My Story

It was our second year homeschooling, and I was still using a classroom set-up (a nod to my previous life as an elementary school teacher). I was trying to get the girls finished with the core part of their day, but my five-year-old kept getting up and down from the little table she and her seven-year old sister shared. Finally, as she popped out of her chair AGAIN to go and get a drink of water, I almost shouted at her: “WHY do you think you can just get up and leave the room whenever you want to?!” She stopped, stared at me, then burst into tears as she replied, “Because it’s HOME!!!”

My heart broke as I realized how hurt she must feel as I, her mother, the one she should be able to run to to receive love, kindness, and gentleness, was the one completely annoyed at her just for doing something that comes naturally. It was I who needed an attitude change.

Though I didn’t at once become the perfect homeschool mom (actually, that NEVER happened), that day, I resolved to tone down my overly-strict, classroom-focused expectations and trust the process. We would finish the day, the week, the month, the homeschool year, successfully–but it didn’t mean every month, week, or even day would look the same. 

Homeschool Looks Different

Homeschool is NOT like school. Oh, there are some similarities… we study the required subjects, our days revolve around school, we take breaks. But studying at home should be more casual, comfortable, and loosely structured. You don’t need a perfectly-timed schedule at home because you don’t have a class of twenty students to manage. You don’t have the same interruptions or responsibilities as a classroom teacher. The students are YOUR children, and you already know them. The following steps may help you relax and be a calmer, more pleasant mother and leader of the little kingdom that is your homeschool:

Simple Steps to Reduce Homeschool Stress

1. Create a loose structure– one that is more routine-focused than timed-schedule focused. As much as you can, do things in the same order each day, but don’t get stressed about the exact times. 
2. Clean up breakfast and straighten the house before you start the school day. Involve your children in these chores… even toddlers can help with simple chores. Starting the day with a more organized space creates a more peaceful environment.
3. Embrace distractions as a part of your day. Leave wiggle room in your schedule so you have time to make up activities or subjects that were skipped due to interruptions. 
4. If something isn’t going right or working smoothly, find out why and work to help that child. In my case, my five-year-old needed shorter focused times and more breaks.
5. Go to a mom’s group, or invite another homeschooling friend and her kids to the park with you and yours. You can chat while the children play. Everyone can benefit from the perspective of someone else going through the same thing. It’s nice to know you’re not alone!
6. What is your reason for homeschooling? Whatever it is, write your “why” down and put it where you can see it every day. Refrigerator, bulletin board, post-it note. Reminding yourself why you’re doing something can help you stick with it for the long haul.

Homeschool is different from regular school in many ways. That’s a good thing! A calm, loosely-structured routine will benefit you AND your children. You’ve got this, one step at a time.

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I love to find ways to adapt basic dessert recipes for each season. Using flavors associated with those seasons is an easy way to do that. You can use lemon for summer, cinnamon for fall, etc. Peppermint is often linked to Christmas, though I also love it in summer for its cooling effect. (Even if this is psychological, it works for me!) Recently, I baked my Quick and Easy Homemade Brownies for a holiday party and added this festive topping. Both recipes are simple to make! This easy homemade peppermint cream cheese frosting is my new Christmastime favorite and makes brownies, cookies, or cupcakes extra special.

How to make Easy Homemade Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

Start with a full block (8 ounces) of cream cheese and a stick of butter. (Some people swear by unsalted butter for baking, but I use salted for everything. Which do you prefer?). To soften them, just leave them out at room temperature in a mixing bowl (together is fine). Depending on the temperature of your house, this may take awhile. My trick is to put the bowl of cream cheese and butter into my microwave, shut the door, and turn on the stove light below. This heats up the inside of the microwave just enough to soften everything nicely. You can also use the microwave (low setting) to soften these items.

When the butter and cream cheese are softened enough, add the peppermint and vanilla extracts. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar til smooth.

Next, spread the frosting over the top of your baked item. I love this over brownies– it takes them to a whole new, holiday level of sweetness!!!

Crush the candy canes inside a gallon-sized zip closure bag. I like to use a rolling pin to do this. Or use a meat mallet like this. You CAN use a food processor, but the noise is terrible and it doesn’t go any faster.

Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the frosting.

There you have it! A sweet treat that will be the hit of the next holiday party!

Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: dessertCuisine: cakes, icings, cookies, brownies, cupcakesDifficulty: easy

This cool, creamy, minty frosting takes cookies, cupcakes, and even brownies to the next level!

Ingredients

• One 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened

• 1 stick butter, softened

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, or several drops food-grade peppermint essential oil

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 cups powdered sugar

• 2 candy canes, crushed

Directions

• Beat together cream cheese, butter, and extracts.
• Gradually stir or beat in powdered sugar (use low setting on beaters).
• Using an offset spatula, spread frosting on surface.
• Crush candy canes by placing them in a gallon-sized zip closure bag and using a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush.
• Lightly sprinkle crushed candy canes over frosting.

