Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Looking for fun, longing for Eden

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Judge this book by its pretty cover, but maybe not its title: “That Sounds Fun: The Joys of Being an Amateur, the Power of Falling in Love, and Why You Need a Hobby.”

I preordered Annie Downs’ new book, so I was able to listen to the audio version before my print copy even arrived. I sure am glad I did because I rarely listen to audiobooks, but I was eager to hear Annie’s stories. She read the book and three mini podcast episodes were included after the credits as bonus material – so fun!

I’d categorize this book as a memoir, as Annie tells stories from her life. Each chapter is named after a place. She shares about falling in love (not just with people, but with ideas and dreams and food and places too), the value of being an amateur, and why we all need hobbies. Through it all, she recognizes she – and all of us – is longing for Eden. Her stories brought to mind some of my own growing up and moving on and navigating this unpredictable life.

“I think when we go looking for fun what we are actually looking for is home. We are looking for peace. We are looking for simplicity, something to fill that spot that has been left by growing up or growing out or moving on. While we think we want fun, what we really want is Eden.”

– From “That Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs

“That Sounds Fun” doesn’t sound like it would be packed full of life lessons, but this book is more than the title may suggest. Yes, it’s a fun book, but it’s also a meaningful book that left me with some truth I ought to hold onto:

  • Finding fun matters in our lives that don’t always go as we planned or expected.
  • Being an amateur is fun and brave. Don’t limit your life by thinking you have to be a professional at everything.
  • Searching for Eden is sometimes going to require new places and new friendships and new experiences, but there’s always a chance to come back to places you felt loved 
  • Hobbies slow our minds and lives while connecting us to ourselves and others.

Specifically, her words on grief resonated with me – so much so, I had to pull over while listening, rewind multiple times, and jot them down. I texted them to a friend and then have re-read them more than once.

“We are all amateurs at loving and losing because each circumstance and situation is different. Every relationship that ends is different than the one before. Every friendship that falls apart pings unique spots of pain. When a person dies whom you’ve known and loved, the loss is unlike any loss you’ve ever experienced. In a way people can’t see, there is a grief to losing dreams that will never be fulfilled or jobs that you weren’t hired to do or homes that are no longer yours. There are losses that no one else sees, grieving that is so deeply private that while the rest of your life look right in space and place you know profoundly that Eden is lost.”

– From “That Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs

And then there were words on savoring seasons and noticing that echoed what God has been teaching me.

“We think strength is shown when we force sadness to end. We think we have grown up, matured, increased in health and humanness when we put a full stop to feeling sad or disappointed. Pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps is always rewarded, but it just wasn’t ever meant to be that way. We rush seasons in our personal life … hurrying though … But what is there to gain in letting the season decide its own length instead? No amount of self-control, will power, or changing your wardrobe is going to make the summer turn to fall fast enough for some of us. … We need to remember we actually have no control of that. We notice the mornings that start to have a bite of coolness in the air. We love the nights we have to grab a cardigan or jacket on the way out the door to dinner. But we have no control over any of it. We just get to notice it, enjoy it, and savor it.”

– From “The Sounds Fun” by Annie F. Downs

Part of me always wants to rush through the slowness of winter to get to summer. I’m eager for August, when my taxi service commitments will lessen slightly when Rachel goes to kindergarten. My personality defaults to pushing down the feeling and pulling up the bootstraps.

But, regardless of the season, I want to choose the joys that surprise me in my ordinary life. I want to live at a pace that makes noticing a priority, wherever I am and wherever I’m going. I want to realize almost everything I think I should control is better off held with loose, open hands. Life will be more fun that way.

(P.S. My book arrived the day after two insanely crazy days being a mom and a caretaker for my mother-in-law who has been living with while she’s recovering from open heart surgery. What sounded fun to me on a day without much planned included getting my nails done, mailing this book to a friend, carrying my Trades of Hope bag that was made in a Guatemala town I love, and getting a COVID vaccine on our way back to “normal.”)

