2012 TBR Pile Challenge–the Elliana edition

My daughter, Elliana - age 12, is an avid reader.  Her book collection has become quite HUGE over the last several years. In line with My 2012 Book Manifesto, I am encouraging her to read further into her TBR pile rather than wanting new (to her) books to read. I am not going to cut her completely off from book purchases throughout 2012, but I certainly would love it if the majority of her reading was from her TBR pile and the library.  She agrees, and has accepted the TBR Pile Challenge.

Due to her age, I have not officially signed her up on a challenge hosted by another blogger, instead, I am holding her accountable with this post here on Polishing Mud Balls.

Guidelines:  The only rule I set in place for her was that she must already own the book. No restrictions on length of ownership or published date.

Her prize if she accomplishes this goal - a gift card of her choosing to purchase 2 books which will not count towards her book purchase limit for the year.

 

 

Elliana’s 12 Books:

1. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith

2. A Crack in the Sky by Mark Peter Hughes

3.  Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers

4.  The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

5.  Graceling by Kristin Cashore

6.  North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson

7.  A Conspiracy of Kings by Megan Whalen Turner

8. Blackbringer by Laini Taylor

9. Tirissa and the Necklace of Nulidor by Willow

10.  Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

11.  The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle

12.  The Dark is Rising Series by Susan Cooper

Read Aloud Books:  
Books that she wants her and I to read together

1. The Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss

2. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherine M. Valente

~ Her list will be updated throughout the year to indicate when a book has been read ~

Side Note:  I must give Elliana props for accomplishing an amazing goal for 2011.  Congrats to her….she read the entire Bible during 2011.  She completed her reading on December 30, 2011.  Yay!!!!

Please wish Elliana luck in completing her 2012 TBR challenge. But, mostly wish her tons of fun while she reads throughout the coming year.

Bookish Plans for 2012

Books...books...books. I love books - no surprise there.  Several years back, I discovered the book blogging world, and oh my, the world of books opened up to me so much more than I could have dreamed.  With the discovery of the book blogging world, book challenges became a part of my reading life.  Over the last several years, I have learned, I do not complete challenges - for the most part. Why?  I  just cannot abide by a list especially since my reading moods overtake.

The following are my bookish plans for 2012.
For each plan, I will briefly explain my intent.

My 2012 Book Manifesto

Logan at Rememorandom posted about his 2012 Book Manifesto. I like his plan, and it fits well with where I am at in my thoughts on wanting to decrease accumulation into my life. Also, it fits well with where I truly would like to focus my bookish life.

I am going to take Logan’s lead.

My 2012 Book Manifesto.

The following three challenges, bookclub, and other reading will keep in line with my manifesto.

2012 TBR Pile Challenge hosted by Adam at Roof Beam Reader.

I have HUGE TBR pile, and I did not do very good with decreasing said pile during 2011. I am determined to decrease it during 2012. This TBR challenge is the motivation, and the help that I need to hopefully stay focused on my 2012 Book Manifesto.

Adam has set up specific guidelines for this challenge. I like these guidelines because it forces me to choose older books that have been sitting around waiting for some reading love.

For further information and to see my book list for this challenge - please see my 2012 TBR Pile Challenge  page.

Yes, yes....I am signing up for two TBR type challenges.  Why?  They have their distinct differences which I think will help me stay motivated to read through my TBR pile rather than the newest book rave of the year.

The 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge is  hosted by several bloggers, and they have come up with a way to keep motivation going throughout the year. At the end of each month one of the hosts will post a wrap-up. Every wrap-up will have it's unique theme, a mini-challenge, a giveaway and place for you to link up your reviews from this month. For each review you link up, you will get one entry in a drawing of one book of choice from Book Depository. It's open to INTERNATIONALS. For participating in the mini-challenge you will get +1 entry.

This Challenge is Hosted by:
Evie from Bookish - @SeoEvie
Nicole from All I Ever Read - @Nicoleabouttown
Bonnie from Hands and Home – @HandsHomeBlog
Donna from Book Passion For Life - @BookPforLife
Caitlin from WatchYA Reading – @caitlingss
Rie from Mission To Read - @missiontoread
Vicky from Books, Biscuits & Tea - @alouetteuette
Christa from Hooked On Books - @ChristasBooks
Jenna from Fans Of Fiction - @fansoffiction
Angel from Mermaids Vision - @mermaidvisions

For further information and  to see which level I chose for this challenge as well as my book list - please see my 2012 TBR PILE Reading Challenge page.

