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!

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 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.

Thoughts for Thursday

Several "Thoughts for Thursday." Something for everyone...

Recipes I want to try:

Chocolate Gravy at Boo Mama's--I haven't had this in years.

Potato Leek Soup courtesy of Father John Zuhlsdorf

Blackberry Wine Cake from Lisa at It's the Little Things

Next Christmas I want to try Mommy's Martini's Christmas Cake


Homeschool Thoughts:

Taking Photos of Snowflakes at Pondered In My Heart

Pacifying the Beast at Life Without School.

Not just for homeschoolers, but for all parents--How Can We Encourage Reading Aloud? Jen Robinson has a great post.

Poiema reminded me about String Art! Looks fun.

Jena at yarns of the heart answers some questions, really good questions, about homeschooling.


Politics and/or Religion Thoughts:


Obama's Little Blue Book--didn't Chairman Mao have something similar???? Seen first at Michelle Malkin, but for only$5.95 on Amazon. I. Kid. You. Not. Gift wrap available.

Global Taxes??? I don't even like national ones. Yikes!

From Barbara at Mommy Life--Criticism in the pews. "While I was prepared to keep an open mind about Obama, my definition of open-mindedness does not include letting my brains fall out as so many previously self-identified conservatives seem to have done...

Why not a big party on the lawn? asks the The Raving Theist (who, for the record, used to be The Raving Atheist).

What the FOCA?--learn what FOCA is really going to do for you. Courtesy of Jean at Catholic Fire.

“We consider right of conscience to be the biggest issue we face," said Dr. David Stevens, executive director of the Christian Medical Association. "If we lose this one, soon there will be no Christian health care personnel debating the other ethical issues like cloning or physician-assisted suicide.”Planned Parenthood: "pro-choice" for abortion, "no choice" for doctors from ProLife Blogs.com

"What have they got to be worried about?" asks The American Thinker.

What are you thinking about this day?

If you have something you would like me to add to my Thursday links, feel free to e-mail me at ourjoyfuldays at gmail dot com

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Somewhere along while back when we began homeschooling, I got the mistaken notion that the Patricia MacLachlan series starting with Sarah, Plain and Tall was for little girls. I am happy to report that I was wrong.

The Sarah, Plain and Tall series is for boys and girls and grown-ups, too. I loved every one. And to my delight, both of my boys really enjoyed the story of Sarah, who comes to live with Jacob Witting and his children on the plains of Kansas.

I have been planning on writing a review of the books and movies. Don't know what took me so long, but I finally did get around to sharing. I'm sure everyone knows about them already, but I love them so much, I'm going to share anyway.

We have read them as read alouds and as readers. The boys have read them individually and I have reread them more than once. The series includes: Sarah, Plain and Tall, Skylark, Caleb's Story, More Perfect than the Moon, and Grandfather's Dance.

Jacob Witting is a farmer in the late 19th century and has lost his young wife when she gave birth to his son Caleb. Busy with his farm and raising Caleb and Anna his daughter, Witting has little time for any fun or merriment.

One day he realizes the children need a woman and he places an ad for a wife in a newspaper.

Sarah Wheaton from New England answers his ad and travels by train to meet the motherless family. She brings her cat Seal and stories of a land where water is as endless as the prairie.

MacLachlan uses simple and few well selected words. The volumes are slim, but every sentence is packed to overflowing with content. While the stories are definitely prose they sing in the heart like poetry.

The first two volumes are told from the perspective of Anna, the oldest daughter. The third is told from Caleb's view and and number four and five from Cassie's view.

The books are listed as readers for Grades 3-5 and that is definitely appropriate, but younger children will enjoy them as read alouds. Parents will love the stories too.

New characters join beloved characters as the story unfolds and the family grows. The story of Sarah Wheaton and Jacob Witting is a lesson in history, a lesson in growing, a lesson in living and a lesson in love.

There are three beautifully done Hallmark movies with Glenn Close as Sarah and Christopher Walken as Jacob Witting. MacLachlan was involved in the scripting of the series of films and they are true to the books.

I think the simpleness of her writing allowed the movies to be all the more wonderful. They were exactly as I had imagined them as we were reading.

The movies are family fare, no bad language or questionable scenes. If you loved Little House and Caddie Woodlawn you will love Sarah, Plain and Tall.

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer

The Dragon in the Sock Drawer by Kate Klimo

Eight year-old Boo read the Dragon in the Sock Drawer and was really pleased with it. He was tickled that I decided to see what all of the fun was about and read it myself.

