Scaifea's 2012 Challenge - Thread #10

New thread time, again, if you please.

David's "Intervention of the Sabine Women" is my all-time favorite rendition of this scene from Roman folklore. The power of the central female figure is astounding, and very well suits the story (see Livy Book 1 for details):



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-12 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there too):

1. A library book. In Library of Congress call number order. So, yes, from the beginning of the library's shelves. Crazy? Or crazy like a fox?...

2. 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).

3. 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 working through a few different lists:
a. Newbery Winners list
b. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
c. Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids
d. John Bellairs' bibliography
e. Beverly Cleary's bibliography
f. The CYOA books

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

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

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

7. Lists I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob:
a. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
b. The Pulizer list (in alpha order by author)
c. The Hugo/Nebula/WFA lists (combined, in chronological order)

8. 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. Stephen King's bibliography (in chronological order)
d. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
e. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
g. The NEH Timeless Classics list

9. An Eliza & Electra Book Club book

10. A bath-time book: I read aloud while Tomm gives Charlie his bath.

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:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Sarah, Plain and Tall (Newbery award list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-Peter and the Starcatchers (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Books Read:
190. Diary of a Worm (Parent & Child book list) - 7/10
189. Swimmy (1001 Children's Books list) - 6/10
188. The Abominable Snowman (CYOA series) - 8/10
187. On Our Way Home (public library book) - 8/10
186. Foxie (1001 Children's Books list) - 7/10
185. Back to Bed, Ed! (public library book) - 8/10
184. The Stones of Green Knowe (Green Knowe series) - 8/10
183. Lucky Chuck (Cleary bibliography) - 7/10
182. The Hand of the Necromancer (Bellairs bibliography) - 9/10
181. The View at the Zoo (public library book) - 8/10
180. Count-A-Saurus (public library book) - 7/10
179. Horten's Incredible Illusions (Charlie book) - 9/10
178. Little Green (public library book) - 8/10
177. Gideon (public library book) - 8/10
176. Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America (birthday gift) - 7/10
175. Howl-O-Ween (public library book) - 8/10
174. The Gnostic Gospels (Audio book) - 6/10
173. Little Owl Leaves the Nest (CYOA book) - 8/10
172. Bossypants (birthday present, and I wanted to read it Right Now) - 9/10
171. Find the Duck (public library book, Charlie pick) - 8/10
170. Paddington's Garden (Paddington series) - 9/10
169. The Doll's House (1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10
168. The Bridge Is Up! (Public library book) - 8/10
167. My Father's Dragon (1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10
166. Detectives in Togas (1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10
165. The Blue Sword (follow-up to a Newbery book) - 9/10
164. Let's Share (public library book) - 7/10
163. Firefighter Ted (public library book) - 8/10
162. Doctor Ted (public library book) - 8/10
161. My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother (Parent & Child list) - 6/10
160. One Morning in Maine (1001 Children's Books list) - 9/10
159. Mr. Rabbit and the Lovely Present (1001 Children's Books list) - 6/10
158. The Danger Box (audiobook) - 8/10
157. The Hero and the Crown (Newbery list) - 8/10
156. Making History (Fry bibliography) - 9/10
155. The Demolished Man (Hugo award list) - 9/10
154. James Madison: A Biography (Presidential Challenge) - 7/10
153. Persuasion (Eliza & Electra Book Club) - 9/10
152. An Enemy at Green Knowe (Green Knowe series) - 9/10
151. Where the Sidewalk Ends (Silverstein bibliography) - 8/10
150. Ramona Forever (Cleary bibliography) - 9/10
149. The Doom of the Haunted Opera (Bellairs bibliography) - 8/10
148. Look & Find: Cars 2 (public library book) - 9/10
147. A Plump and Perky Turkey (public library book) - 8/10
146. Tuck Everlasting (audiobook) - 9/10
145. George's Store at the Shore (public library book) - 8/10
144. Inside UFO 54-40 (CYOA series) - 8/10
143. The Last Lecture (audiobook) - 8/10
142. Funny Fingers Circus (public library book) - 7/10
141. A Stranger at Green Knowe (Green Knowe series) - 8/10
140. The Children's Hour Volume 9: From Many Lands (Children's Hour series) - 6/10
139. The Fox and the Hen (public library book) - 7/10
138. Brown Bear Gets in Shape (public library book) - 7/10
137. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (Cleary bibliography) - 9/10
136. Mystery of the Maya (CYOA series) - 7/10
135. luffy Scourge of the Sea (public library book) - 8/10
134. The River at Green Knowe (Green Knowe series) - 8/10
133. Otto Goes to the Beach (public library book) - 7/10
132. Who Wants a Cheap Rhinoceros? (Silverstein bibliography) - 7/10
131. Ramona and Her Mother (Cleary bibligraphy) - 9/10
130. The Drum, the Doll, and the Zombie (Bellairs bibliography) - 9/10
129. Myths and Heroes (public library book) - 7/10
128. My Dad's a Birdman (audiobook) - 8/10
127. Firefighters (public library book) - 6/10
126. Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms (Charlie book) - 9/10
125. Parade Day (public library book) - 7/10
124. Songs of Innocence and Experience (Charlie book) - 8/10
123. Treasure of Green Knowe (Green Knowe series) - 9/10
122. Sheep Trick or Treat (public library book) - 7/10
121. The Vengeance of the Witch-Finder (Bellairs bibliography) - 9/10
120. The Young Black Stallion (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
119. Pickles to Pittsburgh (public library book) - 3 stars
118. It Looked Like Spilt Milk (public library book) - 3 stars
117. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs (public library book) - 3 stars
116. Oh, David! (public library book) - 2 stars
115. The Black Stallion Legend (Farley bibliography) - 2 stars
114. Down the Rabbit Hole (audio book) - 3 stars
113. Jeremy's Tail (public library book) - 3 stars
112. Down by the Bay (public library book) - 2 stars
111. Ramona and Her Father (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
110. Hickory Dickory Dock (public library book) - 3 stars
109. The Adventures of Odysseus (Charlie book) - 4 stars
108. Rocket Town (public library book) - 3 stars
107. The Best Mouse Cookie (public library book) - 4 stars
106. An Acceptable Time (to complete the series) - 3 stars
105. Big Fat Hen (public library book) - 3 stars
104. Let's Play in the Snow (public library book) - 3 stars
103. I Spy: A Book of Picture Riddles (Charlie book - garage sale find) - 3 stars
102. Corduroy's Day (Charlie book - garage sale find) - 2 stars
101. I Spy Little Animals (public library book) - 3 stars
100. The Big Milly-Molly-Mandy Storybook (1001 Children's Books list) - 3 stars
99. Many Waters (to finish the series) - 4 stars
98. Turtle Tale (public library book) - 3 stars
97. A Swiftly Tilting Planet (to finish the series) - 4 stars
96. A Giraffe and a Half (Silverstein bibliography) - 3 stars
95. The Real Mother Goose (public library book) - 3 stars
94. Sesame Street: The Library (Charlie book) - 3 stars
93. Play These Games (impulse buy at the book store!) - 3 stars
92. A Wind in the Door (toward completely the series, Charlie book) - 3 stars
91. A Manatee Morning (public library book) - 2 stars
90. Dear Mr. Henshaw (Newbery list * Cleary bibliography) - 4 stars
89. Tickle Teddy (public library book) - 2 stars
88. Dicey's Song (Newbery list) - 4 stars
87. Kaleidoscope (Charlie book) - 3 stars
86. Thomas the Tank Engine's Big Lift-and-Look Book (public library book) - 3 stars
85. Five Little Monkeys Bake a Birthday Cake (public library book) - 3 stars
84. Elsie Piddock Skips in Her Sleep (1001 Children's Books list) - 4 stars
83. Millions of Cats (1001 Children's Books list) - 3 stars
82. Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs (public library book) - 3 stars
81. Fifteen Animals! (Charlie book) - 4 stars
80. I'm a Tractor (public library book) - 2 stars
79. The Brave Cowboy (public library book) - 3 stars
78. Time for School, Mouse! (public library book) - 4 stars
77. Stone Soup (1001 Children's Books) - 4 stars
76. For One More Day (audiobook) - 2 stars
75. The Harvard Classics: The Five Foot Shelf of Books, Vol. 25: John Stuart Mill: Autobiography, Essay on Liberty; T. Carlyle: Characteristics, Inaugural Address, Essay on Scott (library book) - 2 stars
74. The Ghost in the Mirror (Bellairs bibliograpy) - 4 stars
73. The Black Stallion and the Girl (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
72. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon (Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids list) - 4 stars
71. My Shape Book (Charlie - public library book) - 3 stars
70. I Want to be a Doctor (Charlie - public library book) - 3 stars
69. Maggie's Moon (Charlie - public library book) - 3 stars
68. Fish Eyes (Charlie - public library book) - 3 stars
67. When Marian Sang (Parent & Child 100 Greatest Books for Kids list) - 3 stars
66. Lafcadio (Silverstein bibliography) - 3 stars
65. Ramona the Brave (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
64. The Egypt Game (Charlie book - Newbery Honor book found on the library sale shelf) - 4 stars
63. A Visit to William Blake's Inn (Newbery list) - 4 stars
62. Jacob Have I Loved (Newbery list) - 4 stars
61. The Magic Pudding (1001 Children's Books list) - 2 stars
60. The Dutch Twins (1001 Children's Books list) - 3 stars
59. Terrific (public library book) - 4 stars
58. Nothing (public library book) - 4 stars
57. A Dirty Job (Moore bibliography) - 5 stars
56. Milo's Hat Trick (public library book) - 4 stars
55. My Rhinoceros (public library book) - 4 stars
54. Paddington Helps Out (bath-time book) - 4 stars
53. Mary Poppins and the House Next Door (NEH list) - 3 stars
52. Mary Poppins in Cherry Tree Lane (NEH list) - 3 stars
51. The Swiss Family Robinson (NEH list) - 3 stars
50. Rempelstiltskin's Daughter (Charlie book) - 3 stars
49. Night of the Gargoyles (Charlie book) - 3 stars
48. The Children's Book of Virtues (Charlie book) - 3 stars
47. The End of Everything (audio book) - 2 stars
46. Richard Scarry's Cars and Trucks and Things That Go (a gift from the In-Laws to Charlie) - 3 stars
45. Stuart Little (NEH list) - 2 stars
44. Thidwick the Big-Hearted Moose (a gift from the Ladies Next Door) - 3 stars
43. Blink (audio book) - 3 stars
42. Mickey's Easter Hunt (Charlie book) - 3 stars
41. Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs (Charlie book) - 3 stars
40. Dinosaurs Roar! (Charlie book) - 3 stars
39. Treasure Island (NEH list) - 4 stars
38. Mary Poppins in the Kitchen (NEH list) - 2 stars
37. Mary Poppins from A to Z (NEH list) - 2 stars
36. Mary Poppins in the Park (NEH list) - 4 stars
35. Mary Poppins Opens the Door (NEH list) - 4 stars
34. Mary Poppins Comes Back (NEH list) - 4 stars
33. The Children's Hour Volume 8: Myths and Legends - 3 stars
32. Coraline (Gaiman bibliography) - 4 stars
31. Four Past Midnight (King bibliography) - 4 stars
30. Duck and Goose: Here Comes the Easter Bunny! (Charlie book) - 3 stars
29. Are You My Mother? (Charlie book) - 3 stars
28. Blue Hat, Green Hat (Charlie book) - 4 stars
27. Moo, Baa, La La La! (Charlie book) - 4 stars
26. Barnyard Dance! (Charlie book) - 4 stars
25. Oh My Oh My Oh Dinosaurs! (Charlie book) - 4 stars
24. Mary Poppins (NEH list) - 4 stars
23. The Know-It-All (audiobook) - 2 stars
22. The Children's Hour, Volume 7: Favorite Mystery Stories - 3 stars
21. A Dance with Dragons (series) - 4 stars
20. Ulysses Annotated (for help with #19) - 2 stars
19. Ulysses (Banned Books list) - 1 star
18. Socks (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
17. The Mansion in the Mist (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
16. The Black Stallion's Ghost (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
15. Ramona the Pest (Cleary bibliography) - 3 stars
14. Heidi (NEH list) - 2 stars
13. Bridge to Terabithia (Newbery list) - 4 stars
12. The Black Stallion Challenged! (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
11. The Black Stallion and Flame (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
10. The Secret of the Underground Room (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
9. The Light in the Forest (NEH list) - 3 stars
8. Orlando Furioso (for a group read, of sorts) - 5 stars
7. The Horse-Tamer (Farley bibliography) - 3 stars
6. Kids Go! (found in Walmart sale bin for $4!) - 3 stars
5. A Gathering of Days (Newbery list) - 3 stars
4. The Chessmen of Doom (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars
3. The Black Stallion Mystery (Farley bibliography) - 4 stars
2. The Growing-Up Feet (Cleary bibliography) - 2 stars
1. The Trolley to Yesterday (Bellairs bibliography) - 4 stars

