What I've Been Reading

I haven't posted on what I've been reading since July, I believe, so the list is long.....

These are the books that I can remember reading lately. It's been a cold fall/winter, so it's a long list :)


Really good, and it was kind of a science fiction novel, which isn't like me.... Only problem, it was over 700 pages and I'm quite sure I'll need to read about 12 more sequels to get to the end of the story.



This is one of the only pieces of non-fiction I've read lately. I liked Sue Monk Kidd's novel, The Secret Life of Bees and this story of her and her daughter is interesting, but not one of my favourites.

The Stieg Larsson trilogy:





The first one was pretty violent, but I thought they were a great read! Unique and definitely page turners.


Janet Evanovich always writes a good, funny book. They're turning the first one into a movie with Katherine Heigl and Sherri Shepherd, should be good.


A new one from Jeffrey Deaver featuring one of my favourite serial characters, Lincoln Rhyme. Remember him from the movie, The Bone Collector? (Played by Denzel Washington)


a great book. Who knew life as a Carney was so interesting?


This is the third book of Joshilyn Jackson's I've read this year. I like her style, it's a little gritty, but captivating.


Wow. Deep, disturbing, and very unique.


Wally Lamb is a fantastic author, but this felt like an anticlimatic ending. I read hundreds of pages and then it was just over....

My Book Club books:

I've got to say, these haven't been favourites, but it's interesting to read books that I wouldn't choose myself. I like meeting, but I hope we get some better material this month.



A story of life in Northern Canada and the staff of a radio station. Interesting imagery, but not the best story.


A story of sisters who lived different lives. It was interesting because the book was narrated by both sisters, so each chapter was a different take on the story.


Probably my favourite book club book so far. It's a story about what would have been. Basically, after the first chapter, the book splits and offers two options for the protagonist's life after her friend's birthday. I liked the ending, because it merged her life back together so you can decide which path she chose....


A strange murder mystery set in Quebec. Key word, strange.

If you've read any of these, I'd love to know what you thought...

That was me trying to get Gracie to make her animal sounds..... Unsuccessfully. She will do it all day for me or Brad, but if you try and get her to perform for other people, she refuses.

It's Too Cold Outside...

Gracie and I went to get the mail Tuesday and it took us longer to get dressed than to walk the block to the boxes (even with Gracie walking).
We got distracted by another little girl, and had to take a detour across the street to say hi, but otherwise it was in and out (or, I guess, out and in).

Too cold to linger.

Here's Gracie bundled up for the walk.





And, her cute little boots.

Trouble Leads to Bruises

Yep, she was getting into trouble last post, and she's got a big bruise for this post....

Actually, she wasn't even being a daredevil to earn this one. Just couldn't walk in her snowsuit and happened to hit a doorframe when she stumbled. Just about broke my heart, but she's a tough cookie.

This is before Tylenol....



and after......



And a photo of her sleeping in her car seat I got off of Brad's phone, just because I thought it was cute!

Trouble Brewing

Gracie has decided to become a little troublemaker.

Suddenly she's standing on all of her toys, trying to climb over her gate, standing up in the bath tub, doing anything she can to make me say 'no.'

See this mischievous look?? She does it just for my reaction. What a little devil.



Oh, okay, I'll sit down.



This may not look so troublesome, but it is the only example I could take a picture of where she wasn't in imminent danger....

Kids!

Static Girl

Perhaps a new superhero??

Gracie's New Chair

For some reason, when we were at the farm over Halloween, Gracie really enjoyed sitting in my mom's roaster. It was just the right size for her and she could play in their for half a day.

With all of her toys, a roaster is what she chooses, go figure.

Sackett Family Photo

We took a big family photo before my Grandpa's funeral and it turned out pretty good. A good looking bunch, if I do say so myself.

We haven't had a picture with everyone together for quite awhile.

Some Changes

Hope you don't mind the brightness, I needed something happier than a rainy window. I can see that all around me right now.... This made me smile.

More Pictures from Grams

I raided my mom's pictures while I was visiting and thought I'd share some. They're older, but so cute.

A photoshoot with Grams produced a bunch of cute pictures like this one.



Jada licking the spoon after baking cookies with Grams.



This beautiful tree at the farm is perfect for photos. Here's one of the girls and Brandi and myself.



And Gracie and I smelling the blossoms.



And this is just a fun outfit, is it not?? Ready for the rodeo, or as it was, a wedding shower :)



Another fun one. The future female version of Richard Simmons perhaps? Cute pick Sammy.



Some pictures from Nicole's wedding.







Another one of Grandpa Sackett and Gracie. I love this one.



Crazy hair in the bathtub.



And the girls splashing in the little pool at the farm.



Great photos mom! Thanks for letting me steal them.

Let's Heat Things Up!

Need a little reprieve from the weather? How about a fun, beach layout?



I loved these pictures of Gracie playing at the beach. She was having so much fun, and you could just see her brain working to process all of the new experiences, textures, tastes, etc. around her. I played this up with my layout, using lots of shapes, textures and dimension.

I used Jillibean Soup's corrugated letters for the title. They are so versatile. A little distressing, and a few swipes of paint and they go so perfectly with the beach theme.

And, a dose of spring... Here's a layout featuring spring colours, pearls, floral prints, felt and rouche-y ribbons.



The kids had fun, and these fun papers, which were all from my personal stash and scraps, are light and fun, too.

Remembering Grandpa

Sorry I haven't posted for awhile.

Last Friday, my grandpa passed away. He was a wonderful man and he and my grandma are very special people in my life.

He loved life, loved family and loved to have a good time. He made everyone who knew him feel special.



The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon and was an amazing tribute to a great man. My mom and her siblings did most of it themselves and I'm sure he was very proud and touched.

His life was like a spectacular firework display - beautiful, colourful, and it lit the faces of all those close enough to witness the event, but it was over far too fast.

I'm just lucky to have been so close to the show.



Cheers to you, Grandpa Sackett.

Another Giggler

More pumpkin carving pics

We're home again and getting settled back into our routine.

I thought I'd share a few more pictures of pumpkin carving at the farm, since I have my camera cord now.