The Motherlode of Sporting Events… The Olympics! July 24, 2012
Posted by stacey in Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.Tags: Thoughtful Ramblings
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Hallo to Wenlock and Mandeville!
In general? Not such a sporty girl. In particular? I *heart* The Olympics! (Even though I can’t always watch -These athletes have trained so hard in hopes of winning a gold medal, and it’s a basic fact that not everyone can win. Who do you root for?) I am especially fond of the less popular sports, like rhythmic gymnastics and synchronized swimming, which aren’t always easy to catch in the schedule. But the Opening and Closing Ceremonies? Who doesn’t love all that crazy, over the top pageantry and showmanship!? And when the athletes enter in their “official” national costumes? Too much fun! (My only sad face comes when I see those wacky mascots Wenlock and Mandeville… but the last few mascot choices have been just as odd, right?) So now you know what I’ll be doing for sure on July 27th -and a good guess at what I’ll be doing a lot of until August 12th!
The Official London Olympics website.
And the Mascot’s Hub! (if you want to spend some quality time with the … with … er… with Wenlock and Madeville!)
Yes, this might cut into my quality reading time and all -but it’s the Olympics people! Let’s enjoy this sports-tacular time together, shall we?
— Stacey
Calendar Girls May 11, 2012
Posted by Janet in Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.Tags: Thoughtful Ramblings
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As a girl I was given a “February Angel” for my birthday, which has traveled with me through the decades. I also remember my sister’s “November Angel.” It was lost and later replaced. In the early 1980’s I began going to garage sales. One day I found a girl angel for October and a boy angel for July. With that discovery I was off and running, looking for other figurines. Two different companies NAPCO and LEFTON produced their own version of inexpensive, ceramic figurines. Both of these companies created more than one line of figurines and pretty soon I was collecting them all. Over the years I have passed on individual angels to friends and family. I did decide to keep building one set that I felt would keep me looking for a while. The description will sound a little strange but they are very cute. The “flower” girls are each portrayed with a single bloom hat. The type of flower is matched with the month that girl is representing. The hem of their skirt is decorated with blooms sitting next to each other. Each girl is holding a white sign that has the name of their month written in cursive. Each one is posed a little differently but November and December have the cutest poses of them all. I found the first one of this series in a nearby antique shop. She is the month of March and she is portrayed with daffodils. I was immediately hooked. My collecting frenzy sent me to the nearest library to look for books that would show what each company had produced. Lefton China Company has a couple of books by Loretta DeLozier . NAPCO (originally a Cleveland Company) did not have a book at the time but eventually one was published by Kathleen Deel. These books can still be found in the nonfiction collection of some libraries. I found them very helpful. Over the years I found 10 of the flower girls. I was missing November (my sister’s month) and June (my Mom’s month). Somewhere along the way I found November. Last Saturday I went into a small store in Lakewood and I found June. I am delighted and I just had to share.
—Janet
25 Books I have on My Bookshelf May 1, 2012
Posted by Janet in Book List, Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.Tags: Thoughtful Ramblings
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Moving from one home to another is not much fun. It is probably the only time that I don’t like books. Somewhere in the past few years I purchased one freestanding vertical metal bookshelf for the next time that I move. A friend of mine had one and its unique style and simplicity appealed to me. It will fit in my downsized future abode. There will be only one bookshelf. What makes it onto the bookshelf has been edited over the years. The final edit will be just before I move. As of today its contents from top to bottom are; A vintage copy of Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Robert Sabuda’s pop-up book of Alice in Wonderland, a signed copy of The Help by Kathryn Stockett, an old book of campfire songs, Boy’s Life by Robert R. McCammon, Planet Janet by Dyan Sheldon, Papa’s Daughter, Mama’s Way, Papa’s Wife and Dear Papa by Thyra Ferre’ Bjorn – a gift from a dear friend , A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck, four of my childhood Dr. Seuss books, Edison iPod: Protect Your Ideas and Make Money by Frederick W. Mostert, Perfect Balance: Robert Greene’s Breakthrough Program for Finding the Lifelong Hormonal Health You Deserve, Folly by Laurie R. King, How Not To Get Taken Every Time by Remar Sutton – a car buying manual, The Glorious Indian Summer of 1995 by Russell Schneider, Being Genuine by Thomas D’Ansembourg, 5o Years From Today by Mike Wallace, a home owner’s record book, and last but not least – Mothers – a Loving Celebration.
