tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22945816594927895952024-03-13T12:33:05.514-07:00A Grayceful LifeFinding and sharing joy in my family, friends, beautiful things, and books. And cats.Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-84300369854048692372022-08-12T12:04:00.003-07:002022-08-12T12:09:03.187-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 15<div>This week has flown by in a haze of errands, deliveries (we finally have a couch!!) and doctor appointments (just all the annual stuff), and my brain is tired from all of the logistics. The heat broke, the sun is out, and I'm ready to pour a Jack and Coke and start taping so that we can finally paint our built-ins this weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>Do you know what that means?? That means I can actually put books on shelves and break down about 37 boxes this coming week!!!!!!!!! Anyway, here are a few things that I'm loving this week. I almost said, not a book in sight which might be a miracle...but then I realized #1 is, in fact, a book. </div><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/08/the-friday-five-vol-15.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-34026051197048740162022-08-08T04:00:00.001-07:002022-08-08T04:00:00.185-07:00The Sweetest Back-to-School Books<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGRJe-QGay_BXHyZiDnElVuzMLPO1RaY7n9ajo14x2B4AiFvCKn1IVJc5rBnxTS4dIExUxJ5j43Ch2QWn5nFabD0P8KOJDByio3t5E60LtFhIg_dfPgHgdQ5ANVc2v5xn79IwwaKeUnOVtSUKODZuBTDlloZdlAIx2LF5zWzHAwb4jOfvkP6G1x9ACA/s1200/2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlGRJe-QGay_BXHyZiDnElVuzMLPO1RaY7n9ajo14x2B4AiFvCKn1IVJc5rBnxTS4dIExUxJ5j43Ch2QWn5nFabD0P8KOJDByio3t5E60LtFhIg_dfPgHgdQ5ANVc2v5xn79IwwaKeUnOVtSUKODZuBTDlloZdlAIx2LF5zWzHAwb4jOfvkP6G1x9ACA/w213-h320/2.png" width="213"></a></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">I love back-to-school time! It feels like such a fresh start, and a great time to remind the kiddos in your life about the power of kindness and compassion. Even though some of these center the classroom, I think they’re great reads for home to set the tone, and can be the perfect first-day gift for your kiddo’s teacher along with a basket filled with his or her wishlist items ;)</span></p><p><span></span></p><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/08/the-sweetest-back-to-school-books.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-50793899063857482322022-08-05T05:00:00.003-07:002022-08-05T05:00:00.164-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 14<p>We are well into the dog days of summer here! I can't complain, though, since we'd be back to school this week in our old district. Instead, we're stuck in quarantine with our first case of "the vid" - thankfully, everyone is doing well after just a day or two of high fevers and we should be good to re-enter the world by this weekend. Here are a few things keeping us sane while we've been cooped up this week!</p><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/08/the-friday-five-vol-14.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-53933189234689950282022-07-29T04:00:00.002-07:002022-07-29T13:26:46.576-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 13<p>Whoops - a little late getting this up today, but I took our two older cats to the vet this morning and that put me in the bed for a good few hours afterwards! And we spent most of this week here (PS how cool is it that we just randomly see submarines going in and out?!)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbeSiw02RSHnsRikxJT9yOcv2p2W6saZTCxvcrNeHVjgca90jG2I6DeDOeuSXcWGJgr52O4N6vEdvDh1U_dP0odwf2lqrX0_Bv9ib8LMMNvX2cvUBvOOreMzku8tOn2wjdTUi-Pw9wV8F0M_nbn1JBPy9IEhwAvURfHNCp2YmhKDZAKBeyxqVA6Y9rA/s4032/99B412FF-471E-48AF-BBDF-FF653A039B73.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEbeSiw02RSHnsRikxJT9yOcv2p2W6saZTCxvcrNeHVjgca90jG2I6DeDOeuSXcWGJgr52O4N6vEdvDh1U_dP0odwf2lqrX0_Bv9ib8LMMNvX2cvUBvOOreMzku8tOn2wjdTUi-Pw9wV8F0M_nbn1JBPy9IEhwAvURfHNCp2YmhKDZAKBeyxqVA6Y9rA/w480-h640/99B412FF-471E-48AF-BBDF-FF653A039B73.heic" width="480"></a></div><p>Anyway, here are five awesome things I'm loving this week:</p><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/07/the-friday-five-vol-13.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-59660691703655499682022-07-27T05:24:00.002-07:002022-07-27T05:24:34.206-07:00What I Just Ordered From Usborne<p>I have no idea if anyone is interested in this, but I know that I love seeing what others have ordered recently! I'm not a huge MLM fan in general, but I have loved Usborne books since the girls were little, and I love that they mostly do Facebook parties, so no need to actually attend anything ;)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2kR5RqMPbaTu3mg03Yv8rpdYY0g7RhhU88VtfC0qVqJ2hfi9QRG0n6STwkpz6XyJ_vVrC4NSnV5o9vWzeVVt3stnubK_o9Dqfbw3-x0d4npHcQxEf6phHBHqSFZwAxaf4E6sU8KcKanfv5vyg7WFYbm3L83iu82uVhT1rYoVl0yNrOAChrf0_4BmgA/s1200/Usborne%20Vol.