What I Am In To Lately
This month, I've enjoyed reading a book by an author friend I really admire. Her name is Alicia Britt Chole. She and I share good conversation together over tea and coffee the first Tuesday of each month. She's a unique, interesting and intelligent woman who makes me laugh and learn every time I'm with her.
Her latest book is called Finding an Unseen God: Reflections of a Former Atheist. This spiritual memoir explores Alicia's rational and intellectual approach to Christianity and her conversion. It's heady at times, but totally down to earth. With her creative and honest style, she offers great insight to those who think atheists are just angry antagonists. The way she approaches faith, as an atheist and later as a believer, is more reasoned and intentional than many Christians. I enjoyed the unique way she put the book together--the reader goes back and forth from the beginning to the end of the story. You'll just have to check it out and see what I mean.
While I've been reading Alicia's new book, the fragrance of leather has filled my senses. But it's not because I'm settled in a cushy leather chair-it's from a candle! My friend Lisa sent me the most scrumptious smelling candle. It smells like sweet, soft leather!
She sent the candle to be the first fragrance in my new office. We converted our upstairs piano room into my office, and I now call it my library. It has French doors, a bay window and faux-painted walls that look like old parchment. Phil and I had fun furnishing it. At least I had fun...Phil had patience and self-control! The shelf and bench in the library are from India and they are made of repurposed pieces, like old railroad ties, wood from old doors and miscellaneous hardware. It's very artsy but still has classic lines. I love it! To complete the atmosphere I wanted, we got two animal print wingback chairs and a chocolate hued 3-inch shag rug! I still need curtains, some wall hangings, maybe a lamp and items to populate the shelves, but it's already cozy. It's a great place to read and write, think and pray.
To top off the library experience, I sip the coffee Lisa sent with the candle--Cafe de Maraba. The package says it's Rwanda's first and finest specialty coffee. The flavor is robust, but what I love most is that the beans are hand sorted by Maraban women, providing rural employment and creating equality in that troubled land. And good coffee is even better when coupled with good books!
By the way, printed on the leather candle is this: "Never lend books for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are books that other folks have left me." Anatole France
So, give these things a taste test:
1. Finding an Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole
2. Make a place in your home for you to read and write, think and pray
3. A leather fragranced candle to freshen up a room
4. Cafe de Maraba: Rwanda's Finest Coffee
Her latest book is called Finding an Unseen God: Reflections of a Former Atheist. This spiritual memoir explores Alicia's rational and intellectual approach to Christianity and her conversion. It's heady at times, but totally down to earth. With her creative and honest style, she offers great insight to those who think atheists are just angry antagonists. The way she approaches faith, as an atheist and later as a believer, is more reasoned and intentional than many Christians. I enjoyed the unique way she put the book together--the reader goes back and forth from the beginning to the end of the story. You'll just have to check it out and see what I mean.While I've been reading Alicia's new book, the fragrance of leather has filled my senses. But it's not because I'm settled in a cushy leather chair-it's from a candle! My friend Lisa sent me the most scrumptious smelling candle. It smells like sweet, soft leather!
She sent the candle to be the first fragrance in my new office. We converted our upstairs piano room into my office, and I now call it my library. It has French doors, a bay window and faux-painted walls that look like old parchment. Phil and I had fun furnishing it. At least I had fun...Phil had patience and self-control! The shelf and bench in the library are from India and they are made of repurposed pieces, like old railroad ties, wood from old doors and miscellaneous hardware. It's very artsy but still has classic lines. I love it! To complete the atmosphere I wanted, we got two animal print wingback chairs and a chocolate hued 3-inch shag rug! I still need curtains, some wall hangings, maybe a lamp and items to populate the shelves, but it's already cozy. It's a great place to read and write, think and pray.
To top off the library experience, I sip the coffee Lisa sent with the candle--Cafe de Maraba. The package says it's Rwanda's first and finest specialty coffee. The flavor is robust, but what I love most is that the beans are hand sorted by Maraban women, providing rural employment and creating equality in that troubled land. And good coffee is even better when coupled with good books!By the way, printed on the leather candle is this: "Never lend books for no one ever returns them; the only books I have in my library are books that other folks have left me." Anatole France
So, give these things a taste test:
1. Finding an Unseen God by Alicia Britt Chole
2. Make a place in your home for you to read and write, think and pray
3. A leather fragranced candle to freshen up a room
4. Cafe de Maraba: Rwanda's Finest Coffee
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