This is an incredibly cute book about cousins, Jesse and Daisy, whose dream it has always been to share a magical adventure. When Jesse happens upon a special thunderegg the fun and magic begins.

The thunderegg soon hatches and reveals a very precocious young dragon the cousins name Emerald--Emmy for short. But someone is following, someone is trying to take Emmy away from the new dragon keepers.

As always the children in the story keep secrets from adults, much of the mayhem may have been prevented if they clued Daisy's dad in from the beginning...but come on...what adult is really going to believe that this lizard looking creature is really a dragon from the "Time Before"?

The book is listed as reader for ages 9-12. I would definitely recommend it as a read aloud for younger children who like a good adventure with dragons and a bad guy thrown in to keep the young heroes hopping.

The Tombs of Atuan

The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula Le Guin

The Tombs of Atuan is the second book in the Earthsea cycle. I finsihed the first,A Wizard of Earthsea during the Fall into Reading 2009 Challenge. It ended up being a little treasure.

Having connected to the character, Ged, in the first story, I was a bit put off that Tombs began with a little girl, related in no way to Ged. I admit to taking a very slow approach to reading the book in the beginning. But once I allowed myself to settle in I became as attached to Tenar (the little girl) as I had been to Ged.

Le Guin's stories place an importance on names, geography, upbringing, and cultural traditions. Tenar is taken away from her family at six to the Tombs of Atuan to be the High Priestess of the Nameless Ones. She is stripped of her name and finally her memories. She lives the life of the Priestess, a life that everyone believes existed in the Priestess before her, and the one before her.

Tenar becomes Arha, The Eaten One...

It is almost halfway through the book before we see Ged enter the story. Ged has come to find the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. He also finds, and is found by Arha. He becomes her prisoner, but in doing so helps her regain her memories.

The Tombs of Atuan is as dark as the name suggests. There is so much that Le Guin could have written, so much detail that was left out it seems. But I think in giving the bare bones of the story Le Guin allows the reader to move forward and not become bogged in history that may or may not be of interest. At only 146 pages this books is small, but packs a big punch.

I'll be following up with the third book, The Farthest Shore, soon.

At first I thought there were only three books in this series. But there are more in the Earthsea collection. I kept finding conflicting information and was stumbling around trying to see what the order was, and finally had the brilliant idea to see if Le Guin, herself listed them on her website. What do you know? She did; citing her publisher had put them out of order. The books from Earthsea are: A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, The Other Wind.

The Tombs of Atuan was a book on my Winter Reading Challenge List.

Robin of My Two Blessings is hostessing the Winter Reading Challenge.

What's On Your Nightstand--January

Five Minutes for Books offers the monthly meme--What's On Your Nightstand. I thought that would be a nice one to join. So here's my "nightstand" also known as "scattered around the messy house:"

The Restless Sea (The Morland Dynasty Book 27) by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles. This series is fabulous, thirty books deep so far, covering the history of England. I've learned so much and enjoyed it all the way.

When Mothers Pray by Cheri Fuller. Can you ever pray to much for your children? I don't think so. I've enjoyed re-reading this book. My husband gave this to me when the boys were tiny; I think it's meant more for me this time.

Grim Tuesday (The Keys to the Kingdom Book 2) by Garth Nix. I read Mr. Monday for the Fall into Reading Challenge 2008. I didn't think I would go back for more at the time, but Roo, my oldest has really gotten into the series and I want to be aware of what he is reading. This is in his words, "a bit gratuitous" in the weirdness, but hard to put down, nonetheless.

It's Not the Same without You by Mitch Finley. This was a "stumble on" from the library. As a Catholic returning to the Church after a long absence, I've been blessed by every page.

The Last of the Mohicans is sitting there...it's not reading itself, either. I'm having a hard time getting into that. I think it will be the last one I read for the Winter Reading Challenge.

I have been starting my mornings with prayer and reading before I start the computer and it has been a blessing. Morning readings are from:

Abide in My Word
St. Joseph's Daily Prayer Book
But Who Do You Say I Am? by Bishop John A. Marshall
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers

I am participating in the Winter Reading Challenge and the Chunkster Challenge 2009. They are overlapping, so I hope I can finish.

What's on your nightstand?

Pumpkin Cake

Cake:
1 Duncan Hines Spice cake mix
1 1/4 cup pumkin pie mix (the kind that is already seasoned)
3 large eggs
1/3 cup oil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix cake mix, eggs, pumpkin and oil. Pour into a lightly greased 9x13 pan or baking dish. Bake for 30-40 minutes.

