March 2017 Wrap-up

March's TBR Pile (14/17):

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey √
2. Series Pick: Fairest by Marissa Meyer √
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell √
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean √
5. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
6. Carry over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
7. Short Stories: Stars Above by Marissa Meyer √
8. Comic Pick: Love Hurts by Kim Andersson √
9. Comic Pick: Monstress Vol. 1 √
10. Comic Pick: Pretty Deadly Vol. 1 √
11. Comic Pick: Pretty Deadly Vol. 2 √
12. Library Pick: Dead Feminists by O'Leary
13. Added: Hark! A Vagrant by Kate Beaton √
14. Added: Winter by Marissa Meyer √
15. Added: Hamilton The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter √
16. Added: When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor √
17. Added: Unmentionable by Therese Oneill √
18. Added: Shitty Mom by Laurie Kilmartin (reread) √

Picture Book Roundup:

1,000,000 Page Goal

Monthly Total: 3966 pages

Pages Remaining: 727,225 pages

Current Read - Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates

Books I Gave Up On (0)

Books bought/received (0)

April's TBR Pile:

1. MVPA Book Club Selection: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie
2. Series Pick: A Second Chance by Jodi Taylor
3. Nonfiction Pick: The Bust Guide to the New World Order
4. Read Your Book Shelf Pick: Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones
5. Discworld Pick: The Light Fantastic by Terry Pratchett
6. Romance Pick: So Wild a Heart by Candace Camp
7. Carry over: Dead Feminists by O'Leary
8. Carry over: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon

Movies watched

• The Huntsman: Winter's War -- Storyline not good at all, but those costumes were to die for!
• X-Men Apocalypse -- Not the worst X-Men movie, but definitely not the best. And about 30 minutes too long.
• Rogue One -- Finally got to see this one. Love love loved it!
• Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (RiffTrax version) -- J's birthday movie pick. RiffTrax made it almost watchable...

TV Shows watched

• UnReal S2
• Last Week Tonight (catching up)
• The Bachelor
• The Magicians S2
• Legion S1
• Emerald City S1
• Elementary (catching up)

March's Video Round-up

A little too scary considering the political climate today, but this book is so powerful. Hope the adaptation is just as good... 

Yippee! I cannot wait!

Um... yep!

I cannot wait for this series but I think I should reread the book beforehand...

This was spot-on!

Unmentionable by Therese Oneill

Title: Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady's Guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners

Author: Therese Oneill

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company 2016

Genre: History

Pages: 307

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - With a Subtitle; I Love Libraries

Ladies, welcome to the 19th century, where there's arsenic in your face cream, a pot of cold pee sits under your bed, and all of your underwear is crotchless. (Why? Shush, dear. A lady doesn't question.)

UNMENTIONABLE is your hilarious, illustrated, scandalously honest (yet never crass) guide to the secrets of Victorian womanhood.

Random library find and I absolutely fell for it! Hilarious for page 1 until page 307. Oneill's writing style is amazing, full of wit and wonder. I seriously laughed out loud at almost every page. While I loved Oneill's writing in discussion the various aspects of life during the Victorian Era, I definitely appreciated the inclusion of primary sources to give evidence to her ideas. Thank you for proper research and showing evidence for claims. Plus, the passages were amazing at showing how out of touch some "scientists" and "doctors" at the time were. I'm looking at you Kellogg! A definite fun pick for some pre-bedtime reading.

When a Child is Born by Jodi Taylor

Title: When a Child is Born (The Chronicles of St. Mary’s #2.5)

Author: Jodi Taylor

Publisher: Accent Press 2013

Genre: Science Fiction

Pages: 20

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR

It's Christmas Day 1066 and a team from St Mary's is going to witness the coronation of William the Conqueror. Or so they think. However, History seems to have different plans for them and when Max finds herself delivering a child in a peasant's hut, she can't help wondering what History is up to.

Such a cute little short story. Love Max so much! And it was nice to see Petersen, Guthrie, and Markham. It may be short, but it was enjoyable!

