Books, TV, & Movies – Cozycakes Cottage

Book List: Books Read in March & April

May 4, 2012 18 Comments

My book list is serving me well this year. I haven’t been disappointed yet and hope that the rest of the list follows suit. Here are the books I read in March & April (along with a couple not on my list) and a few thoughts about them:

The Hiding Place: This book is nothing short of inspiring. Unfortunately, I didn’t read this as a young adult, it somehow slipped under my radar all these years and I’m grateful I finally happened upon it (or happened upon online recommendations to read it). Continue reading

Filed Under: 2012 Goals, Books, TV, & Movies Tagged With: A Life that Says Welcome, Black Heels to Tractor Wheels, book list 2012, Corrie Ten Boom, Karen Ehman, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Pie Peel Society, The Hiding Place, The Hunger Games, The Money Class

Book List Reads: March Update

March 10, 2012 14 Comments

In the new year, I’ve made some progress on my book list and it has worked out pretty well for me. Although I’ve gone through magazines every spare minute I get (the purge continues!), I try to drop the mags and relax with a book at night instead. Nothing like a good book at the end of the day to ease you into a slumber (well, and red wine…I’ve heard)–except that when the book is engaging, I don’t want to turn off the light and dear, sweet sleep is sacrificed.

I’m also currently reading books which aren’t on my list (I couldn’t resist!), but here are the books I’ve read from my book list thus far and a few thoughts about them:

The Forgotten Garden: I enjoyed this sprawling book more than I thought I would. I’ve heard people express that it was unnecessarily long, however, I don’t agree and was intrigued with this story that begins with a little girl left alone on a ship headed to Australia in 1913. Morton weaves a touching tale filled with heartache, often through the use of children’s imaginations and, in ways, pays homage to Frances Hodgson Burnett’s Secret Garden (a childhood favorite of hers and mine). It appealed to my emotions as a mother and I won’t hesitate to pick up another book by Morton.

Imperfect Justice: My main reason for reading this book was, as I mentioned in my book list post, I couldn’t stop thinking of this tragedy and trial. I didn’t miss a minute of this trial last summer and I’m not proud of that. I felt this book might help me with closure. Personal opinions about the verdict and defendant aside, it did help me “let go.” I appreciated Ashton’s perspective and though I wasn’t looking for entertainment, I found the behind the scenes proceedings, investigation, and the hows and whys with regard to the prosecution building their case very engrossing. And now I’m done with it all–which is Ashton’s advice–be done with it, move on. Thank you, Mr. Ashton.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget: I can’t say enough positive things about Paine’s approach to budgeting and the class and kindness with which she shares her experiences and offers sage advice. Although I thought this book might be a pretty package of everything I’ve already learned from her, I should have known that it would be far more than that. What I love about Paine’s style is that she goes beyond telling you what you should be doing–she provides real-life examples and guides you with step-by-step approaches to reaching your budgeting and financial goals. Her book was especially timely for me because of my household and personal goals for 2012. I aim to declutter my entire life this year and Paine is one of the biggest proponents of decluttering your home as a stepping stone to gaining control of your finances and budget. This is a practical and useful book that I’d highly recommend to ANYONE looking to organize their life and finances.

What’s on your nightstand? Any good reads you’d recommend?

Filed Under: 2012 Goals, Books, TV, & Movies Tagged With: book list 2012, Money Saving Mom, The Forgotten Garden, The Money Saving Mom's Budget

My 2012 Book List

January 22, 2012 6 Comments

Photo courtesy of Claire Brocato

I’ve put off posting my booklist for 2012 because I keep making changes to it, reviewing it, making more changes, and so on. Stifling personal progress! So I went back to my original list, am sticking with it, and finally posting it today.

I love to read other people’s book lists and many of those lists inspired me while I created mine. Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom has been instrumental in motivating me to create and stick with my 2012 Goals (which I’ve not posted, but will do this coming week). Crystal writes about public accountability (posting yearly and weekly goals) and how this helps her stick to her goals–I think highly of this concept. I liken it to public shaming (although I don’t think that’s what Crystal has in mind) and I’d like to avoid that. She also shares her book lists each year which encourage me as well.

My book list plays a large role in my goals for the year–each group of books offers me something different; outlets with inspiration, education, motivation. And as I work on my disciplined life and accountability, my hope is that at least some of these books aid me in my quest to meet this year’s goals.

