Aileen Stewart's Blog, page 5
June 11, 2018
Connections
Personal connections are important to everyone, and that is one of the reasons I enjoy being a part of our local Farmers' Market. It gives me an opportunity to interact with people in my community that I wouldn't normally know and an opportunity to share my struggles and triumphs as well as theirs.
This past Saturday was our first market day after a long winter and I welcomed vendors both new and old with a smile and a joyful heart. I hugged a customer who lost her husband last year and rejoiced that she was doing well with the help of friends and family. And I mourned the loss of a customer who used to bring his small dog to visit all of us at the market each week.
I chatted with my maple syrup vendor about the complexities of raising a teenager, I took pictures, and I sold lots of mini quick breads. In essence, I lived life, I interacted with those around me, and hopefully, my existence made a difference.
The two books I read for this week's review were both about connections. The first book, Through With The Zoo, was a story of a small goat from the petting zoo who longed to get away from all the people and other animals and find a space of quiet and serenity. He searched high and low for such a space and when he finally found it, he realized that we all need a balance between alone space and time with others.
The second book, Mango, Abuela, and Me was the story of a young girl whose Spanish speaking grandmother moved in with her family and shared a room with her. At first it was difficult for the two to communicate, but soon the young girl decides they can teach each other. With the help of a new parrot which keeps the grandmother company while the girl is at school, the three soon become bilingual and have much to share with each other.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
This past Saturday was our first market day after a long winter and I welcomed vendors both new and old with a smile and a joyful heart. I hugged a customer who lost her husband last year and rejoiced that she was doing well with the help of friends and family. And I mourned the loss of a customer who used to bring his small dog to visit all of us at the market each week.
I chatted with my maple syrup vendor about the complexities of raising a teenager, I took pictures, and I sold lots of mini quick breads. In essence, I lived life, I interacted with those around me, and hopefully, my existence made a difference.
The two books I read for this week's review were both about connections. The first book, Through With The Zoo, was a story of a small goat from the petting zoo who longed to get away from all the people and other animals and find a space of quiet and serenity. He searched high and low for such a space and when he finally found it, he realized that we all need a balance between alone space and time with others.
The second book, Mango, Abuela, and Me was the story of a young girl whose Spanish speaking grandmother moved in with her family and shared a room with her. At first it was difficult for the two to communicate, but soon the young girl decides they can teach each other. With the help of a new parrot which keeps the grandmother company while the girl is at school, the three soon become bilingual and have much to share with each other.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
June 4, 2018
Niagara Falls and Diversity
This past week, Emily, myself, and Emily's Aunt Kay made our much awaited trip to Niagara Falls where we had a fabulous time despite my having contracted a poison ivy rash before we left. We settled in to our hotel about ten minutes from the downtown area and opted to take a tour with Gray Line Niagara Falls on our first full day. Our tour guide, Larry D. The Legend, led us on an informative journey to see the whirl pool which is the only spot of water in the Northern hemisphere where the water moves counter clockwise, Through the Cave of the Winds where Emily and Aunt Kay felt the force of the hurricane deck, and onto the Maid of the Mist where we got up close and personal with the American and Canadian falls.
We picked an opportune week to visit as the gulls were nesting, and we were able to see chicks just a few inches away from the path we strode upon.
On our own one evening, we took a jaunt to the lights. I found the casino on the Canadian side fascinating as well and admired the constantly changing colors of the building lights.
We managed to slip in a stop at a chocolate factory where we watched two ladies make chocolate suckers and we sampled some delicious ice-cream.
On our last day we did a little antiquing in a town forty minutes away and when we returned we explored down town Niagara where you never know what you might find around the next corner.
And as we toured all the wonderful spots, we spent time chatting with a mother and daughter from England, a mother who was visiting with her two daughters, one of whom was born in Japan, and her two parents who were visiting from Cuba. We passed many Asian families on vacation just like us, and we saw many Indian families enjoying the plethora of Indian restaurants dotting the area.
