tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55124576166504784182024-03-17T22:36:56.195-07:00Aileen's ThoughtsAileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.comBlogger378125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-84619046803349468202019-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:002019-04-29T00:00:06.267-07:00Out With The Old And In With The NewThis past week kept me busy. Besides homeschooling, taking pictures, and attending a board of trustee meeting at the library, I managed to build myself a new website at WIX. Not only is this new website fresh and updated, easy to navigate, and easy to maintain, it also comes with a built in blog for my book reviews.<br />
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This means no more running two separate sites. However, I will be leaving this site going as not to lose all my previous reviews. So if you enjoy my Monday posts please be sure to follow me at my new blog located at ...<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.kidlitfun.com/">www.kidlitfun.com</a></span></b></div>
Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-3688230611368726642019-04-22T04:45:00.000-07:002019-04-22T04:45:11.106-07:00Joy Sometimes Looks Like A Stripy SockThis past week seemed to fly by, but probably not fast enough for Emily who had to take a state algebra test. However, she is glad to be done with all major testing for the year. And of course we joyously celebrated Easter with my brother, his family, and my sister.<br />
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For Christians, Easter is a celebration of joy. The book I read this week was also a celebration of joy. And through the simple story of a grey rat on a grey day, one comes to realize as my sister is fond of saying, "Joy is a choice"!<br />
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In this book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2GrvhHu" target="_blank">A Rat In A Stripy Sock</a>, written by Frances Watts and illustrated by David Francis, we follow the story of a grey rat sitting in the rain on a dreary day. However, his day turns completely around when he finds a stripy sock. That funny rainbow sock is all Rat needs to start dreaming. And Rat dreams big. Rat dreams of all the things one could do with a stripy sock.<br />
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It just goes to show, that it doesn't really take much in life to find joy. You simply have to look around you and take pleasure in what you find.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
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Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-28330205541140037842019-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:002019-04-15T08:21:36.673-07:00Mouseling's WordsLast week I didn't post because I sprained my knee and it was an effort to hobble anywhere let alone to my computer. And on top of a temporary bum knee, I had to take Emily to Terra Nova State testing and to take the ACT test. And this week she has to take the state Algebra test. I'm pretty sure she'd rather go to the dentist.<br />
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So all of that means that this week I have lots to share. Back in January I participated in Tara Lazar's Story Storm and besides coming up with several ideas for possible stories, I also won two books from author Shutta Crum. In addition, Ariel Bernstein sent me her brand new chapter book, Warren and Dragon - Volcano Deluxe for review.<br />
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With all the testing and hobbling going on, I was only able to read Shutta's picture book titled <a href="https://amzn.to/2De4JIG" target="_blank">Mouselings Words</a>, but that means I still have two books to look forward to. Now most of you know by now that I love words. Words of every kind. So Ms. Shutta's book about Mouseling and his love of words is just right up my alley.<br />
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Mousling loves the words on bits of papers in his nest, the words his Aunt Tillie brings him from the restaurant. But when it comes time for Mouseling to leave his comfortable home and start a life of his own, he is most reluctant. He refuses to leave his comfortable world of words until his aunt tells him there are words without end outside of the nest and restaurant.<br />
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Ms. Shutta weaves a tale of delight and Ryan O'Rourke's beautiful illustrations bring Mouseling's words to life. So if you have yet to discover Ms. Shutta's work, run don't walk to your nearest book store.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
<br />Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-41887821506924790552019-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:002019-04-01T00:00:03.038-07:00Board Books For A Birthday!I've had a lot of library related meetings over the past week, so it was nice to take it easy over the weekend. I leisurely ran errands, played Skipbo with the hubs and Emily, and attended our great niece's first birthday.<br />
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Little Ruby is so cute I cold have eaten her up instead of the cake, but I refrained. And the present I picked out for our family to give her will come as no surprise to any one. Yes, you have it_ books!<br />
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I found a beautiful board book by a company called Little Hippo Books called <a href="https://amzn.to/2YE0TSv" target="_blank">I Need A Hug</a>. And it was written by Susie Linn. The story begins in the early morning and bushbaby, Boo, needs a hug from his mom before he can go to sleep. But Boo's mom is nowhere to be found. During his search for her, he gets hugs from many other animals; but none of them are the just right kind of hug. Finally he finds his mom, gets his hug, and drifts off into dreamland.<br />
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I also bought a book put out by Sky Pony titled<a href="https://amzn.to/2I1I59T" target="_blank"> Bedtime For Little Bears</a>. It was a story of a small bear who doesn't want to go to bed (anyone with children will find this familiar). So Mother bear takes him on a walk to see who else is getting ready for bed.<br />
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I love board books, but since we are way past that stage, it was fun to be able to share a few with family. So if you have littles who need a gift, be sure to check these books out.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-85142387965190499022019-03-25T00:00:00.000-07:002019-03-25T00:00:08.327-07:00Rejections and Hope<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This past week I received rejections from two separate agents and I felt hopeful. I know, you're probably wondering how in the world could a pair of rejections cause a feeling of hope. Well_ both rejections were personal. Rather than sending the standard rejection form that makes every submitter wonder if their story has even been read, each agent sent me a personalized rejection letter with words of encouragement.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The first agent stated that she felt there were many things to enjoy in my manuscript but she just didn't feel the connection needed to take on a new client. The second agent called my submission charming but not the right project for her. And while this might seem disheartening to most people, I rejoiced in the thought that I must be getting close.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So I keep writing, keep polishing, and keep submitting. And in the meantime, I read and review books. Lots and lots of books. This time around I had the pleasure of reading an advanced copy of author Laura Gehl's upcoming book <span style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2OjvtMi" target="_blank">Juniper Kai: Super Spy</a> which is available for pre-order right now.