The Daily Snapshot

You're alright, I suppose.

2012-02-15T07:53:00.000-06:00

Considering my general humdrum-ness about Valentine's Day, I thought these V-Day cards were right up my alley.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
We now return you to your regularly scheduled Wednesday...
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NPR valentines

Non-committal valentines

Dictator valentines

Singles Awareness Day?

2012-02-14T10:26:00.000-06:00

photo credit

also, this girl is crazy adorable.

Happy Valentine's Day!

And that's about as far as the festivities are going to go.

I'm not big into Valentine's Day. I'm pretty sure Jordan and I only exchanged gifts only once, in 2007. (I remember the year because we got engaged about a month later.) I'm not expecting chocolates, flowers, or even a card. In fact, I think we have women's group for church that night, so I'll actually be hanging out with girlfriends!

The same holds true for our anniversary. It's a nice excuse to go out for dinner, but I don't get hung up about it. We've never exchanged gifts for any of our married anniversaries, and I think we only did once, after the first year we were dating. (It's a really cute story. Maybe I should be telling that instead of griping about V-Day...)

All in all, this holiday gets a shrug from me. It's not that I don't love Jordan, or celebrate the years we've been married, but honestly, I'd be far more hurt if Jordan forgot my birthday than our anniversary.

But that doesn't mean I don't want to hear about what you're doing!

What special things do you have planned for today?

Sometimes...

2012-02-13T17:46:00.000-06:00

Sometimes, a girl's just gotta rock some new kicks.

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Sometimes, (unfortunately), a Wisconsinite has to get creative about staying warm.

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Sometimes, I crochet headbands for my dog!

A Love Note

2012-02-09T06:27:00.001-06:00

Dear RadioLab,

I don't remember when we first met. Maybe I was driving in the car; I think I was coming home from to the grocery store. I was poking around on the radio stations, as one does on a short drive. Futzing with the lower end of the dial, I was struck by something. The sound of someone's voice? The dissonance of the background music? I don't know now, but I wish I did.

What I do know is that the episode was Parasites. And that I unloaded my groceries as fast as I could, and grabbed the portable radio from the bathroom, and set it up in the kitchen, so I could continue listening to this fascinating program.

Then, we went our separate ways. I didn't catch the name of the show, and couldn't find anyone else who had listened to it, so there was silence. Until Rachael mentioned your name. She mentioned you were one of her favorite shows, and she thought I would be interested too.

Such a sweet, sweet reunion. Since that day, I have been a faithful listener. You accompany me on adventurous car rides. You've sparked lively discussions between friends. I have recommended you time and time again, to much acclaim from new listeners. There are programs that have risen to the top, that get my highest praise: Loops, and Musical Language definitely come to mind.

RadioLab, you fascinate me, you inspire me. You describe the mysteries of our world, and admit when there is something that you can't quite grasp. Unwittingly, you make me think of my Creator, and inspire me to praise. I know you don't mean to; you're a science program, and love the solid facts. Yet, when there is a mystery that can't be explained - why do self-sacrificing acts exist - I simply have to smile, and marvel at a Creator who makes mysteries we can't understand.

So, thank you, RadioLab. Thank you for the enjoyment you've provided me throughout the years, and the wonder I hope for in the future.

Yours truly,
Charlotte

(This post was inspired by an article by Ira Glass.)

Recipe: Rice Noodle Soup

2012-02-07T08:51:00.000-06:00

Thank you to all who commented on my last post. I can't wait to visit new sites and get new food ideas!

After posting about food blogs, I remembered that I used to put some recipes on here, but I haven't since September. I'm deciding to remedy that, right here, right now.

This recipe is quick, healthy, and easily adaptable for vegetarians and carnivores. Enjoy!

photo credit

Rice Noodle Soup
adapted from La Tartine Gourmande

Ingredients:
7 – 10 ounces rice noodles (also called udon noodles)

approximately 5 ounces pork, shrimp or tofu - pork and tofu should be cut into thin strips

1-2 bags lemongrass tea (optional)

2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

1 3/4 cups or 15 ounces coconut milk

2 cups chicken or vegetable stock

Juice of 1/2 a lime

1 tablespoon soy or fish sauce

1.5 cups, or 1-2 large handfuls snap peas

Method:

In a large pot, combine stock, coconut milk, lemongrass and garlic. Simmer about 5 minutes. Add lime juice and soy or fishsauce and continue to simmer 1-2 minutes. Remove tea bags at this time, if using.

If using pork, add at this time and cook 5-7 minutes.

Add noodles, shrimp or tofu and peas. Cook only a few minutes or according to noodle package directions. (Rice noodles will become gummy if cooked too long.)

The amount of noodles, peas, and meat/tofu you use is adaptable. Simply add more broth and coconut milk if increasing the amounts!

*Note: This soup doesn't have a lot of broth; it's meant to be eaten as a meal, with chopsticks.

Cook Books

2012-02-02T08:54:00.000-06:00

It isn't a secret that I like to cook.
Like all fledgling cooks, I need inspiration, but I find myself visiting the same food blogs over and over. I need some new ideas.
So I'm proposing an exchange: I'll share some of my favorites with you, and you share some of your favorites with me!

photo credit: What Katie Ate

Smitten Kitchen - the food blog that started it all for me. It's the first time I really got hooked on a food blog - for the food as much as the life stories - and I remember sitting in my friend's overstuffed chair, reading it for hours. I love her recipe catalogs and pictures of her baby, Jacob.

Simply Recipes - a wonderful index of a variety of foods and recipes. Very easy site navigation, and a range of easy to challenging recipes. She updates the site frequently, so there's always something new.

Ezra Pound Cake - Southern & sassy! The site is unique, with recipes ranging from vegan options to "Mama's Trashy Good Orange Crush Sherbet". How can you not love a site that advertises their recipes as "Pretty Good Chili"?

Half-Assed Kitchen - their tagline is "eh... it's edible". I think that says it all.

What Katie Ate - [I took the above picture from this site.] Some of the most gorgeous food photography I've ever seen. It's a little hard to navigate the site and the recipes, but it is worth it just to drool over Katie's amazing creations! Plus, she's Irish, and living in Australia, so it's just not fair.

Sprouted Kitchen - [I took the below picture from this site.] Another collection of gorgeous food photos. Sara, the author of the site, focuses on healthy, natural eating, though her husband Hugh has been known to slip in a burger or two. It's all about balance, right?

Joy the Baker - my new favorite! I want to be Joy's friend. She is smart, witty, and silly. She takes absolutely lovely photos of her food, but reveals that she puts her cutting board on a trunk and shoved it near her window. I love the honesty in her writing. I've pulled a lot of recipes from here recently.

photo credit: Sprouted Kitchen

Your turn!

What are some of your favorite food blogs or recipe sites?

The Book Club Bloggers: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

2012-02-01T09:22:00.003-06:00

Welcome to the Book Club Bloggers! Here is the book for February:

"The Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky

Unlike "Catcher in the Rye", this is a book I've never read before. I've heard of it, and I remember other students reading it in high school, but I've never looked into it myself. So, this will be an adventure for all of us!

I feel like "Perks" is an appropriate follow-up to "Catcher", since Chbosky lists "Catcher" as one of his inspirations for writing this book. I'm interested to compare Charlie (the main character in "Perks") to Holden.

Also like "Catcher" (and all our books for this year!), this book has been challenged - it was 3rd on the list of most challenged books for 2009.

Some tidbits about the book:

- it's being made into a movie, starring Logan Lerman (he played Percy Jackson) and Emma Watson (Hermione, of course!) Chbosky is directing the movie, which I think is a fabulous choice. I wish more authors directed their own works.

- the book was published in 1999 by MTV. I've never heard of MTV publishing any books, have you?

As usual, here are a few questions to think of as you're reading:

1. This book has been challenged due to "the book's treatment of drugs, homosexuality, sex, and suicide". Are these aspects of the book important to the plot? Would it be the same book if these were removed?

2. Would you be friends with Charlie? Why or why not?

3. Books and music both play important roles in the book. Are you familiar with many of the books or musical artists? Why are these works so important to Charlie?

4. Do you like that the story is told through letters? Why or why not?

Reviews for "Perks of Being a Wallflower" will go up on February 24th.

I hope everyone enjoys this book!

This movie review has been brought to you by the power of caffeine

2012-01-30T08:30:00.000-06:00

This weekend was an unique mixture of productive and lazy.

On the productive side, I worked on two of my New Year's resolutions: to dress up and use my feet for transportation. I didn't get any pictures of my cute outfits, because it's dark and winter-y outside, and using my feet involved taking the bus, but overall, we're making progress!

The lazy side was much more enjoyable: I drank coffee and watched movies.

Allow me to elaborate.

(I also took a great picture in Alterra, but also managed to delete it.)

On Friday night, some girlfriends and I went to "The Artist", and on Saturday, Jordan and I went to a matinee of "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy". I'm getting all brushed up for the Oscars - two years ago, my mom and I predicted all but one of the winners! I want to go for 100% this year!

"The Artist" was very good. I wasn't as blown away as others have seemed to be, but I've also watched a fair amount of silent films, so I know when it's done right. Hazanavicius' film (you better believe I had to look up the spelling of his name!) was a solid homage to a great period of film. I especially enjoyed Jean Dujardin's performance - he took his character on a journey. You got to see the nuances of his character - he's vain and prideful, yet scared the world is changing without him - without a shred of dialogue. I appreciated some of the director's choices, such as the times when he did include sound. It made those scenes more powerful. The film dragged in the middle, and the ending got a little muddled, but I liked it. And holy cow, if the soundtrack doesn't win the Oscar, I will be very surprised. The music made the film.

I wish I had a similarly good review for "Tinker, Tailor". I was really looking forward to this one - Gary Oldman! Tom Hardy! Colin Firth! Benedict Cumberbatch! Be still my beating heart! - but it did not live up to the previews. It took a reeeeaaaaalllllyyyyy long time to set up; it left you with probably 45 minutes of "Wait, is this a flashback? Isn't that guy suppose to be dead? Wait, now is it a flashback?" Once Tom Hardy's character came in, it picked up speed, but eventually slowed down and petered out in the end. The fact that Gary Oldman's character is nominated for a Best Actor Oscar is laughable. I generally like Oldman - I feel like he can totally disappear into a character - but this character was so boring. I compared him to a turtle - slow, silent, and dull. Overall, David Edwards of the Daily Mirror said it best: "Unfortunately, the plot is every bit as bewildering with an overload of spy-speak, a few too many characters to keep track of and a final act that ends with a whimper, rather than a bang."

Have you seen any Oscar contenders?
Any recommendations for me?

The Book Club Bloggers: Reviews for January

2012-01-27T05:20:00.002-06:00

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

It was like a long-lost reunion.

Holden and I, remembering the days of our misspent youth. One of us was getting kicked out of prep school, while the other was busy with her friend, writing stories about orangutans who happened to also be private detectives. I won't give you time to guess who was doing what.

In some ways, reading "Catcher in the Rye" was a happy bit of nostalgia for me. It brought back fond memories of junior year - furiously typing English papers in my dad's office, auditions for plays and anxiously awaiting callbacks, dating boys, and not dating boys, and entertaining foreign exchange students. Junior year was a good year, my friends. (It was also the year I met Jordan!)

But, in so many other ways, "Catcher" brought me joy as an adult, probably more so than when I was in high school. Within the first few pages, I found myself falling in love with Holden, and his voice. It's easy to see why this book is a classic, and a favorite of generations of teenagers. Holden is real, probably more real than other book characters previous to his time. He is a teenager through and through: confident, yet nervous, snotty, headstrong and impulsive, a bit shallow. As an adult, I can appreciate Holden and see a bit of him in my teenage self. I wouldn't have thought that when I first read the book at 16, but I can see it now. But then again, part of being a teenager is thinking you're not anything like other people your age; you're much more mature.

