Game Night – New Additions

by Carol3 Comments
A couple of new boardgames were under the tree this morning. I'm looking forward to playing them, but in the meantime I thought I'd show you what we got. Colosseum Designers: Markus Lubke, Wolfgang Kramer Manufacturer: Days of Wonder Year: 2007 Players: 3 - 5 Time: 60 - 90 minutes Ages: 10 and up In Colosseum you are a Roman impresario - producing great spectacles in your arena in the hope of attracting the most spectators to your events. You'll earn wealth and glory for each event you run, using it to build ever more ambitious events. Attract the most spectators to one of your events and you'll be granted the title of Grand Impresario, with tales of your extraordinary spectacles acclaimed throughout the empire. Purchase at Amazon or Funagain Games. Forbidden Island Designer: Matt Leacock Manufacturer: Gamewright Year: 2010 Players: 2 - 4 Time: 30 minutes Ages: 10 and up Dare to discover Forbidden Island! Join a team of fearless adventurers on a do-or-die mission to...
Read More

The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen

by Carol5 Comments
"The Little Match Girl" by Hans Christian Andersen Earlier this year, I asked people to share what their favorite Christmas story is and several mentioned this tale by Hans Christian Andersen. It's one I've heard of but I'm not sure that I ever actually read it before. The Little March Girl is a poor child wandering the streets trying to sell her matches, since begging was illegal during Andersen's time. It's New Year's Eve and horribly cold; she has no shoes, no hat, and she's shivering, but she can't go home because she will surely be beat for not bringing any money back. The tired girl sits down in a corner formed by the walls of two houses. She finally takes out a single match and lights it to warms her hand by. Then she sees the first of three visions, a large warm iron stove. With the second match, she sees a roast goose, a traditional holiday meal that her family could...
Read More

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson

by Carol4 Comments
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever by Barbara Robinson (Suggested reading level: Grades 3-6) This is actually the second time Amber (10) and I have read this book. the first time was in 2008 and I don't think she remembered the story. She really enjoyed it this time around, got a kick out of the Herdman's antics,but still catching the meaning of the story. The Herdmans are the worst kids in town. They're mean, dirty and have a tendency to catch things on fire. They're also thieves, but they've decided to join the Christmas pageant this year. And they get all the big parts because all the other kids are afraid to try for a part that one of the Herdmans wants. Everyone is ready for this to be the worst Christmas pageant, but just the opposite happens. People are reminded about the true Christmas story, not a cleaned up, nicened up version. They looked like the people you see on the six o'clock news...
Read More

Christmas Questions

by Carol4 Comments
I found these questions over at The Glamorous Life of a Housewife and thought they were fun. 1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both. I love wrapping paper and bows, but sometimes I get lazy and go for the bags. Of course, Amber says that bags are the best ones to pick at gift exchanges, that they usually have the best stuff. 2. Real tree or Artificial? Artificial. I just sneeze too much around real trees. And artificial trees are more convenient and less messy. 3. When do you put up the tree? The weekend after Thanksgiving. 4. When do you take the tree down? It'll probably be January 2 this year. 5. Do you like eggnog? Yes, it's absolutely delicious. Of course, my husband and daughter don't drink it, so I buy the stuff in the carton even though it's not as good as homemade. 6. Favorite gift received as a child? My Cabbage Patch Doll 7. Hardest person to buy...
Read More

A Christmas Journey by Anne Perry

by Carol4 Comments
A Christmas Journey by Anne Perry Dear Vespasia, It was certainly tragic that poor Gwendolen committed suicide during the weekend party at Applecross. I'm sure Isobel could never have suspected that her comment, cruel though it was, would lead to Gwendolen's death. I also think that Bertie takes some of the blame by not following after Gwendolen and assuring her that he truly wanted to marry her. And expecting Isobel to carry a letter to the dead woman's mother as a form of expiation seems a bit harsh. After all, she only made a rash comment. On the other hand, she certainly couldn't afford to have society turn its back on her. I do think it was kind of you to volunteer to travel with Isobel across Scotland in the winter. It's a rugged journey, though the scenery did seem as gorgeous even as it's dangerous. However, I know you had your own reasons between wanting to impress Omegus Jones and your continual...
Read More