In 2011, I'm going to run a 10K.
In 2011, I'm going to run a half marathon.
In 2011, I'm going to go back to daily reflections (because on some idle day in September, I know this book is going to tell me to clean my linen cupboard and I need that in my life).
In 2011, I'm going to read 100 books of my choosing.
in 2011, I'm going to work harder on the letting go of things I can't control. Life's too short to be worried about that kind of stuff anyway, right?
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Catching Fire (The Hunger Games Trilogy)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins has been getting a lot of publicity. We discussed reading it for book club several months ago and it got vetoed. The description of the first book made all of the new moms cringe with horror. A survivor-type fictional reality games scenario that sends children (12-18) into a battle to the last living didn't sound entertaining to anyone.
But then the boss told me even he had read the books and loved them.
And then a girlfriend read the series and said it was worthwhile. So I decided I'd give the trilogy a try.
I really enjoyed the first book. The book details the 74th hunger games. I thought the contestant deaths would be hard to read about, and while some were harder to read about than others, the book made up for it in plot and conflict resolution.
The 2nd book, Catching Fire, details the 75th Hunger Games, because it is the 75th games, the game makers decide to make it a best-of-the-past-winners challenge. A game, which previously meant any winner was set for life, now means something completely different.
And if you haven't read the series you should quite reading here....unless you are the type of person to read the whole wikipedia summary before you finish the book...as some people (cough) I might know have been known to do.
My favorite part from Catching Fire is the internal dialogue Katniss has with herself:
The Berries. I realized the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew that I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don't know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment.
The Final Book, Mockingjay, picks up at the end of the 75th hunger games and carries through the districts revolt against the Capitol. I must admit that while I was cheering for Peeta over Gale the whole series, I was disappointed in the quick gloss over of Gale at the end.
My favorite excerpt from Mockinjay is (from Katniss again):
I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over, because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices it's children's lives to settle it's differences. you can spin it anyway you like, Snow thought the hunger games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war, but in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen.
But then the boss told me even he had read the books and loved them.
And then a girlfriend read the series and said it was worthwhile. So I decided I'd give the trilogy a try.
I really enjoyed the first book. The book details the 74th hunger games. I thought the contestant deaths would be hard to read about, and while some were harder to read about than others, the book made up for it in plot and conflict resolution.
The 2nd book, Catching Fire, details the 75th Hunger Games, because it is the 75th games, the game makers decide to make it a best-of-the-past-winners challenge. A game, which previously meant any winner was set for life, now means something completely different.
And if you haven't read the series you should quite reading here....unless you are the type of person to read the whole wikipedia summary before you finish the book...as some people (cough) I might know have been known to do.
My favorite part from Catching Fire is the internal dialogue Katniss has with herself:
The Berries. I realized the answer to who I am lies in that handful of poisonous fruit. If I held them out to save Peeta because I knew that I would be shunned if I came back without him, then I am despicable. If I held them out because I loved him, I am still self centered, although forgivable. But if I held them out to defy the Capitol, I am someone of worth. The trouble is, I don't know exactly what was going on inside me at that moment.
The Final Book, Mockingjay, picks up at the end of the 75th hunger games and carries through the districts revolt against the Capitol. I must admit that while I was cheering for Peeta over Gale the whole series, I was disappointed in the quick gloss over of Gale at the end.
My favorite excerpt from Mockinjay is (from Katniss again):
I think that Peeta was onto something about us destroying one another and letting some decent species take over, because something is significantly wrong with a creature that sacrifices it's children's lives to settle it's differences. you can spin it anyway you like, Snow thought the hunger games were an efficient means of control. Coin thought the parachutes would expedite the war, but in the end, who does it benefit? No one. The truth is, it benefits no one to live in a world where these things happen.
Blue is the new white
This year, blue is the new white in our house (because I couldn't find any white tea lights). And straight is the new round. I haven't had the advent wreath out the last couple years due to a small group of little people who can't keep their mitts off it. But I got a new one this year. I love, love, love it.
