Teaser Tuesday

I'm finally getting this posted. I just finished hosting a Christmas party and only now have been able to get to the computer.



Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should be Reading.


Dear Pen Pal (The Mother Daughter Book Club) by Heather Vogel Frederick

"You'll have to cut me out," I snap. "Find me some scissors." p. 174

A-Z Wednesday

A-Z Wednesday is hosted by Vicky of Reading at the Beach. To join, look here.

This weeks letter is: S


Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome

Book Description:
Swallows and Amazons begins with the four Walker children, John, Susan, Titty and Roger, holidaying with their mother, infant sister Brigit and a nurse at Holly Howe, a farmhouse on the shores of an unnamed lake in the English Lake District. Receiving permission from their absent father, Commander Walker R.N., they set sail in the dinghy Swallow to camp on a deserted island further down the lake.

Camping, sailing, fishing and exploring is soon interrupted when the Walkers (the Swallows) are attacked by Nancy and Peggy Blackett, the self-styled Amazon Pirates. The Amazons live at Beckfoot on the shores of the lake and claim ownership of the island, which they call Wild Cat Island. The Swallows and the Amazons soon form an alliance, united in opposition to the Amazons' irrasible Uncle Jim, who is living on his houseboat whilst writing a book. They conclude that Uncle Jim is a retired pirate and henceforth call him Captain Flint.

The new allies decide to hold a private war to determine whether Swallow or Amazon should become their flagship. As their war reaches its climax, it coincides with the burglary of Captain Flint's houseboat, during which his trunk containing his manuscript is stolen. Captain Flint believes that the Swallows are to blame, a misunderstanding that Nancy soon puts right. Realising his mistake, Captain Flint is quick to apologise and, thinking his book is lost, he makes peace with the allies before challenging them to battle.

At the appointed hour the allies attack and seize Captain Flint's houseboat, strengthening their new friendship by making him walk the plank. However, the friendship is truly sealed when Titty and Roger find his lost trunk, thereby saving his book.

Swallows and Amazons concludes with a great storm on the lake, after which the Swallows and Amazons have to return to life ashore and a new year at school. They part with promises to meet again next year.

My thoughts:
I read this book aloud to my children a couple of years ago. This was a fun read and we all really enjoyed it. One day I hope to get around to the other titles in this series.

Teaser Tuesday

Teaser Tuesday is hosted by Should be Reading.



William S. and the Great Escape by Zilpha Keattey Snyder

"But that meant--he sighed deeply--he not only had to somehow get himself and Jancy and the little kids away from the house and down to the bus stop without being seen by the police or the Baggetts, but also without having their getaway sabotaged by Clarice. And what's more, it was going to have to happen very soon, since tomorrow would be Friday." p.108

Fourteen on the Fourteenth!

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

One Lovely Blog Award

I have been remiss in posting this. Back in November, Lee from Butterfly Blessing passed on this award:



Here are the rules of the "One Lovely Blog Award": Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and his or her blog link. Pass the award to 15 other blogs that you've newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.

Since I have been working on this post since November, I'm reducing my number to four.

1. Hopeinbrazil from Worthwhile Books (I'm cheating on this one. I've discovered Worthwhile Books almost a year ago, but I truly enjoy this blog.)
2. Renee at Black 'n Gold Girl's Book Spot
3. CeeCee at Book Splurge
4. Christy at Southern Sassy Things

Thanks Lee!

Book Review:The Pioneer Woman Cooks: Recipes from an Accidental Country Girl by Ree Drummond

Book Description:

My name is Ree.

Some folks know me as The Pioneer Woman.

After years of living in Los Angeles, I made a pit stop in my hometown in Oklahoma on the way to a new, exciting life in Chicago. It was during my stay at home that I met Marlboro Man, a mysterious cowboy with steely blue eyes and a muscular, work-honed body. A strict vegetarian, I fell hard and fast, and before I knew it we were married and living on his ranch in the middle of nowhere, taking care of animals, and managing a brood of four young children. I had no idea how I'd wound up there, but I knew it was exactly where I belonged.

The Pioneer Woman Cooks is a homespun collection of photography, rural stories, and scrumptious recipes that have defined my experience in the country. I share many of the delicious cowboy-tested recipes I've learned to make during my years as an accidental ranch wife—including Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce, Lasagna, Fried Chicken, Patsy's Blackberry Cobbler, and Cinnamon Rolls—not to mention several "cowgirl-friendly" dishes, such as Sherried Tomato Soup, Olive Cheese Bread, and CrÈme BrÛlÉe. I show my recipes in full color, step-by-step detail, so it's as easy as pie to follow along.

You'll also find colorful images of rural life: cows, horses, country kids, and plenty of chaps-wearing cowboys.

I hope you get a kick out of this book of mine. I hope it makes you smile. I hope the recipes bring you recognition, accolades, and marriage proposals. And I hope it encourages even the most harried urban cook to slow down, relish the joys of family, nature, and great food, and enjoy life.

My thoughts:
I came across The Pioneer Woman's blog when I was blog browsing one day. While looking through her posts I came across the recipe for The Best Chocolate Sheet Cake and was hooked. It looked great and doable, plus I recognized all the ingredients! No, I haven't made it, since cooking isn't first on my list (I have books to read!). The Pioneer Woman makes cooking look enjoyable, understandable and extremely humorous. I repeat--extremely humorous!! The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond is a beautiful cookbook. There are pictures for every step of the recipes, plus pictures interspersed throughout of her family and her ranch. I borrowed this from the library, but hopefully I will add it to my little shrinky dink pile of cookbooks. Even if I never cook a recipe from it, I can pull it down and have a good laugh! Check out her cookbook and her blog.

Book Review:Elvis Takes a Back Seat by Leanna Ellis

Book Description:
Elvis Takes a Back Seatby award-winning novelist Leanna Ellis is the endearing story of Claudia, a young widow determined to fulfill her husband’s last request by hauling a three-foot bust of Elvis Presley in the backseat of a vintage Cadillac from Dallas to Memphis to return it to its rightful owner. The road trip—taken with an eccentric aunt who actually knew the “King of Rock ’n’ Roll,” and a temperamental teen with a suspicious mind of her own—hits some royal roadblocks and detours as these women uncover pieces of their past along with the bust’s mysterious history. What they find along the way changes their lives forever, inspiring readers to also step out in faith.

My thoughts:
Even though I’m not a fan of Elvis, when I saw the title Elvis Takes a Back Seat by Leanna Ellis I was highly interested. The tone of the book has some serious and deep issue that the characters have to work through, but you have this crazy bust of Elvis always adding a slight humorous touch. The story wasn't what I expected, but I did enjoy it.