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Juniper Kai knows she was born to be a spy, and she has opportunity to put her skills to the test when her parents seem to be keeping a secret. But her </span>sleuthing<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> doesn't work until she sees her father hiding something in the shed. What she finds in its depths suddenly causes everything strange her parents have been doing to make sense. I don't want to give away too much, but I will say Juniper's life is about to change, and the super spy is super happy about the situation! </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This isn't the first book by Laura I've enjoyed. Last May I read and reviewed <a href="https://amzn.to/2Yi8WEl" target="_blank">My Pillow Keeps Moving</a>, her delightful story </span></span>about a dog and a cat that creatively find a new home and get out of the cold. So if you want to learn more about Laura and all of her books, be sure to check out her <a href="http://www.lauragehl.com/" target="_blank">website</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-10571160026416018012019-03-18T00:00:00.000-07:002019-03-18T05:25:35.003-07:00Follow Your DreamsNot a whole lot went on this past week, just Cook Book Club. Our theme was breakfast, and Emily made a blueberry coffee cake while I made breakfast burritos. I forgot to take pictures, but since I made Cranberry Salad later in the week I thought I'd share that recipe. In the fall I generally buy bagged cranberries and freeze them so I can enjoy this salad year round.<br /><br />Cranberry Salad is super easy and all you need is a bag of cranberries fresh or frozen, 2 stalks of celery, 2 apples seeded and chopped, 1/2 cup chopped pecans, 1/2 cup orange juice, and 1/2 cup sugar. In a food processor chop the cranberries. A little hint if they are frozen is to chop them this way so they don't turn to mush. You might need ear plugs, though, because it is loud. Next chop celery and apples in the processor and add all ingredients to a medium sized bowl. Add pecans, juice, and sugar before stirring. And lastly, you need to let this marinate in the refrigerator for a couple of hours so the sugar dissolves and makes a lovely bit of juice.<br />
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And of course I read. The first book I read was a beginning-to-read book called <a href="https://amzn.to/2O7c3Ks" target="_blank">Astro the Alien Visits Forest Animals</a>. It begins with a brother, sister, and an alien in their backyard. I wondered why an alien seemed to be part of the family, but hey this is fiction. Next they decided to play hide-and-seek in the forest and along the way they keep identifying animals in what seems like a forced way. I'm sure this book is great for introducing vocabulary with its simple sentences, I'm not sure why, but this story just didn't seem quite as enjoyable as the beginning reader books I read with Emily when she was small.<br />
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The next book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2UEi6c4" target="_blank">Dogs Don't Do Ballet</a>, left me smiling. A touching story of a dog that wants nothing more than to practice ballet, Dogs Don't Do Ballet contains a universal message about following your dreams no matter who tells you otherwise. Beautifully told and colorfully illustrated, this story is a must read for children five to eight.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-21679732445581029472019-03-11T00:00:00.000-07:002019-03-11T00:00:00.140-07:00Spring Is Almost Here!As we head into the second week of March, Spring is just around the corner. Here in Shelby, the temperatures have hit the 40's (a welcome change), the snow has melted away, and tiny hyacinth and crocus buds are poking their heads out in several areas around my yard.<br />
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I must have internally sensed spring's nearness because I spent the weekend spring cleaning and dusting everything. So now that my house is tidy, I eagerly await the arrival of my flowers.<br />
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And while I wait, I read. And what I read are picture books like <a href="https://amzn.to/2UyLVuI" target="_blank">The Milkmaid And Her Pail </a>which has the added bonus of containing a sing-a-long cd. The Milkmaid And Her Pail is a retelling of an old Aesop Fable whose moral is <i>don't count your chickens before they're hatched</i>. Or in simpler terms, don't make plans that depend on something good happening before it actually happens. As with any good lesson, it goes down better with music and colorful illustrations!<br />
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I also read <a href="https://amzn.to/2HrJx4T" target="_blank">Bigger Than You</a> which contained a much subtler message about getting along. The dinosaur illustrations are fun, but my favorite part of the book had to be the prehistoric timeline with varying forms of the word "big" and the page on simple mechanical tools like levers and slide planes. It's always a plus when the author sneaks a little extra learning into the story.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
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<br />Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-89439196780022055122019-03-04T00:00:00.000-08:002019-03-04T00:00:05.649-08:00Potatoes, Sheep That Need Sleep, and Illustrations by a FriendThis past week seemed to slip by quickly, but it was a good week. Emily took pictures for her photography class, and some of them were extremely good.<br />
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I submitted a manuscript to a few agents (so wish me well)!<br />
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And I found a pile of books from my local library to read and review. What makes finding books even more exciting is finding books written, illustrated, or both by friends. This week my library offered up a book illustrated by the fabulous Don Tate. Now I have to admit, I have a tiny bit of a jelly streak when it comes to illustrators. I mean how do they make all those fabulous pictures.<br />
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The book Don illustrated that I snatched up is titled, <a href="https://amzn.to/2H9EtC6" target="_blank">No Small Potatoes</a>. It tells the story of Junius G. Groves and his potato kingdom in Kansas. I happen to love picture biographies and this one is no exception. Having never heard of Mr. Groves before, it was quite interesting to learn how he started life as a slave, but after gaining freedom, he headed west. Through hard work and determination, he managed to work his way up to landowner, and through even more hard work, he grew his potato venture into the largest around. And like any good illustrator, Don creates beautiful pictures that help tell the story and make it complete.<br />
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I also read <a href="https://amzn.to/2Eu7vJM" target="_blank">Woolly The Wide Awake Sheep</a> which is a story about a tired sheep that can't get to sleep. In an effort to figure out something that will help him doze, he asks all his barnyard friends how they get to sleep. They all tell him the same thing_ they count sheep. I don't want to give away the super fun ending, so I will leave you to find a copy of this book and read it for yourselves.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-55549801653923292019-02-25T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-25T00:00:03.455-08:00Words of InterestThis past week was an ordinary week. I attended a levy meeting, I made bread and soup, Emily did her school work, and Bobby and I watched an episode of Border Patrol NZ on Netflix.The interesting thing about that particular episode was the use of the term <i>busker.</i><br />
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Earlier in the week I had heard the term<i> busker</i> and had looked up the definition which turned out to be a street performer. So when the airport security guard identified a visitor as a busker, Bobby and I laughed. We went from having never heard of a busker to having heard the word twice in the same week. It's one of those instances when you learn about something and then you start noticing it everywhere.<br />
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So imagine my delight when I opened up my book for the week, <a href="https://amzn.to/2Eujjgk" target="_blank">Tabby McTat The Musical Cat</a>, and the first line read, "Tabby McTat was a busker's cat." I read it to Bobby and we giggled at the coincidence.<br />
