Borrowing Ebooks

http://lendle.me

For those of you who don't know, Kevin got me a Kindle Fire for my birthday.  I honestly don't know who has enjoyed it more - Me, because I have multiple books in one easy device / Kevin, because he no longer has to 'sleep' with the bedside light glaring in his face at crazy hours.  His most recent comment: 'Best purchase I ever made!'.

I usually get books from the library.  I'm typically too cheap to purchase ebooks (or any book, for that matter).  I stumbled across Lendle and thought I would share, though.  There is a full disclosure on there site under FAQ.  There are a lot of books that are not available for borrow; but, obviously, they wouldn't have the site if none were available.  Free books are always good - well, at least in theory.

For those who don't have a Kindle , Amazon has apps that can be downloaded to a smartphone or computer.

My Current Reads:

Ebooks - Protector of the Small Quartet Series by Tamora Pierce (First Test , Page , Squire , Lady Knight)

Hard Copy - Divergent by Veronica Roth

Meet Joe the Crab!

Joe the Crab is a little blue crab that goes for a walk along the beach one day and discovers he's a little different.  What a shock!!

This is an adorable little story written by a friend of ours and shows kids it really is okay to have something different about you.  I can't wait to give our kids their copy at Christmas!  I see this becoming a favorite in our home.  Plus, Tim is slated to have two more books about Joe the Crab coming out in 2012.

If you would like your own copy, Tim has them for sale at his website for $8.99.

Any cute kid's book recommendations out there?

**Tim's Blog and Facebook

Microcrafts Book Review

Not too long ago, I received a package.  One that literally made me squeal and do a little jig in my front yard - causing my kids (and maybe a few neighbors) to give me some strange looks.

The above book, Microcrafts: Tiny Treasures to Make and Share , was the reason.  Not only did I have a new craft book, but it was one a friend, Larissa Holland, helped author!  

Okay, down to the nitty-gritty.  The main premise of this book is crafting tiny crafts - all smaller than a spool of thread.  {Clicking on any of the pictures that follow will bring it up in a new window for a better look.}

A few of the projects available:

Tiny little cats

Bottle-cap pendants

Button Earrings

Felt Pendant

Tiny Greetings

Cute Little Bugs

Monsters With Accessories

Bears and Beds

Authors

This book is full of step-by-step instructions and patterns for over 25 crafts.  Don't limit yourself with these projects, either.  While all of these are cute in miniature form, many of the patterns can be enlarged on a copy machine to any size.  Plus, I'm sure there are many creative ways to use the projects between these covers.  My second daughter can't get enough of this book.  She quickly went through the book and told me all the crafts that could be turned into earrings and then looked at me full of hope that one would end up in a birthday package.  (Something I should get busy on.)

This book is great and its amazing the creativity of these authors!  

Christmas is coming up, people!  Wouldn't this be super as a gift?!

A Good Book: Volume 3

I have several new books I'm waiting to get my hands on this spring/summer.  Right now I'm counting down the days to the release of City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Claire.

Thought about putting up a countdown widget, then thought that was a bit much. Obviously, it is available for pre-order all over the place and a release date of April 5th. I'm already on the waiting list at our local library, but we'll see if I can hold out or just go out and purchase it.  Here's a link to the first chapter if you would like to get a sneak peak.  I'm busy re-reading the previous 3 books to make sure I still remember the story line.  {ahem}









Here is good series for all ages.  These have a lot of action in them, relatable characters and they are quick reads.  Good books if you are having trouble finding something for a boy to read and be interested in.   FYI - the movie does not do the books justice.












I'll have to do a bit of search on my library page to see all the other books I've read -  drawing a blank right now.  Plus, I'm a little preoccupied:  I'll be starting to teach the 2nd and 3rd graders tomorrow at church and I have too many things running through my mind right now.

Have a great weekend!

A Good Book: Volume 2

I've been reading some new(er) books.  You know, ones with a 2010 publishing date?  I'm usually playing catch-up with all the new release stuff and about 2 years out.  Pretty stinkin' proud of myself for finally reading something before my younger sis.

This was a fun read.  Very Harry Potter-esque.  I had heard nothing about this book or the author before this, but I will be looking for other writings by her.  It was a very quick and easy read - since it's for the 6-9th grade group.  If my oldest ever gets interested in reading, these would really intrigue her.










My SIL's mother got us started on these books.  The kids don't have the attention span nor the desire to sit and read these on their own, yet.  But, we've had a lot of fun reading them together.  I'll take just about any excuse to read a book.  And, since the school encourages the parents to read with their kids, that's enough for me.  :)










Okay.  I picked this one up thinking it was a novel.  Nope.  I'm thinking by the end of the series I am going to like these books better than Twilight.  {GASP!}  I know!  I wouldn't have thought it possible, but it's true.  I'm already re-reading it after finishing Book 2.  (Imagine my husband hanging is head and shaking it with a smirk on his face.  Yes, this is pretty typical of me.)











