🍂"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." – George Eliot
Fall has always been my favorite season. Even here in Florida, where "crisp air" is more of a hopeful idea than a forecast, I'm dimming the lights, pulling out the cozy books, and soaking up every bit of it! 🥰
It has been a full and beautiful few weeks around here, so grab a warm drink (or an iced one, if you're a fellow Floridian) and let me catch you up…
A Trip to the Pacific Northwest 🌲
I flew to the PNW to spend time with family meet my brand-new baby nephew! 💙 There is nothing quite like holding a new little one in your arms. It brings you right back to when yours were that little, minus the sleep deprivation!
While I was there, I spent time hiking around the Mt. St. Helens area. Walking through a landscape that was so devastated when I was born and is now so full of new life gave me plenty to think about. The rest of my trip was filled with long visits and good conversations. My heart is so full!
Curriculum We're Loving Right Now 📚
Simple Studies: Western Marvels. We are still thoroughly enjoying this guide! Every time we open the book and I pull up the videos and links in my guide, I continue to be inspired and our conversations are so rich that I've decided to create the next guide his second Book of Marvels: The Orient. I’ve also received many requests from YOU to create the Orient guide.
The release date is still TBD, but it will most likely be next summer. I can't wait to share it with you!
Simply Charlotte Mason's Modern History Guide & Books. This has been such a rich addition to our days! The book selections are wonderful, and the guide keeps everything simple and easy to follow, which is exactly what this season of life needs. It's a living-books approach to history that brings real people and events to life. 📜 Use code SIMPLEFREE10 to get 10% off your SCM order.
Getting Started with Latin and Keep Going with Latin. These have been a steady, simple, no-fuss part of our days for both of our children and myself!
We just started using Beautiful Feet Books World Geography & Ecology Guide. I need more time with this guide before I can give it a full, honest review but you can hear more about it in my recent video update here.
The October Members Guide! 🍏
Our new October Membership Simple + Fresh Guide is now available!
My daughter's favorite part this month was making homemade caramel apples. Sticky fingers and lots of giggles… which is exactly how a good October afternoon should go.
I hope your family enjoys this monthly guide as much as we did putting it together!
What We're So Grateful For ✨
Our son was asked to lead the High School Bible Study at his part-time private sports academy!
As a mama, watching your child step into leadership and point his peers toward the Lord is one of the sweetest gifts imaginable.
And our daughter received her first Training Certification at our local dog rescue! 🐾 She has worked so hard and poured her heart into those pups, and we are so proud of her.
Books I'm Loving 📖
Bird Anatomy by Julia Rothman. Julia sent me her newest release and it’s STUNNING! I keep flipping through them just to look at the illustrations. They pair beautifully with our Burgess Birds: A Simple Studies Guide, so if your family is working through it (or planning to), add this to your list!
Orthodoxy. A classic I've been meaning to sit with since I first learned about it years ago.
The Courage to Be Happy. This one has me chewing slowly yet steadily. I’ve been picking it up and read a couple pages every day. I love how the first chapter focuses on respecting children in a educational setting – something I’ve always wholeheartedly believed in based on Charlotte Mason’s teachings. I don’t agree with everything in this book, but it’s always thought-provoking to read philosophy books.
Senlin Ascends. I am OBSESSED with this series. 🤯 It's a world built around a man who spends time searching for his lost wife in a chaotic, megastructure Tower of Babel–inspired, steampunk/fantasy setting, and I can't put it down. I just picked up the second book and am hoping it’s just as wild of a ride as the first was.
Before You Were Anne. I read the first book in this Chelsea Calhoon detective series and really enjoyed it. This is the second book and it’s a very fast-paced read.
The Calamity Club. I own the physical book, but the audiobook is SO GOOD. If you love listening to long books like I do, this one is so great.
Hard Times by Charles Dickens (reading with my high schooler now that we finished Wuthering Heights)
Whew! That's a stack, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
Games We're Loving 🎲
Wingspan. If you have bird lovers and older children in your home, this one is a must! 🐦 It's beautiful, strategic, and sneakily educational, and it's a another perfect companion to our Burgess Birds: A Simple Studies Guide. It has become a family favorite around our table.
Card Games Using These Dog-Lover’s Deck of Playing Cards. With our daughter's new dog rescue certification, it's no surprise these have been a big hit around here! 🐾 We use them for all sorts of classic card games, and they make perfect stocking stuffers (yes, I'm already thinking about Christmas!).
Othello. We’ve played this over the years in spurts. Simple to learn, but don't let that fool you! It's a great quick game when you only have a few minutes to spare.
Chess. My son and I play chess almost every day together, and he is currently on the longest winning streak ever. ♟️ I'm now wondering if I'll even ever make a comeback… and as frustrating as it is, as his mother, how can I be mad that he's better at it than I am?! 🤦🏼♀️
A Quick Update on the Teen Guide:
I know some of you have been waiting patiently for it (thank you!). I haven't finished it yet, and I want to be honest about why.
Our family is moving at full speed to obey the Lord in a big life change. He has called us into some new areas of service that takes a LOT of our time and energy.
Would you please pray for us? Pray that we keep our eyes fixed on Him who calls us to this new way of serving. 🙏🏼
What are you and your family loving this fall? I'd love to hear what's on your nightstand, in your read aloud basekt, and what you’re enjoying doing with your family this month! 🧡