Books, Books, and More Books.

So, at lunch today after a conversation with a friend about cookbooks, I logged into my Chapters-Indigo wish list.

I counted the books.

I counted them again.

Fifty-four.

54.

Yep, 54 books (actually I think there's now 56, as I've just added a couple more).

And those are just the ones I don't mind admitting to people that I would like to read. And the ones I've actually remembered to include, so I don't forget I want to read them, and get to the bookstore, and flounder amongst the shelves because there's. Simply. Too. Much. Choice.

My brain shuts down.

Obviously I'm adding books faster than I can purchase/borrow and read them, since last year there was only 30 listed.

It's a varied list: historical fiction, philosophy, classics, science fiction, non-fiction, cooking, humour, biographies, financial, science, poetry, gardening, homekeeping. There's a whole world of books out there to enjoy! I'm not picky! Well, I'm not into westerns or romance. 

I think part of the problem is the reading. I've got about six books at home waiting to be read. But, between technical papers, textbooks for night school, and bedtime stories, I find myself not having a lot of time for leisure reading.

So, what kind of books are on your reading list? Any recommendations? Because I obviously don't mind adding to this list. What books are you absolutely in love with?

God Bless Mary Walsh!

Pushing Those Buttons

This picture describes them perfectly. The contemplative one, and the active one.

My boys can be polar opposites. Yet, they are the same in so many ways as well.

But boy, can that little boy ever push his older brother's buttons.

One day the oldest was colouring his papers on the floor. He's a serious artist. Don't mess with the markers, man. Spread out all over the small room. Wails like a banshee when his younger brother steps on the papers.

I calmly ask the younger boy to stop stepping on his brother's papers, and remind the older one that he can't spread out like that. He has to leave space for people to walk through.

My little quiet one walks back through the kitchen, gets to the table (where I am sitting), turns around, and takes off at a run towards his brother's artwork, and does a bum-slide right through all the paper.

Can you imagine how hard it was to not laugh, and discipline him? Never once did he utter a word. Not even a grunt or mumble.

When I relayed the story to hubs, he replied that one day our oldest is just going to wind up and clock his little brother. The trouble he'll get into will be worth it for him.

Still My Baby

As I rock him in his darkened room, his eyes slowly close. He's fighting it. Fighting the nap he desparately needs. Not everyday, but definitely today.

He's almost two and a half.

But his hands, feet, and cheeks still have that baby fat.

As he succumbs to sleep, his hands curl into the loose fists I fondly remember. One small hand wrapped around my finger. The other brings his stuffie closer to his nose.

His breathing deepens, I feel his whole body relax.

And I relax, lean back, and close my eyes. Enjoying a moment that doesn't happen very often any more. The laundry and cleaning can wait five, ten, fifteen minutes.

New Venture

Check it out! And be kind. Please.

...Is My Two Front Teeth

No, I still have those, thankyouverymuch. In a completely (and not unprecedented) selfish moment, and since Hubs doesn't like presenting me with things I need, only things I want, I now bring you:

All I Want For Christmas Is...

1. A cast iron fry pan. A cherry red Le Creuset would be the bomb. Another Le Creuset French Oven would be awesome too. Even a plain ol' black $25 cast iron fry pan would be welcome. Why? Because for the past 9 years, I've been dying to make true skillet cornbread.
2. A wooden citrus reamer.
3. French Taste, by Laura Calder (Yay Canada!)
4. Vij's by Vikram Vij (Yay, again, Canada!)
5. A black Lady Dior purse (I have been coveting this since the first time we went to Las Vegas and I spotted it in the Bellagio Dior store)*
   
6. A Paderno saute pan  (Once again, Yay to the Great White North!)
7. A copper bowl**
8. Wine tumblers - not like the stylin' Riedel ones, but earthy, solid, won't-blow-over-on-the-patio-table wine tumblers
9. Novels, food books, geeky books
   
10. World peace***

So, tell me, what's on your wish list this year?

*If this is actually beneath the tree, I will oscillate between sheer bliss and wanting to kill him for spending so much money. Since he knows me so well, I doubt this will be under the tree.


**Anybody know where in Canada to find a decent one of these without having to remortgage my house?

***Couldn't resist throwing that one on there. But, really, do I need to wait for Christmas to wish for this?

Where the Heart Is

Gah! Almost 3 whole weeks of no blogging!

Lots of "Gee, I need to remember this and blog about it..." and "Won't this be great to write about..." Gone. Gone forever.

It's been crazy at work. I'm trying to think of what has happened in my life over the past 3 weeks.

Hmmm...

• Work,
• School work,
• House work (yeah, right!),
• Cooking (OK, a bit more believable than house work),
• Making Christmas cards,
  
• Hanging with my boys, and
• Date night with hubs.

How was your Halloween, faithful readers? I spent mine at the office, trying to get some stuff out the door to a major client by Sunday. Big shout out to my peeps, those faithful engineers who were in there with me, making sure all the drafts were oh, so professional and such. You guys rock. You really do.

Hubs took the boys down to Lethbridge to go trick-or-treating with their cousins. Wolverine, Spiderman, Batman, and Pablo (one of these things is not like the others...) all went out for a candy fix.

Sounds like the start of a good joke...Wolverine, Spiderman, and Batman walk into a bar...

Anyway, they had a blast. Ended up spending the night, which was good, because I was back in the office on Sunday morning. I actually kind of like going to the office on weekends. Nice and quiet. I actually am able to get work done.

I don't feel like I've missed out a whole lot though, just a little bit. You see, Wolverine decided to stay around (the old blue and yellow Wolverine, not the new black one, if you're geeky like me and was wondering), and occasionally Pablo's head reappears. Awesome. At least the costumes are getting put to good use.

Speaking of which, I finally got to drool over Hugh Jackman watch Wolverine: Origins last night. Thank you Hubs. You're awesome.

Today I took the oldest to church and to the zoo. Just some Mum-Son time. It was great. The plan is to do it with the youngest in a couple of weeks.

For now, it's just nice to have some time at home to catch up on this! I've missed being here, only checking in during stolen moments.