Wednesday, January 29, 2014

What I'm Reading + 5 Faves

(1)
I'm pretty sure it's only a matter of time before every blogger north of the Mason Dixon line starts rereading (or just reading, I guess.  I forget that there are people in the world who have not read all of the exact same books I've read because I'm humble and self-aware like that).



We busted out The Long Winter the other night so I could revive our nightly out loud reading tradition and you guys.  This book is really well written.  I mean, this probably shouldn't come as such a surprise to me, but what I remember from reading them as a middle schooler is the story line.  But now I'm reading them (it) as an adult and am just really impressed with Wilder's ability to paint such vivid pictures with her words.

And guess what?  We have running water in OUR claim shanty!  Yay!

(2)


My mom works at a high-end kitchen supply store back in SoCal so she sends us the greatest Christmas and birthday presents.  A few months ago she sent us a set of these wood/cotton cleaning rags and I. Am. In. Love.  You know how most rags eventually become impervious to water somehow and just start moving the gross from one place to another?  And then you just can't stand it anymore and you grab a paper towel and solve all the world's problems?  These rags are not like that.  I wash 'em right in the machine and air dry them.  They are stiff and weird once they're dry, but you get 'em wet again and they are like magic.  MAGIC I TELL YOU!  Magic cleaning supplies.  Who knew?

p.s. Even if you aren't interested in these, click to read the first review by Seth.  Hilarious.

(3)


 When this came in the mail, y'all, I was a little irritated.  It just seemed so TINY.  Like...what is this, 2 months worth of make-up?  (I'm a cheapskate, so a year is the minimum time I expect to keep each item I purchase, just in case you're wondering about my perspective here.  Super rational.)  But lemme tell ya that it arrived last March and it is still going strong because the amount you need is miniscule.  I cannot believe that such a tiny little drop can cover my entire face.  I just....it is weird.  Defying of the physics and all that.

Also, this is real Japanese BB cream, so everything is written in Japanese on the back of the tube.  Like, you know, in case you need instructions or something, well, you won't have any.  Fair warning.

(4) and (5)

My two big girls and the book reviews that they posted today. 

Here is Katy's review of A Little Princess and here is Lizzy's review of The Black Stallion, which they shared over at Jessica's What We're Reading Wednesday.  They will both make you laugh, honest.  Enjoy!

www.housewifespice.com

Five Favorites, hosted at MoxieWife.com
 post signature
Pin It

19 comments :

  1. My father-in-law is an editor and we have many discussions about how The Long Winter is Wilder's best work. The foreshadowing in the early chapters, the green pumpkins, the Indians with their warnings about the beaver dams, so well done. A fb friend has been reading Long Winter to her kids and for months now she has been claiming this is the 23 years winter, what with that blizzard that killed a lot of cattle out west this fall. Eerie.

    ReplyDelete
  2. In studying Laura Ingalls Wilder's biography, I learned that her daughter, Rose, was the one who was the talented writer. She would take what her mom wrote and edit it. I don't know how accurate that is... but either way, I think The Long Winter and These Happy Golden Years were my favorites of her books.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd heard that too. Apparently Laura was actually a pretty terrible writer, so three cheers for Rose! These Happy Golden Years is my favorite LIW's work too.

      Delete
  3. I'll admit while I've read the Little House books I'm not really clear on the order. We just started reading Little House in the Big Woods to my 4yo and she loooves it. I'm hoping we get to the Long Winter while it's still winter!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Replies
    1. It's bb cream, which is like a smooth, creamy sort of foundation. This one is moisturizing and has spf 30 (which I didn't buy it for but it just happens to have it.). I love the way it makes my face feel!

      Delete
    2. Sorry to be so obnoxious. I am completely make-up/skin care naive BUT needing to figure this stuff out as my skin is starting show my age...

      Delete
    3. No, no worries at all! Yes, it is tinted like regular foundation but is a bit of a different texture. I feel like the color blends in super well so there's no "jaw line of demarcation" as I call it.

      Delete
  5. You daughters' book reviews are amazing. Those are some talented budding writers for sure!! (and now, I feel like a homeschooler slacker becuase my kids don't write like that).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't even know they could write like that, Amelia! Everyone has their own strengths and we are just a Word House, that's all :). I'm blaming it on all the reading they sneak in late at night....

      Delete
  6. I've also got the BB cream stuff going on, but not the same brand... I should try yours- mine makes my face feel kinda oily by the end of the day. And with hormone-tastrophe going on right now, I'm breaking out enough as it is... so I switched back to miniscule drops of miracle Clinique (which is way too expensive for me).

    I loved all the Little House books growing up- I always wanted to be a pioneer! I have turkeys pooping on my porch, so that's close, right?

    ReplyDelete
  7. The Long Winter is one of my dad's favorite books! He loves books about man vs. the elements. . . . My parents read us that series several times. I'm looking forward to reading it to my kids when they're a little older.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love the Little House books, too. My dad read them aloud to my sister & I growing up. We even had a song (which I still remember all the words to) about Farmer Boy. :) You are inspiring me to re-read these at some point!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Can't wait to get to The Long Winter with my daughter (I read it so long ago that I don't really remember it...). We're reading Farmer Boy right now, and it's my favorite parent / child activity (I never was really much of a "player").

    ReplyDelete
  10. If you're interested, Stuff You Missed in History Class has a podcast on The Long Winter. Two actually. It's pretty good!

    ReplyDelete
  11. OH my gosh, your girls are hilarious and well-spoken to boot. I would love to read more reviews from them both!

    ReplyDelete
  12. LOVE the Little House books! But I just want to say ... that cover cracks me up because their winter was more the huddle-around-a-straw-filled-fire-and-try-not-to-freeze-to-death experience, rather than a joyfully-toss-snowballs-around sort of time.

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...