I was talking to a very dear friend a couple weeks ago, and she said I wouldn't read my own blog, and I was like, Yeah. I wouldn't read mine either. And I gave her some advice that the best blogs post every day. Light bulb. I don't post every day. And another thing, it needs a voice...a personality. This blog doesn't have that either.
BUT, I have 3 blogs. All three are suffering. So, I am starting a fourth blog. That'll help, right? :) I hope so. Blog 4 is going to be all the other blogs combined. I will post reviews of clean books as often as I receive them and, of course, when I read books I want to share (and I am transferring all past reviews there, too).
Blog 4, however, will not be ONLY reviews like Deliciously Clean Reads. It will be ME. Anything I feel like talking about, which will include motherhood, wifery, Christianity, crafting, learning, enjoying, living.
PS...the other reason for my absence? I JUST had a baby, and DANG he is DELICIOUS. You can even see a picture at the new blog.
Without further ado, please join me at my new blog (which is the only one I plan to maintain at this point...)
HOMESPUN LIGHT
http://homespunlight.blogspot.com/
***We're starting off the blog with a giveaway of Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George. Be sure to enter!***
Anyway, today I came in for a reason. Just before Christmas, I opened a box with a review book, and when I saw the pinkness of it, I stuffed it away to add to my little princess' pile of presents. The Christmas budget was tight this year, so I thought the book would be a nice addition.
Rarely has any picture book been so loved in my house as this one.
or this...
But back to the story...Fanny is upset that she can't have a Connie, but then she takes matters into her own hands and sews her own Connie. When the doll is done, she decides it doesn't look like a Connie after all. Thus, Annabell is created.
Fanny's friends aren't so keen on her little creation, and for a bit, Fanny isn't sure she loves her funny-looking doll, either. At night, Fanny starts to wonder if Annabell is lonely or afraid. She pulls her out of the drawer and snuggles her, feeling how soft and cuddly she is. From then on, they are inseparable.
We read and reread this book over and over until there was only one option left. We had to make our own little Annabell...
But even if you can't sew a stitch, the book comes with a paper doll Annabell, which has also been enjoyed around here.
In South, Mooch the cat helps a little bird find his way to his flock so he can fly south. The story is almost wordless. It is a tender story of service.
I will be sending both hardcover books to one lucky winner who leaves a comment on this post by midnight on Halloween. You can use them for Christmas presents or keep them for yourself. Comment away!
- Mood:
hopeful
Know what that says? That's how my Kindergartner wrote "Learn to be fancy" when playing Fancy Nancy yesterday. The kiddos made signs, invited us to sit in chairs made of pillows and blankets, and strutted around talking about fanciness. Apparently there are some very basic rules to fancy living.
Wear high heels.
Put pictures on the walls.
Always make your room fancy...especially your bed.
Wear earrings and other jewels.
Wear fancy clothes.
Always eat ice cream with sprinkles.
Play earring, earring, who's got the earring?
Buy roses.
Walk on tiptoes and swing your hips.
So there you have it. Doesn't sound too hard.
Have a fancy night!
PS...Personally I think my etsy shop, Whimsy Daisy, is looking quite fancy this week. I'm still adding stuff. I'd love feedback on what items you like best!
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pixiechick_sw and her recent successes. (Yay Sarah!) I'm also feeling optimistic because my little sister (another Sarah) has made a great connection in the singing world. (Yay Sarah!) Maybe the luck won't find me though...unless I change my name to Sarah.I've also been working on some craft projects...
Have a fabulous day!
PS...Go SARAHS!
- Mood: hopeful
I think the best photo is the first one because it has energy, texture, and attitude.
- Mood:
creative
I'm taking an online photography class and the assignments include posting pictures to a blog. So, some of my posts in the near future (including this one) will be related to my class. Just so you know, I am brand-spanking new to photography, so don't judge too harshly, but feel free to let me know what you think. Thanks.
Assignment 1: Post at least one abstract photo.
The first two are close ups of flowers. The last, uh, well, I'm sure you can tell what that is. That's my hottie.
- Mood:
groggy
"Fiction Picture Books
We've assembled quite the formidable crew for fiction picture books this year. You'll see some of the kidlitosphere's biggest hitters here, including the woman who coined the term (Thanks, Melissa!). Welcome, all. Category Organizer Pamela Coughlan, Mother Reader Panelists (Round I): Cheryl Rainfield, Cheryl Rainfield Stephanie Ford, The Children's Literature Book Club Travis Jonker, 100 Scope Notes Melissa Wiley, Here In The Bonny Glen Round II Judges: Erica Perle, Pajamazon Emily Beeson, Whimsy and Deliciously Clean Reads Maureen Kearney, Confessions of a Bibliovore Anne-Marie Nichols, My Readable Feast Stefan Shepherd, Zooglobble " |
I hope you win!
