The Memory Keeper’s Daughter…

 

I have been reading this past couple of days it was my second book that I bought at the church fair. Yes, I did cried while I was reading this book. I am sure most of you must have read this book for those who didn’t I highly recommend this wonderful book by Kim Edwards. # 1 New York Times best Seller.

“Anyone would be struck by the extra ordinal power and sympathy of The Memory Keeper’s Daughter” The Washington Post

I usually read during summer when I was working since I don’t get a vacation. I use to teach year around, boy it does burn you out very fast. So my recovery to slow down was to at least read one book during summer. I have adapted this routine to cold, gloomy, and depressing days currently. Truly I love this weather it does not affect me at all funny right. I come from a tropical climate but loves the snow and live for the gloomy days to plan activities with my kids or just me.

About the book… I have not read anything like this I am going to be a special ED teacher that is my goal, but it was amazing to understand the Education system way back in 60’s. Yes very different, radical, and narrow minded. I am not sure if I chose the right word but that’s exactly how I felt. How things were handle, like delicate matters as loss, I have been through many of these situations and push myself hard to come out of the blue it was hard. But what I take from that situation is if you are aware of your feeling you can act accordingly with the right set of mind. Many times it is challenging be aware of your situation without any help. I have seen some people have natural ability or talent to come out of these difficult situationshowever not all.

This remarkable book talks about many aspects of Down syndrome, poverty, responsibilities, mothers fight to save her daughter, brother’s feelings for his sister, a husband and a father who loves unconditionally and ultimately looses everything for love…

If you have read the book tell me what you think about it… if not give it a try…

Quote of the Day “be comfortable with contradictory ideas in your mind”

Enjoy!

My two new additions…

   
I don’t know about you but I love creating for my kids as well as for friends. This was a new nook that I discovered deep inside me after deciding to stay at home with my youngest. I always have craved to create things for myself, around the house, garden, or cooking. So this was an oasis for me the time I had in my hand. However I always get this feeling this is going to run out one day and I need to catch up the time that I have lost or going to lose. I know for some of you this might sound very crazy but this how I exactly feel.

I decided to use up my 40% off Borders coupons on two craft books Last –Minute patchwork + quilted gifts and more Last -minute knitted gifts by Joelle Hoverson.

Unique features in Joelle Hoverson’s books are her focus on the color wheel. She does a great job on this matter of fact I have use this concept in making the scrap yarn hats. It’s amazing how you look at colors and group them after observing this concept. I wish I took some pictures of my groping of scrap yarn. I am planning to work on most of her projects through the coming year.

Other reason I love her books are all the projects in the books are truly last minute gifts does not require much time. That’s exactly what I am looking in future to work on because the little time I have on my time I need to exercise to the maximum capacity. I have actually cut some steps to speed up my projects.

But I do enjoy the process than the final product. I can’t believe this very Montessori. However the fun part is with adults involving in the project you can enjoy the process as well as the final product. My theory is if you take time to enjoy the process ultimately your end product is going to be surprise you.
Last reason I love her books are she is very good in incorporating some vintage pieces to her project collections like the puzzle ball I always wanted to learn how to make because it is very Montessori and has incorporated many materials to stimulate the young child’s senses.

I am happy with these this year no more crafting books for me other than the text books very funny.
What did you add to your collection it could be anything I would love to know…

Quote of the Day “look up instead of down”

Enjoy!

Take time to feed your mind this holiday season…

 My goal was to read three books before school starts. I don’t know how I came up with this. I do remember going to the church fair and buying three books from the last years Oprah’s book club. It cost be $1.50 in other words 0.50 cents each. I couldn’t let go this bargain. I thought I can still donate the books back to the library and they may even able to sell and get some money.

I always read the reviews when I pick a book. I just couldn’t help myself to pick this book first from all three. The reviews are from diverse sources such as The Washington Post, New York Times, USA Today, and The Baltimore Sun,

The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd she did nail the southern voice in this book. At one point I was sobbing reading this book. It was a great story. It helped me to understand the people’s sufferings, dignity, pride, recognition, survival, faith, a daughter who is seeking mothers LOVE, motherhood, and understanding the importance of bee keeping. I can add more to this list this book does addresses many issues such as wounds of loss, betrayal, and scarcity of love.

What I found MOST interesting thing in this book is the innate drive of women to mother each other and themselves. We all know the Civil Right act has made its scares in history but it has sharpened the womanhoods, feminists, in a totally different prospect.

When I add honey to my tea, I thank the hard work that has gone to making honey .Honey is a natural remedy for many illnesses which scientist are discovering and researching globally.

I want to share this from this book…

“if the queen were smarter, she would probably be hopelessly neurotic. As is, she is shy and skittish. Possibly because she never leaves the hive, but spends her days confined in darkness, a kind of eternal night, perpetually in labor… her true role is less that of a queen than the mother of the hive, a title often accorded to her. And yet, this is something of a mockery because of her lack of maternal instincts or the ability to care for her young”

-The Queen Must Die: And other Affairs of Bees and Men

I hope you are finding ways to feed your Brain and Soul during this holiday season.

Quote of the day “shake up your routine”

Enjoy!