Some of a Kind

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2012-01-03T00:00:00.001-05:00

Well Hello 2012.

I seemed to have blinked and missed 2011.

Either that or I was racing around at the speed of light.

That was it.

BUT

I did have some time to read ;-)

Welcome to Series and Sequels! Our challenge for this year.

As you will see by my reviews, my interpretation of what is a series and/or sequel is loose!

Also, I have read two books that 'coinside' but if you only get to one book that is in a series or a sequel that is ok! Share it and keep us posted on your progress throughout the year.

I actually had to do a search on my own blog because I could not remember if I had ever blogged about The Glass Castle before (I hadn't - one of the reasons I had to start TTPT - I kept forgetting to blog about some great books!). My book club read this book in December and I decided to reread it since it had been sometime since I had read it. It was just as good the second time around. I remember the first time I read TGC that I kept looking at the author's picture in the back of the book because I could not believe if she lived what she lived and survived. Not only did she survive but she thrived.

Here's the clip from Amazon:

"Jeannette Walls grew up with parents whose ideals and stubborn nonconformity were both their curse and their salvation. Rex and Rose Mary Walls had four children. In the beginning, they lived like nomads, moving among Southwest desert towns, camping in the mountains. Rex was a charismatic, brilliant man who, when sober, captured his children's imagination, teaching them physics, geology, and above all, how to embrace life fearlessly. Rose Mary, who painted and wrote and couldn't stand the responsibility of providing for her family, called herself an "excitement addict." Cooking a meal that would be consumed in fifteen minutes had no appeal when she could make a painting that might last forever. Later, when the money ran out, or the romance of the wandering life faded, the Walls retreated to the dismal West Virginia mining town -- and the family -- Rex Walls had done everything he could to escape. He drank. He stole the grocery money and disappeared for days. As the dysfunction of the family escalated, Jeannette and her brother and sisters had to fend for themselves, supporting one another as they weathered their parents' betrayals and, finally, found the resources and will to leave home.
What is so astonishing about Jeannette Walls is not just that she had the guts and tenacity and intelligence to get out, but that she describes her parents with such deep affection and generosity. Hers is a story of triumph against all odds, but also a tender, moving tale of unconditional love in a family that despite its profound flaws gave her the fiery determination to carve out a successful life on her own terms.
For two decades, Jeannette Walls hid her roots. Now she tells her own story. A regular contributor to MSNBC.com, she lives in New York and Long Island and is married to the writer John Taylor."

If you haven't read this book you should definitely add it to your must read list. Her love for her parents, siblings, and value of an education is truly an example to us all. We can't choose our family and our circumstances can vary and be out of our control - what we can manage is our attitudes and reactions towards them. Thanks for the lesson in gratitude and perseverance Ms. Walls.

On to book two of my 'series' - Half Broke Horses was not intended to be a sequel to The Glass Castle but it certainly is an asset. Jeannette Walls delves into her mother's family focusing mainly on her own grandmother, Lily Casey Smith. Having read HBH after TGC it is so easy to see now why Rose Mary (Jeannette's mother) chose the life she did for her family. From Amazon:

""Those old cows knew trouble was coming before we did." So begins the story of Lily Casey Smith, in Jeannette Walls's magnificent, true-life novel based on her no-nonsense, resourceful, hard working, and spectacularly compelling grandmother. By age six, Lily was helping her father break horses. At fifteen, she left home to teach in a frontier town -- riding five hundred miles on her pony, all alone, to get to her job. She learned to drive a car ("I loved cars even more than I loved horses. They didn't need to be fed if they weren't working, and they didn't leave big piles of manure all over the place") and fly a plane, and, with her husband, ran a vast ranch in Arizona. She raised two children, one of whom is Jeannette's memorable mother, Rosemary Smith Walls, unforgettably portrayed in The Glass Castle.
Lily survived tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and the most heartbreaking personal tragedy. She bristled at prejudice of all kinds -- against women, Native Americans, and anyone else who didn't fit the mold. Half Broke Horses is Laura Ingalls Wilder for adults, as riveting and dramatic as Isak Dinesen's Out of Africa or Beryl Markham's West with the Night. It will transfix readers everywhere."

If you've read TGC but it's been a while - reread it. Then pick up Half Broke Horses. You will feel much better about your own upbringing I'm sure ;-)

And for a completely unrelated book (you will see these most likely each month - I read A LOT in 2011 and didn't get to post them all) ... The Kitchen House. Holy Guacamole Batman. This book was outstanding. You must add this book to your list. I've passed it around to every soul I know AND I had my book club read it. After taking a peek at the author's web site I saw they have sold the rites (or something like that) to make a movie! Whoo Hoo! If you liked The Help this book is right up your alley. From Amazon:

"When a white servant girl violates the order of plantation society, she unleashes a tragedy that exposes the worst and best in the people she has come to call her family.

Orphaned while onboard ship from Ireland, seven-year-old Lavinia arrives on the steps of a tobacco plantation where she is to live and work with the slaves of the kitchen house. Under the care of Belle, the master's illegitimate daughter, Lavinia becomes deeply bonded to her adopted family, though she is set apart from them by her white skin.
Eventually, Lavinia is accepted into the world of the big house, where the master is absent and the mistress battles opium addiction. Lavinia finds herself perilously straddling two very different worlds. When she is forced to make a choice, loyalties are brought into question, dangerous truths are laid bare, and lives are put at risk.
The Kitchen House is a tragic story of page-turning suspense, exploring the meaning of family, where love and loyalty prevail."

It's a good one. I pinky swear promise.

So don't be shy ~ what have you read?

Photo Finish

2012-01-02T22:19:00.002-05:00

So I finished my Turn the page ... Tuesday post and decided to wipe some of the dust off the ol' blog and bring her back to life ~ Blogger seemed to have a different idea. Did you know that apparently all your blog pictures are stored on Google's Picasa site and once you've hit your limit you have to purchase more space - annually?!

What you see above is my new header - that is what I had intended at least. For some reason Blogger will let me upload to a post but prohibits me from changing my header saying I have met my storage limit.

I'm tired. It's way past my bedtime and we are back at to the regular routine tomorrow ... and did I mention I'm sick.

Insert whining and sniffling.

I'm so stinking frustrated with blogger - anyone have any suggestions? I did attempt to delete some pics from Picasa but it then deletes them from my blog! If I can't figure this out (preferably with out spending money) it looks like Blogger and I will be finished. Suggestions for a blog host?

Oh the tragedies!

Ok.

Enough of the complaining.

Please feel free to share any nuggets of info that I missed while I was seeing red ;-P

See you tomorrow for TTPT. I promise it's a much more upbeat post (smiles and sneezes).

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-12-06T00:01:00.000-05:00

A classic and one that sat on the bookshelf for too long .... The Magicians Nephew (from Amazon): In this unforgettable story, British schoolchildren Polly and Digory inadvertently tumble into the Wood Between the Worlds, where they meet the evil Queen Jadis and, ultimately, the great, mysterious King Aslan. We witness the birth of Narnia and discover the legendary source of all the adventures that are to follow in the seven books that comprise the series.

I read this aloud to the boys and it was interesting. They actually didn't care for it. They thought the Uncle was just awful and they were upset at how disrespectful Digory was towards his Uncle Andrew (despite his own wickedness). I think I will shelve these a little while longer until the boys are a bit older and they can understand the story and who Aslan represents (God).

I just love reading books that the main characters are English. Nothing beats their sense of humor or timing. Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is just one of those books. Again, I think Amazon has a great summary:

In the small village of Edgecombe St. Mary in the English countryside lives Major Ernest Pettigrew (retired), the unlikely hero of Helen Simonson’s wondrous debut. Wry, courtly, opinionated, and completely endearing, the Major leads a quiet life valuing the proper things that Englishmen have lived by for generations: honor, duty, decorum, and a properly brewed cup of tea. But then his brother’s death sparks an unexpected friendship with Mrs. Jasmina Ali, the Pakistani shopkeeper from the village. Drawn together by their shared love of literature and the loss of their spouses, the Major and Mrs. Ali soon find their friendship blossoming into something more. But village society insists on embracing him as the quintessential local and regarding her as the permanent foreigner. Can their relationship survive the risks one takes when pursuing happiness in the face of culture and tradition?

You will have to read it to find out if their relationship does survive ... it's worth taking the time!

Ever read one of those stories that claimed to be true but the further you get into it you think "no way" but you find yourself hoping that it is all indeed true? Modoc is one of those such stories. If you read Water For Elephants and liked it, you most likely will enjoy this book too. I found myself at times shaking my head at the unbelievable events that are claimed to have a happened and then on the next page thinking 'well, maybe ...'. If you are an animal lover and want to throw in a bit of fantasy (in my opinion) pick up this book; and if you are anything like me - get ready to Google Modoc and come up mostly empty. drats. I'll just have to settle for what the book gave me ... which was a great story.

Now that 2011 is wrapping up I've been thinking of a reading challenge for 2012 ... I still plan to pull from my shelves and try to keep pecking away at my to-be-read-books but I wanted to mix it up a bit too.

2012 is going to be Series & Sequels.

Let's see how many books you can find that you can read through the whole set. Maybe it's The Chronicles of Narnia, Harry Potter, or Lemony Snicket for me (which would also make a dent in my TBR). I don't know but I'm going to have fun working my way through it in 2012. Will you join me?

So how did you wrap up your 2011?

In Your Best Broadway Voice

2011-12-05T11:31:00.000-05:00

The post will be up
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be reviews!

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just read a book review
And Grin,
And Say,

Oh

The reviews will be up
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on 'til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow!

I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day away!

Are you ready for Turn the page ... Tuesday?
It's tomorrow ;-)

Soups On

2011-11-08T19:45:00.000-05:00

Only a day late for Jodi's Soup Bowl.

This is one of my favorite soups because it is healthy and filling AND great for leftovers/freezing.

Bean Hominy Soup

3 (16 oz) cans Great Northern beans
1 (11oz) can whole-kernel yellow corn, drained
1 (16 oz) can hominy 2 cups water
1 (14 oz) can no-salt-added stewed tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon dried cilantro
1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1 (11 oz) can bean with bacon soup

Combine the undrained bean, undrained hominy, stewed tomatoes and tomatoes with green chiles in a Dutch oven. Add the soup, corn and water mix well.

Stir in the bay leaves, cilantro, and cumin.

Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes.
Remove and discard the bay leaves. Ladle the soup into warm soup bowls.
Sprinkle each serving with some of the cheddar cheese.
Serves 12
Pop on over here for some great warm you up soup recipes. Thanks for hosting Jodi!

Soups on!

Bags and Bowls

2011-11-02T14:57:00.004-04:00

The before I let them pig out on whatever they wanted from their goody bags picture

come to think of it ... they had similar expressions as they were lying on the floor exhausted from their adventure.

I kinda looked like our pumpkin when the festivities were all done.

Good bye crazy October.

Hello November.

Cold weather and warm soup.

Will you join me in sharing your favorite soup recipe?

Pop on over to Jody's on November 7th to link to your bowl of goodness. More info here.

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-11-01T00:01:00.000-04:00

First up - the TBR book.

sigh.

I have no idea why I had this book on my shelf. I know I bought it but as to what my motivation was I don't know. Maybe it was the fact that her dad was a Lutheran minister and I was raised Lutheran ... my curiosity must have peaked. Easter Everywhere unfortunately was not what I hoped it was (whatever that was when I bought the book - you know what I mean?). Here is a description from Amazon:

"A scrappy kid with a violent stutter, novelist Steinke (Milk; Suicide Blonde) is the oldest child of an aloof Lutheran minister and a clinically depressed former Miss Albany. The household is steeped in the word of God; Steinke grows up brewing her own communion wine, baptizing the neighborhood cats and craving, even at age six, spiritual transcendence. It's a wish that never leaves her, and she's tireless in her pursuit of this elusive state of oneness, first seeking it in a sexually obsessive relationship with a man who turns out to be gay, and then in her doomed marriage. Her writing on these topics is blunt and powerful. When her husband confides that a teenage girl of their acquaintance has been e-mailing him, Steinke doesn't pull her punches. "Michael believed that getting close to young girls and hearing about their love life was so exciting that anyone, even his own wife, would understand the Masonic pull." When it comes to her personal relationship with God—the real meat of the book—Steinke is relatively brief, almost distant: "The idea of church still has a grip on my imagination, but I realize now that what I thought was held only inside those walls—grace and divinity—is actually located directly and authentically inside myself."

I guess I was just sad reading a book that didn't have a happy ending (in my opinion). I think I might have thought it was going to be a Glass Castle kinda book. It wasn't. But who am I to judge. Maybe it was happy for her and I just don't get it. The author poured out her heart and recounted the events and how it affected her so I hate to be critical. I was hoping that all that yuck would had brought her closer to God but it doesn't appear to be that way.

Gloomy title but great book - The Murder's Daughters really got my thinking about how I would handle it if someone in my family committed a crime. Two sisters handle their fate completely differently and it's interesting to see over the course of 30 years their lives change and are affected by their secret past. Amazon's summary:

"This solid novel begins with young Lulu finding her mother dead and her sister wounded at the hands of her alcoholic father, who has failed at killing himself after attacking the family. Meyers traces the following 30 years for Lulu and her sister, Merry, as they are sent to an orphanage, where Lulu turns tough and calculating, searching for a way into an adoptive family. Eventually, Lulu becomes a doctor specializing in the almost old, though her secretiveness about her past causes new rifts to form in her new family. Meanwhile, Merry becomes a victim witness advocate, but her life is stunted; she's dependant on Lulu, drugs and alcohol, and she can't find love because she usually want[s] whoever wants me. In the background, their imprisoned father looms until a crisis that eerily mirrors the past forces Lulu and Merry to confront what happened years ago. Though the novel's sprawling time line and undifferentiated narrative voices—the sisters narrate in rotating first-person chapters—hinder the potential for readers to fall completely into the story, the psychologically complex characters make Meyers's debut a satisfying read."

