Update on My Reading Challenges for 2017

In January I wrote about the two Reading Challenges I was going to work on in 2017. Both to help me read books off my shelf and to challenge me in my reading a bit. One is hosted by our local library and the other is hosted by MODERN MRS. DARCY. I thought I’d give…

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Summer Brings Joy and Sadness

Today begins the glorious days of summer for our family. This year we have a bountiful 88 days of summer. Now, of course, a good number of those days include drumline practice, cross country runs, and other various camps. But, for the most part, we have a pretty low-key summer ahead of us. I can’t…

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Life Here in Our Corner of the World

Patrick in Lane 1 Thanks to those of you who wished us luck and offered good wishes for Patrick’s trip to the Iowa State Track Meet. It was quite the experience and one I’m sure he will never forget. Even though he didn’t run his best race ever, he ran on that famous blue oval…

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Traveling to the Blue Oval

Image Credit – Traci Nolan Last week our son ran his toughest race ever and finished second in the 3200 meter at the State Qualifying Meet. He finished with a personal record best time of 10:02.70. Photo credit – The Gazette Today our family heads to Des Moines to watch Patrick along with several other…

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Children’s Book Review: Animal Ark By Kwame Alexander

ANIMAL ARK Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures By: Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess and Deanna Kikaido Photography by: Joel Sartore Published: February 14, 2017 Publisher: National Geographic Kids Poetry/Education/Photography This amazing book shares the importance of taking care of our world for the animals that live in it. It gives our youngest children an…

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Cookbook Review: Gumbo Love By Lucy Buffett

GUMBO LOVE Recipes for Gulf Coast Cooking, Entertaining, and Savoring the Good Life By: Lucy Buffett Published: May 9, 2017 Publisher: Grand Central Life & Style Non-Fiction/Cookbook If you need any reason to check out Lucy Buffett’s new cookbook, then National Shrimp Day would be it! Fans of Gulf Coast specialties, fruity libations, and flavor-rich…

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New Books from April 2017

Every month I share a post about all the new books that came my way during the past month. You can be sure to see these posts at the beginning of every month. I read four books in April including two memoirs and two fiction novels. I also read twelve children’s fiction books. I survived…

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Children’s Book Week – One to Ten Squirrel’s Bad Day By Carole P. Roman

Children’s Book Week is the annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.  Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Every year, events are held nationwide at schools, libraries, bookstores, homes — wherever young readers and books connect!  The 98th anniversary of Children’s…

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