Happy Thanksgiving!

The feeding frenzy has begun. My family spends the afternoon eating snacks. Everyone brings a new dip, cracker, cheese, weenie snack, specialty chip, or tortilla roll up to have taste tested. This year's favorite is the cheddar lil smokies wrapped in bacon and seasoned, followed by the lamb jerky sticks. It amazes me that my family can put away all of the offerings and still have room for the turkey, fixings and pies.The best part about the kids growing up and becoming adults is that they help out with the cooking, clean up and entertainment. I truly am grateful for this day.

I am grateful for my family and for my dear friends. I am grateful for board games and my daily "Words with Friends". I am grateful for my co-workers and for my students. I am grateful for Anna and her delicious pies. There are so many things to be grateful for, but nothing is as important as God's grace. Thank you Lord for the blessings that you have bestowed upon me and my family. We are grateful.

Bold and Rich Indian Recipes

The New Indian Slow Cooker: Recipes for Curries, Dals, Chutneys, Masalas, Biryani, and More by Neela Paniz is a must for anyone who loves good Indian foods. Childhood memories of the sweet, spicy and bold smells of lamb curry simmering on the stove guided my book selection. My mother spent hours in the kitchen prepping, sautéing and simmering to create masterpieces that would have your taste buds watering in anticipation. I have never had that patience, nor the love of cooking to spend that much time in the kitchen, so this book was a must have.

I was immediately impressed by the information that was presented within the pages of this lovely book. The dishes are beautifully plated and photographed making each recipe tempting. The introductions are not only informational, but also personal and give authenticity to the book. The section "the Indian kitchen" not only gave you a spice guide, but substitution choices and preparation how-to's. I also have appreciated the glossy pages and cover that are easy to wipe clean.

Some may say that this is not a true slow cooker recipe book, but I disagree. Yes, there is still sauté time and prep time, but the use of the slow cooker does give you the ability to walk away and forget-it for awhile. I used the basic curry mix recipe and made chicken curry and it was delicious. I look forward to trying more. I will be investing in a "masala dabba" and the time saved by using the crock pot will be spent shopping for ingredients in the nearest Indian store.


I received this book from www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for this review.

Beautiful, Inspiring, Showcase of Art

Little Book of Book Making-Timeless Techniques and Fresh Ideas for Beautiful Handmade Books is not a "how-to book" for beginners, but instead an inspiration book.It is a beautifully illustrated book that showcases various artists and the techniques, material and styles that they employ in their art. The beautiful pictures and illustrations make this a perfect gallery of hand bound books.
As someone who has very little background in making books, I find the tutorials at the back of the book overwhelming. I appreciate that there is a list of resources, including websites to find the beginning instructions that I need.
Overall, I think this is a beautiful collection of art and I am inspired to learn more about book making.
I received this book from www.bloggingforbooks.com in exchange for this review.

Appreciation of the Graphic Novel

I was never interested in comic books as a child, mostly because the selection for girls was limited in the 70's. My older brother was always reading them and had an endless pile stacked up by his bed. He would read and re-read them and then store them in boxes under the bed to read again later. The key point here is that he was reading and re-reading. His fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension were improving with each reading and the comics would leave him waiting in anticipation for the next episode. Yet, they were not widely accepted as appropriate reading material.

Fast forward 35 years and we find that the comic book has morphed into the graphic novel. You still won't find the pamphlet style comics on a library bookshelf, but if they are formatted as a book they become a graphic novel. Also, the selection of graphic novels now include non-fiction, fiction, biographies, autobiographies and are written for adults and children. They are accepted by almost everyone as approved literature. The graphic novel is no longer just for boys, but for everyone.

I have been using the graphic novel for quite a few years now with reluctant readers. Happy if I get them to read an entire book, but I didn't even think about the other benefits that they are gaining. Fluency from reading and re-reading, the interesting and unique vocabulary that is presented in context and the ability to use the graphics to decode the text and meaning. The graphic novel has come a long way and I look forward to incorporating them into my curriculum as rich and complex text.

Yes, I will have a syllabi!

Today was my first venture into my new classroom. It was a bit overwhelming. Empty walls, empty shelves and no curriculum. The only advice is to teach to the Common Core. So, my first year in middle school will be interesting. It is going to be an adventure. Wish me luck!!!!

