Penny From Heaven by Jennifer L. Holm

Jennifer L. Holm is a great author - having written such titles as Turtle in Paradise, and the Boston Jane books.  Penny from Heaven is a Newberry Honor Book.

I just finished reading this story - set in the 50's - a little after World War Two.  The books starts off a little slow for me.  It was hard to get into Penny's story.  Things just seemed to jump from one thing to the next.  Nothing seemed to flow together.  One thing that was a little irritating is that we have to meet the entire family tree in the first couple of pages, and because of that I couldn't keep them apart, nor did I really care about the different individuals throughout the book.

It wasn't until I skipped to the end and read the author's notes that I began to understand what the author was trying to do.  It is basically a story about her own Italian family and what they had to deal with after the war.  

I had no idea that Italian Americans were taken away from family and friends and put into internment camps.  Where I live we have an old Japanese internment camp - which I have toured.  We all hear stories and have seen movies about what happened to the Japanese after Pearl Harbor.  But to know that it happened to other races also, blew me away.

After knowing this information - the book became more interesting and all the weird story lines seemed to finally fit together.  The war, family, Italians, laundry, buried treasures, stores, new coats, and baseball.  While I finally was able to finish up the book because of the historical aspect of the author's real family, and the historical significance of a chapter in history I never know, the book truly did not have it together as well as I would have liked it to.  Although I did enjoy the true life story from the author, as well as her pictures, at the end of the book.

I found it a little bit boring, and a little bit jumpy.  The characters were either not very well developed, or just not likable.  Or maybe even a little bit of both.  Sorry Jennifer Holm, just not the book for me this time.

All in all I would give this book *** 3 out of 5 stars.

Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool

I love the author Clare Vanderpool.  A while ago she came out with her very first novel called Moon Over Manifest.  It was witty, endearing, and very well written.  Her characters were quirky, but came to life under her pen.  Her long awaited second novel has finally come out and does not disappoint!  

Her second novel called Navigating Early is also historical fiction.  It takes place after World War Two.  The main character is named Jack.  His mother has died and his world has been turned upside down.  He has to leave everything he has known in Kansas, and move to Maine with his father, who he hasn't seen in forever.    Deep in his heart he feels like he was the one who caused his mother's death.  And that knowledge haunts him.

Jack doesn't really fit in with the other boys at the academy - where he now goes to school.  That is until, he meets the strangest of boys:  Early Auden.  Early Auden rarely attends class, and when he does, he doesn't seem to agree with what is being taught.  Early Auden is slowly revealed to us by what he does.  One such thing we learn is that Early is solving the number of Pi.  But instead of just solving the number, to him the numbers tell a story. 

The story of Pi, as told by Early, is interwoven beautifully throughout the entire book.  Pi is on a journey, and eventually the story becomes wrapped together with the story of Early and Jack.  Early and Jack depart on their own epic adventure up a river, and the story of Pi and the adventure of Early and Jack are hauntingly similar.  It is amazing how Clare Vanderpool puts the two together.  The story of Pi is almost prophetic to what happens to the boys.  As you read it is fun to try and figure out what is going to happen when the prophecy is fulfilled.

The story is written beautifully and is truly an inspiring read.  It hits on family, forgiveness, letting go, and love.  When it all comes together at the end - it will leave you breathless and wanting more.  Be sure to read the author's notes at the end - which help tie the book together even more.  

Clare Vanderpool, please start writing a new book as soon as possible!  I can't wait to see what you come up with next!

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars!

Navigating Early

Moon Over Manifest

Mod and Mini

Found and thrifted this really cute mod 70's mini dress.  It has awesome colors in rust and periwinkle blue.  I wore some leggings underneath - as it was cold and a little too short for me!  Paired with my knee high riding boots and my crochet beret - it was a fun winter outfit.  I also adore this wooden disk necklace.  With 5 little chickadees this outfit was a little hard to deal with - so it is up for grabs!  It is a sz extra small / small.  Message me for more info if you are interested!  Thanks!

Hat:  Forever 21

Dress:  Thrifted

Necklace:  Thrifted

Pants:  Old Navy

Boots:  Modcloth (Similar)

Jackets and Dresses

I love this dress from Modcloth!  It is an older dress - 2 or 3 years now.  It sold out so fast when it first came out that I missed it.  When it came back in stock about a month later it sold out in 30 minutes!  I was happy to be able to snag one!  It is a tad short for me - so I add my Essential Elegance skirt in black from Modcloth underneath.  My mustard shoes match the scroll work on the dress.  I added my gray lace jacket along with my floral gray stretch belt.  I love my waist being nipped in.  I never thought to pair a jacket over a dress until I started reading fashion blogs!  Thanks fashionista's for the inspiration! 

Earrings:  Lia Sophia

Jacket:  Gift (Similar)

Dress:  "Made the Grade" Modcloth (Similar)

Skirt:  Modcloth

Belt:  Newport News

Tights:  Gift

Shoes:  Modcloth (Irregular Choice) (Similar)

Tahiti Sweetie Party!