To speak a little more on Holden's "voice" - one of the questions I asked in the book's introduction was, "Is the way Holden talks and swears important to the book? Would it be the same book without this?" I would have to say, yes, the way Holden talks and swears is important to the book. It wouldn't be the same without it. It sets the book apart from other literature; it encompasses something special about its characters, about Salinger, and about the time he was writing - the time when teenagers were becoming their own entity.

I can see why this book was challenged when it came out. I can see adults believing it would put ideas into teenagers' heads, with its careless response to school, sex, and respect for adults. But such an idea begs the question: would a book like this cause teenagers to act in this way, or were they already acting like this, and Salinger just happened to capture it? My vote would be for the latter, but I can see how it would cause adults to panic.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on Salinger's work!
Post your review to the Blog Hop below!

Smoky

2012-01-25T08:41:00.000-06:00

i've decided that grey days are my favorite kind of days.

i love how everything is soft and muted.

wrapped in a blanket of fog.

i makes me want to wind a scarf around my neck and walk the moors, with a mug of tea waiting at home for me.

it leaves me feeling peaceful and still.

what are your favorite kind of days?

photo sources: one - two

Beat you to it!

2012-01-24T06:47:00.000-06:00

Zooey Deschanel, on Facebook:

Oh Zooey, I've so been there, done that:

Milwaukee

Chicago

Madison

Now, where to go to next?

Fashion Fridays: Nordic Patterns

2012-01-20T07:03:00.000-06:00

What the what? A fashion post, on a non-fashion week?

Yep! I'm linking up with Blonde Episodes [found thanks to Christianna!] for a Fashion Fridays post. This week, I'm interested in Nordic patterns.

Normally, I think these types of reindeer-bedecked, oversized, heavily patterned clothes are, well, tacky. I don't know what it is about this winter though; I've just been drawn to it.

Maybe I'm dreaming of a Scandinavian vacation. Windswept tundra. Sturdy cabins on frozen lakes. Bundled up in front of a fire, drinking hot cocoa, sitting in a cabin with blustery winds outside. [Notice how my dreams of a vacation don't involve going outside? As much as I like the idea of bundling up, I don't want to actually go outside...]

Well, I don't know what it is, or if I'll actually buy some, but I'm enjoying the patterns all the same!

How about you?
Would you wear Nordic patterned clothing?

Photo sources: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Fruitier

2012-01-18T08:01:00.003-06:00

i think figs are fascinating and beautiful.

they have such a great color contrast: vibrant on the outside, dark on the inside.

like a watermelon, but deeper.

i've never had a fresh one, but I'd like to.

(ps. i'm taking the online test to qualify for Jeopardy tonight.

wish me luck!)

photo credit

Now in HD!

2012-01-16T08:07:00.002-06:00

This weekend was a delight.

Most of it consisted of being lazy: cuddled with Jordan on the couch, watching TV. (We're all caught up with Modern Family!)

But on Friday, my siblings-in-law came over. We hadn't seen each other since Christmas, but that was kind of lame, since Jordan and I were too sick to have any fun.

My brothers-in-laws are such a joy. They are becoming such men. The youngest is fourteen now, no longer the goofy, gap-toothed little boy I knew. (Now he's a goofy, gap-toothed teenager.) Even though all of them tower over me, it's so easy to forget they aren't young. We can joke differently now, and bring up more mature topics.

But still, my husband and his brothers will always be boys. Boys willing to go out and buy a new TV, so we could watch the movie we downloaded. It was silly, and random, and so much fun!
(It also wasn't a big deal, since Jordan and I have been saving up for a new TV anyway.)
(But we couldn't even watch the movie since it contained nudity, which wasn't mentioned on the description. Boo hiss!)

Anyway, here are some pictures of my niece, because she's cute.

In other news, drumroll please...

I wrote my very first guest post!!
It's over at Life and Its Other Drugs.
Check it out and show me & Stephanie some love!

Almost famous

2012-01-12T08:40:00.000-06:00

So, remember last year, when I told you about the New Year's Movie my siblings and cousins film every year?
And remember how I said we'd be doing it again this year too?

Well, we did, to rousing success! (No applause, please.) (I always read "applause" as "applesauce".)

We made a "variety show", of sorts; basically, a collection of short (1-5 minute) movies about a whole slew of topics.
It was fun, it was lighthearted, it was far less stressful than in years past.

We bumped it up a notch this year too.
Instead of mere photos and descriptions to tease you with, I have actual videos.

That's right baby, we've made it to Youtube!

Here are the videos, for your viewing pleasure.
Help make us the next viral video hit!

"I'm Amazed" - Stop Motion Video
(My cousin took over 2,700 pictures to make this video!)

"Don't Stop Believing" Lip Dub
(A lip dub is basically a lip-synced music video, done all in one take. It's explained here.)

Fruity

2012-01-11T06:11:00.003-06:00

papaya seeds.

so pretty to look at.

so yucky to eat.

not related to the above picture:

Jordan is obsessed with this video.

Resolve

2012-01-09T07:36:00.004-06:00

New Year's resolutions.
Only about a week late.
But hey, "being punctual" isn't on there.

ps. This weekend I finished "Catcher in the Rye".
Let's just say "it killed me".

Seeing is believing

2012-01-06T17:17:00.002-06:00

Pictures taken from the New York Times.

Have a wonderful weekend everyone.

Courage

2012-01-04T06:45:00.002-06:00

This quote has gotten me through many rough days.
I want to get a print and frame it on my wall.

The Book Club Bloggers: Catcher in the Rye

2012-01-02T08:33:00.000-06:00

Our first book for 2012:

"The Catcher in the Rye" by J.D. Salinger

I started us off with a doozy. "Catcher in the Rye" has the second-longest list of challenges, according to the American Library Association. (It's second behind "Of Mice and Men", which we'll be reading in March!) Between 1961 and 1982, it was the most challenged book in high schools and libraries across the country. It has caused friction right from the start, when a teacher in Oklahoma was fired in 1960 for assigning the book to their high-school class. It's been connected with the shooting of John Lennon, and several other assassinations, or assassination attempts.

Yet, as hotly as this book is challenged, it is also loved. It ranks #2 on Radcliffe Publishing's list of top novels of the century. It has inspired authors, musicians, presidents and reporters. Millions have fallen in love with Holden, and he has been the springboard for countless pieces of fan fiction.

"Catcher in the Rye" continues to be assigned in high schools across the country. I read it in 11th grade. Like most teenagers, I was affected by Salinger's writings, and Holden's voice - specifically, I remember the way Holden talked sinking into my conscious, in a way I hadn't noticed with any book before. (Even more specifically, I remember that, even while I wasn't reading, my thoughts would be peppered with sarcasm and swears. This still happens to me when I read a good book - I find my "inner voice" reflecting the voice of the author. Does this happen to anyone else?)

I haven't read "Catcher" since high school, and I'm looking forward to it!

Here are some questions to ponder as you read or write your review:

1. "Catcher in the Rye" is challenged for many reasons, but some of them include "vulgar language, including sexual references and blasphemy". Is the way Holden talks and swears important to the book? Would it be the same book without this?

2. Did you read "Catcher" in high school? What was your thought on it then? Has it changed?

3. Are adults as hypocritical as Holden/teenagers perceives them to be?

4. What is the significance of the title—especially the fact that Holden gets Robert Burns's poem wrong?

Reviews for "Catcher in the Rye" will go up on January 27th.

Happy reading, one and all!

The Book Club Bloggers, version 2.0

2012-01-01T12:09:00.001-06:00

Hello friends and fellow bloggers, and happy New Year!

Don't you just love 2012?

Doesn't it just sound better than 2011?

I like the way the numbers match at the beginning and the end... ah, 2012 is just going to be an amazing year. I can feel it!

Let's get the amazing started right away with a new and improved Book Club!

If you've been hanging around my blog for awhile, you've probably seen books revealed and books reviewed. In the past, the book club has worked this way: each member of the book club gets to select a book they've read before to share with the group. We were given about a month to read the book, and a link-list went up on the last Friday of the month.

This format has worked for awhile, but it started to slow down at the end of last year. I was becoming frustrated with the process and needed to do something new.

Enter: themes, stage left.

With an idea sparked from this blog, I began churning out lists of books underneath the same theme: Adventure Stories. Horror Stories. Books that Inspired Social Change. We'd cover the same theme for a year, reading a variety of books.

I emailed the members of the BCB - they were excited, I was excited - and we eventually settled on one theme. So, without further ado, I present to you the list of books for 2012:

Theme: Banned or Challenged Books

January - Catcher in the Rye
February - The Perks of Being a Wallflower
March - Of Mice and Men
April - Candide
May - Bridge to Terebithia
June - Brave New World
July - Huckleberry Finn
August - The Awakening
September - The Chocolate War
October - Flowers For Algernon
November - Diary of a Young Girl
December - a month off

Each month, on the 1st of the month, I will post the featured book of the month, along with some questions to think about while reading. The reviews will still go up on the last Friday of the month.

Interested in joining us? It's easy! Just read the book for the month, and post your review to your own blog, then link back to my blog.

Too busy one month? No problem. It's a come-and-go-as-you-like sort of deal.

Want a button? Here is the Book Club Bloggers button and instructions on how to put it up.

Hungry for more? Check out past reviews from the Book Club Bloggers.

The post for "Catcher in the Rye" will go up tomorrow.

And as always, happy reading!

2011: in a nutshell

2011-12-30T11:24:00.001-06:00

Here is my year-in-review, taken from the first line of the first post of each month. (Excluding Book Club Bloggers posts.)
I did this last year, and it was so nice, I'm going to do it twice.

Happy New Year's, and I'll see you in 2012!

January: "If these pictures are any indication... 2011 is going to be an awesome year." I posted this with a montage of pictures of my siblings and cousins, making our annual New Year's movie. (Are we doing one this year? You better believe it!) I started 2011 with hope, and it did not disappoint.

February: "However you want to say it (I've even heard "the great white death"), little ole Wisconsin got a BIG OLE BLIZZARD." My school had its first snow day in years! It was a little treacherous, but it was also beautiful to see our neighborhood come together to help one another out.

March: "Here, there and everywhere. Just a few housekeeping things to share with you..." Not very exciting, but I was finishing "Mockingjay" at the time, so it can be blamed on Hunger Games brain. (You know, the drive to eliminate anything that isn't directly connected to reading.those.books.)

April: "04/04/2004. That was the day Jordan and I met." Jordan and I can remember when we met, but not exactly when we started dating. And I love that about us, that our relationship was based in friendship first, not romantic interest. (Even though we were definitely interested.)

May: "A lazy weekend." mmm, some of my favorites. Lots of reading, lots of cooking.

June: "Hi folks. You may (or may not) have noticed that I haven't been around a lot lately." This was the beginning of my three-week blogging break. Oh, it was such a necessity. I was worried that I wouldn't come back, but it ended up being just the ticket I needed to feel refreshed!

July: "San Fransisco has two types of weather... soggy and foggy." This sentence was misleading, since the weather during our vacation that was gorgeous and summer! (Just foggy while we were on the Golden Gate bridge.) It was a beautiful vacation, and Jordan and I are still talking about it.

August: "This weekend I... went on a coffee date." This summer was one of the best I've ever had. It was brimming with friends, warmth, adventures and love.

September: "Weekend Expose - because that sounds fancier than "my weekend in pictures y'all." As wonderful as the summer was, I don't have much to complain about, since it's been a relatively good school year with my students. Let's just hope it finishes out like that too...

October: "Happy Monday my friends!" If I said it once, I've said it a thousand times: I love the community that blogging brings. I'm grateful for all the new friends I've met throughout the past year, and all the friendships that have been strengthened.

November: "All right, y'all, it's time for another Q&A, this one courtesy of The A.V. Club." I love a good Q&A. You guys did not disappoint - you've left me insightful, enjoyable answers. Thank you for playing along!

December: "I've been keeping a secret this year." My desire to caroling didn't pan out, but it was still an amazing, blessed Christmas season all the same!