I enjoyed this book and wanted sometime to tell the girls a thing or two while they were making their way. I think you might like this one too.

I have decided I really like Sarah Addison Allen. I've only read two of her books(Garden Spells was the other) but her other two are on my list to read as soon as I can get my grubby little hands on them. Sugar Queen was such a fast little take me away read. No brain power needed. No major drama. Just a girl trying to find her way under her deceased father's shadow, a tyrant of a mother, and a hidden stash of candy in her closet. Well, ok - there is more in her closet but you will have to read the book to find out what comes out ;-) I think I read this in two days - zoom zoom. This book is a real treat.

I was in inspired by Jill's post last month to read Frankenstein. I tried to convince my book group to do the same but to no avail. I thought it fitting to read right before Halloween. Who knew there was so much more to the story than a giant monster stomping around!

So tell me - where has your nose been this month?

Spooktackular

2011-10-31T06:30:00.000-04:00

I realized that I hadn't shared the pictures I took from the UVA cemetery.

I thought Halloween would be fitting to do so.

BOO!

I hope you have all treats and no tricks!

More (not so) spooky pics to follow in a later sugar induced post ...

after Turn the page ... Tuesday (which is tomorrow!!!).

Now that is definitely a treat ;-)

Five

2011-10-23T20:57:00.001-04:00

I can't believe it.

I no longer have a baby.

I have a five year old.

Unbelievable.

Time has flown by - kinda like this picture from your birthday party.

Happy birthday Big Boy John.

Love, Mama

PS - you will always be my baby.

PPS - how about those veggies?

Wordy Wednesday

2011-10-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

My John.

Who survives on carbohydrates, cheese, and chicken nuggets.

Who is about to turn 5.

FIVE!

Says to me, "You know ........... when I'm five I just might maybe eat some vegetables. You know. Maybe. Because I'll be five."

Hooville

2011-10-16T07:41:00.001-04:00

Yesterday was a beautiful day to hit the road.

The boys had a bit of fun pre-game.

And a one 'uh oh' moment when the football went under a car.

Henry loved being resourceful and retrieving it.

To then carry on!

I love Virginia's stadium.

It's one of the nicest ones I've ever been in.

Oh yeah. I'm back in my boot. I got a little too excited doing the chicken dance last week at a women's retreat and wrenched it pretty good. It's nice and swollen. And would you look at how big that darn thing is compared to my foot! I go back to the orthopedic on Tues. to get the verdict. My injury from running (tendinitis) healed pretty well but I guess my ankle wasn't strong enough to handle my dancing ;-)

I took some cool pictures in a cemetery this weekend too ... but that's for another post.

PS - Hooville is what many call Charlottesville, Va because of the school's nickname Wahoo's for it's sports teams (I don't get it but I chant wahoo wa quite a bit!)

Turn The Page Tuesday

2011-10-03T21:23:00.000-04:00

Welcome back to another edition of Turn the page ... Tuesday! (a day early b/c blogger would not let me save - grrr - Should I title this post 'turn the page ... monday evening'?)

First up - a book from the 'to be read' shelf:

Another one of those I-have-no-idea-how-long-this-was-on-my-shelf and why-did-it-take-me-so-long-to-read-this-it's-soooo-good book. I took the movie cover from Amazon because that was the copy of One True Thing that I had and I'm embarrassed to admit that I had no idea that this book was a movie with Meryl Streep and Renee Zellweger - I must have been living under a rock. I still haven't seen the movie but I'm sure the book was better (they always are - except for Big Fish - but that's another post). Anywho ... If you have been off the main frame as me and don't know what this book is about I'll tell ya. It's about heart. How we share our heart, how we close it off, and how after it's broken and bruised find a way to open our heart again.

Ellen, the Harvard grad. on the fast track over achiever daughter is called home by her much worshiped father to care for her dying mother whom she was never close to. The book begins with Ellen in jail having been recently arrested for killing her mother - or maybe not - you won't know until the book ends ;-) One of my favorite quotes came from a reviewer on Amazon:

"You" says Ellen Gulden's father, as he throws her stuff out on the porch after she suggests he "hire a nurse" to take care of her dying mother, "have a Harvard education, but you have no heart."
And so starts her journey back into her family (she quits her job in the big city), back to the mother she never really identified with. So starts her learning process--about human nature...not just about books, or concepts. So starts her learning process about what love is, and what communication between human beings is. It is not just analyzing some dry tract, or being the "Star Pupil". It is far more complicated than that. And this is a complicated, super book.

If you haven't read the book, I suggest you do. I can almost guarantee that the movie left out some good stuff.

I have read a lot of WWII books but never have I read a book from the perspective of Germans who were not Jews. Nor have a read a book with such an unusual narrator; death. I have to say that this was one of the most unusual books I have ever read; and one of my favorites. The Book Thief is definitely a must read. A quick summary from Amazon:

Death himself narrates the World War II-era story of Liesel Meminger from the time she is taken, at age nine, to live in Molching, Germany, with a foster family in a working-class neighborhood of tough kids, acid-tongued mothers, and loving fathers who earn their living by the work of their hands. The child arrives having just stolen her first book–although she has not yet learned how to read–and her foster father uses it, The Gravediggers Handbook, to lull her to sleep when shes roused by regular nightmares about her younger brothers death. Across the ensuing years of the late 1930s and into the 1940s, Liesel collects more stolen books as well as a peculiar set of friends: the boy Rudy, the Jewish refugee Max, the mayors reclusive wife (who has a whole library from which she allows Liesel to steal), and especially her foster parents.

I actually liked the perspective death (the narrator) gave to the book. It was not halloweenish or campy - comforting almost. Your heart will break while you read this touching book.

An Enchanted April began on my iPod and then wound up on my Kindle and then I had to watch the movie immediately upon finishing the book. I couldn't get the sweet characters out of my head and the beautiful scenery just made me want to hop a plane to Italy pronto .... so the movie was the next best thing ;-) I have to admit that I enjoyed listening to the book - the accents were divine! From Amazon:

It begins one cold, rainy February afternoon soon after the end of World War I when Mrs. Arbuthnot and Mrs. Wilkins come across an advertisement for a villa in Italy to rent for the month of April. Mrs. Arbuthnot, with the "face of a patient and disappointed Madonna," and Mrs. Wilkins, "her clothes infested by thrift," barely know each other, yet the fantasy of a wisteria-covered Italian villa sparks something in each and brings them together. They raid their meager nest eggs, find two more women - the formidable Mrs. Fisher and the unspeakably lovely but bored Lady Caroline Dester - to help defray costs, and set off for their dream of sunshine and beauty. At San Salvatore, remarkable changes occur. Mrs. Wilkins becomes Lotty - intuitive, sensual, self-confident; Mrs. Arbuthnot loses her religious self-righteousness. Lady Caroline finds herself with "that really rather disgusting suspicion that her life till now had not only been loud but empty," while Mrs. Fisher starts to feel a "very odd and exciting sensation of going to come out all over buds." Elizabeth von Armin portrays these transformations in wickedly dry British humor interwoven with descriptions of the lush, soul-stirring terrain of San Salvatore. The effect is refreshing, charming, and romantic
.
You cannot go wrong with this book. It is a must-feel-good-warm-and-fuzzy read ... and then watch the movie!

Tell me ladies ... what have you been reading?

It's Still Happening

2011-10-02T20:32:00.000-04:00

Turn the page ... Tuesday that is.

Despite my lack of free time to blog I still seem to manage to squeeze in a book or two.

Hope you can join us.

See you Tuesday.

Turn The Page Tuesday

2011-09-06T00:01:00.000-04:00

Disclaimer: You all know I can't spell and my grammer is horrible. It's even worse when my internet access is on the frits and I am typing like mad waaaay past my bedtime trying to get this post done panicing because it won't save and then spell check won't work. Just ignore the glaring errors - pretty please :-)

PS - I've felt three more after shocks from our earthquake - one of which was tonight at dinner and two of which have woken Rocky and I from our slumber. ~freaky~ Please continue to keep those that have truely been affected by the earthquake in your prayers. Certainly those that were hit by the hurricane Irene deserve to be in the news (and our prayers) but sadly Mineral, Va and the areas surrounding had severe property damage and seem to have been forgotten. Thanks! Now on to the main feature ...

This was one of those books that sat on my shelf for I don't know how many years. I have no idea when I aquired it and why I was turned off by it for so long ... it was worth the wait. Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons is one of those books that you will want to share with your girlfriends, and your mom, and your aquaintances and ... you get the pictures. It's not a moving piece of literature that is going to be listed with the classics of the 21st century or even a book that has you 'thinking deep' and desiring to refocus your life; it is a book that spans fourty years of friendship that will have you laughing, crying, and rolling your eyes (sometimes on the same page). I loved how this book was arranged - by books. Let me explain: it all begins when Faith moves into the neighborhood and longs for companionship (her husband is a pilot) and watches the other ladies on the block through her widow ... that is until a snow storm does her in and she heads out into the wild open and meets her neighbors in a most unusual way - a snowball fight. From there they ladies begin to form a loose group and discover their mutual love of reading.The book club Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons is formed. Each chapter has a header - their book selection, who chose it, and why. Most of those lead ins will have you in stitches as you get to know each woman and her personality. I found I spent just as much time looking up books and adding them to my already too long to read list just from the books that they read in the book! Does that make sense? It was soo cool to see how their tastes developed (or degenerated) depedning on the season in their lives and the decade they were in (think Sophie's Choice and The Electric Acid Kool-Aid Test). I really enjoyed this book. And yes, I shared it with my mother, mother in law, and all my girlfriends who would accept it. It's that good - in one of those mindless but meaningful girly-womanly way.

So raise your hand if you've read Three Cups of Tea.

Me too.

And I loved it.

I was so inspired. I felt hopeful. Sadly it turned out too good to be true. Some of you may be familiar with Jon Krakauer and is investigative reporting/books. He is a credible author. When Three Cups of Deceit came accross as a Kindle deal I snatched it up. I knew that Krakauer wasn't in the business of bad mouthing; if he has something to say he makes sure he has done his homework. Boy did he have something to say. For fear of putting words into his mouth I will quote directly from Amazon:

"Greg Mortenson is the bestselling author of Three Cups of Tea and Stones into Schools, a tireless advocate for improved education in impoverished areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the founder of the Central Asia Institute (CAI), a non-profit that builds schools in these areas. He's also, according to Jon Krakauer, not all that he appears to be. Krakauer is himself a bestselling author (Into the Wild, Into Thin Air), with a well-deserved reputation for penetrating nonfiction. Motivated by his own humanitarian concerns, and having donated considerable sums to CAI, Krakauer now applies his investigative skills to the unmasking of what he calls the "image of Mortenson that has been created for public consumption… an artifact born of fantasy, audacity, and an apparently insatiable hunger for esteem." Did Mortenson discover the village that inspired his crusade while wandering lost down K2? Was he abducted and held for eight days by the Taliban? Has he built all the schools that he has claimed? Tempered by Krakauer's fairly giving CAI credit where it's due, Three Cups of Deceit mounts an extensive, passionate exploration into these questions." --Jason Kirk

Boy oh boy. Sure makes you think (and worry) about where your good intentions not to mention money end up.

READ THE HELP.

Really.

Talk about a moving book. Full of heartache, love, and hate. I promise you you won't be the same; and I'd argue for the better.

Now I'm going to stick my neck out there and assume that all you wonderful ladies out there reading this little ol' blog here are familiar with the storyline.

Once you read the book. Go see the movie. And take your hankie. You are going to need it. If you didn't fall in love (and despise) the characters in the book then seeing them 'come to life' will certainly seal the deal.

If this world had more Minnys, Aibileens and Skeeters it would undoubtedly be a much more pleaseant place to live.

Just sayin'.

Read it. For reals.

Now tell me what you have been reading:

It's That Time Of Year Again

2011-09-04T17:48:00.000-04:00

Football season.

I feel fall coming ...

and Turn the page ... Tuesday! I've read so many books that I haven't blogged about. I might just have to have a 'clean up' session. I don't know that I could give a decent review on some of them now because it's been so long since I've read some of them! Don't forget the challenge still exists to pull something of your shelf to read that has been staring you down ;-)

For you observant ones who happened to notice the very stylish (and hot) black boot that I am sporting in the picture don't be alarmed. It's only tendinitis. I say only because I originally thought I had a stress fracture (from running ... that will teach me to exercise!). Hopefully in a few weeks I will be up and running (literally) again but in the meantime ibuprofen and frozen peas (for an ice pack - it's the best!) are my new best friends.

Here's to cooler weather, football, and good reads! See you Tuesday.

What's Shakin?

2011-08-24T15:43:00.000-04:00

In my case ... it was our house for what seemed like an eternity.

Never did I think I would experience an earthquake here in good ol' Virginia.

Never say never.

I thought my washing machine was unbalanced.

And then my sofa was actually moving.

John began to cry.

Helicopter using our back yard as a landing pad perhaps?

Nope.

It's ok baby.

Quick survey out the window confirmed the trees were still.

What is it mama? Why are we shaking?

I don't know sweet pea but it's ok.

We are ok.

Henry who's school is right around the corner didn't notice a thing but my cousin in Boston felt the tremors.

I can now add a 5.8 earthquake to my list of natural occurrences - tornado and hurricane were already on the list.

By the Grace of God we are ok.

Anything shaking in your zip code?