Charlie with his Uncle Tim (Tomm's brother) learning how to kick a football - he did really well, even on his first try!

And for the new bonus question:

What is your least favorite word?

my least favorite word: can't

Your "crazy" reading habits are no crazier than mine, I just have not taken to disclosing all my books, started and awaiting completion, here!

Nice new thread, friend!

dyslexic

I can never pronounce the silly thing.

Hi, Maggie!

Morphy: Oooh, I have trouble with that one, too. And "windmill," for some reason - always wants to come out as "windmeal." *shrug*

Ha! Charlie has good form! :)

I actually have a pet-peeve word, that annoys the crap out of me every time I see it, but ironically I can't for the life of me remember what it is. Which is annoying the crap out of me. Ugh!!! This word is a terror!!!!

Wonderful Charlie picture!

Picking a least-favorite word is difficult. I always stumble over saying "homonym" in class, and can never spell jewelry on the first try (ha! I just did! I'm sure I'll get it wrong next time). I don't know why I can never get certain words right...

Stephen: *snork!*

Luxx: Thanks! I'm still thinking about my own answer, in fact...

Least favorite word? Hands down, "proper."

Prim, pursey-lipped, judgmental, snobbish, and generally evocative of the most negative feelings, impulses, and thoughts I possess.

Richard: Good one. I also dislike it when used thusly, for example, "He lives in the city proper, and not in the suburbs." Ugh, so irritating.

165. The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley (follow-up to a Newbery book, 272 pages) - 9/10

Harry is a young woman displaced, and who finds herself even more so when she is taken from her new Homelander home and into the land of the Hill people. She slowly discovers, though, that this is perhaps where she has been meant to be from the beginning, as she is trained on horse and with a sword and learns to control the Gift that she's just discovered is hers.

Okay, I'm officially a McKinley fan - loved this one even better than The Hero and the Crown. McKinley knows how to write good fantasy, and she also knows how to write amazing and strong (yet not in a one-sided way) young female characters. Definitely recommended.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Detectives in Togas (1001 Children's Books list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-The Gnostic Gospels (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

You keep inspiring me to maybe actually possibly put my entire books started, but not just finished, in a list on my thread. I am afraid the length of the list will shock me; and you, too.

maggie: Yes, but it may help you to finish them, too...

*snork!*

Triple like!

OK.

Richard: Good, no? I really did snork a little when I read it.

maggie: Uh-oh; what have I created? Another obsessed list-maker?

Today's dessert - Chocolate Marshmallow Tart, anyone?

>15 scaifea:: snork!
>19 scaifea:: oh my, that looks delish.

>19 scaifea: Yum!

Least favorite word... webinar

I refuse to believe it's a real word, and spell check agrees with me. :)

Least favourite word - diarrhea
Congrats on your latest thread Amber and sorry to be a bit late to the party

Woo hoo! She loved The Blue Sword! My favorite McKinley!

*reassembles some decorum*

Lovely new thread you have here, Amber!

Checking into your new thread, Amber!

I can't think of my least favourite word at the moment, but I can think of all the words my son is learning to say that only I can understand and that brings a smile to my face. :)

Love the picture of Charlie kicking the football. Looks like he's got a career ahead of him if styling and posing doesn't pan out. ;)

I'm not a big fan of "definitely" because I can't spell it without intense thought and much soul-searching. Also, the phrase "snacky stuff" instead of just saying "snacks" really makes me cringe. It's just such an inexplicably nasty phrase.

Oh wow, that is a TON of marshmallow. *Drools*

Laura: They *were* delicious, not incredibly rich; two bites and I was finished, and that's saying something.

Mary: Ha! Those sorts of techno-smooshed words kind of amuse me, but I can see why they irritate others.

Paul: Thanks for not explaining your word; I can see how that could have easily entered the realm of Too Much Information...

Roni: Yay! Yes, I *loved* it! I need to investigate whether she has more books about the same world, and I'm glad that I read The Hero and the Crown first, even though she wrote it second - I think it worked well that way for me.

Valerie: Oooh, those moments when you recognize a new word from your little monkey are amazing, no? Charlie's newest is "liquid." He has a bit of trouble with it (it's not exactly the easiest word to say), but the way he introduced it was hilarious - we were sitting at the dinner table and he took a drink of milk, looked at us and said, very matter-of-factly, "Milk is a liquid." Ha! Thank you Sesame Street!

casvelyn: I'm sort of surprised that I've never had trouble with 'definitely,' as I'm a terrible speller in general. Thankfully, I'm never heard anyone use "snacky stuff." Ugh.

Stephen: Hi! There are a couple of tarts left - help yourself!

It's extremely foggy here today, and the view out of our bay window is very cool - outlines of nearby trees and everything a bit fuzzy and ill-defined. It's nice. Hopefully it will clear off a bit before Charlie and I head out for morning errands. We need to visit the local paper's office to place an ad for the garage sale I'll be having this coming weekend - I've got all the stuff labeled and ready, and I can't believe how many clothes Charlie a) has, and b) has outgrown in the past year. Sigh. After that, and a trip to the bank, we may treat ourselves to a morning at the library.

A bit late to the party, but looks like Charlie's got a nice future ahead in the NFL as a kicker! Time, ont he other hand needs to learn the first rule for holders...laces out! :)

drneut: Ha! I'll pass that along to Tim - as a fellow grad of OSU, I think he'll be properly embarrassed...

One of my least favorite words is "literally", because when most people use it they don't mean it at all. "Actually" runs a close second.

I had the same reaction as Stephen to the photo of Charlie kicking the football: good form!

Jeesh, I thought I juggled books, but your 10-12 in the air puts me to shame!

I'll have to mull over word(s) I don't like. I know I like one RD uses a fair amount: kerfuffle.

I like "kerfuffle" a lot, too, Joe...and "antipodean" is another one I enjoy saying, but it's not that useful away from Tania's and Megan's and Paul's threads.

ETA Hiya Amber, have a fun garage sale, sorry I'm a little distracted by figuring out what to say about The Various Flavors of Coffee. *smooch*

Oh! I remember my least favorite word now.

Indefatigable.

I HATE that word. It annoys me. I first came across it when I was reading Brave New World, and for whatever reason the word irritated me, and he used it multiple times! I don't know why, I don't have a logical explanation, I just don't like it, and whenever I find it in a book I pause and grumble for a few seconds before moving on.

Linda: Oooh, agreed. I can't *stand* it when "literally" is used to mean its opposite.

Joe: Charlie has always been so tall (he was born, and still is, in the 99th percentile for height), so we've been thinking that he'll support us as a basketball star, but maybe it'll be football...

Richard: I suspect that the garage sale will be a bit of fun, since my friend, Elizabeth, is pitching in some stuff, too, and will be sitting it out with me on Saturday. Since she's the Eliza of the Eliza & Electra Book Club, it's likely that we'll be chatting about Jane Austen.