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Tabby and his busker, Fred, sing for a living. But one day when Fred is busy eating lunch, Tabby takes a walk around the block and meets a new friend, Sock. While he's visiting, something happens to Fred. When Tabby can't find Fred, he ends up moving in with Sock and her people. A part of Tabby's heart can't forget Fred, and so one day he goes looking all over town for his old friend. They eventually reunite, but Tabby is torn between his new home and life and his old life with Fred. All does end well, but in a surprising and unexpected way.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-10748589501754755162019-02-18T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-18T00:00:08.812-08:00Balloons, A Drive-Thru, and A BookThis past week Valentine's Day fell on a Thursday. The night before, Wednesday, was youth church night. Now. So you understand the significance of these statements, I will give you a little background. Although a loving father and wonderful husband, Bobby doesn't usually give gifts on commercial holidays like Valentine's. But this Wednesday, he arrived a little later than usual bearing three balloons.<br />
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Since there are only Emily and I, she wondered if her father bought himself a balloon. Crazy child! The third balloon was for her bestie, Katie, who attends youth church with her every Wednesday. I almost cried. Katie lives with her single mom, who loves her very much; but she hasn't really had any father figure in her life since her Papaw passed away several years ago. This small act of kindness didn't go un-noticed either. Katie gave him a super squeezy hug before she left, something she's never really done before. And this small unexpected act of kindness reminded me why I love this guy so much.<br />
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I baked chocolate chip cookies for Bobby and Emily. Just the recipe off of the back of the Nestle Toll House Semi Sweet Chocolate Chip Bag, but boy were they tasty!<br />
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I also attended the Ohio North SCBWI Shop Talk Meeting this week. It was held at the Cuyahoga County Library Parma Branch. It was a great meeting, but the most interesting surprise for me was the Drive-thru window. I come from a small town with a small but excellent library, I have visited many other libraries, but never have I seen a library with a drive-thru. Apparently many libraries do. Who Knew?<br />
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And last but not least, I read In The Red Canoe. In <a href="https://amzn.to/2TSPsUb" target="_blank">The Red Canoe</a> tells the tale of a grandchild and a grandfather who spend an evening exploring the lake and surrounding grounds by canoe. But this story is more than a tale of exploration. It is the tale of quality time spent with a loved one. A story of discovering the world around. And a story of memories in the making.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
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<br />Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-36176459931241522592019-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-13T06:47:40.326-08:00Fourth Annual Valentiny Contest!Hooray! February is well on its way and that means it's time for <a href="https://susannahill.com/2019/02/13/oh-guilty-heart-the-4th-annual-valentiny-writing-contest/" target="_blank">Susanna Leonard Hill's Fourth Annual Valentiny Contest</a>. The object is to write a Valentine Story for children that is 214 words or less and has a character that feels guilty.<br />
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That's a brief amount of words in which to tell a story that has a beginning, a middle, and and end; but I persisted. So thank you Susanna for hosting this event and here's my story.<br />
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<b>One Valentine Short</b> (206 words)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tabby pranced into the room tightly clutching a bag. A bag containing one valentine for each classmate.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She slipped a card into each box until she came to Janna’s. Her fingers searched the bag but came up empty. She glanced inside to be sure. </div>
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<o:p></o:p>Butterflies danced in her stomach, and she gnawed her bottom lip as she wondered what to do.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She thought about telling Janna the simple truth, but the thought made her cringe.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She thought about saying it dropped from a hole in the bag, but she knew she couldn’t lie.<o:p></o:p></div>
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She thought about hiding in the coat closet, but she hated tiny dark spaces.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Suddenly, inspiration struck. <o:p></o:p></div>
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She raced to the closet to retrieve the sucker she’d been saving for lunch. Then she grabbed some construction paper and art supplies.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Snippets of paper floated to the floor and glitter clung to every surface including her hair. But in the end, Tabby held a stunning valentine in her hand.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“That’s beautiful,” someone whispered behind her shoulder.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tabby whirled around and handed the paper creation to Janna. “It’s for you!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A look of joy brightened Janna’s plain pale face.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And at that moment, Tabby knew she wanted to spend recess getting to know Janna better.<o:p></o:p></div>
Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-21973750969761402552019-02-11T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-11T08:26:16.830-08:00Black History MonthIt's Black History month! I normally read and promote people of every color all year long, but when I looked through my stack of books for review, two of them had beautiful brown girls on the cover; so it seemed appropriate to share those particular books.<br />
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The first was a board book titled <a href="https://amzn.to/2WTLWLb" target="_blank">In the Snow</a> which fits both Black History month and the season since we are still in the throws of winter. It is the story of a small girl who spends the day outside enjoying the snow and snow activities with her dog. One sentence per page allows the reader and their little to take ample time discovering the details of the illustrations which are delightful.<br />
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The second was a book titled <a href="https://amzn.to/2DrvMQa" target="_blank">It's Great to Keep Calm</a>. As I checked this book out, one of the librarians I am friends with told me she had recently read the book and that Keep Calm was her new mantra. In this story, Carly and her classmates are making sock puppets, and everyone takes a direction page except for her. When her sock puppet doesn't turn out as planned, she gets upset and loses her temper. But a good friend gives her advice about how to calm down and helps her make a new and proper sock puppet. This book would be a great parent and teacher resource for helping very young children deal with situations that don't turn out as expected and angry or anxious feelings.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-32432229946631876802019-02-04T00:00:00.000-08:002019-02-04T11:38:59.227-08:00SurvivalWell, we survived the blizzard and the polar vortex that followed. We burnt a lot of wood in the process, but we were toasty warm. Thankfully we now seem to be on our way to warmer temperatures. I just hope they arrive gradually so not to cause flooding.<br />
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All this indoor time has left plenty of room for reading. Emily has been reading the second book in a dystopian series, The Girl Who Dared To Stand, which she is loving as much as the Maze Runner Series. Now for anyone who knows Emily, this is a lot of book love. All her friends who have never read Maze Runner, intimately know the characters thanks to her. And the best part, there are seven books in the series, so she will be happy for a while!<br />