First Sunday of Advent is the prophecy candle, it is a reminder that Jesus' coming was prophesied before he was born. The candle is purple as a symbol of his royalty as the King of Kings.
The 2nd candle is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It too is purple as a sign that the King of Kings was born in a manger.
The Third Sunday is the Shepherd's candle. The candle is pink and represents God's love and faithfulness. We are reminded that God send the angels to proclaim his arrival to common man and that he still uses ordinary people to spread the good news.
The fourth candle is the Angel's candle. The Angel's candle is also purple reminding us it was a King's birth they were announcing. As we light this flame we are reminded of the Heavenly hosts that proclaimed Christ's arrival by "Behold, I bring unto you good tidings and great joy!"
The last candle, a white candle, is lit on Christmas day. A reminder of the birth of our Lord. As the prophets promised long ago, you have come to us once again; and with the shepherds we are filled with wonder and amazement.
And let us all pretend that I posted this educational post sometime closer to Christmas than I did.....But you know....I'm a slacker.
First Sunday of Advent is the prophecy candle, it is a reminder that Jesus' coming was prophesied before he was born. The candle is purple as a symbol of his royalty as the King of Kings.
The 2nd candle is the Bethlehem candle, reminding us that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. It too is purple as a sign that the King of Kings was born in a manger.
The Third Sunday is the Shepherd's candle. The candle is pink and represents God's love and faithfulness. We are reminded that God send the angels to proclaim his arrival to common man and that he still uses ordinary people to spread the good news.
The fourth candle is the Angel's candle. The Angel's candle is also purple reminding us it was a King's birth they were announcing. As we light this flame we are reminded of the Heavenly hosts that proclaimed Christ's arrival by "Behold, I bring unto you good tidings and great joy!"
The last candle, a white candle, is lit on Christmas day. A reminder of the birth of our Lord. As the prophets promised long ago, you have come to us once again; and with the shepherds we are filled with wonder and amazement.
And let us all pretend that I posted this educational post sometime closer to Christmas than I did.....But you know....I'm a slacker.
Reflections
This is the one where I tell you how I did on my 2010 resolutions.....
1. Take better care of myself....Umm, who let me start with this one, I say yes so yes!
2. Become a creme brulee master....Let's see: I ate creme brulee at every restaurant opportunity I got, Lawrence made creme brulee in my kitchen while I sat at the counter and took notes, but I still don't technically have my own ramekins or torch yet....
3. Run 100 miles total this year.....drum roll please.....and the number is....182 miles.
1. Take better care of myself....Umm, who let me start with this one, I say yes so yes!
2. Become a creme brulee master....Let's see: I ate creme brulee at every restaurant opportunity I got, Lawrence made creme brulee in my kitchen while I sat at the counter and took notes, but I still don't technically have my own ramekins or torch yet....
3. Run 100 miles total this year.....drum roll please.....and the number is....182 miles.
Friday, December 31, 2010
My Year in Books (A review)
I had a lofty goal of reading 100 books in 2010. I didn't quite make it. There were some lengthy books in my list this year so I don't think I'll be beating myself up too much over falling short. The sword of truth books come to mind first off.
I've been working on this list all year and I'm really happy I was keeping track. Looking over it now, there are some books I had forgotten I'd read and some I really wished I hadn't read at all.
I think I'm going to make 100 books in 2011 one of my resolutions this year.