Stephen: Oh, yeah, huh. Now that you mention it, that *is* a pretty annoying word.

I watched about half of Dark Victory just now, during Charlie's quiet-play-in-his-room time, and I still just don't get the Bette Davis attraction. I find her borderline ugly, in fact, and I don't like her as an actress, either. *shrug*

#36 I "actually" met Bette Davis's daughter, B. D., and son-in-law, Jeremy, several years ago in a business connection. Apparently, Ms. Bette had a fairly ugly personality too, at least if those two could be believed (there may be some doubt about that). I appreciate some of her work, but I think she needed some thyroid medication---those EYES!

People's expectations of actresses have changed quite a lot. What we now see as acting authentic, looking very natureal, would not have flown in Bette Davis era. Drama was the key then! Expect quite a bit of "over acting" I think. I saw some of her very early movies and I could see her beauty; she definitely has some unusual looks and can be quite ugly, too.

Linda: Oh, interesting! Does her daughter look anything like her?

maggie: I've seen many, many early films, and there's a difference between a little over acting (stage actors do it all the time in movies, and they're still fine by me - I mean, Patrick Stewart is the king of over acting, forcryingoutloud, but he's still amazing) and poor acting, and for me Davis fits into the latter category. I just plain don't like her.

The Bat Guy is coming today to bat proof our house (yay!). The bad news is that it'll cost us close to $1000, and then the air conditioner seems to have stopped working yesterday, so we'll have a guy come to look at that today, too. Tomm is on a 9-month contract, so we've seen our savings dwindle this summer as we try to keep up with bills and such, and these extra chunks are worrying us quite a bit. Sigh.

The Bat Guy? Wouldn't he be called Batman? :)

#39 Well, when I met her, she was a lump---no style, no class, you'd have taken her for a slightly unintelligent farmer's wife. Her husband was a hay broker at that time, very long, lanky, shrewd and crude. They both talked brash and tough. When she was younger, in pictures she did resemble Bette, but she was prettier. Nowadays, she's a glamorous evangelist. A fascinating, if utterly unlikeable woman. I read her "MommieDearest" memoir My Mother's Keeper a few years ago, and it was very unpleasant.

casvelyn: Ha! I purposefully stayed away from that term to avoid confusion...

Linda: Huh. Curiouser and curiouser...

166. Detectives in Togas by Henry Winterfeld (1001 Children's Books list, 249 pages) - 8/10

A group of Roman school boys find themselves in the midst of a classic(al) adventure when their classmate and friend is kicked out of school and then accused of defacing a temple, and their teacher is attacked. Did their friend really commit such a crime? Who broke into their school and attacked their teacher? And are the two related?
Although the writing isn't exactly top-notch, the plot is quite decent, with neat little twists and clues in every chapter. I'd likely not add it to the "To Buy for Charlie's Shelves" list, but it *is* set in ancient Rome, and the details are pretty good (except for the bit about calling the police - they didn't have any official police), and I think the story is an enjoyable one for kids.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-My Father's Dragon (1001 Children's Books list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-The Gnostic Gospels (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

167. My Father's Dragon by Ruth Stiles Gannett (1001 Children's Books, 77 pages) - 8/10
Elmer, after hearing from a friendly old cat about a Wild Island that is home to a sadly abused young dragon, sets out to rescue said dragon and, of course, has all sorts of adventures in the process.
Excellent little story that borrows heavily from folktale tropes, but in a very good way. Will be looking to pick this title up for Charlie's shelves, as it seems like it would be an excellent episodic bedtime story.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-The Doll's House (1001 Children's Books list)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-The Gnostic Gospels (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Ah, as a kid I loved My Father's Dragon, Amber. Her Elmer and the Dragon, and Dragons of Blueland, were great, too.

One of my biggest disappointments in raising our kids: complete and utter failure to get my daughter and son interested in these. Lots of other books worked, but not these, darn it. I hope Charlie likes MFD - it really is excellent.

@45

My Father's Dragon was another favorite of mine growing up!

Oh my goodness I loooooooooooved My Father's Dragon when I was little! I didn't have my own copy but I would borrow it from one of my friends almost once a month! I had totally forgotten about it but seeing the cover art brought all those feelings rushing back!

Don't know about my father's dragon- since that would be my mum; I can't go along with that one - I have my own dragon but she is safely asleep at the moment whilst I happily type this missive.

Unfortunately, there are no more Damar books. A couple of short stories. And a lot of disappointed fans.

Hiya!

My son and I both loved My Father's Dragon and sequels. Too new for me to have seen as a kid, but I found them for him.

Joe: I'll have to keep my eyes open for those sequels. And I have that fear about some of my favorite books as a kid - what if Charlie doesn't like them!? So far, at least, he loves reading and storytime in general, so that's a relief - I hope that stays the same as he gets older.

Laura, Nora & Helen: Oooh, I love it when I've just discovered a book that I really like and then discover that my friends think of it as a old favorite! It's especially nice when it happens with a children's book, I think.

Paul: *SNORK!* Nice one.

Roni: Rats! Sigh. Well, that's better that writing a slew more, which only get weaker and weaker as one reads along. This way they stay strong.

*waves at Richard as he breezes through*

On the agenda for today:
-A trip to the drug store (I do wish we called the "chemists" here; sounds so much more, oh, I don't know, fun. Although, on the other hand, "the drug store" could be quite interesting, depending on what kind of drugs...), which is always a hoot, because they have an aisle of eclectic cheapy toys that Charlie loves to browse, and he always gets to pick one item from their extensive candy aisle when we go in there.
-Make cookies. Haven't indeed done this in far too long, what with all the planned traveling and then the unplanned refugee-from-the-bats traveling. Excited to get back into baking again.
-TYPE UP A NEW LIST!!! WOO!! My belated birthday gift from my best friend came yesterday, which included Disaster Movies. I'm so excited! I'll be typing up the list and sending a copy to said friend, so that we can start watching them in order!

Said birthday package also included A Feast of Ice and Fire, which is equally as exciting!

I have A Feast of Ice and Fire too and I keep reminding myself I need to cook some of the recipes! I did try their iced milk and loved it. I'll be interested in your sharing what you do out of it, too.

maggie: I think I put it on my wishlist because of seeing it on your thread! I'll let you know when I've tried something from it.

Great! and you will be inspiring me, too.

So, the new cookie recipe is delicious and very easy, which adds up to a Must-Share:

Peanutty Chocolate Cookies

Ingredients:
• 1 cup chunky peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 package fudge brownie mix (13x9-inch pan size)
• ½ cup water
• 12 oz. milk chocolate chips
• ½ cup unsalted peanuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. Cream together peanut butter and oil.
3. Beat in eggs until just combined.
4. Stir in brownie mix and water.
5. Fold in chocolate chips and peanuts.
6. Using tablespoon scoop, drop onto foil-lined cookie sheets.
7. Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly browned.
8. Cool on wire rack.

This one comes out of Taste of Home: Cookies.

We and the kids enjoyed so many books together, Amber (the highlight was my wife reading all of the Harry Potter books to all of us as they came out), that it surprised me the few times the kids didn't like ones I had liked. (The other one I can think of besides My Fathers Dragon was The Fairy Caravan by Beatrix Potter, which I found charming and they found boring). You may not have that happen with Mr. Charles.

Joe: Oh, I'm sure there will be some that we don't agree on, particularly more girly ones, I suspect. That's okay, though, as long as he keeps loving to read! Tomm and I have read all the HP books to each other, and I hope Charlie will let me read them to him, but I have a feeling that that will be too slow of a pace for him at some point and he'll just take over reading them on his own!

And wouldn't that be a wonderful 'problem' to have? :D

Stephen: It sure would.

168. The Bridge Is Up! by Babs Bell (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
A cute book about a bunch of drivers who have to wait because the bridge over the road is up. Nice illustrations and effective repetitions. Charlie loved it.

169. The Doll's House by Rumer Godden (1001 Children's Books list, 136 pages) - 8/10
The story of a handful of dolls owned by a pair of young sisters. Interesting, but not the best of in the genre of 'lives of dolls' books. Weird, slightly unexpected ending. S'okay but not great.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Horten's Incredible Illusions (Charlie book)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-The Gnostic Gospels (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Bossypants (because I want 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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

>57 maggie1944:: another one for Kate to bake for her chocolate-peanut butter loving boyfriend! And actually I might have to try it too :)

Laura: Ha! I, in fact, thought that very thing when I tasted them, "Huh, I bet Laura's daughter's boyfriend would like these." No, I'm not obsessed with LT. Not at all.

Mmm...will have to give those cookies a try one of these days since the hubster absolutely loves his peanut butter! :)

*waving* at Amber

>65 scaifea:: OMG, too funny Amber.

Valerie: Yes, do try them - so easy for how delicious they turn out. I've discovered already this morning that Tomm discreetly escorted a small bag of them to work with him...

Stasia: *waves enthusiastically right back*

Laura: I'm glad my craziness delights you. :)

The next two days are predicted to be hot - mid-90's hot - so I'm trying hoping to keep Charlie happy with inside activities. Ugh. I'm definitely ready for fall.

170. Paddington's Garden by Michael Bond (Paddington series, picture book) - 9/10

Paddington, along with the two Brown children, is given a small section of the family garden to do with as he pleases. It takes him a while to decide how to cultivate it, and this time is spend in the usual Paddington misadventures, but when finished, he and the Browns are all quite pleased.
Adorable. The Scaifes all come firmly down on the side of Team Paddington. Love him.

171. Find the Duck by Stephen Cartwright (public library book, Charlie pick, picture book) - 8/10

Sweet little book (I love Cartwright's illustrations) in which a duck is hiding on every page. A little young to Charlie at this point, but still adorable.

Hey Amber, what's the yield on that cookie recipe? Maybe 4 dozen or so? Just curious as I add it to my recipes ...

Laura: Yep, about 4 dozen is what I got out of the batch.

