scaifea's thread #27

Welcome to thread XXVII!



Below you’ll find an explanation of my reading habits, which, I warn you, is a bit crazy. Usually I have about 10-15 books going at once, one each from the following groups (and occasionally other books slipped in there, too):

1. A book from the 100 Banned Books book (at least currently. As soon as I finish this list, I'll replace it with another, and oh, I've got tons of lists).

2. A children's book, for Charlie's library. I'm trying to collect books from various award lists, and I like reading them before reading them to Charlie or deciding to add them to Charlie's shelves. For this category, I’m currently working through three lists:
a. 1001 Children’s Books You Must Read Before You Die
b. The CYOA books
c. The Newbery Honor books
d. Cooperative Children's Book Center list

3. A book from the Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy List, in chronological order.

4. A book for the Presidential Challenge. Books for this category are read in chronological (presidentially) order.

5. An audio book, which I listen to as I knit/sew/otherwise craft/drive.

6. A list I'm working through together with my best friend, Rob: The Hugo/Nebula/WFA/Bram Stoker (and other) lists (combined, in chronological order)

7. For this category, I cycle through 7 different stacks:
a. A book from my shelves which I haven't yet read
b. Agatha Christie's bibliography (in chronological order)
c. Neil Gaiman's bibliography (in some order other than chronological (don't
ask)).
d. Christopher Moore's bibliography (in chronological order)
e. Stephen Fry's bibliography (in chronological order)
f. The NEH Timeless Classics list
g. The National Book Award list (in alpha order by title)
h. The Pulitzer list (in alpha order by author)
i. John Boyne bibliography (in chronological order, sort of)

8. A read-aloud-to-Charlie-at-bedtime book.

9. An unread book from my shelves.

10. A book from my Classics shelves.

11. A book from our Science Shelves corner.

12. A book on Buddhism or from the Dalai Lama's bibliography.

13. Book-a-year challenge: Two years ago, along with a few others in this group (*cough* Paul *cough*), I made a year-by-year list to see how far I could go back with consecutive reads. I've decided, again, to follow Paul's lead and try to fill in some of those blanks, and so I'm adding an entry here to my lists.

14. An audiobook for the car.

15. A full-on re-read through Shakespeare's stuff.

16. This slot is reserved for books that just grab me and shout that they need to be read Right Now.

And on top of these, there will be a multitude of picture books and easy readers, which Charlie and I read together. I've decided again this year also to list our re-reads, but I'll just list them each day and not number them.

So, now you've got a glimpse of just how neurotic I am.
Please feel free to post comments, recommendations, or whatever else strikes your fancy. And Happy Reading, everyone!



What I'm reading now:
-Andersonville (Banned Books)
-(awaiting holds from library)
-The Complete Sherlock Holmes (1001 Children's Books (sort of))
-The Gods of Pegana (The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy)
-The Worst President: The Story of James Buchanan (Presidential Challenge)
-Life of Pi (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list)
-The Inverted World (BSFA)
-House of Leaves (unread book from my shelves)
-Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Charlie's bed-time book)
-James and the Giant Peach (another Charlie bed-time book)
-Don Quixote (an unread book off of my shelves)
-The Cambridge Companion to the Age of Justinian (from my Classics shelves)
-Introductory Astronomy & Astrophysics (from the Science Shelves)
-Old Path White Clouds (Buddhism list)
-A Lear of the Steppes (books by year, 1870)
-The Full Cupboard of Life (series that my mom wants me to read so we can chat about it)
-Prairie Tale (from the Read Soon shelf)
-The Odyssey (everyday audio book in the car)
-The Comedy of Errors (Shakespeare re-read)
-War and Peace (because Charlie wants me to)

In addition to these, I have some classics-related texts that I'm working through (quite slowly):
-Asinaria by Plautus (reading in Latin)
-Iliad by Homer (reading in Greek)
-Latin Literature by Gian Biagio Conte
-The Cambridge History of Classical Literature Volume 1 Part 1

Books Read:

JANUARY

1. The Quaint and Curious Quest of Johnny Longfoot (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
2. Slaves of Quentaris (audio book/1001 Children's Books) - 7/10 = C
3. Runner of the Mountain Tops (Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
4. The Blue Cat of Castletown (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
5. Princess Academy (Newbery Honor book/ audio book) - 8/10 = B+
6. Olive's Ocean (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 7/10 = C
7. The Wanderer (audio book/Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
8. The Terrible Two (potential Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
9. The Puppy Place: Scout (Charlie's bedtime book) - 8/10 = B
10. A Daughter of the Seine (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
11. Roller Girl (Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
12. Abe Lincoln at Last! (Charlie's school library chapter book) - 8/10 = B+
13. How I Live Now (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books list) - 8/10 = B+
14. The Terrible Two Get Worse (loaned to me by a school librarian) - 8/10 = B+
15. Ella Enchanted (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B+
16. Echo (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A-
17. Bone Gap (Printz award winner) - 9/10 = A
18. The Ghosts of Heaven (Printz Honor book) - 8/10 = B-
19. George (Stonewall Award winner) - 9/10 = A
20. The Return of the Native (audiobook for the car/book-a-year challenge, 1878) - 9/10 = A
21. Hoot (audiobook, Newbery Honor book) - 8/10 = B
22. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
23. Magic Tree House #17: Tonight on the Titanic (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
24. The War That Saved My Life (Newbery Honor book) - 9/10 = A
25. Magic Tree House Fact Tracker: Abraham Lincoln (public library book) - 8/10 = B+

FEBRUARY
26. Crenshaw (public library book) - 8/10 = B+
27. Noah Barleywater Runs Away (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A-
28. The Midnight Dress (Blind Date with a Book) - 8/10 = B+
29. Twilight (audiobook, 1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
30. Don't Break the Balance Beam! (public library book) - 8/10 = B
31. Hattie Ever After (sequel read) - 8/10 = B
32. A to Z Mysteries: Secret Admirer (Charlie bed-time read) - 8/10 = B
33. A Good Night for Ghosts (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
34. The Brilliant World of Tom Gates (audiobook) - 8/10 = B-
35. Zachary Taylor (Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
36. Books Can Be Deceiving (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+

MARCH
37. The Magic Tree House: Leprechaun in Late Winter (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
38. Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus (school library book) - 8/10 = B-
39. Bink & Gollie (school library book) - 8/10 = B+
40. The Magic Tree House #3: Mummies in the Morning (school library book) - 8/10 = B
41. The Spoonflower Handbook (just because I wanted to) - 9/10 = A-
42. The BFG (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
43. Circus Mirandus (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
44. Mr. Pants: Slacks, Camera, Action! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
45. Hour of the Olympics (school library book) - 8/10 = B
46. Junie B. Jones and That Meanie Jim's Birthday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
47. The Puppy Place: Patches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
48. Black Boy (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A-
49. The Religions Book (Charlie book) - 8/10 = A
50. The Boy Whom Swam with Piranhas (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
51. Blizzard at Black Swan Inn (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
52. The Nest (audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
53. Belle Prater's Boy (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
54. Pax (potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
55. Fleece Navidad (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
56. Dandelion Wine (NEH Children's Classics list) - 10/10 = A+
57. The Crystal Cave (Mythopoeic award list) - 8/10 = B+
58. The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A

APRIL
59. Stay Where You Are and Then Leave (Jeffers/Boyne bibliography) - 9/10 = A
60. The Naming of Tishkin Silk (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
61. Minn of the Mississippi (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
62. High Tide in Hawaii (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
63. The Apple and the Arrow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
64. My Side of the Mountain (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
65. Rascal (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
66. Millions (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
67. The Magic Tree House #10: Ghost Town at Sundown (Charlie's school library book) = 8/10 = B+
68. Davy Crockett (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
69. To Be a Slave (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
70. Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King (Charlie's bedtime read) = 10/10 = A+
71. Serafina and the Black Cloak (book fair purchase) - 8/10 = B+

MAY
72. Detective Gordon: The First Case (CCBC list, easy reader) - 8/10 = B
73. Grimpow (audiobook/1001 Children's Books list) - 7/10 = C
74. Magic Tree House #24: Earthquake in the Early Morning (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B
75. Enchantress from the Stars (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
76. To Your Scattered Bodies Go (Hugo Award) - 9/10 = A-
77. Millard Fillmore (U. S. Presidential Challenge) - 8/10 = B-
78. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
79. The Arrival (1001 Children's Books) - 10/10 = A
80. Finding Serendipity (book fair purchase) - 9/10 = A
81. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (bought as a potential Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
82. Magic Tree House #44: A Ghost Tale for Christmas Time by Mary Pope Osborne (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
83. Ollie's Odyssey (William Joyce bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

JUNE
84. E. Aster Bunnymund and the Warrior Eggs at the Earth's Core! (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
85. The Knight at Dawn (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B
86. Moby Dick (audiobook) - 9/10 = A-
87. The Three Muskeeters (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
88. Memoirs of Hecate County (banned books list) - 7/10 = C+
89. The Neil Gaiman Audio Collection (audiobook) - 10/10 = A
90. A Fine White Dust (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
91. The Sonnets (Shakespeare re-read) - 10/10 = A
92. Five Days at Memorial (from my Read Soon shelves) - 8/10 = B-
93. The Light of Asia (Buddhism reading list) - 8/10 = B+
94. The Centaur (National Book Award) - 8/10 = B
95. The Sign of the Beaver (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 9/10 = A-