Notes

• 1. It is important that your butter and cream cheese are softened. You can do this on a low setting in a microwave, but it works better to let them sit out for an hour or so at room temperature.
  2. If you don’t have an offset spatula, dip the rubber spatula in to the water before loading the frosting onto it.
  3. Add more peppermint extract for a more minty taste. Be careful not to add too much, however, or your frosting will taste like toothpaste!
  4. I like a light sprinkle of crushed candy canes, so I recommended two. Add more if you like.

The post Easy Homemade Peppermint Cream Cheese Frosting appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

How I got the recipe for Sweet Potato Casserole

I wish you could have known my husband’s grandmother, otherwise known as “Grandma T.” Even though I didn’t meet her until I was 20, Grandma T became to me as close as if she were my own grandmother. She was soft-spoken and warm, welcoming all into her home with a smile and a plate full of good, simple, Southern food.

When I married my husband, I gained access to all of Grandma’s recipes, and this is one of my favorites. Rather then the usual marshmallow-topped sweet potato casserole I grew up with, this recipe combines the sweetness of brown sugar with the slight bitterness of walnuts. It checks all the boxes of flavor, color, and texture that you want and expect during the holidays.

How to serve Sweet Potato Casserole

Sweet potato casserole pairs well with a good ham, but can also be served alongside a roast turkey or even roast beef! Everyone will love you for making it, and will request the recipe over and over again (which is why you can just copy and paste this link right now).

How to make Sweet Potato Casserole

Start, of course, with sweet potatoes. Technically, you CAN just open a can of yams, dump out the juice, and measure away. I may have done that a couple of times… But I recommend cooking fresh sweet potatoes from scratch. If you do this earlier in the day, or even the day before, it’s pretty simple and straightforward. You need about 3-4 medium sweet potatoes to make 3 cups. The sizes are all over the place, so I always make a little more than I need. You can always save the leftovers for sweet potato biscuits!

Put your unpeeled sweet potatoes into a pot filled with water. The water should come to about a half inch above the sweet potatoes. Bring the pot to a boil and reduce heat so the water is still bubbling, but not so intensely. Cook until the sweet potatoes are tender. I test them by poking them with a fork. I never time this, I just go about other tasks in the kitchen, but it takes probably about 20-30 minutes. Cool, and peel the skin off (it will come off easily).

Preheat the oven to 350°. Using beaters or a food processor, whip those sweet potatoes into creamy goodness. Add the rest of the ingredients except the topping ingredients. Pour into a 13 x 9 casserole dish that you have greased with butter. You could spray the dish with cooking spray, but to me, that alters the flavor of my dish and not in a good way!

Combine all the ingredients for the topping, and crumble this over the sweet potato mixture. Now you are ready to bake the sweet potato casserole!

Put the pan into your 350° oven and set the timer for 30 min. You may need slightly more or less time, depending on your oven. When the casserole looks done, let it cool slightly before eating. It should be eaten warm but not hot.

Enjoy this as a side dish or even a dessert for your next holiday (or any day!) gathering. Speaking of desserts… here’s another super easy one if you desire chocolate with your holiday meal. Just in case.

My Favorite Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe by Kim Ashbaugh

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Uncategorized

Servings

12

servings

Cooking time

30

minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cups cooked sweet potatoes

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 t salt

• 2 large eggs

• 1/2 stick melted butter

• 1/2 cup milk

• 1 t vanilla extract

• Topping:

• 1/3 stick softened butter

• 1 cup packed brown sugar

• 1/2 to 1 cup chopped walnuts– depending on preference

• 1/3 cup flour (all-purpose or gluten-free)

Directions

• Cream together sweet potatoes, sugar, and salt until combined.
• Beat in eggs.
• Carefully stir in melted butter, milk, and vanilla extract.
• Grease a 13 x 9 inch pan using softened butter.
• Pour sweet potato mixture into pan.
• Combine topping ingredients.
• With clean hands, crumble topping ingredients onto sweet potato mixture.
• Bake at 350° for appoximately 30 min. Cool to warm before serving.

Notes

• Cook 3 or more sweet potatoes the day before the make this recipe go faster the day of. You do not need to peel the sweet potatoes before cooking. You can also use canned yams, but freshly -cooked sweet potatoes taste so much better!
• I use whole milk in all my baking recipes. You need that fat content. Low-fat or skim milk will not produce the same results.
• Use dark brown sugar in the topping for a more molass-y taste; use light brown for subtlty of flavor. I prefer dark.
• Using the maximum amount of walnuts will balance out the sweetness of this recipe. You can substitute pecans if you like! I think Grandma’s recipe actually called for pecans, but I changed it based on my preference. Pecans would produce a slightly sweeter result. You can leave the nuts completely off if needed. In that case, I’d cut the sugar by 1/4.
• I substitute with gluten-free flour with no problem.

The post Grandma T’s Sweet Potato Casserole appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

Everyone loves these chocolate chip banana muffins! They are rich, chocolatey, soft, and delicious.

