scaifea's thread #26

Welcome to thread XXVI!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-15 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books
d. Cooperative Children's Book Center list

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
d. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
e. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. The NEH Timeless Classics list
g. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
h. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)
i. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. An unread book from my shelves.

10. A book from my Classics shelves.

11. A book from our Science Shelves corner.

12. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

13. Book-a-year challenge: Two years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

14. An audiobook for the car.

15. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

16. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books and easy readers, which Charlie and I read together. I've decided again this year also to list our re-reads, but I'll just list them each day and not number them.

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Andersonville (Banned Books)
-Rump (Westview library book)
-The Complete Sherlock Holmes (1001 Children's Books (sort of))
-The Gods of Pegana (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy)
-The Worst President: The Story of James Buchanan (Presidential Challenge)
-Sabriel (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)
-The Inverted World (BSFA)
-House of Leaves (unread book from my shelves)
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Charlie's bed-time book)
-James and the Giant Peach (another Charlie bed-time book)
-Don Quixote (an unread book off of my shelves)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian (from my Classics shelves)
-Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics (from the Science Shelves)
-Old Path White Clouds (Buddhism list)
-A Lear of the Steppes (books by year, 1870)
-The Full Cupboard of Life (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-Prairie Tale (from the Read Soon shelf)
-The Odyssey (everyday audio book in the car)
-The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare re-read)
-War and Peace (because Charlie wants me to)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

Books Read:

JANUARY

1. The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
2. Slaves of Quentaris (audio book/1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
3. Runner of the Mountain Tops (Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
4. The Blue Cat of Castletown (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
5. Princess Academy (Newbery Honor book/ audio book) - 8/10 = B+
6. Olive's Ocean (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
7. The Wanderer (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
8. The Terrible Two (potential Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
9. The Puppy Place: Scout (Charlie's bedtime book) - 8/10 = B
10. A Daughter of the Seine (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
11. Roller Girl (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
12. Abe Lincoln at Last! (Charlie's school library chapter book) - 8/10 = B+
13. How I Live Now (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10 = B+
14. The Terrible Two Get Worse (loaned to me by a school librarian) - 8/10 = B+
15. Ella Enchanted (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
16. Echo (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A-
17. Bone Gap (Printz award winner) - 9/10 = A
18. The Ghosts of Heaven (Printz Honor book) - 8/10 = B-
19. George (Stonewall Award winner) - 9/10 = A
20. The Return of the Native (audiobook for the car/book-a-year challenge, 1878) - 9/10 = A
21. Hoot (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
22. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
23. Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
24. The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A
25. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln (public library book) - 8/10 = B+

FEBRUARY
26. Crenshaw (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
27. Noah Barleywater Runs Away (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A-
28. The Midnight Dress (Blind Date with a Book) - 8/10 = B+
29. Twilight (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
30. Don't Break the Balance Beam! (public library book) - 8/10 = B
31. Hattie Ever After (sequel read) - 8/10 = B
32. A to Z Mysteries: Secret Admirer (Charlie bed-time read) - 8/10 = B
33. A Good Night for Ghosts (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
34. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
35. Zachary Taylor (Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
36. Books Can Be Deceiving (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+

MARCH
37. The Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
38. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (school library book) - 8/10 = B-
39. Bink & Gollie (school library book) - 8/10 = B+
40. The Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning (school library book) - 8/10 = B
41. The Spoonflower Handbook (just because I wanted to) - 9/10 = A-
42. The BFG (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
43. Circus Mirandus (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
44. Mr. Pants: Slacks, Camera, Action! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
45. Hour of the Olympics (school library book) - 8/10 = B
46. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
47. The Puppy Place: Patches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
48. Black Boy (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A-
49. The Religions Book (Charlie book) - 8/10 = A
50. The Boy Whom Swam with Piranhas (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
51. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
52. The Nest (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
53. Belle Prater's Boy (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
54. Pax (potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
55. Fleece Navidad (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
56. Dandelion Wine (NEH Children's Classics list) - 10/10 = A+
57. The Crystal Cave (Mythopoeic award list) - 8/10 = B+
58. The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A

APRIL
59. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave (Jeffers/Boyne bibliography) - 9/10 = A
60. The Naming of Tishkin Silk (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
61. Minn of the Mississippi (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
62. High Tide in Hawaii (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
63. The Apple and the Arrow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
64. My Side of the Mountain (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
65. Rascal (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
66. Millions (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
67. The Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown (Charlie's school library book) = 8/10 = B+
68. Davy Crockett (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
69. To Be a Slave (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
70. Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (Charlie's bedtime read) = 10/10 = A+
71. Serafina and the Black Cloak (book fair purchase) - 8/10 = B+

MAY
72. Detective Gordon: The First Case (CCBC list, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
73. Grimpow (audiobook/1001 Children's Books list) - 7/10 = C
74. Magic Tree House #24: Earthquake in the Early Morning (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
75. Enchantress from the Stars (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
76. To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Hugo Award) - 9/10 = A-
77. Millard Fillmore (U. S. Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
78. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
79. The Arrival (1001 Children's Books) - 10/10 = A
80. Finding Serendipity (book fair purchase) - 9/10 = A
81. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (bought as a potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
82. Magic Tree House #44: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
83. Ollie's Odyssey (William Joyce bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

JUNE
84. E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
85. The Knight at Dawn (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
86. Moby Dick (audiobook) - 9/10 = A-
87. The Three Muskeeters (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
88. Memoirs of Hecate County (banned books list) - 7/10 = C+
89. The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection (audiobook) - 10/10 = A
90. A Fine White Dust (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
91. The Sonnets (Shakespeare re-read) - 10/10 = A
92. Five Days at Memorial (from my Read Soon shelves) - 8/10 = B-
93. The Light of Asia (Buddhism reading list) - 8/10 = B+
94. The Centaur (National Book Award) - 8/10 = B
95. The Sign of the Beaver (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 9/10 = A-

JULY
96. The Amazing Spider-Man Storybook Collection (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
97. Nimona (checked out from the Lancaster public library as part of our Library Visiting Adventure) - 8/10 = B+
98. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
99. The Waters of the Wondrous Isles (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
100. The Sandman: Overture (Gaiman bibliography) - 10/10 = A+
101. The Kalahari Typing School for Men (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+
102. Not My Father's Son (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
103. Graven Images (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
104. Far from the Madding Crowd (Book-a-Year Challenge) - 9/10 = A
105. The Fledgling (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
106. The Gods Themselves (Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards lists) - 8/10 = B+
107. Danny the Champion of the World (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
108. Dear Committee Members (Read Soon Shelf) - 10/10 = A+
109. The Silver Dream (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
110. Eternity's Wheel (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
111. Phoebe and Her Unicorn (75er recommendation) - 9/10 = A
112. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (audiobook, The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B-
113. The Path to Enlightenment (Buddhism reading list) - 9/10 = A
114. Attack of the Monster Plants (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
115. The Miss Liberty Caper (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
116. Clues in the Woods (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
117. George's Marvelous Medicine (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
118. A Necklace of Raindrops (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
119. Inside Out and Back Again (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
120. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain (Boyne bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

AUGUST
121. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (because one must, of course) - 8/10 = B+
122. Puppy Pirates: Stowaway! (Charlie read-aloud) - 8/10 = B
123. A Newbery Zoo (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
124. The Bluest Eye (Banned Books, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
125. Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
126. Audubon (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
127. Justin Morgan Had a Horse (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) = 8/10 = B
128. Due or Die (series read along with my mom) - 9/10 = A
129. The Catcher in the Rye (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A
130. Gone-Away Lake (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
131. Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
132. Red Moon and Black Mountain (Mythopoeic award) - 7/10 = C
133. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
134. My Brother Sam Is Dead (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B
135. Across Five Aprils (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
136. The Coral Island (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
137. The Knight of the Swords (BFA) - 8/10 = B
138. Mr. Pants: Trick or Feet! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
139. Penn (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-

SEPTEMBER
140. Arabel's Raven (because it's illustrated by Quentin Blake and I love him) - 9/10 = A
141. Amelia Bedelia Unleashed (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+
142. The Perilous Road (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
143. The Railway Children (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
144. The Well at the World's End (Green Dragon Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
145. Around the World in 80 Days (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
146. The Singing Tree (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
147. Rendezvous with Rama (Nebula, BSFA, Hugo, Locus & Campbell awards) - 8/10 = B+
148. The Elements (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
149. The Sandman and the War of Dreams (Charlie's bedtime book) - 10/10 = A+
150. Thanksgiving on Thursday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
151. Blue Willow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B

OCTOBER
152. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
153. High Rise (audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A-
154. A Scanner Darkly (audiobook, BSFA) - 8/10 = B+
155. A Clockwork Orange (audiobook, Banned Books) - 9/10 = A
156. So You Want to Be a Wizard (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy) - 8/10 = B+
157. No Such Thing As a Witch (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
158. Franklin Pierce (U.S. Presidential Challenge) - 7/10 = C
159. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (everyday audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A
160. The Bell Jar (Banned Books, audiobook) - 9/10 = A
161. I Capture the Castle (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
162. Fog Magic (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
163. Wonderstruck (Charlie's book club book) - 9/10 = A
164. Some Writer! - 9/10 = A
165. I Am Legend (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A-

NOVEMBER
166. Beyond Apollo (Campbell award) - 7/10 = C
167. The Witches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A-
168. The Eagle of the Ninth (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
169. Daughter of the Mountains (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
170. Collected Stories and Other Writings (Pulitzer) - 8/10 = B
171. The Twits (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
172. Lord of the Flies (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
173. Seventh Son (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list/audiobook) - 9/10 = A
174. Dropped Dead Stitch (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
175. Dog Man (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+
176. Like Water for Chocolate (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A
177. Tree of Freedom (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+

DECEMBER
178. Mouse Bird Snake Wolf (school library book) - 9/10 = A
179. North to Freedom (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
180. Dealing with Dragons (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B-
181. The Bird King (Westview library book) - 9/10 = A

Welcome to thread XXVI!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-15 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books
d. Cooperative Children's Book Center list

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
d. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
e. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. The NEH Timeless Classics list
g. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
h. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)
i. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. An unread book from my shelves.

10. A book from my Classics shelves.

11. A book from our Science Shelves corner.

12. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

13. Book-a-year challenge: Two years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

14. An audiobook for the car.

15. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

16. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books and easy readers, which Charlie and I read together. I've decided again this year also to list our re-reads, but I'll just list them each day and not number them.