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-08-02T00:01:00.001-04:00

For my 'pull off your shelf' challenge I decided to go for one of my favorite authors. I don't know why A Wedding In December lingered there for so long. Here's what Publisher's Weekly had to say "ABig Chill–like group reunites for a 40-something wedding in this melancholy story of missed opportunities, lingering regrets and imagined alternatives by Shreve (The Last Time They Met). Bill and Bridget were sweethearts at Maine's Kidd Academy who rediscovered one another at their 25th reunion. Bridget was already divorced; Bill left his family; the two have now gathered their Kidd coterie to witness their hasty wedding—Bridget has breast cancer—at widow Nora's western Massachusetts inn. The death of charismatic schoolmate Stephen at a drunken high school party hovers over the event. Stephen's then-roommate, Harrison, now a married literary publisher, remains particularly tormented by it, especially since he had (and still has) romantic feelings for Nora, who was Stephen's then-girlfriend. Abrasive Wall Street businessman Jerry, now-out-of-the-closet pianist Rob, single Agnes (who teaches at Kidd and has a secret of her own) and various children round things out. Tensions build as the group gets snowed in, and someone gets drunk enough to say what every one's been thinking. Though Shreve's plot, characters and dialogue are predictable (as are her inevitable 9/11 rehashes), she sure-handedly steers everyone through their inward dramas, and the actions they take (and don't) are Hollywood satisfying."

I don't know if I agree with the "Hollywood satisfying" although this book would probably make a good movie - teenage angst turned into adult longing, a tragic death, abusive relationships, infidelity, a terminal illness. In this day in age you don't need your 25th reunion to reconnect with old pals - you just need Facebook. This book was written before the era of social media but it certainly brings to light the age old question "when do you leave the past the past". Although I enjoyed the book maybe it home too closely in that I am aging too. I certainly didn't have as dramatic high school (or college for that matter) experience as this group and I don't long for what could have been. I do however feel the clock ticking (maybe it's the approach of my 39th bday- yikes!) that has me a bit sentimental. This book to me was a double edged sword - the characters and their struggles saddened me but Shreve's writing had me hooked and wanting to know what in the world was going to become of everyone.

Next up is a much lighter read and one of my book club selections. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott is a delightful summer (or anytime) read. Apparently there is quite a bit known about Alcott, her family and especially her philosopher father but there is limited documentation regarding a summer spent in Walpole, N.H.. This is where the author takes her lead and the story becomes historical fiction. I loved reading this book. There is just enough drama and a bit of heart wrenching in an Alcott fashion (even though Alcott is not the author) that you feel like you are on the sidelines pulling for team Joseph (her love interest) or team Louisa - or both at any given time. I really liked this book ... did I say that already? I loved it so much that I need a bit of Louisa herself ...

So I picked up my copy of Little Women that I've had since I was a tween and dug in. The similarities in the two books are comforting. While reading The Lost Summer we got to know Louisa and her family just as we do while reading Little Women. I couldn't help but buy into Jo being Louisa and then picking out each sister and assigning them their namesake. I never finished LW when I was a kid; I'm not sure why but I'm glad I revisited this classic and made it to the end. I also have Little Men and Eight Cousins on my shelf and I couldn't resist this deal for my Kindle: The Best of Louisa May Alcott: Little Women, Good Wives, Little Men, Jo's Boys, An Old-Fashioned Girl, Eight Cousins, Rose in Bloom - all for 99 cents. Uh hu ... you know what's coming soon!

So tell me - where has your nose been? Tackle any TBR? Add your link and let us know!

July Scavenger Hunt - The Mini Version

2011-08-01T14:21:00.001-04:00

I completely missed last month's scavenger hunt and was determined to play again in July.

Close but no cigar.

I did get a few fun shots so I thought I would share them.

a field

a flag/something red white and blue

a celebration

seashells

something that makes me happy

stripes

stars

(ok - I know this one is a stretch but I love it when lightning bugs light up at night - they look like little shooting stars ...)

For more scavenger hunt pics visit the flickr page. Thanks again Kathy for hosting!

Out Of The Mouths Of Babes

2011-07-30T07:02:00.001-04:00

John: I'm the one who loves you
Me: Thank you John, I love you too. And Daddy, and Henry ... and they love me too ...
John: BUT, I'M the one whooooo LOVES YOU.
He's gonna make a great hubbie one day!

Henry: Mama, come QUICK!
Me: (Running down the hall nearly breaking my neck) What - what is it? Are you ok?
Henry: I think I just did magic. I'm not sure but I think I did. There was a bug and I went (waves hands around in front of him) woosh ... and now he's gone.

Henry: Are we there yet?
Me: Not yet. Only 3 hours more.
Henry: Hey John, did you here that ... only 3 hours more. We are practially there! (I guess after our haul to Fl this summer - 3 hours is a walk in the park!)

John: (Following Henry down a dark hallway) No don't be afraid ok ... God is always with you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget Turn the page ... Tuesday is this Tuesday. Where has the summer gone? You still have time to pull a book off the shelf that has been staring you down for a few months ... or years!

Saucy

2011-07-29T08:46:00.000-04:00

After making over 100 meatballs I need to make some sauce.

My new go to cooking in bulk cookbook does have several red sauce recipes and one that was with the meatballs but Rocky likes his a little saucier ... as in with a bit of heat.

I got to cookin' again and filled 8 1/2 mason jars full off the glorious red stuff.

You can see by the tops of my lids these jars have been recycled many a time - I love that.

60 ounces or so of garlic and onion laced red nectar is stored in our freezer awaiting it's mate ... the mozzarella stuffed meatballs!

If you wish to get a little saucy yourself here's the recipe. (I have made these meatballs too and they are delish. You can't go wrong either way.)

I'd love to know what you've got cookin' in this heat ...

Back In Black

2011-07-28T08:13:00.000-04:00

When I introduced you to my little friend I hadn't taken before and after pictures of the chairs that I painted ... it was unbelievably hot - too hot- still is really. Today we hit a balmy 95 with humidity only 99% ... I got out this am to snap some pics while it was 67 degrees - bliss before the smothering begins.

Green and rusted

back in black

Much better don't cha think?

I apologize for the shadows - our house faces east and I took these this am. The ivy is from our wedding ... almost 10 years ago! My mother had the presence of mind to keep some from one our center pieces and when we arrived home from our honeymoon she had some beginning to root on our counter waiting for us. Moms are good like that aren't they?

Two chairs done ... four more to go. With the heat like this though I'd say it's going to be closer to Christmas before I even think about picking up my little friend again!

Bulking Up

2011-07-26T17:04:00.001-04:00

What do you get when you have 6 lbs of ground beef, four cans of refried beans, a ton of taco seasoning, 40 flour tortillas and 40 strips of aluminum foil?

A fiesta?

Almost!

You get 40 beef and bean burritos individually wrapped.

Just freeze and reheat when ready to eat.

No thawing necessary - yippee!!!

This is just one of many recipes that I've made from my new favorite cookbook: Fix Freeze Feast. I have been doing some serious chopping, simmering and mixing this summer. Every recipe I have made has been delish. I now have a freezer full of burritos, meatballs (like 100 people!), Mexican casseroles, garlic pork loins, balsamic basil pork chops (their recipe here), and Thai thighs (that sounds funny), and chicken cashews ...

Now I don't know about y'all but that's my kind of bulking up ;-)

Say Hello To My Little Friend

2011-07-22T15:52:00.000-04:00

We had these metal chairs ... that were once green but had turned brown (as in rusty). It was time to give them a face lift.

Say hello to my little friend:

We had a good time getting acquainted.

Once we are below 100 degrees and 100% humidity I will glady share some after pictures. In the meantime ... stay cool my friends.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PS - The winner of Leaving Protection is Ruth! Congrats!

PPS - I forgot to mention on the last TTPT post that Born to Run was one of those TBR books - that challenge is still going on! All year in fact! Don't forget to pull one of the shelf that's been staring you down ;-)

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-07-05T07:14:00.000-04:00

Please forgive the Amazon quotes today - since blogger deleted the majority of my post I didn't have the engery to recreate what I had written. I hope you understand!

I'm not a runner. Never have been. I do run though. On a treadmill or on fairly flat terrain. After 3 miles I'm toast. So how can I say I'm not a runner? Well, I don't run races and my 'running' is pretty slow and stead ... and as I mentioned - lacking hills. So what does this have to do with the book I'm reviewing? Well, after reading Born To Run I as inspired; not to run a marathon but to get out there and learn to run the right way. I have to say, it's been quite satisfying.
Born to Run is so much more than the shoe industry taking runners for a hike (bada bing bada boom). It's a human interest story to. Here's the summary from Amazon:
"Full of incredible characters, amazing athletic achievements, cutting-edge science, and, most of all, pure inspiration, Born to Run is an epic adventure that began with one simple question: Why does my foot hurt? In search of an answer, Christopher McDougall sets off to find a tribe of the world’s greatest distance runners and learn their secrets, and in the process shows us that everything we thought we knew about running is wrong.

Isolated by the most savage terrain in North America, the reclusive Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s deadly Copper Canyons are custodians of a lost art. For centuries they have practiced techniques that allow them to run hundreds of miles without rest and chase down anything from a deer to an Olympic marathoner while enjoying every mile of it. Their superhuman talent is matched by uncanny health and serenity, leaving the Tarahumara immune to the diseases and strife that plague modern existence. With the help of Caballo Blanco, a mysterious loner who lives among the tribe, the author was able not only to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumara but also to find his own inner ultra-athlete, as he trained for the challenge of a lifetime: a fifty-mile race through the heart of Tarahumara country pitting the tribe against an odd band of Americans, including a star ultra marathoner, a beautiful young surfer, and a barefoot wonder."

I have recommended this book to runners and couch potatoes alike. It's so inspiring (not like get up and run 150 miles inspiring mind you but the heart warming kind). I found my self googling the runners mentioned in the book and trying to find out more about this beautiful tribe that live in Mexico. Even if your sneakers were retired long ago (or only used for fashion purposes), I think you find this book fascinating not only for it's people but for the insight on marketing, sports medicine, and beautiful landscape that this takes place. Who knows ... you might discover that you too were born to run!

I like to describe my next book as an adult Harry Potter kinda read. Fantasy mixed in with reality - the fragile human existance, difficult relationships, and a dose of wonder and 'magic' mixed in for good measure. Blue is good. Blue makes you grap some kleenex. Blue makes you smile.

Here's a great summary from Amazon:

"Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Becky is Chris's fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges to become a vibrant, vital young woman - and now faces her greatest obstacle yet. Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little, a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own and now finds itself in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. Together, Chris, Becky, and Miea need to uncover a secret. The secret to why their worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them. Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed. "

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks was on my to read list forever. Book club finally pushed me over the edge. From Amazon:

"From a single, abbreviated life grew a seemingly immortal line of cells that made some of the most crucial innovations in modern science possible. And from that same life, and those cells, Rebecca Skloot has fashioned in The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks a fascinating and moving story of medicine and family, of how life is sustained in laboratories and in memory. Henrietta Lacks was a mother of five in Baltimore, a poor African American migrant from the tobacco farms of Virginia, who died from a cruelly aggressive cancer at the age of 30 in 1951. A sample of her cancerous tissue, taken without her knowledge or consent, as was the custom then, turned out to provide one of the holy grails of mid-century biology: human cells that could survive--even thrive--in the lab. Known as HeLa cells, their stunning potency gave scientists a building block for countless breakthroughs, beginning with the cure for polio. Meanwhile, Henrietta's family continued to live in poverty and frequently poor health, and their discovery decades later of her unknowing contribution--and her cells' strange survival--left them full of pride, anger, and suspicion. For a decade, Skloot doggedly but compassionately gathered the threads of these stories, slowly gaining the trust of the family while helping them learn the truth about Henrietta, and with their aid she tells a rich and haunting story that asks the questions, Who owns our bodies? And who carries our memories?"

I liked this book; but I also worked in health care for over a decade so have an interest in this genere. Some of our book club members thought it was a bit to heavy on the medical jargin. I say read it anyway. This is a part of your history too. Mrs. Lacks contribution (albeit unknown to her) has made medical history and ultimatley saved lives. It's a shame how she (and how knows how many others) were treated and what her family had to endure after her death.

I was lucky enough to win this book from Paula after she had reviewed it for a TTPT. To read her review head here. This author is going on my list for my boys to read one day. Most of his books are geared towards late elementary to middle school boy sand judging by the number of books in our library by him and the wonderful reviews I'd say he's hit the mark. . I really enjoyed this book despite the fact that I am a quickly approaching middle aged mom ;-) It's time for Leaving Protection to leave Virginia ... Paula (who lives in Oregon) received this book from her sister Stacey (who lives in North Dakota)! Let me know in the comments if you wish to be entered in the drawing for this great book.

Now don't be shy - let me know what you've been reading:

GRRRRR

2011-07-04T17:39:00.001-04:00

My TTPT post might be up a little late tomorrow. Blogger deleted half of my post (3 books worth!!!!!). No time to redo ... fireworks to go see (at least we hope - storms storms and more storms headed our way).

Have a safe 4th of July!

See you tomrrow at some point ...

2011-07-04T13:39:00.000-04:00

I read quite a few books while listening to this ....

I'm ready for Turn the page ... Tuesday tomrrow. Are you?

O Captain! My Captain!

2011-06-20T21:46:00.000-04:00

It was 1989 when I went to see Dead Poet's Society.

I {{loved}} that movie.

Maybe it had something to do with all the cute boys (I was 17 after all) but I think it had more to do with the love of reading, learning, following the path that you feel your heart is leading you ... again young hearts/minds are a wee bit impressionable (just sayin').

Any who ... Maybe it's the two boys that have been entrusted to Rocky and myself.

I don't know.

