Wednesday Hodgepodge With A Cherry On Top

1. When were you last 'on a mountaintop'?  You may answer in the literal or figurative sense.

Last week actually. A couple of friends from out of state were visiting and I had no idea they were here. I got an invite for supper one evening and it was so fun to see them! There were only five of us and we chatted and giggled and laughed the whole evening. It was so good to renew our friendships again. Friends, whether far or near, are a fabulous blessing in our lives! :D

2.  Do you establish and maintain a strict budget in your household?  What is one piece of financial advice you would offer someone just starting out on their own?

Unfortunately not as strict as I wish I were. It's something I'm still working on actually. My advice? Try to save as often as you can. Even if only a few dollars every week or every month, it will soon add up.

3.  Cherries-yay or nay?  Cherry pie, cherry cola, black forest cake, or a scoop of Ben and Jerry's Cherries Garcia...pick one.

Fresh cherries are certainly a yay! It helps to have a cherry pitter that will take the seed out and leave the rest of the cherry intact for eating. :) Not a big fan of cherry pie though or ice cream, so I'll choose the black forest cake.

4.  Should you ever discuss religion or politics with people you don't know?

I suppose you can, but very carefully. If you have a strong conviction on something, you should feel free to say it, yet in a way that is respectful of them and their convictions or opinions and won't offend or push the other person away (at least not on purpose).

5.  When you take a road trip do you prefer to be the driver or the passenger?  Where were you headed on your last road trip?

The passenger unless we're driving on a really crooked or curvy road (in which case I may get a little car sick so prefer to drive or at least sit up front to watch where we're going. For some reason that helps.) My last road trip was over to the ocean for the weekend last summer.

6. If we peeked inside your closet, what color would we say is most prevalent?

Orange. But I have lots of bright colors in general: yellow, orange, blue. I'm a cheerful color kind of person. :)

7. Who's your favorite senior citizen and why are they special?

Well, I would say my grandmother, but she's passed on now and I assume you'd prefer the answer be someone still living. So, I'll go with a dear friend. (I don't know if she is technically a "senior citizen" but she is old enough to be my mother. In fact she shares her birthday with my mom.) She is special to me because she is always cheerful and has the most giving spirit of anyone I know. I can't count the times her and her husband have helped me out and given me advice and just been there with a listening ear. And I know she does the same for countless others. Her home is always open for baby-sitting or food-giving or prayer time for whoever is in need at the moment. I can also guarantee that she'd deny that she does anything spectacular, but as a recipient of her love and care, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt that she is a very remarkable woman who allows Jesus to shine through her in whatever she does. She's absolutely one of my favorite people ever! And I feel very blessed to count her as a dear friend of mine. :)

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

Some friends and I got together last night and watched the finale of season 3 of Downton Abbey. I had read some spoilers, so I knew what was coming. But this picture below fully explains my feelings after watching it! Sniff sniff. ;)

Source: ebethe.tumblr.com via Kara on Pinterest

We had a fun little party though. A couple of the girls had made some scones and we had little cucumber sandwiches and chicken sandwiches. And of course we had tea in pretty little tea cups. :D After watching the episode, we then spent a considerable amount of time rehashing our feelings. (You know how women are.) So now, I'm still a little sad but, as they are fictional, I'm not too horribly broken up about it. It is a soap opera after all, and drama goes along with those sorts of things. All in all it was a fun season at Downton as always and our party was a success! So we came out great in the end. :D

Source: herblog.com via Kara on Pinterest

Did you watch it? What did you think? 

Toodle-loo kangaroos!

Review: The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde

The Last Dragonslayer

About the Book:

In the good old days, magic was indispensable—it could both save a kingdom and clear a clogged drain. But now magic is fading: drain cleaner is cheaper than a spell, and magic carpets are used for pizza delivery. Fifteen-year-old foundling Jennifer Strange runs Kazam, an employment agency for magicians—but it’s hard to stay in business when magic is drying up. And then the visions start, predicting the death of the world’s last dragon at the hands of an unnamed Dragonslayer. If the visions are true, everything will change for Kazam—and for Jennifer. Because something is coming. Something known as . . . Big Magic.