This diversity of people is what lead me to pick the book A Different Pond out of my review stack when we arrived home. A Different Pond is the story of an early morning fishing trip and the bond between a son and father. A Vietnamese Family who moved to America after the Vietnam War, they are poor, and not only must the father and mother hold down multiple jobs, the father must fish to provide food for the family. I found this story touching not only because it shows a family much different than the one I experienced growing up, but also because it seemed to me to be the authors way of honoring his parents who were also Vietnamese refugees.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
We picked an opportune week to visit as the gulls were nesting, and we were able to see chicks just a few inches away from the path we strode upon.
On our own one evening, we took a jaunt to the lights. I found the casino on the Canadian side fascinating as well and admired the constantly changing colors of the building lights.
We managed to slip in a stop at a chocolate factory where we watched two ladies make chocolate suckers and we sampled some delicious ice-cream.
On our last day we did a little antiquing in a town forty minutes away and when we returned we explored down town Niagara where you never know what you might find around the next corner.
And as we toured all the wonderful spots, we spent time chatting with a mother and daughter from England, a mother who was visiting with her two daughters, one of whom was born in Japan, and her two parents who were visiting from Cuba. We passed many Asian families on vacation just like us, and we saw many Indian families enjoying the plethora of Indian restaurants dotting the area.
This diversity of people is what lead me to pick the book A Different Pond out of my review stack when we arrived home. A Different Pond is the story of an early morning fishing trip and the bond between a son and father. A Vietnamese Family who moved to America after the Vietnam War, they are poor, and not only must the father and mother hold down multiple jobs, the father must fish to provide food for the family. I found this story touching not only because it shows a family much different than the one I experienced growing up, but also because it seemed to me to be the authors way of honoring his parents who were also Vietnamese refugees.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
May 28, 2018
Cars and Buses, Oh My!
This past week has been a bit crazy with finishing up school and getting ready to go on a trip to Niagara Falls with my sister and Emily. I mowed both our lawn and my mother-in-laws. I shopped for sun screen and road trip snacks. And I made enough food to feed an army even though only my husband will be home.
And while I was in the midst of all this preparing for our car trip I happened to see a twitter post by fellow author Josh Funk about a female illustrator/writer he wanted to promote. His exact words were, "Due to #Caldecott Gender Inequity, every day I'm posting an awesome picture book, published this century, illustrated by a woman. For Day #81, meet the CAT ON THE BUS by @StudioAram." Now @StudioAram happens to be Aram Kim, and the resaon I know this is because I had just picked up her book, Cat On The Bus at my local library.
So I was super excited to read this almost wordless picture book about a homeless kitty who rides the bus and finds a forever home. This touched a cord with me not only because the illustrations are so adorable, but because we have three cats, two of which are rescue cats.
But since many of my readers are dog lovers, I also read The Very, Very, Very, Long Dog by Julia Patton. It is the story of Bartelby, an extremely long dog, whose friends take him on walks, that end in chaos caused by his extremely long back end. Never fear, however, because his friends come up with a fun way to help Bartelby avoid calamities.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
And while I was in the midst of all this preparing for our car trip I happened to see a twitter post by fellow author Josh Funk about a female illustrator/writer he wanted to promote. His exact words were, "Due to #Caldecott Gender Inequity, every day I'm posting an awesome picture book, published this century, illustrated by a woman. For Day #81, meet the CAT ON THE BUS by @StudioAram." Now @StudioAram happens to be Aram Kim, and the resaon I know this is because I had just picked up her book, Cat On The Bus at my local library.
So I was super excited to read this almost wordless picture book about a homeless kitty who rides the bus and finds a forever home. This touched a cord with me not only because the illustrations are so adorable, but because we have three cats, two of which are rescue cats.
But since many of my readers are dog lovers, I also read The Very, Very, Very, Long Dog by Julia Patton. It is the story of Bartelby, an extremely long dog, whose friends take him on walks, that end in chaos caused by his extremely long back end. Never fear, however, because his friends come up with a fun way to help Bartelby avoid calamities.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
May 21, 2018
Fine Reads By Friends
Hey everyone. I hope your past week was enjoyable and relaxing. Our week was indeed enjoyable even it wasn't so relaxing. For some reason, May seems to overflow with one event after another. Emily attended her last after school science class and her last Wednesday teen church meeting until fall. She also had an orthodontist appointment and I mowed both our yard and my mother-in-laws. And finally, we rounded out the week by celebrating my mother-in-laws 81st birthday and my husband's aunt's 80th birthday.
