Top 10 0f 2010

Top ten lists are popping up everywhere this week as people look back on the past year. I thought I would add mine with the top ten books I read in 2010. In no particular order, here they are.

1. Asta in the Wings ~ Jan Elizabeth Watson. This is the story of 7-year-old Asta and her 9-year- old brother Orion. They have been isolated (locked in their house) from the outside world by their mother who claims the world has been ravaged by a plague. When their mother fails to come home from work one day, they break out of the house, encounter other people for the first time, and learn to navigate the world.


2. Olive Kittredge ~ Elizabeth Strout. I loved this Pulitzer Prize winner. Read more about what I had to say about it here.








3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame ~ Victor Hugo. By far the best of the classics that I read this year. Read more here.









4. The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling ~ Maryrose Wood. A review I read of this book describes it as Jane Eyre meets Lemony Snicket, and that pretty well sums it up. A young girl named Penelope takes a job as the governess of two orphaned children who just happened to have been raised by wolves. It is funny and a bit mysterious. Unfortunately the ending leaves you hanging, but the second in the series will be out in February.



5. The Invention of Hugo Cabret ~ Brian Selznick. This is also a young adult book. It’s very thick, but most of the story is told in pictures, although it isn‘t really a graphic novel. It is about an orphaned boy who lives in the walls of a train station in Paris where he keeps all the clocks running. Beyond that, the story is hard to explain in a few lines. Check it out yourself.





6. The Lumby Lines ~ Gail Fraser. The first in a series, this novel is about an east coast couple who move to the small town of Lumby somewhere in the northwest and open an inn at a burned out, abandoned monastery. Of course they are not immediately welcomed by the quirky townspeople, but eventually they find their niche in the town. At times this book is laugh out loud funny - some of the running gags, such as the police reports in the newspaper and a pink flamingo who turns up in different yards wearing funny outfits, make this a really enjoyable read.



7. The Weed That Strings the Hangman’s Bag ~ Alan Bradley. This is a sequel to The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, which I also highly recommend, and involves a young girl named Flavia de Luce who lives in rural England during the 1950s. She has an uncanny way of getting caught up in murder and then solving the mystery surrounding it. I’m very happy to have just found out that a third in the series is coming out in February!



8. Elliot Allagash ~ Simon Rich. I really don't know why I liked this book. I kind of feel like I shouldn't have. It's about an eighth grade kid named Seymour who doesn't have too many friends and who's future looks pretty bleak. All of this changes when he meets Elliot Allagash. Elliot is a wealthy new kid at school who knows how to pull strings and get results, even if he has to break a few rules to do so. He takes Seymour on as his project with interesting results. The ending is kind of weak, but it was a fun read getting there.




9. Entertaining Disasters ~ Nancy Spiller. The narrator of this book is never named, but she is a magazine writer who writes about the wonderful dinner parties she throws. However, it is all made up, because the narrator cannot handle the pressure of having a dinner party. When she meets a famous author who wants to come to one of her parties, she can't think of an excuse to get out of having the party and has to have it for real. As she is preparing for the dinner, she flashes back to her rather remarkable/unstable childhood, which helps the reader understand why she became the adult she is. As an extra bonus, there is a recipe at the end of each chapter.

10. The Best Christmas Pageant Ever ~ Barbara Robinson. As a rule, I don't reread books, but I make an exception every year and pick this one up. If you've never read it, it should be at the top of your list of books to read. It is the story of the Herdmans, a family of hooligans who hijack the yearly Christmas pageant. At times it is laugh out loud funny, but the ending is very sweet. Read it.

So, that's my top ten. What's yours?

December Classic Reading

Well, December is almost over, and I have read my twelfth classic for the year. (Yes, that's right. Twelve classics. I can count them all since I finally finished Moll Flanders from way back in April, and no, it didn't get any better.)

I wanted to choose a Christmas themed book for December but had a hard time coming up with one. Anything I could think of I had already read. I finally settled on E.T.A. Hoffmann's The Nutcracker. Luckily for me, I had a beautiful copy of this book sitting on my shelf that I had never read.

