I picked up my first ever CSA share a couple of weekends ago. I'm looking forward to eating so many quality fruits and vegetables the next few months. I'm doing a half share through Delvin Farms. I'm completely enamored.
Ah, May. You treated me well.
Read and Reading:
I read the first chapter of An Altar in the World (Taylor) and knew I'd need my own copy. I loved the way Barbara Brown Taylor ushers her readers along as she describes spiritual practices. Truly soul-stirring. I'm reading her much acclaimed Leaving Church now.
My head was spinning after I read Under the Banner of Heaven (Krakauer). Primarily about two murders committed by fundamentalist Mormons, the book also delves into LDS history and the various sects that split off once the church revoked its polygamous ties. Equal parts fascinating and disturbing. I've never read Krakauer before and this was a good, albeit at times biased, introduction. Now I want to read up on LDS and FLDS and see what's what.
If you need inspiration, read Michael Perkins' eBook Starting Over: A Manifesto on Being Yourself.
Currently reading: Half the Church (James), Life Itself (Ebert), Troubling A Star (L'Engle), When Helping Hurts (Corbett and Fikkert) and The War of Art (Pressfield).
Marla Taviano announced the next Read-Along: Rachel Held Evans' Evolving in Monkey Town, one of my favorite Christian nonfiction books.
(I read 9 books this month.)
TV: A few spoiler-free season finale reactions...
So, I've never mentioned Hart of Dixie because I didn't know if I'd keep watching. But Zoe, Wade, and the gang have won me over. Mostly Wade.
I reacted to Once Upon A Time's finale over at SortaCrunchy's fabulous OUAT Tuesday post.
My jaw dropped at the end of the Vampire Diaries and Revenge finales. Shocking. So many questions and possibilities. I. Cannot. Wait.
So You Think You Can Dance is back! Happiness abounds. If the first audition is any indication, it's going to be an amazing season.
Breaking Pointe premiered last night. Love!
The White Sox swept the Cubs. And it was good.
Favorite Video:
Now this is a version of this song I'll listen to. I hope someone signs Noah soon!
Oh my word. Beautiful, inventive proposal. I was teary eyed by the end.
Music:
New discovery: Bison may be described as mountaintop chamber music but I describe them as awesome. Currently free at Noisetrade.
I've been listening to my friend Laura's 4/28 mix CD pretty much nonstop. She gave it out to all her bridesmaids. We have crazy similar music taste.
There's only a couple more weeks to download Josh Garrels' stellar album Love & War & the Sea In Between for FREE. This was easily my favorite album from last year, as noted in the Ode to Friendship mix. Go get it. You won't regret it.
Musicians Corner is back! There's plenty of food trucks and now they even have a beer and wine garden. Plus, an amazing and varied line-up of musicians. For those unable to go, NoiseTrade has a nice sampler.
A belated entry on my 32 Things: I finally went to a show at Bluebird Cafe. Jon Troast put on a great show for his EPrelease party.
A new song from Sixpence None the Richer. Yay!
Podcasts:
I'm not a big podcast person. But The Courtesy Laugh is hilarious and easily holds my attention. Knox McCoy, I'd like my $20 now. Kidding, kidding. Knox didn't pay me to say that. But he should. Listen on iTunes.
Then there's 9 Thumbs, the brainchild of Matthew Paul Turner, Jason Boyett, and Rob Stennett. Now this is my cup of tea. They each bring up 3 things they like, which leads to interesting discussion and segues. Listen on iTunes.
Fun Blogs:
Hey Christian Girl. This Tumblr was inevitable but quite a few made me chuckle. My favorite is above. You can guess my answer to the question.
You know who consistently makes me laugh? Megan from Fried Okra. Mentioning her here may or may not be a shameless plea for her to be my virtual stylist.
If you like books, you'll enjoy Underground New York Public Library. Pictures of people reading on the subway, what they're reading, and occasionally a little story. Love!
Homemade Product:
My friend Annie sent me a purse she made out of the blue and it is fabulous! Funny enough, it came in the mail the same day I went to the LexiWynn party. I'll be using both bags from here on out. Annie just got her Etsy store back up and running. Be sure to check it out!
In the Blogosphere:
As you'll see, it's a good thing I made a mid-May version.
(in)courage created a lovely tribute to Sara Frankl, a well-loved blogger who impacted so many lives before she died last year. You'll be inspired by Sara's Story.
It had been awhile since I read DLM's column for McSweeney's but I'm so glad this came across my radar. For a funny McSweeney's piece, check out Anne Geddes Baby Manifesto.
I love, love, love thrifting, which is why Simple Design's Share Your Thrift Haul holds a definite appeal. Write a post or share an Instagram or Twitter pic of your latest finds.
Kristen Howerton of Rage Against the Minivan is often a voice of reason amidst the controversy du jour. Here, she examines the mommy war for the motherless child.
I include a post from Ed Cyzewski's Women In Ministry series every month- the contributions are so freaking good. Nicole Unice looks at the way God shaped her path.
I'm fascinated by the Dear Photograph project.
"How about we hold them? How about we say that it sucks, and it’s not fair? How about we say we’re sorry, admit we don’t really understand? How about we become comfortable with silence?" I aspire to live this way. A stellar post from Sarah Bessey.
Speaking of stellar, how about Addie Zierman at How To Talk Evangelical? Organic Christianity and To Go Deep especially hit home.
Would that everyone would read Frank Viola's post on how NOT to correct another Christian.
Really looking forward to my friend Joy's new series on finding a church.
Bryan Allain rounded up a bunch of Killer Tribes reviews. Makes me even more excited for KT 2013!
My friend Amanda wrote a poignant piece about the way God knits our dreams for Lindsey Nobles' series.
Brilliance and bravery from Kristin Tennant: God doesn't use checklists.
What if I'm single just because I'm single?
An interesting post from fellow single Anna Broadway on why she won't freeze her eggs. While I understand why some women choose or need to do so, her response resonated with me.
On Ye Olde Blog:
I reflected on my friend Laura's beautiful wedding and also marked two years of Nashville living.
Bethany Suckrow of She Writes and Rights graciously mentioned me in a post on generosity, of all things. Talk about generous! And my darling friend Jen of The Blah Blah Blahger said HopefulLeigh is Inspired Reading. Thanks, Jen!
What have you been into this month?
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