But here we are, enjoying a beautiful family vacation and we have the opportunity to head out on a boat for a bit and the captain asks if my boys would like to drive:

um - yeah! and I can't help but think of O Captain! My Captain!

My hope is that my boys do follow their dreams and if they are so compelled to stand up in defense of whatever their 'captain' is.

Carpe Diem became my motto when I was 17 (and for many years to follow).

Somewhere along the way I became a grown up.

And cynical.

Not as easily to 'believe' in my captains.

I want what's best for my kids.

I want then to grow up to be God fearing men.

I know everything else will fall into place if they indeed follow the only Captain.

O Captain! My Captain! Help them seize the day!

The Games People Play

2011-06-15T17:11:00.000-04:00

I'm always looking for something ~~other than electronics~~ to entertain my boys in the car.

I finally broke down and called it one day.

You know ...

PUNCH BUGGY!!!

Dangerous territory if you have two boys I think.

But I was despirate.

And it worked.

And no one got punched.

Success.

Then that got a little old.

I had to up the challenge.

Hello Mini.

WHOOP COOP!!!

So if you happen to see a woman driver and two (very handsome boys ~smile~) pumping their arms up and down like they are pretending to pull a train whistle take a look around ... there's either a buggy or mini in our midst.

What games do you play?

Possibilities

2011-06-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

I am always amazed at how much mulch we need ~~and how bad my back aches~~ every spring.

Our yard is not that large but we have quite a lot areas that are "landscaped". I put quotes around landscaped because there is so much we need and want to do. After 7 years in this house we have only done what we needed to to the outside. Our focus (and for those of you who have been following this blog for a while will know) has been the inside of our home ... ok ... well, with the exception of fencing in the backyard and widening our driveway (you get the point).

We have been so busy that we only were able to get the front mulched (4 scoops!) and half the back (6 scoops!) done before we ran out of weekends with free time.

As you can see, it takes little time for the weeds to take over.

And as you can see ... one of our little helpers was not too pleased with his call to action.

Both preferred watching to pulling weeds, laying newspaper, and throwing mulch.

Actually that's not entirely true. Henry would have loved to throw mulch ... and he did until we realized that most of his 'load' was landing in the grass ;-)

While Rocky was off getting mulch, I contemplated our next project.

I had already dug up these irises that were crowding my lavender bush ...

and intended to move them to here

that is until Rocky and I realized that our roots run deep.
Wire grass roots that is.
Rocky spent the good part of a bit tilling this section for me the other day and we still could not get all the roots.
So I began to dig ... and rake ... and hit rocks ... and pull roots ... and dig some more.

I'm not discouraged though. See those herbs ... I'm dreaming of pesto frozen for the winter and fresh tomatoes with feta and basil during the summer.

And while I was waiting for Rocky to move the truck to finish the mulching ... I decided to see how hard it was to disassemble a side patio that is no longer of use (never was). I want to use the slate stones for, you guessed it, more landscaping.

Ahhh ... so mulch to do and so little time.

Oh the possibilities!

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-06-07T00:01:00.002-04:00

Shooo weee! Is it June already. I can't believe it is time for another instalment of Turn the page ... Tuesday.

This month's review I hope will be uplifting and inspire you.

I had the pleasure to not only read Parenting in the Pew but to actually hear Robbie speak. She is a funny lady ... and her antidotes are right on. While reading I couldn't help but thinking "were you in church with us last week?". Her insightful observations/suggestions cover a wide range of topics from getting out the door on Sunday mornings to teenagers. One of the best gifts I received by reading this book regarded changing my attitude on Sunday mornings. We've gone from rush - cringe - rush - look for Bible - rush - frustrated race to church - to well ... OK - let's keep it real - giddy up - gather - go to worship. It actually begins Saturday night - lay out every ones clothes - Bibles by the door - offering ready (even for John - never to early to learn about tithing) - and remind the boys before we turn out the lights that tomorrow when they wake we get to go worship (which means no dilly dallying in the AM - up and at'em).

She also shares some wonderful suggestions not only for parents with children (of all ages) but also for those who happen to be so lucky to sit by us those families. Our church does have an amazing nursery where they are grouped by age and have instruction based on their level of comprehension. We also have a children's church for ages 4 - 1st grade which has made our experience a positive (and peaceful) one. Robbie's opinion is to have the children with you at all times (as opposed to seperate services) but when I heard her speak she was a bit more forgiving (for lack of a better word) of a segregated worship service.

I really enjoyed her sense of humor, understanding (she's raised two boys), and encouragment. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with children in their lives.

Edit: I forgot to mention that this book has been on my TBR list for some time. I was glad I pulled it down ... should have done that a long time ago!

I don't know what to say about these next two books except that I loved them and that I'll read them again. Oh, and now I subscribe to the author's blog.

From Amazon re: Blue Like Jazz

"I never liked jazz music because jazz music doesn't resolve...I used to not like God because God didn't resolve. But that was before any of this happened." In Donald Miller's early years, he was vaguely familiar with a distant God. But when he came to know Jesus Christ, he pursued the Christian life with great zeal. Within a few years he had a successful ministry that ultimately left him feeling empty, burned out, and, once again, far away from God. In this intimate, soul-searching account, Miller describes his remarkable journey back to a culturally relevant, infinitely loving God.

From Miller's blog:

A Million Miles in A Thousand Years is about how Donald Miller learned to tell a better story with his life. Even after writing a best-selling book [Blue Like Jazz], he found his life was boring and felt meaningless. A couple filmmakers stepped in to create a screenplay about his memoir, and Don discovered the same elements that go into creating a great story can also work to create a great life. So he quit writing for a while and rode his bike across America. He started a mentoring program because he had become a selfish jerk, and he chased a girl and got his heart ripped open and run through a meat grinder. But he lived to tell about it. So the question is, when the credits roll in your life, are people going to think your story sucked? If there’s any chance of that happening, read this book and start living a better story.

And boy do I want to live a better story. I don't want to give the wrong impression here - I didn't feel terrible after reading these books - I felt empowered and loved (Romans ch 8 vs 28-30).

I actually read these books in the wrong order. If you decide that you too want to write a better story read Blue Like Jazz first. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Now tell me ... what stories have you read?

Green

2011-06-06T20:23:00.000-04:00

Everything is still pretty green around these parts.

Soon it will be yellows and browns.

Scorched.

I thought I would change my header to remind me of all the green.

This was a contender for the May Photo Scavenger Hunt for the texture challenge. The cupcake wrapper won out.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't forget tomorrow is Turn the page ... Tuesday!

May Scavenger Hunt

2011-06-01T07:30:00.001-04:00

I've been scavenging again ... here's what I came up with:

a bicycle

a butterfly

I couldn't find the real thing so I took a picture of my favorite preschoolers butterfly.

a zodiac sign

I wonder if this goat knows that I've pegged him as a Capricorn?

a light fixture

an emergency vehicle

a black and white portrait

ok ... so not really a portrait but I loved this picture of my little man checking out the water falls.

a cartoon character

insert superhero of your choice here ...

a red door

taken on the lawn at the University of Virginia

something blue

we hit the road for another air show ... I think we could be classified as 'jet noise junkies'

texture

what was left of my son's cupcake

think vintage

these chairs I promise you were there 30 years ago when I was last at Natural Bridge. Really.

an interesting building

... established in 1865 was pretty interesting to me ;-)

As always, thank you Kathy for hosting. Can't wait to see what June brings! Don't forget to head over to Flickr to see what other's have captured.

Choppin' Broccoli

2011-05-29T16:33:00.001-04:00

There's nothing like having a "go to" recipe when you have to bring something to a pot luck. I fortunately have discovered one that is not only always a hit but is oh so easy.

Broccoli Slaw

1 package broccoli slaw

1 bunch green onions, chopped

6 onces slivered almonds, toasted and cooled

1 pacakge chicken flavored ramen noodles, broken up, but not pulverized

For the dresssing:

3 TBS tarragon vinegar

1/2 C vegetable oil

seasoning packed from ramen noodles

3 TBS sugar

1 TSP salt

1/2 TSP pepper

I suggest putting the noodles in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to break them up. Mix the dressing and then toss over the slaw.

This should keep at least a week in the fridge.

Did I mention that whenever I make this Rocky breaks out into song despite the fact that there is no need for me to chop broccoli ...

Sundries And A Feathered Friend

2011-05-25T06:00:00.027-04:00

:: We went to Florida for spring break
:: It was awesome
:: I needed a vacation from my vacation once I got home
:: I finally picked up my crochet hook again and started working on John's blanket a bit
:: I finally sat at my sewing machine since I posted about this skirt and not only finished the skirt (pics to come but made a cute little jumper and did some boring mending/altering that has been lingering in the UFO pile)
:: I soaked 2 big bags of black beans and chick peas and froze them
:: I think I will need to invest in Beano given the amount of beans I have in my freezer
:: Or just gas masks
:: I was inspired by this bean cookbook to give the soaking a shot (no pun intended ;-P )
:: I'm sharing my chair right now with my cat and a stink bug that is destine to meet it's maker at any moment
:: I still can't get over the fact that Henry is 7 - goodness me - where has the time gone?
:: I occasionally have the feeling like I am a hamster in a wheel
:: I really do feel blessed - and grateful - and overwhelmed with joy
:: We hit the road for another air show
:: I {heart} jet noise
:: I wonder if we are considered air show groupies?
:: Loving books on CD for both the boys and me
:: Especially for long road trips ... and trips to the grocery store too
:: Looking forward to only having to pack lunches for 2 more days
:: When I pull my hair back in a bun I look like a skunk - I have a grey streak right down the middle - just call me Flower
:: I don't get carded any more when I buy alcohol - must be the stripe
:: I did cut 2 inches off my hair and invested in some mac-daddy-salon-products to tame the do
:: They are working - thank you Scruples
:: I've read 20 books since January
:: That doesn't count the books in my Bible that I've read
:: I'm reading book 21 now
:: And 1 Kings, John, and Philippians
:: The stink bug is still on the arm of my chair and my cat has abandoned his mission
:: Are you still reading?
:: I think it's time to wrap this up - I need to flush a bug

:: This guy was a bit peeved when he realized I wasn't going to feed him
What's sundering in your world?

We Interrupt

2011-05-23T15:30:00.003-04:00

~~This unofficial blogging break that I seem to be taking~~ to bring you a bit of sewing and a dose of cuteness

I reintroduced my self to my sewing machine and pulled out this half finished jumper that had been languishing in my UFO pile for over a year. The wee one has yet to be born and will most likely wear this next spring.

I won't tell you how many times Jack (my seam ripper) and I met under the cover of fabric ... I'm quite a bit rusty. You can find all the details regarding the pattern here. At least this time I had matching buttons.

OK - back to living my always interrupted never a dull moment life.

What's interrupting you these days?

Oh yeah ... I'm not pregnant ;-) This was for a baby shower ... had ya goin' didn't I?

Seven

2011-05-08T06:00:00.001-04:00

You were born the day before Mother's Day seven years ago. They actually thought you might be a Mother's Day baby (I say' they' because I was so out of it after 4 hours FOUR HOURS of pushing) that I had no clue who I was or what I was doing at that point.

After a little assistance from Electrolux (or whatever brand 'vaccuum' the hospital uses) you made your debut at 11:35 PM.
I'll never forget seeing you for the first time.

And now you are seven.

Despite the specialty team they had to call in to make sure you were ok after your "extended stay" in the birth canal and all the hub-bub going on - we got to cuddle right away and I felt so peaceful.
You were here.
My little Henry.
My sweet fat baby (you were 8 lbs 7 oz).
It seems like yesterday I was trying to figure out how to be a mom (still am!).
We are way beyond diapers and 4 am feedings but you will always always be my baby.
Happy Birthday my Henry.
We are so glad God made you and chose us as your family.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Happy Mother's Day to all of you women who take the time to love a child whether they were born of your flesh or of your heart. This is your day too!

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-05-03T00:01:00.002-04:00

This is one of those books that has been on my shelf for .... well, I don't really know how long; and when I finished reading While My Sister Sleeps (actually listening too - I got it on disc from the library and then ~bonus~ realized it was on my TBR shelf!) I wondered why it took me so long.

I am an only child so I don't know what it's like to have sibling rivalry, comrodery, and someone in your corner when you are plotting against your parents (did I just really type that?!). Robin, Molly, and Chris do have each other but sadly it takes a family tragidy to show them that. Robin, the 'star' of the family, Molly, the 'steady Eddie', and Chris the 'quite, sullen' one have to overcome sibling rivalry, past relationships, and family dynamics to ultimately honor the wishes of someone close to their heart.

Without giving away anything but ... having worked in heath care for many years BK (before kids), While My Sister Sleeps certainly raises issues that no matter what your age - 20 - 45 - 82 - you should make your wishes known (preferably in writing). Give the gift of life.

You won't be sorry if you add this to your growing list of reads - it's a good one.

My next book was one of those kindle emails promoting a book that seemed quite interesting (and it was inexpensive) - The Hangman's Daughter. For this review I decided to cut and paste what Amazon had to say:

"Set in the mid-1600s in the Bavarian town of Schongau, it features a hangman, Jakob Kuisl, who is asked to find out whether an ominous tattoo found on a dying boy means that witchcraft has come to town. This is no idle fiction. The German rulers were, at the time, heavily involved in the detection, prosecution, and execution of suspect witches. Pötzsch, who is descended from the real-life Kuisl family, does an excellent job of telling the story and supplying the historical backdrop. And his characters—Jakob, the hangman; his daughter, Magdalena; and Simon, the physician’s son—are extremely well drawn and believable."

The only disapointment ... the title of the book. Magdalena certainly is a leading character but I would argue not the focal point. Sadly, my only suggestion is to just call it "The Hangman" - not very creative but seems more appropriate after having read the story.

