BELLA'S CHRISTMAS PROGRAM.......

Last week Bella's Christmas program was presented to parents.  I went in thinking what could a bunch of kindergarten kids do.  But they were really awesome!  They came in waving little (for lack of a better word) flags.   Bella is the one in pink.

 They all went to the risers and got in order.  They then started singing.

They were wonderful.  There singing was really good and they had the movements of the song.  All in all I was amazed.

The little girl smiling with her face looking toward the camera is Bella.  She saw me out in the audience taking pictures.  So she hammed it up as usual.  

I'm linking up with Tamar over at Random-osity for The Good. The Random. and The Fun.  Hop over an check out all the photos everyone is sharing.

BOOK REPORT......

A Long Walk to Water - Linda Sue Park

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way. 
Age Range: 10 - 12 years 
Grade Level: 5 - 7 
Paperback: 128 pages 
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition (October 4, 2011) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0547577311 
ISBN-13: 978-0547577319

MY THOUGHTS:  This was a really awesome book.  How one person can find a way to help his country that is involved in Civil War.  And how this one person can impact a little girl by the name of Nya.  The person who helped Nya's village is Salva.  Salva is one of the Lost Boys of Sudan.  Nya walks to a pond for water everyday.  It takes her half a day to get there.  Salva has gone to America and gets an education.  He finds his father and family years later.  He wants to help them.  Salva starts the ball rolling, gets the money and all the permits and the support he needs to drill wells.  His family's village is the first well he drills.   And soon after he is at Nya's village drilling a well.  Now Nya doesn't have to walk half a day to get water.  And now Nya can go to school.  Salva's foundation is called Water for South Sudan.  I give this book 5.....

BOOKISH FRIDAY.....

Gillion over at Rose City Reader is the host for Book Beginnings, Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56 and Billy over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addict is the host for Book Blogger Hop.  Go and check them out, you could find your next book there.

A Long Walk to Water - Linda Sue Park

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The New York Times bestseller A Long Walk to Water begins as two stories, told in alternating sections, about two eleven-year-olds in Sudan, a girl in 2008 and a boy in 1985. The girl, Nya, is fetching water from a pond that is two hours’ walk from her home: she makes two trips to the pond every day. The boy, Salva, becomes one of the "lost boys" of Sudan, refugees who cover the African continent on foot as they search for their families and for a safe place to stay. Enduring every hardship from loneliness to attack by armed rebels to contact with killer lions and crocodiles, Salva is a survivor, and his story goes on to intersect with Nya’s in an astonishing and moving way.

My Book Beginning....
Going was easy.
     Going, the plastic container held only air.  Tall for her eleven years, Nya could switch the handle from one hand to the other, swing the container by her side, or cradle it in both arms.

Salva sat cross-egged on the bench.  He kept his head turned toward the front, hands folded, back perfectly straight.  Everything about him was paying attention to the teacher - everything except his eyes and his mind.

This book is my book clubs choice for December.  It is only 120 pages, so it will be a fast read.  Already I am intrigued as to how these 2 children will cross paths.  As they are both in different places at different years.  Nya is from 2008 and Salva is from 1985.

The Friday 56.....
     "If you give them your water, you will not have enough for yourself!" the same voice shouted.  "It is useless - they will die, and you will die with them!"

Book Blogger Hope Question.....
Are you a blogger that only has reviews on your blog or do you feature giveaways and attention-attracting posts such as personal and bookish posts? 

My Answer.....
I do reviews of the books I read, I don't do giveaways and I do posts about the crafts I work on, along with pictures of my family.  It's like the description of my blog on the header says, it's the Ramblings of my Life.  

BOOK REPORT.....

Snow Treasure - Marie McSwigan

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the bleak winter of 1940, Nazi troops parachuted into Peter Lindstrom's tiny Norwegian village and held it captive. Nobody thought the Nazis could be defeated—until Uncle Victor told Peter how the children could fool the enemy. It was a dangerous plan. They had to slip past Nazi guards with nine million dollars in gold hidden on their sleds. It meant risking their country's treasure—and their lives. This classic story of how a group of children outwitted the Nazis and sent the treasure to America has captivated generations of readers. 
Age Range: 8 - 12 years 
Grade Level: 3 - 7 
Paperback: 208 pages 
Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition (October 5, 2006) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0142402249 
ISBN-13: 978-0142402245

MY THOUGHTS:  This was a really great book.  I love reading books about history and this one is based on a rumor that for 60 years the story was believed true.  But there was never any proof to prove it.  The story is so believable!  I could see all these children hauling all this cold down to the fjord to be put on a boat.  The author has taken what is a rumor and makes you believe it's true.  I give this 5.....

SIMPLE THINGS CAN MAKE YOUR DAY........

