The Witch of Blackbird Pond

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


High on my list of favorite authors is Elizabeth George Speare. I so appreciate the detailed research she incorporates into her young adult fiction novels. I've read all of her books. I've always said that "The Bronze Bow" is my favorite, but after this reading of this one, I'm inclined to change my mind and say this one is her best.
Kit, the granddaughter of a wealthy man living in Barbados is orphaned, so goes to live in the harsh New England community with her only living relatives- her aunt and her austere Puritan uncle and their two daughters. Set in the 1600's, the book gives great insight into the prejudiced and harsh community common in the early settlements of this country. The reader comes to know each of the characters well and learns to love Kit, Mercy, and Hannah (better known as the witch of blackbird pond.) The book is full of excitement, suspense, drama, and romance, as well as historical insights. No matter your age, if you haven't read this one, it's time, people, it's time!



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Theodore Boone the abduction

Theodore Boone: The Abduction by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was surprised to find this Young Adult fiction novel by John Grisham. I've read most of his adult novels, but didn't know he wrote for young adults. This is the second in the Theodore Boone series, though I didn't know that, and didn't feel like I was missing anything because I hadn't read the series in order.
Theodore Boone's best friend, April, is abducted from her bedroom in the middle of the night. The book has the classic theme of "the adult professionals can't solve it, but the 13-year-old kid can," which is most appealing to a 13-year old reader! I read a lot of young adult fiction, and this is not on the top of the list of the great books written for that age, but it's an enjoyable read.



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The Last Juror

The Last Juror by John Grisham

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


There is nothing like a Grisham audio book to get you through a long road trip! It was very well read. I liked Willie Traynor, the main character, who is a young college graduate who moves to a small town in Mississippi in the early 1970's, gets his Grandma to buy the local newspaper, and turns it into a booming success. It's mostly, though about a murder trial and the Last Juror, who is a black woman - the first person of African American descent to ever sit on a jury in that county of Mississippi. She and Willie were good friends, and the reader comes to love her and appreciate her goodness and courage. Though Grisham books often have some inconsistencies (I would think simple editing would catch most of them), I really enjoy reading them, and especially enjoyed this one. I loved the suspense, the story, the themes(different than most of his books), the characters,the mystery, and, as a delightful aside, the descriptions of the food Mrs. Callie would make for Willie. Oh, my! Nothing beats good, ol' Southern cookin' and hospitality. If they don't show the gory murder, I think it would make a marvelous movie!



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My Favorite Things- Wusthof Knife

I have a new favorite knife.  It's this Wusthof  Nakiri knife.  I read about it when the Pioneer Woman was giving one away on her blog.  When I didn't win . . .again . . . I found it online and ordered it.  I figured if the Pioneer Woman loves it, so will I.  I was so right.  It's just a great knife.  It slices through tomatoes like butter- always the true test of a knife.  I found mine on sale at Macy's and it came with this cutting board which I also really love.  I use both almost every day since I got it for Mother's Day in May.  How did I ever live without it???

The Wusthof Nakiri Knife:  One of my favorite things!

Lyman Conrad Gabrielsen Reunion, 2013

Last weekend was the Lyman Conrad and Erma Gabrielsen reunion in Ogden, Utah.  

This is my Grandpa and Grandma:

I'm sure they were so happy to see so many of their posterity together.

About 85 people were in attendance.  

 My cousin, Skip (Alvin, Jr.) and Karleen were our hosts.  They did such a nice job of putting it all together.

 These are the last three left of my parents generation: Aunt Grace (who was married to my Dad's brother, Alvin), Aunt Gary (who was married to my Dad's brother, Ronald), and Aunt Nedra (my Dad's sister)

Leslie and Will Barrowes

Diane and some of her family

Jodie and Mindy's Charlie

Eric and Marcie Bedke

This is Aunt Gary and the youngest attendee, David's daughter Denae and her brand-new baby.  

Of the 20 Cousins, 11 of us were there: Back: Joe, Evan, Diane, Todd, Alex, Eric, Me
Front: Skip, Randee, Pam, and Leslie

I love this picture.

Gathered around the face painter, Teresa

This was my favorite part of the reunion.  A few of us gathered around Aunt Nedra and got her talking about her parents, grandparents, siblings and memories.  I LOVED it!  I would love to spend the day with her.  

Grandpa Ken visiting with Lily and Caleb.  I love this picture.

Aunt Nedra is such a beautiful, classy lady.

Blake and Lily Kay.

Teresa (Evan's wife) was just awesome doing face painting and giltter tattoos on all of the kids.

Lily loved the dessert.  

Thanks, Skip and Karleen and everyone who attended.  It was just a great reunion.  I love being with the Gabrielsen family.  They are a great group of people.  See you in two years!