2009 – A Great Year for Reading

2009 is  going to be a great reading year. One of the reasons I like the book challenges that bloggers are sponsoring is because it helps me focus on what I want to read rather than just aimlessly picking up anything at the library or bookstore. (Not that I’m not going to do any of that – I will still do some.) The other reason for joining book challenges is to keep track of what I’ve read. At the top of this page is my list of books as I read them. I read a lot but often forget the title and/or author. I hate that. I want a method to keep my mind alert. 

As a recap, here is the list of book challenges I joined for 2009:

1.    Library Challenge – 25 books from the library
2.    Reading Through the Decades – 9 books from 9 consecutive decades
3.    Books About Food – 6 books but it ends in April
4.    Christian Readers Challenge - 4 books but it ends in April
5.    Romance Reading Challenge – 5 books (only 5?)
6.    Casual Classics - 4 books
7.     Childhood Favourites – 5 books by June 21

There are a couple more challenges I’m looking to join. If anyone knows of one, leave me the link. I’m looking for a Western Book Challenge and one for Thrillers/Legal Dramas. If you are interested in any of the above challenges, just click on them for more information.

And to really keep my reading on the ball this year, I’m taking on the challenge to review every book I read. I know what my family members are thinking right now. I know, I’ve really become obsessive about this reading thing. Sorry, bear with me. You know I love to read. Besides, isn’t this Read and Review button cute?

Here’s how the Read and Review Challenge works:   

• Review each book you read between January 1st and December 31st, 2009
• Reviews can be as short, or long, as you wish
• You may overlap with other challenges
• eBooks and Audiobooks are allowed
• For the full list of rules and/or to join visit Read and Review.

So, I’m ready to start reading with the new year. I hope you will join me. Happy Reading Year!

On Movies: Parental OK Movies

Molly over at The Bumles Blog is asking this question: What movies are you comfortable watching with your parents? This is a very timely question as we are still at mom’s (she is 88) and have been searching for movies to watch with her. Her requirements are these: no violence, no sex, no bad language – lots of no’s. There are no movies currently at the theaters that would be acceptable. So, what do we watch? DVD’s such as:

1. Little Women
2. Little House on the Prairie
3. Old Westerns with John Wayne (True Grit, etc.)

Anyone have any ideas to help?

Favourite Books From My Childhood

 

I have a passion for children’s books. It is especially nice if I can read them to children. But, if none are available, I will read them to myself. So, I am especially pleased to join Lynda at The Holistic Knitter as she sponsors a six-month Childhood Favourite Book Challenge. 

The challenge is to think back to childhood and recall the books I loved and re-read them before June 21, 2009. It was hard to whittle down this list but I went with my all-time favourites. (Favourites is spelled correctly. The Holistic Knitter lives in Wales.) Here’s my list as of today. I’m reserving the right to change my mind.

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
2. Homer Price by Robert McCloskey
3. On The Banks of Plum Creek by Loura Ingalls Wilder
4. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner
5. Heidi by Johanna Spyri
6. One of The Bobbsey Twins books  
7. Strawberry Girl by Lois Lenski
8. Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
9. Make Way For Ducklings by Robert McCloskey
10. Blueberries For Sal by Robert McCloskey
11. Twenty One Balloons by William Pene du Bois

If you also have a passion for children’s books, please join us in this challenge. Visit here to join. Whether you join or not, I’d like to know what some of your favourite childhood books are.

Teaser Tuesday

  Tuesday is the day when we pick a couple of sentences from a current book. The sentences are a teaser so you can be tempted to add this book to you To Be Read List.

Here’s mine for the week.

 

“Lillian, let’s go,” Samuel gently took her elbow and attempted to guide her away from him.

“Yes, I think you better go,” the man said. The man who couldn’t possibly be her father.

 

 From page 167 of Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman. This is a book I’ve chosen to read as part of the Christian Readers Challenge. If you’d like more teasers, visit Should Be Reading.

Soup’s On: Squaw Corn

This is a very old dish that’s been updated very little over the years. I’m not sure where it came from. This is just something our mothers put together. It seems to be a dish a farm wife might have put together for the men helping at haying time. 

It’s not something that’s been written down in our family cookbook. In fact, as I was cooking this, I thought I ought to measure what I was doing so I could put it into a “recipe”. I imagine that most of our favorite dishes are like this. I have made this so often, I’m just on automatic. So here’s how I made it this week:

• 3 to 4 slices of bacon, cut into small (1/2 inch) pieces
• 1 small onion, chopped, about 1 cup
• 1 can (15 oz) creamed corn
• 1 cup corn kernels (from a frozen bag)
• 1 large potato, peeled and cut into small pieces, about 1 cup
• 1/2 cup water (could use milk)

Cook the bacon over low heat. Stir occasionally to keep it from burning. When it is soft and starting to brown, add the onion. Stir once in a while until the onion is soft. Then add the rest of the ingredients. Stir. Cover with a lid. Keep an eye on this. If it starts to stick, add more water – 1/4 cup at a time. Cook until the potatoes are soft but not mushy. Serve this in a bowl as it is soupy.

