Current Weekend Randomness

I've noticed Suey over at It's All About Books writing a current post occasionally. I liked the idea, so I'm hoping she won't mind if I borrow it. Therefore!

Currently, I'm...

• sitting in my happy spot. Surrounded by books, computer open with wifi connection, smelling coffee and tea drinks being made. *aaaaahhhhh* ;)

• on season 3 of Call the Midwife and this little show just keeps getting better and better! I am without a doubt a big fan by now. It did have to grow on me a little, but I just love all these characters. More Chummy please!

• loving all the bookish chats via twitter! You gals (you know who you are ;) never cease to make me happy and grinning with just a little 140 character sentence. *hugs*

• looking forward to book two in a series. I've only been waiting a couple years or so for this one! Luckily the cliffhanger in book one wasn't really that bad, so I've not been desperate. But I still can't wait to read it!

• listening to "Happy" by Pharrell Williams a few too many times. My nephew introduced the song to me (via Despicable Me 2 of course). One evening I took him out to eat and I think we heard this song come on at least 7 or 8 times! Z can't seem to sit still when he hears it. :D

• wanting to watch Frozen again. That is such a cute movie! I can see why people are talking about it everywhere. Plus the songs totally get stuck in your head.

• so very happy to be active online again. I hadn't realized how much I enjoyed having this little spot to write my thoughts and just have fun. I'm glad to be here for sure!

• thinking Panera Bread sounds delicious. I'd eaten there before, but recently have come to really love their sandwiches. And their chai tea latte as well! ;)

• wishing all of you a happy weekend and a fabulous week ahead!

Ambigrams and Me

So I was talking with my brother the other night and he is always telling me about some fascinating new thing his family has learned about. (Really! From facts on astronomy, to what a fly looks like under a microscope, to all sorts of things!) The particular new knowledge of this week was ambigrams. Perhaps you've heard of them? I hadn't, or at least, I'd forgotten if I ever had.

Basically, an ambigram is a word or phrase that can be read the same from any direction; forwards, backwards, or upside down. Or all three! (Sort of like a palindrome, i.e. noon, except this can be read upside down.)

Evidently there are people so incredibly good at writing them, that they have contests where people sit down and within a certain length of time, they write an entire paragraph in this form. Can you imagine?! I cannot. I struggle with getting my sentences all out correctly, let alone being able to read them backwards or upside down as well! Obviously, this sort of thing is for really intelligent people.

Anyway, the above picture is an example. I realize you can't turn your computer upside down, but if you notice, you can certainly read the phrase both ways. (And you also realize that you can no longer swim on Monday's. ;) Click over here if you'd like to create one yourself. (It's pretty basic just so you know.)

I was quite fascinated by this idea though. I mean, who even thinks up things like this? "You know, I think I'll see if I can't figure out a way to write this sentence so you can read it no matter how you're looking at it." Uh.....yeah.

Regardless! They range from the simple to the complicated. Because if you think about it, you have to add extra lines (or curlicues) to each letter in order to make them appear like another letter when read from a different direction. Here's what I mean using my name:

Interesting huh?

So! Have you heard of these?

 

Little Letters :: Tenth Edition

Dear Call the Midwife, I've only watched season one so far, but I've fallen for your charms completely. Chummy just makes me grin when she comes on screen! And her romance is so cute. I hear sadness is in store come season three, but I'll worry about that when I watch it. For now, on to season two!

Dear rain, oh how I missed your randomness! Having moved back to a state where I never know when to expect you (versus a state where you only came during one season of the year), I love how you make everything fresh and green and brand new feeling. :)

Dear new library, you are a wonderful and amazing discovery! You've become a huge giver of happiness in my life. Thanks for having free wifi plus a comforting environment. You made my big move worth it!

Dear inventor of chai, I have become your newest fan! Since discovering the gloriousness of drinking chai, whether hot or cold, I have proceeded to spend way too much money on this goodness. But oh what comfort it bring!

Dear new/old/renewed friendships, I am so incredibly grateful for all of you! Online and off, my friendships have sustained me through some tough months recently. Life is just so much more awesome with friends! Thanks for being there.

Dear nieces and nephews, I am sooooo happy to live near you now! I am loving the precious time we get to spend together. I've never been so grateful to have a messy house after you leave. Your smiles and hugs mean ever so much more than I can tell you.

Dear Emily P Freeman, thanks for writing such encouraging non-fiction. And for inspiring me to keep writing. Even a little bitty blog like this, if I'm enjoying writing it, and it brings me happiness, then I want to keep going.