%201.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC2kR5RqMPbaTu3mg03Yv8rpdYY0g7RhhU88VtfC0qVqJ2hfi9QRG0n6STwkpz6XyJ_vVrC4NSnV5o9vWzeVVt3stnubK_o9Dqfbw3-x0d4npHcQxEf6phHBHqSFZwAxaf4E6sU8KcKanfv5vyg7WFYbm3L83iu82uVhT1rYoVl0yNrOAChrf0_4BmgA/w426-h640/Usborne%20Vol.%201.png" width="426"></a></div><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/07/what-i-just-ordered-from-usborne.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-45165770708485381452022-07-22T03:00:00.088-07:002022-07-22T08:07:32.760-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 12<p> The Friday Five is baaaaaack!!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S27swaarzqXPNIQbWKp6H7XHMqNJNd28I7zrmhpaGOOFAwJN3ZC_2iNZpl2Xnhk03eKVdQgoDu0MnCY1WzbBSTfPbJma2qTnMqXvJGmPHlGU4mmWl1W7powmxd9iI4k6-HpE8P8GuSvAXNI5mcLAjfR3jHHyRTvJNbaB8-X5TNS2QfOonAT454bjug/s1200/AGL%20The%20Friday%20Five.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2S27swaarzqXPNIQbWKp6H7XHMqNJNd28I7zrmhpaGOOFAwJN3ZC_2iNZpl2Xnhk03eKVdQgoDu0MnCY1WzbBSTfPbJma2qTnMqXvJGmPHlGU4mmWl1W7powmxd9iI4k6-HpE8P8GuSvAXNI5mcLAjfR3jHHyRTvJNbaB8-X5TNS2QfOonAT454bjug/w427-h640/AGL%20The%20Friday%20Five.png" width="427"></a></div><br><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/07/the-friday-five-vol-12.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-80115802516735551702022-07-17T15:40:00.000-07:002022-07-17T15:40:10.287-07:00Home Sweet Home<p>Well, it's been a minute (year)! As the C-word stretched into its second year, I found myself feeling pretty defeated. Like so many others, we had put things on hold and held some expectations about being able to "return to normal" that certainly weren't met. The momentum that had carried me both personally and professionally through the first year of homeschooling and working full-time was gone, and I was drained in the wake of so much productivity. On top of that, we had been carrying this dream of moving to New England since 2018, and even though we started making tangible steps toward making it happen, it continued to feel farther and farther away. All of that to say - I spent most of the past year in a funk, with absolutely no inspiration to do anything creative. <span></span></p><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2022/07/home-sweet-home.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0Connecticut, USA41.6032207 -73.08774913.292986863821156 -108.243999 69.913454536178847 -37.931499tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-41500053876278055942021-04-12T12:04:00.001-07:002021-04-12T12:04:02.002-07:00An Awesome Alternative to "Oh the Places You'll Go"<p> Hi friends! It's been a while. The school year is taking its toll on me, but I am bursting with so many fun things I want to talk about! I'm hoping that if I focus on sharing them in bite-size chunks, maybe it will seem manageable - but we will see. Until June, I'm not making any promises (:</p><p>Anyway, today I just wanted to share the most delightful new book I found called <a href="https://www.amazon.com/What-Would-You-Book-About/dp/0063041502/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=what+would+you+do+in+a+book+about+you&qid=1618253257&sr=8-1" target="_blank">What Would You Do in a Book About You?</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3U0xVt6yEc/YHSYvZlk9RI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/shGOhOxiuZMl8zY1_Fs9RiyW5nbMoT8eACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/81h7f16cLaL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r3U0xVt6yEc/YHSYvZlk9RI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/shGOhOxiuZMl8zY1_Fs9RiyW5nbMoT8eACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/81h7f16cLaL.jpg" width="400"></a><span></span></div><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2021/04/an-awesome-alternative-to-oh-places.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-1571326384776241172021-02-09T07:44:00.005-08:002021-02-09T07:47:35.832-08:00Grayceful Gift Guides: Pink Valentine's Day<p>While I'm in the middle of #28daysofpink, I thought I would round up a few of my favorite pink gift ideas - most of which I own and love, but I wouldn't be mad about receiving the rest ;)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZYAgmzOkpM/YCAiUt21RMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/83M8kxmESmcu9XoWvJztA5kd1CDiSz2LACLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Pink%2BGift%2BGuide-3.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1125" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KZYAgmzOkpM/YCAiUt21RMI/AAAAAAAAAdg/83M8kxmESmcu9XoWvJztA5kd1CDiSz2LACLcBGAsYHQ/w480-h640/Pink%2BGift%2BGuide-3.png" width="480"></a><span></span></div><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2021/02/grayceful-gift-guides-pink-valentines.