This was a very interesting take on politics, justice, medicine and the cast system. If you ever have doubts about our justice system or medical profession - rest assured - we are at least a bit better off than the day of the hangman!

I have never heard of this author until I pulled Garden Spells off the shelf in the library - and you can rest assured that I will be reading all her other books. A little bit of magic, an apple tree with a professstional baseball players aim, and a lot of family secrets makes for an engaging read. Two sisters, Claire and Sydney, learn to forgive, love, and ultimately find peace within their world, with each other, and their garden. Engaging, funny, and heartbreaking at times - you will be glad you read this one too ;-)

Now don't be shy ... what's got you putting on your reading glasses these days? Did you read one from your TBR shelf?

PS - Blogger is not letting me check spelling - grrrr.

April Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-05-02T15:27:00.002-04:00

a church

a cross

(look closely ... see it now?)

something to do with St. George's Day

(according to wikipedia it was once a custom to wear a red rose on your lapel)

a sculpture

explaination of the sculpture

a set of keys

april showers

eggs

something yellow

something to do with shakespeare

an unusual shop name

I missed out on two of the photo's this month - breakfast and my camera. I just couldn't get it together. But no worries! There are plenty of other great photos to check out at the flickr group. Thanks Kathy for hosting another great month!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I know it's been quite around here but Turn the page .... Tuesday is still happenin' tomorrow. Can't wait to see where your nose has been ;-)

Wordless Wednesday - Bond, James Bond

2011-04-27T14:51:00.001-04:00

Do You Know The Muffin Man

2011-04-12T20:42:00.000-04:00

I was feeling a bit guilty over the lack of mama made goods so I decided to give life to some froze squash from the fall and a recipe that was successful in the past.

I made a double batch and froze what we didn't eat after a few days. I'm surprised that we haven't already gotten into them ... now that I think about it, I must have felt really guilty because after I made the apple waffles, I made these and then pancakes from my mix.

Yeah.

I felt guilty.

It was time to get to know the muffin ~~carbohydrates~~ man.

Do you know the muffin man?

Good, Bad, And Ugly

2011-04-11T13:37:00.000-04:00

Good:

: Congrats ~ the Random Number Generator chose commenter number 7 who was Stacey to win my copy of Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough! Email me your address (someofakind at gmail dot com) and I'll get your book in the mail to you.

: It's finally staring to really feel like spring.

: I found a new cookbook that just might revolutionize how I cook.

Bad:

: My boys allergies are kicking in. Hello spring.

: I've gotten a handful of spam comments on my blog.

: I've gotten messages from google that my account has been hacked by someone in China.

Ugly:

: My blog disappered for a few hours (most likely by the spammer/China person). I was quietly freaking out inside and in a cool sweat on the outside. I had to reset all my passwords (twice), post on some blogger forum to let blogger know that I was not some freak, and then wait ... I don't know what worked but here I am!

: Our painter killed what looked like a tarantula in our basement sink.

Dare I ask ... what's the scoop in your world ... the good, bad and ugly?

Spring Has Sprung

2011-04-09T13:30:00.002-04:00

If you've been around my blog for a few springs then you are familiar with my rhododendrons

and my apple tree

and my daffodils

and the fact that we haven't mulched our backyard in two years as you can (sorta) see in this picture

this is what is left of our woodpile on the back porch

and this is what that (*$)#@*$# mole has done to our back (and front) yard

New blossoms never get old.

And speaking of new life ... will you join Dollce Bellezza and I (and many others) in reading the New Testament in one week ... we begin Monday the 11th.

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-04-05T00:01:00.000-04:00

It's that time of month again that makes me happy!

I'm going to start off with my "challenge book" (the 'to be read' that has been on my book shelf for ~~years~~ awhile - I hope you are having luck clearing off your shelves!).

I think I am the last person on the planet to have read Pillars of the Earth so feel free to disregard my review ;-) Now that I'm done I know why it sat on my shelf lingering for so long. Not because it wasn't a good book (because it was awesome if you ask me) but because it was 974 pages long. Uh hu. I never felt like I could invest in such a long book. I'm so glad I did. I loved the way the author carries us through time ... decades actually, weaving his tale of love, pride, deception, and dreams. There certainly were times I rolled my eyes (mostly when Ken Follett went on a tangent describing a woman) but for the majority of the book I was fascinated with the characters, the time period (the 12th century), and the engineering feats that were accomplished building the great cathedrals.

If you were fascinated by lords and ladies as a child (or still are like me), like a good love story with a bit of drama thrown in, and can handle the realities of life and lawlessness from the 12th century ... not to mention you have a good chunk of time - I say add this to your list - that is, if you haven't already read it. I can't wait to find some time to watch the mini series on Netflix. I know the book is better (because it always is) but I want to see what was done with the characters I so loved or despised. I'm sorry this review is so vague - there are so many characters and so much that happens over the span of many years that it's quite difficult to sum it up. I'll put it this way, I'm glad I took the time to read the book - I'm also glad that I was born in 1972 instead of 1272!

All you Kindlers out there might recognize this book. This was a book that was promoted on the Kindle blog for a ~limited time only~ reduced price. I don't know if they jacked the price back up or not but the sucker in me bought it. Thankfully I enjoyed the book. Stalina was born and raised in what was the Soviet Union. She is smart enough (and lucky too) to have been trained as a chemist and during her career had the opportunity to mix a few interesting scents (who know that the KGB wanted their spies to smell like the city they were trying to infliltrate). She becomes disillusioned and decides to immigrate to the United States. Stalina's adventures get turned up a notch when she finds employment at a 'short stay' motel. This is a very quirky read. It actually made me sad in a way because I know that the odd things that happened in this story weren't necessarily a part of the authors imagination - that people really do live under a communist regime, visit short stay hotels, and have to deal with the mafia. I told ya it was an interesting read ... If you are looking for something that requires little of your brain but will make you chuckle at times and furrow your brow at others - this is a good book for you.

If you have been reading this blog for a while, you might remember that BK (before kids), I was a geriatric social worker. When a friend in violin class (Henry's, not mine!) told me about a book she just read I knew I had to read it. Still Alice is the story of Alice Howland, a Harvard psychology professor. At first she just thinks she is misplacing things - becoming forgetfull. Then the unthinkable happens; Alice gets lost in her own town - going the same route she always goes. She makes an appointment with a physician only to be given devastating news; she has early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Alice is in her late 40's, married, has 3 children of which the youngest is in her early 20's. She can't get Alzheimer's - she has too much to live for. The family, along with Alice, struggle to make sense of this and what to do. There is conflict and much strife, as to be expected, but there is a little twist - this is a family of over achievers - they can't fix mom and that doesn't necessarily bring out the best in them. If any of you have been touched by this life changing disease you will certainly appreciate the struggles this family faces. In the 10 years I worked before I had Henry, I only knew one person who had early onset. Everyone else was truly a 'senior'. I couldn't help but think of my old friend who used to put his suit on everyday in the nursing home because he thought he had to go to work. If you pick this book up you won't regret it. It's a good one.

Lastly, a book I won from Nadia at A Bookish Way of Life. When I had read her review I had added Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakthrough to my long list of must reads. A few weeks later she was clearing off her shelves and I luckily responded in time to receive this book. Nadia had an excellent review that you can read here. This book had me laughing and glad that I am the mother of two boys and not girls - ha ha! If you liked Nadia's review and would like to read this book too - let me know in the comments. I'll draw a random number and post the winner on Monday.

Now don't be shy ya'll - what have you been reading?

Life Under The Big Top

2011-04-03T20:52:00.000-04:00

It's a bit like a circus around here.

More because spring fever has hit and we are itching to be outside and stay up late and sleep in and ...

you get the picture.

I've either been behind the wheel of the mamamobile, sitting on a blanket watching baseball, had my nose in a book, finding new and inspiring blogs (I promise I will share), cuddling, vacuuming ~~Lego's~~, supervising violin practice, folding laundry ...

did you notice I didn't mention cooking.

Uh huh.

Our standard fare for meals has gone from 7/8 to 1 (on a scale from 1-10).

It was time to make something healthy and mama made.

Send in the clowns.

I owed my boys some pancakes/waffles.

I didn't have any of my mix on hand (thus the repeated unfulfilled requests) and I wanted to use our gifted waffle maker from Christmas. I also had some apples I wanted to use up ... and limited flour. I headed straight to a favorite cookbook of mine, Simply In Season and apple waffles just happened to be a recipe they had.

Lucky me.

One point for mom.

I'm trying to shut down the three ring circus at meal time.

Healthy and wholesome is the act I want to be the ring leader of.

What is happening under your tent?

********************

Turn the page ... Tuesday is coming up! I can't wait to see what you've read (from your 'to be read shelf'! too).

March Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-03-31T16:20:00.002-04:00

It's time for the picture show again. Enjoy!

a collection

a lamb

(my friend's dog Lucy - she loved posing for me - really)

a lion

a ring

peeling paint

a shadow / a rainbow

something as old as you
(now you know my age - ha ha)

something green

something sentimental

(flowers from my boys)

an empty chair

a fancy gate

Thanks again Kathy for hosting! Don't forget to check out the flickr group to see what others have captured.

Fresh

2011-03-12T19:03:00.000-05:00

This post is for my dear bloggy friends who are still snowed in. Spring is coming soon. I promise.

Today was one of those beautiful teaser Virginia days.

The temps reached 70 degrees.

But we know that although it was utterly gorgeous - the temperatures will dip back into winter before it warms up and stays that way. That's just how Virginia is.

We took full advantage of today.

We pulled weeds.

I took artsy pictures of our lavender bush.

I got to wear my red gardening shoes.

It's been a loooong time since I donned these shoes. This was the first year that I was able to help Rocky and know that they kiddos were safe in the front yard with us. I could actually toss mulch without worrying who was headed toward the street.

Today the boys helped demolish weeds and lay mulch ... for about 5 minutes. Then climbing the cherry tree was more appealing.

Two pick up truck loads and the front yard looks and smells divine.

Now to tackle the backyard ... that will be more like four pick up truck loads.

I hope I will be able to move tomorrow ;-)

What says fresh in your neck of the woods right now?

Running For The Border

2011-03-09T21:59:00.000-05:00

So you savvy bloggers out there I'm sure have guessed that not much sewing or crocheting is happening over here right now judging by the lack of postings. No foolin' you all ;-)

We do however have to eat despite how busy we are (albeit ~~quite often~~ sometimes it's chicken nuggets and whatever else is in the fridge).

I find when I am short on time I tend to run for the border and declare

Mexican night.

Back story: one of my college roomies and I would head to the local Mexican restaurant that just happened to cause us to cross over a bridge that had us leaving the town and enter the county and in our 19 year old minds had us "running for the border" for some cheap and delicious grub. I can't refer to Mexican food with out suggesting we run for the border. Old habits die hard.

So when time is tight and I'm clearing out the pantry this Mexican casserole is a given. You can chuck in here whatever really. I don't even measure the onion and garlic because really, the more the better. Next time I think I'll add some corn for kicks and top with green onions. Rocky loves it with black olives, sour cream and hot sauce that will light you on fire just by looking at the bottle. I prefer mine with some Cholula and tomatoes. Henry wants it all (minus the heat). And John ... well, he has chicken nuggets. sigh.

When you are short on time where do you run?

What Have You Been Working On?

2011-03-07T14:37:00.000-05:00

I've been working on a skirt

As if I've got all day.

I've been working on a skirt

Just to keep me sane

Don't you hear the alarm clock,

Rise up so early in the morn;

Don't you hear the children shouting,

"Mama, feed me now!"

Mama, feed me now,

Mama, won't you feed me now?

Maybe I'll have this done in time for summer ;-)

What have you been working on these days?

Book Give Away

2011-03-02T11:14:00.001-05:00

And the winner of The Making of a Marchioness is ...

Harriet!

Harriet said...

What a delightful sounding read! And one that can be read in less than a day is always appealing. I shall be reading Gardener's Nightcap by Muriel Stuart as my Persephone read this weekend. Thank you for all the links about this great idea.

Just for the record Claire (one of the hosts of Persephone Weekend) was actually the third commenter but she opted out. Harriet was bumped up from the no. four spot!

Harriet - shoot me an email someofakind at gmail dot com with your info and I'll get the book in the mail to you!

Turn The Page Tuesday

2011-03-01T06:00:00.002-05:00

I've been busy. I've read quite a bit recently. Today however, I am only going to review two books that fit the Valentine theme of February. First up - one of my to be read (TBR) books.

I am not sure when I got this book or how I became aware of Nancy Mitford. I do remember getting very excited when I stumbled upon a few of her books at a local bookstore in the used section and quickly snatched them up ... only to sit on my shelves for who knows how long. Anyhoo - on to the review.

It is said that Nancy modeled the characters in The Pursuit of Love after her own unconventional family. If that is the case then you can rest assured that your family is quite normal compared to hers! The story is told through a cousin, Fanny, who spends a great deal of time with the Radlett family and is close in age to the main character, Linda. Fanny, despite being disliked by her Uncle, manages to keep a level head amongst all the drama that surrounds her. Much to her dismay, she is able to predict but not redirect her feisty cousin as she is in the pursuit of love. Much heart ache ensues; and not just for Linda, but for the other members of the family as well. It seems all are a bit obessesed when it comes to matters of the heart.

I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more of Mitford. She is witty and created interesting characters ... I can only imagine what her real family was like!

