2020 BOOK REVIEW

I’ve always included “reading” in my list of favorite pastimes. But, if I were being honest, I fell out of the rhythm of reading some time during high school. I read the books required for school. I skimmed text books in college and read the occasional devotional or self-help book, but I couldn’t call myself an avid reader.

My New Year’s resolutions have always included a reading goal–a goal which I rarely met. When 2020 began, I set my reading goal to four books. F-O-U-R. I thought if I could just read four books this year, I’ll be in good shape.

Six months in, I had hit my goal above and beyond, so I readjusted my goal to 20.

I loved getting back between the pages–meeting new characters, flipping through different genres, hearing from various authors and rediscovering my love for reading again.

I am proud to say that I finished 2020 having read 30 books.

Here is my 2020 book list, with stars next to my six favorites:

1. Parenting – Paul David Tripp⭐️

2. Eleanor Oliphant Is Complete Fine – Gail Honeyman

3. Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens⭐️

4. The Secret Life of Bees – Sue Monk Kidd⭐️

5. Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life – Tish Harrison Warren

6. Rhythms of Renewal: Trading Stress and Anxiety for a Life of Peace and Purpose – Rebekah Lyons

7. Don’t Make Me Count to Three – Ginger Plowman

8. Cherish: The One Word That Changes Everything for Your Marriage – Gary L. Thomas

9. Anne of Green Gables – L.M. Montgomery⭐️

10. Anne of Avonlea – L.M. Montgomery

11. I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness – Austin Channing Brown

12. Anne of the Island – L.M. Montgomery

13. Beholding and Becoming: The Art of Everyday Worship – Ruth Chou Simons

14. Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right – Jamie Glowacki

15. Anne of Windy Poplars – L.M. Montgomery

16. Anne’s House of Dreams – L.M. Montgomery

17. If You Can Keep It: The Forgotten Promise of American Liberty – Eric Metaxas

18. Valley of Decision: The War on God, Family and Country – Dr. Sterling Lacy

19. Anne of Ingleside – L.M. Montgomery

20. Before You Vote: Seven Questions Every Christian Should Ask – David Platt

21. Ordinary Grace – William Kent Krueger⭐️

22. Greenlights – Matthew McConaughey

23. Changes that Heal: The Four Shifts That Make Everything Better… And That Anyone Could Do – Henry Cloud

24. Unfreedom of the Press – Mark R. Levin

25. How to Find Love in a Bookshop – Veronica Henry

26. The Christmas Company – Alys Murray

27. Another Place at the Table – Kathy Harrison

28. Is This Anything? – Jerry Seinfeld

29. A Christmas Carol – Charles Dickens

30. Shadow and Light: A Journey into Advent – Tsh Oxenreider⭐️

I have loved using Goodreads to rate and review each book and see what others are reading.

I am eager to dive into my 2021 reading plan. What’s on your list?

THE SOUNDS OF MOVING FORWARD

I stare at a blur of colors,
Time is frozen.

How to go on? 
All I want is to be,
Not do,
Not give,
Just be.

Then they creep in,
Interrupting the stillness,
The sounds of moving forward. 

The clothes in the dryer whirl and tumble. 
The cars roll down the street. 
The coffee drips into the carafe.
A persistent “mama” is softly (and loudly) spoken.
The water rushes from the faucet.
The dogs bark at life passing our fence.
The microwave hums as leftovers are reheated.

Simple sounds I don’t always notice. 

Ordinary sounds that mean life has to go on.

How can it?
How dare it?

A silent tear rolls down my cheek. 

I stare at a blur of colors,
Time is frozen.

OUR STAY AT THE PETER HUNTER HOUSE

After my husband, Joel, and I decided to book a small getaway trip, we began researching. We were looking for a nearby city–somewhere we could relax, unwind, rest and recharge.

We googled, read blogs and asked for suggestions. Through social media, a friend shared that her mom had just opened up a Bed & Breakfast in Natchez, MS called the Peter Hunter House. After reading about the home and asking a few questions, we were sold. We booked a stay for 4 days in June.