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Andersonville (Banned Books)
-Tree of Freedom (Newbery Honor Book)
-The Complete Sherlock Holmes (1001 Children's Books (sort of))
-The Gods of Pegana (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy)
-The Worst President: The Story of James Buchanan (Presidential Challenge)
-Like Water for Chocolate (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)
-The Dispossessed (Nebula, Hugo & Locus awards)
-House of Leaves (unread book from my shelves)
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Charlie's bed-time book)
-The Twits (another Charlie bed-time book)
-Don Quixote (an unread book off of my shelves)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian (from my Classics shelves)
-Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics (from the Science Shelves)
-Old Path White Clouds (Buddhism list)
-A Lear of the Steppes (books by year, 1870)
-The Full Cupboard of Life (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-Prairie Tale (from the Read Soon shelf)
-The Odyssey (everyday audio book in the car)
-The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare re-read)
-War and Peace (because Charlie wants me to)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

Books Read:

JANUARY

1. The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
2. Slaves of Quentaris (audio book/1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
3. Runner of the Mountain Tops (Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
4. The Blue Cat of Castletown (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
5. Princess Academy (Newbery Honor book/ audio book) - 8/10 = B+
6. Olive's Ocean (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
7. The Wanderer (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
8. The Terrible Two (potential Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
9. The Puppy Place: Scout (Charlie's bedtime book) - 8/10 = B
10. A Daughter of the Seine (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
11. Roller Girl (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
12. Abe Lincoln at Last! (Charlie's school library chapter book) - 8/10 = B+
13. How I Live Now (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10 = B+
14. The Terrible Two Get Worse (loaned to me by a school librarian) - 8/10 = B+
15. Ella Enchanted (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
16. Echo (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A-
17. Bone Gap (Printz award winner) - 9/10 = A
18. The Ghosts of Heaven (Printz Honor book) - 8/10 = B-
19. George (Stonewall Award winner) - 9/10 = A
20. The Return of the Native (audiobook for the car/book-a-year challenge, 1878) - 9/10 = A
21. Hoot (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
22. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
23. Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
24. The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A
25. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln (public library book) - 8/10 = B+

FEBRUARY
26. Crenshaw (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
27. Noah Barleywater Runs Away (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A-
28. The Midnight Dress (Blind Date with a Book) - 8/10 = B+
29. Twilight (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
30. Don't Break the Balance Beam! (public library book) - 8/10 = B
31. Hattie Ever After (sequel read) - 8/10 = B
32. A to Z Mysteries: Secret Admirer (Charlie bed-time read) - 8/10 = B
33. A Good Night for Ghosts (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
34. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
35. Zachary Taylor (Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
36. Books Can Be Deceiving (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+

MARCH
37. The Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
38. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (school library book) - 8/10 = B-
39. Bink & Gollie (school library book) - 8/10 = B+
40. The Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning (school library book) - 8/10 = B
41. The Spoonflower Handbook (just because I wanted to) - 9/10 = A-
42. The BFG (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
43. Circus Mirandus (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
44. Mr. Pants: Slacks, Camera, Action! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
45. Hour of the Olympics (school library book) - 8/10 = B
46. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
47. The Puppy Place: Patches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
48. Black Boy (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A-
49. The Religions Book (Charlie book) - 8/10 = A
50. The Boy Whom Swam with Piranhas (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
51. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
52. The Nest (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
53. Belle Prater's Boy (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
54. Pax (potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
55. Fleece Navidad (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
56. Dandelion Wine (NEH Children's Classics list) - 10/10 = A+
57. The Crystal Cave (Mythopoeic award list) - 8/10 = B+
58. The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A

APRIL
59. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave (Jeffers/Boyne bibliography) - 9/10 = A
60. The Naming of Tishkin Silk (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
61. Minn of the Mississippi (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
62. High Tide in Hawaii (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
63. The Apple and the Arrow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
64. My Side of the Mountain (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
65. Rascal (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
66. Millions (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
67. The Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown (Charlie's school library book) = 8/10 = B+
68. Davy Crockett (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
69. To Be a Slave (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
70. Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (Charlie's bedtime read) = 10/10 = A+
71. Serafina and the Black Cloak (book fair purchase) - 8/10 = B+

MAY
72. Detective Gordon: The First Case (CCBC list, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
73. Grimpow (audiobook/1001 Children's Books list) - 7/10 = C
74. Magic Tree House #24: Earthquake in the Early Morning (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
75. Enchantress from the Stars (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
76. To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Hugo Award) - 9/10 = A-
77. Millard Fillmore (U. S. Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
78. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
79. The Arrival (1001 Children's Books) - 10/10 = A
80. Finding Serendipity (book fair purchase) - 9/10 = A
81. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (bought as a potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
82. Magic Tree House #44: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
83. Ollie's Odyssey (William Joyce bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

JUNE
84. E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
85. The Knight at Dawn (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
86. Moby Dick (audiobook) - 9/10 = A-
87. The Three Muskeeters (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
88. Memoirs of Hecate County (banned books list) - 7/10 = C+
89. The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection (audiobook) - 10/10 = A
90. A Fine White Dust (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
91. The Sonnets (Shakespeare re-read) - 10/10 = A
92. Five Days at Memorial (from my Read Soon shelves) - 8/10 = B-
93. The Light of Asia (Buddhism reading list) - 8/10 = B+
94. The Centaur (National Book Award) - 8/10 = B
95. The Sign of the Beaver (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 9/10 = A-

JULY
96. The Amazing Spider-Man Storybook Collection (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
97. Nimona (checked out from the Lancaster public library as part of our Library Visiting Adventure) - 8/10 = B+
98. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
99. The Waters of the Wondrous Isles (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
100. The Sandman: Overture (Gaiman bibliography) - 10/10 = A+
101. The Kalahari Typing School for Men (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+
102. Not My Father's Son (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
103. Graven Images (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
104. Far from the Madding Crowd (Book-a-Year Challenge) - 9/10 = A
105. The Fledgling (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
106. The Gods Themselves (Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards lists) - 8/10 = B+
107. Danny the Champion of the World (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
108. Dear Committee Members (Read Soon Shelf) - 10/10 = A+
109. The Silver Dream (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
110. Eternity's Wheel (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
111. Phoebe and Her Unicorn (75er recommendation) - 9/10 = A
112. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (audiobook, The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B-
113. The Path to Enlightenment (Buddhism reading list) - 9/10 = A
114. Attack of the Monster Plants (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
115. The Miss Liberty Caper (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
116. Clues in the Woods (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
117. George's Marvelous Medicine (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
118. A Necklace of Raindrops (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
119. Inside Out and Back Again (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
120. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain (Boyne bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

AUGUST
121. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (because one must, of course) - 8/10 = B+
122. Puppy Pirates: Stowaway! (Charlie read-aloud) - 8/10 = B
123. A Newbery Zoo (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
124. The Bluest Eye (Banned Books, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
125. Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
126. Audubon (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
127. Justin Morgan Had a Horse (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) = 8/10 = B
128. Due or Die (series read along with my mom) - 9/10 = A
129. The Catcher in the Rye (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A
130. Gone-Away Lake (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
131. Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
132. Red Moon and Black Mountain (Mythopoeic award) - 7/10 = C
133. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
134. My Brother Sam Is Dead (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B
135. Across Five Aprils (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
136. The Coral Island (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
137. The Knight of the Swords (BFA) - 8/10 = B
138. Mr. Pants: Trick or Feet! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
139. Penn (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-

SEPTEMBER
140. Arabel's Raven (because it's illustrated by Quentin Blake and I love him) - 9/10 = A
141. Amelia Bedelia Unleashed (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+
142. The Perilous Road (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
143. The Railway Children (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
144. The Well at the World's End (Green Dragon Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
145. Around the World in 80 Days (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
146. The Singing Tree (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
147. Rendezvous with Rama (Nebula, BSFA, Hugo, Locus & Campbell awards) - 8/10 = B+
148. The Elements (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
149. The Sandman and the War of Dreams (Charlie's bedtime book) - 10/10 = A+
150. Thanksgiving on Thursday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
151. Blue Willow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B

OCTOBER
152. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
153. High Rise (audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A-
154. A Scanner Darkly (audiobook, BSFA) - 8/10 = B+
155. A Clockwork Orange (audiobook, Banned Books) - 9/10 = A
156. So You Want to Be a Wizard (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy) - 8/10 = B+
157. No Such Thing As a Witch (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
158. Franklin Pierce (U.S. Presidential Challenge) - 7/10 = C
159. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (everyday audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A
160. The Bell Jar (Banned Books, audiobook) - 9/10 = A
161. I Capture the Castle (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
162. Fog Magic (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
163. Wonderstruck (Charlie's book club book) - 9/10 = A
164. Some Writer! - 9/10 = A
165. I Am Legend (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A-

NOVEMBER
166. Beyond Apollo (Campbell award) - 7/10 = C
167. The Witches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A-
168. The Eagle of the Ninth (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
169. Daughter of the Mountains (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
170. Collected Stories and Other Writings (Pulitzer) - 8/10 = B
171. The Twits (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
172. Lord of the Flies (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
173. Seventh Son (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list/audiobook) - 9/10 = A
174. Dropped Dead Stitch (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
175. Dog Man (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+

The Charlie, Mario & Tuppence Toppers:

Charlie helping Granny (my mom) with Thanksgiving dinner:



And The Gals:

The Bonus Question:

Favorite December/Holiday Treats? Mine are Speculaas Cookies...

And I'll post this here just once more, from the bottom of my last thread, and because it's Giving Tuesday. Feel free to skim on by...

Hey folks, so I've been talking about this read-a-thon I'm organizing for the PTO and the local public library, yeah? So I was thinking that maybe I should mention - casually and with no pressure whatsoever, of course - that if you'd like to sponsor a pledge for Charlie, let me know. He'll be keeping track of his reading from Sunday, December 4th through Friday, December 16th; sponsors can pledge an amount per minute, with or without a cap (fair warning: a cap may be a smart bet, because our reader is A READER and those minutes are gonna pile up), or may give a flat donation of any amount. All funds raised will go to the Platteville (WI) Public Library, to buy furnishings and technology for their brand-new building, which will be opening this spring. So, let me know (PM me) if you're interested in sponsoring Charlie.

I hesitated to post this here, because I don't want to be soliciting, but I think this is maybe okay. Plus, I know that some of us have been talking about looking for ways to make this place a better one in which to live after recent events, and supporting kiddos who are raising money for a public library by reading seems like a pretty good option.

Happy new thread, Amber!

