These titles are just the tip of the iceberg known as my reading pile.
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus, a 2016 Caudill nominee, is a story about a boy named Espen who joins the Norwegian resistance during WWII. I love WWII fiction and Shadow on the Mountain is a solid addition to that genre. The character of Espen is based on actual events in the life Erling Storrusten, who was a teengae spy in Lillehammer during the Nazi Occupation.
Shadow on the Mountain is appropriate for any reader who can handle blood, shootings, beatings, and all the things that come with a Nazi story. Edmund can't wait to read it.
I was seriously scared at the beginning of Hidden by Helen Frost. An eight year old girl, Wren, waits in the car while her mother runs into a gas station. Gun shots. Someone gets in the car and drives away, not knowing about the child in the back seat. Wren hides in the car and then in a boat in the garage for days before *SPOILER* she escapes and is rescued.
During her days of hiding, readers overhear conversations the driver of the car has with his wife and daughter,Darra, as well as hearing some domestic violence too. Darra leaves food and water out for Wren, while her parents think she must have gotten out of the car after the shooting.
Fast forward several years, Darra and Wren end up at the same summer camp. Wren has a happy family life, security, wealth. Darra's dad went to prison, her parents divorced, and she blames Wren for her woes.
Written in the girls' voices, the style of poetic verse changes back and forth. I didn't realize until I read the Author's Note at the end that the last words of Darra's longer lines tell another version of the story. Incredibly cool! I love secrets like that!
Hidden is also a Caudill nominee, and though frightening at first, I think it would be okay for ages 10 and up.
Need picture book recommendations? Search the #housewifespicepicturebook hashtag on Instagram for everything we've enjoyed lately.
I'll be posting again next Wednesday. I have some new stuff from Pauline Press and Ignatius/Magnificat Kids to share with you. Susan and Lucy each have a review to share as well!
It hits just below the knee which is my sweet spot.
It's all cotton and it comes in cute colors.
It's $59.99.
Wha?
So I made one my ownself for under $10 and I'm here today to tell you how you can do this too.
1. Assemble your ingredients.
Go to Wal Mart (or Hobby Lobby or Joann's etc.) and get 2 yards of cotton fabric in the color of your choosing. I chose Prussian Blue. The fabric was $5.97 for 2 yards pre-tax.
Grab a pack of 1 inch wide no-roll elastic for the waist ($1.77) and a spool of coordinating thread if you don't already have some.
Wash, dry, and press your fabric. With an iron, Sara. With an iron.
2. Cut your fabric.
Fold the fabric in half and cut two rectangles. My rectangles were 28 inches wide and at least 30 inches long. That gave me plenty of length to make the waist band and figure out a cute wide hem.
Those measurements are good for a GAP small. If you want to make a custom size, take your hip measurement and add 16 inches or more if you want a fuller skirt. If you're tall, cut longer rectangles. Two yards should be enough for everybody. Divide by 2 because one rectangle is the front and one is the back. But you knew that.
3. Sides.
I did my own version of a French seam on the sides. That's a fancy term for saying I sewed the rectangles together up the sides with a scant quarter inch seam allowance. (Apparently I was supposed to trim the seams to 1/8". Oops.)
Then I turned the giant tube inside out and ironed the seams.
Next, I sewed the sides again with a slightly more generous half inch seam allowance. This way, the side seams will never fray, and look super neat and tidy.
It helps that my fabric looks the same front and back.
4. The waistband.
Choose the top edge. Iron a half inch fold all the way around.
Next, fold over that edge and iron a generous inch and a quarter all the way around. We are making a tunnel for the elastic to go through.
Sew this edge down but leave a couple of inches open to fit the elastic in like so.
Use the biggest safety pin you can find, pin it through one end of the elastic and feed the elastic through the tunnel.
When you've worked it all the way through, try on the skirt and adjust the gathers to your liking.
Stitch the ends of the elastic together and clip off the excess.
Stitch down the rest of the seam to conceal the rest of the elastic.
I did sew through the whole waist band at the side seams for a vertical inch or so, just to keep the gathers even.
5. The hem.
This may or may not be the same picture from up above.
