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Inspired Holidays {Day 20}:: Disconnect & Read a Book

by | Oct 20, 2011 | 31 Days: Inspired Holidays, Seasonal Decorating & Entertaining

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Inspired Holidays {Day 20}:: Disconnect & Read a BookCountry Living

I know this is probably just my weirdness, but I actually start feeling guilty after giving you so many “things to do” post after post. I think about that as I’m going about my day. Yep. I know it is just a blog and it is a 31 day series, but I really do feel like I’m talking about WAY too much stuff “TO DO.” I feel like I’m talking too much in general during the 31 days of posts. I can’t imagine keeping up with all I’m suggesting! HA! Goodness!

So I’m taking it down a notch today and giving us a break. Fall isn’t all about preparing for holidays, remember, it should be more about ENJOYING and SAVORING THE MOMENTS!

So that is my inspiration for this fine fall day. Go savor some moments!

Shut down your computer if you dare (gasp!!), and just do something you enjoy around the house.

What is your dream activity for today?

Reading a book? Taking a nap? Puttering around the house?

Do you have any books you plan to read this fall and winter? I’d love some suggestions!

The rest of the 31 day series can be found here.

29 Comments

  1. Shelley

    Melissa! You are not weird at all. I am doing the 31 Days series also, and I’ve thought the same thing – that I hope people don’t feel overwhelmed with the new stuff they read everyday. So, I appreciate this post. Good words!

    Reply
  2. Shelley

    Melissa! You are not weird. I am doing the 31 Days series also, and I’ve thought along those same lines – that I hope people don’t feel overwhelmed at all the new thoughts every day. So thanks for this word! Good stuff!

    Reply
  3. Michelle Starling

    My 31 day series is on thankulness and I would suggest reading The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall. If you have not ever read that book, it is a wonderful telling of God’s providential hand in the lives of the Pilgrims and the founding of our country. What better way to prepare for Thanksgiving than to remember the sacrifice of those who came to this land with nothing but a promise. Oh, the blessings that are ours because of their faithfulness.

    Reply
  4. Heather

    Hey Melissa – You’re not overwhelming us – you’re inspiring us as you always do. I’m looking at these “31 Days” posts as an ideal of what we could/should/want to do.
    But I must admit I do like the idea of taking the day or part of the day to just breathe.
    Hope you do the same.

    Reply
  5. Stacey

    A few years ago, I picked up a Christmas book by Jan Karon and read it in December. Who has time to read in December? It was such a precious book and one of my favorite memories. Sweet and lovely use of my time.

    Also – in June of this year I treated myself to 3 of Jane Austen’s books. Well, 2 an 1/2 really. But oh, it was lovely!

    Reply
  6. Spring

    My dream for today would probably be to curl up with tea and a notebook, and start brainstorming gifts for the holidays, and then finishing up “Emma” by Jane Austen that I am nearly done with.

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth

    I took a break yesterday and decided to pretend to be an artist. I just had fun with it, feeling inspired by a recent art show we attended. My daughter absolutely LOVED it, and wants to hang “my artwork” in her room. I had such a fun time being creative, and I was so touched with her genuine joy over something I created. :) So my suggestion to you is to tap into your creative artistic side with a little paint and maybe some objects from your junk drawer to make a 3D artwork project that is a welcome escape from cleaning/organizing … And may be just what the doctor ordered for some needed rest!

    Reply
  8. Patti

    I highly recommend reading “The Purpose of Christmas” by Rick Warren. For me, it puts everything in perspective. I still want all the decorations up and all the favorite foods made, but the book leaves me feeling less stressed about the season and reminds me of the reason for the season. This is a book that I read every December. It’s that good.

    Reply
  9. Gail

    Ha! I just did this for the first time in a long time! My husband and I read a book together. It was so fun! We read it from ebooks though, on an iPad and iPhone. Does that count?

    Reply
  10. Diane

    Ha! Today is the first day in a week since I’ve touched my computer. Just this morning I activated my internet account so that I could connect. And YOURS was the first blog I read…actually the first e-mail. Okay…as I was deleting e-mails…your blog just popped open and forced me to start reading. I’m telling the truth!!!
    In regards to your suggestion to get unwired….I could have connected last Saturday. But, chose not to. I’m glad. Moving is so stressful. Maybe I’ll take another holiday.
    :D

    Reply
  11. Dana

    It’s about time I read a good book :)

    (Want a laugh?
    Look at the title of my past post! LOL)

    Reply
  12. Sarah

    I’ve read a couple of good books lately – one called “I Dared to Call Him Father” and the other “A Cry from the Streets”, and “Appointment in Jerusalem” and “The Shaming of the Strong” are a couple of favourites I’ve read in the past.

