In case you missed Part 1: So, on November 22, 2024 I started a little book book, as I call it, but it is a journal of the books I have read with a few jotted thoughts, quotes I like, and stickers. I am an archivist and chronicler at heart, and I have been having so much fun journaling my reading experience this way. I thought it would be neat to share my favorite quotes from all the books I have read – in different parts of course.
“What any woman wants is not for you to decide. You would do well to remember that.”
This is actually a quote from the translator’s note.
“This book catalogs the many pleasures of reading: the joy of discovering a new author; the hedonism of staying up too late to finish a book; the surreptitious thrill of getting to know someone by reading their favorite book; and the freedom of walking into a bookstore and scanning the titles, waiting for something to catch your eye..”
“Emily had inherited certain things from her fine old ancestors – the power to fight – to suffer – to pity – to love very deeply – to rejoice – to endure.”
“Daisy had begun to feel like a seed taking root. She was insect-nibbled and wind-ruffled and elbow-skinned. Her hair was full of twigs, her fingernails were filthy – and every part of her felt hungry and alive.”
“There was something so special about a notebook without a single note in it. It felt like touching pure potential.”
“Tea doesn’t wake me up like coffee does. It doesn’t hug me and tell me everything is going to be ok if I just drink it.”
“He was all dreams and wild ideas, and she was more….sciency.”
“I looked at Francis and began to wonder why I had ever thought I had lived in a world without dragons.”
“You are amusingly soft-hearted for a villainous swamp creature.”
“Being a good neighbor is all about making sure that the people you share land and air and water with don’t need anything either.”
Phew. Part two done, and we have made it to May in my journal. I did skip over Watership Down, which I read in-between Greenteeth and A Prayer for the Crown Shy.
I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!
Greenglass House is one of my favorite MG reads. I just love everything about it.
The Enchanted Greenhouse may sound like it should be a spring or summer book, but it really takes place in the snowy winter. One of my favorite things during snowy season is to visit greenhouses and conservatories, and be reminded of heat and green growing things, so I think that contributed to my love of this book.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden is all about the winter and snow. I read it during a snowstorm and it was perfect.
Fox Crossing is just a cute little read – I loved this whole series!
A Blizzard of Polar Bears was not my favorite honestly. I wanted to love this series and I will probably give it another chance now that I have reminded myself of it, but there is no denying that this book that takes place in the Canadian Arctic is a snowy book. It wasn’t bad, from the scientific pov but the character herself is a bit too..action hero sometimes.
The Frozen River is actually on my TBR. I never got to it when everyone else was reading it! Maybe this winter.
The Shining. Seriously, there is no way I could have made this list without this book.
I was obsessed by Goolrick’s writing years ago, and A Reliable Wife is phenomenal in my opinion.
While the Earth Holds Its Breath. This book sounds absolutely lovely, and I have it on my TBR for winter. So I guess you guys got a tiny preview of my next week’s post this week! Lol.
I am excited to see everyone’s choices today!
I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!
As for reading, I gave it my best, but I was defeated. I had a DNF. The Hogfather. I am going to try again next year, after learning more about Discworld. Lisa’s (at Boondock Ramblings) husband suggested I start with The Color of Magic instead, then read the Death line of books first. So, I will give it another shot!
Sorry Hogfather. We will try again next year.
This week I am reading the next in the J. Penner Adenashire series, A Fellowship of Games of Fables. I love Jez so I am excited to read her story! And, I must like these books because I almost never read past book one in a series!
The Screens:
So, we have been watching all the Christmas and holiday things we can find. We watched all the episodes of the Victorian Farm Christmas, Tudor Farm Christmas, A Garfield Christmas, and Bramble House Christmas, which is a Hallmark Christmas movie. I of course loved it. We also watched Paddington for the first time and realized, Billy is Paddington in person form! Ok, he just has a Paddington style coat, and loves orange marmalade. Everything we watched was perfect.
It was a slow week around here. It was not only arctic cold out, but Wyatt was feeling under the weather. So we took it easy, especially since he had a big appointment with the orthopedic surgeon on Friday. The surgeon is very pleased with Wyatt’s healing, and has decided it is now time to schedule the next surgery, this one to remove the hardware they put into Wyatt to hold his hips in place as he healed. I am so not ready for another surgery, but he said springtime, and that it will be an easier recovery.
