...whimsy...

I'm moving...

2009-03-05T16:53:39Z

Whimsy Books is moving to a blogspot. Here's the deal.

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!***

Book Review: Fanny by Holly Hobbie

2009-01-03T00:45:50Z

Wow. Wow. Wow. Has it really been that long since I've been here? I guess so...and let's be realistic, with a baby due in one month, I better not make any promises about sticking around. My only excuse (besides holidays, vacations, and typical prego troubles) is that I've had bronchitis...pretty much this whole absence. I'm almost better. I just have a lingering cough that doesn't want to leave me.

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.

Fanny by Holly Hobbie is about a crafty little girl who desperately wants a Connie doll. After all, everyone has them. Fanny's mom, however, is not such a big fan of the dolls. I can relate.

Basically, if you're the kind of mom who would prefer your daughter play with a doll like this...

as opposed to one like this...

or this...

you'll probably find a kindred spirit in this little pink picture book.

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...

and she is getting lots and lots of love.

But even if you can't sew a stitch, the book comes with a paper doll Annabell, which has also been enjoyed around here.

And the winner is...

2008-11-01T16:15:02Z

Brian's Girls! Email me to claim the picture books. Congrats!

A Friendship Picture Book Giveaway...

2008-10-27T15:09:59Z

Are you familiar with books by Patrick McDonnell? Well, I love his book, The Gift of Nothing. Today I have a copy of his newest book (with the same characters) for giveaway. (Thanks Little, Brown!)

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.

The other book I am giving away (also from Little, Brown) is WillowBuds: When Toady Met Ratty by Mary Jane Begin. This is another story about friendship and getting along with people despite differences.

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!

Yay! My second published poem...

2008-10-25T22:30:51Z

Stories for Children, an online magazine, has accepted one of my poems for their December 08 issue! Hooray! AND...in more good news. I have a two picture book giveaway planned for Monday, so see you then!

Twilight

2008-10-16T17:05:35Z

Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

LRN TO BE FANSE...

2008-10-16T00:46:09Z

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!

Feeling More Inspired...

2008-10-13T15:05:05Z

So I started a new (small) round of manuscripts submissions yesterday. I was kind of discouraged by my last round because I never heard anything back...BUT I'm feeling inspired by the wonderful 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...

I'm just starting to put a few things back into my etsy shop, Whimsy Daisy.

Have a fabulous day!

PS...Go SARAHS!

Photography Assignment #2

2008-09-26T04:08:51Z

The assignment was to take pictures of something from several different angles. I made this SUPER EASY no-sew tutu for my lil ballerina. I love how it turned out! Here are some of my favorite shots...

The first and third shots are fun because they really show off the tutu in all its textured glory. The middle shot is good because it shows emotion. I love how the ballerina's brother is putting his arm around her, especially because his sleeve say defense. I mean, that's what big brothers are for, right?
I think the best photo is the first one because it has energy, texture, and attitude.

Something a Little Different...

2008-09-21T00:22:04Z

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.

The Cybils Picture Book Crew

2008-09-17T14:55:27Z

From the Cybils site....

"Fiction Picture Books

By brettdl

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'm excited to work with all these fabulous bloggers!

The Creative Family by Amanda Soule

2008-09-16T14:53:54Z

One of my favorite parenting books is The Creative Family by Amanda Soule. I also love her blog, SouleMama. I only have a sec today, but I want to point you to a fabulous interview with the author where they are giving away two copies of her book. You can find the interview and giveaways here. The book is full of great ideas to inspire creativity in the home, but even more than that, I love the philosophies presented.

I hope you win!

Cybils

2008-09-16T02:26:26Z

I'm excited to be a part of the Cybils again this year. I'll be serving as a Fiction Picture Book judge.

Natalie and Naughtily by Vincent X. Kirsch

2008-09-09T22:57:07Z

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.

Using the Kids...

2008-08-26T02:19:58Z

I know you don't have to have little kids to write for kids, but I think it helps. In my family, stories take a front-and-center role in our lives. I'm going to make a list of a few of the things we do because I believe they help me strengthen my writing (as well as being good for the kiddos).

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.

where I've been...

2008-08-01T04:03:41Z

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!

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

2008-07-03T03:00:22Z

So, I know many, many, many of you have already read this book. I'm extremely late to the party, but when someone else reviewed it for Deliciously Clean Reads, it dropped to the bottom of my to-read list. I was so intrigued by it, it's beautiful cover, all the great reviews, and that perfect title, but I had to make a priority out of books that hadn't yet been reviewed at DCR.

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.

Aftertaste of Hawaii

2008-06-23T22:37:43Z

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.

