Top Reads of 2010

 Here is list of favorite books or authors that I really enjoyed this year.

1. The Dale Series by Gervais Phinn - read my thoughts here.
2. A Long Way From Chicago (Puffin Modern Classics), A Year Down Yonder  and A Season of Gifts by Richard Peck - You don't want to miss meeting Grandma Dowdel in Richard Pecks funny and heartwarming stories.
3. The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James - read my thoughts here.
4. No Less Than Victory: A Novel of World War II by Jeff Shaara (review)
5. Beautiful in God's Eyes: The Treasures of the Proverbs 31 Woman by Elizabeth George (review)
6. A Mom After God's Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children  by Elizabeth George
7. Ivanhoe (Penguin Classics) by Sir Walter Scott - A book I've always wanted to read, actually I listened to.  I have to admit that for a small portion of it I had my doubts about it being such a great read, but ----that soon passed and became extremely excitingg. Be warned--the guy don't get the girl, but that can be rectified if you read Knight's Castle by Edward Eager.
8. Anything by Mary Connealy - I love her sense of humor. (The Husband Tree, Wildflower Bride & Doctor in Petticoats)
9. Half Magic by Edward Eager - A favorite of mine and the kids, read more here.
10. When Children Love to Learn: A Practical Application of Charlotte Mason's Philosophy for Today edited by Elaine Cooper - This was my second time to read through this insightful book and it was very informative book on using Charlotte Mason's methods in schooling today.

Books Read in 2010

Here is a complete list of the book I read in 2010. I read 170 books this year with 33 of them being audio books. I had a personal goal to read more non-fiction this year and accomplished that by reading 60 books (almost double what I read last year). I also read my Bible from Genesis - Proverbs. Overall, I think I had a very good year in reading.

