Three Wishes: a book review

"Australian triplets Lyn, Cat, and Gemma Kettle are about to turn thirty-three and one is pregnant, one has just had her life turned upside down, and one is only just keeping hers from skidding off the fast lane. Meanwhile, their divorced parents have been behaving very oddly indeed.

In this family comedy by Liane Moriarty, we follow the three Kettle sisters through their tumultuous thirty-third year -- as they deal with sibling rivalry and secrets, revelations and relationships, unfaithful husbands and unthinkable decisions, and the fabulous, frustrating life of forever being part of a trio."

I read What Alice Forgot by this same author last year and absolutely loved it. Since that book I've hesitated to read any of her other books because I have read several different places that none of her other books compare to Alice. Wrong! I bought this on a whim while on vacation because it was on mega sale for Kindle. I read it in just a few days despite it's nearly 400 pages. Because I could not put it down. 

I liked many things about it; much the same things I liked in What Alice Forgot. It discusses real life issues and presents them from various character's perspectives; underlining the fact that most things in real life are multifaceted and not black and white. The author uses different ways to tell her story, it's not just a narrative by the 3 sisters, it's also hilarious email conversations between the various members of their family. While some of the issues broached are tough ones, there is never a good dose of hilarity far away. It was an easy read because of that, and also because you are drawn in to the story and the suspense and quickly connect with the 3 sisters. 

I absolutely recommend this! 5 stars.   

A dud Book

When I Lived in Modern Times by Linda Grant. I had such high hopes based on the description:

• "In the spring of 1946, Evelyn Sert stands on the deck of a ship bound for Palestine. For the twenty-year-old from London, it is a time of adventure and change when all things seem possible. Swept up in the spirited, chaotic churning of her new, strange country, she joins a kibbutz, then moves on to the teeming metropolis of Tel Aviv, to find her own home and a group of friends as eccentric and disparate as the city itself. She falls in love with a man who is not what he seems when she becomes an unwitting spy for a nation fighting to be born. When I Lived in Modern Times is 'an unsentimental coming-of-age story of both a country and a young immigrant . . . that provides an unforgettable glimpse of a time and place rarely observed'."

And because it was the winner of the Orange Prize for fiction. But alas, I was disappointed. 

The writing style was not to my liking; it seemed brusque, it lacked feeling and authenticity. The character's themselves were uninteresting to me. It is a short book, but I never felt the author developed her characters. I didn't much care what was happening in the story because I felt like the characters were strangers instead of friends. I could never picture them or identify with them in any way.    

The main character annoyed me. In part because she was vastly different from myself. I could not identify with her because I barely knew her (bad writing), but also because what I did know of her was opposite to myself in every way! I kept thinking, I would never do that, what id she thinking, why would she go there? It got old for me quickly. 

There was a lot of potential there. The ending wasn't bad actually, but it was a big miss for me. 2 stars would be generous. I would not recommend it. 

Jayber Crow

"Jayber Crow, born in Goforth, Kentucky, orphaned at age ten, began his search as a 'pre-ministerial student' at Pigeonville College. There, freedom met with new burdens and a young man needed more than a mirror to find himself. But the beginning of that finding was a short conversation with "Old Grit," his profound professor of New Testament Greek. 'You have been given questions to which you cannot be given answers. You will have to live them out—perhaps a little at a time.'
'And how long is that going to take?'
'I don't know. As long as you live, perhaps.'
'That could be a long time.'
'I will tell you a further mystery,' he said. 'It may take longer.'

Eventually, after the flood of 1937, Jayber becomes the barber of the small community of Port William, Kentucky. From behind that barber chair he lives out the questions that drove him from seminary and begins to accept the gifts of community that enclose his answers. The chair gives him a perfect perch from which to listen, to talk, and to see, as life spends itself all around. In this novel full of remarkable characters, he tells his story that becomes the story of his town and its transcendent membership."

I am finding it immeasurably difficult to write a review about this book. Why is it easier to write about a book you don't like? 

The writing is beautiful, descriptive, enchanting. The characters are so real they not only seem like old friends, but you can picture their faces, envision their outfits, almost recall getting together with them the other week. When they triumph you cheer for them, and when tragedy strikes you weep with them. 

It's a simple book, but it's not simple at all. I think that is the mark of great writing, and great books. 

It is the best book I have read this year. 5 stars goes without saying, as does my recommendation that you go read it right now. 

