Ooo, the Bookaneer is shaking things up! From now on I'll be writing not two, but three posts a week: on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Yesterday's road trip to go visit my Grandpa with the crew made for a tiring day, but I regret nothing! We love visiting, and his skill in the kitchen not only make things sweeter, but even inspired today's poem.
Second helpings anyone?
Drown Your Ice Cream!
Grandpa's homemade
Chocolate sauce;
Of every kind
His is the boss.
Such decadence
Of great degrees...
But at Grandma's house
Let's ignore calories!
Like I've mentioned before, I love cooking. My inspiration is all due to the amazing, creative people that I'm lucky enough to call family.
My Grandpa's recipe is simple yet sublime. Here it is: combine one can of condensed milk, with one big bar of Cadbury. Mix in a pot until the chocolate is melted. Drown your ice cream with it and enjoy!
Until Tuesday, I wish scrumptious meals, time with dear ones, and ample reading time to you all. Take care.
Welcome back everybody! Did you have a good long weekend? We sure did!
Romance on the slopes with Mr. Tilney
King Daddy with my big sister Hermione.
Atticus, King Daddy, baby Rudyard, Darrow and Akela.
Time with family and skiing... those are two of my most favourite things in the world. This past weekend I got to do both, in my favourite spot in the world too: the Canadian Rockies. My entire family (that's right, all twenty-eight of us!) gathered in the gorgeous Lake Louise to celebrate my parents' fortieth wedding anniversary. We skied, played in the snow, laughed, read by the fire, and enjoyed tea at the most wonderful ski lodge we've ever stayed at (and when you're a family of ski bums, that's saying something!)
One thing that sweetened all that abundant family fun was the scrumptious food. Too much actually, but who's complaining? All of us were responsible for one meal, and fearful of feeding everyone-especially the ravenous horde of nephews- we all brought more than we could ever eat in a single weekend. Along with ski equipment and luggage, there was quantities of food that we all had to cram into our minivans on the return home. Personally, I regret nothing! It was worth the cramped drive to feast and laugh together at each and every meal.
Me with Mummy Dearest.
Good food is a family tradition. After growing up around the table (our presence at meals was nonnegotiable) with a mother who scorned processed food and a dentist father, for me and my five siblings, promoting healthy eating and cooking was preaching to the choir.
I left home with a deep love of good food; just very little skill in preparing it myself.
In my last post I burbled about my addiction to domestic porn. Cookbooks were what got me going. While I was a single student, it didn't much matter, but once "me" became "we" I quickly saw the need to expand my culinary horizons. After all, there was only so many times I could expect my family to stomach renditions of hamburger soup and oatmeal!
My sister Belle and niece Ginny.
Cookbooks were my of inspiration. I found myself pouring over the pages, excitedly calling out "Look! Butter chicken! I could make that?!" or "Hmmm, homemade spaghetti sauce sounds amazing". I began with the resolution to try one new recipe a week, starting with one collection of recipes and lots of trepidation. Over the years we've discovered favourites, both simple and complex, that inspire smiles from everyone seated around the table. My skill and confidence has grown almost as much my culinary library.
Good food and family time should not be limited to those special occasions. We need it daily, to feed not just our stomachs, but our hearts. After all, there's nothing after a long day to comfort you and your dear ones like a big helping of homemade yumminess... whatever that may be.
My cook book collection; what a wealth of inspiration is mine!
How about you? What recipes do you love to share with your nearest and dearest? What cookbook could you never do without? If you could learn to cook anything, what would it be?
Coming Monday: the cookbook that I use the most, plus some fun food reads. Until then, I hope your kitchen is a happy place, with plenty of book joy for you and yours. Happy reading to you all!
Happy Groundhog Day to you all! Do you ever feel like Phil Connors? Stuck in a time loop, just like the character does in the movie "Groundhog's Day"? As he puts it "what would you do if you were stuck in one place, and every day was exactly the same, and nothing that you did mattered?" A valid question. The movie makes me think. In my "glamorous" life as a SAHM I fall into that trap sometimes. Like Phil I can be mean and sarcastic-especially when the kitchen looks like a cyclone hit moments after I just cleaned it.
Each February second though, Mr. Tilney and I will watch this movie. Yes, it's hilarious, but what brings me back is the thought provoking question that helps Phil Connors (and m) from wallowing in hedonistic misery: "I don't know Phil. Maybe it's not a curse. Just depends how you look at it." That is the turning point for our anti-hero, and he does just that. How? He focuses on making the people around him happy. He makes each day, every identical one, count for something. So today I've been asking myself, if this was the one day I had... what would I do to make it special?