My Thoughts:

This story was a lot of fun! Mr. Fforde's writing did take some getting used to, I will admit. But once I got the hang of it, I enjoyed myself immensely. Jennifer has a good head on her shoulders, but she doesn't realize her true potential yet as we follow her along this strange path and wonder where it's taking her. She's a great character! No matter her confusion, no matter the pressure from outside sources, she always stays true to herself. And I loved the Quarkbeast! It was like a giant, overgrown puppy, except a puppy who can easily swallow you whole. Yet it can be very gentle and loyal and it loves Jennifer. That's the thing, she inspires everyone around her to like her. Well, with a few notable exceptions, but we won't count the bad guys opinions. :) There's a lot of interesting characters in this world that Mr. Fforde created. Some are just as they seem, and some have hidden qualities, but they all have a part of Jennifer's story, and help make her destiny happen just like it's supposed to. As is quoted often, the future is not written in stone for these people, so it can be changed depending on the choices they make. Thus we get thrown into the middle of Jennifer's world and immediately deduce that we're off on an adventure! The thing about this book is, you can't go into it expecting some deep, thoughtful analyzing to happen. It just won't work. It's not meant to make sense in reality, it's simply a whimsical little story full of unconventional and quirky people who do some peculiar things. You're going to have a wonderful time following the conversations and interactions of each of the characters. Like I said before, Mr. Fforde's writing is different, but in a good way. Not one of the characters ever responded quite like I expected them to.

Overall, this is just a really delightful little story. Great for a couple hours of entertainment and escape from real world worries. A clean and fun adventure that I think even young teens would enjoy. Try it yourself! :)

A Fun Passage:

"Dragons, like four o'clock tea, crumpets, marmalade, and zip-up cardigans, are a peculiarity to the Ununited Kingdoms. They are fierce, fire-breathing creatures of great intelligence, dignity, and sensitivity who could and did converse on matters of great importance. But for all their intelligence, wit, and social graces, dragons still had one habit that made them impossible to ignore."
"And that is?"
"They liked to eat people."

Toodle-loo kangaroos!

Literary Heroine Blog Party - 2013

{Kellie over at Accordion to Kellie is having a Literary Heroine Blog Party for the next week and a half. Plus an awesome giveaway! Click over to check it out. Lots of great things up for grabs!}

Literary Heroines. When you hear that term, what's the first thing that pops up in your brain? Several different ladies come to my mind, each for this reason or that reason. Which is why I'm planning to have a few posts on some of my favorites and why I like them so much coming up in the next week or so.

See, here's the thing. When I thought about all the following questions, my answers kept getting longer and longer and longer (you know I like to blather a lot) until I decided it would be waaaayy easier on everyone to give simple answers today. Then save my long thoughts for separate posts.

You're welcome.

So be on the lookout! :)

In other words, come back to visit in a day or two if you'd like to read more about my thoughts on these wonderful ladies!

Or not.

Anyhoo, on to the questions. (Be warned-there's a lot.)

1. Introduce yourself! Divulge your life's vision, likes, dislikes, aspirations, or something completely random!

 Hi! *waves hand* I love to read. Always have actually, I can't remember a time when I haven't. Happily for me my mother loves to read also and always had stacks of books around. So there was usually something to pick up whenever I wanted. (Especially when my mother didn't want me to, like when she needed me to unload the dishwasher or vacuum.) Yellow is my favorite color. Also I don't like bacon. Love ham and sausage and other kinds of pork, but refuse to eat bacon if I can get away with it. How's that for random?

2. What, to you, forms the essence of a true heroine?

Someone who has enough quirks to make them feel real, who has a heart full of wonder and joy at the beauty of the world and the people in it, who goes through adversity and comes out stronger on the other side, and who has a story to tell that doesn't ever grow old.

