tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1676207666861018572026-03-30T02:58:51.541-04:00North Laurel's MusingsOnce a catch-all for our homeschool and everyday family life, now a spot for my meanderings about whatever comes to mind- and always books.Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.comBlogger1352125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-48002116131454399052017-03-06T11:34:00.000-05:002017-03-06T11:34:48.032-05:00Book Review: Photographs from the Edge {Blogging for Books}
This post contains Amazon affiliate link(s). See Disclosure/Policies.
Photographs from the Edge, Art Wolfe with Rob Sheppard
ISBN: 9781607747819
Hardback, 288 pages
Publisher: Amphoto Books (Crown Publishing)
Retail: $32.00
About the book (from Blogging for Books):
Legendary nature photographer Art Wolfe presents an intimate, behind-the-scenes guide to the experiences, decisions, and Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-42876058688846831002016-12-13T09:14:00.000-05:002016-12-13T09:15:40.984-05:00Book Review: The Illustrated Book of Sayings {Blogging for Books}
I reviewed the first book put out by Sanders here.
I received this book for the purpose of an honest review. I received no compensation. See Disclosure/Policies.
Illustrated Book of Sayings by Ella Frances Sanders
ISBN: 978-1607749332
Hardcover, 112 pages
Publisher: Ten Speed
Retail: $14.99
About the book:
From the New York Times bestselling author of Lost in Translation comes this Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-64997305521896882282016-11-16T14:48:00.003-05:002016-11-16T14:48:42.802-05:00Book Review: Dead Wake {Blogging for Books}
Dead Wake: The last crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson*
ISBN: 9780307408877
Publisher: Broadway Books
Paperback, 452 pages
Retail: $17.00
*This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. See Disclosure/Policies.
About the book: On May 1, 1915, with World War I entering its tenth month, a luxury ocean liner as richly appointed as an English country house sailed out of New York, bound for Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-31168514021990014412016-08-18T15:11:00.001-04:002016-08-18T15:41:06.349-04:00A Sampling of Our Co-Op
I'll spare the details of how this all came about {that could well be a post for another day} but I'm sharing here how some of our lessons {hopefully} will go at the co-op starting in the Fall. These are only examples and not the specifics that will be in the line-up.
*This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See Disclosure/Policies.*
Our group will have students ranging in age from 6 to 17Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-85344245243866729452016-07-06T07:00:00.000-04:002016-07-06T07:00:26.503-04:00More Reasons to Open a Lending Library {cont'd}
Picking up where I left off with reasons to open a lending library: Modern works* written for children push political correctness, deliberately and blatantly. They seek to stir the hearts and minds of young people to tolerance. While there is absolutely no reason to demean a person, there is no reason to deliberately point out every possible conflict. It leads people to search forBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-46947968084667261982016-07-04T17:09:00.000-04:002016-07-04T17:09:32.372-04:00Book Review: So Brave, Young, and Handsome
***This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. See Disclosure/Policies.***
After reading Leif Enger's Peace Life a River I honestly wasn't sure I wanted to pick up this book, his second. And in case you do not go over to my linked review, do know that I loved the book.
No. It is the case of liking the book so much that I'd set myself up to assume that any subsequent books byBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-74041958523447116422016-06-13T21:13:00.002-04:002016-06-13T21:13:29.557-04:00Book Review: Vinegar Girl {Blogging for Books}
Vinegar Girl (Hogarth Shakespeare) by Anne Tyler
ISBN: 9780804141260
Paperback, 240 pages
Publisher: Random House
Advanced Reader Copy
About the book (from Amazon):
Pulitzer Prize winner and American master Anne Tyler brings us an inspired, witty and irresistible contemporary take on one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies.
Kate Battista feels stuck. How did she end up Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-32327721069786859562016-04-28T08:00:00.000-04:002016-04-28T08:00:05.638-04:00More Reasons to Open a Lending Library
***If you have books you'd like to donate to this growing lending library, please send an email to bbookslending@gmail.com Thanks!***
You can see the current library books at Beneficent Books Lending Library. You do need to be a registered user of libib to see the list. To join libib is free.
