Feel Good Friday!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized5 Comments

Feel Good Friday

As I go through my week lately, I am trying to think about all the good things that happened or that I have read or just little things that have made me happy, even if it is something that seems rather small, like that latte I bought at McDonalds the other day (not even Starbucks y’all!) or something a loved one has said. Things that make me laugh or just bring a smile to my face, those count too. I hope you will join me, and share with me some things that made you happy too!

  1. Wolfnoote – Have you guys heard of this? My husband has been buried in work and didn’t but I have been following this story and love.it. So much that I wrote it on my calendar and plan on celebrating this year!
  2. This bag from Target  ~ I am in loves. It is the perfect size and weight, and is soft and very affordable! I can stick a diaper and wipes in there, a book for me and a book for the boy, snacks for the road, Wyatt’s shoes and braces if he takes them off, an umbrella if the day calls for rain  and best of all, even a bottle of wine, which I discovered when I was carrying in groceries ( I don’t usually just carry wine around in my bag!). Other stuff too of course, but those are the things that got me excited. Plus I have much room left over, and it has little pockets for things like my phone and keys and such too. (Sorry, I couldn’t figure out how to save the photo)
  3. Fattest Bear Award – Congrats Beadnose 409 on your “radiant rolls”! You did a great job preparing for winter! bear
  4. New Wolves introduced to Isle Royale – I have been following the plight of the wolves and moose on Isle Royale for a while so I was excited to see that steps had been taken to revive the pack!
  5. I saw a hummingbird moth in my flowers! It was so cool, but so strange and weird too! It looks like a mix between a bird and a moth. My mind wasn’t sure what to do with that information. I tried to take a photo but I only had my cell phone and I was just heading out to take Wyatt to school. Here is my photo anyway. Lol. After doing some research, it turns out that I saw the White-Lined Sphinx version. It was pretty cool but also gave me the weirds.
  6. We painted pumpkins with my niece L. at the library. It was fun! Wyatt’s pumpkin reminds me a little bit of Sia..

wyatts pumpkin

7.  I had a date night with my husband! It was nice to hang out with him, especially as he has been working such long hours. Then tonight we went out to dinner with Wyatt. Also, if you like hard cider, B. Nektar’s Zombie Killer is fantastic!

8.  And this..

girls of the wild

What made you smile this week?

Book Review: The Impossible Girl

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review, Uncategorized4 Comments

 
the impossible girl I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Goodreads Summary:

Two hearts. Twice as vulnerable.

Manhattan, 1850. Born out of wedlock to a wealthy socialite and a nameless immigrant, Cora Lee can mingle with the rich just as easily as she can slip unnoticed into the slums and graveyards of the city. As the only female resurrectionist in New York, she’s carved out a niche procuring bodies afflicted with the strangest of anomalies. Anatomists will pay exorbitant sums for such specimens—dissecting and displaying them for the eager public.

Cora’s specialty is not only profitable, it’s a means to keep a finger on the pulse of those searching for her. She’s the girl born with two hearts—a legend among grave robbers and anatomists—sought after as an endangered prize.

Now, as a series of murders unfolds closer and closer to Cora, she can no longer trust those she holds dear, including the young medical student she’s fallen for. Because someone has no intention of waiting for Cora to die a natural death.

My Thoughts:

Most people have a secret or two hidden away inside. Some big, some small, some inconsequential, others life changing. Cora Lee’s secret, tucked away, has been beating steadily away since the moment she was born, giving her life yet also threatening it.

Cora was born on the wrong side of the blanket, illegitimate – and with two hearts, a secret she must safeguard always. For this is the time of resurrectionists, when even the dead are not even safe from harm. Cadavers are in demand for scientific and medical studies, and those with “oddities” and differences can fetch a top price. Cora makes her living grave robbing, choosing to steal the bodies of the rich and well to do, feeling the poor suffer enough in life. This occupation though dangerous in itself, actually helps keep Cora safe. For the girl with two hearts is legend, The Impossible Girl, whose corpse would fetch a fortune.