Slightly hectic day ahead of me today: Most of the day will be okay, but I do have more cookies to make for Tomm and Charlie to take to a playdate with Charlie's friends, Peter & Luke (and their dad, Paul), while Elizabeth and I run the garage sale tomorrow, and then I have *another* dentist's appointment this afternoon (two more fillings). When I get home from that, I need to set up my stuff in the garage for the sale, then call Elizabeth to come over and set up hers. Dinner is in there somewhere, too, although Tomm may be stuck with that chore...

Good luck on your garage sale! I must say one of the more effective things we did was to have a Free Box, with a really big label, set up so that people have to walk through all the other stuff to get to it and look in it. Tricky!

And don't forget to have plenty of change on hand. My niece almost lost one sale because she did not have change for a $20 bill

Good luck!

maggie: Aw, I'm an old hat at garage sales; change and everything already under control. I've lost a couple of sales in the past because I refuse to take checks, but that's another kind of lesson learned...

>74 scaifea:: thanks Amber!
Good luck at the dentist today, and I hope your garage sale is a smashing success!

Firetruck cookie, anyone? The black icing is particularly sloppy, I know - I bought a tube and it was incredibly difficult to navigate. Should have just made my own, I suppose.



Laura: Thanks! I hope so too.

Great! Next time I'm prepping for a garage sale, I will come looking for more hints and tricks! I am so glad we did ours this year. Nice to be able to park car in the garage!

Just picked up Martha Stewart's Halloween handbook at the grocery store and there are some cute patterns for cookies with black icing. Should you try again with making your own, I'd be very interested in how you were able to get a good black color...

80 - I got a great black using Wilton's black food coloring when I made my son's haunted castle cake.

oh, I don't think I've ever seen black food coloring. I'll have to do some hunting.

WARNING: POSSIBLE TMI

Black frosting reminds me of this cupcake I ate last Halloween--it had the darkest dark frosting I've ever seen. Unfortunately, that much food coloring led to multiple days of vibrant turquoise and cobalt blue poo.

DON'T SAY I DIDN'T WARN YOU!

Ha! The firetuck is awesome, and it looks much more aerodynamic than actual firetrucks. :D

I clicked on the "Like" button for that cookie!

I always expect black icing to taste like these nasty little black pills I used to get for some childhood illness (probably fevers); I was too young to swallow them whole, so they got crushed and put into a spoonful of orange juice. Bitter, bitter, bitter. It's a very pretty cookie, but I'll leave it for today's children who haven't had their taste buds corrupted by Dr. Frisbie's little black pills! (I might steal one of the wheels...)

Hi Amber, I am doing a little catch up and I see things are going well here. Delicious tarts and cookie recipes and a great picture of Charley. My least favorite word is aluminum - I have trouble both in the speaking of this word and the spelling!

We are going to be heading home tomorrow and I think both of us are looking forward to our home comforts.

I love the look of the cookie, Amber. I do not think that the black icing looks sloppy at all :)

Luxx & maggie: Yes, the trick is to use the coloring *paste* and not the regular old food coloring, which isn't strong enough to give one anything more than grey (or pink, if you're trying for red). I just didn't have time (read: was too lazy this week) to mix up a batch of my own icing and so just bought a (apparently faulty) tube this time.

casvelyn: *snork!* Yes, last year for Charlie's birthday I made a Mickey Mouse cake, which had lots of black icing for the ears and head. We all pooped in strange colors for a few days after that one.

Stephen & Joe: Thanks!

Linda: Oh, yuck! The gross pill memory is of little pinkish-orange ones brushed up in stuff, and they were awful and bitter, too. To tell the truth, the instructions called for black licorice ropes, which would have made for a tidier cookie, but, well, ew. What little kid likes black licorice? Not mine, I can assure you.

Judy: Good to see you! Hoping for safe travels for you, and I can understand the yearning for home at the end of a trip.

Stasia: Thanks! You're lovely to say so.

172. Bossypants by Tine Fey (birthday present that I wanted to read Right Now, 277 pages) - 9/10

Tina Fey doesn't give her entire life story, just snippets and anecdotes that are relevant to how she turned out to be where she is now. I loved it, and laughed out loud many many times. I've been known to state that I'm Liz Lemon, except that I'm married and have a child. Now I can say that I'm much like Tina Fey herself, without the Greek heritage.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Horten's Incredible Illusions (Charlie book)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-The Gnostic Gospels (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America (because I want 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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

The Good News: The garage sale went wonderfully! I sold nearly everything, and made a nice little chunk to stick into the Take Charlie to Disney World Next Summer Fund.

The Bad News: There was another bat in the house early this morning. Tomm is livid, and has already called to bat-proofers. I suspect that it's just a lone one that got trapped in the attic when the guy sealed all the cracks and made its way into the house. Hopefully. Sigh.

On the agenda for today:
-Finished cleaning up the garage from yesterday (which means bringing tables back into the house, essentially).
-Try a new recipe: Pistachio Cheese Cake
-Maybe hopefully get some sewing done?

Oh dear, sorry to hear about the bat. Glad you enjoyed Bossypants!!

I'm going to push Bossypants higher up on Mount TBR.

Mmmm those marshmallow tarts look good!!
Thanks for posting the picture of Charlie with the bubbles on my thread! Adorable

Laura: Me too (on both counts). The bat-proofer is coming back early this week to take a look. Sigh.

Morphy: Oh, do, if you liked her on SNL or you like 30 Rock. I loved her going into the read, so I knew I'd love the book.

Chelle: Hi there, married lady! And you're welcome. The day of your wedding was particularly gusty here, so it was hard to get a good picture of the bubbles before they blew right away!

173. Little Owl Leaves the Nest by Marcia Leonard (CYOA book, 18 pages) - 8/10

This is the first in the Your First Adventure books - CYOA books for preschoolers, essentially. There's only one choice to make, but it's a great way to give them a taste of the older CYOA books, and Charlie seemed to love the idea of participating in the story in this way. So, yeah, I'll be looking for more of these.

I loved Bossypants. She is really something.

Joe: She is, isn't she? I love her.

Actually, I don't watch either of those shows so know little about Tina Fey other than she is on those shows and does a mean Palin.

Morphy: I don't know that you'll enjoy it as much, then, but there is a section toward the end devoted to the Palin bit and it's very interesting.

174. The Gnostic Gospels by Elaine Pagels (audio book) - 6/10

I picked this one off of the library shelves because I didn't know much of anything about the Nag Hammadi texts but was interested to find out more. For that, Pagels Introduction was somewhat helpful and, by far, the most interesting part of the whole book. In the introduction she sets forth the history of the discovery of the texts and their journeys and misadventures since then. After that, however, the book slumps into a disappointing jumble of reiterations of the same few points and reads like a poorly written, poorly advised and poorly edited dissertation. Most frustrating. Pagels, from what she tells us in the introduction, seems to have been one of the first people to be able to study these fairly-new-to-us texts, which arguably could have earth-shattering effects on how we perceive the development of the early christian church, and what is her big thesis? That these texts can show us that the early catholic (as opposed to the 'heretical' gnostic) church was so successful because it was a political machine. What?! Are you kidding me?! Of *course* it was a political organization! It always has been! And of course that's a big part of the reason why it was so successful. Sigh. I'm not an early church historian - I'm not even any kind of historian - and I knew that. Lots of people know that. So, yes, big disappointment. And she keeps repeating her handful of points over and over, even repeating the same examples from the texts. The interesting bits, besides the above-mentioned introduction, were the various anecdotes and short summaries she shared from the texts themselves, which seem fascinating, and made me even more flabbergasted that Pagels could come up with nothing more exciting to say about them than she did.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-Horten's Incredible Illusions (Charlie book)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-Peter and the Starcatchers (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America (because I want 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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Nothing much on the agenda today, as it is Labor Day, so the library won't be open, and Tomm is at work all day. I am looking forward to testing the new cheesecake recipe at some point today (made it yesterday, but it needed to chill in the fridge overnight), and hopefully getting some reading done.
Charlie starts preschool tomorrow, so I need to try to get ready emotionally for that. I'm excited for him, of course, because he's very excited, but I'm also, well, you moms know what I'm going through. I'm also a bit of a wimp about it; I mean, seriously, he's only going for 2 mornings a week, so it's not like I'm sending him off to school all-day everyday yet. I just need to pull myself together. Sigh.

On the other hand, I'm gaining two mornings a week of Amber Time - WOOHOO! One will be spent sewing (yay!), and the other grocery shopping, which, I know, doesn't seem glamorous or even remotely relaxing, but it is for me (relaxing, that is - I recognize the non-glamorousness of it), and I get to do the shopping in Dubuque now, which has a *much* nicer and better-stocked grocery store than Platteville. And I can now do the shopping during the week (Charlie is not a helpful grocery shopper) instead of getting up early on a weekend morning to do it. Yay!

Amber, I'm sorry to hear The Gnostic Gospels wasn't very good. I am not one who believes the Bible to be literal truth. I believe the texts were selected for a purpose, but were by no means the only writings available at the time. Just as I enjoy reading history from a perspective other than the victor's, I'm interested in alternative views of early Christianity. Oh well, guess I'll pass on that one.

On a lighter note, I bet it won't take long for you to enjoy Amber time. I hated grocery shopping with young children. At the time we were fortunate to live in an area where the leading supermarkets offered online ordering. One would deliver, another would have your goods all bagged and ready for pickup. It saved my sanity, I tell you. These days I don't mind shopping at all, and Julia actually likes to come with me.

I'm sure Charlie will enjoy preschool and playing with new friends. Good luck tomorrow!

Laura: I've decided just to read the Nag Hammadi texts myself (there are translations available, happily), which, from the snippets Pagels gave, promise to be amazing reading. I'm with you on the historical perspective, and on the alternate views of christianity - fascinating stuff. I'm most interested in religious texts as literature, too.

I used to like grocery shopping with my mom, but not until I was a bit older than Charlie is now - I think it's understandable that a pre-schooler would find that kind of shopping (or any kind of non-toy-store shopping) tedious at best.

