Browsing

These are a few books I've recently loaned from the library. I decided I need to find out what all the fuss is over Jamie Oliver. This cookbook had some interesting recipes, but a lot of them had ingredients I don't use on a regular basis. Stretching my cooking menu could be good for me (and my husband), but isn't always in the cards when you're trying to pull something together with 2 little kids that need your attention. It did give some overall good cooking tips for pasta, meat, risotto etc.

B is for Baby by Suzanne Stirling is really adorable. The ideas and patterns are modern and easy to do. She creates a different activity, craft or gift idea for each letter of the alphabet. I'm going to attempt the baby booties made of felt.

Happy gift making and happy holidays!

When It's Cold Outside

What do you do when it's cold outside.....read of course! This book was recommended by a few trusted sources but funny I never thought to ask what it was about. Isn't it great to watch a movie when you've neither seen nor heard any of the "previews." I read this book with that same feeling of not knowing what the book was about. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen was a pleasant surprise. If your looking for an interesting story, than you've come to the right book. It's not very thought provoking or profound but just a perfect book to read on a snowy, cold winter weekend. The story tells of one man's adventure when a tragic turn of events turns his life upside down and he finds himself joining the circus as a vet. I really won't tell you much more than that. Just enjoy the read with out much knowledge of the story ahead of time.

4 out of 5 stars.

Snowed In

No, I haven't finished another book but I've been feeling the need to expand my topics on this blog. I always love reading other blogs about knitting, reading, parenting, and daily routines. I'd really like to share this beautiful day with you.

It's been snowing since 6am. I went for a morning swim and returned to find my car completely covered in snow. It's now almost 1pm and still snowing. I've posted a picture of the view from my kitchen window. The kids and I shovelled and played in the snow for an hour this morning.

For lunch I felt inspired to create a few soups from the leftovers in our fridge and freezer. South of the Border Black Bean Soup and Hummus Soup. The Hummus Soup was delicious. I took some leftover hummus added onions, garlic and 2 cups of chicken broth, red peppers, broccoli...the result was very surprising. I've been trying to make a couple of different soups each week in an attempt to get more vegetables in our diet. So far I'm really happy with the results. I have some orzo to use up so I'm on the look out for a recipe to add that to.

Now I think we'll spend the afternoon napping (B), colouring (J) and knitting/reading (Steph). It's a snowy day and housework doesn't fit into my agenda today.

The Year of Living Biblically

My latest read has obviously taken awhile to get through. It wasn't actually that hard to read but finding time to read lately has been the difficult part. The Year of Living Biblically by A.J.Jacobs was a surprisingly good read. I'd heard the author interviewed on CBC radio about 6 months ago and thought, yes I would give this book a try. A.J. spends one year trying to live the commandments in the Bible literally, (and not just the 10 commandments). He brings a lot of humour into the book which helps you get through the read. His conclusion is that nobody can possibly live this way but he does find merit in taking may of the commandments literally. I really appreciated what he discovered about observing the Sabbath. There really is something important about taking time to rest and pause during your week, or even during the day. By the way A.J. announces at the beginning of the book that he is agnostic so his perspective is not too "Super Christian" if you know what I mean.

Don't know what my next book will be, any suggestions. I need to find one to read for my plane trip on Thursday. Off to Vancouver for 4 days with Kyle. Until my next read I plan to get some knitting projects done and enjoy time with the kids.

In Stiches

I learned something new today...how to put pictures on my blog. I've also figure out how to change the colour of my font. I've been "reading" this book, In Stitches by Amy Butler for a few weeks now. She has lots of interesting patterns. I finished one pair of wide leg pajama bottoms, they were so easy! Also I'm working on a bedside organizer to hold my books and especially my glasses. Anyone who has very poor vision and kids that wake up in the night would appreciate having their glasses in a special organizer. For those of you with perfect vision who think it's hard to find a soother, in a crib, in the dark at 4:30am, think of poor Stephy without her glasses trying to find that soother (impossible I tell you, impossible). This book is great just to look at the pictures and get some new ideas. Here I go, I'm going to attempt posting the picture of the book cover.

The Book of Negroes

The Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill was my latest read. I started this book with reluctance thinking it would take me so long to finish this 470 page book. I could not put this book down, (ask Kyle, he will attest to this fact). Do all your chores and errands BEFORE you start this book because everything will go to the wayside once you start it. This book describes the incredible journey of Aminata, an African girl, captured as a slave. She survives terrible trials both physically and emotionally but SURVIVES! The story is interesting as well as informative, historically speaking. An intelligent woman of the 18th Century learning to read and write, speak numerous languages because she is willing to accept nothing less for herself. Now that I see this in writing it really doesn't sound that interesting but I'm pleading with you to read it and see how good it really is. It is is definitely worth taking the time to read.

Next blog I'm going to find out how to post a picture of the book too. I have a few other interesting books I'm undertaking, nothing to wordy but interesting just the same.

I might add other things to this blog other than books. Someone said maybe I should write what I did this week. Besides reading, I've fit in canning tomatoes, knitting a sock (yes just one, another to follow hopefully very soon), swimming twice with the kids and it's only Wednesday!

How to Write a Book Report?

I've finished my first book since starting this blog. Now all day I've been trying to think about the right words to say for my blog entry. It's felt much like elementary school when I had a book report due. I've never been much for writing, I've had to talk myself into this. I think I need to realize that writing is just another way of communicating with people and expressing yourself. Bear with me as I learn to communicate my love or hate of the books I read.

On with the book report. The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews. A young, childless woman returns to Canada from France to care for her sister's teenage son and pre-teen daughter, while her sister (Min) recovers in a mental institution. The aunt takes the kids on a road trip across America to find their father whom they haven't seen in 10 years or so. Both kids are troubled by the uncertainty of their mother's illness and their lack of a present father in their lives. Sounds sort of sad but actually is very comedic. Kind of warped humor. Easy read, funny read, also can make you think if you want it to. Yes, I'd reccommend it.

Kids are screaming, the phone is ringing, I gotta go!! This is not proofread.....yikes.

Trying Something New

I've been thinking about starting a blog for a few months now. I've put it off because I couldn't think of a catchy blog name or I didn't think I had the time or the knowledge to start one up. I also thought that maybe blogging was out of date by about 5 years (I'm always behind on what is trendy). Despite all my excuses I have decided to take the plunge and just start blogging. I'm not much of a writer but I am lover of reading. The books I have read will be published on this blog. I'd love to hear book suggestions from you, my friends. I'm currently reading, The Flying Troutmans by Miriam Toews. When I finish it I'll post another blog entry.