We had to buy a new fridge last week.  The old one was running constantly and making our electric bill high.  So hubby and I went shopping.  We found one and they delivered it Sunday morning.

This is the old fridge. 

This is the new fridge.  Look almost alike but they are different brand names.  What do you think the first thing in the fridge is?

Yep, milk and mountain dew.  Of course there is lots more that got put in later.

I'm linking up with Kim over at Little By Little for Little Things Thursday.

BOOK REPORT......

Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Brink

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Caddie Woodlawn is a real adventurer. She'd rather hunt than sew and plow than bake, and tries to beat her brother's dares every chance she gets. Caddie is friends with Indians, who scare most of the neighbors -- neighbors who, like her mother and sisters, don't understand her at all.

Caddie is brave, and her story is special because it's based on the life and memories of Carol Ryrie Brink's grandmother, the real Caddie Woodlawn. Her spirit and sense of fun have made this book a classic that readers have taken to their hearts for more than seventy years. 
Age Range: 8 - 12 years 
Grade Level: 3 - 7 
Paperback: 288 pages 
Publisher: Aladdin; Reprint edition (December 26, 2006) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1416940286 
 ISBN-13: 978-1416940289

MY THOUGHTS: This is a really good book.  Reading about how the pioneers lived and all the troubles they had.  But there are also lots of good "stuff" here too.  The children learn how to run a farm and look for food.  They lots of adventures while learning everything they need to know to survive in the wilderness.   I give this book 5.....

This also finishes up the Birthday Month Reading Challenge.

January - Bad Boy Brawly Brown - Walter Mosley
February - Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer - John Grisham
March
April
May - The Little Fir Tree - Margret Wise Brown
June - Kiss The Girls - James Patterson
July - Deeply Odd - Dean Koontz
August - Death Comes to Pemberly - P. D. James
September - Runny Babbit - Shel Silverstein
October - Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton
November - Life on the Mississippi - Mark Twain
December - Caddie Woodlawn - Carol Ryrie Brink

CRAZY QUILT UPDATE......

I've finished my Crazy Quilt Block 6.  On to number 7....

A few close ups....

Some beads, lace, Buttons, Bullion Knots and couching of of some yarn to create the look of grass.

I'm also linking up with Heather over at Books and Quilts for Needlework Tuesday.  Hop over and see all the projects everyone is working on.

BOOK REPORT......

Baker's Blues - Judith Ryan Hendricks

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In Wyn Morrison’s world a 5 AM phone call is rarely good news. It usually means equipment trouble at her bakery or a first shift employee calling in sick—something annoying but mundane, fixable. But the news she receives on a warm July morning is anything but mundane. Or fixable.
Mac, her ex-husband, is dead.
He’s not just in a different house with another woman, but actually, physically gone and the news ignites a firestorm of memories and regrets. Ineligible for widowhood, Wyn is nonetheless shaken to her core as she discovers that the fact of divorce offers no immunity from grief.
As Mac's executor, she is now faced with sorting his possessions, selling his house and trying to help his daughter Skye deal with financial and legal aspects of her inheritance--a task made more difficult by Skye’s grief, anger and resentment.
Ironically, just when Wyn needs support most, everyone she’s closest to is otherwise occupied. Her mother and stepfather have moved to Northern California, her best friend CM has finally married the love of her life and is commuting to New York, and her protégé Tyler is busy managing the bakery and dealing with her first serious love affair. They’re all sympathetic, but bewildered by her spiral into sadness. After all, it’s been three years since the divorce.
Once again the bakery becomes her center as she places herself back in the bread rotation. In the cool, gray light just before dawn, enveloped by the familiar smells of wheat and yeast and coffee, the hypnotic rhythms of Bach, the radiant warmth of the ovens, the borderline softens, becomes a permeable membrane letting her pass freely between past and present. She might be Jean-Marc’s apprentice at the Boulangerie du Pont, washing bowls and pans, shaping clumsy beginner’s loaves and learning to make levain. Or working nights at the Queen Street Bakery in Seattle with the ever-obnoxious Linda, teaching Tyler to bake, experimenting with different flours and techniques, testing, searching for the ultimate loaf of bread.
Now she will sift through her memories of Mac and their life together, eventually coming to terms with who he was and why, with Skye and her anger, and with Alex, who was once more than a friend. Soon she will re-learn the lessons of bread that she first discovered at the Queen Street Bakery in Seattle… that bread is a process--slow, arduous, messy, mysterious--and should be consumed with the eyes closed and the heart open… 
Series: The Bread Alone Series 
Paperback: 412 pages 
Publisher: Chien Blue Press; 1 edition (July 8, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0996503501 
ISBN-13: 978-0996503501

MY THOUGHTS:  This is the 3rd book of this series.  I'm not sure if it will be the last.  The first book, Bread Alone introduces you to Winter.  She's living in Seattle and trying to find her life after a divorce.  Book 2 is  The Baker's Apprentice and introduces you to Winter and Mac as a couple.  You can see my reviews by clicking on the titles of the books. Book 3 is about Winter tying to face Mac's death   I really enjoyed reading this series of books.  The characters are so real and the areas they are living in so real I can almost smell the ocean breeze.  If you like reading about a woman's life, the ups and downs, this is a great series to read.  I give this book and series 5.....