Fancy Pants: 4 of 4

2011-12-29T08:49:00.000-06:00

I didn't complete my goal. *le sigh* Jordan and I both had the flu on the 22nd and 23rd, so when Christmas rolled around, I didn't feel like getting all dolled up.

However, it was not all to waste, as I bought myself the most awesome pair of slippers-that-double-as-yeti-feet ever! I feel like the Bumble. rawr.

Best in Books: 2011

2011-12-27T11:21:00.001-06:00

Since I didn't say it properly, merry Christmas! I hope your holiday weekend was filled with fun and festivities, and that you're able to rest in these few days between Christmas and New Year's.

Speaking of New Year's, I love all the annual wrap-up that come out around this time, the "best of" lists. I like looking back across the months, that seem so long ago, and seeing how I came out on the other side. Also, many of the lists are about music, movies or books, and they give me ideas of things to check out in the next year!

So, without further ado, I'm excited to present to you my "Best in Books" list, for the year 2011.
I've limited myself to a two-sentence review for each, as a challenge to myself, and so I don't bore you.
(Here is my list for 2010!)

Books are listed in alphabetical order, by title:

A powerful story, made more powerful when you discover its roots in truth.

It also made me think about the reason for banning books.

I'm not quite done with this one yet, but it's been fascinating.

Like in the book above, I love finding out about the real life that inspired the story.

My favorite pick for The Book Club Bloggers.

I love a flawed narrator, and Gene is an especially good one.

(Reviews are here!)

Man, this work was before its time.

I'm going to re-read it next year, as part of the Book Club Bloggers.

(Stay tuned for the list of books for 2012!)

Best series I read all year.

Jordan has started reading the series this month, and he never reads!

Boyne takes a child's perspective and innocence, and puts it in the most harrowing setting you can think of.

I like the way he include little child-like aspects, like the boy's mispronunciation of Auschwitz.

This book surprised me; I didn't think I was going to like it.

It's so wonderfully melodramatic though!

Look at this - Christianna posted about her favorite books of the year too!

What were your favorite books this year?

Christmas card, take 3

2011-12-22T15:28:00.001-06:00

I'm still lovin' the Christmas card, even though we haven't received as many this year as we have in years past.

It doesn't matter though. I hope to be sending Christmas card for years to come, even after people get rid of their mailboxes because everything is on the interwebs. I say let the Christmas card live on!

This year's installment:
(and years one and two for your viewing pleasure)

(of course, our real card doesn't have x's - it has our last name, but better safe than sorry.)

oh, the delightfulness of spam...

2011-12-20T14:59:00.001-06:00

I generally ignore the "spam" portion of my comment inbox. However, every once in awhile, Google prompts me to check my spam, and delete. Most of the comments are gibberish, but there are always a few that are real sentences... just completely unrelated to the post. Here are a few gems:

This makes perfect sense to me!

Extraordinarily well written piece.

You're complete right on this writing.

This post couldn't be more right on.

This could be best writing on the net.

(All of them were for this post.

While I appreciate the compliments, I doubt it's sincere.)

Thanks for the info! We're making a custom pair of slippers for you. :) oh wow thank you!!

(Found on this post.

When can I expect my slippers, anonymous commenter?!)

Hey, you stated in a much more direct way what I was trying to communicate, thanks.

(A comment for baby pictures.

Really, you were trying to communicate baby pictures too?)

Bonus comment: A Viagra ad... written in German. Now that's special.

Do you have any special, anonymous comments worth sharing?

Fancy Pants: 3 of 4

2011-12-19T10:09:00.000-06:00

This was the catalyst. The Big Kahuna. The start of it all. This is the reason why I wanted to start this whole "dressing up for the holiday season" shindig: The Winter Dance Formal.

I've been looking forward to the Winter Formal for more than a year. You see, Jordan and I first became involved in the swing dance scene in Milwaukee in November 2010. We had been going to about a month of lessons when the Winter Dance Formal was announced. It's pretty self-explanatory - you dress up, you dance, you have a good time. I really wanted to go, but Jordan didn't feel confident enough in his dancing skills, so we sat it out.

Not this year! This year, we bought our tickets in November, and anxiously waited the date. And the event did not disappoint. It was a wonderful time; it was great to "let our hair down", so to speak, and dance to pop tunes instead of the swing dance standards. I'm already looking forward to next year!

Anyway, for my outfit - big surprise, I'm wearing black, white and grey.
I prefer the term "classic", rather than "monochromatic", ok?

Dress: borrowed from my sister, originally from H&M

Necklace and earrings: a gift

Hairpiece: Kohls

Shoes: K-Mart

(though I changed shoes to dance - I sprained my ankle 6 years ago dancing in heels. Not worth it.)

Other outfits are here and here.

Tell me something special about your weekend!

Only 5 more days until Christmas!

I still haven't wrapped my presents... ack...

It's the Bumble!

2011-12-14T07:13:00.000-06:00

I have an odd relationship with Rudolph.

I hated it as a kid. I thought it was weird, and scary, and I was all like "this movie makes no sennnnnnnse!"

But, as an adult, I find myself really drawn to it.

I love the Bumble. Yukon Cornelius make me smile. And it cracks me up to hear my students say, "I want to be a dentist!"

You'd think, after being so frightened of it as a kid, I wouldn't want anything to do with it as an adult.
I mean, I still hate Pinocchio with a vengence.

Do you have any holiday movie - or any movies - like this?
Hated as a kid, but loved as an adult?

(Side note: my students are singing "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer" for our holiday program, and gosh darn if it isn't going to be the cutest thing.)
(New thought: maybe this is why I've been wanting to watch it this year, because I'm reminded of it whenever my students talk about the program, which is oh, every day.)

Image credits: 1&2, 3

Scotch, but not like the booze

2011-12-13T07:03:00.001-06:00

decorating the tree.

growing up, my dad always had this silly "squint test" he would do to see if your lights were evenly dispersed.

he insisted it worked.

and maybe it does.

if it does, our tree fails the test.

we've been calling our tree Scottie.

which isn't as fun as Sir Gregory MacPherson.

but it's a lot easier.

naturally, one of his decorations is a proper Scottish scarf.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

as I spoke about in the first tree post, I love traditions.

I added another one this year.

Beth gave me the idea.

I wrote a little note about Christmas 2011 - what kind of tree we got, when we decorated, what we hope for next year - and put it in a stocking ornament.

we'll read it next year, and remember the time gone by.

mucho gracias to Beth for the idea!

also, dang gina, this be my 400th post!
hip hip and a hooray for me.

Fancy Pants: 2 of 4

2011-12-12T14:59:00.001-06:00

And, we're back, with another installment of my attempts to dress up four times before the 25th. This outfit was, again, thanks to Adam, as Jordan and I went to see his students' performance of "Into the Woods" (he was the musical director for the show). Thanks Adam, for being classy and piano-y and all that.

Dress: Thrifted

Sweater: Plato's Closet

Tights: Target

Shoes: Hand-me-down

Necklace: a gift

And, once again, I'm in black & purple. I promise this wasn't intentional. In fact, I tried to make it un-intentional. As I was shopping for shirts and sweaters last weekend, I realized how much of my wardrobe is neutral colors: grey, black, white. I decided to branch out and look for some colored sweaters and almost got a purple one. But, thinking back to these past two outfits, I went for the blue one instead. Hooray for branching out!

More posts of holiday cheer to come this week!

Q&A: Favorite falling out of love story

2011-12-07T06:59:00.003-06:00

About a month ago, I asked about your favorite love story. As always, I loved hearing your answers!

The next week, the A.V. Club had a follow-up question: what is your favorite falling out of love story? For most people, this question would be more difficult than the love story one. It's easy to think of the stories that make us happy and filled with love, right? Apparently, not for me, because I thought of my answer[s] to this question right away. And here they are:

What is your favorite falling out of love story?

of any medium: books, movies, music, etc.

I'm venturing into the world of music for this one, and I have two offerings: one is notable for its lyrics, and the other for its musicality.

Lyrical Winner: You Could Be Happy by Snow Patrol

Yowch. I have a hard time listening to this song, especially if I'm already in an emotional mood. It's not because I've been through a scenario like this, but gosh can I imagine how it must be for someone who has. There is so much lyrical gold in this. The singer wants to see his ex-girlfriend live her life to the fullest, even if it's going to be without him.

My favorite lines:

Somehow everything I own smells of you
And for the tiniest moment it's all not true

Like the moment when you wake up, and there is a split second of peace, of being light-weight, before it all comes upon you like a thunderclap.

However, the lead singer for Snow Patrol can't capture the ache from the next song...

Musical winner: About Today by The National

I love this song to pieces. I can relate to it more than the last song, as it reminds me too much of arguments I've had with Jordan, especially these lines:

Hey, are you awake
Yeah I'm right here
Well can I ask you about today

Without adding another singer, or even really changing anything at all, the song manages to convey the mental image of a couple, lying together in bed, awake, but turned away from each other. Eventually, one of them reaches out, willing to ask the other about what happened. And that's why I can't whole-heartedly nominate it for my favorite "falling out of love" story, as there's a glimmer of hope at the end: they're going to talk it out, and it's going to be okay. It makes me like the song even more, but it doesn't make for a good "falling out of love".

The runner-up for this question: Sometime Around Midnight by Airborne Toxic Event

Share your favorite falling out of love stories in the comments below!

Scotch, but not like the tape

2011-12-05T06:39:00.000-06:00

I've been thinking a lot about traditions this Christmas.
This is the 4th married Christmas for Jordan and I, so our traditions are starting to be cemented.
And I love that.

My father-in-law's birthday is on the 5th, so for the past two years, we've gone to my in-laws to celebrate, and then everyone goes together to get Christmas trees.
We walk to a lot near my in-law's house and run like bandits, with our trees, back to their house.
There are always lots of giggles.

I love watching our family grow through this tradition: babies being born, new brother-in-laws joining the family, and my little brother-in-laws becoming young men.
It just warms the heart, it does.

Photographic evidence:

(last year)

(this year)

This year, we got a Scotch pine.

I'm making Jordan announce our tree-type in a proper Scottish accent.

Every.single.time.

It needs a Scottish name with it: Sir Gregory MacFarland.

Or something.

What are your holiday traditions?

I love hearing about them, I really do.

Expect more posts about traditions to come!

Hark, hear the bells

2011-12-02T06:34:00.001-06:00

I've been keeping a secret this year.
I've thought about suggesting it to people, but I'm worried about what they'll say.
You want to know? Here goes...

I want to go caroling this year.

[there's more]

dressed like this:

Dorky, right?

But I think there's something so cute and nostalgic about caroling.
Walking through the snow, spreading Christmas cheer.
Rosy cheeks and songbooks and singing slightly off-key.

When I've mentioned it to people, they think it's silly or awkward to knock on random people's doors and sing at them.
But if carolers came to my house, I would welcome them with open arms!

Would you ever go caroling?
Would you join me if I did?

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have some Rudolph to watch and a bowl of peppermint ice cream to enjoy.

photo credit

apropos of nothing

2011-11-30T07:30:00.003-06:00

making homemade spiced chai.

i've never used whole nutmeg before.

i like all of the wiggles and swirls.

it kind of looks like a brain.

Sister, sister

2011-11-28T07:51:00.000-06:00

I normally don't post 'fashion-y' things, but I was reading Vogue: Best Dressed recently, and they had an article about sisters. I was struck by some of the photography...

Dakota and Elle Fanning

Charlotte Gainsbourgh and Lou Doillon

Rooney and Kate Mara

Andrea, Carolyn and me

"Sisters don't need words. They have perfected a language of snarls and smiles and frowns and winks - expressions of shocked surprise and incredulity and disbelief. Sniffs and snorts and gasps and sighs - that can undermine any tale you're telling."

~Pam Brown

Oh yeah, that's definitely us.

I hope you had a lovely Thanksgiving filled with lovely people.

photo credits: 1 - 2- 3

The Book Club Bloggers: Review for Novemeber

2011-11-25T07:09:00.000-06:00

"The Blue Castle" by L.M. Montgomery

I am so sorry. I hate that I have to start the post off this way. But... I didn't read the book for this month. I looked for it at my library, to no avail. I looked at Barnes and Noble, to no avail. I ordered the book on Amazon, but it hasn't arrived yet.

