Thursday, February 19, 2009

Thoughts for Thursday


Beauty & Loveliness

Miep Gies who sheltered Anne Frank and her family turned 100. neo-neocon has the story & links.

Recipes

Blueberry Buckle

Fried Tortellini

Art & Crafting

Gorgeous Necklace courtesy of Jewelry and Beading

Journal Pages with Inchies Ingrid Dijkers

The Shabby Nest--I can't pick just one post.

Homeschool & Parenting

Handwriting...Barbara at Mommy Life talks about it and I offered an opinion a while back.

Words being dropped from dictionaries? Faith & Country I'm not surprised, I had a public school girl tell me, "Bible Schmible. Who reads that?"

If I had it to do over I would have delayed vaccination. I am so grateful that my children didn't suffer because of my lack of knowledge. Catholic Fire offers some good links.

Ten New Species of Amphibian Discovered, Paul Ibrahim,Blog

52 Zoos in 52 Weeks!!!! I want to do this! H/t Jennifer's Favorite Links

Politics & Religion

Unborn Child Saved by 12-Year-Old's Popular Pro-Life Presentation LifeSiteNews

Obama orders 17,000 troops to Afghanistan - where are the peaceniks now?
Once a week I recommend some links. Everyday Barbara at Mommy Life offers great links on parenting and current events that are helpful to parents. Visit her!

Seven States Have Launched Efforts for Personhood Rights for Pre-born - More Expected
LifeSiteNews

It was okay to compare Bush to a chimp, but not the big O. Paul Ibrahim, Blog

Monday, February 16, 2009

Memememememe.....

I'm slowly catching up with some blogging blessings and blogging fun that have come my way.

lilly at Reading Extravaganza has tagged me for a meme:

The rules for the tag are simple.Link to the person who has tagged you.Write down six things that make you happy.Post the rules, tag six others and let them know you did it. Then tell the person when your entry is complete.

Six things that make me happy? Only six? Let's make it six things that make me happy with a book. 'K??

1) Books that capture my fancy within the first paragraph.

2) Characters that are so real I dream about them.

3) A book so rich I want to read it again.

4) Books with sequels that are already out so I don't have to wait two years for the next installment

5) New books (or previously undiscovered books) by a beloved author.

6) When I find a book on my list at the Half Price Book Store for $2 or less.

I will tag:
Barbara
Carrie
Mrs. Pogle
Esther
gemma

AND YOU!! If you haven't played it is always fun to think of things that make you happy.

You don't have to make yours about books--just things that make you happy. Make it fit you! Play only if you want & have time.


Barbara at Stray Thoughts also tagged me for The Bookshelf Meme

Tell me about the book that’s been on your shelves the longest... That's kind of hard to say because I have so many books. My father's copy of The Robe and The Silver Chalice are on my shelves. He knows that. We talked about them the last time he was here. There are a couple children's books called The Summerfolk and another called All Horses Go to Heaven (that's what it's called--not a theological opinion). They've been part of my personal library for forever.

Tell me about a book that reminds you of something specific in your life (i.e. a person, a place, a time, etc.)... Marguerite Henry and Walter Farley both wrote about horses. When I was growing up, I was as horse crazy as they come. I remember repeatedly, we are talking over and over and over, checking their books out from the library. I recently read Misty of Chincoteague with Boo and it took me back to the huge old library where I remember some of my happiest times. Walter Farley wrote The Black Stallion series; Marguerite Henry wrote about 40 different stories about horses; Misty had foals and they got stories, but it was from reading her books and Farley's that I traveled to other countries, rode on the backs of unrideable horses, cleaned stalls, groomed coats, picked hooves, drove carts and so many other horse experiences. I can still smell the horses and hay...

Tell me about a book you acquired in some interesting way (gift, serendipity, in a used bookstore, prize, etc.)...
"...And Ladies of the Club.." by Helen Hooven Santemeyer is one of my all time favorite books. I first read it over thirteen years ago. Somewhere along the line I lost my first copy. I kept thinking..."Well, you already read it more than once. Why do you need to have it?" I wanted to read it again. And again. About two years ago I found a copy at a garage sale and since then have found a couple extra copies that I've been able to share with friends. At over 1000 pages it is a mountain of a book, but full of American history and memorable women.