Mmmm, speculaas are good. My favourite is a family recipe simply called Christmas Cut-Out Cookies. They're a type of shortbread with a dash of lemon zest in them and they're magic because the longer you let them sit (in an air-tight container, of course), the softer they get. I'll be making some this weekend and I'm looking forward to it.

Love the pic of Charlie and your mom!

My favorite holiday treat are the Swedish ginger snaps in the big tin they sell at World Market.

>6 MickyFine: Micky: Ooof, those sound amazing!

>7 katiekrug: Katie: I LOVE gingersnaps!! And I miss World Market so, so much. Dang.

We don't really have any traditional Christmas foods. (I come from a long line of non-traditional people, more because we're unsentimental than because we're iconoclastic.) I am one of those weirdos who likes fruitcake, though. I also love chocolate covered cherries, my uncle's mulled wine, and homemade noodles made by my grandmother's recipe.

ETA: My favorite childhood tradition was every year on December 1st, we got the Christmas books out of storage. We probably had 50 different children's books about Christmas, including pop-up books, scratch-and-sniff books, and Where's Waldo type books with Frosty the Snowman instead of Waldo. We had them out until New Year's, at which point they went back into storage for another year.

In retrospect, that sounds like an absolutely bizarre tradition...

Happy New Thread, Amber!

>2 scaifea: I loved Will in the World, and I never thought I'd see a book titled, The Art of the Catapult. :-)

Holiday treats, hmm. We make homemade applesauce every year for the holidays (just adding cinnamon, no sugar - the apples are sweet enough), so that would be my pick.

Happy new thread Amber my dear and the photos are so good. Hope you are having a really good Tuesday and that the weather is good for you. It is quite cold here as we had the coldest night of the winter but it is to get colder tonight. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

Your bookshelf pics make me salivate, Amber. (I'd read The Art of the Catapult, although Medieval Days and Ways sounds even better!)

Lovely photo of Charlie and his gran.

My sis bakes at Christmas. I love her Almond Crescent cookies! And I like fruitcake too. (Anyone who wants to get rid of an unwanted fruitcake, I'm your woman!)

Love the Christmas books tradition. I also have a number of Christmas books I get out in December, including Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas and a picture-book version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

When we were kids, Santa came to our house on Christmas Eve because we went to my maternal grandma's on Christmas Day. My mom always made Oyster Stew for dinner, which we had with little oyster crackers, and then us kids were banished to the basement (we had a playroom down there) until Santa came. As soon as we heard the sleigh bells, we'd rush up the stairs to find the tree almost buried in presents and my mom standing at the front door, waving toward the sky. I haven't had Oyster Stew since, but it will forever be associated in my mind with Christmas Eve.

Happy new thread, Amber.

I always looked forward to Thornton's Continentals at Christmas which would invariably be in someone's stocking. British chocolates at their best. I do miss my Christmas dinner though which is akin to your Thanksgiving one.

>3 scaifea: Lovely Charlie, Mario and Tuppence toppers, nice to see Charlie working with his Granny :-)

>4 scaifea: No special edible holliday treats, best treat: sitting together with Frank at our big dinner table enjoying the dinner he prepared :-)

>9 casvelyn: We do that with our (Charlie's) Christmas books, too! Love it. So, nope, I don't think it's bizarre at all.

>10 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! It will likely not come as much of a shock to know that the Greenblatt is mine and The Art of the Catapult it Tomm's...
And do you know, I think of you every time that we make applesauce! Ha!

>11 johnsimpson: Hi, John! The weather is about half right for this time of the year: it's chilly, but no snow yet. (grumble, grumble).

>12 Storeetllr: Mary: Thanks for the shelf compliments. I do love 'em. And the photo love - love those subjects, too, of course.
Apparently my mom used to make fruitcakes, but stopped right after I came along. (Maybe I broke the mold...ahem.)
And I LOVE your Oyster Soup story, especially the part about your mom waving - excellent!

>13 PaulCranswick: Hi, Paul! I'll have to look up the Thortons and see if I can't have some delivered. As Mister Rogers was fond of saying, I like trying new things...

>14 FAMeulstee: Anita: Good to see you! I love the thought of the two of you enjoying Frank's dinner. Sounds perfectly lovely.

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Ah, buckeyes are my favorite holiday treat. Not from my childhood, but my sister started making them for her family at some point, and I love them!

>16 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

>17 ronincats: Roni: Ah, as you can imagine, those things are a staple in Ohio. Practically a food group unto themselves.

>17 ronincats: Here we call those peanut butter balls, and the whole thing is covered in chocolate. ;)

ETA: By "here" I mean "in my household," or at least "on my mom's side of the family"; it's not a regional thing.

>17 ronincats: Oh, man. Now I want some buckeyes! I love those things.

>19 London_StJ: Luxx: Well, if the whole thing is covered in chocolate, you couldn't very well call it a Buckeye, could you?! *snork!*
(Sorry; it's late (for me) and I'm tired...)

>20 rosalita: Julia: Quick - grab a jar of peanut butter and some chocolate chips!

On the agenda for today:
Treadmilling, some PTO business, some sewing (right now I'm working on making superhero capes out of thrift shop dresses for our nieces), some writing. Charlie has gymnastics today after school, so I'll have a nice chunk of reading time and hopefully I'll finish up Tree of Freedom. Eggs and Toast for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front:
I listened to more of Like Water for Chocolate and read a bit more of Tree of Freedom yesterday. Nearly finished with both...

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Marguerite de Angeli based the character of Robin in The Door in the Wall (1950 Newbery Medal) on a disabled friend who became a violinist, as well as a cabinet maker and a crafts artist."
I very much enjoyed A Door in the Wall - a lovely little book.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Charlie read a bit of Herobrine Goes to School
-Lego City: Save This Christmas!
-Polly's Christmas Present
-Billy Twitters and His Blue Whale Problem
-Chapter 3 of James and the Giant Peach
-The second half of chapter 25 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

And our Christmas movie last night was Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas, the knowledge of which I owe to Linda and/or Laura, I think...? We've now watched it for two or three years and just love it.

Morning, Amber!

Happy new thread, Amber! Kolaches!
I'm following the recipe passed down from my grandmothers, my aunt and my mom. I simply adore apricot but make other flavors cause I try to be a nice hostess. Bah!

>24 msf59: Morning, Mark!

>25 Carmenere: Lynda: Oooh, lovely! I've never had those, but they look delicious!

Good morning, Amber!

I have Door in the Wall on my tbr shelf based on your recommendation. I hope to read it soon - this time of year so many good books show up and jump the queue!

>27 jnwelch: Joe: Yes!! I'm certain that you will love it! And you're right about this time of the year - I'm already seeing all sorts of Best Of 2016 lists popping up...

>21 scaifea: Precisely! And more chocolate = better, so I maintain that peanut butter balls are better than buckeyes. :-p

>29 London_StJ: Agreed!

>25 Carmenere: There's a big Czech community here in eastern Iowa so I am a long-time fan of kolaches, Lynda. And I have to say the apricot are my favorite, too. And this reminds me that I recently read an interesting article about the Texas kolache scene, where apparently they are square and often include savory fillings such as meat. That seems quite strange to me, but it takes all kinds, I reckon. :-)

>31 rosalita: Julia: Ooh, the savory fillings make them sound a bit like pasties up here in Wisconsin, which are amazing.

>32 scaifea: I admit I'd like to try them, even though they may not fit the strict definition of a kolache!

>33 rosalita: Julia: Be adventurous!

Hi Amber, hope you are having a good day my dear, Karen has been baking buns today, some for tomorrow evenings Bariatric meeting and some for another group meet up although I did get to scrape out the mixing bowl so there are some advantages being married to a lovely baker.

Good news this morning, Amy messaged me about the Kiss concerts and she got a priority message from her cell provider and she managed to book two tickets for the concert in Birmingham on May 28th, we are both really happy and will have a father/daughter bonding time.

Sending love and hugs.

P.S Karen has posted two photos on Facebook for a group or something and it shows her before bariatric surgery and now and there are lots of messages and I posted one and now she really thinks Amy has broken me, lol.

Happy new thread!

My favorite holiday treat - probably caramel pecan logs. We only make them at Christmas, and they are perilously sweet, but mostly I love the memories of making them with my mom and grandma.

Wow. Enjoying all the food talk. I had no idea what a buckeye was, but now want one...

Discovered little marzipan pastry treats at the supermarket in recent years. Dangerous things.

Oh! Marzipan! I love it, though I don't know where to find it here.

>31 rosalita: - Savory kolaches are DELISH!!! There is a big Czech community south of Dallas on the way to Austin and it is a MUST to stop at the Czech Stop gas station and convenience store to get fresh kolaches. I've never noticed the fruit kolaches but in looking up images, I see they have them there. Also, most donut shops around here also have kolaches. I like the ones that are sausage links (real sausage, not breakfast sausage) wrapped in flaky pastry. Mmmmmm..... Breakfast ones also have melted cheese inside. Double mmmmmmm......

(The Czech Stop is in West, Texas, where that big fertilizer plant explosion was a few years ago that leveled a large chunk of the town and killed a bunch of people. Before the extent of the tragedy was known, most people in Dallas and Austin were primarily concerned about their kolache supply...)

My favorite Christmas treats are Kisses with Cherry Cordial Creme.

Have you pulled out the ATC Advent cards I made for Charlie?

>35 johnsimpson: John: You are such a lucky one with all of that baking going on in your house all the time!
And a KISS concert?! LOVE IT! I bet they're amazing live!

>36 nittnut: Jenn: Oh, gosh I love pecan logs but can't eat them because pecans make my mouth completely hurty. I must have a mild allergy to them.

>37 charl08: >38 Storeetllr: Charlotte & Mary: Oh, nopenopenope. I can't abide marzipan, I'm afraid. But good news - that means more for you ladies!

>39 katiekrug: Katie: I read somewhere once that filled and deep-fried pastries are the one food that every culture has in one form or another. Cool, if it's true.

>40 Morphidae: Morphy: Those are my brother's favorite, too!
And yes, of course! Charlie has it all set up in the dining room.

Hi Amber, happy new thread! I look forward to my Mom's Nanaimo Bars at Christmas every year. She uses dark chocolate on the top which off-sets the sweetness of the icing layer. It isn't Christmas until I have one of those yummy treats!

Happy new thread, Amber. My Christmas treats are mince tarts - yum!

>41 scaifea: More for me? Oh, I couldn't possibly.
Oh, if you insist...

