Aileen Stewart's Blog, page 17
April 25, 2016
SOKYBF 2016
Sorry this post is a little later then normal, but we didn't get home from Kentucky until late. Kentucky, our home away from home. The place where I attend the Southern Kentucky Book Festival while my family visits relatives and rides horses.
And if you've never been to a book festival or fair, I recommend them heartily. I recommend them because they are an extraordinary place to find great books by authors and illustrators you know and love as well as authors and illustrators you don't yet know but might come to love. It's a place to make great new friends and visit long time friends. It's a place of wonder and a place I love to be a part of!
Debbie Dadey, Ginny Smith, and Me
This year I reunited with some of my besties like Lori Moore, Debbie Dadey, and Mark Wayne Adams, Emily's favorite illustrator.
Me, George, and Lori Moore
Debbie Dadey and Me
Mark Wayne Adams and Emily
I once again had the privilege of sitting next to Gail Nall, and enjoyed catching up with Jessica E. Young, Alison Lyne, Susan Eaddy, Matt Payne, Bruce Kessler, Kristin Tubb, and Mike Norris.
Gail Nall, Debbie Dadey, and Me
Me and Kristin Tubb
Jessica E. Young and New Friend Kay Whitehouse
In addition, I met some fabulous new friends like Gary Cieradkowski, Amanda Driscol, Kay Whitehouse, Margo Smith, Sara Celi, and I finally got to meet FB friend Julie Danielson. Despite reveling in children's books, I also have friends in other genres, friends like Ginny Smith, Carey Corp, Lori Langdon, and new friend Ray Peden, whom I was equally excited to see.
Susan Eaddy, Linda Hawkins, Julie Danielson, and Gary Cieradkowski
Margo Smith
So if you weren't as blessed as I was and weren't able to attend the Southern Kentucky Book Festival, be sure to check out these great books online at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
And if you've never been to a book festival or fair, I recommend them heartily. I recommend them because they are an extraordinary place to find great books by authors and illustrators you know and love as well as authors and illustrators you don't yet know but might come to love. It's a place to make great new friends and visit long time friends. It's a place of wonder and a place I love to be a part of!
Debbie Dadey, Ginny Smith, and MeThis year I reunited with some of my besties like Lori Moore, Debbie Dadey, and Mark Wayne Adams, Emily's favorite illustrator.
Me, George, and Lori Moore
Debbie Dadey and Me
Mark Wayne Adams and EmilyI once again had the privilege of sitting next to Gail Nall, and enjoyed catching up with Jessica E. Young, Alison Lyne, Susan Eaddy, Matt Payne, Bruce Kessler, Kristin Tubb, and Mike Norris.
Gail Nall, Debbie Dadey, and Me
Me and Kristin Tubb
Jessica E. Young and New Friend Kay WhitehouseIn addition, I met some fabulous new friends like Gary Cieradkowski, Amanda Driscol, Kay Whitehouse, Margo Smith, Sara Celi, and I finally got to meet FB friend Julie Danielson. Despite reveling in children's books, I also have friends in other genres, friends like Ginny Smith, Carey Corp, Lori Langdon, and new friend Ray Peden, whom I was equally excited to see.
Susan Eaddy, Linda Hawkins, Julie Danielson, and Gary Cieradkowski
Margo SmithSo if you weren't as blessed as I was and weren't able to attend the Southern Kentucky Book Festival, be sure to check out these great books online at Barnes and Noble or Amazon!
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 18, 2016
Crazy Good
This past week was crazy good, and by that, I mean it was busy with some crazy and some good days. The crazy involved me at an eye screening appointment and the receptionist telling me my husband's insurance was canceled at the end of March. You can probably imagine my dismay! It turned out to be a company wide glitch which canceled everyone's eye insurance. The HR department failed to let anyone know of the problem or that they were working to correct the situation. The situation is now resolved, but I spent an hour at the optometrist and ended up leaving without my eye screening. I guess I will reschedule when I get back from the Southern Kentucky Book Festival taking place this next weekend.
The good days included attending Cookbook Club with Emily. The theme was salads, so she made a delicious orange fluff jello salad while I made an eight layer salad. Both recipes were a combination of parts of recipes I had found but wasn't quite happy with. The orange fluff tasted divine and might just be our new family get together go-to dessert. In case you want to try it for yourself, just grab:
1 box orange jello
1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 container non dairy whipped topping
1 can crushed pineapple (undrained)
2 small or 1 large can mandarin oranges (drained)
2 cups mini marshmellows
Simply mix all ingredients together well, chill, and serve!
The good days also included the wheather warming up enough for me to grill ribs which we ate outside. We ended that day with a mini bonfire on the patio. And, I rounded out the good days by attending a SCBWI Ohio North Critique Meet Up. Lisa Amstutz, author of science books like Robins (Backyard Birds), was a wonderful moderator, and she helped me figure out just how to polish up a few of my manuscripts for submission.