*sigh* I feel terrible about this. I hate not being prepared, and not being a good leader. It's kind of nice that we're taking a break next month... I think I need it. BUT, I have something super-special in mind for next year. I can't wait to tell you all what it is!

Anyway, I'm still going to post a Linky, for those who wrote reviews. I will post my review as soon as I read the book!

Thanks for understanding.

You say po-tay-toe, I say po-tah-toe

2011-11-23T06:18:00.001-06:00

So, Elizabeth from E Tells Tales recently posted an "accent vlog".

(Okay - I need to get this out of the way - doesn't she have the cutest little Southern accent? And how does she style pigtails so well? I always look like I'm trying to be a cowgirl when I do that.)

I've never thought I had an accent. However, Rachael has mentioned to me - on more than one occasion! - that I have a Midwest accent, which got me all curious. The "accent vlog" seemed like a perfect vehicle to test this theory.

Plus, I'm a sucker for these things. I love hearing other bloggers talk - it really makes you feel closer to them. I think accents and linguistics are fascinating too, so please, play along! I promise I'll enjoy your video, no matter how awkward you think it is.

A few notes before I begin:
- this was done in one take, first try.
- I use the word "odd" twice in four minutes, which I don't think I normally do, but maybe?
- I don't know why I introduce myself and my blog at the beginning. AWKWARD.

For those who are playing along at home, here are the words & questions:

aunt, route, wash, oil, theater, iron, salmon, caramel, fire, water, sure, data, ruin, crayon, toilet, New

Orleans, pecan, both, again, probably, spitting image, Alabama, lawyer, coupon, mayonnaise, syrup,

pajamas, caught

What is it called when you throw toilet paper on someone's house?

What is the bug that when you touch it, it rolls into a ball?

What is the bubbly carbonated drink called?

What do you call gym shoes?

What do you say to address a large group of people?

What do you call a spider that has an oval shaped body with extremely long legs?

What do you call your grandparents?

What do you call the wheeled contraption you carry groceries in at the supermarket?

What do you call it when it rains while the sun is shining?

What is the thing you change to TV channel with?

Fancy Pants: 1 of 4

2011-11-21T07:30:00.000-06:00

I have a goal.

Including the past weekend and Christmas, there are 6 weekends. I want to dress up for at least four of them. I have so many fun outfits, and pretty clothes, that I never think to pull out. My work clothes are designed for comfort, and I end up pulling on jeans on the weekends. It's time to refresh my wardrobe, and get my classy on!

This past weekend, Jordan and I went to see our friend, Adam, accompany a barbershop quartet performance. A lot of my outfits for the next 6 weeks are going to be thanks to Adam - as a professional pianist, he has several holiday performances. It was a fun time, made even more fun by the fact it was free!

Four Guyz in Dinner Jackets

Adam, doing his thing.

Fancy drinks at the fancy Pfister after the show.

and my outfit!

Sweater: hand-me-down

Skirt: Forever 21

Tights: JC Penny

Heels: Target

Necklace: thrifted

Nails: can't really see them, but yellow!

The worth of words

2011-11-10T07:48:00.000-06:00

A few weeks ago, I finished "A Day No Pigs Would Die" by Robert Newton Peck. It's a short, young adult novel, which was was lent to me by a friend. I skimmed the cover and back - "life-changing", it informed me - and began reading with gusto.

While I wouldn't say it was life-changing, I'd definitely agree that it was a worthwhile book. It was really hard, somewhat gut-wrenching, but beautiful at the same time. Weighty and sad, but satisfying - do you know the feeling? After messaging my friend - "really hard, but really good" - I decided to do a bit of research about the book. (I'm a nut about that. Immediately after watching a movie, I'm on IMDB, looking up facts and trivia. Jordan thinks it's ridiculous.)

I was shocked to find out that this book made the American Library Association's list for "most-challenged books" - it was 16th for the 1990's!
Now, I can understand why it would be challenged - the book takes place on a farm in the mid-1920's. Peck describes the mating and slaughtering of pigs in fairly graphic detail. There was a point or two when I raised my eyebrows.

BUT - and notice that's a big but - I can't believe that these details, which were relatively minor as far as the story goes, were enough to make people think that this story should never be read again. To discredit the power of the story, over a few paragraphs about pigs? Like I said, it shocked me - and made me think about the danger of censorship.

I think there are levels of censorship that can be applied to literature:

Some attempted censorship is completely bogus to me. Two of the books we've read for The Book Club Bloggers - The Giver and Cat's Cradle - appear on the "most challenged list". Completely bogus. The issues written about in "The Giver", which have been called inappropriate, are written in an manner that's accessible for the book's young adult audience. And my gosh, "Cat's Cradle" is an adult novel, written and targeted towards an audience that can think for themselves and make independent decisions about the what they read.

I believe other books should have limited censorship for children. I would put "A Day No Pigs Would Die" and "The Hunger Games" in this category. These are books targeted for the young adult audience, but they should be read with guidance, either from parents or teachers. Literature can - and should - broaden a child's horizons, and make them see the world in a different way. However, they shouldn't just be thrown into these literary worlds; they need someone to explain it to them as they go. Kids need coaxing and supervision in reading books like these, so they can come to an adult with questions, instead of wallowing in confusion or discomfort. I would say many of the young adult books on the "most challenged" list would fall into this category - to be read within a safe environment.

Then, they are other books I believe should be censored, but only for children. I would put "Push" into that category. I've only read a few pages of it, but it was horribly graphic. I was deeply disturbed by it, as an adult, married woman. I couldn't imagine if I would have read it as a teenager; all I know is that it would have been scarring. I bring this book up specifically because I've heard of it being used in a high school English classroom. The defense of it was that it could "help someone who had gone through the same things". I disagree - it could be traumatic for a child who had gone through similar experiences, to relive all of that pain, and for a child who hasn't, it could be terrible. There are a few other books that appear on the most challenged list, because their content is too adult for their target audience. This is the only time I can agree with censoring a book.

What are your thoughts?
Have you read any books in the "most challenged" list?
What do you think about literary censorship - for children, or for adults?

A bit of beauty

2011-11-09T08:29:00.001-06:00

Murmuration from Sophie Windsor Clive on Vimeo.

This is one of the most stunning, beautiful videos I've ever seen.

A few seconds into watching, I called Jordan over, because I could tell it was going to be something amazing.

The beauty of God's work, the splendor of His creativity.

The starlings imitate shapes; they make lines and curves and swirls.

Do they recognize the beauty of their passage too?

Or is this just another sign that art comes from nature; that God connects the pieces of our world to make one gorgeous collage?

All credit for the video goes to Sophie Clive; I commend her on a steady hand, in a canoe, no less.

finish the sentence

2011-11-07T06:25:00.000-06:00

One of my favorite things about the weekend is...

parfait and peppermint mocha from Alterra

... going out for breakfast.

I'd go every Saturday if I could.

finish your own sentence in the comments below!

Q&A: Favorite love story

2011-11-04T08:28:00.000-05:00

All right, y'all, it's time for another Q&A, this one courtesy of The A.V. Club. We've gone through books, movies, and death, so now it's time for something a little more chipper: love!

What is your favorite love story?

from any medium: books, movies, songs, etc.

Christine and Raoul.

Jane and Bingley.
Elinor and Edward.

Meg and John Brooke.

I thought long and hard about this one, but I couldn't come up with the perfect couple. There were all the obvious choices, but they were too Hollywood. Drama, break-ups, I-hate-you-but-I-love-you. And that just isn't love to me.

Love is about the little choices, the consistency. Love is making the serious decisions. It's boring nights at home, doing the dishes, fighting over the shower, dealing with hair in the bathroom. It isn't driven by emotions; it isn't feeding off of the highs and lows of breaking-up and making-up. Love is agreeing to disagree, being willing to discuss, and laughing it off later.

There's an illustration from "Little Women", with Meg and John Brooke, that sums this up. Meg is working hard to make dinner to impress her new husband. It fails, and while Meg is struggling with this, her husband comes home and tells her they have company for dinner - his boss. Meg ends up bursting into tears, because nothing is going right, but John comforts her, saying that they could have jelly on toast for all he cares.

And that is love. Small domestic dramas, not globe-trotting, hopping-on-the-plane-at-the-last-minute-to-proclaim-my-love, kind of love. It's why I would pick Raoul over the Phantom, Bingley over Darcy, every time. I pick faithfulness over passion. It's the love I believe it, and it's my favorite type of love.

(I almost picked the hobbits from "Lord of the Rings".

One of my favorite parts of the trilogy is in "The Fellowship of the Ring", when Merry and Pippin jump out in front of the orcs, so Frodo can escape.

Merry & Pippin don't even know where he's going; they don't have an inkling of what he's planning.

All they know is Frodo is their friend, and he needs a chance.

So they sacrifice themselves.

Now that isn't love you see everyday.)

Share your favorite love stories in the comments below!

The Book Club Bloggers: Books for November and December

2011-11-01T07:58:00.000-05:00

"It's almost November, huh? You just can't stop that month!"

(Ellie Kemper from The Office)

It's true though - how did November already get here? Wasn't it just August? Come on...

But a new month means a new book for The Book Club Bloggers! This month's selection was chosen by Lexi, from Vessel Unto Honour. And it's yet another book I haven't read, which is just one part of what makes the book club so much fun.

"The Blue Castle" by L.M. Montgomery

Review questions forthcoming.

If you'd like to join us this time around, don't forget that the link for the reviews goes up on November 25th.

Once again, happy reading!

___________________________________________________________________________________

No book for December.

Happy holidays!

Three Weddings, No Funerals*

2011-10-31T07:33:00.000-05:00

I was looking through my archives recently, and I realized that I didn't post anything from my [former] roommate's wedding in May... or my sister-in-law's in August... or Jordan's cousin's in September. Oops. So, I'm here to remedy that in one fell swoop! Prepare for the onslaught of wedded bliss.

Heather & Matthew

May 29th, 2011

(all photos taken by me)

Heather and Matthew have been good friends of ours for a few years now. Heather and I were roommates for two years while in college, and it takes a special person to be able to live together for that long!

Matthew and Heather started dating my sophomore year. Jordan and Matthew became quick friends, and Heather just happened to hang around a lot... after a few weeks of me thinking she was interested in my boyfriend, the two of them started dating, and the rest is history. (Funnily enough, she didn't even know Jordan's name; she was that focused on Matthew.)

Their wedding was such a joyous occasion. I was Heather's personal attendant, and Jordan was one of the groomsmen. Heather walked down the aisle to Coldplay's "Life in Technicolor", which makes her the coolest bride ever. They took their photos at an old barn, and they are painfully beautiful together. Most photogenic couple ever.

I made some fancy-dancy colleges to share some of the photos:

(click to enlarge)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Natalie & Anders

August 13, 2011

(photos taken by Karla O'Brien and Christine Holzman)

We're keeping it in the family for this one! Jordan's sister, Natalie, got married this August. Jordan was an usher, and I got to man (woman?) a photo booth station in the lobby, with my sister. Everyone loved the photo booth, and it was fun to watch everyone mug for the camera.

I almost got teary during the rehearsal, watching Natalie walk down the aisle. I've known her since she was 12; she's still a little girl in my mind. It just lurched my heart to see her making such a grownup decision. I prayed and maintained my composure - my niece was sleeping in my arms after all - and enjoyed seeing Natalie and Anders get hitched.

Here are some more of my favorite pictures of the day:

(Jordan and his brothers)

(Anders and his groomsmen)

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Kristen & Jerry

September 3rd, 2011

(all photos taken by me)

Jordan's family decided that this was the summer to get hitched! Over Labor Day weekend, we went to his cousin, Kristen's wedding in Illinois. Jordan and I were duty-free for this one, guests-only.