>42 DeltaQueen50: Judy: You know, I've never had one of those. Do they have coconut in them? But the dark chocolate sounds delicious!

>43 Familyhistorian: Hi, Meg! Oh, mince tarts! My mom used to make a great mincemeat pie, back when she made about 10 different pies for Christmas. These days it's usually Apple, Pecan, Lemon Meringue and maybe Raisin (if I beg).

>44 charl08: Charlotte: Oh, I *do* insist. Go ahead! *grins*

On the agenda for today:
I've got some PTO business at school this morning, then I'll come home to do the menu-planning and list-organizing for tomorrow's shopping, do a bit of sewing (hopefully), then go back into school for my Thursday afternoon library volunteering. Fried Rice for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front:
I finished Like Water for Chocolate and Tree of Freedom, and declared The Dispossessed a DNF (more on all of those later), started North to Freedom and read a bit in Don Quixote, too.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Carolyn Bailey based Mr. T. Willard-Brown in Miss Hickory (1947 Newbery Medal) on one of the twenty-three barn cats she owned. She chose Tippy because he had a scar on his nose from a fight with a rat. Bailey changed the cat's name because 'Tippy' didn't sound dignified enough."

On the sewing front:
I think I mentioned that I'm working on turning a couple of dresses I found at the thrift shop into superhero capes for our nieces for Christmas. Here's what the dresses looked like to start:



And here's part of the progress I made on the first one yesterday:



I'm approaching these with half a spirit of adventure and half trepidation, as I'm winging it completely. So far so good...

What We Read Yesterday:
-I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!
-Gingerbread Baby
-Bob's White Christmas
-Chapter 4 of James and the Giant Peach
-The first third of chapter 26 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Morning Amber! Sweet Thursday! I am enjoying the day off. Yah! I finished The Dispossessed, but it fell flat for me. Sorry, it became a dreaded DNF.

>48 msf59: Morning, Mark! Woot for days off!!
I rarely don't finish a book, but I just couldn't with this one. Gah.

>42 DeltaQueen50: OMG, those look delicious. Is this a good recipe? Or can you share yours?
http://www.kingarthurflour.com/recipes/nanaimo-bars-recipe

>46 scaifea: What an absolutely fantastic idea! love it!

Oh that cape is lovely! I foresee some happy imaginary play...

Morning, Amber! Happy new one. My favorite Christmas treat would have to be Mexican wedding cookies - my mom made the best ones, but I don't have that recipe. She only made them for Christmas, so they are forever entrenched in the Christmas holiday for me.

*back to add that I read and really liked The Dispossessed a few years ago. Sorry it didn't work for you and Mark.

>50 lauralkeet: Laura: King Arthur Flour always has good recipes, so I bet this one is, too.

>51 London_StJ: Thanks, Luxx. One of my favorite things to do is sew something new out of something not-so-new. And winging it is one of the best (and scariest) parts of that.

>52 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! When our nieces were here last summer, they and Charlie all were wearing some of Charlie's capes and had such a good time running around and playing with them, so I thought it would be a good idea to make capes for them for Christmas. I hope they love them!

>53 Crazymamie: Mamie: My mom makes those, too, and they're delicious!
And yeah, Le Guin is hit-and-miss for me; this one was definitely a miss. *shrug*

Good morning, Amber!

What Mamie said in >53 Crazymamie: re The Dispossessed. I read it many a decade ago, and really liked it. Sometimes the sci-fi-ers don't age well, though. Sorry this one was a miss for you.

>55 jnwelch: Joe: I'm glad other people have enjoyed it (and clearly lots did - it was a big award winner). Sometimes Le Guin just doesn't work for me. And that's okay, of course.

I've rated LeGuin everything from 4 to 8 stars, so she varies widely from book to book for me. The Dispossessed got 5/10 stars so it was just this side of did not like. (The Lathe of Heaven got the 4/10 stars and The Left Hand of Darkness got the 8/10 stars.)

>41 scaifea:, Hi Amber, I have managed to see Kiss four times so far and the last time was at Birmingham with both Rob and Amy, really looking forward to it.

We will be seeing Amy and Andy in this years Joseph Rowntree Players Pantomime on Sunday, Andy is the baddie and Amy is in the chorus and has a couple of lines to say, Rob, Louise and the girls will also be there.

Sending love and hugs and hope you are having a lovely day my dear.

Τὸ ἐμὸν ἀεροπλοῖον ἐγχελείων πλῆρές ἐστιν. just sayin'. :-)

my hovercraft is full of eels (ancient Greek).

currently not reading anything resembling anything you're currently reading. bummer.

Christmas with my parents (i'm an only) was quite magical, largely b/c of the times (50s) and the amount of love in the house and we weren't that far from the Great Depression and WWII. i could go on at length, but will be minimal.

my favorite treat was my Mom. after the tree was decorated (real tin tinsel, those gorgeous and dangerous old bubble lights and family glass ornaments), we would come in at night from wherever we'd been, and Mom would turn on the light at the door that dad had wired to turn on just the tree. watching her face when the tree lit up in the long dark room was my Christmas. she was radiant and as excited as a child even when she was quite ill. still chokes me up a bit.

every Christmas had its stories. one year my parents decided to make salt water taffy. it was a complete disaster as we lived in coastal So Cal which was salt sea damp and it simply wouldn't taffy-ize. they laughed and laughed and it was a favorite holiday story.

food treat: Mom's plain Swedish icebox cookies and old timey fruitcake. eta: Pfeffernüsse! fun to say, fun to eat.

>59 mirrordrum: LOL! Did Plato say that?

Wonderful Christmas memories.

>60 jnwelch: no, but he was always and forever saying to Dion, "Άβρως χορευσουσιν αἱ γυναικες περι το δενδρον so shall we go elsewhere in the forest, my dear, and make up aphorisms for posterity?" for some reason he said that in modern English. he felt that one could never have enough languages. nor yet aphorisms. he was great fun at a party.

The women will dance delicately round the tree.

>61 mirrordrum: Ha! Love it.

Was it Celine Dion? In a vision of the future?

That Plato, what a guy. I'm glad he got out of the cave and into the forest. And who knew he appreciated delicate dancing?

I've forgotten - why are we using spoilers for this?

>62 jnwelch: aha, Joe dear, you missed it. Dion of Syracuse, a disciple of Plato and a supporter of Plato's Academy. Plato was not keen on light revelry. and i doubt that his idea of amusement was frolicking women, however delicate. he was serious. look at that head. hence he and Dion went off away from the delicate dancing and hints of Celine's siren songs and into an altogether other part of the forest where they could think Serious Thoughts so that we might benefit from them. he said some pretty good stuff.

we're using spoilers b/c a) if you tack the translation right after the Greek, it ruins the effect and 2) i think they're fun. :-)

returning this thread or filament or whatever to Amber lest she develop linonophobia, may the goddess forfend.

>57 Morphidae: Morphy: I really liked Lathe of Heaven and I love the Ged books, except the last one, which is awful with raisins. I've read The Left Hand of Darkness, but I can't remember a thing about it.

>58 johnsimpson: John: Four times?! That's excellent! Back in my college years I used to follow Nine Inch Nails around, so I saw him lots, and the same for Tori Amos - love her. I'd love to see KISS in concert - I bet they're just fabulous. I took my best friend to see Iron Maiden once, and even though I'm not a huge fan, that was a fun concert - the people watching was top notch. The best concert I've ever been though, hands down, was the P-Funk. So amazing.

>59 mirrordrum: Ellie: Ha! My goodness, lady. Oi with the Greek already!
Your childhood Christmases sound like mine. Absolutely charmed. My mom and I used to lay on the floor with our heads under the tree and look up at it from the inside out, every year just after we put it up and before any presents were underneath. We'd just lay there, light-gazing and chatting about all sorts of things, usually holding hands. Such good memories.

>60 jnwelch: Joe: I wouldn't put it past old Plato. Gah. Not my favorite guy. He could have stayed in that silly cave, for all I care. Give me Thucydides any day.

>61 mirrordrum: Ellie: Plato, fun at a party!? Forever going on about that Socrates guy, and how well he knew him and all. Probably was his worst and most annoying student. Pshaw.

>62 jnwelch: Joe: Oh my goodness - Celine and Plato together?! Yeesh.

>63 mirrordrum: Ellie: Plato the Party Pooper - I'm pretty sure that was his full name...

Happy new thread, Amber!

>64 scaifea: I liked but did not love the Ged books, most got 7/10 stars, a couple got 6/10 stars. Do you mean Tehanu as the "last book?" I gave it 7/10 stars. A lot of people don't like it for some reason. I'm not sure why.

>66 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

>67 Morphidae: Morphy: Yeah, Tehanu. I really didn't like how that one seemed an unnecessary addition to the series and so seemed only to have been written to be preachy. Ugh. I don't like being preached at.

>68 scaifea: Well, it (Tehanu) was written 20 years later and so from a completely different mindset. I did read The Dispossessed completely through many years ago in the mid-70s and, although I loved the ideas, I did think it very dry and one of her books where the ideas got in the way of the story-telling, so I understand your frustration.

>69 ronincats: Roni: Twenty years, eh? Huh. I honestly wish I hadn't read that one at all, because I loved the series before it, and reading it sort of retrospectively tainted the rest of the books.

>45 scaifea: Yes, Amber, Nanaimo Bars do have coconut in them. I gather that coconut is not a favorite ingredient of yours.

>50 lauralkeet: That recipe looks good but I think this one is a little closer to the original:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup sweetned flaked coconut
1/2 cup sweetned shredded coconut
1/3 cup finely chopped walnut halves
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup butter, melted
1 egg lightly beaten

Filling:
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons custard powder
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups icing sugar
2 tablespoons milk (approx.)

Topping:
4 oz semisweet chocolate chopped
1 tablespoon butter

In bowl, stir together graham crumbs, coconut, walnuts, cocoa powder and sugar. Drizzle with butter and egg; stir until combined.

Press crumb mixture into parchment paper–lined 9-inch (2.5 L) square metal cake pan. Bake in 350°F (180°C) oven until firm, about 10 minutes. Let cool in pan on rack.

Filling: In bowl, beat together butter, custard powder and vanilla. Beat in icing sugar alternately with milk until smooth, adding up to 1 tsp (5 mL) more milk if too thick to spread. Spread over cooled base; refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.

Topping: In heatproof bowl over saucepan of hot (not boiling) water, melt chocolate with butter. Spread over filling; refrigerate until almost set, about 30 minutes.