We also got lots of Christmas shopping done, mainly via the internet but Wyatt and I also took a secret trip to pick up a gift for Billy. I won’t say what it is here but I am excited. Saturday we also masked up and went to something called Echoes of a French Noel at the River Raisin National Battlefield near us, and had such a great time. Then this morning I went to the Potter’s Market with Chrissy and Kelly. I will do a coffee catch up post later this week, but we had so much fun!
Tonight we are having a comfy cozy movie night, with hot chocolate and treats in front of the little fake fireplace tonight, and I am so excited!
And that is it from me for now! I hope that whatever you do, you do something that makes you happy!
So, on November 22, 2024 I started a little book book, as I call it, but it is a journal of the books I have read with a few jotted thoughts, quotes I like, and stickers. I am an archivist and chronicler at heart, and I have been having so much fun journaling my reading experience this way. I thought it would be neat to share my favorite quotes from all the books I have read. It will be multi-part, because it would be like a crazy wall of text post if I did it all at once.
Jan. 4, 2025 – 1st book of the year!
This is just a snippet of a quote.
“…a little life surrounded by love and hope and magic.”
Jan. 5, 2025
“She and Coco were sitting in the kitchen of the Egg, Ollie’s rambling old farmhouse. They’d gotten themselves mugs of hot chocolate and were seeing who could build the biggest marshmallow pyramid on top.”
Jan. 7, 2025
“Too many men were raised by families that expected them to hide their emotions at all costs.”
Jan. 14, 2025
“…all around us the earth had erupted with silver rabbits washing their faces with moon dew.”
Jan. 26, 2025
“I mourned the loss of older lighthouses like Pottawatomie. There was something magical and romantic about them.”
Feb. 1, 2025
“Matthias gazed upwards, feeling as if he were slowly turning with the silent Earth.”
Feb. 5, 2025
“Either her laugh is starting to sound attractive – or I really am going mental.”
Feb. 8, 2025
“Shooting stars and auroras – things people come to love without the need to interrogate what makes them beautiful.”
Feb. 9, 2025
“Allow yourself to be where you are”
Feb. 16, 2025
“Being content with not being some extraordinary, larger than life badass, and instead loving being me. Sometimes talking too much. Often daydreaming about nothing. Being a good archaeologist, even if it means never being a great one. Telling corny jokes. Being known for always bringing the best snacks. And wearing fanny packs like they are going out of style.”
I think I am going to like this lookback.
I hope that whatever you do today, that you do something that makes you smile!
Today’s prompt is a freebie! Last year I did gingerbread and I absolutely loved that post. Lol. I love gingerbread though, so it makes sense I would like books about it. This morning I was feeling uninspired and asked Wyatt, my ten year old what I should do. And his answer was dragons. So Christmas dragons it is! Wish me luck! (I am doing this on the fly, no planning, eek! And that pun was unintentional)
Now I don’t know much about the first one and second books, but Wyatt LOVED the Dav Pilkey Dragon books. He does have one Dragon Girls book, but not this one. It is really pretty though, isn’t it?
The first two are apparently very spicy, according to the reviews. And if you like A Gift for the Christmas Dragon, there is a whole series of them!
This one was a big stretch – there is not a dragon in this book. But the the Inn is called The Weary Dragon Inn so I am going with it. If you like cozy fantasy, I have heard this is an awesome series, compared at times to Legends and Lattes. It has been on my list for ages. I need to get to it!
These are both listed as cozy fantasy and they sound it. I am adding them both to my TBR, and if I can, I am going to read one this December. However, my December TBR is already mammoth, too big honestly for a hectic month. I am not letting that stop me from hoping though!
I hope you all have a magical day today, and do something that makes you smile!
And, I want to add that Lisa at Boondock Ramblings and I co-host two link ups together. This month we are hosting Comfy Cozy Christmas, which despite the name is for any December holiday, wintery post, and A Good Book and a Cup of Tea, which is a monthly bookish link up for any and all book posts.
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Hello everyone! I hope that you are all doing well! Last week was a busy one for us, but we had a lot of fun with family. I spent most of Wednesday baking and it was wonderful. I had my little assistant with me for part of it, which was nice as well. Today we are decorating for Christmas which makes me happy! We even have snow for it!
Read Last Week:
This was such a light read and perfect for a busy week. I didn’t like it as much as I liked the first in the series, but it was ok. I did love that there was a baby dragon. I am still planning on reading the next one in the series in December.
Reading This Week:
Last night we had our first big snowstorm of the year, and it felt like the perfect night to start Hogfather. I’ve been wanting to try Terry Prachett and this seemed like a fun one to start with.