Decide what length you want. Get a second opinion. Lucy helped me settle on 23 inches. I cut the whole skirt length to 25 inches, and repeated the tunnel steps I used on the waistband. Half inch, then inch and a half hem. Ran it through the sewing machine one more time and done!
6. Commence awkward backyard photo shoot.
7. Caveats.
The Gap skirt has pockets. Carry a purse or wear a fanny pack or pay $60 for pockets.
The thin cotton fabric needs a slip. On it, Mom. FYI, the Gap skirt needs a slip too.
My apologies for the photo quality of this post, or lack thereof. I can only master one piece of machinery at a time. This time I beat the sewing machine into submission but let the camera be the boss. No time for photo editing or this post would never see the light of day like many I have in my drafts folder.
Susan and Lucy have fabric ready and waiting to be transformed. Lucy's is red, and Susan's is seersucker. Way to choose the wrench, Susan.
Linking up with This Ain't the Lyceum for Friday Quick Takes and you know I'll be back on Wednesday. I never miss the first Wednesday of the month because WHAT WE'RE READING WEDNESDAY!
1. Birthday Trifecta Week is over. Three birthdays, three parades, three cakes, three birthday dinners.
My feast was the best. Patrick grilled salmon (and Italian sausages because he has that thing about fish) AND he grilled avocados for this Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad recipe from John Besh. Grilled avocado is a brand new wonderful thing that we are going to eat a lot of this summer.
2.
Edmund won't finish a book because he "doesn't like it." I told him I finish every book I start. His response, "You're a geek." I said to give it to page 100, then decide.
Patrick said, "You're right." I said, "I know. You can't tell until page 100 if it's worth it or not."
Patrick said, "No, he's right. You are a geek."
I get no respect.
3. Jill adores Polly. Worships her. And speaks to her in this weirdly deep voice, "Heh behbeh."
Heh Heh beh beh. Heh Chubs.
Speaking of Polly, she walks. She only takes steps if no one is looking or paying attention to her. She's a baby ninja.
4. Things are gorgeous here.
Breathtaking.
Pulchritudinous.
5.
Last weekend, Lucy changed up our exterior home decor with a spot of paint. Don't you love it? I sure do.
6.
Check out our entry way now! Look at all of those hooks just waiting to be overloaded with jackets and bags.
7. Today is Prom!!!
Today is also the four hour European history test from noon to four so send up a prayer that we can get her hairs done by 11:30am. I fired up my hot rollers for a test drive last night and she's been scouring Pinterest.
Unfortunately, my Irish-dance-wig-putting-on skills are not helping me at all.
I'll be discussing important things like the uncanny similarity between Lucius Malfoy and Thranduil the Elven King,
and whether or not my husband can pull off the blonde wig look again this Halloween
and where we can find him a giant moose to ride.
But seriously, I'm going to chat books and other things with Allison Gingras on A Seeking Heart on May 4th. Be sure to download the Real Life Radio App to your Android or Apple device so you can hear our folksy chat.
I imagine it's going to be like SNL Coffee Talk or the SNL NPR bits.
Or more likely she will be all suave and sophisticated and I will be like this:
2. Ever tried to comment on this blog and it didn't work out? Please try again today. I'm trying something new. I really really want to hear from you.
Mom, please give it another shot. :) Or just call me.
Don't know what Gallipoli is or how to pronounce it? Neither did I, but my high school freshman, Lucy, filled me in.
I'm not that savvy with my history dates. I just happen to follow @kensingtonroyal on Instagram and they are gearing up for a big memorial. Mostly I just follow because I like to see Princess Kate's clothing choices.
Looking for a good movie about the invasion at Gallipoli? So am I. The Mel Gibson one on Amazon Instant Video is not it unfortunately. The beginning is slow but okay, the end is tragic but okay. The middle has porn and prostitutes. Not okay.
Perhaps Russell Crowe's The Water Diviner, in theaters this weekend, will prove better.
True confession. Aside from the asassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, everything I know about WWI, I learned from Rilla of Ingleside, War Horse, and Richard Peck's A Year Down Yonder (and Gallipoli the movie and the boardgame Stratego).
It ain't much.
Hit me with all of your good First World War aka The Great War literature recommendations by loading up my brand new open to all readers combox. Danke!
4. Movie Rec
We all greatly enjoyed The Conspirator available on Amazon Prime or on Netflix.