The Main Reason I've Been MIA...

2008-06-07T02:41:50Z

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.

Our Favorite Library Picks

2008-05-17T16:28:03Z

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.

Courting Emma Giveaway at Deliciously Clean Reads

2008-05-08T14:27:14Z

I have a couple copies of this book to giveaway at Deliciously Clean Reads this week. Go check it out!

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders

2008-04-30T16:20:41Z

I didn't realize that this book had already changed my life before I even read it. One of my BYU professors read an excerpt from A Thomas Jefferson Education that has truly stuck with me through the years. I am relieved to see the actual story in print. It has influenced my parenting as well as my views on creativity in education. Here is the story...

"The teacher handed out crayons and paper and announced that it was time to draw a picture. The little boy enthusiastically grabbed the crayons and began to imagine all the things he could draw: mountains, lakes, airplanes, his familiy, his dog, the ocean, the stars at night...
Hundreds of ideas raced through his creative little mind.
His teacher, seeing that he had started drawing, stopped him and said that today the class would be drawing flowers. The boy's mind again ran wild: daisies, daffodils, roses, carnations, violets, lilacs, pansies, mixed bouquets, green gardens full of rainbows of colors...
The teacher again interrupted, informing the class that today they would be drawing a certain kind of flower.
Taking colored chalk, the teacher went to the board and drew a green stem, with two leaves, and four identical pink petals. The little boy, eager to please, dutifully copied her drawing.
After several attempts, his drawing looked exactly like hers. The teacher congratulated him for doing such good work.
As the school year passed, the little boy became a very good student; he learned to listen, obey instructions and get the right answers on tests. His parents were very proud of him, and his teacher was impressed with his excellent progress.
When the next school year arrived, the boy had done so well in his classes that he was enrolled in an accelerated program. During the first week of class, the teacher handed out crayons and paper and announced that it was time to draw a picture. The little boy, still in love with art, enthusiastically picked up his crayons and waited for instructions.
After several minutes the teacher noticed that the little boy wasn't drawing. "Why haven't you started?" she asked. "Don't you like to draw?"
"I love to draw," responded the little boy, "but I was waiting for you to tell us what the assignment is."
"Just draw whatever you want," the teacher smiled and left the little boy to his creativity.
The little boy sat for a long time, watching the minutes tick off the clock and wondering what he should draw. Nothing came to mind.
Finally, in a burst of creative inspiration, he picked up his crayons and began to draw:
A green stem, with two leaves, and four identical pink petals."

This story breaks my heart. It broke my heart enough that it changed my life.

A Thomas Jefferson Education: Teaching a Generation of Leaders for the Twenty-first Century by Oliver Van DeMille is a book about traditional, classics-based education. It is not just a homeschool book, but a book about what has worked historically in terms of education. It is a look into how our Founding Fathers were taught and inspired and an appeal for current educational systems to return to the classics.
The book is well-written, accessible, and thought-provoking.
I recommend it to anyone who is interested in life-long learning for themselves and the young people they interact with.

Our favorite picture book picks this week...

2008-04-14T16:19:10Z

Here are our favorite library picks...

Baby Bear's Books by Jane Yolen, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Jazz Baby by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Hey, Pancakes! by Tamson Weston, illustrated by Stephen Gammell

Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beithf

And here are the latest picture books we've bought and loved...

Grumpy Bird by Jeremy Tankard

Go to Bed, Monster! by Natasha Wing, illustrated by Sylvie Kantorovitz

Muncha Muncha! Muncha! by Candace Fleming, illustrated by G. Brian Karas

How about you? What are your current favorites? I've love to check them out when we go back to the library tomorrow. Thanks.

What Punctuation Mark are You?

2008-04-07T22:05:26Z

You Are a Question Mark

You seek knowledge and insight in every form possible. You love learning.

And while you know a lot, you don't act like a know it all. You're open to learning you're wrong.

You ask a lot of questions, collect a lot of data, and always dig deep to find out more.

You're naturally curious and inquisitive. You jump to ask a question when the opportunity arises.

Your friends see you as interesting, insightful, and thought provoking.

(But they're not always up for the intense inquisitions that you love!)

You excel in: Higher education

You get along best with: The Comma

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

I do love learning. I love reading. I love thinking. I love school. I'm trying to get into a songwriting class with my sister. I want to learn to play the harp someday. I don't want to ever be done learning. I truly believe it is a lifelong process.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's...my kids.

2008-04-04T21:12:08Z

You would have thought it was Halloween if you had seen me in town today. I had a mini Superman and Cinderella following me around. What can I say? I'm all for that pretend play stuff.