Irene's desk

Snapshot Saturday... Winter is here.

2012-01-28T18:00:00.000-08:00

We woke up to this yesterday, and then by 8p.m. it was gone. But all day long all we saw were cars piled up or bumped into each other, or slid off the road. Why do people forget how to drive?

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home with Books.

Postcard Friendship Friday...

2012-01-27T07:30:00.000-08:00

A pretty little card (I mean little) with a lovely verse on the reverse.

Through life's web come Shade and Sun
May Golden Threads of Memory Run
with
Kind Remembrances and Hearty Good Wishes for a Bright and Happy Birthday.

From all of us...
My friend Jenny's of( the latest whatever) husband TG is celebrating a big birthday this week and I send this out to him(via blogland) Jenny and TG and my husband and |I share our wedding anniversary dates. She's a wonderful photographer, and a great blogger, check her out. Post Card Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

Happy Chinese New Year - Year of the Dragon

2012-01-23T13:40:00.000-08:00

Kung Hei Fat Choi! (may prosperity be with you)
If my card looks anything like Marissa's card you are not incorrect. Marissa, myself and Carolline played with cold laminate the other day and the dragon was a big part of the creation. What fun. Marissa teaches at Bizzy B and I've had the pleasure of her knowledge a number of times. I still suck at collage but then...
Happy Chinese New Year everyone.

Sleeping With Ward Cleaver...

2012-01-21T20:31:00.000-08:00

Well I finished it, well almost, I just couldn't go any further. This was the absolute "formula" book. No glitches, no surprises,nothing. I love June Clever, always thought she was and elegant babe. And that's all I'm going to say.

I read this book for my TBR challenge, reading off my shelf, and new author challenge.

The Book Thief...

2012-01-18T19:16:00.000-08:00

I'm doing a show me Five review on this one.

1. The Book I finished reading was The Book Thief, by Markus Zusak.

2. Two Words to describe it, WWII fiction.

3. Setting/Characters you meet. Well, the book is set in Nazi Germany in a small town, not far from Munich. The story is narrated by Death and is really the story of the life of a young girl Lisel, and her adoptive family. We meet Rudy, Lisels' friend, and his family, and we meet the Mayors wife, the neighborhood characters, but mostly we mee Max. Max is a Jew, in Nazi Germany.

4. There was little I didn't like about the book, it was well written, and interestingly enough, I've read little about Nazi Germany during Hitlers rule, from the perspective of a German. The characters were real, and there were few I didn't like, or at least find interesting. What I didn't find really "believable was the fact that the wealthier residents of the City didn't show any sign of struggle during the difficult times of the war, or perhaps that may have actually been. I suggest that at some point everyone felt the "needs" of ordinary things that were lacking.

5. I originally chose this book to read for a Take a Chance challenge and just didn't get to it, so I'm reading it as part of my What's in a Name Challenge, for Something you can put in your purse/backpack, which would be the "Book" part of the title. I'm really drawn to WWII books, for some reason, and this was a 5 star one for me. I didn't go into too many details for my review, quite simply because you REALLY must read it for yourself.

2012-01-15T09:31:00.000-08:00

Oh my Gosh there is something crawling on the ground, quick mom get it.

Escargot anyone?

after all that excitement a cat needs a nap.
This is our cat Keehan, we adopted him some 8 years ago. He's a big chicken, gets all puffed up and ready to brawl with the critters that visit our yard, and then hides.

Visit other pet friends HERE.

Saturday Snapshot...Cup of Tea

2012-01-14T12:49:00.000-08:00

I'm starting to really enjoy my tea in a china teacup these days. It all started with having a cup of tea at my mom's, there was only two mugs, and a whole lot of tea cups. Now I can't go back. Heck I have to justify my acquisitions some how! This particular beauty was a Christmas gift from a friend.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books.

A Thousand Splendid Suns...

2012-01-12T19:09:00.000-08:00

Finished this wonderful read today. My interest of life in Afghanistan was first piqued a number of years ago shortly after 9 11. My young reading group were reading books short listed for the RED MAPLE AWARD. One of the books was Deborah Ellis' "The Breadwinner". I can tell you it really made me think. My next read was the Kite Runner and now A Thousand Splendid Suns. Wow! war is ugly to say the least. But it never ceases to amaze me how ugly people can be to each other.

This book follows the lives of two young women through life just before the Russian Invasion of Afghanistan and through to the early 90s. Heartbreaking, angry, and unforgettable are only a few ways to describe their trials, their relationship and the incredible will to survive the experience. All I can say is, just when you think your life is difficult... think again.

Teaser Tuesday...

2012-01-09T18:42:00.000-08:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser.
Miriam lay on the couch, hands tucked between her knees, watch the whirlpool of snow twisting and spinning outside the window. She remembered Nana saying once that each snowflake was a sigh heaved by an aggrieved woman somewhere in the world. That all the sighs drifted up the sky, gathered into clouds, then broke into tiny pieces that fell silently on the people below.
As a reminder of how women like us suffer, she'd said. How quietly we endure all that falls upon us.

I'm only just about one third of the way into this book, but I'm liking it.

You Are My Only...

2012-01-08T07:12:00.000-08:00

Product Description from Amazon.ca.

Emmy Rane is married at nineteen, a mother by twenty. Trapped in a life with a husband she no longer loves, Baby is her only joy. Then one sunny day in September, Emmy takes a few fateful steps away from her baby and returns to find her missing. All that is left behind is a yellow sock.

Fourteen years later, Sophie, a home schooled, reclusive teenage girl is forced to move frequently and abruptly from place to place, perpetually running from what her mother calls the "No Good." One afternoon, Sophie breaks the rules, ventures out, and meets Joey and his two aunts. It is this loving family that gives Sophie the courage to look into her past. What she discovers changes her world forever. . . .

I enjoyed this book immensely, I actually had to stop reading it on the bus one day because I thought everyone is going to think I'm losing it, and I was, I hadn't brought enough tissues to keep up with the water coming from my eyes. I didn't pick it up for a couple of hours after that, just needed to digest it . I can't imagine living like poor Emmy. And how horrible mental health care was, is it still? Does anyone know? This was a short read, apart from the break I had to take.

I loved both Emmy and Sophie and I really liked Autumn, and although in the end Sophie's mom was not so nice, I did feel for her. She was doing the best she knew how. Again I don't know if this book was intended as a look at mental health, but it sure rang that way for me. There must be someone out there in this field that has a heart. I'm starting to feel like Chloe from The Sugar Queen, I'm reading books that are hitting too close to home. I've read Beth's books before and enjoyed them as well so I'm sure I'll continue, she just writes what I like to read. This is the last of my library books and now to hit the shelves.

Saturday Snapshot...

2012-01-07T08:25:00.000-08:00

I don't know if you remember my rant at how my family didn't buy me a gift or acknowledge my birthday in anyway this past year, so I thought they would make it up for Christmas. I'm looking for a new family as we speak. One morning on my way out the door I found this box at the entry way. As I was rushing for a bus I just brought it in and put it on the table. Then of course it bothered me all day.

Inside I found, a lovely ribbon, some unwrinkled tissue and an artists card. Hmm. No one was at home except me. So I thought someone had already opened the gift. Well as it turned out, my very CLUMSY husband had dropped the gift, which was an original piece of pottery form a local artist, and all that remained were the wrappings. I ask you, how the heck does this man still have toes, he carried a loaded weapon for more than 30 years. So this is my Saturday Snapshot. Just for a laugh. As I'm clearing away my Christmas stuff, I thought I'd share a chuckle with you.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books.

P.S. Thank You all for your concern, but knowing my men as I do, I'm buying myself something very frivolous. From my husband, you have no idea how surprised he will be. I've been dying for a binding machine, a bookbinding machine, so I'm shopping. A Zuker or binditall... hmm....

Postcard Friendship Friday...Dla Alicji, od Pana Karaska 1962

2012-01-06T07:03:00.000-08:00

Today is my sister Alice's birthday, she's older than I am. He! He! We sang to her last night, and I imagine her children and grands will be singing to her tonight. I thought I'd really emphasize her accomplishments by this retro look at a couple of postcards our Polish School Teacher sent her. I imagine it was his way of teaching a few trivia facts about history. They are lovely watercolor like scenes of old towns in Poland. She passed history. Great accomplishment. She's so old that these were given to her in 1962. Oh well, I guess it's a good thing if you can still celebrate. Happy Birthday Luscious. STO LAT

PFF is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

The Best ever... of 2011

2012-01-05T01:05:00.000-08:00

Jamie over at the Perpetual Page Turner put out this book survey, interestingly enough I need to really think about this one.

1. Best Book You Read In 2011?

Honestly, I hate myself for asking this question. HOW do you pick a favorite!?
Child of The Northern Spring, was my most recent best ever, I love the idea of Camelot, but I also loved 13 rue St. Terese, and 84 Charing Cross.

2. Most Disappointing Book/Book You Wish You Loved More Than You Did?

Out Stealing Horses, it started out like a great page turner, but then it just fizzled for me, maybe it needs a follow up?
The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt, I just couldn't get into this one, read it from cover to cover but...

3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2011?


The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, I just sort of glanced over the reviews of this book, but then when I opened the cover that was it, I needed to read it. I love books written in letter format, it's the federal offender (as my kids say, opening and reading someone elses mail)in me that thrives on it.

4. Book you recommended to people most in 2011?

The Lonely Polygamist ( I think I read this at the right time, a time when polygamy was very much in the news, and we/I really know so little about those involved.) I had my painting group in stitches one day telling them about a particular part. "the gum incident" for those of you who have read it and if you haven't Why NOT?

5. Best series you discovered in 2011?

I'm not big on series, but the   Joshlyn Jackson books certainly caught me up. Back seat Saints, Gods of Alabama, Between Georgia. But then again I started something with Child of the Northern Spring, waiting anxiously to read the next two.

6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2011?

Deanna Raybourn, Silent in the Grave was the one that got me, I'll be reading a few more.

7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?

When you reach me, Rebecca Stead, and audio book. My first. I just don't do earbuds well. BUT I DID IT!

8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2011?

   All of them...

9. Book you most anticipated in 2011?

I don't really anticipate books, too many already on my shelves.

10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2011?

I loved the cover of 13 rue St. Terese, and Russian Winter, Coal Black Horses was great, as was Emerald Atlas, I could go on.

I think I have an amber like this. I'll be doing a portrait.

The Sandlwood Tree...

2012-01-04T05:18:00.000-08:00

My first finished read for 2012. A new author for me, and wonderful read. I've been sort of curious about India, and this helped satisfy that curiosity, somewhat. I still have a few question, well more than a few. I must have been asleep during this time period in history, oh wait, maybe I was little. Anyway I loved it. Apart from the interesting story line, the historical aspect was most interesting.

Product Description

A sweeping novel that brings to life two love stories, ninety years apart, set against the rich backdrop of war-torn India. In 1947, American historian and veteran of WWII, Martin Mitchell, wins a Fulbright Fellowship to document the end of British rule in India. His wife, Evie, convinces him to take her and their young son along, hoping a shared adventure will mend their marriage, which has been strained by war.
But other places, other wars. Martin and Evie find themselves stranded in a colonial bungalow in the Himalayas due to violence surrounding the partition of India between Hindus and Muslims. In that house, hidden behind a brick wall, Evie discovers a packet of old letters, which tell a strange and compelling story of love and war involving two young Englishwomen who lived in the same house in 1857.
Drawn to their story, Evie embarks on a mission to piece together her Victorian mystery. Her search leads her through the bazaars and temples of India as well as the dying society of the British Raj. Along the way, Martin’s dark secret is exposed, unleashing a new wedge between Evie and him. As India struggles toward Independence, Evie struggles to save her marriage, pursuing her Victorian ghosts for answers.

thanks to Nise for her recommendation of the book.

Teaser Tuesday...

2012-01-03T07:44:00.000-08:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My teaser

There is nothing more delightful than to sit in the sunshine, wrapped in an Indian shawl, & admire the distant peaks. Those mountains! When God gave us speech, he did not expect us to talk about the Himalayas. They appear like a mirage, a hallucination painted on the sky & at the sight of them one can only bubble foolishly or remain silent.

It's a challenge.

2012-01-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

I am a Reading Challenge Addict.

It's That Time Again: 2012 Sign-Ups

Good day, Addicts!!