A Classics Challenge is hosted by November’s Autumn.
Not only do I want 2012 to be the year I concentrate on my TBR pile of books, I also want to read more classics than I did during 2011.  Besides, this one looks fun as November’s Autumn has added a neat twist.

For further information and to see my classics reading list - please see my A Classics Challenges page.

Reading To Know Bookclub
I do love bookclubs, and I do enjoy reading Carrie’s blog - Reading to Know.  When I saw her post for a bookclub, I was intrigued.  I looked over the list of books, and thought....I am interested...this should be fun and a challenge.  Beyond that, I do not feel any pressure to read every book.

Here is a bit about the bookclub:
I asked a handful of other bloggers that I know fairly well to each take a month next year and choose a book for the rest of us to read together. These other bloggers will host the bookclub discussion each month here at Reading to Know.
Again, each month we'll read and talk about their selected choice! Each individual will lead the discussion but the common meeting ground for the group will be here.

The Books:
January - Beyond Opinion by Ravi Zacharias.
February - Running Away to Home by Jennifer Wilson
March - The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan
April - Any title by P.G. Wodehouse of your choosing
May - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
June - A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton Porter
July - Any book in the Chronicles of Narnia series (as part of the Chronicles of Narnia Reading Challenge hosted annually at Reading to Know)
August - The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making, by Catherynne M. Valente
September - Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage
October - Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe
November - Jewel of Persia by Roseanna White
December - A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens

For further information and to join up - please see Reading To Know Bookclub.

Beyond all that I have listed, I do plan on participating in group reads that come my way that gain my interest. I also will continue with my Wheel of Time buddy read that I have going with Suey at It’s All About Books.  There are also smaller challenges that occur throughout the year that I may join.

I should not forget to mention - I will be reading something in regards to the Bible. Either, reading through the Bible using some sort of plan, OR reading through Charles Swindoll’s Great Lives series.

Whew! This is all enough for me. I am certain some spontaneous books will be thrown in throughout 2012.

Happy Reading to you all during 2012!

Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber

"The heart must make choices."  p.293

Darker Still
Magic Most Foul, book one 
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Copyright: 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Format: paperback
Pages: 317
Source: library

Back cover: New York City, 1882. Seventeen-year-old Natalie Stewart's latest obsession is a painting of the handsome British Lord Denbury. Something in his striking blue eyes calls to her. As his incredibly life-like gaze seems to follow her, Natalie gets the uneasy feeling that details of the painting keep changing...

Jonathan Denbury's soul is trapped in the gilded painting by dark magic while his possessed body commits unspeakable crimes in the city slums. He must lure Natalie into the painting, for only together can they reverse the curse and free his damaged soul.

First Sentence:
 Sister Theresa handed me this farewell gift with such relief that it might as well have been a key to her shackles.

My Thoughts:  I really enjoyed my reading of Darker Still.   It was a fantastic blend of finding one's place in the world along with paranormal elements, and sleuthing.  The pacing was suitable for the tale, although, there were moments that I read quicker just because it was slightly dull, but those moments were very few.  Mostly, from page to page, I felt intrigue with what was going on, and how it would all turn out.

I absolutely adored Natalie -  our heroine with a twist - she was unique, well-grounded, and endearing.  Her interactions with her father, Mrs. Northe, and Lord Denbury fit the mood and flow of the story almost perfectly. Not only did I find her narrative appealing; she gave the story its believability.

What I loved best about this story was truly the eeriness and unique storyline. I really was enthralled by the paranormal events. I was truly captured by the eerie sense felt throughout. Intrigue was maintained.

This is the second book I have read by Hieber, and the second time I have been struck by her writing style. She has a fabulous gift for writing in the Victorian setting while embedding an incredible eerie, mysterious and unique elements through out.  Not only that, the narratives are spot on for maintaining this mood throughout the entire book.  Hieber knows how to stay true to her tone, and pace while bringing unique stories alive. I am definitely going to continue to read books by Leanna Renee Hieber.  Her books do not disappoint.

Bottom Line: If you are in the mood for a unique Victorian, paranormal coming- of-age book, then this book is for you too. Be prepared for an eerie mood that draws you into the heroine's world. Be prepared to walk away with a sense of reading satisfaction. Be prepared to want to read more books by Leanna Renee Hieber.