The Chronicles of St. Mary’s:

• #0.5 The Very First Damned Thing
• #1 Just One Damned Thing After Another
• #2 A Symphony of Echoes
• #2.5 When A Child is Born
• #3 A Second Chance
• #3.5 Roman Holiday
• #4 A Trail Through Time
• #4.5 Christmas Present
• #5 No Time Like the Past
• #6 What Could Possibly Go Wrong
• #6.5 Ships and Stings and Wedding Rings
• #7 Lies, Damned Lies, and History
• #7.5 The Great St. Mary’s Day Out
• #7.6 My Name is Markham
• #8 And the Rest is History

Quentin: 26 Weeks / 6 Months

We made it to 1/2 a year!!!! Q turned 6 months old yesterday and already seems more grown up.

Playing at Mel's

Likes: Pulling hair, all his toys, watching Arthur, all the food, bedtime

Sitting up by himself!

Dislikes: Only being able to crawl backwards, naps, not being able to stand all the time

Loves his baby

Sleeping: Usually sleeping through the night. Sometimes he wakes up once, but not every night and he's easy to get back down to sleep. Naps are still a no-go most days.

And his Sophie!

Loving his new blankie

Eating: All the foods! But seriously, he's tried so many new and interesting foods in the past week. His favorites have been broccoli, bananas, baby mum-mums, and naan. He's really loving when I give him the spoon to play with. Obviously not really using it yet, but he likes to play with it.

Blurry but oh so cute

First time in the regular stroller

Playing: Loving all his toys. His current favorites are the wire ball, robot teether, taggie monster, and any of Arthur's cars. He also really loves his new stuffed snow leopard (from Happy Hollow visit). Lots of snuggles with the snow leopard!

Carousel selfie

Arthur wanted to help feed Q

Doctor Visit Stats: Q got 3 shots today at his appointment. He cried for about 3 minutes and then was good. Glad that he is calmed down with snuggles.

• Height: 28 1/4" (97th percentile) -- We only have 3/4" left until he grows out of his infant carseat. Guess I better decide which convertible carseat to buy...
• Weight: 19 lb 3 oz (80th percentile)

Arthur insisted Q wear the safety glasses

Milestones: I looked up Arthur's growth updates to figure out some of these...

• Pays attention to small objects — Check!
• Transfers toys from one hand to the other — Check!
• Babbling — Not that much. He laughs a lot, but not quite as much babbling.
• Sitting by himself or with minimal support — Check!
• Rocking back and forth on all fours — Nope. He scoots around backwards but hasn't gotten up to all fours yet.
• Developing separation anxiety — Nope. He's pretty good being left alone. Some days he starts to vocalize after a minute or so if can't see me, but not really separation anxiety.

Hello big boy!

That onesie is almost too short (12 month Gerber!)

Out and About: On Monday we went to Mel's for playtime. It was raining outside so the place was packed. It was the first time that Q was actually interested in playing with anything. We sat in the baby area playing while Arthur played in the bounce house. On Thursday we visited Happy Hollow. Half of the place was closed due to flood damage from February's San Jose flood, but we still had fun looking at the goats, sheep, lemurs, chickens, and anteater and riding the rides. Q enjoyed the carousel and watching all the little kids run around and play. While there, Arthur had to have a stuffed Jaguar so we bought Q a matching Snow Leopard. He's so in love with that toy!

With his new snow leopard

So adorable!

Life Right Now #8

As I look outside my window: Slightly overcast, but the sun is bound to come out soon.

Right now I am: Finishing breakfast and entertaining the baby

On my bedside table: Dead Feminists; Omega Days; Everyday Sexism (one of these things is not like the others!)

On my tv this week: Mostly we've been catching up on currently airing shows (It's Always Sunny, The Magicians) and watching a few movies (Rogue One and Death at a Funeral).