In-between, I managed a trip to the library where I found a wonderful chapter book by my friend Jessica Young titled Haggis and Tank Unleashed - Digging for Dinos. Now if you and your sprouts have never read anything by Jessica Young, I highly encourage you to do so. Jessica has a wonderful way with words and the confusion those words cause between friends Haggis and Tank as they track dinosaurs is hilarious. The scene where the dogs egg sit some dinosaur eggs they find is pretty funny as well. Jessica is also a master of imagination as she unleashes a surprising ending!
I also managed to review two books sent to me in e form for my friend Holly Niner. I was particularly taken with The Day I Ran Away. Told from the pov of a young girl telling her dad about her day and how she rran away, this tale shows how a child's day can go from horrible to memorable when a little love is added to the mix. The wonderful way this story unfolds, allows children to see that punishment for wrong doing doesn't mean parents don'e love them. I especially loved the ending where the young girl turns the negativity of running away into something positive and fun she can share with her parents.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
In-between, I managed a trip to the library where I found a wonderful chapter book by my friend Jessica Young titled Haggis and Tank Unleashed - Digging for Dinos. Now if you and your sprouts have never read anything by Jessica Young, I highly encourage you to do so. Jessica has a wonderful way with words and the confusion those words cause between friends Haggis and Tank as they track dinosaurs is hilarious. The scene where the dogs egg sit some dinosaur eggs they find is pretty funny as well. Jessica is also a master of imagination as she unleashes a surprising ending!
I also managed to review two books sent to me in e form for my friend Holly Niner. I was particularly taken with The Day I Ran Away. Told from the pov of a young girl telling her dad about her day and how she rran away, this tale shows how a child's day can go from horrible to memorable when a little love is added to the mix. The wonderful way this story unfolds, allows children to see that punishment for wrong doing doesn't mean parents don'e love them. I especially loved the ending where the young girl turns the negativity of running away into something positive and fun she can share with her parents.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
May 14, 2018
Fun In May
May is flying by quickly, but we're having lots of fun over here in Ohio. Emily and I attended our last Cook Book Club meeting until September (we close for summer reading).
I turned 49, and Emily made me the most beautiful birth day card.
She also made me an unbelievable Mother's Day card.
And I read the two books I found in the wild at my library a couple of weeks ago. "In the Wild," is what we authors say when we see books by friends in public places like book stores and libraries. The first book happened to be written by my friend Ame Dykman and is titled Read The Book, Lemmings.
Fox has a book all about lemmings, but the Lemmings just won't read the book and keep jumping overboard every time Fox mentions that Lemmings "DON'T" jump off cliffs. Fox saves the lemmings repeatedly, but just can't understand why they won't read the book. When Fox learns that the lemmings can't read, he sets about to remedy the situation because every lemming should know how to read!
The second book is illustrated by my friend and ultra talented human being Will Hillenbrand and is titled Sneeze Big Bear Sneeze! Now don't get me wrong, the author Maureen Wright does a brilliant job with the story of Big Bear arguing with Autumn Wind about who is causing the leaves and apples to fall, but Will's illustrations take the story to the next level.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
I turned 49, and Emily made me the most beautiful birth day card.
She also made me an unbelievable Mother's Day card.
And I read the two books I found in the wild at my library a couple of weeks ago. "In the Wild," is what we authors say when we see books by friends in public places like book stores and libraries. The first book happened to be written by my friend Ame Dykman and is titled Read The Book, Lemmings.
Fox has a book all about lemmings, but the Lemmings just won't read the book and keep jumping overboard every time Fox mentions that Lemmings "DON'T" jump off cliffs. Fox saves the lemmings repeatedly, but just can't understand why they won't read the book. When Fox learns that the lemmings can't read, he sets about to remedy the situation because every lemming should know how to read!
