Let's Make Some Great Art, by Marion Deuchars

Let's Make Some Great Art, Marion Deuchars

This was a fun book to go through. It's meant for most ages, maybe 10 and up. It is a hands-on book, you write and draw and paint in the book. You learn about various artists and what kind of art they created, and then you do some kind of exercise that ties in with that artist. There are a lot of random creative prompts as well. This book is inspiring to me, I think I want to do some kind of book of prompts. Gotta think about it and make it happen.

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Swiss Family Robinson by Johann Wyss

Swiss Family Robinson, Johann Wyss

I think this is my third time reading Swiss Family Robinson. The first two times were as a youth, when I was in school. This particular tome is part of the Every Child's Library, published by Saalfield. No date of publication, but is illustrated by Frances Brundage. It has some wear and some damage to the cover, but I still feel it's a lovely book, and worth keeping. Old books just feel better to me. 

This book was inspired by DeFoe's Robinson Crusoe, as was Gilligan's Island and Lost in Space, among so many other movies and tv shows, and probably books. Actually, Lost in Space might be inspired more by Swiss Family Robinson. Anyway, it's the story of a family setting out to colonize new territory, and they are shipwrecked near an island that conveniently has enough flora and fauna and conditions to sustain them. They all work hard to not just survive, but thrive, turning lemons into lemonade you could say, while waiting 10 years to be rescued. 

It's a fun book to read. I feel like it's not meant to be a deep read, but one that any age can just enjoy, with the spirit of adventure and resourcefulness throughout, with the idea of never giving up hope or faith that God has all things in his control.

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Let's Make a Memory, by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson

Let's Make a Memory, Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson

This book is full of activities and traditions for spending quality time with your children, while making lasting happy memories. Some of the ideas feel a little dated, but there are a lot of good suggestions in here for building memories and strengthening bonds within the family. My kids are all grown now, so in a way I felt a little sad that most of these no longer applied to me...but I guess they might if I ever have any grandchildren!

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The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas J. Stanley, William D. Danko

The Millionaire Next Door, Thomas Stanley and William Danko

This book was recommended to me many years ago when I attended a Financial Peace University small group (Dave Ramsey), and I was fortunate enough to find it at a thrift store recently. I don't know what I was expecting, but this literally takes a group of millionaires and breaks them down into statistics. What kind of professions, what kind of cars they purchase, do their children receive trust funds, what houses do they live in, what kinds of investments do they make, etc. It was very informative. I found it interesting that most of the millionaires interviewed don't live according to their status. They don't live in elaborate houses and they drive used cars. They are very careful with how they spend their money and they make sure to provide for their future. Definitely worth the read if you are interested in finances.

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John Martin's Big Book 2

John Martin's Big Book 2

John Martin's Big Book 2 was published in 1934 by Collier. It is a compilation of short stories, poems, games, and coloring pages for children to enjoy. I think I picked this up at an estate sale for a dollar. It reminded me of the bookshelf of children's books in my childhood home. I spent hours reading through many of them, and this book, although I had never heard of this series before, was enjoyable to read as well. It is also full of lovely illustrations with that old fashioned look. 

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Michelangelo, by Elizabeth Elias Kaufman

 Michelangelo, by Elizabeth Elias Kaufman

This was a nice coffee table type book, all about Michelangelo the great artist. It gives a short history of his life and times, and commentary on each of his works, along with photographs of them. It also includes some of his unfinished pieces and sketches.

The Spark: A Revolutionary New Plan to Get Fit and Lose Weight, by Dr. Glenn A. Gaesser and Karla Dougherty

 The Spark, Glenn Gaesser, Karla Dougherty

I enjoy working out, and weight has always been a struggle to control since I became a mother almost 30 years ago. But I have been working out regularly, lifting weights, for close to 10 years now, I think. I have become so passionate about it that it turned into a career. I now manage a gym and am an admin for a chain of gyms in the Pacific Northwest. So I know a think or two about diet and exercise. 

This book, I have mixed feelings about. I feel this book is for those who have a hard time getting motivated to work out. That is not me, I have gotten over that hump and it's a daily routine. This book has you do just a few minutes at a time, ever so often throughout the day, to just get up and get moving. I think that's great. It gives you ideas to do at home and work, and some easy exercises that require little or no equipment. Again, that's great.

What I can't fall in line with is the ideology about eating. According to this book you should have a high carb diet, and no or low fat, because they say, fat makes you fat. I think this is outdated. The right fats can actually help you lose weight.

I follow a whole food diet. Keep the carbs complex and low. Cut out most of the grains since they are often processed. Eat protein and good fats. I have lost 20 pounds doing this. 

So if you read this, keep this in mind diet-wise, but glean the information for sneaking in mini workouts throughout the day.

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