It's all about the trial of Mary Surrat who was allegedly one of John Wilkes Booth's conspirators in the Lincoln assassination, and who also happened to be Catholic. (Lots of esses in the word "assassination.")
Several famous actors star in The Conspirator, including Rory Gilmore, Kevin Kline, Princess Buttercup, and Mr. Tumnus.
This movie is fine for the whole family as long as the whole family is fine with watching Lincoln and Booth get shot in the head(s?) and footage of the other murder attempts.
5. Book Rec
The Conspirator pairs well with the audio book we are still listening too. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. (Yes, I know I mentioned this book here, but I hadn't actually listened to it yet.) The author draws upon every detail in the attempt on Secretary of State Seward's life and the plot to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson.
Did you know that Booth and his cohorts planned to murder three of the top political leaders of the nation in one night? Not just Lincoln? Well, I sure didn't.
6. Girl Talk
Susan is gearing up for her "season." Prom is coming up and her graduation gala is later in May. No caps and gowns at her all girls' academy. Graduates wear long white dresses with elbow length white gloves.
Her gala dress is actually a wedding dress from ModCloth. I bought it last summer, but they still have a few one in stock. I absolutely love it. I wish you could see the back because BUTTONS!
We got her prom dress from an online shop called Promgirl of all places. We rejected other prom dress websites because of poor return policies. Promgirl has a great return policy and an enormous selection.
Too bad her #promposal isn't up on YouTube. Several senior boys (from the brother school) made an adorable and hilarious music video to Uptown Funk to invite their dates.
Remember that scene in the Sound of Music where the family is at the music concert singing So Long, Farewell and they do this?
They did that. Too cute.
7. Bizniz
May 6th is the May WWRW Link Up date, but I keep the party doors open all month. Have a book review post from April? It's not too late to join the April WWRW party!
1. First things first. Someone is making me this Banana Split Icebox Cake for my birthday. Or Mother's Day. Or both. Even though they're only 3 days apart.
No Image of Banana Split Cake Until I Take a Photo Myself. Copyrights etc.
Or maybe Easter. Meg, can I make this for Easter?
My mother used to make this, way back when. It was heavenly.
2. Heads Up!
The April What We're Reading Wednesday link-up will go live this Wednesday on April 1st. No joke.
I'm going to be road-tripping it to D.C. with my brood and I look forward to reading your posts all the way there.
3.
Remember when the older gentleman behind me at mass told me I have a blessing and a challenge?
While we are on this 12 hour journey, I have shoved a few tricks up my proverbial sleeves to entertain my *ahem* challenge.
Wikki Stix Rainbow Pak like play-doh, but cleaner, and good for mid-air use, or for making letters on a piece of cardboard.
Little Cuties Activity Tin. Magnets. Cutie pets. Lots of teeny tiny pieces to keep little hands occupied.
Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman - which we've already started listening too. You'd think you'd need to see the photos, but you don't. In any case, I have the book too for reference.
I found these comments from an Amazon reviewer encouraging:
As a middle school librarian, I wanted to share this unbelievable, inspirational tale, but the more graphic & violent scenes in the adult version were disturbing and overwhelming. Laura Hillenbrand has taken out some of those more graphically violent parts of her adult version, but still communicated the depravity and inhumane treatment of Allied POW's by the Japanese.
I did pay $35 for unlimited access to all of the Starfall content. It has been worth every peaceful penny.
7. Lots of beautiful changes around here.
Remember this hideous china cabinet?
Peter made it beautiful with leftover wall paint and new hardware and we had the room painted. Lighter and brighter, baby!
Then, I made some DIY Pottery Barn-esque white cotton drapes using twin flat sheets, curtain ring with clips and and extra-long special-order oil-rubbed bronze curtain rod.
We hung the rod high and wide so that when the curtains are open, not on square inch of sunlight is blocked. Also, it makes the room look huge. Cathedral like. Not bad for an afternoon's work.
I have read about people transforming their front hall closets. With eight, sometimes nine people in the house, not counting guests, my coat closet is at capacity.
I convinced Patrick to build me this (even though he said it's my worst idea ever), upon which we will hang many hooks. Squee!
These titles are just the tip of the iceberg known as my reading pile.
