Fall into Reading 2010

While skimming through a few of my favorite blog feeds on Sunday night I happened to glance at a reference to Katrina’s Fall into Reading Challenge, and could hardly believe that a year had passed since I had first participated in Fall into Reading 2009!  On the spot I decided it would be good for me to give it another whirl; I love reading and I love blogging, but sadly never seem to find make enough time for either.  So, I have once again come up with a list of books that I plan to read between now and December 20th…drum roll please…really this does need a drum roll... 

My Fall into Reading Challenge 2010 Book List

disclaimer: I haven’t included read alouds that we are sharing as a family, like The Story of Us and a selection of Christian missionary biographies, or my bible and devotional reading.  I also reserve the right to add or subtract books at any given time if I either read through this list or I feel like I been a bit too optimistic with my choices, with the later being a more likely scenario!

From my shelves:

• Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer ~ I am reading this for the pure enjoyment, I loved the first three books in the series and it is time to finish them off. 

• The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C. S. Lewis ~ With the movie soon to be released, I thought it would be a great time to read the book.

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling ~ Upon hearing that I was going to read the above mentioned book before the movie debut, Angel suggested that since this movie was also coming to theaters that I should re-read this one as well; to which I replied, “Great idea!”

• The Truth Behind Left Behind by Mark Hitchcock & Thomas Ice ~ I devoured Tim Lahaye’s Left Behind series a few years ago, and thought it would be interesting to read the opinions that these two theologians present about the books. 

• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Would you believe that I have not read one of her books?!!?  I thought this would be  a good choice to begin with, you think?

•   Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis ~ I have been meaning to read this one for the longest time, like most of the books gathering dust on my shelves! 

From the library and the shelves of friends:

• Ancient Rome by Richard J. Maybury ~ Have you heard of the ‘Uncle Eric Books’?  This is one of them; it is about why ancient history is important to us today.   The series has been recommended to me numerous times, for my kids of course, but it is just as important for me to learn, isn’t it?  It is one of my greatest joys of homeschooling! 

• Nourishing traditions : the cookbook that challenges politically correct nutrition and the diet dictocrats by Sally Fallon ~ Another book that has been recommended to me.  I am all for learning about ways I can help my family improve their health, not to mention my own!

• Get Energy! : empower your body, love your life by Denise Austin ~ A book I happened to see on the libraries new and notable list, I thought it might be interesting to read it, for curiosities sake.  

My pile of books looks ominously large right now….but my plan dream is to read them all, and then start on the books that I didn’t finish during last year’s challenge!    

Oh! To Be Six Again…

A friend sent this to me a while back; if you don’t share my sense of humor, you may want to stop reading now…

Oh! To Be 6 Again…

A man was sitting on the edge of the bed, observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror. Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd like to receive as a gift.

'I'd like to be six again', she replied, still looking in the mirror.

On the morning of her Birthday, he arose early, made her a nice big bowl of Lucky Charms, and then took her to Six Flags theme park.  What a day! 

He put her on every ride in the park; the Death Slide, the Wall of Fear, the Screaming Monster Roller Coaster,everything there was.  Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park.  Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down. 

He then took her to a McDonald's where he ordered her a Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake. 

Then it was off to a movie, popcorn, a soda pop, and her favorite candy, M&M's. What a fabulous adventure!

Finally she wobbled home with her husband and collapsed into bed exhausted. He leaned over his wife with a big smile and lovingly asked, 'Well Dear, what was it like being six again?'  

Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly changed. 'I meant my dress size, silly!'    

         

Easy & Kid Friendly Double Apple Bars

We came across this recipe in the ‘Cooking with Kids’ section of my Betty Crocker’s Best of Baking cookbook, it is super easy and delicious as well. 

Mix in a large bowl with wooden spoon:

3/4 c. brown sugar

3/4 c. applesauce

1/4 c. vegetable oil

1 large egg

Stir in:

1 1/4 c. all purpose flour

1/2 t. baking soda

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/4 t. salt

Stir in:

1/2 c. chopped unpeeled all-purpose apple

Spread batter in greased 9x9 pan and bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.

It was such a hit when Little Man and I made it last week, that when today dawned another cloudy day they we whipped up a double batch…it is cooling in the pans as I type.  {grin}

Music Monday ~ Free To Be Me

Happy Music Monday!  It has been a while, hasn't it?  Pondering the future of this meme over the past month or so I came to the conclusion  that my meme can be whatever I want it to be.  {grin} Posting each week was just too much for me, so I have decided that I will be sharing a MM post on the first Monday of each month.  Shouldn't be to difficult to keep up with, huh?  I really am hoping to post about other subjects on a more regular basis and I have some other thoughts rambling around in my head, so who knows what might happen?!!?

Words and Music by:

Francesca Battistelli 

At twenty years of age I'm still looking for a dream
A war's already waged for my destiny
But You've already won the battle
And You've got great plans for me
Though I can’t always see

(Chorus)
‘Cause I got a couple dents in my fender
Got a couple rips in my jeans
Try to fit the pieces together
But perfection is my enemy
On my own I'm so clumsy
But on Your shoulders I can see
I'm free to be me

When I was just a girl I thought I had it figured out
My life would turn out right, and I'd make it here somehow
But things don't always come that easy
And sometimes I would doubt

(Chorus)

And you’re free to be you
Sometimes I believe that I can do anything
Yet other times I think I've got nothing good to bring
But You look at my heart and You tell me
That I've got all You seek
And it’s easy to believe
Even though

(Chorus)


Thank you for joining me for Music Monday, if you haven’t already, please take a moment to read the guidelines I have posted here and grab the button from my sidebar if you would like to sing along.Until next time, (October 4th to be exact!!) I hope you take a moment each day to enjoy the music.  Have a blessed day!