Amber, on Wednesday the youngest of my niece's kids will start three days a week preschool, she did two days a week last year. Also, on Wednesday the middle kid starts First Grade. Oh, my! The transitions - and the eldest will begin Middle School (that well know pit of craziness). Big start of the school year this year!

But let me say, yes, you will appreciate the Amber time! I am planning on using my "free time" to run over to the YMCA and do the Arthritis Exercises with the oldsters in the pool. And maybe a sit in the whirl pool, too, or the Sauna! I am trying to build some physical strength so that when I go to Hawaii in November I can do some snorkeling.

Set some goals, maybe? You will find those free mornings will slip away very easily and you'll wonder what you did with them. Or maybe not. Maybe you just want to relax? and read?

Enjoy! I know Charlie will!

Oooh, the Pistachio Cardamom Cheesecake turned out really *really* good!



Here's the recipe, for those interested (it came out of a Taste of Home magazine):

Ingredients:
• 1 ¼ cups finely crushed animal crackers
• 3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• 2 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese, softened
• 1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 ½ teaspoons ground cardamom
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• ½ cup pistachios, chopped

1. Heat oven to 325⁰.
2. Place a greased 9-inch springform pan on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil; securely wrap foil around pan.
3. In a small bowl, combine cracker crumbs and brown sugar; stir in butter.
4. Press onto the bottom of prepared pan.
5. Place pan on a baking sheet.
6. Bake for 15 minutes; cool on wire rack.
7. In large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
8. Beat in milk, lemon juice and cardamom.
9. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined.
10. Fold in pistachios.
11. Pour over crust.
12. Place springform pan in large baking pan; add 1 inch of boiling water to larger pan.
13. Bake at 325⁰ for 35-40 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull.
14. Remove springform pan from water bat; remove foil.
15. Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes; loosen edges from pan with a knife and cool 1 hour longer.
16. Refrigerate overnight.

I think a lot of the issue with The Gnostic Gospels is that the book is 30 years old and the information that was so novel then IS part of our general knowledge these days in a way it wasn't at that time.

Roni: Yes and no. You really don't need the discover of the Nag Hammadi texts to know that the early church was a) very political, and b) set up in such a way - on purpose - to be a successful endeavor.

>106 scaifea: animal crackers?! That's an interesting choice for a crust . . .

I do love cardamom so. I will even tolerate the pistachios for a taste of that cardamom :-)

Nora: Animal crackers have that light lemon flavor, which works really well with the cardamom and pistachio.

Charlie's first day of preschool picture. Sigh.

Hah! Charlie's looking good, Amber! I know it's got to be hard to turn him loose into the world, even a caring pre-school.

He looks absolutely gorgeous :) I know, it's no solace to you at present - but wait a couple of weeks and you will definately start to enjoy your "Amber Time".

I can't wait to hear how his first day went!

Awwww!

Our little man is growing up so fast!

Aww! Yay for the first day! Hope he loved it (and hope Mommy loved her alone time too! :)

#106: OK, I am going to have to try that. I love cheesecake!

#111: I cannot believe how big Charlie has gotten! What a cute little man.

I can't wait to hear about his first day!

Joe: Oh, I know. My over-protectiveness and my vivid imagination were wreaking havoc on me yesterday. But this preschool is run by 4 of the sweetest women I've ever met, and the genuinely seem excited about teaching the kids, so we'll see.

drachenbraut: Despite being a little sad and a little nervous yesterday, I did still enough the Amber Time already! I finished sewing together the quilt squares for the quilt I'm making for my parents! Now I just need to find some border and backing fabrics that I like...

Linda: He *loved* it! When I picked him up, he was tired (first days are tiring), but so excited. He talked all the rest of the day about the "new boys" he met to play with.

Stephen: I know - adorable, isn't he?

Carrie: Oh, don't I know it! And next week I've got to get a cake ready for his 4th (!!) birthday. When did *that* happen?!

Chelle: Thank goodness he did love it - even though he was super excited, I was still a bit worried that he'd decide he didn't like and and then not want to go back. But instead I think he's upset that he can't go back today (He'll be attending Tuesdays and Thursdays)!

Stasia: The flavors are a great mix - I hope you love it!

Morphy: It was pretty cute to hear him talking about it all the rest of the day, and he came home and drew a picture of him playing at school. So so cute.

So, no school today (as I mentioned above, Charlie will be going on Tuesdays and Thursdays), so I think we'll head to the library today. It stormed here most of the night, so I'm curious to find out just how much rain we got, too. Otherwise, a relaxing day, I hope. Possibly with some cookie baking thrown in there somewhere, too...

Today is Alex's first day in Middle School, Logan's first day in First Grade, and Jocelyn is going to Preschool on M,W,F. I am looking forward to all the nerves over at their house this morning. (-:

>120 scaifea: You'll be glad you did it, Amber. It's really good for kids, and I'm sure Charlie will benefit from it.

Been too long since I dropped a *smooch* over here.

Of course, you can never be sure it won't be a snake picture.

Amber - good luck with the cookies and the library. My lot are back in school and driving me cooky too without the baking process.

Saw over on Paul's thread that it was your little one's first day at school. Just dropped by to say "Congratulations" and "How did it go for you?".

I put my 3 year old into day care in February, which was pretty much the first time he'd spent time without one of us. Needless to say, he took it a bit hard (and I only survived because I've been through it before, but it's a bit heart wrenching). But very soon he was running off without even noticing I was leaving (which left me feeling torn between proud and a little bit of a different sort of heartache). Unlike his 'very-grown-up brother', though, when I go to pick him up, his face lights up when he sees me, so that makes my day.

Here I am trying to catch up with everyone, Amber!

My mommy radar just shot through the roof with that picture of Charlie. I'm sure you will love the time you get to yourself in the mornings with Charlie in preschool. It's like you got your "nap" times back. :) I look forward to seeing all the amazing art projects/yummy food you will get done/bake with that extra time! ;)

Joe: We're hoping that it gets Charlie to talk more around people other than Tomm and I. I have to believe that pre-school will be good for his social skills.

Richard: I would never *ever* put a cat picture on your thread, so I have to believe that you'll be as kind to me with respect to *gulp* snakes. I would - and I'm not kidding here - have to abandon the thread immediately for a new one.

Paul: The trip to the library was a success - we signed Charlie up for the fall Story Time, to which he's really looking forward (as am I - they're a hoot!).

humouress: I got the same delightful rush when Charlie beamed at me as I walked through the door to pick him up yesterday. Such a wonderful feeling, no?

Valerie: Ha! I don't know how amazing they will be, but I am looking forward to the extra sewing/crafting time (I have no trouble baking with Charlie around - he loves to help!).

*sigh* Oh alright, I'll be a grown-up. *sigh*grumble*

Chicken chicken chicken!

Hmmm...maybe spiders....

I can't believe that I forgot to mention this - although yesterday I was a bit preoccupied with other things - but yesterday saw the exciting arrival (finally!) of the audio version of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as read by Stephen Fry! WOOHOO!! Completes the set! Again I say WOOHOO!!

Huzzah! I can only imagine what a great job Fry must do of it!

Richard: He's amazing, of course. And it took *forever* for Tomm and I to find it available to order and have shipped to the states. So we're (possibly a wee bit over) excited.

Scaifea - I absolutely agree with you, Stephen Fry did a great job with Harry Potter. They are real fun they way he reads them.
Do you have the same problems with shipping from the UK, as I usually have if I want to have something shipped from the states?
I find it takes *forever* - the last time I ordered a book, I was unable to get in Europe I had to wait "8" weeks until it finally arrived *very loud grumble*.

drachenbraut: Yes I have that problem a lot with buying and shipping from the UK. Oooh, we should be shipping buddies! Anytime you need something from the states, I could get it and ship it to you, and you could do the same for me.

Hi Amber, that picture of Charlie off to school will be one that you will treasure. I still remember vividly my grandson's first day of preschool and now here he is entering Grade 8, his first year at High School. His mother can't believe that her baby is in high school!

Scaifea - that sounds like a great idea. So let's become shipping buddies :)

I find that already frustrating if I get an audiobook on audible. As I listen quite a lot, quite often in Tandem with the book I am reading - meaning - If I can't read the book - because I need my hands to do something - I listen to the book. My family decided already long ago that I am a Nerd, because I am doing that.
Anyway, I am registered with audible de and uk, but sometimes there are books on audible.com, and I can't get them because they are not licened for Europe. :(.

Judy: I'm going to (like a lot of moms, I suspect) put each First Day picture in an album together. I love the idea of being about to see him change year-by-year in pictures. As you may or may not remember me mentioning, I've taken a picture of him every day since the day he was born, and I've been having posters made of Charlie 365 each year. I love looking at those.

drachenbraut: That's the trouble I ran into with that last Harry Potter book - it just wasn't available to order for the US, even on UK sights, until just recently. It's really frustrating. Oh, and that's what I do with my audiobooks, too - when I'm knitting or sewing or driving (and thus can't physically hold a but), I turn to my audio book. Welcome to Nerdyville! Ha!

So, today is Day Two of preschool, and so also Day Two of Amber Time. I'm going to try shopping down in Dubuque (about 25 minutes away) this morning - they have a much superior grocery store, plus I need to pick out fabric for Charlie's and my Halloween costumes (we're going as Mario (Charlie) and Luigi (me)).
Oh, and yesterday's new cookie recipe turns out like gangbusters, so I'll try to post the recipe later on - Lemon Tea Cookies (melt-in-you-mouth shortbread sandwich cookies with *amazing* lemon cream filling)!

>139 scaifea:: I've taken a picture of him every day since the day he was born, and I've been having posters made of Charlie 365 each year.
Wow, that's a GREAT idea. A photo a day takes a lot of discipline, but the 365s are things to treasure.

Enjoy your Amber time!