It's that time of year where we finally admit to our addictions and try to do something about them. Some of us need to admit we have a bit of a problem. Some of us need to admit we have a huge problem. Some of us just really want to enjoy each other's pain and humiliation while completing challenges. (That's why CMash does this with me... so she can spend the year laughing uproariously at my futile attempts to cut back.)

Cheryl from CMash Loves to Read and Gina from Hott Books are two such people. We each can stand proudly and say,

I am a Reading Challenge Addict.

So we are challenging each of you who can also say that you also are a Reading Challenge Addict.

We'll be giving away prizes and recognizing those who are meeting their own expectations by completing the challenges they've entered.

How addicted are you?

Easy as Pie: 1-5 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
On the Roof: 6-10 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
In Flight: 11-15 Challenges (Entered & Completed)
Out of This World: 16+ Challenges (Entered & Completed)

Rules:

We're not making this a difficult challenge, actually, it's going to be very simple!

This challenge will begin on January 1, 2012 and end on December 31, 2012.
Write a starting post joining the challenge and outlining your challenges.
Track all of your challenge accomplishments - good & bad.
Stop by to join us in the mini-challenges, updates & extra giveaways throughout the year.

Easy, right? Who wants to be in on the fun? What else will we be doing? We'll have giveaways for our participants to enter and unannounced special drawings for commenters on the site so be sure to leave your email address with your comment! Are you ready? Sign up here to enter:
Join us to stamp out our addictiveness to reading challenges -- or just help us find more & enjoy our obsessiveness.

I think I'll only commit to the 1 -5 easy as pie level. So Far, I'm in The Double Dare (reading from my shelf) this is really hard to do. The Ireland Challenge, The War Through The Generations Challenge, and maybe just maybe the New Author Challenge, and I know I'll want to do the RIP challenge, and What's in a Name, and then of course I must finish Jenners challenge, of Take another chance. Oh My! so many challenges so little time.

Creativity in Retrospect...

2012-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

Eddie's post

my collection

Ever since I saw this creation on Eddie Ross blog I've had to do it. So while I was trying to decorate my home for Christmas I came across my stash of Christmas balls that I no longer use (the cat you know). Perfect I thought. WELL it became an obsession. This wreath required quite a lot of ornaments, and you know I was just short so... one of my friends was downsizing and made a sizable donation, not my colors, but I persevered and this is what my kitchen started to look like. Then I got the bug, I needed to make one for my friend, for my niece and a sample for my painting group... A great project while you are putting away your ornaments, set them aside and do IT! it's fast and easy and very economical, if you don't have a collection of ornaments your cat is not allowed to play with, on account they're going to break, you can take advantage of the boxing day sales. Store and label and next year's decoration is all set.


my recycled wreath, haven't decided on a bow yet, I also got tired of the coat hanger there and changed that up a bit for my next one. Project #2 As most of you know, if you read my blog, I worked this past provincial election, in their infinite wisdom election Ontario decided to remind eligible electors to vote by sending them a fridge magnet. So I got 4 in the post. While I was clearing up my fridge I decided these were too expensive to just toss, So I decided to create something. I gessoed the magnets, painted the background black, sponged some green on it to simulate greenery, and then painted my poinsettia on it. Varnished, and then put the gold border on. I needed to create an envelope, so I cut a piece of cardstock, creating a sleeve, sealed only the long end. Punched a slot and 1/2 circle at one end, threaded a piece of ribbon, slid the magnet in and tied off the end. DO NOT UNTIE, simply slide the card out. http://carmicimicata.blogspot.com/ For my sisters, (who were getting these cards) I added a sister to sister magnet that I purchased from Carmi. If you're like me you just get going with the creative juices and the season is over. Well we'll be ready for the next one, ENJOY! and now to clear off my work centre(s). P.S. I really don't have time for any of the projects I do, the wreath was made while I was waiting for my family to come eat dinner, (that's how quick it is) I hate making dinner and having them come home late, and I find if I sit down to do what I want to do, they're on their own for dinner, and that bothers me for some reason, (the guilt of a stay at home mom) the painting well that just fun.

Postcard Friendship Friday... Happy New Year

2011-12-29T20:05:00.000-08:00

Another of my treasured collection from my friend Lois. I really should design my own New Years cards, seems this week I would actually have time to write a few. Oh well maybe a thought for next year. Have a wonderful New Year and do check out the other participants of PFF at Beth's , the Best Hearts are Crunchy.

What's in a Name Challenge...

2011-12-29T07:24:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago when I decided I wasn't reading enough, and then I decided I needed to learn to read while on a bus, and then I decided I needed to read other things than I would normally read I found this challenge. Beth is the hostess for the What's in a Name Challenge. I had a great time finding books to fit the categories, it even becomes a family affair, I make a wish list, and the hunt is on... I finished the challenge this year.

Number 84 Charing Cross, DONE

Jewelry/Gem, Emerald Atlas, DONE

Size- Giant's Bread, Mary Westmacott, (Agatha Christie) DONE

Travel/ Movement- The Girl Who Chased the Moon, DONE

Evil - Out Stealing Horses, DONE

Life Stage- Child of the Northern Spring, Persia Woolley, DONE, WOW! way to go Persia.

I've copied my list above. If you are unable to link to the review, so sorry, just learning the ropes of all the gadgets on the computer. Who would have thought a stay at home mom would be able to do any of this. Many times as I'm posting my reviews, such as they are, my son is sitting next to me with his ever encouraging words, of " you know how to do this". Couldn't you just smack them sometimes, I'm sure we had many a tear when I said those words to them when they were learning the multiplication tables. At any rate, I loved this challenge and hope to be as successful in the next. Thank You to Beth for hosting.

My first challenge for the New Year...

2011-12-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

The TBR Double Dare

Are you brave enough to take the double dare?

Make a resolution to read only the books in your To Be Read stack from January 1, 2012 to April 1. Can you survive?

The TBR Double Dare is not a book buying ban. You can still buy books during the double dare, you just can't read them until April 1, 2012. The official stance on library books is that you can only read those in your possession or on your holds list at 12:00 A.M. on Jan. 1, 2012.

Of course, you are free to set your own rules if you like. If you know you have a book club book coming up, or that a certain author has a book coming out, you can allow for exceptions. It's all for fun.

To enter just leave a link to your blog in a comment below. (If you don't have a blog but would still like to participate, just leave a comment without a link.) In your comment, make a pledge stating how long or how many books you think you can last. Pledge to read one book, read for one day or one week, one month, whatever you like. The full challenge runs until April 1, April Fool's Day.

Post one of the buttons here on your blog as well if you like. Please link back to this page to help spread the word.

We all know that no one keeps a New Year's Resolution forever, so when you finally break down and read something not in your TBR stack, please come back and leave a second comment to let us all know what it was that led you into temptation.

That's it. Just a simple game.

Remember, it's not a reading challenge, it's a double dare

Are you brave enough to take the TBR Double Dare?

Drop by Ready When You Are, C.B. and check it out.

Postcard Friendship Friday, Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy

Do you hear the bell ringing?

2011-12-21T17:12:00.000-08:00

I had a rough day yesterday, something with my back... so today when the mailman rang the bell, I didn't really sprint to the door, but when I got there, BOY did I get a surprise.

have no idea why this is blurry, but it's a cute little package with lovely ribbon,.


beautiful hand stamped paper

and some wonderful little cards...


my niece Louise could have posed for this one

and then I opened the box and got my wings...

I immediately took a pain pill and got my little tree out to give proper honour to them.

This wonderful little creation was a gift from Sandi from Wayside Treasures, Sandi sells these on her Etsy site. check it out. THANK YOU Sandi. I love my wings. You know when an angel gets her wings you hear a bell. Ding a Ling a ling. I've been collecting little ephemera for an altered book I'm working on, (or as my kids say mom never throws anything out) SO ALL the bits that came with my package will be creatively added to my Christmas Memories book, while my wings grace my tree. There's nothing on this tree at the moment it's the tree I like to put real roses on, so in the mean time it looks naked. Think I'll have to put some baby's breath on it.

What are You Reading...

2011-12-19T08:09:00.000-08:00

Sheila at Book Journey hosts this weekly event where we celebrate what we are reading for the week as well as books completed the previous week.

I always feel, at this time of year, that when I'm done with classes I'll have heaps of time to complete my household tasks. HUH! double HUH!. Not so. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are my cleaning days. Well last Monday, I went to get my eyebrows done and my hair colored so that was that, and Tuesday Wednesday and Thursday I spent at the seniors home with my mom doing a used book sale. While the sale was a huge success, it was a lot of work and not my housework, so now I have piles of stuff sitting around that needs clearing up. (along with leftovers from the sale). So this week I'm not going anywhere, and I'm cleaning and baking. I'll be stopping to read of coarse.

Last week I finished (reluctantly, I just didn't want this book to end.) The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. I think I may have to go and re-read this one. This is a 5out of 5 star for me. I chose this book for my Take Another Chance Challenge, so glad I did. Although I had read many a review, I really didn't expect to enjoy reading the book so much. I love reading books that are a series of letters. My boys always say this is a federal offense, BAH! Reading someone else's mail that is. BAH I say. I have a whole box of my mother's letters that I must someday organize, but in the mean time I'll enjoy everyone else's publications. What's up for the rest of my reading week, well I have the remainder of the list for this challenge. I believe up next should be the Yiddish Policeman's Union.
Let's hope I don't get too involved and burn my cookies.

Postcard Friendship Friday ... Oh I'm sure ...

2011-12-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

A Merry Christmas

Oh, I'm sure the evergreen must be

Proud to think it's the Christmas tree,

Chosen to tell the age-old story,

That likewise will never lose its glory.

Another one of my treasures from Lois. This one was printed in the U.S. A. there is a line down the centre to designate the proper usage. No date.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy.

Encircled by light...

2011-12-13T05:52:00.000-08:00

Today is the feast of St. Lucia, my niece in Poland is the lead in this procession, the one with the candles encircling her head hope alll goes well with her performance. What a lovely feast day.

Saint Lucy, you did not hide your light under a basket, but let it shine for the whole world, for all the centuries to see. We may not suffer torture in our lives the way you did, but we are still called to let the light of our Christianity illumine our daily lives. Please help us to have the courage to bring our Christianity into our work, our recreation, our relationships, our conversation -- every corner of our day

St. Lucy is the patron saint of the blind.

Saturday Snapshot...Purrr...fect

2011-12-10T07:48:00.000-08:00

I was inspired by this wonderful post, at Love, Laughter and a Touch of Insanity, so I had to immediately run down to my studio and get this little binder I had painted a number of years ago with the intention of compiling a cookbook for my nieces who became cooks for themselves and that's as far as it went. But, this Christmas, as one of my nieces has set out on her own, I'd really like to give her the recipes she always asks about. Thanks so much Trish for the push. Trish posted this to Beth Fish Reads meme Weekend Cooking and I'm adding it to my Saturday Snapshot hosted by Alyce at At Home with Books. I don't think I'll be cutting and pasting my recipes as Trish did, I've got mine in printable format, since the original plan was to put them into a hand bound book (which is a huge challenge and thus not anywhere near finished) So perhaps I'll print off the initial set and send off a monthly version, and keep in touch with a niece that is all grown up. I've added little personal notes at the bottom of my recipes, like the first time I made this recipe, or who gave it to me that sort of thing. BUT I'm open to suggestions. The front of this book is a canvas covered binder upon which I did a pen and ink drawing, all but one of my nieces are cat lovers so I think they'll be o.k. with this interpretation.

P.S. I'm still struggling with this little keyboard, so if there are strange links please for give me. It's all too frustrating.

Postcard Friendship Friday... Sincere good wishes

2011-12-09T06:18:00.000-08:00

This is another card from the collection my friend Lois gave me. Once again it is the poem is Clifton Bingham, but this time the fine print, and I mean fine print on the card states that it was desinged in the the London Studio but printed in Germany " by appointment by their Majesties The King and Queen Alexsandra. Hmm! that makes it in the era of about 189? - 1902?

The poem (that is hardly readable it's so small and faint) reads,
A bright and happy Christmas
Take this Christmas Day from me, Wishes for prosperity, Health and Hope and Happiness All you life-long pathway bless.