The Cover: I liked the cover - it was interesting enough to attract my attention. However, I think it portrays Natalie in a far more glamorous light than how she is in the story. Still, it caught my attention and that really is the purpose of book covers, right? right.

The Day After….

~~ Josh Wilson – Jesus is Alive ~~
My favorite Christmas song for the year – 2011.

 

Two packed whirl-wind days has left me exhausted. Those two days seem to take forever to arrive, but go by so very quickly.  Considering the state of my tired mind, I am just going to randomly list out our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

~ Christmas Eve was a working day for me. I was able to go home fours hours early which allowed me to go with Robert to his family’s celebrations.

~ We arrived home, on Christmas Eve, around 9:30 pm.  The kids tucked away in bed by 10:30 pm.  Wrapping of presents commenced around 11-11:30 pm and ended around 3:00 am.  Yes, this is a yearly tradition…late night gift wrapping while listening to Christmas music, and helping Santa polish away his cookie treats.

~ Christmas morning, 8:00 am, blurry eyed I was, but Christmas morning activities must be started.

~ We read The Advent Book straight through – the Christmas Story must be read first before gifts.  Once done reading, presents were opened.  It seems all were satisfied and happy with their bounty.

~ Christmas breakfast was served. A yummy apple french toast was enjoyed.

~ Morning clean-up, resting a bit, looking over our bounty, and cooking were all done before heading off to my brother’s home for some more family fun.

~ Christmas afternoon – evening was spent with my family.  The Varsek clan enjoyed gift giving/receiving, and dinner.  Happy Birthday sung to Jesus; cake, pecanut pie, cheesecake and other goodies devoured. A packed day that found us back at home close to 7:30 pm.

~ Monday, the day after, found us spending time at home – playing, cleaning, going through numerous photos, annoying one another, playing, reading, eating, blogging, eating, and then….back to bed soon.

~ All in all, a good Christmas season this has been.  Our advent journey was good – some hits and misses, and yet again – we read from The Advent Book throughout the season.

~ Food, I must give you a few dishes that I made and turned out quite good.

French Toast Apple Bake – so very yummy, prepared the night before.

Caraway Cabbage and Pasta – this was not the biggest hit, but I like it very well.

Spinach and Feta Casserole with Brown Rice and Parmesan – yum, yum, yum.

~ What did I receive?  Some nice stuff.
To name a few….

iPod Nano (yay!)
The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett (very excited about this book, thanks to Memory’s review)
blender (umm…more for the kids than me, I think)
jammies (can always use more)
shirts and cardigans (definitely needed more)
food storage containers (not boring as it sounds – I love storage containers…yeah, I’m weird that way - my mom and dad know it)
several other things that I like very well.

~ Music….oh where or where was my last Christmas Album of the Week post? Oh, it was in my head, but the busyness of the day(s) made writing the post impossible.  The 4th favorite album was hard to decide – I do own 20+ Christmas albums.  The Choice?

Trans-Siberian Orchestra – Christmas Eve and Other Stories

I do love this album, and it suited this season and  last week very well with its upbeat tracks.

A few more photos for you….. and more to be viewed here, if you so desire.

Merry Christmas! …. the day after.

 

Song (Album) of the Week: Stormy Weather presents… Doo Wop Yule Pop

Oh wow!  One more week left to feature my favorite Christmas albums.  Amazingly, Christmas is almost upon us.  I must admit, Christmas music is what is helping me greatly to maintain the Christmas spirit this year.  Does not music do that for you – help with your mood, uplift your spirits?  Now time for my third favorite Christmas album of 2011….

Stormy Weather presents … Doo Wop Yule Pop was purchased many years ago – 1999, I do believe.  I bought this album on a whim.  I saw it while shopping in a specialty type children toy shop that is now closed.  They were playing the music in the background, and I loved the catchy doo wop sound.  I did not realize that this album would be part of our Christmas music favorites.  It is.  I would say, this is probably the children’s first choice, and it usually is my first choice too when I want to play something fun with the children in mind. No, wait, it is second – Hanson still is the first choice even in this scenario.

I had terrible troubles locating any music featured on this spectacular album – which is still available to purchase, I might add.

I cannot find any links to full length songs.  So, sorry to say, I am linking you up to last.fm where you can sample the album.