JULY
96. The Amazing Spider-Man Storybook Collection (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
97. Nimona (checked out from the Lancaster public library as part of our Library Visiting Adventure) - 8/10 = B+
98. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
99. The Waters of the Wondrous Isles (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
100. The Sandman: Overture (Gaiman bibliography) - 10/10 = A+
101. The Kalahari Typing School for Men (series I'm reading with my mom) - 8/10 = B+
102. Not My Father's Son (audiobook) - 9/10 = A
103. Graven Images (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
104. Far from the Madding Crowd (Book-a-Year Challenge) - 9/10 = A
105. The Fledgling (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
106. The Gods Themselves (Hugo, Nebula and Locus awards lists) - 8/10 = B+
107. Danny the Champion of the World (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
108. Dear Committee Members (Read Soon Shelf) - 10/10 = A+
109. The Silver Dream (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
110. Eternity's Wheel (Gaiman bibliography) - 9/10 = A
111. Phoebe and Her Unicorn (75er recommendation) - 9/10 = A
112. Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians (audiobook, The Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B-
113. The Path to Enlightenment (Buddhism reading list) - 9/10 = A
114. Attack of the Monster Plants (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
115. The Miss Liberty Caper (CYOA list) - 8/10 = B
116. Clues in the Woods (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
117. George's Marvelous Medicine (audiobook for the car) - 10/10 = A+
118. A Necklace of Raindrops (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B+
119. Inside Out and Back Again (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
120. The Boy at the Top of the Mountain (Boyne bibliography) - 10/10 = A+

AUGUST
121. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (because one must, of course) - 8/10 = B+
122. Puppy Pirates: Stowaway! (Charlie read-aloud) - 8/10 = B
123. A Newbery Zoo (Charlie book) - 8/10 = B+
124. The Bluest Eye (Banned Books, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
125. Toothiana, Queen of the Tooth Fairy Armies (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
126. Audubon (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-
127. Justin Morgan Had a Horse (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) = 8/10 = B
128. Due or Die (series read along with my mom) - 9/10 = A
129. The Catcher in the Rye (Banned Books list) - 9/10 = A
130. Gone-Away Lake (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
131. Jennifer, Hecate, MacBeth, William McKinley, and Me, Elizabeth (audiobook/Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
132. Red Moon and Black Mountain (Mythopoeic award) - 7/10 = C
133. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (Charlie's bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
134. My Brother Sam Is Dead (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B
135. Across Five Aprils (Newbery Honor Book, audiobook) - 8/10 = B+
136. The Coral Island (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
137. The Knight of the Swords (BFA) - 8/10 = B
138. Mr. Pants: Trick or Feet! (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
139. Penn (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B-

SEPTEMBER
140. Arabel's Raven (because it's illustrated by Quentin Blake and I love him) - 9/10 = A
141. Amelia Bedelia Unleashed (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+
142. The Perilous Road (audiobook, Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+
143. The Railway Children (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
144. The Well at the World's End (Green Dragon Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B
145. Around the World in 80 Days (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
146. The Singing Tree (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
147. Rendezvous with Rama (Nebula, BSFA, Hugo, Locus & Campbell awards) - 8/10 = B+
148. The Elements (Charlie book) - 9/10 = A
149. The Sandman and the War of Dreams (Charlie's bedtime book) - 10/10 = A+
150. Thanksgiving on Thursday (Charlie's school library book) - 8/10 = B+
151. Blue Willow (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B

OCTOBER
152. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (Charlie's bed-time read) - 10/10 = A+
153. High Rise (audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A-
154. A Scanner Darkly (audiobook, BSFA) - 8/10 = B+
155. A Clockwork Orange (audiobook, Banned Books) - 9/10 = A
156. So You Want to Be a Wizard (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy) - 8/10 = B+
157. No Such Thing As a Witch (Charlie's bedtime read) - 8/10 = B+
158. Franklin Pierce (U.S. Presidential Challenge) - 7/10 = C
159. D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths (everyday audiobook for the car) - 9/10 = A
160. The Bell Jar (Banned Books, audiobook) - 9/10 = A
161. I Capture the Castle (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
162. Fog Magic (Newbery Honor Book) - 9/10 = A
163. Wonderstruck (Charlie's book club book) - 9/10 = A
164. Some Writer! - 9/10 = A
165. I Am Legend (audiobook, Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A-

NOVEMBER
166. Beyond Apollo (Campbell award) - 7/10 = C
167. The Witches (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A-
168. The Eagle of the Ninth (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A-
169. Daughter of the Mountains (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B
170. Collected Stories and Other Writings (Pulitzer) - 8/10 = B
171. The Twits (Charlie's bedtime read) - 9/10 = A
172. Lord of the Flies (1001 Children's Books) - 9/10 = A
173. Seventh Son (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list/audiobook) - 9/10 = A
174. Dropped Dead Stitch (series I'm reading with my mom) - 9/10 = A-
175. Dog Man (Charlie's read-aloud book) - 8/10 = B+
176. Like Water for Chocolate (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 9/10 = A
177. Tree of Freedom (Newbery Honor Book) - 8/10 = B+

DECEMBER
178. Mouse Bird Snake Wolf (school library book) - 9/10 = A
179. North to Freedom (1001 Children's Books) - 8/10 = B
180. Dealing with Dragons (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B-
181. The Bird King (Westview library book) - 9/10 = A
182. Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin (Westview library book) - 9/10 = A
183. Sabriel (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 8/10 = B+
184. Life of Pi (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 10/10 = A+
185. Herobrine Goes to School (Charlie bedtime read-aloud) - 7/10 = C-
186. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Charlie bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+

The Toppers:

And the Bonus Question:

We're enjoying such a lovely, snowy weekend here at Scaife Manor. What are your best Snowy Cozy Memories?

Happy new one, Amber!

BQ: Hot chocolate and reading under a warm blanket after sledding :)

And from the last thread:

1. Your real name: Katie
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Purple Hippopotamus (really?!?!)
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Margaret Beech
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Kruma Karug
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Green Wine (again, really?!?!)
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Louis

Happy new thread!

Happy new thread, Amber!

BQ: Hot chocolate and cookies after an afternoon of snowmen and snow angels.

Yay a new thread.

Happy New Thread, Amber!

Jeez, didn't you just start a new one a day or so ago?

Love them toppers.

I read Blue Latitudes and liked it. I probably should read more by that guy, yes?

Happy new thread!

BQ: Working a jigsaw puzzle, wrapped up in a cozy blanket, with snow falling in the pine trees outside the window at my grandparents' house.

>4 katiekrug: Katie: HoCho and a warm blanket sounds perfect!
And I'd totally hire The Purple Hippo to take on any case. *ahem*

>5 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

>6 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! Cookies are an excellent addition to the equation!

>7 mellymel171328: Hi, Melissa!

>8 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe! I feel the same way about Blue Latitudes...

>9 foggidawn: Thanks! And I love the idea of the puzzle!

>10 scaifea: I finished Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and am holding off and trying not to start anything. I am excited I found a copy of a hardback The Diabolic for 14.00 at my local krogers. I got two free months of audible so I got Cinder and I have a couple of interesting audio books checked on through my library's app.

Happy New Thread, Amber! Hope you are getting in plenty of R & R, I know I am...

>12 mellymel171328: Ooh...Cinder.

>12 mellymel171328: Melissa: What did you think of Cursed Child?

>13 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Yes, it's been a wonderfully lazy day so far.

And yeah, Cinder sounds great - I need to get to it soon.

>14 scaifea: I am so excited for Cinder, can't believe I have been pushing it off for so long. I have mixed feelings for Cursed Child. It is ... interesting but I feel doesn't fully fit the story. Like a good fan made fanfiction if that makes sense?

Snowy cozy memories - I can't think of any. I do remember years of walking to school in the freezing cold (I lived close to Montreal) and then there was the conundrum of what to wear when coming back from Florida in April - warm weather at one end and ice and snow at the other. Then there was shovelling the driveway when the banks were over my head. On a brighter side I remember building snow forts. But then there was the ice storm and no power or heat for a week in the middle of February. Nope - no cozy memories here which is why I live close to Vancouver were it isn't supposed to snow - yeesh.

>15 mellymel171328: Melissa: Ha! I would classify it as *bad* fan fiction, honestly. I wasn't too keen on it.

>16 Familyhistorian: Meg: Well, tell us how you really feel about snow, then. Ha! Kidding!

>17 scaifea: I ... liked it? I am still confused how I feel but I... I liked Scorpous and wanted to beat Albus... I am thinking of reorganizing my books.

Happy new thread Amber my dear and great photos once again. Hope you have had a good weekend my dear as we have and send love and hugs.

Happy New Thread, Amber!

RE: your facebook meme on the last thread. I may be overly cautious, but it seems to me that one's answers provide enough specific information to assist an identity thief--specifically #3. Since your first and last name are already known on Facebook.

Happy new one, Amber.

Snow means to sled, to go skiing, to build a snowman, to sit on the warm fire with a good book, deep snowy landscapes and alps, joy, happiness, etc.

>18 mellymel171328: Melissa: Ha! Are all of those thoughts connected?

>19 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

>20 ronincats: Thanks, Roni! I'm naively trusting of folks. *grins*

>21 Ameise1: Oh, I love all of your snow activities!

Happy new thread, Amber!

Too many cozy winter memories, can't pick one.

>23 MickyFine: Hi, Micky! An embarrassment of riches, then. Excellent!

HNT, Amber. my goodness, you certainly are neurotic. heh!

hope your Monday hath its Mama's (sic) and Papa's (sic) moments, viz. Bah-da bah-da-da-da. Bah-da bah-da-da-da. Bah-da bah-da-da-da. Monday, Monday, so good to me ...

>25 mirrordrum: Morning, Ellie! HNT?

On the agenda for today:
I plan on spending the morning in the sewing room, trying to get Charlie's project finished. And then before my Monday afternoon volunteering, I do need to run a couple of errands, to the library, the vet's office and the post office.

