Our First Visit to The Hills and Hamlets Bookshop:
When we found our way to the Hills and Hamlets bookshop we were greeted by the most sweetest woman in the entrance. The bookstore itself was just stunning, with each piece strategically placed as if it were on a film like Beauty and The Beast or Harry Potter. The wooden ladder was leaned against the Antique book section just as it should be. I was so mesmerized by the design of the bookshop itself that I did not even look at all of the books until close to the end of our visit. As soon as you walked in the smell of books hits your nose, paper and wood. To the left are Literary Candles they feature near the register. I usually do not go for candles like this because they do not really smell like the book but I smelled these and I can honestly say they do smell like the books they represent. For instance the Shire candle smelled of grass and fresh morning dew.
The smells it represents are Moss, Smoke, Sage, and Pipe Smoke. This candle was SPOT ON to what Middle-Earth would smell like...which makes reading more special doesn't it?
As soon as we entered the store we were greeted by a very kind woman who gladly took our two children under her wing. She enthusiastically asked them their reading level/age and guided them to books for their age/level. She also pointed out books that were recommended and interesting. I was very impressed by her knowledge and genuine love of her job. Both of my children actually took home the books she helped them pick out. During my visit in the store she guided me through the books that were recommended by staff. I found that the majority of the books I was drawn too had been already staff picked by the Owner Megan. ( From what I am told, her and I need to be friends. And from what I learned about her that day, I insist I go back on a day she is there just to say hello!) It did not take me long to realize that there was a slight Harry Potter vibe going on in the store.
The store reminded me of Ollivander's. From the location of the Antique books and the wooden themes, and old rustic aesthetics. The sign of the store is beautiful as well. The store all together, readers, is an experience. My only regret that I have about visiting is that I did not catch the name of the sweet woman who assisted us during our visit, and not getting enough photos of the bookstore to share with you!
I can promise you the trip to Serenbe is worth the drive itself as the town is beautiful. But the Hills and Hamlets Bookshop is a gem. This bookstore is not like a chain book store that can be overwhelmingly large. Hills and Hamlets Bookshop is a book store of any reader’s dreams! It’s the kind you can just come in and read for a while.
The warm and inviting feeling you get when you find yourself there is easily received by any age. ( I know as both of my children felt right at home.) I promise you will not regret visiting this lovely bookstore. I believe this store was made with love and passion. It is very evident in the design and the people that work there. We will be visiting again often, as we have claimed this town and this bookstore as our new "staycation" spot.
Thank you Serenbe and Hills and Hamlets Bookshop for the warm and inviting atmosphere, we did not feel like visitors but more so like long awaited family.
Cannot wait to come back for another visit soon!
Love,
A. Book Witch
If you would like to visit Hills & Hamlets Bookshop the hours are Thursdays-Sundays 11 am- 6 Pm. To reach them by phone the number is (470) 488- 0330. Their website is: hillsandhamletsbookshop.com.
Becoming a Homeschool Mom came with a few years of research and consideration. My oldest was in third grade at the time and her school was underfunded. She struggled with comprehension and I struggled with communication between her teachers. Finally I chose to remove her from public school and embark on the journey of Homeschooling. We are now going on almost FOUR YEARS and the time has just flown by! Now we are approaching the youngest who turned the big five in December. I began teaching him during the day and he took to homeschooling really well. I believe it was because my oldest was homeschooling and he wanted to copy his older sister. We began each morning with the Pledge of Allegiance and then we went through songs just as I used to do when I was a Daycare teacher. He learned the seasons of the year, months of the year, his ABCS. He then learned his shapes and numbers 1-10 all in his first year of Pre-School with me as his teacher. ( Wow! When I type it all out like that it makes me feel so good!)
This last year with the Pandemic I was a bit easy on them both but we still managed to pursue schooling. He began to move to the recognition of sounds with letters and recognizing capital letters and lower cases. Soon before we knew it he was ready to start school regularly like a BIG KID! And that is when it really hit me. That was when I realized I was not only going to be teaching a 6th/7th Grader but a Prek4/5 year old. HOLY RABIES! The pressure hit me and I got really nervous. Think about it. That is a lot of pressure on one person to make sure these young minds are learning the way they should be and are prepared for life. It was up to me to make sure they both stayed on task every single day. Not only did I need to make sure the home was cleaned and dinner was cooked but I also had to learn to teach my son the fundamentals of reading and math. I became overwhelmed and very insecure. THIS IS NORMAL. If you are new to homeschooling the first rule of homeschooling you must know is that you will second guess yourself all of the time but that only means you care. You are more than likely already doing an excellent job and you can do this because you care most about these young minds than anyone in the entire world! ( Aside from their other involved parent.)
When my son turned five, he began to become more and more into his own person. His personality has sky rocketed this year and I am learning rather quickly that his learning style is a lot different than his older sister's. She is more of a self learner and doesn't mind just tackling an assignment. Telling her to stay on task is not something I have ever had to worry about with her.