One answer I came up with is reading to my kids. Alright, alright, I know that in the past few posts I've talked about this a lot already. Hear me out. On those days when I've had enough, when it feels like my only accomplishments are that the kids are still alive and I haven't been carried off in a straight jacket, reading aloud helps bring back some quiet and happiness not just to the kids, but to me. It gives me a moment with each of my four sons, we have fun sharing a book, and inevitably I'm reminded that they're not hellions bent upon my insanity, but wonderful children. The most important discovery though is yes, I still have the capacity to be a decent human being.
Here's a little glimpse into how it works around here. Technically, it was Seth's turn (left), but Jared (right) wanted to be on camera too. Any guesses on what we're reading?
So, on days when tearing out my hair sounds like more fun than quality story time with my children, how do I mellow out from rage monster to blissful bookworm? My secret is simple: books you can't wait to pick up. Last week's post I shared some of our top picks for the little ones, but what about the older members of your crew? Once a kid reads independently, story time seems to vanish faster than their belief in the tooth fairy. Yet none of us outgrows our need for love and the occasional dose of magic, and reading to your readers beautifully provides both.
Anyways, here you are! We have transition reads (for when they're wanting more than a picture book and a lengthy book still doesn't grab them), and some of our favourite chapter books.
Some of our top picks for reading to your readers, extensively tested by the literate members of my crew: Jared, Seth, and now, even Jack.
Transition Books
1. "Squishy McFluff the Invisible Cat" by Pip Jones
None of us can resist the charms of this imaginary pet (friend?) around here! As Ava assures her parents, she is not the one to blame for all the mischief about the house- it's Squishy! First in a fabulous series. Told in rhyming short chapters this delightful read can still be finished in one sitting.
2. "Fantastic Mr. Fox" by Roald Dahl
I've read this one to Seth at least four times, but we all love it. Mr. Fox will have to be even more clever and fantastic than usual if he hopes to save not only his own family, but every other animal under the hill when the mean farmers go on a vindictive rampage.
I cannot recommend this book enough! Dory only want to play with her older brother and sister, but meanwhile, her wild imagination certainly keeps her entertained- often with hilarious- or disastrous results. Depends who you ask. The entire series is not to be missed.
Chapter Books
1. "Ollie's Odyssey" by William Joyce
One beloved toy's epic quest to not only save himself and the boy he loves, but all the other lost toys he finds on the way. Beautifully written and illustrated, this one made me laugh and cry. Not sure why it's still not on my bookshelf.
2. "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" by Brian Selznick
Don't let the daunting size of this Caldecott winner scare you! Told through both words and pictures, here's a book not to be missed. Hugo is an orphan, thief, and clock keeper secretly living in a Paris train station. When he collides with a determined girl and a mysterious toymaker, life becomes even more complicated.
3. "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone"
Alright, these are all a huge hit, but this is the one that starts them all. Jared wants me to read him all seven. Going to Hogwarts, learning magic and battling the forces of evil? He didn't have to plead too hard. It's a big endeavour, but I defy anyone to not at least enjoy these books, especially with a child for company.
Well, that's it for today everybody. Until next time, make each day count... read to someone you love. Just maybe put the kids to bed a bit earlier tonight. I will be. Once they're down, it's Groundhog time!
Readers beware! Although I touched upon this topic in my last post, today my evangelical zeal will be unleashed! Story time is one of the best blessings of books that I know of, and today I shall be quite shameless in persuading you all to try it. Come comrades! Will you not join the causeFor the past few days I've been suffering through a cold, but that shall not stop me! Fuelled by a pot of my favourite tea, and my passion for reading I will refrain from becoming a miserable pile of blankets on the couch (at least for a little while).
Here at The Bookaneer we're all about how reading can make your life better, more joyful, and bring you closer to the people you love. My top way to create this is by the simple pleasure of reading aloud to others. I grew up in a book-rich home where we not only read, but we read to each other. When I was young, books before bed was a regular ritual. Together we devoured such beloved series as All-of-a-Kind Family, Redwall, and Harry Potter. One unforgettable time, after much begging and ignoring of parental scoldings, my big sister Hermione read me "James and the Giant Peach" from start to finish. We stayed up until 3am, but it was totally worth it. Sadly, once we could all read independently story time eventually fizzled out. Occasionally we tried to share a book together, but some scoundrel (usually me) would cheat and read ahead.