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The big surprise, however, came last week when my husband, Bobby, asked me to get the old classic, <a href="https://amzn.to/2HOHObS" target="_blank">Papillon</a>, from he library. In the fifteen years we've been married, he's read the Bible, newspapers, magazines, and online articles, but he's never asked me to get him a book. I know he read books before we married, I've just never seen him read one since.<br />
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And last but not least, I read a beginning reader titled <i>A Cub in the Tub</i> and a beginning chapter book titled <i>Houndsley and Catina and Cousin Wagster</i>. Don't you just love those funny, punny cat and dog names?<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2MMXKKx" target="_blank">A Cub in the Tub</a> is just what it sounds like, a sight word rhyming book like the kind I bought Emily when she was learning to read. So not only will your 3 to 5 year old enjoy seeing bear go from being dirty to clean, they will also be gaining those critical building blocks that will launch them into reading on their own.<br />
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And once they've started reading and want to move onto that <i>I am so grown up</i> chapter book reading phase, <a href="https://amzn.to/2Gct6dh" target="_blank">Houndsley and Catina and Cousin Wagster</a> will be a perfect place to start. I mean come on, who doesn't love dog and cat stories with happy endings and subtle messages about friendship! And the really fun thing is that there are multiple Houndsley and Catina books from which to choose.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-58104573676348529552019-01-28T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-28T17:51:21.839-08:00The Grass is Always Greener...<br />
Hey, all. I hope everyone had a wonderful week gone by. We've continued to have snow and very cold temperatures here in Ohio, winters that remind me of those from my childhood. Since the school we associate with for our Independent Studies had four snow days, I allowed Emily to have a few extra days off and a lighter schedule than normal on the other days. She was thrilled and it allowed me to have a little play time with my camera.<br />
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In addition, my baby girl turned 14 this past week. I look at her and ask my self how did this happen? In a blink of an eye the years seemed to pass by. And although I am proud of the person she is becoming, I do miss the child she was from time to time.</div>
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And I read. Of course I read the newspaper, the mail, several recipes, my Bible, the back matter on the book I bought Emily for her birthday, and my emails; but there's something different about reading for pleasure be it a cozy mystery, a novel, poetry, or my favorite picture books. </div>
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<br />This week I read a beautiful book titled <a href="https://amzn.to/2G08yDP" target="_blank">Giraffe Problems</a>. A book with a subtle but wonderful message that we are wonderfully made and should appreciate who and what we are. Edward Giraffe bemoans his long neck and does everything in his power to hide it from others. Until one day when he meets, Cyrus Turtle who admires his long neck and despises his own short neck. In the end, they come to realize each neck is just right.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></div>
Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-35077292364643089572019-01-21T05:41:00.000-08:002019-01-21T05:41:16.656-08:00Books and A Blizzard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This past weekend we experienced the first blizzard in a few years. Since I had a goodly supply of toilet paper, milk, and home made bread, I didn't agonize over the fact. Bobby and I spent Saturday in front of a cozy fire and we re-watched <a href="https://amzn.to/2FKKGnA" target="_blank">Last Holiday</a> <span id="goog_1521461489"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_1521461490"></span>with Queen Latifah. I do love a good comedy with a fine leading actress. We enjoyed toasted bread with cinnamon and sugar which took me back to my childhood and the many times my mama made cinnamon/sugar toast for my brother and me.<br />
And Emily went sledding with a friend and didn't return home for a couple of hours.<br />
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When Sunday rolled around, I woke with and idea for a story and thoughts on six main characters. You can't imagine how happy I was to know I had a note book in the bedside stand in which to write those ideas down because I would have never remembered everything. I made breakfast for everyone: spelt waffles, sausage, and Ohio maple syrup. And just when I thought the day couldn't get any better, Bobby retrieved the mail from Saturday when he out to clear the drive.<br />
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This proved especially exciting, because amongst the stack, I found a delicate flowered envelope. An envelope that held a letter from a seven year old fan from Georgia. A touching letter, it almost made my husband cry when I read it to him.<br />
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Dear Aileen Stewart:<br />
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I really enjoyed the book Cooking In Fern Valley because it included both of my passions, reading and cooking I love doing them both and your books have made me quite hungry and I have tried your recipes before and I wanted to let you know that they are quite delicious I have read Cooking in Fern Valley many times. However this time halfway through the book I suddenly had a urge to write a letter to you so I did (that is this letter you are reading right now.) Your books are quite fictional and interesting and I want to read them all but now I have an urge to go downstairs and make some scrambled eggs.<br />
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Sincerely, Lilianna Yun age 7<br />
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au revour!<br />
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Despite the lack of some punctuation, this is a most moving letter. It doesn't get better than a seven year old, with the same passions as me, loving my book. And I'm pretty sure her scrambled eggs were the bomb.<br />
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And last but not least, I read <a href="https://amzn.to/2T56iPp" target="_blank">Andy and Sandy's Anything Adventure</a> by the legendary Tomie dePaola. A perfect book for snowbound book worms, Andy and Sandy use a dress up trunk to stimulate their imaginations.Incredible imaginations and friendship abound in this story perfect for three to six year olds.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-6726985219641356072019-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-14T07:51:32.652-08:00Soup and Sleep<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week sent us scurrying back to school lessons. It also saw the beginning of a five week photography course Emily is taking with her home school aid Ms. Charlie. I'm not sure she loves taking pictures as much as I do, but I hope she at least enjoys the class.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">We also attended our monthly Cook Book Club meeting where the theme was soups and sandwiches. Now I don't know about you, but I absolutely love soups and sandwiches. So much in fact, that I forgot to take any pictures. Emily made my recipe for lemon poppy seed bread, and I made turkey and bacon club sandwiches with avocado spread and white chicken chili.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0d9OB0ZgP1Y/WAP08h4N0ZI/AAAAAAACj8g/T5rM26SgEbwasqEf3qrwqt463u0oK2rgwCLcB/s1600/white%2Bchicken%2Bchili.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img alt="The Ultimate White Chicken Chili - the BEST of the BEST White Chicken Chilis! SO good and ready to eat in under 20 minutes! Rotisserie chicken, white beans, corn, green chilies, chicken broth, onion, garlic, cumin, chili powder, half-and-half, pepper jack cheese. Top with some sour cream and extra cheese. Makes a ton. Freeze leftovers for a quick meal later." border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0d9OB0ZgP1Y/WAP08h4N0ZI/AAAAAAACj8g/T5rM26SgEbwasqEf3qrwqt463u0oK2rgwCLcB/s400/white%2Bchicken%2Bchili.