Thanks to Kathrin, I can now complete a series within a series that I started a couple of years ago. For the Series Challenge Season 3, I plan to read Karen Kingsbury's Sunrise Series, which includes the following four books:
Sunrise
Summer
Someday
Sunset
My original intention was to read these books during the Series Challenge Season 2, but I never got around to it. Now I have the perfect excuse! This particular series of books by Karen Kingsbury began with The Redemption Series, continued with The Firstborn Series, and then concluded with The Sunrise Series. Recently a good friend of mine loaned me the final four books and I can't wait to start reading them after the first of the year!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The Queen's Bastard
I've tried over the past three weeks to finish Robin Maxwell's novel The Queen's Bastard. Although I found the story interesting in the beginning, I am now finding myself quickly losing interest all together.
Is it possible that England's "Virgin Queen" might have borne her lover, Robin Dudley, earl of Leicester, a son? Most historians dismiss such tales as idle gossip. Others speak of a very special and dashing young man named Arthur Dudley. This is the full story of Arthur Dudley, the bastard son of Queen Elizabeth I. Set against the background of the Spanish Armada's invasion of England in 1588, The Queen's Bastard artfully weaves together into a seamless novel two parallel tales. (front cover flap)
I read just over half the book before getting bogged down with the war. I do not have a strong interest in history, so reading historical fiction can be slow for me. However, I like to read out of my comfort zone occasionally so I wanted to give this book an honest attempt at reading it in its entirety. Unfortunately, my interest in the plot began to diminish this weekend and I decided to declare the book DNF.
In all fairness, I do not think it is a bad book by any means. I liked the duality of stories being told and the richness of detail within each. I do feel that The Queen's Bastard is a book that others who enjoy historical fiction might want to try.
Is it possible that England's "Virgin Queen" might have borne her lover, Robin Dudley, earl of Leicester, a son? Most historians dismiss such tales as idle gossip. Others speak of a very special and dashing young man named Arthur Dudley. This is the full story of Arthur Dudley, the bastard son of Queen Elizabeth I. Set against the background of the Spanish Armada's invasion of England in 1588, The Queen's Bastard artfully weaves together into a seamless novel two parallel tales. (front cover flap)
I read just over half the book before getting bogged down with the war. I do not have a strong interest in history, so reading historical fiction can be slow for me. However, I like to read out of my comfort zone occasionally so I wanted to give this book an honest attempt at reading it in its entirety. Unfortunately, my interest in the plot began to diminish this weekend and I decided to declare the book DNF.
In all fairness, I do not think it is a bad book by any means. I liked the duality of stories being told and the richness of detail within each. I do feel that The Queen's Bastard is a book that others who enjoy historical fiction might want to try.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
The Short Story Reading Challenge --- Completed
I have completed another challenge for 2008: The Short Story Reading Challenge. I chose the option of reading ten short stories over the year. The following is a list of the selections I read for this challenge:
from The O. Henry Prize Stories 2007 edited by Laura Furman:
The Scent of Cinnamon by Charles Lambert
The Gift of Years by Vu Tran
The Diarist by Richard McCann
Summer, with Twins by Rebecca Curtis
The Company of Men by Jan Ellison
A New Kind of Gravity by Andrew Foster Altschul
from The Best American Short Stories 2007 edited by Stephen King with Heidi Pitlor:
Pa's Darling by Louis Auchincloss
Where Will You Go When Your Skin Cannot Contain You? by William Gay
Findings & Impressions by Stellar Kim
Do Something by Kate Walbert
My favorite two short stories were The Scent of Cinnamon and Findings & Impressions.
I joined this challenge to expand my reading choices and to explore a genre I don't typically read on any regular basis. I found in choosing my selections that I just went by title and gut instinct. I also found that I most often woke up on a Saturday morning with a desire to read something different and would then read a short story for the challenge. I now have not only the above two collections of short stories on my bookshelf but two additional collections as well. My hope is that I will try to pick them up occasionally when the mood strikes me to read something different... whether it be a Saturday morning or not.
This was a great challenge for my reading! I very much enjoyed it!
from The O. Henry Prize Stories 2007 edited by Laura Furman:
The Scent of Cinnamon by Charles Lambert
The Gift of Years by Vu Tran
The Diarist by Richard McCann
Summer, with Twins by Rebecca Curtis
The Company of Men by Jan Ellison
A New Kind of Gravity by Andrew Foster Altschul
from The Best American Short Stories 2007 edited by Stephen King with Heidi Pitlor:
Pa's Darling by Louis Auchincloss
Where Will You Go When Your Skin Cannot Contain You? by William Gay
Findings & Impressions by Stellar Kim
Do Something by Kate Walbert
My favorite two short stories were The Scent of Cinnamon and Findings & Impressions.
