the paris wife

I'm not sure this would have been one of my first choices for a book to read, but in the end I did enjoy it. I love historical fiction, and it was well written, but, I had a hard time getting into the story. About half way through is when I really startred to enjoy the read. Ironically, this is about the same time that Hemingway started to turn into a real jerk and I wished I could reach through the words to knock some sense into him.

In the end, Hadley is my hero. She stuck by what she believed, and stood up for herself. But at the same time knew when she was getting in to deep and decided it was best to just cut the cord and try not to worry. It was amazing how much Hadley did for Hemingway, yet it was always so easy for him to forget and overlook her. Leaving her behind, but always wanting to come back to her strong and steady support.

I know this book is based on the truth, and even when you know the ending you are still surprised. Hadley was better for loosing Hemingway, or Hemingway was a fool for leaving Hadley. I guess they outgrew each other, and where Hadley was willing to fight, Hemingway was willing to give up. She was far too good for him, she keept her morals and hated loosing the friends that he so willingly abandoned. In the end it really was all his loss.

... On another Ironic note. After reading this book, I have zero desire to read Hemingway ever again, but had a very strong urge to read The Great Gatsby...

a puppy playdate

Tibby and daisy had some friends over to play. They are crazy when they run around in the back yard. It's like they have rockets on their feet. So when two smaller dogs come over to play they run over them, literally, over them. It's actually quite funny to watch. After their play date Tibby and Daisy are very happy. They are such cutties.

A slightly confused christmas cactus.

fall in love like: Almonzo and Laura

So, why Almonzo and Laura? Beyond the absolutely amazingly cool name, Almonzo, is an amazing man. I thing that Almonzo has to be one of the most patient and gentle men in the entire world. He is never controlling and is always supportive. Best of all, he goes out of his way to do special things and take care of Laura, long before they were ever together. He allowed her to fall in love with him in her own time never.

How do I relate? Personally, I don't relate to much of Laura Ingalls as a whole, but I have always admired her. The world she grew up in was so different then anything I have ever known. Maybe, that is why I have a hard time putting myself in her shoes. What I hope to have in common with Laura, is her strength and self-confidence, even as a child she stood up for what she thought was right. Beyond it all, she was always up for an adventure, but loves the simplify of being at home with the people she loves.

The moral of the relationship?
Almonzo and Laura are so gentle with each other, and no matter what, Almonzo is ever supportive and steady for a somewhat flighty Laura.

**Another amazing relationships that is ported in the Little House series is Laura's parents. I love the way Charles Ingalls takes care of his family, he is a very strong, intelligent man. Caroline Ingalls is wonderfully supportive and knows how to take care of her family through thick and thin.

little house on the prairie

This Book in the Little House series always made me a little sad. This was supposed to be it, the big move on to the frontier, but then the Indians got so riled up, so they left before trouble could come.

Re-reading this book as an adult I feel for Caroline. She finally thought they had settled. She had already dealt with leaving family behind in the big woods, not they had to move again, just one year later.

They were out on the frontier, away from people, with just a few good neighbors miles away. Then, right when everything had settled down. Right when they thought everything was going their way. Crops were planted, the house was built and they had glass windows, there was a cow and a well. Everything was good, they had to pick up and leave.

It's funny who you relate to when you re-read books at different points in your life. 

water droplets make everything magic.

little house in the big woods

Every once and a while I have an odd craving to re-read books. The past few weeks I have wanted to read the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Since my initial read as a child, I have read the entire series a few times in my life. It is just one of those series that I find a new way to relate the lessons and ideals in the books to my life.

Family is so important in the Little House books, and Caroline and Charles are so strong and supportive of each other. A great example of what a marriage should be. Mary and Laura have such fun adventures up in the attic among the pumpkins in the winter and under the trees in the summer.

It's funny, I'd forgotten how short this book is. It was nice to be reintroduced to the characters in this series. To see the love that is shared and how simple life was. It makes me wish that I could go back to that time. A time that there is no technology nothing but the clouds in the sky and the birds of the field. Nothing to hold you back from enjoying the beauty around you.

just hanging around.

swings.

bubbles!