All in all the good outweighed the crazy as often it does, and that left me with time to head over to the SCBWI and vote for the Krystal Kite nominee of my choice in the Midwest division. I looked all the selections over carefully, admired many if not all of them, and finally chose to vote for Uh-Oh by Shutta Crum and illustrated by Patricia Barton. It is a delightful book with adorable illustrations and shows one family's trip to the beach. The Uh-Ohs in the book are the crazy unexpected moments the children experience at the beach much like my crazy no insurance moment I experienced. And much like me, the children quickly moved past the crazy and embraced the good. This book is perfect for parents and children from two to six.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
The good days included attending Cookbook Club with Emily. The theme was salads, so she made a delicious orange fluff jello salad while I made an eight layer salad. Both recipes were a combination of parts of recipes I had found but wasn't quite happy with. The orange fluff tasted divine and might just be our new family get together go-to dessert. In case you want to try it for yourself, just grab:
1 box orange jello
1 box instant vanilla pudding
1 container non dairy whipped topping
1 can crushed pineapple (undrained)
2 small or 1 large can mandarin oranges (drained)
2 cups mini marshmellows
Simply mix all ingredients together well, chill, and serve!
The good days also included the wheather warming up enough for me to grill ribs which we ate outside. We ended that day with a mini bonfire on the patio. And, I rounded out the good days by attending a SCBWI Ohio North Critique Meet Up. Lisa Amstutz, author of science books like Robins (Backyard Birds), was a wonderful moderator, and she helped me figure out just how to polish up a few of my manuscripts for submission.
All in all the good outweighed the crazy as often it does, and that left me with time to head over to the SCBWI and vote for the Krystal Kite nominee of my choice in the Midwest division. I looked all the selections over carefully, admired many if not all of them, and finally chose to vote for Uh-Oh by Shutta Crum and illustrated by Patricia Barton. It is a delightful book with adorable illustrations and shows one family's trip to the beach. The Uh-Ohs in the book are the crazy unexpected moments the children experience at the beach much like my crazy no insurance moment I experienced. And much like me, the children quickly moved past the crazy and embraced the good. This book is perfect for parents and children from two to six.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 11, 2016
Welcome to Japan!
This past week was spent in a whir of activity as we got ready for an Around The World Event sponsored by our Independent Studies Home School Group. All the children participating were to choose a country, a historical event, or a something similar to give a presentation on. Emily chose Japan because she had lots of display items her father had brought home from his work trip last year.
She gathered facts, found pictures for her display board, and retrieved all her Japanese memorabilia from various parts of the house. I took it upon myself to create a costume from thrift store items. I scoured the second-hand shops until I found a silky robe that looked oriental in pattern, but it had a very narrow belt that just wouldn't do because traditional kimonos are worn with an obie (a wide silk sash). I kept searching until I finally found a single, silky, black curtain. It was two panels with an attached valance, and I knew if I cut off one of the floor length panels I could whip it into a obie of sorts on my handy dandy sewing machine. Although not exactly authentic, most of the audience loved Emily's make-shift robe and actually thought it was the real deal. Resplendent in costume finished off with Japanese toe socks and flip flops, Emily gave a great presentation.
Before the presentation, we all partook in a dinner. Each family prepared a main dish or salad and a dessert corresponding to the country or historical event that their child or children had chosen. I made fried rice and Japanese Kasutera Sponge Cake. I found the recipe and a wonderful video at a site called Japanese Cooking 101. This cake was super easy to make if you decide you and your family want to try some ethnic cuisine.
There were quite a few families participating, so they divided them up into two groups in two separate rooms. The other children in our group also did fabulous jobs.
After all the learning and fun was done, it got me to thinking about some books I've read and enjoyed with Japanese main characters. The first, A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, takes the reader back to WWII and the sad period in our history where we rounded up citizens based on their heritage and an irrational fear. It is am excellent picture book depicting the proud way in which the Japanese detainees held on to a small piece of normalcy and beauty.
The second book, Hana Hashimoto, is the story of a girl who's love of music and her persistence helps her achieve her dream of playing her Violin in the school talent contest. The author, Chieri Uegaki, has also written another book called, Suki's Kimono, which I have not read, but I would love to.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
She gathered facts, found pictures for her display board, and retrieved all her Japanese memorabilia from various parts of the house. I took it upon myself to create a costume from thrift store items. I scoured the second-hand shops until I found a silky robe that looked oriental in pattern, but it had a very narrow belt that just wouldn't do because traditional kimonos are worn with an obie (a wide silk sash). I kept searching until I finally found a single, silky, black curtain. It was two panels with an attached valance, and I knew if I cut off one of the floor length panels I could whip it into a obie of sorts on my handy dandy sewing machine. Although not exactly authentic, most of the audience loved Emily's make-shift robe and actually thought it was the real deal. Resplendent in costume finished off with Japanese toe socks and flip flops, Emily gave a great presentation.
Before the presentation, we all partook in a dinner. Each family prepared a main dish or salad and a dessert corresponding to the country or historical event that their child or children had chosen. I made fried rice and Japanese Kasutera Sponge Cake. I found the recipe and a wonderful video at a site called Japanese Cooking 101. This cake was super easy to make if you decide you and your family want to try some ethnic cuisine.
There were quite a few families participating, so they divided them up into two groups in two separate rooms. The other children in our group also did fabulous jobs.