Have a great weekend and check out the other participants of Postcard Friendship Friday hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

Mr. Lincoln's Drummer... a quick review

2011-12-04T19:27:00.000-08:00

From Amazon.ca: When his Pa joins the Union army as a soldier, 11-year-old Willie goes along as a drummer boy. They're assigned to different companies of the Third Vermont Regiment, and Willie shares a tent with some older boys from back home. As the Army of the Potomac marches through Virginia, their war consists mainly of camp life, discomfort, and retreat, though they see action at Lee's Mill and Malvern Hill. Willie meets Lincoln twice and receives the Congressional Medal of Honor. Despite the publisher's disclaimer that "No character in this book is intended to represent any actual person," Wisler's acknowledgments and epilogue concern the archival records he researched and the historical people represented in his novel, including Willie Johnston and other members of the regiment. Wisler achieves a credible presentation of camp life, though like many books based on real people and incidents, its ties to the facts seem to hamper it as fiction.

The fascinating, true story of ten-year-old Willie Johnston who, for his courage as a drummer in the Union Army during the Civil War, was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. "Scrupulously researched and overflowing with evocative detail . . . authentic and engaging.

My thoughts: This was a short YA book, I was tieding my bookshelf and re-discovered it. I'm also in the Civil War Challenge and thought this is it.

I hate to say I enjoyed this book, I mean really who likes a war book, that's very descriptive, but I did. I don't think I would have recommended it to the students of the age group it is recommended for, perhaps just a little older, although just a little older wouldn't find it cool enough. War through the eyes of a child is even more disturbing than usual, and considering this is based on a true story it is even more important. I think the two thing that again "wacked" me in the head was the sheer number of deaths, thousands on both sides, at each battle. I had no idea it was so vast, where the heck did everyone come from, surely the population of the U.S. was not that large. I shall have to do some research. The second was the very innocent encounter Willie had with Jeb, how very sincere they were with each other, and yet loyal soldiers. Jeb being the enemy you know. As this is a short little read, I suggest it to you for a quick study.

Giants Bread... a quick review

2011-12-03T18:18:00.001-08:00

I still feel I suck at a book review, I'm like that guy who said he didn't know anything about art, he just knew what he liked. So with that in mind I thought I'd resort to the old Show me 5 way.

1. The Book I Read: was Giant's Bread, by Mary Westmacott, better known as Agatha Christie.

2. Two words to describe it: Historical Fiction

3. Characters you met and places they were.

The main character of this novel is Vernon, an only child. His parents were not a happy couple, quite weird. Vernon's father died in the Boer War leaving his mother Myra to raise him. Myra is a drama queen.

Joe, Josephine was Vernon's cousin, Vernon's father's sisters daughter. She comes to live with Vernon after the divorce and subsequent death of her mother. A diamond in the rough. Up until Joe's arrival Vernon was a very lonely child.

Sebastian Levine, moved next door to Vernon's family estate. (The estate figures prominently in the story line.)

Nell a girl from the town where Vernon lives. She comes to tea with her mother and imposes herself on Joe, Vernon and Sebastian.

Jane a Opera singer/actress with whom Vernon becomes involved.

The story line takes place in England sometime before the WWI. We meet Vernon and his dysfunctional parents when he is very young. It baffled me to think children were really raised in this manner, but nonetheless nanny's were responsible for the children and parents seemed to be very distant. After Vernon's father goes off to war and dies, life changes considerably. I thought Vernon was somewhat a clueless young man. Didn't really like him, and was not so sure why everyone dotted on him. Did they see the genius in him? Anyway, as life would have it, he, after many years of being away from Nell suddenly sees her again and falls head over heels in love, only to be not good enough. Well a series of unfortunate events occur and in the end he see his true love in another...

What |I loved: Well everything. I love this authors work and quite honestly if she had written the phone book I think I'd find it interesting.
What I didn't like: as this is an older publication, it was combined with 5 other novels and the book weighed more than Musashi, thought I'd have a concussion if I fell asleep while reading it. I ended up having to wear a wrist brace some days.

Five stars or ? You know I'm going to have to say 5 stars, nothing else would do for Ms. Christie.

I read this book to complete my What's in a Name Challenge and to get my fix in on The Agatha Christie Challenge. I never seem to meet the deadline for that one but...

Saturday Snapshot...a grocery store arrangement

2011-12-03T12:13:00.000-08:00

It's taken me a full month to tell you this story. My husband and I have been married for more than 32 years, we've known each other for 45years one would think that he would know what I like. Not So! it seems. Last month Nov. 2 was my birthday, and as I mentioned, I want to see my boys on their birthday, so I foolishly thought my mom would like the same, so off I went to spend the day with the person with whom I shared my birthday. My husband and son were asleep when I left, so no greetings, or wishes were bestowed upon their loving mother/wife. I returned quite late in the day, so there was no grand meals or cake or anything (after all I didn't make it). I did however think they might have left me a slice of the frozen pizza they probably had for supper, not likely. So by midnight when I still hadn't recieved my "new car" or .any such luxury, I flipped out. I went to bed angry and pi___ off and I hope they had as rotten a sleep as I did. The next day, I was off again in the early hours and did not see them until it was time for me to make supper. There on the table I found this grocery store bunch of flowers and a bottle of wine, no card, the flowers were in an empty peanut butter jar. I was still very angry. The flowers were hideous, garden mums, and some other smelly carnations or something. My husband was off on a trip of some sort the next day, and I presumed he'd have no clean underwear if he didn't measure up. I don't know what he wore on his a_s, I didn't do the laundry (Thursday is laundry day). When he got back the flowers were still wrapped up and in the peanut butter jar. I just couldn't let go... Then I read Valore Harts post about Thanksgiving center pieces. Oh Valore you made me do it. I've never been one to shy away from a challenge, so after a great big lecture to my sons on flowers they should never buy their mate, and a great big lecture to my husband on how he was going to lose a vital body part, and perhaps wear it as earings, if I ever, ever again got grocery store garden mum arrangement, I took on the challenge and did this flower arrangement. YUK! is all I could say. I would have never chosen it, but here it was. The most that happened is the cat got rid of his hairballs, since he ate great portions of it and threw up. So there you go, all I had to show for my turning yet another year older was the mess I needed to keep cleaning up. Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.

P.S. I had to add this as well, I was so upset at this whole thing that when I read the review at Life... with books. re: the book called Look After Mother, I thought I must read this, ... P.P.S. that home depot car is a pez dispenser, cool eh!

Postcard Friendship Friday... Cheery Christmas

2011-12-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

As we are nearing the festive season and this is actually the first Friday of Advent, I'm sharing my little card and it is little. 2x3 inches only. This card was gifted to me by one of my painting pals. Not sure when this card was printed but it's really cute. The language in the greetings makes me think a very long time ago. THANKS Lois.

Since I have no idea of the age of this little card I googled Clifton Bingham and discovered that perhaps he was to be credited for more than the verse on this card. Indeed I think he may be the Clifton Bingham author of a number of children's books and some musical talent as well. That would make this card produced somewhere between 1859- 1913 (cool) I'm not very knowledgeable in these matters so if someone out there knows better, please correct me.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy.

My question this Friday to all you postcard collectors is: How do you store/sort all your cards?

there's more than a little something under your nose!

2011-11-30T19:40:00.000-08:00


The Movember Gang

The moustache sometimes changes the personality of the man wearing it, or so I'm told, the guy in the middle becomes a cowboy, the two on the right well they're just lazier, and the young man on the left becomes a little more part of the gang. Gallant effort guys.

Emerald Atlas, a quick review...

2011-11-27T05:39:00.000-08:00

Product Description from Amazon.ca

Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.

Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.

Until now.

Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.

The Emerald Atlas brims with humor and action as it charts Kate, Michael, and Emma's extraordinary adventures through an unforgettable, enchanted world.

My Thoughts: I read the reviews for this YA book somewhere in my blog roll, and immediately picked it up for my grand niece to read, when I got it home, I decided it was too thick and I might have to check out the contents before I passed it along. (I always read the books I give as gifts). This was a not very short read for a YA book, interesting, and if we all loved Harry Potter than this was up that alley. As in Harry Potter the wack in the head for me was "the horrible way children are treated". I hated that part in Harry Potter and for me the magic bit was just that, a little whimsy that a child uses to escape the horror of its life. I can't imagine leaving my children "behind" or sending them off for their own safety. (Remember all those British children being evacuated, I know that did not turn out well) Huh? I'm not sure the mother of Kate, Michael and Emma should expect her kids to forgive her. If the world is going to end, I'm going with my kids to that end. All the while I was reading this book, I wanted to start adoption procedures, (just like when I read Harry Potter) my husband was not co-operative, but then again, maybe I was not pushy enough. Anyway, this was a wonderful adventure, and as you can tell it certainly made me WILD, I look forward to see what the next book has to offer.

P.S. I'm not sure my little niece will get this one, maybe my big niece. They both know there is no orphanage in their futures so it won't traumatize them.

I read this book as part of my What's in a Name Challenge (Jewelry or Gem).

Snapshot Saturday...

2011-11-26T12:05:00.000-08:00

This is my youngest, S. Vincent. S. Vincent seems to be suffering from writers block today. Apparently he's doing an essay, and it's not an easy one, I was told, so would I mind doing laundry another time, the dryer and washer are just not that inspiring. Oh S. Vincent, you are a challenge. One of our summer visits to Casa Loma in Toronto. I can't believe my husband didn't want to have our wedding reception there. I think I might have to go see it all dressed up for Christmas. Maybe I'll have breakfast with Santa.

Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce at AT Home with Books.

Postcard Friendship Friday... hangin' out after all that Turkey

2011-11-25T18:24:00.000-08:00

Postcard Frienship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy

A Little Bit about Me ...

2011-11-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

not a recent photo

A little bit about me is hosted by Fizzy Thoughts (and for some reason I can't link up).

Age: 58
Bed Size: king
Chore that you hate: cleaning toilets

Dogs: cat, but thinking about getting a dog, probably a collie, or a sheep dog, or portuguese water dog
Essential start to your day: a hug for my boys (all of them if they are still home)
Favorite colors: pink
Gold or Silver: both
Height: 5’3. And a half.
Instruments you play: paint brush
Job Title: co-ordinator
Kids: 2 boys
Mother in Laws name: Gaida
Nicknames: C.I.
Overnight hospital stays: too many to mention

Pet Peeves: news papers lying around

Quote from a movie: " God gets pissed off when we walk by the colour purple and don't notice it".

Right or Left handed: Right
Siblings: 4, 3 sisters, 1 brother.

Time you wake up:depends on what day it is.
Underwear: yes, if absolutely necessary.
Vegetable you hate: iceberg lettuce
What makes you run late: I've never been late.
X-Rays you’ve had: chest, (when I was a kid)
Yummy food that you make: cheesecake
Zoo animal: Giraffes!

Teaser Tuesday...

2011-11-22T07:12:00.000-08:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Here's my teaser:
But then St. Mary's had burned down-along with the Mother Superior, a kind woman named Sister Agatha, who took a special interest in the children but who had a bad habit of smoking in bed...

The Emerald Atlas, by John Stephens.

I love this line, I don't know any smoking nuns, but a couple of priest I know. Wouldn't that have made a great newspaper headline, "Smoking Nun burns down Orphanage". Yet another thing that would be the Pope's fault.

Sunday Salon

2011-11-20T13:50:00.000-08:00

In the Sunday Salon today, I thought I should be posting my very slow progress of the furniture I'm transforming for my "salon". What a slow process. I have to work on several projects at a time since watching paint, glue or varnish dry is a waste of time, consequently I've got a whole lot of projects going. My friendship chair is well on it's way, I've stripped, reglued and by that I mean taken it completely apart and drilled and redowelled and gluded all bits together, refinished show wood and now webbed and padded the seat and on to the back, all this while stripping and banging apart and preparing to redowell a bench. I'm getting pretty good with a chisel and a drill, if I could only remember to get my fingers out of the way of the saw. I would like to use cork for the upholstery fabric on the friendship chair. The bench I had hoped to cane the seat, but alas it's too big an area, I'll have to come up with something else. Then there is the settee that I've ripped fabric and springs out of and all ready to re-enforce, and then more... A little overwhelming, but then again what would I do with all that time I don't have... On Wednesday my husband and I did a major cleanup of his grandparents grave site, we were both so sore the next day,you'd think we were a 100 years old. So you can imagine when I arrived at my mother's nursing home and discovered that there was a very large donation of books for mom/me to add to the library, thought I'd be crawling home, but there were so many good titles I couldn't help but feel excited for my ladies who might read something newer. I'll be doing a major reshuffle of the bookshelves as well as a used book sale to clear some much needed space. It's going to be a busy week at my son's school so I'll be making myself even more scarce than usual And for this weeks menus well, something exciting would be good, probably salmon with pears and bluecheese, and apple lasagne(goes great with ham) and I really need to bake something. And that's my week in retrospect. I did get boots for my boys.