My son enjoys rewards when he is learning, he gets really excited when he learns something new. It is that joy of his development that makes me want to teach him as long as I am able too. I was using the free homeschooling website allinonehomeschool.com for both of my children for the longest time. I noticed that he was not as focused with some of the assignments and that he loved to play games more than anything. The oldest also seemed to get a bit bored with some of her work. I switched up our curriculum in the middle of the school year to supplement to their normal schooling. I switched them both to Time4Learning to make sure they were on task to what they should be learning for their age and levels. It also helps me keep their school work organized and graded. This also helps me to transition them to public school should either of them ever truly want to go back to public school. Currently the oldest enjoys this type of learning, she enjoys the teachers and the extra learning that this program gives her. And during her time using this program, it frees up my time to then help my youngest with his school on a more one on one environment.
Things that I have learned about my Five year old as a student:
- He must be moving every twenty minutes. Time moving helps him focus better and remove his energy. We call it "Wiggles". We normally start the day off using a fun Math song/workout on Youtube. Once we get that done we can then sit down to focus.
- HIs attention span is short. Taking breaks is going to be normal but staying consistent in a schedule is best. He knows exactly what is going to happen next and he looks forward to this every day. We spend maybe an hour doing Math and then Language Arts using Time4Learning. We then move on to Mom learning time.
- During Mom learning time we read a book, we go outside and free play, we play with 3D shapes or a letter game/sight word game ( coming soon, next week), or we watch a documentary on an animal in nature. He enjoys learning about animals and their habitats. I encourage this natural curiosity as much as I am able too. Disney Plus has a ton of Animal Documentaries and shows that are safe for little eyes to see.
- We are moving back next week to more book work, using Allinoneeasypeasy.com. This is a free homeschool program that offers workbooks to buy or pintables. We will be practicing his handwriting, and reading more often now that he is getting the hang of schooling every day.
- We take a break. Both of my children do well with breaks in between. We go to the park or we go on a field trip to a new place. We enjoy nature or spend a day playing with the sweet children next door. It is very important to allow them to have imaginative play on their own. It is equally important to allow them to learn to play with others and gain friendships. The older my youngest gets the more he is wanting to make friends. This is vital to his cooperation in learning at home. I make a point to take my children out once a week as best as I am able too.
- IT is okay to take a break. I am learning sometimes he needs a break. Learning should be fun and it should be encouraged not forced. He will learn either way whether at home or in a school setting. I have told both of my children many times that homeschool only works when the student is willing to learn. They both constantly tell me they enjoy learning at home. The oldest is ready for a public High School experience but the youngest is still openly happy to be homeschooled. I have to meet my students, my children where they are and always listen to them. Always.
- Teaching my five year old is like slaying a dragon every single day. There are days he does not want to do his work. He would rather play with his Hotwheels or on Roblox. I totally understand that he may not want to tackle something. Some days I meet him in the middle and he does school work later in the day but this is rare. I simply tell my son that it is time to do his work and then he can play. "Let's take a look at what games are in store for today." " Let's go read a book outside!" "Let's go outside to the school house and play a game." I usually begin a sentence with "let's" because learning is a joined adventure. It makes him feel included and not isolated. A day in which we can tackle one on one learning reading a book, learning a new skill, or writing a letter is a day that is successful. The feeling of him learning and tackling his school work is the same feeling I would imagine a Knight would have slaying a dragon. His mission is completed. But there are so many more dragons to come. That is how we look at school here at our home. Every day has dragons to slay, but each day is a new adventure. School only works at home when each day is a fun learning experience. Especially when the child is young and requires more attention.
You know your child. No one else can tell you how to teach your child but you. IF you have chosen to Homeschool your child, take the time to see how your child learns. Not every child learns in front of a screen or in a book. Some children require both. Some require learning in a book, screen, and outside. Some require Art while others require quiet solitude. As long as you know your child, you can teach them all the things they will need to know to succeed.
I am so happy both of my children are smart and imaginative. Every day I feel we slay dragons together. I hope when they grow older and become adults that they know they can always come to me. I will always be here to help them slay dragons. I will always be here to encourage them to look for the magic in every moment with an open mind and an open heart.
Thanks for sharing your time with me today. I can't wait to write more about our Homeschool Magic.
p.s. Excuse any run on sentences, comma placement, and errors. I will edit this evening!
xoxox,
Amanda The Book Witch
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| Photo Cred: Mabel Amber |
Welcome to the Book Witch's Den!
Below is basically a map to my blog! There you will find out what each tab offers. Be sure to subscribe to the list to get updates and notifications of new posts!
XOXO,
Amanda The Book Witch
- New Author's Tab- This is where I will share all of the debut Authors that are Indie writers who may not have a traditional publishing house. They are Authors that have given me the opportunity to share with you information on their books and their interests. I conduct interviews with at least 1 Author a month but would like to increase this as time goes on. If you would like to BE one of the Authors that I interview please email me @Amandathebookwitch@gmail.com or DM on my Instagram @Amanda_Thebookwitch.
