Book Review: Lillies in Moonlight

I had a sinus infection this past week as I already mentioned.   My latest book to review arrived midweek and I had plenty of time to read.  

My overall impression of the book was that it was a cute historical fiction novel with a light romantic element.   The first few pages engaged me quickly.  I got about halfway through the book and the storyline slowed down for about 20 pages.   At the end, I was left wanting to continue reading about the adventures of the characters.  It was a sweet story set in the roaring twenties.   The main character is Lilly, a flapper, who is looking for love and acceptance.   She meets a WWI veteran, Cullen, in an unexpected way and the story unfolds.  Lilly is very likable and fun.
 
This is a lighthearted read, perfect for tucking into your beach bag or vacation bag.   The characters are very believable and winsome.   Other than the slowing of the narrative in the middle it is a quick fun read.    I would recommend this book to a friend.  

I recieved this book free from Multnomah publishers for review purposes.    All opinions expressed are my own.

Sinus Infection Again

I battled another sinus infection this week.   The two recent infections are the first in several years.   When I taught in Naperville, I had several sinus infections over a the course of 2-3 years.   This one is worse than the one over Christmas.  Both of my ears have fluid in them in addition to crushing sinus pain.   I can tolerate not hearing well, but the pressure in my face is almost unbearable.   I spent a lot of time on the couch or in bed the last three days.  I have been absolutely exhausted.  The pain started Sunday, but the earliest I could get to the doctor was Wednesday.  On the upside, I received my next book to review on Tuesday evening.   With all my couch time, I am more than halfway through it.   I have made no progress on any quilting or sock monkey making.   I hope to work on a sock monkey tomorrow.   I also have a dog date and a baby shower to attend, so sewing may not happen.

My husband plans to till the garden tomorrow while I am at the shower.   I wish we had planted about 3 weeks ago, but with me not feeling well, I haven't been much help.  We also plan to visit my sweet friend Marcy who recently got a new puppy.   The kids are so excited about getting to play with a dog.  I would love a dog.  I haven't decided what kind to get that would best suit our family.   I want something smallish, tolerant of children, non-shedding.   Does that dog exist?   We'll see how Missy handles the kids and how the kids handle Missy.   The earliest we might get a dog would be next year.

My two seconds of peace are over.   Time to get the kids into the bed.

It's St. Patrick's Day!

Today is the wear green or get pinched day, otherwise known as St. Patrick's Day.   Since my kids are on Spring Break, I don't have to try and figure out how to send my daughter to school in green today.   Last year, St. Patrick's Day fell on Spring Break as well.   We were hanging out in NYC for the week.   We watched parts of the all day parade that is the St. Patrick's Day Parade in New York.   Here we are:

We ate a cookie with a shamrock on it we bought in Battery Park

I absolutely love New York.   I would move there if it wasn't so expensive and our families lived up there.   But alas, paying 3Xs as much as I do now for housing and being 18 hours from our nearest relative is not what is best for our family.  So, we stay in the south and I'm content to visit.  For a walk down memory lane, I'll post the top 10 favorite things we did last year.   Since this was my 2nd trip to New York.  We skipped some things that I would enjoy in lieu of what the kids would enjoy.   No Met. or Broadway shows this time, but we had a blast doing what we did.  I already posted about the parade, I'm not including it, but it was one of our favorite things.  

Number 10, Belvedere Castle, Central Park:

Number 9, Watching a bit of the Today Show and getting on TV!: 

Number 8, FAO Schwartz:

Number 7, Toys R Us Times Square and Times Square in General:

Number 6, Children's Museum of Manhattan, seriously fun:

Number 5, Riding the Subway, the cheap and necessary entainment:

Number 4, Hanging out with Daddy and exploring the city every evening after work:

Number 3, The Statue of Liberty: 

Number 2, Visiting a new playground everyday we were in the City.  Pictured: Upper West Side, Central Park: 

Number 1, Carriage Ride in Central Park:

My top ten list might look a little different, but these are the things the kids loved the most!

We are having a blast exploring our town this year.   I'm working on posting the various things we have done this week.  The weather has been gorgeous, so we have been outside lots!