With tip of knife, score into bars; refrigerate until chocolate is set, about 1 hour. (Make-ahead: Wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days or overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks.) Cut into bars.

** When my Mom makes them she melts dark chocolate squares for the topping but if you prefer a sweeter topping then the semi-sweet squares also work. The custard powder that we use is called Bird's Custard Powder.

>71 DeltaQueen50: Judy: No, I can't abide coconut, I'm afraid. But thanks for sharing the recipe!

On the agenda for today:
Grocery shopping this morning, then bills and photo-organizing, then off to Charlie's old school for my Friday afternoon volunteering. Pot-Roasted Pork with Steamed Carrots and Baked Potatoes for dinner tonight, I think.

On the reading front:
I read through Mouse, Bird, Snake, Wolf last night, which was excellent. Gosh, I need to get caught up here on my reporting - I'll try to get that done today...

On the sewing front:
I didn't get a ton of sewing time yesterday, but I did work a bit on the first cape, which is nearly finished. I'm quite pleased with it, really. Photos soonish.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "As a child, Mari Sandoz (The Horsecatcher, 1958 Newbery Honor Book) had to sneak books into her house because her father disapproved of reading fiction."
And Happy Birthday to David Macaulay! We love his books here at Scaife Manor.

What We Read Yesterday:
-Charlie read a bit of Herobrine Goes to School
-He also read Hippo from Another Planet (another school reading assignment)
-The Christmas Tree Book
-A Grouch Christmas
-On a Beam of Light by Jennifer Berne (Charlie's school library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
A gorgeous picture book about the life and work of Albert Einstein. Highly recommended.
-Chapter 5 of James and the Giant Peach
-The middle part of chapter 26 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

And last night's entry in the Scaife Family Christmas Movie List was A Child's Christmas in Wales, which we've been watching for about 3-4 years now, with many thanks to Linda and Laura for pointing it out to me. We love this one tons.

Morning Amber! Happy Friday! Still only about 40 out there today, so not bad at all.

>71 DeltaQueen50: ooh I love coconut! thanks!

>75 msf59: Morning, Mark! It's raining here again. Woot.

>76 lauralkeet: Morning, Laura!

The favorite Christmas treat in our house is a) Candy Cane Cookies and b) Black bottom chocolate cream cheese tiny cup cakes.

When a child, my mother would bake coookies the way in which I accumulate books --- too many to count! The house always smelled sooo good. Our enclosed porch was filled with tins of her baking that were distributed to teachers, friends and neighbors. It was a fun, but stressfilled time. My mother was OCD and every cookie had to be perfect. Still, it was a fun time.

I love the photo of Charlie and your mom at Thanksgiving!

>77 scaifea: Morning, Linda!
My mom has always been the same about making tons and tons of treats at Christmas and giving so many away, although she was never neurotic about it. Cooking and baking have always come so naturally to her, and I think they're a sort of meditation for her.

176. Like Water for Chocolate by Laura esquivel (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A
I liked this one a lot. I'm a big fan of magical realism, plus the characters are drawn nicely and the plot was fun.

177. Tree of Freedom by Rebecca Caudill (Newbery Honor Book, 279 pages) - 8/10 = B+
The story of a family moving from Carolina to the Kentucky frontier, as told through the eyes of one of the daughters. A fair-to-middlin' member of the genre.

178. Mouse Bird Snake Wolf by David Almond (school library book) - 9/10 = A
I picked this one from the shelves yesterday while volunteering at the library because it is illustrated by Dave McKean and I love his stuff. Turns out the book is very good, too, although pretty dark. Three children living in a world which the gods have not bothered to finish making discover that they have the power within them to create creatures to fill the gaps. It starts out innocently enough, but when two of them create Wolf, things go a bit pear-shaped...

Good morning, Amber!

Oh, I'm loving the Plato insults. We were taught him in hushed reverence for his brilliance. I like thinking of him as a party pooper much more!

*note to self: read more Thucydides*

I'm so glad you enjoyed The Lathe of Heaven. That may be my favorite of hers. The Left Hand of Darkness is the one with the matter-of-factness about sex, and planet inhabitants who were both sexes and neither. Very ahead of its time in that way.

>81 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!
Yeah, I just never warmed to Plato, really. I tried pretty hard never to teach him, but for the times when it was unavoidable, I tried not to show my dislike. But it's difficult to teach something you just don't like. Thucydides, on the other hand, was difficult to teach without breaking out in tears of joy at his gorgeous language. Some students likely cried tears of frustration, though - that Funeral Oration is famous both for being amazing and written in some of the most difficult ancient Greek we have extant...

And I loved Lathe of Heaven! Read it in my grad school days and was blown away. And thanks for the reminder about Left Hand - I just read that one recently and clearly it didn't resonate as much.

Great pic!

Lovely picture, one eye looking straight into the camera.

good afternoon, friend Amber.

>80 scaifea: item 178 sounds a fascinating idea but why's everybody pick on wolves?

>82 scaifea: Left hand was a balm to my spirit in a younger day. ya know, i never read Lathe of heaven but it's a splendid title.

>83 scaifea: deae, quae candida. Charlie ego pono eam in archivo. (by the goddess, that is brilliant. i am putting it in my Charlie archive.) i can say no more.

uh, yes i can. you have a fine eye for your beloved subject!

in Plato's defense, he did have to watch the teacher he loved drink hemlock and he lived through some pretty tough times, didn't he? the Thirty Tyrants and the plague and Athens besieged by Sparta. all those trips to Syracuse. i have mixed feelings about him.

must to work. JB's off doing mental health things on the fire lines so i am high woman of the manse and have Extra Responsibilities. she will be in her element, up to her elbows in crisis, chaos and grief and the skills to deal with them calmly. i keep reminding myself we also serve who &etc.

have a good 'un.

>64 scaifea:, Hi Amber in 1979 Iron Maiden released their first single and I thought I like them and when their first UK tour dates were announced in the New Musical Express paper I got a ticket as they were playing the Unity Hall in Wakefield in February 1980. In January 1980 the tour was cancelled as Kiss had picked them to play support to them on their 1980 European Tour and the Iron Maiden gig was re-arranged to September. I saw Iron Maiden in September 1980 and Praying Mantis were the support band.

I had a denim waistcoat with patches sown all over of the Heavy Rock bands and then I had a denim jacket with patches all over and I embroidered band names in the different fonts they used, this was passed onto Amy and when we saw Kiss last time she had the jacket on and was centre of attention and she still has it although it doesn't fit now but is 36 years old. I still have the waistcoat with all the patches and pin badges on and they haven't faded.

>87 johnsimpson: now that is one great story. :-)

>88 mirrordrum:, Thanks Ellie, I am a bit of a hoarder of things that I like and I still have all my vinyl singles and albums and some of them have a story to them.

>89 johnsimpson: i do love a story. unsubtle hint. probably poor etiquette on someone else's thread.

hi again, mother of Charlie. >83 scaifea: gods i love that shot!

>84 drneutron: Thanks, Jim!

>85 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! I thought this one turned out pretty well.

>86 mirrordrum: Ellie: I do love wolves myself, having one dog who can look quite wolfish at times. I think you'd like the story, and McKean is an excellent artist, too.

And you most definitely should get yourself a copy of Lathe of Heaven; it would be excellent on audio, too, I suspect.

And, oh, lovely effort on the Latin, lady! I'd tweak it a bit, but my hat is at the cleaners'...

Sometimes I'm convinced that the real reason Socrates drank that hemlock was to get away from Plato's nonsense. Yeah, so the bloke lived through rough times; so did Thucydides. And Aeschylus. And Vergil, for that matter. And Cicero (well, he didn't quite make it through all of his rough times...). But none of them need allowances for being annoying.

(ETA: Okay, so maybe some folks may view Cicero as the annoying type, but they clearly know nothing about it, the Philistines.)

(I should back off of Plato now, I suspect. I'm kidding, sort of. Exaggerating my dislike (but only slightly).)

And good for JB! And for E and her home-front support!

>87 johnsimpson: John: I love that you have such cool memorabilia, and that you've passed some of it on! I still have every ticket stub for every concert I've ever attended; I keep meaning to make something out of them, but haven't yet.

>88 mirrordrum: Ellie: Agreed.

>89 johnsimpson: >90 mirrordrum: John & Ellie: I love a good story, too - no need for stiff manners round these parts.

I finished the first cape today - I'm pretty pleased with how it turned out:

Do you do adult capes?

>93 charl08: Charlotte: Ha! I haven't yet, but I suppose I could...

I'm just remembering fun dressing up times with my siblings. We had one of those boxes of random clothing that was a dressing up box. Nothing went together but minimalism was frowned upon.
Adult life has a distressing absence of occasions for cape wearing.

>95 charl08: I love those dress-up boxes! Such a great idea. And I'm with you - adulting doesn't require capes nearly enough.

Adorable cape!

I'm so late! I just wanted to add that my favorite holiday treat is undoubtedly chocolate-covered pretzels, which really should be a year-round treat but always seems to be more popular around the Holidays.

I just made it to your thread, and now I'm hungry. My favorite Christmas food is my brother's hot hamburger dip. I also enjoy a nice chocolate orange at Christmas time.

>97 Morphidae: Thanks, Morphy! I'm excited to make the second one, too. I may start making them for my shop, too.

>98 Ape: Hi, Stephen! I LOVE chocolate-covered pretzels!

>99 foggidawn: Hi, foggi! That dip sounds amazing - any chance he'd share the recipe? And my mom usually gets me a chocolate orange for Christmas - so delicious.

On the agenda for today:
Weekend pancakes have already been made and enjoyed, and now I just need to clean the house (with the help of the Scaife Men), finish with the week's bill-paying, do the laundry and possibly do some baking.

On the reading front:
I read a bit of North to Freedom which is pretty good so far, and a bit of War and Peace, which is still excellent, of course.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "A month before The Hero and the Crown (1985 Newbery Medal) was due at the publishers, author Robin McKinley broke her ankle. Shortly before the deadline for The Blue Sword (1983 Newbery Honor Book), McKinley broke her hand when a horse fell on her."
Holy moly. I might consider not writing any more books at that point...

What We Read Yesterday:
-Charlie read a bit more of Herobrine Goes to School
-Funny Faces: Santa Claus
-The Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Book
-Leonardo the Terrible Monster
-Chapter 6 of James and the Giant Peach
-The last part of chapter 26 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Happy Saturday, Amber!

Cool cape. Adult capes - you may want to go watch the Dr. Strange movie soon for inspiration. The cape has a starring part, and a good sense of humor.

