Archive | February 2013

Working the Weekend

February 23-24

The weekend has come and while we did not manage to line up any company we did keep busy! In preparation for both Dr. Seuss’ birthday (2nd) and St. Patrick’s Day I had a rather hefty stack of library books to pick up and a letter to post (both are in the same little area). From there we headed out to our favourite JoAnn’s that is in the same parking lot as Dollar Tree.

At the Dollar Tree we let the kids buy whatever they wanted… we came home with two packages of marbles (round), a bunny (teddy), a raised colouring set (princess) and a fishing pole (toy). Add to that a hat (Easter) and some St. Patrick’s Day themed foam shapes and we really did do rather well for a much smaller selection than we are used to. Though I should have bought a second hat. Echo is now sure it is hers as is Trinity.

Pretty in pink

I took a rather decadent day of it and had a lengthy NAP! This head cold has me firmly in its grasps still with a runny nose and congested brain BUT I figure the end MUST be in sight. It was a nice lazy afternoon with the kids busy with their new purchases and plenty of time to read and rest. Just what we ALL needed I think.

Sunday was another at home day for the most part. I am looking forward to the upcoming months. Ken and I decided to not push the hunt for a new church for our family until after he was settled and working as the weekends were his time to apply for the last of the jobs he found during the week, code and of course run the errands that had to wait during all the hunting. I don’t think it will be too hard to find a Lutheran church around here, but we want to find one that is a sister church to the ELCIC we are members of and one that has a strong Sunday School element. Location is also an issue as as of yet I am not sure where we are moving to later in the year and driving massive distances to get to church is never a good idea.

Ken, Zander and Emanuel stepped up and did a major grocery shop. They got about 3/4 done before the boys pooped out but it was a great effort. Almost all of our Dr. Seuss menu is now in the house and at a great price and we are ready to face a house without Ken there.

Successful shop

So of course with a Sunday at home we had to have some gaming time too!

Relatively fight free

It is nice to have a weekend at home just the 7 of us! But it certainly does NOT make for an overly interesting blog post! Oh well, next is Dr. Seuss and the beginning of our platypus assembly. 

Our own little Holly Hobbie.

Dandelions on the Wind: The Quilted Heart Novella #1

There are days when a body just wants a Christian based romance with a lot of soul. The novella Dandelions on the Wind by Mona Hodgson is a great option for a quiet evening. 

When Maren Jensen came to the US from Denmark as a mail order bride she expected to create a family of her own with a loving spouse and a farmstead. Instead, with her eyesight diminishing on her trip to the new world she is abandoned by her groom to be and left to fend for herself. She found home when finally settling in with Mrs. Bratenberg and then baby Gabi whose family was torn apart from illness and war. With no plans of marriage Maren’s mind turns to Denmark and the need to return to her family as she could not fulfill her plan and promise to bring them to the US. 

BUT a family with no money and little prospects her life continues to be full of faith, chores, love and the weekly quilting circle until Rutherford “Wooly” Wainwright returns from war to the daughter he left behind and the mother in law he abandoned. Options open up and hearts are touched as Maren tries to understand where God wishes her to be and Rutherford attempts to make things right after abandoning his family torn by grief and loss. 

I love one of the German sayings that is shared: Geteiltes leid ist halbes leid – Trouble shared is trouble halved… a good thing to remember.

A story built on faith and a belief in God this is a gentle read. It is charming, the characters are lovable and the plot, unlike many books of this length, run smoothly and in good time. Mona Hodgson has an amazing way with words and deals with the idea of faith and action in a way that is most comforting. I would definitely suggest this book if you enjoy a soft and light Christian romance with a historical setting. 

Dandelions on the Wind

The Lost Daughter… a Book Review

The Lost Daughter by Mary Williams is a touching autobiography of a woman who survived an exceptionally difficult childhood moving into her teen years a lost and later abused woman… that is until she is accepted into the loving and supportive family of Jane Fonda. Mary is proof that a childhood of hardship and pain does not have to lead to a lifetime of loss. 

Born the 5th daughter to two members of the Black Panther association Mary was a forgotten child in a home of poverty. A world traveler Mary took her move to the Fonda’s home in stride and accepted, for the most part, their support and love. There are ups and downs and sadness and joy. There are two sides to each coin and with leaving her family to join a new one there were losses and benefits. 

What I loved about this book is as you read it it is like Mary is sitting right there telling you the story. In a twist of fate Mary is offered the opportunity of a lifetime, leave the oppressive poverty stricken family with a matriarch who has simply given up and an absentee father and join the actress and her family that she met by chance at a series of summers at camp. What is amazing is this book goes full circle, not only does Mary escape the clutches of a cycle of abuse, poverty and crime but she DOES return to mend a few bridges, as delicate as that mending is. 

Mary Williams has more adventures than many people would in multiple lifetimes, she spends time in different areas across the globe with her eyes wide open. We are given brief glances into Jane Fonda’s life during this time, through two marriages and her relationships with her children. The road is far from smooth  but our adventures with this strong and amazing woman are page turners. I found myself unable to put the book down. 

She does not simply degrade her past and see only the negatives, we experience the joy with the tribulation, the questioning with the answers. We walk along this woman’s life and truly get a feel of who she is and what she was and who she could become! This is the perfect book for quiet contemplation, a bit of a giggle at times, connecting with an adventurous soul.

This book touches on the Panther movement, the fall out (in a small part) of being a part of the anti-Vietnam rallies, rape (not graphic), drugs, alcohol abuse but also being a part of a family, travelling the world, helping others, enjoying the outdoors and simply finding your way in a world full of options and choices. The Lost Daughter is full of emotion and written to draw you in. When it comes out in April I would absolutely suggest getting a copy, freeing up all the reading time you can and immerse yourself in Mary William’s life. 

The Lost Daughter