Saturday Snapshot... China Town

2011-11-19T10:59:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this look wonderful. This photo was taken this past August, when my company from Poland visited. My niece had made a list of places she wanted to see, one was China Town. This is our local China Town, other than this scene the remainder was horrendous. I actually had to hold my breath to take this shot, as I'm sure she was while posing. The odours were foreign. With this tremendous looking entry you'd think the other elements would be wonderful, unfortunately not so. A good day none the less, we went out to eat, not here, and then walked along the waterfront which is beautiful.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.

Postcard Frienship Friday

2011-11-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to my friends in the U.S.A.

I love this postcard, and I especially love the stamp on the back of this one, King George, 1 cent postage and the address so minimal. How'd they ever do that?

It was printed in Germany, in 1911.One hundred years ago.
Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy.

Just a little ranting P.S. on "how'd they do that". One cent all those years ago, you could send a lovely postcard, with just the name of the individual and the town/province. Today as it has been for 25 years my letter carrier (that's what they want to be called, less gender specific) who is extremely well paid, the postage is up to a lot more than one cent has delivered mail yet again, that doesn't belong to me. When I brought it to his attention he said well:" you could just walk it over" like H I've been doing his job all these years, but not today. They've just come off some strike or other, now the starting wage for a lettercarrier is $24/hr. I've put a big circle around the address and clipped it to my mailbox, if he doesn't take it, well???? Most homes don't get delivery, letters are delivered to a box and you pick them up yourself, since "I'm special" just kidding, I'm on an original route and that does not apply as yet, but soon I'm sure. I'd walk a couple of blocks for 24$ an hour.

Out Stealing Horses...

2011-11-17T20:27:00.000-08:00

I finished this book today, whilst waiting on buses and such, it was a good book. It's the story of Trond, and his relationships with those around him. The story spans 50 years, three generation. We are introduced to Trond and his friend Jon, his father, a few other characters and minimally his mom and sister, and of coarse his daughter. All these characters play a short part in Trond's recollections. Trond at the age of 67 abandons the city and heads to the beautiful mountains of Norway close to the border of Sweden, he reflects on the summer he spent in this area with his dad and the susequent strange events that follow that summer.

What I liked about the book: I liked the vivid descriptions, the innocence of Tronds view, while he was a young lad, I also liked that he just trusted his dad so implicitly. The setting of the book and the characters were very believable, but I did find the situations a little weird. I have to say I like the boy Trond better than the man Trond.

What I didn't like: maybe this is not so much as I didn't like, but I was a little confused (remember I'm an old blonde) Trond kept thinking of his own mortality, I'm assuming he came up to the farm to die and make peace with his past life. I did find the unexpected meeting with Lars a little off as well. The lack of conversation was a bit weird also. Maybe it's just me, but if I met someone from 50 years ago I think I'd ask a few questions.

I read this book for the Awesome Author Challenge an enjoyable read, some strangeness, but then that's what makes it interesting.

For Today...

2011-11-15T08:03:00.000-08:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it's grey and cold, I think, I've not gone out yet.

I am thinking... where to begin?

I am thankful...that I can see the bottom of the laundry hamper

From the learning rooms... I'm learning that I'm not as unorganized as I think I am.

In the kitchen...no freakin' idea, I need to do a grocery shop

I am wearing...you guessed it, my p.j.s

I am creating...a Christmas Card carrier for the lovely cards I painted. (The painted part is a magnet)

I am going...to the bank, lost my debit card, need to replace it, and then need to buy boots for my boys.

I am wondering...would the boys even begin to know how to buy boots for me.

I am reading...Out Stealing Horses, excellent so far, part of my Awesome Author and What's in a Name Challenges.

I am hoping...to find my stuff for my class on Thursday evening. You know my paper room could use a wife's touch,

I am looking forward to...to spring, am I too soon?

I am hearing...some truck outside vacuuming up leaves from the drainage holes.

Around the house...just stuff, I cleaned my little heart out yesterday, you would never know it.

I am pondering...does some messy fairy come in at night and mess things up? I know I have a painting fairy here, when I unpack the piece I'm working on I have no choice but to think, HUH did I do that, Nah some fairy came and did it.

One of my favorite things...a pile of books that look really good, and they all have bookmarks ready to go.

A few plans for the rest of the week: painting Wed, and visiting my mom, Thurs. furniture refinishing and card club, Fri. volunteering and visiting my mom.(She and I have a lot of library work to do). Sat. laundry, Sunday, church, family dinner, and resting up. Monday is toilet cleaning day. YUK!

Just checking the menu (that's the bunny that eats my crocus') better than a squirrel digging them up and not eating them.
Have a glorious day. I hope to.

Child of the Northern Spring ...

2011-11-14T09:41:00.000-08:00

I finally finished this book. It wasn't anything to do with the quality of the pages, they were great, as was the story line. You don't really need to sell me on a story of Camelot. I'm there. I started to read this book at the beginning of August, then life happened and I didn't finish it. I took it out of the Library again this week and started over, I'm so glad I did. I love the story of Guinevere and Arthur.

This is the first book of the story of Camelot through Guinevere's eyes. Guinevere is a feisty Celtic tomboy who questions the reasons why she must learn to speak Latin, wear dresses, and go south to marry that king. But with a little loving persuasion from her beloved father, she soon decides it is her duty to marry the High King. Her journey allows her the luxury of learning of his wonders, of how he came to be King and a little more intimate views from a close friend who happens to be her escort. When they finally meet, Guinevere and Arthur form a partnership that is what fairy tales are made of.

What I liked about the book: I loved the story from Guinevere's point of view, I loved how "modern" Persia Woolley made her in spite of the times she lived in. I loved the whole innocents of the New Queen to Be, but I also loved how romantic her adventure of the unknown is. I also love the she was not a raving beauty, by her own accounts, nor was she whimpy. But what I loved the most was what wonderful sense of "family" she respected, both her own and Arthurs. The contrast of Arthurs upbringing and Guinevere's was marvelous and Persia Woolley did a great job.

What I didn't like, not much really. I think I was surprised at the close relationship the King, Guinevere's father, had with his only daughter. I'd have thought this was not so in those times, but beautifully portrayed by the author. I would have liked to have a family tree, and a map of this story, but hey, I just like family trees and maps.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am on to the next installment.

I read this book as part of my What's in a Name Challenge, # 6 Life stage... CHILD of the Northern Spring.

Sunday Salon, on Monday...

2011-11-14T05:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday Salon is a post I read on Alyce's blog it's sort of a wrap up of the week. I'm finally getting back to a normal routine this week. That being said still the odd leftover issue with employee pays but... that will have to be not my problem. I've finally gotten back to my routine with my mom, my painting and other stuff, and wouldn't you know it, it's almost time for Christmas shopping. |I went back to my furniture refinishing group on Thursday only to discover that everyone has really been hard at work and I sort of lagging behind. I will rebuild that bench before Christmas, really. It's taking a lot longer than I thought it would but that's the name of the game. Since my routine is returning, my reading on the buses has gotten back on track as well. I finally finished Child of the Northern Spring and 84 Charing Cross. I'm thinking I may need to read Chaucer, that's like taking on James Joyces' work Ulises (I'm sure that is spelled incorrectly. I've also gotten a new laptop, well it's really smaller than my lap but... I'm adjusting to the smallness of the keyboard. What a pain! Around the house, oh what a mess! I've completed six Christmas Card (hand painted) post those another time, or at least I should say I've finished painting them, still the matter of designing a card around the painted piece. I'm not sure who will get these, they were a lot of work. I have this stupid idea that I want people to keep my painted things, and how many of us keep Christmas cards, hand made or not. We celebrated my sister and Brother in laws 40th wedding anniversary this weekend, and we baptized my niece and nephews new baby. Didn't get to the cemetery yet,too much rain, and I don't like going on a weekend when visitors are there, you know I appear to be a small wrecking crew. . I should have posted this yesterday, but my son was working on some school thing and I needed to make myself scarce, so I went to Chapters with my coupon. I could kill a few hours in there. What does the week hold, well I'm going to try to make up a few sessions of furniture refinishing, visiting my mom and there the library is in quite a state so I'll be spending a few more hours on that, and then it will be the weekend. Too much for an old lady like me, I had a birthday this past month and it's definitely down hill from here.

Snapshot Saturday...yummy

2011-11-12T12:10:00.000-08:00


Yummy! Need I say more.

Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce at At Home with Books

Postcard Friendship Friday... Rememberance Day 2011

2011-11-11T06:31:00.000-08:00

Remembrance Day the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. Today's postcard is one my dad had sent to my mom. My dad was in the battle of Monte Casino.

We here in Canada today honour our veterans and service men and women by wearing the poppy. Hug a Vet today, I can't my dad is no longer with us, but I'll be hugging the next best thing, his grandson, even if it's just a virtual hug.


I don't like my picture being taken.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts Are Crunchy.
I have to leave you with a little light music.http://www.insidehalton.com/news/article/1240178--burlington-

s-singing-vet-lights-up-appleby-go-station I've been at Appleby Go Station, and it's cold, hope he wore his wooly socks. And the video is not such light music.

Movember...put you best lips forward

2011-11-07T18:39:00.000-08:00

Movember the Month formerly known as November, where men grow a moustache for 30 days to raise funds and awareness for the fight against prostate cancer. My son is participating in this event, he's nowhere near as hairy as his mother, or brother or father... but good show old chap. With a family full of men, prostate cancer has hit us way too close to home. I got a shot of him after the parade, as he was marching by, I thought Oh NO he's got some dirt under his nose, silly mom.

Saturday Snapshot ... sitting on the fence...

2011-11-05T08:18:00.000-07:00

How does a cat sit on the top of the fence and not fall off? and then come in and fall asleep on a very large foot stool and fall off. One of nature's mysteries... My cat escapes when ever I'm in the garden, I'm not sure what the attraction is but all the cats seem to like to sit in this spot... huh! Enjoy Snapshot Saturday which is hosted by Alyce at AT Home With Books

Happy Postcard Friendship Friday... Ain't no mountain high enough

2011-11-04T07:34:00.000-07:00

My sweet niece has been globe trotting again. She knows I love postcards so she sent me this lovely view of the mountains. According to Wikepedia Karkonosze [karkɔˈnɔʂɛ]; German: Riesengebirge; sometimes also called Giant Mountains) is a mountain range located in the north of the Czech Republic and the south-west of Poland, part of the Sudetes mountain system (part of the Bohemian Massif). The Czech-Polish border, which divides the historic regions of Bohemia and Silesia, runs along the main ridge. The highest peak, Sněžka (Polish: Śnieżka), is the Czech Republic's highest point with an elevation of 1,602 metres (5,256 ft).

I got to know my niece a little this past summer, and I suspect she'll be climbing more than one mountain top, watch out Sir Edmund.

Postcard compliments of Ms. P. Dzieki Ms. P.

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at the Best Hearts are Crunchy (Love that title) You know I had to add this too. O.K. now I'm thinking of John B. with this one.

Happy Halloween

2011-10-31T15:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween

Whilst finishing planting my bulbs, (already for spring) I thought I'd send out my Halloween wishes. Have a spooktacular evening.

When you reach me...

2011-10-30T12:04:00.000-07:00

Well I've finished my first book "read with earbuds". As you may recall I'm always so nervous about losing the ability to read with my eyes, so I thought I'd better learn to listen to books, on tape or CD was not an issue, but with earbuds, welllllll that's a whole nother ball game. But, it I did it, it took me forever but I did it. My mother's day gift from my eldest son was and little IPod thingy, so my youngest has started to put some of my books on and I finally finished my first one. When You Reach Me, by Rebecca Stead.