Tell me about the most recent addition to your shelves... I picked up an old, old collection of Oscar Wilde's stories for $3 at (you guessed it) The Half Price Bookstore. It has The Picture of Dorian Gray, a story I've been meaning to read for a long time.

Tell me about a book that has been with you the most places... All of those books mentioned in the first question have followed me where ever I've gone. You can ask my family and friends--I don't travel light. My books go with me.

Tell me about a bonus book that doesn’t fit any of the above questions...Oh, I can't write about just one!! But maybe a set will do. I have my mother's collection of "Amish" books; some by Beverly Lewis and some by Wanda E. Brunstetter. They are good books that are refreshing to read.

The Rules
1. Tag 3-5 people, so the fun keeps going!
2. Leave a comment at the original post at A Striped Armchair, so that Eva can collect everyone’s answers.
3. If you leave a comment and link back to Eva as the meme’s creator, she will enter you in a book giveaway contest! She has a whole shelf devoted to giveaway books that you’ll be able to choose from, or a bookmooch point if you prefer.
4. Remember that this is all about enjoying books as physical objects, so feel free to describe the exact book you’re talking about, down to that warping from being dropped in the bath water…
5. Make the meme more fun with visuals! Covers of the specific edition you’re talking about, photos of your bookshelves, etc.


I took long enough on getting these out that I'm not posting visuals.

I will tag:

Kim
lilly
Renee

Only if you have time and want to play!

Whew!! That was some mememememeing...

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Daniel's Den

Daniel's Den by Brandt Dodson



Edited to ad the book giveaway is closed. Judy of Apron Strings and Other Ties that Bind is the winner. Congratulations!!

Glass Road Public Relations sent me Daniel's Den for review at the end of last week. From press releases:

In this fast–paced thriller Daniel Borden, a young government accountant learns to trust God when his life begins to fall apart and unseen enemies pursue him with relentless zeal.

Borden is a thirty–year–old government accountant who lives a quiet life and plays by the rules. But when events transpire that shatter his orderly world and a team of assassins mark him for death, Daniel must flee for his life.

Laura Traynor had the perfect life until her husband's early death to cancer left her with a barely profitable bed-and-breakfast, a mountain of debt, and a young son to raise alone. Now she fights each day to stay afloat and to repel the man who keeps coming by and offering to purchase her place. Something about him doesn't quite seem right...

As they try to unravel the mystery that confronts them, they discover how tenuous life can be and how their very existence depends on the God who will never abandon them.

A perfect suspense tale for readers who love Dee Henderson, James Scott Bell, Brandilyn Collins, and James Patterson.




Dodson's attention to detail and descriptive style draw a reader into the scene quickly. His writing is fast-paced and moves you quickly from character to character.

Both Laura and Daniel have had great losses and lean years throughout their lives. They each reached a place where they thought they had it all. But will they have enough faith to carry them through danger, trials and a common enemy? Where is God in the midst of all this and will they find Him?

I was supposed to receive two copies of Daniel's Den, one for me and one for a giveaway but only received one. I'm offering the one I have for a giveaway. I'm posting the reveiw on my Joyful Days blog also. Leave a comment on either post to enter the giveaway.

I will announce the winner Friday morning, February 20th.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Thoughts for Thursday

Send a Red Envelope to our president. Let him know we care about all innocent lives.

Recipes

Triple Decker Quesadilla courtesy of Kraft Food & Family--check them out!

Melanzane alla parmigiana Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

For Fun

Valentines Day quotes from Barbara at Stray Thoughts.

Valentines Day Fun at Praying for Grace.

Do you want to read the Star Wars saga? Check out the list of all the novels or the complete list of books (the Wookiepedia). Who knew?

Homeschooling

Things about Lincoln
from Catholic Fire.

Surviving Winter at SmallWorld.

Bat Moms at These Things.

Make your own Waldorf Doll courtesy of Happy Hearts at Home
.
UN would take away parental rights at True Confessions of a Prodigal Daughter.