I joined this challenge to expand my reading choices and to explore a genre I don't typically read on any regular basis. I found in choosing my selections that I just went by title and gut instinct. I also found that I most often woke up on a Saturday morning with a desire to read something different and would then read a short story for the challenge. I now have not only the above two collections of short stories on my bookshelf but two additional collections as well. My hope is that I will try to pick them up occasionally when the mood strikes me to read something different... whether it be a Saturday morning or not.
This was a great challenge for my reading! I very much enjoyed it!
The Gift Of Years
He decided at one point that if what he thought was, in fact, true, he would forgive her --- it would remain their secret. He made up his mind that relieving himself of the curiosity was all that mattered and kept this firmly in mind when he approached her to ask the question outright.
But then always a certain laziness would set in, for by now he had conceived of the right words, only his mouth could not utter them; at once anxious and weary, he realized it was not curiosity that wanted relief, it was the uncertainty of his disappointment. The laziness was just one symptom of fear, for though he would remind himself to try, the threat of an answer, of a finality terrific in its inevitability, made the uncertainty and self-denial already there a pain he preferred to bear, only so the alternative could never hurt him more --- which was why the question could not come, and would not come. And then he would remember all those moments in her life when she revealed her strange nature to him and him alone, those aberrations of the person she normally was and, he wanted to believe, had always been... . He would remember these images, hold them fast to his chest, then convince himself that meaning and connections conceived in memory were flimsy bridges and that to corrupt a good memory would be to corrupt them all. And so, selfishly, not because his suspicion might have been wrong but because it could have yielded the truth, he never asked her.
The Gift of Years by Vu Tran is a short story about Nguyen Van Lam and his youngest daughter Nguyen Tram-Mai. Lam is a husband and father of five. He has done his time in the army, been good to his wife and kids, and lived a fairly respectful life. Lam shares a special relationship with his youngest child Mai. Throughout the years he has watched his daughter with much concern in her reaction to violence, fighting, killing and death. He observed a pattern of interest and indifference through questions and actions during much of her youth and teen years. Also, Mai has always confided in her father about the events and details of her actions that she doesn't ordinarily share with others, even into her adult life. When Mai's husband is found dead after a night of usual drunkenness, Lam is too afraid to ask about and discover the truth behind this tragic event. But he knows that some day she will share this secret with him as well. Throughout the short story, Lam recalls his memories of Mai over the years. And in the end, prior to Lam's death, Mai shares one more event with her father that leads to a revelation that even he had never suspected.
The Gift of Years is a story that comes full circle in its presentation through an ending that is not expected. It shows how observations and memories over time are not always what they seem to be. I very much enjoyed this short story.
"The Gift of Years" by Vu Tran (from Fence) from The O. Henry Prize Stories 2007 edited by Laura Furman
But then always a certain laziness would set in, for by now he had conceived of the right words, only his mouth could not utter them; at once anxious and weary, he realized it was not curiosity that wanted relief, it was the uncertainty of his disappointment. The laziness was just one symptom of fear, for though he would remind himself to try, the threat of an answer, of a finality terrific in its inevitability, made the uncertainty and self-denial already there a pain he preferred to bear, only so the alternative could never hurt him more --- which was why the question could not come, and would not come. And then he would remember all those moments in her life when she revealed her strange nature to him and him alone, those aberrations of the person she normally was and, he wanted to believe, had always been... . He would remember these images, hold them fast to his chest, then convince himself that meaning and connections conceived in memory were flimsy bridges and that to corrupt a good memory would be to corrupt them all. And so, selfishly, not because his suspicion might have been wrong but because it could have yielded the truth, he never asked her.
The Gift of Years by Vu Tran is a short story about Nguyen Van Lam and his youngest daughter Nguyen Tram-Mai. Lam is a husband and father of five. He has done his time in the army, been good to his wife and kids, and lived a fairly respectful life. Lam shares a special relationship with his youngest child Mai. Throughout the years he has watched his daughter with much concern in her reaction to violence, fighting, killing and death. He observed a pattern of interest and indifference through questions and actions during much of her youth and teen years. Also, Mai has always confided in her father about the events and details of her actions that she doesn't ordinarily share with others, even into her adult life. When Mai's husband is found dead after a night of usual drunkenness, Lam is too afraid to ask about and discover the truth behind this tragic event. But he knows that some day she will share this secret with him as well. Throughout the short story, Lam recalls his memories of Mai over the years. And in the end, prior to Lam's death, Mai shares one more event with her father that leads to a revelation that even he had never suspected.
