PrincipledMom™

In my studies recently I happened upon a type of "notebooking" that was fascinating. It combines two of my favorite things--notebooks and traditional books (which I happen to be passionate about making!). I am such a book geek that I had to learn more.

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines it as:

Commonplace-book, a book in which are registered such facts, opinions or observations as are deemed worthy of notice or remembrance, so disposed that any one may be easily found. Hence common-place as used as an epithet to denote what is common or often repeated, or trite; as a commonplace observation.

It's taking a topic, such as sewing, literature, a branch of science or cooking and creating your own special book about it. It may include tables or charts, definitions, clippings, quotes, measurements or your observations. Some well known commonplacers included Thomas Jefferson, John Locke and Ben Franklin.  Jonathan Edwards also kept a commonplace book. 

Read more here here and here.

Some modern uses for commonplacing may be for remodeling your home, landscaping or gardening, scrapbooking, reading an important literary work, fiction writing or Bible study. They can be invaluable resources for a life full of learning. And they can become treasures that your kids can fight over after your funeral!

 And of course, I will endeavor to make some commonplace books that are uncommon. If you are interested in a unique commonplace book customized to your special topic, please contact me for details and I'll make a one of a kind commonplace book you will treasure for years to come. anna at annahawthorne dot com

Anna Hawthorne Studios

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A few years ago I purged all the "twaddle" on our bookshelves. I have been diligent since that time to fill our shelves with literature that would qualify as soil softeners.

Ms. Rosalie Slater referred to certain literature as "soil softeners," or material that softens the soil of the heart for instruction in righteousness and planting seeds of Biblical principles. Here are just a few of the many soil softeners we enjoy in our home.

Mary Jones and Her Bible is a beautiful story of a girl who worked and saved for years and walked 20 miles to buy it. It is such an inspiring story. The story teaches character such as diligence and parental respect and a love for God's Word.

My Kingdom by L. M. Alcott is a 4-stanza poem about self-government that children can memorize. It softens the heart and opens the door to discussion about Christian self-government. By the way, she wrote it when she was 13 years old.

Little Pillows and Morning Bells by F.R. Havergal are one of my all-time favorites. I adore her and these simple children's books are precious and full of ideas about God that children can understand. They are to be read before bed and upon waking. Plant the seeds of placing God first and last in your day.

One Morning in Maine by Robert McClosky is a lovely story about God's creation and the power of nature. It will encourage stories of childhood summers and weather. You can see the majesty of God's creation, His creativity and the power of childhood memories.

Little House Series by Laura Ingalls Wilder shows the character of the pioneers and the strength of a godly family. It will insipre boys and girls alike to obey their parents, appreciate nature and enjoy the blessings they have.

The Autobiography of George Mueller is wonderfully inspiring. His character and conduct is something we should all aspire to.

Music by Isaac Watts. His Divine and Moral Songs  for Children will teach your children about godly character in  a way kids love, set to music.

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I came across this jewel at my local library (written by Sally Lloyd-Jones and illustrated by Jackie Morris) and and may end up buying a copy to keep.

This book is a lovely poem about Christ's birth from the perspective of Mary and Joseph. They cannot contain their joy of the birth of their first-born.

"People were sleeping. We didn't care.

Good news, we sang, our baby is here!

Our baby has come, our darling one,

Oh, the day that you were born."

The illustrations are also wonderful. I enjoyed them at least as much as the text. I wish I could paint with that warmth and realism (with some whimsy to make it fun).

Anyone who is a mother will relate to this book. I feel connected to Mary, excited about the impending birth, wondering what He would be like, cuddling and kissing His little face.  And I also think of Mary and the sacrifice she made as a mother. It could not have been easy to let go of the man she once rocked to sleep as a babe. And then to think that we were all waiting for Him to come.

(cue music) Emmanuel, our God is with us. Prince of Peace, mighty One, the ever living God...

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I am always on the hunt for good books. I mean the kind of books that you pass on, not toss out. Recently I purged our bookshelves and got rid of a lot of "twaddle", making room for more of the great stuff. Here are some of my recent finds.

Child's Bible Reader (c) 1898  Great little book covering the whole of the Bible in 52 weeks . Written for Sunday School classes, it is still a great read here at home.

One Morning in Maine We get this from the library over and over again. McClosky is my favorite children's writer (at this time) and we never get tired of the story about Sal. She loses a tooth and has many adventures in Maine with her family.

Time of Wonder Another terrific book by Robert McClosky. I really enjoy his take on a summer in Maine. His writing is powerful and exciting and so beautifullly descriptive I feel like we are there.

We Help Daddy is a book from my childhood. I remembered loving this Little Golden book so I bought it on eBay and I still remember how happy that little story made me.

I hope you are making time to read to your children, whatever age they are. I know that when we make smoothies before bed, even my husband enjoys a story about Pooh and the adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood (A.A. Milne is probably my all-time favorite children's author. His writing is so clever that adults enjoy it as much as the children!).

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I have made so many "friends" along my homeschool journey--Charles Willson Peale, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Christopher Columbus, Louisa May Alcott, Benjamin West. Then yesterday a new friend came into my life-- Frances Ridley Havergal. We met quite by chance, bumping into one another at a local thrift store. And I am sure I will ever be the same.

The little book I picked up for two dollars was a well-worn copy of Havergal's Kept for the Master's Use. (I have since discovered that she wrote several books for children, which I am now eagerly seeking!) The unassuming tome is thoughful application of Scripture in a personal way, using our lives and bodies to illustrate her points, using her hymn "Take My Life and Let it Be." Chapters include: "Our Hands Kept for Jesus," "Our Voices Kept for Jesus," "Our Silver and Gold Kept for Jesus," "Our Lips Kept For Jesus," and so forth. Here is a sample from her chapter entitled "Our Feet Kept for Jesus:"

The figurative keeping of the feet of His saints, with the promise that when they run they shall not stumble, is a most beautiful and helpful subject. But it is quite distinct from the literal keeping for Jesus our literal feet.

There is a certain homeliness about the idea which helps to make it very real. These very feet of ours are purchased for Christ's service  by the preciious drops which fell from His own torn and pierced feet upon the cross. They are to be His errand-runners. How can we let the world, the flesh and the devil have the use of what has been purchased with such a payment? (p. 60)

And she has this to say about Jesus' hands in the final chapter entitled "Christ for Us:"

3. His Hands "for thee." Literal hands, literally pierced, when the whole weight of His quivering frame hung from the torn muscles and bared nerves; literally uplifted in parting blessing. Consecrated, priestly hands; "filled" hands (Ex. xxviii. 41, xxix. 9, etc., margin)-- filled once with His great offering, and now with His gifts and blessings "for thee." Tender hands, touching and healing, lifting and leading with the gentlest of care. Strong hands, upholding and defending. Open hands, filling with good and satisfying desire (Ps. civ. 28 and cxlv. 16). Faithful hands, restraining and sustaining. "His left hand is under my head and His right hand doth embrace me."

Ms. Havergal's poetic prose and call to consecration are inspiring. I know I will pore over her book for years to come, allowing my new friend to challenge and inspire me, beckoning me higher and higher in Him. So I'm off to put on a pot of tea and sit with my new friend and listen to her thoughts on the Saviour I so dearly love.

Links to her biography, music and writings:

My King: or Daily Thoughts for the King's Children

Poetry Selections from The Ministry of Song

Hymns by Ms. Havergal

The Works of Miss Havergal (Online reading)

Morning Bells; Or, Waking Thoughts for Little Ones

The Havergal Trust

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