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-27456989279797297442020-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:002020-12-08T10:50:24.095-08:0010 Christmas Books We Love (and 10 more for our wish list)<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love pulling out seasonal books each year - it's so fun to remember what's there after they'e been packed away for so long! Many of these are from my childhood, which brings a little extra dose of nostalgia. I am all for gutting the clutter, but I will always advocate for saving books. (And buying books - ha!)</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7WYukOVOY/X8_F1wvTRhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/g5l4x8iNmEwbFEqwrtu3VlsNpDmAx3JaACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/AA61549C-DC68-4ABF-87F3-7AA0594C4D90.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Md7WYukOVOY/X8_F1wvTRhI/AAAAAAAAAcw/g5l4x8iNmEwbFEqwrtu3VlsNpDmAx3JaACLcBGAsYHQ/w426-h640/AA61549C-DC68-4ABF-87F3-7AA0594C4D90.jpeg" width="426" /></a></div><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-6c3792f2-7fff-9327-05ab-1380aeb3be28"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Santa-Mouse-Michael-Brown/dp/1534437932/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=santa+mouse&qid=1607450482&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Santa Mouse</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I just love this charming little character. We actually have a Treasury of Santa Mouse with three stories, and it’s one of my favorite things to read each year. The writing is fun to read out loud, the illustrations are darling, and the story is sweet. We’ve turned it into a little tradition to leave cheese out along with some cookies for Santa and Santa Mouse.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Berenstain-Bears-Santa-First-Books/dp/0394868803/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=berenstain+bears+christmas&qid=1607450511&sr=8-6" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Berenstain Bears Meet Santa Bear</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I love the OG Berenstain Bears books; they just feel so spot on to me for our family dynamic.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Colors-Christmas-Matthew-Paul-Turner/dp/0525654143/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1OE32U7P2AY09&dchild=1&keywords=all+the+colors+of+christmas&qid=1607450453&sprefix=all+the+colors+of+%2Caps%2C260&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">All the Colors of Christmas</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - We always like to pick a favorite book to give to all of our “cousin” families along with a pan of homemade cinnamon rolls, and this is our choice for this year! Matthew Paul Turner has written some of our very favorite books, and this one does not disappoint.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Willowbys-Christmas-Tree-Robert-Barry/dp/0385327218/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30X34OE7KREE5&dchild=1&keywords=mr+willoby%27s+christmas+tree&qid=1607450402&sprefix=mr+willowy%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Nutcracker in Harlem</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I wrote</span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2019/12/grayceful-girls-book-club-nutcracker.html" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> a whole post last year</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> on my love for Nutcracker books, but I love this one so much I couldn’t leave it off the list. It’s gorgeous, and I love listening to the Harlem Nutcracker as a variation of my daily Tchaikovsky.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Tallulahs-Nutcracker-Marilyn-Singer/dp/054784557X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=J0DIV1QMBIPD&dchild=1&keywords=tallulahs+nutcracker&qid=1607450371&sprefix=tall%2Caps%2C294&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Tallulah’s Nutcracker</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Same, same: I just couldn’t leave this one out. Tallulah is such a sweet little character.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Claris-Holiday-Heist-Chicest-Mouse/dp/1760504955/ref=sr_1_1?crid=FQL77N01RLQX&dchild=1&keywords=claris+holiday+heist&qid=1607450350&sprefix=claris+holiday%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Claris: Holiday Heist</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Megan Hess’s gorgeous fashion illustrations are gorgeous, and I’m so glad we have a new Claris to add to our collection! The girls lost their minds when I told them the giant bow on Cartier was a real decoration.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Willowbys-Christmas-Tree-Robert-Barry/dp/0385327218/ref=sr_1_1?crid=30X34OE7KREE5&dchild=1&keywords=mr+willoby%27s+christmas+tree&qid=1607450402&sprefix=mr+willowy%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mr. Willowby’s Christmas Tree</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I love the perspective shift that comes along with the shrinking tree!