Some summer reading

This week I finished reading the Godfather, by Mario Puzo. Another book from "the list".

I think I was in quite a fortunate position when I started reading this book. Having never seen the film I was able to conjure up images of the characters for myself. Also, the only parts of the story that I knew were what I had heard on You've got mail. So really, not a lot.

I also started out with very little expectation. I always believed it to be very violent and the whole idea of a mafia family conjured up images of violent criminals for me. In all honesty I didn't expect to fnish it.

 I certainly didn't expect to love the book like I did! I could not put it down! I was drawn in by the sense of family and loyalty. I loved how the story played out, how it took you to the very beginning of the Don's story and then brought you back

Even the parts that I guess I would have believed to be violent, didn't make me uncomfortable, like I thought they would. I even found myself  wanting these "bad guys" to get their comeuppance. I am sure one of the more shocking parts of the book was the part where Michael Corleone ordered his Brother in law to be killed. I should have been outraged at such a cold and callous act, but I actually wanted him to be punished for what he had done to his wife and unborn child.

I trully enjoyed reading this book, I guess I just don't want to think deeply enough that this fiction is in fact a reality and has been for many years. I am sure I wouldn't enjoy the book, quite as much, if it was written now, in the present. The hints of narcotics becoming "the next big thing" from the book would most certainly be a big part of the story if it was written now, the Corleone family were adament that they would not become involved in the narcotics side of things, sadly, I am sure it would be almost impossible to avoid here in 2010 . And I am sure the Don would seem far less distinguished and gentlemanly. He would just seem seedy and cliche. But it was a different time and even crime was very different , it seemed to soften it all a little for me. Definitely easier to think of it all in a fictional sense. I was able to picture the Dn strolling around with all of his wealth, his fedora and smart suits.

Overall I loved it, I can't wait to see the film and it is definitely a classic that I am glad I have read. I am sure it is a book I will read again.

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I have been enjoying reading plenty of Dr Seuss books with K. My all time favourite HAS to be

How The Grinch stole Christmas.

Of course! (Did we really expect any less?)

I just love the rhyming in these books, I always feel slightly dizzy by the end, not sure if it is because I barely pause for breath or because the rhymimg makes me want to go faster and faster!

I love the illustration. The simple Christmas decorations and all the little who's tucked up in bed

And of course, the happy ending. Sigh, I love a happy ending.

Especially one involving Christmas!!

Every Who down in Who-ville, the tall and the small,

Was singing! Without any presents at all!

He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming!

IT CAME!

Somehow or other it came just the same!

"And the Grinch, with his Grinch - feet ice-cold in the snow,

Stood puzzling and puzzling: "how could it be so?

"It came without ribbons! It came without tags!

"It came without packages, boxes or bags!"

And he puzzled three hours, til his puzzler was sore.

Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before!

"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store.

"Maybe Christmas ..... perhaps .... means a little bit more!"

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Another I really enjoyed was Dr Seuss' sleep book. It all starts out with just one yawn.

A yawn is quite catching, you see, like a cough.

It just takes one yawn to start other yawns off.

It was so hard to read without yawning! And we both, definitely, felt sleepy by the end. There is in fact a note of caution at the beginning, telling you that " this book is to be read in bed"! lol

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Next I am moving on to Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen.  It certainly seems strange after my mind being so immersed in the underworld!  I have to say I am not won over yet! I am only on page 20, I have very little idea of what is going on and I am finding it all a little dull.

I have a sneaking suspicion that I am just not quite clever enough to get the most out of this book! But I will persevere!

Bits and bobs

Another mish mash post I am afraid. I was going to split it into 3 or 4 posts for the next few days., But I know myself, I will be too lazy or forget   get too busy and the posts rolling around in my tired old head will never materialise and just disappear into the great blue yonder.

Celebrations!

On Saturday it was my Birthday! Yay!! I turned 29. I know some people struggle with the idea that their 20s are nearly over. For me? I can honestly say I will be relieved! I feel like I have been in my 30s since I was about 17 LOL so it will be nice to finally be there!
I had a super day filled with all of my favourite things. My family, my favourite foods and well I'd be lying if I said I didn't enjoy the gifts :-)

Birthdays in our house always begin with the Birthday Boy/girl's choice of breakfast. I was given mine in bed! After a delicious long lie. Thanks Honey, I don't know how you kept K busy for so long so I could sleep and sleep :-) xx

I also got a lovely top and a home made Birthday cake. How awesome is this??

White chocolate sprinkles AND mini marshmallows!

Made by my 3 favourite people. They were all holed up in the kitchen the night before my big day. I could hear lots of excited chatter and the oven timer pinging. ( I had a small idea of what was going on, seeing as I had popped to the supermarket for a couple of last minute ingredients ;) lol)  at bedtime K was just bursting with excitement.

K - mummy I have a secret
me - Ooh tht sounds exciting, I can't wait to find out what it is!
K - I'll tell you
me - no no it's a secret
K (whispering) it's ok I'll just tell you a wee bit - it's pink on de outside and chocolate in de middle!

LOL

Make a wish Mummy!

My fab family all came for a BBQ to help me enjoy my day, everyone contributed to the huge spread and we had a great time. 
Thanks for cooking in the rain Murray! Why does it always rain on my birthday?


Much wine was drunk.......


by me and Beebs lol

The rest of my gifts will be in some posts to follow!


