is? A book that makes you fell gooey in the middle. I always read books and think, "I just feel really gooey as I'm reading this book. And, what's more, I feel it in my middle." *Sarcasm off* Okay, so I don't know if I should say Downright Dencey or The Golden Thread. Just take both of them. I don't usually like romance in books, but those are hands down my favorite books with love stories. Howl's Moving Castle is also a romance, but I don't feel gooey - plus I've already used it.

Wafer-Free KitKat

a book that has surprised you lately

Oooh, I know! Hamlet and Macbeth! The only Shakespeare I'd read prior to these was A Midsummer Night's Dream, and let's just say it was not one of my favorite books. For one thing, there was no translation into modern English, so I was confused for the majority of the book, and I read it in 8th grade... and not considering those things, it wasn't the greatest story, anyway. So I just brushed Shakespeare off as dumb and bizarre. But I had to read Hamlet and Macbeth this school year, and I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed them. And I own Hamlet now:)

Snickers

a book that you're going nuts about

Basically all the books I've read by Karen Hesse so far: Out of the Dust, Witness, and Safekeeping. Gosh, so good. Also, The Golden Thread, and Moon Over Manifest.

Hot Chocolate with Cream and Marshmallows

a book that you would turn to for a comfort read

I think that the Book of Psalms really gives me peace. I feel so connected with David, and I love how he's so honest with God. It makes me feel like it's okay to just express my true feelings to God. Other than that, my favorite picture book has been Tea with Milk since my mom read it to me and my siblings when I was about nine. I haven't read it in ages, but I would really like to again, and I remember that it has a comforting feel to it.

That was really fun! It gave me a chance to explain why I don't usually read books that have a lot of hype, and which book (books, actually, cause I'm a rule breaker like that) make me feel like a caramel covered in chocolate, and also which ones I'm going ridiculously mad about. Now you also know which books to buy for me on my birthday, based on what category you're planning on picking them from. So, how about you? What's the book (or books, if you're like me) that you can turn to when you need soothing? A book that has surprised you lately? What are some books that you are dying to read? Do you share my opinion on YA fiction? (I'm not saying that all YA is horrible or that I don't like it all, by the way. Because I really do love some that I've found. A lot of times, I just need to be introduced to them. In fact, I would love it if you decided to recommend some YA books for me!) Let me know all your answers in the comments!

-Maddie