I had a long post typed out that included my thoughts on older versus newer children's books and Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-43403662707314172212016-04-27T07:40:00.002-04:002016-04-27T07:47:16.114-04:00Fahrenheit 451 {Back to the Classics Challenge 2016}
Finally, the fourth month of the year and I've finished my second Back to the Basics Challenge book. [Click the above image to go to the originating website.] I kept picking this one up, every month, but just could not get into the story. This day was different. I started reading it late morning, and while juggling the daily tasks, finished it just after dinner.
***This post MAY contain Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-57938188801209426372016-03-14T19:56:00.003-04:002016-03-16T16:06:50.260-04:00Product Review: US Art Supply 15 Piece Multi-Purpose Brush Set**Disclaimer: I received this item for free for the purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.**
I received a pack of 15 brushes of assorted sizes and bristles to review. I had really wanted to try these with at least two different mediums -watercolor and acrylic- but unfortunately could only do so with watercolor.
Here is a quick picture of a semi-finished test of the brushes (#Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-54323565697551823542016-03-13T17:39:00.001-04:002016-03-13T17:39:10.132-04:00Y10, T2, Exam {Fox}
Time flies so quickly. Two years ago Lee did her Y10, T2 exam. It can be found here. Now it is time to record Fox's exam. I'll follow the same format as before- state the question, followed by the answer. All spelling errors are mine.
I'll reflect a little on this one- he did well on a few of the questions but overall, the entire week of the exams were difficult because he didn't want to Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-60681969397335794292016-03-10T19:51:00.004-05:002016-03-10T19:51:32.468-05:00Product Review: Premium Masala Green Chai Tea- Organic, Loose leaf***Disclaimer: I received the following product for free for the purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.***
Premium Masala Green Chai Tea- Organic, Loose leafPurchase at Amazon for $10.95 at the time of this posting
My thoughts:It is very aromatic loose leaf tea. Being a chai tea I did expect it to brew darker, however this is based entirely on my experience with chai tea fromBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-62393846128461621952016-03-08T11:36:00.001-05:002016-03-08T11:38:06.194-05:00Product Review: Cell Phone Clip Bracket with Desktop Stand***I received the following product at a discount for the purpose of an honest review. See Disclosures/Policies***
I actually am simply embedding the video review I did of this but will include some other information I forgot to mention in the video.
The packaging of this is very simple and I thought it was broke when I opened the plastic bag. It's not broken; it is just not assembled! The Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-87078929520365014902016-03-02T15:05:00.002-05:002016-03-02T15:05:28.449-05:00Product Review: Dog/Cat Brush Grooming Glove with Collapsible Bowl
***Disclaimer: I received the following products for free for the express purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.***
Dog/Cat Brush Grooming Glove with Collapsible Pet Bowl
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B017WZ6CDE
My thoughts:
My cat has a strange love/hate relationship with combs and brushes. She also sheds enough that we try to keep her combed/brushed to keep it down. Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-47266210603415329452016-03-01T09:01:00.000-05:002016-03-01T09:05:46.521-05:00Product Review: US Art Supply Manga/Marker Paper
***Disclaimer: I received the following items for free for the sole purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.***
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGA8RRM (Manga-Marker Paper Pad)
My thoughts
This pad of paper I had wanted to give to my kids who like to draw manga style. But I will admit that this would not work for either of them. I really am not sure if I'm just Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-5492993933460945342016-02-29T21:00:00.002-05:002016-02-29T21:01:01.177-05:00Product Review: US Art Supply Calligraphic Practice Pad***Disclaimer: I received the following items for free for the sole purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.***
Purchase: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00PGBVNM2 (Calligraphic Practice Pad)
My thoughts:I have wanted to try my hand at calligraphy for awhile, and have attempted to do it freehand. I had really wanted to use my ink and metal nibs to review this paper but Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-4956419838034390172016-02-27T16:04:00.004-05:002016-02-27T16:04:41.320-05:00Product Review: CoQ10, NutriONN
***Disclaimer: I received the following item for free for the sole purpose of an honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.***
From Mayo Clinic: "CoQ10 has been studied for use as an antioxidant to protect cells from damage. CoQ10 has been used in combination with other antioxidants. Early study suggests that it may have antioxidant benefits in people with heart disease. More information is neededBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-17524767222891085192016-02-26T09:13:00.000-05:002016-02-26T09:13:06.498-05:00Book Review: Peace Like a River
***This post contains an Amazon affiliate link. See Disclosure/Policies.***
So many books, so little time. But not just that there are so many books is the fact that there are so many books that are no good.