—Janet
Spring (Cleaning) Fever! April 26, 2012
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Whether or not the thermometer agrees, it is (according to the calendar) Spring. I don’t know about you, but I have a bad case of Spring Cleaning Fever. Or perhaps, I’ll call it ‘Nesting’ Fever because while I am currently obsessed with sprucing up my space, I have yet to wash any windows.
I finally broke down bought the “perfect” paint color for our living room, collected some empty boxes to take unwanted clothes to the Goodwill, and have repurposed some old furniture with the help of thinking outside of the box (and a big jar of decoupage glue).
What is it about spring that makes us want to doll up our domiciles or fancy up our flats? Is it the threat of summer guests, the desire to breathe fresh, clean air, or just being tired of looking at the walls we’d been staring at all winter long? Whatever the reason, I’m motivated!
For some inspiration (if I haven’t given you enough), try my current favorite websites that give you great ideas and show you how to put them into action (http://theinspiredroom.net/ and www.hgtv.com and http://blog.hgtv.com/design/)
I’ll get busy this weekend with painting. What are you inspired to do? ~Carol
Spoiler Alert : The Ship Sinks! April 17, 2012
Posted by carol in Fiction, New Books, Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.Tags: Titanic
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This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic! Is it a bit macabre that we all are so fascinated with this massive ship that hit an iceberg on April 14, 1912 and sank, killing all but around 700 of its 2,200 passengers?
Maybe…and yet we still obsess! We want to know what the passengers ate as their last meal (a 13 course affair featuring pâté de foie gras, peaches in chartreuse jelly and Waldorf pudding). We go to see James Cameron’s re-released film in 3-D so we can see Leo and Kate meet their fates (again) bigger than life. Documentaries on the event are a-plenty and seemingly on every channel. Oh, and then there are the book releases!
How strange. We know what happens and yet we can’t look away.
While I’m not sure what this says about our society, I admit that I too have succumbed to the fascination. Recently, I’ve read and enjoyed two books that fictionalise the Titanic tragedy:
In The Dressmaker, by Kate Alcott Tess is a maid in France in 1912 who wants to design dresses, not wash and mend them. With the Titanic in the harbor in Cherbourg, Tess charms her way aboard as lady’s maid to Lady Duff-Gordon, a famous designer whose own maid has taken ill. Spoiler alert: the ship sinks. Tess and the Duff-Gordons survive, but when her new employers come under scrutiny for the conditions of their escape, Tess must decide if she should jeopardize her newfound chance at success by telling what she knows? This atmospheric page-turner is a perfect blend of historical fiction, investigative journalism, and a bit of romance.
Similarly, in Katherine Howe’s The House of Velvet and Glass, Sybil Allston’s life is forever changed by the Titanic’s sinking. After her mother and sister are killed aboard, Sybil, who previously had been resigned to a life of spinsterhood, becomes obsessed with contacting them through a local psychic–an obsession which leads her down an unexpectedly dark path. This novel, rich in historical detail and slow-building suspense, has some real surprises that will keep you up reading late into the night.
Here’s some good news for readers: no life jacket required! Enjoy!
~Carol
Fool Them All! April 1, 2012
Posted by carol in Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.Tags: Recipe
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Yes, April 1st arrives and that means that it is April Fools’ Day!
I’ve always found the pranks pulled on this day to be a bit mean-spirited. This year I’m recommending a pain-free, delicious way to fool your friends–with a no-cook sweet treat that they’ll be convinced took you hours. A few weeks ago, I made elaborate-looking nutella cheesecakes that my friends thought took me all day. In reality, I spent about 5 minutes mixing the ingredients and then popped them into the refrigerator to set. The result was delicious & I fooled them all!
Sharing that recipe, however, would reveal all of my tricks. Instead, and in honor of the day we are celebrating here, I give you a recipe for raspberry fool (of course!). If you don’t know, a fool is the simplest of desserts—just whole or puréed fruit folded into whipped cream. Feel free to make and enjoy…
You will need:
18 ounces raspberries (about 4 1/2 cups; fresh or frozen)
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp. sugar
2 tbsp. raspberry liqueur (optional)
1 pint heavy whipping cream
To make:
1. In a medium bowl, mash with a fork 12 oz. raspberries (about 3 cups), 2 tbsp. sugar, and the liqueur, if using. Set aside.
2. In a large bowl, whip cream with remaining sugar using a mixer or whisk until firm peaks form. With a spatula, fold in raspberry-liqueur mixture. Divide fool among 8 glasses or bowls and top with remaining fresh raspberries. Serve immediately or cover and chill for up to 2 hours and prepare to dazzle!
