Mailbox Monday

by Carol14 Comments
Marcia at The Printed Page hosts Mailbox Monday every week. I got some great books and goodies. Turn Up the Heat by Jessica Conant- Park and Susan Conant, signed, was a win from Lori's Reading Corner. Thanks I received Rion by Susan Kearney from Anna at Hachette Book Group for review. Then on Saturday morning, I received the Giving Thanks tote bag I won at TJ Bennett's blog, IMHO. Thanks! In addition to the cute black and white tote, it included five signed books and some goodies. Passionate by Anthea Lawson A Stroke of Magic by Tracy Madison The Promise by TJ Bennett Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas The Pleasures of Sin by Jessica Trapp $20 Barnes and Noble Gift Certificate A pear scented candle, bookmarks and a magnet for my car What books found their way to your house this week?...
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Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton

by Carol2 Comments
Christmas Catastrophe by Geronimo Stilton (Suggested Reading Level: Ages 9-12) Amber(9) and I read this together last Christmas and again this year. Geronimo Stilton, an adorable mouse who runs a newspaper, takes takes his friends and family on a skiing vacation. Unfortunately, a bad accident lands him in the hospital, but while there he meets some great people. I love the Geronimo Stilton books because of the way they look, really. The pictures are cute and detailed; the font varies in size, style and color throughout the story.  This particular one helps kids learn that hospitals aren't really places to be afraid of, that the nurses, doctors and other employees are all trying to help you the best they can. It also has a nice reminder about how important family and friends are. I especially like the end, where the whole gang puts on a show for the patients. Laughter is the best medicine, after all! It's a nice story for this time of year,...
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Game Night – Bohnanza

by Carol3 Comments
Bohnanza Designers: Uwe Rosenberg Manufacturer: Rio Grande Games Artist: Bjorn Pertoft Year: 2000 Players: 2 -7 Time: 45 minutes Ages: 12 and up Who knew that being a bean farmer could be so much fun? The theme behind card game is that you're a farmer with a couple of fields that you plant beans in, trying to make as much money as possible in the process. An odd rule in this card game is that you can't change the order of the cards in your hand, you have to play them as your draw them, unless you make some good trades and deals. It's all about trading, which can be a little tough for me at times. I'm not real good at cooperation, which I may have mentioned before, and don't like helping people out if it's possible not to, meaning I don't win often. It is a fun game, though and the card illustrations are awesome. It's a great addition to game night, since...
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The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater…That Grandma Knit by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney

by Carol4 Comments
The Truly Terribly Horrible Sweater...That Grandma Knit by Debbie Macomber and Mary Lou Carney, illustrated by Vincent Nguyen (Suggested reading level: Ages 4-8) Amber (9) and I read this together before bed last night. At the beginning, right before his birthday, Cameron gets a package in the mail from his Grandma Susan, who always gives him the best presents. Unfortunately, when he finally gets to open it, it's a sweater, "a truly terribly horrible sweater." Amber said it actually wasn't that bad, that it was pretty, but maybe better for a girl. Anyway, Cameron tries to ruin it, to get rid of it, but it keeps coming back. Finally, when his grandma comes to visit at Christmas, she tells him about knitting the sweater and why she picked the colors she did. Suddenly the sweater didn't look truly, terribly horrible anymore. It looked good. It looked like something Cameron would be proud to wear. It was a sweet little story that we both enjoyed. I...
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Awards

by Carol15 Comments
I have received some wonderful awards lately that I wanted to share. I received this one from Ryan over at Wordsmithonia. If you haven't already, stop by and visit him sometime. In addition to bookish posts, he's got some great top ten lists and a favorite fictional character feature. I want to pass this on to a few blogs whose looks I love. Sweet Vernal Zephyr The Christmas Spirit Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings Thanks so much to Esme at Chocolate & Croissants for the Let's Be Friends Award. I just love her blog's name. In addition to book stuff, she's posted some great recipes lately that I'll have to try. I want to pass this on to Jen at The Movieholic & Bibliophile's Blog and Stacy at Stacy's Books. And, finally Alice of Hello, My Name Is Alice has given me The "Uplifting Blogger" Award. Thanks so much!Alice, by the way, in addition to being a blogger, is a wonderful photographer. I'm passing this one on to a couple of...
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