Books I have read recently

  • Shirley by Charlotte Bronte — I'm reading a giant biography of the Brontes "Wild Genius on the Moors" By Juliet Barker (amazing!! but I'll post on that when I finish) So I'm reading each novel as it's discussed in the book. I loved Shirley. I have to agree with the critics that it is a slow painful start and it does take about 150 pages till we meet the title character Shirley. But besides that, it is so well written. Caroline Helstone’s angst is beautiful and poignant. And knowing that the last third of the book was written after Emily & Anne died explains so much about the change in the book. Charlotte likes to fix her world by writing about it and in her version the sick heroine recovers where her sisters did not. I definitely recommend Shirley for the Bronte fan. Don’t skip it.
  • A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas --- It took me a couple chapters to really dive in but after that I was in love. I had read somewhere that it was based on Beauty & the Beast, which is great. What I did not know is that it is a retelling of one of my favorite fairytales: East of the Sun, West of the Moon!!! What a treat when I discovered that. I love that story. It's whimsical and the girl saves the day which I love love love. Sarah does a beautiful job of it and I can't wait for the next one!!
  • Miss Buncle’s Book by D. E. Stevenson —What a little treat. My mom gave these books to me for my birthday and there are so much fun. It’s a light easy read and it made me chuckle.
  • Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder— I adore her soul finder books. I’ve been reading them for years. She builds beautiful strong women and sweeping romance. Her magic system is unique and I want to live in her world.
  • The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr and E. B. White — A must read for every writer. Thanks to Stephen King for the recommendation. It has all those little things that I had questions about and answered them quickly and succinctly. It’s not the funnest read but it’s helpful.
  • Click of Titles to go to the book's Amazon page

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Librivox.org : Heaven's gift to man

As the blog title suggests Librivox.org just may be the greatest website of all time. It has come to my aid on countless occasions.
What is it?
www.Librivox.org : Acoustical liberation of books in the public domain
Doesn't that sound lovely.
People from all over the world volunteer to narrate books that anyone can download/ listen to online for FREE.
Some of the readers are treasures (Ezwa from Belgium is my favorite) and some are dreadful. I love it so much I've saved it on my phone so I have it when in need, like tonight for instance. (Or actually this morning seeing as it's 3:30 am)
What did I listen to: Jane Eyre Chapter 27 read by Ezwa. That is my favorite chapter. I have listened to her narrate it at least 3 times. For those of you who don't know what happens in that chapter just by the number, Jane has decided to leave Mr. Rodchester because he has a crazy wife in the attic and she will not be his mistress. His sorrow and her strength is so beautiful and tragic to listen to. I have always seen Jane Eyre as a great role model for me and used her example of purity and a standard for myself in my dating years. Not that Matt has a crazy wife ( as far as I know).
So back to why I am posting as early. I have been sick for a couple days and since yesterday I have had a debilitating headache that is not abiding by the rules of the treaty. 1.Letting me sleep it off 2. Admitting defeat with drugs. So when laying on the bathroom floor (the last resort for healing and rest) after taking many pills, I plugged in my headphones and listened to Jane Eyre. What a relief. What a great solace to my pain and suffering. That my words may some day span the generations to comfort some young woman in the depths.
For those of you unfamiliar with Jane Eyre and for those who love to hear that words here are some of my favorite lines from Chapter 27:

**"That I am not Edward Rochester's bride is the least part of my woe," I alleged: "that I have wakened out of most glorious dreams, and found them all void and vain, is a horror I could bear and master; but that I must leave him decidedly, instantly, entirely, is intolerable. I cannot do it."

**"Jane, my little darling (so I will call you, for so you are), you don't know what you are talking about; you misjudge me again: it is not because she is mad I hate her. If you were mad, do you think I should hate you?"

"I do indeed, sir."