> 139 : Oh, I only wish I could have been organised enough to take a picture every day! Whenever I finally do a tidy up, or wander through a baby shop, I come across those albums or photo frames with space for a picture every month, and then I realise that I haven't taken any photos to put in them. I know you'll treasure your photos.

Could you do it for me, too?

That is mighty impressive! I think we did a picture a day when he was first born. In fact it was probably like 50 pictures a day..haha! The picture taking has tapered off quite a bit in recent months because we can never get him to sit still long enough to snap the picture! All the pictures end up being a blur of a child running off. :)

Amber, I love C's first day of school pic. He looks ready to take on the world! The collages are a wonderful idea...something all of you will treasure in the years to come.

I love lemon in any shape or form. I'm looking forward to a new recipe from you. I tried the peanut-chocolate cookies using the brownie mix. So much easier than the roll-ups (that I also loved) with the same great flavor. Charlie and Tomm are lucky guys having somebody who loves to bake for them!

Laura: I'm so happy that I've been able to do it so far, and I've vowed that I'll do it until Charlie starts complaining about it. I love having those posters.

humouress: Ha! I would if I could!

Valerie: It is sometimes a challenge to get a non-blurry picture, but I've had lots of practice at this point.

Donna: I'm glad to hear that you like the peanut-chocolate ones - I'll try to get the lemon recipe up soon.

175. Howl-O-Ween by Alan Benjamin (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
Essentially just pictures of various Halloween-themes animals and what sounds they make. S'okay; Charlie thought it hilarious, though, for some reason.

176. Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America by Nate DiMeo (birthday gift, 240 pages) - 7/10
A 'fake' book 'written' by Leslie Knope (of Parks and Recreation) about her hometown. I love the show, and there were parts of the book that were laugh-out-loud funny, but it was over-long and over-stayed its welcome, really. Plus, I think you need to be a native Hoosier to get some of the obscure Indiana humor in here. I love Amy Poehler, though. So sad to hear that she and Will Arnett have split up, because I really like him, too. Sigh.

177. Gideon by Olivier Dunrea (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
A wee frisky gosling doesn't want to take his nap.
I love Dunrea's illustrations - adorable. And the stories are cute, too.

Ohmygosh.

#147: Oh, I want one of those! How cool!

>146 scaifea: I think a little part of my died when I heard Amy Poehler and Will Arnett are separating. I love them both so much. And their adorable ginger baby. Remember the episode of P&R when he was Leslie's blind date and he was really creepy?? That was so funny. Have you seen this video of bloopers? http://jezebel.com/5941137/dammit-jerry-its-the-parks-and-rec-blooper-reel

>147 scaifea: : That is such a clever bookshelf; my kind of thing. I love the way it suits the shape of the ceiling. I wonder if it was purpose built, because it looks like a real piano to me.

Samantha, Stasia & humouress: It is pretty neat, no? It looks as though it is an actual, re-purposed piano to me, and I know my way around those things, if I do say so myself (I've been playing since I was 5).

Nora: I feel the same way, and yes, I love it when they play opposite each other! Remember that she was his wife in Arrested Development? Ah, the good old days. And yes! I love the blooper reel!

Here's the recipe, as promised:

Lemon Tea Cookies



Ingredients:
• ¾ cup butter, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 egg yolk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups flour
Filling:
• 3 tablespoons butter, softened
• 4 ½ teaspoons lemon juice
• ¾ teaspoon grated orange peel
• 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 2 drops yellow food coloring (optional)

1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Beat in egg yolk and vanilla.
3. Gradually add flour and mix well.
4. Shape into two 14-inch rolls; reshape each roll into a 14x1.5x1.5-inch block.
5. Wrap each block in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
6. Preheat oven to 400°.
7. Unwrap and cut into ¼-inch slices.
8. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
9. Bake 8-10 minutes or until golden brown around the edges.
10. Cool on wire rack.
11. Cream together butter, lemon juice and orange peel until fluffy.
12. Gradually add powdered sugar until smooth.
13. Tint yellow if desired.
14. Spread about 1 teaspoon of filling on one cookie and top with another cookie.

ETA: This recipe came from Taste of Home Contest Winning Annual Recipes 2009.

Wow - they look lovely. If I would not be absolutely useless at backing I would try them. *Yummy*

I love the piano bookcase, Amber!

wow a picture a day is a great idea and quite the commitment! I may have to steal your idea when I have kids ... we'll see if I can stay as committed as you though ;0

The bookcase is a stunner, though I sort of feel sorry for the piano it once was. You'd have to fill it with music themed books or something.

Your photo of the bookcase gives me further ideas for book storage Amber. Ours is an upright but I guess I'll get a fair few on there anyways.

Have a lovely weekend.

Chelle: I will admit to a couple of nights in the first year when I woke up suddenly and realized that I hadn't taken a picture that day (it's more stressful than you may think), jumped out of bed, grabbed the camera, tip-toed into Charlie's room and taken adorable sleeping-baby pictures. So it all worked out in the end, and now I better at remembering.

Kerry: It's better than the old piano getting burned or demolished, though, no?

Paul: I have an upright, too; it would be great it one could somehow attach a set of shelves to the back - while leaving the piano intact - and make it the centerpiece of a room...hmmmm...

This weekend sees the coming of the annual Dairy Days Festival here in Platteville, which means today is parade day. Charlie *loves* parades, so we're pretty excited to take him again this year. And, as a bonus, it looks like it will be a bit on the cool side this morning (high 50's - low 60's), so we'll even get to break out the sweatshirts/jackets! Oh how I love fall. Bring it on!

178. Little Green by Keith Baker (public library book, picture book) - 8/10

A poem, of sorts, set to lovely illustrations, about a boy watching (and painting) the movements of a hummingbird. Charlie loved it, mostly because we played at trying to imitate the bird movements, which led to much giggling.

>159 scaifea:: I will admit to a couple of nights in the first year when I woke up suddenly and realized that I hadn't taken a picture that day...
Reminds me of the times I nearly forgot to play tooth fairy. So you have that to look forward to. :)

Enjoy the parade!

I love fall, and sweatshirts, too! Woo hoo! bring it on....

Mad people!

I enjoy seeing the first daffodils and first green leaf buds in spring, and I look forward to the long days of summer because I can finally get warm. But autumn? That means the clocks going back, so darker evenings, and the prelude to winter. I suppose (when I was at school) there were horse chestnuts (conkers) and Founder's Day, but that's not enough to convince me.

ETA - correcting tense. I slipped back to the past in the middle there.

>164 humouress: I do hate the lengthening days, but for me fall means good lighting for outdoor pictures, really good smelling air, and being able to wear all my best clothes. I hate pastels and bright colors, so I have no really good spring or summer clothes, but a really fabulous fall wardrobe, with lots of browns and burgundys and velvets and corduroys and my favorite perfume that smells like dried leaves and incense. And my favorite tweed 1940s librarian skirt with the matching waistcoat and cameo brooch! Oh happy times!

Thanks for another delicious looking cookie recipe, Amber. I will save this one for a very special occasion as it looks more labor intensive than the Brownie mix recipe. Did I mention I am a lazy cook? I love any recipe that takes shortcuts and has few ingredients!

We're having some delightful fall-like weather this weekend, too. But, alas, no parade.

*smooch* from your summer-hating lurker

Laura: I'm in fact already nervous about pulling off the tooth fairy thing...

maggie, humouress, casvelyn: I *love* fall (and I like winter, too). I'm right there with casvelyn in the wardrobe department - most of my stuff is fall/winter stuff and I have a serious dearth of summer clothes. That librarian skirt is making me swoon!

Donna: It wasn't as laboring as it sounds, really. Yes, it's spread over 2 days, but in total it's not a lot of time or effort, really, especially for the big payoff in taste - they're delicious!

Richard: Always happy to find fellow heat-haters!

179. Horten's Incredible Illusions by Lissa Evans (Charlie book, 349 pages) - 9/10
In this follow-up to Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms, Stuart Horten finds himself of a hunt for his great-uncle's will, which sends him on a series of fantastic (and dangerous) magical adventures.

Just as good as the first one, this is an inventive and fun story. Recommended (but read the first book first!).

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-The Hand of the Necromancer (Bellairs bibliography)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-Peter and the Starcatchers (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Oh, I need one of these:

I like Casvelyn's association of Fall with light and nice smelling air. I do miss the four seasons sometimes over here in the tropics.

I love the fall as well, but can't cope to well with the winter. Although, if it is a proper winter with snow I think it is absolutely stunning. The fall with it's multitude of colours is just beautiful.

- the time of letting the kite's fly
- playing conkers
- building safe places for the wildlife in our garden.

yes, there are quite a lot of nice things to say about the fall, the ONLY thing I don't like either are the shortening days.

I love autumn in Europe too and Bianca's reference to "conkers" brings back fond childhood memories. Everybody thinks of the positives of living in the tropics but the downside for me is the absence of spring, autumn or winter. Constant summer can be unremitting.

I grew up in Florida and now live in Minnesota. People think I'm crazy when I tell them I'd never move back. I love the change in seasons.

Paul: Yes, I think I couldn't live where you do, and mostly because of the lack of seasons. Fall has so so many wonderful associations for me: the smells (including burning leaves), the colors of those leaves, the chill in the air, school starting up again, getting to wear warm clothing and drink hot drinks (cider! HoCho!). Sigh. It's wonderful.

drachenbraut (Is it Bianca? What a beautiful name!): I've only recently learned about conckers (from Charlie's Kipper the Dog videos), but is sounds fun. They look like they're buckeyes, which is alright with Tomm and I, both being graduates of Ohio State University (the Buckeyes, as they are called).

Morphy: I surely don't count you as crazy - I'd miss the seasons like crazy, especially since summer is my least favorite. Tomm and I are loving living farther north that we ever have before, here in WI. Last year, we had a significant snow before Halloween!

