Photo Story Friday: Top Ten Blog Posts (from this blog) of 2011

10.  Monday Movies: It's All About the Giving

9.  Friday Night Sew-in: Girls Night Gowns

8.  Thursday Tidbits:  Advent Candle

7.  Monday Movies: Heavy

6.  Monday Movies:  All About the Facial Hair

5.  Monday Movies:  Changing

4.  Book Analysis:  The Hunger Games Trilogy

3.  Monday Movies:  You Better Do Some Explaining

2.  Saturday Sundries:  Book Love

and the number 1 blog post of the year . . .

  Book Review: Monster High

if I can believe the stats on the blogger dashboard my Monster High Birthday Party has had 1800 pageviews since April!  Who knew!  It was a surprise to me too!

What was your most viewed post of the year?

Tuesday Top Ten . . . books of the year (for me)

hosted by the broke and the bookish

This weeks top ten . . . . books I've read this year

I've read 62 books this year and after browsing the titles I've picked these for my top ten reads this year.

#10

The Life of Charlotte Bronte by Elizabeth Gaskell

#9

Prayers for Sale by Sandra Dallas

#8

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

#7

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett

#6

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

#5

Austenland by Shannon Hale

#4

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford

#3

The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

#2

To The Rescue: The Biography of Thomas S. Monson by Heidi S. Swinton

#1

Christ and The New Covenant by Jeffrey R. Holland

Book Review: Dakota Christmas

Dakota Christmas (Kindle Single) by Joseph Bottum

Kindle Edition, 20 pages
Published November 30th 2011
ASINB006GP07GU.

About the book:

A memoir of childhood Christmases on the South Dakota plains. By turns sweet and comic, sentimental and serious, Joseph Bottum's "Dakota Christmas" is an instant Christmas classic. In this beautifully written account of the mad joys and wild emotions of Christmas for children, Bottum captures the universal spirit of the season even while he recounts his memories ...moreA memoir of childhood Christmases on the South Dakota plains. By turns sweet and comic, sentimental and serious, Joseph Bottum's "Dakota Christmas" is an instant Christmas classic. In this beautifully written account of the mad joys and wild emotions of Christmas for children, Bottum captures the universal spirit of the season even while he recounts his memories with a sharp particularity that brings them alive for readers.

my thoughts:
I liked this book--the author just rambled around the prairie sharing stories.  It was fun, but not memorable.

Book Review: An Irish Christmas

An Irish Christmas

by Melody Carlson

Kindle Edition, 192 pages
Published September 1st 2007 by Revell
ASIN: B001I91QIC.

About the book:
For Colleen, life is spinning out of control. She just lost her husband, and her relationship with her young adult son Jamie is crumbling. Should she confess to him the secret that has been haunting her for twenty years? Jamie has a few secrets of his own. When he announces his plans to join the military, Colleen decides it's time for the two of them to take a trip together--to Ireland. The truth they discover there could fulfill both their dreams in a way neither ever thought possible. An Irish Christmas is a captivating story of love, deception, and secret passions, from popular and prolific author Melody Carlson.

About the author:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

Image and information courtesy goodreads

My thoughts:
I downloaded this book for two reasons.  One)  I had just finished "Christmas at Harrington's" by this same author.  I enjoyed it so much I was certain that I would enjoy other books written by Ms. Carlson.  Two) As I browsed the list of books available by the author this book "An Irish Christmas" caught my eye.  I've always wanted to go to Ireland and I love Christmas.  So I thought this would be a win/win/ for me.  I was right. I like the way Ms. Carlson writes.  Life is not peachy but her characters are made of stern stuff and weather the storms of life with courage.  I liked how the story evolved and wrapped up as Colleen and Jamie discovered Ireland, themselves and each other.

Book Review: Christmas at Harrington's

Christmas at Harrington's

by Melody Carlson

Kindle Edition, 192 pages
Published October 1st 2010 by Revell
ASINB004071VLG.
*note--it says in the information that this edition is in Norwegian, but mine was in English

About the book:
Christmas is approaching, and Lena Markham finds herself penniless, friendless, and nearly hopeless. She is trying to restart her life after false accusations landed her in prison, but job opportunities are practically nonexistent. When a secondhand red coat unexpectedly lands her a job as Mrs. Santa at a department store, Lena finally thinks her luck is changing. But can she keep her past a secret? This tender story about fresh starts will charm readers as all of Melody Carlson's Christmas offerings do. Full of redemption and true holiday spirit, Christmas at Harrington's will be readers' newest Christmas tradition.

