June 2014 Wrap-up and Monthly TBR

Hop on over to Booksessed to participate.

June's TBR Pile (7/11):

1. J's pick: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Fluffy romance: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
3. Classic: The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
4. Book club selection: Tapestry of Fortunes by Elizabeth Berg √
5. Children's Fiction: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente √
6. Story Collection: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk √
7. Mystery Pick: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn (in progress)
8. Monthly Key Word: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson √
9. Contemporary: Lost Lake by Sarah Addison Allen √
10. Added: Grand Forks by Marilyn Hagerty √
11. Added: Death in Yellowstone by Lee Whittlesey √

Picture Book Roundup (I'm not planning on reviewing the picture books we read, but I do plan on recording them monthly for my reading challenge)

1. Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems
2. Pig Takes a Bath by Michael Dahl
3. Pirate Nap by Danna Smith
4. The Dark by Lemony Snicket
5. Senorita Gordita by Helen Ketteman
6. The Babies on the Bus by Karen Katz
7. Roaring Rockets by Tony Mitton
8. Two at the Zoo by Danna Smith
9. Ready for Anything by Keiko Kasza
10. Leonardo the Terrible Monster by Mo Willems
11. All Aboard the Dino Train by Deb Lund

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 2114 pages
Pages Remaining: 822,789 pages

Current Read - Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

Books Won (0)

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Challenges Completed  -- Library Books

Comments - A decent showing this month.  I finished over half of the books on my list and knocked out a ton of reading challenge spots.  I even completed my first reading challenge for the year.  Woohoo!  Overall, I'm only at about 35% complete.  Oh well!  Really I just want to make sure that I keep reading...

July's TBR Pile:

1. J's pick: A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby
2. Nonfiction: Handmade to Sell by Kelly Rand
3. Fluffy romance: What Happens in London by Julia Quinn
4. Freebie: Fairest #1 Wide Awake
5. Comic Pick: Fairest #2 The Hidden Kingdom
6. Book club selection: Bel Canto by Anne Patchett
7. Carry-over: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn
8. Series pick: Firelight by Kristin Callihan
9. Random pick: Fairest In All The Land
10. Monthly Motif: Fables 19 Snow White
11. Series Ender: Locke and Key #6
12. Monthly Key Word: The Little Prince
13. Crafty Pick: Journal Bliss by Violette
14. Business Pick: How to Sell Your Crafts Online by Derrick Sutton

Summer 2014 Week 4

Music Monday will be going on hiatus for the summer so I can bring you our weekly recaps.  I will be highlighting all the fun pictures and activities we have planned for this summer.  Eight weeks of fun!

Monday

We traveled up East Bay to go to the Oakland Zoo.  It was Arthur and I's second time there, the first for the twins.  We saw a ton of animals, ate lunch, and rode the train (N rode the mini roller coaster).  All in all, we had a lovely time and will definitely go again before the summer is up.

Tuesday

Tuesday was a home day.  We lounged, did a ton of house chores, and hit the pool.  Every couple of days, it's nice to just be at home.  Plus, it gives me time for chores and reading, Arthur time to nap, and the boys time to play their video games.  For dinner, I made Chicken Parmesan.  Surprise surprise, the twins loved it and asked for seconds.  They even had it for lunch the next day.  Glad I found another go to recipes for their picky palates.

Wednesday

We had a jam packed schedule of things to do.  We started at the Sunnyvale library picking up holds and new books.  We came home for lunch and a short short nap for Arthur.  Then we jetted over to Rengstorff for blanket babies.  We ended up at Round Table for dinner.  I had a stamp class that night at RT.  The twins ate pizza and played while Arthur and I made a few cards.  We were all exhausted when we got home.

Thursday

The morning was filled with another visit to Deer Hollow Farm with the mom's group.  This time, we just had one other mom and baby join us, but we still had a nice stroll.  Bonus points for the weather being clear and a little cooler.  On Deer Hollow days, the twins know we get Chick-Fil-A on the way home.  Yum yum!