Pilgrim's Wilderness: A True Story of Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier ( 2002)

Pilgrim's Wilderness: Faith and Madness on the Alaska Frontier by Tom Kizzia is captivating and disturbing at the same time. Kizzia documents the story of Robert Hale and his large family in a journalistic factual manner, yet he grabs your attention with his foreshadowing and tone. As I was reading, I had to keep reminding myself that it is a true story and not a Hollywood movie script. Robert Hale was not the loving, devoted father that he portrayed in public. But instead he was tyrant that had total authority over his children. It is terrifying to realize that there are people that live, worship and think as the main character in this epic story. It is even sadder to think that his children had to live through the events. I had chills and was horrified, but could not put the book down. I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review. 

Saying Goodbye to the Dragons

As I opened the library door today, I felt sad. It was the last time that I would enter the stacks as the Librarian. I felt as if I was saying goodbye to my best friend, but then realized that it was even greater than that. I was saying goodbye to every book, character, page and story that I had been keeper of. I will miss mending pages, covering dust jackets, shelving, sharing and reading those beautiful books. Not only do they keep stories between covers, but also their story that has been created here in the stacks. Each arrived as a mass marketed clean and new book. Then they were catalogued, stamped and delivered into the hands of eager readers, beginning their journey. Some have been soiled from dirty hands, others read so often that the pages have had to be mended and replaced, a few of the unfortunate have found their way into younger siblings hands to be marked on by pen or crayon and a few chewed on by a family pet; each taking on individual qualities and lending themselves to the literacy development of young minds. I have come to love these books for all their imperfections and extended stories. I will miss them and hope that the new "keeper of the books" will take care of them and love them as I have.
I will forever look back on my time as a DES Dragon with pride, gratitude and friendship. Goodbye my Dragon friends and thank you for making every moment that I was part of your community of learners a magical one.

Book Four: Takedown Twenty by Janet Evanovich

I was so excited to download this iBook from amazon. I have read the whole series and have cheered Stephanie Plum on, but the series is letting me down. Where is the Stephanie Plum that we fell in love with? I loved Stephanie Plum for her vivacious, hold nothing back, Jersey girl attitude. I loved her family and her pet and was wrapped up in her love triangle. I laughed at Grandma Mazur and Lulu, but now they are boring too. I am especially disappointed with the love triangle and actually don't even feel that there is a triangle. Morelli is boring, I would love to see him go all policeman and why is he so trusting of Ranger? It is almost as if he does not care. Where is the Italian, macho Morelli we fell in love with? At this point I am rooting for Ranger.  I really was hoping for some character development in this book, but did not feel it. I am sad to say that I did not enjoy this book and even sadder to say that I can wait for book 21.

I visited the Little Library I put out in the Meadows today. I took the new books I received from the ICfL and a few cookbooks too. I noticed that the cookbooks are usually the first to be taken. I like to think that the kids are cooking with their parents and learning to read directions. What a great summer activity. My hope is that I can get permission from the HOA to put out a permanent Little Free Library in the Meadows.
While I was there I picked up my tonight's read, Just Grace Goes Green by Charise Mericle Harper

Lazy Monday

This has got to be the laziest of Mondays! The only accomplishments I have made are starting both the dishwasher and the the washing machine. Even my creative juices are on pause. Yesterday, I painted, planted, planned and played. Today, I have slept, slothed, snoozed and slumped.

I did finish a sign for my kids 4-H fair booth yesterday. The theme for the local fair is "Made in The USA". I think it turned out well.

4 Summit Bike Challenge - Cascade, Idaho

Wow! Talk about athletes. Today more than 400 athletes showed up to ride in the challenge. It was amazing to talk to them and cheer them on. The 74 mile ride is intense and grueling, but the riders were smiling, joking and overall positive. Riders can choose to ride in an 8 mile family bike ride or to ride a 2 summit ride or 4 summit ride. This year was the fifth year for the ride and there was a practiced organization to the event. The "Head Goat's" truly had it all together. A few memorable quotes. "I can't believe I paid to do this!" "The reason we go up is to enjoy the ride down." "Can I get a fresh set of legs."
Riders, thank you for allowing me to celebrate with you and for you. I was humbled, inspired and motivated. I can't wait to volunteer again next year.