If you have seen the ballet, you will know the general story, although there are some significant differences. I don't really want to make a list of similarities or differences here, so if you want to know more, you'll have to read it for yourself.

It is a fun Christmas read, even though the story is kind of weird and creepy at times. The whole mouse king thing kind of turns me off, and the fact that he has seven heads in the book doesn't help. Eeeek! The reader does learn more about where the nutcracker came from, why he is so ugly, and why he and the mice can't seem to get along.

My copy is beautifully illustrated by Gennady Spirin, but I also checked a popular edition out from the library illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I think I'll be adding that one to my book collection soon just because the illustrations are so much fun to look at.

So there you have it. Twelve classics in twelve months. I have a few ideas floating around in my head for my next reading plan. As "fun" as it was to read the classics, this exercise in reading definitely will not be repeated next year.

The end...

of Christmas goodie making that is. Here are the last of the goodies I made for Christmas.



Carrot Cake Jam. I took a break from cookies and candy one afternoon and made some jam to give as gifts.



Teriffic Toffee. This is a really easy and really yummy toffee recipe.



Chocolate Chip Biscotti. This was a new recipe I tried this year, and it was really yummy, too.



Peppermint Meltaways. A freind sent me this recipe, and if you are a peppermint lover, this one is for you. I thought they were a nice addition to my cookie trays.



Cranberry-Pear Crumb Pie. I made this on Christmas morning for Christmas dinner. It was beautiful and delicious.



Candy Cane Cookies. I really don't like making these cookies, but I love eating them. They have been our family's favorite Christmas cookie for as long as I can remember. I didn't make any this year, but luckily for me, my mom brought me this tin full of them for Christmas. How great is that?

Christmas Day!

What Sweeter Music
What sweeter music can we bring
Than a carol, for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?
Awake the voice! Awake the string!

Dark and dull night, fly hence away,
And give the honor to this day,
That sees December turned to May.

Why does the chilling winter’s morn
Smile, like a field beset with corn?
Or smell like a meadow newly-shorn,
Thus, on the sudden? Come and see
The cause, why things thus fragrant be:
‘Tis He is born, whose quickening birth
Gives life and luster, public mirth,
To heaven, and the under-earth.

We see him come, and know him ours,
Who, with his sunshine and his showers,
Turns all the patient ground to flowers.
The darling of the world is come,
And fit it is, we find a room
To welcome him. The nobler part
Of all the house here, is the heart.

Which we will give him; and bequeath
This holly, and this ivy wreath,
To do him honour, who’s our King,
And Lord of all this revelling.

What sweeter music can we bring,
Than a carol for to sing
The birth of this our heavenly King?

Robert Herrick (1591-1674)

Welcome, Winter!

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Of The Father's Love Begotten

Of the Fathers love begotten,
ere the worlds began to be,
He is Alpha and Omega,
He the source, the ending He,
Of the things that are, that have been,
And that future years shall see,
evermore and evermore!

At His Word the worlds were framèd;
He commanded; it was done:
Heaven and earth and depths of ocean
in their threefold order one;
All that grows beneath the shining
Of the moon and burning sun,
evermore and evermore!

O that birth forever blessèd,
when the virgin, full of grace,
By the Holy Ghost conceiving,
bare the Saviour of our race;
And the Babe, the worlds Redeemer,
First revealed His sacred face,
evermore and evermore!

This is He Whom seers in old time
chanted of with one accord;
Whom the voices of the prophets
promised in their faithful word;
Now He shines, the long expected,
Let creation praise its Lord,
evermore and evermore!

O ye heights of heaven adore Him;
angel hosts, His praises sing;
Powers, dominions, bow before Him,
and extol our God and King!
Let no tongue on earth be silent,
Every voice in concert sing,
evermore and evermore!

Christ, to Thee with God the Father,
and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee,
Hymn and chant with high thanksgiving,
and unwearied praises be:
Honour, glory, and dominion,
And eternal victory,
evermore and evermore!