Friday

Friday was another day at home filled with tv, books, and pool time.  That night, I escaped for a few hours to Round Table for crafting night with my stamping friends.  Every once in a while, it's nice to get away.

Saturday

We ventured all the way into San Francisco Bay to go to the Treasure Island Flea Market.  I'd never been to TI or even over the Bay Bridge (new or old).  It was a treat.  We perused the wares (J bought a tee shirt, twins bought some dragons) and grabbed lunch from the food trucks (lobster rolls and fresh lemonade, wood oven pizza, macon bacon donuts, mini strawberry rhubarb pies).  The flea market is open the last weekend of every month.  J and I may have to go back later this fall.  We arrived taking the Bay Bridge from SF and left taking the new Bay Bridge to Oakland.  So pretty!

Sunday

Arthur had a rough night attempting to sleep.  The entire day was basically everyone attempting to get any energy back.  Ugh!  I did get everyone to help out with the house chores.

Sunday Sunset #18

Listening To: Lots of Lithium and Octane on Sirius XM.  I've been feeling the harder rock lately.  Plus, I'm loving my 90s Alternative.  Takes me back to high school.

Book finished: Stranger Than Fiction

Reading: Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn

On the Nightstand: Fairest, Locke and Key, Fables, A Long Way Down by Nick Hornby, business and crafting books...  July's TBR pile is looking very interesting!

Making Lists: Grocery. Projects (craft and life). Thoughts for July Co-op Board Meeting. Ideas for Co-op Summer Social.  Inventory of to-get-rid-of crafting supplies. 1000 Books Before Kindergarten books read and to be read. Lots and lots of lists like usual.

Around the house: Moving some things around due to destructo baby. cleaning out the pantry. Trying to decide on craft supply and kids' storage systems.  There's been a few project completed and a few thought about.

From the kitchen: I made my baked chicken parmesan this past week and the twins absolutely loved it.  Score one for mom!  They even requested the leftovers for lunch the next day.

On the Web: I've caught up on my Bloglovin' feed and am really delving into a few specific (detailed and long) posts about blogging, business, and creativity.  Really getting inspired for a new creative drive on my blogs.  Trying to form a new plan and execute phase one.  That sounds all crazy and exciting, but really it's just me getting back to being inspired about blogging.  I'm also debating about taking the Spark ecourse from Campfire Chic.  I feel like that just might give me the extra push I need to get moving again.

Watching: I finally finished S3 of Once Upon a Time.  It's been sitting on the server since it aired, but I just wasn't super excited to watch.  Now I know why.  I'm just about done with the show.  Too silly.  Too many deus ex machina events to keep the show alive.  Too annoying characters.  I may just quit the series with the end of S3.  As a family, we've been watching a ton of Cowboy Bebop and old Top Gear episodes.  I can get behind both of those shows.

Shopping Scores: I scored the motherload on Ebay last week.  I ended getting 5 boxes of baby boy clothes 18m - 4T for a ridiculous bargain price.  They came in the mail yesterday and I proceeded to wash everything.  Arthur is now set for clothes until at least spring.

Picture: First time driving across the Bay Bridge.  You can see the old bay bridge to the right of the new one.

Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

Title: Stranger Than Fiction

Author: Chuck Palahniuk

Publisher: Anchor 2005

Genre: Nonfiction life stories

Pages: 256

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Well-Rounded Reader -- Short Stories; TBR Pile; Monthly Motif -- April; New Author

Chuck Palahniuk’s world has always been, well, different from yours and mine. In his first collection of nonfiction, Chuck Palahniuk brings us into this world, and gives us a glimpse of what inspires his fiction.At the Rock Creek Lodge Testicle Festival in Missoula, Montana, average people perform public sex acts on an outdoor stage. In a mansion once occupied by The Rolling Stones, Marilyn Manson reads his own Tarot cards and talks sweetly to his beautiful actress girlfriend. Across the country, men build their own full-size castles and rocketships that will send them into space. Palahniuk himself experiments with steroids, works on an assembly line by day and as a hospice volunteer by night, and experiences the brutal murder of his father by a white supremacist. With this new direction, Chuck Palahniuk has proven he can do anything.