- Book Reviews Tab- This section is a bit self explanatory as it is where I will post my book reviews from books that I have read, or from the Indie Authors that have entrusted me with their book babies. I will try to have at least one a Month but as homeschool Mom sometimes that does not happen. I will do my best to make this a regular feature. I enjoy writing them! To have your book reviewed DM my Instagram or email.
- My Adventures Tab- This tab is where you will learn all about me, and my adventures. I will discuss my writing journey and all the fun that is involved with publishing. It will also be the place I share my adventures and travels with as I explore nature and towns to inspire my stories and my work. I will also post updates on my Children's book and my other work as I continue my writing journey. This tab is most important to me as it is more of a personal tab and I welcome you to get to know who it is that I am and for your support & friendship.
- Homeschooling is Magic- This tab was the most fun to create, because it is the most personal. I am a Homeschool Mom with huge hobbies and dreams. The most important job that I have currently is teaching my children. The biggest form of magic is the ability to watch a child learn and grow. It is from this tab that I am going to share all the fun and all the tears that come with the most important job in the world. Framing young minds to be brave, loyal, kind, smart, and magically creative.
(Atlanta Parent Cred:Dalia Faupel)
All I wanted this Mother's Day was to go on an adventure. After spending a year in quarantine basically isolated from the entire world, I had the travel bug. I wanted to go to a new town that we have never been too and I wanted to find a book store that resembled a small town shop. I went online and researched for about two months when I finally came up with a list. I went through the list to find the most interesting book stores to visit this year, starting with the ones that were the closest to our home. There was something about the town of Serenbe that seemed to call me from the great beyond. ( The Great beyond is the internet.) Serenbe is a small quiet wellness neighborhood in the town of Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia. Serenbe is what is called a "New Urbanist" town. (New Urbanism is an urban design movement which promotes environmentally friendly habits by creating walkable neighborhoods containing a wide range of housing and job types. Wikipedia to the rescue.)
We woke up on the Friday before Mother's day to embark on our hour and a half journey to this mysterious bookshop and town. Upon arriving we realized that this town was actually a community neighborhood which seemed to be sectioned off by itself from the rest of Chattahoochee Hills. As soon as we turned in we saw people walking their dogs and beautiful landscaping which turned out to be a walking trail. Then our eyes were amazed at this small town sectioned off from the rest of the world. It was almost like finding buried treasure but much better. The homes surrounding us were red, grey, black and white. Their architecture was beautiful and very unique. I wanted to stop and stare at them but my family was ready to go explore.
"Did we just step into a Hallmark movie?" My twelve year old daughter asked as she stood in amazement looking at all the little tiny stores down the right side of the town. The town resembled the town from the "Good Witch" television series on Hallmark. It was uncanny because on the way to checkout the little area there was a sign that read, "Middleton Way", and Middleton is the name of the small town from that very show!
There was a General Store ( yes that is actually the name of the store), and inside as we walked around the Owner was very kind to give us the history of this little community! The creator of the town Steve Nygren, created a Bed and Breakfast and then branched out to form a small community that is now Serenbe. The town of Serenbe actually branches out into the older first versions of the town with more restaurants, boutiques, homes, and if you keep going a Trail riding area and the Serenbe Farm House Bed and Breakfast. (The Farmhouse at Serenbe) As we kept walking towards the Hills and Hamlets Bookshop that was located across the street from the General Store we noticed a few of the buildings were not stores at all. As we walked by the the open doors we were surprised to find school desks, a chalkboard, and backpacks. We then realized these were classrooms. And actual School Houses. Talk about Hallmark vibes central!!!! That would also explain the group of different aged children across the street playing on the play ground and sandbox. We decided to visit the book store AFTER we let the kids go play with the school children. They enjoyed playing in the sand and socializing with the locals. My husband and I sat quietly under the beautiful Gazebo in bewilderment at the town we felt way too lucky to have discovered. After sometime I am sure the teacher realized there were two extra children that did not belong. and then she found us and when we asked she informed us that the school houses were a part of a Montessori school. ( A Montessori School is a school that encourages independence and supports children's natural ability to want to learn and encourages it in their environment.) She explained that the town was very small and there was a mixture of different ages at the school which were separated by buildings. During the day they play outside together and are encouraged to learn at their own pace when inside a classroom environment. I have never before in my entire life wanted to I drop my normal life and just become a member of a community without any hesitation until I came to Serenbe. I was willing to move my entire family and give up my cabin in the woods to be a teacher for this school and move to Serenbe. Soon all the kids packed up and snapped my husband and I back to reality. We told the kids it was time to check out the Bookstore in which was why we came there in the first place.
Read Part 2 to find out about the Hills and Hamlets Bookshop and our experience inside this captivating book store!
Amanda The Book Witch
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