3. Share (up to) four heroines of literature that you most admire and relate to.

 Anne Shirley {Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery}, Anne Elliot {Persuasion by Jane Austen}, Judy Abbott {Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster}

4. Five of your favorite historical novels?

Persuasion by Jane Austen, The Colonel's Lady by Laura Frantz, The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen, Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster, Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery

5. Out of those five books who is your favorite main character and why?

Judy Abbott from Daddy Long Legs. Her drawings! Her descriptions! Her openness and friendliness yet being so stubborn! I loved her from the first moment I read her story and through countless re-reads, I've yet to tire of her. :)

6. Out of those five books who is your favorite secondary character and why?

It's hard to limit it to just one, but I suppose I'll go with Admiral Croft from Persuasion. He doesn't get a whole lot of page time, but his thoughts just come right out of his mouth and I love him for it. He's such a good man, and I really like his wife also. I can just picture Anne and Wentworth getting along with the Crofts splendidly through the years.

7. If you were to plan out your dream vacation, where would you travel to - and what would you plan to do  there?

 I had a Latin teacher in high school that had been to Italy several times. Her enthusiasm rubbed off on me and I still have a desire to go to Italy some day. No particular plan really, just for sure want to visit Rome. After that, I'm willing to see whatever I can. :) Also I'd love to visit England one day and walk where Jane Austen walked.

8. What is your favorite time period and culture to read about?

England in late 1700s to middle 1800s. You know, Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell's time period. :D But I do read a lot of contemporary fiction also.

9. You have been invited to perform at the local charity concert. Singing, comedy, recitation - what is your act comprised of?

 First of all, I cannot stand to be the center of attention in a large group, let alone on stage! But in my head, as long as I wouldn't actually have to do it, I'd probably sing. I think I'm a halfway decent singer. I certainly couldn't do comedy. I'd be so nervous, either the joke would fall flat on its face or I would. Or both!

10. If you were to attend a party where each guest was to portray a heroine of literature, who would you select to represent?

 I'd love to say Anne Shirley, but sadly no red hair for me. So I would probably go with a Jane Austen girl (any of them) because I've always thought it would be fun to wear one of those kinds of dresses. :)

11. What are your sentiments on the subject of chocolate?

 I'll take it! When are you sending it to me?

12. Favorite author(s)?

Jane Austen, Julie Klassen, Laura Frantz, Sharlene MacLaren, Janice Thompson, Erynn Mangum, Lisa McKay, Susan Meissner, Siri Mitchell, Sherwood Smith, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Rogers Spinola, Megan Whalen Turner, Stephanie Grace Whitson, Camy Tang, Susan May Warren, Stephanie Perkins

Hey, you asked. (And that's not nearly all of them!)

13. Besides essentials, what would you take on a visiting voyage to a foreign land?

 Books, more books, and.....well you get the picture.

14. In which century were most of the books you read written?

 I mostly read ones that were written in my lifetime. (Which covers two centuries you know!) (No I'm not 200 years old, but I was born in the 20th century and we're now living in the 21st century......)

15. In your opinion, the ultimate hero in literature is…

 The ultimate? I suppose I'll have to be different and say I can't pick just one. There are many I love and they each are just perfect for the heroines they choose.

16. Describe your ideal dwelling place.

 It has to have loads of bookshelves filled with lovely, lovely stories.

17. Sum up your fashion style in a short sentence.

 Casual and comfy. (Emphasis on comfy! I'm a far cry from being a fashion plate.)

18. Have you ever wanted to change a character’s name?

 Yes, I have. I do know that authors probably spend a great deal time coming up with just the right names for their characters, so I would never actually make a suggestion to the author to do that. (That would just be rude!) But in my head, there are some names that I just can't seem to like. They do grow on me sometimes. And they have NO bearing on whether I like the character themselves.

19. In your opinion, the most dastardly villain of all literature is...

 Yeah see, I have a dilemma again. There are lots of villains I don't like. Really, any villain who doesn't get a believable redemption by the end of the book or series, I never do like them. Especially if they are responsible for keeping a beloved pair apart!