I really wanted to like this collection, but I found that I just couldn't.  The stories all seemed disjointed and abrupt.  I couldn't really sink my teeth into any of them.  By the time I would start, the story would be over.  Plus, some the material was really hard to connect to.  Just not a fan...

FF #22: Pastel Options

I found these pants and decided to make an outfit from them, but I couldn't quite decide what to pair with them.  So, I decided to not decide and make four outfit options.  Skinny jeans aren't the best option for my figure, but I do love how these fun pastel colors play off of one another.  I think my favorite is the peach striped blouse with the peach cardigan and fun brown accessories.

Free People shirts blouse

piperlime.gap.com

Oasis v neck top

$42 - oasis-stores.com

Theory sleeveless shirt

$70 - anotherlove.com.au

Dorothy Perkins red shirt

dorothyperkins.com

Diesel shirt vest

$42 - yoox.com

Pull&Bear skinny pants

$34 - pullandbear.com

Leather shoes

$76 - yoox.com

Vans shoes

$79 - asos.com

Flat shoes

modcloth.com

Maiden Lane thong sandals

gilt.com

American Eagle Outfitters canvas tote

ae.com

Nine West shoulder bag

ninewest.com

Even odd brown tote bag

$57 - zalando.co.uk

Odds and Ends

Here is my randomness for the week:

• I love baby cuddles, but not sick baby cuddles.  And I have the bruises to prove it!
• Pool time is the best
• Arthur really enjoyed watching the tortoise at the zoo on Monday; I think he might get that those are real animals...
• I have promised myself to not buy any more purees... doing well so far
• Missed my mom's group when Arthur was sick
• Feel like I'm forgetting so much on my to-do list
• Summer is flying by and we still have a ton to accomplish
• Arthur's new favorite toy is the baby monitor - uh oh!
• I desperately need about two hours at the coffee shop alone to organize my blogs (the back end is atrocious!)
• J's frustration with his job leads to a tense household
• Would love to have someone come in and deep clean the house (it needs it after 2+ years here)

Quote Wednesday -- Runbeck

Happiness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling. -- Margaret Lee Runbeck

Arthur: 36 Weeks

This past week has been a struggle.  Arthur caught a cold on Wednesday night and was a cranky baby for the rest of the week.  I spent many hours holding him and rocking in a dark room...  Thankfully he seems to be getting better.  We may actually be able to get out of the house this coming week.

Likes: Laying with mom; cuddles; food

Dislikes: Sleeping; not being able to catch the twins

Sleeping: Ugh!  This week has been ridiculous.  He has no set nap times or bed times.  The other night he was up until 10pm until finally drifting off enough to put into his crib.  I'm looking forward to a healthy baby and a return to normal bed times.

Eating: Such a pig pig lately.  I think he eats more than the twins at this point.  I need to modify our grocery list for more finger-friendly foods.  He's much more interested in feeding himself than being spoon fed.

Playing: Lots of exploration, but his favorite "toys" are magazines and books.  He loves ripping paper; just like a dog.  Thankfully I very rarely leave any paper out that I don't care if he rips.

Medical Milestones: 

• Cutting out the morning (or afternoon) nap -- This week yes, but hopefully not for good.
• Mastering stacking and filling -- Not really.
• Recognizing names, words, daily activities -- Check!  He answers to his name, knows "momma" and "daddy," recognizes but doesn't always listen to "no."

Schedule:Nothing has been set lately.  I am so not amused by this.  Hopefully next week

Out and About: Because of sickness, we didn't really get out of the house much.  We did get out to the pool and to the arcade for a few minutes.

Summer 2014 Week 3

Music Monday will be going on hiatus for the summer so I can bring you our weekly recaps.  I will be highlighting all the fun pictures and activities we have planned for this summer.  Eight weeks of fun! This week has been a strange one.  It started out with such fun plans, but very quickly everything changed.  Arthur got sick and we just couldn't do anything exciting...

