Snow Treasure

I just finished this book today. It is technically for children, as are most of the books I read, but it was so well written I could hardly put it down. It is a beautiful and possibly true story of how the children of a Norwegian villiage helped to save some of the country's gold from the Nazi invaders in WWII. Add in the fact that I have always had a facination with Scandinavia, especially "Lap Land" and I had a Norwegian friend in collage, and you have a recipe for a very entertaining story--at least for me. It's by Marie McSwigan if you want to read it yourself, or share it with a child in your life.

Two Songs

These two songs have me quite excited lately.

This one I first heard at Jazzercise-the radio hasn't picked it up yet. The video isn't really a video, but oh well.

This one is all over the radio, but what is up with the grocery store MV?

Both make me feel all happy inside, and make me think of a friend who is out of the country, and wonder if she has had a chance to hear them where she is . . .

Earth Day

I volunteered today at Full Circle Farm's Earth Day celebration. It was actually quite fun. I was working at a kids' art booth, helping the kids make flower petal art. DH came with me, and we had a good time. The art involved pounding with rocks, so the 2-5 y/o croud loved it--our noise was even loud enough to compete with the music at another booth!

Even though we had a good time, I'm really glad I only signed us up for one shift (2 hours) we were sunned-out by the end of it and people-out too--ready to be home! But they fed us lunch, so we ate there before we left. That was nice, too.

Michi

I was on my way home from the Farmer's Market today, when I found myslef stopped behind two white vehicles, each with the word Michi on the back, in the same color red and the same font. One was simply red lettering that said Michi Sushi, the other was a bumper sticker that said something like Michi makes everything more beautiful, with a picture of a fish. I'm guessing they were advertizing a local sushi resturant (that I've never been to). It was kind of cool and kind of bazzar.

The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder

I just listened to this wonderful new book by Rachel Wells (think Ya-Ya Sisterhood). Well written, well read, deeply emotional and complex. I love Rachel Wells' work. She makes me laugh, cry, and think hard about life and my values.

In The Crowning Glory of Calla Lily Ponder Wells' takes us once again to fictional Louisiana, and shows us life through the eyes of another young girl growing up in a small town. Some of it reminded me of my own childhood, and a lot of it reminded me of what I only dreamed that my childhood was. There is a lot of pain and loss in the book, but there is also joy and hope. Calla Lily Ponder learns how to move beyond her own suffering by focusing on helping others, and discovers that she has a gift of healing with her hands, through, of all things, hair dressing.

Honestly, when I read the back of the book, and reailized it was about hair dressing, I thought it would be way too superficially for me. But, true to form, Wells' put in pleanty of depth and tension. The ending is surprising, and some people might find it corny, but it doens't detract from the book, and the strength of the story makes it a rewarding read (or listen).

But be warned. If you like happy, fluffy stories with lots of "pretty pink and blue thoughts" this one is probably not for you. It contains several tragedies, and gets into the nitty gritty of life. On the otherhand, if you enjoy believable stories with just a touch of fantacy and lots of human intreague, you might enjoy this one, too.

Low Sodium Again

I forgot the salt in my bread again yesterday. Why is it that everytime I forget the salt, the loaves rise perfectly? Does salt inhibit rising? I wonder.

I think I'll be trying to find a recipe that requires breadcrumbs or making herb crutons or something. I don't want to go through two more loaves of salt-free bread. You'd think I'd have learned last time!

Julie & Julia

Rarely have I seen a movie that leaves me feeling satisfied at the end. Usually I feel unfinished, and want more. Or worse, I feel frustrated, as if I just wasted 2 perfectly good hours on nonsense.

Julie & Julia was different. I can't say why. Maybe it was the "real life" aspect of the story, or maybe it was the intertwining of two stories, but what I was left with at the end was a feeling of great satisfaction. The conflicts and tension were all appropriately resolved and the joy and fun of the story was what stayed with me. Maybe it's just because I like to cook myself, but I think it had more to do with the glimps into peoples lives, and seeing them overcome challenges and prevail.

So although I don't recommend movies often, if you haven't seen this one, I would urge you to see it. It is simply lovely.