On the reading front:
I listened to a nice chunk of Sabriel while wrapping presents yesterday (it's still early on, but I'm enjoying it just fine, and it's read by Tim Curry, so that part is marvelous), read a bit of Rump (also quite enjoyable so far) and another couple of chapters of Don Quixote (still excellent).

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Dorothy Lathrop had a difficult time illustrating Hitty: Her First Hundred Years (1930 Newbery Medal) because she coudn't use varied facial expressions on the doll, only body and limb positions."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Whoever You Are
-The Wild Christmas Reindeer
-Chapter 13 of James and the Giant Peach
-The first half of chapter 29 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's Christmas movie was Mickey's Christmas Carol.

And Charlie is now up to 395 reading minutes!

Morning Amber! Have a good time with Sabriel. I had forgot that curry had narrated it. I never did read the rest of the series. Someday, perhaps?

Not looking forward to stepping outdoors. I was quite content, being hunkered down with my books. Sighs...

ETA: Go Charlie!

>29 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm lliking Sabriel (and Curry's dulcet voice), but I'm not sure yet that I'll go on with the series, either. It's pretty tough these days to convince me to read a series - the first one has to be really excellent.

Today, I'm loving the Mario topper. That pose with the back leg pulled all the way up under her chin, the front one tucked adorably next to her face ... yeah, Penny gets me with that one all the time.

As for the bonus question: Morgan and I visited the Breckenridge snow sculpture competition in two different years. Once, it was so warm that some of the sculptures had already collapsed (one didn't even make it to judging). The other time, it was cold, cold, cold - probably about 20 degrees (which is much warmer than it is forecast to be here most days this week but that's another story!). Anyway, we checked out all the sculptures, had a good lunch, walked around the town with the dog, and then stopped in and warmed up in a cute little coffee shop with some really well-made espresso drinks.

>31 ursula: Ursula: I know, right?! The curl-up-as-much-as-possible pose is always adorable. Those eyes help, too.

And your snow sculpture outings sound wonderful! It's going to be really cold here this week, too, not reaching above 25 at all.

Morning, Amber! Happy new one.

>33 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie! Happy Tuesday Eve!

Wow, new thread already! I loved the penguin picture of Charlie. Very cute. I have a great memories of a snow day in Edinburgh - walked around the local hill which was covered and to ye ole pub where they were still serving hot food. Much appreciated.

>3 scaifea: Perfect toppers. Great great photos.

>35 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! That penguin/Charlie photo is an oldie but a goodie, eh? And I love the thought of a snow day in Edinburgh!

>36 London_StJ: Thanks, Luxx!

Best snowy cozy memories would be looking through our large double windows when I was a boy at the street scene unfolding amid a snowstorm. With my knees against the radiator and my notebook resting on the windowshelf, I wrote one of my earliest poems about the experience.

I shall go and have a look for it.

Happy new thread. xx

>38 PaulCranswick: Aw, that's lovely, Paul!

>32 scaifea: Wednesday and Thursday are forecast to be 10 and 7 degrees. Brr!

Morning Amber! How is the Christmas movie marathon going? You guys are hitting some great ones!
I tried to watch A Muppet Christmas Carol with Chloe but she didn't like it very much. I think we will try the Grinch cartoon movie this week

>40 ursula: Ursula: 16 is the predicted high for today, 11 tomorrow, 10 Wednesday, 6 Thursday.

>41 ChelleBearss: Hi, Chelle! It's going great! We'll get to the Muppet Christmas Carol on the 22nd, and we watched the Grinch a couple of nights ago.

Charlie's Christmas present is coming along...

Hiya, Amber!

I'm a big fan of Cinder and the other books in that series. You'll have a grand time with it.

>44 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! Good to know that you're a fan of the Cinder books, too. I'll get there eventually, hopefully.

>43 scaifea: OMG, that is going to be TOO cute!

I look forward to seeing the finished product!

>46 EBT1002: Aw, thanks, Ellen! I'm pretty pleased with how it's going so far.

I was at the doctors for over 3 hours today.

>48 mellymel171328: Oh, goodness, Melissa - I hope everything's okay.

>43 scaifea: Ooh. Lovely. Look forward to the updates...

>50 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte! I'm hoping to get a lot more done on Ronaldo (as I've named him) today.

On the agenda for today:
No extra activities on the calendar for today, so I'll be spending the day in the sewing room - woot! I'm hoping to get as close to finished with Ronaldo as I can. Tomm has a work dinner tonight, so Charlie and I will finish up the Asian Chicken Noodle Soup that I made yesterday.

On the reading front:
I listened to a nice chunk of Sabriel yesterday while sewing, and I'm enjoying it so far. Tim Curry is so excellent as a reader.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "The House of Sixty Fathers (1957 Newbery Honor Book) is based on author Meindert DeJong's wartime experience in China."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Toys Meet Snow by Emily Jenkins (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Drummer Boy
-Chapter 14 in James and the Giant Peach
-The second half of chapter 29 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie has now read 420 minutes for the read-a-thon!

And last night's Christmas Movie was Kung Fu Panda Holiday.

Morning Amber! Could I just stay right here, drink more coffee and visit my pals on LT? Pretty please?

>54 msf59: Morning, Mark! If only, buddy. But, as my grandma apparently used to say, "Wish in one hand, s**t in the other, and see which one fills up the fastest." Words of wisdom, eh?

Good morning, Amber!

Your grandma doesn't mess around, does she? :-)

I probably mentioned this, but I loved Sabriel. I'm glad you're having a good time with it. I can imagine Tim Curry would do well by it.

>56 jnwelch: Joe: No, I think she didn't. I never had the chance to meet her, but my mom tells them most amazing stories about her, and she had a whole bagful of those colorful sayings. My favorite, I think, is about someone she thought had too high of an opinion of him-/herself: "I'd like to buy her for what she's worth and sell her for what she thinks she's worth." Ha!
Her own mother died when she was just 7 or 8 years old, and she was left with her father and three younger sisters to be the homemaker. She taught herself to cook standing on an upturned wooden crate so that she could reach the kitchen counter. Amazing woman, by all accounts.

And I'm glad to hear that you loved the Nix. And yes, Tim Curry is excellent!

Ah, thanks for that, Amber. She does sound like quite a woman. Love the saying, and the learning to cook on an upturned crate story. She's someone I wish I had known.

Happy new thread, Amber!

Hmmm, favorite snowy memory? I'm not a big snow person, but one of the fun things I did as a kid was make "forts" in the big piles of snow at the end of the driveway near our street (it was a dead end side street with very little traffic) and trying to make tunnels through it. This never really worked - probably a good thing, as it means I wasn't buried in snow after a tunnel collapsed. I wonder if my mother actually knew what I was up to out there?

Your grandmother sounds like quite a woman. I knew my mom's parents growing up, but both of my dad's parents died before I was born so I always enjoy learning more about them.

>58 jnwelch: Joe: I'm so grateful to my mom for sharing so many stories about her that I do feel that I know her.

>59 bell7: Mary: I love the idea of a fort and tunnels - and the fact that they didn't work so well! Sounds like my kind of fun!

Ronaldo is finished!

>61 scaifea: He's so cute!

>62 MickyFine: Thanks, Mickey! I think so. I love making stuffed animals, because I get to talk to them while they're taking shape, a (NOT AT ALL CRAZY) trait that I picked up from my mom, who used to talk to her creations, too.

>63 scaifea: Aww, that's sweet.

Hi Amber, loving Ronaldo you are a very talented lady. Sending love and hugs dear friend.

>61 scaifea: Colourful crafting, Amber. I love it when a creation like Ronaldo works out so well.

>64 MickyFine: Micky: Thanks for thinking it's sweet and not creepy!

>65 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

>66 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg! Ronaldo is made all from bits and pieces I had laying around - I love when I can do that!

I don't think you're creepy either, Amber. Mostly because creepy is the wrong word. Crazy is more like it. ;)

Kidding! Ronaldo is adorable, and I think he's trying to devour my soul with his cute little eyes.

>68 Ape: Stephen: I'm okay with crazy, but I really don't want to be creepy. So thanks for that!
And thanks for the Ronaldo love! The eyes are buttons, after all, so according to Gaiman, he may actually be trouble. Thankfully, Charlie hasn't read that one yet...

>61 scaifea: Ronaldo looks awesome and like he will be a fun buddy for Charlie! Is there a story behind the name? (I have a (mostly) unabashed love for stuffed animals and often buy a small one as a souvenir from places where others might get a mug or a sweatshirt etc. It's entirely possible that I talk to them on occasion, especially if they get knocked on the floor. It would be impolite not to apologize, surely! So I think you're talking to the animals as you make them is perfectly normal.)

Happy new thread. Love the toppers!

BQ - I really don't love snow, however, I remember waking up in the middle of the night sometimes when it was snowing and I love that silence that falls.

>70 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura! No story behind the name - it just seemed appropriate. All of the stuffed animals in this house have big personalities and we talk to them all the time. Just business as usual here.

>71 nittnut: Thanks, Jenn! Snow silence is a special kind of magic, I think, and I love it.

Hi Amber, I love Ronaldo! You are so talented.

As for snowy memories, I am not a snow person but I do remember one year when we first moved to Ottawa and were living in a new subdivision. There were no fences built yet and about 6 neighbours got together and made one huge ice rink that spread over all of our yards. We kids had a lot of fun that winter!

>73 DeltaQueen50: Thanks, Judy! Oh gosh, but that ice rick sounds amazing!