This is the story of Miranda a young girl living in New York City with her mom. Miranda talks about the stuff that happens at school, her relationships with friends and her best friend Sal. Her relationship with Sal takes on a whole new strangeness when Sal gets punched in the stomach by a strange kid. And then to top it off Miranda starts getting these strange notes. A Wrinkle in Time is Miranda's favourite book and time travel is discussed in the book. Not only is Miranda concerned about getting the strange notes, but also a little frightened by their contents.

My thoughts: This was an enjoyable read, a little predictable but certainly enjoyable. If I were reading for the time travelling challenge this would have applied.

Snapshot Saturday... still bloomin'

2011-10-29T08:36:00.000-07:00

Even though we've had frost my hyndrangea's are still looking good. Another good reason to fill my garden with them. Not much work, just beauty. Now it will mess with my orange pumpkins thought. I guess I could be really coordinated and get white pumpkins, nah! Happy Saturday. Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books.

PFF... I was OUT

2011-10-28T17:30:00.000-07:00

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at The Best Hearts are Crunchy. This is another one of the cards Nancy has sent me. I've been out like this guy on the floor, (no spirits involved though). Just stuff, laundry and the usual commitments. Looking forward to a great weekend. Do stop by and check out the other participants for PFF.

We Have Always Lived in the Castle...

2011-10-25T09:54:00.000-07:00

I didn't sign up for the RIP challenge this year just missed it, but thought I'd read some scary stuff anyway. Last night I stayed up and finished We Have Always Lived in the Castle, it was good. Not too scary, but good. Of course at the end I had all kinds of resolution issues, but it is fiction after all, isn't it.

From Amazon.com

Visitors call seldom at Blackwood House. Taking tea at the scene of a multiple poisoning, with a suspected murderess as one's host, is a perilous business. For a start, the talk tends to turn to arsenic. "It happened in this very room, and we still have our dinner in here every night," explains Uncle Julian, continually rehearsing the details of the fatal family meal. "My sister made these this morning," says Merricat, politely proffering a plate of rum cakes, fresh from the poisoner's kitchen. We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson's 1962 novel, is full of a macabre and sinister humor, and Merricat herself, its amiable narrator, is one of the great unhinged heroines of literature. "What place would be better for us than this?" she asks, of the neat, secluded realm she shares with her uncle and with her beloved older sister, Constance. "Who wants us, outside? The world is full of terrible people." Merricat has developed an idiosyncratic system of rules and protective magic, burying talismanic objects beneath the family estate, nailing them to trees, ritually revisiting them. She has made "a powerful taut web which never loosened, but held fast to guard us" against the distrust and hostility of neighboring villagers. Or so she believes. But at last the magic fails. A stranger arrives--cousin Charles, with his eye on the Blackwood fortune. He disturbs the sisters' careful habits, installing himself at the head of the family table, unearthing Merricat's treasures, talking privately to Constance about "normal lives" and "boy friends." Unable to drive him away by either polite or occult means, Merricat adopts more desperate methods. The result is crisis and tragedy, the revelation of a terrible secret, the convergence of the villagers upon the house, and a spectacular unleashing of collective spite.

The sisters are propelled further into seclusion and solipsism, abandoning "time and the orderly pattern of our old days" in favor of an ever-narrowing circuit of ritual and shadow. They have themselves become talismans, to be alternately demonized and propitiated, darkly, with gifts. Jackson's novel emerges less as a study in eccentricity and more--like some of her other fictions--as a powerful critique of the anxious, ruthless processes involved in the maintenance of normality itself. "Poor strangers," says Merricat contentedly at last, studying trespassers from the darkness behind the barricaded Blackwood windows. "They have so much to be afraid of." --

Do read this one if you dare!

Postcard Friendship Friday...

2011-10-21T07:08:00.000-07:00

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by Beth at the Best Hearts are Crunchy. I haven't posted in this meme for quite awhile, even though I do check out the other posts. Nancy of course keeps me in vintage postcards, Love you gal.! But today's postcard is one of an advertisement nature, why would I do that you ask? Well my son is an avid listener to The Best Show on WFMU, and I on the other hand watch Antiques Road show. The other day he was listening and I was watching, and one of the "Twins" was talking about an old record player, you know with the crank and all and how difficult it is to find records. Well I had to tell the story of my sister, who was suppose to be babysitting us while my parents were out, (she really doesn't like old things) came across a stack of old 78 records that my mother had purchase along with this old crank record player, Donna decided to make bowls. She put them in the oven and heated them up (fire hazard and toxic I'm sure) and then shaped them. The "Twins" would be aghast at that, they have a hissy fit if someone refinished a piece of old furniture, I can see them having a fainting spell if I ever told them the "melted record story". Anyway, I digress, on Thursday, my son got this postcard. I thought hmmmmmm Donna could really make a few bowls after visiting here.

thanks Nancy

And now for a really cool postcard... we're off to a dinner dance tomorrow night, it won't be my husband on my feet, it'll be me, and he'll complain that I lead, oh well after 32+ years of dancing together you'd think he'd realize who's in charge.

It must be one of those days...

2011-10-19T19:20:00.000-07:00

It's been one of those days when strange thoughts jump into my head. For example, I'm on the bus, it's on a very busy highway, and there's a bunny in the middle lane. It's a dark and stormy night and I'm thinking Peter Rabbit will surely need chamomile tea and honey when he gets home, that's if he's not road kill. Then I click into Jenny's blog and she's got another animal in the middle of the road. Come on rodents find a hole and stay out of the roadways. I sure would like to. I'm sitting here waiting for my boys to come home, they're out there in the storm too. So maybe I need to check out Peter Rabbit nah! I'll just buy one of Carmi's creations at the One of a Kind.

For today...

2011-10-18T16:41:00.000-07:00

FOR TODAY
Outside my window... it's dark, I'm late writing my post today

I am thinking... I'm so tired, should I even attempt to paint tomorrow

I am thankful...for a not too cold day,today I was able to clean up about 1/2 my back garden

From the learning rooms...just when you think you know someone they surprise you and you think hmm I didn't know that about you

In the kitchen...chicken and potatoes

I am wearing...my p.j.s after I came in from the garden I took my bath and put my pjs on, I'm sure I'll fall asleep watching the tube.

I am creating...I've acquired a few dozen 4x6 sheets of magnets, I think I might be doing a fridge magnet Christmas Card.

I am going...to put my feet up, and think of what to read, I've not read anything for a whole 6 weeks. other than statistics, and resumes.

I am wondering...what my mom will be up to tomorrow.

I am reading...The Lucky Elephant Restaurant

I am hoping...it's not raining tomorrow

I am looking forward to...a quiet weekend

I am hearing...Alex on Jeopardy

Around the house...too much laundry to do, I'm sure my family is rolling around in the mud, really!

I am pondering... a new hairdo, I know that sounds silly, but I hate my hair and now that I need a new hairdresser, it just seems right to say, do what ever you like. Am I that brave.

One of my favorite things...tulips, I'm planting some soon...

A few plans for the rest of the week: painting tomorrow, Thursday I'll be catching up with the rest of the laundry, and Friday back to my volunteering routine.

Here is picture for thought I am sharing...

don't you just love this chair, I can't remember what site I found it on, I believe it was club 25 take a seat... I love it. Wish I could find the site again...

For today is hosted by The Simple Woman's Day Book

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Saturday Snapshot...

2011-10-15T11:21:00.000-07:00

It's that time of year... my son and his girlfriend choosing a pumpkin

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online. Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books

It's over...

2011-10-14T15:10:00.000-07:00

I'm done with the election tasks, now to catch up on sleep, laundry, housework and other family responsibilities. Or maybe I'll just read something. We've wound up with a minority government so chances of this happening soon are very likely. While I welcome the opportunity to make a little cash, it's a gruelling couple of months, and I'm getting old. I thought for sure I'd have to have the phone surgically removed, but somehow it came away without drastic measures.

I've missed the sign-up for the R.I.P. challenge hosted by Carl , but I may just read something a little scary to get me in the mood for Halloween. I'm feeling a little sinister these days, could have something to do with the thunder I'm hearing. I'm kinda thinking We've Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson.

The warmest Thanksgiving I can remember

2011-10-10T18:17:00.000-07:00

Today was so warm that when I went out to pick the remainder of my tomatoes for our salad, look what I spotted. Isn't he so cool. I use to have a recipe for green tomato jam, it called for a packet of jello, can't find that recipe, if anyone has one, help. It's been a very warm Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving...

2011-10-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

This is Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada. HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all.

It's show time, well almost...

2011-10-05T05:15:00.000-07:00

Today is the eve of the election here in Ontario. I'm trying really hard to keep warm bodies in the seats of the election day workers. YOU HAVE NO IDEA what a challenge that is. For example Mini will be the supervisor at one site. Mini works in the Disney store, guess how she greets people. Her manager is really and truly Cruella de Ville. NO KIDDING. I'm that guy that sits quietly and snickers. HE HE HE... We had to have French speaking workers in the office so that means students, boy do we have to worry in our old age. This was suppose to be the cream of the crop, the cream is definitely fat free. If you know what I mean? I'm so tired of telling them the same think (thing) everyday, I'm starting to write notes, hope they can read. I'm going to try to get pictures today, totally not allowed but what the hey! Mini came for training yesterday, and Cruella is in today... Wish me luck. And I mean say a very sincere Prayer. So it's Hi HO Hi HO it's off to work I go...

Snapshot Saturday...

2011-10-01T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'm always reading blogs and getting inspiration from all the wonderful ideas others have and this little piece is no exception. My friend Nancy (who often surprises me with little packets of vintage postcards, Thanks Nancy), is a wonderful encaustic artist, you can see some of her wonderful work here. I thought I'd see what it was all about. Well then I forgot about it. The other night as I was coming out of the office, which is located in a rather green part of an light industry area, the sun was down the moon was out and this piece came to mind, thought I'd share it with you. It was to have been the beginnings of a card, but there is so much wax on it, it would have to be a card you give in person, rather than mail. Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce from At home with books.

It's fall time...

2011-09-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

The fall season always seems to find me wanting to clear out my garden and plant more tulips, and this year is no exception. The squirrels have been very naughty and are still digging things up. I'm not a fan of squirrels. And since this month has been so busy with work, I haven't even ventured into stores that sell bulbs, but that will change. I have my eye on a grouping of white tulips. What'd ya think?

Saturday Snapshot... my morning glory!

2011-09-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

A great many years ago, 18 to be exact. My young son planted morning glories. I got a little plant for Mother's Day. That was the year we spent the summer at my mother's home doing daughter things. When we came home the whole yard, rose garden and side were overgrown with morning glories. My little guy was thrilled. Ever since I've been diligently collecting the seeds and planting them to recapture that happiness. He's still a happy big guy, not quite as delighted with his plants as I am though. And before the frost is upon us I thought I'd share my glory with you.

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books.

Snapshot Saturday, lasting beauty...

2011-09-17T18:16:00.000-07:00

In honour of Andzia Wojtowicz.... Andzia Wojtowicz was a family friend, my mother grafted this rose for me a number of years ago, it has had a wonderful blooming spree this week, since I've been working like a good Canadian (election time) I miss my garden happenings so I brought this one in, it lasted almost all week. Andzia gifted this rose to my mother it's bloom reflects the beauty of this wonderful lady.

Snapshot Saturday is hosted by Alyce from at Home With Books.

Not a whole lot of reading happening...

2011-09-14T19:12:00.000-07:00

I've been very busy with work, not a whole lot of reading going on, but a great deal of character development. And then there is the dentist and the optomologist I'm freakin' falling apart. Still just can;'t listen to a book, I'm just too old for this "new fangled stuff".
So sometimes you just need a laugh, my sister sent this to me and I thought I'd share.

You'll never believe what I'm doing...

2011-09-09T19:03:00.000-07:00

I took a class earlier this summer to re weave a cane seat. HOLY Smoke, this is hard on the hands. Apparently it's a dying art, I UNDERSTAND.

Saturday Snapshot...

2011-09-03T20:09:00.000-07:00

I'd rather be sailing?

Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books

I looking forward to read from you soones....huh!