I absolutely loved this book. The underworld of grave robbing, the flash language, the evolution of medicine and science, particularly for women (Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell even makes an appearance in the book!), the idea of anatomical anomalies put on display for entertainment – there was so much to read in this book, if that makes sense. So much content that set your mind imagining. I also enjoyed Kang’s drawing on the themes of duality. Cora’s hearts, her job that keeps her safe yet puts her in danger, upper class vs. lower class, as well as a few other things that I will leave unsaid, as not to give anything away.

I have read and loved Kang’s A Beautiful Poison and The November Girl, but I believe The Impossible Girl is her best to date that I have read. It was an interesting, thought provoking read, and it was a perfect start to my October.

Book Club and Crooked House

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book club, book review, Uncategorized1 Comment

crooked house September book club was all me. I had chosen Agatha Christie’s Crooked House because it seemed like a perfect introduction to fall reading. I have only read a few Christie books, but every single one I have enjoyed – I really need to read more, but at the same time I don’t want to binge read them all at once. I want to take my time and read them here and there, to be enjoyed instead of just devoured. Plus I did that once with Joyce Carol Oates, and man I was so depressed!! Lol. Granted, Christie is not like Oates but too much of a good thing sometimes..

Anyway, back to book club. I had had a little minor happening and had gone to the ER the night before book club, and unfortunately did not get out of the hospital until 3 am. So I was not feeling super energetic later that day. However, with the help of my awesome husband, who had also had an extraordinarily long week, we managed to get the house together and food made. It was a very simple meal this time, but good. Spaghetti with freshly grated Parmesan, crusty bread and rolls, and a pie. And wine, of course.

Everyone started to arrive around 7 pm, and the evening was rainy and gray. I loaded my friends up with carbs and wine, and we had the sleepiest, coziest little book club in a while. It was the perfect atmosphere to catch up with each other, talk about the book, talk about whatever. We all felt as sleepy as my cats, who were taking advantage of so many laps. It was a pleasant evening, if not a particularly high energy one. Just a nice and gentle evening. We must have all needed a real break!

The book grabbed me from the first. Who was this crazy family, all intensity and quirks and savagery? Who could have done it? I had my suspicions, and I went back and forth on it as I read. It was a short read, but a good one. Perfect for a fall evening, if you are looking for something cozy and mysterious.

I had spotted that Crooked House had been made into a movie, and was available on Prime, and so this weekend my husband and I watched it. I was disappointed that they had changed so much about it, and I couldn’t see why they changed the things they did. Despite this, I did enjoy the movie anyway. The cast was amazing – Glenn Close, Gillian Anderson, Christina Hendricks, Julian Sands to name a few, and they all delivered on their roles.  It wasn’t my favorite movie version of an Agatha Christie novel that I have ever seen – that goes to the newest version of Murder on the Orient Express. But it was fairly well done for what it was.

I am planning on reading another Christie book soon – I just need to figure out which one! Anyone have a favorite, or a suggestion? I’d love to hear!

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized13 Comments

 

 

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
If I had to pick a quote for my week it would be “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get!” My husband is working like a crazy person lately, just 14, 15, 16 hour days – long days for him mean long days for us too! Thankfully though, we had a more peaceful, easy week. Just busy and long for all of us.
Wyatt and I shopped a lot this week. I am not a shopper, so it was weird behavior for me. I went to to Target twice in three days! We also decorated for Halloween, which was fun. I love Halloween! I think Wyatt is going to have two costumes this year, because I love Halloween. Lol. He had another great week in therapy too, he is such a hard worker.
Read Last Week:
ghouls ghouls
I only managed to make it through this book, which on a normal week may have taken me a day or two to read. I enjoyed the setting and the characters, and I plan on going back and reading from the beginning of the series, since I managed to grab book number four. Lol. My only complaint is that this particular book was a bit too repetitive. But I liked the characters enough to try again, and from the start as well.
Reading This Week:
the impossible girl
ghostly
I had misplaced my Kindle and couldn’t finish The Impossible Girl. I hope to do that this week. What I had read of it I loved! Also, Ghostly by Niffenegger is on my list. I love this cover!
Watching:
We started Tin Star on Prime today. It’s pretty good, like a really messed up Longmire in a way. Otherwise it has just been me watching tv, so that means The Good Witch. Lol.
Posted Last Week:
 How about you all?

