Three More Challenges - Because I Just Can't Help Myself

I don't suppose I really need any incentive to read books by women; they certainly compromise the majority of my reading most years. But given the great disparity between male and female authors, I've gotta make sure I'm keeping the ladies front and center. The rules for 2015 Women Challenge are:

* anyone can join;
* you don't need a blog to participate: if you are a non-blogger please leave a comment with a link (if you review elsewhere) to your review or with the list of the books you read and the level you choose;
* audio, e-books, bound books and re-reads are ok;
 * challenge goes from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2015

Levels:

Level 1: BABY GIRL - read 5 books written by a woman author
Level 2: GIRLS POWER - read 6 to 15 books written by a woman author
Level 3: SUPER GIRL - read 16 to 20 books written by a woman author
Level 4: WONDER WOMAN - read 20+ books written by a woman author

Because just once I want to be Wonder Woman, that's the level I'm signing up for.

Because I never miss this one this year War Through The Generations is easier than ever - "This year, read books — fiction, poetry, or nonfiction — about any war." I'm not sure what I'll read yet, but I'm bound to have something already on my shelves that has to do with some war that's been waiting patiently for me to remember it.

Given my appalling record reading non-fiction this year, I'm going to use the Nonfiction Reading Challenge as a kick in the butt to remind myself that there are a lot of great nonfiction books out there that will expand my world (many of which are already on my bookshelves!). 

If you need the same push, here are the rules:

The Challenge: Read any non-fiction book(s), adult or young adult. That's it. You can choose anything. Memoirs? Yes. History? Yes. Travel? Yes. You get the idea? Absolutely anything that is classified as non-fiction counts for this challenge.

Dilettante--Read 1-5 non-fiction books

Explorer--Read 6-10

Seeker--Read 11-15

Master--Read 16-20

This challenge will last from January 1 to December 31, 2015. You can sign up anytime throughout the year.


I'll be signing up for the Seeker level, although I'd love to reach the Master level. 

Life: It Goes On - December 28

Oh my goodness, what a busy week it's been! I had hoped to work in more down time but it seems I'm incapable of doing that! Extra time? Why not make a batch of caramel corn? Extra time? Why not pick up a few more stocking stuffers? And, of course, there's always something you're not prepared for - like neither Hobby Lobby or Michael's having a full stock of wooden letters. Did everyone make crafts this year that necessitated the purchase of letters?

This Week I've Been:

Listening To: A lot of my favorite Christmas CD's. Or as much quiet as I could get, knowing that there would be a lot of noise in my week.

Watching: A few more Christmas shows, including "Love Actually," some college basketball and bowl games.

Reading: Today I will, finally, finish The Time Traveler's Wife (barring a disastrous final fifty pages, I'm going to wish I had included this in my favorites for the year) and From The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. Then I'll have to figure out both a new book for my nightstand and for my everywhere-else read. What to read next, what to read??

Miss H's zebra pjs were a huge hit!

Making: Finished up a cookbook for Mini-me to give to his cousin and two wall hangings for my sister-in-law and my niece (bottom left). Also ham, fried potatoes, cranberries, puppy chow, caramel corn, three kinds of cheese dip, sugar cookies, and egg casseroles. It's been a productive week!

Planning: A major revamping of our basement. Miss H gave me a big wallhanging which has inspired me to work on a new bar area in my basement (Aunt Jo, is that bar in your attic still up for grabs?!). It's time to make our basement a real grown up retreat!

Family, food, and presents - pretty well sums up the week!

Grateful for: All of my gifts (including books!), of course, and the time I had this week to make it possible for me to really relax and enjoy the celebration. Mostly, though, I'm grateful for the time to be with our families  and to continue traditions with our kids.

Enjoying: So many Christmas goodies; but, lordy, did it feel good to hit the treadmill today.

Feeling: Blessed. And spoiled.

Looking forward to: Easing back into routine. Although I'm pretty glad to have another day and a half off this week!

I hope your week has been good, no matter what, or if, you celebrate! What are you looking forward to this week?

Merry Christmas!

A very merry Christmas to all who celebrate the birth of Jesus!

From Omaha

Happy Hanukkah

For those of you who celebrate, I hope you and your family have had a marvelous Hanukkah!

How The Holidays Killed My Reading

You see this book? It's really very good; I'm enjoying it a lot. But I started it over a week ago and I'm still not even half way finished with it.

Part of it is the time I've spent in stores that I might otherwise have spent reading. Or the time I've spent baking Christmas goodies. But, let's be honest, my biggest time suck the past couple of weeks has been Christmas shows...or, for that matter, any show which features Christmas in prominent scenes. I have never spent so much time in front of the television watching Christmas shows. For a girl who was feeling so grinchy a couple of weeks ago, these shows have helped me do an about face. I'm feeling very festive!

Just what have I watched?

* "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" - the original, only the original!
* "Auntie Mame"
* "Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol"
* "White Christmas"
* "Holiday Inn"
* All three versions of "Miracle on 34th Street"
* "Love Actually"
* "The Santa Claus"
* "The Nativity Story"
* "Elf"
* "It's A Wonderful Life"
* "Bridget Jones' Diary"
* "A Christmas Carol" with George C. Scott

Have you been addicted to the shows this season? What have I missed (besides "Rudolph" which I will make sure gets watched yet this week!)? Starting Friday, it's back to the books, though!