Fiction: 110 books:
-The Adventures of Tom Sawyer - Mark Twain (audio)
-Among the Mad - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-Apple Turnover Murder - Joanna Fluke (audio)
-Beyond this Moment - Tamera Alexander
-Beguiled - Deeanne Gist & J. Mark Bertrand
-Birds of a Feather - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-The Blue Enchantress - Marylu Tyndale
-Breach of Trust - DiAnn Mills
-The Bride Blunder - Kelly Eileen Hake
-The Bridegrooms - Allison Pittman
-By the Great Horn Spoon - Sid Fleischman (audio)
-The Case of the Murdered Muckraker - Carola Dunn
-Chronicles of Avonlea - L. M. Montgomery (audio)
-Cold Sassy Tree - Olive Ann Burns (audio)
-Conquered Heart - Lisa Samson
-Confession of a Jane Austen Addict - Laurie Viera Rigler
-Damsel in Distress - Carola Dunn
-Daughter of Joy - Kathleen Morgan
-Death at Wentwater Court - Carola Dunn (audio)
-Dead in the Water - Carola Dunn
-Die Laughing - Carola Dunn
-A Distant Melody - Sarah Sundin
-Doctor in Petticoats - Mary Connealy
-Double Trouble - Susan May Warren
-Emma - Jane Austen (audio)
-Excellent Women - Barbara Pym
-The Faceless Fiend: Being a Tale of a Criminal Mastermind, His Masked Minions and a Princess With a Butterknife, Involving Explosives and and a Certain Amount of Pushing and Shoving - Howard Whitehouse
-First Light - Brock & Bodie Thoene (audio)
-Fools Rush In - Janice Thompson
-Further Chronicles of Avonlea - L. M. Montgomery (audio)
-The Gathering Storm - Bodie & Brock Thoene
-Gunpowder Plot - Carola Dunn
-Half-Magic - Edward Eager
-Heart of Stone - Jill Marie Landis
-Here Lies the Librarian - Richard Peck (audio)
-The House on Malcolm Street - Leisha Kelly
-Highland Blessings - Jennifer Hudson Taylor
-The Husband Tree - Mary Connealy
-In Between: A Katie Parker Production Act 1 - Jenny B. Jones
-An Incomplete Revenge (Maisie Dobbs) - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-An Irish Country Girl - Patrick Taylor
-It Had to Be You - Janice Thompson
-Ivanhoe - Sir Walter Scott (audio)
-Kilmeny of the Orchard - L. M. Montgomery
-Knight's Castle - Edward Eager
-A Lady Like Sarah by Margaret Brownley
-Leaving Carolina - Tamara Leigh
-The Lightkeeper's Daughter - Coleen Coble
-A Little Princess - Frances Hodgson Burnett (audio)
-A Long Way from Chicago - Richard Peck (audio)
-Love on a Dime - Cara Lynn James
-Love's Ransom - Lisa Samsom
-Magic by the Lake - Edward Eager
-Magic for Marigold - L. M. Montgomery
-Maid to Match - Deeanne Gist
-Maisie Dobbs - Jacqueline Winspear
-Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson (audio)
-The Mapping of Love and Death - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-The Masqueraders - Georgette Heyer
-Masquerade - Nancy Moser
-Messenger of Truth - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-Miss Fortune - Sara Mills
-Miss Match - Sara Mills
-Mistletoe and Murder - Carola Dunn
-A Mourning Wedding - Carola Dunn
-Mrs. Miracle - Debbie Macomber
-Murder on the Flying Scotmas - Carola Dunn
-Never Say Never - Lisa Wingate
-Nothing but Trouble - Susan May Warren
-Nowhere Carolina - Tamara Leigh
-No Less Than Victory - Jeff Shaara
-One for the Money - Janet Evanovich
-Pardonable Lies - Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
-Pies and Prejudice - Heather Vogel Frederick
-Premiere - Melody Carlson
-Primrose Day - Carolyn Haywood
-Rattle His Bones - Carola Dunn
-Requiem for a Mezzo - Carola Dunn (audio)
-Saving CeeCee Honeycutt - Beth Hoffman
-A Season of Gifts - Richard Peck (audio)
-The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte - Syrie James
-The Sheriff's Surrender - Susan Page Davis
-The Silent Governess - Julie Klassen
-Speak Through the Wind - Allison Pittman
-The Strictest School in the World: Being the Tale of a Clever Girl, a Rubber Boy and a Collection of Flying Machines, Mostly Broken - Howard Whitehouse
-Styx and Stones - Carola Dunn
-The Swiss Courier - Tricia Goyer & Mike Yorkey
-Songbird Under a German Moon - Tricia Goyer
-Sons of Thunder -  Susan May Warren
-Swinging on a Star - Janice Thompson
-A Tailor Made Bride - Karen Witemeyer
-The Tale of Oat Cake Crag - Susan Wittig Albert
-Talk of the Town - Lisa Wingate
-Tea Time for the Traditionally Built - Alexander McCall Smith (audio)
-The Teacher's Funeral - Richard Peck (audio)
-The Time Garden - Edward Eager
-To Davy Jones Below - Carola Dunn
-A Town Called Ruby Prairie - Annette Smith
-Ukridge - P.G. Wodehouse (audio)
-The Unbearable Lightness of Scones - Alexander McCall Smith
-The Warrior's Bride - Lisa Samson
-The Wedding Machine - Beth Webb Hart
-What Katy Did - Susan Coolidgen (audio)
-Wildflower Bride - Mary Connealy
-The Winter Garden Mystery (Daisy Dalrymple) - Carola Dunn (audio)
-Wishing for Tomorrow - Hilary McKay (audio)
-Work Song - Ivan Doig
-Word Gets Around - Lisa Wingate
-Wrangler in Petticoats - Mary Connealy
-A Year Down Yonder - Richard Peck (audio)