About the book

FUN: A little word that can make a huge impact on your life

What sounds fun to you?

You might be surprised to learn the idea of fun is actually pretty serious business. Join author Annie F. Downs on a journey of discovering not just the fun that you want in your life, but also the fun that you need. After all, she’s kind of an expert.

As the host of the widely popular “That Sounds Fun” podcast, Annie and her guests chat about fun every week. She chases it, she celebrates it, and now she’s going to help you find it for yourself. Annie’s witty, warm approach in this book will help you see the unexpected benefits of opening up, letting go, and giving in to a little more fun in your days.

“That Sounds Fun” (the book!) officially released today! The 240-page hardback book is published by Revell.

About the author

Annie F. Downs is a bestselling author, sought-after speaker, and successful podcast host based in Nashville. Engaging and honest, she makes readers and listeners alike feel as if they’ve been longtime friends. Founder of the That Sounds Fun Network – which includes her aptly named flagship show, That Sounds Fun – and author of multiple bestselling books like “100 Days to Brave” and “Remember God,” Annie shoots straight and doesn’t shy away from the tough topics. But she always finds her way back to the truth that God is good and that life is a gift. Annie is a huge fan of laughing with friends, confetti, soccer, and boiled peanuts (preferably from a backroads Georgia gas station). Read more at anniefdowns.com and find her (embarrassingly easily) all over the internet @anniefdowns.

*****

I preordered this book with my own money, but I loved it so much I wanted to tell y’all about it. Of course, I’ve added it to my book recommendations.

How to plan a cozy family night

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In any given year, January can be a tough time with dark nights and dreary weather. Throw in a global pandemic that has restricted many of our normal activities, and, well, you have the perfect recipe for a gloomy month. Instead, let’s embrace what my husband calls “an attitude of gratitude.”

My kids know I don’t like them to complain about being bored. Rather I want them to enjoy our space, their toys, and each other. Likewise, I want to see our extra time at home this winter while we’re staying warm and avoiding the coronavirus as time to unwind, take care of ourselves, and reconnect with one another without some of the usual daily pressures.

This winter isn’t a normal winter, but that’s how seasons work. There are rhythms even when circumstances change. I remind myself of this often during these short days that have me longing for summer.

“God has made each season beautiful and appropriate in its own time. Yes, spring, summer, fall, and winter repeat, but each winter looks different than the one before because God is transforming me. I’m not the same this year as I was as a child or even just last year. There can be similarities and traditions from one year to the next, but the details change from one season to the next, from one year to the next. That’s both wonderful and terrifying. …

Nothing in this life stays the same. That almost seems like a threat, but really it’s a promise too. Traditions anchor us, but our God won’t leave us where we were in the winter by the time springs starts blooming new life.”

– From my book “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories of Gathering & Nourishing People”

Let’s look at a few ways to plan the ultimate cozy night in – with your family, whoever else lives under your roof, who you’re quarantining with, or a larger social circle once the pandemic passes.

Curl up with a good book

Okay, so, I miss having a fire place, but y’all know I always want a good book!

Apparently when speaking of happiness, relaxation, and self-care, some people use the Danish word ‘hygge’ as it encapsulates those feelings and activities. I associate comfort with being snuggled up the couch we love, wrapped in a soft blanket, a kid cuddled in close, and a book that I can’t put down.

I tend to prefer actual books, but Kindles and other devices sure are handy. Take a look at Troypoint for some of the best sites to download books or stream your favorite shows, movies, or music. Of course, if you’re looking for some recommended reads, I’ve got y’all covered there too.

Order a takeout

My mother-in-law has been recovering from a quadruple bypass heart surgery at our house for the past couple of weeks. That’s added some extra logistic details to our life, but it’s also prompted our great community of friends to feed us! I’ve barely cooked this month, which has been nice. I enjoy cooking, but a break has been welcomed for my shrinking mental capacity. Plus we just learned Murray Eats delivers food from restaurants to our porch. We live seven miles from town, so we didn’t think we could have pizza – much less Cracker Barrel – delivered to us.