- Mood: creative
I received Natalie and Naughtily for review last week. Let me tell you. This book is quite a bit of fun. Just look at the cover. The illustrations only get better. Truly, though? Our favorite part has been searching for the random list of items in the book on the last page.
Natalie and Naughtily live in the apartment above the greatest department store on earth. They love to help in the store, but things don't always turn out the way they hope. The store workers are always sending them away, up to the next floor.
I didn't die over the writing in this picture book, but it's still a fun read to enjoy with the kiddos. I expected a bit more chaos in the story, actually...with a name like Naughtily. I did enjoy, however, the way the beginning and end tied together.
- Mood:oh ssso sssleepy.
1. Let's start with the obvious. We read a lot. I was filling out a questionnare last week about my family for my son's new teacher. When I read the question, "Does your child see you read for pleasure?" I laughed out loud. "Yeah," I thought. "A little too much probably." They see me read, they read to themselves, I read to them. ALL the time.
2. Each of my kids have a special story journal. They dictate stories to me and then draw a corresponding picture.
3. We take turns telling stories. I try to follow the traditional story arc as I go. Each kid gets to choose one person or object that will appear in the story. Believe me. My stories are not always good...and I end up telling a lot of stories with princesses and frogs in them. I think I learn from the experience even when the story turns out lame, though. I can analyze what made the story a flop.
4. We make up stories for puppet shows/figurines.
- Mood:
cheerful
I haven't been around here much lately, but I can assure you I have some good excuses...
1. I've been reading. I just finished The Count of Monte Cristo (long, but absolutely wonderful). Next book: (as if you didn't know...) BREAKING DAWN!! WOOHOO!!
2. Vacationing. I love visiting my padres. I could be content staying with them forever if I had my hubby with me.
3. I've been busy gagging in the bathroom and sleeping. Yep. I'm serious. Baby #3 is on the way! (That would get a woohoo, too, if I wasn't feeling so ill at the moment.) I'm 12 weeks along....with a due date of Valentine's.
4. Despite morning sickness (which is actually evening sickness for me), I've been enjoying the summer immensely. I love being a mom!
But today, the cover called out to me again. And I picked it up. And I didn't put it back down until I had read the entire thing.
A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban (
lurban)Such a cute, refreshing slice of tween life. And boy can I relate to Zoe's love of piano/hatred of organ.
The book opens like this...
"HOW IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE
I was supposed to play the piano.
The piano is a beautiful instrument.
Elegant.
Dignified.
People wear ball gowns and tuxedos to hear the piano....
HOW IT IS
I play the organ.
A wood-grained, vinyl-seated, wheeze-bag organ.
The Perfectone D-60."
Thus begins the story of Zoe Elias, normal almost 11-year old. A Crooked Kind of Perfect (I love the title and cover of this book, too, by the way...) is a quick coming-of-age book with humor, sarcasm, friends, family, music, and yes, even a touch of romance from an unexpected source.
It's well-written and fresh. Perfect for its audience. In a crooked kind of way.
Well, this week I went to girl's camp in a beautiful part of the Uintas, but...I didn't have my camera, so I am just going to share a few more Hawaii pics instead. Who wants to see pics of all those girls vs. leaders pranks anyway? We did have a grand time, though...ziptying the girls in their tent, having ours collapsed on us, filling their toothpaste with lotion.... Nah, lets talk paradise instead...
After a long day of traveling, we finally arrived in Heaven. This is the view from the condo lanai.
The men cooking dinner at the Royal Kona Resort Luau.
Snorkeling.
We saw sea turtles everywhere we went!
Me at the LDS temple.
The Hot Husband at the volcano.
Me catching Akaka falls. (Yikes. I look wrinkly.)
And, there you have it...unless I figure out how to post this video we took there, which, I personally think is hilarious.
It was a magical trip. Truly magical.
- Mood: pleased
That's right. Husband and I went off to Hawaii. Ahhh. It was heavenly. Truly heavenly. Everyone we talked to asked if we were honeymooners. Nope. 7 years. 7 absolutely wonderful years.
And...I'm not ready to let Heaven go yet, so you may be seeing more pics/vids in the coming days.
Out of the 60-something library books we are returning today, these are the few that rose to the top as the favs...
All of us enjoyed...
One Ted Falls Out of Bed by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Anna Currey
The Little Red Hen by Jerry Pinkney
The Gruffalo's Child by Julia Donaldson, illustrated by Azel Sheffler (don't miss the first-The Gruffalo)
The Night is Singing by Jacqueline Davies, illustrated by Kyrsten Brooker
My brand new reader has also been reading lots of the little blue Phonics Readers books...A Cat Nap, Pen Pals, and Pat's Jam.
- Mood: cheerful
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