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I used a recipe from <a href="https://www.plainchicken.com/2016/11/the-ultimate-white-chicken-chili.html" target="_blank">The Ultimate Chicken</a> website with a couple of substitutions. I already had two cups of cooked shredded chicken and I had heavy cream instead of half and half because I didn't want to run to the store. I thought it was delicious especially topped with shredded cheddar cheese, but Emily told me if we were having leftover soup for dinner she would fix herself a hot-dog. One day Ms. Picky's tastes will change just like mine did, and she'll wonder why she turned her nose up to so many tasty dishes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the weekend it snowed here in Ohio. It probably didn't snow here as much as some parts of the country, but I was happy to see the snow and cold that did shower us because it will mean a good maple syrup season; and I surely do love fresh maple syrup.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;">And last but not least, I read a book titled <a href="https://amzn.to/2SNeALj" target="_blank">The Goodnight Train</a>. I personally don't have any trouble falling to sleep, but for some reason my male cat has decided for the past several days he needs me to get up at 2 or 3:30 in the morning. To help raise me from my slumber he digs incessantly on the sliding closet doors directly beneath the master bedroom making a ruckus that could raise the dead if that were possible. But I'm getting off topic, so back to the book.</span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><img height="360" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5140VM3wgQL.jpg" width="400" /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://amzn.to/2SNeALj" target="_blank">The Goodnight Train </a>is a cute rhyming book about children being lulled to sleep on a train traveling through dreamland. The sounds and sights that fill the night as the train makes its trek will surely delight children from five to seven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></span></span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-79342121382684586792019-01-07T00:00:00.000-08:002019-01-07T00:00:08.585-08:00PossibilitiesIt's 2019, a New Year full of possibilities that are yet to be explored. Doesn't that just make you tingle with anticipations? Bobby, Emily, and I started 2019 by staying up till midnight and watching the ball drop. I must admit that I miss the old traditional ball and Dick Clark, but Emily was excited to drink her Orange Cream Soda and eat Jalapeno Cheetos well after her normal bedtime. She then spent the day with one of her besties.<br />
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Apparently the thought of a brand new year filled me with energy because I began cleaning out closets and cupboards like there was no tomorrow. Several garbage bags later I took a break and worked on a picture book manuscript from one of my <a href="https://taralazar.com/storystorm/" target="_blank">Storystorm</a> ideas. The New Year also brought me a new critique partner who I am excited to get to know.<br />
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And finally, I read one of the books Emily received for Christmas. The fourth in the Wollstonecraft Series, <a href="https://amzn.to/2sctiQz" target="_blank">The Case of The Perilous Palace</a> met all my expectations. I love UK author Jordan Stratford's style and the way he takes real life characters and gives them a more romantic and mysterious life, a blending of history and fiction.<br />
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The main characters Ada Lovelace and Mary Shelley, parted by Ada's overbearing grandmother, manage to reunite with the help of the princess who needs their services. Someone has stolen one of her sketch books, the sketch book that allows her to put down her feelings in a code only known to her. The thief leads the girls on a merry chase, and when caught, surprises everyone but Ada.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
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<br />Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-31509097003491103042018-12-31T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-31T00:00:51.516-08:00My Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2018I read so many great books this year, and it took me a while to narrow down the list; but here are my <b><i>Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2018</i>.</b><br />
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10. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Vj4BiJ" target="_blank">The Best Mother</a><br />
<img alt="Cover Image" height="400" src="https://d2svrcwl6l7hz1.cloudfront.net/content/B078W5T1X7/resources/0?mime=image/*" width="323" /><br />
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9. <a href="https://amzn.to/2VcWrs2" target="_blank">Cat On The Bus</a><br />
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<img alt="Cover Image" height="400" src="https://d2svrcwl6l7hz1.cloudfront.net/content/B07DMZ9RCQ/resources/0?mime=image/*" width="310" /><br />
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8. <a href="https://amzn.to/2s0zbA9" target="_blank">A Different Pond</a><br />
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<img alt="A Different Pond (Fiction Picture Books) by [Phi, Bao]" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51a8tUURKNL.jpg" width="320" /><br />
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7. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Rn7xLV" target="_blank">Ocean Meets Sky</a><br />
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<img alt="Ocean Meets Sky by [Fan, Terry, Fan, Eric]" height="328" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61HzIbybS9L.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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6. <a href="https://amzn.to/2rZ7EyW" target="_blank">Read the Book Lemmings</a><br />
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<img alt="Read the Book, Lemmings! by [Dyckman, Ame]" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61lclbJGo5L.jpg" width="399" /><br />
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5. <a href="https://amzn.to/2RtMx6e" target="_blank">My Pillow Keeps Moving</a><br />
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<img alt="My Pillow Keeps Moving by [Gehl, Laura]" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51cWGMrUIOL.jpg" width="341" /><br />
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4. <a href="https://amzn.to/2Vmg0y7" target="_blank">Henry and the Yeti</a><br />
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<img alt="Henry and the Yeti by [Ayto, Russell]" height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41E29zQkvbL._SX260_.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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3. <a href="https://amzn.to/2CFPmJc" target="_blank">Nibbles the Book Monster</a><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51EK7NYGCmL._SX398_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="350" /><br />
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2. <a href="https://amzn.to/2SsjMnZ" target="_blank">Night Job</a><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51JLoMQKZyL._SX370_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" width="298" /><br />
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1. <a href="https://amzn.to/2rZ7Jme" target="_blank"> Hello Light House</a><br />
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<img height="640" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AQ-QLNsUL.jpg" width="384" /><br />
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And since it was so difficult to choose, I have to share an Honorable Mention:<br />
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<a href="https://amzn.to/2RvAuFT" target="_blank">Samson the Piranha Who Went To Dinner</a><br />
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<img height="400" src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51s1ay2ABvL.jpg" width="341" /><br />