I can't wait to read more of this author's work. And to buy physical copies of each book for my own personal library. Because there will be multiple readings of this books in my future.    

Recently

The first day of spring started without snow, then it was flurries and it ended frankly, depressing and white.

New recipe: Brownie Cookies

Ingredients

• 2 ounces, weight Baking Chocolate (unsweetened Or Bittersweet)
• 2 sticks Softened Butter
• 2 cups Sugar
• 3 whole Large Eggs
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
• 2-1/4 cups Flour
• 1/4 cup Cocoa Powder
• 1 Tablespoon (additional) Cocoa Powder
• 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt
• Powdered Sugar, For Dusting

Preparation Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave, stir, and let it cool.
Mix the butter and sugar together until totally combined. With the mixer on low, slowly drizzle in the cooled chocolate. Scrape the bowl and mix again. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then the vanilla. Scrape the bowl once more and mix.
Combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir it together, then add it in scoops to the mixing bowl with the mixer on low. Scrape the bowl once and mix one final time until all combined.
Scoop generous tablespoons onto a baking sheet lined with a baking mat or parchment, then bake them for 11 minutes until poufy and set. Remove them from the oven, let them sit on the pan for 1 to 2 minutes, then remove them to a baking rack to cool completely. Once cool, sprinkle generously with powdered sugar.

Snowy sunrise

J, as always, remembered that March 20th marked 13 years together as a couple! From high school, to married couple, to Air Force couple, to most recently a family of 3! It’s been quite a journey. I’m so blessed to have J.

We celebrated my niece's first birthday in April! I can hardly believe it. I still vividly remember when my sister went into labor. I laid in bed that night praying. Every time I woke up to use the bathroom (9 months pregnant myself) I checked my phone. The next morning I was shopping at the commissary and praying up and down every aisle. I kept texting my Mom. The waiting was excruciating. And then my Mom called me and I heard MJ crying in the background. It was the best thing ever!!!

Came home from Florida to find a new magazine subscription from my Momma. And not only one copy, but two! I’m excited to try some new recipes. 

Tradition! Watching The Masters. It is by far the best major tournament. I was thankful that this year it was nice here and not subarctic and snowing. It really did feel like spring.

New books. These are up next on my non-fiction list.

Sewing C’s birthday banner. I can’t wait to put it up. And I can’t believe that it’s almost time to celebrate her first birthday?! 

Vacation

Most of the vacation pictures are in C’s 11 month post because most of the pictures are of her! I only repeated two pictures here because I like the family photos so much! It was a fabulous vacation.

We stayed with J’s parents who recently built a new house down there in a country club community. They have their own pool, it’s saltwater not chlorine and heated, which is really nice. We lived in that pool because apparently C is a fish. She never batted an eyelash about being dunked underwater and practically tried to swim away from us on her own. I need to investigate swim lessons this summer. She also slept really well for most of the vacation because of all that swimming, sunshine and fresh air.

J played golf almost every day with his dad and got a nice tan.

We ate at the club a few times. C was a hit with everyone every time. She’s always in a good mood and so smiley and doesn't usually have any stranger danger. 

We went over to the island a few times as well. J’s grandparents still live across the street from the beach. So we visited them and ate at our favorite, the Pancake House, several times. It occurred to me that J and I have been visiting his family in FL for a decade or more now.  From dating, to married, to expecting to bringing C on her first trip. It was a bit surreal. One of the waitresses at the Pancake House has been there since we started visiting and she was thrilled to meet C.

While on the island, J and I got a few baby-free hours at the beach to sit in the sun and do some beach walking. We saw someone catch a baby shark. I wanted C to see the ocean, but we figured next year a beach trip with her would be a lot more fun. This year I had visions of sunburn, mouths of sand and trying to change a diaper on a beach towel… 

J and I had a date day while we were there. Separate from our few hours at the beach. We had lunch at Skip One’s, another old favorite from past trips. We had hush puppies and shrimp. Then we went and got huge ice creams. We did a little shopping. We made it back home just in time to see C in the pool before her second nap. It was a fabulous few hours and much needed couple time!

I only had to cook dinner once and enjoyed almost every meal by the pool. After the baby was in bed the adults got to play cards and games which was fun.

It was the perfect time to go because it was nice and hot in FL. but not unbearable or too muggy yet. And it wasn't subarctic at home which made coming back to ND a little easier.