Talk To Me About Podcasts…

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Podcasts, Uncategorized9 Comments

In the past year or so, I have really gotten into listening to podcasts. Sometimes I just need something to listen to, while I am working in the office alone in the evening or cleaning or cooking or just sitting and chilling out with my coffee. I also love that they are so niche, there is pretty much a podcast for everything it seems! No matter your interests, I am sure there is one out there for you. Personally, I listen on Stitcher, but there are a bunch of other podcast players to choose from.

So, what is on my playlist? We will start with my very favorite!

lore

This is the podcast that started it all for me. I would listen to it while feeding Wyatt when he was six months old, and it hooked me. I still love it and eagerly await the new episodes every two weeks, except in October when they are every week!! The description from the Lore website describes it as:

Lore is an award-winning, critically-acclaimed podcast about true life scary stories. Lore exposes the darker side of history, exploring the creatures, people, and places of our wildest nightmares.

Because sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction.

Each episode examines a new dark historical tale in a modern campfire experience.

If this kind of thing floats your boat, I urge you to listen! My favorite episode so far is Black Stockings, but the Trick or Treat ones are good too! Well, all of them are, but these are my top faves of the 96 episodes available.

cabinet of curiosities

From the same guy who produces Lore, Aaron Mahnke. This is a newer podcast of his, and the episodes tend to be shorter, but still super interesting! Again from the Lore website:

Aaron Mahnke’s Cabinet of Curiosities is a twice-weekly exploration of some of the most unusual and bizarre people, events, and objects in history.

np podcast

I love this podcast! Such great stories, well presented – it is one I listen to once a week or so because I don’t want to run out, I love it so much. Best episode in my opinion, so far (that I have listened to)? 37 Days in Yellowstone.

220px-My_Favorite_Murder_Podcast_Logo

So, yeah. My Favorite Murder. This one scares the crap out of me. I always listen to it at work on nights I am in the office alone, because of the language and content. However, it always freaks me out. I haven’t listened to very many, but I have listened to a few really good ones, including one that takes place in my own hometown…

If you are a true crime junkie, become a fellow murderino and give it a listen.

There are a few others that I will very occasionally listen to, including a few kids podcasts, like Circle Round, that I play when Wyatt wants to watch tv and I don’t want him to. If I put on a podcast he is content to just listen and play with his toys or color or whatever, which is much better than being glued to a screen all day. I won’t lie – he does watch television on occasion, but I do try to to limit how much and what he is watching. (usually Daniel Tiger, Blippi, Dave and Ava, or Sesame Street). I am also super excited becasue Aaron Mahnke is coming out with a brand new podcast, called Unobscured. In it he is going to deep dive the Salem Witch Trials – perfect for this time of year! It actually may have already started, I will have to check, but I know it is scheduled for this month sometime.

How about you all? Any podcast listeners out there? What do you like to listen to?

 

We Get Our Creative On

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn DIY craft, mom life, Uncategorized5 Comments

DIY3 I love my friends. I don’t get to see them as much anymore, now that we are all crazy running around to work or with kids or all the other stuff that comes with being an adult, but we do try to get together at least once a month for book club – and sometimes to try a new thing! In the past we have gone to those paint and sip nights, where  everyone paints the same picture and drinks wine, and have had a blast – although we have ended up with paintings that don’t always match our decor (like the giant peacock that I have). Not that it matters that much, it’s all about the fun!

Well, my neighbor is super crafty and talented, and runs a business for a DIY wooden sign making. In fact, I can hear her outside cutting all the boards right now for an upcoming show. So after a flurry of emails between all of us, we managed to coordinate our schedules to have a night of sign making (and drinking).

I have to admit, I had some anxiety over this activity! Lol. We were having it at my friend’s immaculate house that looks like a magazine, and I kept thinking oh lord, what if the paint spills? I wanted to go crazy tarping off her whole house. That was unnecessary however – the whole process is very tidy and neat – at least the way Heather does it. In fact everything was so organized and efficient that we had the easiest time making them! All we had to do was follow the directions, drink our wine, eat our snacks, and have a good time. Which we did!