This is a good book.
I've included the preview up there so that others might get a taste of what the writing is like in the book and decide if it is one that might be worth Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-16131498633105337512016-02-25T20:28:00.003-05:002016-04-27T08:13:55.730-04:00In Search of {Good} Books That Need A Good Home
***If you have books you'd like to donate to this growing lending library, please send an email to bbookslending@gmail.com Thanks!***
Have you heard of a lending library? Not those little libraries that are popping up outdoors, where one can take a book or leave a book. Those are really neat but I mean a house, or other building, that houses books that are from a personal library but can be Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-1670401329548947352016-02-19T17:24:00.003-05:002016-02-19T17:24:25.471-05:00The Innocence of Father Brown {Back to the Classics Challenge}
This is the first book I finished for the 2016 Back to the Classics Challenge. It falls into the Classic Detective Novel (there you can read others' postings of their choice for this category). Admittedly I struggled and skimmed much...or zoned out when I was listening to it. Most of my 'reading' was accomplished on the librivox recording but goodness, the guy who read it was... um, Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-59134732947936826872016-02-16T11:22:00.002-05:002016-02-16T11:22:29.235-05:00Reading List on the Net {I read too much, do too little}
I posted the first Reading List on the Net for me last week, with just two links. Here is the list that I mentioned in that post about others that I've not gotten to read yet...but I mean to. This is how I put them in a post:
http://thecommonroomblog.com/2015/03/in-which-the-dhm-kicks-herself-for-not-practicing-what-shes-preached.htm/
http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2010/08/Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-34232008659911515422016-02-12T07:58:00.003-05:002016-02-12T07:58:40.466-05:00Reading List on the Net {first of 2016!}
I do have another post, in draft, that has way too many links that I have kept but not completely read through. Today, though, I came across two bits on the internet that I didn't want to just leave waiting in that post. I will get back to the other links soon... I hope.
Gravitational Waves Detected, Confirming Einstein’s Theory
As I put this here, I've been following the links in the originalBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-27483832359244763312016-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:002016-02-10T08:00:07.651-05:00Product Review: Lunch Boxes by Orgalif
I received a set of 5 Orgalif Bento Lunch Box Containers for the purpose of this honest review. See Disclosure/Policies.
These are made from BPA free food grade plastic with separate compartments for different parts of a meal. I suppose these would be really good for portion control. They remind me of the microwave dinner trays I used to buy the kids when they were little, with the chicken Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-61546375230145159382016-02-08T18:14:00.000-05:002016-02-08T18:14:51.915-05:00Product Review: ThinkFun Stratos Spheres
Woohoo!! Games. We love games here. I'd show you our collection of board games and my bordering-on-too-many decks of cards collected from just about anywhere that sells/gives cards, but this is about the newest one we have been introduced to.
This one here is from #ThinkFun and it's super easy but not as easy as you might at first think. I have yet to win.
Stratos Spheres™
Blossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-167620766686101857.post-50311371206786796422016-01-26T18:41:00.004-05:002016-01-26T18:43:18.201-05:00Product Review: White Chalk Markers & Labels
Recently I've signed up with a company to do some reviews. Usually there are book reviews on this blog, but I figured a few product reviews would be fun as well. They will follow the same Disclosure/Policies that all my other reviews follow.
I got the first one just today.
White Chalk Markers by Chalko
The set included four white chalk markers and eight black 'chalkboard' labels. I store a lotBlossom Barden (NorthLaurel)http://www.blogger.com/profile/07809939585303395939noreply@blogger.com0