Well. My next book truely is about the pursuit of love - the truest purest love there is. Love from our Heavenly Father. There's no greater love than that. Ann VosKamp's blog was a recent discovery of mine and has now been added to my feed thus my interest in her book. Ann opens up her heart on her blog but also in her book, One Thousand Gifts: A Dare To Live Fully Right Where You Are. How do we give thanks to a God who let's bad things happen. Like, really bad things. How do we say thank you when all we have been given is hard knocks. How do we recieve His grace when all is awful, worn down, torn apart, broken. Ann took a dare from a friend - write 1000 thinks you are thankful for - give thanks! This book is her journey of faith in giving thanks - even through the ugly. I dare you to pick up a copy of this book and begin your own journey of giving thanks through the good bad and the ugly. You won't be sorry.

I can't wait to see what you all have read. Did you pull any books off your shelves that have been gathering dust? Tell me about 'em!

February Photo Scavenger Hunt

2011-02-28T06:38:00.000-05:00

This months photo hunt was a bit more challenging to me. I'm not sure why. I was a bit more 'interprative' this go round.

A big truck

(I took this picture while driving)

A bridge

Eyes

A musical instrument

(my son's violin)

My shoes

A newspaper headline

(I thought this was interesting)

A park bench

A post box

(these are from a camp near our property - I love the names written in chalk)

A round clock face
(telling time the old fashioned way)

Something heart shaped
(I found this in my back yard)

Something red

Something with stripes

For more scavenger hunt photos visit the flickr page here. Thanks for hosting Kathy!

Persephone Reading Weekend :: Act II

2011-02-27T20:08:00.000-05:00

I just love this blogging community and all the resources and kind souls that are out there. Claire, one of the gracious hosts of Persephone Reading Weekend so kindly dropped by to peek at my review of The Making of a Marchioness ... and dangled the proverbial carrot in front of my reading glasses ;-) Since my copy of TMOAM was not from Persephone it was lacking the sequel.

Sequel?

What?

There is more?!

Well, in want of instant gratification (and a deadline looming since the reading weekend was only just that - a weekend) I knew the only way to really complete the challenge was to do what any other inquiring mind would do ... I ordered it from Amazon on my Kindle for a whopping 95 cents.

I know I know! ~shudders~ I have a Kindle. More on that later.

Well, if part one (The Making of a Marchioness) wasn't sweet and Pollyanna-like then part two (The Methods of Lady Walderhurst) wasn't devious and diabolical. OK. Maybe that is a bit dramatic; but really - what unfolded in the sequel was far from what I had anticipated. Mystery, deception, the occult, and true love; a far cry from the feel-good-warm-and fuzzy first book. I had to chuckle, quite often actually, at the less than desirable description of Lord Walderhurst. You have to wonder at times if the poor soul actually had a pulse! Sweet Emily though saw through his reserve and and fell quite head over heals for him despite himself - and he equally fell (and softened) for her honest and kind ways. And the villens! Oh boy - they were diabolical. This sequel had me thinking; what would you do for power, riches, and fame? Or does that even matter to you? What if only one person stood in the way of 'setting you up' for life - what would you do? Manipulate your situation or even plan and commit murder? As I said before, part one was very sweet and innocent - part two has a much darker side of humanity.

I'm so glad Claire clued me in - I would have missed, as Paul Harvey would say "the rest of the story".

Persephone Reading Weekend

2011-02-25T14:49:00.001-05:00

When I decided to participate in the Persephone Reading Weekend I wanted to make sure I could actually finish the book I started. I have several Persephone's on my shelf but they are quite lengthy; more than just a weekend read for me.

The Making of a Marchioness was a perfect fit.

To say that this is a quick read would be an understatement; I actually read this book in less than a day. What sweet few hours I spent in the life of Emily Fox-Seton. Emily is so endearing, much like Polly in 'An Old Fashioned Girl'. Yes, the book is predictable; I, however found the simplicity of the writing enjoyable and pure. Call me old fashioned but I really enjoy a wholesome read these days.

You are taken on a summer journey with Miss Fox-Seton as she is performing her duties as (in modern terms) executive assistant to Lady Maria in the country. Nothing seems to faze Miss Fox-Seton as she works tirelessly to please. Her hard work goes unnoticed to no one but herself. She is so appreciative of every ones "kindness" and is so glad to be of use. As cirucumstances would have it, dear Emily's comfortable little world is given quite an upset that even she, the queen of optimism, is having difficulty bearing ... until ... no spoilers here!

This was a fun little event to participate in. I am in the middle of a book that is close to 1000 pages long so I appreciate the sense of accomplishment having finished this book. Leave me a comment and tell me if you have ever read a Persephone and if so, what is your favorite and your name will be thrown in the hat for my copy of 'The Making of a Marchioness'. Now, don't get too excited - my copy is the one pictured above (It's not a gray cover or the American cover version). I'll announce the winner on Wednesday.

Tick Tock

2011-02-24T16:49:00.000-05:00

... and time marches on whether we are ready for it or not.

I'd like to bottle time.

Open it up when I need a few extra minutes, hours, days even.

I wish I could say I have been creating over here at a furious pace but sadly that is not the case. I haven't picked up my crochet in at least two weeks and my sewing machine has a whole herd of dust bunnies living under it.

I have been perfecting the following skills: chauffeur, button-sewer-on-er, knee patches iron-on-er, pasta boiling, pizza/Chinese take out ordering, nurse, patient (I am sick again!!!!), photographer, reading silently and out loud ...

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Due to the never ending illnesses that have seemed to afflict our family this winter, I have gotten a lot of reading in. I cannot wait to share a few good books for Turn the page .... Tuesday (next Tuesday).

I am also planning on participating in the Persephone Reading Weekend hosted by Claire.

If you happen to have one of those gray beauties on your shelf (or the library) join us!

I also have been snapping away trying to get some good shots for the February Scavenger Hunt.

Again - not too late to join in the fun!

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

How are you marking time these days of winter?

SWAK

2011-02-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've become a collector of sorts.

I'd like to think it's more out of necessity.

See, I need need to have some sort of lip bling.

All.the.time.

It appears I have quite a bit.

Truth be told ...

This is only a peek of my lip gloss collection. Not my lip stuff.

Lip gloss is shiny. Pretty. And for girls.

Lip stuff is functional. A necessity. And for boys too.

I spared you the photo of my lip stuff that I have stashed in every.room.of.the.house.car.purse.

Funny thing though.

I have accumulated so many lip 'accessories' because they either get lost in the abys of Rocky's pockets and reappear after a purchase of it's replacement or in trying to match a color that has since been discontinued and I buy all the wrong shades of pink.

I can't wear pink.

I must be color blind and or have dementia when it comes to pink lip gloss.

So, for those of you want to be in the know ... here are my go to faves (and sadly the middle is a Mary Kay that is no more)

MMMMMMUUUUAH!

Happy Valentines Day ~ I hope it's SWAK!

Divide And Conquer

2011-02-11T06:45:00.001-05:00

It was getting a bit crowded in my ~~duffel bag~~ pocket book.

I was almost always guaranteed to pull out the wrong thing.

Looking for glasses?

Would pull out lip stuff.

Need tissues?

How about a notebook.

You get the picture. It was time to divide and conquer.

But before I show you my solution ... let me share with you what was in my suitcase

1 - folding hair brush with mirror - never know when you might need to spruce up
2 - Tide to go mini - two boys - one hubby - no explanation needed
3 - my favorite hand balm - it's the balm
4 - highlighters - ie: small markers for my little artists
5 - reading glasses - I can't believe that I actually have to carry readers in my purse!!!
6 - tape measure - one never knows when they might need to size something up
7 - what was once my 'list' keeper is now my artist's pallet
8 - can you believe that I actually have something to write with?!
9 - couldn't even remember what was in this case ... a nail file/clipper kit - I have no idea where it came from
10 - something I spend way too much time with
11 - don't know how this managed to make it to February untouched - not anymore ;-)
12 - with the winter we've had I'm surprised I even had any of these left in my purse
13 - again - with the winter we've had ... Altoids and hand sanitizer - what would we do without you?
14 - necessities. nuff said.
15 - the wallet that is forever empty ;-)
16 - lip stuff (for boys and girls) and lip gloss (for mommies)

So ... without further ado - here is my bag in all it's new found glory

organized and sassy thanks to a size small organizer from a fabulous Etsy seller who was divine to work with.

Are you ready to Divide and Conquer?

Nursery Rhymes

2011-02-09T07:53:00.000-05:00

John was navigating our kitchen tiles last night taking great care not to step on any cracks ...

Step on a crack .... you will break your neck.

Nursery rhymes Johnny style.

Goin' Old School

2011-02-08T15:41:00.001-05:00

I'm a tad bit ~~majorly~~ disorganized.

Really.

Gone is the ~~super~~woman who could organize mounds of paper in a single flick of the wrist.

Gone is she who could manage her 'world' in folders and files and computer documents.

I don't have time.

I don't have much of a memory left.

So I went back to school.

Meet my 'portfolio' -

A three ring binder with 16 pocketed dividers

One for each month and then some. I have begun a collection of word searches, coloring pages, and miscellaneous stuff that I stumble upon the internet (always bookmarking and then totally forgetting about it) that gets filed in it's proper place.

I also have various lists of supplies I have on hand, decorations, random gifts, and what I need/wish to acquire. Books and videos that we own and the ones we would like to check out at the library again come their time make the cut too. See, I have tubs in the basement for most of the seasons/holidays (IE: Valentines and St. Patrick's Day are combined) and I often ~~always~~ forget what I've got. I've tried various 'organizatoinal' methods but inevitably end up ... well, disorganized.

I keep my calender up to date on my phone so it's always with me and I finally figured out (after 3 yrs) how to sync my 'notes'.

I broke down and bought a do-it-yourself calendar that I have on my fridge for all to see (mostly me) so there can be no "I didn't know you/we/I had that appointment/commitment/party".

So far so good.

I figure you can't teach this old dog new tricks so I did what I had been taught back in the day.

How about you - are you old school too?

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-02-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

"Here's why I would be a good person. Because I listen. I cannot speak, so I listen very well. I never interrupt, I never deflect the course of the conversation with a comment of my own. People, if you pay attention them, change the direction of one another's conversations constantly. It's like having a passenger in your car who suddenly grabs the steering wheel and turns you down a side street."

And so it goes - intellectual insights from a dog named Enzo. I'd say he is pretty on target. Well, at least the author of the book The Art Of Racing In The Rain made him so. The entire book is written from Enzo's perspective which is quite humorous and had me looking at my cat quite differently. I know you all have heard the cliche "a dog is a mans best friend" - well this book thoughtfully and lovingly gives us the best friends perspective. Jealousy when a 'competitor' for affection enters his masters world, fierce protection when a 'pup' joins their family, tenderness when there is affliction, and loyalty when there is sorrow. It is also a story of life and death, of living in the moment and accepting the inevitable for both man and four legged furry friend.

I'm so glad I pulled this book off my shelf. If you are an animal lover you will certainly appreciate the different perspective ... and I guarantee when you look at your pet you will certainly wonder what they are thinking!

I had to laugh when I looked this book up on Amazon to find a picture of the cover and to link to it. Two stars. That's all the accolades it received. Know why I laughed? I liked The Phantom of Manhattan. I had been hesitant to pull this off my bookshelf because it did appear a bit cheesy. I thought it was going to be some cheap dime store type.Well, if you read the reviews, some certainly thought so. I however, having no loyalties (unlike some of the Amazon reviewers) to The Phantom of the Opera, enjoyed the 'what happened to Erik' the phantom. Just goes to show you can't always judge a book by it's cover.

Now I should clarify - this is no deep read. Surprise! You already knew that though didn't you. The story begins with with Madame Giry on her death bed soliciting a lawyer to deliver a letter and a large sum of money to Erik in the United States (she is in Paris) and she has no address. The adventure is on. There are quite a few colorful characters - a young-know-it-all-NYC-tabloid reporter, a soulless-idol worshiper, a jolly Irish priest, a rosy cheeked just-like-his-father boy, Christine-the-pined-after-beauty, and of course, Erik - still the masked man but now a multimillionaire.

If you are not offended by spin offs and can stand to read a book that only received two stars on Amazon (don't let anyone see you - I won't tell) ... I think you might enjoy this book too. Dime store isn't always a bad thing ;-0

So tell me, what have you pulled off your shelf?

I'm Just A Scavenger At Heart

2011-01-31T11:43:00.001-05:00

I participated in the January Photo Scavenger Hunt (thank you Lisa for cluing me in!). I charged my battery and off I went in search of the shot or should I say shots. No rock was left unturned or plate of food left uninspected for photographic quality.

Here is my interpretation (albeit sometimes warped).

an abandoned building
(in my neighbors back yard - bye bye property value)

a stained glass window
(a reminder indeed)

a goldfish

(nothing says snack time like goldfish in a martini glass)

yarn
(here kitty kitty kitty)

playground equipment
(can we say lead poisoning)

a library
(just a slice of my bit of heaven)

a tombstone over 100 years old

(almost 112 years to be exact)

my front door
(there's no place like home)

a reflective surface ... not a mirror

(I pledge allegiance)

something out of place
(one of these things is not not the others)

nature

(life after death)

bubbles
(POP)

This was so much fun! I was surprised at how many pictures I was able to take in my own home, without any fancy schmancy set up. To see what the other scavengers came up with visit the flickr group.

The Educating Of Young Minds

2011-01-28T06:45:00.001-05:00

It's never too early to start enriching a wee one's mind. While pregnant with Henry I used to put ear phones on my belly and play Vivaldi. When he was 2 1/2 he asked Santa for a violin (and yes, Santa's elves worked hard on ~~locating~~ making a child friendly violin). I don't expect to see him playing with the New York Philharmonic but you never know ... ok - reality - we just need to get through his second year of violin lessons first ;-)

Now, John was a different story (I never sat long enough to play music to my growing belly). His interests were inspired by his older brothers toys. Building, designing, imagining ... he's been making things with Lego's since he was below the 'choking' age. An architect maybe?

