I don’t know if it’s getting older, or if it’s the politics of today, or some combination of both, but my tolerance for bullshit has reached an all time low. As has my threshold of caring about what other’s think of me.
Knitting: I finished one pair of socks and started another. I also got to work on *drumroll please* a Christmas gift. I haven’t finished Abram’s sweater and I *still* need to get buttons for Violet’s, but I figured May is a perfect time to start knitting up Christmas gifts.
Reading: Salt: A World History and more Warriors books for Violet. I’m really trying to find a book that will capture the heart and mind of a second grade boy who has slipped from LOVING reading into HATING it (this year has been hard on all of us and we’re all ready for summer vacation). Any and all suggestions would be appreciated and please don’t be one of those people who say that maybe he’s just grown out of it.
Watching: Do not laugh. I’ve been watching Dawson’s Creek. It’s horrible. Eye rolling, oh dear lord why am I watching this horrible and yet…I’m watching it. I missed it when it came out, I know that Joey ends up choosing Pacey (He bought her a wall. Eye roll, sigh.). I know Jen ends up dying (because of course). It’s everything a trite teeny bopper television show needs. Quick, grown up dialogue. The usual angsty topics. Homosexuality. Love triangles. Bookworm girl next store. Sexy blonde. Basically, Buffy the Vampire Slayer without the cool monsters. (I actually really like Buffy the Vampire Slayer).
Cooking: We’ve been getting a lot of salad greens from the CSA (it’s early, so it’s basically herbs and greens) and my new favorite lunch is a soft boiled or poached egg on toast with arugula. I feel like that officially makes me a hipster blogger. I finally bought some glass food storage containers and it’s been absolute magic for the meal plan/prep. I don’t know if it’s because everything looks so pretty and stacked and organized in the fridge or what, but I love them and because I love them, I use them and it’s the great cycle that keeps my prep game strong. I am a dork.
Other random snippets from this weekend:
Violet and Abram made my Mother’s Day truly special. I didn’t have to deal with a single argument, they did everything I asked the first time, they gave me hugs and kisses and adorable handmade gifts, and then let me do pretty much whatever it is I wanted. (Is that not every mother’s dream?) We’re all back to normal now though lest I get too comfortable.
Violet finished up her participation in Girls on the Run by participating in a 5K with her uncle. She said she got frustrated because she wanted to run the whole thing but because she was in the last wave had a hard time getting out ahead of those who had decided to walk it. She had a great time though and I’m really grateful to my brother for being her buddy because I was pretty sure I couldn’t have managed it (next year though…)
So…what’s new with you? Cooking, making, watching, reading? Any suggestions?
I am also a dork 🙂 . I like those glass storage containers, too — I use them for freezing dried-then-cooked legumes, kale from the garden, half-cans of tomatoes, leftovers … I need to buy more, in fact, because I’ve run out. (I should maybe look into buying some mason jars, though, as they might be less expensive, and would probably work just as well for some of my purposes.) Organised meal prep is really important for busy nights! It helps enormously to chop in the morning and then put those ingredients in the fridge (I often just put things in bowls and use plates to cover; it can get a bit precarious, but this works too, in a pinch).
I LOVE that you have cast on a Christmas present! (Talk about organised!!) I’ve finished my socks and cast on another pair for my daughter, have nearly finished the first boot sock for my husband, and the baby sweater is coming along very nicely, with only about an inch left to go on the body.
Reading: still on Thomas Hardy’s The Return of the Native. It’s slow going. And feels like work right now. But I’ve loved his other novels, so am trusting that this one will get to be good too. We have Salt, A World History, on our shelves too. Are you enjoying it? I’ve not read it, but my husband has.
Watching: just started Outlander on Netflix. It’s making me want to go back and reread the book!
On books for Abram: After thinking long and hard and scanning my sons’ shelves, here’s a list of suggestions (some of which may be obvious, or either too young or slightly too old for him):
The Magic Tree House series
Flat Stanley series
Horrible Harry series
All Roald Dahl books
E.B. White’s books
Judy Blume’s Fudge books
HARRY POTTER!!!
Measle and the Wrathmonk series (Ian Ogilvy)
Betty G. Birney’s Humphrey the Hamster series
John Kloepfer’s Zombie Chasers series
Zombiekins, Kevin Bolger
Jennifer A. Nielsen’s The False Prince trilogy
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Captain Underpants
Timmy Failure series by Stephan Pastis
Doctor Proctor’s Fart Powder series by Jo Nesbo
The Creature From My Closet series by Obert Skye
How to Eat Fried Worms, Thomas Rockwell
David Walliams books (not a series, but several of them)
The City of Ember series, Jeanne DuPrau
The Mysterious Benedict Society series, Trenton Lee Stewart
Peter and the Starcatchers series, Barry/Pearson
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, Rick Riordan
Ranger’s Apprentice series, John Flanagan
Silverwing/Sunwing/Firewing, Kenneth Oppel
Gregor the Overlander, Suzanne Collins
An Unfortunate Series of Events, Lemony Snicket
(If I think of more, I’ll add another comment later…)
Comics:
Big Nate series
Calvin and Hobbes
Peanuts
My older son was a voracious reader, but it’s not been that easy to keep my younger one reading. At 12, he loves reading non-fiction and comics (right now he’s into military history and The Far Side), but I SO want him to still be reading fiction (because I think stories are important, and studies have shown that they cultivate empathy) and the only way I’ve found to keep him “reading” fiction is either by bribing him (which I confess to having done!) or by me continuing to read aloud to him (which we are both happy to continue). I know you hate reading aloud though …
Lastly, I do have to say I envy you — I SO WISH I could get to the place you are, with the whole NOT caring what others think of you! I’ve had *quite* the month, and I could use a bit of that …
Also meant to say, Congratulations to Violet on her 5K — that’s awesome!!
