BEYOND THE YELLOW DOOR
Things We Love
Honest recommendations from our home to yours — the books shaping us, the games our family plays on Friday nights, our favorite tools.
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Faith & Formation
The Unplugged Hours
Hannah Brencher
This book has simultaneously challenged and encouraged us to ‘unplug’ in our hyper-online and digital world, and seek presence and intentionality. This book is a call to return to true human connection.
Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis
The place to start. Originally a series of radio talks given during World War II, C.S. Lewis masterfully outlines the basic core beliefs of Christianity.
Everyday Faithfulness
Glenna Marshall
Glenna Marshall (gotta love a Missouri native), dives deep into the plodding, unglamorous daily faithfulness expected of followers of Christ. We try to reread every few years — it’s a great and much-needed reminder for perseverance.
Life Together
Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Drawing from his experience leading an underground seminary in Nazi Germany, Bonhoeffer dives deep into the topic of Christian community, including how our own actions, practices, and disciplines interface with the rest of the body of Christ.
Adorning the Dark
Andrew Peterson
An incredibly insightful exploration of Christian creativity, from singer/songwriter/author Andrew Peterson. An exhortation to “tell the truth as beautifully as we possibly can.”
Tree and Leaf
J.R.R Tolkien
A collection of short stories and essays by J.R.R. Tolkien, including ‘On Faerie Stories’ and ‘Mythopoeia’, in which he explores our role as sub-creators and narrative creatures. Foundational work for Christian creators (of which, to some degree, we all are).
You Are What You Love
James K. A. Smith
An eye-opening read. Smith argues that we are far more liturgical and habitual creatures than we are creatures of reason and logic, and how we are shaped by our culture and by what we do. A great read.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
John Mark Comer
A timely and much-needed call to rest and be still in our chaotic and busy world. This book hit our household like a load of bricks, and I can honestly say our home is changed for the better because of it.
The Spirit of the Disciplines
DALLAS WILLARD
Dense, but worth it. Willard’s insight into spiritual formation are profound and continue to influence the biggest contemporary writers on the subject. If you like John Mark Comer, you will like Willard.
Homemaking
The Prairie Homestead Cookbook
Jill Winger
In our kitchen, we reach for this cookbook more often than any other. Filled with unpretentious, wholesome recipes for real life, this book has hugely impacted our kitchen and home.
The Backyard Homestead
Carleen Madigan
An incredibly thorough resource and guide on how to homestead, specifically on smaller acreages. We’ve consulted this book for our own backyard farm.
Half Baked Harvest - Every Day
Tieghan Gerard
We have — and use — all of Tieghan Gerard’s “Half Baked Harvest” cookbooks in our kitchen. If we had to pick a favorite, it would be this one, her “Every Day” recipes, though they are all excellent — filled with quality, comforting homestyle meals that nourish our family.
For the Kids
The Biggest Story - Bible Storybook
Deyoung, Clark
This storybook has a lot more meat on its bones than many others we’ve seen. DeYoung does a great job of connecting narrative threads between the NT and OT on a high level. Clark’s artwork is phenomenal, and captures our kids’ imaginations as well as our own.
The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis
(Cards on the table, this one’s not JUST for the kids) This hardcover, storybook-sized edition of The Chronicles of Narnia is great for read-alouds, as well as being an absolutely beautiful object adorning your bookshelf.
This I Know
Clay Anderson
An incredibly rich and beautiful little book, calling attention to the wondrous and whimsical world God has created for us to inhabit and steward. An awesome reminder of how we can witness God’s love, power, and majesty in the world around us, both the butterfly’s wing and the rolling thunder.
Fiction
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R. Tolkien
The epic masterpiece of fantasy literature, bound in one volume (as its author intended). Will’s favorite book of fiction. The sturdy yet flexible binding on this edition holds up well across many reads.
Jayber Crow
Wendell Berry
Only Wendell Berry could have made a fictional memoir about a small-town Kentucky barber compelling and fascinating. It’s a slow, leisurely stroll through a beautiful wood, and I think it’s a must-read for anyone who is disenchanted with the high-speed, busy, hurried world we live in.
Stepping Heavenward
Elizabeth Prentiss
The fact that this fictional diary of one woman’s lifelong spiritual growth remains popular 150 years after its writing is a testament to the phenomenal writing as well as Prentiss’ sharp perception of the human condition. Alissah’s favorite book of fiction.
For Mom & Dad
Land vs. Sea
Good Games Publishing
An awesome little two-player tile placement game to wind down the day with. Compete to claim the most space as either the land of the sea. Downstream from the classic Carcassone, but a bit tighter gameplay.
A Gentle Rain
Incredible Dream
The most unique game on our list. This collaborative game can be played solo or in a group. It’s designed more as more of a relaxing, meditative experience than a traditional board game. The littles have been able to learn this very quick as well.
Patchwork
Uwe Rosenberg
Another great game for two. It is simultaneously relaxing and engaging. Quick to learn, but with a great depth underneath its deceptively simple surface. We’ve gone through seasons where we’ve played every day for a month without getting tired of it.
Monopoly Deal
Hasbro
Monopoly Deal is surprisingly a really solid little game, capturing the heart of Monopoly without all of the little things than we personally dislike about classic Monopoly. A great ‘appetizer’ for a game night, very accessible even for those very fresh to tabletop gaming.