Second book in the Fallen Series.  This is even better than the first book.  I'll re-read it after I finish the first book again.  :)













Third book.  Not due out until June 2011. {sigh!}  Seriously, these books are good enough (and addicting enough) that I'm seriously considering buying them.  :)  Especially since the Borders close to us is going out of business.

A Good Book: Part 1

I love to read.  It doesn't have to be anything deep or philosophical - actually better if it's not.  Reading is an escape for me.  An escape from the endless to-do lists and ever demanding life of being a mom.  It's a time for me to relax (usually at the end of a long day) and give my mind a break from dwelling on all that has to be done.

There has been a lot more reading going on the past year since we got a library membership.  Now that I'm not having to pay for a book, I usually have a 'new' one on hand that I'm trying to finish.  I also took advantage of the extra time when dealing with morning sickness and newborn nursing sessions this year.

I'm always on the lookout for something new to read, so I thought I would share some of the books I've read incase some of you are looking for a good book.

I'm sure most everyone has read these, but I thought I would put it on here anyway.  I didn't start reading the series until the last book was published.  I almost put Twilight down after the first couple of chapters, until my sister encouraged me to keep reading.  :)










This is a fun series of books.  Cassandra does a good job with the characters and plot.  A very easy read with a lot of action.












This is another series by Cassandra Clare.  I didn't care for it as well as The Mortal Instruments Series, but I'm still looking forward to reading book 2 when it comes out in December.











This is a fun book.  Very good advice - now to follow it.  :)













This one and the previous book were books that my husband read for work.  Our 'cheese' has been moved several times and this book helped us keep things in perspective and keep a smile through the process.











I'm currently trying to get through this.  It's a deeper read, so it is taking me more than a day or two to read.  It has a LOT of good advice and has 'new' ideas brought forth than most marriage books I've read.












Well.  This is quite the mix, huh?  I'll do another list of books sometime soon, but try to keep each of them short.  Hope there is something that interest some of you out there.  Happy reading!

Books

I love books.  I mean LOVE books.  I'm always on the look out for a good book to read.  I must admit that my reading is somewhat limited for the sheer fact that I have a very short window of time to read.  One of these days I'll share a list of books I've read.  Not today, though.  :)
Today I wanted to share The $5 Dinner Mom Cookbook by Erin Chase.  I've only just started reading it, but already I'm intrigued and hopeful.  I happened upon it at the local library on Saturday.  And, since I'm working to cut back on our grocery bill each month, I thought this might give me some more motivation and dinner ideas.  I'm hoping to give an update in a week or so to let you know what I think about it.  For those of you who might want to get it earlier, I wanted to get the word out that such a book is available.
*Just so you all know - I could care less if you purchase any of the items I post about from Amazon.com.  It's just the easiest way for me to link to them.  I always look for any book I want to read at the library and suggest you do the same.  :)
**Also.  Thanks for the info about downloadable PDFs.  I'm tweaking my files for easy printing, but hope to have them available soon.

Latest UPS Arrival

Preserving Food and The Urban Homestead

One I previously borrowed from the library and the other I was able to scan my brother's copy.  I see lots of work in my future.  Should be an interesting spring and summer around here.  ;)

Sweet Booties!!

Hubby and I had a very nice and unexpected Valentine's weekend. My wonderful in-laws decided to make a last minute trip for a visit. They even suggested we take some time for ourselves and actually have a Valentine's day date. Let's face it, they really came to see the grandkids and not us, anyway!

I was, once again, spoiled by my sweetie - eating at P. F. Changs (yumm!) and going to several different stores at the local malls. The highlight was when at Barnes & Noble bookstore, I was told to bring the craft book I'd been drooling over to the register. I felt a bit guilty, since I knew I could probably get it off of Amazon.com cheaper, but who am I to argue?

Image via Amazon.com

There are so many yummy little project to keep me busy and surrounded by happy colors until summer is in full swing. Booties? Of course. Hats? Yep. Bloomers? I'll take two, please!

The cherry on the top was going out again yesterday to Joann's and getting to pick out some material to actually do the projects instead of just looking at the book. The ones on the left are fat quarters (for $1) and those on the right are knits. Aren't they pretty?!

Now, there has been no sewing at this point, but the material is washed and that's a step in the right direction. Next will be cleaning up my sewing area so a full scale project can be done without chaos creaping in around me.