Monday

We started our week with a ton of errands.  Grocery, Target, library visit, and Toys R Us.  The boys picked up a few card packs and snacks.  Plus we picked up our library holds and got a few new picture books for Arthur.  In the afternoon, Arthur and I went to Mariposa Park for our playdate.  The boys stayed at home with J and presumably played video games.  After dinner I went to Panera for our makeup book club.  It was nice to get out of the house sans kids for a few hours.

Tuesday

Tuesday we were left without a car, so it was a home and pool day.

Wednesday

Wednesday was our big excursion day.  We had planned on a morning activity and an afternoon playdate.  We got to our morning activity: Golfland, but Arthur decided to nap right through the playdate.  Oh well!  For our first visit to Golfland, the twins opted to take advantage of the arcade deals instead of mini golfing.  Next time we will golf!

Thursday thru Sunday

Arthur was sick with a nasty cold, so no big excursions or plans.  The twins did visit the pool and run a few errands with J.  The little one is getting better so we're hoping to hit up the zoo tomorrow.

Sunday Sunset #17

The littlest one came down with a nasty cold this week and we spent most of the week in doors being bored and cranky.  We had to forgo activities on Wed-Sun to allow him time to rest.  Hopefully everyone will feel good enough to go to the zoo tomorrow.  We really need to get out of here.

Book finished: Death in Yellowstone

Reading: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk

On the Nightstand: Locke and Key #6; Fairest #1-3

Making Lists: Grocery...  Turns out my last trip failed to take into account how much everyone around here eats.  We've run out of a ton of essentials that was counting on for meals this coming week.  I feel a trip in my near future.

Around the house: Attempting to mitigate the tornado that is Arthur.  He's in to everything now and loves destroying things.  He finally found the DVD racks in the hallway and has lots of fun pulling the cases out.  Thankfully he's not allowed in the hallway very often.

Watching: We finished with Samurai Champloo last week, so we started Cowboy Bebop.  I must say that I love Radical Edward!  I also finally finished season 1 of The 100 and made some progress on Once Upon a Time (only 3 episodes to go).  Other than that, I been forced to watch entirely too much Digimon (the twins). And we have gotten the twins hooked on Top Gear (even I enjoy it!).

From Nature: It looks gorgeous out this week.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to leave the house with a sick cranky baby.

Project: Trying to get the little one's health back to normal.  Must get out of the house!

Picture: The twins trying to hide from their little brother.  He can't climb yet, but he can stand and yell at them...

Death in Yellowstone by Lee Whittlesey

Title: Death in Yellowstone: Accidents and Foolhardiness in the First National Park (2nd Edition)

Author: Lee Whittlesey

Publisher: Roberts Rinehart 2014

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages:412

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Adventure; 52 Books -- W26

The chilling tome that launched an entire genre of books about the often gruesome but always tragic ways people have died in our national parks, this updated edition of the classic includes calamities in Yellowstone from the past sixteen years, including the infamous grizzly bear attacks in the summer of 2011 as well as a fatal hot springs accident in 2000. In these accounts, written with sensitivity as cautionary tales about what to do and what not to do in one of our wildest national parks, Whittlesey recounts deaths ranging from tragedy to folly—from being caught in a freak avalanche to the goring of a photographer who just got a little too close to a bison. Armchair travelers and park visitors alike will be fascinated by this important book detailing the dangers awaiting in our first national park.

I grabbed this book from the new releases shelf at the library.  I'll admit that the title made me pick it up.  And I'm glad I did.  While the book really is about recording all deaths in Yellowstone (and immediate surrounding area), I found another aspect of the book more intriguing.  Occasionally the author has a story about early life in the park, sometimes before it even was a park.  Those glimpses into history were much more interesting to me than the death stories.  Overall, a very interesting random read for the week.