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With The New Year just around the corner, I'm looking forward to all the fantastic, funny, creative, beautifully illustrated books 2019 has to offer.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-40711181687164928392018-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-17T00:00:07.448-08:00Books and Bakes This past week I attended a library board meeting, helped Emily with her school work, attended Cook-book Club, and finished round one of my Cookiepalooza. As two of those things involve food, I think it would be safe to call myself a foodie as well as a literary person.<br />
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For Cook-book Club Emily prepared Oreo Truffles. Since she didn't decide what she was making until late the night before, she had to use vanilla flavored melting discs instead of chocolate because I just wasn't going to the store at that hour, and I had some leftover red discs.<br />
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I made Bacon Ranch Chicken Penne which turned out beautifully. I even made my own Alfredo sauce. If you want to try it for yourself, this is what you'll need.<br />
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<b>Bacon Chicken Ranch Penne 🥓🐔🥘</b><br />
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</b> 6 slices of bacon<br />
2 cups cooked chicken<br />
Alfredo sauce<br />
1/2 cup ranch dressing<br />
1 pound penne<br />
2 cups fresh mozzarella grated<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Alfredo Sauce</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> 2 cups chicken broth<br />
2 cups heavy whipping cream<br />
2- 8 ounce containers whipped cream cheese<br />
1 TBS minced garlic<br />
2 cups grated Parmesan<br />
Fresh cracked black pepper<br />
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In a large stock pot prepare sauce by adding broth, cream, garlic, and cream cheese and cook over medium heat whisking until smooth. When smooth, reduce heat to low/medium and add Parmesan. Whisk and allow to cook about five minutes. Remove from heat and add pepper to taste. Set sauce aside.<br />
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Next, cook bacon and set aside. In a large bowl, add penne, chicken which has been shredded, 4 cups of sauce, and ranch dressing. Let mixture set at least 15 to 20 minutes. The noodles will have absorbed most of the sauce, so before you put the mixture in a 9 x 13 pan, add an additional 2 cups of sauce. Reserve the rest of the sauce which can be used when reheating leftover casserole. Top dish crumbled bacon and mozzarella and bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.<br />
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I can't believe after all that effort I forgot to take a picture of my casserole, but there you have it. I did however, take several of the finished cookie tray that will be accompanying my husband, Bobby, to work.<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"> But lest you think all I did attend meetings, home-school, and bake, never fear. I managed to read two picture books this week as well. There was <a href="https://amzn.to/2BnBHol" target="_blank">Dear Girl</a> which is an encouragement of love from a mother to her daughter letting her know it's acceptable to be herself whether that means being pink and sparkly or splattered with mud. It was also an encouragement for girls to appreciate who they are and what makes them unique something I try to teach my daughter.</span> <br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAAGxVAMOl0/XBbTcYaDA0I/AAAAAAAAHoI/pqozyf7Xw-UDPalESbN7BaC4_5PFEcB2wCEwYBhgL/s1600/818kcZEdDaL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sAAGxVAMOl0/XBbTcYaDA0I/AAAAAAAAHoI/pqozyf7Xw-UDPalESbN7BaC4_5PFEcB2wCEwYBhgL/s400/818kcZEdDaL.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And there was <a href="https://amzn.to/2S3D1UE" target="_blank">Douglas You're a Genius</a>. Douglas the Dog and his faithful companion Nancy loose a ball through a hole in the fence. When the ball rolls back to their side, they wonder just who sent it back. To find out, they try all kinds of crazy ideas thought of by Nancy, Unfortunately, none of Nancy's ideas work. Finally Douglas convinces Nancy to give his idea a try and they ultimately find out who's on the other side. Full of fun and surprises, this book is sure to please almost as much as that casserole I made!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span><br />
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Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-47165855459017775472018-12-10T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-10T00:00:03.486-08:00CreatingI have always loved to create both crafty and food items. So this week, it will come as no surprise that I was in a creative mood. I finished up a basket I've been working on for a gift exchange. I then filled it with kitchen items which I hope my Cook Book Club recipient will enjoy.<br />
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I've also continued with my cookie baking project. My goal is to bake one or two types of cookies every few days. I freeze them as I go and when Christmas is close, I'll take them all out and decorate those that need decorated. But sometimes as happens when a person is creating, an epic fail occurs. My epic fail was in the form of Coconut Macaroons. I attempted to make them and followed the directions religiously, but alas what I ended up with was a clumpy coconut pancake instead of a crispy cookie.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E347ZSWxns8/XA1DwOwyJvI/AAAAAAAAHmg/1mttGm3CL7kzESETRsuc-SfIrxg3dpB4QCLcBGAs/s1600/macaroon-1680697_960_720.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="807" height="285" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E347ZSWxns8/XA1DwOwyJvI/AAAAAAAAHmg/1mttGm3CL7kzESETRsuc-SfIrxg3dpB4QCLcBGAs/s320/macaroon-1680697_960_720.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How Macaroons Should Look</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How My Macaroons Looked</td></tr>
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Oh well. There are so many other cookies I'm great at creating, so the "Cookiepalooza" will continue.<br />
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This weeks my book choices were also about creating. My first read, <a href="https://amzn.to/2L4XTrJ" target="_blank">How to Knit a Monster</a>, from 2014, led me on a merry adventure with Ms. Gretta Goat who loved to knit.<br /><br />After Mean Mrs. Sheep criticizes Gretta's knitting skills her knitting begins to take on a life of it's own in the form of a wolf that eats Mrs. Sheep, a tiger that eats the wolf, and finally a monster that eats the tiger. But Gretta is a smart goat and knits her way right out of the predicament her knitting created. But be sure to pay careful attention to the last illustration which indicates he predicament might not be over.<br />
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The second book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2PtMPFa" target="_blank">How To Build A Hug</a>, filled me with wonder as it was one of my favorite types of picture book, a biographical picture book. And this book was about Dr. Temple Grandin.<br />
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As a child growing up with autism in an era where little was known about the subject, Temple Grandin did her best to cope. With the support and encouragement of her family, Temple drew, painted, created, and read about inventors and their inventions. And all of that creating helped her to invent a contraption that helped her feel what a hug was like when the real thing overwhelmed her senses. This book would make a great classroom read helping classmates to understand what autistic peers might be going through.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-72997029835311159102018-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-06T06:12:13.238-08:00Participation<span style="font-family: inherit;">I love a good writing contest and <a href="https://susannahill.com/" target="_blank">Susanna Leonard Hill</a> hosts some of the best. And being that it is now December, her<a href="https://susannahill.com/blog/" target="_blank"> 8th Annual Holiday Contest</a> is up and running. So if you enjoy a good Christmas story, especially a brief one, check out my story titled Violet's Christmas Cookies.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The rules are simple:</span><br />