The Reading List:
1. Alan Bradley - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
2. David Cristofano - The Girl She Used to Be
3. Robert Munsch - The Munschworks Grand Treasury
4. Jean Auel - Shelters of Stone
5. John Jeavons - The Backyard Homestead Mini-Farm
6. Dan Brown - The Lost Symbol
7. Terry Goodkind - The Pillars of Creation
8. Peter D'Adamo - The Genotype Diet
9. Jason Wright - The Wednesday Letters
10. Terry Goodkind - Naked Empire
11. Heidi Ayarbe - Freeze Frame
12. Scott O'Dell - Island of the Blue Dolphins
13. Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns
14. Nicholas Sparks - The Notebook
15. Alan Bradley - The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag
16. Nicholas Sparks - Dear John
17. Terry Goodkind - Chainfire
18. Anne Tyler - The Amateur Marriage
19. Alan Bennett - The Uncommon Reader
20. Don Piper - 90 Minutes in Heaven
21. Michael Scott - The Alchemyst
22. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
23. Terry Goodkind - Phantom
24. Catherine Gilbert Murdock - Princess Ben
25. Brandon Mull - Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
26. Cesar Millan - A Member of the Family
27. Paulo Coelho - The Witch of Portobello
28. Anita Diamant - The Red Tent
29. Terry Goodkind - Confessor
30. Sarah Gruen - Riding Lessons
31. Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones
32. Kathryn Stockett - The Help
33. Stephenie Meyer - The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
34. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
35. Ann Brashares - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
36. Melanie Benjamin - Alice I have been
37. Rebecca Stead - When You Reach Me
38. Cynthia Lord - Rules
39. Rick Riordan - The Red Pyramid
40. David Dosa - Making Rounds with Oscar
41. Elizabeth Hasselbeck - The G Free Diet
42. Margaret Mitchell - Gone With The Wind
43. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
44. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
45. Stieg Larrson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
46. Elizabeth Berg - Home Safe
47. Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
48. Jeanne DuPrau - City of Ember
49. Maggie Stiefvater - Linger
50. Jeanne DuPrau - The People of Sparks
51. Jeanne DuPrau - The Prophet of Yonwood
52. F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
53. Jeanne DuPrau - The Diamond of Darkhold
54. Frank Bruni - Born Round
55. Sara Gruen - Ape House
56. Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre
57. Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland
58. Lewis Carroll - Through the Looking Glass
59. Rhoda Janzen - Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
60. Kate Jacob - The Friday Night Knitting Club
61. Christopher McDougall - Born to Run
62. Philip Pullman - The Golden Compass
63. Philip Pullman - The Subtle Knife
64. Philip Pullman - The Amber Spyglass
65. Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games
66. Chris Cleave - Little Bee
67. Kate Jacob - Knit Two
68. Voltaire - Candide
69. Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged
70. Suzanne Collins - Catching Fire
71. Suzanne Collins - Mockingjay
I've been working on this list all year and I'm really happy I was keeping track. Looking over it now, there are some books I had forgotten I'd read and some I really wished I hadn't read at all.
I think I'm going to make 100 books in 2011 one of my resolutions this year.
The Reading List:
1. Alan Bradley - The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
2. David Cristofano - The Girl She Used to Be
3. Robert Munsch - The Munschworks Grand Treasury
4. Jean Auel - Shelters of Stone
5. John Jeavons - The Backyard Homestead Mini-Farm
6. Dan Brown - The Lost Symbol
7. Terry Goodkind - The Pillars of Creation
8. Peter D'Adamo - The Genotype Diet
9. Jason Wright - The Wednesday Letters
10. Terry Goodkind - Naked Empire
11. Heidi Ayarbe - Freeze Frame
12. Scott O'Dell - Island of the Blue Dolphins
13. Khaled Hosseini - A Thousand Splendid Suns
14. Nicholas Sparks - The Notebook
15. Alan Bradley - The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag
16. Nicholas Sparks - Dear John
17. Terry Goodkind - Chainfire
18. Anne Tyler - The Amateur Marriage
19. Alan Bennett - The Uncommon Reader