Non-Fiction: 60 books
-5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter - Vicki Courtney
-The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership - John Maxwell (audio)
-30 Ways in 30 to Save Your Family - Rebecca Hagelin
-84, Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff
-Age of Opportunity: A Biblical Guide to Parenting Teens - Paul David Tripp
-Already Gone - Ken Ham
-Beautiful in God's Eyes - Elizabeth George
-Birthing Your Burden in Children's Ministry - Vickie Oliver
-Bringing Up Girls - Dr. James Dobson
-The Cake Mix Doctor Returns! - Anne Byrn
-Cherries in Winter - Suzan Colon
-Come Walk with Me: A Woman's Personal Guide to Knowing God and Mentoring Others by Carole Mayhall
-The Complete Writer: Writing With Ease: Strong Fundamentals - Susan Wise Bauer
-Confessions of an Organized Homemaker - Deniece Schofield
-Don't Make Me Count to Three - Ginger Plowman
-David: A Man of Passion & Destiny by Charles Swindoll
-The Duchess of Bloombury Street - Helene Hanff
-Every Thought Captive - Jerusha Clark
-For Young Men Only - Jeff Feldhahn & Eric Rice
-The Girl in the Dress - Lori Wagner
-Good Manners for Today's Kids - Bob & Emilie Barnes
-Head Over Heels in the Dales - Gervase Phinn
-The Heart of the Dales - Gervase Phinn
-The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach - Robin Sampson
-Homeschooling at the Speed of Life - Marilyn Rockett
-The Joy of Hospitality - Vonette Bright & Barbara Ball
-Keeping House - Margaret Kim Peterson
-Knit Together - Debbie Macomber (audio)
-The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir - Bill Bryson (audio)
-The Life-Message Learning Model - Marilyn Howshall
-The Lifestyle of Learning Approach Volume 1 - Marilyn Howshall
-Making the Most of Your Scrapbooking Supplies - the Memory Makers Masters
-A Mom After God's Own Heart - Elizabeth George
-A Mother's Heart - Jean Fleming
-Miracles Happen - Mary Kay Ash
-My Heart's at Home: Becoming the Intentional Mom Your Family Needs - Jill Savage
-Over Hill and Dale - Gervase Phinn
-Opening Your Child's Spiritual Windows - Cheri Fuller
-Ordering Your Private World - Gordon Macdonald
-The Other Side of the Dale - Gervase Phinn
-Parenting with Purpose - Glenda Andrus
-Parenting in the Pew: Guiding Your Children into the Joy of Worship - Robbie Castleman
-Penny Candy - Jean Kerr
-A Place of Quiet Rest - Nancy Leigh DeMoss
-Q's Legacy - Helene Hanff
-Raising a Modern Day Joseph - Larry Fowler
-Seasons: God's Time Design (The Lifestyle of Learning Approach Book 4) - Marilyn Howshall
-Seasons of a Mother's Heart - Sally Clarkson
-Senior High: A Home-Designed Form+U+La - Barbara Edtl Shelton
-Setting the Stage for Your Child's Faith - Florence Littauer
-Setting Up Stones: A Parent's Guide to Making Your Home a Place of Worship - Martha & Greg Singleton
-Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl - Judi Ketteler
-Simplify your Time - Marcia Ramsland
-Simplify your Holidays - Marcia Ramsland
-The Unit-of-Life Learning Model (The Lifestyle of Learning Approach Book 2) - Marilyn Howshall
-Up and Down in the Dales - Gervais Phinn
-Wealth Watchers: A Simple Plan for Having More and Spending Less - Alice Wood
-When Children Love to Learn - Elaine Cooper
-Writing with Ease - Susan Wise Bauer
-Wonderful Memories of It's a Wonderful Life by Jimmy Hawkins (audio)

Delani's Performance

Delani decided to entertain us the other evening with a song. Here is her impromptu and spontaneous performance. For my Facebook friends hit this link: http://www.littleurl.net/10cf

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should be Reading.



Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber

Sharon couldn't have been more surprised if Elvis himself had showed up at the front door. Certainly the last person she'd expected to see was her own husband. p. 199

What's On Your Nightstand - December

For January's nightstand:


From my November post I read:
Double Trouble (PJ Sugar) by Susan May Warren
The Gathering Storm (Zion Diaries) by Bodie & Brock Thoene
Magic by the Lake by Edward Eager
Masquerade by Nancy Moser
A Mom After God's Own Heart: 10 Ways to Love Your Children  by Elizabeth George
The Joy of Hospitality: Fun Ideas for Evangelistic Entertaining by Vonette Bright & Barbara Ball

I also read:
Gunpowder Plot (Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries, No. 15) by Carola Dunn
Knight's Castle by Edward Eager
Mrs. Miracle by Debbie Macomber
Never Say Never by Lisa Wingate

I listened to:
Wishing for Tomorrow by Hilary McKay
Apple Turnover Murder (Hannah Swensen Mysteries) by Joanne Fluke

I am currently reading:
The Heart of Wisdom Teaching Approach: Bible Based Homeschooling by Robin
A Place of Quiet Rest: Finding Intimacy with God Through a Daily Devotional Life Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Life Happens-Part 2

I want to say that December has slowed down, but unfortunately it hasn't. We have had doctor appointments, a seminar, a cookie exchange, our annual pictures and of course I have had plenty of books at work to keep me busy, but we did find time to celebrate a birthday. Caleb turned 15 years old last week. It really seems unbelievable. I am NOT old enough to have a 15 year old! When I write down my age it proves I am definitely old enough, but in my heart of hearts I just can't believe it.



Happy Birthday, Caleb!

Book Review: The Gathering Storm by Bodie and Brock Theone

Book Description:

As Nazi forces tighten the noose, American-born, Loralei Kepler, daughter of a German resistance leader, must flee her beloved Germany. But is any place safe from Adolf Hitler's evil grasp? Loralei's harrowing flight leads her into the arms of needy child refugees, who have sacrificed everything in exchange for their lives, and toward a mysterious figure, who closely guards an age-old secret.

My thoughts:

I have been a big fan of Brock and Bodie Thoene's historical novels since I discovered them in Bible college. I was really excited to see The Gathering Storm (Zion Diaries) come out. The Gathering Storm (Zion Diaries) was very exciting and filled with a host of intriguing characters. Loralei's story was very compelling and heart-breaking at times. As much as I liked this story, I found the end very confusing. When I finished I kept going back and re-reading parts to see if I missed something. I think if the authors would have shed a little bit more light into their idea behind their "age-old secret", I may have understood the ending better. With that said, I won't let that deter that from reading the next book in the series and hopefully some of the questions will be answered.

Life Happens!

It has been quite a while since I have posted, but in the last couple of months life has been happening at a very fast pace. So fast, that blogging has fallen by the wayside. I have missed it, but my family comes first. I am hoping that things will be slowing down and things will get more normal (if that exists). Here is quick recap of what has been happening around our house since August.




We started our 7th year of homeschooling which includes a highschooler. That in itself has kept life pretty busy. Caleb also started an additional therapy class which requires weekly meetings and daily exercises, which has added to his work load.

In September we were able to take our vacation and headed off to Texas (where we had lived for six years) to visit our friends and former church family. We also went to a minister's conference in Houston, which required an emergency room visit for Delani. (I have now had one too many experiences involving Texas and emergency rooms!)

My two wonderful friends--Donna & Dixie


Destini & Desa Rae


The Starr and William kids had a wonderful time getting reacquainted!

We spent most of October recovering from our vacation. 3 weeks of sickness was very trying!

In November, Destini celebrated her 11th birthday.


I then boarded a plane to Cancun for my brother's wedding and had a wonderful time, though my poor husband had a sick baby on his hands the whole time!


My brother, Brent with his wife, Suzanne and my parents.

Brent & Suzanne

I am thrilled to finally have a sister-in-law.

After the wedding, I with my parents to view the Mayan ruins.


And then we ended out the month of November with a small snowfall.