FF #21: Ship Ahoy

It's summer, I had to create a nautical inspired outfit.  Although now that I look at it, this one is much more East Coast than West Coast.  I wish I could pull off those shorts as they are gorgeous.

Red and white shirt

$275 - austique.co.uk

French Connection red tank

usa.frenchconnection.com

Tory Burch terry cloth shorts

$98 - theoutnet.com

J.Crew embroidered shoes

jcrew.com

Wildfox Couture canvas beach bag

asos.com

McQ by Alexander McQueen adjustable leather bracelet

ssense.com

Forever 21 hat

forever21.com

Fun Video Time

Okay this intrigues me way too much...

We might actually have to see this... The last one wasn't bad.

Another Mental Floss list for you.

The movie was not good, but the tv show has peaked my interest.

A fun little educational video about Pluto's moons.

Epic!

Awesome Game of Thrones cover

Their videos are always so amazing!

Quote Wednesday -- Shakespeare

If music be the food of love, play on. -- William Shakespeare

Top Ten Tuesday -- Summer TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish.Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers’ answers. Everyone is welcome to join.  If you can’t come up with ten, don’t worry about it—post as many as you can!

Summer TBR: Instead of listing specific books, I'm going to list the challenges and options for books to be read that I'm hoping to tackle this summer.

1. Back to the Classics
   1. The Beautiful and the Damned
   2. The Awakening
   3. Sherlock Holmes
2. Rereading
   1. The Hobbit
   2. Outlander
3. Series
   1. Locke and Key #6
   2. Sunrise
   3. Sea Glass
4. Well Rounded Reader (self help, art/design. home)
5. Movie
   1. Casino Royale
   2. City of Bones
6. Random ebook Freebie
7. Ebook
   1. Thirteen Reasons Why
   2. Mirror Mirror
8. Presidents
   1. American Lion
   2. Washington
9. 21st Century Women Authors
   1. Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
   2. House at Riverton
   3. The Time Traveler's Wife
10. Nonfiction Adventure
    1. Emperor of Maladies
    2. Living History

Spring TBR Recap (1/10): An absolutely horrid showing for spring.  What happened?  I had such good intentions, but they seemed to go nowhere.  I'm hoping summer goes a bit better.

1. Sherlock Holmes story
2. American Gods by Neil Gaiman
3. The Awakening by Kate Chopin
4. Locke and Key #6: Alpha and Omega
5. Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk
6. The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald
7. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
8. Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
9. Looking for Alaska by John Green
10. Becoming Mona Lisa by Donald Sassoon

Arthur: 8 Months / 35 Weeks

Summer is officially in full swing and Arthur is enjoying all the crazy.

Likes: Following the twins everywhere; standing; his new caterpillar; eating

Dislikes: Not being able to move faster; missing naps; falling down

Sleeping: We've had multiple nights of no wake-ups this past week.  This rested momma is rejoicing!  Hopefully this keeps up.  Unfortunately we aren't doing as well on the nap front.  Some days it's three tiny naps, somedays it's two solid naps, somedays it's one solid nap, some days it's an all day struggle to get him to sleep.  I may be getting sleep at night, but the days are sure busy and stressful sometimes.

Eating: Less and less purees, more and more big people food!  I've resolved to not buy any more purees (we have about 6 pouches left) unless absolutely necessary.  I only use them now if we are on the go at lunch time or if I somehow run out of big people food that's appropriate for baby (i.e. pizza night).  I finally found cheese that he likes: Baby Bells.  Everything else he spits out.  And he still spits out any kind of bread.  I don't understand this.  I could live on bread and cheese.  Oh well... tastes do change over the years.

Playing: When they think I'm not watching, I've caught the twins playing with Arthur.  Too cute!  On his own, he's explored every inch of the kitchen/dining/living room.  He's also tried to escape onto the balcony (someone - not me - left the door open) and ventured under the twins' bunk beds.  He's also rediscovering a ton of his old toys and playing with new ones (cardboard boxes are his favorite).  My next purchase will be a standing push toy.  Now that he's cruising along future, he needs something more mobile.  The jumper is great but only for 15 minutes or less a day.  He gets bored and wants to be able to go now.