</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Christmas-Promise-Alison-Mitchell/dp/1910307114/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=christmas+promise&qid=1607450074&sr=8-2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Christmas Promise</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - We chose this one for family gifts last year or the year before; a gorgeous and truthful telling of the Christmas story that feels genuine.</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Polar-Bear-Who-Saved-Christmas/dp/178393137X/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=polar+bear+who+saved+christmas&qid=1607450054&sr=8-1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Polar Bear Who Saved Christmas</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - I’m a sucker for the colors and fun text of anything produced by Make Believe Ideas, and this story about a lost baby polar bear is too sweet!</span></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Autobiography-Santa-Claus-Christmas-Chronicles/dp/158542448X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=autobiography+of+Santa+claus&qid=1607450600&sr=8-2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Autobiography of Santa Claus</span></a><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> - Not a picture book (I know, I’m shocked too), but a fun weaving of history and legend that grown-ups and older kids will enjoy. We are reading this aloud at lunchtime and my girls are very into it, but we may not finish by Christmas; it’s pretty long.</span></p></li></ol><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I think our book box has plenty of space left, don’t you? Here are a few more that are on my wish list:</span></p><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Walk-This-World-at-Christmastime/dp/0763689211/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1FPJ8FXAMUCZ6&dchild=1&keywords=walk+this+world+at+christmastime&qid=1607449733&s=books&sprefix=walk+this+world%2Cstripbooks%2C221&sr=1-2" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Walk This World at Christmastime</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0803741006/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_7?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Here Comes Santa Cat</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1786030667/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A3MVRTQNS0VZJL&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Silent Night</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1406392413/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_10?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pick a Pine Tree</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/1536201375/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Dasher</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0763677337/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Red and Lulu</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/0349011702/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_5?smid=A3TJVJMBQL014A&psc=1" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Noel Streatfeild’s Christmas Stories</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Mistletoe-Christmas-Story-Tad-Hills/dp/0593174429/ref=pd_cart_bmx_2_1/133-1723786-8743712?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0593174429&pd_rd_r=7e10e9ca-6220-459a-95c0-b9fdfb3dbb60&pd_rd_w=WcNGv&pd_rd_wg=Zlwpk&pf_rd_p=976881a3-665b-48a0-85e9-c18ffabecd80&pf_rd_r=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM&psc=1&refRID=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Mistletoe</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/Winston-Delivered-Christmas-Alex-Smith/dp/1684129834/ref=pd_cart_bmx_2_2/133-1723786-8743712?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1684129834&pd_rd_r=7e10e9ca-6220-459a-95c0-b9fdfb3dbb60&pd_rd_w=WcNGv&pd_rd_wg=Zlwpk&pf_rd_p=976881a3-665b-48a0-85e9-c18ffabecd80&pf_rd_r=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM&psc=1&refRID=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How Winston Delivered Christmas</span></a></p></li><li dir="ltr" style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://smile.amazon.com/When-Santa-Baby-Linda-Bailey/dp/1770495568/ref=pd_cart_bmx_2_4/133-1723786-8743712?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1770495568&pd_rd_r=7e10e9ca-6220-459a-95c0-b9fdfb3dbb60&pd_rd_w=WcNGv&pd_rd_wg=Zlwpk&pf_rd_p=976881a3-665b-48a0-85e9-c18ffabecd80&pf_rd_r=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM&psc=1&refRID=ZQXYNNWK9FPETXY8M2WM" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Santa Was a Baby</span></a></p></li></ol></span></span>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-4701730376266957532020-11-23T06:00:00.003-08:002020-11-27T19:35:56.037-08:00Grayceful Girls Book Club Gift Guide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXRKsZ5b_KI/X8HEC0H5WLI/AAAAAAAAAcE/5v91sECfPYcBs5kumaH7X7xqpj8XxEVAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/Grayceful%2BGirls%2BBook%2BClub%2BGift%2BGuide.