After all the learning and fun was done, it got me to thinking about some books I've read and enjoyed with Japanese main characters. The first, A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, takes the reader back to WWII and the sad period in our history where we rounded up citizens based on their heritage and an irrational fear. It is am excellent picture book depicting the proud way in which the Japanese detainees held on to a small piece of normalcy and beauty.
The second book, Hana Hashimoto, is the story of a girl who's love of music and her persistence helps her achieve her dream of playing her Violin in the school talent contest. The author, Chieri Uegaki, has also written another book called, Suki's Kimono, which I have not read, but I would love to.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Weolcome to Japan!
This past week was spent in a whir of activity as we got ready for an Around The World Event sponsored by our Independent Studies Home School Group. All the children participating were to choose a country, a historical event, or a something similar to give a presentation on. Emily chose Japan because she had lots of display items her father had brought home from his work trip last year.
She gathered facts, found pictures for her display board, and retrieved all her Japanese memorabilia from various parts of the house. I took it upon myself to create a costume from thrift store items. I scoured the second-hand shops until I found a silky robe that looked oriental in pattern, but it had a very narrow belt that just wouldn't do because traditional kimonos are worn with an obie (a wide silk sash). I kept searching until I finally found a single, silky, black curtain. It was two panels with an attached valance, and I knew if I cut off one of the floor length panels I could whip it into a obie of sorts on my handy dandy sewing machine. Although not exactly authentic, most of the audience loved Emily's make-shift robe and actually thought it was the real deal. Resplendent in costume finished off with Japanese toe socks and flip flops, Emily gave a great presentation.
Before the presentation, we all partook in a dinner. Each family prepared a main dish or salad and a dessert corresponding to the country or historical event that their child or children had chosen. I made fried rice and Japanese Kasutera Sponge Cake. I found the recipe and a wonderful video at a site called Japanese Cooking 101. This cake was super easy to make if you decide you and your family want to try some ethnic cuisine.
There were quite a few families participating, so they divided them up into two groups in two separate rooms. The other children in our group also did fabulous jobs.
After all the learning and fun was done, it got me to thinking about some books I've read and enjoyed with Japanese main characters. The first, A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, takes the reader back to WWII and the sad period in our history where we rounded up citizens based on their heritage and an irrational fear. It is am excellent picture book depicting the proud way in which the Japanese detainees held on to a small piece of normalcy and beauty.
The second book, Hana Hashimoto, is the story of a girl who's love of music and her persistence helps her achieve her dream of playing her Violin in the school talent contest. The author, Chieri Uegaki, has also written another book called, Suki's Kimono, which I have not read, but I would love to.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
She gathered facts, found pictures for her display board, and retrieved all her Japanese memorabilia from various parts of the house. I took it upon myself to create a costume from thrift store items. I scoured the second-hand shops until I found a silky robe that looked oriental in pattern, but it had a very narrow belt that just wouldn't do because traditional kimonos are worn with an obie (a wide silk sash). I kept searching until I finally found a single, silky, black curtain. It was two panels with an attached valance, and I knew if I cut off one of the floor length panels I could whip it into a obie of sorts on my handy dandy sewing machine. Although not exactly authentic, most of the audience loved Emily's make-shift robe and actually thought it was the real deal. Resplendent in costume finished off with Japanese toe socks and flip flops, Emily gave a great presentation.
Before the presentation, we all partook in a dinner. Each family prepared a main dish or salad and a dessert corresponding to the country or historical event that their child or children had chosen. I made fried rice and Japanese Kasutera Sponge Cake. I found the recipe and a wonderful video at a site called Japanese Cooking 101. This cake was super easy to make if you decide you and your family want to try some ethnic cuisine.
There were quite a few families participating, so they divided them up into two groups in two separate rooms. The other children in our group also did fabulous jobs.
After all the learning and fun was done, it got me to thinking about some books I've read and enjoyed with Japanese main characters. The first, A Place Where Sunflowers Grow, takes the reader back to WWII and the sad period in our history where we rounded up citizens based on their heritage and an irrational fear. It is am excellent picture book depicting the proud way in which the Japanese detainees held on to a small piece of normalcy and beauty.
The second book, Hana Hashimoto, is the story of a girl who's love of music and her persistence helps her achieve her dream of playing her Violin in the school talent contest. The author, Chieri Uegaki, has also written another book called, Suki's Kimono, which I have not read, but I would love to.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 4, 2016
Lost and Found
This past week started in March and ended in April. It started out warm and spring like and ended on a cold note. While it was sunny and pleasant I found myself snapping more pictures of our resident cardinals and helping Emily with her Japanese project for school.
When it turned colder, I made a pot of vegetable beef soup, sat in front of the fire my husband made, and hoped my beautiful spring flowers would survive the unusual April snow that found us when spring seemed to be lost.
And speaking of Lost and Found, I found some beautiful books in my library stack this week. One by author friend Marsha Diane Arnold aptly named Lost. Found. One by author friend Tammi Sauer called Nugget and Fang. And one by an author/illustrator that I am unfamiliar with but would love to get to know called Love From A Star.
