The Wind in the Willows

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I mentioned that I was in a real classics dry spell.  Brian reads numerous classics every year, but every time I go to pick one up, I change my mind and read something "easy" instead.  I had to face my laziness when one of the kids expressed interest in reading The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum out loud .  Brian read it last year and told me how different it was from the classic movie and that it was not scary.**  We chose a beautifully illustrated copy with pictures by Lisbeth Zwerger.  I knew that if I chose to start a book with my kids, I would stick with it and not abandon it for the easy route.  As it turned out, I didn't need to worry because I loved it.  The illustrations were the key.  The full-page pictures and the tiny ones tucked into the margins captivated our attention and supplemented the words we were reading. 

(**The Wicked Witch of the West does appear in the book, but her part is small.  I was most bothered by use of the term good witches since we believe that witches and witchcraft are evil.  However, since the witches in the book are not practicing sorcery but are more like fairies, we decided it was appropriate for our older children.  You would need to make your own choice for you own family.)

When my sister, Kati, and I began our Sisters Book Challenge in February, we each gave the other a list of 10 books. The challenge was to read (and blog about) at least five of the ten books on our individual lists.  One of the books on the list she gave me was The Wind in the Willowsby Kenneth Grahame.  Yikes!  Here was another classic-- a classic I had attempted to read twice before and never finished.

I worked night shelving books in the children's section of the library while I was in high school.  There was one book that I had to reshelve almost every single night that I worked.  I noticed it more than any other book.  Want to know what it was?  The Wind in the Willows.  Armed with this recollection and my sister's suggestion, I determined to start and finish this book as part of the challenge. 

On the heels of The Wizard of Oz, I decided now was the time to conquer another classic. Since an illustrated version had worked so well for me before, I looked for something similar and found a version illustrated by Michael Foreman.  Again, the lovely visuals drew me in. This time I had no trouble at all getting involved in the story of Ratty, Mole, Toad, and Badger.  In fact, it only took me a few days to read from start to finish.  And not only did I finish, but I really loved it!  (Now I know what all those library patrons saw in this book.)

Do you read classics?  What is one classic book I shouldn't miss?
 

Joggermom Marathon: Week 2-- Beginning as on "Older" Mom

Progress: I've been working on increasing my speed on shorter runs (1.5-3 miles), but I also fit in a long run (5 miles) on Sunday when Brian was off.  I logged 12 miles for Week 2, bringing my total to 21 miles for the month.  I'm only 5.2 miles away from completing my marathon. 

Beginning as an Older Mom: I don't think of myself as old, but I started running a couple months after my 32nd birthday.  In a world where sports players retire in their thirties, it seemed a little late to begin a strenuous physical activity.  I was worried that it might be too hard, having never been an athletic person.  I thought running could possibly be too much stress on my out-of-shape body. 

Only a few weeks in, I considered stopping.  I had told myself I would not quit, but both of my knees were aching, one ankle was sore, and my lungs felt like they were going to burst if I ran more than a few minutes at a time.  Brian suggested that maybe running wasn't for me and I could try walking instead.  I wanted the challenge of running, though, so I slowed it down, taking the pressure off myself to move quickly.  I switched programs from the more intense Couch of 5K to a gentler Walk-Run Program.  That gave me the confidence to run a 2-mile race. The race, in turn, gave me the confidence to attempt the Couch to 5K again and finally complete it! 

I have gained a few unexpected benefits from running.  Before I started running, I had "creaky" knees.  When I squatted down, they would crack and make a yucky scraping sound!  When I started having more pain after I started running, it made me nervous.  I figured my knees would continue to be a problem and force me to give up running altogether, but when I slowed it down and the initial soreness cleared up (about a week after it started), my knees have continually gotten stronger so that now I have little to no creaking or cracking. I  feel noticeably more strength in my legs when I go from squatting to standing.

I've also noticed a big change in my metabolism.  After Alaine was born, I held onto 5-10 pounds despite adopting healthier eating habits.  I figured it was natural part of getting older and a result of having 5 babies in 8 years.  Just when I had accepted that the weight was meant to stick around, I started running and it came off with no extra effort. 

What is Your Genre?

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We talked about our reading quirks and how we choose the books we read aloud to our kids.  We've talked about whether we quit books we hate or soldier on  and whether we prefer fiction or non-fiction.  Today let's talk about the types of books we read -- not simply fiction or non-- but our favorite specific genres.  