2016 READING CHALLENGE.....

I got an email about this reading challenge so thought I would join in.  It's being hosted by Corinne.  Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Runs January 1, 2016– December 31, 2016
 The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more in 2016 than you did in 2015. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. You can move up a level as often as you’d like but no moving down. Remember, the idea is to challenge yourself.

I'm going for level......
 I’m on Fire!: read 16+ more books (or 4,000+ more pages)

I'm actually going to try and read 100 books.  Hopefully I'll get there.

CAMERA READY......

When we get the camera out around here, Luke automatically goes into camera mode.  This is his version of taking his picture.

He has his camera poised for the shot....

Getting ready to shoot the picture....

He got the shot....
I'm linking up with Tamar over at Random-osity for The Good. The Random. and The Fun.  Hop over and check out all the pictures everyone is sharing.

UPDATE ON QUILTS......

I've put the Tree Quilt in the hoop to be tied.  And I had enough batting and backing to put the Winter Quilt together. 

I've also been working on my Crazy Quilt.  This is block 6.

And of course some close ups of my work.

This is a row of Bullion Knot flowers.  I'm sewing some bee buttons on.

An antique piece of lace with beads and a button.

Some Tulip buttons. I used Chain Stitch for the stems and the leaves are Detached Chain Stitch, also know as Lazy Daisy Stitch.

I am linking up with Kathy over at Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday.  Hop over and check out all the stitching everyone is sharing.

BOOKISH FRIDAY......

Gillion over at Rose City Reader is the host for Book Beginnings, Freda over at Freda's Voice is the host for The Friday 56, and Billy B. over at Ramblings of a Coffee Addict is the host for Book Blogger Hop.  Head over check them out, you could find your next book.

Baker's Blues - Judith Ryan Hendricks

Book Beginning....

     Of all the ways he could have died, drowning was the least likely.  He swam almost daily, headed for Matador when the surf was up, learned the Eskimo roll at the age of forty, sailed every chance he got.  He couldn't possibly drown.
     As we found out later, he didn't.  Officially, he died of cardiac arrest.  It was cold water that stopped his heart.

This is the 3rd book in this series.  The beginning totally shocked me.  The person they are talking about that died, well I won't say anymore as it will give away the story.  Needless to say I didn't see that coming.

The Friday 56....

     "Brownie! Hi, sweet girl.  How are you?"  She bends down for a big wet one.
     "She's fine.  And I am too, thanks for asking."
     "I see sombody hasn't had their coffee yet.  Leave that alone; you're going to hurt your shoulder."  She unzips her windbreaker and hangs it on a hook.
     "I'm not a cripple."  I pull out another tray, ignoring the pinch in my left shoulder.

Book Blogger Hop Question.....

 Which character in a book do you most likely see yourself? If none, who would you think would be your bff in real life? 

I'm at lot like the Grinch from How The Grinch Stole Christmas.  Grumpy at the beginning of the month, who wouldn't be, with all those people shopping, lines to stand in and the traffic.  But by the time Christmas rolls around I'm like Santa handing out gifts.

BOOK REPORT......

Conspiracy 365 - Gabrielle Lord

Product Description(Amazon.com)
On New Year's Eve, Cal is chased down the street by a staggering, sick man with a deadly warning... "They killed your father. They'll kill you. You must survive the next 365 days." Hurled into a life on the run the 15-year-old fugitive is isolated and alone. Hunted by the law and ruthless criminals, Cal must somehow uncover the truth about his father's mysterious death and a history-changing secret. Who can he turn to, who can he trust, when the whole world seems to want him dead? The clock is ticking. Any second could be his last. Callum Ormond has been warned. He has 365 days. The countdown has begun... 12 books. 12 months. 
Unknown Binding 
ASIN: B007X6YG5E

MY THOUGHTS:  I started this series of books on a whim.  I was browsing the library for a quick read and ran across them.  They are short books and I can read one in a few hours.  This year long set of books starts with January with Cal Ormond meeting a man who is warning him about his fate in the coming 365 days.  It's about a family secret from 1590, it's called the Ormond Singularity.  The first born child of each generation wants to find it, but so far no one has, but Cal and his friends, Boges and Winter, are on the way to discovering what the Ormond Singularity is, the catch is they have to stay alive to find it.  I give this series 5.....