Medical Milestones: 

• Lots of babbling -- Check!  His babbling is starting to sound more and more like sentences instead of just repeating syllables.  Very cute.
• Understanding "no" -- Check!  Although he doesn't listen very often.  He clearly stops and looks at me when I say "no."  Sometimes he puts it down, other times he looks at the object, looks at me, and continues doing what he was doing  This one is going to be stubborn.
• Discovery of his penis -- Sorta check!  He's discovered it at bath time, but seems to forgot once I put a diaper on.  I remember this phase from the twins.  Not so much fun...
• Personality development -- Check!  I have a fairly serious stubborn little boy who's cautious around strangers but not around dangers (ledges, steps, sticks, etc).  He's warmed up to mom and dad and even the twins, but seeks the comfort and safety of mom in strange new places.  He loves exploring
• Becoming more mobile -- Check!  He is cruising along furniture.  Every once in awhile he gets overly confident and takes both hands off of the furniture.  Onto his butt he goes.  I imagine he will be walking within two months.

Schedule:I thought we had a schedule in place once the boys arrived, but that has gone out the window.  Everyday is some crazy new adventure.  Thankfully today is a home day.  Maybe I can get a few minutes to catch my breath...

Out and About: Check out my summer wrap week 2 for all our comings and goings.

Summer 2014 Week 2

Music Monday will be going on hiatus for the summer so I can bring you our weekly recaps.  I will be highlighting all the fun pictures and activities we have planned for this summer.  Eight weeks of fun!

Monday

We traveled back into San Jose to visit The Tech Museum.  The twins went there last year as a camp field trip.  This time Arthur and I accompanied them.  Of course I forgot my camera at home so no pictures.  However, the museum has many interactive stations where you can record your results and/or pictures.  I caught a few good ones.  we enjoyed a yummy lunch at the museum and ended up spending most of the day there.

After the museum, we stopped at Target and the post office for a few essentials.

Tuesday

No car today, but we ended up making a few forays outside.  We walked to the library for storytime (Arthur and I) and books (everyone).  Turns out that was the last storytime until September.  Boo!  We'll still make weekly visits to the library, but I guess whenever it's convenient instead of always on Tuesday.

After lunch and a nap for Arthur, we ventured over to Tutti Frutti for an afternoon snack.  The boys got chocolate, chocolate, and more chocolate.  I got coffee and salted caramel pretzel yogurt with almonds and shortbread.  Being on Murphy St., we had to visit Bookasaurus.  Arthur got a stuffed rainbow caterpillar and an indestructible book.  The twins got a book and a samurai action figure.

Wednesday

In the morning we took care of the errands: grocery store and haircuts.  The boys look so much better cleaned up.  In the afternoon, we headed over to Rengstorff Park for blanket babies.  The twins planned better this week and brought extra toys.

Thursday

The morning was spent at Deer Hollow Farm with members of the mom's group.  The farm is a working farm about 1 mile into the Rancho San Antonio Nature Preserve.  This time the babies seemed much more interested in the animals.  The twins were even entertained for a few minutes.  Thursday evening had dinner at Round Table so I could attend my stamp club.  The twins enjoyed the pizza.  Arthur enjoyed the attention from the other club members.

Friday

In the morning, headed over to a fellow mom's house for her home inspection (for the co-op).  The afternoon was spent lounging at home.  I was tired after the week, so it was nice when J called and said that we would meet some co-workers at the Firehouse for dinner and then board games at our house.  The twins have been begging to go to the Firehouse since arriving.  Of course they got the chicken fingers and fries.

Saturday

We spend a quiet day at home.  Nothing too exciting.

Sunday

Another quiet day at home.  Getting ready to start week 3 with some different activities.

Sunday Sunset #16

Book finished: Lost Lake; The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making; Grand Forks

Reading: TBD

On the Nightstand: Stranger Than Fiction by Chuck Palahniuk; The Beautiful and the Damned by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Making Lists: Grocery lists, what else?