Marsha's Lost. Found. is a deliciously simple book that pretty much uses only the words lost and found to tell the story of a bear who has lost his scarf, the subsequent animals that find it and then lose it along the way, and bears eventual reuniting with said scarf. In addition, the beautiful illustrations by Matthew Cordell pull the story gently along.
Tammi's Nugget and Fang is a story of unlikely friendship, the friendship between a toothy shark and a mini minnow. They are the best of friends until Nugget has to go to school and is continually told that minnows and sharks can not be friends. Fang is heartbroken over this and does everything in his power to show Nugget they can and should be friends. Nothing works until the entire class of minnows finds themselves in trouble__ trouble that only Fang can help them out of.
And finally, Love From a Star by Katherine Cutchin Gazzetta which is a wonderful story reminding the reader of each star's infinite beauty and God's love for each of us. The illustrations are beyond cute and almost make me a little jealous of Miss Katherines's dual talent.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
When it turned colder, I made a pot of vegetable beef soup, sat in front of the fire my husband made, and hoped my beautiful spring flowers would survive the unusual April snow that found us when spring seemed to be lost.
And speaking of Lost and Found, I found some beautiful books in my library stack this week. One by author friend Marsha Diane Arnold aptly named Lost. Found. One by author friend Tammi Sauer called Nugget and Fang. And one by an author/illustrator that I am unfamiliar with but would love to get to know called Love From A Star.
Marsha's Lost. Found. is a deliciously simple book that pretty much uses only the words lost and found to tell the story of a bear who has lost his scarf, the subsequent animals that find it and then lose it along the way, and bears eventual reuniting with said scarf. In addition, the beautiful illustrations by Matthew Cordell pull the story gently along.
Tammi's Nugget and Fang is a story of unlikely friendship, the friendship between a toothy shark and a mini minnow. They are the best of friends until Nugget has to go to school and is continually told that minnows and sharks can not be friends. Fang is heartbroken over this and does everything in his power to show Nugget they can and should be friends. Nothing works until the entire class of minnows finds themselves in trouble__ trouble that only Fang can help them out of.
And finally, Love From a Star by Katherine Cutchin Gazzetta which is a wonderful story reminding the reader of each star's infinite beauty and God's love for each of us. The illustrations are beyond cute and almost make me a little jealous of Miss Katherines's dual talent.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. And finally, you can find me on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
March 28, 2016
Choosing Joy
This past week was a normal week with highs and lows, moments worth remembering and moments worth forgetting. And having lived almost a half century, I have finally figured out some things. Life consists of a few really spectacular events like the day I graduated from college, the day I got married, and the day my daughter was born. It also consists of a few really horrific events like the day my first husband died, the day my best friend died, the day my father died, and the day I was in an automobile accident. But the really important events, the events that define my life, are the many moments in between. The every day moments, that while possibly not extraordinary, are the ones that give me opportunity to choose joy and see beauty in God's creation.
The good moments that bring a smile to my face along with the bad moments that I can allow to ruin my day or I can decide to face with a positive outlook. Joyful and beautiful moments like birds visiting our feeders, making art on a cookie canvas, weeding the garden and enjoying the flowers, and Easter with my family.
And bad moments like the fact that Easter Sunday was the fourth anniversary of my father's trip to heaven. But as I mentioned before, I had a choice. A choice to either wallow in my sorry and loss or a choice to remember the multitude of wonderful memories I have from the years I was able to spend with my father. I chose to remember.
And it never ceases to amaze me how often I pick a random book out of my stack from the library and it coincides with something that has gone on in my week. This week's random book was called Here in the Garden and it was the story of a boy choosing to remember the beautiful moments he once shared with a pet rabbit. And although the rabbit was missed beyond measure, the boy chose joy. He chose to think of all the wonderful days they had been able to share.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop that I joined as well where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
The good moments that bring a smile to my face along with the bad moments that I can allow to ruin my day or I can decide to face with a positive outlook. Joyful and beautiful moments like birds visiting our feeders, making art on a cookie canvas, weeding the garden and enjoying the flowers, and Easter with my family.
And bad moments like the fact that Easter Sunday was the fourth anniversary of my father's trip to heaven. But as I mentioned before, I had a choice. A choice to either wallow in my sorry and loss or a choice to remember the multitude of wonderful memories I have from the years I was able to spend with my father. I chose to remember.
And it never ceases to amaze me how often I pick a random book out of my stack from the library and it coincides with something that has gone on in my week. This week's random book was called Here in the Garden and it was the story of a boy choosing to remember the beautiful moments he once shared with a pet rabbit. And although the rabbit was missed beyond measure, the boy chose joy. He chose to think of all the wonderful days they had been able to share.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop that I joined as well where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
March 21, 2016
Grandparents, Easter, and A Recipe...
This past week was a whirl of activity as we prepared for Grandparents Day. One of the things I love about homeschooling through our former private school's Independent Studies group is the special events we still are able to participate in. And this year, I was asked if I would be willing to host a hospitality table with coffee and treats for the grands attending. For those of you who know me well, you know that I adore baking (more then eating), throwing a party of any kind, crafting, and sharing it all with others. So, this was a perfect opportunity to do just that.
Emily helped me make some flower filled vase table center pieces. We used leftover Easter grass to cover the stems of the faux flowers.