On the agenda for today:
Another day with (mostly) no plans, so I'll spend part of the day in the sewing room and part of it working on the Latin book. Charlie's gymnastics class is after school today, too.

On the reading front:
I listened to more of Sabriel, read more of Rump and started in on The Inverted World.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Sharon Creech wrote two versions of Walk Two Moons (1995 Newbery Medal) before the final published version, Salmanaca wasn't in either draft."
I've read and really liked this one, but can't remember who Salmanaca is. Gah.

What We Read Yesterday
-More Herobrine Goes to School
-Farmyard Tales Christmas
-The Wishing of Biddy Malone

Charlie has now logging 515 reading minutes!

Last night's Scaife Family Christmas Movie was It's a Wonderful Life!

Morning Amber! Could I just stay right here, drink more coffee and visit my pals on LT? Pretty please?

^^Yes, it is like Groundhog Day around here...shaky grin.

>77 msf59: Mark: Ha! I'm sorry, friend. Bundle up!

Of course Ronaldo's creepy. You mixed zig-zags and polka dots. *shudders* The Horror!

;)

>79 Morphidae: Morphy: Ha! Ronaldo is a free spirit, lady. Don't cramp his style!

Hiya, Amber!

I'm liking Roll of Thunder very much, so thanks again for the nudge. I want to help poor Cassie, but it's so hard to climb inside a book, isn't it.

>81 jnwelch: Joe: Oh, I'm so glad that you're enjoying that one! I haven't read it since I was a kid, but I suspect the parent instinct would kick in these days and I'd want to crawl in and help her, too.

Just a quick howdy Amber! I've downloaded the Big Moby Dick read to my phone for January!

>83 luvamystery65: Hi, Roberta! Yay for Moby Dick! I hope you love it as much as I did!

515 reading minutes - Go Charlie!!

>85 DeltaQueen50: Judy: It's now 575!!

He's doing so well - not that I expected anything else, of course.
(Morning Amber!)

On the agenda for today:
I need to do my menu planning and get my grocery list in order for tomorrow's shopping, and I'd like to do a bit of writing and a bit of crafting before heading to school for my Thursday afternoon volunteering in the library. And then Charlie and I are going to meet Tomm and his team from work for dinner tonight at one of our favorite restaurants in Dubuque.

Oh, and I'm filling out an application for a page position at the public library (!). It'll be a part-time gig (up to 15 hours a week) doing the stuff I love to do (re-shelving books, helping patrons (mostly in the children's section) find books, repairing books - all the stuff I already do as a volunteer at school. Sounds right up my alley, and the hours are few enough that it won't change Charlie's life too much. So, I thought I'd put in an application and see what happens.

On the reading front:
I finished Rump (details to follow at some point), listened to more of Sabriel (I'm nearly finished with this one, I think), and started Gentle Ben but quickly decided that I just can't. Animal books and I don't do so well together. I don't know how this one ends, but I have a bad feeling about it, so I'm not putting myself through that torture.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Arthur Chrisman kept his 1926 Newbery Medal for Shen of the Sea in a dafety deposit box with three shares of Montana copper stock 'and not much else.'"

What We Read Yesterday:
-More Herobrine Goes to School
-They All Saw a Cat by Brendan Wenzel (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-The Santa Claus Book
-Chapter 15 of James and the Giant Peach
-The first half of chapter 30 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie's up to 575 minutes as of last night - he has two more days to go.

Our Scaife Family Christmas Movies yesterday were Merry Madagascar and The Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Special Delivery.

Morning Amber! Just had some instant oatmeal. I am not a fan of this processed stuff but, I do have a warm belly. I will have to make regular oatmeal next time.

>75 scaifea: I loved Walk Two Moons. I just picked it up off the Little Free Library shelf at my daughter's school (so cool, the library keeps a cart with take one/leave one in the common area) and put it on our Newbery shelf.

Good luck with the library job. I'd love one! Just need a house and then all kinds of things can happen...

>90 msf59: Mark: I'm a big fan of hot breakfasts, too, but mostly for Charlie - I tend just to have a cuppa (and maybe some cake or pie, if it's available). We keep the processed oatmeal around because it's fast and I don't make great homemade oats. Now, pancakes? I'm pretty good at those...

>91 nittnut: Jenn: Walk Two Moons was a good one, wasn't it? Charlie's school keeps a Take One Leave One bookshelf, too. Love the idea.
And thanks! And good luck with the house-finding!

>61 scaifea: Ronaldo! So adorable! I can see Charlie loving the stuffing out of that little guy!

For some reason, I've just gotten a taste for a hot bowl of oatmeal. Yeah, I think I'll make a pot. Perfect for a frosty morning!

>93 Carmenere: Morning, Lynda! Thanks! I hope he likes him.
And yeah, I'm starting to get hungry for some oatmeal, too...

Morning

>95 mellymel171328: Morning, Melissa!

Morning, Amber!

I'm a Grinch when it comes to Moby Dick. Too much whale lore for me. Trim that back, and a good book remains, IMO.

Morning, Amber!

>96 scaifea: how are you? :)

>97 jnwelch: Joe: I think I would have likely felt the same if I had tried to read it myself, but having it read to me by a slew of amazing folk made even the whalier bits delightful.

>98 Crazymamie: Morning, lady!

>99 mellymel171328: Melissa: I'm super! But chilled. I've just made myself a cuppa Hot Chai, hoping that will help...

182. Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin by Liesl Shurtliff (Westview library book, 264 pages) - 9/10 = A
I love good re-tellings of myths and fairy tales, and this one is excellent - funny and clever, modern without losing the charm of the original and all the while staying lovingly true to it. Definitely recommended! I'm off to Amazon right now to get a copy for Charlie's shelves...

>100 scaifea: I need to get me some Chai. I haven't had any in a long while.

Liam has been a grump butt. He has or had a double ear infection. His taking a nap now.

>90 msf59: >92 scaifea: I hate instant oatmeal. It's too mushy. But I do eat quick oats. They take about five minutes on the stove.

Hi Amber, sounds like a busy day for you my dear. I hope you are successful with the library job, that is a position right up your street dear friend. Way to go with Charlie's reading but what else would we expect, he is a natural born reader. We have had a steady day and Karen has done her last baking of 2016 and of course I taste tested for quality control as you would expect, ha ha. Sending love and hugs to you all.

>88 scaifea: I hope you get the job! I'm experiencing major job burn out at the moment, and spending time in the stacks the way a page does sounds delightful.

>102 mellymel171328: Melissa: Oh, poor Liam! I hope he feels better soon!

>103 Morphidae: Morphy: Well, I like my oatmeal with more milk and sugar than actual oatmeal, so it instant doesn't bother me much...

>104 johnsimpson: John: Thanks! I'm not 100% certain that I'll take it if it's offered - it depends on whether Tomm and I can work out a schedule that works with Charlie's needs - but I think I likely will.
And yes, Charlie is a reading machine! He's loving the idea that by reading he's raising money for the library!
And I saw photos of Karen's creations on FB - they look amazing, as usual!

>105 rosylibrarian: Marie: Thanks! It's one of my dream jobs - not being a full-on librarian, just re-shelving books and helping the occasional patron find a good one. Bliss.

>101 scaifea: My library has a copy of Rump and I've requested it, it's my daughter's favourite fairy tale, though she's all grown up now but will probably read it anyway. A good YA retelling is A curse as dark as gold.

>107 avatiakh: Kerry: I hope you love it as much as I did! And thanks for the recommendation!

Morning Amber! Pancakes please! Down to my last 2 work days of the week. Whew! It's been a long one.

Check out my Gaiman post, over on my thread. Pretty cool.

On the agenda for today:
Whelp, Charlie's awakened with middlin'-serious diarrhea, so he'll be staying home from school today. Of course I don't want him to be ill (although I think it may have been the rich food at the restaurant last night and not a virus, at least hopefully), I'm not unhappy about him not going to school today: they have a field trip this afternoon to the local history museum, and there's also a winter storm rolling in today, and fretter that I am, I've been worrying about them getting there and then the snow hitting. So, anyway, I'll be calling the school and then calling the other school to let them know I won't be in for my Friday volunteering. Happily, though, Tomm is working from home today, so I'll still be able to pop out for groceries this morning quickly.

On the reading front:
I listened to more of Sabriel (I'm now definitely very nearly finished) and read some more of War & Peace.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Russell Freedman's (Lincoln: A Photobiography, 1988 Newbery Medal) parents met in a San Francisco book store. His mother was a clerk there and his father was a publisher's representative."

>109 msf59: Morning, Mark! Two more days! You can do it!!

Good morning

>112 mellymel171328: Morning, Melissa! How's Liam feeling?

>113 scaifea: he seems less crabby this morning. Sam still has a runny nose too. :( he caught it a couple days after little brother but he seems okay for the most part. How are you and Charlie?

Good morning, Amber!

Love your dream job. Mine was running bookstores way back when. I liked buying books for the store to sell and featuring ones for the customers to consider, in addition to the pleasures of shelving books and helping customers find a good one. Plus hanging out with fellow employees who loved books was pretty great. Being surrounded by so many books I liked and loved was, too.

>114 mellymel171328: Melissa: Charlie's home from school today with diarrhea, but I think it's food-related rather than a virus.

>115 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! YES! I turned in my application this morning and I'm pretty excited about it. I'm already good friends with many of the staff, who tried to get me to apply for a position a while ago. It sure sounds like a good time to me.

>116 scaifea: awe I'm sorry to hear that. Hope he recovers from it soon.

>117 mellymel171328: Thanks, Melissa.

Oh I hope you get the page job and love it! When I retire I want to go back to being a library page. (It was my first - and best - high school job.)