You may not be the first to say it, write it, create it, or believe it--but you saying it may be the first time someone finally hears. Yes, someone else can say it better, but that doesn't mean you can't say it too. Throw out your inhibitions and spin around in this crazy world of recycled ideas. There is nothing new to say. Say it anyway! ~ Emily P Freeman

Review: A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

 

Where, oh where to begin with describing this glorious, word-loving story? I could start with our heroine, Felicity. Felicity Pickle is her name and oh how she lives up to such an illustrious designation. I could talk about the Beedle. Did you know Midnight Gulch has its very own Beedle? It's quite a privilege, let me tell you! And I might even mention the Pickled Jalepeno, and dear Frannie Jo, and Jonah. Oh Jonah. He's quite the young gentleman! But nothing I say can compare with the words.

Oh yes! The words. Did I forget to tell you how Ms. Lloyd has lovingly strung together some amazingly "spindiddly" words? Believe me, if you're a word lover of any degree or sort, you will absolutely enjoy the words all springing up everywhere in this story. From "snickerdoodle", to "everlasting", and "wonderstruck" (Or THREADBARE, it deserves all caps you see). Essentially, Felicity sees words. Everywhere! And what she can do with those words makes for a marvelous adventure! :D

Ms. Lloyd has done an incredible job of creating this cast of characters (including the town, which is almost a character itself) in a story that fairly bubbles with magic. Magic of the magician kind, and magic of the imagination kind. I could practically feel myself being swept away into Felicity's world. And what a delightful world it is!

So yes. I highly recommend this story. It's a book that makes me happy just by looking at the cover (which by the by, isn't it wonderful?!). From the first page to the last, it's filled with joy, charm, and comfort. Plus I had fun re-learning the beauty of words. (And studying a thesaurus for this review! ;) If you need reminding as well, make haste to a bookstore (or your ereader) and pick this one up!

Goodreads :: Amazon

A smile stretched full and easy across Boone's face. He sat up taller in his seat and nodded, just once. Affirmative. He believed me.
Craziest thing happened then:
Regret, Has-Been, Idiot, Deadbeat...
I watched every last one of those words pop like bath bubbles and disappear.
My heart kicked hard against me: Yes. Yes. Yes.
Maybe sometimes the words I say are as magical as the words I see.

Notable Quotables

Just wanted to share some book quotes I've highlighted in my Kindle with you. Whether first lines, last lines, or ones in the middle, some words just make beautiful when all strung together. :)

...he raised an eyebrow but said nothing. I like that about him. Sometimes words shouldn't be spoken. ~ Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay

For me, reading a book is an experience I like to savor. While I'm in the world of a story, the characters become more real to me than the people in my own life. If I'm having a bad day, I look forward to coming home and rejoining my friends on the page. ~ A Breath of Eyre by Eve Marie Mont

Believe is a powerful word to see and to say. But that morning, I felt it. And feeling it was the best of all. ~ A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

If the right person tells a story, I guess it doesn't matter how many times you've heard it. Your heart still hears it brand new. ~ A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

...sometimes the best adventures are the ones that scare you the most. ~ Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

He said that we need to be like ducks because they dive under the water, look for something of substance, and if they don't find it, they pop back out and let the rest of the water roll down their backs. They don't fester on it or soak in it, so to speak. ~ Paige Turned by Erynn Mangum

I guess sometimes participation is just standing there and letting someone do something for you because she needs to do that something for herself. ~ Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

(Hopefully a review or two will be coming soon! In case you wondered. :)

Second-hand Books Are Wild Books...

 

Second-hand books are wild books, homeless books; they have come together in a vast flock of variegated feather and have a charm which the domesticated volumes of the library lack. Besides, in this random miscellaneous company we may rub against some complete stranger who will, with luck, turn into the best friend we have in the world.

~ Virginia Woolf

I saw this quote on.....Pinterest, I think? (And just had to share it with you, of course!) I love it. Because it's so true!

Well.......

Okay.

I admit it.

One big reason I like buying used books, is because they're so much cheaper. Yep! I confess. But truly, is there any better feeling than finding a book (especially a book you've been wanting!), in nice condition, for not very much money?

I trust you answered 'no' to that question.

Second-hand or used bookstores are a wonderful thing as well. I've renewed my acquaintance with a favorite spot from my childhood. And when I walked in, the owner remembered me and welcomed me back! That was a pretty great feeling. So, yeah, I've been back a time or three since. ;)

Used books and the bookstores or yard sales or thrift stores you find them in, they are a fabulous thing. And I hope as long as there are avid readers like me around, that there will always be the spots where we can find our stories. And for a little less money!

Little Moments :: Happy Heart :: Third Edition

Hey there! :)

Just wanted to share some of the happy that's filled my life in the last six months when you didn't hear from me on here. (Because trust me, there has definitely been happy moments. I may have unintentionally given the impression that life has been this chaotic and terrible thing, but no. That's completely untrue! There's been lot's of happy!)

(In case you wondered.)