I also made some candle centerpieces from thirty cent plates and goblets I purchased at the thrift store and glued together with my handy dandy E6000 craft glue. That, along with a little left over ivy from a previous project, a little curling ribbon, some Dollar Tree candles, and some clearance netting from Wal-mart rounded out the project. Wouldn't these be adorable for a wedding?
And of course there were the treats. Iced oatmeal cookies, brownies, scotchies, and iced sugar cookies. Not to mention my homemade chalkboard sign. Chalkboard paint works beautifully on the glass in picture frames.
After all the schooling, crafting, and baking of the week, it was nice to relax over the weekend. Well, after the grocery shopping and laundry. And since this week we are on spring break, I just might get some writing in before starting on my preparations for Easter.
And speaking of Easter, what would a book review at this time of year be without some great Easter book recommendations? One of my all time favorite Easter books is the Parabel of the Lily. Young Maggie loves getting gifts. but when her father gives her a flower bulb, she is very disappointed. That all changes when she goes outside on Easter Day and finds a beautiful Lily. The story of the true meaning of Easter shines through in this beautifully illustrated tale.
Another great Easter book is The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry. This book is the Biblical story of Easter written for small children to understand and is as wonderful as all her other books such as The Story of Christmas which Emily read aloud every Christmas for several years.
Finally, I am fond of The Jelly Beans and The Big Dance. At first I thought it would be a book about Easter with jelly beans being so prominent in the title, but it was actually a lovely book about friendship. To be more precise, it was a book about totally different individuals who felt that they will be unlikely to be friends until they discovered something they had in common. You guessed it, they all loved jelly beans.
And lest I forget, the recipe here is the recipe for my iced oatmeal cookies which are a delicious addition to any cookie repertoire.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies:
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cook)
2 cups unbleached flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup salted butter softened
1 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 TBS milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Put oats in food processor and pulse until coarse. Mix oats, flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and finally vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients. Roll dough into two tablespoon size balls and place about two inches apart. This will be about six on a tray. Bake one tray at a time for ten minutes. Cool for five minutes before removing to a cooling rack. When completely cool, mix glaze and place a spoonful on the cookie. Spread with your finger and place back on rack to dry for at least two hours before placing in an airtight container.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop that I joined as well where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Emily helped me make some flower filled vase table center pieces. We used leftover Easter grass to cover the stems of the faux flowers.
I also made some candle centerpieces from thirty cent plates and goblets I purchased at the thrift store and glued together with my handy dandy E6000 craft glue. That, along with a little left over ivy from a previous project, a little curling ribbon, some Dollar Tree candles, and some clearance netting from Wal-mart rounded out the project. Wouldn't these be adorable for a wedding?
And of course there were the treats. Iced oatmeal cookies, brownies, scotchies, and iced sugar cookies. Not to mention my homemade chalkboard sign. Chalkboard paint works beautifully on the glass in picture frames.
After all the schooling, crafting, and baking of the week, it was nice to relax over the weekend. Well, after the grocery shopping and laundry. And since this week we are on spring break, I just might get some writing in before starting on my preparations for Easter.
And speaking of Easter, what would a book review at this time of year be without some great Easter book recommendations? One of my all time favorite Easter books is the Parabel of the Lily. Young Maggie loves getting gifts. but when her father gives her a flower bulb, she is very disappointed. That all changes when she goes outside on Easter Day and finds a beautiful Lily. The story of the true meaning of Easter shines through in this beautifully illustrated tale.
Another great Easter book is The Story of Easter by Patricia A. Pingry. This book is the Biblical story of Easter written for small children to understand and is as wonderful as all her other books such as The Story of Christmas which Emily read aloud every Christmas for several years.
Finally, I am fond of The Jelly Beans and The Big Dance. At first I thought it would be a book about Easter with jelly beans being so prominent in the title, but it was actually a lovely book about friendship. To be more precise, it was a book about totally different individuals who felt that they will be unlikely to be friends until they discovered something they had in common. You guessed it, they all loved jelly beans.
And lest I forget, the recipe here is the recipe for my iced oatmeal cookies which are a delicious addition to any cookie repertoire.
Iced Oatmeal Cookies:
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cook)
2 cups unbleached flour
1 TBS baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1 cup salted butter softened
1 cup brown sugar packed
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 TBS milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Put oats in food processor and pulse until coarse. Mix oats, flour, baking powder, soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a bowl. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until smooth. Add eggs one at a time and finally vanilla. Mix in dry ingredients. Roll dough into two tablespoon size balls and place about two inches apart. This will be about six on a tray. Bake one tray at a time for ten minutes. Cool for five minutes before removing to a cooling rack. When completely cool, mix glaze and place a spoonful on the cookie. Spread with your finger and place back on rack to dry for at least two hours before placing in an airtight container.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Be sure to drop by and join the Literacy Musings Monday Blog Hop that I joined as well where you will find other great blogs, or my personal website, Fun With Aileen, where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own early grade Fern Valley chapter book series and my Quack and Daisy picture book series. I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
March 14, 2016
Exploration
This past week I felt a bit under the weather, but Emily still wanted to attend Cook Book Club on Tuesday. So, we called our friends to see if they would pick her up and drop her off. But I must admit, I was sad and pleased at the same time as she worked in the kitchen by herself preparing some applesauce doughnut muffins for her breakfast themed item. I was happy that she is turning into a confident and capable baker, but I was also a bit sad to think how quickly she is growing up.