Hope Charlie is feeling better. Working at the library sounds lovely. I sometimes stealth-sort books at my local branch...

>119 bell7: Thanks, Mary! I'm excited and hopeful!

>120 charl08: Charlotte: I stealth sort at libraries, book shops,...

Hello Amber and Happy almost Christmas. I am so behind on threads it is ridiculous. but have to answer this

1. Your real name: Bryony
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Yellow Hedgehog
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Louise Barnsole
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Rowlo Browe
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Green Water
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Trick

>122 BBGirl55: Bryony: Oh, wow, those are all so good! I love your Star Wars name! And the Goth one!

>120 charl08:, >121 scaifea: Me too...

>120 charl08: etc My dream would be to make enough money so that I could leave a goodly chunk of it behind and start a private library or libraries. One would be in my home are obviously and one here but several also in the African countries I have visited to improve literacy and encourage the love of reading. Who knows one day?

Have a lovely weekend, Amber. xx

I hope Charlie is better soon, Amber, I hope you get that awesome job!

>124 nittnut: Hi, Jenn! How could you not?

>125 PaulCranswick: What a lovely goal, Paul - best of luck with it.

>126 FAMeulstee: Anita: He's feeling much better today, thank goodness. And thanks! Me, too!

On the agenda for today:

We're having our Christmas Dinner today, since having it on actual Christmas day and then leaving for a week of traveling the next means lots of wasted leftovers. So, I've got some cooking to do, plus a bit of cleaning and some laundry. I'd also like to spend some time in the sewing room this afternoon, and then Charlie has invited Tomm and me to a family game of Super Mario Brothers...

On the reading front:
I listened to a tiny bit more of Sabriel while folding laundry yesterday, but that's all to report for yesterday. After Charlie went to bed, instead of reading, Tomm and I watched a Christmas episode of The West Wing.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "David Kherdian didn't know whether to send the manuscript for The Road from Home (1980 Newbery Honor Book) to a publisher for adults or a publisher for children. He decided to try a children's publisher first and received an acceptance."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Chicka Chicka 123
-Soccer by Brad Herzog (Charlie's homework, 24 pages) - 8/10 = B
-Jingle Bells
-Chapter 16 of James and the Giant Peach
-The second half of chapter 30 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's Scaife Family Christmas Movie was Dragons Holiday (featuring the characters from the How to Train Your Dragons movies). Love those guys.

And the Read-a-Thon is now over! Charlie logged a total of 695 minutes, and his promised pledges add up to just unto $400!! WOOT!

>129 scaifea: Wow, well done Charlie!!!

>130 lauralkeet: Laura: I know, right?! Well done to all of the sponsors, too, really.

Well done Charlie!

Way to go, Charlie! Becca let me know how well he did.

And Merry Christmas to the Scaifes! Enjoy that Christmas dinner!

>132 charl08: Charlotte: Thanks! I'll pass along the congrats!

>133 jnwelch: Thanks, Joe!

That sounds like the perfect job, Amber. Best of luck! Enjoy your early Christmas dinner.

>135 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

>128 scaifea: As a long time West Wing fan, I have to ask which Christmas episode?

Congrats to Charlie!

>137 MickyFine: Micky: Season 4 Episode 11 - Danny comes back as Santa, Toby's dad shows up, there's trouble brewing over that little business in Central America, the Whiffenpoofs sing...

>138 scaifea: I love that one. :)

>139 MickyFine: Micky: To be fair, I love all WW episodes. All Of Them.

Quick check-in this morning as we're getting ready to head out to the Wisconsin Dells area to have lunch at our favorite train restaurant (http://www.buffalophilsgrille.com/) and then window shop at the outlet mall next door and admire the holiday decorations. Yes, it's snowy and yes, it's really REALLY cold, but this is our last chance to go before Christmas so we're doing it!

What We Read Yesterday:
-More Herobrine Goes to School
-One Day in the Eucalyptus, Eucalyptus Tree by Daniel Bernstrom (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Santa's Surprise Book
-Chapter 17 in James and the Giant Peach
-The first part of chapter 31 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's installment of the Scaife Family Christmas Movie Marathon was Christmas episodes of 30 Rock and Parks & Rec. And then, after Charlie was in bed, Tomm and I watched Down with Love, which isn't really a Christmas movie, but it always has been for us, for some reason.

Morning Amber! Happy Sunday! The perfect day to stay in with the books. I do have to do the food shopping and some shoveling, (BOO!) but most of the day, will be spent in my favorite reading spot, with the fireplace on.

>143 msf59: Morning, Mark! That sounds perfect!

Morning, Amber! Wishing you safe travels and loads of fun today.

>145 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

>140 scaifea: Ditto. Have you listened to The West Wing Weekly podcast? It's great.

Have fun at the Dells!

>147 MickyFine: Micky: I haven't. I don't do podcasts, at least not yet. I've heard that one's really good, though.

>148 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel! We did! It was flippin' freezing (-6 while we were there), but we had a great lunch and lots of fun window shopping at the outlet mall (and also brought home $35 worth of fudge...)

>128 scaifea: So what did you have for Christmas dinner?

>128 scaifea: Morphy: Turkey roast, mashed potatoes, two kinds of stuffing (one gluten-free for Tomm), corn, applesauce, and Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle for dessert.

On the agenda for today:
Charlie's school is on a 2-hour delay this morning, so we'll get to hang out a bit more before leaving (he'll likely get up at the same time as usual, sometime between now and 6am - this kid *never* sleeps in). Then I'll do some crafting in the sewing room and some work on the Latin book before heading out to both schools to pick up any read-a-thon forms that get turned in today and Charlie. His school holiday program is this evening, and we're all looking forward to it.

On the reading front:
I didn't do any reading at all yesterday, I'm afraid. I did finish Sabriel on Saturday - I'll post my tiny review later on today.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "E.B. White did nine drafts of Charlotte's Web (1953 Honor Book)."

What We Read Yesterday:
-Animals of the Tundra by Richard Vaughn (Charlie's homework, 24 pages) - 8/10 = B
-Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
-Llama Llama Holiday Drama
-Chapter 18 of James and the Giant Peach
-The middle part of chapter 31 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last Night's entry in the Scaife Family Christmas Movie Marathon: Arthur Christmas.

Morning Amber! Who is is off today?? Yep, you guessed it. B.A.G. I did not get to the food shopping yesterday, since the shoveling tuckered me out, so I will be doing that and then there are the books...

Happy Monday, Amber! I'm not finding much time to scroll the threads so just did a cursory peek. Woot's to Charlie! and hope he's feeling much better. Woots to you too! Hope all works out for the great job offer.

It's funny you mentioned Down with Love always being your "Christmas Movie" because for some reason Edward Scissorhands will always be the "Christmas Movie" for Bill and I.

Have a fantastic time in the Wisconsin Dells!!

>154 msf59: Morning, Mark! Yay for Mondays off!!

>155 Carmenere: Lynda: Morning! And thanks! Charlie's feeling much better, thank goodness, and we had a fabulous time in the Dells.
I love Edward Scissorhands, too!

>156 scaifea: Waaaa?! You're back already?! I really need to stay abreast of these developments *sigh*

>157 Carmenere: Lynda: We only drove up for the day - it's only 1.5 hours from here.

Good morning, Amber!

Did you end up liking Sabriel?

I wonder whether the "never sleeping in" will change when Charlie's a teen. There was a period of time when basically I grew, ate, and slept. It was a halcyon stretch when I could eat all the time and still was too skinny. Wish I could get the trick of that again . . .

>159 jnwelch: Morning, Joe! I did like Sabriel, but I didn't LOVE it (see below).
I keep wondering when he'll start sleeping in, too. And when he'll start eating us out of the house...

183. Sabriel by Garth Nix (Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list, audiobook) - 8/19 = B+
I liked this story of a young woman who suddenly finds herself inheriting her father's title as Abhorsen (= big wig necromancer) and on a quest that will take her across the wall and into another world. I love the world-building and the idea of the abhorsen and the plot conflict was great, but the characters seemed a little flat and although I did enjoy listening to this one, I didn't get involved enough to want to continue with the series. Tim Curry was excellent, though, as the reader.

Morning, Amber! We're still waiting to see if Birdy will sleep in when she is a teenager, lol.

>161 Crazymamie: Morning, Mamie! Ha!

Jacob finally started sleeping in when he was about 17. Of course, then that meant that getting him up was like poking a hibernating bear. I almost missed the early rising.

>163 ursula: Ursula: Ha! I can understand that!

Sleeping in.... before kids I was an up-and-attem early riser. Then I got used to years of pre-dawn wake ups. (Sometimes..too often...before 5am) Now I take any second of a sleep in that I can!

>165 LovingLit: Megan: Wise woman.

On the agenda for today:
I'm helping out with some PTO stuff at school this morning, having lunch with a friend, then working on sorting read-a-thon entries until time to pick Charlie up from school.

On the reading front: I listened to Life of Pi a bit yesterday, read a bit of The Inverted World and a bit of Don Quixote.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Many publishers rejected Richard Atwater's manuscript for Mr. Popper's Penguins (1939 Newbery Honor Book) until his wife, Florence, revised the manuscript."

What We Read Yesterday:
-Bear Stays Up for Christmas
-The rest of chapter 31 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Morning Amber! Big fan of Life of Pi. Would love to revisit it, on audio.

>169 msf59: Morning, Mark! I'm enjoying it so far, although there could maybe be a bit less zoo animal trivia. The reader for the audio is excellent, although I don't remember the name (helpful, yes?).

Morning, Amber!

Another Life of Pi fan here. I'll be interested to hear what you think when you're done.

How many chapters does Harry and the Goblet have? Are you about halfway? Her imagination is . . . prodigious. I keep trying to think of words to capture it.