We are not watching too much, at least last week. We finished up the Bake Off, and I think that was it. We did watch Mickey’s Christmas Carol with Wyatt, because I wanted to kick off holiday movie watching. And since then he has put it on a least fifty more times. Lol. Tonight we are going to watch another movie. We have them all in a jar and Wyatt draws a name and that is what we watch. Always a surprise now! I do plan on adding in other holiday movies from Hallmark, or that are for adults – the ones in the jar are kid movies.
Around the Interwebs:
Lisa from Boondock Ramblings and I are also beginning our Comfy Cozy Christmas Link Up! Comfy Cozy Christmas isn’t just about Christmas, it is anything holiday related – any December holiday – at all that strikes your fancy and you write about this month. Movies, books, traditions, activities. I am excited to read them! This link should be up today!
Also, just a reminder that Lisa hosts a monthly linky, that I help with, called A Good Book and a Cup of Tea. Make sure to link up any book related posts! We love to hear!
And that is it from around here today! I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!
Hello everyone!! This is just a little Saturday post, where if you want to chat about soup that you have made or eaten or a recipe you have, and tell a story about your life, a memory, a book you are reading, anything, here is your chance!
We have had wintery weather here this week, with snow flurries and cold temps, and was the perfect week for soup. It was also a good week for soup because Billy and I knew that we had a lot of cooking and baking ahead of us for our two Thanksgiving celebrations and we wanted to keep things easier during the week. So on Sunday we made a whole chicken, ate it with potatoes and corn like a little preview for Thanksgiving, then turned the rest into soup. I haven’t quite landed on the soup recipe I want for chicken yet. This one was good, but was a little too tomato-y.
This is the Chicken Vegetable Soup by Dinner at the Zoo. I actually really liked this one, Billy is the one that stated it was had too much tomato. And I didn’t have green beans and I think that might have been a delicious addition. It reminded me of being a kid eating soup on winter afternoons after playing in the snow for hours.
I’ve been sharing memories the past few weeks, so instead, let’s talk about something else today. Something recent.
Last weekend we took Wyatt to the local Christmas parade – for the first time. I felt so remiss as a parent that I had never taken him to this before, since I used to go every single year with my family. My dad was always about “travel fast and light” back then (although you wouldn’t know now by the amount of luggage he packs to go on vacations) so we just went to the parade, no blanket, chairs, just us. Thank goodness my aunts were not of that belief and brought chairs for the adults and blankets for us kids. So I had that in mind when we packed up to go to the parade with Wyatt. He has his own chair, but I wanted to make sure we took blankets too, in case he wanted to sit on the ground with his buddies.
We met my two friends Nicole and Shawnna and Nicole’s daughter A and Shawnna’s son Z. Nicole’s mom was there as well. We got there first and threw down our big wool blanket, and waited for the others to arrive. Nicole and Shawnna are neighbors so they were driving together and they were on the way. While we waited, Billy walked down to Tim Horton’s and brought back hot chocolate for Wyatt, and coffees for us which I was very grateful for since it was absolutely freezing out. Billy also bought one for the young police officer at the corner directing traffic, who was also very thankful and cold.
I realized I may have bundled Wyatt up a bit too much, much like my mom and aunts did to us when we were kids. We were all like the kid in the Christmas Story, and poor Wyatt was too.
In my defense, Wyatt does get colder in his wheelchair. He isn’t moving around generating body heat, and that metal gets so cold! However, I still sort of overdid it. Which I realized after I saw him with his friends. Whoops.
We didn’t have to wait long before the parade started, and seriously, I was like a kid myself! I love parades and we never go, and I was reminded of how much I do love them! Shawnna joked that I was just like one of the kids, and after I got pelted with candy I thought there was maybe some truth to that.
I’m the kid with the yellow hat. Brian is right next to me, and my cousin Melissa is the cutie on the other end.
We came home with so much candy, it was crazy! A and Z were so mindful of making sure to grab some for Wyatt, it was so sweet of them! They would run out for the candy, and bring a few pieces back for Wyatt’s pile.
I didn’t take many photos, as I was too busy chitchatting and watching the parade, sitting right on the curb like I did when I was a kid, waving to the people in the cars, on the floats, clapping for the bands and dancers, and making sure to point out the tuba players to Wyatt, who is recently obsessed with them. Tubas, not tuba players. There were also so many scout troops walking in the parade! I had no idea there were so many around us! I am going to see if our little Blackbirds troop wants to walk in next year’s parade.
