Book Review--One Breathe Away

I love to read! I remember my love for reading really sparked when I was in fourth grade--many moons ago. I had just changed schools, and my new teacher(Love You, Mrs. Heideman!) dressed fashionably and READ ALOUD TO US EVERY SINGLE DAY!! That had never happened in my world before!! Then my aunt, who was a teacher, asked me to read a new book and give my opinion of it for her librarian. And I was hooked!!!

As an adult I read when my kids napped, and sometimes into the wee hours of the night because that's when I had time. I now belong to a book club that meets once a month. It dawned on me that I have never shared my love for reading on my blog, thus this post. I am going to try to post a review a couple of times a month.

Our latest book club book was One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf.



The story takes place in a small Iowa town in the dead of winter. It is one of those snowy frigid days, a spring snowstorm, that we are familiar with in Iowa. Snow was drifting, and closing the roads when a gunman entered the school in Broken Branch, Iowa. The townspeople are ushered to the local restaurant to wait and speculate who the gunman is, and what does he want. Among them is Will Thwaite, a local farmer, left in charge of his two grandchildren, wondering if he had failed his daughter again. Augie Baker, Will's granddaughter risks her life to save her little brother, against the wishes of the police. Mrs. Oliver, veteran teacher, does her best to shelter her third graders as she tries to figure out who the gunman is and how to save them all. She tells the story from different points of view and keeps the reader wondering just who the gunman is. I figured out who the gunman was part way through, but most in my book club didn't. I would give this book Four Stars!

I have had the pleasure of meeting Heather as her niece was in my classroom this year, and another niece was my colleague. Unfortunately my photos are on my school computer.

I have also read The Weight of Silence which was very good.

Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

What "things" Could You NOT Live Without???

In preparation for something we were going to write for Thanksgiving, I discussed Wants & Needs with my students this week, which is always an interesting discussion.  That along with Trina's post about her piano got me thinking about "things" we love and certainly CAN live without, but would prefer not to.  Trina's would be a piano.  I had to think long and hard about this because I couldn't decide between books and sewing.  But in the end books won out!  Over the years I have gotten so much from books.  They have been an escape when I'm stressed, tired, or just need a break.  They helped me get an education, help me each day in my job, and help me get my credits to keep my teaching license. Many conversations in my life, both professional and social, have centered around books.  They have helped me feed my family great food. They gave me advice about raising my children.  I have turned to them for medical advice many times.  And, I couldn't have learned to sew without my books.  Oh, I could have been creative since I don't always use a pattern, but I need that book to keep my machine going!  I could go on and on...

What "things" can you not live without?

Cheesy Vegetable Soup

Once again I am joining Colleen's Recipe Swap.  Check out all of the yumminess at And Baby Makes Five.

Cheesy Vegetable Soup(OR- Cheese & Meatball Soup-which is what it was named to start with)

2 c. water                                           1 c. corn

1 c. chopped potatoes                        1 c. chopped celery

1/2 c. sliced carrots                            1/2 c. chopped onions

2 c. beef bullion                                 1/2 t. Tobasco Sauce

1 16oz. jar Cheese Whiz

1 lb. browned hamburger ---(This is what I use 'cause I'm lazy!)   

OR

(This is what the recipe calls for.)

Meatballs----1 lb. hamburger

                     1/2 c. oatmeal

                     1 egg

                     salt

                     1/2 tsp. Tobasco Sauce

Place browned hamburger OR uncooked meatballs along with all other ingredients except Cheese Whiz into large pan.  Boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 2 hours.  (I put mine in the crockpot.)

Add Cheese Whiz just before serving.

I've been doing some sewing, but haven't taken any photos.  I ran out of one fabric to finish a gift.  I had to order more because my local Joann's was out.  It cost more to send it than the fabric cost to purchase, but what else could I do??  I'm working on a baby quilt too.  Hopefully I'll have some finishes to share after this weekend.

Gratitudes---I am grateful for books.  I love books and can't imagine life without them.  I have many books--antique books, fiction, non-fiction, reference.  I even have a set of the Dick and Jane Books that I learned to read from.  Books can teach you things like how to cook, sew, build; they can give you guidance; they can give you information; they can give you a great escape.  I know that the Kindle is getting to be very popular, but I don't imagine ever owning one.  There's nothing better than being the first one to crack open a new book!