Doo Wop Yule Pop

Our favorite songs:

• Doo Wop Yule Pop
• Hardrock, Coco & Joe
• White Christmas
• Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree
• A Yule Tide Aire

Actually, we like them all.  Take a listen to the snippets, and tell me, what do you think of doo wop?

Sunday Post - 'Tis the season to be sick

~ This post was written on Sunday evening ~

Quote of the Week...... And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years. 
- Abraham Lincoln

Outside my window..… it is dark with crispness and chill in the air – 36 degree but feels like 29 degrees.

I am listening to.....  Once Upon A Time – I am not paying attention much knowing that it is being recorded on my dvr.

I am reading..… Anya’s Ghost by Vera Brosgol
Current audiobook..… The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan. I have listened to this book only once this past week. I am wondering, if I skip this book – will I miss much in the series?
Books I've finished…..Darker Still by Leanna Renee Hieber.
Books started.... several I have started. My reading goal is to finish those books by end of this month. Crossing my fingers that this does happen.

I am thinking..… of how people survived back in the 1700's. While a cold is not life threatening, it is extremely inconvenient when it is one that knocks you down. I wonder, how did those in the 1700's manage their life duties when a kicker of a cold hits them? For us, modern day conveniences have allowed us to not worry about needing to cook all day for our dinner - from scratch. The conveniences have helped us wash our clothes in a fraction of the time and far less laborious. Medicine of today helps to minimize some cold symptoms; sometimes. Tissue of today is disposable and softer on the skin. So many things of today has made our lives so much more manageable - how did people of the 1700's do it? What were their tricks? This is how my mind works - often, in many circumstances, I wonder about the lives of those in 1700's especially in comparison to ours of today.

Favorite Things of the week….. online shopping. Not that it is really a favorite, per se, but it certainly beats hoofing it from store to store. Although some store shopping is fun, but only some. My tolerance level for the hustle and bustle is low...generally, shopping is not a favorite activity of mine.

The Challenge…..Yes, another week has gone by with no gain made in my challenge areas. My only defense, truly, is that i have not been feeling well. Once i can breathe easily without going through boxes of puff tissues (lotion enhanced tissues is the ONLY way to go) then I will definitely start tackling the 100 workout. The electronic area of decluttering is being put on hold - I REALLY NEED to go through the toy bins - toss, set aside, and giveaway in preparation for the few new items gained.



Recipes of the week ….. Elizabeth is very much the chef in the family. She cooks frequently, and many times will choose recipes that i would never attempt because they look complicated or off the beaten path. She takes an adventure when cooking and we - her family - are the lucky ones who get to eat her creations. Creations they are...very yummy almost always. This past week, she made several things. Vegetable stir fry with a fabulous sauce. Not the the biggest hit as the sauce is packed with heat, but I thought it was great.

The following were hits, and so very yummy too.

Zucchini quiche – I do not have the recipe right now, but know it was good, and she made her own homemade crust.

Stuffed Zucchini with Vegetable Rice and Cheese – I so love zucchini and this dish is excellent.

Potato Pancakes – she tweaked this a bit. I think she used Jiffy pancake mix instead of flour. These are fabulously tasty.

Golden Breakfast Bruschetta – oh goodness, this is so very scrumptious.

Not only does she cook - she bakes. Evie bakes too but seems to not bake much lately. Elizabeth created a fantastic cake for Robert's 47th birthday. A very yummy six layered cake.

Family Matters..… I am so sick of being sick. Seriously, it has now been two weeks of this pestering cold that is not only disturbing my sleep but it also making my head groggy - sharp I am not these days. Three weeks ago, started this round of illness in the home with Grace hacking all over me every night. Now, she is sick again but with the intestinal yuck stuff, my cold seems to get better then flares up terribly, and now Isaiah, Elliana, and Evie seem to be getting sick too. Ugh! My wish now is that we get this seasonal gunk out of our systems now, and that Christmas day will find us all healthy and joyful.

Beyond the illness yuck, this past Thursday was Elliana's seasonal band program. Elliana sits 1st chair of the trombones in the Concert band which is compromised of all the district's 6th grade band students - many kids, and about 10 play the trombone. She took a test which was in part of how the seats were chosen. El achieves most of all she puts her mind to - an exceller she is. The program itself was lovely - nice to hear the variety of levels - beginner, concert, and symphonic.