>103 jnwelch: Joe: Ha! Thanks for the Dr. Strange tip. Tomm is eager to see that one, so I suspect we'll be watching it as soon as it comes out on DVD (we only get to the movie theater is the feature is a cartoon these days).

Amber, your thread is making me hungry! I thought long and hard about Christmas/December treats, and I think I'm going to have to go with the gingerbread man or woman my mom would make for us to go with our stockings every Christmas morning when I was a kid. Most of my childhood, I can remember getting one and biting into it first thing, before opening all my presents. It's only now I can look back and realize how much work that was for all four (or five once the youngest came), decorated and all.

Have to love the photos of Charlie and the gals, as always. And I love your idea for the capes. My cousin's daughter is about three and a lover of pocketbooks and necklaces and superheroes... it would be perfect for her!

>105 bell7: Mary: Charlie and I make gingerbread men every year and we love them, too! So delicious, and so fun to make.
And thanks - the cape was a hoot to make!

>107 PaulCranswick: There would be murder if I was involved in Gingerbread Men creation - bloody things would be dropping like flies and they would be wishing that I would bugger off as they have more chance of survival with the Fox.

You may infer from that that I like eating gingerbread. xx

Have a lovely weekend, dear lady.

>107 PaulCranswick: Paul: Ha! Ours don't last very long either, the poor things.

On the agenda for today:
Today's the day we'll take our annual holiday photos, which involves a bit of setup, a bit of dress-up (fancy clothes are not Charlie's favorite thing), the yearly how-the-heck-does-this-stupid-camera-remote-work?! trauma, but then much giggling and goofing as we actually take the photos. So fun. Then I need to do the baking that didn't get done yesterday, and then we're all going out to play in the first snowfall of the season! Woot!! We likely have a couple of inches now and it's still coming down. It looks lovely out there. *happy sigh*

On the reading front:
I'm now nearly finished with North to Freedom, which is good, but I have a couple of quibbles. I am eager to see how it all ends, though. And I read a bit more of Don Quixote last night, too. Such a hoot, that one.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Hendrik Van Loon (The Story of Mankind, 1922 Newbery Medal) was working on a book abut his childhood at the time of his death. Ironically his working title for the book was Report to St. Peter."

What We Read Yesterday:
-A bit more of Herobrine Goes to School
-The Heart and the Bottle
-Hello Kitty Secret Santa
-A Cars Christmas
-Chapter 7 of James and the Giant Peach
-The first part of chapter 27 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Happy Sunday, Amber!

>11 johnsimpson: Thanks, Lynda!

>109 scaifea: Good luck with the annual holiday photo session, Amber, and have fun in the snow!

>113 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! Photos are finished (I just need to sort through them) and the snow fun is up next!

Here are some of the highlights from today's photo shoot (ahem):

Great photos!

What a great set of photos!

>101 scaifea: Unfortunately, she hasn't written any more set in Damar.
:-(

Love your Christmas photos Amber!

>116 nittnut: >117 ronincats: >118 luvamystery65: Thanks, ladies!

Love the photos!

>120 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

On the agenda for today:
I have an appointment with my dentist this morning - I need to have an old filling replaced - and then I have my Monday afternoon volunteering at school. Otherwise, I need to get started on that second cape, wrap presents, write, and squeeze a trip to the library in there somewhere.

On the reading front:
I read a little more of North to Freedom; I'm hoping to finish it today.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Ann Nolan Clark (The Secret of the Andes, 1953 Newbery Medal) wrote with the intention of producing books for, not about Native Americans."

What We Read Yesterday:
-Si Won's Victory (Charlie read)
-A bit more of Herobrine Goes to School (Charlie read)
-Little Blue Truck's Christmas
-The Great Christmas tree Celebration
-How to Catch a Star
-Chapter 8 of James and the Giant Peach
-The middle part of chapter 27 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Morning Amber. Good luck with the dentist. My own appointment is approaching and I fear a crown is in my future. sad face.

Lovely family pictures. The contrast between your two dogs' expression always cracks me up (and makes me wish I could give them both a big hug).

Morning Amber! Love the holiday photos. We got all our Christmas stuff out yesterday and will slowly get things put up this week.

Is Charlie glad to finally get snow? I can't say I am, although it does look pretty out there.

>124 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! Yeah, I'm not overly excited about this trip to the dentist, but I do like her and she's very fast at these re-fillings, which is good.
And thanks for the picture love - I'll give both gals a hug for you!

>125 msf59: Morning, Mark! Thanks! We always have a great time taking our annual family photos.
Charlie is over the moon about the snow - we all went out yesterday afternoon for a snowball fight - I think both dogs ate their weight in snowballs... Ha!

The holiday photos are fantastic, Amber! Good luck at the dentist.

>127 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! At least I'll get some good reading time while I'm waiting for my mouth to get numb...

Okay, so you all know that Tomm doesn't really like for me to share photos of him, and I'm usually fairly good about honoring that. But, dangit, I just can't stand it - I think these turned out so well that I really want to share them with you all (here's hoping he forgives me):

Awwwwww!

Morning, Amber! I also have to go to the dentist today, but mine is just a cleaning, thank goodness.

Love the family photos - so sweet!

>130 katiekrug: Hi, Katie!

>131 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! Good luck today at the dentist's; I'm not ashamed to say that I'm a bit jealous that yours is only a cleaning...

I'm just hoping that they don't find anything that needs additional work - I have terrible enamel.

>133 Crazymamie: Mamie: Me, too. They even told me this last time not to get too discouraged that I always have to come back to get something fixed, because apparently I'm doing a great job taking care of my teeth, but they're just not great to begin with. Yeesh.

Good morning, Amber!

Great photos - handsome Tomm will forgive you, I imagine. Those are too good not to share.

I wanted Don Quixote to be better, but maybe I went into it with higher expectations than I should have.

OMG, that pic of you & Tomm is the cutest thing ever.

All the photos are great, Amber! You all look loverly.

Does your dentist have TV you can watch while they do their thing? The last time I was getting a cleaning I was watching re-run of Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon. Not necessarily recommended as trying not to laugh while someone's hands are in your mouth is tough. :P

>135 jnwelch: Morning, Joe (There's still 15 minutes of it left here)! Handsome Tomm *is* handsome, isn't he? I love the one of the two of us - sums up our relationship pretty well, really. And Charlie took it, of course!

I'm sorry that you didn't like Don Quixote better; I'm loving it, but then again, that sort of thing is my, um, sort of thing.

>136 lauralkeet: Thanks, Laura! I do love that one. And the look on Charlie's face in the family one is the best thing ever. What a goof.

>137 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky! They don't have a TV, and I think maybe I'm okay with that, because if they showed Jimmy Fallon, I'd be giggling the whole time! I love him.

>138 scaifea: One of my former co-workers usually went for watching whatever was on Turner Classic Movies whenever she was at the dentist. I like having a TV. It's nice to have something to look at other than ceiling tiles.

>139 MickyFine: It's an neat idea, but I don't really get how it works - How can you watch the TV with their hand in your mouth and that bright light in your face?

Hello Amber my dear, what great photos you have posted.

>140 scaifea: I've seen two set ups in various offices I've visited over the years. In one, the TV is installed in the ceiling and you get a set of headphones to listen to the sound. And the remote to select channels. In my last dentist's office, the TV was on a moveable arm near the chair so the dental assistant would put it in your range of vision (whether in front or above) and you get the remote to select channels and adjust volume.

Hello my dear, hope the visit to the dentist went well and all is ok with your teeth. It has been miserable here all day with thick fog cloaking the village, I have done quite a bit of reading as the weekend was busy and I didn't get many pages read. Most of yesterday was taken up travelling to and from York to see Amy and Andy in the Rowntree Players Pantomime, Andy co-wrote it again and they are doing The Hunchback of Notre Dame without all the gruesome bits. It is a pastiche of Brexit and the US election with Andy playing the baddie, Governor Le Trump. It was a really good show and the first three performances have gone down a storm, they will be on the second half of tonight's show as I type and it runs through until Saturday.

>141 johnsimpson: Hi, John - thanks!

>142 MickyFine: Micky: Wow, that sounds fancy-pants!

>143 johnsimpson: John: Gosh, I'd love to see that pantomime, it sounds amazing! Governor Le Trump! Ha!

When I had to get a crown, I asked if my dentist would mind if I listened to music through headphones, and she was totally fine with that. It was nice because it drowned out the sound of the drill (though sadly had no effect on that awful burning smell). An audiobook might work as well, though I'd be worried about missing bits if the drilling was too loud. With music it doesn't matter so much if you miss a note here or there.

>145 rosalita: I thought about bringing my headphones to listen to my audiobook, but I was worried that I'd miss her asking me to tilt my head or something and I get nervous at the idea of being a bad patient (mental, I know). Also, she's so efficient that I was out of there in less than 30 minutes (including numbing time)!

My dentist has the TV in the ceiling, but I've never been offered headphones, so I don't really see the point since I can't hear the TV. I tried an audiobook once, but I was too distracted to pay attention. I basically just lie there with my eyes closed the whole time :)

>147 katiekrug: Katie: Yeah, I think I'd be too distracted, too. Pity, as it would be great to be able to get some listening in...

>146 scaifea: That's why music is really the better choice for me.

>147 katiekrug: Do you also think of England, Katie? :-P

>129 scaifea: Love both the family photos, I hope Tomm did not mind too much ;-)

>146 scaifea: Glad it went smooth at the dentist.

>149 rosalita: Julia: *snork!*

>150 FAMeulstee: Anita: Thanks! Yep, I was in and out pretty quickly; I'm very happy with my dentist and so grateful I found her!

Hi Amber! Loving the family photos! Just wonderful!

>152 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

On the agenda for today:
I'll stay at school this morning for some PTO business, then home to spend the day in the sewing room - I need to get the second cape made and then get started on the project I'm making for Charlie.

On the reading front: I finished North to Freedom (more on this one later) and started Red Prophet yesterday.

>149 rosalita: - Well, of course. Doesn't everybody?

*blinks*

ETA: Morning, Amber!

What We Read Yesterday:
-The Littlest Angel
-A bit more of Herobrine Goes to School
-The Way Back Home
-The Cookie Fiasco by Dan Santat (public library book, easy reader) - 9/10 = A
-The Gingerbread Bear

Morning, Amber! Just picturing Katie in the dentist's chair with her eyes closed and thinking of England has made me snort my coffee.

Morning, Amber!

>157 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! I know, right?!

