Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Book of the Month..or Every Other Month..or Quarterly..

See! I told you I had 'hopes' of getting a book suggestion every month, but that I was sure I would slip. Well, let me tell you why. I bought this book for my BFF last year for Christmas. Her lovely mother had been ill and had Alzheimers as well. When I saw this book, I had to get it for her. She loved it. In fact, she gave it to me to read...and I loved it too. When I returned the book to her, she gave it to her sister. Sadly, their lovely mother passed away in September. The book has sat at the sister's house, unable to be read at this time. I am suggesting this book because it's a deep and beautifully written novel, and no matter your family structure, you will be enveloped into this story. Yes. You will probably cry. But who doesn't like a tearjerker every now and then?  For me personally, the dynamics of each relationship in this book, pulled something from my own life. I lost my grandma two years ago during a very stressful time for our family. She was my 'mother' every summer until I was 9 years old. {I was raised by a single working mom, she needed a break too!} She was sassy and funny and you always knew where you stood with her. She didn't fear telling you her thoughts on anything. Sometimes you liked it, most times you didn't. But she loved me so. She would randomly tell me things, just so out of the blue, and I remember these things nearly every day. I wish my girls had these memories. I wish my little man could have met her. Months before she passed, I was alone with her in the hospital and I told her good bye. I knew she understood, she was still sparkly-eyed but she also knew her time was coming. As I sat there telling her my heart, she had a tear roll down her soft cheek. My grandma rarely cried. Forever I will remember that night and I will always remember what she said. It is mine to hold. When she passed away, I wasn't with her. I was with my mom, fresh out of her life saving and life altering surgery. I told my mother her mother had passed away. The events of that time are burned into my heart forever. I hope you give Things I Want My Daughters To Know a chance. I haven't read a novel yet by Elizabeth Noble that I didn't like! As always, let me know what you think! Thanks and happy reading... Emily

Monday, November 1, 2010

Bring Back Thanksgiving!

Perhaps our family is freakish. (seriously...we are) But REALLY? Christmas stuff comes out before Halloween is even over? Did 'they' forget about Thanksgiving? I will admit, our personal holiday decorations are lacking in the Turkey Day decor, but this year.....I kicked it up a notch.

The hubby's birthday is at the end of November. Every few years, Thanksgiving falls on his birthday, or visa versa...whatever you choose. When the little red-headed curly girl was about 3-ish, said holiday did just that. And so it began. Turkey Daddy. Since that fateful day many years ago, turkeys have crept into our lives. And this year, I want to share with you... 
The Turkey Wreath!

Oh be still my heart : )

Honestly, I set off to find a feather or fur boa at Joanne's, but that didn't happen. I DID find funky fur yarn on sale and I. Fell. In. Love. Wrap it up with a $2 bag of feathers and a clearance turkey for a buck. Yay! I had a styrofoam wreath form which I spray painted a coppery color, but you could wrap it with ribbon or fabric if you had it on hand. I like cheap, I had the paint ; )   The only 'problem' I ran into was the yarn was so 'stringy' it knotted up as I wrapped. So, like every other mom, I used what I had on hand...a can of soup. Perhaps 'knit masters' have special 'tools'....I am not one of those gifted people (hee hee) But, it worked for me and that's what I did today.
I hope you like our newest turkey and I hope you take a few spaces in your life to be thankful for all that you have. I won't fib and tell you our Christmas tree won't be up by Thanksgiving, but the 'big' deco has to wait until after we give thanks for all we have. Love & Thanks, Emily