I got the recipe for these muffins as a newly married school teacher. A group of my teacher friends were having a Tuppeware party. (For those under 40: Direct sales used to happen via home parties before social media was a thing. I’m all about any excuse for a party– it was fun!)

The party hostess served these homemade chocolate chip banana muffins, and I was immediately hooked on them! I got the recipe from her and began making them whenever I got the chance. People would request the recipe from me, and I would actually write it out for them. My sister-in-law started making these as often as I did, and now it has become a family recipe! I have tweaked the original slightly and feel this is the best version of chocolate chip banana muffins there is!

Secret Ingredient

One of the secrets of these muffins is coffee. Naturally, they are tasty when eaten while you are drinking coffee (or milk!), but I am referring to the coffee in the recipe. The coffee flavor doesn’t exactly come out in the muffins, but it enhances the flavors of banana and chocolate already there. It works like vanilla extract does (I have added that, too– it wasn’t in the original recipe. I pretty much add vanilla to everything sweet!)

How to make Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins.

First, combine all your dry ingredients– flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. I use the best all-purpose flour I can afford (usually King Arthur). When I was younger, the best I could afford was store-brand, so don’t let that stop you! Your muffins will still taste good.

In another large bowl, beat together the softened butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and egg.

In a separate bowl, mash the bananas.

Dissolve the instant coffee powder in one tablespoon very hot water. Add to bananas.

Add the banana mixture to the butter mixture.

Now gently pour in the dry ingredients and mix it all together until just combined.

Lastly, gently stir in the chocolate chips. (I always pop a few into my mouth for good measure!)

Scoop muffin batter into a muffin tin lined with paper liners.

Bake at 400° for 18-20 minutes.

These chocolate chip banana muffins taste good warm (but not hot!), cooled, or even refrigerated! My favorite way to eat one is with a glass of cold milk. Enjoy!

The Best Chocolate Chip Banana Muffins

Recipe by Kim Ashbaugh

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Uncategorized

Servings

18

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

270

kcal

A hint of coffee enhances flavors of chocolate and banana, resulting in buttery, melt-in-your-mouth goodness in these delicious muffins.

Ingredients

• 2 sticks butter, softened

• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar

• 2 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 large or extra large egg

• 1 Tbsp instant coffee or espresso powder

• 2-3 large, very ripe bananas, mashed

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 bag or 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions

• Preheat oven to 400°.
• In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
• In large bowl, beat together softened butter, sugar, and egg.
• In a coffee cup, dissolve the instant coffee or espresso powder in 1 Tbsp very hot water.
• In a small to medium bowl, mash bananas and add dissolved coffee. Add this mixture to the butter/sugar/egg mixture.
• Add dry ingredients and stir just til combined
• Gently fold in chocolate chips.
• Spoon batter into muffin cups lined with paper liners
• Bake for 20 min, or until a toothpick inserted in center of muffin comes out clean.
• Let muffins cool slightly before removing from pan.

Notes

• Many baking recipes call for unsalted butter, but I always use salted and it turns out fine.
• Any kind of granulated sugar will do, but I use raw. You can substitute brown sugar in a pinch, but this will alter the flavor.
• To enhance banana flavor, you can add 1 tsp of banana extract.
• The original recipe said to combine the 1 Tbsp instant coffee/espresso powder with 1 Tbsp hot water. I usually do this, but at times, when I use really finely-ground espresso powder, I just stir the powder right into the batter.
• I read that using extra-large eggs, rather than large, makes your baked goods turn out better. I tried it and agree!
• I substitute gluten-free flour when needed. My favorite is Bob’s Red Mill.

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How to Stay Close to Young Grandchildren Who Live Far Away

Connecting with grandchildren who live far away

Here are some things I do to stay connected with my sweet little ones as best as I can:

• Video chats are a great way of staying connected. I’ve played puppets with the little ones, or sang songs, or showed them the cat or other things they would find interesting. Some children enjoy video chat more than others. Another grandma I know, with the parent’s agreement, set up a weekly time when she would call to talk. Don’t be sad if the child doesn’t want to talk or be on camera. That’s a very normal feeling for a child. Just be positive, and say, “That’s ok, you don’t have to talk.”

• Sometimes just leaving a video message or voice message for the child is a good way to connect. This gives the parent the ability to play the message when it fits with their schedule. You don’t get any feedback, but the child has a connection with you through the message.
• One of the best things I’ve done that has worked well is making a private social media page where I can read picture books to the children. My daughters cast it onto the tv, and the kids sit and watch me or Gramps read them stories.

• Sometimes I write letters to the grandkids. Pinterest has so many ideas for handmade cards any child would love. The kids enjoy getting any kind of mail. Now apparently my little 3 year old granddaughter thinks all packages are from Nan. I may have sent one too many surprises in the mail!
• Think of little traditions that you always do when you are together or far apart. They will come to expect and look for these. My grandchildren love to watch a movie and eat a tootsie pop on Nan’s bed. No visit would be complete without this tradition. To build on that connection, when we are apart I always include a tootsie pop if I send them a box. We also send each grandchild a fun Christmas card early in December. Some other ideas may be: dressing up in whatever their birthday party theme is and making a video singing Happy Birthday, or sending a photo text or an actual photo of things you see in nature that they might enjoy. I imagine them as grown-ups one day remembering those traditions.

