This is one of my all time favorite books. I first discovered it when I was in 6th grade, and have reread it many times since then. It’s a book that has really affected the way I look at the world and changed my life. This book truly is a must read. I really liked the concise review I found on Littera Scripta Manet, So I decided to just copy from there rather than write my own review: In The Chosen, Potok tells the story of two Jewish boys in 1940’s Brooklyn–Reuven and Daniel–who form an unlikely friendship after a baseball hit by Daniel, a Hassidic, strikes Reuven, a Modern Orthodox, in the eye. As their friendship develops, so does the social and political climate as the boys’ fathers react differently to the potential for an Israeli state at the conclusion of World War II. Ultimately, the boys successfully maintain their friendship, while responsibly dealing with the conflicts between their fathers and their beliefs. The novel’s themes include the strength of friendship, the pursuit of truth, religion & the secular world, and father-son relationships; a father’s advice on friendship; two views on how to raise a son; serious religious study;…
The Chosen by Chaim Potok
The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
If you’ve ever wished to be part of an ‘old fashioned story’ then this is the book for you. Lois Lowry has done it again, though this book has a distinctly different flavor than her other books. You can definitely taste the influence of such authors as Roald Dahl or L.M. Montgomery. The book has a certain twisted nature but leaves you content that everything works out in the end. It is a quick read and easily finished in an afternoon. In the book, Lowry pokes fun at some of English Literature’s most famous ‘worthy and winsome orphans’ while honoring them at the same time. Tired being neglected by their horrible parents, the four Willoughby Children concoct a plan to become orphans themselves. Meanwhile, Inspired by the tale of Hansel and Gretel, their parents are trying just as hard to get rid of them. Like most old fashioned stories, this one also includes a very capable nanny, and an extremely wealthy benefactor. Don’t let the stereotypes fool you though, this old fashioned story is brand new. One of the best things about the book is the way Lowry plays with you as the reader. She almost smothers the story with…
A Wrinkle In Time By Madeleine L’Engle
Meg Murry’s Father has been gone for two years and no one knows exactly why. All they know is that he was working on a top secret government project. It has been a difficult time for the whole family, but especially for Meg and her younger brother Charles Wallace who was only a baby when he left. One day a very special visitor, Mrs. Whatsit, arrives and helps Meg, Charles Wallace, and their friend Calvin set out on a great adventure to rescue him. In order to do this they travel through time and space and meet some very interesting people along the way. They find their father trapped on a far a way planet ruled by IT which controls the minds and lives of all who live there. When Charles Wallace falls under the power of IT, it is up to Meg to try and save the day. This book is another all time favorite of mine. “A Wrinkle In Time” like so many children’s books can be read and appreciated at many different levels. It has many different themes including the power of choice, finding a happy medium, exploring spiritual and religious ideas, and discovering what really matters…
Little Britches by Ralph Moody
This is a wonderful true story about how a young boy learns some of life’s best lessons while working a small ranch with his father. I love simple heartfelt stories like this, and like the cover says it is a perfect book to read aloud. If you are like me and believe that you are what you read, then you will learn a lot from this book. Amazon.com review: Without the flamboyance or the caricature of other “life with Father” books this tells, simply, directly of the Moody family and their life in Colorado. Father’s health necessitated a move and all seven of the Moodys moved to a godforsaken little ranch. There Little Britches learned how to face a situation, through emphatic lessons and Father’s kindly but firm insistence on cause and effect. This is the story of hard luck, stubborn pride, and altruistic community endeavor, for Father is the one who evolves a solution for the water problem, and of the implanting of an honest, moral philosophy. It is the story too of Little Britches’ first earnings, of his interrupted schooling, of his Indian friend, Two Dog, who added to the excitement of the new life, of the many…
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
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, an orphan struggling against evil…
The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy
This 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?
Mom’s Famous Breakfast Pizza
503
There 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
My 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 was I Love You…
Let Every Sunset Take You Nearer
I love this quote and was reminded of it by some spectacular sunsets lately 