So! Let's get to it, shall we? :)

Oh goodness! This little movie. Such adorableness and swoony-moments and well.....yeah. I have two words for you: JJ Feild. He is most definitely worth the watch. And he and Keri Russell? Yep, they make a great couple. I was also very impressed with the way it compared with the book. I've read the book (I have the book!) and was so very curious how I would feel about comparing the two. Let me just say that I'm definitely a fan of authors writing the screen play for their stories. Shannon Hale did a fabulous job. And yes! If you like Jane Austen, but aren't a purist, then I'm pretty sure you'll enjoy this movie. :D

Speaking of Jane Austen, I saw this name on a paper at work and it immediately made me think of Persuasion. (Does that make me a little Austen-obsessive? Hmmmm.....probably. Ah well! I'll claim that title. ;) Please tell me someone else knows who the Musgroves are!

This book, you guys. Seriously! I'm positive that I've written about my favoritest book ever, which just so happens to be the story this beauty is based on. So to say that I was excited to read this would be a vast understatement! :D And it most definitely lived up to it's potential. I'm so very pleased Ms. Reay was inspired to write this and that it was published for our reading pleasure. Because a pleasure read it will definitely be!

I went to a library sale a few weeks back and came home with many lovely finds! I was beyond thrilled to find this many books for only a few dollars out of my pocket. (I love library sales.) So my bookshelves are as full as ever. In fact, I'm in dire need for another one! A happy problem to have. :D

Seeing this headline just made me smile. So very, very true! Wouldn't you agree? :)

Now this book. This book.........totally deserves it's own post. I hope to get to that soon. I will simply say this for now: READ IT! You won't be sorry you did.

Obviously I love to read. So it also stands to reason that I love quotes, right? And bookish, library quotes? Even better. This particular one made me smile for hours after I read it.

I visited a small aquarium with my nieces and nephews recently. When I saw this guy, surely you can guess who I thought of, right? Yes! Nemo! And I even remembered that he (she?) is a clown fish! Thank goodness for Disney movies, huh? ;)

A beautiful bouquet from a friend to welcome me back home again. I love daisies.

Libraries should always be loved!

Another friend sent me this picture and it pretty well sums up my life. Who wants to clean when you can read?!

The LBD In All It's Awesomeness

Aaaaahhhhhh!

That was pretty much my reaction when I looked in my mailbox a few weeks ago and saw the box in it. I knew what was in there. And yep, when I tore it open, the above loveliness appeared. Isn't it sups adorbs?? ;)

Finally! After about a year, I had it in my hands!

I think I've mentioned it before on here? But I'm a huge fan of this little show. I started the beginning few episodes when they first aired and then somehow paused and didn't catch back up until the Darcy Day chaos broke. And then I was hooked! Let me just say how much fun it was to anticipate Monday's and Thursday's, to keep up with all the twitter happenings, and to be amazed at how well they did at modernizing a fabulous Jane Austen story. So yeah....I'm very, very, VERY pleased to have the dvd in my possession now!

Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that you can still watch the entire thing on YouTube, but as my internet time is extremely limited right now, I am THRILLED to have access to this anytime I want! :)

Okay. I'll stop boring you with my excitement. But I just had to share my joy with you! As well as that cute little poster of Darcy and Lizzie up there. ;)

Til next time....

Books That Give Hugs

Hey there! It's me again!

Just another quickie check in and hello. Firstly, THANK YOU! Thank you lovely people ever so much for the wonderful welcome back that I got on my last post. Every single comment made me grin and swing from the rooftops (you know, inside my head, metaphorically. I did not actually swing from a rooftop in case you're concerned)!! I have missed all of you so much and I was quite pleased to realize that you had missed me as well. :D

I keep thinking I'm going to make the time to post an actual review on here. Hopefully soon! Unfortunately not today. Today you just get another chatty post. (As if I'm ever not chatty, right? ;)

Anyhoo, I haven't been reading tons of new books recently. Instead I've been enjoying old standby favorites (like the one in the picture above). Yes! I have been searching my shelves and re-reading several stories that just feel like they're giving me a hug whenever I pick them up again. Do you ever get that feeling? You pick up a book that you know you love and simply holding it in your hands makes your heart happy? And then.

And then!

You crack open the spine and it falls to all the bent pages where you've spent so much time reading (and re-reading and re-reading and.....) your favorite parts. (Come on now, you know you do this. I'm not the only one, right?) And you get this sweet, happy, dancy feeling inside.

Yup. I've been feeling that a lot recently. Turns out? That when you make a major life-changing decision and every aspect of your life goes chaotic (and it's not all rainbows and kittens let me tell you!), then you start seeking something that makes sense in all the crazy. Something that makes you happy and reminds you that there's still happiness and fun to be found. That spot for me happens to be curled up in my comfy chair being metaphorically hugged by all my favorite stories. And they magically make me happy again!

So. Moral of this story is, find those huggable stories and hang on to them. Because when life goes crazy-nuts, they can bring happy back in your life again.

Hug a book today and smile!