Seriously, I think that bubbles are one of the worlds greatest inventions. Any good day at the park needs them.

dogwood flowers in the snow.

On Sunday, I noticed that the dogwood tree had bloomed. Then, Monday, it snowed. I thought the contrast between the white snow and the pink dogwood flowers was absolutely beautiful. I am quite proud of how these pictures turned out. Such a unique opportunity to take pictures of a flowering tree with snow weighing down the petals. 

one last romp in the snow.

On Monday, we had snow. Yes I said it. Snow. After having May in March, we have now had January in April. The dogs loved it. Daisy in particular, she's not so fond of 60+ weather. It will be a very long summer for the poor puppy, but at least she had this one last romp in the snow.

when in doubt, build a fort.

In the back yard is this great tree, the kids want to climb it and make a fort in it with old boards... Well, I didn't think that was a good idea. Instead, I told the kids to go get some blankets and we would make a fort in the under the tree by hanging blankets in the tree. Yes, I believe I channeled a little bit of Mary Poppins to come up with that idea, but it worked and we had a ball with it! Basically, when it comes to kids, when in doubt, build a fort. After all, weren't forts your favorite part of childhood?

fall in love like: anne and gilbert

So, why Anne and Gilbert? You see... the thing about Gilbert is that he lets Anne find her own way. Lets her make mistakes, and get herself in some awful spots, but is always there when she needs a shoulder to cry on. He knows what she needs and what she wants before she does. I think what makes me love him so much, is that he is patient with her. No matter how hard, or how often she pushes him away, even when he was firmly planted on the "friend shelf" he never gave up on the love he felt for her. He trusted that she would find her own way to him. After all, this is Anne we are talking about, she can never take the easy way.






How do I relate? Well, every Anne needs her Gilbert. I believe that Gilbert Blyth was my first movie crush. As a little girl I made a solemn vow to myself that someday, I would find my own Gilbert and marry him. Basically, I am Anne. I'm not scared to say what I mean and I mean what I say. I'm hot headed and not always the most graceful when it comes to social events. I tend to attract attention, and in general, people tend to like me. Well, guys tend to like me, girls never really know what to do with me. Luckily, I have had a few bosom friends along the way to keep me on my feet.

The moral of the relationship is... Anne and Gilbert are, kindred spirits. They would have to be for Gilbert to put up with Anne's hair brained ideas. Which is exactly why, I need Gilbert Blyth.

the lunar chronicles

Honestly, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when starting these books this morning. Yes, I said this morning. As soon as I started the pre-quill Glitch, I was hooked. I knew from the title that it was going to be a Cinderella type story, but what I got was so much more.

Marissa Meyer creates a world in the future that is so simple, yet so perfect. Glitch, is just an introduction to this world. You get to meet the "evil step mom" and learn about Cinders special talents that make her so valuable and unique.

From the beginning, I knew there would be something very special in store for this amazing character. I couldn't wait to find out what adventures Cinder would have with her new friend, Iko, a house robot she repaired, by her side. And so, as soon as I turned the last page of Glitches, and met family that Cinder was left with I couldn't wait to start in on Cinder, and was so glad I was just a few clicks away from page one.

---

Cinder, has not had it easy since her adoptive father was taken away after catching Letumosis, a plague that has been ravaging the earth with no cure. The story opens just as you might expect any Cinderella Story to open, with our wonderful pure young woman totaling away for the family that never wanted her to begin with.

Along with Iko, Cinders one true friend and ally, Cinder runs a small stand at the market where she is known as the best mechanic in the area, but the real mystery is that she has her tallent because she is a cyborg. One day, when the prince shows up at her stand needing repairs done her world takes a drastic change from the status quo.

Through a series of unlikely events, Cinder ends up as a test subject agains the deadly desase. However, this takes her to the exact place she should be. A place that she learns more about herself and how special she really is.

And don't forget about falling in love with the hansom prince and saving the kingdom from great evil. But honestly, what Cinderella Story would be complete without that?

---

The Lunar Chronicles will continue in 2013. Ug. I know, I hate having to wait as well. The next story will carry on with Cinders adventure, but also introduce the character of Red Riding Hood. Hum. I wonder where all of this will take our little Cinderella character. All I know, is I can't wait to find out!