I got quite a bit of reading in during our trip, so that means some book reviews should be appearing here as well.

11 Months

Weight: Didn't check any stats this month because we weren't at home

Length:

Head Circumference:

Eyes: Blue; those beautiful eyes still haven’t changed one bit.  

Hair:   Dark blonde, light brown, maybe even red-ish? We need more of it to see!!

Firsts: Slow cruising steps, pointing, says “kitty”, loves stuffed animals, clapping, signing more, swimming    

Other fun stuff: She’s sleeping better. Either she gets up soon after going down for the night once or twice and sleeps all night, or goes down and is up for an interlude the the middle of the night. Not ideal, but a vast improvement. The month started with nap time has being a struggle or downright non-existent. She did not like the rock-and-play for naps, but getting her to sleep in her crib was very hit and miss. By months end she had transitioned to her crib completely for naps, but didn’t always get in two good naps.

She took two more airplane rides bringing her grand total up to 7! And visited another state, Florida, bringing that total up to 16 different states visited. She’s quite the traveler already!

She’s got no stranger danger, especially around women. She’s happy to wave and say hi and go right over to be held by anyone! She’s also growing. We didn't get a chance to do any measuring, but she’s heavier and longer and officially out of 6 month clothes and filling out 9 month sizes without an trouble.

Friday, March 6th  We had an unseasonably warm day and got the stroller back out and went for a walk!

Sunday, March 8th  She’s figured out that some of her dropped food ends up in her bib and she hunts for it after meals are done. Hysterical. 

Monday, March 9th  Another walk, this time in her converted big girl stroller. She loved being able to see so much more!

Wednesday, March 11th  Wearing an adorable outfit (which doesn’t often happen) and looking so big all of a sudden. She’s so good at playing independently. 

Thursday, March 12th  Playing in her bumbo chair while I fixed steel cut oatmeal for her breakfast. She loves it! I mix it with applesauce, cinnamon and sometimes blueberries. 

Heading out on a walk later that day. It’s challenging to wrangle her and all the necessary accessories! 

Friday the Thirteenth  Playing her her favorite toy; the John Deer wooden screw driver. She likes to sword fight and play drums when not chewing it. 

Saturday, march 14th  Heading out on a walk in the beautiful 60 degree afternoon. We all were so warm we took our jackets off mid-walk!  Later (after not having an afternoon nap…)watching golf with Daddy

Sunday, March 15th  Playing in short sleeves because we still had such warm weather; 70’s!  

Tuesday, March 17th  First St. Patty’s Day wearing an adorable shirt from Auntie Lynn. We went to the grocery store that day and everyone thought she was the absolute cutest thing ever!

Thursday, march 19th  Good morning! Someone had a grumpy day… Napping problems.

Friday, March 20th  Chipmunk cheeks :-) 

Saturday, March 21st  I discovered The French Chef is on Amazon Prime and turned it on that evening because daddy was at work. C loved it!! Future chef? 

Wednesday, March 25th  On a jet plane to Florida! Thankful for an extra seat where C could play.  

Thursday, March 26th  C’s first time in the swimming pool. She absolutely loved it and had no fear! She put her own face in the water and thought it was great.

She really did not want to get out of the pool! 

 Friday, March 27th  A rainy day found us visiting the Island to see C’s great grandparents. This was their first time meeting her. Unfortunately I only got a picture with Grandma Nancy and not any with Grandpa Dick! Later we were back at J’s parent’s and C was having fun with Grandpa and the puppy.

Saturday, March 28th  Happy girl on vacation! 

Sunday, March 29th  Which way to the pool peasant?!

Monday, March 30th  All sun-screened up and ready for, you guessed it, the pool!  

Tuesday, March 31st  Eating dinner poolside was another favorite vacation activity.

Wednesday, April 1st  A collage of pool time that day…Round #2 in the pool after daddy and grandpa were back from golfing And some family pictures at the club before dinner that evening

Friday, April 3rd  Tired after a long day of swimming

Sunday, April 5th  C’s first Easter! We colored eggs, which C just wanted to eat. And the great grandparents came for a big ham lunch. Then C and I spent the afternoon in the pool. She got a stuffed peep! And I just loved her yellow outfit. 

Monday, April 6th  Happy 11 months C! On to the last month of officially being a baby.