Sheep Washing

I found out this morning that tomorrow is sheep shearing day. My two teenagers both have 4-H lambs. So, after a quick trip to town to buy soap we attacked. Needless to say....I think we got wetter than the animals. The lambs look clean and smell good; it is my kids and I that look dirty and smell like we came from the barn. Now, hopefully they will stay clean for tomorrow.

Zucchini Dreamin

Wow!!! What a beautiful morning. I am glad that I covered the garden last night, because there was a thin layer of frost on the sheets. It was my worry over the garden that had me up before the alarm clock. Here in the mountains the growing season is so short. Last year my zucchini froze on the 4th of July, but this year I am determined to harvest! Zucchini bread, cookies, pancakes and of course the fried and grilled zucchini recipes are waiting....spotless from never being used. This year I will diligently watch the weather report. I will cover them when needed. I will water, weed, and wait for those beautiful green veggies. This is the year that my garden will be "bountiful".

My husband has helped to make my gardening more successful this year. Before moving to our home here on West Mountain we lived in Boise. The weather was perfect and gave me the false sense of a green thumb. I thought that I was a wonderful gardener.....I even referred to myself as a "plant whisperer", but then the move. That green thumb turned into a wilted phalange.  I was depressed and last year I swore off gardening "forever". So, this spring my husband started scrapping wood from work and built me two beautiful raised beds. He then was able to pick up some compost from a local farmer and filled them. I was still stand-offish. Let him plant the garden..good luck!!! But then he twisted my arm. He took me to the local nursery for Mother's Day and he and the kids bought me plants, seeds and tools and now here I am with two raised beds that are producing. We have harvested beets, peppers, carrots, lettuce and herbs this summer, but are still waiting for that elusive first zucchini.

Book 3: What's the Difference Between a Turtle and a Tortoise? By Trisha Speed Shaskan

I picked this up at a recent librarian reading summit. What a great nonfiction picture book that falls right into the CCSS. I can't wait to share it with students this fall. The book is beautifully illustrated by Bandelin-Dacey. Her watercolor paintings are soft, bright and realistic.

This book is appropriate for early elementary and is a great example of a compare and contrast text. The content is informative and includes many nonfiction text features including diagrams, fun facts, glossary, index, and picture captions.

I loved this picture book and actually learned some great facts. I especially fell in love with the pictures. Loved it!

Book 2:  Koko Be Good by Jen Wang

I picked this graphic novel up at a Little Free Library. The first thing that I noticed was the art. Jen Wang is a great artist that is able to capture expressions and story in pictures. I felt slightly let down by the text and the disconnection of dialogue in some areas, but overall....enjoyed the read!

Homeless, motorcycle riding, Koko is always getting herself into disastrous situations. After meeting 20 something Jon, and hearing about how he is going to Peru with his 30 something girlfriend to support her humanitarian activities, Koko decides to BE GOOD. But what is "being good"? Is it volunteering with the elderly, at the hospital, is it sending money to sponsor kids around the world? How do you change yourself and be honest with yourself at the same time?

Koko and Jon may seem like opposites. Jon seems to have it all figured out and what good means, but is it for him? Both characters are struggling to find their way and what they really want in life. That is what draws them together. Maybe they can help each other.

WONDER-ful Book

Book 1: Wonder by RJ Palacio.
I read this book as a read aloud to third graders. It was amazing! Especially when half way through the book a family moved into our neighborhood that had a boy much like the protagonist of this book. The book helped to pave the way and promoted acceptance and empathy.

This book is about Auggie, short for August Pullman. Auggie has been homeschooled up until the fourth grade. He was born with facial deformities and health problems that have required many surgeries. But, now Auggie's parents have decided to send him to regular school.
At the regular school Auggie is met with many troubles, including bullies and just being accepted. Palacio does not only delve into Auggie's personal story, but also in how others feel about him. There is always a second or third side to every story and Palacio shows this well. This book is told through Auggie's voice and also the voices of different people around him. A touching story of friendship, acceptance, and belonging. I can't wait to read more by Palacio.

I'm Back...Actually Just Getting Started.

When I first signed up and created this site I was confident in my ability to keep up on it. My goal was to share my reads, inspire others to read and keep track of my reads. Not what has happened. My poor, sad, forgotten blog has waited for me to return patiently and now that I am here.....what to write. Is it too late to challenge myself to 100 for 2014? Well, I do love a challenge!!!! Is that 100 books read or 100 posts? Let's do BOTH!!!!