• When we take a family vacation together, I gather photos from everyone and create a simple photo album of the pictures to send to all the families. The children enjoy looking back and remembering the fun we had. Online photo books are wonderful too, and there is often a coupon or discount. The grandkids still get them out and remember. They miss you more than you realize.
• In writing letters to the younger grandchildren, I find that I quickly run out of interesting things to say! So instead, I sometimes write a made-up picture book type story, very simple with hand drawn pictures, to send to the grandkids. They seem to enjoy receiving those.

• Some years I subscribe to magazines for each of the grandkids. The ones I’ve sent are Ranger Rick Zoo Books, Baby Bug, and Cricket. My favorite one to recommend, and that I will continue to send throughout the school years is God’s World Magazine. They have magazines appropriate for each age group, and the stories are interesting to children.

It is not easy to live far apart from family, and especially when that includes our perfect and adorable grandchildren! If you have grandchildren far away, I’m sure you’re already planning your next trip to visit them, but until then, with some thought and dedication, you can connect with your far away darlings and make memories in many ways. I hope that if anyone else has fun ideas, that you share them
with us in the comments. — Sara

The post How to Stay Close to Young Grandchildren Who Live Far Away appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

Every Home a Foundation by Phylicia Masonheimer: Book Review

But this book is not really about incorporating the Bible into your home. Rather, Masonheimer suggests that tending the home is a part of a Christian’s regular worship. Cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, gardening, and making repairs are acts of worship if done with a heart directed towards Christ.

I’ve heard this idea before, but Masonheimer goes deeper, including many Scripture references as well as practical ideas for each area of homemaking. She also zeroes in on the fact that everyone who has a home is a homemaker- not just the married, the homeowners, or the stay-at-home parents. She includes singles and those who rent and/or live with roommates. In short, if you are a believer and have a home, this book is for you. It is full of practical ideas for you, the home keeper, to bless both those you live with and those whom you invite into your home.

Theology and Liturgy of Home

This book is divided in to two parts. A Theology of Home explores topics like being content with your home, creating a culture of faith within your home, and keeping a “rhythm” in your home, all done with the intent of bringing glory to God. A Liturgy of Home describes homemaking as a spiritual discipline, with practical ideas given for keeping up with home tasks so as not to become overwhelmed. Phylicia’s ideas for cooking, cleaning, laundry, tending, and decorating routines inspired me! I found myself making mental notes of things I wanted to tweak around my house and getting excited about implementing some of these ideas.

If the purpose of a home is to bring glory to God, it naturally follows that discipleship and community will exist within that home, and those are indeed common threads throughout this book. Phylicia gives guidance on how to host when you have a busy life or young children. She encourages the sharing of one’s home, giving ideas for gatherings and meals. The idea of setting boundaries to prevent burnout is also a strong point in her writing.

After reading this book, I was more inspired than ever to use my home for hospitality to those in my community. Phylicia Masonheimer presents both the theology and liturgy of home in practical terms, making Every Home a Foundation my current favorite book in its genre. If you are a believer who could use some encouragement or motivation in the area of home, you will enjoy this book.

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1. You don’t have to have it all together to start.

“…the hardest part of any job is getting started.” — Mary Kay Ash

You do not need a degree in education, an expensive curriculum, or even a co-op membership to start homeschooling. What you do need is some focused time to prepare and a heart willing to give up a good part of each day. It sounds overwhelming, as any new task does. But it also gets easier, as things do when you repeat them over and over.

I recommend you research the homeschooling laws in your state, and follow them. Then just start homeschooling!

2. Each child has a different learning style and different needs.

When I started homeschooling, I thought the rigid, traditional curriculum I was using was good for each and every child. What I didn’t realize was that every child has a different learning style and needs. One of mine was definitely more “out of the box.” She needed more focused time outside of textbooks, interacting with the world and listening to stories or “living books.” Reading with Mama and playing outside, exploring the wonders of nature. I knew nothing of this type of learning, called the Charlotte Mason method, until much later. When I learned of it, I implemented as many principles as possible. (My children were then in high school and middle school.) But oh, how I wish I had started with that method when my children were small! My middle child especially would have enjoyed school so much more. Take some time to evaluate each child’s needs. This happens over time as you practice learning together.

3. Homeschooling is not regular school at home.

This is a common misconception. In a crisis situation, doing regular school lessons at home may be necessary, but this is not what I mean when I say the word “homeschooling.” The good news is that this frees the homeschool parent! You don’t have to create a classroom environment in your home. (I did this at first!) You are educating your children in a way that works for and is comfortable for your family. (More on that later.)

