Jo From This Side of the Pond has a new batch of questions for us to mull over and answer for Wednesday Hodgepodge. Thanks, Jo!
1. It’s National Read A Book Day…whatcha’ reading? What’s a book you want to read?
We have books in many rooms in our home. Our study books and cookbooks and resource books are in our office. Greg and I both have desks that face each other in our office and we each have bookshelves behind our desks. In the playroom we have a bookshelf full of good children’s and young adult books. In the ‘blue’ room we have some of our favorite literature and other books by C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, MacDonald, and a lot of classics. We have full sets of Beatrix Potter’s The World of Peter Rabbit series. We have the full set of Anne books by L.M. Montgomery. Other authors we enjoy are Elizabeth Goudge, Dorothy Sayers, Walter Brooks~(Freddy the Pig series), Brian Jacques delightful Redwall series, the Dune series in the world of Science Fiction and more from that genre. For more serious reading we enjoy John Piper, R.C. Sproul, John MacArthur, Alistair Begg, Charles Spurgeon, and Martin Lloyd Jones.
Currently I’ve been concentrating on reading Ephesians in the New Testament of the Bible this summer alongside a commentary of Ephesians by John MacArthur. Daily I like to springboard into my morning reading by a short devotional by Alistair Begg, a living preacher and writer, and Charles Spurgeon, a dead ‘Prince of Preachers’.
I have a couple of books on my desk right now that I’d like to read. All That Jesus Commanded, The Christian Life According to the Gospels, by John Piper and a short book, The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith in Modern English.
2. Which is better…having high expectations or low expectations? Explain why.
I’m going to say it’s better to have high expectations with a clause thrown in. Reach higher but don’t beat yourself up when you don’t quite reach the height. Keep pressing on. Encourage and don’t discourage someone who is trying to reach something higher than themselves.
You have to be careful about YOUR expectations for other people.
3. Serenity is________________________.
Being at peace with God and the people around you. Another clause thrown in…as much as it is up to you, be at peace with those around you. Sometimes those you would like to be at peace with don’t want to cooperate.
4. What’s the most interesting thing in your purse or pocket right now?
Things are pretty standard and boring right now. I do have an overabundance of 1 dollar bills at the moment.
5. What helps you calm down?
Knowing that ultimately I AM NOT IN CHARGE!
6. Insert your own random thought here.
I will be missing from Wednesday Hodgepodge the next 3 Wednesdays because I’ll be enjoying some new scenery across the pond. Dublin, Belfast, York, Yorkshire Dales and Liverpool are all on the schedule for us. Liverpool for a soccer game, Liverpool v. West Ham at Anfield stadium. Cheers and Sláinte to you all.
See you in October when Fall/Autumn are just beginning.
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
Gosh that’s quite an itinerary on your trip. I’m sure you’ll love Dublin. Funny that we will be just south of you although I think we head home just before you arrive. Love the sound of your home with all your plentiful books. Enjoy spending all those dollar bills. B x
Hello,
I love reading, I mostly use my Kindle. It is hard to hold a regular book in my hands.
I know you will have a great trip, I am looking forward to your trip photos. Take care, have a great day!
Have fun in Ireland. It is such a wonderful place!!
…about all that I’m reading today are blogs!
I will look forward to hearing about your Ireland travels especially. We are considering a trip there next year. My oldest daughter and her family are moving to Cambridge next summer for six months and we’re trying to decide what to do when we visit. So much to see, so little time : ) Enjoy your trip!
6 months in Cambridge…swoon. Besides all the architectural beauty and history of Cambridge, Ely Cathedral is close (20ish miles) and it has a Stained glass museum among other things to see and enjoy.
Oh wow enjoy your trip. The football game would have my hubby and sons very envious. (One son supports Liverpool the others are West Ham supporters – our local team when growing up.)
Wendy, someone in the family will be happy no matter how the game turns out. 🙂
I love all your bookshelves. We have a few too. Hope you have a wonderful trip and I’m looking forward to hearing about it and seeing the pictures too. Have a great day!
Hi, have fun on your trip and can you fit me in your suitcase? 😉
We love books too and have a large library like yours.
Carla
Love your bookshelves and your answers on expectations! Have a wonderful trip!
I love books. I do use my Kindle, but there is something about holding a book that I enjoy.
Have a great trip!!
Sounds like a wonderful vacation. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it!!!!
I love to read and always have.
Would be lost without the town library!!! 🙂
I love all your bookshelves — that’s one thing I miss since we downsized. We read mostly on Kindle — just a few reference books on the shelves in both places. (we donated a ton of books or gave them to our kids years ago). …Your trip sounds amazing! Enjoy every moment.
I love all your bookshelves, and your answers to these questions. I so agree about the clauses modifying expectations and being at peace. Very wise. I hope you have a marvellous time “across the pond!”
I hope you enjoy your time away, very interesting travels. The Yorkshire Dales are so beautiful.
I love all your shelves filled with books that have probably transported you on fantastical adventures! Enjoy your time across the pond!
That’s a lot of books. That’s a good attitude to take on high expectations. Enjoyed reading you answers. Oh my God, I’m so jealous of your random thought. Have the best of times and safe travels.
Your book shelves look amazing. Have a great trip Hope you share about it when you get home