 

It was quite simple the way Heather did it – everyone’s signs were precut, the wood and the stencils. She set out our materials in front of us and led us through it step by step. We could choose our color palette from a huge array of colors, and kind of play around if we chose as well. My friend Kelly mixed two colors for her background to come up with a cool spooky gray (she made her sign for Halloween decorating) and Chrissy played around with colors to make a fun color for her moon sign too. We painted and sanded and peeled, and picked the little plastic out from the letters, which while tedious I strangely enjoyed, talking and eating and laughing the whole time, peeking at each other’s creations. And then we were done! Everyone did a great job I think, and we had quite a variety! From Kelly’s “Ill Behaved Children Will Be Baked Into Pies” to Chrissy’s phases of the moon, to Mary’s “As For Me and My House, We Will Serve Tacos”, to Jill’s family monogram that will go up in their new house, to my acorn and nature sign, I think they were all quite individual and unique, just like us!

DIY9

Here is my sign, all finished. It is not hanging yet, I can’t quite decide if I want it in Wyatt’s room or above his play table, which will soon be moved to my office. So for now I move it about. The acorn is kind of our family talisman – it stands for many things, but mainly because my little guy is such a tiny guy. I was a small kid too, and my grandma always used to say “From tiny acorns grow mighty oaks”. She herself was a tiny firecracker of a lady, so it was very appropriate. And I usually do have an acorn in my pocket – in fact, they are stashed all over my house, squirrel like I guess.

We had a blast – and I am looking forward to our next thing, whatever that may be!

 

 

 

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized24 Comments

 

Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
See ya September! And hello October!
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This week had its moments!! Billy worked over 60 hours, we had a storm that flooded our streets, a tornado warning, and a trip to the ER for me – I am fine though by the by. It has been crazy and hectic and tiring! But we made it through, with the help of family and lots of coffee. Needless to say, I didn’t get much reading done!! I did try to keep the boy and I as busy as I could. It’s hard to solo parent for so long! We decorated the porch a bit with fall decor, bought a few indoor plants, went to the library, played outside, and took lots of walks together – the weather was beautiful at least! Then Thursday I also hosted book club, which was as always a fun time.
And despite everything else, there was one bright shining moment in the week.
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This amazing kid! First time in a walker, and he kicked butt! His therapist thought he would take one or two steps, and need a lot more support – but nope, he walked all the way across the gym room and back, and held himself up on his own! She helped keep his hands on the handles, and also stopped him from picking it up and banging it on the ground, which he learned he could do. Lol. This kid is so tough.
Reading this week:
The weather is getting chilly and October is here!! I decided to go big and read some scary stuff this week!!
Watching:
Since it has really just been me and Wyatt, I have been indulging in some just me tv. Lol. Reign and The Good Witch, mainly. I’ve also been listening to some pretty cool podcasts, one about National Parks, Lore, and a few others here and there. Anyone else listen to podcasts?
How about you? What is going on in your world?

Two Mini-Reviews: Where the Fire Falls and Dear Bob and Sue

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn book review, Uncategorized4 Comments

It’s a rainy, dreamy, dreary morning here, but I’ve got my coffee and I am ready to review!

where the fire falls Where the Fire Falls is a book I picked up because I loved the first in this Vintage National Park series so much. I am a huge fan of National Parks, the wilderness, and throw in the vintage aspect and I am there. This book did not disappoint either. Olivia looks and acts the part of the oh so glamorous flapper, a good time girl and artist trying to make it big. She gets the offer of a lifetime when she is sent to Yosemite to paint for a travel magazine – an offer she can’t really refuse, located in the one place she said she would never set foot. Practicality wins, and her trip to Yosemite turns out to be a life changer, especially after meeting rugged, handsome outdoorsman Clark – who also happens to be a former minister. If you are apprehensive about reading a book with a little bit of religion, this book is a good one for you. The religious aspects are very well done, not super in your face, and fit the book and the scenery, settled into the beauty and majesty that is Yosemite. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! And seriously, isn’t this cover awesome?

dear bob and sue

Since we are talking National Parks, let’s talk about Dear Bob and Sue. Can I just fangirl a second? I totally loved this book!  It was chock full of real life moments, a real life relationship, adventure, laughter, and I learned lots of things along the way. Parts of the book made me laugh out loud, others made me think, and all of the time sparked my own wanderlust and desire to visit all of these parks as well! I learned so much, it inspired me to learn more about the places I read, and it certainly expanded my own to-do list. I highly recommend this book to anyone else who loves the outdoors and hiking and travel.