Today we held an amazing Tahiti Sweetie party at our house!  It was so amazingly fun!  We had family and friends over to break up the cold winter... by going to Tahiti!

The "Tiki Bar" - Bamboo tablecloth background, with banana leaves, hurricane glasses, a fishing net, and a rafia table skirt!

Party Supplies from Oriental Trading Co.

Backdrop and table settings.

Table settings were simple, but elegant.  A scrapbooking bamboo sheet, with mini banana leaves, and hibiscus flowers.  Mini pineapples brought the look together.  I got the mini pineapples

here on Amazon.

Amazing Tahiti - Bora Bora - Overwater bungalow background from Oriental Trading.

The tables

Cool Palm Tree cutlery design.  

Napkins, plates, cutlery.  The tiki cups are vintage that I found at yard sales.  I keep looking for them but only have found two so far.  Macadamia nuts from Hawaii.

Tahiti is famous for her black pearls - so we had lots of black pearls!  I bought the sixlet packet from Oriental Trading.  I bought black because they were pearls, but you can get almost any color from the rainbow - 2 pounds for only $9.00 here.

My Tahiti  Sweetie outfit!  

Leaf headband - from Amazon

Mai Tai Cardigan from Modcloth

Dress from Modcloth (Similar)

Belt from Newport News

It was such a fun night!

We had a great feast - everyone brought a dish to share.

We had Pina Coladas

And Tahitian Punch

I made BBQ Shrimp Tacos!

Corn Tortilla Shells

1 PKG Frozen Tails Off Shrimp (thawed)

BBQ Sauce

Lime Juice

Butter

Rice - 2-4 cups rice - cooked and ready to go

Lettuce

(Cheese and Ranch Dressing Optional)

For the Shrimp mix:  Add the butter (about 2 TBSP) to a pan, melt.  Add your shrimp.  Squeeze lime juice to your taste over the shrimp.  Saute till done.  Add in the rice mixture, and add enough BBQ sauce to nicely cover everything.  

For the Tortillas:  Add butter to your frying pan - and fry up enough tortillas for your mixture!

Put your mixture in your tortilla, add lettuce, cheese and ranch dressing!

GAMES:

Games are so much fun!  Here are the list of games we played:

Limbo Contest - How Low can You Go?

Lava Hot Rock - Like Hot Potato - except with a red bean bag.

Tahiti Trivia - any Tahitian trivia will do - Google it!

Turtle Toss - Beanbag game for kids

That's it!  Have fun at your Tahiti Sweetie Party!

Have a Hats and Chickadees Day!

Quick & Cute Outfit Idea's For Moms FALL

Here we our, our last sunny weekend before the horrible winter weather hit this fall.  We decided to go on a field trip and go and see dinosaur footprints left behind in rock and mud!  It is great fun as you can track the dinosaurs and see how they walked across the gully.

Here is a fun outfit for you mom's out there!  Here is what you need:

Printed cardigan

Tank or sleeveless printed blouse

Jeans

Boots

My tank top is a sleeveless tank with foxes on it, I then threw on a printed heart cardigan.  I liked how the two prints complimented each other.  Throw on your favorite pair of jeans, and add some nice fall or winter boots.  Voila - quick and cute outfit!  

Fashion Idea:  Have fun mixing prints - and don't be afraid to put something together that might seem like it doesn't go.  Take your time and find something that really makes you smile.  

Tank:  Modcloth Just a Critter Bit Tank

Cardigan:  Modcloth Best Heart About It Cardigan

Jeans:  Spiegel

Boots:  JustFab

Quick & Cute Outfit Idea's For Moms #2 FALL

Here we are - Dec 1st already.  My blog has hit the dust.  I have 3 of my chickadees in school, and no matter how hard I try, I just don't have time to blog like I want to.  

I like posting these pictures on ModCloth for fun - although I hardly get any votes!  Thank you to the people who vote for me!  :) 

Guess how much weight I gained during my last pregnancy?!  50 POUNDS!  And I have lost 40 of them.  So, I may not be back to pre-pregnancy weight yet, but I can see a difference to how far I have come.

Here is my last fall outfit that I was going to post - before time got away from me!  

For all you mom's out there - here is an easy fall outfit for you and here is what you need:

A colorful cute sleeveless blouse with a cute or fun print.

Chambray or denim shorts

Sandals

Long Necklace

A Cardigan in a fun color - that compliments your blouse.  

I like the color compliments for your blouse/cardigan:  Yellow and Blue; Purple and Orange; Green and Pink; Red and Yellow; Blue and Pink; Orange and Gray.  Play with it - make it fun!

Blouse:  Modcloth

Cardigan:  Modcloth

Shorts:  Modcloth

Sandals:  Modcloth

Necklace:  Gift