    Reply
  13. Polly

    Excellent books:
    Kisses From Katie

    and

    Dogwood

    loved the pumpkin cheesecake recipe you shared, fabulous!!

    Reply
  14. Beth

    Not at all!! Fall is the perfect time to make your house cozy so you can stop and read a book! I love all of your ideas and I love that normal people can do them. Thank you!

    Reply
  15. Jodi

    I’ve been baking pumpkin and apple treats all morning with my little guy. Now that my gal is home from school, we’re going to make another treat or 2 and maybe a few Halloween/Fall crafts. That’s a perfect day in my hosue. :-)

    Reply
  16. melanie cantelmo

    Hi Melissa,
    I just read your article on Incourage! It was so good. I am glad that God has given you this blog and that you trusted in Him! I am so excited to start reading your blog. Maybe it will inspire me. I feel incredibly overwhelmed with decorating and I don’t know where to start. I’m excited to have some inspiration…I need it! Oh and maybe today, I will read instead of do something :)

    Reply
  17. Vee

    Now that sounds like a plan…right after bathing the dog and posting my sister’s birthday gift and before running errands. Oh we’re always a little too busy, aren’t we?!

    Reply
  18. {darlene}

    It is as if you reached through my computer and told me to go sit with my boys and snuggle up with some books…
    {hugs!}
    – {darlene}

    Reply
  19. Sage

    Thanks for the reminder to take time to enjoy the little moments. I’ve found that when I take time to do something good for me (even if it’s only for 30 minutes), I’m more productive at work and a happier wife. I’m going to take your advice and crack open that book that’s been gathering dust on my desk! :)

    Reply
  20. kelly

    With 5 kids under 5 (two of them being infant twins who don’t yet sleep through the night) I’m going to say a nap would be my dream activity. But I’ll settle for a bubble bath and some tea after the hubby gets home :)

    By The Way…I tried your cranberry cider recipe the other day and oh-my goodness it was good!

    Reply
  21. michele

    Hi Melissa,

    Shut it down if you dare – I love it! I’m always reading, but Fall is the hardest month for me because I want to be outside taking everything in. I tend to pick short books during this season. Loving “Their Eyes Were Watching God” and C.S. Lewis’s “The Abolition of Man”.

    Would love for you to pop over and see my Beautifully Balanced Collections from the library – have year’s worth of great reads, maybe more. And this is a great time of year to stop into your library and check out magazines that you haven’t had time to read (yes, you can check them out – for three glorious weeks at a time).

    xoxo michele

    Reply
  22. Mimi

    My dream activity would be spending the day working on paper crafts with my teenaged daughter. We would sit for hours making nothing but decorative papers and tucking them away. So when it was time to make cards or another paper craft, we’d have something beautiful to work with.

    Reply
  23. Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

    Oh my I read all the time. I have reviews on my blog. It’s so hard to pick a title to recommend when you didn’t mention what type book you like to read. One of my favorite authors is Mary Connealy. She writes historical fiction and she makes me laugh.

    My dad of nothing would include watching all the Nate shows I have on dvr!

    Reply
  24. Lynn Langford

    That’s what I’ve been doing all week! I work full time as well as go to school full time….and I’m a wife and mom.

    We had a fall break from classes this week and I also took off work a couple of days to just read, relax, and feather my nest a little for the upcoming holidays :)

    Thanks for all of the inspiring ideas :)

    Reply
  25. Linda

    A great book is “To Be Sung Underwater” by Tom McNeal. It’s a love story but not a sappy one by any means. Read it. It will stay with you.

    Reply
  26. StephanieB

    Right now I am reading two books. “Anne of Green Gables” for fun, and Dave Ramsey’s new book “EntreLeadership”.

    I like taking breaks.

    Reply
  27. Debra

    You’re not weird!! I hope you don’t mind but I copied your idea for my Day 27 post. After I read this post I loved the idea. I know I am overwhelmed with this one topic for so long (even though I am really enjoying the challenge) so I figured others may be as well. Maybe changing it up a bit will give us all the steam we need to make it to the finish line!! Thanks!

    Reply
  28. Debra

    Oh, books – I am finishing ‘The Help’ and ‘One Thousand Gifts’ by Ann Voskamp. ‘Imperfectly Imperfect’ by Lee Woodruff is really good.

    Reply

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