Jul 30, 2010

The Art of Racing in the Rain

As my turn to choose our monthly book club picks came around, I decided to look up some of the most popular and best-rated books on www.amazon.com.  One book I discovered was The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein.  It turns out this book was actually a New York Times bestseller.  Not particularly one of my favorite books, but definitely a completely different read for me.   I would rate this book 3 out of 5 stars.  Here is a brief description of the book taken from amazon.

If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoƫ, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama.


Jul 28, 2010

A Great Read

A few months back at our monthly book club get-together, one of the book choices was Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  Unfortunately for our book club, this great read was reluctantly passed over by another selection.  After reading some really good reviews on the book I decided to add it to my personal to-read list.  I checked the book out at my local library and began reading.  This novel was not so much life-changing as it was an eye opener.  The story is told through the eyes of Alice, a 50's something Harvard professor who is also a wife and mother.  In the book Alice realizes she has early onset Alzheimer's disease.  Throughout the story we see the disease unfolding before Alice's eyes as well as her family, friends and colleagues.  This riveting and emotional journey is taken by not only Alice but her husband, two daughters and her son.  A definite must read for all you fiction novel junkies, such as myself.

Jul 21, 2010

Marietta Greek Festival

Back in May, Walter filled me in on a festival that was being held in Marietta.  The Marietta Greek festival.  After looking at the website I knew we had to go.  What is this festival you ask?  Well it's basically a festival held every year at the Holy Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church in Marietta, GA.  At this HUGE festival you can enjoy many vendors that cater to shopping, food, food & more food... oh and some live entertainment.  Here's a little snippet I stole from the website: www.mariettagreekfestival.org

GREEK MARKETPLACE
Escape to Greece and go shopping! Over a dozen authentic vendors set up their shops inside our Agora (Marketplace). Come by to see items created in the Greek tradition, such as fine imported Greek jewelry, handmade linens, hip scarves, delicious Greek cuisine, Greek cookbooks and travel books, decorative art pieces, hand done oil paintings, beautiful Mediterranean candle holders, glass blown items and wood crafted items from the Holy Land... just to name a few. You will find an endless assortment of items that reflect the Greek culture and its traditions.

Just a night of wonderful Mediterranean cuisine, groovy music, live entertainment and lots of vendor shopping.





Here fishy fishy fishy...

One lazy Sunday afternoon Walter decided to take the kids fishing with their Pawpaw out at a neighbor's little pond.  Apparently the fish are well fed and the pond is fully stocked.  As you can see in the pics, the kids had so much fun fishing with their daddy & their pawpaw.  








Side note: You also see what happens when you have a bored 4 yr old.. random photography!





Showing off their prime catches of the day






Through the eyes of a preschooler

On occasion, well actually all the time I catching my little man grabbing our digital camera and taking snapshots of life through his eyes.  I dedicate this blog post to Caleb's photography.  He's my little blooming artist!
Title: Blurry dog food

Title: Flip flop

Title: Build-a-bear puppy down

Title: Handy Manny Station Stacked
Title: Play dough East Coast Chopper Wheel


Title: Handy Manny Up Close & Personal

Title: Barbie Car Open Door

Title: Eye See You


Jul 19, 2010

Let's get Scrappin'

Every few months the scrappy chicks & I try to plan a weekend devoted to our favorite hobby scrapbooking.  First we pick a date & then we pick a place and the planning soon begins.  On this weekend, I was chosen as the hostess with the mostess!  To make the weekend even more special, our special guest was none other than Christina....who graciously offered to fly in town for our weekend of scrappin'.  Since getting married and moving back to her home state, we don't get to see Christina as often so whenever we are all able to get together in one place at one time it is certainly a special treat.  From Friday to Sunday we enjoyed lots of great food, great fun & conversation and lots of scrapbooking.  Oh and let's throw in a special trip to the Scrapbook Clearance Store & Archiver's. Special memories created by special friends.  I am so blessed.