Listening to: Lots of whining and crying from the 3 1/2 year old. Really not loving this stage of life.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Spaghetti, salad, garlic bread
• Tuesday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken
• Wednesday - Pull Apart Pizza Sandwiches
• Thursday - Beef and Barley Stew
• Friday - Leftovers
• Saturday - Frozen Meal
• Sunday - Pork and Green Chile Stew

On my to do list: Happening this week:

• Monday - Q's 6 month doctor appointment; errands
• Tuesday - Home day (cleaning and crafting)
• Wednesday - A friend is coming over for the morning
• Thursday - Something in South Bay (plans not finalized)
• Friday - Home Day (cleaning and crafting)
• Saturday - California Academy of Sciences!
• Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I've almost finished April's design team cards (only 4 left) and nearly caught up on PL. I just need to finish up the family album. And I'm hoping to work on March's memory planning pages this week.

My simple pleasures: Lemons! My friend Judy brought us another batch of lemons from her trees. Now I need to figure out what to make with them. I'm thinking lemon curd.

Looking around the house: House is currently in decent shape although I want to do a playroom cleanout this week and I need to vacuum like usual.

From the camera: Arthur insisted on helping Quentin eat.

The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean

Title: The Golden Prince

Author: Rebeca Dean

Publisher: Broadway Books 2010

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 400

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Read Your Shelf

It’s 1912, and seventeen-year-old Prince Edward, England’s Golden Prince of Wales, is feeling the burden of his position. As heir to the greatest throne in the world, he hates the constrictions and superficial demands of his royal life. His father, King George, is a harsh disciplinarian, and his mother, Queen Mary, is reserved and cold. Other than his siblings, he has no friends and despairs at his isolation and loneliness.

However, when unexpected circumstances bring him to Snowberry Manor, home of the four Houghton sisters, his life suddenly seems more interesting. As he secretly spends more time with Lily, the youngest of the girls, he finds himself falling hopelessly in love.

Ugh. So my overwhelming emotion while reading this book was boredom. I was completely bored. I didn't care about any of the characters or the storyline. The constant switching between narrators annoyed me. David annoyed me. All the Houghton sisters annoyed me. I was just annoyed and bored throughout the entire book.

The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell

Title: The Wordy Shipmates

Author: Sarah Vowell

Publisher: Riverhead Books 2009

Genre: History

Pages: 272

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Nonfiction Adventure); Mount TBR

To this day, America views itself as a Puritan nation, but Sarah Vowell investigates what that means-and what it should mean. What she discovers is something far different from what their uptight shoebuckles- and-corn reputation might suggest-a highly literate, deeply principled, and surprisingly feisty people, whose story is filled with pamphlet feuds, witty courtroom dramas, and bloody vengeance.

Finally finished this book in the early morning hours. I always love a good history book where I learn something. Thankfully Vowell dives deep into the Puritans to get a good look at the people, their lives, and their beliefs. I enjoyed reading the back and forth between John Winthrop and all of his adversaries. I knew some about Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, but this book expanded my knowledge. My only issue with the book is Vowell's deviations into current times. Those passages felt a little too long for how short this book is overall. I wanted more time in Puritan New England and less time in the 20th century...

52 Weeks of Arthur 2017: W1-9

Somehow I completely lost track of time and weeks. So the first 9 weeks of 2017 is going to be posted late, but at least I actually did it right? Continuing this project from 2016, I'll be posting a roundup of Arthur pics every 9 weeks. Here are weeks 1 through 9:

W1: Checking out Great Grandma Frances's bells

W2: Starting potty training

W3: Spying on little brother

W4: Visit to Bay Area Discovery Museum

W5: Brunch at Black Bear

W6: Arthur insisted on holding Q

W7: Zoo Day!

W8: Hanging with the rabbits at Tilden

W9: Doing science at CuriOdysey

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• Baby snuggles and giggles are the bestest!
• I'm oddly fascinated by engineering documentaries. We just watched a NOVA episode about London's Super Tunnel.
• Feeling behind on my crafting after busting my butt to get March set. Hoping to catch up on Project Life very soon (possibly crop day on Saturday?).
• Planned a family day to the Cal Academy and cannot wait! I haven't been there since i was pregnant with Arthur (~4 years ago) and J has never been there. I think the boys are going to love the aquarium.
• Still loving my Happy Planner to keep me organized and on track.
• Need to stay away from the library until I catch up on the books already checked out. Seriously I have a backlog!
• I need to make more naan pizza!