Things I Hope to Accomplish.….maybe I need to toss this section aside. It seems I never accomplish what I list here - life gets in the way. Work is on the agenda - two shifts mid- week - I am certain that will be accomplished. :)

Our advent celebrations….. St. Nicholas nights were a hit - the two younger children were fascinated with the concept of St Nicholas, and laying their shoes by the window. A few nights were a bit blah, but then so were some of us - illness does that to you, makes you feel blah. Without the advent calendar and plan in place; I am certain last week's advent focus would not have occurred at all.

Birthday time.....yes, we have just celebrated another birthday, and that would be Robert's. He is now forty- seven years old. Geesh, forty- seven. Wow! One thing, he and I both stated, he is looking old now. Not super old, but older than he has in the past. For many years, he looked much younger than the age the numbers claimed. Now, I do believe, he suits the numbers - in a good way. Elizabeth made him a great meal of potato pancakes, and bruschetta AND a fabulous birthday cake. I gifted him a tv - a need as our old dinosaurs are slowly croaking. A good birthday he had, I do believe, and he agrees.

The Blog Report....

I posted my thoughts for one – Love Begins in Winter by Simon Van Booy.

My month long focus on Christmas albums for my Song of the Week posts continued.
This week, I featured Josh Groban - Noel.  A fantastic album that I listen to every year.

I have a From My Shelves Giveaway -  Troubled Waters. 
Click on the link for details on how you can enter.

Links....

The King's English - daily devotional - The approach looks interesting and a bit refreshing. I downloaded a sample to see how I like it. This is the time of year when I do start thinking about reading my Bible in a year or opting to do focus devotionals. This one may be an option.

Uncage the Soul Productions - Finding Oregon - This is a timelapse video, and very cool viewing it is. I recommend viewing in full screen mode.

Why You Shouldn't ReTweet a Reply - Twitter Wisdom from @UnMarketing - posted by 5 Minutes for Mom.

Of Santa and Jesus posted by a deeper story
A fantastic post that takes a look at the debate of do you do Santa in your home or not?  a deeper story is quickly becoming a blog that I frequent daily.

Wolfsangel by M.D. Lachlan a review posted by the Little Red Reviewer.  I have had my eye on this book for months but hesitated to read it, for whatever reason. Now, after reading this review, I am certain that I will read it.

Photo credits.....me, and Elizabeth

Song (Album) of the Week: Josh Groban–Noel

Christmas music is filling our ears, and oh how I love the sounds. Many Christmas albums are gracing our music shelf, and for the next few weeks, I will be highlighting my favorite four of the collection.  Well, my four favorite for this year - 2011.

No question about it,  after Hanson – Snowed In,  Josh Groban’s Noel is my next beloved Christmas album.   I love his voice, this is no secret.   But, did you know, Noel was my very first Josh Groban album?   Did you also know, it remained my only Groban album for years?    Thankfully, that pitiful state of only owning one Groban album changed. I owe that change to my friend  –  Suey  – because, last year,  she gifted me Groban’s self-titled album. 

That gift plunged me into Groban music love.

Okay, so, yes…I posted Little Drummer Boy last year, but guess what folks…I LOVE THIS SONG! Seriously.  First off, Little Drummer Boy has always been one of my most favorite Christmas songs since I was a young child. THEN, hello….Groban is singing.

What Child Is This?  is probably my second or third favorite Christmas song of all time.  I remember, as a child …young kid, loving this song greatly. I would play Evie Karlsson’s Christmas album, and listen to her version of this song over and over again.  Side note to you all… this singer – Evie – does not pronounce her name the same way as my Evie.  Anyway, I truly do love Groban’s version, but I have a very soft spot for Evie’s version.

The album I would listen to much, and  Evie’s version of What Child is This? that I loved so much.  I sure do wish I had this album to enjoy now, and to share with my children. If I did, I am certain it would rank in my top four Christmas albums.

Onward to more Groban Christmas music love….

So, I love the album, Noel, so much that I could not decide which song to choose as my last song to highlight. Since I was unable to decide, I figure I would share another song I love of Groban’s that we listen to during this season. So what if Believe is not on Noel?  It is featured in one of our favorite Christmas movies – Polar Express.

Listening to Christmas music has helped greatly to put me into the Christmas spirit. Does it have the same kind of effect on you too?