My husband’s mother used to make this without the potato. Instead she would add cut-up pieces of tamale (without the wrapper). We tried this a couple months ago and it just didn’t taste the same. She did have a special touch with food. I miss that touch.

We usually have our version with carrot and celery sticks, whole wheat rolls or bread or muffins, and cold applesauce or other fruit.

This recipe is actually best in summer when you have come in from the garden with corn you just picked as well as fresh dug potatoes and onions. Mm-mm. But since it’s winter, you’ll have to try this with canned and frozen.

Riding the Railroad

When I was a kid in the ’40s, riding a train was glamorous. To me it wasn’t tuxedos and cocktail dresses in the lounge car. It was the hobos who hopped on and rode off to unknown but exciting places. They were the ones who saw new places while living with only what they could carry. That was my idea of creative travel.

I never had the chance to ride a real train until I was in college. I took a couple of trips from Springfield, Missouri up to the majestic Union Station in Kansas City. Not exactly the hobo adventure I’d dreamed of but, it was a train. 

After I married and the children came along, if we were going to go anywhere, it would be by car. In later years it would be by air for business and to see our grown children who have scattered themselves all over the country. 

Now that I’ve come to the “slow down” phase of my life, I’m back to a little bit of train travel. My mom still has the yen to travel and about three years ago she and I took a trip from Philadelphia to New York City and then up to Boston.  Last year my husband and I took a longer trip from Portland, Oregon down the west coast to southern California and back again. These two trips brought back the old hobo dream. 

So, a few weeks ago I took Amtrak’s Starlite Coach from Martinez, California down to Simi Valley, California. What a great way to travel! 

Here are some things I saw on the trip:

•    The busy harbor south of Oakland
•    Neon art work (some call it graffiti) on fences, buildings, boxcars – much of it quite beautiful
•    Castorville – home of an annual Artichoke Festival. First queen of the festival? Norma Jean Baker/Marilyn Monroe
•    Acorn Slough – home to thousands of migratory birds and two seals lounging on their backs
•    Miles and miles of vineyards, some with green leaves, some brown and some with no leaves
•    Old fashioned (late nineteenth century) train depots that have been refurbished
•    Acres of green fields planted with broccoli and tomatoes
•    The Pacific Ocean right outside the window, closer than any road

Inside the car you’ll find roomy seats equal to the size of first class air travel with plenty of leg room. Two levels of travel – upper level if you want a better viewing vista, lower level if you don’t want to climb the stairs. They have a snack bar (sandwiches, etc.) and a dining car (full breakfast, lunch and dinner). 

I think Amtrak has done a good job of customer service training because we have yet to encounter a grumpy employee, even during last year’s very busy holiday season. The porter on this last trip was fun and friendly, made sure people were awake and got off at the right station, offered to get things from the snack bar, helped with luggage, and all without the expectation of being tipped. He was genuinely surprised when I tipped him.

I’ve read and heard complaints about Amtrak. Maybe I’ve just been lucky. I studied my fellow passengers to see if this was a travel mode for the desperate who couldn’t afford anything else. I saw nicely dressed people with good quality luggage. Most were in their twenties/thirties or sixties/seventies. There were some families and a few businessmen and women. 

I think that to be a successful train traveler you have to not be in a hurry. They do not always keep to a tight schedule. Freight trains have the right-of-way so passenger trains have to wait for them. If you have the time, and most of us retirees do, this is a fun way to see all or part of the country. Did I mention that the trip through California cost me $44.20? I wouldn’t have been able to drive it for that. So if you too have that yen for a rhythmic ride on the rails, check out the Amtrak schedule and routes at Amtrak.com. Happy travels.     

Favorite Places: Yosemite National Park

Every time I think of Yosemite I think of my dad. Since today is the ninety-second anniversary of his birth, it seems appropriate to show some shots of the place. We first saw Yosemite in 1955, just six months after moving to California from Wisconsin. My dad loved his new home state and was eager for all of us to see the best the state had to offer. 

One weekend trip and we all were hooked. It was a five hour drive from home (one way) but we went there as often as possible, often just for a simple weekend. 

We became familiar with all the landmark mountains, with John Muir and Ansel Adams, the Big Trees, and many of the trails and waterfalls. We never camped in the Valley, however. We always camped up at Wawona. We had our favorite spots near the river that we always tried to get. (No reservations in those days.) Back in those old days we could easily gather fire wood along the tree line and have great campfires at both morning and night. Back then it was also easy to spot arrow heads in the woods.

All of the grandchildren were introduced to Yosemite at an early age and almost all are still very passionate about the place. My dad died in early December, 1989 and on the 27th of that month we piled as many of the adults and kids as possible into a huge van and drove up to Yosemite. Even though he was no longer with us we felt it was a fitting way to say happy birthday.