>158 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!

179. North to Freedom by Anne Holm (1001 Children's Books, 239 pages) - 8/10 = B
A 12-year-old boy escapes from a concentration camp and makes his way north to Denmark.
This one is tough on the feels, folks; although at times I was irritated at the boy, my heart was breaking for him throughout the story. It felt like a John Boyne novel, but not quite so well written, and the ending was way too abrupt.

Morning Amber! You were late putting up your daily agenda post, so I missed you. Not bad out there today.

>161 msf59: Hi, Mark! Sorry about the lateness today - our wireless is acting funky today.

Well, okay. I'm not feeling it with Red Prophet, so I'm quitting it.

That is all.

No guilt. Ditch that book!

>164 MickyFine: Micky: *snork!* Nope, no guilt!

On the agenda for today:
Well, yesterday was supposed to be a full day devoted to the sewing room, and I didn't step one foot in there. Yeesh. I did get a bunch of other odds and ends finished, though. So, today is the sewing day, hopefully and then Charlie has gymnastics after school.

On the reading front:
I read a bit more of War and Peace (it's pretty much just War right now...).

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Paul Fleischman wanted to do a sequel to his I Am Phoenix, but thought sequels were for 'Nancy Drew and Rocky.' He did eventually write the sequel Joyful Noise (1989 Newbery Medal) after many false starts."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
-Ballet Cat: Dance Dance Underpants
-This Moose Belongs to Me
-The Dinosaurs' Night Before Christmas

For those of you who are interested, Charlie is now 3 days into the Read-A-Thon and has logged 135 minutes.

Morning Amber! It looks like we are starting a cold stretch, which will chill us through the weekend. Ugh!

Enjoy your day! And Go Charlie! Go Charlie!

>168 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm sorry that the cold times have arrived. A perfect winter would be one with snow on the grass but never on the streets/sidewalks, sunny and 30-ish degrees...

>160 scaifea: I remember that one from my youth, Amber, it had a large impact on me...

>170 FAMeulstee: Anita: It's a powerful one, isn't it? I was pretty much done, though, when the dog was killed. I can't handle that sort of thing.

>167 scaifea: I was just going to ask for an update on Charlie's reading! Great job!

>171 scaifea: The same for me, Amber.

eta How far are you in War & Peace?

Guess what?!

>172 Dianekeenoy: Diane: I meant to start giving daily updates at the beginning, but forgot. Apologies. I'll try to keep it up from now on.

>173 FAMeulstee: Anita: For as heartbreaking as the story was, I really wanted it to be better written. I think I've been spoiled by the likes of John Boyne for such things.
And I'm afraid I'm not very far into War & Peace yet - I'm only 10 chapters into Part 2; in other words, I'm on page 165 of 1358 (!).

>174 mellymel171328: Hi, Melissa! What?!

You all done with the Harry Potter? Does he want to continue with the next?

Go Charlie!

>176 Morphidae: Morphy: No, we're not finished with the HP yet, but Tomm was away two nights on business and we're not allowed to read on without him. We'll get back to it tonight. So far, though he's still wanting to keep going, and I've made him promise to tell me to stop if it gets too confusing or too troubling. I trust his judgement so we'll see how it goes.

>177 charl08: Charlotte: Woot! He's in line to raise over $300 for the library at this rate!

>175 scaifea: I actually read "listened" to two books! Haha (Like we were talking about under my 75 challenge) Haha I am thinking of either Gone Girl of something scary for once.

>179 mellymel171328: Melissa: Ha! Congrats! I haven't read Gone Girl yet, but I'd like to eventually.

I might read Cinder next

>181 mellymel171328: Melissa: Oooh, I want to read that one, too! Dang.

>182 scaifea: We have good book taste!

>182 scaifea: I am finishing up the 8th Harry Potter too. I am also reorganizing my books and knick knacks. I collect a lot of nerdum.

>183 mellymel171328: We sure do!

>184 mellymel171328: I LOVE nerdy collections! What sort of things do you collect?

I finished the second superhero cape - I really love how the shiny green turned out for the contrast color:



Next up is a stuffed animal for Charlie...

>186 scaifea: That is one splashy cape. Lucky nieces!

>187 MickyFine: Ha! Thanks, Micky! I think superhero apparel should be fairly flashy, no? And yeah, I hope they like them; I think they will.

>185 scaifea: I collect Funk Pop Vinyl this is them minus one I have under the tree for my husband haha http://www.poppriceguide.com/guide/member/collection/mellymel171328/3W00SLAFZBER... I also collect the little mystery mini's. I have Sailor Moon micro block people. I think I have a little bit of everything.

>186 scaifea: Ha! I was thinking it would be cool if you did a star on the second one. GMTA!

>189 mellymel171328: Melissa: Cool!

>190 Morphidae: Morphy: The niece who is getting the pink one with the heart is a very girly girl, but the younger sister definitely isn't; I thought the darker colors and the star will suit her better.

Hello Amber, hope all is well at Scaife manor my dear.

>192 johnsimpson: Hi, John! Yep, all's well here - hoping the same for you!

We are fine Amber, just been pottering about and then we had Hannah for a couple of hours and she was a bit annoyed that we haven't got our tree up yet. Karen says Hi.

180. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list, audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
A young princess who doesn't play by the normal princess rules voluntarily offers herself up to a dragon as her cook and finds herself helping put down a dragon/wizard rebellion. I like the idea (strong girl characters are awesome, of course), and it was a fun story, but I won't continue with the series, at least for now. Note: I think I might have enjoyed it more had I read it myself instead of listening to the audiobook version - the readers were awful with raisins, and so I suspect that the writing wasn't quite as not-good as it seemed.

>194 johnsimpson: John: Hello to both you and Karen! Hannah is rightly irritated - hop to it, mister! *grins*

On the agenda for today:
Tuppence has a laser appointment this morning at the vet's office, and then I need to do my menu planning and grocery listing for tomorrow's shopping. Once that's finished, I'm hoping to have a bit of sewing-room time before my Thursday afternoon library volunteering.

On the reading front:
I read a nice little chunk of The Complete Sherlock Holmes (I'm enjoying it tons) yesterday and finished listening to Dealing with Dragons (see >195 scaifea: above).

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Beverly Cleary (Dear Mr. Henshaw, 1984 Newbery Medal) learned a lot about trucks from her son who worked with many truckers."

And Happy Birthday to James Thurber, born on this day in 1894!

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Mickey's Christmas Carol
-Look Up! by Jung Jin-Ho (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Chapter 9 of James and the Giant Peach
-The rest of chapter 27 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

And Charlie logged 45 minutes yesterday, bringing his read-a-thon total so far up to 180 minutes.

I keep forgetting to list our Scaife Family Christmas Movies here - we've been watching one each night since Thanksgiving weekend. Last night was It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas.

Morning Amber! Sweet Thursday! Not sure how sweet it will be, with a breezy 25 degree day, but it is my last work day of the week. Silver linings...

>199 msf59: Morning, Mark! Hang it there and stay warm!

Morning, Amber!

>201 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie!

Morning, Amber!

Agreed on Red Prophet. He really hasn't done anything that appeals to me outside of the Ender's Game books.

Have you tried Georgette Heyer? I just finished another good one of hers, The Reluctant Widow.

>203 jnwelch: Joe: I agree - Ender's Game was amazing, but I think I'm kind of finished with him now, unless he crops up on another list somewhere.
And nope, I've not read any Heyer yet, but I'm so tempted because of all the love she gets round these parts. Someday!

>195 scaifea: Ugh, yes, you must have had the same audiobook version that I listened to, which I disliked exceedingly. Too bad, because I absolutely love the series; it's one of those series that I return to when I want a comfort read. A case of bad narration ruining a good book, I'm afraid.

Holy moly, I love those capes.

>196 scaifea:, Amber I have nothing to do with the tree apart from put it up and then Karen decorates it. I put the tree up and while Karen decorated it I went out on errands and by the time I got back it still took Karen another ninety minutes to get it finished. I must admit she has done another grand job of it and it is at the side of me where I sit on the sofa, it is back where it used to be rather than in front of the front window. This is because of the new room furniture, we also have a new tree skirt and Leo approves of that as he loves going under the tree for a nap although he gets a bit miffed when I put the presents underneath although I only do this a few days before the big day. Sending love and hugs my dear.

>205 foggidawn: Yeah, I'm a bit sad about that. I may give it some time and then revisit in paper form.

>206 London_StJ: Thanks! Me, too.

>207 johnsimpson: John: Tree-decorating is a job and a half, and I say that Karen has done a fabulous job - I saw the photo on FB. Our cat used to love napping under the tree, too!

Oh, what a pity that Dealing with Dragons was spoiled for you by a poor reader! Like foggi, I love that series, although I read them in the order written at the time, which means I read the last chronologically first--Talking With Dragons. And I still like being thrown in blindly, just like Daystar is, without knowing all the prior stuff until later. I do hope you will give the books (NOT the reader) another chance. They are delightful.

>209 ronincats: Thanks for that, Roni. I will likely revisit it again at some point.

Hi Amber, just skimming through. I'm better at keeping up with you on FB than on LT.

I hope you have a great Friday!

>211 EBT1002: Hi, Ellen! Happy Friday to you, too!

On the agenda for today:
Charlie has the day off from school, so I'll have a grocery shopping partner this morning, and afterward we're going down to Dubuque for some Christmas shopping and lunch out (he's picked Panera). This afternoon I need to work on the weekly bills and photographs, and possibly I'll get some wrapping done.

On the reading front:
I read a bit more of The Complete Sherlock Holmes and also read through The Bird King, which was lovely.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The idea for A Gathering of Days (1980 Newbery Medal) developed from Joan W. Blos's fascination with her husband's house in New Hampshire. Many of the events in the book are based on actual occurrences she found during her twelve year of research."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Annie's Secret Diary by Mary K. Hawley (Charlie's homework reading, 24 pages) - 8/10 = B
-Jingle Bells
-Chapter 10 of James and the Giant Peach
-The first part of chapter 28 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie has now logged 220 minutes of reading time for the Read-A-Thon!

And last night's Christmas Movie was How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Love that one.

Morning Amber! Happy Friday! I am off the weekend. Whew! Hope to get in lots of R & R.

I have to include a warble- A Gentleman in Moscow. It is has been sooooooo good. Another shiny gem from '16.

>215 msf59: Morning, Mark! Thanks for the warble - I'll keep an eye out for it.

Good morning.

