the one with nellie oleson

nellie oleson.  those two words bring up almost as many childhood memories as kraft mac n cheese.  what a little stinker.

maren and i just finished On the Banks of Plum Creek.  laura and the ingalls family have relocated to MN and contend with grasshoppers, crazy blizzards and long walks to school.

for me, this is the book where laura's personality starts to emerge.  i love her indignant, adventurous side.  the side that just hates nellie oleson.  and cries when her doll charlotte is taken away.

really makes me want to turn on the Hallmark Channel and watch a little house marathon.
that is, until some of the weird episodes start in.  clowns in walnut creek?  no thanks.

does anyone remember Nancy Oleson?  What was the story with her again?

the one about a smart girl.

I love books about smart women.  And I really liked this one.

I have to save some of my thoughts for book club but here are are few snippets:


I'm so glad that being a woman now doesn't mean making compromises.
And yet, it some very different but still significant ways, it does?
I'm glad that the church doesn't do such dastardly things anymore.
And yet, some terrible awful things happen in its name, hmmm?
I'm glad that the poor are not quite so deplored or ignored.
Well actually . . .

I smile that the theme of this book is that education is the one, the only way to better ourselves.

I don't know that this was the best historical fiction. 
Others have turned to Tracy Chevalier and Ken Follett instead. 
But it was a great read. 
Now has anyone seen the movie (2009)?

On a less serious note, I think it's funny that the Karolingian line ended with Charles the Fat.  What a horrible name.

the one I think my sister would like.

Just finished A Thousand Acres by Jane Smiley.

This book is NOT a happy, smiley read.  It can be very dark at times.
Apparently based on King Lear by Shakespeare.  Which I will NOT be reading.
About a family dynasty in Iowa. 
Everyone either dies of cancer, suicide or farm accident.

I thought of my mother several times as she grew up outside Mason City. 
This book does NOT resemble her life whatsoever but helped me imagine her farm. 
Yes, me.  I am one generation removed from farmers!

Happy to have read another Pulitzer Prize. 
People are ALL over the map with this book so read with care. 
Honestly, I don't know what I thought of this one. 

I'm going to watch the movie . . . even though grandma P thought it scandalous.
They filmed A Thousand Acres outside Dekalb.

Anyone been there, done this book?

the one about farmers.

Maren and I just finished up Farmer Boy.  This used to be my LEAST favorite of the Little House series.  I just like a female protagonist.

That said, I really enjoyed this reading.   There was something about the seasonality of the book, the rhythm of family life, the yummy treats.  My favorite chapter is where Father and Mother leave on vacation for a week and the kids use up all the sugar and sit in the parlor.  Can't you just remember what it was like to be home alone for the first time?

Farmer Boy is kinda neat because the family really works together to make life happen.  Every individual has a role and kids are expected to contribute.  A nice perspective . . .

the two about parenting.

Here we go.  More "timely" books on how to be a parent.  Skip, if you wish.


How to Raise An Amazing Child: The Montessori Way

I figured this was a must as we are sending little M to Macdonald Montessori in 5 short months.  I plan to borrow this book from Macdonald's library sometime next winter when we'll need it more.  She'll be going through more of the "sensitive periods" then (as they call them).  In the meantime, I was encouraged me to take nature hikes, keep things accessible to little M and continue shopping at Peapods :)

I love this picture of Maria Montessori who started it all.

And then there was this book.  Recommended by the new parent educator.
Your Child's Weight: Helping Without Harming by Ellyn Satter MS RD LCSW BCD

Basically, she encourages a division of responsibility with kids.  You provide the food.  They choose what they eat.  No short order cooking.  No playing around at the table.  If they're done, let them know when the next meal/snack will be. 

Plan meals with 4-5 foods (protein, 2 grains or starchy, fruit and/or vegetable, milk & fat (butter).  Cripes, I can barely get 1 food on the table much less 4-5. 

Any good baby food/nutrition manuals for parents out there?

the one Matt made me read.

Sometimes you have to do things you don't want to.  Like take medicine or shovel the walk or wake up early on a Saturday morning.  I had to read Ron Paul. 

I'm sort of in a place where I'm learning to understand and explain my own politics.  And (although this book is not one I was eager to read) I always want to be the kind of person that doesn't close off and curiously listens.  This does NOT mean, however, that I will be reading Sarah Palin's bio anytime soon.

Ron has a point of view that is unique and radical.  We probably don't agree on health care, right to choose, taxes (in general) and education.  But, I was surprised at how much we do agree on.  Particularly, our foreign policy and military spending.  The use of torture in the war on terror.  And the draft.


I tried, TRIED to read the section on the Fed and care.  Honest to god.  But Econ 21 and Micro Econ were god awful in college and turned me off from all ideas of inflation and interest rates, etc. etc.  And that's a cop-out but one that I can live with for now.

This book confused and clarified.  And I'm glad I read it.  I may not vote for him but I will listen with interest to a point of view that is different if nothing else.

And now, Matt MUST read either Henrietta Lacks or Slow Death by Rubber Duck.  Because I think he'll like them and because turnabout is fair play.

my french life.

this may be the most beautiful book ever produced.  i don't so much want to read it as keep it on my coffee table and play pretend.  the photos are too die for . . .

i don't have a french life.  but if I did I would cherish table linens and stop for baguette on my way home from work and give two kisses.  i gave two kisses with my parisienne friends when i visited in 09.  i was awful clumsy at it.  i was much better at eating macaroons and ice cream.

paris - the city- was hard to personally embrace.  but I love la mode francaise.   Archer states la mode francaise "is all about a people in love with the pleasure of life, passionate and not afraid to show it, where individuality is revered and creativity much encouraged".

life should sparkle, yes?

my husband is going to paris on april 1-2 for work.  maren and i will be celebrating Paris week on our own.  making crepes, visiting Salut, wearing stripes and giving two kisses.