January Book Club Review

North & South

 

I picked North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell. I enjoyed the book very much. I'm not a speed reader, it took me three weeks to read it (I am also reading three others on the side).

 

I love to read books that help me appreciate my own life and all the things and people I have been blessed with. I enjoy when opposites come together and work together for the greater good.

 

I feel like I related to Margaret's character the most, even though I feel like I am very different from her. I think she let too many people walk all over her. I wish she would have stuck up for herself sooner. If she had, maybe her parents could have been at her wedding?

 

I didn't mind the writing style. I loved the way the author described in detail the setting. I always felt like I was right there while reading. Like I said before, I'm not a speed reader and I don't skip ahead so I didn't seem to get confused with the writing style.

 

I will be reading this book again for sure. I wish I would have read it sooner.

 

I have recommended this book to friends and I see myself doing so again and again.

 

I give North and South 4.5 stars out of 5 stars. I don't think I have ever given a book all 5 stars... I wish it would have been shorter in some places and longer in other places if that makes any sense?  

 





PaperBackSwap

So I found this great website www.paperbackswap.com

Here's how it works. You post your books (in good condition). If someone wants your book you mail it to them (and pay the postage). When they get your book you receive a credit. With your credit you can pick a book that you want and whoever owns that book will mail it to you :) It's a pretty sweet idea. Anyways, I've joined and just thought I would spread the word... just incase you're interested :)

Love you guys.

holycow!

I was watching this really eye opening documentary that I think everyone should watch. It is called the War on Kids. It is about the school system and how screwed up it is (which i am sure we already know but wow!). All i have to say is Pi you have the right idea! I watched it on Netflix and if you guys get around to watching it I would like to know what your thoughts are.

March Book

Ok so I am debating between two really good books but I am wondering if they are book club material. It seems like we are going more into classic literature and these two books are not. One is called the Alliance by Gerald N. Lund and the other is The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen. Comments? Opinions? No gos?

February book

I think we should read The Mark of Zorro by Johnston McCulley in February. It's the one that started them all :) The original title was The Curse of the Capistrano but was later changed to The Mark of Zorro after the first movie came out.

What do you think?

Be Happy!

Dieter F. Uchtdorf:
[A] regret of those who knew they were dying may be somewhat surprising.
They wished they had let themselves be happier.

So often we get caught up in the illusion that there is something just
beyond our reach that would bring us happiness: a better family situation,
a better financial situation, or the end of a challenging trial.

The older we get, the more we look back and realize that external
circumstances don’t really matter or determine our happiness.

We do matter. We determine our happiness.

You and I are ultimately in charge of our own happiness.

("Of Regrets and Resolutions," Ensign, Nov. 2012)

Family Pictures

Hey! So I was just wondering if any of you know what happened to the family pictures? I would really like to see how they turned out.... :)

NORTH AND SOUTH

So I'm thinking that we should comment what we think. That way if you aren't done reading it (or haven't started) you wont see any spoilers :)

Easy D.I.Y. Initial Wreath

I was bored so I thought I should make something. I decided to try to make something for my front door that would be cute and easy. I had a LOT of fun. It took me about 2 hours (not including my trip to the craft store) and it cost about $45. I didn't have any coupons...sigh...but I didn't want to wait until I had any so you could totally do it for cheaper! :)

Here is the finished project. I LOVE it!

Everything you need you can get at your local craft store. I got everything at Joann's because it's the closest and most convenient for me.

You need: a twig wreath any size you want

Spray paint the color of your choice. I wanted a pop of color and something I normally wouldn't choose.

A wood letter. I chose an A for our last name.

A piece of scrapbook paper to cover your letter.

Wood glue. It works better then Mog Podge! :)

Flowers as many as you feel you'll need.

Ribbon if you want, and what ever else you think.

I LOVED the peacock feathers so I worked everything else around them.

I painted my letter A black before gluing the scrapbook paper on so if you want to do that then you'll need paint for that. I just used acrylic that I already had.

You will also need those sponge brushes for the paint and glue.

 Also a glue gun.

The first thing you need to do is spray paint your wreath. I took mine outside and across the street to an empty lot. It took the whole can of paint. It was freezing and really windy so I brought it inside to dry. My Hubby wanted to kill me because of the smell, but he got over it.



While the wreath dried I traced my letter onto the scrapbooking paper with a pencil and then cut it out. I painted my white letter black and let it dry.

Then using wood glue I glued it on. I then covered the whole letter with a layer of the wood glue. It drys super quick so just do small sections at a time.

Don't worry it will dry clear. :)

 

Then just start arranging things the way you want them. I tried tying my letter into the wreath but my A was giving me trouble. I ended up just gluing it in. If I find another A I like better I might rip this one out and replace it.... who knows though. :)

 

Have FUN with it! Happy crafting!

 

XOXO ~Shan