 

Love Begins in Winter by Simon Van Booy

"One's life is nothing more than a string of moments.  Each life is like a string of pearls." p.97

Love Begins in Winter
by: Simon Van Booy
Copyright: 2009
Publisher: Harper Perennial
format: paperback
Pages: 226
Source: own

Goodreads Description: On the verge of giving up anchored to dreams that never came true and to people who have long since disappeared from their lives Van Booy's characters walk the streets of these stark and beautiful stories until chance meetings with strangers force them to face responsibility for lives they thought had continued on without them.

First Sentence:
I wait in the shadows.

My Thoughts:  I am not a big short-story reader. Matter of fact, I tend to not like them much.  Love Begins in Winter made me  reconsider my short-story avoidance.  Truly, Love Begins in Winter captured and mesmerized throughout. A lovely collection of life nuggets told through relationships. 

What impressed me greatly was Van Booy's writing; gifted he is.  The rhythm and flow of the words gave beauty, meaning, and depth to each story as each main character was filled with some sort of longing and loneliness. I was embraced by the simplicity of thought and connection; the difficulties of finding and maintaining.   I was awed by the depth that caused me to ponder throughout. 

Many times, the story ends and I was left scratching my head with "what?"  It was as if I had just finished reading poetry and could not figure out the intended meaning, yet, I felt like meaning was permeating my mind. A meaning for me, and maybe a different one for you.  Sometimes not upbeat, yet, not necessarily melancholy - matter of fact tone captured my reading mind.  Each story touched me in subtle yet powerful ways - beauty was spoken through seemingly simple stories of average lives; life meanings packed into simple snapshots that translates and can descend upon us all.  Each story seemed to be about nothing much, but the opposite is true; life nuggets.

Bottom Line:  I loved Van Booy's storytelling; mesmerizing with rhythmic and beautiful prose.   A very good collection of short stories.

Book Cover:  I like it well. For me, it added to the feeling of each story; they complimented.

Side Note:  The back of the book contained the following sections:  About the author, About the book,  Read On;  insights, interviews and more.  I really liked these sections. A nice touch that did give me insight and entertained.

Note Worthy Quotes: My pen flowed; many quotes were written out onto my notecards. For the post, I could not eliminate so I went with the abundance.

"Grief is a country where it rains and rains but nothing grows."  p.26

"Music is only a mystery to people who want it explained.  Music and love are the same."  p.22

"The strings vibrate when the bow is near, as through anticipating their lover."  p.3

"Solitude and depression are like swimming and drowning." p. 31

"I didn't fall in love with Bruno then.  I had always loved him and we were always together."  p.49

"You can't put a price on the rituals of love, because you never know what will happen next."  p.83

"People's expectations of coupling may be too grand, and thus disappointment, loneliness, and often pain are the inevitable adjuncts of something we thought would be the ultimate answer (an emotional cure-all) to our ongoing fears.  Many people who feel an emotional emptiness when alone for long periods look to marriage the way someone financially poor views winning a jackpot."  p.93

"We perhaps might learn to view those we have special feelings toward as being our companions rather than our saviors, companions on the journey back to childhood.  But there is nothing to find. We must unravel. And in the meantime -- lower our expectations of each other (and ourselves!) in order to 'love' more deeply and more humanly."  p.93

"Age is a plow that unearths the true nature of things.  But only after the moment has passed and we are powerless to change anything, are we granted wisdom.  As though we are living backward."  p.174

"He imagined writing out the story of his life across each length of white.  What words would he choose; would there be things he wrote that weren't true; would there be spaces for things he wished he had done, people he wanted to meet, but who never came?" p.182

Sunday Post on Monday - colds suck, but activities and giveaways are fun….

~ This post was written on Monday morning~

Quote of the Week...... Choosing to be positive and having a grateful attitude is going to determine how you're going to live your life.   -Joel Osteen

Outside my window..… it is cloudy, and 37 degrees but feels like 31 degrees.  It looks like it may rain. All in all, the weather feeds into a blahish mood.  ugh.

I am listening to..... various youtube videos mentioned by follower bloggers such as Jenny at Alternate Readality.  Jenny posted a Muse song on her Sunday Salon post.  Muse is one of my favorite bands. But, Jenny, I must tell ya, this is not one of favorites of theirs, but each to their own.  :)

Sort of along the lines of listening, I read a post by Alita.Reads - Record Collecting for Girls by Courtney E. Smith  An interesting post which caused me to be very curious about Last.fm.  I don’t fully get Last.fm, anyone care to enlighten me?  For the record, I do get Pandora.