It was actually only the 2nd time I met Jerry. While that may sound odd, it was for a beautiful reason. You see, Kristen and Jerry are missionaries. They met in the States, and just started dating before they were scheduled to leave for Africa - Kristen to Kenya and Jerry to Mozambique. They continued to date - overseas, over countries - got engaged, and actually got married in Africa (on my birthday, no less)! They were sad that their families couldn't enjoy their wedding, so they had another one in the States after they got back.

We've gotten together with the two of them since their wedding, and you guys, they are perfect for each other. It's so easy to talk to them, and the joy they bring each other just pours out of them. You can see their love in the way they look at each other. It makes me smile, watching them act they newlyweds - they're in their thirties, yet acting like teenagers. It just makes you grin. And they brought everyone awesome wedding favors from Africa (like the necklace featured here)- bonus!

More pictures of the happy day:

(my seatmate, Jordan's little cousin Zack)

*this is me, badly referencing a movie I've never seen

The Book Club Bloggers: Review for October

2011-10-28T07:25:00.001-05:00

"The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

as chosen by Christianna

Initially, I wasn't impressed with this book. It was an easy read, and it trotted along at a good pace, but there wasn't much that stuck out about it. Three-fourths of the way in, I wasn't sure what I was even going to write about in my review. But then, right near the end, two phrases stuck out to me, and I knew they were what I was going to share:

"In the end, in the future, there will be Jews still. And there will be Israel, a Jewish state, where there will be a Jewish president and a Jewish senate. And in America, Jewish movie stars."

Hannah gives this quote, almost at the end of the book. It's such a simple idea - there will be Jewish government, and famous Jewish people - but how radical would that have been in the 1940's for a persecuted Jew? We will survive. And not only survive, but prevail. Surviving is one thing - limping along, scraping by from day to day - but prevailing is another. The quote reminded me how much the Jewish people have overcome, and risen from the tragedy of the Holocaust.

"... we can echo Winston Churchill who wrote: 'There is no doubt that this is probably the greatest and most horrible single crime ever committed in the whole history of the world."

This quote made me frustrated. I know Churchill couldn't foresee the future, but it reminded me of all the tragedies that have arisen since the Holocaust, the ones that are swept away. Darfur. Kosovo. Rwanda. Even Russia under Stalin's regime. The few we know about, or are willing to recognize. Who is going to tell their stories? Where are the young adult fiction books with the voices of genocide, in the 21st century? When will more light be brought to these places?

I'm not saying that books like "The Devil's Arithmetic" shouldn't be read. On the contrary, I think it is a very important book to read. By accessing novels written about the Holocaust, teachers and parents can make connections to conflicts and genocide happening in our world still today. It's only through education that change can be made.

What were your thoughts on this book?

Add 'em to the Linky List below!

That'll be the day

2011-10-26T08:22:00.000-05:00

This poster was hanging on a faculty's door in the Education building at my college.

When I feel like the world just doesn't get it,

and I'm can't stand one more word of political mumbo-jumbo,

I like to keep this in mind.

How different would the world be if education was the main priority?

What could we solve?

Where would we be?

If only...

I have absolutely nothing against the Air Force, or the military.

It's the sentiment behind the poster, not an attack.

Coffee Tour: Mad-town

2011-10-19T07:59:00.002-05:00

Third time's the charm, folks!

A few weekends ago, Jordan and I hit up yet another town for a coffee-tour extravaganza. Having already experienced our hometown, and Chicago, we took a quick jet to the west for this one and decided to discover everything java-related in our state's lovely capitol: Madison. It was an awesome adventure, and our best coffee-tasting yet.

Never been on a coffee tour with me?
Wondering how it works?
Basically, Jordan and I find different independent coffee shops in a city and taste-test them. A location that roasts their own coffee is preferable, but not required. We often get a shop's "signature" drink, or something interesting on the menu, but we go with whatever we feel like too. So, it's not a true taste test because we don't order the same thing at every location. But hey, it's fun! Also, if we order food, we don't take that into account.

Enough with the teasers, though, let's get on to the espresso!

First stop: Ground Zero, 744 Williamson St.

We actually went to this place on Friday night - hitting up four coffee shops in one day is hard. (That's a lot of caffeine!)
There was a lot to like about it. The walls were brightly colored, and it was decorated with old cameras, globes and knick-knacks. It was retro, without being kitschy. Everything was clean, bright and welcoming. It seemed to be a local favorite, with a wide mix of clientele - students, book clubs, older women.
I got the maple latte. It was okay, not as mapley as I would have liked.
If I was in the neighborhood, it would probably be a frequent stop for me. But overall, I liked it, but didn't love it.

Second stop: Indie Coffee, 1225 Regent St.

First thing about Indie Coffee: great service. They were friendly and personable, without being over-bearing. (I don't need my barista to pry into my life.) There was a woman behind the counter who seemed to be an owner or a manager, and you could tell she loved her job - she was just chatting away with everyone.
Second thing about Indie Coffee: music. As the name suggests, they're very supportive of the indie music scene. Concert posters covered the walls; the Decemberists were featured next to our table.
Third thing about Indie Coffee: location. They're really close to Randall Stadium, and it was a home-game Saturday for the Badgers. And not just any home-game Saturday, oh no. Jordan and I, who are clueless about college football, chose to visit on the day of the Wisconsin-Nebraska game. Needless to say, it was a mad house up and down the road, which detracted from the atmosphere of the coffeehouse, but it wasn't necessarily their fault.
I got a dark chocolate mocha. It was a solid, with a good mix of espresso and chocolate. Not fantastic, but it was served in a mug, which gives it bonus points.

Third stop: Barriques, 127 W. Washington Ave.

I liked Barriques. I really, really did. It reminded me of my favorite place in Milwaukee, Alterra. It's a little less personal, a little more "business", but still local. You can tell they support the community, and look to connect with other local businesses. The arrangement of the two-story coffeehouse was awesome - they used old car and bike parts to decorate the walls and stairs, which Jordan really got a kick out of. The place was packed, which is always a good sign. I guess the best way to describe it is that I felt like home. It's a place you can sit down and camp out for a day, and never be disturbed, or you can take out a whole table with your friends.
I got one of their signature drinks, the miel. It was a latte with honey and cinnamon. It was the best coffee of the day. The cinnamon made it a perfect fall drink. It also had an awesome amount of foam... mmm. I love foamy drinks.

Fourth stop: The Washington Hotel, 402 W. Lakeside St.

Our last stop, The Washington Hotel, isn't actually a hotel, well, anymore at least. The building is split between a coffee room and a yarn shop. It's tucked back in a quiet, residential neighborhood. The outside of the building is really unassuming, and honestly, I didn't think we were in for much as we stepped in.
Boy, was I wrong. The room was absolutely gorgeous, with huge windows facing Monona Bay, allowing for a great view of the water, and tons of sunlight to pour in. The space was open and uncluttered, with tables, chairs and couches scattered around the room. Everything was hushed. It felt sunny and sleepy, so quiet and peaceful. Wherever you were, it felt like your own cozy space. I immediately wanted to find a corner, curl up, and not leave for hours.
I got a decaf iced americano. It was okay, nothing special.
I would love to visit this place again, especially during a storm. It would be amazing to watch the rain lash against the windows and the waves rise up in the bay.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, there you have it!
Noticing something missing?
In the past, I've ranked each place I've visited. Well, Madison's coffee was so darn good, I couldn't settle on a definite 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th place for each visit. So I decided to rank each location per a category:

Best coffee - Barriques

Best atmosphere - The Washington Hotel

Best service - Indie Coffee

Best location - Barriques

Thank you Madison, for a wonderful, jittery time!

If you love coffee as much as I do, consider doing a coffee tour in your own town!

Just an old-fashioned, skull-duggery weekend

2011-10-17T07:45:00.002-05:00

Between archery target practice...

first time I've shot in years.

best shot of the day!

... and dressing up like a pirate...

a wench and her scurvy dog!

rock pirate!

yarrrrrgh, me hearties!

... I feel very in-touch with my barbarian side.

Something on my mind

2011-10-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

Is this true?

Does God give you more than you can handle, so you have no other choice but to rely on Him?

(Also, where does it say that God won't give you more than you can handle in the Bible?

I'd love if someone could point it out.)

I'm not posting this because I'm feeling overwhelmed; I'm not.

It's just a thought.

Q&A: Most surprising movie

2011-10-13T06:44:00.000-05:00

Recently, I asked a question about books. It was fun reading all the responses - thanks to all who played along! I've been wanting to do another Q&A for some time, but I haven't came across any good ones in The A.V. Club.

But you know what? I'm sick of waiting. I don't need someone else to do my thinking for me; I shall forge on my own! Here is the next question, thought up by yours truly:

What has been the most surprising movie you've seen this year?

Now, this question can be answered a few ways. You can choose to interpret "surprising" in any form. You can also answer with the most surprising movie you've ever seen, but that would be going above & beyond the call of duty!

Anyway, my answer is...

The Social Network

Jordan and I watched this movie last spring. I thought I was going to hate it. I was geared up to hate it. I hated the idea of a movie, based around Facebook of all things, being harolded as the "voice of our generation" or some garbage like that. I wanted to stand strong and continue my little personal boycott of this film. But the reviews were raving, and friends were recommending it, and oh-kay, finally we got it on video.

I was blown away. I fell for this movie, and I didn't even feel suckered. The writing was as snappy as everyone said it was. Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield were both phenomenal in their roles. At first, Jesse paled in comparison to Andrew, who says so much with facial expressions, but as the movie continued, Jesse's portrayal grew on me.

The final scene, where Jesse (as Mark Zuckerberg) continually refreshes his page, was the clincher for me. It summed up the movie beautifully - Mark was alone in the beginning, and he was alone in the end. He'll always be alone, even though he's surrounded by "friends". How many people in today's society does that describe? As much as it pains me to say it, maybe that does describe today's generation.

All in all, the movie isn't even really about Facebook. It could have been about computers, or Frisbees, or anything else that "made it big". It was about relationships. It was about the people you throw away to make it to the top, and how treacherous the climb can be.

So, for this year, "The Social Network" surprised me. I went in a hater, and came out a fan.

Babies for sale!

2011-10-11T08:29:00.000-05:00

My husband has been helping a friend build a "Roadside Culture Stand".
oooh, sound fancy!
It's basically a roadside produce stand attached to an electric tricycle.
He is very proud of it, and I'm proud of him.

On Saturday, we went with our friends to deliver the stand.
We took pictures of it with their one-year-old inside, hawking the wares.
And yes, she is probably the most adorable baby in the world.

Also, spending the day with this little munchkin raises a lot of questions.
Such as, when? and how long? and are we ready?
It's been... well... draining.

finish the sentence

2011-10-06T07:10:00.000-05:00

My favorite part of nature is...

... the clouds.

photo credit

finish your own sentence in the comments!

Hot bliggity blog!

2011-10-03T09:39:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday my friends! I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend, filled with all your favorite things, whatever that may entail.

Lookee here: Christianna awarded me some blogger award, way back when. It's about time I thank her and pass them on.

According to the "Blog on Fire Award", I need to share 7 Smoldering Secrets about myself. You know, because my life is crazy hot and unpredictable. You may want to get some aloe, because it's burning up in here!

1. While I like leftovers, I have a hard time eating the same thing two days in a row. I need to take a break, eat something else, then I can go back to the leftovers.

2. I'm pretty sure the first CD I owned was Amy Grant.

Though it may have been the soundtracks to "Mulan" or "Anastasia".

3. I broke my right arm when I was 6 or 7, when I convinced my friend to tie a rope around my waist and pull me down the sidewalk on my roller skates.

4. I couldn't do a cartwheel until I was in college.

5. I think I was always meant to be a teacher.

I would play "school" with my friends.

We'd be the teachers and sit our little siblings in desks in front of a whiteboard.

We'd have schedules of recess, specials and everything.

6. I am deeply terrified of deep space, the deep ocean and the dark.

7. I could live forever on ice cream and good bread.

(You know, if it wouldn't kill me.)