Shadow on the Mountain by Margi Preus, a 2016 Caudill nominee, is a story about a boy named Espen who joins the Norwegian resistance during WWII. I love WWII fiction and Shadow on the Mountain is a solid addition to that genre. The character of Espen is based on actual events in the life Erling Storrusten, who was a teengae spy in Lillehammer during the Nazi Occupation.
Shadow on the Mountain is appropriate for any reader who can handle blood, shootings, beatings, and all the things that come with a Nazi story. Edmund can't wait to read it.
I was seriously scared at the beginning of Hidden by Helen Frost. An eight year old girl, Wren, waits in the car while her mother runs into a gas station. Gun shots. Someone gets in the car and drives away, not knowing about the child in the back seat. Wren hides in the car and then in a boat in the garage for days before *SPOILER* she escapes and is rescued.
During her days of hiding, readers overhear conversations the driver of the car has with his wife and daughter,Darra, as well as hearing some domestic violence too. Darra leaves food and water out for Wren, while her parents think she must have gotten out of the car after the shooting.
Fast forward several years, Darra and Wren end up at the same summer camp. Wren has a happy family life, security, wealth. Darra's dad went to prison, her parents divorced, and she blames Wren for her woes.
Written in the girls' voices, the style of poetic verse changes back and forth. I didn't realize until I read the Author's Note at the end that the last words of Darra's longer lines tell another version of the story. Incredibly cool! I love secrets like that!
Hidden is also a Caudill nominee, and though frightening at first, I think it would be okay for ages 10 and up.
Need picture book recommendations? Search the #housewifespicepicturebook hashtag on Instagram for everything we've enjoyed lately.
I'll be posting again next Wednesday. I have some new stuff from Pauline Press and Ignatius/Magnificat Kids to share with you. Susan and Lucy each have a review to share as well!
It hits just below the knee which is my sweet spot.
It's all cotton and it comes in cute colors.
It's $59.99.
Wha?
So I made one my ownself for under $10 and I'm here today to tell you how you can do this too.
1. Assemble your ingredients.
Go to Wal Mart (or Hobby Lobby or Joann's etc.) and get 2 yards of cotton fabric in the color of your choosing. I chose Prussian Blue. The fabric was $5.97 for 2 yards pre-tax.
Grab a pack of 1 inch wide no-roll elastic for the waist ($1.77) and a spool of coordinating thread if you don't already have some.
Wash, dry, and press your fabric. With an iron, Sara. With an iron.
2. Cut your fabric.
Fold the fabric in half and cut two rectangles. My rectangles were 28 inches wide and at least 30 inches long. That gave me plenty of length to make the waist band and figure out a cute wide hem.
Those measurements are good for a GAP small. If you want to make a custom size, take your hip measurement and add 16 inches or more if you want a fuller skirt. If you're tall, cut longer rectangles. Two yards should be enough for everybody. Divide by 2 because one rectangle is the front and one is the back. But you knew that.
3. Sides.
I did my own version of a French seam on the sides. That's a fancy term for saying I sewed the rectangles together up the sides with a scant quarter inch seam allowance. (Apparently I was supposed to trim the seams to 1/8". Oops.)
Then I turned the giant tube inside out and ironed the seams.
Next, I sewed the sides again with a slightly more generous half inch seam allowance. This way, the side seams will never fray, and look super neat and tidy.
It helps that my fabric looks the same front and back.
4. The waistband.
Choose the top edge. Iron a half inch fold all the way around.
Next, fold over that edge and iron a generous inch and a quarter all the way around. We are making a tunnel for the elastic to go through.
Sew this edge down but leave a couple of inches open to fit the elastic in like so.
Use the biggest safety pin you can find, pin it through one end of the elastic and feed the elastic through the tunnel.
When you've worked it all the way through, try on the skirt and adjust the gathers to your liking.
Stitch the ends of the elastic together and clip off the excess.
Stitch down the rest of the seam to conceal the rest of the elastic.
I did sew through the whole waist band at the side seams for a vertical inch or so, just to keep the gathers even.
5. The hem.
This may or may not be the same picture from up above.
