Knoebels

Knoebels (pronounced kah-nobles) is a secret little gem here in central PA.  An amusement park with free parking and free admission. You pay by the ride and eat lots of delicious treats.  We went to opening day today and had a great time with some good friends.  It was Jack's first time on the rides.  He didn't smile and laugh, but he didn't cry either.

Good time had by all.

Easter 2011

Easter

We had a very exhausting Easter weekend. Lots of egg hunts and lots of fits.  More to come...

Utah!

  We had a great time visiting with Jessamyn, Johnny, Oliver, and my cousins.  Jessamyn is basically on a liquid / soft food diet and I was her official juicer while I was there.  We came up with some solid delicious juicing recipes that I am continuing to use here at home. 

We also ate at subzero. Subzero is awesome. They pour cream into a bowl and then make ice cream instantly in front of you using liquid nitrogen.  It was surprisingly delicious.

  I also had Jack's hair cut while I was in the land of my people.

Good time had by all.

What I Saw and How I Lied / Revolution

That is the title of the book I just finished, not a report on my deceit.


What I Saw and How I lied by Judy Blundell is my second and final book of my historical fiction reading challenge.  Who knew I would finish it so soon! Turns out I was confused and I do like historical fiction.  I think I just dislike the Civil War, sorry Mom.

This book was a little gem that I found at my mom's local borders that was going out of business.  All books were at least 50% off and I snagged a bunch of historical fiction from the young adult section. (The adult fiction was pretty picked over)

This was a quick read about a family in post WWII America.  Right after the war actually.  I love reading about that time period and can't imagine what it must have been like during WWII and immediately after.  This book started slow for me, but I think I expected lying and deceit right off the bat. It takes a bit to get into that part of the plot.  I loved how the characters evolved from one dimensional characters into full blown flawed human beings.

I also recently finished Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly. Another borders 50% off find.

This book takes place in modern day Paris and Paris over 200 years ago during the French revolution.  Since this book took place in the past and in the modern day, I say it counts as half a historical fiction book. My historical fiction count is now up to 2.5.  Take that reading challenge!

Here is an excerpt from goodreads:  "Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. "


It was fascinating to learn more about the French revolution and I am now on the search to read more historical fiction about that time period. 


Both were great books and I have copies of each to lend if anyone wants to borrow one or both!

These is my words

I completed book 1 of my historical fiction reading challenge.  These is my Words by Nancy Turner.

I read this book for my book group and I loved every word.  It is written in diary format and is chock full of adventure from the arizona territories during the late 1890s.   Below is a detailed description from Amazon.com.

From Amazon: Based on the real-life exploits of the author's great-grandmother, this fictionalized diary vividly details one woman's struggles with life and love in frontier Arizona at the end of the last century. When she begins recording her life, Sarah Prine is an intelligent, headstrong 18-year-old capable of holding her own on her family's settlement near Tucson. Her skill with a rifle fends off a constant barrage of Indian attacks and outlaw assaults. It also attracts a handsome Army captain named Jack Elliot. By the time she's 21, Sarah has recorded her loveless marriage to a family friend, the establishment of a profitable ranch, the birth of her first child?and the death of her husband. The love between Jack and Sarah, which dominates the rest of the tale, has begun to blossom. Fragmented and disjointed in its early chapters, with poor spelling and grammar, Sarah's journal gradually gains in clarity and eloquence as she matures. While this device may frustrate some readers at first, Taylor's deft progression produces the intended reward: she not only tells of her heroine's growth, but she shows it through Sarah's writing and insights. The result is a compelling portrait of an enduring love, the rough old West and a memorable pioneer. First serial to Good Housekeeping; author tour; Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections. (Feb.) FYI: Selected as the March 1998 Good Housekeeping "Novel of the Month."



Travel log

Jack and I left early yesterday morning for the airport.  After an hour delay, two flights with a three hour layover, and a lot of squirming from Jack, we finally arrived!  Jack actually did really well.  At our first airport I let him run wild hoping he would wear himself out and sleep on the plane.  He fought sleep for hours and hours, squirmed, threw things, ran up and down the aisles, until he finally fell asleep as the plane landed in Utah.
While I am here (in the land of my people) I am going to visit my brother and sister, take care of my sister, and hopefully get in some shopping.  Deseret book, down east basics, and all those other utah stores I read about in the blogs but have never frequented.I am excited to be here!

Kids of the chorus

Slow blogging

Slow blogging times around here.

 Last weekend we went to visit both of my parents to watch General Conference.

It was a great time had by all, with lots and lots of eating.

This next week I am going to visit my brother and sister in the land of my people. (that's just my little joke about utah...because there are so many mormons and I am mormon, hence my people.  No one seems to think it's funny, but it makes me laugh everytime I say it....so I keep saying it).

I am going on an airplane by myself with little Jack. Pray for me.