According to the "Liebster" award (did you know "Lieb" is the root word for love in German?), I need to give the award to five bloggers with less than 200 followers. Let's spread the love, like butter!

1. Claire from I think I just blogged myself

2. Jessica from Life as I know it

3. Katelyn from Peace Love and Leener

4. Ronnie from Pink Ronnie

5. Brandy from Brandy-son Zen master flash

Hope this gives a good start for your week!

The Book Club Bloggers: Books for October and November

2011-10-01T09:09:00.000-05:00

"The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

This month's selection made by Christianna, of The Girl With the Blue Bow.

Have you heard of this book?

I remember it being discussed and read when I was in middle and high school.

But somehow, it always passed me by.

I'm exciting to finally visit it now!

If you're interested in joining our literary adventures, here are some questions to spark your thinking:

1: In Jane Yolan's novel, she tells you a story through the eyes of made up characters, but everything else is extremely real. Does it make it easier to read the book because her characters are fictional, even when the story/stories are not?

2: 12 year old Hannah's attitude at Passover towards the Holocaust and her Jewish heritage is one of embarrassment. What does that have to do with the rest of the book? Was it just typical tween rebellion? Or was it an over-comfortably with the subject matter?

3: When Hannah is transported back in time to a 1940's Polish village, she suddenly realizes what is about to take place. She has a full knowledge of the details of the Nazi's killing 6 million Jews. Would it be easier or harder to have a full knowledge about what was about to take place during the Holocaust, surrounded by people who have no clue?

4: In the beginning, Hannah attempts to tell everyone with her in the concentration camp, what is about to take place. At what point does her approach to having her knowledge change?

Reviews will go up on October 28th.

Happy reading!

___________________________________________________________________________________

The book for November, as chosen by Lexi, is:

"The Blue Castle" by L.M. Montgomery

The Book Club Bloggers: Review for September

2011-09-30T13:24:00.001-05:00

Howdy y'all! How have you been?
Enjoying fall? Enjoying fashion? Enjoying this month's book?
I hope so!

"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac

as chosen by Andrea, of the lighthouse keeper

Okay, I need to get something out of the way. Modern-day hipsters are merely a reincarnation of yesteryear's "beat crowd". I could not stop thinking about that as I read this book.

Good, now that that's done, I can move onto my real review.

In so many ways, "On the Road" reminded me of a Sophia Coppola movie (which makes sense, since I know she's a favorite director of Andrea, who chose the book), specifically "Lost In Translation" and "Somewhere": beautiful to look at, interesting characters, but a plot that goes in circles without saying anything.

On one hand, I don't "get" the book. There isn't enough drive, isn't enough substance for me to hold onto. I can't decide if it's a) the type of book book that people think they "get" - a book that teenagers find their meaning and purpose in, only to discard as fluff in their adult years or b) just that I don't get it. I'm not even sure if Kerouac even knows. Sometimes there would be a passage that would make me think, "wow, he's really going to leave, and grow up, and find some purpose", but then a paragraph later, he's off and running. Some people might argue that this is point of the book - that no one really knows, there isn't suppose to be a definite conclusion - and while I understand that, I don't like it. I like my endings to end, mmkay?

On the other hand, there is a certain sense of completeness in the book, specifically with the characters. Each represents a certain aspect of life. The characters need each other, especially Dean and Sal. They remind me of Finny and Gene, from A Separate Peace - characters who are halves of one whole. When I first read this book, years ago, I couldn't find anything redeeming about it. The second time around, I could see how the characters wove in and out, creating a narrative, though maybe not a story.

Basically, I chalk "On the Road" up to a big "you had to be there" story. I wasn't born in the "beat" era, so I'll never completely understand Kerouac's book, and how it influenced American writing. I can only see the aftermath of it, in the books and movies we have now. (Kind of like Jackson Pollack's paintings - another thing I don't understand, and never will.)

As a side note: as I was researching more on Kerouac, I found a book called "Off the Road", written by Carolyn Cassady, the inspiration for the character of Camille. I wonder if her book would help flesh out more of who Kerouac was, and help explain the book.

Questions? Comments? Snide remarks?

(This is how my youth pastor would finish every Bible study.)

Leave them all in a review on the Linky list below!

New to the book club? Check out past reviews!
Interested in joining us next month? Stay tuned - books for October and November come out tomorrow!

Day 7: "The Sexy Librarian"

2011-09-30T06:51:00.001-05:00

Last day of fashion week?

Say it ain't so!

I feel like we just got started.

Fashion week is so special.

Every year, the blogger community comes together, purely for encouragement.

I love how positive everyone is, how complimentary.

Let's not lose that throughout the year, okay?

My last outfit for fall 2011 (sob, sob): The Sexy Librarian

Shirt: Goodwill

Skirt: hand-me-down

Heels: Target

[fake] glasses: eyebuydirect.com

Pictures taken in the Milwaukee Public Library.

Another thing I love about fashion week: confidence.

Last year, I never would have dreamed of pairing these two items together.

But seeing everyone's creativity has really sparked some of my own.

And I love it!

I love how the bright red contrasts with the grey and black of the skirt.

The skirt is so much fun too; I like to wear it dancing because it's twiiiiirlyyyyy.

(Though I have to wear shorts underneath because I'm a lady.)

Thanks for participating!

It was amazing to meet every single one of you.

Thank you for all the compliments and well-wishes you've left on my blog.

You've made one girl feel very special.

Can't wait to see you the next time around!

Once again, I'm linking up with Emery.

A special thanks to her for hosting another fantastic week!

Day 6: "Work It"

2011-09-29T06:56:00.000-05:00

So, I feel a little dishonest.

I love fashion week.

I love creating new outfits.

It's given me the confidence to dress more daringly.

Except, most of the time, my outfits aren't all that special.

My work outfits are pretty standard.

As much as I'd just like to show you my pretties, in the interest of honesty, I'm going to share a work outfit.

Here goes! Here is how I "Work It".

Shirt: hand-me-down

Pants: Goodwill

Shoes: Converse

Pictures were taken at Pier Wisconsin.

It was a little windy; can you tell?

Linking up with Emery Jo.

Day 5: "Book Nerd"

2011-09-28T07:05:00.000-05:00

You've seen us before.

Lurking in Barnes and Noble.

Bags stuffed to the brim.

Admitting weird stuff.

Like how much we love the smell of books.

Or that Hermione Granger is our role model.

Do you know who we are?

Book Nerds.

T-shirt: Threadless
[fake] glasses: eyebuydirect.com

yep, I own a pair of fake glasses.
I don't really know what that says about me.

Looking for things more fashionable than a t-shirt? (Don't blame you.)
Check out Emery's blog for more fall fashion participants!

Day 4: "The Artist"

2011-09-27T06:32:00.000-05:00

Dress: Plato's Closet, originally from Delia's

Sweater: hand-me-down

Tights: JC Penney

Boots: Merrell, from REI

Headband: a gift

Necklace: a gift (it's from Kenya!)

This dress is another fall favorite.

It's so bright and cheery - I love the mix of deep blue and pinks and reds.

(But alas, it doesn't have pockets.)

Also, this location was my favorite shoot of the day.

There's graffiti underneath the bridge in Lake Park.

I ~~scrambled my way~~ bravely climbed up to get pictures here.

Oh, the things I do for fashion! *cue dramatic sigh*

Check out Emery's blog for more fall fashionistas!

Day 3: "Little Black Dress"

2011-09-26T06:31:00.001-05:00

Once again, it's been so much fun seeing everyone's fall fashions!

It's been great meeting all the participants.

Speaking of meeting people, now would be a good time to introduce my photographer.

My littlest sister spent a Saturday with me, shooting my pictures and patiently waiting for me to do a quick-change in the back of the car.

She did my photos last year too, and we've been smiling at how much we've both grown: as a model and a photographer.

Okay now, onto the clothes!

"Little Black Dress - Two Ways!"

Dress: Goodwill

Tights: Target

Boots: Merrell, from REI

Scarf: taken from my former workplace lost & found

Once again, a dress with pockets.

But come on, who doesn't love a dress with pockets?

Also, these boots will be making another appearance because I love them.

I featured this dress as one of my "What I Wore Wednesdays" in April.

So now you get the same dress, two different looks!

Sweatshirt and dress: Goodwill

Tights: Kohls

Boots: Merrell, from REI

Necklace: Etsy, from Katelyn

Check out Emery's blog for more fall fashion!

Day 2: "The Tomboy"

2011-09-25T08:43:00.000-05:00

Ain't nothing finer than a well-worn-in pair of jeans.

Am I right, ladies?

"The Tomboy"

T-shirt: hand-me-down

Sweatshirt: Plato's Closet

Jeans: hand-me-down

Shoes: TOMS

Pictures taken in Milwaukee Lake Park.

Linking up, like it's going outta style!

Day 1: "Back To School"

2011-09-24T06:38:00.001-05:00

"It's the moooost wonderful tiiiime of the year..."

ah, yes indeed, the most wonderful time: Fashion Week.

A time for bloggers to get together to share styles and dish out compliments galore!

Now kids, this ain't my first rodeo.

So if you've been here before, welcome back!

If you've never joined in, nice to meet you.

Quickly, a few disclaimers:

- I didn't wear all these outfits in one week; it's more of a collection of my general fall wardrobe.

- I don't wear (most) of these outfits to work.

- All pictures were taken by my lovely little sister.

- Use of this product may cause side effects; please consult a doctor before starting.

Let's get this show on the road!

"Back to School"
inspired by Elsie

Shirt: Old Navy

Jumper: thrifted

Tights: JC Penney

Boots: Charlotte Russe

Scarf: hand-me-down

I think the jumper might just be my new favorite fall item.

It's knit, so it's cozy, and it's the perfect color!

It's also a little on the short side, so I also like to pair it with jeans.

Pictures taken at the Milwaukee Public Library, and an apple orchard, respectively.

As always, I am linking up on Emery's blog!

aw look, it's me as a baby!

2011-09-22T07:03:00.000-05:00

I was a worrywart.

I could play with my stuffed animals for hours.

I taught myself to read when I was three.

For a full year, my absolute favorite movies were the Stars Wars trilogy.

I wrote to "3-2-1 Contact!", asking to be on their show.

I would stay in the swimming pool all day long if I could.

My hair was wild and curly,

I let my mom choose my clothing until I was 12,

and I'd tip over the logs on our driveway to watch the slugs.

What were you like as a kid?

inspired by molly yeh!

How do you like them apples?

2011-09-21T06:13:00.001-05:00

apple picking. one of my favorite times of the year.

Jordan and I picked 40 pounds of apples.

Oh, what are we to do...

LOOK AT IT*

2011-09-19T08:51:00.000-05:00

Do you know what this is?

This, my friends, is a thing of beauty. A joy to behold. A relic. A masterpiece.

It is...

A POLAROID CAMERA!

I found it at Goodwill for four dollars. (Four dollars!)

It's perfectly functional and in great shape; I can't believe someone gave it away.

I can't wait to get film for it.

It's going to be a blast playing with it and figuring out its quirks.

There's just something about receiving an instant picture.

It's immediate gratification, yes. Nostalgia, yes.

But also,

a little bit of a magic.

*I can't say that phrase without thinking of this clip.

finish the sentence

2011-09-13T07:18:00.000-05:00

My morning isn't complete without...

something warm to drink.

(preferably caffeinated)

photo credit

finish your own sentence in the comments below!

I'm in!

2011-09-08T13:33:00.000-05:00

Now who's with me???

Pumpkin Bars: A Recipe

2011-09-08T06:59:00.001-05:00

Let's talk food.
Let's talk autumn food - pumpkins, apples and spices.
Let's talk pumpkin bars.

Literally, I wait all year to make these pumpkin bars.
(But they're worth waiting for.)
They just encapsulate everything fall is to me.
I buy pumpkins and make my own puree - just for these bars.
(I'd use my own applesauce too, but it never lasts, because that stuff is good.)

I love how versatile these bars are.
Dial back the sugar, throw some walnuts in, and you've got a breakfast bar.
Add chocolate chips and maple syrup, and they're dessert.
It's autumn magic!