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1050" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WXRKsZ5b_KI/X8HEC0H5WLI/AAAAAAAAAcE/5v91sECfPYcBs5kumaH7X7xqpj8XxEVAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Grayceful%2BGirls%2BBook%2BClub%2BGift%2BGuide.png"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So I *think* I am done shopping for the girls, with the exception of a few stocking stuffers, and I can't wait to share how we leaned in HARD on the cat thing for them this Christmas. Today, though, I wanted to share a gift guide based on reading, adventures, and of course, picture biographies.</div><span></span><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/11/grayceful-girls-book-club-gift-guide.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-63731998918209891462020-10-26T06:00:00.004-07:002022-07-22T15:32:04.283-07:0015 Best Non-Spooky Halloween Books<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rIIxFj9h9Q/X5YNtSq1IRI/AAAAAAAAZZ0/5mYglQcniiAv6owCtpWKTpgrw-GUPjOBACLcBGAsYHQ/s1350/15%2BBest%2BNon-Spooky%2BHalloween%2BBooks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9rIIxFj9h9Q/X5YNtSq1IRI/AAAAAAAAZZ0/5mYglQcniiAv6owCtpWKTpgrw-GUPjOBACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/15%2BBest%2BNon-Spooky%2BHalloween%2BBooks.png"></a></div><p>Well, it would have been fun to put this post up in early October, but, life. This school year has KICKED MY BUTT, but actually in a lot of the very best ways. T and I are just sort of in this season of working our tails off, and it's nice to see how much we are able to accomplish. I spent a lot of years of early motherhood just surviving motherhood, so to be able to challenge myself creatively and intellectually feels immensely satisfying. Don't get me wrong, I'm still teaching and leading teachers in a pandemic, and it is bat crazy, but also totally rewarding.<span></span></p><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/10/15-best-non-spooky-halloween-books.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-90815467188323617602020-06-26T07:53:00.000-07:002020-06-26T07:53:16.738-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 11<ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.target.com/p/women--39-s-floral-print-small-fanny-pack---wild-fable--8482-/-/A-78443637">Fanny pack</a> - I declared fanny packs the must-have accessory years ago at a bachelorette party in Disneyland, and I stand by it. This one is adorable.<br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VN_2RMqltQA/XvYLBUCAD6I/AAAAAAAAAVM/t_uFkar7aA8kTqvvk22aLOSHa4kQC1HbgCK4BGAsYHg/s1090/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-26%2Bat%2B7.46.38%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="790" data-original-width="1090" height="290" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VN_2RMqltQA/XvYLBUCAD6I/AAAAAAAAAVM/t_uFkar7aA8kTqvvk22aLOSHa4kQC1HbgCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h290/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-06-26%2Bat%2B7.46.38%2BAM.png" width="400"></a><span></span></div></li></ol><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/06/the-friday-five-vol-11.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-47247147432519250552020-06-19T08:00:00.000-07:002020-06-19T08:00:07.049-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 10Happy Juneteenth! I love that so many companies are recognizing Juneteenth as a holiday this year! A friend told me yesterday that her (huge) company is giving their employees the day off of work but not as vacation, as an opportunity to listen and learn. I think that's so cool, and I think there is a good chance this could become a national holiday someday soon.<div><br></div><div>Here are a few things on my mind this week:<div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MZ31QC7/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank">Blue Light Glasses</a>: Oh my gosh, I have been spending so much time staring at a computer this summer, and I don't know if the MacBook screens are just different than PCs or what, but my eyes are so tired by the end of the day. I kept seeing people wearing blue-light blocking glasses, and was interested, but also kind of skeptical. My regular glasses give me a headache if I wear them all day, though, so I figured I'd give some a try. So far, I think my eyes are less tired, and I've been coding and Zooming all day long. I bought a super lightweight, metal pair, so they don't put as much pressure on my face as my regular glasses, which seems to help with the headache. I think overall, I would give these a tentative two thumbs up, even if T thinks I look like "an old librarian" LOL!