4. You don’t have to stick to a rigid schedule.

Again, freedom. You are not bound to a minute-by-minute schedule, simply because you don’t need to be. You are not sharing restrooms, playground, and lunchroom with 12 other classes. Flexibility reigns in homeschooling! Up late one night? Start later in the morning. Dentist appointments? Bring the books into the waiting room. Have teenagers who like to sleep in or a Dad who works during the day but wants to help with homeschooling? Try night classes!

5. It’s ok if some days you don’t accomplish all your goals.

As a recovering perfectionist, I know these days can be hard. You feel like you’re falling behind, or worse- failing. You’re not.

Some days, your children work hard and have great attitudes. All the assignments get finished and they do their chores without being asked. The house (somehow) stays clean and you still have energy at 4:00.

I think I had maybe one of those days every other year at the most in my seventeen years homeschooling.

The homeschool life is a marathon, not a sprint.

(If you need ideas on how to entertain younger children while working more in-depth with older ones, check out this post.)

6. School and real life can flow together.

Here is an example of what I mean by school and real life flowing together:

You go through your morning routine and get the children started on some independent work. Now you go and throw a load of laundry into the washing machine. When you get back, you listen to one child read or recite while you nurse the baby. The baby goes down for a nap, and you put that load of laundry in the dryer. You return to do math lessons with the younger children. Everyone takes a break for outside play, snack, or chores. Back to school work and you’re reading a history lesson together. School and the rest of the day are intertwined, reducing stress and making it easier to accomplish the things that need to be done.

7. Support from other homeschooling moms is vital.

When I first started homeschooling, I thought I was going it pretty much alone. Then I went to my first homeschool moms meeting. The hostess had all of us bring a snack, and we sat around munching and talking for hours! I realized I needed a sounding board (and to be one myself) for all that a homeschool mom experiences. How refreshing to hear, “Oh! You had that kind of day, too?!” or “Ah, so we are not the only ones who struggle with ______.” Everyone needs a community of like-minded humans. This is vital to a homeschooler!

8. What other people think doesn’t matter.

I worried that others would think I was weird or that I was trying to shelter my children too much.

Guess what I learned to say?

So what.

My real friends may have some questions for me, especially if they did not fully understand what it means to homeschool. But they would never judge or condemn me for it. Anyone who did wasn’t a true friend.

I decided to do what was right for my family, and ignore the doubters.

I’m so glad I did.

9. Delegating will save your sanity.

You simply can not do it all– homeschooling, cleaning the house, laundry, grocery shopping, etc– then feel badly when it doesn’t all get finished.

You must delegate to someone, starting with your own family.

This is what worked for us. It will probably look differently for your family, but I wanted to show you an example:

• My husband taught some classes after work (subjects he enjoyed– for him it was art and Bible classes). This took some of the pressure from me and gave him more time with the kids. It also helped him feel more connected to and involved in the homeschooling process.
• I involved my children in housework by giving them chores. The earlier this starts, the better! The purpose of chores is much more than simply having some help around the house. Studies by multiple researchers have shown that involving children in the work of the household contributes positively to their growth and development. It’s a win/win for everyone.
• These days, you can do grocery pickups (what a lifesaver!). Sometimes, I order groceries and have my husband stop by and pick them up on his way home. When I was homeschooling, this was not yet an option in our area, but would have been an additional time-saver!
• If you can afford it, get some cleaning and organizing help from a local high school student. Just a couple hours a month could help you feel more on top of things, and help a young person who is trying to earn some money.

10. Homeschooling can change your family’s life for the better.

I didn’t know when I started homeschooling how it would change our life. We went from being rushed every morning and dropping kids off in different places to being together in a way that unified our family. We worked together, played together, learned together. My girls developed close relationships with both parents and each other because of our decision to homeschool. Homeschooling was a huge sacrifice– of time, finances, and my own other interests.

It was so worth it, and I would do it again.

— Kim

What about you? Were you homeschooled, or do you plan to homeschool? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below– I’d love to hear them!

For more on getting started homeschooling, check out my friend Tricia’s book, Help! I’m Homeschooling and her website. Both are valuable resources!

The post Things I Wish I’d Known Before I Started Homeschooling appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

For the past two years, I’ve made it my goal to finish at least one book per month. In 2023, I managed to read 16. In 2024, I almost doubled that at 31!

The goal is to *finish* at least one book per month. That means I can start it at any time in the previous month. I try not to be too strict about what constitutes a full “book,” either—longer short stories, like “Leaf by Niggle” and “The Light Princess” count in my book (pun intended). So do children’s books. The majority of what I read this past year, however, were full-length novels or works of non-fiction. (Some of C.S. Lewis’s collections of sermons and essays were quick reads, too). The point is, don’t burden yourself with trying to read 500-page books every month. Read what you like to read.

If one book per month is too much for you, try one every two. If one is too little, aim for two per month. It’s a loose goal that helps me not only read more, but also keep track of what I read. I have every single book I’ve read in the last two years written down, and it’s fun to look back and remember what I enjoyed most.