The second book is illustrated by my friend and ultra talented human being Will Hillenbrand and is titled Sneeze Big Bear Sneeze! Now don't get me wrong, the author Maureen Wright does a brilliant job with the story of Big Bear arguing with Autumn Wind about who is causing the leaves and apples to fall, but Will's illustrations take the story to the next level.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
May 7, 2018
Time For A Ride
The weather has warmed up here in Ohio, so my husband moved Emily's bike from the shed to the garage. Now she can easily access it any time she wants to ride which she does frequently. And that segues into the first book I read this past week which is Spin.
Spin is a simple story of few words about a mother and daughter on a bicycle ride. At the same time, the colorful pages subtly convey the message of persistence as the girl encourages herself to keep moving up the steep hills, down the long hills, and around the windy bends. Definitely a book great for reading and discussion with kids from five to eight.
The second book I read titled, My Pillow Keeps Moving, is a book about the creative way a dog and a cat find a new home and get out of the cold. This text in the book splits between page text and words on the signs in the illustrated buildings which I found to be a fun addition. Reading this book puts me in mind of how we came to adopt our oldest cat, Max. Someone had dumped several cats in the neighborhood, but Max decide he wanted in our house. He would sit at our back door looking in and when I went out to scare him away, he would not be deterred. Eventually we capitulated and let him in, and I must say he is quite the character.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Spin is a simple story of few words about a mother and daughter on a bicycle ride. At the same time, the colorful pages subtly convey the message of persistence as the girl encourages herself to keep moving up the steep hills, down the long hills, and around the windy bends. Definitely a book great for reading and discussion with kids from five to eight.
The second book I read titled, My Pillow Keeps Moving, is a book about the creative way a dog and a cat find a new home and get out of the cold. This text in the book splits between page text and words on the signs in the illustrated buildings which I found to be a fun addition. Reading this book puts me in mind of how we came to adopt our oldest cat, Max. Someone had dumped several cats in the neighborhood, but Max decide he wanted in our house. He would sit at our back door looking in and when I went out to scare him away, he would not be deterred. Eventually we capitulated and let him in, and I must say he is quite the character.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 30, 2018
Southern Kentucky Book Festival Part II
So it's been a week since I attended and participated in the Southern Kentucky Book Festival, and the glamour is slowly fading as I get back into the swing of scooping cat boxes, cleaning bathrooms, and washing dishes. But the one thing that doesn't fade are the new friendships and great books I discover each year.
One of the first authors I met, Bridgid Kemmerer, happened to be riding the hotel elevator at the same time as me. Bridgid is a YA author with a new book out called More Than We Can Tell which is the tale of two people with past secrets that threaten to crush them. I don't usually read YA because of time constraints, but if I did, I would definitely add this book to my list of to reads.
The next new friend I made happened to be Robin Newman whom I knew from FB but not in person. When I arrived in the lobby hotel, she stood chatting with my friends Debbie Dadey and Tracey Barret. Robin is the author of a series about a pair of mice detectives that solve food mysteries. As you all know, I love mysteries, I love food, and I love food preparation, so it stands to reason that I would love an author who incorporates food into her books.
Detective Robin and me
My table mate, Peggy Goodman, happened to be a Bowling Green resident who wrote a book about a lady with a pie truck called Peg The Pie Lady. There were my panel mates, Holly Niner children's author, Joe Wos cartoonist and maze creator, Crystal Day Nahsville Country singer and children's author, and Amy Parker Christian children's author.
Me and Peggy Goodman
Panel Session with Crystal Day, Amy Parker, Me, Holly Niner,
Robin Newman, and Joeseph Wos
Me and Joe
Cat Jordan, Holly Niner, Robin NewmanI also met YA authors Jacob Devlin, Sharon Cameron, and Cat Jordan. Cat flew in all the way from California and I'm so very glad she did. On the last day of the book fest we had a good chat about all things literary and how fellow authors and illustrators for the most part are extremely nice and quite supportive of each other. There were many others as well, so be sure to browse the Southern Kentucky Book Festival Author Line Up Page and check them all out!