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHXflCig5Uw/Xuv9UDJLbiI/AAAAAAAAASU/vtNwqg67qPY3rnrSo0W1jtg4LWeaksYyQCK4BGAsYHg/s3088/3A65E1BE-5C00-473E-B0E8-48712E648469.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3088" data-original-width="2316" height="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pHXflCig5Uw/Xuv9UDJLbiI/AAAAAAAAASU/vtNwqg67qPY3rnrSo0W1jtg4LWeaksYyQCK4BGAsYHg/w375-h500/3A65E1BE-5C00-473E-B0E8-48712E648469.jpeg" width="375"></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <span></span></td></tr></tbody></table></li></ol></div></div><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/06/the-friday-five-vol-10.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-39165733940821333292020-06-12T08:39:00.000-07:002020-06-12T08:39:37.554-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 9We're going to call this Friday Five the Book Club Edition, because we've been doing so much reading so far this summer, I'm debating just converting our house into a library.<div><br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3967" data-original-width="2975" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A7kXTLOcWI8/XuOVthj627I/AAAAAAAAARA/lNPaLR_V_o0hnxEWPN4Xug-2edJwsnDowCK4BGAsYHg/w480-h640/3D715852-0BD2-4ADD-B5D7-2E3B96178245.jpeg" width="480"></div><span></span></div><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/06/book-club-bonanza.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-67588223823361872652020-06-05T16:41:00.000-07:002020-06-05T16:43:43.866-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 8Whew! What a week. I can see so, so much beauty beginning to rise from the ashes, and I've found myself ending the week feeling hopeful. I'm exhausted, my brain is overwhelmed, and the workload feels insurmountable, but I'm also encouraged. I really wanted to write more this week, but - life. Maybe next week :)<br />
<br />
For this week's Friday Five, I wanted to spotlight 5 black women I follow on Instagram and love. That has been one of my favorite things to come from this week - seeing so many black-owned businesses highlighted and shared, and getting to continue to diversify to my own feed. I can remember having a revelation about a year ago that although I have worked hard to diversify my real life experience, my feed of fashion and interior design bloggers was almost 100% white - and let me tell you, that was a humbling moment (as so many of us have been feeling this week!). So having so much exposure to continue that work has been a gift!<br />
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<ol>
<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/beabridgebuilder/" target="_blank">LaTasha Morrison / Be the Bridge</a> - If you want to become anti-racist and aren't sure where to start or what that means, please start here. LaTasha and her team have worked SO HARD for years to curate an amazing body of educational resources. White friends, this organization is a straight gift to us - that so many black (and other BIPOC) brothers and sisters in Christ have given their time and expertise to educate us on what they don't have the luxury of not knowing. 95% of the time if I share a resource with someone or on the blog, it has come from them.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/damasklove/" target="_blank">Amber / Damask Love</a> - It has been so much fun to watch Amber's career blow up over the years. She is your daily dose of colorful fun, and you can also check out her new printable stationary/crafting/planner company at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yaydaypaper/" target="_blank">Yay Day Paper</a>. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hereweeread/" target="_blank">Charnaie / Here Wee Read</a> - Charnaie says her mission is "helping you find diverse books, educational products, and raise curious kids" and that could not be more true. She is my very first resource when I'm looking for new books. Oh, and her #bookface pictures are AMAZING!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/acupofkims/" target="_blank">Ro / A Cup of Kims</a> - I found Ro and her husband Han by stalking pictures of New England (we share an obsession with Newport, RI), and they are so crazy talented! Their travel photography and storytelling are beautiful, and they share that along with seriously delicious daily coffee recipes. I am confident their blog and IG are about to blow up!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1189" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i3UBdsv8tAs/XtrX7_37VmI/AAAAAAAAAQs/Ym4MEqhYLxEJ_nJ-bgtmXbTNMBvio4J_QCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/IMG_0244.jpg" width="396" /></div>