On Wednesday she had extended choir practice, and on Thursday, she performed in a spring gala event for choir and band. She was thrilled to have a small solo part with three other girls. She was even more excited to find out that there was complimentary cake afterwards
We rounded out the week by attending the Maple Syrup Festival at Malabar Farm State Park. I found it really interesting to see how they currently produce maple syrup, but also how the Native Americans and the pioneers went about doing so. The Native Americans hollowed out a log in which they placed the sap. To evaporate the water, they added stones that had been heated in the fire. The pioneers perfected the making of maple syrup a bit by cooking it in large cast iron kettles over the fire. But no matter the method, the outcome is the same__delicious!
We also had the chance to explore Louis Bromfield's former home as it was open for free self guided tours that day. I always adore the opportunity to explore new things and new places. And it goes without saying that I adore exploring all sorts of new books as well.
Buddy and Earl have my same love of exploration. They also have quite the imagination as they explore their very own kitchen where they take a dip in a shiny blue lake, rescue a hedgehog girlfriend for Earl, and have a snack of meatloaf. Kids four to ten will love this story.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
On Wednesday she had extended choir practice, and on Thursday, she performed in a spring gala event for choir and band. She was thrilled to have a small solo part with three other girls. She was even more excited to find out that there was complimentary cake afterwards
We rounded out the week by attending the Maple Syrup Festival at Malabar Farm State Park. I found it really interesting to see how they currently produce maple syrup, but also how the Native Americans and the pioneers went about doing so. The Native Americans hollowed out a log in which they placed the sap. To evaporate the water, they added stones that had been heated in the fire. The pioneers perfected the making of maple syrup a bit by cooking it in large cast iron kettles over the fire. But no matter the method, the outcome is the same__delicious!
We also had the chance to explore Louis Bromfield's former home as it was open for free self guided tours that day. I always adore the opportunity to explore new things and new places. And it goes without saying that I adore exploring all sorts of new books as well.
Buddy and Earl have my same love of exploration. They also have quite the imagination as they explore their very own kitchen where they take a dip in a shiny blue lake, rescue a hedgehog girlfriend for Earl, and have a snack of meatloaf. Kids four to ten will love this story.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
March 7, 2016
What I Saw In The Teachers' Lounge
This past week I had two school visits scheduled, I had lunch and recess duty on Friday for Emily's twice monthly Mansfield Christian school visits, and I was recruited to decorate a table for Mansfield Christian's Annual Flamin' Hot Breakfast which is the yearly fund raiser for the Independent Studies Program we home school through.
My first event of the week was an evening of reading to pre-k students at the local pre-k in my home town. After I read from my book, Quack and Daisy, I checked out all the centers they had set up for the children. It was fun to see the extra large versions of books by authors and illustrators I am friends with. Authors and illustrators like Karma Wilson, Jane Yolan, Tomie dePaola, and Mark Teague.
My second event was an all day visit to the Western Reserve Elementary School where I presented to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. All the children were attentive, asked great questions, and participated when I asked questions. I was also able to spend time with the school's librarian and my long time friend Mrs. Cindy Linder. But the big surprise of the day was What I Saw in the Teachers' Lounge. Actually it was what I saw in the science room which was doubling as a much larger teachers lounge,but since that is the title of the first book I read for review this week I thought I would go with that. Oh yes, what did I see? A beautiful pot luck lunch set up in honor of my visit. There were soups, and veggies, baked potatoes and toppings, veggie pizza, and chocolate cake and cupcakes. I was really touched by the thoughtfulness of the staff and hope I conveyed properly how much it was appreciated.
Recess duty on Friday at MCS was interesting since a two hour delay caused it to be held on the very small music room, the only room available at the time. Try to imagine fifth grade boys jump roping, fifth grade girls hoola hooping, and another set of fifth grade boys throwing a ball as they played Monkey in the Middle next to a group of children laying on the floor playing checkers. Needless to say I had to move once or twice to keep from being trampled or pummeled and I could have used a pair of earplugs as well, but I survived and was able to decorate a table as requested with a basket centerpiece reflecting the farm market that I manage in the summer.
Saturday rounded off the busy week with me taking Emily to the Flamin' Hot Breakfast where she volunteered to bus tables. Her and several other home school children also went across the street to a local nursing home to sing for the residents.
And of course there were those books I read. You remember, the first one was called, What I Saw In The Teachers' Lounge. It was a funny book about a little boy and his wild imagination. Every day he would walk by the teachers lounge and wonder what in the world was going on in there. One day he stopped to peek in the slightly opened door, and to his utter surprise, he saw teachers doing the most amazing things. Of course when he told his class mates about what he saw they had a peek to, but all they saw were teachers eating their lunches in a perfectly normal manner. Not daunted in the least by his classmates version of events or by the principal sending him back to class, the young boy dreamed of becoming a teacher when he grew up.