Around the house: Trying to keep up on my weekly chores.  I actually vacuumed the living room this past week while Arthur was sitting there.  Surprisingly he didn't cry at all.  He just watched me vacuum and then went to check it out when I turned the machine off.  This might help get stuff done...

Watching: J got the boys hooked on Samurai Champloo.  We finished the two seasons in about four days.  And now we've started Cowboy Bebop.  Guess we are becoming an anime household.

Wondering: How such a little body can hold so much food?  Arthur is little crazy pig pig at lunch lately.

From Nature: We turned off our air conditioning, but the temps decided to rise a bit towards the end of the week.  We contemplated turning it back on, but suffered through the slightly muggy temps.  Next week should be better.

Shopping Scores: Nothing super exciting.  I did pick up a stuffed caterpillar and indestructible book for Arthur at Bookasaurus.  The boys grabbed the first book in a new to them series.  Now I'm trolling Craigslist for good baby toy deals.

Project: Getting ready to start Week 3 of our summer adventure.  We still haven't decided our big events for the week.  The boys really need to decide...

Picture: Love the facial expression

Grand Forks by Marilyn Hagerty

Title: Grand Forks

Author: Marilyn Hagerty

Publisher: HarperCollins 2013

Genre: Nonfiction - Food

Pages: 237

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Nonfiction Adventure

Once upon a time, salad was iceberg lettuce with a few shredded carrots and a cucumber slice, if you were lucky. A vegetable side was potatoes—would you like those baked, mashed, or au gratin? A nice anniversary dinner? Would you rather visit the Holiday Inn or the Regency Inn? In Grand Forks, North Dakota, a small town where professors moonlight as farmers, farmers moonlight as football coaches, and everyone loves hockey, one woman has had the answers for more than twenty-five years: Marilyn Hagerty. In her weekly Eatbeat column in the local paper, Marilyn gives the denizens of Grand Forks the straight scoop on everything from the best blue plate specials—beef stroganoff at the Pantry—to the choicest truck stops—the Big Sioux (and its lutefisk lunch special)—to the ambience of the town's first Taco Bell. Her verdict? "A cool pastel oasis on a hot day."

I loved the premise of this book: a look at one town's restaurant reviews over the period of almost 30 years.  Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed at the outcome.  Each review is presented as published.  There is no interesting commentary connecting the columns.  In that sense, the reader gets a bit lost in the repetition of reviews.  I would have liked more..

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

Title: The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making (Fairyland #1)

Author: Catherynne M. Valente

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 2011

Genre: Children's Fantasy

Pages: 247

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Library; Women Authors; 52 Books -- W25; Monthly Motif -- Long Journey

Twelve-year-old September lives in Omaha, and used to have an ordinary life, until her father went to war and her mother went to work. One day, September is met at her kitchen window by a Green Wind (taking the form of a gentleman in a green jacket), who invites her on an adventure, implying that her help is needed in Fairyland. The new Marquess is unpredictable and fickle, and also not much older than September. Only September can retrieve a talisman the Marquess wants from the enchanted woods, and if she doesn't . . . then the Marquess will make life impossible for the inhabitants of Fairyland. September is already making new friends, including a book-loving Wyvern and a mysterious boy named Saturday.

Very cute little fantasy novel!  This is aimed at children and yet I found that it was a very interesting read for adults.  The reader is thrown right into the story experiencing the new and strange right along with September.  It reminded me of Peter Pan or The Wizard of Oz.  I loved meeting all the other characters especially the Green Wind.  Great writing, very imaginative story, fun characters.  What more could I want?

Fairyland

• #0.5 The Girl Who Ruled Fairyland -- For a Little While
• #1 The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making
• #2 The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There
• #3 The Girl Who Soared Over Fairyland and Cut the Moon in Two
• #4 The Boy Who Lost Fairyland
• #5 The Girl Who Raced Fairyland All the Way Home