>167 scaifea: Sounds like Mrs Atwater should have got a co-author credit...

Stopping by a few busy threads to let folks know there's a new party in town!

http://www.librarything.com/groups/75booksin2017

>171 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! I don't really know where the story is going in Life of Pi, but so far so enjoyable.
There are 36 chapters, I think in this HP - we've just finished the chapter in which Harry and Cedric grab the triwizard cup at the same time and discover that it's a portkey. Bit of a cliffhanger between last night and this one - Charlie's very excited.
And you're right - her imagination is an embarrassment of riches.

>172 charl08: I agree, Charlotte!

>173 drneutron: Jim: WOOT! Oh, gosh, but I'm not ready yet!! But I'm excited!!

Good morning, scaifea. I hope all is well with you.

>1 scaifea: The topper photos are excellent.

1. Your real name: Brodie
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal):Green Cheetah
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Brodie 128th PL SE (doesn't quite work)
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Wilbr Daams
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Purple Coffee
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Baxter

>174 scaifea: Re: Harry and Goblet, are you prepping him at all for what's coming? Cedric's death always strikes me as one of the most horrible moments in the whole thing because it's so sudden. It's like "Whomp! Now for a turn to the darkness..." It's the kind of thing I think would have bothered me as a kid, but at the same time I think I would have been seriously peeved if it was spoiled first!

>175 brodiew2: Hi, Brodie! I'm glad you like the photos. And you've got some excellent names there - I think your Star Wars name is particularly adorable...

>176 lycomayflower: Laura: I've thought a lot about it (of COURSE I've over-thought it), but I think that, no, I won't try to ease him into it. That's just part of the beauty of this series, the pain that sometimes goes with it. I am incredibly curious to see how he reacts, especially since we had a longish conversation after last night's reading about how it was so nice of Cedric to offer the cup to Harry, and how cool that they decided to share it. Charlie was wondering if they'd share the cup maybe on alternate months or something, and a little part of me died inside when he said that...

>178 drneutron: Jim: I. LOVE. THIS.

Saw it on Facebook, knew you'd want it. :)

>180 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! I love that it made you think of me!

>178 drneutron: Very clever, Potter fan or not.

>178 drneutron: Heh heh heh.

>178 drneutron: - LOVE! I am not a big Potterhead, though I enjoyed them when I finally read/listened to them. Hermione was definitely the best thing about them. And Ron. I really could have done without Harry, actually. *ducks flying objects*

>123scaifea I liked my Star Wars name too

>178drneutron I love this too! now I just wonder what Ron's ones would say.

I did this wrong.

4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Lunmaleist

Should be:

Lunma Leist

Which is a cool name.

>183 MickyFine: Hi, Micky!

>184 katiekrug: Katie: Nah, I get that. Harry gets under my skin sometimes, too, especially starting around book 5 or so. So teen-angsty, which is accurate, but not always pleasant.

>185 BBGirl55: Byrony: I've seen a similar meme featuring the titles adjusted for Draco Malfoy, and they were hilarious, but I've not seen one for Ron.

>186 Morphidae: Morphy: Agreed - v. cool.

>178 drneutron: brilliant!
Looking forward to hearing more about Charlie's experience with this volume of HP.

>188 lauralkeet: Laura: I'm eager to see what happens tonight, too - I'll of course report back.

There's also a Snape one but it uses the "b-word" far too many times for your comfort, I'm sure.

hiya Amber. been a long, long time. just wanted to say hullo. "hullo."

>186 Morphidae: what fun, Morphy, but what a dreary name: Mosel Alses. erck.

the difficulties of parenthood of which i never thought. like spoilers. i agree with your decision. reading is like life: take it as it comes and deal with it. age appropriately, of course.

see ya.

>190 Morphidae: Morphy: Good ones! That's not the Draco one that I've seen - it was more serious and kind of sad, really.

>191 mirrordrum: Hi, Ellie! Oh, I really like Mosel Alses - rolls off the tongue beautifully.
And thanks; the spoiler was hard not to spoil, but I managed it.

On the agenda for today:
Some time in the sewing room finishing one up last project before Christmas, then going round to the schools to pick up read-a-thon forms (today is the deadline for turning them in) before volunteering in the library this afternoon. Gymnastics tonight after school.

On the reading front:
I read a bit of The Complete Sherlock Holmes yesterday, and listened to a bit of Life of Pi.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "When the library of congress asked Jean Lee Latham for permission to record Carry On, Mr. Bowditch (1956 Newbery Medal) for Talking Books for the Blind, Latham asked if she could be the reader because she was once a drama student. She auditioned and got the job."

What We Read Yesterday:
-Olive and the Big Secret by Tor Freeman (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B
-Duck & Goose: It's Time for Christmas!
-A bit more of Herobrine Goes to School
-Chapter 19 of James and the Giant Peach
-Chapter 32 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Charlie reacted the way he reacts to most things, when I read the bit with Cedric being killed - he took it in quietly, mulled it round, and then was ready to talk about it. He thought it was abrupt and really sad, of course, and he thought the whole chapter was really creepy and a bit scary (and I did too - more so than I remembered it being). He says we may need to skip over this bit in the movie; he's not keen on seeing a weird baby-sized, monstery version of Voldemort (his words, not mine).

The Scaife Family Christmas Movie last night was A Charlie Brown Christmas.

Morning, Amber! That Draco Malfoy is a hoot!

35 today! Hey, I'll take it!!

Charlie's a pretty smart guy. :)

>195 msf59: Morning, Mark! It's gonna feel practically balmy out there today!

>196 drneutron: Jim: Yeah, he's okay, I guess. Ha!

Whew. Sounds like Charlie did okay with that scene. It's a tough one for any reader, and so unexpected. There's so much for him to digest, I won't be surprised if you have more conversations about it.

>198 lauralkeet: Laura: We've already been chatting about it this morning!

Morning, Amber!

What Laura said. Madame MBH still gets chills thinking about that scene. I'm glad (and not surprised) that Charlie did okay with it. Rowling warned us.

>200 jnwelch: Morning, Joe!
When I read it for the first time it didn't have the same effect on me as what happens at the end of the next book did (and still does), but yes, it's still chilling. I had enjoyed the books tons, of course, leading up to that point, but I think that's the moment that I began to feel a genuine respect for Rowling and what she does with this story and her writing chops in general.

Morning

>178 drneutron: LOVE!!!

Morning, Amber!

>202 mellymel171328: Morning, Melissa!

>203 Crazymamie: Mamie: I know, right?! So great.

>201 scaifea: it didn't have the same effect on me as what happens at the end of the next book did
OMG YES. *cries a little*

>204 scaifea: how are you?

>205 lauralkeet: Laura: I KNOW, RIGHT?! If Charlie wants to read on, I'm not sure how I'll be able even to read that chapter aloud. When I read it to myself, I nearly can't breathe for all of the sobbing going on.

>206 mellymel171328: Melissa: I'm doing pretty well. Excited for this weekend, but my stomach feels a little off this morning. I'm hoping it's just because I've been eating pretty terribly lately and not because I'm coming down with something...
Will you be joining next year's group? I hope so!

>207 scaifea: I didn't even know it was up! I am going to go make my page now. I am sorry you are starting to feel bad and I hope that it goes away just as fast as it came up. :( I am so excited for this weekend. My husband has Christmas Eve off for once! We are going to his families. Then we will do CHristmas morning and me and the kids are going to my grandparents for a few days.

>43 scaifea: excellent arrangement. you're a good photographer. i got quite involved in the wonder of the pincushion and the nice line of the scissors after being thoroughly infuriated by your creative skills. humph. well, i made an apron in 4th grade because they wouldn't let me take shop. and i made two down coats, one for me and one for JB, when we lived in the cabin and the cats loved it, i hated it, i got laughed at a lot, there was down all over the effing place but by jiminy, we had very warm, functional coats! ugly, but warm. i still hear about the down dispersal. *martyred sigh*

oh, HNT=Happy New Thread

thanks for all the spoiler alerts as i'm only on the 2nd HP book.

>178 drneutron: i recognize that font! if you look at the certificate i sent, you'll see it's the font used in the "For exceptional accomplishment" line. i heart fonts! it's one of the most commonly used for HP stuff. i'm not in Mamie's league, but i also know stuff.

i didn't know you're a West Wing fan? i had to stop after we lost Leo/John. wasn't up for it.

What's next, Mrs. Landingham?

Hi Amber, I have been a bit remiss of late in not visiting as much but things have been a bit busy this last few days but here I am now. Sending love and hugs.

>208 mellymel171328: Melissa: It sounds like you have a great weekend ahead!

>209 mirrordrum: Aw, thanks, Ellie! I love the down coat story! I bet they weren't at all ugly.
And I do love that font, too. I downloaded one to type up the birthday party invitations - so fun.

>210 mirrordrum: Ellie: Oh, Mrs. Landingham! Sigh. Gosh, I love that show so much.

>211 johnsimpson: Hi, John! Thanks!

On the agenda for today:
I'll be at school for the day helping out with the Holiday Shoppe: the students have been saving up their Hillmen High Fives (little tickets that the teachers hand out to them when they're 'caught' acting with good behavior), which they can use to 'purchase' items as presents for their families. We've been collecting donated items for about a month now, and we set it all up Tuesday morning. It'l be exhausting but also a complete hoot, I think.

