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A review by paperbacks_n_frybread
Simple Pleasures: Stories from My Life as an Amish Mother by Marianne Jantzi
5.0
Full review at Mama Bear Reads
Anyone else have a healthy curiosity when it comes to the Amish? Am I the only one?
Seriously, I have tons of cookbooks and memoirs written by the simple folk. I am completely intrigued by the life that they live, and wholly respect it. I'm fascinated by such simplicity that I can only wish to accomplish in my own home. The sewing. The cooking. The homesteading. The child rearing. I love learning about it all. The Amish know so much about things that most of us don't-and that peeks my interest each time I read about them.
In Marianne Jantzi's book, "Simple Pleasures" , she gives us an in-depth look at Amish living through the eyes of a mama. From the first chapter, I had to press on.
And honestly, telling you why this book is so interesting doesn't even make sense to me. There's nothing absolutely extraordinary- it's just snippets of normal, everyday life. It's like being a fly on the wall through all the seasons.
But, there is one thing that kept me going-she's a mama, just like me. No really. When you think of Amish mothers, what do you think of? Don't you think of someone poised who does it all from sun-up to sun-down with grace and meekness?
Well, most of that is still what's in my head, but Marianne definitely showed me that a mama's heart is just that-no matter what kind of life you're coming from. She bridged the gap by showing how we share the same.exact.feelings. when being in the house for days on end:
"I'm one of those homemakers who sends her man off to work each morning, then spends one day after the next cooped up inside with the little ones. Before you know it, you feel dull and listless and oversugared from eating and eating the cookies you made for the lunch box."
Wait? SHE gets tired of being cooped up? SHE gets that"dull" feeling? What??
"I'm a procrastinator. That is, I used to be a procrastinator. I've been trying to change my habit every since I stumbled across an article in an old 'Reader's Digest'."
This totally made me giggle. This sounds like something I've said after reading a Pinterest article.
Marianne shares her heart and her days. She shares bad days, poems that inspire her, the quirks of her children, and how each season brings its own joys and chores.
"Without winter, wouldn't we miss crunchy snow in the moonlight, the world covered in hoarfrost, glorious sunrises, and red-nosed children? Besides, when would I enjoy my lazy hobbies if it never got cold?"
This doesn't read like a book-it reads almost like a journal. There is just something precious in such transparent and, well, normal. Just because they're different-doesn't mean they don't have the same struggles we deal with. They're life is simple-but it isn't without its hardships.
If you have ANY interest in Amish life-pick "Simple Pleasures" up. I've read a lot on their culture and this has been my favorite. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.
5 out of 5 stars for me!
*I received this in exchange for my honest review*
Anyone else have a healthy curiosity when it comes to the Amish? Am I the only one?
Seriously, I have tons of cookbooks and memoirs written by the simple folk. I am completely intrigued by the life that they live, and wholly respect it. I'm fascinated by such simplicity that I can only wish to accomplish in my own home. The sewing. The cooking. The homesteading. The child rearing. I love learning about it all. The Amish know so much about things that most of us don't-and that peeks my interest each time I read about them.
In Marianne Jantzi's book, "Simple Pleasures" , she gives us an in-depth look at Amish living through the eyes of a mama. From the first chapter, I had to press on.
And honestly, telling you why this book is so interesting doesn't even make sense to me. There's nothing absolutely extraordinary- it's just snippets of normal, everyday life. It's like being a fly on the wall through all the seasons.
But, there is one thing that kept me going-she's a mama, just like me. No really. When you think of Amish mothers, what do you think of? Don't you think of someone poised who does it all from sun-up to sun-down with grace and meekness?
Well, most of that is still what's in my head, but Marianne definitely showed me that a mama's heart is just that-no matter what kind of life you're coming from. She bridged the gap by showing how we share the same.exact.feelings. when being in the house for days on end:
"I'm one of those homemakers who sends her man off to work each morning, then spends one day after the next cooped up inside with the little ones. Before you know it, you feel dull and listless and oversugared from eating and eating the cookies you made for the lunch box."
Wait? SHE gets tired of being cooped up? SHE gets that"dull" feeling? What??
"I'm a procrastinator. That is, I used to be a procrastinator. I've been trying to change my habit every since I stumbled across an article in an old 'Reader's Digest'."
This totally made me giggle. This sounds like something I've said after reading a Pinterest article.
Marianne shares her heart and her days. She shares bad days, poems that inspire her, the quirks of her children, and how each season brings its own joys and chores.
"Without winter, wouldn't we miss crunchy snow in the moonlight, the world covered in hoarfrost, glorious sunrises, and red-nosed children? Besides, when would I enjoy my lazy hobbies if it never got cold?"
This doesn't read like a book-it reads almost like a journal. There is just something precious in such transparent and, well, normal. Just because they're different-doesn't mean they don't have the same struggles we deal with. They're life is simple-but it isn't without its hardships.
If you have ANY interest in Amish life-pick "Simple Pleasures" up. I've read a lot on their culture and this has been my favorite. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would.
5 out of 5 stars for me!
*I received this in exchange for my honest review*