Book Review: Secure Daughters Confident Sons

I recently read a book called Secure Daughters Confident Sons by Glenn T. Stanton.   I was very impressed.   This is a book I will go back and reread.   It gave practical advice, backed up by psychological studies.   The studies are secular studies from researchers at leading Universities.  The author is the director for family formation studies at Focus on the Family.   The book is interspersed with scripture that backs up his assertions;  it is not preachy or over the top.  If you do not hold a Christian world view you can still apply the advice in this book to any two parent family.   Single moms and dads can also benefit from this book by understanding what their unique gender brings to the family.

The book is divided into two parts: "Clear Vision for Authentic Manhood and Womanhood--and How to Help Your Kids Get There" and "Why Boys and Girls Need Mothers and Fathers."  At the end of each chapter, the author includes 2-3 questions posed by everyday moms and dads.  Those questions are then answered by the author.  Part one was very informational, but also applicable.  In the first two chapters, the author sets up the thesis of the book and gives information about the uniqueness of the genders .  In the next four chapters, he talks about what boys and girls need from their parents.  He also discusses how to walk with them on the journey to authentic manhood and womanhood.  I found this very interesting for boys in particular because in our society we devalue the unique qualities of a man.

The second part of the book discusses how men and women approach raising children differently.   The author asserts that men and women bring unique ideas to the table.  These ideas should each be given play and allowed to balance one another.  I found a lot of practical application in this section.   I also recognized qualities in my husband and myself that we employ in raising our children.  This section gave me an appreciation for what my husband does and teaches our children.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this book, give it to a friend, and reread it.   I found it informational and encouraging.

I received this book for free from WaterBrooke Multnomah Publishing Group for this review.  The opinions expressed are completely my own.

Long Absence

I came down with a cold two weeks ago.   I start to think I am getting better, then I feel worse again.   I have never had seasonal allergies, but I'm beginning to wonder if this is a reaction to the pollen flying around.   Between being sick and a storm of activity, the blog was the first to go for a while.

Two weekends ago, I went to three hour photography workshop.   Jason gave it to me for Christmas and I was finally able to clear a Saturday to go.   I loved it.  It was taught by Jimmy Lloyd.   Here he is:

I knew right after the class started that I would get a lot out of it.  Jimmy Lloyd knows how to teach.   Many people can be gifted at their craft, but they don't have the first idea how to communicate that information.  When you take a class with someone like that, you are wasting your time.    Jimmy Lloyd shoots for the Houston Chronicle and teaches at Alvin Community College.   I felt confident enough to take my DSLR off automatic and put it on manual.   It is a bit scary and overwhelming at times, but I am determined to get better.   I can see a difference.   This was my favorite picture I took.  

This was my 2nd favorite.

While I was at the photography class, Jason rented a trencher and started a drainage project in our backyard that he has been dreaming about for 3 years.   The trencher was tough to mess with, but I know he loved every second.   He was pretty sore after fighting it all day.   My son even took a turn operating the trencher.   It was the highlight of his day!

Last weekend, we went to Longview to celebrate my Grandmother's 75th birthday.  It was nice to see family that I had not seen in a long time.  I made my grandmother a quilt from my Dad's clan.   Here it is:

We were only able to stay for lunch because my kids were singing in all three services on Sunday.   As we were heading home, we passed antique store after antique store.   I finally said to Jason, "Man, I wish we could stop and browse."    He turned the car around and we headed back to the most recent one we passed.   After poking around for a while, I decided to buy a pretty rough looking rhinestone pin.   It was $3.   I figured if it cleaned up, I had hit the jackpot.   If it didn't, I only wasted $3.   I stuck it in my ultrasonic ring cleaner when I got home.  It is incredible how nicely it cleaned up.   I attached it to a headband and wore it to church on Sunday.  The picture is not the greatest.   The lighting in my house it terrible for picture taking.

We also stopped at the VF store in Livingston.   I was excited to find t-shirts for $.87.   They were long and soft.   I bought a couple of extra to cut up and use as embellishments on the others.  

This week, I am hoping to catch up on all this stuff that has slid by the past two weeks.  I got this quilt book I'm using to make my niece's quilt.   I'm so excited to start it.   Fabric shopping will be on the agenda this week as well.  I am also planning my daughter's 7th birthday party and the art curriculum for preschool VBS.  Time for violin practice for my son now.   Playtime is over.