On the reading front:
I listened to a little bit of Life of Pi yesterday, but that's all I have to report. My stomach wasn't feeling excellent yesterday (I think I'm better this morning), so I just went straight to bed after getting Charlie's settled in for the night.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "Walter Edmonds wrote most of The Matchlock Gun (1942 Newbery Medal) in two days."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Christmas Parade
-Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
-The first few pages in Warriors: Midnight (A chapter book Charlie has checked out of the school library but wants me to read aloud to him)
-Chapter 20 in James and the Giant Peach
-The first half of chapter 33 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's Scaife Family Christmas Movie was Shaun the Sheep: We Wish Ewe a Merry Christmas.

Oh, and I've tallied up all the totals from the Read-a-Thon (yesterday was the deadline for turning the forms and pledges in): The students raised a little over $2000 for the library. This is what kind of surprised me, though - Charlie both raised the most money (just under $400 - I made a last-minute donation to raise it up to an even $400) and read the most minutes at 695! He's in 2nd grade and the read-a-thon included kiddos up through 4th grade. He's pretty excited about that, I have to say.

Morning Amber! Hope the tummy is feeling better!

Go Read-a-Thon! Go Charlie!

>216 msf59: Morning, Mark! The stomach is feeling better this morning. Still a little off, but I think it's that soreness you get after a bad stomach-ache...

Aw! Well done Charlie. That's great reading.

Morning Amber!

OK, I'm hopping on board before you put this thread to bed:

Your real name: Lynda
2. Your detective name (favorite color and favorite animal): Red Koala
3. Your soap opera name (middle name and street you live on): Suzanne Apple
4. Your Star Wars name (first 3 letters of last name, first 2 of middle name -- then, First 2 of first, last 3 of last: Zadsu Lykey
5. Superhero name (2nd favorite color and favorite drink): Blue water
6. Goth name (black and one of your pets): Black Peanut

Sweet Thursday, Amber!

>215 scaifea: I'm not surprised. Charlie is just awesome like that.

Glad to hear your tummy is feeling better.

Oh how wonderful Charlie "won" the read-a-thon!

>218 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!

>219 Carmenere: Lynda: Black Peanut! I love it!!

>220 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

>221 Morphidae: Aw, thanks Morphy!

>222 The_Hibernator: Thanks, Rachel!

On the agenda for today:

Charlie is already enjoying his first day of holiday break! If the roads say clear (there's talk of some more snow today), we'll drive down to Dubuque for lunch with Tomm. Otherwise, we're just hanging out and enjoying a lazy day. I suspect there will be some board game playing and some video games, too.

On the reading front:
Another day with nothing to report. I worked in the Holiday Shoppe at school all day and then was too tuckered to pick up a book last night.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "A television producer offered to buy the rights to The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle (1991 Newbery Honor Book). Author Avi declined because the deal would have included drastically changing the ending."

What We Read Yesterday:
Our Scaife Family Christmas Movie was a longish one last night and we didn't get started with it until a little late, so we only had time to read from HP at bedtime:
-The second half of chapter 33 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Morning Amber! Happy Friday!

>226 msf59: Morning, Mark!

Thanks for dropping a note at my thread, Amber, appriciated.

Ronaldo is adorable!!!!

Leaving this wish for the season....

>228 FAMeulstee: You're welcome, Anita. Thinking of you.

>229 EBT1002: Aw, thanks so much, Ellen!

The view from my desk chair right now:



I love watching that snow come down out there.

I like that too, Amber, I wish we got some snow.
That page on your computer looks familiar :-)

>231 scaifea: I'm ENVIOUS!

>232 FAMeulstee: Anita: I wish I could send some to you! It's gorgeous here right now.

>233 EBT1002: Ellen: I know, right?! I LOVE IT. Charlie and I are having such a snug, cozy, fun day today.

Merry Christmas Amber! Thank you for your time, your kind words and the books we enjoy together. However you celebrate, I wish for it to be full of joy.

>235 nittnut: Aw, thanks, Jenn!

Hi Amber, Karen and I would like to wish you and the family a very merry Christmas and whilst we celebrate take a moment to think of those less fortunate than ourselves due to war, starvation and natural disasters. Sending love and hugs.

Love the view Amber. No snow here. I'd like some of that please.

>237 johnsimpson: Thanks, John!

>238 charl08: Charlotte: It's still coming down fairly heavily here. Tomm's home safely and Christmas vacation can officially begin!

I may get one or two more finished by the end of the year, but as it stands here are my favorite reads of this year (not counting re-reads):

-Dandelion Wine
-Dear Committee Members
-The Boy at the Top of the Mountain
-The Boy in the Striped Pajamas

And some honorable mentions from the 9/10-rated books:
-Lord of the Flies
-I Capture the Castle
-The Bell Jar
-A Clockwork Orange
-The Catcher in the Rye
-Inside Out and Back Again
-Far from the Madding Crowd
-The Three Musketeers
-Stay Where You Are and Then Leave
-The Terrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket
-The War That Saved My Life
-The Return of the Native
-Bone Gap

>231 scaifea: Looks awesome. We're expecting ours overnight tonight.

>241 ursula: Ursula: Oh, it's lovely, isn't it? But are you traveling? If so, I hope it doesn't mess up your plans.

Wouldn't it be nice if 2017 was a year of peace and goodwill.
A year where people set aside their religious and racial differences.
A year where intolerance is given short shrift.
A year where hatred is replaced by, at the very least, respect.
A year where those in need are not looked upon as a burden but as a blessing.
A year where the commonality of man and woman rises up against those who would seek to subvert and divide.
A year without bombs, or shootings, or beheadings, or rape, or abuse, or spite.

2017.

Festive Greetings and a few wishes from Malaysia!

>243 PaulCranswick: Paul: I love it. Thanks, friend.

Amber, have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!!

>242 scaifea: Nope, not going anywhere. We didn't get much overnight anyway, just a dusting. It started off as rain because it was pretty warm yesterday. It looks like we're not supposed to get any serious snow until next week.

>245 SandDune: Thanks, Rhian!

>246 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelle!

>247 ursula: Ursula: Oh boy, rain at this time of the year. Blech. It's nice that you don't have to travel, though.

On the agenda for today:
All The Laundry, so that everything will be clean for packing tomorrow, cleaning the house before we leave for a week, helping Charlie with some last-minute wrapping, baking cookies for Santa, and then Family Board Game Time this afternoon.

On the reading front:
I did manage a tiny bit of The Complete Sherlock Holmes yesterday, but only a tiny bit.

The Newbery/Caldecott trivia: "Robin McKinley (The Hero and the Crown, 1985 Newbery Medal) said her epitaph should read, 'There must have been an easier way.'"

What We Read Yesterday:
-Zero the Hero by Joan Holub (public library book, picture book) - 8/10 = B+
-Merry Christmas, Mouse!
-More of Herobrine Goes to School
-Chapter 21 of James and the Giant Peach
-Chapter 34 of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's Scaife Family Christmas Movie: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation!

Merry Christmas, Amber! Hope there is plenty of joy at the Scaife Manor.

Safe travels, my friend.

>251 msf59: Thanks, Mark! Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Amber!

>253 luvamystery65: Thanks, Roberta!!

Merry Christmas, Amber!

>255 Crazymamie: Mamie: I LOVE IT!! Thanks, lady!

Peace on Earth and Happy Holidays!

>257 Cariola: >258 Storeetllr: Thanks, ladies!

All good wishes for a wonderful Christmas holiday!

May 2017 be filled with many good books.

Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas, Amber!

Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas!

Thanks, everyone!

Charlie was so excited tonight - he wanted to go to bed at 6pm! So fun. Now we just wait for him to fall asleep...

Merry Christmas from the Koons household to yours!

This is the Christmas tree at the end of the Pacific Beach Pier here in San Diego, a Christmas tradition.

To all my friends here at Library Thing, I want you to know how much I value you and how much I wish you a very happy holiday, whatever one you celebrate, and the very best of New Years!

Merry Christmas, Amber.

>264 laytonwoman3rd: >265 ronincats: >266 Ameise1: Thanks, ladies!

Happy Holidays, everyone!

Charlie was up at 5am (only a little before his normal time) and our present-sharing is already done and dusted. He was delighted with his old-man-like requested gifts (a suitcase with wheels, a pair of shoes and "a novel by Charles Dickens" - Santa brought him a lovely edition of A Christmas Carol). Santa brought me my favorite cookies - McVitties chocolate-covered digestives, and Tomm and Charlie gave me excellent presents, including a new tea mug featuring Baymax (adorable). We have some new card and dice games to try out today, some new movies to watch (Charlie got the Johnny Depp's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Tomm has the latest Muppet Movie and I have the Whedon Much Ado About Nothing). So, after getting everything packed up for our trip (which starts tomorrow morning), we'll have a fabulous day of hanging out and enjoying a quiet holiday together. I love that we get this quiet time with just each other before the insanity of family travel.

On the reading front:
I read a little bit more of The Complete Sherlock yesterday in between laundry and cookie-making and responding to Charlie that no, it's not time for bed yet, and the more I read, the more I love Mr. Holmes.

The Newbery/Caldecott Trivia: "In addition to writing such books as Caddie Woodlawn (1936 Newbery Medal), Carol Ryrie Brink also wrote poetry and several successful plays."

What We Read Yesterday:
-More of that Herobrine book - he'll finish it eventually.
-The Night Before Christmas
-If You Take a Mouse to the Movies
-Chapter 22 in James and the Giant Peach
-The first part of chapter 35 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Last night's Scaife Family Christmas Movie: Elf. And then Tomm and I watched Love Actually while waiting for Charlie to fall asleep.

Happy Christmas to everyone at Scaife Manor, Amber! I love Charlie's gifts :-)

Enjoy your Christmas morning, Amber! And hooray for Charlie, the "perfect little man"!