The Gift of Years is a story that comes full circle in its presentation through an ending that is not expected. It shows how observations and memories over time are not always what they seem to be. I very much enjoyed this short story.
"The Gift of Years" by Vu Tran (from Fence) from The O. Henry Prize Stories 2007 edited by Laura Furman
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Christmas Wishes
Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber is a real holiday treat. Two stories about stubborn women who thought they either knew it all or had it all remind us how unexpected love can shake up our world and turn it upside down.
"The future came to me and I saw --- " she [LaVonne] paused for effect "---I saw the two of you. Together."
"Arguing?" Wynn asked.
"No, no, you were in love. Deeply, deeply in love."
K.O. placed her hand over her heart and gasped, then almost immediately that remark struck her as the most comical thing she'd ever heard. The fact that LaVonne was reading her future, first in cat litter and now in Raisin Bran, was ridiculous enough, but to match K.O. up with Wynn --- It was too much. She broke into peals of laughter. Pressing her hand over her mouth, she made an effort to restrain her giggles.
Wynn looked at her curiously.
LaVonne frowned. "I'm serious, Katherine."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. LaVonne, you're my friend and my neighbor, but I'm sorry, it'll never happen. Never in a million years."
Wynne straightened. "While Katherine and I clearly don't see eye to eye on any number of issues, I tend to agree with her on this." (p. 42)
In Christmas Letters, Katherine O'Connor, better known as K.O., meets Dr. Wynn Jeffries, best-selling author of a book that has some very unusual techniques in child-rearing that K.O.'s sister has recently instilled on K.O.'s twin nieces. Recently, K.O. discovered that the man lived in her apartment building, and now her neighbor LaVonne, who is taking a class to discover her psychic abilities, believes that the couple will fall madly in love, marry, and start a family of their own. And worse, he's handsome and quite a catch if you ignore his philosophy on raising children. K.O. is determined to prove his techniques and her neighbor's prediction both wrong. What she finds instead is that it's ok to disagree, that everyone can learn and change, and that you can fall in love when you least expect it.
"So much for love and devotion," she muttered. Michelle watched her solemnly, and Susannah felt it was her duty as the baby's aunt to give her some free advice. "Men aren't all they're cracked up to be. You'd be wise to figure that out now."
Michelle gurgled cheerfully, obviously in full agreement.
"I for one don't need a man. I'm totally happy living on my own. I've got a job, a really good job, and a few close friends --- mostly people I work with --- and of course your mother." Michelle raised her hand to Susannah's face and rubbed her cheek where a tear had streaked a moist trail.
"I know what you're thinking," Susannah added, although it was unnecessary to explain all that to anyone so young. "If I'm so happy, then why am I crying? Darned if I know. The problem is I can't help loving him and that's what makes this so difficult. Then he had to go and write that note on a napkin." (pp. 401-402)
In Rainy Day Kisses, Susannah Simmons has her future life plans challenged when she begrudgingly agrees to babysit her infant niece Michelle and then meets her neighbor NateTownsend on the same night. Susannah believes she has it all, and meeting a man, making him her husband, and having a family are not in her neatly planned life. When she experiences a difficult time while watching Michelle, Nate gives her a helping hand and falls head over heals in love with Susannah. Nate's lack of work, inability to share certain details, and love of fun as well as Susannah's love of work, inability to do simple domestic skills, and lack of fun lead the couple into a whirlwind of love and the discovery of who they really are. Michelle, as an adult, loves to tell others how she brought her aunt and uncle together in love, family, and business.
Reading Debbie Macomber's Christmas Wishes brought back my faith in romance and "happily-ever-after" endings. Love can be found in people that we least expect. And we don't always realize what we really know, lack, or understand until that special love opens our hearts and helps us discover it.
Yes I'm an old romantic at heart, and I definitely recommend the book Christmas Wishes to others who are as well!
"The future came to me and I saw --- " she [LaVonne] paused for effect "---I saw the two of you. Together."
"Arguing?" Wynn asked.
"No, no, you were in love. Deeply, deeply in love."
K.O. placed her hand over her heart and gasped, then almost immediately that remark struck her as the most comical thing she'd ever heard. The fact that LaVonne was reading her future, first in cat litter and now in Raisin Bran, was ridiculous enough, but to match K.O. up with Wynn --- It was too much. She broke into peals of laughter. Pressing her hand over her mouth, she made an effort to restrain her giggles.
