Monthly Mercies: November
Children's books on audio, cake donations, and the surprising mercy of a peanut butter.
Hello, friend.
I bought peanut butter last week.
For many people, this is just a normal, boring line on their grocery list, but for our family, the purchase was huge. HUGE.
Over the last few weeks, Phoebe has done a couple of food challenges at her allergist’s office. First we did baked egg, which she passed as expected. We were thrilled! I can bake with eggs again! A week after that, we went in with low expectations to a peanut challenge. For context, just months ago we were told to prepare for her peanut allergy to be a lifelong thing. Then her blood work came back with drastically lower peanut levels and the allergist gave a green light to challenge it.
She passed. No reaction whatsoever. Not only that, she LOVED the taste of peanut butter.
I cried the whole 25 minute drive home.
After years of stressing about peanut butter at parks and play dates and reading labels over and over, we could relax a little. Phoebe still has restrictions on eggs and is allergic to tree nuts, but the lifting of these two limitations was a weight off my chest. A weight I had grown so accustomed to that I didn’t notice it until it was gone.
The best part is that we weren’t expecting it. We were prepared for the long haul. And yes, peanut allergies—especially in a manageable case like Phoebe’s—aren’t really *that* difficult to manage. But allergies are scary and do require a level of forethought and planning we never experienced with our other kids. It was the best surprise I’ve had in a long, long time. What a mercy.
I hope your November is off to a great start with unexpected delights. You can find us Grasses reveling in the mercy of Reese’s pumpkins for the first time in a long time.
In his mercy,
Amy.
October Reads
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
This re-read seemed like it would be the perfect pick for October and it absolutely was. I first read The Graveyard Book with my book club several years back and was excited to revisit it on audio this year. This middle grade novel is about a boy named Bod who lives in a graveyard. It is clever, touching, and a beautiful story of an adolescent trying to find his place in the world. I’d say it’s best for older middle grade readers, more like 10+ as there are still some intense scenes and difficult themes. But it’s just perfect for a sensitive adult reader like me. :)
My Goodreads rating: 5/5 stars
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
My book club read this children’s novel in October in anticipation of the release of Wicked. I’ve seen the movie countless times, but had never read the book. To be honest, I’ve always thought the movie was just fine and the book was the same for me. Odd, a little boring after a while, and just fine. This was probably the most favorable review of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz from my book club actually.
My Goodreads rating: 3/5 stars
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Parenting dreams CAME TRUE in October, my friends. Joel and I had gone back and forth on when to let our kids start reading Harry Potter and decided to let Eloise begin last month. Joel and I did a buddy read along with her and since we only own one copy of the book, I decided to read it on audio for the first time. I’m not sure if it was because I haven’t read it in a few years or the audio version or (probably this) that my child was reading my tattered childhood copy where I first met Harry, but WOW this was a delightful experience. I laughed, I cried more than I expected to?, and just adored Hogwarts chats with my girl.
My Goodreads rating: 5/5 stars
I Cheerfully Refuse by Leif Enger
This book took me three weeks to read, which is not normal for me, but WOW it was worth it. Set in a future, not quite apocalyptic America but where society has deteriorated, Rainy lives along Lake Superior and ends up on a sailing journey after a series of events leaves his life in shambles. I don’t even know how to describe this book without spoilers but the writing is so beautiful which juxtaposes stunningly with the post-literary society Rainy is living in. It’s one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.
My Goodreads rating: 5/5 stars
October Bakes
October Words
I shared my poem from Issue 17 of
on Instagram last month. Read it here! Issue 18 is out today!A quick little poem about small, human things I wrote in my head on the walk home from school drop off one morning.
October Favorites
Phoebe’s birthday was two weeks ago and a couple of gifts she received that were real hits were these magnetic cubes and these little magnetic people (I actually love playing with these too).
This post from
sorting boys’ names she’s most signed books for is flawless. I found myself both disappointed and relieved that Oliver isn’t on it.My friend
’s stunning essay for Coffee + Crumbs took my breath away.I ate the entire bag of this harvest apple salad from Trader Joe’s for lunch earlier this week and I have no regrets.
Timothee Chalamet showing up at a Timothee Chalamet look-alike contest? Iconic move. 10/10 no notes.
🎶This month's newsletter was written while listening to:
Country Covers II- Josiah and the Bonnevilles
I'll see you back here on the first Friday in December! Until then, you can find me on Instagram.
Do you know a friend who you think would enjoy this newsletter? I'd love for you to share it.
I hope your November is full of new mercies. Take care of yourselves, friends.
Added a note to my notes app: small human things. Thanks for the inspiration to keep track 💚
Also, praise be to God for fewer food allergies and the welcoming of peanut butter into your home! Those pumpkin Reese’s 🫶🏻
Yay for peanut butter! I always look forward to your newsletters because they are full of good book recommendations, beautiful cakes and lovely poetry. Keep up the good work!