<span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-weight: 700;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">Write a </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">children’s holiday story</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> (children here defined as age 12 and under) about </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: red; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A Holiday Hero</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="color: red;">!</span> Your hero’s act of heroism can be on a grand scale or a small one – from saving Christmas to leaving a fresh-baked loaf of Challah bread for a homeless person to something like Gift Of The Magi where two people give up the thing most important to them to be sure someone they love has a good holiday. Your hero can be obvious or unlikely. Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is </span><span style="box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700;">not to exceed 250 words</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> </span><img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/svg/1f642.svg" style="background-image: none; border: none; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1em; margin: 0px 0.07em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: -0.1em; width: 1em;" /><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> (It can be as short as you like (the judges will be grateful </span><img alt="🙂" class="emoji" draggable="false" src="https://s0.wp.com/wp-content/mu-plugins/wpcom-smileys/twemoji/2/svg/1f642.svg" style="background-image: none; border: none; box-shadow: none; box-sizing: border-box; display: inline; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 1em; margin: 0px 0.07em; max-width: 100%; padding: 0px; vertical-align: -0.1em; width: 1em;" /><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> , you are welcome and encouraged to write shorter, but no more than 250! </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Title not included</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"> in word count.) The field is wide open! Have fun! The more creative the better! </span><span style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-style: inherit; font-weight: 700; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No illustration notes please</span><span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So without further ado, my entry.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><b>Violet’s Christmas Cookies</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><b>Aileen Stewart<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Word Count 239</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Every year, Fred baked Christmas cookies for his eighty year old neighbor, Violet. And every year, he
handled cookie cutters like a pro. He iced and sprinkled like a ninja. And he
only nibbled a little.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">So when Thanksgiving ended, Fred
said, “Hey mom, I’m ready to bake.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">“Great. Go ahead,” she replied.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Like a good chef, Fred gathered the
ingredients, measuring tools, and decorating supplies. Next he found his
favorite recipes. And finally, he decided which type of cookie he’d make first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">“Chocolate Sugar Cookies,” he
announced to his cat, Tom, who lay sprawled out in front of the refrigerator. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Next he turned on the oven to
pre-heat. After a few minutes, he realized the oven wasn’t warm. “Mom,” he
shouted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Fred’s mother came running. “What’s
the matter?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Fred’s voice wobbled. “The oven is
broken. Call the repair man.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">“No problem,” she said. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately, the repairman was
booked solid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">“Then we’ll have to buy a new oven,”
Fred said.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Fred’s mom frowned. “I’m sorry
honey; we can’t afford a new oven.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">Fred frowned too and wondered what
to do. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without cookies for Violet. His mother
watched as he paced the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;">On his fifth trip across the
kitchen, an idea popped into his head. “I have some no bake cookie recipes,” he
told his mom. “And all I’ll need is a microwave.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“That’s my boy,” she told him
before high fiving his raised hand!</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<section class="content-area" id="primary" style="box-sizing: border-box; float: left; width: 765px;"><main class="site-main" id="main" role="main" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><article class="post-16714 post type-post status-publish format-standard hentry category-8th-annual-holiday-writing-contest category-holiday-contest tag-8th-annual-holiday-contest tag-prizes tag-writing-contests tag-writing-fun tag-writing-practice tag-writing-prompt without-featured-image" id="post-16714" style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0px 0px 3em; overflow-wrap: break-word; position: relative;"><div class="entry-body" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin: 1.5em 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 146px; vertical-align: baseline;">
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</article></main></section>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-55215970018554979982018-12-03T00:00:00.000-08:002018-12-03T00:00:04.567-08:00Cookies and Books By Friends<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week was full of every day moments. I attended my monthly Library Board of Trustee meeting, I helped Emily with her home school lessons, I switched the children's library display case from Fall to Christmas, and I worked on Christmas cookies.<br /><br />I made batch two of the Railroad Cookies that my one niece loves so well. You might also know them as Date Nut Pin-Wheels. I found this recipe in my <i>Martha Adam's Heirloom Recipes</i> cook book, and she presumes the name railroad cookies came from their resemblance to railroad tracks winding around hills and valleys. Whatever the name, these crisp on the outside, tender on the inside, butterscotch flavored cookies are delicious. They aren't overly complicated, so if you want to try your hand at making some, check out the recipe below.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Cookie Dough: Date-Nut Filling</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b>1 cup vegetable shortening 2 cups finely chopped dates </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 cups sugar 1/2 cup sugar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup water</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp vanilla 1/2 cup ground pecans </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4 cups flour</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 tsp cinnamon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp cream tartar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1/2 tsp salt</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a large bowl or stand mixer, cream shortening and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and thoroughly mix. Divide dough into two proportions, roll dough and flatten into a thick pancake shaped patties. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least an hour. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In a medium saucepan, combine dates, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the mixture sugar is completely dissolved and the mixture thickens. If you have a stick mixer, blend the mixture to make it easier to spread. Add vanilla and nuts and mix thoroughly.<br /><br />Roll one of the dough patties out into a rectangle the size of a silicone mat (I usually roll mine on a mat to gauge size and for easier rolling). Spread 1/2 of the filling on the rectangle and gently roll jelly roll style. Slice dough in 1/4 inch pieces and place on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from pan and place on cooling rack. Repeat.