Wynn looked at her curiously.
LaVonne frowned. "I'm serious, Katherine."
"I'm sorry. I don't mean to be rude. LaVonne, you're my friend and my neighbor, but I'm sorry, it'll never happen. Never in a million years."
Wynne straightened. "While Katherine and I clearly don't see eye to eye on any number of issues, I tend to agree with her on this." (p. 42)
In Christmas Letters, Katherine O'Connor, better known as K.O., meets Dr. Wynn Jeffries, best-selling author of a book that has some very unusual techniques in child-rearing that K.O.'s sister has recently instilled on K.O.'s twin nieces. Recently, K.O. discovered that the man lived in her apartment building, and now her neighbor LaVonne, who is taking a class to discover her psychic abilities, believes that the couple will fall madly in love, marry, and start a family of their own. And worse, he's handsome and quite a catch if you ignore his philosophy on raising children. K.O. is determined to prove his techniques and her neighbor's prediction both wrong. What she finds instead is that it's ok to disagree, that everyone can learn and change, and that you can fall in love when you least expect it.
"So much for love and devotion," she muttered. Michelle watched her solemnly, and Susannah felt it was her duty as the baby's aunt to give her some free advice. "Men aren't all they're cracked up to be. You'd be wise to figure that out now."
Michelle gurgled cheerfully, obviously in full agreement.
"I for one don't need a man. I'm totally happy living on my own. I've got a job, a really good job, and a few close friends --- mostly people I work with --- and of course your mother." Michelle raised her hand to Susannah's face and rubbed her cheek where a tear had streaked a moist trail.
"I know what you're thinking," Susannah added, although it was unnecessary to explain all that to anyone so young. "If I'm so happy, then why am I crying? Darned if I know. The problem is I can't help loving him and that's what makes this so difficult. Then he had to go and write that note on a napkin." (pp. 401-402)
In Rainy Day Kisses, Susannah Simmons has her future life plans challenged when she begrudgingly agrees to babysit her infant niece Michelle and then meets her neighbor NateTownsend on the same night. Susannah believes she has it all, and meeting a man, making him her husband, and having a family are not in her neatly planned life. When she experiences a difficult time while watching Michelle, Nate gives her a helping hand and falls head over heals in love with Susannah. Nate's lack of work, inability to share certain details, and love of fun as well as Susannah's love of work, inability to do simple domestic skills, and lack of fun lead the couple into a whirlwind of love and the discovery of who they really are. Michelle, as an adult, loves to tell others how she brought her aunt and uncle together in love, family, and business.
Reading Debbie Macomber's Christmas Wishes brought back my faith in romance and "happily-ever-after" endings. Love can be found in people that we least expect. And we don't always realize what we really know, lack, or understand until that special love opens our hearts and helps us discover it.
Yes I'm an old romantic at heart, and I definitely recommend the book Christmas Wishes to others who are as well!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
Mosaic
The beauty of being in the middle of life is the vantage point it provides. From my forties I can look ahead to my parents navigating old age at full tilt and take mental notes about what lies ahead. Even from here I can see that growing old is not for the cowardly. At the same time I can look back to childhood and the young-adult years with more understanding and compassion for myself in retrospect, for my children, and for all the young people I know who are swept up in the swirl of the early decades of life.
Finding one's way, learning to value the truth as a nonnegotiable plumb line, experiencing the consequences of violating the laws of nature or the laws of the Spirit, exercising free will, and realizing one's own impact on and in the world --- these are all included in the sometimes painful lessons of life, and most of these must be learned firsthand. Thankfully, though, some principles can be inherited. (p. 117)
In celebration of an author's birthday in November, I read Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant. This book is not your typical biography or memoir. It is a collection of stories, thoughts, memories, and experiences by Amy Grant that are written along with a collection of her song lyrics. All these words blended together read more like a scrapbook of her life. I found it a refreshing way to read about a well known singer of which I have been a fan for many years.