I’m including 34 books on my list. A few of the books are short e-books and quick reads (I don’t own an e-reader, but I downloaded the Kindle for PC software for free which enables me to read the short e-books). A couple are cookbooks (I read more cookbooks in bed than I do novels). In addition, I’ll read other books that grab my attention throughout the year, but I’m “committing” to just those on my list.

Many of these books have been on my bookshelves for some time while others come highly recommended or have been on my mental book list for years. I’ve requested the ones I don’t own from my public library–I can’t say enough positive things about the library. I do miss the Dewey Decimal System though. Remember those card catalogs?

Without further ado (because I’ll change it if I don’t hurry up already) here is my 2012 Book list.

Faith, Family, & Parenting

Seasons of a Mother’s Heart by Sally Clarkson (I’m hoping her books are as amazing as I’ve heard they are!)

Calm My Anxious Heart: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Contentment by Linda Dillow (Highly recommended by so many. Can’t wait to begin this one)

The 10 Habits of Happy Mothers: Reclaiming Our Passion, Purpose, and Sanity by Meg Meeker

The Me Project: 21 Days to Living the Life You’ve Always Wanted by Kathi Lipp (I hear so many wonderful things about Kathi’s books. Had to put a couple on my list)

The Husband Project: 21 Days of Loving Your Man–on Purpose and with a Plan by Kathi Lipp

Don’t Make Me Come Up There! by Kristen Welch

Read for the Heart: Whole Books for WholeHearted Families by Sarah Clarkson

Educating the WholeHearted Child by Clay and Sally Clarkson

Homemanagement & Homemaking

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler by Tsh Oxenreider (e-book)

Plan It, Don’t Panic by Stephanie Langford (e-book)

Organized Simplicity by Tsh Oxenreider (e-book)

Keeping House: The Litany of Everyday Life by Margaret Kim Peterson

A Life That Says Welcome by Karen Ehman

The Cook’s Illustrated Cookbook: 2,000 Recipes from 20 Years of America’s Most Trusted Cooking Magazine (I read the magazine in bed so why not the book?)

The America’s Test Kitchen Family Cookbook

Interest

One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus

Imperfect Justice: Prosecuting Casey Anthony by Jeff Ashton ( I need closure. Sadly, this trial consumed me and I.need.closure)

The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom

Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell (yay!)

Persuasion by Jane Austen(re-read)

Best of Stillmeadow by Gladys Taber (So tough to find her books!)

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson (started, but never finished)

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

Entre Nous: A Woman’s Guide to Finding Her Inner French Girl by Debra Ollivier (A little light-hearted fun)

Unbroken by Lauren Hillenbrand

The Help by Kathryn Stockett (I’ve resisted this one for a long time, but since a copy sits on my shelf I’m giving it a shot)

Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout

Nicholas and Alexandra: The Classic Account of the Fall of the Romanov Dynasty by Robert K. Massie (A trip to Russia piqued my interest)

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

Finances & Budgeting

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey (I’ve listened to and watched Dave as well as followed some of his writing, but I want to dive into his books this year.)

The Money Answer Book by Dave Ramsey

Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey

The Money Class by Suze Orman (I’ve always liked her straightforward style and money smarts.)

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine

I’d be thrilled if you shared books you are reading/plan to read this year, some of your favorite reads, or thoughts and feedback on books on my list. If you’d like to provide a link to your book list, I urge you to do so!

Photo courtesy of the talented Claire Brocato. Thanks, Claire!

Filed Under: 2012 Goals, Books, TV, & Movies, Budgeting Tagged With: 2012 book list, book list, Dave Ramsey, E-book, Kathi Lipp, Money Saving Mom, Suze Orman, The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, Tsh Oxenreider

Free: Organized Simplicity e-book

January 15, 2012 Leave a Comment

Amazon is currently offering the e-book Organized Simplicity for free. I have heard fantastic things about this book by Tsh Oxenreider and just started reading One Bite at a Time which is also written by her. I have included these books in my tool kit to help me get organized in 2012 and aid me with my ongoing self-discipline and accountability goals.

If you are like me and don’t have a Kindle, you can go simply go here and download a free Kindle application for your computer which will allow you to read Organized Simplicity.

The price is currently $0, but could increase at any time. Please be sure to check the price before you buy the book.

Filed Under: 2012 Goals, Books, TV, & Movies, Freebies, Organizing Tips & Tools, Shopping & Deals Tagged With: ebook, free ebook, home organization, One Bite at a Time, organization, Organized Simplicity, Tsh Oxenreider

My must-see recommendation of the week

December 19, 2011 Leave a Comment

As I strolled down the aisle of the fabric store yesterday (wow, I never thought I’d say that…more on that later), I heard a fellow shopper telling her friend that she was “sick and tired of Christmas movies.” GASP.

