How Fun...

Today, just after I posted my current reading list, I found a blog hop hosted by Crazy for Books.   I am excited to find out about what other people are reading and to share my own list.  Follow the link above to get in on the fun!

Books I Love...

I keep a reading journal. A couple of years ago, I was given a beautiful journal and I didn't know what to do with it so I started writing down the books I was reading. Every once in a while, when I don't have a new book to start, I look back through to find authors I'd like to explore or old favorites that are worth re-reading. On this quiet, Sunday morning, I thought I would share with you some of what I have been reading...

* The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society by Mary Anne Schaffer. I have already written a bit about this book, read all about it here.

* Tangerine by Edward Bloor.  All the 7th grade students at my school read this in their Language Arts classes and I was curious.  It's extremely well written about a middle school soccer player and a family secret.  Check it out for your kids.

* Twenties Girlby Sophie Kinsella.  I just finished reading this morning.  I love Sophie Kinsella for a fun, relaxing (if a little predictable) read.  This one started out a bit slow, but by mid-book I was in love with the characters and even got a little teary at the end.

* Percy Jackson ...the series by Rick Riordan.  I try to read everything my kids are reading and my 5th grader can't put these down.  I can see why.  Rick Riordan brings the Greek Gods right into the modern day with all their quarrels and pettiness and drops a great young hero right into the mix.  I get to start "Battle of the Labyrinth" tonight and I can't wait.

* The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  I had been seeing this book around for awhile and finally read it on my friend, Colette's, suggestion.  It is so well written and gives a slice of understanding into life in the South in the 1950's.  I strongly recommend this one.

* House Rules by Jodi Picoult.  I love Jodi and I have read all her books.  Even though I figured out her "twist" to this story line early on, I love the way she challenged how we think and how we perceive people who are different.  There's also an amazing brother moment in this one!

That's what I have been reading lately.  What's you current favorite read?  Is there something you are looking forward to picking up?

The Big Photo Challenge...

I am participating in Adorible Photography's Big Photo Challenge!  Check back here on Thursdays to see my weekly entry.  Follow the link above for more information, and to join the challenge yourself!

Getting Crafty…

We have a small bathroom on the main floor, off the kitchen, that needed a new look.  I found this picture at Target that I fell in love with.

  You can see why…I “love” {pun intended} to use words in my decorating, and so much of what I am about is Love!  Since this looked fantastic on the wall in the bathroom, I decided to make something similar to go on the opposite wall.  

I don’t have pictures of the process, but this was so easy to make.  I bought the two stars, the ribbon and the black stickers.  I already had paint and antiquing gel at home.  I sanded and painted both stars, then used antiquing gel to age the edges a bit.  The black stickers have a velvet texture and I randomly placed them on the stars to correspond to the black designs on the original picture. 

I had a sticker that said “Kiss” and I put that on the smaller star.  Then I hot glued the wider ribbon, it has a plaid design, to both stars and looped it over a hook on the wall.  I used 1/4” grosgrain ribbon to tie a bow near the top. 

It didn’t take me long…and now I have two great, new decorations.

What have you done lately to freshen up a corner of your house?

A Mom in Transition…

This afternoon made me laugh…it was so typical of the transition from working-mom to soccer-mom (literally).  Let me start by telling you that my husband surprised me with an iphone for my birthday last weekend.  He included a plug-in for my truck that allows me to talk hands-free and listen to music at the same time.  It feels a little bit like command central…but it sure came in handy today.

I’ve mentioned my husband’s schedule before…when he works it’s 24 hour shifts (but he works 1 on and 3 off)  Today he was at work and I was on my way home from work, when my son called.  The music muted while I was able to talk hands-free.  I was in the middle of letting him know that we had a quick trip to the doctors office, he would have to miss soccer practice and then we would head to his brothers practice.  While we were talking, another call came through…press hold & answer.  It’s the mom driving car pool for the older kids soccer practice.  She was thrilled that Connar had to skip practice…her youngest son had his first baseball game today and she needed her older son to skip practice as well.  This was perfect for both of us!  Switch back to Connar…he and his brother need to be ready to leave when I get home.  My aunt, who was with the boys this afternoon, helped Aiden get ready for soccer practice.

When I got home…they were ready to go.  I dropped the soccer goals off with the mom who was going to help the kids get started…took Connar to the doctor to check out a strange reaction to a vaccination (he’s just fine!), then headed back to the park just in time for soccer practice with Aiden and his team.  Connar alternated helping with the soccer scrimmage and skating in the skateboard park.  All in an afternoon for this mom!

What are your daily transitions?  What helps them run smoothly?