20. Three favorite Non-fiction books?

Front of the Class by Brad Cohen, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, Love at the Speed of Email by Lisa McKay

21. Your duties met for the day, how would you choose to spend a carefree summer afternoon?

 Reading. (I know. I'm predictable by now huh?) Although, if it's summer I'd prefer to do the reading out of doors.

22. Create a verbal sketch of your dream hat - in such a way as will best portray your true character.

 Oh gracious. I don't know. Perhaps something floppy and squishable, that would pop back into shape easily if sat on or stashed in my purse or closet. Preferably with yellow on it somewhere or somehow. Not quite sure what that says about my character..........

23. Share the most significant event(s) that have marked your life in the past year.

Probably the most significant one is the ongoing one. My mother has Parkinson's Disease, has had it for around 20 years or so. But the last four have been the hardest as our family watches her go downhill quite fast. Four years ago, she could do everything for herself. Now she uses a wheelchair or scooter everywhere and needs help with almost everything. It's hard. Really hard. But God is faithful and I'm thankful to still have her around to talk to.

 I've mentioned it a few times on here, so I hope any regular reader isn't tired of hearing about it. If so, I'm sorry. It's just such a big part of my life and my thoughts, that it's hard not to mention it.

24. Share the Bible passage(s) that have been most inspiring to you recently.

"And God's peace shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."
Phil. 4:7 amp

Toodle-loo kangaroos! Thanks for sticking with me til the end. :)

Little Letters First Edition

source

Dear Book, why haven't I finished you yet? You're sitting on the floor of my bedroom calling out to me and I just ignore you. I already started your first few chapters, enjoyed them very much, and yet got distracted by other things. I will return to you!

Dear Blog Buddies, thanks for always clicking over here. Seeing your names pop up in my comment section inevitably makes me smile! Whether we agree or disagree on our book love, I like y'all a lot. :)

Dear Tea Class, I missed you last night. I can't believe I only have one more week left. I've learned more info about tea than I ever imagined, but it's so much fun! Can't wait to see what next week will hold.

Dear Bunco Ladies, it's that time of the month again! Once a month never comes quick enough, even with how busy we all are. I'm so ready to see y'all again and catch up on our conversations. It will be fun to hear about the trip you've taken, how your children are growing too fast, what great recipes you're using, how frustrating your students can be, and how fun it is when family from out of state visits. I love our conversations about everything!

Dear Cody, why must you bark every single time someone walks by outside? Do you realize how annoying that can be? And when I go to scold you, why do you look at me so sweetly so that my heart melts and I can't do anything but pick you up and cuddle you a little? You know perfectly well that you've got me wrapped around your paw!

Dear Bed, you are so comfy. I have a hard time getting out of you in the mornings. I especially love my Saturday mornings when I can be lazy and curl up under your covers. Whatever the weather, your covers are cozy. No other bed holds a candle to you, which you remind me of everytime I come back from an overnight trip and can sleep well again.

Dear Extreme Pita, your sandwiches are awesome! But you shouldn't be so close to my house because it's too easy to stop by really often. Already salivating for my lunch and I just had you the other night. You are my favorite place to eat. Plus you have awesome people working for you! We'll see who I get to chat with today. :)

Dear Readers of Mine, it seems there are a few of you out there who read my thoughts. I know I'm not the most eloquent person ever, but I sure appreciate you stopping by here or reading in a reader. I hope you enjoy my posts! I tend to babble on quite a bit, so thanks for sticking with me. Leave me comments sometime so I can get to know you. If you want. I won't be offended if you don't. But I do hope you stick around and grow with me as I'm still figuring all this blogging stuff out. And truly, thanks for even noticing my little corner of the web. :)

**Rissi at Dreaming Under the Same Moon introduced this little idea to me. Go check out her letters. :)
**Also Emily at The Freckled Fox! :)

Toodle-loo kangaroos! Happy Saturday!