Today will be devoted to baking (gingerbread pancakes for breakfast, hot curried fruit for dinner dessert), cooking (meatloaf & potatoes for dinner), sewing (I was able to get a healthy chunk of Charlie's Halloween costume started yesterday and I want to keep going on that today when I can), and a trip to the Dairy Days Festival at the park for some fair food, which includes a visit to the cheese tent (we do live in Wisconsin, after all) for some sampling. The parade yesterday was a hoot - Charlie netted a bag full of candy (and string cheese sticks - again, we live in Wisconsin, so, yes, they throw cheese sometimes instead of candy at parades!), and the bands and floats were fun. The weather has been absolutely beautiful so far this weekend - sunny and breezy, but with just a little chill in the air (we even wore sweatshirts to the parade - yay!). All in all, a nigh on perfect weekend so far. *contented sigh*

Oh I remember those gingerbread pancakes! You posted that recipe here ages ago and I can vouch for their tastiness.

I was actually dropping by to see if you've heard about the film "Liberal Arts" with Josh Radnor, filmed at Kenyon during summer 2011 and released this week? Of course it's a VERY BIG DEAL at Kenyon because of the location and alumni stars (Radnor and Alison Janney). They had a premier last weekend for all students, faculty, visitors, etc. and Radnor himself was there. It won't hit our local theaters for some time yet but we're attending a Kenyon-sponsored screening in Philly next month. Here's the Liberal Arts trailer in which you will spot many familiar haunts. Enjoy.

ETA: I just read on another thread that you haven't been to the movies since Charlie was born. Maybe this will be "the one" !

Oh, Man! I want a parade where they throw string cheese! What fun. Here in Washington State we'd have to throw apples. Probably not happening.

Your parade sounds great, Amber. And you can add me to the Autumn Lovers! I love clear blue sky days and cool nights. We don't get our typical gray skies and rain until closer to Halloween.

180. Count-A-Saurus by Nancy Blumenthal (public library book, picture book) - 7/10
Dinosaurs, 1-10 style, doing silly things.
Meh. I picked it up because Charlie is in a count-everything phase, and likes dinosaurs right now. He seemed to like it okay, but it's mediocre, but in substance and illustrations.

Laura: I'm still in contact with friends I have on faculty at Kenyon, and with former students who are still there, so yeah, I've heard my fill of the movie. I'm not a big Radnor fan, but I do love Allison Janney.

maggie: I love the sunny breezy slightly chilly days, but I'm also a fan of chilly rainy November days, too. I just love fall unconditionally!

>180 scaifea:: understand, Amber. "My sources" tell me it's an homage to the campus too, so I'm looking forward to it on that basis alone.

I've heard from several of my Kenyon faculty friends that the screening went very well, and that the movie shows off the campus beautifully. One of my friends, Ben Locke (a music prof, conductor of the Knox County Symphony and the celebrated Chamber Singers, and and all-round lovely person) wrote the score, too. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it.

Amber, do your local cinemas have mums & tots days? I know a few that do, though I've never tried it. I can't remember as far back as our first baby (!), but with our second, (my husband being addicted to cinemas) (and me to popcorn), we just popped him in the baby carrier and got seats at the back so we could nip out in case he started crying. Now, of course, the two of them are just as addicted as their father, and I have to share my popcorn.

The Horten series sounds interesting; I'll have to remember to look out for it.

Humouress: I was never brave enough to try the carseat-in-the-back-row business, and now he's just the wrong age for the movies: too big to sleep through it, but too little to sit still and listen (plus, movies are so loud these days that I think he's be afraid of all the noise). We've decided to test him out next summer - the local theater has a Kids' Summer Series during the week...
Definitely keep an eye out for the Horten books - they're a bit out of the ordinary, in a very good way.

Best of luck. We've always followed the philosophy the nurses gave us when our first was born - don't tiptoe around them, or they'll expect silence the whole time, and never settle unless it's quiet, so talk normally and keep the TV on. Of course, the first time we took the baby in to watch a film, I thought my husband was taking it a bit too literally (it can be loud) - and now see where we've ended up!

The theaters show films with entirely too loud audio these days. I'm partially deaf and I can't stand it. No child should be submitted to that noise. Now, maybe when it comes to kids films they tone it down a bit. But really! let's not wreck our kids ears before they even have a chance to buy their own music.

Sounds like you have a lovely Sunday planned, Amber. I am opting for a quiet day with time set aside for plenty of reading. I'm resting up since the grandchildren are coming next weekend while their parents take a short break.

Fall is my favorite time of the year. The colors, the slightly spicy scent in the air, the brilliant blue of the skies (when sunny), even the early darkness are all comforting to me.

Ah well, I've always thought I was a bit left of centre ... wacky .... quirky ...

> 175 Yes, it is Bianca and thank you.
Conkers and the buckeyes are indeed the same. In the UK they have a traditional game with them, *giggle* which is taken very seriously by a lot of children, and at times takes very thoughtful preperations.

I don't know whether it is something you play in the states as well - if not - you may enjoy this with Charlie. Alex is 13 now and he only introduced the German kids last year to it - and they love it.

How to play conkers

CINEMA - We love the Cinema. I took Alex the first time when he was about 31/2 years old - and I have to share my popcorn now as well. However, I do agree that the audio in Cinemas nowadays is much louder than it used to be - but than again - it's not something we do on a daily basis, so I can't imagine that it could have a negative effect on their hearing. And - as it is there are so many activities which are equally loud, such as parades, or amusement parks.
In London they offer parents/baby viewings and they also offer toddler viewings, which Alex used to love.

Hi, Amber! A tip/story on the tooth fairy thing. We forgot with our daughter, and she was distraught in the morning when she looked under her pillow and found nothing. My clever wife had me comfort/distract her, went and grabbed a dollar (I've no idea what the going rate is now) and threw it under her bed. Then she said, you know, the tooth fairy wouldn't forget - maybe it fell out. Let's look! And then she let my daughter find it under her bed. Brilliant.

drive-by *smooch*

Hi Tomm! *smoochissimus** Charlie!

humouress: I tried following the not-being-quiet advice, but Charlie was so hard to get to sleep to begin with when he was tiny that I thought I'd lose my mind if I accidentally woke up right back up, so I fell into the being as quiet as possible practice. That's not why he's not fond of loud noises, though.

maggie: Kids hear lots of loud noises and I don't think theaters are going to harm them.

Judy: My parents claim to need a full week before and after a Charlie visit for rest and recuperation. Ha! But in a good way, I think...

Bianca: As far as I know, we don't play it here in the states (or at least not in the states that I've lived in), but I learned how to play from Charlie's Kipper the Dog dvds! One of Kipper's friends tried to cheat by substituting a gobstopper for his conker, and that made me think that I bet he's not the first rascal to think of that! Also, one of my favorite Top Gear episodes is one in which they play conkers with cars hooked to cranes!
Charlie is already a huge fan of popcorn, which we have as a treat sometimes in the evenings. He's a champion at helping me polish off the bowl.

Joe: Wow, clever doesn't begin to describe that amazing save! I'm definitely saving that nugget for future reference!

Richard: Aw, many thanks for the basia!

181. The View at the Zoo by Kathleen Long Bostrom (public library book, picture book) - 8/10

Tells the story of all the zoo animals getting ready in the morning for their visitors, and how the visitors and the animals view each other. Cute rhymes, cute illustrations, and a nice little twist at the end. Charlie seemed to enjoy it.

Charlie and I are due for a trip to the library today, but other than that it should be a quiet day at home. A little cleaning, a little reading, maybe a little sewing. I nearly finished the bib overalls for Charlie's costume yesterday (I just need to add two snaps, make the buttons and attach them, and hem the bottoms.).

Adding the Lissa Evans books to the BlackHole. They sound like ones I would really enjoy. Thanks for the mention, Amber!

Stasia: You're welcome!

Amber, have you read Goodnight Gorilla with Charlie? My 3 year old will read it endlessly; and I always find something new to spot, like the colours, or the keys, or the balloon...

A very cleverly illustrated book, which was given to us as a baby gift for my eldest (if memory serves; but after 2 bouts of pregnancy brain, it went and is reluctant to return)

humouress: Yep, we've read that one! Glad you and your 3yo enjoy it!

182. The Hand of the Necromancer by Brad Strickland (Bellairs bibliography, 168 pages) - 9/10
Johnny Dixon and his friend, Professor Childermass, find themselves in another magical misadventure, when a weird old guy comes sniffing around, wanting to buy a collection of old magic devices in the Professor's possession. Johnny makes a new friend in this one, too - Sarah, the new kid in town.
Nothing new to say about these books; still love them to death.

183. Lucky Chuck by Beverly Cleary (Cleary bibliography, picture book) - 7/10
Chuck works at the gas station and uses his wages to buy a used motorcycle. He learns the value of following the rules of the road after getting pulled over and being given a ticket.
Again, as much as I enjoy Cleary's longer books, her picture books are fairly stinky. Ugh.

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-The Stones of Green Knowe (Green Knowe series)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-Peter and the Starcatchers (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

This morning is a preschool morning, so I'm hoping to get some more sewing time in; I'd like to get Charlie's overalls finished up and mine started.
I'm looking forward to this weekend very much: Charlie's birthday (he's so excited), plus the library is having a used book sale (now guess who's excited!). Yay!

Happy Birthday to Charlie! and happy Book Sale for you!

Oh, I want one of these for my iphone!

>202 scaifea: : Oh, yes please!

That is so lovely Amber. What a great idea:)

Oh, that is very, very, cool! I want one of those, even though I don't even have an iPhone. :)

I'm a Fall lover as well. Probably my favourite season, right next to spring. I love the fact that it is still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors, but cool enough sometimes to throw on the sweater, turn on the fireplace and it just all around feels cozy!

>202 scaifea:: Oh ... me want. Where did you find that?

*clapp hands* Wow, I don't have an i-phone either, but I would love one of those.

Here it is! Very very cool ... but I don't like spending $20 on a case, much less $60. I think I'll pass on this one.

$60? Ouch! But ... but ... it's a wallet too ! Oh no, I can't rationalize it, darn it all.