2011-08-31T17:26:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago my friend Jenny posted this hilarious and outrageously perfect post. I laughed and nodded in agreement. WELL today after a very exhaustive day of sitting in hospitals and nursing homes and watching loved ones age and deteriorate I HAD to read my emails (since work and $ is involved). and I got this " Mr Ali somebody... I looking forward to read from you soones... HUH! I thought Jenny told you never to write again. Well I must tell you, since I`m recruiting for an upcoming election these names are not so unusual, but the subject line, sorry you don`t get the job. I NEEDS YOU TO SPEAKS AND WRITES BETTER THAN THAT. At least if you`re running a scam, learn to say it perfectly, I`d have to be a complete door knob to open this email and answer and participate in your scam. Are there really people out there that `believe`` these things ( a question mark should go here, but I`ve done some thing to my keyboard and I keep getting `É. So now I`m not answering any more emails, until tomorrow and I`m going to have a very late supper and a glass of something cool and refreshing and probably not nutritious, and then I`m going to read some blogs. I didn`t open the email mentioned because between Norton and my in house tech support they`d kill me if I opened a suspicious email, well maybe not killed but seriously wounded.

Monday Musings on Tuesday...

2011-08-30T06:16:00.000-07:00

A Book Meme

Musing Mondays from Should Be Reading is here on Tuesday this week!

This week’s musing is… a book meme!

What was the last book you…

• borrowed from the library?

The Midnight Palace, Carlos Ruiz Zafon (recommended by my friend Myriam many moons ago, finally an English translation.)

• bought?

The Pleasure of My Comapany, Steve Martin

• cried over?

I cry all the time. But the last one I cried over ....cant' remember

• disliked and couldn’t finish?

The Diamond, can't remember the author.

• read & loved?

These Things Hidden,

• got for review? (or: got in the mail?)

Only Time Will Tell, Jeffrey Archer (won this copy at Mary's blog)

• gave to someone else?

I gave a pile of books to my niece, who was visiting from Poland, Enlgish translations are very expensive, and she's one of those kids that has the book read before the credit card has cleared.

• stayed up too late reading?

Enemy Women, Paulette Jiles, pushed myself to finish this one to meet the read along deadline.

Don't sweat the small stuff... what does that mean?

2011-08-29T11:22:00.000-07:00

I've undertaken quite a number of challenges this past year, both in my reading and in my home life. I can tell you now I don't think I'm going to meet my goals any time soon. So this afternoon when I sat down to have my lunch time tea, and write my post (I was brain dead during my morning coffee) I still had a very dry spell. I hit that saving button on "Imagination Prompt Generator". Don't sweat the small stuff...what does that mean? was the prompt. Well, I do sweat the small stuff. Like, I just painted that freaking front door and there are fingerprints on it. Do I need to do an inservice? They're cancelling my favourite day time drama, what am I going to do on Monday between 2 and 3. My hairdresser quit her job and left no forwarding address! Shall I go on. And then I sat down and thought about it all, these are such small matters, I have two friends who are dealing with parents with "SERIOUS" health issues, I'm sure their Mondays between 2-3 are not on their minds.

snails in my pond are another one of those small things I sweat, they eat the roots of my waterlillies,

We've all been preparing ourselves for the possible devastation on IRENE (not me the storm) and thankfully it was not nearly as bad as had been anticipated. I guess it wouldn't matter if I had fingerprints on my front door, it that front door wound up under 20 feet of water. And I've decided that I would better meet my commitments if I used that hour on Monday to take a nap. I never really sleep well. So the next time I think "O crap, who left that pile of laundry where I didn't see it, and now I've finished washing for the week" I'll try to remember this is the small stuff there are bigger worries in the world, even if I'm blessed not to have them right now. Hope all of you who have been affected by IRENE are safe and dry and you find your front door dry and with or without fingerprints, that would mean all those entering are o.k. enough to leave them there.

Grumpy!

2011-08-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

My friend Myriam always posts these great shots of pets, and today is no exception so I thought I'd show her my grumpy cat.
Click HERE to visit other Pet forever from around the world.

Saturday snapshot

2011-08-27T06:44:00.000-07:00

Saturday snapshot is hosted by Alyce at At Home With Books

A walk through China town fruit market was a request by my visitors. I can honestly say that China town in Toronto and China Town in Montreal differs only by the fruit stands we find inToronto, the smells are equally offensive. A whole lot has China Town of Toronto, there are no chickens hanging on hooks, (at least that I spotted) and in Montreal all the foods are sold indoors. Hmmmmmm. But these are some strange looking fruits, don't read Chinese so have no idea what they are, but they are unique.

Enemy Women and a reading challenge I couldn't resist...

2011-08-26T05:57:00.000-07:00

I don't do well with read -alongs. I've never really "talked" books well, or at least with adults. When my boys were young we would talk about the books we read together, just because I was a "reader" for the library and they were my test audience. It became part of our routine. But with adults... not so easily. So when I surprised myself by joining the Civil War read- along and began reading Enemy Women, Paulette Jiles I immediately felt like I was going to say things that were not politically correct, I do those kinds of things.

Enemy Women is the story of a young woman who's father was taken by the Militia during the Civil War. Their home was burned down, their father beaten in front of her and her young sisters. She gathers up her family and tries to find her father. She is arrested for , I'm going to say, talking too much. Whilst in prison, she falls in love with the Major in charge of her case. He then helps her escape. He is reassigned and goes through some horrible war times which leave him injured. Wisely he arranges for himself a furlough and heads out to find Adair. I found the horrors of war very vivid. But then again all I know of the Civil War I learned from Gone With the Wind.

If I had to cast these two major roles, the Major would have to be Johnny Depp, Adair would have to be Penelope Cruz. I know she has that accent, but maybe she could act it away.

All in all I enjoyed this book, I loved the relationship with horses Adair had. I was so very sorry that the war robbed her of her health, wealth and happiness.

I read this book as part of the War Through the Generations read a long. Considering that I've only read one book this month, my house should be spotless, it's not. Now that I've gotten it to the presentable stage I'd just like to sit down this weekend and read, but not so handy Andy just spilled a whole container of parmesan cheese, and you know if I make him clean it up I'll have to repaint the wall or something equally as drastic.

Meeting a special little someone

2011-08-25T06:34:00.000-07:00

On Thursday I set out on an adventure to visit my niece's new baby. Her name is Olivia. Andrea her mom is a lovely young women and a very very capable mom. Little Olivia was born while my company from Poland were here and I didn't get to see her in the hospital, although she was only there a short 1.3 days. Throughout Andrea's pregnancy we (meaning her aunts and mother) kept sending her name suggestions. Holy Smoke the girl should have been a spy, she was so tight lipped about the name. Well little Jacinta as we all agreed on, was named Olivia. I love that name, why didn't I think of that? Anyway here's some facts about the Olivia's of the U.S. no stats for Canada, (we're still busy trying to do the gun registration).

there are 53,689 people with the first name "Olivia" in the United States.

Olivia:

(female) Latinate name, first used by Shakespeare for the rich heiress wooed by the duke in Twelfth Night (1599). Shakespeare may have taken it as a feminine form of Oliver or he may have derived it from Latin oliva ‘olive’. In the 1970s it was particularly associated with the Australian pop singer and actress Olivia Newton-John (b. 1948). Since the 1990s it has been very popular throughout the English-speaking world.
Some content provided by Oxford University Press, Inc.

our little Olivia
A new little branch on our family tree, (my sweet niece Paulina has me well into the digs on that, with many many thanks). Love that girl!

Wee bit o Wednesday...

2011-08-24T06:37:00.000-07:00

My readers will know me better than anyone else. Maybe I should make my husband read this, nah!

one} what's your guilty pleasure tv show?

Blue bloods, love Tom Sellick, wish the show was better.

{two} ear piercings on men: yes or no?

No. No. No.

{three} do you have dish or comcast?

Comcast.

{four} what's your favorite current fashion trend?

it's embarassing.... I hate wearing underwear, hence the p.j.s most of the day when I'm home.

{five} if you could learn to do anything, money not being an issue, what would it be?

I would study Ikebana in Japan

{six} red or white wine?

Red.

{seven} what type of food is your favorite (ex. italian, mexican, etc.)

french

{eight} hp or mac?

Undecided.

{nine} what color is your bedroom?

Kansas Wheat

{ten} what's your favorite form of exercise?

I hate exercise. I walk to get places so it's not really exercise.

My question is How can you be married to someone for 32 years and not know what kind of chips they like.

Wee bit O Wednesday is hosted by Leigh Ashley

wordless Wednesday... feeling a little grizzly this morning.

2011-08-24T06:11:00.000-07:00

Life changing walks...

2011-08-23T14:32:00.000-07:00

A little over a year ago I set out with two other artists to the Art and Soul Retreat in Virginia. One of the workshops I attended was facilitated by Melanie Testa. A delightful young artist that helped me "let go" and do some art without feeling like I needed to be perfect. I received an email from Mellie today with some news of her trials this year. I hope you will take the time to read Melly blog and consider the possibilities of involvement. I'm the daughter and sister and cousin of Breast Cancer Survivors and believe strongly that the research being done is certainly helping us save lives. Consider walking or supporting someone who walks in the walk to save lives.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-08-23T11:08:00.000-07:00

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read

Open to a random page

Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page

BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

here's my teaser.

Adair read it over and over again and there in her sister's handwriting she saw that if she were to go home she would be alone in that endeavour, but there was no help for it. It was very clear that the letter was written with the censor in mind but it was easy to read between the lines. If she could just see her home one more time. If she could find her father. then she would be free to think about a place where she war had not come, where she and the major could start anew.

Enemy Women, Paulette Jiles.

Outside My Window...

It's sunny a perfect day

I am thinking...
I can't believe I did it! I hosted by husband's family for two weeks, Several meals a day and sightseeing to boot, and had a great time.

I am thankful for...

I'm thankful for friends and family who gave me a hand, in my adventures.

the learning rooms...

I'm learning to be more aggressive in my professional life.

From the kitchen...
supper will be leftover chicken

I am wearing...

shorts and tee shirt.

I am creating...

creating this week, a list of potential new employees.

I am going...

I haven't adjusted to my new glasses, so now's the time.

I am reading...
Enemy Women and Child of the Northern Spring
With having my husband's family here for two weeks, and me having a great time, my reading has suffered badly so I'm still reading these two.

On my mind...

Absolutely NOTHING

Around the house...

laundry, laundry and more laundry.

One of my favourite things...

a foot stool, and a good cup of tea.

My pet girafe,,, I wish.

2011-08-21T21:06:00.000-07:00

More summer fun.

Enjoying the summer stuff.... with a million other visitors.

2011-08-15T21:14:00.000-07:00

Look what handy Andy did...

2011-08-07T05:10:00.000-07:00

I'm all the way down the hall with my painting. A few years back when we painted after replacing our floors we had to remove our banisters and when we went to put them back not handy Andy either did this and won't admit to it or found a gaping hole behind the bracket that holds the handrail. I need a handrail at the end of the day so it had to go back up, but what to do with the hole after you've already spent all your money on the floor. Who you gonna call? Me. "find some hunk of wood to put here" he tells me, like h_ll I'm putting a hunk of wood there after painting like a mad women all the walls and trim. So I found not handy Andy a decorative piece of wood I had made for one of those swing doors (always wanted one of those)


gaping hole behind handrail

Well I couldn't just put a unpainted piece of wood on the wall. My friend Janice has been wanting to crackle her table top, so I took this opportunity to test out my skills.

piece of wood, painted soft black and crackle medium applied.

Of course not handy Andy by now has escaped my "flip out" and retreated to the TV veiwing area. After this piece dried, it took several hours, I applied a coat of the wall colour .


all crackled up, yea!	I couldn't just stop there. You see I'm a leftover flower child, and here is how it ended up looking.

Saturday Snapshot...

2011-08-06T05:27:00.000-07:00

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky below. Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Finished my poppy on Wednesday, here it is drying. Acrylic on canvas (original design by Tracey Moreau).

Wee Bit of Wednesday...

2011-08-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

This week’s questions come from miss Cassie over at Pike’s Peak or Bust Candle Co.!
{one} what was one thing that you valued when you were a kid?I'd like to be really profound and say time with my family, but I think as a kid that probably wasn't it. I think play time was valued. My mom was a slave driver, and made us do chores, so playtime was really a treat, especially when we were all still at home. We lived sort of in the country and playing hide and seek in the dark was cool. Needless to say I was always " IT"

{two} what was your favorite (+ lease favorite) subject in school?I've always loved Art, English Math, not so much, but it was o.k. but my least favourite was gym. I've not very athletic, heck I can't even ride a bike or swim or skate. My kids can, but not me.

