Celebrating Shakespeare 445th Birthday

We celebrated by listening to Much Do About Nothing from Shakespeare for Children by Charles & Mary Lamb.

Here are some fun links and resources:

Talk Like Shakespeare

A great blog post from Mental Multivitamin.

Check out Shakespeare for the Ears at the Homeschool Freebie of the Day. Discounted price today only!

Now to leave you with a little bit of fun (Scroll to the bottom to turn off the player):

Melody Time Disney DVD

Melody Time is a fun DVD with some great stories. Stories as "Johnny Appleseed", "Little Toot", "Pecos Bill and others are included. This isn't the first time we have watched this. As the kids were watching today I realized that this dvd has one of my favorite stories on it. Well, not really the story, but the awesome organ playing that is done in "Blame It On the Samba." Check it out. (Scroll down to the bottom to turn off the player.)

Book Review: The Farm Chicks in the Kitchen:Live Well, Laugh Often, Cook Much by Teri Edwards & Serena Thompson

I saw the Farm Chicks in the Kitchen advertised in the Country Living Magazine. I quickly put it on hold at the library. Due to being sick I sat down last night and read through it. I know it's funny that I'm reviewing a cookbook when I don't even like to cook, but a girl can read (or maybe dream).

The book starts out telling the story about the authors and how they started their business and their love for cooking and old things. The photography in this book is great and makes everything look appealing. The recipes are broken down into four catagories: Breakfast, Appetizers, Lunch, & Dessert. The recipes look delicious and easy to follow. Most of the ingredients are what I would consider normal (meaning I don't have to look up what that ingredient is or it sounds edible). It has little fun and interesting tidbits throughout the book such as: the Magnetic Message Center, Aprons from Vintage Sheets, Countertop Utensil Holder and other fun topics.
Overall, this book left me with a feeling that maybe I could be a "Farm Chick"! Unfortunately, real life is here and my kitchen or the food in isn't just isn't inspiring me! If you love to cook or you like to dream about cooking then I highly recommend it.

If you would like to learn more about the Farm Chicks check out their blog and their show.

Book Review: the Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society was another book that I have read a lot of reviews about how great this book was. I had ordered it from the library and tried to read it, but I couldn't get into it so it went back. But again I kept finding reviews about how good this book was, so I ordered it again and started to read it again. Here is the description of the book:

"Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?"

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society.

I found this story very slow going. I even took a peak to see the genre (beside children's) only to find out it fell in the science fiction catagory. I don't think I've ever mentioned how much I dislike science fiction. Even as a kid I avoided it. Well, I decided to keep reading to see if I could be convinced to like the book. My conclusion is the story was okay. I don't feel it is the best book I have ever read and don't need it for my personal library. That being said, I could see how this book could be exciting for someone who enjoys this genre of fiction or for a kid. I think I will get it on audio book and let my kids listen to it and let them make the final choice.

Book Review: A Single Thread by Marie Bostwick

I kept seeing reviews for A Single Thread plus the book cover kept catching my eye when in the bookstore. I do not quilt but I have enjoyed books that have been set in a quilting situation so I ordered it from the library.
Here is the book description from Amazon (and the back of the book):

It's a long way from Fort Worth, Texas, to New Bern, Connecticut, yet it only takes a day in the charming Yankee town to make Evelyn Dixon realise she's found her new home. The abrupt end of her marriage was Evelyn's wake-up call to get busy chasing her dream of opening a quilt shop. Finding a store front is easy enough; starting a new life isn't. Little does Evelyn imagine it will bring a trio like Abigail Burgess, her niece Liza, and Margot Matthews through her door.Troubled and angry after her mother's death, Liza threatens to embarrass her Aunt Abigail all over town unless she joins her for quilting classes. A victim of downsizing at the peak of her career, Margot hopes an event hosted by the quilt shop could be a great chance to network - and keep from dying of boredom...As they stitch their unique creations, Evelyn, Abigail, Liza, and Margot form a sisterhood they never sought - but one that they'll be grateful for when the unexpected provides a poignant reminder of the single thread that binds us all...

When I first stated the book I it had the familiar feel of the some of the Elm Creek Novels. I wasn't too sure if I would continue reading. Then the book took off in the direction of The Friday Night Knitting Club (which I disliked) and I almost took the book back. I decided to just read a little furthur and finally was drawn into the story. Even though Evelyn is the main character of the story I was really drawn to the stories of Abigail and Liza, an aunt and neice whose lives have been thrown together and they can't seem to reconcile with each. Overall, once I got past the first part of the book I found the story intriguing and had a hard time putting it down.

Happy Easter!

Enjoying Cake!