A few helpful tips:

1. Get a journal specifically designated for writing down what you read.
2. Plan ahead a little—keep a physical or mental list of what’s on your TBR (to-be-read) so you’re always ready to start something new.
3. If you don’t have access to a lot of books, get a library card!
4. Bring your book with you everywhere—appointments, coffee shops, work, etc. You never know when you will have some spare time to read instead of scrolling on your phone!

Every Book I Read in 2024

Here is a list of all the books I read last year, in 2024. You’ll notice a bit of a pattern. I finally started reading C.S. Lewis’s nonfiction works at the beginning of the year and found I couldn’t get enough. Then it seemed like the perfect time for a reread of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit! I really soaked in all the Tolkien and Lewis last year, and it was wonderful. It wasn’t quite time for a reread of the Narnia series yet, or that would have made the list as well.

January: 1. Surprised by Joy 2. The Screwtape Letters

February: 3. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness 4. Adorning the Dark 5. Mere Christianity

March: 6. Reflections on the Psalms 7. The Weight of Glory 8. The World’s Last Night 9. North! Or Be Eaten 10. The Great Divorce

April: 11. The Monster in the Hollows 12. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools 13. Leaf by Niggle

May: 14. The Four Loves 15. The Warden and the Wolf King 16. The Fellowship of the Ring

June: 17. The Two Towers 18. The Light Princess

July: 19. The Return of the King 20. Bridge to Terabithia 21. Watership Down

August: 22. The Hobbit

September: 23. This Homeward Ache 24. The Wind in the Willows

October: 25. A Grief Observed 26. Mama’s Bank Account

November: 27. The Problem of Pain 28. Out of the Silent Planet

December: 29. This Beautiful Truth 30. Perelandra 31. That Hideous Strength

Book Descriptions

1. Surprised by Joy—The closest thing we have to an autobiography by C.S. Lewis, this book describes his journey from boyhood to an Oxford don and the tastes of “Joy” which helped lead him out of staunch atheism into a firm (but reluctant) belief in God.
2. The Screwtape Letters—A dark venture into the imaginary counsel of one demon to another regarding the tempting of a young Christian man, by C.S. Lewis.
3. On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness—The first in Andrew Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga. A bit slow and difficult to get into until the last few chapters.
4. Adorning the Dark—A beautiful meditation on culture, creativity, and the Kingdom by Andrew Peterson.
5. Mere Christianity—A collection of C.S. Lewis’s talks on the BBC radio, compiled into a methodical progression of reasonable and thought-provoking arguments for Christianity.
6. Reflections on the Psalms—A short compilation of reflections on the Psalms, which provide several unique perspectives you may or may not agree with.
7. The Weight of Glory—A compilation of addresses by C.S. Lewis on various topics related to Christian life.
8. The World’s Last Night—A compilation of essays by C.S. Lewis on various topics related to Christian life.
9. North! Or Be Eaten—Book 2 in the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. The story begins to pick up here and becomes more exciting.
10. The Great Divorce—An allegory of Heaven and Hell by C.S. Lewis. This book inspired me to write my own allegorical story, “You Must Behold” https://jennaleighdesigns.com/2024/07/18/you-must-behold/
11. The Monster in the Hollows—Book 3 of the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson, and his best, in my opinion.
12. Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools—A book all about prayer, including practical help and personal experience, by Tyler Staton.
13. Leaf by Niggle—Tolkien’s most famous short story about a painter named Niggle who can’t seem to perfect (or even complete) his work.
14. The Four Loves—C.S. Lewis’s treatment of what he would categorize as the four different kinds of love—affection, friendship, romantic love, and the love of God.
15. The Warden and the Wolf King—Book 4 and final in the Wingfeather Saga by Andrew Peterson. Garners mixed reviews from fans.
16. The Fellowship of the Ring—Does this book need an introduction? Books 1 & 2 of The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
17. The Two Towers—Books 3 & 4 of The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien.
18. The Light Princess—An amusing and thought-provoking story by George MacDonald about a princess who had no gravity (literally, and figuratively).
19. The Return of the King—Books 5 & 6 of The Lord of the Rings bring Tolkien’s masterpiece to a beautifully satisfying close.
20. Bridge to Terabithia—Katherine Paterson’s most famous novel about a young boy’s first experience grappling with grief, loss, and guilt.
21. Watership Down—A harrowing adventure by Richard Adams about a group of bunnies who must fight tooth & nail to make a new home for themselves.
22. The Hobbit—Tolkien’s first foray into Middle Earth; a children’s book about Bilbo Baggins and his adventures with dwarves, trolls, and a dragon named Smaug.
23. This Homeward Ache—Memoirs by Amy Baik Lee, tracing her story of aching for home from childhood to motherhood.
24. The Wind in the Willows—A delightful children’s tale by about several animal friends and the adventures they share. A great read to teach children about what kind of friend they can be.
25. A Grief Observed—C.S. Lewis shares his private journal entries after the death of his wife, Joy. A poignant look into the gritty realities of facing life with loss.
26. Mama’s Bank Account—A short, lighthearted memoir of a Swedish family “fitting in” as immigrants in San Francisco.
27. The Problem of Pain—C.S. Lewis’s attempt to explain the Christian understanding of pain and suffering in light of a good and sovereign God. As his brother, Warren Lewis observed: “Nobody (including my brother) has ever offered an explanation of the problem of pain that”.  Still, it is a thorough and well-thought out treatise on the subject.
28. Out of the Silent Planet—Book 1 in C.S. Lewis’s Space Trilogy, which he began as part of a wager between himself and Tolkien. This book features the adventures of Ransom, a philologist, as he is kidnapped and taken to Mars. It is the slowest-moving book in the series, laying a foundation for the story to unfold.
29. This Beautiful Truth—Sarah Clarkson’s memoirs about how God showed Himself to her through beauty in the midst of her suffering.
30. Perelandra—Book 2 in the Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis. This book features Ransom’s adventures in Perelandra, or Venus, as he is sent there to help prevent the spiritual corruption of the planet.
31. That Hideous Strength—Book 3 in the Space Trilogy by C.S. Lewis. Lewis brings his trilogy to a magnificent close in this fast-paced, dialogue-driven science fiction story about an evil scientific organization, fueled by demonic forces, bent on taking over England and the world.