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This week I also grabbed a new batch of books from the library to read and review and was thrilled to find books by two of my literary friends. The first book, <a href="https://amzn.to/2SqLBMZ" target="_blank">Duck, Duck, Porcupine</a>, by the talented Salina Yoon, was a simply written and colorfully illustrated book containing three short stories about Big Duck, Little Duck, and Porcupine. Whether picnicking, celebrating a birthday, or camping, the three friends find adventure that your beginning readers will love to share with them.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The other book I found was the marvelous Loren Long's <a href="https://amzn.to/2Q8x37R" target="_blank">There's a Hole in the Log on the Bottom of the Lake</a>. I met Loren in person this past spring at The Southern Kentucky Book Festival and besides possessing uber amounts of talent, he is just as nice as nice can be. <i>There's a Hole in the Log</i> is Loren's take on that old familiar song <i>There's a Hole in the Bottom of the Sea, </i>but the surprise ending, which I wasn't expecting, in addition to commentary by a small turtle and snail really sets it apart. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie Dadey, Loren Long, and Me!</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span>Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-62707763229895844432018-11-26T05:27:00.000-08:002018-11-26T05:27:33.874-08:00The Art of Being Thankful<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you all well know, this past week/weekend was a time of celebration for many. Bobby, Emily, and I celebrated Thanksgiving on different days with both my husband's family and my family. We gobbled delicious treats and way too many carbs, caught up with people we hadn't seen in a while, and enjoyed the sound of children laughing and playing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And as much as we enjoyed our celebrations, I am reminded that being thankful should be practiced daily. Just like painting, writing, or baking fabulous pastries or cakes; just like public speaking, lace making, or wood carving; just like jam making, singing, or gymnastics, being thankful is an art form. Being thankful doesn't come automatically. Being thankful isn't something people necessarily notice in others, but it is something that we need more of.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Too often we get busy with our day to day jobs, chores, and responsibilities, and we forget to appreciate all the little things. So this year, I made a list of things ten things I am thankful for year round.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Family (especially my husband and daughter)</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">2. My home (that has both heat and air)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">3. Plenty to eat (too much actually)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">4. Good neighbors (especially the ones who don't complain when our leaves blow into their yard)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Well maintained and running vehicles (that have both heat and air)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Friends (who rejoice with me when things are going well and pray for me when things aren't)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">7. The ability to pursue my passions (like writing, cooking, photography, and volunteering)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">8. My three cats (except the other day when I stepped on a hairball that blended in with the rug)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">9. The man who invented toilet paper (seriously, I would not be a happy camper if we still had to use the Sears And Roebuck, corncobs, or leaves)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">10. And the Good Lord above who made the other nine possible for me when he brought me into existence</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am also thankful for my home town library where every couple of weeks I find a stack of books to bring home and review. This week I particularly enjoyed a book called <a href="https://amzn.to/2SaKmBp" target="_blank">Night Job</a> by Karen Hesse. A beautiful and simple story that reminds us to think about and appreciate people who work while we sleep to make our world a cleaner and better place. It is the story of a night-time school janitor told from the pov of his son and if you haven't read it, I highly recommend that you do!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></span><br />
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Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-5191037672966513122018-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:002018-11-19T00:00:07.241-08:00Cold Enough For A Yeti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This past week in Ohio it snowed. It pored freezing rain. And it got really cold. This of course meant lovely fires in the fireplace all weekend.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also started baking Christmas cookies at least the ones that freeze well. I managed to bake sugar cookies in the shape of trees and chocolate sugar cookies in the shape of snow flakes both of which I will decorate later.</span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZofEP32Vgk/W_HKJmL_3PI/AAAAAAAAHiU/rLYIfM297aoINo2B6prHABlD6kqIhQtOACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC_0910.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ZofEP32Vgk/W_HKJmL_3PI/AAAAAAAAHiU/rLYIfM297aoINo2B6prHABlD6kqIhQtOACLcBGAs/s400/DSC_0910.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">All this cold made <a href="https://amzn.to/2PCf3ml" target="_blank">Henry And The Yeti</a> a perfect book to snag from my reading pile. Henry believe in Yetis. Henry wants to find a Yeti. So, Henry sets out on a journey to meet a Yeti. Henry has an incredible adventure but the proof of meeting a friendly Yeti was accidentally left behind. Will Henry be mocked for the rest of his life, or will he be able to prove Yetis really exist?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></span><br />
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Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5512457616650478418.post-50940951639611524742018-11-12T00:00:00.000-08:002018-11-18T12:20:49.685-08:00When God Made Light<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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This past week we felt the repercussions of Daylight Savings Time. It now gets dark at five in the afternoon. I won't bore you with the details of our bodies adjusting to the hours being off or the early darkness. Let's just suffice it to say that we are making the best of winter darkness.</div>
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We also received the first snow of the season which required us to enjoy the bounty of wood my husband split a few weeks ago.</div>
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So although the weather outside was frightful, inside we were toasty and comfortable which makes a perfect setting for reading. And this week my library stack gave forth a book called <a href="https://amzn.to/2FdT0NS" target="_blank">When God Made Light</a>. A book told in rhyme that shares creation story of light and dark in a fun and creative way. In addition to enjoying the story and the beautiful artwork, I was thrilled to see that the illustrator was a fellow Ohioan. Oh how the little things in life bring me joy.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;">Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by </span><span style="background-color: white;">my personal website </span><a href="http://www.funwithaileen.com/" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">Fun With Aileen</a><span style="background-color: white;"> where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on </span><a href="http://www.twitter.com/AileenWStewart" style="background-color: white;" target="_blank">twitter</a><span style="background-color: white;"> if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span><br />Aileen Stewarthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02066806537340730938noreply@blogger.com0