NOVEMBER BOOK REVIEW.......

Kathryn over at The Book Date is the host for Month in Review.

My list of books read for November....
***** indicates how many stars I gave the book.
***** 1. Life on the Mississippi - Mark Twain
**** 2.  The West Hampton Leisure Hour and Supper Club - Samantha Bruce-Benjamin
***** 3.  Deep Down Dark - Hector Tobar
***** 4.  The Darling Dahlias and the Confederate Rose - Susan Wittig Albert
**** 5.  Thursday the Rabbi Walked Out - Harry Kemelman
6.  Conspiracy 365 - Gabrielle Lord Books 1 - 10 (I haven't posted my review yet, I'm going to wait until I've read the whole series and do my report then.  I'm on book 11 of 12 now.  My review will be posted in the next few days.) 

Favorite Book for November 

 Deep Down Dark - Hector Tobar

*********************************************************************************
I've found another reading challenge I'm joining.  I've done this before and it's really lots of fun to find all the books that fit on this card.

Full House Reading Challenge

January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016
Hosted over at The Book Date

 
I've put all the info for the reading challenge in my Reading Challenge Tab at the top of my blog.

 

2016 READING CHALLENGE.....

I was blog hopping over the weekend and ran into a reading challenge I want to do.  It's being hosted Yvonne over at Socrates' Book Reviews.  The name of the reading challenge is Cruisin' Through The Cozies.  To find out exactly what a cozy mystery is, check out Cozy-Mystery.com.

1. Choose the level you wish to participate:

Level 1 - Snoop - Read at least 6 books

Level 2 - Investigator - Read 7-12 books

Level 3 - Super Sleuth - Read 13-20 books

Level 4 - Sleuth Extraordinaire - Read 21 or more books

2. The challenge runs from January 1, 2016 and ends December 31, 2016.

I'm going for Level 4.  Here is my list of books.  I'll also be putting my list of books in my Reading Challenge Tab at the top of my page.

1. The Darling Dahlias and The Cucumber Tree - Susan W. Albert
2. The Darling Dahlias and The Naked Ladies - Susan W. Albert
3. The Darling Dahlias and The Texas Star - Susan W. Albert
4. The Darling Dahlias and The Silver Dollar Bush - Susan W. Albert
5. The Darling Dahlias and The Eleven O' Clock Lady - Susan W. Albert
6. The Quiche of Death - M. C. Beaton
7. The Vicious Vet  - M. C. Beaton
8. The Potted Gardner - M. C. Beaton
9. The Walkers of Dembley - M. C. Beaton
10. The Murderous Marriage - M. C. Beaton
11. The Terrible Tourist - M. C. Beaton
12. The Wellspring of Death - M. C. Beaton
13. The Wizard of Evesham - M. C. Beaton
14. The Witch of Wykhadden - M. C. Beaton
15. The Fairies of Fryfam - M. C. Beaton
16. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke
17. Strawberry Shortcake Murder - Joanne Fluke
18. Blueberry Muffin Murder - Joanne Fluke
19. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder - Joanne Fluke
20. Fudge Cupcake Murder - Joanne Fluke
21. Sugar Cookie Murder - Joanne Fluke
*************************************************************************
Yvonne is also hosting What An Animal IX.  I'm going to jump in and do this one too. 
The challenge will begin on January 1st. Read on for more details...

The rules are really simple...

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:


a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).

Level 1 - Read at least 6 books

Level 2 - Read 7-12

Level 3 - Read 13-20

Level 4 - Read 21 or more

I'm going for Level 1.  My list of books to read.
1. Breaking Creed - Alex Kava
2. Silent Creed - Alex Kava
3. Reckless Creed - Alex Kava
4. Who Let The Dogs Out - David Rosenfelt
5. Hounded - David Rosenfelt
6.  Unleashed - David Rosenfelt

QUILT TA-DA........

I've gotten one of my quilts done.  The Calendar Quilt is all done and I even put a label on it.  I'm bad about not putting labels on my quilts.  So this is one of 17 crossed off my list of quits to finish.


1. Calendar Quilt
2. Tree & Leaves Quilt
3. Winter Quilt
4. Dots Quilt
5. Dresden Quilt(Gray Center)
6. 6" Crazy Quilt
7. Halloween Quilt
8. Thanksgiving Quilt
9. Christmas Quilt
10. Jar Quilt
11. Strip Quilt
12. Easter Quilt
13. Boo Quilt
14. Valentine Quilt
15. Dresden Quilt(Red Center)
16. Under The Sea Quilt
17. Spring Quilt

Without further ado......

 And the label....

I'm linking up with Heather over at Books and Quilts for Needlework Tuesday.  Hop over and see Heather's Advent Calendar Quilt, it's beautiful.