Jacob Devlin, Me, and Sharon Cameron
Me and Cat Jordan
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
One of the first authors I met, Bridgid Kemmerer, happened to be riding the hotel elevator at the same time as me. Bridgid is a YA author with a new book out called More Than We Can Tell which is the tale of two people with past secrets that threaten to crush them. I don't usually read YA because of time constraints, but if I did, I would definitely add this book to my list of to reads.
The next new friend I made happened to be Robin Newman whom I knew from FB but not in person. When I arrived in the lobby hotel, she stood chatting with my friends Debbie Dadey and Tracey Barret. Robin is the author of a series about a pair of mice detectives that solve food mysteries. As you all know, I love mysteries, I love food, and I love food preparation, so it stands to reason that I would love an author who incorporates food into her books.
Detective Robin and me
My table mate, Peggy Goodman, happened to be a Bowling Green resident who wrote a book about a lady with a pie truck called Peg The Pie Lady. There were my panel mates, Holly Niner children's author, Joe Wos cartoonist and maze creator, Crystal Day Nahsville Country singer and children's author, and Amy Parker Christian children's author.
Me and Peggy Goodman 
Panel Session with Crystal Day, Amy Parker, Me, Holly Niner,Robin Newman, and Joeseph Wos
Me and Joe
Cat Jordan, Holly Niner, Robin NewmanI also met YA authors Jacob Devlin, Sharon Cameron, and Cat Jordan. Cat flew in all the way from California and I'm so very glad she did. On the last day of the book fest we had a good chat about all things literary and how fellow authors and illustrators for the most part are extremely nice and quite supportive of each other. There were many others as well, so be sure to browse the Southern Kentucky Book Festival Author Line Up Page and check them all out!
Jacob Devlin, Me, and Sharon Cameron
Me and Cat Jordan
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 23, 2018
Southern Kentucky Book Festival Part I
Hey everyone. The family and I are home safe and sound from our recent Bowling Green, Kentucky trip where I participated in my fifth Southern Kentucky Book Festival. I know I've said this more than once, but this festival is one of my all time favorites. Not only is it run well by the amazing
Sarah Volpi and her awesome volunteer staff, it is a place of unimaginable fun. A place where I catch up with literary friends, make new friends, engage with readers, and convince friends and random strangers to take lots of photos for me____lots!
This year I posed with some of my kidlit besties like Mark Wayne Adams author, illustrator, and owner of a paper bow tie. Be sure to click on the link above and check out his long list of fabulous work.
Me, Mark, and accidental photo bomber and new friend Alisha Klapheke
And Debbie Dadey who reveled with delight along side me when we met the oh so famous and oh so nice Loren Long. Debbie, who I aspire to be like, with her hundreds of Bailey School Kid and Mermaid Tail books.
Debbie Dadey, Loren Long, and Me
And of course no visit would be complete without advice from my girl MG author Gail Nall, a hug from my girl MG author Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, and a smile from my girl children's author JessicaYoung.
Debbie Dadey, Me, Gail Nall, and new friend Stephanie Faris
New friend Jennifer Maschari, Me, and Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
New friend and panel mate Holly Niner, Me, Jessica Young, and Gail NallYou can't even imagine how much laughing goes on when I hang with these fabulous ladies and gents. I just wished laughing burned more calories, lol. If you've ever been to a book fair you know the plethora of books can be overwhelming, so I encourage you to check out the links I've provided and browse these authors wonderful books at your leisure.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for SOKY part two, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Sarah Volpi and her awesome volunteer staff, it is a place of unimaginable fun. A place where I catch up with literary friends, make new friends, engage with readers, and convince friends and random strangers to take lots of photos for me____lots!
This year I posed with some of my kidlit besties like Mark Wayne Adams author, illustrator, and owner of a paper bow tie. Be sure to click on the link above and check out his long list of fabulous work.
Me, Mark, and accidental photo bomber and new friend Alisha KlaphekeAnd Debbie Dadey who reveled with delight along side me when we met the oh so famous and oh so nice Loren Long. Debbie, who I aspire to be like, with her hundreds of Bailey School Kid and Mermaid Tail books.
