I love looking back at things. Reflecting and remembering are such important actions. We can’t measure growth or analyze what is working and not working without taking the times to look back.
This year felt slightly different to me for several reasons. As my children continue to get older {which is sad but exciting at the same time}, I found myself passing off chores and tasks that used to be too hard for them. Suddenly, I had more help in the kitchen, cleaning, folding and putting away laundry. It’s a fun stage to arrive at. My kids are also becoming better at amusing themselves. While we still do school, play games, etc. together, they are also content building Legos, crafting, imagining, and reading without me. These two changes have afforded me more free time in pursuit of new hobbies. I was able to practice watercolors, doodle, read, write, and work in the garden.
The reason I mention the two things above is because these shifts allowed me to enjoy some of the things I’ll get into in a minute. Stages of life change and this year I could definitely feel that difference. In previous years, I was not able to read as much, try new interests, get my plans finished. My family took more time and energy, which was fine because that’s what was needed in that season of younger, needy kids. As we’ve moved beyond that stage, I am able to pass some responsibility to them.
There is no portion of life that {I believe} is better than another. Every stage has challenges, joys, disappointments, frustrations, fun, excitement. The freedom of more time in my current stage means, yes, more time to do things I enjoy! But I also have to manage that time well, my children are maturing and that brings needed deep, meaningful conversations about life and guiding them in a difficult world.
So as I look back on the highlights of 2022 and what I enjoyed, I wanted to bring together a list of a few favorites that maybe will benefit you this next year for whatever stage you find yourself.
Podcasts
I’m not a huge listener of podcasts. It’s very hard to focus my attention on just audio unless it’s music. But when I’m folding laundry, doing my makeup/hair, fixing dinner, I sometimes turn on a podcast and these are some of my favorites.
Why or Why Not with the Watsons - These conversations between Benjamin and Kirsten are always interesting and fun. And I like the practical ways they blend biblical wisdom into their daily lives.
Based on a True Story - I find this fascinating. The host takes a Hollywood movie “based on” some historical story/event and interviews an expert on what they got right and what they got wrong in the movie.
Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey - If I have a little more time, I’ll find one of her episodes about a current day issue. I enjoy that she is factual and biblically sound in her advice without being rude or obnoxious.
The Bible Recap - I listened to this {and also read the corresponding book} after my daily Bible reading to get the host’s breakdown of that day’s reading. Very helpful.
Books
It’s always extremely hard to pick favorite books for me! And I read a dozen more than in previous years. You can read this post about some of my favorites in 2022 but a few honorable mentions are:
M is for Mama - So encouraging and helpful.
Hill House Living - I loved seeing her English home through the seasons and finding ideas for decorating and making a house more homey.
A Visual Guide to the Bible - Not really a book you sit and read; more like a reference and resource to pull out when you have a question. Because I’m a visual learner, the charts and graphics in this book are so helpful for me.
The Diamond Eye - This historical fiction was fascinating. Based on a real Russian {actually she was Ukrainian} woman sniper during World War 2 who later came to America and met Eleanor Roosevelt! Amazing story, some objectionable language/elements.
Our Castle by the Sea - A YA novel about a seaside village in England before, during, and after Dunkirk. Themes of bravery, loyalty, who we trust.
movies
I don’t watch a lot of movies or TV. I usually have other things I want to spend my time on. But sometimes it’s nice to sit and enjoy a visual story and be transported away! Also great to have on while working a puzzle! These aren’t new movies; frankly I can’t think of anything new I want to waste time on. But these are some favorites I don’t mind watching again and again.
Any black and white movie with Cary Grant, Fred Astaire, Katherine Hepburn, etc. I grew up watching these and we still quote them! Musicals, comedies…I am here for it!
1917 - This movie makes you feel like you are in the middle on World War 1. Shot in a unique way, you travel with two soldiers on a mission to save 1600 lives. I jumped at a few places that surprised me and shed a few tears at the ending. Caution: war violence.
Sense and Sensibility - One of my favorite Jane Austen books and the movie {1995 version} captures it so well. I love the music, characters, settings. It’s beautiful.
Planet Earth/Blue Planet - We love watching these {and their sequels} as a family. The cinematography and music are incredible. And, for a secular nature show, there isn’t an overwhelming amount of evolution — but my kids call it out when it’s presented! I love sitting back and marveling at God’s creation.
newsletters
This might seem like an odd category but I have found several newsletters that have been interesting, good sources of information. These are all free to sign up for!
Glenna Marshall’s monthly newsletter - Marshall is the author of one of my favorite reads of 2020 and her newsletters are filled with encouragement, recipes, book reviews, and other good things.
The Pour Over - This Christian worldview news email has been helpful as I try to stay current with events but don’t want mainstream media bias or information overload. Emails arrive Monday, Wednesday, Friday and give a brief rundown of what is happening with links if you want to read more.
The Cultural Tutor - I stumbled on this on Twitter and have found the weekly emails extremely interesting. Every Friday, the Tutor presents one of each example of seven pillars of classical culture: music, art, historical figure, architecture, rhetoric, writing, and The Seventh Plinth (which is usually something comical from history). It’s a good introduction to a variety of topics and would be great for high schoolers to add to their curriculum.
youtube
Like any type of social media, YouTube is a hole that’s easy to fall down and easier to get lost in! Here are the channels I keep going back to!
Watercolor - This topic is the majority of my feed! It’s so tempting to get sucked into all the tutorials available with gorgeous paintings to try. But what I’ve found most helpful are the simple, basic channels that talk me through each step and color. My favorites: Shayda Campbell, Kristin Van Leuven, Ellen Crimi-Trent, and Emma Jane Lefebvre.
Royal Fashion News - I have enjoyed getting to know more about some of Europe’s royal families and this channel indulges my favorite part: the clothes and jewelry! I’ll be honest, I was the little girl who wanted to be a princess when I grew up so watching actual royal ladies dress up and act elegant is my cup of tea! My favorites are Catherine, the Princess of Wales and Mary, the Crown Princess of Denmark.
Suibhne and Absolute History - The first channel gives brief, animated histories of all different countries. We’ve watched a few for school and they give a nice overview. The second channel is more documentary style learning.
The Waldock Way - This is a homeschool mom who gives book and game reviews. I’ve found some interesting things I wouldn’t have heard of otherwise through her channel.
Music
The last section is music. I listen to a variety of styles but I’m a little particular. I don’t listen to what most people consider popular music and I’m not sorry about it! But here are the things I turned on again and again in 2022. Note: I didn’t link any of these songs/singers because I can’t link to every streaming service you might be using. But they should all be available and easy to find wherever you listen to music!
Togo soundtrack - I love this movie also {unfortunately it’s only on Disney+} but it’s perfect for reading background music on a snowy day.
Michael Buble, Josh Groban, Matteo Bocelli - When my kids turn on music, it’ll probably be one of these guys! Our favorite dinner prep music!
Hide ‘em in Your Heart by Steve Green - I listened to these when I was young and it’s a joy to sing them with my kids. Bible verses set to music make it so much easier to memorize! These songs are singable and memorable with words straight out of the Bible. The other day, one of my kids read the reference Romans 8:28 and another of my kids started singing the song!
CityAlight - Not all their songs are my favorite but “Only a Holy God” “The Night Song” and “Jesus, Strong and Kind” are hummed, sung, and listened to on repeat over here.
This is definitely not exhaustive but I hope it gives you a few new things to read, try, watch, listen to, and enjoy in 2023! I would love to read some of your favorites in the comments!
Photo by Zoritza Valova on Unsplash