I admitted last week that I am not a fan of historical fiction.  On further reflection, though, I'm afraid that's not true.  The best book I've read so far this year was historical fiction.  The Secret Keeper was set primarily during The Blitz in England during World War II, but it was also so much more than historical fiction.  It included intrigue, suspense, and drama.  One of my all-time favorite authors, Lynn Austin, writes historical fiction.  She covers a wide range of time periods, from the Biblical kings of Judahto the Civil Warto the Great Depression, but I love her writing because of the strong characters and the can't-put-down plots.  I guess I read more historical fiction than I think, but it needs to be more than history to captivate me. 

So what is my favorite genre?

When I'm reading fiction, I like
            medical drama (think A Heartbeat Away),
                      a good  suspense story (think The Thirteenth Tale or Deeper Water),
                                  or modern character-driven drama (think Watch Over Me or The Shape of Mercy).

With non-fiction, I gravitate towards
                      memoirs (think Midwife's Here! or I Still Believeor The Year of Learning Dangerously).

   

I hit a dry spot with classics recently.  Unless Sherlock Holmes is considered a classic (is it?), I had not read a classic I enjoyed for a couple of years.  At the end of the week, I'm going to share what classic book finally broke the dam. 

What you tend to navigate to one particular genre or all you a well-rounded reader? 

Mother's Day on Saturday

We planned a big dinner for Brian's family on the evening before Mother's Day.  Really, it was just another excuse for us all to get together.  I love family get togethers! 

In the week leading up to the party, the kids and I did a little cleaning.  We did a little cooking.  We did a little decorating.

sewn paper banner

It was so much fun adding bright, cheerful colors to the decor.  I made this banner cheaply and quickly on my sewing machine with scrapbook paper and white thread.  For the centerpiece we bought three potted tulip plants that also doubled as gifts for the mothers. 

I removed the pink paper from the middle one and put it in a yellow bowl to match our color scheme. 

The card was inspired by one in the Craft-a-Day book I picked up at the library and then didn't want to return-- the one I simply must own soon!

I did a little panicking when I found out Brian had to work Saturday and wouldn't be home to help with any last minute preparations!  As it turned out, a few hours after he got to work, it started raining so he was able to come home early. The sun was shining brightly again by party time.

Posing in our party clothes

Before I did any inviting, I brainstormed ideas for a meal that could feed 20 people.  I didn't want to commit and then panic trying to find a dish large enough to feed us all.  I don't consider myself to be much of a cook (I'd much rather bake!), but Brian suggested we order fried chicken so that's what we did.  Each family contributed side dishes to the meal and we had a lovely variety of food. 

We feasted on chicken, mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, green beans, rolls, and sweet potato biscuits. 

It probably sounds cheesy, but we also feasted on great conversation and fellowship-- laughing, telling stories, and catching up.

Giggling cousins

For dessert, we shared brownies and chocolate chip cookies, plus a pineapple birthday cake since my sister-in-law's, Carrie, shares her birthday with Mother's Day this year. 

mini pennant to match the wall banner

Before everyone left to go home, we snapped a few group pictures. 

Brian's brother, Mark; their mom; Brian; Brian's sister, Amy

Grandma with 12 of her 15 grandchildren--
notice the posing girls and the face-making boys!

The 4 moms

We plan to spend Mother's Day at home eating leftovers and relaxing (well, aside for the 5-mile run I hope to do in the afternoon). The kids have asked if we can play a few games and the Survivor finale is on tomorrow night, too.  It's shaping up to be a great end to the weekend!

Did you do anything special for Mother's Day? 

Calico Bush

{This post, like most of my posts that discuss books, contains affiliate links.}

My sister, Kati, and I began our Sisters Book Challenge in February. We each gave the other a list of 10 books. The challenge was to read (and blog about) at least five of the ten books on our individual lists, and so far, I've completed two. 

For my third book I choose Calico Bush by Rachel Field.  Historical fiction is not my genre of choice.  On my own, I more than likely would not have picked this up unless I chose to read it aloud to my kids for school, but as part of this challenge, I wanted to push myself to read a few things that may be out of my comfort zone. 

This is considered juvenile fiction, but like all well-told stories, it crosses all age boundaries. When I first picked this up from the library, I found myself avoiding reading altogether because I didn't think I would like it, yet I didn't want to read something else and put this off forever.  I set a goal of reading 20 pages every time I picked it up, but once I became engaged in the story of Marguerite who was bound to a young family in Maine for six years, I found myself reading beyond the 20 pages to see what was going to happen next.  I became  wrapped up in the tragedies (a fire, injuries) and the victories (new love, friendship, courage). 

Would I choose another book by this author having completed and liked this one?  Probably not, but only because I have a hard time with the genre.  For children or adults who love historical fiction, this is one to add to your list!