Did I mention this dessert is calorie and fat free? Just kidding.
Happy April Fools’! -Carol
Groundhog Day February 1, 2012
Posted by Steve in Uncategorized.add a comment
Lately it sure seems like we’ve skipped over winter and have jumped right into spring. Hope you are all enjoying this unusual treat. I know we are hoping for a continuation of this pleasant warmth and an early spring, and cheering for Punxsutawney Phil to deliver some good news tomorrow. This gets me thinking, now is a great time to see, or re-see, the comic classic Groundhog Day. In case you haven’t seen it, it’s about a weatherman, played by Bill Murray, who is trapped in and relives the same day, February 2nd, over and over. And yes, we do own a copy in our collection. Years ago I had attended a presentation given by the writer of the movie, Danny Rubin. I always remember the story that he told about the studio executives wanting him to write a part into the movie explaining how Murray’s character got sucked into the same day vortex. The way he told the story was he had resisted but then one of the movie industry guys told him to just write something, anything, but not to worry about it, as the studio head was going through a divorce and would never remember asking about it anyways and it would be forgotten. Rubin wrote in a part about a cheesy gypsy curse, that alas was forgotten, and thankfully we never had to suffer through. Rubin’s ambiguous plot stayed, and grew into the classic it is today.
Steve
Rosemary’s Best 11 of 2011 December 15, 2011
Posted by Rosemary in Uncategorized.Tags: Book List, Fiction, Nonfiction, Top 10, Top Ten of 2011
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Last week we had about an inch of snow and my dog was beside himself with happiness. Jack loves the snow! He loves it when I kick it up into the air and he can launch himself at it. As we were heading back home from our walk, I noticed how his small footprints and my big ones were intersecting all the way down the sidewalk. I wonder if we will have a white Christmas? I know Jack is dreaming of one. My top 2011 books were all read and savored in the company of my faithful companion.
Dark Inquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Call by Yannick Murphy
Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven
Emily Alone by Stewart O’Nan
Daughters-in-Law by Joanna Trollope
Dog Who Knew Too Much by Spencer Quinn
Nightwoods by Charles Frazier
Little Women Letters by Gabrielle Donnelly
To be Sung Underwater by Tom McNeal
South of Superior by Ellen Airgood
I Beat the Odds by Michael Oher (nonfiction)
Top 11 for ’11 December 13, 2011
Posted by Maureen in Uncategorized.add a comment
Ah, the time of year for lists! Here we go:
1. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett – totally engrossing reading with amazing character development!
2. The Tiger’s Wife by Tea Obreht – like reading a fable but for grownups!
3. Please Look After Mom by Kyong-suk Shin – heartbreaking family drama!
4. Close Your Eyes by Amanda Eyre Ward – not every family has secrets like these!
5. Velva Jean Learns to Fly by Jennifer Niven – loved the first Velva Jean and loved the second too!
6. The Sisters by Nancy Jensen – a generational tale spanning decades!
7. Summers in France by Kathryn Ireland – French farmhouse living + decorating + style = LOVE it!
8. Train Dreams by Denis Johnson – compelling novella!
9. Desserts from the Famous Loveless Cafe by Alisa Huntsman – I bake in my spare time!
10. The Road by Cormac McCarthy – I finally got around to reading it and WOW!
11. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl – read it with my kids this time and it is still awesome!
Happy Holidays!
˜Maureen
Savory and Sweet Eats November 23, 2011
Posted by Rosemary in Book List, New Books, Non-Fiction, Thoughtful Ramblings, Uncategorized.add a comment
It’s full steam ahead for the holidays with all their magical delights! The food and music of the season add that special touch to any gathering of friends and family. M.F.K. Fisher writes in An Alphabet for Gourmets: ”Gastronomical perfection can be reached in these combinations: one person dining alone, usually upon a couch or a hill side; two people, of no matter what sex or age, dining in a good restaurant; six people, of no matter what sex or age, dining in a good home.”
Here are seven recent cookbooks that the library has purchased to help you attain a semblance of perfection in the kitchen: All About Roasting by Molly Stevens; Paula Deen’s Southern Cooking Bible by Paula Deen; Lidia’s Italy in America by Lidia Bastianich; Food52 Cookbook by Amanda Hesser and Merrill Stubbs; Ruhlman’s Twenty by Michael Ruhlman; Momofuku Milk Bar by Christina Tosi; and Desserts from the Famous Loveless Cafe by Alisa Huntsman.
No matter which of Fisher’s combinations you fall into, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving!
~Rosemary
