Mid-month, Leigh Anne Eck invited us all to a slicing party and asked us to bring an analog bag. I’ve really enjoyed reading about all the non-tech items everyone else is turning to in order to reduce time online; and I know I need to cut back on scrolling. I’m on my way to the party with a polka-dot bag brimming over with goodies. Thanks for inviting me, Leigh Anne!

I’m definitely bringing my flannel graph sets. I loved flannel graphs when I was a child. My mom taught Sunday school; so she had several flannel graph sets. She allowed me to play with them as long as I was careful. For those who may not be familiar, flannel graphs include a story (usually typed up in a simple booklet or sometimes on individual sheets of paper). In addition to the story, the flannel graph set comes with colorful figures (similar to paper dolls) printed on stiff flannel. The figures have to be cut out, and there are perforation lines to help with that. While you are reading or telling the story, you move the flannel figures and props on and off the felt board to illustrate the story. In my analog bag, I’m bringing my fairy tales flannel graph set because I have not yet cut out the figures. I included the Bible stories set so you can see how the figures and board look when they’re ready for story time. I was so excited when I discovered flannel graphs were still available. The felt board for these sets converts to a carrying case with pockets for all the characters and props.

I’m also bringing along my DIY dollhouse kit. When I was eight-years-old, my grandfather and my dad built me a three-story dollhouse. The stand they built for my dollhouse was destroyed when my parents’ basement flooded; but my dad saved the dollhouse and carefully removed it from the waterlogged table. I’ve had the dollhouse in my storage room for several years now; and I have just begun the restoration/redecoration process. I’m planning to slice about my dollhouse before the month is up, and I’ll include a photo of the house then. While I won’t be using the frame included in this kit, I will be using many of the items for my dollhouse. Everything in the kit must be assembled; so I have hours of work ahead of me.

Just in case I need a word-game brain break, I’m bringing our family’s shared crossword puzzle book. We’ve had this book for a couple years now. We take it with us to the beach, but we also leave it in easy reach when we’re at home. My older son, Jack, loves crossword puzzles. My parents are puzzlers as well. The book has so many different people’s handwriting in it, it’s difficult to tell who started the puzzles. My mission is to try to finish any puzzles left incomplete.

A notebook (given to me by my dad) and a fountain pen (from my small but beloved collection) are also tucked into my bag, along with a short book stack. My book stack includes the One-Year Chronological Bible I’m currently reading through, my favorite author’s most recent book (Anne Tyler’s Three Days in June), and one of my favorite recent reads (The Night in Question by Susan Fletcher). I totally forgot to take a picture of my 52 Book Club journal; but I’m behind on filling out prompts, so I think I’ll bring it anyway. I just won’t be able to check the Facebook 52 Book Club group…but that’s okay. I’m so behind on adding titles, it will take me a while to catch up.

I included the Random House 20th Century Children’s Book Treasury so I can choose some stories to read to my granddaughter, Blair. This is my favorite children’s story collection. I read it to my sons when they were little, used it to analyze story elements with my seventh-grade students, and I have purchased and given a copy as a gift for every baby shower I’ve been invited to since 2001! Of course, I’ll need to bring my Stanley (a gift from the car dealership when I bought my new-to-me car last month) to stay hydrated, and my spirit-wear quilt to keep cozy.

Last but not least, I forgot to ask if pets are allowed at the party. If so, I’ll need to bring along my little writing and reading buddy, Jersey. She’s getting older, and she loves nothing more than to curl up next to me while I slice, or read, or work on the crossword book.

I’m ready for the party!