I am reading..… This past week, I have not read. Not really. I pick up a book, read a few pages and find my mind is wandering. Thoughts are elsewhere; I am tired, I have been sick,  I sleep.  Hopefully this coming week will be better for reading. I will choose from my books started which is basically any book listed on my blog’s left sidebar.

The bigger issue is this, I loose interest in a book if I am reading it for too long. I am struggling a bit with Return of the King and not for any good reason. Each time I pick it up, interesting story comes my way. Yet, when book is not in hand, my mind does not want to read it. I am forcing myself to pick the book up which is creating an issue for other books that I want to read. I need to finish Return of the King because if I do not, I cannot enjoy the other books. ugh. Not ugh for Return of the King though ….ugh for this silly issue of mine.  Anyone else have any silly reading issues like mine or otherwise?

I Am Thinking..… The Christmas spirit is eluding me. With life as it is these days, I am struggling with focusing my mind on the season as it should. I need to get into the mood - focus on the importance -because I know that if I do not by end of the season, I will kick myself. 

Favorite Things of the week….. Contac cold and flu day caplets - the nighttime ones sent my brain into a fuzzy blur in the morning hours.

The Challenge….. Ugh! Ugh! Ugh!  The challenge from last week was NOT accomplished. I did start, that counts for something, right? right. Sooo... I will still challenge myself to organize my electronic life. PLUS, I am going to start my new workout plan - 100 Workout.  Anyone care to join me?  I am certain that the 100 Workout will kick my butt the first several times, but worth it I am sure it will be.  Here is a twist to the 100 workout - 100/200 Workout Challenge..  And, a nice way to build up to actually starting at 100 for the 100 Workout.

Recipes of the week ….. An unimpressive cooking week. Nothing to share.

Family Matters..…  Over the weekend, Grace spent time with Grandma and her two cousins (SA, and SM).  They went to see a production of The Nutcracker. This is a tradition that Grandma is starting with the girls.  They had a great time, and memories were built.  Isaiah and Elliana visited Reindeer. Robert took them as I was working. This was a huge hit for Isaiah -  very excited as he is not only a big deer kick, but he also is on a big Santa kick - writing multiple letters every week to Santa. Of course, I am writing what he tells me  per staus quo of a line of questioning. His list is small and direct as is Evie’s, Elliana’s, and Ben’s.  I wish I could say the same for Elizabeth and Grace.
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Things I Hope to Accomplish…..  the completion of this last week’s challenge - see above. 

The Blog Report.....
I have a winner for my From My Shelves Giveaway - The Iron Fey series. Congrats goes out to Rachel at Paper Cuts.

I have two new From My Shelves Giveaway - Coming Up for Air  and  Troubled Waters.
Click on the links for details on how you can enter.

I started my month long focus on Christmas albums for my Song of the Week posts.  This week, I featured Hanson - Snowed In.  Love that album! Love it!!

Today, I posted about our Advent Season Celebrations.

Links..…  As I mentioned last week, IJ has been granted an iPad from CASANA.  He will receive a speech/language app, but I know that he will be able to use the iPad for more than speech. I am on the hunt for educational and motivational apps.  So, the following links are for ipad apps that I have come across that may be of some interest, or may not.

Finding Good Apps for Children with Autism I have not gone through these links yet, but I am hopeful that there is something there.

Toco Hair Salon - Christmas Gift - Grace is loving this mindless FREE app

Tap Tap Ants - free app for a limited time.

Other Links of interest....

The Happy Housewife posted about Free Christmas Music on Amazon I downloaded Ava Maria by Celtic Women

Best Buy: Reward Zone iTunes Giftcard Offer -  take 10% off the regular price of iTunes $10 gift card multi-packs

Photo Credits….. My mom (nutcracker), and Robert (reindeer)

Advent Season Celebrations

Advent Season is upon us.  Last year, I made an Advent Calendar.  It was a project that required Jody and I to pull an almost all-nighter, but worth the time it sure was.  Now, we have a great calendar that is versatile and can be used every year.
You too, can make a calendar and it is not too late. Check out my post for details - Advent Calendar: If I can make one then you can too!

This year is getting off to a slow start, mostly because the Christmas spirit is eluding me. Thank goodness that I already have this calendar as it is proving to be a motivator. I have been struggling with which direction to take this advent season when it dawned on me that I should have my own alone time focusing on the meaning of Christmas.  Then, I found the direction that we will take with the children.  From there, I found a list of our resources for the season, and now I am sharing. They may prove interesting and/or helpful for you too.