~From the original Latin of Aurelius Prudentius (5th c.) translated by John M. Neale & Henry W. Baker (19th c.)

More Goodies!

I added a few more goodies to my Christmas cookie arsenal today.



Spritz Cookies. Lightly spiced and tasting like Christmas. I make these every year, but this year I couldn't get my cookie press to cooperate and this is the only shape I could get to turn out. I like it though. Kind of reminds me of a poinsettia.



Chocolate Covered Cherries. These are actually very easy to make and so much better than what you buy in the store, and they get even better after sitting for a weeks or so. They should be perfect by Christmas Day.



Spoon Cookies. This is a new recipe for me this year, and I have to admit it could quite possibly be one of the best cookies I have ever tasted. They are tedious to make, but worth the effort. The texture of the cookie is kind of like a pecan sandie, and I sandwiched them together with some lovely plum jam my mom made this summer. Click here to go to the recipe.

Oh, Goodie!

I took a little trip to see my folks over the past weekend. I hadn't baked any Christmas cookies yet, so while I was home, my mom and I made some Christmas treats. Here are some of our goodies.



Russian Tea Cakes or Mexican Wedding Cakes. These are usually the first Christmas cookie I bake, and this year was no exception. I love the simplicity of these. Butter, flour, powdered sugar, salt, and vanilla are the only ingredients. Some add nuts, but I prefer them without.



Peanut Brittle. This is the best peanut brittle you will ever eat. The addition of baking soda gives it the light, airy texture you can see in the picture. Yum!



Divinity. Yes, it's divine - so smooth and sweet. Candy making is always tricky, but we got this right.



Chai Birch Logs. My sister and brother-in-law make these every year at Christmastime, but since they aren't living down the street from me anymore, I had to make my own this year.

I was really pleased with how everything turned out, but I still have lots more to make. If you need me in the next couple of days, check in the kitchen. That's probably where I'll probably be.

Third Sunday of Advent

O Come, O Come Emmanuel

O come, O come, Emmanuel,
And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Wisdom from on high,
Who orderest all things mightily;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free
Thine own from Satan’s tyranny;
From depths of hell Thy people save,
And give them victory over the grave.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here;
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death’s dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Key of David, come,
And open wide our heavenly home;
Make safe the way that leads on high,
And close the path to misery.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, O come, great Lord of might,
Who to Thy tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times once gave the law
In cloud and majesty and awe.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Thou Root of Jesse’s tree,
An ensign of Thy people be;
Before Thee rulers silent fall;
All peoples on Thy mercy call.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

O come, Desire of nations, bind
In one the hearts of all mankind;
Bid Thou our sad divisions cease,
And be Thyself our King of Peace.
Rejoice! Rejoice!
Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

~ 12th Century Latin Hymn, translated by John M. Neale

Second Sunday of Advent

Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus

Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel's strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.

Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne.

~Charles Wesley

Counting down the days...

Anyone remember these?



I talked my mom into buying this chocolate filled advent calendar for me when she and my dad came to town for Thanksgiving.

My sister and I often had these when we were growing up, and this is far from first one I've had in my adult life. There is just something special about looking for the door with the day's number and wondering what shape the candy will be in each day,(today's was a duck) and then eating that chocolaty flavored bit of waxy candy. Terrible but delicious at the same time.

When I was a kid, I couldn't wait for Christmas Day to arrive. There was so much to look forward to: no school, presents, family get togethers with cousins...I remember being tempted to eat every piece of candy in my advent calendar when my mom wasn't looking. After all, she always said, "when the candy's all gone, it will be Christmas."

Fast forward a few years.

I still look forward to Christmas Day, but I especially love the time before. I know that a lot of people get stressed during this time of the year, but I find myself wishing the time of anticipation and preparation could last a little bit longer. I love the hustle and bustle, the lights and decorations, cookie baking, Salvation Army bell ringers, carols...Maybe that's why I start my Christmas season earlier than most.

As we speed along toward Christmas Day, I know that I can't do anything to slow down time. However, I can take time to savor small things, like a piece of chocolate from my advent calendar, and make the most of this wonderful time of the year.