Me with little Jared and Seth at the beginnings of our read-aloud journey.
With reading such a big part of my own childhood, I couldn't wait to make it part of my own children's.Then, I found something which made it even better: individual story time. At first, I thought it complete, and utter madness. Read to each of my children before bed?! That would take ages! I had two young boys, both under the age of two and by the end of the day I was exhausted. Why not just read a book before bundling the lot of them to bed where they belong?
Over the years our family has grown, but as I've learned to my peril you do not mess with personal story times! We miss some nights of course- life is busy- but when we read, we read to all four of our boys. My ultimate threat when they misbehave is to cancel their story time that night.
What's the big deal? Jared and Seth have been happily reading on their own for years, while Jack proudly can read on his own now too, yet on nights we do story time there is much fist pumping and celebratory leaps from the furniture. Ultimately, we do this because makes us happy. Amidst our usual hustle and bustle, personal story times gives me a moment- even just a few minutes- with each of my children. We get to reconnect, talk, laugh and even cry over a story. The book we read is picked according to their tastes, not the attention span of a little brother's. They are reminded that they matter, that they are loved. Personal story time is one of the best things I've ever done as a mother.
Why not give it a whirl yourself? Join the reading revolution! Whether you have kids, or even just someone else you want to feel closer to, this is a beautiful and simple way to do it. Don't know where to start? Never fear! After more than a decade of personal story times we have discovered some sure-fire hits! Here's some of our very favourites.
Board Books
1. "Not a Box" by Antoinette Portis
OK, this was not originally a board book, but it's so wonderful to have a copy that stood up to my babies' and toddler's enthusiasm! A grown-up may just see a simple box, but this book's bunny (and every kid) knows better.
2. "Hug" by Jez Alborough
The only thing keeping our copy of this little gem together is duct tape- about the highest praise a book can get. One little gorilla just wants a hug, but his quest to get one still tugs at my heart strings.
3. "Good Night Gorilla"
The best bedtime book we have ever found! The zookeeper might be closing up shop, but with the pilfered keys to every cage, this gorilla has his own plans for going to bed! Simple, beautiful and pure reading awesomeness that still leaves my kids giggling.
Picture Books
1. "Knuffle Bunny" by Mo Willems
Now here's a tale we can all relate to! Calamity strikes when Trixie loses her beloved toy, but how exactly is she going to let Daddy know, let alone get Knuffle Bunny back? Tremendous fun.
2. "A Sick Day for Amos McGee" by Philip and Erin Stead
Meet Amos McGee: zookeeper extraordinaire! He plays chess with the elephant, lets the tortoise win foot races and more. When he comes down with a cold, he's in for some company from all of his zoo friends. A real treasure of a book.
3. "The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend" by Dan Santat
On the magical island where imaginary friends are born, after waiting patiently to be chosen by a real child, Beekle takes matters into his own adorable hands. His quest is still fantastic after rereading it too many times to count.
Yikes! This blog is already far longer than I 'd planned! Perhaps it is now time to go and nurse this cold into oblivion. More will follow, hopefully with me hale and hearty again. Until then, these titles can help you get story times started- especially for tomorrow. Family Literacy Day is almost here!
Do you ever feel like this? I know I do! Around here, my return to reality come Monday is far from tranquil. Oh, I have my tricks to save time. Most notably grocery shopping with this (a boon to mother's everywhere). Even still, with a mile long to-do list, keeping my cool can be a task of epic proportions! Sometimes, in the thick of insanity, Mr. Tinley will pull me aside (in a valiant effort to soothe the volcano) and say "Remember, you chose this." My only response is to growl "Yes, but right now I cannot fathom why!"
Because, ultimately, I not only choose to be a stay-at-home mum... it is what I wanted. But knowing I'm busy with the most important, greatest job ever can seem to taunt me on days when things go South. Like any other job, there are days so awful and trying that I want to tear my hair. Days when I wonder "What am I doing here? I'm a failure as a mother!"
We've all been there, and it is days like that which have inspired today's poem. Here's how I salvage things.
When Insanity Comes to Call
Been a really crazy day:
In the bathroom, urine spray!
Cleaning, cleaning since the dawn...
Where have all the cookies gone?
Hunting for an hour more
For that toy behind the door.
Wrestle mania just ensued,
And no one wants to eat their food.