I managed to grab these two photos. I thought the float of our electrical workers was a cute idea – plus they are heroes around here. Wyandotte makes it’s own electricity, and when our power goes out these guys rush to the rescue and we usually have it back on within an hour or so. So I definitely appreciate them, as they are out in the cold and snow in the winter, or in rain in the summer, spring, and fall.
We had such a good time, just being outside in the brisk air, taking in the crowds and the float, feeling the happiness in the air, being surrounded by friends. Our little group left smiling and laughing, and I am so thankful to have these people in our lives!
It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Hello everyone!! I hope that you are all doing well. We had a pretty good week here last week, just a few bumps but mostly good. Today we are working on some projects around here before heading to my cousin’s house for a family get together of cousins, which my cousin hosts once a month. I love that our kids are growing up around each other!
Read Last Week:
I loved both of these books. How to Talk to Your Succulent is a middle-grade graphic novel, and deals with loneliness, grief, and the importance of open and honest communication, in a very whimsical and magical way.
I knew I had to read Shady Hollow. I love anthropomorphic animal stories, and the main character is a fox to boot? This book was really well-written, and I feel like I learned a bit about the process of journalism as well while reading (with a little extra clarification from Lisa). All in all, a very good cozy mystery, full of woodland creatures!
Reading This Week:
This week I am reading A Fellowship of Librarians and Dragons by J. Penner! I am looking forward to it; I mean, just look at all those cozy cute images on the cover! I want a unicorn teapot! And cinnamon rolls! And a dragon!
Billy and I have been watching The Great British Bake Off all week. It always makes us both want to bake! This time it was Billy’s turn, and he made a savory monkey bread last night that was delicious. It was filled with cotswold cheese and was so good. He is going to make a version for Thanksgiving and I am excited. He is going to add olives which I think will be the perfect touch.
Wyatt and I also prepped for Christmas movie watching! We decided to put all the names of the movies we want to watch into a jar and every time we are going to watch one, Wyatt will draw that night’s movie.
Around the Internets:
Just a reminder that Lisa hosts a monthly linky, that I help with, called A Good Book and a Cup of Tea. Make sure to link up any book related posts! We love to hear!
Also, we will be hosting Comfy Cozy Christmas starting the day after Thanksgiving! Anything holiday related – any December holiday – at all that strikes your fancy and you write about, please think about sharing on our linky – and I hope I can get it working again on my blog before then! Again, we love to hear everyone’s stories!
And that is it from me today! I hope that whatever you do, you do something that makes you smile!
Hello everyone! I am writing from my bed this morning, it is so cold and I am not ready to get moving quite yet. I do have a cup of coffee next to me though, thank goodness, that will help with both issues, although it is Friday and Wyatt and I have a lighter day on Fridays.
This past weekend was my birthday! I feel like I have been celebrating all month, with all of the surprises my family and friends have had for me. They have all been so thoughtful and made me feel very special for my 50th.
On Saturday, my dad and stepmom had a party for me out at their house, and it was so chill and relaxed and just what I needed. Good food, lots of cake, family, and laughter. I loved just hanging out with my family, chatting and eating and then I took the kids outside and they were all playing hide and seek, even Wyatt. It was a nice time.
Sunday morning Billy, Wyatt, and I had plans to go to Le Supreme in Detroit, which is a French brasserie. We love their brunch menu and we got all shined up to go (Marsha, I wore my fox dress outfit!) – however, my son decided to gift me a special surprise right as our food arrived, by throwing up right in my lap. I told him I have had better gifts before. We managed to keep things low profile and cleaned up and then packed Wyatt’s food up and went home. Billy and I both had egg based breakfasts and left them behind. The waiter was so nice, and gave me a raincheck for a free creme brulee when we go back. And we are having a redo, and this time I think Wyatt will stay home with a grandparent. Ah, life with a medically complex child. Lol. It is that pesky side effect of his medication – and we never know when it will occur since it is not everyday.
