The Penderwicks

{A summer tale of four sisters, two rabbits and a very interesting boy}

{by Jeanne Birdsall}

Always being in search of a good book that doesn't make me sad through the entire thing*, I borrowed this book on the recommendation of my mom. I was picking through her library and pulled this out. She told me that I should read it. I would love it. Mama knows best. (Who do you think bought all my The Baby-sitters Club books back in the day?)

The Penderwicks is wonderful! Maybe the Newberry award medal should have given it away. I am only about half way through and I find myself laughing out loud, gasping and covering my mouth, and talking to the characters. I would have adored this book when I was in third or fourth grade needing to stay up late to read and begging to go to the library or book store to get the other books in the series. If you are looking for a book to read to your kids or just want an easy, fun, summer read I highly recommend The Penderwicks, even if you are out of its target audience.

Do you have any recommendations for me after I finish this? =]

-----

*I once asked a librarian to help me find a book that wasn't sad all the way through. She kind of looked at me quizzically. I explained that I read for enjoyment and I don't enjoy feeling sorrow for the tragically melancholy characters all the way through the book, especially if there was not a super happy ending. I think I stumped her for a moment. After pulling several different books from the shelf (somewhat like Mr. Ollivander does with the wands in Harry Potter) she offered me the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, which at the time only had 4 or 5 books but now is up to 16. I think I stopped at 3. ;]

Holiday Classics - 8 tracks to mp3s

I love Christmas music. I won't let myself listen to it until the day after Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays and retailers are pushing it to the side for Christmas more and more every year and I don't appreciate it.


Growing up I was in school Christmas plays and pageants and loved every minute of it. We'd start practicing the songs in music class and belt them out on stage as loud as we could. I was in my church choir during the holidays, too. They only let the kids sing during the holidays and I always looked forward to it. One year I was super sick with a nasty cold, but begged my mom to let me go to mass to sing anyway. I ended up falling asleep on stage leaning up against the organ. The organist did a good job of waking me up in time for my triangle duo during "The Little Drummer Boy." Oh yeah, I rocked that triangle. Ding...ding...

Why the triangle and not a vocal spot? I can't sing worth a lick! I'm not tone deaf because I know I am off key. I just don't know how to get on key. That never stopped me though. It still doesn't. I'll let the spirit of the season roll through me regardless...bleeding ears and all. ;]




My all time favorite Christmas album is The Beach Boys' Christmas Album. We had this on 8 track, on cassette, on CD and now I have the mp3s. I would bet my parents bought the record new in 1964. It is just a really happy, dance your socks off, sing it out loud album. Here is the playlist:


1. Little Saint Nick
2. Man With All the Toys
3. Santa's Beard
4. Merry Christmas, Baby
5. Christmas Day
6. Frosty the Snowman
7. We Three Kings of Orient Are
8. Blue Christmas
9. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
10. White Christmas
11. I'll Be Home for Christmas
12. Auld Lang Syne


I can't decide if Man with All the Toys or Santa's Beard is my favorite. It's a total toss up. My mom and I would always put it on repeat during our cookie baking fests. My dad even played it in July when he painted the living room. He said it made him feel cooler and he would sweat less. Sure, pops!

My "new classic" favorite Christmas album is Barenaked for the Holidays by Barenaked Ladies (hands down my favorite band). This album has great versions of the classic classics like God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen with Sarah McLachlan and awesome new songs like Elf's Lament with Michael Buble. You can see the playlist on the right side of the album cover, if it's not too small. Again, great music to do holiday stuff with...bake, wrap, shop, decorate...not that I've done any of that yet.

If you are looking for some last-minute gifts I highly recommend both these albums. They'll make wonderful and appreciated stocking stuffers and gift swap presents. Listen and let me know what you think!

Happy Holidays! =]

Super colossal stocking stuff!

My favorite holiday tradition from back in the day, you know, the 80s, is my granny-made, granny square stockings. Among other things, my great-grandma Kate was a phenomenal crocheter. I remember she was always working on some project or another. I don’t know when she made Christmas stockings for my cousins and me, but I can’t remember not having them. Mine is green.

All my cousins have and still hang their stocking every year. There were nine of us great-grandchildren and my cousins collectively have twelve kids now, all of whom have stockings my grandmother (their great-grandmother) made for them. Oh, yes. All are hung from the chimney wall with care every year.

These stockings are nearly 30 years old and look as good as new! She must have made hundreds of granny squares to piece the stocking together. Then she trimmed each with a white fold-over cuff and hanging loop.

I barely remember opening presents from under the tree, but I clearly recall tearing through the overly stuffed stocking. My mom later told me that the stockings stretched to triple their size when the goodies were placed inside! In the picture below my stocking is as big as I am! She and one of my aunts had to run to the store on Christmas Eve to pick up more things to stuff them with. My grandmothers were determined to completely stock the stockings. We got coloring books, crayons, tiny toys, candy and of course a pack of Underoos! I still give underwear in stockings…it makes me giggle every time.

My parents and all my aunts and uncles have pictures of us standing in front of or holding our stockings which are stuffed to the gills with goodies. One year, my cousins and I all got cowboy boots, jeans and a cowboy shirt for Christmas. We took a picture that I am trying to locate with all of us standing in a row wearing our new outfits completely geeking out with excitement! I have to find that picture…

Don’t you love Polaroid’s? I do. I heard the other day Polaroid is ending the manufacturing of the film. I am so unhappy.

Our granny square stockings made by my great-granny 30-40 years ago is truly one of the best holiday traditions in my family. It’s one of those things that as soon as I see it takes me back to those Christmases growing up. Back when it was easy to get into the feel and joy of the season and all I had to worry about was writing a letter to Santa and snaking as many Candy Cane Cookies and Buckeyes I could get my hands on! Happy Holidays!

=]