Who knows. All this to be said because I crocheted something. Stay with me ...

An armless triangle as Rocky christened it.

I figure the recipients mom will get a head start on shapes with her little fella. Why muddle it's form with arms. So why the legs you ask? Well, the sweet one has to have something to chew on (literally) while he is contemplating Einstein's theory of relativity.

I feel I have performed my civic duty by contributing to the betterment of society - one softie at a time.

***********

Turn the page ... Tuesday is this Tuesday!

Wordy Wednesday - Keeping Score

2011-01-26T06:22:00.001-05:00

Henry: (yells through back door) "Hey Mommy! Guess what?! We are playing football and it's 27 to 27".

Me: "That's great!"

John: (trying to get in front of Henry at back door) "Mama! Guess what?! I'm winning!"

Hattitude

2011-01-25T14:47:00.001-05:00

My boys begged me begged me to make them hats to match their scarves

and I do.

Throwing everything else to the wind thus creating a massive weather system in the process.

What do they do upon completion and wear them once?

Get a hattitude.

They aren't too interested in their hats despite the fact that we've had many days with temperatures below freezing.

No, no, don't worry about me ... my crafting heart is just fine (she whimpers).

The State Of Affairs

2011-01-16T13:35:00.000-05:00

As if Hurricane Adrienne was not enough for one room to withstand

Tornado Some of a Kind hit.

This my dear friends is the state of my sewing room.

It all began with good intentions you see. I started with the boys room - rearranged their furniture - had some book shelves made to fit into their dormer windows (remember we have a crafty furniture maker friend) - moved their toys in their room - then gave them my two bookshelves from my sewing room (what you see unloaded on my sewing table was the contents of said bookshelves) - brought their old (smaller) bookshelf down to my sewing room - then I had to make room for my books in the sitting room since my "new" bookshelf would not accommodate all my fabric and ~~my collection of craft books that are gathering dust~~ books. Then I had (really - I had to) move the love seat from the sitting room into the sewing room so I could then move Rocky's grandparents drop leaf table ~~that is so precious to us but darn if it gets in the way~~ into the sitting room so we can get a fish tank. Oh - and so that I could move the half wide secretary from the foyer to where the drop leaf table was so that I can make room for the piano that is now still in the sewing room acting more as a tv stand than a piano.

You still with me?

Don't worry. I'm worn out too.

Never mind that each time Rocky moves a piece of furniture he swears that he will not move it (or any other again), or that I have been sick for a week now and still do not seem to be getting over it, or that John just got over pink eye and an ear infection, and that I now have pink eye in both eyes, and while rearranging and stirring up tons of dust and seeing too many things scurry away that my (very expensive and worst purchase I ever made) vacuum has stopped working - again.

Life is good.

Really.

Even if I can't wear mascara for a week ~shudders~.

So. I will gladly take any suggestions you might have regarding vacuum cleaners. The weather systems keep changing around here and I need something reliable to clean up the mess!

What A Doll Wants

2011-01-12T06:49:00.000-05:00

My friend who I made the doll quilts for supplied me with these pictures.

The beds were made for her when she was about her daughters age by her grandfather.

My friends dad gave them a coat of paint and my job was to make sure the dolls would be nice and cozy. I was tickled pink to see that they actually fit! Despite having two boy I guess I still know what a doll wants ;-)

The Big Cheese

2011-01-10T09:52:00.002-05:00

I treated ~~myself~~ the boys to Chick-fil-a the other day. If you are not familiar with the restaurant (I don't know if they have them overseas) their mantra is

Photo from Chick-fil-a site. T-shirt for sale here.

This visit the boys received Cranium travel card games in their kids meals. Both boys were (surprisingly) very excited by their acquisition. They could not wait for Rocky to get home so they could 'challenge him'. Henry, John, and I had a few practice rounds in preparation for the real game.

I drew a card that went something like this:

Name three of the five most popular cheeses in America.

Henry - very seriously says "Blue cheese, Gorgonzola, and ... and ... hmmm. I can't think of another".

Remember when I said we eat a lot of cheese around here. Now you know which ones are favorites in our house.

For inquiring minds: American, Provolone, Cheddar, Swiss, and Mozzarella. And yes, we eat those too. We are an equal opportunity cheese family.

Hurricane Adrienne Hits Home In Virginia

2011-01-07T06:30:00.001-05:00

What?

Hurricane season is over?

Hmmm ... not here in Virginia.

Adrienne is still going strong.

Haven't heard of that storm?

Category 4.

Just take a look at the destruction she caused (and this is only one place where her high winds and yarn poured down):

Hot tea from the morning ... still there when this areal photo was taken at 4:42 PM.
New gizmo gadget thingy that makes pom poms.
What's left of a skein of yarn. It's not a toilet paper holder (really people - she's not that bad).
Just a small pile of the ends that were woven in for a hat for Henry ... there were more. Lots more.
The pattern for a scarf that was been a WIP for at least a year (the yarn was on the ~~toilet paper holder~~ cardboard tube)
A weapon. For real. Have you ever held a size P crochet hook? It could take anyone out and that has hooks on either end (she's a professional).
Hook/needle bag that fell prey and was missing in action due to Hurricane Adrienne. Located due to surveillance photo.
A coaster that obviously wasn't used for no. 1.
A big fat yarn needle that saw way to much action (see no. 4) and could not be stored properly (see no. 7).
Another gizmo gadget thingy that made no. 4 so much more bearable.
A Halloween silly band.
Another weapon stored improperly (again see no. 7). Sadly it is barely functional because the blades are so dull.
A bag that is housing a scarf (see no. 5) that is a quarter of the way done.

Sadly we cannot share any other photos of the devastation she has caused due to the sensitive nature of the unsavory material (laundry, dishes, finger prints, dusty window sills and abandoned sewing/crochet projects ~shudders~). Thank goodness we have these pictures of before the hurricane to preserve what was once a place of tranquility.

Stay tuned as we will continue to update you on this freak of nature.

Wordless Wednesday - Warmth

2011-01-05T17:56:00.000-05:00

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2011-01-04T00:01:00.003-05:00

I received this lovely package from Helen on Christmas Eve. She was my secret Santa for the Persephone Book Swap hosted by Claire.

What you can barely see is the awesome bookmark (which is also printed on the inside covers):

Endpaper: 'Flower vase lit by rays from a table lamp', Vanessa Bell 1934, Allan Walton, V & A

I plowed through my second (but not my last Persephone) book over the holidays. Every waking moment that was not spent cooking, changing sheets, or just being merry was spent with my nose in that beauty of a gray book above.

I loved Miss Buncle's Book. It was a hoot. It has now been added to my list of favorites and I think if you read it you would be captivated too. The storyline is so original (which is very refreshing) - Miss Buncle is in her late 30's? and is unmarried. Money has gotten tighter and tighter and she decides to write a book to try and supplement her income. Miss Buncle says herself that she is not imaginative nor creative - she writes of what (and whom) she knows. Things pick up in her little cozy village once John Smith's book (Miss Buncle's pseudo name) is published and it becomes very clear that the characters are all too real - 'down to the mole on her left cheek with hairs in it' (not an exact quote). What is really humorous is how those who recognize themselves react: 'I do not wear a wig. I just have good hair.', 'She really is attractive ... why have I not ever noticed her before', 'Why was I only mentioned once.' (again just paraphrasing).

As you read on, the book just gets better and better. Miss Buncle's Book certainly got me thinking about how I am perceived and if someone was a fly on the wall what would they observe. I'm afraid to say it's not all sugar and sweet! I better clean up my act - Miss Buncle could be watching ;-)

And if Mister Linky here isn't going to provide you with enough books to start you reading in the new year, make sure you check out Claire's post here that has all the participants in the swap. Oh, and get your pen and paper ready - you are going to find some new blogs that you love ... many of them just review books - lots of them. I know!!! How fabulous ;-P

Now, I'm sure you are just like me - a shelf (or two or three) full of books; some of which I don't even remember acquiring. Won't give them away because what if they are good ... but for some unexplained reason, you are not reading them either ... just buying or borrowing more. So. What to do? Don't worry - no resolutions here; just a bit of fun ...

2011 Turn the page ... Tuesday Challenge:

For each TTPT read one book that is on your shelf. It's ok if you don't finish it - I am pretty confident that I will pull a few down and find that I'm just not into it. No worries - I'll just let you know so in case you are so inclined to read it (like maybe it's been gathering dust on your shelve(s) too) and give you the ok not to read it (I hope you return the favor!). Liberating I think. Of course there's the ugly side to this. You will inevitably add more books to your shelves/list ... I know, I know. It's hard being a book lover but some body's got to do it.

And speaking of great books ...

Stewed

2011-01-02T20:29:00.000-05:00

Every year Rocky orders a gallon of raw oysters. They come in right before Christmas. He gets so stoked. All his hot sauces come out and are on the ready for when the bounty arrives. I, on the other hand, just.can't.go.there. I love a fair amount of sushi and sashimi but the oysters just gross me out. More for Rocky makes a happy Rocky.

We decided this year to make oyster stew in lieu of our traditional smoked ribs on New Years Day. Resolution you smell??? No, more like a true lifestyle change. Rocky is on the verge of having to take cholesteral meds and he not happy about it. Sadly for him it's genetic but he is going to do his darnest to try to lower his stats by making better food choices (we are heavy on the cheese and red meat) and adding more cardio (he does exercize regularly but he's going to work on that heart rate a bit more).

So ... back to the oysters. We've made several versions of oyster stew over the years (most including heavy cream and/or condensed milk) but none really stood out as a winnner. That all changed when I found this recipe.

Oh my.

It was good.

Very good.

We ended up modifying the recipe a bit due to the oysters being left on the counter for about 6 hours (that darn eggnog again) after some late night snacking ... good thing we keep our house like an icebox - ahem.

Here are our 'tweeks':

- we boiled the oysters in their 'liquor' and about 3/4 C of red wine - when they started to curl we drained them
- I didn't really measure the potato/onion/garlic - we like alot so I'd say it was about a large potato and a half, 2 medium onions and 4 large heads of garlic-ish
- 4 C of chicken broth
- a big handfull of parlsey
- at least 1 C of the crushed crackers (I used whole wheat - which were still junk - 1st ingredient 'enriched flour' - what a crock - how can they say they are 'whole wheat' - arg)
- I only had 1 C of corn and the 8oz of the clam juice - if I had more I would have added it but it was fine without the extra

Rocky thinks this is the best oyster stew he has ever had.

Ever.

He's a hard one to please when it comes to them there oysters.

I ate mine sans oysters. It was delicious. I'd say we have a new New Years Day meal ... and seein' as we are alive and kicking, I'd say those oysters did not get the best of us ~wink wink~. We'll just make sure that we clean up after ourselves ~~Rocky~~ the next time - we don't want to push our luck!

Speaking of stews ... don't forget Turn the page ... Tuesday on the 4th - what books have you been stewing over?

Shalom Aaleichem

2011-01-01T14:59:00.000-05:00

I'm not one for making resolutions.

I find too often that I am disappointed with myself when I break them or can't meet such an expectation.

Life is fluid.

Goals are good.

It's all about ~~juggling~~ balance.

I think Ben Franklin was on to something when he said

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We had big plans for the eve this year ... until I began to feel under the weather. We decided to bag the tuxedo and high heels for khakis and clogs. We counted down to the New Year and at 9:26 pm toasted with some bubbly (Perrier for the under 21 crowd). It couldn't have been better. Here's to taming some of my vices, keeping peace with our ~~crazy~~ neighbors, and achieving a few goals in 2011.

I'm so glad you have come along for the ride my friends - Shalom aleichem!

Two In The Basket

2010-12-28T08:33:00.001-05:00

After this blanket (which was welcomed enthusiastically by the recipient) I wanted to make another. It was so comforting to sit by the fire and crochet - the bigger the blanket got the cozier I became.

I decided my boys needed some mama made blankets for their beds.

I know, I know ... two at a time?! I doubt I will finish before it starts warming up especially with mishaps like this

I had to pull John's out all the way back to the first row. Too much egg nogg perhaps?

A White Christmas

2010-12-28T08:32:00.000-05:00

It snowed ...and snowed ... and snowed.

We are still celebrating Christmas here. More family to come today and tomorrow (I've washed the guest bed sheets 4 times!). I hope your time this holiday season has been as blessed as ours (and not nearly as much laundry - ha ha).

Quiet

2010-12-21T13:25:00.001-05:00

I had a few of those moments over the past week when I was able to sneak in some Christmas crafting.

A scarf from the amazing Craft Hope book.

One of the two swiffer covers I made (the other I made is for me and would shame me ... it's filthy!). Raveled here.

Doll quilts for a friends little girl.

Stash busting never felt so good ...

with pillows from flannel to match.

I actually made it to a ~~chain~~ yarn store and got some more to finish these mitts. That was before I had to take Henry back to the MD. sigh. Poor kid has just had the wind knocked out of him with this strep throat. He seems to be on the mend today. Let's hope it continues.