Despite not feeling like a real writer, I've always wanted to write a book. Not necessarily one for publication, but a collection of the memories that have occupied my thoughts and become my stories over the years --- the ones that have inspired many of my songs. (p. XV)
I started with the easiest memories to tell: a chance meeting, a succinct experience with a clear beginning and end. However, life is lived on a continuum, and the people in our lives grow and change --- mature and age --- as do we. The people and stories in our lives aren't always so easy to contain. ... I found that really all I have to share are pieces of my life so far. As the book began to take shape as a mosaic, ... (p. XVI)
The reading is simple and the ideas, though scattered, are interesting. Reading the lyrics of songs that I have listened to many times were brought to life with the stories that Grant shared. Many family members and friends are remembered, and several stories of her children and current husband, Vince Gill, are shared as well. I was slightly disappointed that her former husband Gary Chapman was barely mentioned and only in what seemed as a passing thought. I understand that he is a part of a painful past for Grant, but I felt he deserved a slightly larger place in her book. Also, some readers may be disappointed with the simplicity of the book and/or the inclusion of so many song lyrics. I personally enjoyed this writing style and often heard the songs streaming through my head while I read. As for the "pieces of life" that she shared, they were light and inspiration at the same time. Grant's stories include joy, sadness, fear, sorrow, discovery, and love... all in a variety of settings and experiences.
..., I imagine that this might resemble God's experience with me. He knows where he wants to take me, and he'll get me there, in spite of myself. (p. 126)
I very much enjoyed Mosaic by Amy Grant. I believe other fans of this talented woman would enjoy this book as well.
Finding one's way, learning to value the truth as a nonnegotiable plumb line, experiencing the consequences of violating the laws of nature or the laws of the Spirit, exercising free will, and realizing one's own impact on and in the world --- these are all included in the sometimes painful lessons of life, and most of these must be learned firsthand. Thankfully, though, some principles can be inherited. (p. 117)
In celebration of an author's birthday in November, I read Mosaic: Pieces of My Life So Far by Amy Grant. This book is not your typical biography or memoir. It is a collection of stories, thoughts, memories, and experiences by Amy Grant that are written along with a collection of her song lyrics. All these words blended together read more like a scrapbook of her life. I found it a refreshing way to read about a well known singer of which I have been a fan for many years.
Despite not feeling like a real writer, I've always wanted to write a book. Not necessarily one for publication, but a collection of the memories that have occupied my thoughts and become my stories over the years --- the ones that have inspired many of my songs. (p. XV)
I started with the easiest memories to tell: a chance meeting, a succinct experience with a clear beginning and end. However, life is lived on a continuum, and the people in our lives grow and change --- mature and age --- as do we. The people and stories in our lives aren't always so easy to contain. ... I found that really all I have to share are pieces of my life so far. As the book began to take shape as a mosaic, ... (p. XVI)
The reading is simple and the ideas, though scattered, are interesting. Reading the lyrics of songs that I have listened to many times were brought to life with the stories that Grant shared. Many family members and friends are remembered, and several stories of her children and current husband, Vince Gill, are shared as well. I was slightly disappointed that her former husband Gary Chapman was barely mentioned and only in what seemed as a passing thought. I understand that he is a part of a painful past for Grant, but I felt he deserved a slightly larger place in her book. Also, some readers may be disappointed with the simplicity of the book and/or the inclusion of so many song lyrics. I personally enjoyed this writing style and often heard the songs streaming through my head while I read. As for the "pieces of life" that she shared, they were light and inspiration at the same time. Grant's stories include joy, sadness, fear, sorrow, discovery, and love... all in a variety of settings and experiences.
..., I imagine that this might resemble God's experience with me. He knows where he wants to take me, and he'll get me there, in spite of myself. (p. 126)
I very much enjoyed Mosaic by Amy Grant. I believe other fans of this talented woman would enjoy this book as well.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Taking a break from historical fiction...
For the past week, I have been reading The Queen's Bastard by Robin Maxwell. It is a historical fiction book that tells the story of Queen Elizabeth I and her lover Robin Dudley. It is also the story of their son Arthur who was adopted by another family when he was replaced with a still-born baby to Elizabeth upon his secret birth. I am enjoying this book; however, I am going to take a break from historical fiction for a few days so that I can read two other books that I would like to finish for my reading challenges. Historical fiction is difficult for me to read. But, when a book like The Queen's Bastard is well written, I do occasionally like to tackle something outside of my comfort zone. I am going to continue reading this book next week and hopefully finish it within the next couple of weeks.
The Heart Smart Healthy Exchanges Cookbook
In looking for some healthier recipes to make myself and my family, I stumbled upon Joanna Lund's Heart Smart Healthy Exchanges Cookbook. I have cooked from Lund's Healthy Exchanges cookbooks in the past and still own the original Healthy Exchanges Cookbook that she published several years ago. So, needless to say, I was excited to try another in this line.
