Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society

I blasted through The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society in 3 days so I would be able to go to Book Club...

I won't post the story because you can read it here (and as I mentioned before, I HATE book reports! lol)

I really enjoyed this book although it was hard for me to get started into it. I remember thinking that I probably wouldn't of finished it in the beginning except for book club, but by Part 2 of the book I was hooked! And the ending is fabulous!

I've always loved WWII books and stories, and I loved how this book gave a different perspective on the topic...

It was a great book to start with for my FIRST time at book club and I can't wait for future months!


Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

Read a good book lately?

One of my New Years Resolutions is to read more... at LEAST 2 books a month...

So I started compiling a list of books to read - I have a TON of books that are sitting on my bookshelf that I have never read, as well as some that I've been wanting to read... and then I decided to join the church book club, so that will keep me busy as well...

Books on My List: (BOLD - Currently Reading; Purple - I finished it!)

Books on my bookcase I REALLY want to read:

• The Goose Girl - Shannon Hale
• Fishers of Men - Gerald N. Lund
• 101 Powerful Promises from Latter-day Prophets - Wayne Brickey
• God Wants a Powerful People - Sheri Dew
• Daughters of God - S. Michael Wilcox
• If Life Were Easy, It Wouldn't Be Hard - Sheri Dew
• Total Money Makeover - Dave Ramsey
• How to Win Friends and Influence People - Dale Carnegie
• Saving Kristen - Jack Weyland
• Please Pass the Scriptures - John Hilton III
• 10 Secrets Wise Parents Know - Brent L. Top & Bruce A. Chadwick
• The Christmas Sweater - Glenn Beck

Book Club Books:

• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society - Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
• Gracie: A Love Story - George Burns
• The Wednesday Wars - Gary Schmidt
• A Train to Potevka - Mike Ramsdell
• Book of a Thousand Days - Shannon Hale
• Fine Old High Priests - Donald S. Smurthwaite
• Three Cups of Tea - Gary Mortenson
• Warriors Don't Cry - Melba Pattillo Beals
• Mayflower - Nathaniel Philbrick
• The Host - Stephanie Meyers I've read this one before and LOVED it but will do a quick review before book club

Other Books I'd Like To Read:

• Overcoming Under Earning - Barbara Stanny
• The Undaunted - Gerald N. Lund
• The Great and The Terrible Series (vol. 1-6) - Chris Stewart
• My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult
• Sarah's Quilt - Nancy E. Turner
• Forest Born - Shannon Hale
• The Best of Times: A Dickens Inn Novel - Anita Stansfield
• The Silence of Snow - Anita Stansfield
• The Last Song - Nicholas Sparks

I'm hoping to write book reviews (mainly for myself since my memory is AWFUL) but then again... I failed Literature in 7th grade with a 23% because I HATED to write book reports... so we'll see how that goes! lol

Inspirational Sunday: Do You Have Room for the Savior?

When I saw these muffin tin advents here at Sumo's Sweet Stuff and here at Somewhat Simple I just HAD to make one of my own!

And it was actually quite a quick and easy project!

Because my kids get PLENTY of sweets and candy, I decided to do activities in each day written on paper (I hurry and trade them before the kids pick if it is something that just won't work for the day)...

Need some ideas for activites? You can see my list right here...

This was definitely a fun and easy project that added to my Christmas Decor and that the kids LOVE!

Great Gift Idea: Crayon Roll

What a fun gift idea for your little ones? My daughter LOVES her crayon roll and it isn't even hard to make! (If I can do it with my limited sewing skills, you can do it!)

I followed the tutorial on Skip to My Lou (but cut out the ric rac trim because of my limited sewing knowledge, although I LOVE the trim!)

I had intended this to be for my daughter to take to church, but she uses it constantly and my son even likes it! They love that they can see all the colors in front of them...

And I love that we can fold it up and put it all away!

Menu Plan Monday - 12/14/09

I didn't do so great this week sticking to my menu... It was a busy, busy week... although this week should be better since all the holiday parties are done with and I have most of my shopping done! I'm hoping for more time to BLOG!

The only thing we ended up cooking from the menu was the Clam Chowder and it was excellent!

I will try to add the recipes as I cook them this week - I didn't do very good at that last week because I didn't cook! lol

Monday: Sweet & Sour Meatballs/Rice

Tuesday: Chicken Enchilada Casserole/Salad

Wednesday: Chicken Teriyaki Burgers/French Fries

Thursday: Swiss Bliss Chicken/Rice-a-roni/Green Beans

Friday: Out of Town

Saturday: Homemade Pizza - and I might make Alfredo Sauce and do an alfredo chicken pizza - yum!

Sunday: Tacos/Mexi Rice - I use the fresh tortillas from Sam's Club - YUM!

Menu Planning Monday 12/7/09

Note: I will be posting the recipes online this week and will link them up as soon as I post them...

I've been HORRIBLE at my meal planning lately, but we are going to try to do better starting this week!

Monday: Clam Chowder/Rolls

Tuesday: Homemade Pizzas

Wednesday: Dinner Out with hubby - Spaghetti for the kiddos

Thursday: Swiss Bliss Chicken*/Rice-a-roni/Green Beans

Friday: Girl's Night Out for me/ Leftovers for the family!

Saturday: Church Christmas Party Dinner!

Sunday: Chicken Enchilada Casserole/Salad

Treats: Zucchini Crisp (tastes JUST like Apple Crisp!), Cream-cheese Brownies (for the Church Dinner), and Chocolate Chip Cookies*!

Breakfasts: Breakfast Burritos, Waffles, German Pancakes, Blueberry Muffins

Inspirational Sunday: The Greatest Gift

Today in church we had a lesson on the Savior. I hope this time of year we can remember the "Reason for the Season" and help our children do the same.

Inspirational Sunday: What are you Thankful For?

I didn't do so good last week at staying to the menu, so we a lot of the meals are the same from last week...

Monday: Taco Salad

Tuesday: Honey Mustard Chicken/Rice-a-Roni/Mixed Veggies

Wednesday: Manicotti/Salad/Bread

Thursday: Taco Soup

Friday: Leftovers

Saturday: Pizza

Sunday: Shepherd's Pie/Rolls

Treats: Zucchini Crisp (tastes JUST like Apple Crisp!)