MAY BOOK CLUB

On Thursday we held our May book club. Someone had a great idea to hold it at Rumbi so over rice bowls and salad we chated. We also ate a delicious fruit tart for dessert. I really liked this book although it's not a "feel good book" but it did make me think and it did make me bite my nails to little nubs and rush out to get the sequel which was even more of a cliff hanger! While most this book, we held a short discussion because there wasn't much to say about it.

Next month's book: Small change: The Secret Life of Penny Burford, by Yandell Belinda.

APRIL BOOK CLUB

Last night was the one year anniversary of Book Club (yay!) I enjoy getting together with other women and having great discussions! For April we read The Help which I think is a must read for all! The story made me laugh, it made me cry and it made me think. How could humans be so cruel to other humans simply because their skin is a different color? What was wrong with them? There are so many great quotes from this story, but here are some of my favorites:

• "Wasn't that the point of the book? For women to realize, we are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought."
• "You is kind. You is smart. You is important."
• "Ever morning, until you are dead in the ground, you gone have to make this decision. You gone have to ask yourself, "Am I gone believe what them fools say about me today?"
• "Ugly live up on the inside. Ugly be a hurtful, mean person. Is you one a them peoples?"

Next month's book: The Hunger Games

MARCH BOOK CLUB

Sorry I'm being a blog slacker. For our March book club we read the Wednesday Sisters. It's a story that takes place in the 60's and 70's and is about friendship, trials and following your dreams. Some of us agreed that we didn't love the book but it was a great one to discuss. We covered so many topics. We had a great turn out and can't wait to read this months's book, The Help.

FEBRUARY BOOK CLUB

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do something that I can do. ~Helen Keller~


Book club is back in session! For the month of February, we read The Story of My Life, by Helen Keller. I am so very grateful for book club because without it I never would have read this incredible story. Sure, I always thought Helen Keller was an interesting person, we learned about her in school, she was a person who could not see or hear. Helen was so much more than that. She was a brilliant and very well educated women. Helen gives an example of a person who let NOTHING stand in her way. She thirsted for knowledge and never stopped learning. She was also someone who appreciated life so much, even the little things. I would highly recommend this book to all!
Next Month's Book: The Wednesday Sisters by Meg Waite Clayton

APRONS

A couple of weeks ago I finished Aprons on a Clothesline, by Traci DePree. This book was the third in a mini series and I would recommend them all! While there were a lot of great lessons in this story, but the part that really stuck out to me was when a young mother was hanging clothes on a line her daughter asked why she always wore an apron. The mother explained that it helped to keep her clothes clean but more importantly it is used almost like a uniform. When she puts her apron on, she is reminded of who she is working for- her family. The mother loved her family so much she was very happy to serve them. I hope I can feel the same way one day when I have a family of my own. The mother of this story, now an elderly woman stated that women don't wear aprons very much anymore since most people prepare their food from boxes. I love wearing a pretty apron, for some reason it makes me feel special as I cook for my husband and I am happy to serve him out of love.

2009 BOOKS

With the holidays over and a long winter ahead I should be able to get a lot of reading done. I love Good Reads because I was able to keep track of all the books I read during 2009 and there were 64 of them. Here are ten of my favorites in no special order:

1. The Shape 0f Mercy
2. Hattie Big Sky
3. Running With Angels
4. The Goose Girl
5. A Bride Most Begrudging
6. A Can of Peas
7. Heirs of Montana Series
8. Bikini Season
9. The Thirteenth Tale
   
10. Summer on Blossom Street

I'm excited to see what the new year will bring!

GIVING THANKS

I love how we have a holiday where the purpose of it is just to give thanks! Last year I started a gratitude journal and for the whole month of November I had to write at least one thing I was thankful for. So I am making myself write again every day this month and I think it helps me to look for the good in things every day. I was reading some of the entries I did last year and there were experiences I had completely forgotten about. I am so blessed and I don't always realize it. Last night I was feeling sorry for myself but I felt better after I forced myself to find something to be thankful for.