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/prepfordwife/" target="_blank">Victoria / Prepford Wife</a> - Someone shared Victoria's account this week and I literally squealed out loud when I clicked through. Preppy. Doesn't. Have. To. Be. White. I am so obsessed, her and her husband have the very cutest relationship, her style gives me all the heart eyes, and her heart just seems so kind. I am so excited to follow and also incredibly disappointed I haven't found her sooner!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-88147135761540294092020-05-29T08:00:00.000-07:002020-05-29T08:00:01.866-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 7Well hello there! It's nice to be back. Between processing this pandemic (and lately the most recent ATROCITIES of justice that are ravaging the black community) as well as some losses and changes in my work community, I have been in my full introvert shell. There have been a few weeks where we have barely been above water, but plenty of weeks of goodness too. I am thankful to have a safe home, our health, and our jobs.<br>
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Anyway, here are a few things that have been an encouragement to me lately:<br>
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<li><span id="goog_1922556162"></span><a href="https://www.instagram.com/therockettes/channel/" target="_blank">The Rockettes Live Dance Classe<span id="goog_1922556163"></span>s</a>: What a joy these have been! I got into such a dance slump when we were out of the studio for a few weeks, and it has totally rekindled my creativity to learn choreography from these lovely ladies. What could be more cheerful than learning part of the "reindeer dance"?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</li></ol></div><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/05/the-friday-five-vol-7.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-67714550007672417052020-03-27T17:28:00.000-07:002020-05-28T14:33:07.405-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 6Happy Friday! I have been slammed this week helping the rest of our staff get set up to teach online and set up our own home-school routine. Here are a few things keeping me sane(ish) this week. This post brought to you by a second glass of wine ;)<br>
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<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hibiscuslinens/channel/" target="_blank">Hibiscus Linens Children's Projects </a>- ok, so these are meant for kids, but I am loving them! It's super theraputic to watch someone stitch, and I'm picking up tips for myself about types of stitches, technique, etc. Instagram is such a good place to escape right now. Thank you to all of the creatives who are sharing your gifts with us right now!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</li></ol><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/the-friday-five-vol-6.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-6813679264070937602020-03-20T12:40:00.000-07:002020-03-20T12:45:53.946-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 5It is Friday, right? It has really been a strange week, hasn't it? I know things are so serious for so many who are suffering physically, emotionally, financially, so the blessing of our health is not lost on me right now, nor the fact that I already work from home and it's not terribly inconvenient for my husband to do so as well. Anyway, here are a few things that are brightening my week!<br>
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<li>Packed Party - Instagram really got it right with this targeted ad. Color! Pattern! Fun! I have my eye on <a href="https://www.packedparty.com/products/hang-tight-sunglasses-holders" target="_blank">these sunglasses straps</a> - L has lost about three pairs of sunglasses at school already. These look right up her alley.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="550" data-original-width="550" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1y5Yz9MSTfU/XnUYOTNoddI/AAAAAAAAANQ/uzrDeJqeeNsLVnbITxXNwwXKq1mrXdOHACLcBGAsYHQ/s400/Packed%2BParty%2BSunglass%2BStrap.jpg" width="400"></div>
</li></ol><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/the-friday-5-vol-5.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-67549359402735934462020-03-18T10:47:00.001-07:002020-03-18T11:06:55.740-07:00Project(ish)-Based Learning at HomeLet me preface this with the fact that I am by no means an expert on project-based learning (although I did my student teaching with an AMAZING master teacher who was), and that what we did last summer is more of a hybrid of project/literature-based. What it was, though, was fun, and a great way to add some structure and intention to our days without feeling like we were having to force "learning."<br>
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Here is how we got started!<br>
