Reflections on 2011 and Looking Ahead to 2012

Last year I could have done better at some things, yet I followed through on other things.  I completely ignored some items on my list, and yet amazed myself with my effort on others.  I think that sounds about right for most people. Some things I am really proud of from 2011: We chose each of our…

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Books As Gifts

I. LOVE. BOOKS.  Unless you have been living under a rock, you knew that about me already.  This year I gave some books as gifts and got some as well.  BOOKS I GAVE: FIDDLER’S GREEN (Fin’s Revolution #2) by A.S. Peterson Published December 15, 2010 Given to my nephew, Eric and his wife, Ericka.  They…

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My Top Ten Reads from 2011

I read 36 books this year which is more than I anticipated.  They covered a variety of subjects and were reads that were for my Book Club, for review purposes, and for my own enjoyment.  Of these books, these were my favorites from the year.  Some actually came out in 2011, others were ones I…

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Scenes From Our Week – Week 12

You can see all about my day at MISSION OF HOPE on Wednesday at the post below this one. It was a wonderful day of giving to others.  I can’t wait to participate again next year! On Friday, we celebrated Christmas with Pat’s family.  It is so fun to watch all the kids open their gifts…

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A Day of Giving

For the second year in a row, I was chosen by CEPIA and the RANDOM ACTS OF ZHU to hand out toys to a charity.  I again chose MISSION OF HOPE in Cedar Rapids because of the awesome work they do to help out the least, the last and the lost. December 21, 2011 was…

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Book Review: Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb

Wishin’ and Hopin’ by Wally Lamb Published October 21, 2009 My rating: 4 of 5 stars I found this as a cheap Kindle buy and knew I couldn’t go wrong with a Wally Lamb book. I wanted a Christmas story and even though Christmas wasn’t the focus of the whole story, it was still a…

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A Christmas Prayer

Loving Father, help us remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds and the wisdom of the wise men. Close the door of hate and open the door of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires…

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What I’ve Been Baking

I love to bake and have been getting my goodies made up for Christmas celebrations.  I’ve made: Pumpkin Bread Almond Bark Dipped Ritz Bitz Peanut Butter Star Cookies (my Christmas Favorite)  Spritz Cookies (my Grandma made them every Christmas, and my mom, and now me) Peppermint Sugar Cookies (With Hershey’s Candy Cane Kisses) Almond Bark…

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Book Review: THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN By Garth Stein

THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN By: Garth Stein Published: May 5, 2008 Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny…

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