{three} do you remember your first love?Yes. Doesn't everybody? Henry Sierpinski, we all loved him, he didn't even know we were alive, but nonetheless my older sisters and I mmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Of course he was probably the only older boy we knew, the rest were kids, or cousins, or annoying friends.

{four} what one pet would you love to have?A giraffe

{five} would you rather live in the country or in the city?I'd love to live on the boundry, close enough to bus service but not in the heart of the city.

{six} what do you love about blogging?I find blogging very theraputic, I know I probably need professional help but...

{seven} what is the first website you visit everyday?I don't know if this is a web site, but it's a blogger , Jenny , but then again I visit all the blogs on my list everyday.

{eight} will you or have you joined google+?I don’t know. I don’t even know what it is.

{nine} what is your favorite scent of candle/air freshener?I don't do air freshner, or scented candles. just can't take the fragrances. I love the smell of pasta sauce cooking and when I need a slice of home that's what I do, make sauce.

{ten} how would you describe your style?second hand rose.

Thanks Cassie! Great questions this week!

Tuesday Times...

2011-08-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

I posted about my annoying cat yesterday, not really liking me being busy. Well he's an indoor cat, except when my husband is home, he nags and nags to go out. My husband lets him out and I hate it, he's got no claws, and how can he defend himself. He was declawed when we got him and was intended as a indoor cat. Well this morning I'm in the garden setting the stage for lawn mowing and out he comes and takes off on me. I don't know where he learned this but he opens the screen door himself when he wants back in. Well he got the wrong house. We have new neighbours and they are new to Canada as well, so a cat is a really "strange" guest. I'd forgotten he was out, and figured he'd come home when something started him, he really is scardey cat. Well it wasn't scaredy cat screaming, it was my neighbour who sleeps days. That cat moved so fast you'd have thought he saw a ghost as I'm sure Anton did (our new neighbour) I quickly hid in the yard, pretended I didn't know him, and thought I'm going to act surprised. Here he is exhausted after his ordeal. Needless to say my husband got a proper talking to, no more letting the cat out.

Well tomorrow is painting day, I'm hoping to get my white poppy well on its way to being a painting, and then my mom's, it's their barbecue day. Yuk! pureed barbecue. I think I'll be doing take-out and yoghurt.
FOR TODAY~

Outside My Window...

It's sunny and VERY HOT

I am thinking...
Is it too hot to pull weeds, will I get heat stroke, probably
my son told me to pace myself, I said forget the pacing come out and help me.

I am thankful for...

I would be thankful for my rose garden waiting for me to get to it, it has other perenials around it and I don't get to do stuff there for awhile.

the learning rooms...

Always have a plan B, I had hoped to finish pulling weeds in my garden, and I didn't get heat stroke but I got pleasantly distracted.

From the kitchen...
supper will be General Tao chicken. my husband is having a colonscopy so he'll be having soup de jour

I am wearing...

you wouldn't want to know, I'm so hot, I'm not wearing much

I am creating...

creating this week, as well as my lovely poppy, I've primed my scrapping storage cabinet, remember I said I didn't think I could paint my old pieces, I lied..

this is not such an old piece, and I can't wait to get chalk paint here in Canada, so I'm doing my own thing.

I am going...

to start wearing my new glasses, I'm multi tasking here, while I'm writing this, I'm flipping channels, and I just saw the TV guide listing "porn stars" What the H..L, no really "pawn stars"

I am reading...
Enemy Women and Child of the Northern Spring
I'm having a difficult time getting into Enemy Women.

On my mind...

We are having guest from Poland come on Monday, and I'm thinking what the heck am I feeding them, it's so hot, they're here for 12 days.

Around the house...
the garden is looking a little better, less over bloomed perennials, the dining room, hall and front door finally finished drying and are lookin gGOOOOOOOOOOOd, I'm exhausted.

One of my favourite things...

Pioneer Woman's Grilled chicken & Pineapple Quesedias

this is definitely on the menu for my guests.

You can tell I've been too busy to play...

2011-08-01T06:37:00.000-07:00

My moto this summer was July 1st I was starting at the front door and working my way through the house to clean up/ clear out and do a general all about thing . Our front screen door needed to be changed, probably since we've been here, but one thing leads to another $ and it got put off. I didn't want to discard the old one till I have painted the solid door, just to keep the bugs off the fresh paint. Well it's been so hot, it took several days for the door to dry. DONE. Once the door was painted I thought I'd just paint the trim, well that didn't work the walls needed paint too. Again, drying time was longer than expected, so I've now been in this front portion of the house for days. Yesterday finished, the walls, hung up stuff, and switch plates attached, furniture back and this morning I look and I've missed the trim on a whole door way. Not in the plans. oh well, carry on...
My poor cat has been beside himself, his usual sleeping niches grossly disturbed not to mention the constant rattle of a vacum (keeping cat hairs out of my painted surfaces is a b--ch.) So he's snuggled up in a very small spot on the chair watching. This morning I guess he thought he'd get me before I began and came running up with an artificial rose, I guess he's been in my floral supplies again. OOOOOOO!

The usual observational mode.

Haven't had too much energy to read this week, started Child of the Northern Spring, and should really get going on Enemy Women (my August challenge) the only mail delivery book was a history text book. One of the residents at my mother's nursing home is the author, and I thought she'd get a kick out of seeing it on the shelf. I was a little disappointed in the condition of this book, but I'll just have to tell her it was well loved. Have a great Mailbox Monday.

the formula =

2011-07-31T14:59:00.000-07:00

A couple of years ago I signed up for my upholstery class. You see I've been a collector of old things. Probably 36 years ago, my neighbour Alan gave me this organ top. He lived in this wonderful old house next door to our home (our childhood home). He was very eccentric. What prompted this gift you ask? Well I had purchased an antique mirror, and he was surprised I liked old things, so he asked me if I'd like this. It was in my living room until a while back, when we painted. Then with all the hulabaloo of moving my mom's place, and my additions to the acquisition dept. I forgot about it, well maybe not forgotten, but got safely stored. Well I've sort of re- settled and have decided that Allan's organ top must find a home once again. But, what about the formula, you ask? When I met Evelyn at our upholstery class this formula was something we did to our pieces to give a drink, so to speak, so the old wood we would be hammering new nails into would not be stressed. It stinks, but boy does it give your wood a drink. So I've now applied the formula to my organ top, found a new home for it (handy Andy doesn't know it yet). and now I wait until the wood is no longer thirsty. Did I mention this is a little smelly, so the blurry photo may be me a little high, or maybe it's just a little blurry. I've been reading a number of decorator blogs and so many people are painting over these old pieces, I can't seem to do this to some of my pieces, I'm always hearing the TWINS from the Antique Road show, saying "oh how sad that someone painted this, it would have been worth a million dollars in it's original state, but alas painted it's dumpster material. I like to think I'm doing my part to preserve our ever shrinking forests, and reducing waste, I really do like to think that.

P.S. don't get me wrong, I do paint furniture, and am dying to try the Annie Sloan's Chalk Paints, but just not this piece.

P.P.S. I've just realized that I've posted about wood two days in a row. Yes I have a thing for wood.

Saturday Snapshot...

2011-07-30T18:11:00.000-07:00

My contribution to Saturday Snapshot are these wonderful tree knots. I just can envision the wonders inside of these works of art by mother nature. Reminds me of that tree in Ichebod Cranes' Legend of Sleepy Hollow or should I say in Johnny Depps version.
Saturday Snapshot is hosted by Alyce from At Home With Books.

BeeKeepers Apprentice

2011-07-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

From book description on Amazon.ca.

Sherlock Holmes takes on a young, female apprentice in this delightful and well-wrought addition to the master detective's casework. In the early years of WW I, 15-year-old American Mary Russell encounters Holmes, retired in Sussex Downs where Conan Doyle left him raising bees. Mary, an orphan rebelling against her guardian aunt's strictures, impresses the sleuth with her intelligence and acumen. Holmes initiates her into the mysteries of detection, allowing her to participate in a few cases when she comes home from her studies at Oxford. The collaboration is ignited by the kidnapping in Wales of Jessica Simpson, daughter of an American senator. The sleuthing duo find signs of the hand of a master criminal, and after Russell rescues the child, attempts are made on their lives (and on Watson's), with evidence piling up that the master criminal is out to get Holmes and all he holds dear. King ( A Grave Talent ) has created a fitting partner for the Great Detective: a quirky, intelligent woman who can hold her own with a man renowned for his contempt for other people's thought processes.

my thoughts.

I must be living under a rock. I never knew that Sherlock Holmes retired to become a beekeeper. I must be honest this book while a good read, did not keep me wanting more. I got rather tired of it about 40 pages in, I knew the outcome would be a Moriarty thing. I'm on the last page and I cannot finish. It just isn't happening, and yes, I'm tired, but really the last page. Judge for yourself by all means, and certainly if you're a Holmes fan do read it. But it's not going on one of the best books I've read in 2011.

Support Your Local Library

Where are You Reading- England

Tuesday Thoughts of ... cake

2011-07-26T06:43:00.000-07:00

It's been a very hot week already, and I'm still painting my first floor. My cat has been extra curious and climbing all the furniture I've stacked in one corner. I keep running out of paint. I'm expecting a very busy fall so I thought I'd get this all out of the way before then. Hope I finish before "duty" calls. I think as I age, I don't want as much colour on my walls, I want statement, but not colour. so I'm going boring. I could never imagine myself doing that in a million years. I'll keep the red powder room and the hot chocolate kitchen, and maybe add a little hot chocolate in the dining area, but it's Kansas Wheat everywhere else. The front door on the inside is white (boring) and the exterior is Black. Not much reading happening... to tired to see. After I finished for the day, (because my body couldn't do anymore) I made a couple of dishes to take to my son's place this afternoon, it's his girlfriends birthday. Don't know how old she is, but she invited me to join them for cake this evening. (And them we might go to a bar) Not likely, me anyway. I think I find this part the hardest, he finds a nice girl, I start to really get attached and then... I think there should be rules. No introducing your mom until you're sure. I was told there would be cake. Happy Birthday to Carolline.

P.S. see how boring my walls are, this was at Christmas. My son is blocking the tree. I decided in 2010 that from that year forward I was just hanging my "own" work on the walls, (hence the boring). There is usually stuff all around drying or waiting for me to declare it finished, but only sometimes makes it to the walls and that was going to change. Now that I look at it, it MUST change.

Snapshot Saturday...

2011-07-23T06:18:00.000-07:00

In my earnest of clearing out things, I came across a photo album I had started with Pond Stories, I've decided to add my garden adventures to this book, so here are a couple of shots of my hydrangea. These plants were leftovers I rescued from our church garbage. They did good, didn't they.

To participate in the Saturday Snapshot meme post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on Alyce's blog.) Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Saturday Snapshop is hosted by Alyce from At Home with Books

P.S. these strange items, like the silver leaf you see are my meagre attempt to keep the squirrels from stealing my precious tulip bulbs, and they seem to really like the one's from Holland in this little corner.

Finally Friday...

2011-07-22T04:32:00.000-07:00

Well it's finally Friday. I've been going, going, going all week with not much to show for it. Sorted through magazines yesterday, it was so hot, I thought I'd spend some time in my basement. I was ruthless. I'm not even going to look a the very large selection I'm discarding. All the while it's killing me to get rid of these, "What if I need something?" All I could think of was this song. My son keeps telling me I have too many baskets, is he nuts? You can never have too many. I have too much laundry, that's for sure. That was the other task at hand. Now it's a 100degrees and I have a stack of ironing. I haven't even finished one book this week. I have finished painting my front door, booth sides, striped the hinges (hate painted hinges) completely broke the lock, and decided I NEED to paint the front hall. All the varnishes and such in my son's room finally dried. Furniture is back in and now I NEED to buy a mattress and pillows. Today is my volunteer day, and then my mom's place. So hopefully the bus wait won't be too long. I'm too old for this long distance travel by public transit. Stay cool.

and here's my Friday 56...
Mrs. Barker's face went dead white and she swayed in her chair. I leapt to my feet and held her upright while Holmes went for the brandy. She never fainted completely, and the spirits revived her, but she was still pale and shaken when we sat back down in our chairs.

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your link to The Friday 56

I'm reading The Beekeeper's Apprentice, Laurie R. King.