Debbie Dadey, Loren Long, and MeAnd of course no visit would be complete without advice from my girl MG author Gail Nall, a hug from my girl MG author Kristin O'Donnell Tubb, and a smile from my girl children's author JessicaYoung.
Debbie Dadey, Me, Gail Nall, and new friend Stephanie Faris
New friend Jennifer Maschari, Me, and Kristin O'Donnell Tubb
New friend and panel mate Holly Niner, Me, Jessica Young, and Gail NallYou can't even imagine how much laughing goes on when I hang with these fabulous ladies and gents. I just wished laughing burned more calories, lol. If you've ever been to a book fair you know the plethora of books can be overwhelming, so I encourage you to check out the links I've provided and browse these authors wonderful books at your leisure.
Well, that about wraps it up for this week. Join me next week for SOKY part two, same crazy time, same crazy channel. Also be sure to drop by Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 16, 2018
Peanut Butter Cookie Sandwiches and A Light House
April just seems to be flying by and this past week once again found Emily and me attending the monthly meeting of Cook Book Club at our library. Each month we have a theme and April's theme was sandwiches. I made tuna salad sandwiches and Emily made peanut butter and jelly cookie sandwiches. If you love peanut butter, then your taste buds will surely be tickled by this marvelous concoction.
Peanut butter and Jelly Cookies
2 sticks soft butter1 cup brown sugar packed½ cup sugar1 cup smooth peanut butter2 eggs1 ½ tsp vanilla2 2/3 cup unbleached flour1 ½ tsp baking soda¼ cup sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350. In mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add Peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Add egg and vanilla. Lastly, add dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Divide dough into forty pieces and roll into balls. Dip tops in sugar and place on a baking sheet with a silicone mat. Flatten slightly with a fork using a criss-cross pattern. Bake for ten minutes. Remove from oven and lt cool about five minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
Peanut Butter Buttercream & Jam
6 TBS soft butter½ smooth peanut butter2 cups powdered sugar6 tsp heavy cream1 jar strawberry jam
Whip butter and peanut butter together until combined. Add sugar. Finally, add cream and beat until fluffy. Spread mixture on half of the cookies. Spread jam on the remaining cookies. Put halves together forming sandwiches. (Makes 20)
This past week also found me reading a fantastic book titled Hello Light House. I enjoyed this book immensely for so many reasons. The illustrations are detailed, quite beautiful, and help tell the story; so pay careful attention to them when you explore this book on your own. The story tells of both the life of a light house and the life of a light house keeper. The end papers are a wonderful addition with both pictures and facts about light houses. Even the back cover is of interest depicting the inside view of a lighthouse from top to bottom. A fantastic looking glass into history, Hello Light House is sure to please even the pickiest of readers.
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 Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
Peanut butter and Jelly Cookies
2 sticks soft butter1 cup brown sugar packed½ cup sugar1 cup smooth peanut butter2 eggs1 ½ tsp vanilla2 2/3 cup unbleached flour1 ½ tsp baking soda¼ cup sugar for rolling
Preheat oven to 350. In mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add Peanut butter and mix thoroughly. Add egg and vanilla. Lastly, add dry ingredients and stir until well mixed. Divide dough into forty pieces and roll into balls. Dip tops in sugar and place on a baking sheet with a silicone mat. Flatten slightly with a fork using a criss-cross pattern. Bake for ten minutes. Remove from oven and lt cool about five minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
Peanut Butter Buttercream & Jam
6 TBS soft butter½ smooth peanut butter2 cups powdered sugar6 tsp heavy cream1 jar strawberry jam
Whip butter and peanut butter together until combined. Add sugar. Finally, add cream and beat until fluffy. Spread mixture on half of the cookies. Spread jam on the remaining cookies. Put halves together forming sandwiches. (Makes 20)
This past week also found me reading a fantastic book titled Hello Light House. I enjoyed this book immensely for so many reasons. The illustrations are detailed, quite beautiful, and help tell the story; so pay careful attention to them when you explore this book on your own. The story tells of both the life of a light house and the life of a light house keeper. The end papers are a wonderful addition with both pictures and facts about light houses. Even the back cover is of interest depicting the inside view of a lighthouse from top to bottom. A fantastic looking glass into history, Hello Light House is sure to please even the pickiest of readers.