We were so eager for the trip, especially since this was our first time to Natchez and our first time staying in a Bed & Breakfast.

Our stay at the Peter Hunter House was everything we didn’t know we needed. We couldn’t wait to get home and share our experience with others. The charm of the city, the beauty of the home, and the sweet hospitality of Mrs. Hydie (the owner) were unmatched.

DAY ONE

After a scenic almost-2-hour drive, we pulled up to the Peter Hunter House and were quickly welcomed by Mrs. Hydie. After hellos and unloading the car, we walked inside and the house took my breath away. (I felt so lucky to call it home for the next few days.)

The house boasted with many features from its original construction in 1849. The intricate pieces of art, I would later learn, were the work of Mrs. Hydie’s grandfather. The uniquely gorgeous pieces of furniture begged you to just be–to sit, stay, appreciate, read, drink tea, slow down.

Mrs. Hydie showed us to our room and gave us a great late-lunch suggestion–The Camp. It’s right on the Mississippi River and the food is delicious! (We quickly noticed, as Mrs. Hydie shared, everyone in Natchez is incredibly friendly.)

We unpacked and took a much-needed nap, then played frisbee in the front yard before getting ready to go to dinner. Natchez Brewing Co. was a short walk from our home and we had heard nothing but good things about their pizza. If you read my blog about New York, you know we had to try it out!

Highlights:

• Fresh-cut flowers all over our room

• Taking photos of every square inch of the house

• Our cozy afternoon nap

DAY TWO

Natural light filled our room as we slowly woke up. (Isn't it lovely to slowly wake up?) After reading and getting ready for the day, our breakfast was promptly delivered–frittatas topped with edible flowers and a side of fruit. I didn’t know breakfast could be so beautiful.

The house has three rooms upstairs for guests to stay in, along with a common room, which includes a table and chairs and a connected balcony with seating. Mrs. Hydie made sure to always have this room stocked with coffee, tea, fresh water, fruit, snacks and treats!

Did I mention that the most glorious cold front came through on the exact two full days we were in Natchez? Thank you, Jesus. We couldn’t have dreamt of better weather. Mrs. Hydie provided us with two bikes–essential–and we were off to explore the city.

We saw so many things on our to-do list: St. Mary’s Basilica, First Presbyterian Church, and many local shops and restaurants. We rode to the Natchez City Cemetery. It was absolutely gorgeous and has tombstones dating back to the 1700s. Two hours of biking (up and down hills that we Louisianians aren’t used to) will work up an appetite, so we stopped at Farrah’s for some incredible authentic Mediterranean food.

Post-lunch, we biked along the the river, and all the way to Arlington, an old abandoned home on 55 acres of property.

The busy morning had us craving some down time. That is the best part about staying at the Peter Hunter House–even just being in the house is both exciting and relaxing. Listening to your husband play guitar while you drink tea and read in a bubble bath has to be the exact recipe for relaxation.

Later in the afternoon, we rode our bikes to Steampunk Coffee Roasters for an afternoon pick-me-up and went shopping on Main and Franklin streets. (Two of our favorite stores were Darby’s–you have to try the rocky road fudge and One of a Kind Gift Shop. But, there are lots of cute antique stores as well!)

We had to grab some famous tamales at Fat Mama’s before going home to get ready for our evening. Around 7:30pm, we went to the river and played frisbee until the sun began to set. Watching the sunset along the Mississippi River is an absolute must.

Our plan was to drop off our bikes at the house and walk to dinner, but when we got home, Joel said he had to use the restroom. I told him I would wait for him downstairs (simply because the rooms are gorgeous and just fun to be in), but he insisted I go upstairs with him. After our yes-no dance, I finally followed him upstairs to see why he needed to “use the restroom.”

A private candlelit dinner was set up on our balcony. Yes, in the perfect 65-degree weather.

I was absolutely shocked.

Mrs. Hydie had prepared a four-course meal to serve us, starting with a delicious appetizer of French bread, goat cheese with herbs, tomatoes and olive oil, followed by arugula salads. The main entree was a gorgeous French-inspired chicken pot pie with roasted broccoli, and bread pudding with sea salt caramel gelato for dessert. (Is your mouth watering?)