The second book I read was called Don't Push The Button. This book featuring Larry the monster is adorable and encourages kids to participate as the story goes along. Perfect for the four to eight set, this book is short but fun.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
My first event of the week was an evening of reading to pre-k students at the local pre-k in my home town. After I read from my book, Quack and Daisy, I checked out all the centers they had set up for the children. It was fun to see the extra large versions of books by authors and illustrators I am friends with. Authors and illustrators like Karma Wilson, Jane Yolan, Tomie dePaola, and Mark Teague.
My second event was an all day visit to the Western Reserve Elementary School where I presented to children in kindergarten through sixth grade. All the children were attentive, asked great questions, and participated when I asked questions. I was also able to spend time with the school's librarian and my long time friend Mrs. Cindy Linder. But the big surprise of the day was What I Saw in the Teachers' Lounge. Actually it was what I saw in the science room which was doubling as a much larger teachers lounge,but since that is the title of the first book I read for review this week I thought I would go with that. Oh yes, what did I see? A beautiful pot luck lunch set up in honor of my visit. There were soups, and veggies, baked potatoes and toppings, veggie pizza, and chocolate cake and cupcakes. I was really touched by the thoughtfulness of the staff and hope I conveyed properly how much it was appreciated.
Recess duty on Friday at MCS was interesting since a two hour delay caused it to be held on the very small music room, the only room available at the time. Try to imagine fifth grade boys jump roping, fifth grade girls hoola hooping, and another set of fifth grade boys throwing a ball as they played Monkey in the Middle next to a group of children laying on the floor playing checkers. Needless to say I had to move once or twice to keep from being trampled or pummeled and I could have used a pair of earplugs as well, but I survived and was able to decorate a table as requested with a basket centerpiece reflecting the farm market that I manage in the summer.
Saturday rounded off the busy week with me taking Emily to the Flamin' Hot Breakfast where she volunteered to bus tables. Her and several other home school children also went across the street to a local nursing home to sing for the residents.
And of course there were those books I read. You remember, the first one was called, What I Saw In The Teachers' Lounge. It was a funny book about a little boy and his wild imagination. Every day he would walk by the teachers lounge and wonder what in the world was going on in there. One day he stopped to peek in the slightly opened door, and to his utter surprise, he saw teachers doing the most amazing things. Of course when he told his class mates about what he saw they had a peek to, but all they saw were teachers eating their lunches in a perfectly normal manner. Not daunted in the least by his classmates version of events or by the principal sending him back to class, the young boy dreamed of becoming a teacher when he grew up.
The second book I read was called Don't Push The Button. This book featuring Larry the monster is adorable and encourages kids to participate as the story goes along. Perfect for the four to eight set, this book is short but fun.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
February 29, 2016
Sharing Is Fun
This past week held a wonderful surprise for both Emily and I. As you know if you have been following my blog, we've been spending time practicing our recipes for the 16th Annual Chocolate Lovers Bake Off sponsored by our local library. So with breath held and hopes high, this past Monday we took our entries and waited as the judges sampled all the offerings. They judged the children's table first and to our great joy we heard them call Emily's name as first place winner for her strawberry filled chocolate cupcakes with chocolate buttercream frosting.
Before hand I reminded Emily that win or lose we both had a wonderful time baking together and that was what was important. But I would be lying if I said my heart didn't thump with delight at the sound of her name being pronounced as winner.
Next they announced the winner of the cookie table, and I won second place for my chocolate chocolate chunk cookies. I was pleased, but it was nothing compared to the happiness I felt for my offspring. Next they announced the winners from the dessert table which I had not entered. Following was to come the cake entries, and after looking at all the beautiful cakes, I was fairly sure I was not going to win anything for my chocolate peanut butter cup cupcakes. So, you can imagine my surprise when I was announced as the first place winner of cakes.
The rest of the week passed in the normal manner with home school lessons completed, choir practice for Emily, house cleaning, and time spent enjoying the numerous squirrels frolicking in our yard. I love squirrels with their wiggly tails and cute faces. Even when they try to climb my shepherd's hook to steal bird seed from the feeders, I can't help but laugh at their antics.
So out of the pile on my bookshelf, I snagged a book about squirrels which had caught my eye at the library due to it's beautiful cover. It was called Mine, All Mine and the title suggested there just might be a lesson in there somewhere. Of course there was a lesson about sharing, but it was told subtly and there was even a glittery snowflake to follow. A perfect book for four to eight year old children to take in and if they are like me, they will definitely take time to feel that glittery snowflake on every page to!
I also read The Tale of Pip and Squeak which happened to be another book about sharing. This was totally coincidental of course, but worked out perfectly. Pip and Squeak are brothers who don't really like to be in the same room and don't really like to share the spotlight. But one day that all changes and they realize it's okay to work together and share the admiration of those around. This is an older book, but it is worth seeing if your library has a copy or searching for a used copy as it was considered good enough to be added to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
And since all these books happen to be about sharing, I would feel totally remiss if I didn't share the recipe for Emily's award winning cupcakes with you. So here it is and I hope you enjoy.