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 Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
April 9, 2018
Wacky Weather, Car Care, and Beautiful Books
I don't know what's happening in your neck of the woods weather wise, but here in Ohio it's been a roller coaster of wackiness. We started the week only to have April Fools surprise us with the temperature dropping to below below freezing and snow. Day two offered rain by the bucketfuls. Day three was so windy the rain dried up everything but a puddle where there is a dip in my front yard. Day four it snowed some more and the lone remaining puddle froze creating an ice rink just the right size for chipmunks had they been inclined to skate. Day five gave us a reprieve from snow, but boy was it cold. Day six arrived overcast and cold, but not as cold as the day before. And finally day seven we had bright sunshine which gave the illusion that the cold had subsided. Illusion I say because it was still colder than snot.
It was on day six of this crazy week that I took my car in for an oil change. I thought this would be a good idea as we are getting ready to travel to the Southern Kentucky Book Festival in a week and a half. Needless to say, that day didn't go as planned. I decided to wait at our local repair shop while they changed the oil, but as the hour drew to a close, the technician informed me that I needed my tires rotated and I needed new brakes. I felt like April Fools Day had returned when my bill shot from $40 to nearly $400. At least our trip will occur in a well maintained car this year.
So finding two beautiful books in my to review stack sort of perked up my cold, expensive week. The first book, Albert and Sarah Jane, tells the tale of best friends who love to cuddle by the fire in a warm doggy kitty snuggle lump. The only thing Albert loves more than snuggling with Sarah Jane is eating kibble. Unfortunately after gobbling up all of his, he can't control his temptation to nibble on Sarah Jane's as well. This leads to a squabble and Sarah Jane moves out. Albert misses Sarah Jane tremendously and begs her to come. How they manage to resolve their squabble is definitely something you and your littles will want to read and find out for yourselves.
The second book, Wakem the Rooster Up All Night, has the barnyard in a tizzy when Wakem the Rooster allows the compliments about his voice to go to his head. Wakem sings all day and into the night and ends up with a backward sleeping schedule. Awake at night and asleep during the day, Wakem causes the sheep to run away in an attempt to find a quiet place to sleep. Will Wakem find the sheep and will he be able to rectify the problem? Be sure to grab a copy of your own and find out!
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 Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
It was on day six of this crazy week that I took my car in for an oil change. I thought this would be a good idea as we are getting ready to travel to the Southern Kentucky Book Festival in a week and a half. Needless to say, that day didn't go as planned. I decided to wait at our local repair shop while they changed the oil, but as the hour drew to a close, the technician informed me that I needed my tires rotated and I needed new brakes. I felt like April Fools Day had returned when my bill shot from $40 to nearly $400. At least our trip will occur in a well maintained car this year.
So finding two beautiful books in my to review stack sort of perked up my cold, expensive week. The first book, Albert and Sarah Jane, tells the tale of best friends who love to cuddle by the fire in a warm doggy kitty snuggle lump. The only thing Albert loves more than snuggling with Sarah Jane is eating kibble. Unfortunately after gobbling up all of his, he can't control his temptation to nibble on Sarah Jane's as well. This leads to a squabble and Sarah Jane moves out. Albert misses Sarah Jane tremendously and begs her to come. How they manage to resolve their squabble is definitely something you and your littles will want to read and find out for yourselves.
The second book, Wakem the Rooster Up All Night, has the barnyard in a tizzy when Wakem the Rooster allows the compliments about his voice to go to his head. Wakem sings all day and into the night and ends up with a backward sleeping schedule. Awake at night and asleep during the day, Wakem causes the sheep to run away in an attempt to find a quiet place to sleep. Will Wakem find the sheep and will he be able to rectify the problem? Be sure to grab a copy of your own and find out!
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 Literacy Musings Mondays for more great blogs as well as my personal website Fun With Aileen where you will find more on reading, writing, and my very own chapter and picture books. And finally, you can find me on twitter if you want an extremely brief glimpse into my days.
