Readers love books.A close second is found in bookish accessories or book-related items that accompany our reading lives and bring delight to our days. Here are a few of mine that have been languishing in a google doc waiting for me to bring this list to light and life here at ADG and share them […]
On Artist Dates and Play
“Artist Date: A once-weekly solo expedition to explore something fun. Explore something that interests or entrances you. Artist Dates are assigned play. Plan an Artist Date ahead of time. Artist Dates are to be undertaken by ourselves, alone, with the reward of a heightened sense of autonomy. An Artist Date need not be expensive or […]
Five Novels I Loved Set at The End Of Life
These five books might not always be found in a bookstack together, but I wanted to share them with you in one. I struggled with what to title this post and what should I say on a graphic? I know why I’m stacking them together, but how to condense it into a concise title? Helen […]
Explorer Bible Dictionary for Kids Review + Giveaway
It looks like summer here. The wheat is golden. The heat and temperatures and wind are hanging out on our back doorstep. It tracks with our spring. Our tulips and peonies all burst into bloom about three weeks early and the wheat is following suit. I signed up to review and share a giveaway for […]
Celebrating Journaling as a Spiritual Practice
I’m so very, very happy to welcome to the page today, my dear friend, Allison Byxbe. She’s often found with pen to page and all-things-journaling are in her wheelhouse. I couldn’t be more delighted to share her new book, Journaling as a Spiritual Practice, with you. This book lands on shelves and online today! It’s […]
Wherein We Find My Favorite Books Read in 2025
One of my delights in December is reading booklists compiled by readers of their favorite books from this year of reading. I’ve read Emily P. Freeman’s and Lore Wilbert’s and Anne Bogel’s and other lists from bookstore newsletters, Insta accounts, and Substack. It’s fun to see the same titles popping up on numerous lists. Particularly […]
If You Start A Book Club….
If you start a book club and if you meet once a month, every month for almost three years, and if you have a book society retreat in the nearby city for a long weekend in January of 2023 and again in March of 2024, then you might find your book clerisy in February of […]
Books I Read in 2024 and Found To Be Delightful
January dances away on the calendar as I sit and type this. We’ve had snow and ice and snow again and cold temperatures to go with it all. I haven’t minded. Granted, I’ve been able to stay inside my warm and cozy house during most of it, thus not so much to mind. It has […]
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Amazon Giftcard Giveaway
I laughed.I cried.It exceeded my expectations. Years ago, my aunt introduced us to the horrible Herdmans and the Best Christmas Pageant Ever. She lent us the book and the next year we watched the 1983 film adaptation. When the email landed in my inbox a month or so ago with an invitation to preview this […]
Clear Mind, Peaceful Heart and a Starbucks Giveaway
As July wanes into August and heat swirls and summer radiates a sunbaked haze, we nudge the a/c down a notch, fill up Stanley cups with ice and water, and send the sprinklers through another rotation. Early morning welcomes coffee on the porch, a chapter or two, and a bit of quiet contemplation before the […]
Gimme Some Sugar: A Delightful Devotional Giveaway
April tiptoed in with sunshine and a whole gamut of temperatures with some gusty strong winds dispersed throughout our days for good measure. It’s not quite the April I would order, but there you are.Chilly or ninety degrees seem to be our options. I would gladly rejoice in an abundant two inches of rain, but […]
Wherein We Find My Favorite Books Read in 2023
No. 1 All My Knotted-Up Life by Beth Moore No. 2 The Donkey Principle by Rachel Anne Ridge No. 3 On Getting Out of Bed by Alan Noble No. 4 My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman No. 5 Enchantment by Katherine May No. 6 Holy Unhappiness by Amanda Held […]
September Kaleidoscope
“Attention – deep, sustained, undeviating – is in itself an experience of a very high order.” ~ Roberto Gerhard Books Delightful Incidentals I measured flour and butter and sugar. A bit of vanilla and water and stirred up pie dough this last week of September. The oven hummed its pre-heat song as I rolled out […]
Wherein We Look at the Life Counsel Bible and Have a Giveaway
A week ago, this past Friday, the Life Counsel Bible arrived at my door for me to review, photograph, and share with you. {Pssstt…there’s also an Amazon gift card giveaway at the end of this post!} I have a small collection of Bibles, several from reviews and giveaways, that I’ve shared here at ADG with […]
August Kaleidoscope
With Open Hands With open hands, I bring my prayers, my questions, my people, my anxious fears, my happy tears,my gratitude spilling over,my laughter and love.I offer it to You,a sacrifice,my soul sings of doubt and despair, of delight and dancing. With open hands, I step into your embrace,Enveloped in the lavender scent of love […]
A Dagger Called…
Have you read Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis? My Book Club Society is currently reading it. Fascinating. I’m still undecided on all my thoughts and feelings about it, but we have had some GLORIOUS discussions. So thought-provoking. At the end of the fifteenth chapter, I placed myself in Orual’s robes and these are […]
A Bundle of Beauty and Books Giveaway
I love July. I always have. I’m sure this is in part because it is my birth month. As a kid, it was wonderful to have my birthday halfway through the year and Christmas in the second half. Obviously, this equates to gifts and celebrations! But I love the summer sun and the summer heat […]