Decide what length you want. Get a second opinion. Lucy helped me settle on 23 inches. I cut the whole skirt length to 25 inches, and repeated the tunnel steps I used on the waistband. Half inch, then inch and a half hem. Ran it through the sewing machine one more time and done!
6. Commence awkward backyard photo shoot.
7. Caveats.
The Gap skirt has pockets. Carry a purse or wear a fanny pack or pay $60 for pockets.
The thin cotton fabric needs a slip. On it, Mom. FYI, the Gap skirt needs a slip too.
My apologies for the photo quality of this post, or lack thereof. I can only master one piece of machinery at a time. This time I beat the sewing machine into submission but let the camera be the boss. No time for photo editing or this post would never see the light of day like many I have in my drafts folder.
Susan and Lucy have fabric ready and waiting to be transformed. Lucy's is red, and Susan's is seersucker. Way to choose the wrench, Susan.
Linking up with This Ain't the Lyceum for Friday Quick Takes and you know I'll be back on Wednesday. I never miss the first Wednesday of the month because WHAT WE'RE READING WEDNESDAY!
1. Birthday Trifecta Week is over. Three birthdays, three parades, three cakes, three birthday dinners.
My feast was the best. Patrick grilled salmon (and Italian sausages because he has that thing about fish) AND he grilled avocados for this Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad recipe from John Besh. Grilled avocado is a brand new wonderful thing that we are going to eat a lot of this summer.
2.
Edmund won't finish a book because he "doesn't like it." I told him I finish every book I start. His response, "You're a geek." I said to give it to page 100, then decide.
Patrick said, "You're right." I said, "I know. You can't tell until page 100 if it's worth it or not."
Patrick said, "No, he's right. You are a geek."
I get no respect.
3. Jill adores Polly. Worships her. And speaks to her in this weirdly deep voice, "Heh behbeh."
Heh Heh beh beh. Heh Chubs.
Speaking of Polly, she walks. She only takes steps if no one is looking or paying attention to her. She's a baby ninja.
4. Things are gorgeous here.
Breathtaking.
Pulchritudinous.
5.
Last weekend, Lucy changed up our exterior home decor with a spot of paint. Don't you love it? I sure do.
6.
Check out our entry way now! Look at all of those hooks just waiting to be overloaded with jackets and bags.
7. Today is Prom!!!
Today is also the four hour European history test from noon to four so send up a prayer that we can get her hairs done by 11:30am. I fired up my hot rollers for a test drive last night and she's been scouring Pinterest.
Unfortunately, my Irish-dance-wig-putting-on skills are not helping me at all.
I'll be discussing important things like the uncanny similarity between Lucius Malfoy and Thranduil the Elven King,
and whether or not my husband can pull off the blonde wig look again this Halloween
and where we can find him a giant moose to ride.
But seriously, I'm going to chat books and other things with Allison Gingras on A Seeking Heart on May 4th. Be sure to download the Real Life Radio App to your Android or Apple device so you can hear our folksy chat.
I imagine it's going to be like SNL Coffee Talk or the SNL NPR bits.
Or more likely she will be all suave and sophisticated and I will be like this:
2. Ever tried to comment on this blog and it didn't work out? Please try again today. I'm trying something new. I really really want to hear from you.
Mom, please give it another shot. :) Or just call me.
Don't know what Gallipoli is or how to pronounce it? Neither did I, but my high school freshman, Lucy, filled me in.
I'm not that savvy with my history dates. I just happen to follow @kensingtonroyal on Instagram and they are gearing up for a big memorial. Mostly I just follow because I like to see Princess Kate's clothing choices.
Looking for a good movie about the invasion at Gallipoli? So am I. The Mel Gibson one on Amazon Instant Video is not it unfortunately. The beginning is slow but okay, the end is tragic but okay. The middle has porn and prostitutes. Not okay.
Perhaps Russell Crowe's The Water Diviner, in theaters this weekend, will prove better.
True confession. Aside from the asassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, everything I know about WWI, I learned from Rilla of Ingleside, War Horse, and Richard Peck's A Year Down Yonder (and Gallipoli the movie and the boardgame Stratego).
It ain't much.
Hit me with all of your good First World War aka The Great War literature recommendations by loading up my brand new open to all readers combox. Danke!
4. Movie Rec
We all greatly enjoyed The Conspirator available on Amazon Prime or on Netflix.
