Owlowiscious Girls

This is has been my third book during 2017 Lenten season.  Being There: How to Love Those Who Are Hurting by Dave Furman wa san  enormously eye opening book.  I will be referring to this book quite a bit in the years to come.  This book didn't just give practical tips on how to "be there" for someone, but why "be there" for someone.  I struggle with empathy and sympathy- GREATLY.  I am selfish.  I am often not willing to sacrifice my schedule for someone else.  Sacrifice is not convenient.  I am socially awkward.  I am not a natural conversationalist.  I have a million other "great" excuses, but I WANT so badly to be there for others.  I am most grateful for the 10 things NOT to say to hurting people.  I highly recommend this book to my fellow Christian who want to "be there" better or at all if you struggle as I do.      

We have entered in the season of Lent.  Today it is day 10 so Fish Friday or do what I do and follow the recipes encouraged by CRS Rice Bowl .  So why am I posting about that here when I usually post about books.  Well I would just like to encourage all of you who participate in Lent to read only books that help you grow spiritually during these 40 days.  I, personally, am committed to reading only spiritual books during this time even though I have also committed to the POPsugar Reading Challenge for 2017. Since we are not very far into Lent I have only read The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection and I am a little more than half way through The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin.   This was a very short booklet on fleshing out the story of Christ's resurrection.  Since my entire belief system revolves around believing in the death, burial, and resurrection I am glad to say the e...

Answers not necessarily answered from Hermione, but we both read this book together.  I counted it for a book with pictures for my reading challenge. What challenges do the 5th graders encounter as they get through the first hours of the contest?  What loopholes do they find that allow them to make noise?  What are the differences between talking and noise? -Talking to the teachers, taking turns during recess, "singing" Some of the loopholes they find that allow them to make noise especially during recess is making funny grunting and hollering noises.  The difference between talking and making noise would be that talking is a clear word and noises are just sounds with not clear distinction of meaning. Personal Thoughts-   This was a good book.  It is the kind of book that would make a kid think.  It can change the way grownups think about teaching.  I wish I had so much more time to talk about this book

From the  Lit Lovers  Reading Guide: 1. At the heart of the novel is the longing to be reunited with a loved one who has died.  How would you respond to this possibility, even if you could only see your beloved for one week?  What risks would you take to experience such a reunion? The possibility of seeing a loved one who has died resurrected for only a week does not seem worth it to me.  I am not that attached to any human that I would risk very much to "get them back". 2. What was it like to see Sara's diary, alternating with scenes from other time periods?  Did Sara's words change your vision of the spirit world?  Did her bond with Gertie remind you of your own experience with a mother's love? It was interesting to see Sara's diary.  The spirit world didn't seem very fleshed out to me, but I liked the concept.  Her bond with Gertie was strong and the love my mother has for me is also strong but my mom knows if I am gone I am goi...

I am noncommittal to this list but I thought I would try to make one to follow.  It isn't very filled in- suggestions are encouraged. *1. A book recommended by a librarian:   Angle of Repose  by Wallace Stegner- DONE (fits 13 and sort of 3, 7, 29 and 33 and maybe 11 on the Advanced list) *2. A book that's been on your TBR list for way too long:   Emma by Jane Austen-DONE 3. A book of letters:   MONTHLY READ FOR SEPTEMBER 4. An audio book:  Igraine the Brave by Carnelia Funke *5. A book by a person of color:   My Dream of Martin Luther King  by Faith Ringgold- DONE *6. A book with one of the four seasons in the title:   The Winter People  by Jennifer McMahon- DONE 7. A book that is a story within a story:   The Princess Bride by William Goldman/Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt *8. A book with multiple authors:  Ichthus by Sinclair B. Ferguson, Derek W.H. Thomas-DONE 9. An espionage thriller:  The Invisib...

Ariana wanted to cook all her recipes from her  Raddish  box on Halloween.  I wanted to prep as much as I could the night before but time slipped away from me.  We (and by we I mean me) finished all three recipes just in time for dinner.  On the menu was Spider Web soup (from the last post), Stuffed Jack-'O-Peppers, and Graveyard Brownies.  One of the cards also had an example for setting the table and decorating for Halloween. Here are some pictures from our party! Graveyard Brownies and left over Spider Web Soup Stuffed Jack'o Pepper Party! "I don't want to try new things!" Taste:  Grandma and Aunt Asia loved the soup!  Ariana still loved the soup and had 3rds!  The stuffed peppers were yum with spinach salad.  Ariana still hasn't tried it but Lucy tried it tonight for dinner and absolutely loved it.  The brownies kinda taste weird to me but it might be because Ariana measured a little too much vanilla extr...

This week for our cooking class we made Spider Web Soup from our October Raddish Box theme Fright Night Feast.  Ariana is getting better at chopping veggies!  It is still hard to chop onions because- ouch!- they make your eyes burn and water.  We tried goggles but she said, "They did nothing!"  Ah!  That reminds me of a Simpson's episode.  Any way, on this recipe card we also learned how to make basic soups, the nutrition of black beans, and the science of spider webs.   This recipe was fun, but the sour cream web made my daughter nervous about getting it wrong so I ended up having to do that part.  She is excited to make it again because    Taste: Ariana said this was the best thing ever!!!  She even ate Hermione's and Lucy's share because they still wouldn't eat much because they said they don't like beans.  I thought it was also delicious especially for beans because sometimes those are hard to get tasty som...