About the Author:
Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books, several of them Christmas novellas from Revell, including her much-loved and bestselling book, The Christmas Bus.

image and information courtesy goodreads

My thoughts:
Christmas at Harrington's is a tender Christmas story, without being overly sentimental.  It seems that all the movies and books at Christmas tend to focus on someone who is down on their luck and then everyone pitches in to help them out or someone rescues them.  It was refreshing to read a story about a woman who took care of things herself in a quiet, confident manner.  I liked the book so much I immediately downloaded a second book to read by the same author.

Thanks to JuJu at Tales of Whimsy for the recommendation :)

Wedensday Wanderings: Christmas Wishes

“The Great Hall looked magnificent. Not only were there a dozen frost-covered Christmas trees and thick streamers of holly and mistletoe crisscrossing the enchanted ceiling, but enchanted snow was falling, warm and dry, from the ceiling. Dumbledore led them in a few of his favorite carols, Hagrid booming more and more loudly with every goblet of eggnog he consumed.

“The rest of Harry’s Christmas presents were far more satisfactory. Hagrid had sent him a large tin of treacle fudge, which Harry decided to soften by the fire before eating; Ron had given him a book called Flying with the Cannons, a book of interesting facts about his favorite quidditch team, and Hermione had brought him a luxury eagle-feather quill. Harry opened the last present to find a new, hand-knitted sweater from Mrs. Weasley and a large plum pudding.”

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Chapter 12 pg. 212

We are having a "Hogwarts Christmas" in celebration of our epic journey with Harry Potter (seven novels, eight movies, and fourteen years). The pictures on the card are this year's ornaments of the grandchildren. They are all dressed like Harry Potter.

 

I hope you all have a "magical" Christmas

 

 

Tuesday Top Ten and a Teaser: Dear Santa

top ten hosted by the broke and the bookish
teaser tuesday hosted by miz b at should be reading
tuesday intro's hosted by dianne at bibliophile by the sea

Today's Top Ten . . . Books I'd like to find in my Christmas Stocking

I'm totally hooked on the kindle and this year I have not read one paper book.  Sadly the switch has broken on my kindle and I "need" a newer model.  So Dear Santa, here is what is on my wish list this year.

1.

and maybe if you don't mind

2.

(for the grand kids--so they can read their books in color, play some games, watch some movies)

3.

(maybe for a couple hundred dollars--how else am I supposed to pay for the stuff that goes on items one and two???)

I do want some real, hold in your hands, smell the pages books.

I've wanted them for a long time now.

4.

5.

(A leather bound edition of "The Hobbit")

6.

(A leather bound edition of "The Lord of the Rings")

ummm . . . I think that is quite enough,

I promise I've been good.

And now I'd like to share two introductions from some Christmas stories by Melody Carlson.

"The slate-colored sky matched Lena's spirits as she springed toward the bust stop.  "Don't be late," Mrs. Stanfield had warned earlier.  "The bus leaves promptly at 5:15 and there won't be another until tomorrow morning."

"Christmas at Harrington's"

Colleen May Frederick--Spring of 1963

"I felt certain I was losing my son.  Or perhaps I'd already lost him and just hadn't noticed.  So many things had slipped my attention this past year, ever since Hal's death.  But lately it seemed I was losing everything.  Not just those insignificant items like my car keys, which I eventually found in the deep freeze beneath a carton of Green Giant mixed vegetables, or my favorite pair of calfskin gloves, which I still hadn't located.  But it seemed I was losing important things as well.  Or maybe I was just losing my grip."

"An Irish Christmas"

How about you? Would you keep reading?

Book Review: The Reindeer Keeper

The Reindeer Keeper

by Barbara Briggs Ward

Kindle Edition
Published November 9th 2010 by Wheatmark (first published October 15th 2010)
ASIN: B004BDP5AW.
literary awards: Honored as a Mom's Choice Awards Gold Recipient in Adult Fiction 8/11 .