What do you think of Outlander? Jesse was 100% positive it was all about sex and torture because every time he walked through the room while I was watching it, one of those two things was happening. I liked it better than the books, but I feel like I’m the only person who thought the books were a slog.
As for Salt, it’s slow moving for me. Hoping for some time to focus.
Speaking of books, THANK YOU SO MUCH for all the recommnendations. Big Nate has been a staple (I enjoy him as much as Abram – maybe even more) but there are a few others that I either haven’t heard of or have heard of but haven’t pulled the trigger on yet.
You’re MOVING on all your knitting. Want to see some pictures!
I’ve got mixed feelings about Outlander. I wish the sex and torture weren’t there in such a graphic way; in fact, I told my husband after the first episode that if they were ALL going to be like that I’d have to stop watching. I’m a sucker for period pieces though, so unless they get really bad, I’ll keep going with the series. I read the first few books about 25 years ago, alongside my MIL, and thinking back on them now, I’m pretty sure that I too found them to be a bit of a slog. IIRC the concept (the going back in time), as well as the history, were the things I enjoyed about the novels; the execution did leave something to be desired. If they were great all around I probably would have continued reading them as they came out, but I only ever read the first two or three in the series.
I really should get a knitting post up…
I feel like we’re in complete agreement on both the show and the books. The second season of the show isn’t quite as graphic, in my opinion. (Though I don’t know if I liked it enough to watch the third.) Also you are *way* hipper than me with the acronyms. I had to google IIRC. 🙂
Thanks for the actual lol this morning, Kate. I typed IIRC, then thought, “Wait…that DOES mean “if I recall correctly”, doesn’t it?” and then proceeded to google it myself. Zero hippiness from this corner 😉 .
OK, Marian should be a librarian!
On her list, I endorse (based on what’s really popular with kids in my school district) these: Diary of a Wimpy Kid (hands down, most popular), Captain Underpants, The Creature from My Closet, Percy Jackson. (I loved How to Eat Fried Worms as a kid, but I don’t know how it’s aged.)
A few more…
Fly Guy series
Dog Man (Dav Pilkey)
Bad Kitty series
Babymouse series
Origami Yoda series
Little Robot (Ben Hatke)
Wonder (R.J. Palacio)
EllRay Jakes series
Zita the Spacegirl series
Warriors (there are many spin-off series within the series)
Jeronimo Stilton
Squish series
Hilo (2 books in series so far)
Olympians series (George O’Connor)
Bone series
Stone Rabbit series
I’m not sure of his reading level or interests, so there’s a range on this list. Many are graphic novels, and there’s a mix of genres. All are top circulators in my district, so I’m sure they appeal to lots of kids.
I will not laugh at you for watching Dawson’s Creek if you won’t laugh at me for watching Nashville. And when I’m done with that, I just might go back to Party of Five, which is now available (on Netflix, I think). I’m in the mood for cheese.
I won’t be eating as much cheese, however. I have begun work with an integrative care specialist to try to make some real progress with migraine, fibromyalgia, etc. I am in the process of getting serious about food. I’ve been doing glass food containers for a while, and I love them. I’ve been slowly purging my kitchen of plastics. The bowls have plastic lids, but I handwash those, so they get to stay. I’ve replaced most utensils (bamboo or stainless steel). Cutting boards are all wood. And you’re right–something about the tools makes a difference. This blog post really inspired me: http://www.assortmentblog.com/assortment/2016/01/keeping-house.html
OK, back to work. So nice to catch up with you.
I loved How to Eat Fried Worms too!!
He really likes Dog Man (I *just* ordered him the sequel from a book order) and Fly Guy. I have Wonder but think it might be a little old for him. Violet loves Warriors. I’m not exaggerating when I say she has at least 15 of the books in the series. I actually read the first series because she loved them so much and I wanted to see what the draw was for her. All this to say, I REALLY appreciate you and Marian taking the time to make recommendations. He’s a good a reader and up until this school year was enjoying it, so it made me sad when he started pushing back on reading at night (long story, but it’s been a rough school year – we’re REALLY ready for summer).
I’m so sorry you’re still dealing with migraines and pain. I hope these changes help resolve it – or at least bring you some relief.
I’m going to have to look up that blog post now. Good hearing from you, Rita. I’ve been thinking of you!
I’ve been thinking of you, too, Rita, and I’m so glad to hear you’re now working with a specialist who may be able to give you some answers (and relief!) from your migraines. I believe really strongly in the power of food (and science does back this up) — I wish you well in this getting-serious-about-food journey…
IMO How To Eat Fried Worms has weathered quite well! I loved it as a child, and my 12-year-old loved it too. Another suggestion,
Kate, is The Wolf Wilder. I’m currently reading it to my son and we’re both enjoying it. Also, the grade two boys I see in our school library really seem to enjoy the I Survived series. (I *did* miss my calling; I’m hoping 50 isn’t too old to finally figure things out.)
Thank you, Marian! I’ve been thinking of you, too. Kids leaving the house make it possible for me to do food differently. Of course, one is back for the next 3 weeks, and then the other will be here for 10 days in July, so…we’ll see.
And Kate, I’m also voting for the I Survived series! Not sure how I missed that one, but it’s really popular, especially with boys.