What I liked about this cookbook are the same things that I liked about the Healthy Exchanges cookbooks in the past: the recipes are healthy and simple and they include ingredients that are usually found in my cupboards or refrigerator. However, there are a few ingredients that Lund uses on a regular basis that I did need to purchase, such as powdered milk and Healthy Request soups. Because these are used for more than just a few recipes, I did not mind adding them to my grocery list. I also appreciate the first fifty pages of the cookbook that explains how and why Lund created the recipes in her collection, especially enjoying "Joanne's Ten Commandments of Successful Cooking" and "A Peek into My Pantry and My Favorite Brands". I also liked that most recipes yield 4 servings and that several of her recipes are freezer friendly.
What I did not like about this cookbook is that there are very few recipes that include ground beef. I realize that this is my personal preference and what is found most readily in my freezer. Many of Lund's recipes include chicken, ham, or ground turkey which are much healthier choices. Also, although she tries to stay away from processed foods, she does include a lot of soups, dressings, and powdered ingredients. Again, this is my personal preference and some of these unfortunately are not found in my cupboards. Many of these ingredients are labeled "low-fat" or "fat-free" or "reduced-fat" in her recipes, which are much healthier choices. What I did do with certain ingredients is use an equivalent ingredient that was found in my home unless I chose to add it to my grocery list.
I tried the following recipes from this cookbook: Chunky Stew with Biscuits (p. 182), Jame's Quick and Thick Chili (p. 69), Stovetop Chicken and Broccoli (p. 149) and Apple-Scotch Salad (p. 102). All four recipes were delicious! In fact, I have made the chili three times and it is now a favorite of mine! All four recipes were very simple and quick to make.
The Heart Smart Healthy Exchanges Cookbook by JoAnna Lund is definitely a keeper! And there are currently five more recipes already bookmarked to try in the future.
I have not yet decided which cookbook will be my next for the Soup's On! Challenge . I have been in the mood to bake lately, so I might look at the library or on PaperbackSwap to see what sounds good!
What I liked about this cookbook are the same things that I liked about the Healthy Exchanges cookbooks in the past: the recipes are healthy and simple and they include ingredients that are usually found in my cupboards or refrigerator. However, there are a few ingredients that Lund uses on a regular basis that I did need to purchase, such as powdered milk and Healthy Request soups. Because these are used for more than just a few recipes, I did not mind adding them to my grocery list. I also appreciate the first fifty pages of the cookbook that explains how and why Lund created the recipes in her collection, especially enjoying "Joanne's Ten Commandments of Successful Cooking" and "A Peek into My Pantry and My Favorite Brands". I also liked that most recipes yield 4 servings and that several of her recipes are freezer friendly.
What I did not like about this cookbook is that there are very few recipes that include ground beef. I realize that this is my personal preference and what is found most readily in my freezer. Many of Lund's recipes include chicken, ham, or ground turkey which are much healthier choices. Also, although she tries to stay away from processed foods, she does include a lot of soups, dressings, and powdered ingredients. Again, this is my personal preference and some of these unfortunately are not found in my cupboards. Many of these ingredients are labeled "low-fat" or "fat-free" or "reduced-fat" in her recipes, which are much healthier choices. What I did do with certain ingredients is use an equivalent ingredient that was found in my home unless I chose to add it to my grocery list.
I tried the following recipes from this cookbook: Chunky Stew with Biscuits (p. 182), Jame's Quick and Thick Chili (p. 69), Stovetop Chicken and Broccoli (p. 149) and Apple-Scotch Salad (p. 102). All four recipes were delicious! In fact, I have made the chili three times and it is now a favorite of mine! All four recipes were very simple and quick to make.
The Heart Smart Healthy Exchanges Cookbook by JoAnna Lund is definitely a keeper! And there are currently five more recipes already bookmarked to try in the future.
I have not yet decided which cookbook will be my next for the Soup's On! Challenge . I have been in the mood to bake lately, so I might look at the library or on PaperbackSwap to see what sounds good!
Monday, November 10, 2008
November Update: Winter Holiday Reading Challenge
What is everyone reading this month for the Winter Holiday Reading Challenge?
lupingirl read Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
lupingirl read The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson
lupingirl read The Ghost At The Table: A Novel by Suzanne Berne
Nely read Grace by Richard Paul Evans
Diane (bookinhand) read Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
Nely read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
Nely read The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories by O. Henry
Christina read Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
Lynne read Dashing Through The Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
Christina read Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson
lupingirl read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
lupingirl read How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn
Lynne read An Irish Christmas by Melody Carlson
Nely read On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Nely's Winter Holiday Reading Challenge Wrap-Up
Callista read The Christmas Rat by Avi
Leave your comment with the title and author that you read this month, as well as a link to your review if you have one.