Al Gore says kids should not listen to their parents. H/t John Lott.

Around the World and Next Door

We're all socialists now - Newsweek makes it official courtesy of Barbara at Mommy Life (who I pray keeps posting the way she has been!)

“The cult of Moloch lives on today” California Catholic Daily

Senator Barbara Boxer wants to hand power over U.S. sovereignty to the United Nations at Stop the ACLU.

Nurse was suspended for offering to pray, but reinstated. First story found at Catholic Fire, second LifeSiteNews.

Resolutions of Independence in 10 States? Check out td blog.

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about bookmarks…

What do you use to mark your place while reading? Do you have a definite preference? Do you use bookmarks, paper, or (gasp) turn down the pages? If you use bookmarks, do you have a favourite one?

I actually have a bookmark collection! One of my hobbies is paper-crafting and I have participated in several swaps and so I've got a few really nice bookmarks. I also have a few prayer cards and little pieces of ribbons that I use.

I do have a couple favorites. I have a matching pair someone else made. They have rubber stamped images on black cardstock, a smooth ribbon at the top and a bead with a little weight to hang down over. They seem to stay put really well.

My poor children live with a picky mom. I do not like bending down pages or worse yet laying a book open face down--it breaks the spine!! For their books for school I use little post-it tabs that are really cheap at Wally-World. I will mark a weeks worth of reading that way and there is no chance of a bookmark falling out and a page getting missed.

Musing Mondays is at Just One More Page. Check out what others are musing about!

Friday, February 6, 2009

Thoughts for Thursday

Well it's Friday, but there are still links to share. Thursday just didn't seem to cooperate with blogging...


Recipes:

Lemon Drizzle Cake looks fabulous at Dragonfly.

Lovely Linds makes a lovely Carrot Cake!

Michelle at Scribbit always has wonderful recipes. The Cinnamon Dumplings with Apple Cider Syrup really caught my fancy.


Crafts:

I want to make and use beads like these at Art Bead Scene!


Lovely thoughts:

Have you met "MA"? She's a blogger that will make you smile. She has two lovely blogs--What's New at My House and On the Bright Side. She is a cup of sunshine everyday.

Offbeat Modest Dress has a series about dressing in a stylish manner while remaining modest. I love this series. Wish I had a little more to spend.

Lisa's Chaos--A visit to her site is a small vacation. Her photography is phenomenal!


Homeschool:

TangleDoodle Art, what a neat idea for Art Class--at Semicolon.


Of Interest:


Just how much money is $825 billion? from Soutenus.

Will the Post Office quit delivering on Tuesdays? via Paul Ibrahim on Blog.


Politics and Religion (the things we're not supposed to talk about if we want to be popular):

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill is Enthroned. And his remarks on the joyous occasion.

Translating "Liberal Speak" from Barbara at Mommy Life.

Monday, February 2, 2009

Monday Musings

"Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about book stores…

How do you choose what do buy from your local bookstore? Do you have a list, or just browse? What is the selection in your book store like? Do you find what you're looking for? Do you feel pressured to buy the kind of books the store makes prominent? (question courtesy of MizB)"


I decided to take a stab at Monday's Musings. This one's about one of my favorite passtimes--visiting bookstores!

I've seriously cut back on my purchases from bookstores and plan to try to keep my "hobby" in check this year, mostly because there are stacks and stacks overflowing to the floor. But when a "good deal" presents itself, it is hard to walk by.

My favorite bookstore is the Half Price Bookstore and I'm trying to limit my purchases to sale books only--50 cents--$3. I have a huge list of books I want to read (not kidding it is about 10 pages long) and if I see something on my list, I'll grab it. And then if I find something and the cover catches my eye, I can easily convince myself that it was put there just for me.

When I shop regular/new bookstores it is generally with a gift in mind, although about once a month while I am waiting for the boys I will go and inhale as much new booksmell as I possibly can. There again, I have a huge time passing up any sale, whether it is something on my list or not.

I never have a hard time finding "something" to buy. I don't feel "pressured" by the endcaps and displays, but it's the closeout sales that do me in every time.

Visit Just One More Page for more Monday Musings.