Wee Bit of Wednesday.

2011-07-20T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today’s the day for some Wee Bit Wednesday hosted by Leigh . This week’s questions come courtesy of Jamie over at Jamie Harris Blog! Here we go…
{one} what is your dream job?I would love to restore precious art.

{two} how many best friends do you have?Well, I have one best friend and three sisters.

{three} what’s the longest road trip you’ve ever taken? Shortly before my first child was born, my husband convinced me to drive to Cape Cod with friends of his, while in miles it may not have been that long it was the longest week of my life. I had just had a little surgery and was still recouping and climbing in and out of the back seat was more than I should have been doing. Never really saw Cape Cod, we got lost so much, and the ulterior motive was a giant Polka Fest. Never Again.

{four} if you had to do one single thing every day for the next year, what would it be?Spend at least 30 minutes in complete silence, not doing anything. I think some people would call it meditation. (Sounds good to me).

{five} what’s one story your family always tells about you?I love shoes. When I was gainfully employed, before I was married, my sister and I were a little late getting to work and were running for our bus, I was wearing these fabulous shoes, with a 3 inch platform and probably a 6 inch heal and I toppled over. Wore bandages on my knees for a few weeks. Love those shoes. they were navy and I had on a great dress that I made myself, good thing it was longer, covered my boo boos.

{six} how did your parents pick your name?I 'm not sure there is a real story behind it, but I think I may have been named after my mom's friend Irene. They journeyed through much of the war and were in a Orphanage camp for a couple of years. I met her some years later and she really was a nice lady.

{seven} what’s the one thing that scares you more than anything?Spending my life in discontent. I only get one life… I just hope I’m strong enough to make it a happy one.

{eight} are you a good cook?I think I am. I like to try new dishes, but my family would prefer I make the same boring things.

{nine} where do you see yourself in 20 years?My eyes are failing now, don't know if I'll be able to see in 20 years. I'll be quite an old lady in 20 years, I hope I can see, walk, talk, and have the energy to care.

{ten} what’s your best childhood memory?I don't know if this is my best memory, but it's one that I remember clearly. My 3 sisters and I shared a very large bedroom. There were two single beds and a double. We'd all pile into the double and scratch backs, there would be the "o.k. time to roll over " bit, somehow Alice was always in the middle. Barb was pretty little and usually fell asleep before we really got going.

Thanks for the awesome questions, Jamie!

For Today...

2011-07-19T06:13:00.000-07:00

For today, hosted by the Simple women's Day Book, is no more. I guess the simple woman found other things to do. And while I never would have imagined myself not having anything to say on Tuesday, it was always the push I needed to get those little grey cells moving. So I hit Imagination Prompt Generation this was a past suggestion by Jenners( I think).

Love is...

was the prompt. Well I can tell you. Yesterday afternoon, I was at my mom's nursing home, (I'm not calling it long term care anymore, while it may be long term, the care part is questionable.) as I've mentioned before I'm the keeper of the books in the library, her room was quite warm so instead of doing my work there, I decided to load a cart and work in the library. Well, I'm not usually there on Monday afternoon, so the library was quite a buzz. A young lady was at the computer with a number of the residence and had set up email accounts for them and was reading them their mail. Of course this generated conversation and the like. While she CHEERFULLY engaged the few she had wheeled in to do this with, her mom was sitting there, a little stressed, her mom is a resident there also. I'm not sure what the health issue is, but this little girl (maybe 14, she looked more like 12) would go over and calm her mom down, and assure her things were o.k. and try desperately to engage her in the group. My heart broke in a million pieces. When this sweet little thing completed her volunteering with others, she collected her mom and put her in a comfy chair as she completed responses for these residences to those that wrote them. Every other moment she snuggled her up. Of course by now, I'm full blown balling, I had to leave the room, and my mom and I sat out in the main street area and continued our "perfect library" quest. By the time I had calmed down the mom and her sweet little daughter had completed their tasks and the daughter wheeled her mom back to her area for dinner. That's what LOVE is. I'll use Robert Munsch's words to let thing ring true for all...

“I’ll love you forever,
I’ll like you for always,
as long as I’m living
my mommy you'll be.

While I found the Muncsh book a little creepy, I do love this part of it.

Wee bit o Wednesday... on Saturday

2011-07-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

can't remember where this meme is, but thank you for the clip art.

I'm a faithful blog reader, even if I don't get a chance to do it everyday. I enjoy knowing what everyone is up to. So this morning Saturday, I got up early, (I have a nest of baby birds outside my window, and they sure do get up early and make a lot of noise) so I thought I'd hop around. I read Marissa's blog, (love watching her little guy grow) Marissa is probably the first paper artist I ever met, love doing her star book and she certainly turned me on to many other ideas. Anyway, MDW did this little meme on Wednesday, hosted by Alyssa . It's called Wee bit o' Wednesday, but since I'm Irene come lately... I'll say a Wee bit about me... My sister will say it's an extremely negative view... que sera sera... {one} what’s the #1 most played song on your iPod (or whatever you use)?

I don't listen to music much, but if I had to choose I'd probably have quite a mixture, I actually like Hoobastank {two} what’s your favorite type of exercise?I really hate exercise... but if I have to, I'd walk, a fair amount, probably 5-6 kilometers a day, haven't lost an ounce, just eat everything in sight when I get home and then I bake a cake.

{three} what’s your least favorite mode of transportation?I generally travel by public transit, so hate it or love it, I have no choices here, I would have to say I dislike travelling with nervous drivers.

{four} if you could choose to stay a certain age forever, what would it be?35 - That's when I had my second child and I had a lot more energy than I do now, that's what I miss the energy.

{five} when you have 30 minutes of free time, what do you use it to do?Reading...or blogging....

{six} what do you miss the most about being a kid?I miss being naive, (more than I am now)
(Thanks Alyce)

{seven} when was the last time you were nervous?nervous Nelly, that's me... always something to be nervous about, but specifically, well I would have to say the last election, I'm that person who inputs the #s that you see scrolling on the bottom of the TV screen, (terrified of a judicial recount) no reason, I do a darn good job.

{eight} what was the first thing you bought with your own money when you were young?I don't really remember anything in particular, but I do remember and still own my first antique, it was a Nippon tea cup, it was .10 no saucer bought that a year ago (48years later) and I also bought an "OLD" wicker chair, my sister Barb helped me carry it home for $3. we could never do that now, she'd need a new shoulder and I'd need a new hip

{nine} what is your favorite month of the year?June, love the onset of summer vacation, even if my boys are big and don't have it off anymore.

{ten} what are 3 songs from the soundtrack of your life?

This is going to be weird, from my childhood I'd have to say que sera sera...

from my teen years

for those inbetween years

for my almost golden years.
GREAT questions, Alyssa! Thank you so much!

I apologize to the blogger who does the "a bit about me(me) I can't seem to remember where you are, if anyone does please let me know) and now it's Saturday, laundry and other stuff happening here, the big question is ..Will there be 30min free to read...?

Friday 56... Before the Rooster

2011-07-15T07:25:00.000-07:00

The Friday 56

Rules:
*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56.
*Find any sentence that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your link to The Friday 56

I didn't think I had ever seen a lovelier morning, or was it that I noticed for the first time? I told myself the ominous sounds in the morning had not really happened and all was well with the world.

But it was not.

This little booklet is a collection of stories about the Second World War, by Miep Verkley. In my adventures at the Library I came across it and brought it home for my husband to read. His nickname is Rooster, he is not a reader, I'm trying hard to make him one. He's read 3 pages this week. I cannot believe it. I think I would have finished it by the time the potatoes came to a boil. This looks like a self-published book.
Enjoy your Friday.

I dedicate this post to my Dad, Andrew, I don't think I ever saw him sit and read, but he most certainly could have told some of these stories. It's 33 years today that he passed away.

Bedtime Story...

2011-07-14T07:01:00.000-07:00

I think one of the things I miss most about my boys growing up is just that, the Bedtime Story. Some evening when I'd read to them I'd be so exhausted that I couldn't wait to get the story over with. If I could turn back time boy...Much like many moms today, I was tired when my kids were little, they were very active and I along with them. My husband always seemed to work, or sleep, coming off night-shift, and care and entertaining my boys always felt like it was my job. Now that may not have been so, I'm sure my husband took part in some of the raising of the children, but largely the bedtime routine was my doing. By bedtime he would have left for work, he worked 5p.m. to 4 a.m. for seven years while they were little, I preferred to have him home when they were awake and actually knew he was there. Anyway this was the one thing in this book that I thought was wonderful, the fact that the DAD of this family did the bedtime routine while the mom worked. It's such an important routine, I've raised two readers and they have a mom who reads, and you get to snuggle them a little longer ... If I could give advice to new moms it would be to slow down, eventually you do get some sleep, the kids might be 45 years old before you do, but it does happen, and as one smart person said to me,once, he didn't want to sleep 1/2 his life away.

About the book...

Christopher Knox has been struggling to complete his second novel for nearly a decade, and his family is falling apart. He’s moved into the garage and is able to connect with his son, David, only when he reads him his nightly bedtime story. For his birthday, Christopher buys David a one-of-a-kind copy of To the Four Directions by forgotten fantasy author Lazarus Took. David doesn’t normally enjoy reading, but quickly becomes obsessed with the adventures of the book’s young hero, “Dafyd.”
While reading an especially thrilling passage, David has a seizure. He falls into a coma, but finds he’s trapped inside the novel, forced to live out the hero’s quest. After discovering that reading to David from To the Four Directions staves off further seizures, Christopher is driven to learn the origin of the mysterious book, hoping to understand the nature of his son’s illness.

My thoughts: Immediately request this book from your library and READ IT!

Support Your Local Library
Where are You Reading - Oregon
Chunckster Challenge 483 pgs.(fourth book)

For Today...

2011-07-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

~FOR TODAY~

Outside My Window...

It's sunny and VERY Hot

I am thinking...
Where the H... does time go?

I am thankful for...

I would be thankful for a little rain, but I'm happy about the sunshine.

the learning rooms...

Always sand in the direction of the wood, my helper didn't so today It will be a challenge to correct that

From the kitchen...
supper will have to be sitting around waiting, don't know when anyone is coming home.

I am wearing...

painting clothes

I am creating...

no creating this week, too much cleaning

I am going...

to do my best to finish in my son's room, while my door is drying

I am reading...
Bedtime Story, Robert J. Wiersema
still reading this one, it's VERY good but long.

On my mind...

my mom, she's not feeling well

Around the house...
everyone is off to work, I think they may not want to help me around here, work is so much easier.

One of my favorite things...

cake

I made an interesting cake this past weekend, it's one of those embelished cake mix things.

3cups chopped rhubarb    1 small strawberry jello
3/4 cup white sugar ( I think next time I will try to reduce this amount)
1 1/2 cups water                                              1 white cake mix
one bag miniture marshmallows.

Bring rhubarb, sugar and water to a boil. Add jello and set aside. Grease a 9 x 12 inch cake pan and cover the bottom with marshmallows. Prepare cake mix according to package directions. Cover marshmallows with cake batter. Pour rhubarb mixture over the top. (it will look really runny, and you'll think the pan is going to overflow) Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes (keep checking, my was ready sooner) or until cake is lightly browned. Serve with vanilla ice cream.

This is a fun cake to watch develop. You'll think the rhubarb will be on top and the marshmallows will burn but it doesn't. When you cut it flip it over and serve with a scoop of ice cream. I served it to some weight watchers with lemon sherbet, (imagine eating all those calories and then worrying about the ice cream.)

Didn't take a picture of this one, it was gone too quickly.

next cake adventure... The Pioneer Woman's Pig Cake.

Mailbox Monday...

2011-07-11T04:32:00.000-07:00

Since it’s Monday, it’s time to take a peek in my mailbox! Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of A Girl and Her Books and is being hosted by Gwendolyn of A Sea of Books this month.

I don't get a lot of books in the mail. I'm really trying to read off my shelf and support my local library (not enough house). However, I got a wonderful surprise one day when I came home, there was a package on my counter a blogging friend dropped off: Shonna from Canadian Bookworm reviewed the Two Babushkas, some time back and it piqued my interest, she was kind enough to share it with me. I currently reading one of Shonna's other recommendations so I haven't started this one yet, but soon.

Beyond that my mailbox is still recovering from our postal strike. thank You Shonna.