The day after my birthday would have been Billy’s older brother’s birthday, and we remember him every year on that date (well we remember him everyday, but especially the 17th). He passed at 26 from squamous cell cancer of the mouth, and we tell stories about him to Wyatt all the time. About George’s tarantulas, which is one reason I took Carl in, his love of old cars, his carpentry and automotive skills, which is where Billy learned a lot of what he knows, from his older brother. He would have been 53 this year, and probably still been giving Billy a hard time but then bailing him out as well. He was a good big brother. I remember one winter, Billy and I had been watching a movie and it was over about 1 am. Billy went out to his car, and the battery was dead, so he called George. George came over in the bitter cold, and together they jumped Billy’s car, while sitting in George’s. I would check on them occasionally out there, chatting while they waited, and I remember thinking how happy they both looked, despite it being freezing cold, pitch black, and jumping a car. Just two brothers doing brother things. He was one one of the good guys, and we miss him everyday.
On Wednesday my dad came by and kicked me out of the house, telling me to go do something for me. I decided to check out Brooks Books, a local bookstore. I knew they had decorated for Christmas, and I thought it would be nice to take Wyatt there next month for our book and cookie outing. However, it was very nice to go by myself for once. I had so much time to just look at everything, in quiet. I picked up a book while I was there, Cold Clay, the second book in the Shady Hollow series. It was a nice refresh midweek!
And, I also got my items from when I went to the tie dye place with my friends! I had made a pashmina scarf, a tote bag, and socks, which they donate to the unhoused. I really love how both my scarf and tote bag turned out! My scarf makes me think of malachite, and it is so pretty!
And I here I am, looking like an art teacher from a 1990s romcom!
And that is it from around here this week. I hope that whatever you do, you do something that makes you smile!
How is Christmas so close now? What is it, 35 days away? I am not even close to being finished with holiday shopping! I did see Amazon started its Black Friday Sale, so I thought I would share a few ideas of things that Wyatt has loved over the years, in case anyone needs a little inspiration. Some of these are Black Friday Deals, others are not.
These links are affiliate links, and I will receive a small commission if you were to purchase anything using a link, at no extra cost to you.
Outfoxed is a game that he got maybe a year or two ago from his aunt and uncle, and he absolutely loves it, as do all of his cousins. It is a mystery game where you eliminate suspects (all foxes) using clues and logic.
Hoot Owl Hoot is a game that we bought Wyatt when he was five. We gave it to some friends with young children a few years ago as he outgrew it, but it is an awesome game. Wyatt played the heck out of it with us. This is a cooperative game, and helps kids learn colors, strategy, and turn taking.
Pop the Pig. I can’t even tell you how many times we had to play Pop the Pig. Every teacher, every therapist I have talked to has said that they have this game in their classroom as well. Kids love it. It is also geared for younger kids. We still have ours and if you could see it – the box is tattered, the poor pig looks like he has been through the wars, but it had a lot of use and love.
This Makedo Discover Set is a current favorite. This is actually really cool, and Wyatt has fun transforming my Amazon boxes into art or tall buildings or whatever he wants to make. And we learned over Halloween that the sawing tool is handy for kids to carve pumpkins with as well! All of it is safe and not actually sharp. Wyatt will sit and create with this for a good while!
Picasso Tiles, all the sets, he loves. He wants a set like this with dragons again this year (and I already ordered it) and it is another thing he will play with for an hour or two. We have taken them with us on vacations, on his trips to the hospital for EEGs, for tests,and they travel well (as long as you don’t bring them ALL lol).
I bought this flower building garden toy for Wyatt when he was in pre-school and we were doing a unit study on plants. It was great to illustrate to him the parts of a plant, but I had no idea that he was going to love it as much as he did, or that his cousins would as well.
Hopper toys were always a winner around here, I mean who doesn’t like to bounce? Plus it is good for core building in little kids, and balance.
I got these little barns and farm animals for my niece’s second birthday this past March, and let’s just say, she didn’t care about any of her other gifts once she opened it. I was told I apparently bought her the winning gift, because she played with it the entire rest of the party. It has colors, animals, and little kids love to put things in things and take them out.
And then a bigger gift, but I would feel remiss if I didn’t share, just in case anyone is on the fence about getting one for their child or grandchild or whoever.
A play kitchen. Wyatt played with his for years and years and when he outgrew it I gave it to a friend for their child to use. This and kitchen toys to go with it – he was occupied for hours. I drank countless “cups of tea” and ate so many pieces of “cake” as did any other family member who came over. It was well worth the money. This is not the same one we had but it is by the same company, KidKraft.
If you search my blog, you might be able to find photos of Wyatt playing with most of these!
I hope that this gift guide gave you some ideas, and I hope that whatever you do today, you do something that makes you smile!
Still Life, With Cracker Crumbs.. 