About Carmen

Wife, mother, and avid reader

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Carmen

Sometimes I get tired of adult fiction, and read youth/young adult fiction instead. Josiah’s cousin introduced me to Patricia Reilly Giff. I read Pictures of Hollis Woods (Newberry Honor 2003) one afternoon while David was napping. I’m glad he’s a good napper!

In Pictures of Hollis Woods, Patricia tells the story of Hollis, a girl who is wishing for her own family after being placed in many different foster homes. Hollis’ anxiety about the social worker’s visits remind me of experiences I’ve had as a foster parent. On that note, I wish that there would be more books written from the perspective of the foster parent. I’ll have to be on the lookout! If you’re into movies, I see that there is a movie version of this book – I don’t know how much it follows the book.

In Our Library Bag – June 22

Posted on June 22, 2013 by Carmen

We have had a busy week/weekend this week. Fun, but busy. We’re hosting this weekend, so I’m not sure how much reading I’ll get in.

When I went to the library this week, I found out that David is old enough to do the summer reading program. I just have to read 30 books to him (that will take me all of one day), and then he gets several gift certificates. Works for me. Here is a small selection from our library bag for this week.

David’s pick:

Eating the Alphabet – Lois Ehlert. This is especially a fun book for this fresh-produce-all-the-time-season. David’s learning some letters too.

I ordered for David:

Beep Beep – Petr Horacek. David loves this book – cars and grandma’s house – what is not to love?

For me:

A Week in Winter – Maeve Binchy. Haven’t started reading it yet. . I’ll let you know if it’s a hit. I found it on the new book shelf while David was chatting with the library ladies. I have to be quick before he starts running all over the place.

Hope’s Boy – Andrew Bridge. Loved it. Read about it here.

Hope’s Boy

Posted on June 20, 2013 by Carmen

I couldn’t stop reading this book – Hope’s Boy. Andrew Bridge shares the story of his rocky childhood and his undying love for his mother, even when she was unable to care for him. I found it particularly fascinating to read of his experience in a foster home. I really hope that Josiah and I are able to do a better job loving on the kiddos we have in and out of our home. . . and I am sad when I think of the many children in rocky foster homes, institutions, etc. whose stories are not being told.

If you read A Child Called It, this book is a lot less dramatic – which made it easier reading for me. Bridge really speaks to the bond between a mother and a child, even when things don’t seem to make sense. And the best part – Bridge is now a lawyer and an advocate for many vulnerable children. Read about his work here.

Just a smattering of things. . .

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Carmen

First of all, here is the frame I made with my dad. (Thanks, Dad!) As I look at the photo, I’m realizing I really need to learn how to take better photos. (Josiah????) I am learning about wood with my book- The Handbuilt Home. For more info about the book, check out my post here. Josiah and I are going to make a step-stool for David next.

homemade frame

I didn’t record our library books from last week. . .there was nothing terribly exciting. I did read The Mothers, which had elements of a good story, but I was somewhat annoyed with the narrator. Josiah and I watched Mr. Popper’s Penguins, but it has been too long since I read the book, so I have no idea how much the movie follows the book.

Finally, I found a fun blog – The Modern Mrs. Darcy, and she (Anne) talks books a lot. Yay. She also has a downloadable list of recommended books – 2013 Ultimate Beach Reading Guide. I look forward to exploring her site more.

In Our Library Bag – June 7

Posted on June 7, 2013 by Carmen

David’s picks:

brownbear Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? -Eric Carle: Great book. I don’t know how many times David has picked this, even though we have it at home.

My Clothes/Mi Ropa – Rebecca Emberley: I guess David wants to learn Spanish.

five-little-ducks-w-holes Five Little Ducks – Rebecca Emberley: The little holes in the pages are David’s favorite part.

I ordered for David:

headshoulders Head, shoulders, knees, and toes-Annie Kubler: David says “no” every time I start reading this one, so I’m guessing that he’s not a fan.

Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear – Annie Kubler: We like to act this one out. David now knows how to turn around.

I ordered for myself:

Hungry Monkey: A food-loving father’s quest to raise an adventurous eater – Matthew Amster-Burton: A very entertaining book – fun snippets and yummy-looking recipes. I don’t know why I decided to read it while experimenting with the GAPS diet – I want some cheese!!! (and chocolate and bread)

deeper-water Deeper Water: A Tides of Truth Novel. – Robert Whitlow: I decided to try some Christian fiction again- this time a legal drama. It was kinda interesting, but I’m not sure if I’ll read the others in the series or not. I have always had a fascination with the law, but never enough to seriously consider law school.

In Our Library Bag This Week – 5/31/13

Posted on May 31, 2013 by Carmen

I decided to keep track of our reading by recording our library books each week.