Just make these bars, okay?

photo credit: mrs. boo radley

Pumpkin Bars

adapted from a recipe from mrs. boo radley, of just like camping

1 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

pumpkin pie spices (ginger, cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon)

pinch salt

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

1 cup applesauce

1 cup pumpkin puree (if buying canned, make sure it isn't already sweetened)

1/2 cup honey, maple syrup, or other sugar

1 cup chocolate chips, walnuts, crasins, etc.

Mix wet and dry ingredients together in a medium bowl, adding in chocolate chips/walnuts last. Pour into an 8 x 8 baking dish. Bake for 30 minutes at 375 degrees. Let cool, cut and serve.

Bars are the best directly out of the fridge - they're all dense and gooey.

ps. while you're making these, do yourself a favor and listen to this song. It's the best late-summer song I've ever heard - I love the guitar and crickets in the beginning.

Weekend Expose

2011-09-07T10:02:00.001-05:00

because that sounds fancier than "my weekend in pictures, y'all".

in chicago, for the chicago jazz festival.

one of my favorite pictures ever.

i'm definitely bringing my brother to the 34th - it was a great event.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

riding the pedal tavern for a friend's birthday.

it is a lot more work than it looks!

it was a ton of fun...

but alas, i'm too short to reach the pedals!

finish the sentence

2011-09-06T07:19:00.000-05:00

My name is Charlotte, and I...

... love to dance.

that's me in the purple.

finish your own sentence in the comments below!

The Book Club Bloggers: Books for September and October

2011-09-01T05:48:00.001-05:00

(sorry about the silence on the blog... school starts today and there's just been so much to do and prepare! I'll be back to normal blogging next week.)

"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac

This month's selection was picked by Andrea of the lighthouse keeper.

Now I don't know about you, but I read this book in high school (not as required reading, I just happened to be in high school when I read it), but I remember exactly nothing about it.

I find that happening to myself more & more lately, and I don't know if it's because I read so many books, or my memory is just getting shot. (I hope it's the former.)

Here are some questions to spark your interest and (maybe) jog your memory:

1. Do you find the behavior of Dean Moriarty and Sal Paradise wild and exciting or totally inappropriate? What do you think Kerouac thinks of their behavior?

2. Why do you think Sal never mentions Terry's (his girlfriend) last name? What does this say about her character and their relationship? About Sal's view of women?

3. Is Dean a hero, failure or both?

Anyway, I hope you join us for this month's read!

Tell yo' friends - let's get this book club jumping!

Reviews for this book will go up on September 30th.

___________________________________________________________________________________

The pick for October, as chosen by Christianna of The Girl With the Blue Bow, is:

"The Devil's Arithmetic" by Jane Yolen

The Book Club Bloggers: Review for August

2011-08-26T07:47:00.001-05:00

Welcome one and all! I hope everyone enjoyed my pick for August: "The Big Over Easy".

As I said before, this book is a bit of a lighter read, but still filled with intrigue. I read the book for the first time about three years ago. I was surprised at how much I forgot with this second reading! Normally, I'm pretty good with details, but it was almost like reading it for the first time, all over again... which wasn't necessarily unenjoyable either.

I actually used some of my own questions as a guide when I read this time! Here are my thoughts on the subject:

1. What other nursery rhymes/children's books would you like to see Fforde tackle?

I was disappointed that Fforde "wasted" the character of Rapunzel for such a minor role; I would have loved to see him tackle that story! It's always been one of the weirdest fairy tales to me. It would have lent itself perfectly to the NCD too: kidnapping, imprisonment, threats, coercion - all perfect elements of a crime! Alas, I didn't think Fforde thought the NCD series would take off like it did...
Fforde uses Goldilocks and the Three Bears in his next book, "The Fourth Bear", and he has a rough draft of another NCD story using the Tortoise and the Hare fable, which could make for an amusing satire of race fixing and sports betting.

2. Of all the nursery rhyme characters Fforde reinvents, which was your favorite? Why?

I had to think long and hard about this one. I know immediately what re-invented character is my least favorite: Mary Mary. She hardly comes off as contrary to me. And she lives in a houseboat - why not a garden? (Though, if memory serves me correctly, her garden is mentioned in "The Fourth Bear".) Fforde could have done so much more with her! She could have shown a random, quirky knowledge of plants throughout the book, and said one thing, but meant another (being "contrary")... her character was a bit of a waste.
Prometheus and Ashley are two of my favorite characters, but they're not exactly re-invented. I'd have to say my favorite re-invented character was Gretel. I loved how her job involved her searching through a "forest" of documents, looking for a "trail" that will lead her out, to the criminal's end. Now that's a bit of clever writing.

4. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast in each role? Could it be live-action, a cartoon, or a mix of both?

This is another question I thought long and hard about! I really tried to envision different characters while I read.

Jack Spratt wasn't too hard to envision: John Cusack.

He's about the right age, and has that perfect haggard, downtrodden look that Jack is described as having.

But he can also be a man of action, like when Jack's saving the day at the end!

Jack's wife Madeline was my easiest pick: Melissa McCarthy.

She's sassy, fun and no-nonsense, just like Madeline.

Mary Mary was more of a difficult choice...

Anna Kendrick matches Mary's get-ahead personality, especially from her performance in "Up in the Air".

She's lovely, and a great actress.

However...

I always imagined Mary Mary as blonde, so Amanda Seyfried would be another good choice.
I think she matches better with John Cusack too.

Friedland Chymes... now there I'm stumped.
He needs to be older, but still dashingly handsome.
But the actor needs to be able to play him a bit tongue in cheek.
Someone you wouldn't generally think of.

Pierce Brosnan maybe?
I'm not set on him though.
Thoughts?

Also, with CGI being what it is, I think this movie could easily be made with a mix of live-action and computerized characters. They did it for Lord of the Rings!

What do you think?
Share your thoughts about "The Big Over Easy" in the Linky List below!

snippets

2011-08-23T11:35:00.000-05:00

of things I want to share, but can't seem to write a whole blog post about.

Can there be anything cuter than a short bus full of huskies?!

***

I am jonesing for a bicycle with a basket,

and the type of lifestyle to go along with it.

***

Somehow, I forgot to blog about meeting Rachael when I visited California.

Not that it wasn't amazing - it was! - but more that it was normal.

It felt like friends hanging out, shopping and eating and talking talking talking.

(and taking ridiculous pictures, like the one above.

there is a foot of height difference between us!)

The interwebs ain't got nothing on our friendship!

I was blessed by my time with Rachael and katie, and I can't wait to see them again.

The girls blogged about it here and here.

***

Sometimes, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Even if it's hard.

Remember that it's right thing to do.

That's been my mantra this morning.

(well that, and "rain rain rain rain raaaaaaain, I love rain!")

***

Dates with Jordan at Barnes and Noble.

It's been too long.

The gift that keeps on giving

2011-08-19T13:05:00.001-05:00

I love giving gifts. In fact, you could probably say it is one of my love languages. Jordan doesn't really understand it, and I can't really explain it.

(Which makes sense, since Jordan's love language is acts of service. Which is also my dad's. It's the type of love I've always grown up with: "let me do that for you. Let me fix that for you. I'll take care of you because I love you." I could probably use both hands to count the number of times I can remember my dad saying "I love you", but I have always, always known it.)

Little gifts picked up on a whim. Big gifts at a birthday. Bachelorette parties. (I've gone to a lot of bachelorette parties this summer, which means I get to buy a lot of lingerie! I love picking out lingerie.) I love them all. Heck, I'm already getting excited about finding presents for Christmas! There is something about picking out a gift - something you know the other person is going to love. To me, it's like saying, "I put a lot of thought into this. I thought about you - your wants, your needs, your preferences - and wrapped it all up into this gift. I think I know you well, so I hope you like it. I hope it makes you happy, because you make me happy."

Maybe I should write all that on a card? Maybe that will convey the meaning better.

image source

Receiving gifts is also fun, though not as important to me as giving. The types of gifts I like the most are the little ones, especially ones Jordan buys for me. Buying me a coffee drink in the morning. Finding a 99 cent hat he thought I'd like. Upgrading my phone. These are the type of things I love.

So tell me, are you a gift-giver too?
What is your love language?

New Baby Pictures!

2011-08-16T08:59:00.000-05:00

Seth and I finally got together to add new pictures to our website!

It was long overdue - I took these pictures in June.

But better late than never!

Enjoy your daily dose of baby cuteness.

For more cuteness, check out our website: C/S Photography

Weekend in pictures

2011-08-15T07:32:00.000-05:00

1. played with my niece

2. made delicious food: lavender-walnut scones.

3. ate delicious food: Leon's Custard (Milwaukee-style, dontcha know)

4 & 6. did fun things with my hair: braided fabric into my braid, like the cool kids do. I didn't realize how long my piece of fabric was, so I had to tuck it up at the end, but I think I did alright.

5. did fun things with my hair: straightened it as a hairstyle for a wedding (more on the wedding to come). I haven't done that for about 5 years. It's looooong.

7-9. went to the nation's oldest bowling alley, which I didn't even know existed. Milwaukee's freaking awesome.

These summer weekends have been so wonderful. I hope the magic only continues into the fall.

What was special about your weekend?

Watch me get all artsy-fartsy on you

2011-08-12T07:23:00.000-05:00

"The Dog" by Francisco Goya

I can't decide, if the dog is hopeful or hopeless.

I initially thought that he was hopeful - he looks so much like Kendel, when he looks up at us with his big eyes! - even though he's all alone. I like to imagine him in a field, looking up at the sky. The picture, though dark, isn't foreboding; the sky is golden, maybe there are trees or flowers on the sides, just out of our view.

But then, I read other opinions on the painting - "he's sinking in quicksand, looking up for the help that will never come" - and ugh, it just ruined it for me.

But everyone else seemed to think that way.

So what do I see that they don't?

Am I just such an unwavering optimist?

What do you see in this picture?

(Apart from the picture's contents, I'd also just like to mention how much I love the spacing Goya did with this. There's so much empty space, but it doesn't detract from the picture, only adds. Another example by Goya is "Witches' Sabbath" - look at how they changed the focus of the picture when they cut off the left and right sides.)

Handwriting Game

2011-08-09T08:28:00.000-05:00

I was tagged by Rachael for a handwriting game. I love fun, silly games like this!

The questions were:

1. Name and blog title

2. Blog url

3. Write "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog."

4. Favorite quote

5. Favorite songs - right now and of all time

6. Favorite artist(s)

7. A phrase you say often

8. Tag new people to play

Here we go!

If you can't read any of my answers, just ask. :)

I tagged: Christianna of The Girl With a Blue Bow; Jessica of Life as I know it; and Andrea of the lighthouse keeper.

Be off and write!

Hair Inspiration

2011-08-08T10:12:00.001-05:00

I've wanted to dye my hair an interesting color for some time now.

I don't know if I could pull it off.

But it sure looks fun.

image sources: image 1; image 2; image 3; image 4

Sunday Evening

2011-08-07T20:57:00.000-05:00

Weather: A cool evening, due to afternoon rainshowers

Reading: Recipes for the week ahead

Doing: Making wedding and thank you cards

Eating/Drinking: Nutella, straight from the jar

Listening: For Emma, Forever Ago by Bon Iver

Buying: A pair of TOMS shoes

Enjoying: A good friend's good news and having myself a leisurely Sunday

Loving: Long, fulfilling discussions with Jordan about the future

inspired by Her Library Adventures

Differences between two and three

2011-08-05T07:00:00.000-05:00

On July 12th, Jordan and I celebrated 3 years of marriage. From questions from good friends, and the simple act of another year passing, I've been thinking a lot about the differences between two and three years of marriage. The past year certainly has brought about changes...

We fight less.
We talk more.
We're more willing to compromise.
During this past year, we've become a team, more than ever before.