Happy Holiday Reading!
(Winter Holiday Reading Challenge original post can be found here.)
lupingirl read Miracle on 34th Street by Valentine Davies
lupingirl read The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson
lupingirl read The Ghost At The Table: A Novel by Suzanne Berne
Nely read Grace by Richard Paul Evans
Diane (bookinhand) read Christmas Wishes by Debbie Macomber
Nely read The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
Nely read The Gift of the Magi and Other Short Stories by O. Henry
Christina read Silent in the Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn
Lynne read Dashing Through The Snow by Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark
Christina read Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson
lupingirl read The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson
lupingirl read How Mrs. Claus Saved Christmas by Jeff Guinn
Lynne read An Irish Christmas by Melody Carlson
Nely read On Strike for Christmas by Sheila Roberts
Nely's Winter Holiday Reading Challenge Wrap-Up
Callista read The Christmas Rat by Avi
Leave your comment with the title and author that you read this month, as well as a link to your review if you have one.
Happy Holiday Reading!
(Winter Holiday Reading Challenge original post can be found here.)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Gulliver's Travels
Gulliver's Travels is Jonathan Swift's satiric masterpiece, the fantastic tale of the four voyages of Lemuel Gulliver, an English ship's surgeon. ... Read by children as an adventure story and by adults as a devastating satire of society, Gulliver's Travels remains a fascinating blend of travelogue, realism, symbolism, and fantastic voyage --- all with a serious philosophical intent. (Back Cover of book)
In celebration of an author's birthday in November, I attempted to read Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Fifty pages into the book I finally gave up on it. It was a struggle to read and the story did not grab my attention. I realize it is a classic and loved by many, but I did not enjoy any part of the first half of the first voyage of which I did read.
I will be substituting another book for this selection in celebration of an author's birthday in November.
In celebration of an author's birthday in November, I attempted to read Gulliver's Travels by Jonathan Swift. Fifty pages into the book I finally gave up on it. It was a struggle to read and the story did not grab my attention. I realize it is a classic and loved by many, but I did not enjoy any part of the first half of the first voyage of which I did read.
I will be substituting another book for this selection in celebration of an author's birthday in November.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
I Heard It Through The Grapevine -- Completed
What a great concept for a challenge: read books that have been recommended! And I read some good ones for the I Heard It Through The Grapevine Challenge.
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
Awaiting Orders by Farrell O'Gorman
Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick
The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie
My favorite books were Sophie's Choice, For One More Day, The Book of Jane, and Getting Rid of Bradley. My least favorite book was Awaiting Orders. All seven books were good books in their own right! And they all lived up to their recommendations.
Thanks, Lynne, for hosting this great challenge!
For One More Day by Mitch Albom
Awaiting Orders by Farrell O'Gorman
Sophie's Heart by Lori Wick
The Book of Jane by Anne Dayton & May Vanderbilt
Traveling Mercies by Anne Lamott
The Center of Everything by Laura Moriarty
Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie
My favorite books were Sophie's Choice, For One More Day, The Book of Jane, and Getting Rid of Bradley. My least favorite book was Awaiting Orders. All seven books were good books in their own right! And they all lived up to their recommendations.
Thanks, Lynne, for hosting this great challenge!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Getting Rid Of Bradley
"Okay," Tina said as Lucy finished her salad. "Let's concentrate on the basics --- getting your new life started."
"Let's not," Lucy said.
"First of all, you've got to get rid of anything of Bradley's that's left. Then we've got to change your hair. And then I'll fix you up with some presentable men I know. Everyone I know has money, so at least you'll be eating in decent restaurants. Not like this dump."
"Tina," Lucy said. "No dating. I will fix my hair because it looks awful, but no dating."
"What about Bradley's papers? I think you should throw whatever he left out on the lawn. Or better yet, burn it and dance around the flames."
"Tina, that's ridiculous. You're blowing this out of proportion."
...
Tina stopped. "All right. But at least get rid of Bradley."
"Maybe." Lucy took a deep breath, full of independence. "Maybe." (pp. 29-30)
Lucy wants to start a new life after her divorce, a new independent life that includes her choices and not those of others. She has the house of her dreams, three precious yet unusual dogs, and a good job as a physics teacher. She tends to do things on the quiet and reserve side. But she now wants to shake her life up a bit. Little does she know that in the process of getting rid of her ex-husband she will get exactly what she wished for in Getting Rid Of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie.
