Hey, Diddle Diddle

Close to Famous

Close to Famous by Joan Bauer

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


If the beautiful, delicious-looking cupcakes on the cover don’t pull you in, the first page of the story will. Bauer has a gift for creating young, talented, flawed and likable characters. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this young adult novel about a young girl who is a talented baker, but who has problems that she needs help overcoming. Any young reader will relate with her and be inspired by her as she perfects what she’s good at and faces her obstacles and challenges. I loved Bauer’s Hope Was Here, and liked this one almost as much.



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Johnny Tremain

Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Esther Forbes captures the excitement and danger, the commitment and courage it took to free this country from English rule. This historical fiction story won the Newberry Award. I recently read the book for the third time and enjoyed it. Johnny Tremain, a gifted silversmith’s apprentice has the world by the tail until he is badly burned. The story is told from his perspective. Though he is a fictional character, the leaders of the revolution are characters in the story. The story makes that period of history come to life and gives the reader an appreciation for all who helped establish our freedom.



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Calico Joe

Calico Joe by John Grisham

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


What? A Grisham novel without a single lawyer in it? That’s Calico Joe. It’s a story of baseball, intermingling fictional characters with those that really played in the 1970’s. But more than that, it’s a story of abuse and forgiveness and transformation. A departure for Grisham, not only because it’s not a law story, but also because it’s short, this is a deeply moving story of forgiveness and repentance. Baseball fans and non -sports fans alike will like this moving book. I only wish my dad was still alive to read it. He loved Grisham’s other non-lawyer story- A Painted House. Being a big Cubs fan, he would have loved this one. I fully expect to watch this story on the big screen someday. It would make a great movie.



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Grandpa Ken Comes for a Visit

Ken came to Logan for a visit last weekend.  Our nephew, Kyler got married in the Rexburg temple, so Ken drove to Logan on Friday and he and I drove to Rexburg on Saturday to attend the wedding and luncheon.  It was so fun to be there.  Kyler and Ashley looked so happy.  I didn't get a great picture, but this is the happy couple emerging from the temple:

Have you ever seen the wind?  I know they say you can't see wind, but, in Rexburg, you can see the wind.  I swear.  All of my pictures outside the Rexburg temple are blurry and I swear it's the wind.  

It was so fun to visit with the Rick Hinton cousins who made the trek en mass to be at the wedding.  Here Ken is telling his Grand Canyon adventures to Travis, Brett, Bryan, and Stacy.  Love these people.  What a great group!

It was so fun to see and enter the Rexburg temple.  I attended school in Rexburg for two years, but, of course, the temple wasn't there then.

After the wedding, Ken drove me around Rexburg so I could see the old stomping grounds.  I hardly recognized a thing.  I did find the apartment building where I lived.  But that was about all.  

It used to be called Village Apartments, but now it's called Rockland and it's now housing for men.  How dare they mess it up?  I swear they shrunk the hill I had to climb from there to get to campus.  It just didn't seem as steep and long as I remember it!!!  Maybe it's because there was no ice being blown in my face.

Sunday was Ken's 60th birthday.  After church, I made him his favorite lemon meringue pie.  It always has fissures.  Oh well, it still tasted wonderful.  

Wishing for another 60 years!

When I was making the pie, I let Caleb lick the filling spoon.  He didn't like the sour taste.  When I asked him what he'd like instead of lemon pie for a treat, he said he'd like a pear.  So he ate his pear while we ate lemon pie.  This kid is THE best eater in the world.  He loves healthy foods.

Lily is also a very good eater, but she LOVED the lemon pie.  

It was plate-lickin' good!!!

The kids were thrilled that Grandpa got lots of yummy treats for his birthday and that Grandpa is a good share boy.

Happy birthday, Ken!  I love you more than that!!!!

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The House on Willow Street

The House on Willow Street: A novel by Cathy Kelly

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I picked this book up at Costco, hoping it would be an enjoyable, easy read. It turned out to be just that. The setting is a quaint , now touristy village in Ireland. This is the story of four of the women of that village. I found it a bit difficult at first to keep track of the characters, but once “into” the book, I found them to be quite distinct from one another, and people I enjoyed spending time with. Though maybe a bit predictable, I loved the happy ending.



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Austenland

Austenland by Shannon Hale





This book is certainly a departure from other Shannon Hale books I’ve read. I picked it up at the library thinking, “I’ve heard of this.” But I couldn’t remember what I’d heard and had no idea what it was about. Though I admire Hale’s writing, I’m not much of a fantasy fan, so this somewhat “real-life” play was refreshing and I was pleasantly surprised at the setting and the premise. It’s a must- read for Austen fans (which I reticently admit I am not.) You can’t help but like the main character, Jane and enjoy her immersion in the English world of yesteryear. It may not be the best book I have ever read, but it kept me entertained and turning the pages. I look forward to the movie, though I’m not sure I should subject my husband to it. He’s a pretty good sport, but this one might be a little much. I just saw on goodreads that there is a sequel to this book. Now I know more what to expect, I just may pursue that.


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