David’s pick:

Tails – Matthew Van Fleet. This is a super-cute, interactive book. I can tell by the wear that many other children love it too.

Ordered for David:

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round – illustrated by Annie Kubler. David is into wheels right now, so we sing every page, every day.

Row, Row, Row Your Boat – illustrated by Annie Kubler. Not quite as cool as the Wheels on the Bus, but I still want to order Kubler’s other song-picture-books.

I Love You Through and Through- by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak. “I love you running, and walking, silent, and talking. I love you through and through. . . yesterday, today and tomorrow, too.”

Ordered for myself:

Operating Instructions: A Journal of My Son’s First Year by Anne Lamott. Apparently I already read this book, but I didn’t realize it until I started reading it again. I can’t decide if I like Lamott’s style or not. She is hilarious, but a little raw for my taste. This made me laugh: “I just can’t get over how much babies cry. I really had no idea what I was getting into. To tell you the truth, I thought it would be more like getting a cat.”

Power Tools Will Not Scare Me

Posted on May 21, 2013 by Carmen

I’m afraid of power tools. I like all of my ten fingers. However, ever since watching my dad create things in his shop during my childhood, I have been fascinated with wood, and creating things with wood. Even though I have made several projects (with a LOT of assistance), I lack the “can-do” attitude in regards to wood that I have in other areas of my life.

I’m determined to change this. I found a book to help. Of course.

The Handbuilt Home, written by Ana White, is full of wood projects made by women. (Now, men can make these projects too, but I was particularly excited to see projects that other women made. Part of my lack of confidence goes back to my assumption that wood is a man’s thing.)

Ana White runs a great blog as well — check it out here: ana-white.com — but what I love about the book is its organization and projects. For each project, Ana identifies what level of skills you need, the general price range, and how long the project should take. She has beginning through advanced projects and they are all beautiful and practical. I think I will start with a picture frame or gallery ledge. . . but I can always daydream about the child-sized adirondack chair and farmhouse picnic table.

I also picked up the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Woodworking from a thrift store for a buck.

Although these books are very cool, I know that the people around me will probably be the most help. Thanks in advance, Josiah and Dad.

If you see me wandering around Lowe’s with a puzzled expression, you know what I’m up to.

Anything

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carmen

We wanted to quit chasing the wind and building this short life. We wanted to not just offer God words but truly offer up our lives and all that was in them, letting go of every expectation of what he would say. ‘God, we will do anything. Anything.’

Jennie Allen writes these words in her book, Anything: The Prayer that Unlocked My God and My Soul. Jennie shares story after story from her life and journey with God, and how she is learning to take risks in obedience.

I felt like I was reading some of my own story in Jennie’s words. We had an almost identical experience: discovering Katie Davis’ blog and devouring every word. Like Jennie, I’m still listening to Jesus about what risks God may be asking me to take. Everyone’s risks will look different.

Jennie quotes one of her bible professors on risk: “To risk is to willingly place your life in the hand of an unseen God and an unknown future, then to watch him come through. He starts to get real when you live like that.”

Glad I found this gem at Ollie’s the other day. :)

The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap

Posted on May 7, 2013 by Carmen

This was a great weekend read for me on so many levels: The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap by Wendy Welch.

What drew me to this book:

First of all, I love books (obviously) and I have always had the interest in little bookshops and libraries.

Second, this memoir takes place in a small town in western Virginia, and reminds me of the small town I lived in in Eastern Kentucky.

What kept me reading:

Wendy is a great storyteller. I laughed at their escapades as they learned how to keep shop and how to relate to their new community. Yes, out loud giggles. I also almost cried at some of the stories she shared of people she had met through the store.

Wendy is right when she said “Don’t open a used bookstore unless you love people.” Wendy’s love for both people and books exudes from this book.

Wendy included a great quotation from the play The History Boys:

“The best moments in reading are when you come across something – a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things – that you’d thought special, particular to you. And here it is, set down by someone else, a person you’ve never met, maybe even someone long dead. And it’s as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.”

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Carmen

Don’t run away if you don’t like sewing. The Dressmaker of Khair Khana is not just about a seamstress. And don’t be afraid if you can’t pronounce the title. I can’t either. I loved this book.

Gayle Lemmon tells the true story of Kamila Sidiqi, a young woman from Kabul (in Afghanistan), who refuses to just sit inside her house and watch the Taliban take control of her city. Instead, she starts a business that not only supports her family, but empowers other women to support their families. Although Kamila knows the danger of what she is doing, she does it anyway. After starting the business, she had an idea of starting a school. So, she did. The next week.

I find her story inspiring. I am a dreamer, a thinker, and sometimes I don’t take the steps to follow-through. Kamila followed through.

Here’s an article for more information: How Fashion Saved My Family From the Taliban