Frosting:
1 container Duncan Hines Butter Cream Frosting
1 pkg cream cheese (softened)
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons butter
cinnamon to taste

Mix frosting and cream cheese, add sugar and butter. Mix in cinnamon to taste. Frost cooled cake.

Simple Chili

1 lg (29 oz) can of Crushed Tomatoes
1 lg (20 oz) can Bush's Mild Chili beans
1 sm (16 oz) can Bush's Medium Chili beans
1/2 lb ground turkey
1/2 lb chili ground hamburger
chili powder
garlic powder
dehydrated onions

Brown burger, seasoning with chili powder, garlic powder and dried onions to taste. In crockpot add tomatoes, beans and cooked burger. Stir and add addtional seasoning if desired.

Top with shredded cheese, sour cream or crackers. Serve with cornbread.

Mor-book-ly Obese

I tried really hard not to join another challenge, but with categories like: The Chubby Chunkster, Do These Books Make My Butt Look Fat?, Mor-book-ly Obese and Too Big To Ignore Anymore, I couldn't resist.

Think Pink Dana Feelin' Chunky is hostessing theChunkster Challenge 2009.

I wanted to go for the Do These Books Make My Butt Look Fat? ("this option is for the slightly heavier reader who wants to commit to 3-5 Chunksters over the next ten months") just because it was so funny to say, but I'm going to shoot for the Mor-book-ly Obese (This is for the truly out of control chunkster. For this level of challenge you must commit to 6 or more chunksters OR three tomes of 750 pages or more. You know you want to.....go on and give in to your cravings) because I want to get these books finished this year!!

The White Road by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (The Morland Dynasty)

The Burning Roses by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles (The Morland Dynasty)

"...And Ladies of the Club" by Helen Hooven Santemeyer (also on the Winter Reading Challenge 2009)

Voyager by Diana Gabaldon (also on the Winter Reading Challenge 2009)

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

The challenge runs February 1st to November 15th, 2009. Rules and details are easy to live with. I'm in!

Thoughts for Thursday

From silly to serious, five links to make you think or inspire your creativity or just for a good read. Click!

Why Blog? asks Elizabeth, In the Heart of My Home.

When Will I Ever Need This Math? at Homeschool Math Blog.

Cute hair bows at Joy's Hope.

AMC Movie Coupon at Happy Hearts at Home.

The Curt Jester on Change.

Shelves Around the House

Still winter here.
We still need some cheer.
Even books can use company.

I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot

I Am Mordred: A Tale from Camelot by Nancy Springer

I Am Mordred is a young adult fiction I chose for the Winter Reading Challenge. Originally my thought was to read I Am Morgan le Fay, also by Nancy Springer, but found that Mordred was released first, so chose to read them in order.

To be honest, as an Arthurian fan the Morgan le Fay book really caught my fancy since I loved Mists of Avalon and other Arthurian that include the women in the story. So I started Mordred with low expectations.

At 184 pages, it is definitely not a challenging read for an avid adult reader, Springer's writing is definitely directed to a younger audience, although her imagery is really lovely. But that said, I was hooked from the first sentence: "WHEN I WAS A BABY, MY FATHER TRIED TO KILL ME." Alrighty, then...we're headed at the story from a decidedly nontraditional angle.

Springer sets a well paced story that will keep a reader returning. Her portrait of Mordred, always a villain, will allow a reader to see first, not an angry vicious young man; but a child with a need to be loved, surrounded by a cast of characters trying to control their fates.

Definitely recommended for an older child (my rating would be 5th and above, possibly older for a sensitive reader). Teen/young adult readers with a passion for all things Arthurian will enjoy.

Robin of My Two Blessings is hostessing the Winter Reading Challenge.

Thoughts for Thursday

Unplugging the Microwave--Pastor Al talks about prayer in an instant society.

Lisa at House of Many Blessings shares a reminder for homeschoolers.

Should we practice Comparing Our Crosses? Kate Wicker at Momopoly offers insight.

Who will stop you from getting to heaven? Orthodox Father John Brian.H/t to Kyrie, Eleison!


Just for beauty and fun...Have you been to Lisa's Chaos? Her photos are breathtaking. A mini-vacation with just a click. Particular favorites: My Winter Friends, Northern Cardinals, Lions and Tigers and Badgers, oh my! I get in trouble when I check out the archives.

Click, click click!!