20. Don Piper - 90 Minutes in Heaven
21. Michael Scott - The Alchemyst
22. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
23. Terry Goodkind - Phantom
24. Catherine Gilbert Murdock - Princess Ben
25. Brandon Mull - Fablehaven: Keys to the Demon Prison
26. Cesar Millan - A Member of the Family
27. Paulo Coelho - The Witch of Portobello
28. Anita Diamant - The Red Tent
29. Terry Goodkind - Confessor
30. Sarah Gruen - Riding Lessons
31. Alice Sebold - The Lovely Bones
32. Kathryn Stockett - The Help
33. Stephenie Meyer - The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner
34. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
35. Ann Brashares - The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
36. Melanie Benjamin - Alice I have been
37. Rebecca Stead - When You Reach Me
38. Cynthia Lord - Rules
39. Rick Riordan - The Red Pyramid
40. David Dosa - Making Rounds with Oscar
41. Elizabeth Hasselbeck - The G Free Diet
42. Margaret Mitchell - Gone With The Wind
43. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
44. Eoin Colfer - Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
45. Stieg Larrson - The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
46. Elizabeth Berg - Home Safe
47. Mitch Albom - Have a Little Faith
48. Jeanne DuPrau - City of Ember
49. Maggie Stiefvater - Linger
50. Jeanne DuPrau - The People of Sparks
51. Jeanne DuPrau - The Prophet of Yonwood
52. F. Scott Fitzgerald - The Great Gatsby
53. Jeanne DuPrau - The Diamond of Darkhold
54. Frank Bruni - Born Round
55. Sara Gruen - Ape House
56. Charlotte Bronte - Jane Eyre
57. Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland
58. Lewis Carroll - Through the Looking Glass
59. Rhoda Janzen - Mennonite in a Little Black Dress
60. Kate Jacob - The Friday Night Knitting Club
61. Christopher McDougall - Born to Run
62. Philip Pullman - The Golden Compass
63. Philip Pullman - The Subtle Knife
64. Philip Pullman - The Amber Spyglass
65. Suzanne Collins - The Hunger Games
66. Chris Cleave - Little Bee
67. Kate Jacob - Knit Two
68. Voltaire - Candide
69. Ayn Rand - Atlas Shrugged
70. Suzanne Collins - Catching Fire
71. Suzanne Collins - Mockingjay
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christmas Cookie Tradition
One of my favorite Newman family Christmas traditions is our annual cookie day. We gather, have lunch, catch up on family news and bake cookies until we all have reached our maximum sugar tolerance for the season. The star of the cookie show is hands down the sugar cookies! By the end of the day we each have our own tins of fudge, chocolate chip cookies, rice crispy treats, sugar cookies, and pecan sandies.
It is usually a girls only affair. The boys are sent off to buy us presents or have a sushi date or buy guns...you know, the usual boy stuff. Since Bobbo is still a small, man-child he gets to come still. Plus he needs to put some miles on his 'boy apron'.
We were short a few of our usual attendees this year and they were noticably missed.
It is usually a girls only affair. The boys are sent off to buy us presents or have a sushi date or buy guns...you know, the usual boy stuff. Since Bobbo is still a small, man-child he gets to come still. Plus he needs to put some miles on his 'boy apron'.
 |
| Decorating sugar cookies |
We were short a few of our usual attendees this year and they were noticably missed.
 |
| Bobbo, Me, Karyl, Kayla, Nicole, Nancy, Emma & Donna |
Six Days
My little guy was born six days before Christmas. Six days.
 This time of year holds memories now, not just of the anticipation of Christmas and the joy of the season, but also blurry memories of late nights, round the clock feedings, snuggling by the fire and watching the Christmas tree lights twinkle with a sleeping baby tucked gently in the crook of my arm. This is Bobbo's first ornament. I might need to keep it for myself after he's grown. It's hard not to look at it without getting teary eyed and wishing for babies brand new all over again.  |
| "How delightful," Said Pooh, To be so brand-new" |
"A Baby is always doing something brand-new," said Piglet.
"I suppose that's what makes a baby so special," said Pooh. "That and being so huggable and sweet."
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