<a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/projectish-based-learning-at-home.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-50552169483269241232020-03-16T10:15:00.003-07:002020-03-18T10:55:42.696-07:0010 Engaging Resources to Make Home Learning Fun<br>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUXv_aj1O4U/Xm-z8sF08NI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cB5kS8c40_kRs1Sy9K4i_bEgPE5MXPQ9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/2020-03%2B10%2BEngaging%2BResources%2Bto%2BMake%2BHome%2BLearning%2BFun%2BCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CUXv_aj1O4U/Xm-z8sF08NI/AAAAAAAAAIY/cB5kS8c40_kRs1Sy9K4i_bEgPE5MXPQ9gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/2020-03%2B10%2BEngaging%2BResources%2Bto%2BMake%2BHome%2BLearning%2BFun%2BCover.jpg" width="256"></a></div>
Since so many of us have kids at home for an extra week or three, I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite resources to help make this a time of learning AND play. Much of this is based off of what we did last summer, which was my first real, intentional time of structuring learning into our days. I am a HUGE believer in free play, and my girls have in fact spent the entire time I spent writing this post in their rooms with their dollhouses happily unstructured, but as they've gotten older, I have enjoyed balancing in some structured activities as well. Plus, a few screen-time favorites because it's raining outside all week long!<br>
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<a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/10-engaging-resources-to-make-home.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy M Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17827213667176527351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-72609923101066456562020-03-12T07:00:00.000-07:002020-03-12T07:00:11.900-07:00Tie-Dye Round-UpHave you noticed that tie-dye is back in a big way? I saw the trend pick up last summer (even Project Runway got in on it this season!) but this spring it has really hit the mass market, especially for kids! I'm not personally a huge fun, but I adore it for kids - what's not to love about fun and colorful? Here are a few cute pieces I've found so far this season!<br>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6NZdxl156bg/Xmkn2Jyd-xI/AAAAAAAAAII/3xbBAW1it78Ufo2alhqXgFyA9ZpNaLFcQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-03%2BTie%2BDye%2BRound%2BUp.jpg" width="512"></div>
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<a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/tie-dye-round-up.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-41172709076438837882020-03-11T10:11:00.001-07:002020-03-11T11:03:44.081-07:00Grayceful Girls Bathroom Refresh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We have been in our house for about five years now, and we finally tackled the girls' bathroom upstairs. You know what happens when you give a mouse a cookie? We had a bit of leftover flooring from our bathroom, so we put it into the girls' bathroom.<br>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JUyovObzwX4/Xl7_8EfPAgI/AAAAAAAAAFU/EjONpAzkGf4Ht6ahkoRaHevagR9H-O6mACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/IMG_2478.jpg" width="480"></div>
<a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/grayceful-girls-bathroom-refresh.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-67697947323154083142020-03-06T07:00:00.000-08:002020-03-20T12:42:49.143-07:00The Friday Five Vol. 4<ol>
<li>Vegas! It's WCC tournament time, and I'm off with my bestie and our dance team for the weekend. Fun fact about me - I have a weird power-hungry streak that comes out when I get headset privileges for the games. I live for this all year long. Plus an all-access pass to be court-side and behind the scenes? Yes, please. Also, I made us matching fanny packs.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ObZJd5iIroY/XmFzk52WMyI/AAAAAAAAAH0/WJWqR_poV1U8ZQKJXkbHUjlQvDjJzcjLQCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/TD.JPG" width="400"></div>
</li></ol><a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/the-friday-5-vol-4.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2294581659492789595.post-70723469486255324212020-03-05T13:26:00.002-08:002020-03-05T13:26:40.059-08:00Spring FloralsI know, I know - groundbreaking. But I thought it would be fun, instead of focusing on spring fashion, to look at florals for kids! Here is a round-up of the cutest floral toys and books I've found. Hope it brings a little sunshine to your day!<br>
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<img border="0" data-original-height="1350" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3966b6MnyHY/XmFnxwM8ShI/AAAAAAAAAHA/eW0cMzfWJPkbl4-j00jKcIaYO49HUKwzQCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/2020-03%2BFlower%2BToys%2Band%2BBooks.jpg" width="512"></div>
<a href="http://www.agraycefullife.com/2020/03/spring-florals.html#more">Read more »</a>Mindy Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04822187245111726795noreply@blogger.com0