It's all about the trial of Mary Surrat who was allegedly one of John Wilkes Booth's conspirators in the Lincoln assassination, and who also happened to be Catholic. (Lots of esses in the word "assassination.")
Several famous actors star in The Conspirator, including Rory Gilmore, Kevin Kline, Princess Buttercup, and Mr. Tumnus.
This movie is fine for the whole family as long as the whole family is fine with watching Lincoln and Booth get shot in the head(s?) and footage of the other murder attempts.
5. Book Rec
The Conspirator pairs well with the audio book we are still listening too. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson. (Yes, I know I mentioned this book here, but I hadn't actually listened to it yet.) The author draws upon every detail in the attempt on Secretary of State Seward's life and the plot to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson.
Did you know that Booth and his cohorts planned to murder three of the top political leaders of the nation in one night? Not just Lincoln? Well, I sure didn't.
6. Girl Talk
Susan is gearing up for her "season." Prom is coming up and her graduation gala is later in May. No caps and gowns at her all girls' academy. Graduates wear long white dresses with elbow length white gloves.
Her gala dress is actually a wedding dress from ModCloth. I bought it last summer, but they still have a few one in stock. I absolutely love it. I wish you could see the back because BUTTONS!
We got her prom dress from an online shop called Promgirl of all places. We rejected other prom dress websites because of poor return policies. Promgirl has a great return policy and an enormous selection.
Too bad her #promposal isn't up on YouTube. Several senior boys (from the brother school) made an adorable and hilarious music video to Uptown Funk to invite their dates.
Remember that scene in the Sound of Music where the family is at the music concert singing So Long, Farewell and they do this?
They did that. Too cute.
7. Bizniz
May 6th is the May WWRW Link Up date, but I keep the party doors open all month. Have a book review post from April? It's not too late to join the April WWRW party!
1. First things first. Someone is making me this Banana Split Icebox Cake for my birthday. Or Mother's Day. Or both. Even though they're only 3 days apart.
No Image of Banana Split Cake Until I Take a Photo Myself. Copyrights etc.
Or maybe Easter. Meg, can I make this for Easter?
My mother used to make this, way back when. It was heavenly.
2. Heads Up!
The April What We're Reading Wednesday link-up will go live this Wednesday on April 1st. No joke.
I'm going to be road-tripping it to D.C. with my brood and I look forward to reading your posts all the way there.
3.
Remember when the older gentleman behind me at mass told me I have a blessing and a challenge?
While we are on this 12 hour journey, I have shoved a few tricks up my proverbial sleeves to entertain my *ahem* challenge.
Wikki Stix Rainbow Pak like play-doh, but cleaner, and good for mid-air use, or for making letters on a piece of cardboard.
Little Cuties Activity Tin. Magnets. Cutie pets. Lots of teeny tiny pieces to keep little hands occupied.
Lincoln: A Photobiography by Russell Freedman - which we've already started listening too. You'd think you'd need to see the photos, but you don't. In any case, I have the book too for reference.
I found these comments from an Amazon reviewer encouraging:
As a middle school librarian, I wanted to share this unbelievable, inspirational tale, but the more graphic & violent scenes in the adult version were disturbing and overwhelming. Laura Hillenbrand has taken out some of those more graphically violent parts of her adult version, but still communicated the depravity and inhumane treatment of Allied POW's by the Japanese.
I did pay $35 for unlimited access to all of the Starfall content. It has been worth every peaceful penny.
7. Lots of beautiful changes around here.
Remember this hideous china cabinet?
Peter made it beautiful with leftover wall paint and new hardware and we had the room painted. Lighter and brighter, baby!
Then, I made some DIY Pottery Barn-esque white cotton drapes using twin flat sheets, curtain ring with clips and and extra-long special-order oil-rubbed bronze curtain rod.
We hung the rod high and wide so that when the curtains are open, not on square inch of sunlight is blocked. Also, it makes the room look huge. Cathedral like. Not bad for an afternoon's work.
I have read about people transforming their front hall closets. With eight, sometimes nine people in the house, not counting guests, my coat closet is at capacity.
I convinced Patrick to build me this (even though he said it's my worst idea ever), upon which we will hang many hooks. Squee!