At dinner, I learned that Joel had contacted Mrs. Hydie after we booked our trip and asked her about setting up a special romantic dinner to surprise me–so incredibly sweet. And, Mrs. Hydie was happy and excited to participate!

We ended the night playing a vintage Spider-Man board game we got at one of the antique stores for $6!

Highlights:

• St. Mary’s Basilica (absolutely gorgeous inside)

• Natchez National Cemetery

• Farrah’s

• Arlington

• Sunset over the river

• Private balcony dinner

DAY THREE

We woke up and went for a run. We ran along the river and back home just in time for breakfast–a hearty bowl of grits, runny eggs and bacon.

Since our previous morning was fairly busy, we wanted to move at a slower pace this day. We filled our morning with guitar playing, balcony painting, daydreaming and reading.

We lunched at a local favorite, Cotton Alley Cafe, and went back home for a rest before our next outing. Prior to our trip, we contacted Mrs. Hydie about touring a local home and she got us tickets to Longwood. It’s a short 8-minute drive from the Peter Hunter House, but you feel like you’re in a different world when you drive onto the property.

We parked and decided to “walk the grounds” before bringing our tickets to the Gift Shop. We didn’t get very far before I walked right into another surprise–a romantic picnic set up under a tree for Joel and I. Mrs. Hydie and Joel had teamed up again! She had pillows and blankets and sheer white sheets hanging from low branches. There was a basket filled with chicken salad, salt & vinegar chips, kabobs generously stacked with olives, artichokes, roasted red peppers and salami, strawberry shortcakes and our favorite–LaCroix! She even packed bubbles! It was a dream.

We ate and laughed and talked and enjoyed the afternoon. We did finally turn in our tickets and toured Longwood. It was built in 1859, with plans to be six stories filled with rooms to host guests and events. Construction halted during the tension of the Civil War, with the basement being the only completed floor. The homeowner sadly died and the rest of the home was never finished. The family has purposefully kept it unfinished, except for the first floor. It was fascinating!

On our way home, we stopped by a few stores and grabbed a chocolate malt from The Malt Shop before heading home.

After a perfectly restful afternoon, we went to the Monmouth Historic Inns & Gardens to walk the grounds before dinner. The building is absolutely gorgeous, and it had a very Anne-of-Green-Gables bridge that made my heart soar!

We dined at Pearl Street Pasta, a Natchez favorite. Full of fried calamari, bruschetta and shrimp pasta, we still had room for Mrs. Hydie’s shortbread cookies and sea salt caramel gelato while we visited with her in the living room. (Mrs. Hydie is a kindred spirit.)

Highlights:

• Running by the river

• Longwood

• Surprise picnic

• The Malt Shop’s chocolate malt

• Monmouth grounds

DAY FOUR

Sigh. Our last morning.

We journaled and read until our breakfast was ready–blueberry pancake casserole and sausage. We devoured every bite while we talked about how sad we were to leave.

I had to take one last divine bubble bath before packing up. Mrs. Hydie texted that the Natchez Farmer’s Market was happening that morning by the river. We rode our bikes down empty-handed and returned with flowers and zucchinis and honey.

After we finished packing, we went to Natchez Coffee Co. for lunch–great sandwiches! Our room was clean, our car was packed, but we had to stay just a little longer, so we sat in the living room and broke out a few of our board games.

Before heading out of town, we stopped at The Donut Shop for a sweet on-the-road treat.

Highlights:

• Blueberry pancake casserole (so yummy)

• Natchez Farmer’s Market

• Natchez Coffee Co.

• Board games in the living room

• The Donut Shop

I encourage anyone looking for a sweet getaway to consider Natchez. It’s a beautiful town with lots of character and friendly people, and your stay can be as slow or fast-paced as you want it to be.

If you plan to go to Natchez, we highly recommend staying at the Peter Hunter House.

Let Mrs. Hydie bless you as she blessed us. Her attention to detail, kindness, helpful recommendations, delicious cooking and incredible hospitality are second to none.

We are already dreaming of when we will return!

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