About the book:
Abbey senses something special about the little man tending to the reindeer who, along with a century-old farmhouse, a barn full of animals, and fields abounding in woods and pasture, was a gift to Abbey from a stranger. Abbey and her husband, Steve, move in just before the holidays. They have been together since the '60s, eloping when Steve returned from Vietnam. Now with Abbey’s cancer in remission, they’re looking forward to their boys coming home for Christmas. Turns out this Christmas proves to be more magical than anticipated as Abbey realizes an understanding never thought possible through the rekindling of a belief rooted in childhood. Of course it's who delivers this gift on Christmas Eve that gives Abbey and Steve the strength to face their greatest challenge.

About the Author:
Barbara Briggs Ward is the author/illustrator of The Really, Really Hairy Flight of Snarly Sally and Snarly Sally's Garden of ABCs. Her projects include illustrating And Then There Was Hope and The Brain Reigns for the New York State Office of Mental Health. She has been a featured author/illustrator on Mountain Lake PBS in Plattsburgh, New York, and Target's Book Festival in Boston and New York City. She has been published in Highlights for Children, McCall’s, and the Crafts Report.

About the illustrator:
Suzanne Langelier-Lebeda is an award-winning graphic designer/illustrator. She earned national awards for art and publication design as a coordinator of publications at the State University of Potsdam. Her illustrations for this book were delightful and I enjoyed them very much.

Image and Information courtesy goodreads

My thoughts:
Staci at Life in the Thumb read and reviewed this book last Christmas. I liked her review so I bookmarked The Reindeer Keeper for holiday reading this year.  Staci said, "What you should do before reading this book:  Make sure the Christmas tree is up, snow is blowing outside, you have nowhere to be for a few hours, a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, blanket, comfortable chair, and a beloved pet sitting on your lap. Open book and get lost in the magical world that you will find within the pages of The Reindeer Keeper."  Well I followed her instructions to the tee, mother-nature even cooperated by providing a blustery day.  The story was unique and had a magical quality to it.  I did feel that the author placed Santa in a role that suggested he was akin to Deity-so that bothered me a bit.  But other than that it was great.  Thanks Staci for the recommend.

Photo Story Friday: O Christmas Tree

Prompt #1. Have you decorated your Christmas tree? Share a favorite Christmas ornament.

(Originally scheduled for Dec. 7th, but I bumped this post to participate in the Virtual Advent Tour)

Oh boy, when I saw this prompt right at the top of the list I didn't even look at the rest.  I love Christmas and I love Christmas trees with lots of lights.  So yes, I've put up my Christmas trees--that's right, my trees.  I love each one so today I'll give you a little glimpse of all six trees.

A few years ago I purchased a nativity set made by Willow Tree.  I love the simplicity and earthiness of it.  A beautiful nativity set like that was just crying out for a host of angels in the heavens singing hosannas to the newborn king.

So I put of trio of alpine pines in the corner next to the piano that held the nativity set.  I covered it with rusty stars, gold wooden glittery stars, wooden candles and lots and lots of angels.  It really is quite breathtaking, the picture just doesn't do it justice.

The large tree is covered with snowflakes, and snowmen. One year when I was shopping at a craft store I came across large dinner plate, salad plate and dessert plate size acrylic snowflakes. I just had to buy them! Every year I've added another snowflake until my tree is now a regular blizzard.

I've also added some glitzy words, clear balls filled with a little bit of plastic snow and . . .

. . . snowmen!

That's four trees for me so I decided my grandchildren needed a tree just for them.  Their sweet little faces are featured in ornaments they have painted.  The rest of the ornaments are all toys.  The tree just begs to be played with.  They decorate it and undecorate it about a hundred times during the holidays.

my favorite ornaments from mom's pink Victorian Christmas tree--pink acrylic doves with dangling hearts.

This year I've added a new tree.  My mom loved Christmas just as much as I did (I think I inherited that from her) and I inherited the duty of divvying up the Christmas ornaments when she passed away in October.  I think I did a pretty good job of being fair about it all but I did keep my favorite ornaments off the tree for me--and I kept the whole set.  I also brought home her "Dickens's" era carolers that she stood on her fireplace hearth every Christmas.  They now have a place in my home.  That makes me happy, and I think my mother is happy as well.

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Hosted by Cecily and Lolli