I can’t imagine being sick and tired of Christmas anything this time of the year, let alone Christmas movies–not possible in this household. But hey, we all have our “things” (I sure do!) so I gave her a pass. I would have loved to share a few not-Christmas-but-make-you-feel-good-like-Christmas-movies movies with Miss Sick’n'Tired, but I was pretty darn sure she didn’t want to hear it so I went on my merry (ha!) way.

However, there are few non-Christmas movies and shows I love to watch particularly during this season and I’m going to share one of them with you right this instant.

A couple of years ago I was perusing movies in the library and I stumbled upon what would swiftly become one of my all-time favorite shows–Cranford.

The rural village of Cranford is the setting of this precious gem of a show (a BBC mini-series, actually) set in 1840s England. This series is based on novels by Elizabeth Gaskell and stars some of my favorite actors including Judi Dench, Imelda Staunton, Claudie Blakley (Charlotte in Pride and Prejudice, anyone? Even better in Cranford), Eileen Atkins, and young Alex Etel (have you seen Millions?). I won’t go on and on, but if you’re someone who enjoys Anne of Green Gables, North and South, Pride and Prejudice, Northanger Abbey, Mansfield Park (Masterpiece Theatre everything), you get it…then I think you will adore Cranford.

Here is a little sampling of dialogue from the show. Thank the heavens for Elizabeth Gaskell and her novels.

(Miss Deborah Jenkyns is a no-nonsense, proper woman in her 70s or 80s.)

Miss Deborah Jenkyns: Dr Harrison was full of praise for you. He said you were the equal of a man.

Mary Smith: Did he?

Miss Deborah Jenkyns: And I corrected him. No woman is the equal of a man – she is his superior in every single case.

How can I not love that? You go, Miss Deborah.

I watch Cranford over and over and over and over and over. Really, that many times. I don’t watch the two-part 2nd season, Return to Cranford, half as much because it doesn’t have the same appeal to me–I need warm and cuddly while I shove cookies in my mouth and sip my tea, and although Return to Cranford is good, it just can’t top the 1st shows for me.

It’s kinda like when Anne goes searching for Gilbert when he’s at war and you just want the old Green Gables back, but you keep watching because you have to know what happens, and then Anne is suddenly a spy and dressed like a nun and when it’s over you’re sitting there sort of shell-shocked, wishing you had never watched it to begin with, and you’re kinda ticked off at the cast and crew for ever deciding to take part in this wreck, and are sure Lucy Maud Montgomery would’ve felt just like you do.

Like that. Ok, not like that. Because Return isn’t bad at all, it just isn’t the same…You get it, right? I think I’m still bitter about Anne of Green Gables: The Continuing Story.

And there you have my mini-series plug for the week. Sit your tired bones down and watch it if you can! If you like it, you can thank me. If you hate it, don’t say a word. Pretend like this never happened.

Happy Viewing!

Filed Under: Books, TV, & Movies Tagged With: Cranford, Elizabeth Gaskell

Free~The Everything Family Christmas Book

December 19, 2011 Leave a Comment

Here is another great free Christmas book! Go here to download The Everything Family Christmas e-book. Maybe you will find a few helpful ideas to get through this last week before Christmas:) This is a full-size book and remember the price could go up at anytime so please check the price before you click “buy.”

Also, if you are like me and don’t have a Kindle, you can go simply go here and download a free Kindle application for your computer which will allow you to read The Everything Family Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

Thank you to Freebies 4 Mom!

Filed Under: Books, TV, & Movies, Freebies, Shopping & Deals Tagged With: Christmas, E-book, Everything Family Christmas Book, free e-book

Pass the tissues, please.

December 18, 2011 5 Comments

I returned home from Sunday afternoon errands today and decided to sit for a moment to relax before preparing dinner.

I clicked the tv on and found Polar Express playing. Ah, just what I needed. Though we own both the book and movie, I sunk back into my chair to enjoy it for maybe the 2ooth time.

Thanks a lot, Polar Express. Now I can’t breathe through my already slightly stuffy nose and my eyes are swollen. Hope I don’t injure myself trying to cut onions for dinner!

This movie gets me every time.

What are your favorite Christmas movies? Anyone else need to wipe away tears during Polar Express?

Filed Under: Books, TV, & Movies, Uncategorized Tagged With: Christmas, Polar Express

Book List: Books Read in March & April

Book List Reads: March Update