13 books by C.S. Lewis

5 books/stories by J.R.R. Tolkien

5 books by Andrew Peterson

Other authors: Tyler Staton, George MacDonald, Richard Adams, Amy Baik Lee, Kenneth Grahame, Katherine Paterson, Kathryn Forbes, Sarah Clarkson

It was a rich year of reading, filled with classic works by my favorite authors, meaningful books for children, beautiful nonfiction works by newer authors, and a few delightful short stories.

My Favorites & Least Favorites

I think choosing a favorite is a bit unfair to those authors whose names don’t end in “Lewis” or “Tolkien.” Therefore, omitting all the works by Professors Tolkien and Lewis (which does narrow down the playing field quite a bit), I will choose Adorning the Dark and This Beautiful Truth as my favorites. Both are enjoyable, insightful, truthful works of nonfiction that inspired me and stirred me in my spiritual and creative life, and I would highly recommend them.

My least favorites (I hope this doesn’t cause any controversy!): On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness and Bridge to Terabithia. The former is just too slow-moving, and it’s hard at times to tell what’s going on or where the story is heading. The latter has more to do with personal taste—it’s sad and a little too gritty for me, bringing back memories of watching the movie as a child (though who didn’t love Josh Hutcherson and AnnaSophia Robb?). I actually had the privilege of hearing Katherine Paterson speak last year at a conference, and she was delightful, talking about children’s literature and finding wonder in the ordinary world. I admire her and her prolific success as a children’s book writer—and I do intend to read more of her books!—but Bridge to Terabithia isn’t for me.

Now It’s Your Turn!

Finishing at least a book a month may not be feasible for you in your season of life. But I encourage you to try, or to set a different goal that works for you. Reading is good for your mental and emotional health. It is restful. You can do it anywhere, really. And it enriches your inner life in a way nothing else can.

I hope this post inspires you to read, to explore the literary world, and to enjoy the works of authors old and new. Whether you read at night before bed, or in the quiet of the morning, or with a cup of coffee in the afternoon, or for short snatches here and there in the chaos of a busy day, may you foster a love of reading that will last a lifetime.

The post What I Read in a Year: One Book Per Month appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

A long time ago, in a kitchen far away, I made a batch of scones.

Since then, I have been dubbed “The Scone Queen.” Friends and family members regularly muse about them, tell strangers about them, and request that I make them for a party, tea, or ordinary Saturday morning.

Needless to say, they’re quite good.

Now I’m going to do something strange: I’m going to share the recipe with you, so you can be Scone Royalty, too. This is partly to my advantage, though. If more people know how to make them, I won’t be relied upon. I won’t be needed anymore. I can just make scones when I want to make scones. What a wonderful thing!

This recipe is great because it is extremely versatile. It can be made plain and adorned with jam, clotted cream, and lemon curd (make your own or buy it), or just plain butter. It can be made with vanilla and chocolate chips, or lemon zest and blueberries, or (my own special concoction) gingerbread spices and white chocolate chips. Really, it can be tweaked any way you like, as long as you don’t alter the dry-liquid ratio of the recipe too much.

Some Helpful Hints

Here are a few tips and tricks to remember as you make them:

1. The butter must be cold, and it must be cut in to the dough. This is what makes the scones so deliciously flaky.

2. The dough must be rolled out and cut with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass. If you simply roll the dough in your hands like drop biscuits, it won’t have those nice layers.

3. You must cook them until the bottoms are medium-brown and the tops are beginning to turn golden-brown. Under-baked and over-baked scones are equally appalling!

4. If you add blueberries, keep in mind that they will increase the moisture of the dough. The scones won’t get quite as fluffy, but they will still be delicious.