>270 susanj67: Thanks, Susan! I was worried that he'd not be as excited about them once today actually came round, but I needn't be troubled - he loves them all! What a delightfully weird kid.

>271 msf59: Morning, Mark! I know, right? Such a goof.

Merry Christmas, Amber!

>273 lycomayflower: Thanks, Laura!

The Shoes:

LOVE the shoes! They rock! I was laughing that your gift exchange was over before ours even began - too funny! Enjoy your lovely day of indulgence, Amber!

>275 scaifea: Mighty fine shoes!

>275 scaifea: Nice shoes Amber, and I think you all got awesome gifts!
Safe travels tomorrow!

Those are cool!

>276 Crazymamie: Mamie: I was surprised that Charlie slept as late as he did, honestly. Yeesh. And didn't the shoes turn out fabulously?!

>277 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: I know, right?!

>278 FAMeulstee: Thanks, Anita! We all had a wonderful day.

>279 drneutron: Thanks, Jim! I so want to make my own pair!

>275 scaifea: well, certainly the shoes, but they lead me to consider the feeties, and how they do grow!

Sounds like you had a great Christmas at Scaife Manor. I hope that your travel and the rest of the holiday season are enjoyable.

>281 mirrordrum: Ellie: Oh, lovely! Thanks!
And yes, the feet are growing, along with the rest of him. We measure him once a month, and in the past one, he's grown - wait for it - another full quarter of an inch. He'll be looking me in the eye, soon.

>282 Familyhistorian: Thanks, Meg!

On the agenda for today:
This morning we'll do the last-minute packing stuff, and then we're off to Indiana, then Columbus, then Cleveland. We'll be back on New Year's Eve; I'll try to check in occasionally while we're gone, but for the most part I'll be absent until the new year.

Hope the Scaifea household, enjoys another day of rest, relaxation and maybe one more holiday type movie!

What We Read Yesterday:
-Charlie read out more of Herobrine Goes to School
-What Do You Do with an Idea?
-Chapter 23 of James and the Giant Peach
-The second half of chapter 35 in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

>285 Carmenere: Thanks, Lynda! We'll be in the car for most of the day, but there will be some relaxing once we get to my parents' house this afternoon.

Morning Amber! Hope you have a safe trip and it stays mostly dry.

Hey, I woke up and most of our snow is gone!

>288 msf59: Thanks, Mark! It rained off and on all day yesterday, but we have so much snow that it didn't make much of a dent in it. We'll likely not see the ground again until March. Or April. Ha!

Wishing you safe travels, Amber!

Merry belated Christmas and a very happy New Year, Amber!

Love the shoes Amber. Wishing you safe travels and kind times with loved ones.

Amber--Merry Day-After Christmas!! Safe travels and have lots of fun!! Hugs. : )

>275 scaifea:, Loving the Shoes.

>275 scaifea: LOVE those shoes!!!!!

Hope you are having a great holiday away!

Happy Holidays, Amber!

Our shoe-collecting son would love the ones in >275 scaifea:.

Yay for Dandelion Wine! Love that book.

Catching up on what you and Charlie have been reading!

We're in Columbus now and enjoying a small vacation in between family visits. I was very restrained at the ginormous Barnes and Noble yesterday and only purchased two books: Bright Moon, White. Clouds (a collection of poems by Li Po) and a collection of letters by Emily Dickinson. Tomorrow we're heading up to the Cleveland area and to the in-laws for two days. Happy thoughts welcome for those days...

>290 Crazymamie: Thanks, Mamie!

>291 Trifolia: Oh, lovely - thank you!

>292 charl08: Thanks, Charlotte!

>293 Berly: Thanks, Kim!

>294 johnsimpson: >295 EBT1002: John and Ellen: Aren't they the coolest? He loves them, too. Definitely elven-made.

>296 ChelleBearss: Thanks, Chelsea!

>297 jnwelch: Hi, Joe! My mom gave him some light-up shoestrings to go with the shoes, and they were perfect for our trip to see the zoo lights last night. So much fun.
And yes, Dandelion Wine is so excellent. Definitely worth a re-read at some point.

>298 thornton37814: Hi, Lori!

>299 scaifea: Light-up shoestrings? They make such a thing? I must be living under a rock!

>300 casvelyn: They crazy cool! LED lights inside the strings.

Best of luck, Amber. Maybe you can retreat to your car when you need to?

Sending good thoughts and wishes for good weather so you can take a walk to escape whenever you need. *hugs*

>301 scaifea: Pics or it didn't happen!

Sweet Thursday, Amber!

Oh, goody. The in-laws.

Stay strong, sister!

>299 scaifea: courage mon brave! remember the joy of books awaits.

>302 Familyhistorian: Meg: Ha! I wish!

>303 MickyFine: Thanks, Micky.

>304 casvelyn: Ha! Maybe once we get home.

>305 jnwelch: Hi, Joe!

>306 katiekrug: Katie: *snork!*

>307 mirrordrum: Ellie: I'm hoping to retreat into some books today...

Hi Amber, Karen and I would like to wish you, Tomm and Charlie a very Happy New Year and a prosperous and healthy 2017 dear friend, sending love and hugs.

hey Amber. thanks for the gift of your friendship this past year. your sense of humor, occasional discourses on classical Latin syntax, *snorks*, exuberant sharing of the life and times of Charliemagne and your daily routines are such a treat. can't wait to see what happens next year.

Looking forward to your continued company in 2017.
Happy New Year, Amber

Wishing you and your loved ones a wonderful new year, Amber!

Happy New Year to you and your family, Amber! Looking forward to keeping up with you in 2017.

Well, we're back home now, after a full day of driving yesterday. Whew! Today will be filled with unpacking and sorting and all kinds of laundry and menu-planning and grocery listing and un-decorating. If all of that gets done (!), I'll be back here to wrap up this thread and get the new year's thread settled and running.

I did manage to finish one more book, so I'll report that one here later.

Happy New Year, everyone!

>309 johnsimpson: Thanks so much, John!

>310 mirrordrum: Aw, thanks, Ellie, what a lovely thing to say!

>311 PaulCranswick: Thanks, Paul!

>312 Trifolia: Thank you, Monica!

>313 Dianekeenoy: Thanks, Diane!

Glad you made it home safely, Amber! Enjoy the holiday with the family, my friend.

>316 msf59: Thanks, Mark!

Welcome back, Amber! If you get all that done, you're Super Woman. Oh, wait...you are.

I just think it's a miracle that you made it home WITH your family instead of AHEAD of your family. Or rather ahead of Tomm. LOL.

>318 laytonwoman3rd: Linda: Ha! Well, unpacking is finished, laundry is going. Next up is the grocery list (and the actual shopping - apparently the local grocery shop is open today), but first I thought I'd take a break and list my last books of 2016...

>319 Morphidae: Morphy: *SNORK!* It was a close call...

The last books of 2016:

184. Life of Pi by Yann Martel (audiobook/Green Dragon 1001 Fantasy list) - 10/10 = A+
Ohmygosh. So, so, SO good. The writing was excellent, with lovely turns of phrases everywhere you look (or listen, as the case may be). And the story was fabulous; I am, as you know, I great fan of mythologies and the importance of Truth over fact, which is the cornerstone of myths and legends. This novel embraces that idea in such a fantastic way that I was honest-to-goodness gleeful when I finished it. Were I still teaching, I would absolutely assign this as required reading in my mythology course. Easily one of the best books I read this year, or any other year.

185. Herobrine Goes to School (Charlie bedtime read-aloud) - 7/10 = C-
Charlie is a Minecraft fan, and this is the first in a fan fiction series published by Scholastic. He bought it at the book fair and is very excited about the series, so he's reading them to us a little at a time at bedtime. I put on a brave face and act interested and happy, but oh good lordy lou, they're terrible. The things we do as parents, eh?

186. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J. K. Rowling (Charlie bedtime read) - 10/10 = A+
We finished it, and Charlie loved it, but we all cried a little at Dumbledore's speech at the end. And then we had a good discussion about whether Charlie wants to continue or take a break; he asked good questions about what the rest of the books are like, and without spoiling anything, we told him truthfully that they're amazing, of course, but that the tone changes pretty drastically at this point, and as Hermione says at the end of the movie (we watched that, too, last night), everything will be different from now on. He decided on his own that he wants to take a bit of a break, and I'm okay with that. Instead, we'll replace the HP books at night with a re-read of the Paddington series.

>322 scaifea: I've said it before and I'll say it again, you are an awesome mom.

But the good lordy lou made me laugh like a loon. :D

>323 Morphidae: Morphy: Ha! Yeah, they're awful. But he loves 'em and he's reading, so win.
And thanks, lady. Somedays I think I'm doing okay.

>322 scaifea: Also had to laugh at your "good lordy lou." I felt a similar way when I was reading a chapter in a fairy book series book (I think it's the one by Daisy Meadows but have blocked so much out I couldn't say for sure) to the kids I was babysitting. Thank goodness I was only babysitting and only endured a chapter or two, but it was awful.

Love how Charlie came to the conclusion that he would take a break for now on his own. I hope to similarly encourage kids (mine or others, as an aunt or librarian) to read without pressuring them into stuff they may not be ready for OR talking down to them like they can't handle something they can. It's a tough balance and you're doing great, I think! :)

>325 bell7: Mary: It *is* a tough balance. I won't ever EVER tell him that he can't read a book, or that a book is too difficult for him (hence his 'reading' War & Peace), and with Charlie that's going just fine, but when I substitute for the librarian at school, there's definitely a balance that I'm not great at mastering. Again, I just can't tell a kid no when it comes to checking out books, even if they look like they're probably too difficult for them. I think I get away with it because I'm just the substitute... Ha!