What Makes You Drool?

Eric and I want to buy/restore an old '69 Camaro...such as this:

But tonight, I drooled over this...

Yes, I am a sucker for the rumble of a muscle car. Oooh, baby!

A Bit of Work

Don't get me wrong, I am very excited and not at all bothered by it, but the book club I am in charge of has definitely filled my time. There are so many aspects to consider and prepare, especially since I've never even participated in one before.
My latest endeavor: making selections thematically for the club. I've compiled a list and organized titles into large-scale genres (ie: novel, short story, play, essay, etc.). From this, I now need to select a couple of titles for the club to choose from for the next few months. It's difficult to choose as there are such great pieces of literature out there!! Some of these titles I have read or am at least familiar with; while others, I am not so acquainted. However, I have to become at least informed as I am, in the end, accountable for what is contained in those pages when read in a church-sponsored book club.
I am so grateful for a friend who directed me to this article as it helps me to know that the discipline with which I am preparing for this book club is what my Heavenly Father would have me to do. It is not lightly that we should consider the words with which we fill our minds. Therefore, you won't find literary french fries on the menu!

Missions and Marriage

I must say that I have seen some wonderful reasons for me serving a mission. It has made me a much better wife and mother than I could have been without serving.
We were discussing these things tonight and Emily announced that she was going to serve a mission. This, of course, delights us.
Eric turns to me and says, "Emily won't serve. You know she'll get married first." I didn't even have time to protest. Emily got all mad and got as much in his face as possible denying that she would get married first. She WILL serve a mission and THEN get married. In that order. Just ask her.

Austen to Brother

I finished reading Jane Austen's Persuasion today and exchanged a book for "holding hands" with my brother (sewing machine) for my next project: this bag.

I need something to cart books and items to and from church now that I have a new calling and Eric has to leave for work before the third hour.
Awhile back, a friend of mine put a bag on her sewing blog. I glanced at it and got a general idea of it before taking my own variation-on-a-theme with it. To be honest, I've been so distracted with all my other endeavors that I have neglected the projects on her blog. It's constructed of wool and linen (two random material blocks I had received from a friend at church over a year ago!), so my books and the eventual puppet will stay warm during transport.
It still needs the handles attached as well as the butterfly appliques, but not bad for a quick project.

Bob the Builder...I Mean, Emily

I have been collecting as many images of Emily's creations as possible. Eventually I will make a book out of her designs. It is truly fascinating to watch her build. She doesn't just put the pieces together. She may put a block down and then kind of back up to look at it and then she may move it or adjust it. I am convinced she is creating from images in her head.
It's not this building, but the other day she created something that very much resembled Stonehenge. When she finished, she announced, "Mommy, I made a circle!"
She also informs me of the name of each construction. It varies from a "something" castle to a stable to a farm to whatever. She definitely feels that these buildings have purpose.

No-no Mommy

Anyone who has spent enough time with us knows that Gianna definitely has a set of lungs. Strong, full lungs. She loves to hear herself project her voice into volumes and notes unsuitable for enclosed rooms. I don't really know what to do with her because she IS happy. She has just gotten to the "this is really annoying" stage. I typically have to remove her from the room to let her know this is not acceptable behavior (come on! She's just over 7 months old!).
This evening, after yet another session of her screaming and her "time out" period were finished, I let her rejoin us in the living room. She began again. As she was sitting behind me, I turned my head and said, "Gi-an-na" to which she immediately began shaking her head back and forth. I didn't even know that she knew how to do it. She repeated it several times with her mocking smile as if she really intended for me to know that she was NOT going to stop screeching.

(On a side note, just so you know how bad this has gotten, Emily has also started correcting Gianna with a firm "Jonna 'leese!" her form of "Gianna Elise". Also know that Emily doesn't even yet recognize that she herself also has a two-name-you-are-in-trouble name.)

New Adventure

I've never participated in a book club. I'm just an avid reader as well as a student of literature. So, this is a completely new adventure for me.
Through my church, I have started a book club. If you aren't local, feel free to read along with us and make comments/observations! You can never have too many people contributing thoughts to a discussion. We all have such different views and approaches to life that it opens new ways of understanding what an author may have been trying to convey.
You'll find the link on the side entitled "Great Works Book Club."