Returning to childhood

Another gift I received on my Birthday, was a copy of Charlottes web by E.B. White, from Beebs. This was one of my favourite books from when I was little. It was also on my list for the you've got mail reading challenge. I had mentioned to Fi that I wanted to get a copy of all the children's books on my list, so that I could read them to/with K when she is older. So I was so happy and touched that she remembered this conversation and bought me a copy.

I read it all in on Sunday night. I forgot how sweet it was and yes I cried. I felt just like I was 8 years old, all over again.

My saddest part,obviously, is when Charlotte dies. How sad to lose such a good friend. Their friendship lives on though as Wilbur carefully carries Charlotte's egg sac back to the barn after the County fair.

Wilbur had already decided how he would carry the egg sac - there was only one way possible. He carefully took the little bundle in his mouth and held it there on top  of his tongue. He remembered what Charlotte had told him- that the sac was waterproof and strong. It felt funny on his tongue and made him drool a bit. And of course he couldn't say anything.
But as he was being shoved into the crate, he looked up at Charlotte and gave her a wink. She knew he was saying goodbye in the only way he could. And she knew her children were safe.
"Good-bye!" she whispered. Then she summoned all her strength and waved one of her front legs at him.
She never moved again. Next day, as the ferris wheel was being taken apart and the race horses were being loaded into vans and the entertainers were packing up their belongings and driving away in their trailers Charlotte died. The fair grounds were soon deserted. The sheds and buildings were empty and forlorn. The infield was littered with bottles and trash. Nobody, of the hundreds of people that had visited the fair, knew that a grey spider had played the most important part of all. No one was with her when she died.

sob.


Summer fun

Yesterday it was a beautiful Summers day, I had 5 kids and so we decided our best course of action would be to head out and enjoy the sunshine. Luckily Granny and Beebs came along to keep me sane
 offer extra helping hands. We walked to the common and had a mini picnic. We were enjoying a great game of flying tail (imagine a baseball with a long neon coloured tail) , you throw it to each other and ot goes super fast and super high.

Well there is always someone who ruins the fun huh? I don't have the best history of playing outdoor games. When Fraser was only 3 I hit him in the face with a frisbee. He got a chipped tooth and a fatlip. Awesome Mummy.

Luckily no one was injured, but the flying tail did get stuck in a tree. Ok ok I accidently lodged Murrays Fi's favourite childhood game in the highest tree on the commonc

oops.

We had to call "the Dads" (my dad and father in law) to come and rescue us. They came armed with a ladder and a super long stick

success!!

I think I will be on the bench for a few years again though.

And Finally

Today. What a great inside kind of day it is. It is raining and windy and cold. The kids are still in their Pjs and we have done nothing but read books, watch tv and play with a paper dress up Barbie. I love it, these are my best kind of days, I am a winter girl and days like this in the summer remind me of everything I love about my favourite seasons.

I have this terrible sickness. As soon as July comes, I start thinking about Christmas time. I know, I know. I was relieved to find out that I am not alone in this! Cheryl from A pretty cool life is guest blogging, today, on a feature for Christmas in July  . I have also been involved in a Christmas in July gift exchamge, blog hop coming up soon to show off the gifts given and received :)

 So really, there must be other crazy people out there just like me!

This afternoon I have a little sewing planned. ( I will soon have pics of my kitchen to share yay!)

Maybe a cup of tea in my favourite mug

Definitely snuggling up on the couch with a quilt to watch some Mary Poppins

And enjoy this lovely view from my window

Happy Wednesday xx

The list!

This week I started my list, the list of what I am going to read for my reading challenge. I am quite good with titles of books, but give me a list of authors and I draw a blank.

Well did I ever have a DUH! moment!!

Take a look at this photo, what do you notice??

That this scene was set in a bookstore? That it is full of children???

Yes it is in fact a children's book store. After going on a google mission, I discovered that the majority of the books and authors mentioned in this film are/have written children's books! Well Duh LeeAnn!

Yay! This challenge just got so much easier lol.

 Not only are they mostly children's books, but they are books that I have in fact read, as a child. I am so super excited to be re living these memories. I can't wait to get started.

The list

Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen

Anne of Greengables - L.M. Montgomery

Betsy's wedding - Maud Hart  Lovelace

Ballet shoes - Noel Streatfield

Boy & Going Solo - Roald Dahl

Charlotte's web - E.B. White

The Godfather - Mario Puzo

Madeline books - Ludwig Bemelmans

Other authors mentioned were,

Beatrix Potter and Dr Seuss - I will read these books with K I think. We have a few in the house.

A few that I was unsure of were - Kay Thompson,  George Bernard Shaw and Thomas Jefferson and Shel Silverstein. Does anyone know of these people? Do you have any suggestions? Even google didn't bring up anything I could see.

I am so excited to be starting with Charlotte's web. I remember reading this in Primary 4 (equivilant of 3rd grade) I remember crying at the end and trying to pretend I wasn't crying because of the book LOL. I still cry at everything.

I think I will need to take Kathleen's advice and read them all with a box of tissues!

On a side note, I have lost my camera!! Has anyone seen it?? I am open to suggestions! I need it tomorrow as I am going on a girls day out! Drinks, giggles, food  and then to the cinema to see Sex in the city!!

Woo hoo can't wait!