After agreeing to her sister's request, bullets are shot, bombs go off, and police protection is necessary. Police protection comes in the form of Zack Warren, a cop with strong instincts that he relies on when solving cases. But after meeting Lucy, Zack's instincts tell him that there is more to his current investigation into an embezzlement case than he first expected.
He'd said somebody was trying to kill her.
Who would want to kill her? That was ridiculous. That was something that happened on TV. A car backfired and kicked up a stone. People did not go around shooting guns in downtown Riverbend.
He must be wrong.
Wrong, but gorgeous.
She pictured him again, much against her better judgment. That grin, that swagger, those blue, blue eyes that connected with hers with such impact on her breathing. "The thing is," she told her dogs, "even though I know he's a policeman, he doesn't look like a policeman. He looks like a very, very sexy bad guy."
She heard a noise in the vestibule and looked up to see Zack leaning in the doorway, and she blushed so hard she almost passed out.
"You talk to the dogs," he said.
"Well, of course I talk to the dogs." Lucy prayed he hadn't heard what she'd said. "It's not like I talk to plants or anything non-sentient." (p.53)
A few cooking lessons, a new kitchen flooring, and an adopted dog all help in bringing romance and new choices to the unsuspecting couple. Meanwhile, Zack and his partner Anthony continue to try and locate Bradley while Lucy is trying to get rid of him. A bit predictable but loads of fun, Getting Rid Of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie is a hilarious, romantic, and quick book to read. It had everything I needed for a great addition to my already busy and fun weekend. I had never heard of the book or its author until I stumbled upon Marianne's recommendation earlier this year. I think I have found a new author of which I would like to read more!
And Marianne, "Dead dog?".
(To understand this backwards joke, you must read the book and meet Heisenburg!)
"Let's not," Lucy said.
"First of all, you've got to get rid of anything of Bradley's that's left. Then we've got to change your hair. And then I'll fix you up with some presentable men I know. Everyone I know has money, so at least you'll be eating in decent restaurants. Not like this dump."
"Tina," Lucy said. "No dating. I will fix my hair because it looks awful, but no dating."
"What about Bradley's papers? I think you should throw whatever he left out on the lawn. Or better yet, burn it and dance around the flames."
"Tina, that's ridiculous. You're blowing this out of proportion."
...
Tina stopped. "All right. But at least get rid of Bradley."
"Maybe." Lucy took a deep breath, full of independence. "Maybe." (pp. 29-30)
Lucy wants to start a new life after her divorce, a new independent life that includes her choices and not those of others. She has the house of her dreams, three precious yet unusual dogs, and a good job as a physics teacher. She tends to do things on the quiet and reserve side. But she now wants to shake her life up a bit. Little does she know that in the process of getting rid of her ex-husband she will get exactly what she wished for in Getting Rid Of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie.
After agreeing to her sister's request, bullets are shot, bombs go off, and police protection is necessary. Police protection comes in the form of Zack Warren, a cop with strong instincts that he relies on when solving cases. But after meeting Lucy, Zack's instincts tell him that there is more to his current investigation into an embezzlement case than he first expected.
He'd said somebody was trying to kill her.
Who would want to kill her? That was ridiculous. That was something that happened on TV. A car backfired and kicked up a stone. People did not go around shooting guns in downtown Riverbend.
He must be wrong.
Wrong, but gorgeous.
She pictured him again, much against her better judgment. That grin, that swagger, those blue, blue eyes that connected with hers with such impact on her breathing. "The thing is," she told her dogs, "even though I know he's a policeman, he doesn't look like a policeman. He looks like a very, very sexy bad guy."
She heard a noise in the vestibule and looked up to see Zack leaning in the doorway, and she blushed so hard she almost passed out.
"You talk to the dogs," he said.
"Well, of course I talk to the dogs." Lucy prayed he hadn't heard what she'd said. "It's not like I talk to plants or anything non-sentient." (p.53)
A few cooking lessons, a new kitchen flooring, and an adopted dog all help in bringing romance and new choices to the unsuspecting couple. Meanwhile, Zack and his partner Anthony continue to try and locate Bradley while Lucy is trying to get rid of him. A bit predictable but loads of fun, Getting Rid Of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie is a hilarious, romantic, and quick book to read. It had everything I needed for a great addition to my already busy and fun weekend. I had never heard of the book or its author until I stumbled upon Marianne's recommendation earlier this year. I think I have found a new author of which I would like to read more!
And Marianne, "Dead dog?".
(To understand this backwards joke, you must read the book and meet Heisenburg!)
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