Yes, COVID-19 has interrupted eating out plans, but so many of our local restaurants have upped their carry-out game. So take a break, and order dinner in. Perhaps even enjoy it on some paper plates!

When our friends are feeding us, I will get back to recruiting my oldest daughter to help me in the kitchen. I do cherish that time together making memories and meals.

Have a sleepover

We don’t really do sleepovers outside our house for various reasons that have nothing to do with a cozy night in. With Peggy recovering from her open heart surgery here, we’ve had to play musical bedrooms. Cate moved to Rachel’s room and Rachel has a spare twin mattress in our back living room. Seeing Rachel set up with her stuffed animals, favorite blankets, and unicorn sleep mask reminds me of how cozy and fun it can be for kids to vary their sleeping situations.

Dig out some fairy lights, sweet and salty snacks, and tell your kids all about your own sleepover experiences – or at least the parts you want them to know about!

Play board games

Y’all know we love games around here! We’ve been playing a lot of Monopoly Junior and Othello recently, but ask me next week and we’re likely to have other boxes sitting on our dining room table. Of course, I have a list of all our family favorites, if you’re looking for some at-home entertainment and competition.

*****

This is the fourth in a series about why hospitality matters in every season. (October. November. December.) And, yes, hospitality happens right in your home with your people. Learn more about this and get some free resources on the “Bringing Home More than Groceries” page.

Love Your Home Once Again

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Life certainly doesn’t look like it did a year ago, thanks to the global coronavirus pandemic that interrupted our lives. So many people have spent more time at their homes – working from home, schooling kids at home, distancing themselves from crowds. Of course, this has come with much adjustment in routines, logistics, and even our spaces. Improving our home has been a good day to navigate our increased time here.

While spending more time at home, we have been made adjustments to our space and noticed possible improvements. Yes, you can use even this weird season of social distancing to fall in love with your home all over again. Here are some ways to do that:

Renovated Your Spaces

Conducting home renovations is important to make your space feel like home. Many people have the time to do this, so this is one way to focus on moving forward in your home, even when so much of the world is uncertain.

We haven’t done any major renovations, but my teenager did paint her little sister’s room. She may not have agreed to it had she known bright pink doesn’t easily cover mint green! We’ve rearranged closets and bedrooms as we make our spaces function better for all the extra time we’ve spent here.

Take Pride in Where You Live

Taking pride in where you live is vital, especially when you’re truly living in your home like we have been. I discovered how easy it is the clean my hard floors with the Shark VacMop, ordered more forks and spoons because we were eating so many meals at home, and ordered cleaning and household supplies online.

Honestly, I like a clean house, but I also know we live here, so taking pride for me involves some daily tasks to contain the clutter and crumbs. Of course, there are bigger projects, such as using window cleaning services, in order to really spruce up your views.

Speaking of views, I truly have appreciated country living as we’ve socially distanced ourselves from crowds of people. The wide-open spaces have been good for my soul, especially in the spring, summer, and fall. I’ve loved noticing how natural colors change. And we’ve all needed the extra space to safely roam.

Plant a Garden

We actually planted our first garden! It was small and barely successful, but I was so glad the spring and summer days at home helped me accomplish something I’d wanted to try. We planted zucchini, tomato, and pepper seeds in planters. Then once the plants grew, we transferred the zucchini and tomato plants to the ground. They grew well and produced, but then the deer ate all the tomato plants – produce and all! We got several zucchini and sweet pepper to enjoy. And we came away with some better plans for this year.

Making summertime fun is always important, especially during the pandemic when traveling may not happen as much. Gardening is one way to do this. Plus it improves and helps you appreciate where you live and the natural seasons.

How have you found yourself loving your home and property during these social-distancing days?

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I’ve written some other posts about social distancing that may encourage you.