Strawberry Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
Cake:2 cups sugar 2 eggs1 ¾ cups unbleached flour 1 cup milk¾ cup baking cocoa ½ cup light olive oil1 ½ tsp baking powder 2 tsp vanilla extract1 ½ tsp baking soda 1 cup boiling water¼ tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two muffin tins with paper liners. Stir together dry ingredients in bowl and set aside. In a stand mixer, beat sugar, oil, eggs and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly for about two minutes. Stir in boiling water. (Batter will be thin) Pour batter into tins filling about 2/3 full. There will be some leftover batter as this recipe makes about thirty cupcakes. Bake about twenty minutes and check centers to see if toothpick comes out cleanly. Remove from pan and cool on racks.
Filling:1 container strawberries (diced)½ cup sugar1/8 cup cornstarch½ cup waterIn a pan combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat stirring frequently. Mixture will begin to thicken like jelly. When it gets to this point, remove from heat and allow to cool. Core cupcakes (we used an apple corer) and fill with cooled strawberry mixture.
Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting:1 ½ cups softened salted butter1 cup baking cocoa5 cups powdered sugar½ cup milk1 TBS vanilla extract
In stand mixer, add five cups of powdered sugar and cocoa and beat on low until combined. Add butter, vanilla, and one TBS of milk and beat. Continue to add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar. Frost cupcakes and enjoy!
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Before hand I reminded Emily that win or lose we both had a wonderful time baking together and that was what was important. But I would be lying if I said my heart didn't thump with delight at the sound of her name being pronounced as winner.
Next they announced the winner of the cookie table, and I won second place for my chocolate chocolate chunk cookies. I was pleased, but it was nothing compared to the happiness I felt for my offspring. Next they announced the winners from the dessert table which I had not entered. Following was to come the cake entries, and after looking at all the beautiful cakes, I was fairly sure I was not going to win anything for my chocolate peanut butter cup cupcakes. So, you can imagine my surprise when I was announced as the first place winner of cakes.
The rest of the week passed in the normal manner with home school lessons completed, choir practice for Emily, house cleaning, and time spent enjoying the numerous squirrels frolicking in our yard. I love squirrels with their wiggly tails and cute faces. Even when they try to climb my shepherd's hook to steal bird seed from the feeders, I can't help but laugh at their antics.
So out of the pile on my bookshelf, I snagged a book about squirrels which had caught my eye at the library due to it's beautiful cover. It was called Mine, All Mine and the title suggested there just might be a lesson in there somewhere. Of course there was a lesson about sharing, but it was told subtly and there was even a glittery snowflake to follow. A perfect book for four to eight year old children to take in and if they are like me, they will definitely take time to feel that glittery snowflake on every page to!
I also read The Tale of Pip and Squeak which happened to be another book about sharing. This was totally coincidental of course, but worked out perfectly. Pip and Squeak are brothers who don't really like to be in the same room and don't really like to share the spotlight. But one day that all changes and they realize it's okay to work together and share the admiration of those around. This is an older book, but it is worth seeing if your library has a copy or searching for a used copy as it was considered good enough to be added to the Dolly Parton Imagination Library.
And since all these books happen to be about sharing, I would feel totally remiss if I didn't share the recipe for Emily's award winning cupcakes with you. So here it is and I hope you enjoy.
Strawberry Filled Chocolate Cupcakes
Cake:2 cups sugar 2 eggs1 ¾ cups unbleached flour 1 cup milk¾ cup baking cocoa ½ cup light olive oil1 ½ tsp baking powder 2 tsp vanilla extract1 ½ tsp baking soda 1 cup boiling water¼ tsp salt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line two muffin tins with paper liners. Stir together dry ingredients in bowl and set aside. In a stand mixer, beat sugar, oil, eggs and milk until smooth. Add dry ingredients and mix thoroughly for about two minutes. Stir in boiling water. (Batter will be thin) Pour batter into tins filling about 2/3 full. There will be some leftover batter as this recipe makes about thirty cupcakes. Bake about twenty minutes and check centers to see if toothpick comes out cleanly. Remove from pan and cool on racks.
Filling:1 container strawberries (diced)½ cup sugar1/8 cup cornstarch½ cup waterIn a pan combine all ingredients and cook over medium heat stirring frequently. Mixture will begin to thicken like jelly. When it gets to this point, remove from heat and allow to cool. Core cupcakes (we used an apple corer) and fill with cooled strawberry mixture.
Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting:1 ½ cups softened salted butter1 cup baking cocoa5 cups powdered sugar½ cup milk1 TBS vanilla extract
In stand mixer, add five cups of powdered sugar and cocoa and beat on low until combined. Add butter, vanilla, and one TBS of milk and beat. Continue to add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached. If frosting is too thin, add additional powdered sugar. Frost cupcakes and enjoy!
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me for another exciting episode, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Drop by the Literacy Musings Monday blog hop where you will find other great literary blogs. And feel free to drop by my personal website, Fun With Aileen, any day of the week for even more on reading, writing, my very own early grade chapter book, Fern Valley, the sequels, Return To Fern Valley, and Cooking In Fern Valley, along with my very first picture book, Quack and Daisy! I'm also on twitter @AileenWStewart if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
