If you like Fancy Nancy...

Since we're pretty big Fancy Nancy fans around here, we thought we'd share some more fun books that fellow Fancy Nancy fans might like. 



You might also like,

Tea for Ruby by Sarah Ferguson, illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser
It's illustrated by Fancy Nancy's illustrator.  Ruby learns an important lesson about manners and courtesy.  I think I've got this book memorized and I don't even mind (most days) when I have to read it repeatedly.

 

 

The Very Fairy Princess by Julie Andrews and Emma Walton Hamilton
Blossom3 just discovered this book from our library.  It looks like there are several more in the series.  Being that Mommy (and most of the Blossoms) like anything related to Julie Andrews (does Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music ring a bell?), I can't wait to read more of these to the Blossoms.  This book has been on Blossom3's naptime pile of books for weeks now, right along with a Frozen book.  That's sayin' something.



Nancy Clancy books by Jane O'Connor
Now that my Blossoms are getting older, we appreciate that Jane O'Connor has ventured into chapter books.  We don't have to leave Fancy Nancy behind.  She's just growing up too - with her most recent book out earlier this year!


I love what good reading can do for children.  It's character formation where you least expect it!

Prayer

Sometimes, in my own fatigue, the cares of life, the pressures, the concerns, the burdens and the heavy things of this world all come together.  I feel bowed low, driven to a time of humble pleading.  In these times, the prayer I pray most often is simple, child-like even. 

Like the prayer prayed by the lepers in my daughters' Bible Story book, I cry out,

"Jesus, help us."

Prayed fervently,
diligently,
respectfully,
sincerely.

"Jesus, help us!"

This prayer never goes unanswered.  Ever. 

Being Neighborly

You've heard the saying, "They just don't make things like they used to."  I've said it myself. 

 

The Rugged Mountain Man was chatting with our neighbor, mentioning that he'd been fighting off sickness and was getting behind on the grass.  He was concerned our Cub Cadet would be in over its head very soon.

Half an hour later, a vintage John Deere, as old as my Dad, came chugging up over the hill to tackle our thick green foliage. 

 

The Blossoms LOVED it.  We had our own private tractor parade.  (Country girls like tractor parades.)

Yes, they just don't make tractors like they used to.  It was a beautiful thing!

But also, you just don't usually find people willing to lend a hand at a moments' notice.  My Dad always said,

"It's rarely convenient to help someone." 

Maybe what you've got can be a blessing to others.  Why not chug it on over to help somebody out?

PS - Happy Birthday, Dad.

The Sorta Kinda Schedule

We were floundering in the well-loved flexibility and freedom that summer break brings to our lives.  Only the most pressing tasks were getting done.  No one knew what to expect in a morning or day.  Mommy had that nagging feeling in the back of her head that I might be forgetting something... Since it is light out longer, the girlies were up later and sleeping in later, getting us off to an off-kilter start virtually every day.  We just needed a little structure, not a lot, just a little.  Behold, a wonder, the "Sorta Kinda Schedule!"

Morning:
7:30 Rise
8:00 Read Bibles/Devotions
8:30 Chores
9:00 Breakfast
9:30 Flash cards
10:00 Daily house cleaning chores together
10:30 Piano practice/4-H book work
12:30 Lunch

Afternoon:
1:00-2:30 Nap
5:00 Supper
8:30 Bedtime Prep
9:00 Bedtime

I breathed a sigh of relief.  Finally, everybody knew where to go and what to do.  Some things may not take up the full time I allocated, so we just move on to the next thing.  The order is what we desperately needed.  And, as you can see, there are still larger blocks of open time for fun childhood memory making.  Like tonight, when they were rolling down the hill with their pals.  Now THAT'S being a kid in summer!

The Measure of a Woman

I love my little cocoon in the Hollow.  My husband cherishes me.  My children love me.  For the most part, it's a peaceful life with honest work.  No part of it reaks of isolation.  The sheer simplicity helps keep the Main Thing front and center.  Occasionally when I venture out I see how flip-flopped the world is.  I mean, the Word says that evil will be called good and vice versa.  But then, you experience it afresh.

That's what propelled me to ask, "What is the measure of a woman?" 

Amidst my physical imperfections, I pondered about all I live for and the convictions I strive after.  I thought about all the times I pray, "Let me do what pleases You today" or "Let me glorify You today."  Yes, I'll never be on a magazine cover.  I'm not a poster girl, trophy wife or glamour girl. 

"Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies."

Proverbs 31:10

 

What is the measure of a woman?  Virtue.  The price of me is FAR above rubies.  That's how valuable I am, and it's because of what's inside me.  Something that's been formed and worked out and practiced, year in and year out, day after day. 

 

Virtue.  That's the measure of a woman.