Currently #5

Watching: I randomly started watching Great British Castles on Netflix and it's oddly fascinating. It's currently Arthur and I's go-to for a daytime show.

Reading: The Golden Prince by Rebecca Dean; one of those books that has been on my shelves way too long

Listening: We switched gears yesterday and listened to Gorillaz radio on Apple Music while playing

Making: Prepping card kits for April and May classes

Feeling: I still have a bit of a lingering cough, but I've mostly recovered from that nasty cold

Planning: I'm hosting my first big Bingo event at the end of April. In the planning stages right now.

Loving: The last two nights it has rained almost all night. I love falling asleep to the sound of the rain.

Hamilton The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

Title: Hamilton The Revolution

Author: Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter

Publisher: Grand Central 2016

Genre: Nonfiction - Theater

Pages: 288

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsguar -  Bestseller from 2016; I Love Libraries

HAMILTON: THE REVOLUTION gives readers an unprecedented view of both revolutions, from the only two writers able to provide it. Miranda, along with Jeremy McCarter, a cultural critic and theater artist who was involved in the project from its earliest stages--"since before this was even a show," according to Miranda--traces its development from an improbable perfor­mance at the White House to its landmark opening night on Broadway six years later. In addition, Miranda has written more than 200 funny, revealing footnotes for his award-winning libretto, the full text of which is published here.

Finally got this from the library! And it was so worth the wait! For three days, I was completely engrossed in this book. Reading and rereading the libretto and essays. I loved catching the little nuances in the lines of the songs. Things I never noticed just listening to the cast recording. And it was great to hear the story of how the show came together over many years and many different iterations. My favorite essay was the one discussing the staging and progression of the four songs in Act II dealing with Hamilton's affair with Maria Reynolds. Fascinating! My stagecraft background definitely came into play while reading that essay. Such a great book for fans of the show.

Pretty Deadly Vol. 2

Title: Pretty Deadly Volume 2

Author: Kelly DeConnick, Emma Rios

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 152

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Sarah Fields is dying and her children strike a bargain with the Immortals: give them one month, until the moon is full again, to find her son. The boy is far away, in the trenches of France, stalked by the Reapers of Vengeance and Cruelty. Collects PRETTY DEADLY #6-10

I think I liked the second volume more than the first. I think the storyline was better with the appearance of Fear and War and Grace. I loved how they bookended the volume with Sarah's death. It was a nice connector. Still really liking the storyline and not loving the art...

iPod Shuffle March

AFI "Snow Cats" 

Hamilton Cast "One Last Time"

A Day to Remember "It's Complicated"

Pretty Deadly Vol. 1

Title: Pretty Deadly Volume 1

Author: Kelly DeConnick, Emma Rios

Publisher: Image 2014

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 120

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

KELLY SUE DeCONNICK (Avengers Assemble, Captain Marvel) and EMMA RÍOS (Dr. Strange, Osborn) present the collected opening arc of their surprise-hit series that marries the magical realism of Sandman with the western brutality of Preacher. Death's daughter rides the wind on a horse made of smoke and her face bears the skull marks of her father. Her origin story is a tale of retribution as beautifully lush as it is unflinchingly savage.

This volume was highly anticipated series for me. Unfortunately, while good, this didn't completely blow me away like I hoped. I was intrigued by the story and characters. I'm still intrigued by the story line. I was sucked in by the idea that Death had a daughter and there is an epic struggle for the position of Death and probably other things. I loved the character of Sissy and Alice is fascinating. What I didn't love was the art... The cels felt way too messy and unclear. I don't like the idea that I have to stare at a cel for many many moments before figuring out what is going on. I think I will be continuing the story but I have my reservations.