5. These can be made as large or mini scones, depending on your preference. Just remember to check a batch of mini scones ten minutes into baking time to make sure they don’t burn! If you do make minis, roll them out a little flatter, or they will start to topple when rising in the oven.

6. Using parchment paper or a silicone mat isn’t necessary because of the butter content in the scones. Trust me—they won’t stick!

7. Be careful where you bring these. You may develop a reputation. You may become—the Scone Queen (or King).

My World Famous (Almost) Scone Recipe

Recipe by Jenna Leigh Ashbaugh

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: Breakfast, SnacksDifficulty: Easy

Servings

8-24

servings

Prep time

15

minutes

Cooking time

12

minutes

Ingredients

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tablespoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup sugar

• 1/3 cup butter (cold, cut into chunks)

• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, half-n-half, or whole milk

• 1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions

• Preheat oven to 375.
• Mix dry ingredients (including sugar) in a large bowl.
• Add butter and cut in with a pastry blender, fork, or your fingers until it resembles crumbs the size of a pea.
• Add cream and almond extract together and knead well, until your dough is well-combined and easy to roll out.
• Using a rolling pin, roll it to about ¾ of an inch.
• Cut dough into circles with a biscuit cutter or the rim of a glass. Once you can’t cut any more, knead the dough and roll it out again.
• Bake on a nonstick pan or baking stone for about 12 min, or until tops are golden brown. Enjoy with butter and jam.

The post My World Famous (Almost) Scones appeared first on Sweet Cottage Life.

I love muffins, don’t you? They’re a quick grab and go breakfast when you’re in a hurry, a tasty snack with afternoon tea, and best of all, they make a GREAT food gift!

Using seasonal ingredients is one of my favorite ways to keep food interesting. Lemons and blueberries are always on hand during the summer, and these two flavors go together so beautifully.

I buy lemons in bulk from Sam’s Club because I use them for so many things (more on that in a later post). Blueberries are usually on sale this time of year, so I pick up a pint or two each time I go to the grocery store. The other ingredients are things most people have on hand in pantry or refrigerator.

So let’s get to it!!!

How to make Delicious Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Preheat your oven to 375°.

Assemble the dry ingredients in a medium to large bowl:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 Tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp each baking soda and salt

Stir these together thoroughly.

In another large bowl, beat together:

• 1 1/2 sticks butter, softened (see my chocolate chip cookie recipe for my method of softening butter)
• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups sugar

Now add:

• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 cup milk

After this is combined, follow up with:

• the zest and
• juice of one lemon.

Add the dry ingredients to the bowl with the wet ingredients and combine carefully.

Finally, stir in one pint of blueberries that has been washed and (somewhat) dried.

Place paper liners into muffin tins. Scoop batter into liners using a cookie or ice cream scoop, filling liners about 2/3 full.

Place muffin tins on center rack of preheated oven. Bake about 20-25 minutes or until done. Test for doneness with a toothpick inserted into a muffin. If the toothpick comes out clean, your muffins are done. Cool before serving.

Delicious Lemon Blueberry Muffins

Recipe by Kim Ashbaugh

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BreakfastDifficulty: Easy

Servings

12

servings

Cooking time

20

minutes

Moist, tender, and fruity; these muffins are a crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

• Dry Ingredients

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 Tbsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/2 tsp baking soda

• Wet ingredients

• 1 1/2 sticks butter, at room temperature

• 1/2 cup full-fat sour cream

• 1 1/2 cups sugar

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 1 cup milk

• juice and zest of one lemon

• 1 pint of blueberries, washed and drip-dried

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 375°.
• In a medium to large bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and baking soda. Stir thoroughly.
• In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar together. Add beaten eggs and combine, then stir in milk, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
• Gently stir the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients.
• Mix the pint of blueberries into the batter carefully.
• Place paper liners into muffin tins. Scoop batter into liners. Fill muffin cups about 2/3 of the way.
• Bake 20-25 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Cool before eating.
• Enjoy a muffin or two with a glass of cold milk or a cup of coffee!

Notes

• Use any kind of berries in the same amount.
• Substitute plain yogurt for the sour cream.
• For a crispier top, sprinkle a little sugar on top of each filled muffin cup right before it goes into the oven.
• Substitute gluten-free flour for the flour at a ration of 1:1. I prefer King Arthur or Bob’s Red Mill.
• You can use whatever kind of milk you like. Whole milk will yield the best texture and flavor.
• The same goes for butter. Many baking recipes call for unsalted butter. I always use salted and think it makes things taste good! I do not use less of the salt the recipe calls for.
• Make sure you get the milk thoroughly stirred into the batter before adding the lemon zest and juice. You don’t want curdled milk muffins!
• The blueberries need to be dry-ish, but don’t worry about it if you forgot to wash them until the last minute. Just shake them really well in a colander and they should be fine.
• Since oven times vary, check your muffins after 15 minutes. I usually use a knife to check baked goods for doneness, but my daughter swears by the toothpick.

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