I do not have an iPhone either, but I want one!

184. The Stones of Green Knowe by L. M. Boston (Green Knowe series, 133 pages) - 8/10
Follows the story of Roger, the first ever young inhabitant of Green Knowe, and how he comes to meet the other young residents throughout the years, via a set of magical stone seats.
Although not my favorite of the series (none of them, to me, top the first book), this is a lovely ending to the series. I now very much wish to go and visit the real Green Knowe!

185. Back to Bed, Ed! by Sebastien Braun (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
Ed loves to go through his bedtime routine, but the doesn't want to stay in bed, much to his parents' chagrin.
Oh, this is a familiar story in the Scaife house, although Charlie seems to be doing better with this recently. So, it was a nice book to read with him and he seemed to enjoy it. The illustrations are great.

186. Foxie by Ingri and Edgar Parin D'Aulaire (1001 Children's Books list - picture book) - 7/10
A dog, whose young master teases him and forgets regularly to feed him, gets lost in the city, saved by a circus animal trainer, trained to perform, and finally reunited with his owner.
I was so disappointed in this one, especially since I usually love the D'Aulaire books. I don't understand how this is considered a children's book at all, much less a classic. A retelling of a Chekhov story as a children's book sounded like a good idea? Since when?! How is this a happy ending?! The dog get reunited with a boy how neglectfully abuses it? Sigh. I give is as high as a 7/10 only for the illustrations, which are still D'Aulaire quality (=amazing).

What I'm reading now:
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 26: Continental Drama (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.26)
-The Harvard Classics Five Foot Shelf of Books, Volume 27: English Essays Sidney to Macaulay (library book - call #AC1.A4 v.27)
-Women in Love (banned books list)
-The Abominable Snowman (CYOA series)
-The Faerie Queen (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List)
-The Last Founding Father: James Monroe and a Nation's Call to Greatness (Presidential Challenge)
-Peter and the Starcatchers (audio book)
-Augustus (NBA award)
-Little Men (NEH list)
-(Awaiting discussion of Persuasion and choosing of next read) (Eliza & Electra Book Club book)
-Paddington Abroad (bath-time book)
-The Children's Hour Volume 10: School and Sport (I'm working through this series of old volumes that were my brothers' when they were little.)
-The Look-It-Up Book of Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)
-Our Country's Presidents (to accompany the presidential challenge)

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
-History of Rome by Michael Grant
-A History of Greece to 322 BC by N. G. L. Hammond

Thanks to Luxx for doing what I was too lazy to do yesterday in finding the link. I saw the photo on facebook and just copied it here. Yeah, there's no way I'm shelling out that much for it, but it certainly is a lovely thing to look at, no? Plus, it's really not practical for me, as I'm constantly mis-placing my phone, and if it were my wallet as well? That would lead to disaster, I'm afraid.

My thoughts on the wallet/phone case, too. Beautiful. I'd love to have it. Walk about looking like a semi-lost Victorian maid with a nice little volume in hand, for some reading in the park. But truth be told, it would be buried in my large book type bags in which I keep a huge variety of everything I could possibly need for an entire day! Will not be buying it, I guess. But it is very clever and very handsome.

I'm beginning to wonder how difficult it would be just to make one...

>214 scaifea:: hmmm, if you do that, you may find a market for them here :)

Laura: Ha! Excellent!

I think we should petition for LT to make a similar book / iPhone case (in time for Christmas!), since so many of us want it. At a reduced price, of course, for us loyal LTers.

Oh, no - book bullets, too. The Green Knowe series is going on the wish list.

As for bedtime, I had to go out for rehearsal tonight, and my 3 year old had had an especially long nap today (from the time I picked him up, through taking my eldest to the doctor, and didn't wake up till we got home; and was grumpy at that). My mum couldn't babysit, so it was left to my dad (who's never been the most child-friendly person) ... I heard only part of the story when I got home, but will get the rest tomorrow, I'm sure!

humouress: Oooh, that's a *great* idea! Okay, somebody pitch it to Tim...
And The Green Knowe books are lovely. Some are better than others, for me, but they're all read-worthy.

#214 That took you waaaaay too long.

Linda: *SNORK!!*

Got up early this morning to decorate Charlie's birthday cupcakes for preschool:

Wow, they are beautiful - Are that little catterpillars on top with smarties as the body and a jelly bean as head? And you have done all that in the morning?

Happy Birthday wishes to your young man - I hope he get' tons and tons of nice presents and foremost of all - I hope he will enjoy his birthday party(ies). ;)

Mmmmm.....do they need an extra "helper" at pre-school today?

Fun!

I'm impressed! Although I really expected you to make little book-shaped iPhone covers for all the kiddies.
Happy birthday Charlie!!!!

Happy Birthday to Charlie - I'm sure the children will love the cakes, very colourful:)

Mmmmm. Cupcakes. I could use one for breakfast this morning...

Happy birthday to Charlie! The cupcakes look amazing. :)

Happy birthday, Charlie!!

Happy Birthday to Charlie! Do they let big people into his class on special occasions? Oo, those cupcakes look awfully good!

Happy Birthday to Charlie. And, Happy Day to you Amber.

Ooh, yum. Happy Birthday to Charlie.

You are a wonder mom, Amber!

Happiest of birthday to our little man, Charlie. I'm sure he and his friends will enjoy all the love you put into those beautiful cupcakes! :)

Bianca: The heads are jelly beans and the bodies are m&m's. And, yes, I got up *very* early this morning to get those done.

Linda & Laura: *snork!*

Morphy: Thanks!

calm, Jim, Mary, Carrie, Joe, Linda, humouress & Valerie: Charlie's birthday isn't until Saturday (there will likely be pictures of the birthday cake later on, too), but since he attends preschool on Tuesdays & Thursdays, we took the cupcakes in today. It was so sweet - they sang Happy Birthday, and Charlie got a special Birthday sticker to wear all day. Sigh. Adorable.

Adorable indeed! Can I have a cupcake?

Richard: Certainly - there are only a couple left, so help yourself!

187. On Our Way Home by Sebastien Braun (public library book, picture book) - 8/10
An adorable book about the relationship between dads and sons. Great illustrations.

I've added On Our Way Home to the tbr list and I also intend to buy a copy for my son in law. He is such a wonderful father to my grand daughter Kayla.

Linda: It's a sweet little book (the father and son in it are bears) - I'm sure both your son-in-law and granddaughter will love it.

Happy PreBirthday for Charlie! The cupcakes look yummy!!

Chelle: Thanks! I'll pass along the birthday wishes.

188. The Abominable Snowman by R. A. Montgomery (CYOA series, 116 pages) - 8/10
Another fun addition to the series; in this one, the reader is off on a dangerous (and sometimes unintentionally silly) quest to find the Yeti.

Your cupcakes look delicious, Amber. I bet they were a big hit with the kids. All the teachers are going to want Charlie in their class when they realize what excellent treats his Mom makes!

Judy: Ha! There were a smashing success - one of the teachers has a 2-year-old boy and told me that she would definitely be stealing that idea for his birthday.

Library Book Sale today!!
I'm so excited!!!

Cool beans, Amber! I cannot wait to see what books you pick up.

Stasia: Me too!

Ooooh! Can't wait to see what you come back with! :)

Ha! Well, it was a success, but not so much for me (well, in a way it was - I managed to resist buying a ton of stuff for me). They had a ginormous table-full of large print books, so I hauled out a bunch of those for my mom (mysteries and such), and then I bought a 1940's algebra textbook and a set of Shakespeare for...my crafts! I've decided to try my had at literary light-switch plates, and I thought these would work very well for those.

...literary light-switch plates...

Richard: This sort of thing:

1940's algebra textbook?? I don't think I would have even glanced at a book like that. My husband on the other hand, would probably be all over it! :)

Oh, I can't see the picture. Very curious about what a literary light-switch plate is. My, you are so creative!

Valerie: Huh. I wonder if others can see it - I can just fine. At any rate, it's a light switch plate with a book page decoupaged (read: glued and sealed) onto it.

Now it works! Hah, figures...

LOVE that idea! I actually saw some teenagers who were doing that on their nails as nail art...which was also very cool!

As far as the algebra book goes, I thought that making a switch plate with math formulas on it would look v. cool...

Ahh....I see! That makes sense. :) Maybe I can convince my hubby that's a good idea since math is involved...

Ha! Good plan!

Oh fine. Spray Richard Repellent on every wall, fine fine, I see how it is, I'm not welcome chez vous, eh? I mean putting the stuff of nightmares on your very lightswitches?

Richard: Ha! No, I'm not making them for me, I'm going to try to sell the things. To math-type people. So, not you, apparently. How about if I make a Dickens one for you? ;)

189. Swimmy by Leo Lionni (1001 Children's Books list, picture book) - 6/10
Swimmy is the only fish amongst a school of red brothers and sisters, who all (except Swimmy) get eaten by a giant fish. (Yep, that's how this book starts.) So, Swimmy goes out into the ocean to see the world, uh, ocean.
Sigh. I understand that some think this kind of painting/illustrating is ground-breaking and wonderful, but I think it's just plain ugly. And, the story was crap. I give it a 6/10 along with a big, fat raspberry.

190. Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin (Parent & Child book list, picture book) - 7/10
The title is self-explanitory. It's a cute story that made me chuckle in a couple of places, but otherwise nothing special.

(P.S. I'll get round to putting together a new thread soon..)

Hi Amber. I'm ridiculously behind on everyone's threads. Hurray for library book sales! :D

Stephen: What? You have a ridiculous behind? Oh, I suspect that you're being too hard on yourself.

As I'm getting things together to start my new thread, I realized that I don't think I ever answered this thread's bonus question. So here it is:
My least favorite word is one that I won't even type, but I'll tell you that it starts with a 'c' and rhymes with 'runt.' An ugly, awful word used by people of that same type (i.e. ugly and awful).

Now, off to start construction on the new thread!