Estimated Reading Time 1 Minutes I thought this book was pretty great. It is a wonderful story, but a little slow in places. I agree with the review that the book could have been shortened easily. However, I am the kind of person who loves to read thick books and this didn’t bother me too much. It is another book that is sort of old fashioned and a little “Roald Dahlish”. It has that same sort of flavor. Anyway, it’s worth checking out. Review from Amazon.com: *Starred Review* “Are you a gifted child looking for Special Opportunities?” This curious newspaper ad catches the eye of orphan Reynie Muldoon. After taking exams that test both mind and spirit, Reynie is selected along with four other contestants–Sticky Washington, a nervous child with a photographic memory; irrepressible Kate Weatherhill; and a tiny child who lives up to her name, Constance Contraire. The children soon learn they’ve been chosen by mysterious Mr. Benedict for an important mission: they are to infiltrate the isolated Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, from which messages of distrust and compliance are being broadcast into the minds of the world’s citizens. Debut novelist Stewart takes some familiar conventions–among them,…
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy
Estimated Reading Time 1 MinutesThis is one of the best fantasy series that I have read in a long time. The beginning for me was a little slow when you find the protagonist, Kate, and her sister Emily move to the country to live with some distant relatives. But once the story really begins you’re hooked. The girls find themselves in the company of goblins, and not just any old goblins but the Goblin King himself with his own band of misfits. He has come to steal Kate away and make her his bride. After a lot of trouble, Kate agrees to go with him on one condition. He must rescue her sister who has been kidnapped by a dastardly cousin. There are several reasons why I loved these stories. The biggest one being that it shows familiar fairytale villains in a friendly light. The characters are well developed and engaging, The adventure is original, and the experience is one you will want to repeat over and over again. You can visit the Author’s website at claredunkle.com
Do You Know How Lucky You Are?
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Mom’s Famous Breakfast Pizza
454
Estimated Reading Time 1 MinutesThere is no better way to start off your new year than with homemade breakfast pizza! That’s what I did thanks to the best mom ever. This pizza is a tradition in our family and the ultimate breakfast food. It’s cheesy, it’s meaty, it’s simply delicious. Try it for yourself and see what you think. Mom’s Famous Breakfast Pizza *Makes 1 Jelly Roll Pan Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds of sausage – browned 1 bag of Ore Ida cheddar browns 8 eggs – beaten 2 cups of cheddar cheese – grated 2 cups of mozzarella cheese – grated salt & pepper to taste Your own favorite Pizza Dough (rolled out on pan) For our dough use: 1 1/2 cups hot water 1 t. yeast 1/4 c. sugar 1 T. oil 1/2 t. salt 3-4 c. flour (add enough flour so it’s not sticky) Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Knead dough on oiled surface until smooth. Spread out on lightly greased pan. Sprinkle on ingredients in this order: sausage, cheddar browns, eggs, salt & pepper, and last of all cheese. Bake for 25 min or until done. Then Dig In!
In Memory Of Grandma Eyre
Estimated Reading Time 1 MinutesMy Grandma Eyre passed away on Wednesday May 13, 2009. She was 85 years old. I wanted to do a tribute post in her memory. My grandma was one of my dearest friends and and an amazing and lovely lady. Cleo Doreen Scholtz Eyre Things I Love About Grandma Eyre: Her Twinkly Eyes Her Kind Smile Her Wonderful Sense Of Humor Her Testimony and example of Faith Her Hugs & Kisses Her Favorite Candy Chocolate Kisses Her Complete Acceptance & Love For Others Her Love Of Books & Learning Her Love Of Music The Way She Loved Me Absolutely 100% The Way She Served Others The Way She Put Family First The Way She Was In Love With My Grandpa The Love She Put into Making Special Things For Her Family: Afgans, Tablecloths etc. That She Gave Me My Mom, and My Life; I wouldn’t be here without her Her Strength and Determinitation Her Love of Life The Way She Enjoyed and Took Notice Of Wonderful Simple Everyday Joys and Experiences Her Garden and Her Love of Nature Her ability to be herself and be confident in who she was Everything about her and who she…
Let Every Sunset Take You Nearer
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The Chosen by Chaim Potok
344
I learned a long time ago, Reuven, that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man who lives that span, he is something. He can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant. Do you understand what I am saying? A man must fill his life with meaning, meaning is not automatically given to life.
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
399
I have learned over the course of my many years that it is a bad idea, usually, to investigate piteous weeping but always a fine thing to look into a giggle.
Hope Poem
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Thoughts Over Pioneer Day Weekend
Estimated Reading Time 1 MinutesThis post is overdue, but I want to express my feelings about pioneers as Utah wraps up celebrating their legacy this weekend. I have lived in Utah for most of my life, and have always heard about the pioneers who crossed the plains and founded this state. I have always looked up to them and respected them. They gave of their way of life, their homes, and families to have the freedom to live according to their beliefs, and there is something about Sacrifice like that which can soften the hardest heart. It makes me wonder how much I am willing to sacrifice and give up for others; For the people I love, but also people I don’t even know, or maybe even dislike. Pioneers are everywhere. That’s why I love this quote, “A Pioneer is simply someone who goes before showing others the way to follow.” We don’t just learn about pioneers from History, we can each strive to be pioneers ourselves. So here is the challenge: Sacrifice a little bit to make someone else’s life easier. Use your talents and let your “light shine” so others can follow that example. We all need each…