But one by one, before it's bed
(And just before I lose my head),
It's story time! So snuggle in-
This makes the day count as a win.
Story time: more than a sanity saver, it's pure magic. Sometimes it feels like the one thing I've done right, and even the boys have caught onto this tradition. Sharing books we love with the people who matter most (yes, even Mr. Tilney and I will read to each other) keeps us going. It creates at least one moment a day we can enjoy together-if only for just five minutes.
More on this come Thursday, as Family Literacy Day is just around the corner! Until then, what are the books you remember being read to you?
"No man is an island" and no Bookaneer can sail alone. We all need someone to love, love us, care for, keep us grounded, encourage our mad ideas and share in what makes us smile. Even more especially in that last part. But having all that along with a willingness to read the books that you love, plus giving recommendations of their own? In my opinion, that's just the caramel on the apple.
Meet the crew, some of my very most favourite people in the world: my own little family. Well, not so little anymore given how tall they're all growing, plus the comments we inevitably get out and about. "Four boys?!" "Are they all yours?", or the most popular "Wow, you must be busy!" To which I always reply "Yup. I'm #blessed. Busy with the greatest adventure of all." I am (for now) the #1 woman in five wonderful men's lives. Man, if I had known that was where I was headed, I would've been less crushed during those teenage years where most of my actual dates were spent at home with the fictional characters in my cherished books and stories.
Given how often my beloved crew will be making appearances here, I thought it only proper to make introductions. We have all opted to use pseudonyms, we say this is for privacy, but mostly because they were just so much darn fun to come up with! Besides, what's the point of writing a book blog if you can't pretend to be some of your favourite book characters? After mulling it over for weeks, trying to come up with suitable book pen names for my family, I finally asked for their opinions. It was one of those van conversations, me calling out to the backseats, and in less than two minutes they all had done it... much better than their mother had, too, I might add.
So, without further ado, everyone? Meet my family. Family? Say hello to everyone.
Okay, so we've already been getting acquainted, you and I. I am going by my actual given name, which happily I share with one of my favourite author's heroines! Admittedly though, the only ones who call me "Katherine" are my parents. They save it for special occasions (normally when they want me to grasp just how much trouble I'm in). I may not ever get the chance to travel to Bath with my wealthy neighbours like Katherine Norland but reading too many novels (is that really possible)? Letting my imagination get the better of me? Getting into ridiculous scrapes? Now that I can relate to! My favourite books? That list will appear in a forthcoming post.
Next, there's my best friend, my own happily ever after. My co-captain of our little crew. He's the Mr. Henry Tilney to my Miss Norland, so that is what we will call him here. He's the string to my kite, the butter on my popcorn, the paper for my crayons. Happily, he is the best person for ensuring I don't spend too much time up in the clouds and that my toes at least skim the grass from time to time. Teacher, father, and partner in my schemes, his current favourite read is "Red Rising"by Pierce Brown.
Now meet Jared, my right hand man. He's the maverick, the ringleader of many antics that go on around here. The biggest brother we've got. Talented artist, Seeonee Cub Scout, aspiring Pokemon trainer. Plays a great Ebeneezer Scrooge, complete with solos! Right now he names the "Fablehaven" series by Brandon Mull as his top reading pick.
Next we have Seth. He's our still waters that run really deep. After happily staring at upside down books as a baby, he eventually learned not only the right way to hold them, but also how to read at a tender young age. Has more stuffed animals than his bed can hold. He also loves "Fablehaven", and recommended them to his big brother and momma.
Make room for Jack! This guy is either the darkest, ominous storm cloud you'll encounter or the brightest beam of sunshine around. Depends on his mood. Draws endlessly on anything with whatever he can get his hands on. Current life ambition is to be a mad scientist. Given that he's read his gift from his brothers five times this holiday, "Dog Man" by Dav Pilkey, I'd say that's become a new favourite.
Last, but certainly not least (especially in his own estimation) we have Bruce. One bundle of energy with impish tendencies, and the only preschooler I have left. Keeping up with three older brothers is a matter he takes very seriously. When he's not putting soap on the toothbrushes or getting into anything that doesn't belong to him, he still finds ways to melt our hearts. His goal in life is to be a ninja. "I Really Like Slop!" by Mo Willems is his book of choice.
Well, it is Friday, and that only means one thing around here: to the library! Time to assemble my rambunctious crew and pillage our local branch. We'll return with more reading fun on Monday. Until then, take care everyone and happy reading.
