Loving Frank - Nancy Horan

I am in the middle of this book and so far enjoying it. The events of the books are based on a true love story in 1909. As I have mentioned previously, I love books in this era.

The love story is based on a real affair between a well known married architect and an educated woman, married as well.

As you can imagine, affairs were more than scandalous as this time. People even thought you were mad or bitten by a vampire.

It's so interesting to learn about woman in this time and the challenges they faced and strides they made to get us to where we are today.

TOO COOL

This pic totally cracks me up! I love her little teeth poking out!

She is wearing her Great-Gramma's sunglasses! How many kids get to do that?

She thought she was sooooo cool in these shades, loved posing in them for me. Ava is so darn cute and fun that it sometimes makes me want a few more..as long as they are just like her!

Burned by the sun...

Well I am a girl of traditions and I like to start each spring with the same old routine. That involves me...getting massively sunburned within the first few days of the spring. For some reason I start the spring off by ignoring the fact that the sun is out, it is warm, my skin is wimpy and I burn. Today was that day.
I worked outside in our garden beds/shrubbery all morning and most of the afternoon. I did spray myself down once...maybe twice, but now i am sitting here, feeling hotter than normal and looking more lobster like than I have since..well...last spring.
It just feels like we literally had snow last week and this week it's summer and I haven't gotten into that flow of protecting myself like i do mid-July.
Fortunately Jorja has skin like her father. Never burns, just tans, nice, even and brown.
Unfortunately Ava seems to have my poor genes. Fair skin that blotches red and bumpy and then completely disappears with no trace of tan, leaving me looking like I rolled in mayonnaise.
Good times!
Well on the bright side.....my gardens are looking faaab-ulous! I invested in red cedar mulch.
Myself and the girls were outside by 7am today and playing on the grass. I bribed Jorja (with the promise of a new Webkinz) if she entertaining Ava and alerted me to any possible dangers. i.e. running after a dog or into the road!
She did great and she picked herself out the new snake webkinz. Happily named Dirt!

Nineteen Minutes - Jodi Picoult

This is a definite 'must read'! Such a wonderful book! This book deals with a high school shooting and the author does an fantastic job of reeling in your emotions and causing you to feel like the characters are people you know personally!

I had a hard time putting it down, I wanted to just read and read. I enjoyed how each chapter represented a different time during, before or after the actual shooting.

It's amazing what Jodi Picoult can do with her characters and what you will actually end up feeling for Peter, the gunman.
It will also make you reflect on your own high school experience and status therein. It will make you examine your behaviour to those you were associated with at that time. Read it! You won't be sorry!!

A Northern Light - Jennifer Donnelly

Just finished this book yesterday. I really did enjoy it and would recommend it. It takes place in 1906 (i love books that take place in that time era) and is based on the true story of Grace Brown. She was the 19 yr old girl who was found at the bottom of a lake in the Adirondak mountains. It was later discovered that she was pregnant and had been murdered by the father of her baby (Chester Gillette). It was considered the biggest murder trial in New York history at the time.
Although the book wasn't centered around that story only, it still made me feel deeply for Grace and marvel at how times have changed when it comes to getting in 'that kind of situation'.
The book actually focuses on Matty Gokey and her coming of age tale and how the deceased Grace influenced her decisions.
A good read!

1st Post Ever!

Yee haw! My very 1st post ever!!! The virgin post if you will! I am very excited and a little overwhelmed with all the options the blog-world has to offer! Please bear with me as I learn the ropes of posting, decorating and such.
My friend Nikki introduced me to this world of creeping and I put it off for a few months. I now feel that I have come to a point in my life where I am ready for a blog relationship.
Please give me any feedback regarding this blog..ideas....'creative' critisim and all that jazz!!!

The weather here has FINALLY taken a turn for the best! It's sunny and it's warming up. The robin's are pecking around the yard and I have seen a few buds on the trees and sprouts in the ground. The girls and I spent the whole afternoon outside. Nothing like sunshine and 10 lbs less of clothing to feel a little more alive!!