It’s Fall Y’all!

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn day in the life, Uncategorized4 Comments

d121597845c054dd0477090ba394fbec

I love autumn – and it does light a fire in me every year. It rekindles my spirit and energizes me. The whole season is a ablaze, with its oranges and reds and yellows and I think that spark is contagious, at least to me.

First let me say that my cousin had her second child on Saturday, the fall equinox! He is adorable! I think I spotted a bit of redness to his hair too from the photo that they sent…we have lots of redheads in our family so it is possible!

On Saturday, we said goodbye to summer and waved hello to fall. The morning started with apple cider doughnuts and coffee (and milk for the kiddo). After being so nutritiously fortified for our day, Wyatt and I headed to the farm market for a few small gourds and pumpkins to place around the house and outside, to bring in that fall feeling. I put a little tiny pumpkin in his fairy garden, and I am amazed that the squirrels haven’t found it yet! Maybe there is some magic around there….lol. We hung a few suet bird feeders for our bird friends, as the summer season ends for them too.

Next we headed to a tagged monarch release, and watched as these delicate creatures of summer took flight and headed off to parts south. In the spring we will be able to check on our monarch (Lovebug). Hopefully he makes it to Mexico! It is amazing to think they undertake such a journey every year. Sometimes I feel like they can barely flit and fly to the nearest flower much less head across the country. We will be able to check an online database in the spring to see if he was spotted anywhere. Fingers crossed!

monarch
This is Pinkie Pie, Wyatt’s cousin’s butterfly.

Later in the evening, I made my favorite soup, Chickpea Dumpling from Oh My Veggies, and followed it up with some apple pie. We were planning on drinking some Angry Orchard cider to cap off the day, but we just couldn’t manage it after the soup and pie! Herbal tea for me and coffee for the husband, instead. Sunday we spent in one of our favorite places, walking through the woods. Our whole family loves being among the trees, and this time of year is especially beautiful. We even found a little toad on the trail!

 

 

Fall is a time to slow down, for self-reflection. To put some things away for the year. But also, sometimes, it is a time to clear out for the winter, make room, make changes too. I have some plans for this fall. Things I want to change. Things I want to do. I spent some time talking with one of my SIL’s about plans for Halloween and October. My other SIL is pregnant with my third niece and is due around the end of October so that is another wonderful fall happening in our family. I am just filled with shiny happy feelings about the season.

How about you? Are you a fall person? Do you have plans for this autumn? Or if you live in the southern hemisphere, what are your spring plans?

 

 

 

My Sunday-Monday Post

On By Erin @ Cracker Crumb LifeIn Uncategorized26 Comments
Check out the The Caffeinated Book Review for the Sunday Post
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Wyatt was home sick all week last week poor kiddo. And of course I got sick too. Lol. Needless to say, we had a pretty non-eventful week. We both were better by Saturday thank goodness, because the weather also finally broke – hello fall temps!  It’s been cool and breezy and sunny and beautiful. Yesterday we went to a tagged butterfly release, where our butterfly, which we named Lovebug, took off from my finger and headed south to Mexico! Godspeed little butterfly!
wyatt butterfly
This is Wyatt with his cousin’s butterfly, Pinkie Pie. Our Lovebug took off immediately and didn’t stop for photos!
My friends and I also had a DIY workshop night – you know those cute wooden painted signs? My neighbor has a business running workshops for people to make them. We had a blast!
Read Last Week:
crooked house
I finished Crooked House and I loved it! I need to add more Agatha into my reading list. I have loved all the books I have read of hers.
Reading This Week:
the impossible girl
I started this last week but didn’t finish it yet. I am absolutely loving it so far!
Also reading, albeit slowly and here and there and whenever.
Posted Last Week:
A book review of Season of Wonder by RaeAnne Thayne – along with a giveaway for a copy of the book as well! Check it out! 
Watching:
We have been sort of drifting about after having finished Anne with an E. We are not watching anything in particular. I am still watching Reign on Netflix, which is highly addictive. We did start Wentworth – the first episode was awesome! We haven’t gone back to it although we do plan on it.
How about all of you? What is going on in your bit of the world?
Also, I have no idea how this post ends up all crunched together every week. I am not sure what happens?