There's a whole new level of comfort.
Marriage has always been natural for our relationship. It's always been comfortable, but there have been times in the past when that has been stifling. I've felt suffocated by the monotonicity of married life.
But now, instead of suffocating, there have been times when I've been reminded of how it used to be: like being with your best friend, all the time.

All of the changes from the past year have been positive. It hasn't always been that way, which makes the reality of now all the more sweet.

Time to chime in: married, engaged, long-term relationship, whatever.
What has changed in the past year of your relationship?

What I Wore Wednesday: Family Edition

2011-08-03T06:46:00.002-05:00

my sisters are so fashionable.

way more than i was at their age,

and way more than i'll ever be.

so i take a lot of ~~hand-me-downs~~ advice from them.

we got together on saturday and sunday this weekend.

of course i need to share the outfits!

Saturday:

my outfit:

shirt from target

skirt from forever 21

scarf and boots borrowed from my sister

(though i did buy a pair of the boots in brown; they're from charlotte russe.)

Sunday:

(we brought my brother into this one!)

my outfit:
dress from goodwill
leggings from kohls
shoes from dsw
earrings (hard to see) were a gift

linking up

This weekend, I...

2011-08-01T14:09:00.007-05:00

went on a coffee date

***

remembered first kisses

***

discovered new music:

Plan B

Bon Iver

(I technically didn't discover Bon Iver, just his new album)

The Naked and Famous

***

embarrassed my sister's 6'7'' boyfriend

***

helped throw a surprise bachelorette party!

***

(unfortunately) got mistaken for a high schooler

***

took self-portraits

***

What did YOU do this weekend?
(also, what was your first kiss like?)

The Book Club Bloggers: Books for August and September

2011-08-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

Welcome, welcome! I'm happy to announce August's selection for the Book Club Bloggers, as chosen by me!

"The Big Over Easy" by Jasper Fforde

Jasper Fforde has two book series - the Nursery Crime Division, and the Thursday Next series. Both series rely on the idea that characters from literature can interact with the real world, and we can interact with books. For example, in "The Eyre Affair", Thursday Next pops into "Jane Eyre", and changes the course of the book forever. "The Eyre Affair" is very clever, but does involve some knowledge of various works in literature to read it. Plus, Fforde bogs it down a bit with this mysterious future war plot, so I didn't read any of the other books.

On the other hand, "The Big Over Easy" is a book everyone can enjoy. It involves characters from nursery rhymes in the most hilarious way possible. I wanted to choose a book for August that was truly a summer read - light, but interesting. I hope everyone enjoys the book as much as I did!

Being of a lighter nature, the corresponding questions aren't too heavy:

1. What other nursery rhymes/children's books would you like to see Fforde tackle?

2. Of all the nursery rhyme characters Fforde reinvents, which was your favorite? Why?

3. Before Jack solves Humpty's murder, was there a moment where you thought you knew who the killer was? Whom did you initially think the culprit would be and why?

4. If this book was made into a movie, who would you cast in each role? Could it be live-action, a cartoon, or a mix of both?

If you enjoy this book, check out "The Fourth Bear", the next in the Nursery Crime Division!

Reviews will go up on August 26th.

Happy reading!

___________________________________________________________________________________

Here is the book for September, as chosen by Andrea, of the lighthouse keeper:

"On the Road" by Jack Kerouac

The Book Club Bloggers: Review for July

2011-07-29T09:37:00.000-05:00

Happy Friday, everyone! It's the last Friday of the month, so you know what that means... book reviews. Let's begin, shall we?

"Love in the Time of Cholera" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

as chosen by katie

As I mentioned when I introduced this book, this is the only BCB choice that I've previously read. I read it about a year and a half ago, under the encouragement of friends, and a curiosity about a book I heard of, but never read. I really tried to remove my first impressions when I read the book this time. I tried to come at it with an open mind, to look for something I had missed the first time around.

But, I generally came to the same conclusion: I don't like this book. However, instead of just leaving it at that, throwing the book on the ground with a "humph!", I thought long and hard about why I don't like this book. Eventually, I came to a conclusion...

In the character of Florentino, Marquez shows what he wishes was love - merely a thought or ideal, devoid of actions. And I cannot, I will not, believe that love isn't dependent on your actions. In fact, I would go so far as to say the complete opposite: love is shown, and only shown, by actions.

Florentino says he loves Fermina, but he lives a life completely opposite of that promise. He says he can separate his love for her from his actions, but that is Marquez's fantasy - that you could hold your love pure for someone, unaffected by what you do in your life. I am mostly referring to the numerous affairs Florentino had throughout his life, but even his lovesick actions at the beginning of the book aren't truly love. Florentino does things - drinking cologne, becoming deathly ill, stalking Fermina for months - that are more the marks of a psychopath than a lovesick person. Florentino - and therefore, Marquez - confuses love with passion or obsession. He is obsessed with Fermina, not in love with her. Florentino's actions, more than his words, display this obsession. He can claim that he does everything for her, everything in the name of love, but those are empty words when his actions, such as seducing a child, display something completely opposite. "Do what I say, not what I do," is an empty command, because "actions always speak louder than words".

It's for this reason that I believe Dr. Urbino and Fermina's love story is the one worth telling. It wasn't perfect, and I'm not even going to claim it was commendable, but it was love. It was a lifetime spent together, a lifetime of choices to care for the other person, to be together even when things almost didn't work out. As much as Marquez wants Florentino's actions to be held up as the ideal of love, he can't resist placing phrases that display Urbino and Fermina's steadfast love. For example, after Urbino's death, Fermina says, "... how much she had loved him despite all their doubts..."

Yes, in the end of the book, Marquez allows Fermina to fall back in love with Florentino, but it was this action that made me so mad the first time I read the book. By Fermina loving Florentino again, it throws away a whole lifetime she spent loving Urbino. Marquez wants to erase the time Fermina and Urbino spent together, with a few lines at the end of the book, but it contradicts everything earlier in the book that shows Fermina's loss at Urbino's death, and her emptiness without him.

Now, as one final point, you could argue that I must like this book, because I wouldn't care so much about the characters if Marquez didn't write good ones. In many cases, I agree that's true. However, my problems with the book are more so about Marquez's contradictory statements, and his dismissal of what I feel love should be. That's why I take a stand, not particularly because I enjoy Fermina, Florentino or Urbino.

What do you think? This book has long-standing popularity, so there must be things people find enduring about it.

Were you able to find these enduring things?

Whose love story did you think was the most true?

We're doing this this BlogHop style! Leave your link to the list below, and follow the BlogHop!

Pineapple aprons & pickle jars

2011-07-28T08:17:00.000-05:00

On Sunday, my friends and I spent the day pickling.

We made dilly beans, sweet & spicy pickles, and bread & butter zucchini pickles.

(I'm the most excited for the zucchini pickles.)

We made a special playlist.

We sang about canning.

We danced about pickles.

We included songs that simply have the word "can" in the title.

It was an awesome day.

Lots of hard work, but it was well worth it.

Plus, Tory made mojitos when we were finished.

Can-can, yes, we can do the can-can!

Space & Enough to go around

2011-07-26T07:19:00.001-05:00

Does it take as much faith to believe in science as religion?

I tried to talk about this with one of my friends recently, a physics major. He didn't want to continue the conversation past my initial question. Whether he was afraid of getting into an argument, or of what I might say, I don't know.

But I think the argument could be raised that it does. Religion and science are closer than most people would like to admit.
Both have unanswered questions.
Both have inner workings, unseen by the naked eye.
Both have avid followers.
Both have a creation story.
Both require historical documentation.
Both require dedication to understand.
Both require you to believe in something intangible.
And both are fascinating to me.

Science and religion both require faith, and I have enough to go around. Belief in one does not cause disbelief in the other. Maybe if more people could admit their similarities, they could also accept their differences.

___________________________________________________________________________________

This is a collaborative post with Andrea, of the lighthouse keeper. To see how these pictures inspired her, click here!

image sources: 1. Pinterest 2. myself, edited by Andrea 3. Pinterest 4. myself, edited by Andrea 5. Practical Space

Weekend & Links

2011-07-25T06:55:00.000-05:00

bridal shower-ing

and

birthday party-ing,

complete with chalk drawings,

homemade sangria,

twister competitions,

and friends who are foodies

(the very best kind of friends)

what can I say?

this is what summer is suppose to be all about.

and I'm so very glad to be here.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A short list of links:

My birthday's coming soon - I really want this party!

Children's books for grownups.

Annie Leibovitz does Harry Potter.

In other news, I had two different Harry Potter dreams over the weekend.

Sleep Talkin' Man.

I wonder what Jordan would think if I could narrate my Potter dreams...

Double date surprise

2011-07-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

last night, Jordan and I went down to the lakefront to get some food and walk around.

we met my sister and her boyfriend at the restaurant we went to.

I had been talking to my sister about an hour earlier.

she mentioned she was driving into the city, but not where she was going.

surprise!

Every little thing

2011-07-21T07:14:00.000-05:00

-- Matthew 6:25 via Bob Marley

thanks to my friend Jonny for the quote.

and thanks to this site for the image.

Private person in a public world

2011-07-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

Lookee, lookee, I gots a fancy new phone!

Jordan surprised me on Saturday with an Android phone - my first fancy-schmany phone ever. I haven't exactly hid the fact I've been wanting a Smartphone for awhile, mostly for the camera capabilities. I see it more as another digital camera, one I can literally have with me all the time, that also happens to accept calls and texts. I've already downloaded three different camera apps, so I'm well on my way to super-rad phone shots in no time! Excitement abounds!

Well, almost. Because I've realized having a Smartphone creeps me out.

While I was setting up my phone, entering my info, I quickly realized the dang phone knew where I was at all times. If I enabled the GPS function, it could give me my coordinates at any time. Helpful for getting lost? Sure thing. Terrifying to think of being stalked and/or found by anyone who happens to work for Google at anytime? Even more so. My mind quickly spiraled to different, far-fetched scenerios. Identity theft. Robot-apocolypse. The eventual overthrowing of the human race as we know it. You know, logical sort of things.

I eventually got myself under control... but that doesn't mean it doesn't worry me any less. How do you protect yourself in a world where people release personal information at the drop of a hat? It's taken me until this point to really realize how making people more connected - through Facebook, through Foursquare, through blogging - also makes people more willing to tell anyone, anything - their name, location and preferences are only scratching the surface. While part of me embraces it - heck, I love blogging and the friendships it has given me! - part of me wants to completely run in the other direction. No more Facebook, no more cell phone, no more anything ever, ever again! Give me a rotary phone and some paper; it's snail mail only for me!

Source credit: here

I do NOT love technology!

Over-dramatic-ness aside, I am taking steps to protect myself: changing my phone email to one that doesn't reveal my last name, turning off the GPS locator (among other features), reading through the agreements to all apps, so I know what I'm getting into. It's hard to find a balance, between being a part of our technology-driven world, and maintaining my, and my family's privacy.

How do you do it?

Are you able to find a balance between privacy and sharing?

Sidenote: This post isn't about blogging. I see that differently - I can choose to share as much personal information as I'd like. I treasure the friendships and connections I've made throughout the blogosphere. I'm moreso referring to applications such as Foursquare, which lets others know exactly where you at are all times.

4 Tumbls from Andrea Alice

2011-07-18T17:41:00.002-05:00

"Remember what Bilbo used to say: It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

four tumbls from my gorgeous sister, Andrea Alice.

she inspires me with her art and confidence.

Sources: image 1, image 2, image 3, image 4
thanks to Krystal for the inspiration

Joy pockets

2011-07-15T10:36:00.002-05:00

linking up with Bohemian Twilight.

consider making your own joy pocket post this week!

***

sushi lunch dates with my younger brother

enjoying late-night root beer floats with friends

dreaming of tomorrow

sleeping in, and morning iced coffee
-
watching my calendar fill up with celebrations, showers, and parties
-
safe, healthy baby deliveries for friends
-
summer school schedule: half-days and Fridays off!
-
loaning well-loved books to friends and co-workers
-

re-discovering music I loved in high school,

and finding I love it just as much today