BOOKS I FINISHED - APRIL 2023

All the Light We Cannot See, written by Anthony Doerr

A blind girl living in France. An orphaned boy living in Germany. Each with knowledge both valuable and dangerous in the midst of the war they're living through. Eventually, their worlds collide. I chose this book for the "Pulitzer Prize winner" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman's Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40, written by Lara Briden, ND

Describing perimenopause as second puberty, Briden explains what happens to a woman's body during perimenopause and after menopause, as well as how to deal with the various bodily changes they bring about. I chose this book for the "recommended by a friend" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 23, Every time we praise a woman for looking young, or at least for not looking old, we reinforce the pervasive and oppressive belief that aging is bad and that, as women, we need to strive to stay young and nubile. 

The Magician's Elephant, written by Kate DiCamillo and narrated by Juliet Stevenson

This is a heartwarming story of orphaned boy who desperately wants to know if his sister is alive, and to find her if she is. A fortune-teller says an elephant will lead him, which seems entirely impossible ... until an elephant appears. A friend recently read this to her kid and recommended I read it to Tyler. I opted for the audio book version, which we enjoyed on a road trip. 

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons, written by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

In a country where women are forbidden from owning businesses and always have their husbands chosen for them, one girl leaves home dressed as a boy to make her way in the world. Her business endeavor is wildly successful over the years, but will eventually cost her the opportunity to marry the man she loves. This is a school book I read to Tyler.

p. 197, When I was awake and in control, I knew better than to weep over what I couldn't do anything about. It was only in the echoing dark that I couldn't help myself. It was then I realized that the pain of my loneliness would not, as I had thought, grow less with time.

The Strength of His Hand, written by Lynn Austin

This novel is based on the biblical character of King Hezekiah and is filled with reminders to trust God, even when it's hard or doesn't seem to make sense. It's actually the third book in a series of five about biblical kings, but you don't need to read the others to follow it. This book was the April part of a year-long gift from a friend, one book to unwrap and read each month. I also used this book for the "book set in the Middle East" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 162, "Don't trade a chance at happiness for a title or prestige. It's not a fair exchange."

These is my Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901, written by Nancy E. Turner

Inspired by the author's family history, this novel tells a compelling story of twenty years in one woman's life. Despite plenty of danger, tragedy, and heartbreak, this book is filled with the courage, perseverance, and love of individuals, friends, and family members. I chose this book for the "first book in a trilogy" category of a book challenge I'm doing this year.

p. 226, It is a funny thing how much more proud people can be of themselves if they never step back and take a good look in a glass. 

p. 277, (E)ducation doesn't keep a person from being a fool, and the lack of it doesn't keep a person from being intelligent. 

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PUZZLES I FINISHED - APRIL 2023

Exodus - Artist: Eric Dowdle - Dowdle Folk Art - 500 pieces

I think Noah's Ark is the only Bible-themed Dowdle we've done before, so this gift from a friend that's a depiction of the book of Exodus was fun. As is his artistic style, there are so many little details of that book's plagues and miracles.  

National Parks - Artist: Eric Dowdle - Dowdle Folk Art - 500 pieces

Tyler and I finished this fun national park scene today, but I think I'll leave it out another day or two so I can take time to look at all the details. 

Pencils - Artist: Maureen Rupprecht - White Mountain Puzzles - 1,000 pieces

I loved finding all the matching colors and fonts on the hundreds of pencils in this puzzle. What a creative idea the artist had in creating the scene!

Tropical Coral Reef - Big Ben - 1,000 pieces

So many things in this underwater scene!

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THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful for unexpected time to visit with a friend who no longer lives in the area. What's one thing that you're thankful for?

WOODEN SHOE TULIP FEST - 2023

The little Ws and I took an unplanned trip to Wooden Shoe's Tulip Fest today. I hopped online about 30 minutes after I woke up, picked an arrival time and bought tickets online (Tyler's still young enough to get in free!), then headed over a few hours later. With a very wet and cold spring, this is the latest peak bloom they've had in 40 years, but it made for a great outing on a random Tuesday. I think it's been eight years since we've gone, which is a bit ridiculous since it's just a few miles down the road from us and people travel for hours to come see the blooms. Such is life. 

Anyway, here are three Ws at the start of our visit. 

 

Then several shots of the fields.

A couple close-up collages.

Tyler got on three tractors, including one he was happy to pedal around.

A quick windmill selfie because it felt necessary.

Naomi and Tyler had some rubber duck races while I sent ducks back and forth with two little siblings who were there. 

After duck races, visiting the artists' booths that are open on weekdays (including a guy who we got to watch make a glass mushroom), and buying a few items in the gift shop, we grabbed doughnuts from Deliciosa Donuts' booth in the food vendor area and headed back to our car. I didn't look at pictures until we got home, but it turns out that cinnamon sugar doughnuts don't look very appetizing with the backdrop of a bark dust path. Ha! At least they tasted good. That's all that counts, right?

One parting shot before we got in the car, with skies clear enough to see the mountains. 

It was a great way to spend a few hours!

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful my home has both wood and electric heat available. What's one thing that you're thankful for?

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful that I realized this morning it's been well over 14 years since I started naming one thing I'm thankful for every Thursday. What's one thing that you're thankful for?

THANKFUL THURSDAY

I'm thankful that about once a week one of two local friends go on my daily walk with me. What's something that you're thankful for?

PUZZLES I FINISHED - MARCH 2023

By the Sea - Artist: Charles Wysocki - Buffalo - 1,000 pieces

Tyler definitely put more pieces in than I did on our second time working this puzzle, but we both enjoyed the signs and patterns in this coastal scene.

Earthscapes - United States Postal Service - 500 pieces

This puzzle is based on stamps released in 2012. I wasn't aware until putting it together that the USPS sells puzzles with scenes of various stamp collections. 

Lighthouses, U.S.A. - Artist: Roger Bansemer - Great American Puzzle Factory - 600 pieces

Twenty-one lighthouses from around the country, all in the shape of one from the state I live in. 

St. Augustine - Artist: Eric Dowdle - Dowdle Folk Art - 500 pieces

Some friends put this puzzle together around the time they visited St. Augustine, then shared the puzzle with us because they know we love Dowdle puzzles. Tim, Tyler, and I all worked on it. 

Times Square - Artist: Eric Dowdle - Dowdle Folk Art - 500 pieces

Dowdle puzzles are always fun and this festive scene is no exception. 

Times Square, NYC - Artist: Ken Keeley - Ravensburger - 1,000 pieces

We've put this puzzle together multiple times, but decided to pull it out again right after doing Dowdle's version of the scene. 

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