Off The Shelf

"'Mummy, have you seen my jumper?' 'Yes dear it was on the cat.'" -Ginny and Mrs. Weasley, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Although Mrs. Weasley from the Harry Potter books is undoubtedly the Best Book Mom Ever, I think my mom might be #1 on the real-life list. Mrs. Weasley has always been one of my favorite characters from the Harry Potter books. I loved the way she would sit in the kitchen and watch Mr. Weasley's clock hand move from "At work" to "Traveling" to "Home", the way she knitted family jumpers for all of her children plus Harry, and how she made her family home the coziest place. Some of my favorite moments from the books take place in the Weasley's home, The Burrow. Harry even agreed, in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets when he says "This is the best house I've ever been in." Many of my favorite memories also take place in my own home. My mom has always made it a welcom...

Love (n.)- an intense feeling of deep affection The above is Google's definition of the word February 14th is always dedicated too. But what is yours? Many writers, painters, speakers, and common people have tackled the idea of love- what it feels like, what it looks like, how it is created. But not one of these people are ever right. Love is different for each human, and whether your love is for your spouse, for music, for literature, or for your country, everyone has experienced this "feeling of deep affection" at least once in their lifetime. At least, I'd like to hope so. Maybe that is really what Valentine's day is all about. Maybe it's about extending our love. Extending it past the ones we hold dear, but to those we normally don't talk to - the ones we sigh in traffic with, the ones we pass in the hallways, or the ones we mumble to in the grocery check-out line. On this cold and brisk February night, I sit here hoping that you spent your day...

"Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me . Have a holly, jolly Christmas, and in case you didn't hear, oh, by golly, have a holly jolly Christmas this year!" I just wanted to stop in real quick to wish everyone and their families a very Merry Christmas. May everyone be safe, happy and healthy, and I'll be back in a few days to start my week of "The Best Of 2012" posting. I am so excited to announce my choices! In the meantime, feel free to check out the Remembering 2012 list in the sidebar. Merry Christmas!

"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas; soon the bells will start, and the thing that will make them ring is the carol that you sing - right within your heart."   Over the weekend, I spent quite a bit of time in the car on the way to my brother's ice hockey games. The back roads we take to the rink are anything but flat, and the houses along them are not grand and and gated, but rustic and humble. Some were adorned in colored lights, others in white. Some went for the traditional look, with columns wrapped in garland, and red satin bows. And then there were others, with no lights at all - maybe their timer just hadn't come on yet.   Many houses had lights on inside, and beyond those shaded windows, I'd like to think there were families eating dinner, passing around the mashed potatoes and saying a little prayer. I know that is not always the truth - that in some homes there is simply no one to eat with, or even food to have. In my fantasies, e...

"It's the most wonderful time of the year, with the kids jingle belling, and everyone telling you "Be of good cheer". It's the most wonderful time of the year, it's the hap-happiest season of all!" I have always said that my favorite time of the year is from Thanksgiving to New Year's - and I might even go as far as to extend it to the middle of January when my birthday falls. I love Christmas, but when stores like Kohl's and AC Moore start playing holiday songs even before Halloween, something is terribly wrong. Why are the season's being so rushed? Christmas songs in October? Halloween decor on Labor Day? Back to School promotions on the Fourth of July? Swim suit sales in March? It really all leads back to making money; franchises that want to get you into their stores for "Doorbusters". (where did that name come from anyway - are they really that great that they're going to blow up the entrance? Somehow I find that very u...

Happy Fourth of July! In honor of the patriotic day, I figured I would post some books here that will surely put you in the summer mood, and some, might even take you back to the days of quill pens, gunpowder, and redcoats! 1. Chains - Laurie Halse Anderson 2. Forge  ( sequel to Chains) - Laurie Halse Anderson 3.  Turtle in Paradise - Jennifer L. Holm 4.. The Fifth of March - Ann Rinaldi 5. Touch Blue - Cynthia Lord 6. Fever 1793 - Laurie Halse Anderson 7.  The Penderwicks - Jeanne Birdsall 8. Hang a Thousand Trees with Ribbons - Ann Rinadi