"Then you are mistaken, and you know nothing about me, and nothing about the sort of love of which I am capable. Every atom of your flesh is as dear to me as my own: in pain and sickness it would still be dear. Your mind is my treasure, and if it were broken, it would be my treasure still: if you raved, my arms should confine you, and not a strait waistcoat--your grasp, even in fury, would have a charm for me: if you flew at me as wildly as that woman did this morning, I should receive you in an embrace, at least as fond as it would be restrictive. I should not shrink from you with disgust as I did from her: in your quiet moments you should have no watcher and no nurse but me; and I could hang over you with untiring tenderness, though you gave me no smile in return; and never weary of gazing into your eyes, though they had no longer a ray of recognition for me.--

Good Night Readers or Good Morning, I hope sleep will find it's way to me soon.

Want to listen for yourself
http://librivox.org/jane-eyre-by-charlotte-bront/

Friday, September 3, 2010

Meet My Better Half

Hello Family and Loved Ones.
Please meet the newest member of my family and my better half: Emaline



Isn't she the cutest? I am thoroughly enamored. She really is my better half, slightly thinner (and slightly more well-endowed) But we can forgive her that. Because she is just precious. Every time I walk by I have to stop myself from giving her a hug (sometimes I just can't stop myself)
I got her on ebay and named her the moment I knew she was on her way. Matt hates the name Emaline. He say's it's weird and he's never heard it. He asked if I have ever met anyone named Emaline. I say "Not in real life" But hello what about Emaline Harris from Anne of Green Gables. Emmeline March from Thirteenth Tale. It doesn't matter anyways she is mine and mine alone. I can hardly wait to make a dress with her.
It has occurred to me that she must also be much cuter than I am because people are not walking up and hugging me all the time. But I really don't think I would like if they did.
Anyways , now you are up to date and I finally get to use the name Emaline because apparently Matt won't let us name our child that. Hmmph

Friday, August 27, 2010

These boots were made for bossing

Futurama quote for today

Unga Unga : "What i want to know is what's up with you and bossy boots over here?"

Meet Bossy Boots

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

There is a horse on my leg

So Emily and I are going horseback riding in Lenoir. Both pretty excited.

Meet Emily's horse : Joey

Joey loves children. Loves nothing more than going around and around in circles for pony rides. But he does not like anyone to follow him because he is a kicker. Hence Emily rides behind me. Overall a very charming horse.

Meet My horse : Ringo

Ringo does not love walking on the path. He wants to be an adventure horse. Trails are lame to him. He wants to walk up the steep ridge on the side of the trail. No one is quite sure why he does this.

Things to know
1. The horse in front of me hates to walk fast so if you let him , as the boy who is riding him does, he will walk 10 speeds slower than a snail but suddenly he will realize all his friends are way ahead of him and he will trot to catch up.
2. These horses are not allowed/trained to trot.
3. While trotting is rather fun, running while going down a steep gully is not fun.

So we are running down a steep gully. I am pulling on the reigns as hard as humanly possible but it doesn't matter anyways , he looses his footing. His large horse head falls to the ground as we tumble and fall to the left. Ringo in all this horse glory is now laying on my leg. I say "Oh God!". I take my hands and free leg and try to push him off (which he probably didn't even feel) and he got up when he was ready.
I jumped up and ran away from said horse. Shaking my ankle, my leg. Nothing broken, nothing bleeding. Amen. Trail leaders are now trying to gauge if I will try to sue them. Joey walks over and nuzzles me like the sweet dear he is. I get back on Ringo's back and we head home. It's funny my heart didn't have time to speed up and freak out. It was just in slow motion and then it was over. I am super achey on my left side and bruised on my shin but overall alive and well.

Aparently this is rather common because this video is pretty much what happened to me. Only difference add a steep gully and I say "Oh God" instead of "Oh S**t"


Tuesday, July 6, 2010

New Face

I love my new blog face. Enjoy !

Friday, May 14, 2010

Make it pink, no make it blue

Finally something to blog about.

I just finished making some baby booties for my darling sister.
January... can you believe it.
Since we don't know the gender I like to call it Baby Watt

Admire these charming baby booties that give me the giggles every time i hold them :)







Ahh baby things are so precious. All my love Britt and Shawn!!!!!