My weekend

by Carol13 Comments
We went Maple Sugaring this past Saturday at Oglebay in Wheeling, WV. It was a fun, interesting morning. We learned about maple sugaring techniques used by Native Americans, pioneers, and through modern times. It was a gorgeous morning for the walk along the trail to the different stations, and the event ended with a delicious pancake breakfast, featuring fresh maple syrup made from the sap of Oglebay's own trees. After that we headed down to Centre Market in Wheeling, home of my all-time favorite bookstore, The Paradox Bookstore. It's just stacked full of used books, all genres. I just love it there. I even love that old book smell, although Amber (10) did ask if she could wait outside on the stairs. David and I limited ourselves to one book each. Mine was Silent In The Sanctuary by Deanna Raybourn, but I can't remember what David grabbed, some old short piratey novel. Update: David's book was A Sword for Mr Fitton by...
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Game Night – Caylus

by Carol1 Comment
Caylus Designer: William Attia Manufacturers: Ystari Games, Rio Grande Games Year: 2005 Players: 2 - 5 Time: 60 - 150 minutes Ages: 12 and up 2006 Spiel des Jahres winner, Special Award for Complex Game. This is a great worker-placement game. We've only played it twice, but it's one of those games you can just tell is going to be played over and over. The year is is 1289. King Philip the Fair has decided to have a new castle built in order to strengthen the kingdom's borders. Now Caylus is a humble village, but soon workers and craftsmen will be flocking to the town, attracted by the great prospects. Around the building site, a city is slowly rising up. The players are the master builders. By building the castle and developing the city around it, they earn prestige points and gain the King’s favor. When the castle is finished, the player who has earned the most prestige wins...
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Rapunzel

by Carol7 Comments
"Rapunzel" by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm The Rapunzel story for me could have been boiled down to the mean old witch keeps beautiful Rapunzel in a tower, climbing her hair to visit her. Along comes a prince, learns the secret, has Rapunzel let down her hair to him and the two live happily every after. But then I read the Grimm version at Project Gutenberg. So how does the witch get Rapunzel?  Takes her from her parents, of course. This is a fairy tale. You see, Rapunzel's father snuck into the witch's garden to steal rampion, a leafy green vegetable like spinach for his wife. The witch, of course, catches him, and says he may take all the rampion he can on the condition that he give her his daughter when she is born, promising that "it shall be well treated, and [she] will care for it like a mother." Father agrees, but he didn't really have any choice. Well, the witch, not...
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Awards

by Carol9 Comments
I want to take a moment to thank some people for wonderful awards they've passed on to me. I've been pretty slow at this, so I do apologize. Thanks to Lisa at Book Blab for this delicious-looking award. 10 things that make me happy today: Blue sky Daffodils Paczkis Marshmallow peeps Girl Scout cookies Bookmarks Planning summer activities My piano Coffee My car started Thanks to Kim at Metroreader for passing on the Over the Top Award. I've answered these questions before, but things change. Also, you're supposed to use one word per answer but I 've decided in advance to cheat a little. Your Cell Phone? In my pocket Your Hair? Needs cut Your Favorite Food? Spaghetti and sauce Your Dream Last Night? None Your Favorite Drink? Dr Pepper Your Dream/Goal? Not to have to work What Room Are You In? Office Your Hobby? Blogging Your Fear? Buried alive Where Do You Want To Be In Six Years? The beach Where Were You Last Night? Church Something That You Aren’t? A worrier Muffins? Yes, please. Wish List Item? New computer Where...
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S is for Shamrock by Eve Bunting

by Carol1 Comment
S is for Shamrock by Eve Bunting, illustrated by Matt Faulkner (Suggested reading level: Age 4 - Grade 3) Happy St. Patrick's Day! Did you know that St. Patrick wasn't born in Ireland? He was actually born in Wales or maybe France around 385 and was named Maewyn, but he grew to love Ireland. That's just one of the tidbits of Amber (10) and I learned from S is for Shamrock. We read the book together last night and it was an enjoyable book. Each letter stands for a person, concept, folktale or event associated with Ireland. For each there is a 5-line verse, with further information in the sidebar. We read all of the verses and only the sidebars that interested us, which turned out be be most of them. U is for Ulster Ulster is a province in the North of Ireland. On its flag it's plain to see a red and bloody hand. There's trouble still in Ulster. It's very sad to see Irish fighting...
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