217 Morning, Melissa!

Oh, The Complete Sherlock Holmes! As you've probably noticed, our daughter is a big Sherlock-ophile, Amber. Our last trip to Pittsburgh, my sister gave her our mother's ancient copy of TCSH. Needless to say, Becca was thrilled. She and her grandma were reading buddies for true crime and mysteries.

Have you read Arthur and George? Based on a true story of ACD's investigative help given to a wrongly convicted man, by the dexterous Julian Barnes.

Hey, Happy Friday! We made it. :-)

>218 scaifea: I am so ready for the 2017 book group to open up. Haha

>219 jnwelch: Joe: I had never read any Sherlock Holmes stories until now, and so far I'm very much enjoying them. And I think of Becca every time I open the book! But, nope, I've not read the Barnes book - I'll add it to the list!

>220 mellymel171328: Melissa: The beginning of the year is pretty fun and exciting around here, for certain.

>220 mellymel171328: Patience is a virtue! I'll be getting to the 2017 group sometime soooon. But not too soon. :D

>221 scaifea: Isn't is always? Christmas week is going to be crazy for my husband. He has a couple limo drives he needs to do for his work and some meetings. Plus both my boys are sick this weekend.

>222 drneutron: I know! I just got bit by the reading bug and I want to get started for 2017 lol (I know, I know! Not 2017 yet. lol)

>222 drneutron: No pressure, Jim! *ahem*

>223 mellymel171328: Melissa: I think lots of folks are ready to give 2016 the boot and get on with 2017...

>224 scaifea: I am not even being dramatic. 2016 was my worst year.

>222 drneutron: Yea no rush! lol

I feel like right now I'm past that "oh my goodness, where did this year go" feeling and on to "let's get moving on the new year, this one's old news". I know there's still Christmas to go, but aside from that actual day, I'm ready to jump into the new year.

>225 mellymel171328: Melissa: You're most definitely not alone there.

>227 ursula: Ursula: I know, right?!

181. The Bird King by Shaun Tan (Westview library book, 125 pages) - 9/10 = A
Subtitled "An Artist's Notebook," it's filled with Tan's sketches, drawings and illustrations. So, it's a bookful of gorgeous.

And Ohmygosh, look what I found at the bookshop today! A Penguin Deluxe Edition!! WOOT!!

Ooh. They had a whole table of these in a bookshop I went to this week. So tempting!

>231 charl08: Charlotte: I LOVE the Deluxe Editions, and of course I had to have the Dahl one.

Happy Saturday, Amber!

Are you snowed under? It's cold here, but no snow yet.

>233 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! Nope, no snow yet, but it's on the way, apparently.

On the agenda for today:
A bit of cleaning, some laundry, some baking (Gingerbread Men), and then we'll decorate a gingerbread house and wait for the 8-12 inches that are coming our way this afternoon and tonight. I may try to get some more wrapping done today, too.

On the reading front:
Nothing to report for yesterday. Charlie and I had a fabulous time shopping, and then we spent the rest of the day wrapping and the watching the Johnny Depp version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. So no reading time, but I'm okay with that.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Sid Fleischman kept giving up on the maunscript for The Whipping Boy (1987 Newbery Medal) because he couldn't get it 'right.'"

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-The Twelve Days of Christmas
-Stuck
-Chapter 11 of James and the Giant Peach
-The middle part of chapter 28 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie now has logged 280 reading minutes so far for the Read-a-Thon...

^Woo. Go Charlie!

Morning Amber! Happy Saturday! Hooray for Shaun Tan & Hooray for Charlie!

>237 jnwelch: Joe: He's plugging right along, no?

>238 msf59: Morning, Mark! Hoorays all around!

I saw this one the FB and thought it might be fun...
Everyone has six names:
1. Your real name: Amber
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Blue Dog
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Dawn Jefferson
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Scadaamife
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Purple Ginger Ale
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Tuppence

>240 scaifea:

Not sharing all mine, so as to keep my real name private, but my superhero name is Brown Coffee and my Goth name is Black Julius Caesar. Yeah, they take me real seriously in the Goth superhero world.

1. Your real name: Lenora (but call me Morphy)
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Green Polar Bear
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Marion Hanover
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Lunmaleist
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Blue Water
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Maia

>241 casvelyn: Ha! Good ones!

>242 Morphidae: Morphy: Very cool Star Wars name!

1. Your real name: Melissa
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Red Cat
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Ann Starlin
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Melannmesqu
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Black Coke
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Hamster

My last name hits a bit of a nerd bone. What is someone born to magical parents but can't do magic themselves? No peeking on my profile!

>244 mellymel171328: Good answers!

>245 mellymel171328: I've never heard of Squib as a last name before. Huh.

>246 scaifea: Yep! lol But mine is spelled Squibb

Just found out my dragon name is "The Eternal One" Derolth.

>248 Morphidae: Morphy: Interesting...

The Warrior Meseth nice..

>250 Morphidae: I guess those of us born in October don't get to be dragons? :-)

>251 mellymel171328: Melissa: Ha! I'm a Warrior, too!

>252 rosalita: Julia: *SNORK!!!* October can be The Astute Observer.

>253 scaifea: :-D

>252 rosalita: - That's hilarious!

Amber - have you read anything by children's writer Adam Gidwitz?
His latest book seems quite inspired, The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog. '1242. On a dark night, travelers from across France cross paths at an inn and begin to tell stories of three children. Their adventures take them on a chase through France. Join William, an oblate on a mission from his monastery; Jacob, a Jewish boy who has fled his burning village; and Jeanne, a peasant girl who hides her prophetic visions. They are accompanied by Jeanne's loyal greyhound, Gwenforte . . . recently brought back from the dead. Told in multiple voices, in a style reminiscent of The Canterbury Tales, our narrator collects their stories and the saga of these three unlikely allies begins to come together. '

1. Your real name: Kerry
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Green Bear
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Josephine Santa Cruz
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Alujokeluf
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Green Whine
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Freya

>129 scaifea: So glad you shared. So cute!

>163 scaifea: Orson Scott Card is weird. I liked the first few of the Ender's Game books. I also kind of liked his couple of books about Biblical women, in an academic sort of way. But mostly, he's weird.

>230 scaifea: Virtual jumping up and down and squealing over that bookshop find.

1. Your real name: Jennifer
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Red Bat (this should be a super hero name)
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Summerlyn (I don't have a middle name)
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: HarJeRis (again, no middle name)
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Teal Lemonade
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Flash (also a good super hero name)

I had a really hard time with the favorite color thing. I have always struggled to choose a favorite color. Why is that?

>253 scaifea: Virgo rule

>257 nittnut: ETC ETC

Ok I'm in:

1. Real name : Paul
2. Detective Name : Russet Parrot
3. Soap Opera Name : Adrian Jelatek
4. Star Wars Name : Craadpaick
5. Super Hero Name : Gold Theakston's Old Peculiar
6. Goth Name : Black Cinders

>129 scaifea: Love the photos - especially the one with just you and Tomm as it looks so unscripted yet intimate in a wholesome sense.

Have a lovely weekend.

Great family photos, Amber. You have such wonderful family traditions.

Ok, I'm going to try

1. Real name : Meg
2. Detective Name : Blue dog
3. Soap Opera Name : Catherine Tahsis
4. Star Wars Name : McLcamelin
5. Super Hero Name : Purple tea
6. Goth Name : Black Sally

Just a quick hello and Happy Sunday, Amber.

Okay, I'll jump in too ;-)

1. Your real name: Anita
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Purple Dog
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Ida Ringdijk
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last): Meuidantee
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Blue Coffee
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Ari

Morning

>254 rosalita: Julia: *grins and waves* I love it when you visit here!

>255 katiekrug: Katie: I know, right?!

>256 avatiakh: Kerry: I haven't even heard of Gidwitz (and how cool is that name?!) - thanks for the recommendation! The book sounds great.

Also, your soap name is the best ever!

>257 nittnut: Jenn: Thanks for the photo love - we always have a great time taking them.

Weird is a nice way of putting it re: Card. I do love those Ender books, though (the first few, at least).

And I know, right?! I couldn't believe it when I saw that PDE tucked into the shelves! We were in the Dahl section because Charlie wanted to buy my mom/his Granny a copy of Matilda for Christmas, because he knows she'll love it...

I also love your soap name - having a single name sounds about right for a soap character. Ha!

>258 mellymel171328: Melissa: Well, if you're one, then yes they do! I'm a Leo, however...

>259 PaulCranswick: Paul: And the award for Most Appropriate Super Hero Name goes to...

And thanks - that's likely my favorite photo of the two of us, for just those reasons, and because Charlie took it!

>260 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg. Tomm and I try pretty hard to make sure Charlie will have awesome growing-up memories, and we're having a blast along the way.

And Black Sally is awesome! So funny!

>261 Ameise1: Hi, Barbara!

>262 FAMeulstee: Hi, Anita! Blue Coffee is hilarious, and Black Ari sounds perfect - so mysterious!

>263 mellymel171328: Morning, Melissa!

On the agenda for today:
Well, we didn't get quite as much as predicted; we probably have 5-6 inches or so now on top of what we already had. It looks gorgeous out there, with the snow on the pine trees outside our front window, and Charlie's already been out to romp in it while Tomm shoveled the drive and has already had his first HoCho of the day (I predict a multiple HoCho kind of day).
I think I'll do some wrapping today and possibly some sewing and hopefully some reading later on. We'll probably watch Frozen again this afternoon; seems appropriate after a big snowfall.

On the reading front:
I read a bit of Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin yesterday, which I found on the shelves while volunteering Thursday. It's pretty good so far - a fun twist on the fairy tale.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Under doctor's orders, Robert C. O'Brien couldn't deliver his own acceptance speech for Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH (1972 Newbery Medal). His editor read the speech for him."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-The Farmer's Journey by Diana Noonan (Charlie's homework, 24 pages) - 8/10 = B+
-The Littlest Snowman
-Lost. Found. by Marsha Diane Arnold (public library book, picture book) - 9/10 = A
-Chapter 12 of James and the Giant Peach
-The last part of chapter 28 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie has now logged 335 minutes!

Good morning, Amber!

You got hit with more snow than we did, so far, anyway.

Way to go, Charlie!

>267 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!
I just looked up and it's snowing again, so apparently we're not finished just yet.

Morning Amber! Happy Sunday! A fine day, to hunker down with the books. That is my plan, anyway...

The snow is beginning to fall again, lightly...

>269 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm hoping to get to the books at some point today, too...

The new thread is up!

http://www.librarything.com/topic/243133