Quentin: 25 Weeks

No big update for today. Still catching up on things after being sick all last week. But I do have some good pictures and a little update. We've continued on the baby led weaning journey. In the past week Q has had puffs, pasta, sweet potatoes, grapes, bananas, rice husks, and broccoli. Broccoli was his favorite. He's definitely my child.

Watching big brother

Arthur showing Quentin the babydoll

Mean mugging on Saint Patrick's Day

Precious baby toes

Brothers

They kept looking at each other and laughing

Yummy rice husk

Photo bomb from Arthur

This kid loves broccoli

Life Right Now #7

As I look outside my window: Watching the birds fly back and forth between the trees.

Right now I am: Relaxing between Coffee and Cards this morning and household chores this afternoon.

Thinking and pondering: What should we do tomorrow? We were stuck in the house almost all last week because of sickness. I need to figure out somewhere to go tomorrow but many of our usual spots are closed on Mondays...

On my bedside table: Shitty Mom; Dead Feminists; Everyday Sexism

On my tv this week: We're into Season 5 of 30 Rock and continuing some of our regular shows. We also finished Workaholics last night. And I finally got to watch the finale of The Bachelor. So glad Nick picked Vanessa. She was one of my three picks from the beginning. My other two were Rachel and Danielle M.

Listening to: Still listening to Bastille's new album, but also the new Of Monsters and Men album.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Chicken and Noodles
• Tuesday - Spinach, Potato and Sausage Soup
• Wednesday - Leftovers
• Thursday - Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Sweet and Spicy Sausage
• Friday - Tacos
• Saturday - Pork and Green Chili Stew
• Sunday - Peach and Prosciutto Pizza

On my to do list: Too much to list, but I have some leftover tasks from being sick last week. Most of the tasks are little things, but they still take up some time.

Happening this week: Tuesday I'm hosting my second FB party for my crafty celebration. Thursday we're going to try and visit Happy Hollow. Had to cancel last week due to sickness. I also am teaching a card class on Thursday night and I have crop day on Saturday.

What I am creating: Trying to catch up on my Project Life albums. Still stuck in January.

My simple pleasures: Pie! We celebrated Pi Day with a key lime pie and then again on Friday with a chocolate cream pie. So much pie!

Looking around the house: I just vacuumed on Thursday and it looks like I need to do it again...

The Complete Love Hurts by Kim Andersson

Title: The Complete Love Hurts

Author: Kim W. Andersson

Publisher: Dark Horse 2015

Genre: Comics

Pages: 240

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

In this massive tomb of romance comics with brutal, terrible twists, Swedish comics creator Kim W. Andersson--making his U.S. debut--delivers a shocking series of short stories about love gone horribly wrong! Featuring lovelorn supervillains, psychopathic online daters, murderous reality TV show stars, and heartbroken cowboys, samurais, and astronauts, Love Hurts showcases that no matter who you are or what you do, love can be one deadly bitch!

Hmmm... a mixed bag this collection was! There were some super fun stories mixed in with some disturbing stories. The fun stories often involved a horror element. The disturbing stories focused more on relationships and a few left a bad taste in my mouth. Don't think I'll be recommending this one to friends.

Monstress Volume 1

Title: Monstress Vol. 1: Awakening

Author: Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda

Publisher: Image 2016

Genre: Comics

Pages: 192

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: New to Me; Graphic Novel; I Love Libraries

Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900's Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steampunk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both. Entertainment Weekly praised MONSTRESS as "one of Image Comics' most imaginative and daring new series" and dubbed it the "Best New Original Series" in their year-end "Best Comics of 2015" list. Collects MONSTRESS #1-6

Picked this one up from the library after hearing great things from other bloggers. I was very impressed by the story and the art. The cells are all very dark, but each one has such detail. I loved the look of the world as well as the costumes on the characters. The intricate costumes are amazing. Very well drawn! As for the storyline, I loved the twist on history and mythology. It took me a minute to get my bearings on time and and place, but it's not a negative. I just like to place all the stories I read in history. Maika is great main character with a mysterious past and motivations. I can't wait to find Volume 2 and continue the story.