Carcassone
Klaus-Jurgen Wrede
Carcassone is the classic land-claiming tile-placement game. A bit ‘thinkier’ than Land vs. Sea, with more options and controls to tweak during gameplay. Lots of expansions on this one, check it out!
Point Salad
AEG & Flatout Games
A beautiful, simple, and versatile game for a small or a large group. Players compete to build the highest-scoring salad — much more fun than it sounds. Great stocking stuffer.
Ticket to Ride
Alan R. Moon
The game that launched the popularity of route-building games, Ticket to Ride remains a great and replayable game. This has been a great one to have the littles team up with Mom and Dad on as we learn game basics and mechanics.
Kingdomino
Blue Orange Games
A spin on the traditional domino-style game, Kingdomino has you compete to build the best kingdoms possible with your tiles. Very replayable, very accessible for all level of players.
Catan
Klaus Teuber
A 30-year old absolute classic. It’s basically required course materials for anyone getting into tabletop gaming. Great for large or small groups, longtime gamers and fresh faces alike. Tons of expansions.If you haven’t played before, you should!
For the Kids
Sequence for Kids
JAX and Goliath Games
This game is the one we’ve been able to teach to our kids the earliest. We’ve been able to play with a two-year old with minimal assistance. If they’ve got colors and animals, they’re good to go. It’s pretty incredible to watch their eyes light up after being able to understand this new kind of play for the first time.
Catan Junior
Klaus Teuber
A great introduction to the world of Catan. They did a really good job of capturing the heart of the original in a way that kids can grasp. The box says ages 6+, but you can definitely go younger with a bit of guidance.
Pengoloo
Blue Orange Games
A solid game for preschool-age kiddos to help learn basic color recognition and memory skills. Very tactile and satisfying wood game pieces.
Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot
We’ve been converted — a pressure cooker is one of the most useful tools for a modern homestead. We use ours multiple times a week, making perfect rice, homemade yogurt and chicken stock, as well as usual slow-cooking. Total game-changer in our kitchen.
Pasta Maker
Gourmex
Some of our favorite memories in the kitchen are of rolling out homemade pasta with our kids. This pasta maker has worked great for us — it’s very reasonably priced and works great. Warning — once you make homemade pasta, you’ll never want to go back!
Danish Dough Whisk
KING ARTHUR
One of the handiest tools in our kitchen. The clever design is ideal for baking and sourdough — in powdery or loose mixes, it works just like a normal whisk, but when your dough starts to come together, it begins to act more like a wooden spoon would. Neat little tool, highly recommend.
Harvest Grain Mill
NutriMill
Our tabletop stone grain mill. We’ve tried other mills, and this is the one we recommend. With no flour reservoir (mill directly into a bowl), cleanup is a breeze and there’s no big production every time you’re wanting to mill. Because it’s easier, we end up using it more (and isn’t that the point?) Note: they are in high demand and often sold out on NutriMill’s site.
AeroPress Coffee Maker
Aeropress
Good luck getting Will to shut up about his AeroPress coffee maker. This has completely replaced our drip coffee pot. It’s quick, brews amazing coffee, and takes up virtually zero space. Great for camping as well. We use this multiple times a day. (Pro tip – get the reusable metal filter as well.)
Stainless Steel Cookware
Tramontina
We switched from nonstick cookware several years ago, and, with this set, we’ve never looked back. Stainless steel comes with a bit of learning curve, but it’s worth it. NOTE: not all stainless steel is created equal! This set is “tri-ply” — meaning you get even heat distribution and greater durability. They’ve yet to let us down!
Cast-Iron Cookware
Lodge
Every good home kitchen needs some cast iron. We’ve been very happy with our Lodge products. This mid-size pan is a great place to start if you’re just getting started with cast iron in your home.
Yoto Mini Reader
YOTO
Our kids love their Yoto readers. If you haven’t heard of them, they’re screen-free, kid-friendly media devices — you can upload audiobooks, music, and more for your kids to listen to. Easily manageable on the parent side of things, while still giving the kiddos agency and independence to choose out of the library you create. Win-win!
Eastman MDO305 Octave Mandolin
Eastman
Will’s Octave Mandolin. An octave lower than a traditional mandolin, fret spacing is closer to a guitar — more comfortable for larger hands. A solid OM to start with.
Ibanez IJV30 Acoustic Guitar
Ibanez
Alissah’s guitar. A 3/4 size acoustic — ideal for smaller frames and smaller hands. A great starter acoustic.
Yoto Reader
YOTO
Good luck getting Will to shut up about his AeroPress coffee maker. This has completely replaced our drip coffee pot. It’s quick, brews amazing coffee, and takes up virtually zero space. Great for camping as well. We use this multiple times a day. (Pro tip – get the reusable metal filter as well.)
Octave Mandolin
Eastman
We switched from nonstick cookware several years ago, and, with this set, we’ve never looked back. Stainless steel comes with a bit of learning curve, but it’s worth it. NOTE: not all stainless steel is created equal! This set is “tri-ply” — meaning you get even heat distribution and greater durability. They’ve yet to let us down!