The pictures here were taken by my son Christopher three years ago when he and my husband, Jay, climbed Half Dome. It was something my dad was never able to do but I’m sure he would have been proud of their accomplishment. (If you look closely, you’ll see Jay across the way holding out his arms.)

If you’ve never had a chance to see Yosemite, I hope you’ll put in on your list of “must-see-someday”.

The Day After

I hope your Christmas was warm and joyful. How are you spending this day after? I hope it’s calm and quiet. I know some people love the noise and chaos of the shopping malls. I’m not one of them. For me the great gift of the day after is the ability to quietly enjoy reading a new book or starting a project with some new yarn or listening to a new piece of music or all three. 

I also like to enjoy the luxury of extra family that may still be visiting. Our family (both sides) has always been great board game players. We’ve had some great Monopoly, Scrabble, Sorry, Clue, Rummy Tiles, or whatever tournaments over the holidays. Puzzles are a big thing too. On my side of the family we love to play a card game called Shanghai. I’ll have to tell you about it sometime.

I also remember a couple of years when we would all pile into the cars and go to the movies. James Bond movies usually come out about this time of year. Better yet is watching movies at home. Here we can pause when we want or rewind for the really good parts. We’ve always loved creating our own movie marathons, like say watching all the Bourne movies. At home we can also make our own popcorn and other snacks.

But, for me, the best part of Christmas and the day after has to do with children. Their delight in this time of year infects everyone. I know there are a couple of little girls that will spend part of today outside on roller skates and scooters. Here’s hoping they, and you, have a great day after. 

Blessed Christmas

 

Still, still, still,

The child’s eyes softly close.

And Mary breathless, draws Him, weeping,

To her heart made pure for keeping.

 

Sing, sing, sing,

He hears and sweetly smiles.

And kneeling Joseph joins in chorus

With the angels bending o’er us.

 

Sleep, sleep, sleep,

He breathes a tender sigh,

For soon He’ll wake the world from slumber,

Bring life and endless wonder.

 

Sleep, Holy Jesus, sleep.

 

                           An Austrian Carol

Works For Me: Appetizers for Christmas Dinnero

If people are retired, or there’s only a few of them, what do they have for  Christmas Dinner? I can’t speak for all retirees, just what works for me. What works for me is a day of appetizers. 

Appetizers, you ask? Yes, appetizers. I guess you need to understand how Christmas Day works for us. We like to get up and see what Santa stuffed in our stockings. Then we have a nice big breakfast. And that’s the last meal of the day I will cook. 

Our family is scattered all over the country. Christmas Day has evolved into a National Telephone Call Holiday. Here’s how the math of that works: If I have four people to talk to and I talk to them for only 15 minutes each (unlikely) and then my husband talks for 15 minutes each, that’s two hours for only four people. Now multiply that by the total number of people we want to visit with that day and you get the picture. I love being with everybody but it’s not possible every year. So the second best thing is talking to them on the phone.

Being on and off the phone all day means I don’t have time to fix a big Christmas dinner. Hence we have Appetizer For Christmas Dinner. Since I know I’m not going to cook, I try to plan ahead and have things ready to pull from the refrigerator. Everything listed below can be made ahead of time or purchased at your local supermarket. Here’s my list of possibilities:

1. A tray of raw veggies with or without a dip or Ranch dressing (carrot and celery sticks, radishes, snow peas, broccoli and cauliflower florets, etc.)
2. Deviled eggs
3. Stuffed Mushrooms
4. Spinach Artichoke Dip with crackers (nice ones, not saltines) or baguette
5. A brick of cream cheese covered with salsa, served with tortilla chips
6. Pimento Cheese with crackers or baguette
7. A Cheese Ball or Baked Brie with crackers or baguette
8. A tray of sliced cheeses, meats (thin ham, beef or turkey), salami
9. Cold, cooked shrimp with cocktail sauce
10. Crockpot with mini meatballs and sauce (could be barbeque or sweet sour or teriyaki or whatever you like)
11. Crockpot with baby ribs in sauce (could also be microwaved)
12. Crockpot with chicken nuggets  with dipping sauces like Honey Mustard (could also be microwaved) 
13. Crockpot of a fancy soup like Clam Chowder or French Onion
14. Salads such as Waldorf or Mixed Fruit or Broccoli Raisin or Pea Salad or Three Bean (check Deli area)
15. Dessert: those great Christmas cookies
16. Drink: your choice of wine, tea, coffee, eggnog, Diet Coke?

Now isn’t that a festive feast? Just because there’s only a couple of you doesn’t mean you can’t have a party. Pick whatever will work for you. I don’t use the whole list at once but pick and choose what we feel like this year. I have literally purchased every single one of these items at the store so I didn’t have to cook if I didn’t want to. You can also use this list for an open-house type celebration or for a potluck party. I hope you’ll let me know your favorite appetizers or what you do for an unusual Christmas dinner. Merry Christmas.