To help  me personally connect to the season beyond nightly activities and reflections with the children. I will be using, The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem, and The Journey: A Season of Reflections.  Both resources compliment, and are broken down for a four week advent journey. I have read through the first week, and find myself grateful that I chose this resource. It is suiting my needs, nicely.

For the family/children, I needed to choose the activity ideas to stuff the envelopes.  Ideas such as those found in this post, Advent Season: Days 1-6 recap and ideas.  And I needed to decide if we would read nightly from The Advent Book, as we have for the last several years, OR take a different route for our readings.  I chose a different route for this season.

For our readings, I decided to utilize Focus on the Family -  Thrivingfamily.com - Countdown to Christmas.  This is a nice resource. Not only does it give daily readings, it also gives a practical lesson to emphasize the message of that day’s reading.  We have decided to utilize the reading portion daily, and the lessons only if they suit our family’s need for that day.  For the digital version, click on the link provided above, and just fill out the form.  You then will be taken right to it.

Resources for our Advent activities:.

St. Nicholas Center has fabulous and abundant ideas for celebrating St. Nicholas day at home - this day occurs on December 6, 2011.  This means, tonight (Dec. 5th) the children will lay out their shoes, and we will be doing a reading about Saint Nicholas. We will also hang a paper snowflake on our front door. December 6th will find us Building-A-Box for Operation Christmas Child.  This is a nice alternative for helping a wonderful project by Samaritan's Purse.  While I am speaking of Samaritan’s Purse, why not consider giving a gift of donation from Samaritan’s Purse Gift Catalog for your child’s teacher gift. I did this for Isaiah’s educational team last year, and they loved the idea. We will be doing the same, a gift of soccer balls which has importance in Isaiah’s life thanks to his team. And, by way of this gift, soccer balls can then have importance to those who would otherwise have none. By the way, Isaiah’s team consists of his teacher, teacher assistants, speech therapist, occupational therapist, and social worker.

Links to lists of  ideas for Advent Activities:
a peek inside the fishbowl
Loobylu  - End of Year Ideas
Jordan Ferney - Advent Calendar Ideas
We Be Sharin’ - 70 Ideas to Enjoy with you Advent Calendar

Our List of Activity Ideas:

~ Nightly, read selected scripture

~ Nightly, follow Jacquie Lawson Advent Calendar that Mom gifted us. A neat computer program, short and simple.

~ Write out Christmas Wish List

~  Drink hot chocolate while listening to Christmas music

~ St. Nicholas ideas as described above (2 nights)

~  Quench our thirst with homemade “Hot Apple Cider”.

~ Read Aloud one entry from Letters From Father Christmas ( 3 -4  nights)

~ Attend Elliana’s Band Concert

~Hunt for a treat (hide quarters, or $1 bills and another time) (2 nights)

~  Christmas Tree Hunt - find tree, bring home

~ Christmas Tree decorating

~ Watch a Movie: A Charlie Brown Christmas

~  Celebrate Dad’s Birthday (Dec. 10th)

~ Celebrate Aunt Darcy’s Birthday (Dec. 15th)

~ Watch a Movie:  Polar Express

~ Unwrap and eat a special piece of chocolate (1 piece/bar per person)

~ Make gingerbread houses

~ Make peanut butter pinecones and hang them out for the birds

~ Ice Cream Sundae Bar (invite Grandparents over for this treat)

~ Go view Christmas Lights - on State Street, Christmas Tree Land in Kenosha, or Wonderland Express at the Chicago Botanical Gardens

~ To prepare selves for the blessings that will be received on Christmas day, pick at least one item (toy) to donate for another to enjoy.

~ Read Owl Moon and go for a night walk - maybe the local forest preserves)

~  A Trip to the store with money to put in the Salvation Army pot

~ Watch a Movie: The Nativity Story

~ Celebrate Christmas Eve with family

~ Write a note on December 23rh or 24th to be placed in Christmas stocking before being packed away. Note can be reflective on the year, and/or hopes for the following the year. I plan on writing a card to each of the children.

~ Read through the entire Christmas Story utilizing The Advent Book and sing Happy Birthday to Jesus on December 25th

How will you be celebrating this Advent season?