Here's to some quite moments to not only finish some last minute projects, but for rest and reflection of our Savior's birth. It might be quiet here until after the new year - I don't know. I'm going to enjoy this time with my family and just be ~ Merry Christmas everyone.

~~~~~~~~

And in case you are wondering ... no - I did not get my house clean but the sheets on the guest bed were changed. That's what matters - right?!;-)

A Week In Review

2010-12-19T21:46:00.000-05:00

Saturday the 11th - Henry wakes us at 5:30 am crying because his throat hurts - Motrin and a day of sleep seem to do the trick

Sunday the 12th - Henry wakes us at 3 am, 4 am, 5 am - Rocky takes Henry to the MD - Diagnosis - strep throat

Monday the 13th - Keep Henry home from school for a day of rest. After Henry's "day of rest" I need about a weeks worth of rest

Tuesday the 14th - Henry is back at school and our ~~hectic~~ regular schedule resumes

Wednesday the 15th - Every child who is old enough to understand the weather report (Henry and John included) knows that snow is predicted. They behave like wild animals who have been caged. We are notified that school will be delayed an hour on Thursday due to impending weather conditions.

Thursday the 16th - 5:50 am we are woken by the phone cancelling school ... but wait ... there is no snow! Around 8 am the skies open up - beautiful flakes begin to fall ... and fall ... and fall ... we they get to play in the white fluffy stuff. We make peanut butter snow balls (peanut butter dipped in white chocolate) and pig out.

Friday the 17th - School is cancelled again. Roads are not plowed and it's like a skating rink outside our door (there are lots of hills here ... perfect for propelling a vehicle in the wrong direction when icy). I am about to lose my mind - the boys have had waaaayy too much together time and all the chocolate in the house has been eaten ~~by me~~.

Saturday the 18th - More snow play and general 'feeling cooped upness'

Sunday the 19th - Henry wakes up with pink eye. After a call to the MD and some antibiotic eye drops we are cleared to go see Santa. Remember last years pic? Well ...not much changed this year.

John didn't want anything to do with the guy in red. One day ... maybe when he is 20 I will have a picture of him smiling.

Here is our attempt at a family photo

There is always next year.

Somehow this week I did manage to finish the doll quilts, crochet two swiffer covers, finish the boys scarves, sew a scarf, and almost finish a pair of fingerless mitts (until I ran out of yarn - drats!). Hopefully I will have some time to take pictures to share all the goods ... after Henry's Polar Express party, his class party and violin. Oh yea - and I clean my house for the company that is arriving on Tuesday.

You know what - it's all good. A bit crazy but good.

How was your week?

Tis The Season

2010-12-16T12:07:00.001-05:00

Oh the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let It Snow!

Diversified

2010-12-13T20:48:00.003-05:00

I want you all to know that I took your advice to heart. You all were right. I should never have all my hooks in one basket as to avoid the let down upon completion of a project. So, I found as many bags and bins that were 'available' and got goin'.

You might recognize this bag that is hanging permanently on one of Rocky's grandmother's chairs ...

it's been housing this scarf in progress for at least a year. The pattern requires some brain power/counting and goodness me - these days I can't handle that! One day I'll have a luxurious bamboo/silk black scarf to keep me warm ...

You might also recognize this bag ...

it actually is the home of two projects - a scarf for John and another market bag for me - man can they hold a lot of loot!

What was empty ...

is empty no more! One hat of what I hope will become many for Caps for Good and a scarf for Henry.

And lastly, a project that doesn't have a home yet. It's a bit transient. I've been moving it from the living room to the dining room to the kitchen to ... you get the picture. Those cones are so handy - no run away yarn ... well, that is if you don't have a 4 year old and a 1st grader who is home with strep trying to 'help' ... oh, and let's not forget the cat.

I'm no longer a one project gal - I'm diversified. Are you?

Finito

2010-12-09T08:04:00.004-05:00

It's done. I finished the blanket.

I'm kinda sad.

I liked working on this blanket. It was so warm and comforting sitting by the fire mindlessly crocheting. I need to start another one. Like pronto.

And as I was crocheting so blissfully my house was being demolished around me.

1. More library books than we have time to read

2. A snow globe that has seen so much action the poor snowmen have lost their carrot noses

3. A mantel still undecorated ... and I'm not too optimistic

4. One of the three lanterns from the boys adventure. Think every blanket and pillow on the street - no in Virginia - piled, draped, hung in my living room

5. My now empty crochet basket. Boo. Hoo.

6. My camera case that has been sitting there f.o.r.e.v.e.r. it's become an accessory and requires dusting

7. A Thanksgiving book that never made it into the bin (Yes, I am annal. I have bins for each holiday. It's the only way I stay sane ... well, ok - not sane but find everything)

8. A cat who insisted upon sitting on my lap and lying on the blanket while trying to take pictures ... not unlike what he did while I was crocheting it

9. Said blanket in action. Gotta make sure it really works before it's gifted

10. The sofa that also would not cooperate while trying to photograph the blanket. How in the world did our couch get so stained, written on, painted ...

Some quick stats: I have no idea how big it is. I used 2 whole pounds of love and about 1/4 of a 3rd. I cropped the top picture (so you wouldn't see how trashed my foyer is - can't let you all think I'm a total slob now can I). I am 5 ft 6 1/2 in (you know that 1/2 inch very is important) and the blanket was resting on the top of my feet and my arms weren't fully spread out. This will work nicely when curled up in a chair or on the sofa. The pattern can be found here on Ravelry and here directly.

So there you have it. One of my most favorite projects thus far. I'd like to say I'm off to clean my living room but ... let's be real here people. I'm getting ready to spend waaaayy to much on Ravelry looking for the next one. What are you about to do?

Yes, Virginia

2010-12-08T08:12:00.000-05:00

There is some sewing happening here ...

more scrap busting to come!

Ho Ho Ho

Turn The Page ... Tuesday

2010-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Boy oh boy did I enjoy Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day. Not because it was the greatest work of literature ever written - it isn't. Not because it wasn't predictable - it was. Not because it was cynical, twisted, or had a surprise ending - it wasn't. I liked it because it just was down right sweet. This was such a feel good, clean, giggle to your self (or out loud) book.

Miss Pettigrew and the slew of characters you meet along they way will have you cheering for them, embarrassed for them, and hoping that they have more sense than they appear to have. To think to be 40-ish in today's society and be considered dowdy and an old maid ... hog wash! Well, Miss Pettigrew gets to have a second chance at her youth (this tale is set in the glamorous 1930's)- even if it's only for 24 unpredictable hours.

This is my first Persephone Books but it won't be my last! Stay tuned (I am participating in a Persephone Book swap). If you enjoy British writers and want to have a page turner that will have you smiling the whole read - this book is for you.

What have you been reading?

It All Began With

2010-12-03T03:09:00.000-05:00

Mom - I have to have a costume for school. I just have to. You can make it.

Oh the confidence my six year old has in me.

I was soooo thankful that I had already put in some brain power/sewing time into costumes for the boys not too long ago. I quickly pulled up my post for the armor tutorial and proceed to turn my knight into Chief Massasoit.

A half a yard of already strung feathers, felt, and two broken needles

One yard of decorative ribbon and fringe

Lastly, more fringe and felt to add the final touch (see ankles on chief below)

How did you dress your turkey?

The NotSoQuite Game

2010-12-01T17:01:00.000-05:00

Henry: let's play the quiet game

John - ok

H - ok go

H - ok - let's start

H - ok go ... NOW

......

45 sec later

H - John - stop for a second - wait - ok - never mind

......

30 seconds later

John - let's see who won

And We Danced All Night

2010-11-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Nine years ago today this happened

favorite photograph - zero dollars

getting inked - twenty five dollars

a memory preserved forever - priceless

Eggnogged

2010-11-22T11:26:00.000-05:00

An email from my Aunt that had me laughing ... and then I realized that if this had happened to me I totally would have blogged about it ;-) Enjoy!

Well!

I just made a gallon of YOUR eggnog recipe…. I had to go out and buy a container (which I will have to move!) in order to hold that much eggnog…. Yeah, yeah, I could half it… which I did… but the smallest container I could find was 3 gallons at Wegemans…. So… I had to put the container together…. No biggie…. Or so I thought…. Back to the liquor store twice… thought I had rum (don’t know why, I don’t drink it).. also bought what we are bringing to you (one more thing to move before Christmas… and its heavy!) so I’m realizing I need a lot of bowls to whip and stir.. of course I didn’t have all this stuff out… and the beater cord drops in the cream.. ok, I’ll just lick it off at this point…. Which, when I pulled it up, knocked over the bowl with the egg whites…. All over the counter, the floor, my feet…. Oh Cooper is a happy boy, but not as happy as he ‘s going to be….. scr*w it, I’ll pour everything into the new serving container with spigot that I bought… that will fix everything… sure will….look down and the spigot is pouring out eggnog.., down the counter into the cabinets, onto my clothes, feet and floor… NOW Cooper is a happy boy… I’d already poured the rum and bourbon into the mix…. I’m screaming at him, he’s like, yeah right,….. and I finally got the container at an angle to keep it from spilling out….. ya know, this stuff is good… I can’t wait until it ferments for tomorrow and the day after, and the day after….. it’s on the back porch as there is no room in the fridge….. oh well, I cleaned up the counter, wiped down the cabinets and all the stuff that got covered…….. hope the new owner likes the fragrant… I’m not cleaning anymore!!!!

Can’t wait to see you guys… love to all….. with a smile :-)

Aunt Barbara

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Don't panic - Cooper is a dog ;-)

Dressing The Turkey

2010-11-20T17:26:00.000-05:00

Nothing like a first grade sing-a-long to motivate this mama to whip out the sewing machine. OK - my mom's sewing machine - mine is still in the shop. I still need to make the headdress and a few other accessories for my little Chaska so more pictures to follow ... hopefully with the turkey fully dressed ;-)

Cracking Up

2010-11-18T09:12:00.001-05:00

A few years back - four to be exact - I purchased some hand made pottery from a friend. She makes beautiful things. At one time she lived in Italy and this is when she was designing away (read - before children). She was having a major sale (like 60% off) retail price to clear out some inventory. I just had just had John and was having a bit of the I'm housebound and postpreggo body feeling ... in other words - I needed some retail therapy. Nothing like a bit of shopping to lift the spirits!

I bought two of these vases.

They've been treated just like my furniture; moved from room to room until I settled on where I liked them best. That place ended up being in our foyer on either side of a card table. Rocky insisted that they boys were going to end up breaking them - I scoffed at him. Well, turns out that he was partially right. A large turkey did have a run in with one of them only it was a not of the human race and was frozen.

I was unloading groceries and setting those that needed to go in the basement by the door and then as fate would have it - the turkey decided to shift its weight while my hands were full and crash bang boom down went my vase.

I just stood there in shock.

It is just a thing but it's thing that I was quite fond of. Sooooo ... I decided to do my best to salvage it.

It's a shotty job for sure but at least I still have my vase.

So if that wasn't heart wrenching enough ....

I'm doing dishes and BAM. My adorable fat chef that greets me at the sink every morning and has been a faithful soap dispenser for longer that I know lands in the sink.

SNAP goes the top.

As you can see the part that the dispenser screws on to is what broke off - securely in the pump so there is no hope of superglue unless I never want to refill my chef again.

I have looked high and low to try to find something like this little fella but with no luck. So until I happen to find my next sink companion he will stand guard (and I hope I don't knock him over again!).

The moral of the story: forget domesticity - it will leave you cracking up.

Decluttering

2010-11-14T16:56:00.002-05:00

:: I am about half way done with my blanket

:: I've made a decent dent in the Christmas shopping (online mostly)

:: I found this awesome Nativity puzzle on Etsy. I cannot wait to give it to the boys on December 1st. Ours is a little bigger than the one I linked to - this mini one looks so cute!

:: I have no idea where all my time is going and I don't have too much to show for it either!

:: I am falling in love with my crock pot again

:: Realized that it was time to mix a batch (or two) of some chex mix

:: I have been totally slacking when it comes to the gym. Need.to.get.back.

:: I took my sewing machine to be services - finally. Who can disco while listening to Christmas music?

:: I was given an older serger (read - manual threading/tension adjusting) this summer - for free. It terrifies me. I was going to name it Serge or something clever like that ... for now I'm calling it the Terminator. The man who serviced it was so nice and even gave me a lesson; told me to come back if I ever needed help. I haven't touched it since. One spool of thread is almost out ... do you think he will mind if I brought over all my Christmas sewing to his shop and just set up camp?

:: Henry looks just so ... so big to me now that he's lost a tooth. What will I do when his voice changes and he is taller than me!

:: My house is trashed. Lincoln Logs, Lego's, super hero costumes, light sabers, and lots of small plastic pieces litter the ~~living room~~ entire house.

:: I spent waaaayy too much time the other week sorting the Lego's. I was obsessed. For real. Now each set has it's own tupperware container with the instructions. It was worth it (despite my aching back and John constantly asking when I was going to share). The boys rediscovered sets that they didn't even remember having. I type this to remind myself that it was not done in vain - my hard work brought them great joy for one week ... and once they find their way back into one communal bin I can reread this and remember that ;-)

:: I managed to go 38 years without ever mowing the grass. I grew up in a town house, lived in apts., and then got married. I never had the need! Our mower is not self propelled so it was a work out!

:: I have finished two books and picked up and put down two others. I know I will come back to them but they just aren't what I am in the mood for. I find it hard once I've finished a really good book to move on to another unless it too just grabs me from the first page. How about you?

:: I am doing a swapwith a friend of mine - she is going to take pics of us and I am going to make doll "quilts" for bunk beds that were hers when she was a little girl that her granddad made - the quilts are part of a Christmas present for her daughter. I love that family history and I'm excited to have a little part to play.

:: John appeared downstairs today donning his full batman costume - the one he was supposed to wear for Halloween (but refused to even try it on - despite having picked it out). Wonder if I can convince him to wear it for next Halloween ...

:: I think I better go bake some bread.

Do you need to declutter?

One

2010-11-10T14:53:00.000-05:00

One cookie

will lead to more cookies.

One less tooth (the first of many to come or should I say go?)

will lead to a bit of last minute sewing

and a trip to Wal-Mart thanks to ~~Rocky's~~ the tooth fairy's generosity.

One smile

will make this Mama's day.

~~~~~~~~~

What one thing is making you grin from ear to ear these days (hopefully with all your teeth - wink wink)?