Or, to put it simply, a Yarn Along. Why don’t you join in, too?

The Rhythm of Family: Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons – meh. I read Amanda’s blog somewhat regularly but I just couldn’t get through this book. Truthfully, I can’t get through any of her books, but I found the last one to have a few projects I wouldn’t mind doing “one day.” All three books have been deemed “library reads” for me, as opposed to” must purchase this book” reads. Anyway, back to this book. I found the sentimentality of the seasons a little over the top. Truthfully I find, more and more, the position of creation and Creator a little convoluted over there and feel the need to move on. That said, I made the two summer salads and found them both to be delicious. Even better, I found a way to use zucchini that hides the flavor of zucchini (which I try to like, but just don’t) and yet, isn’t bread. And its these tidbits of goodness, like carrot tomato soup, that keep me visiting her blog. But not reading her books.

Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder – I ordered this book from the library after stumbling upon it from the author’s blog after stumbling upon that from a misplaced click to someone elses blog. It really is amazing the serendipity of it all. I am intrigued by the ideas presented in this book. These “playful learning” games. Even better, my oldest is 9 and I don’t find the ideas here too young. All of this, I have to confess, I have gleaned from the pictures and a quick skim. Why not read? Because sometimes I get so hung up in the “how I should be doing this” aspect of my parenting that I forget and lose sight of the one thing that matters: our family. Ideas are great. But our family is unique (in the same way that yours is unique) and reading everyone’s ideas just convolutes that. I’d rather pick the idea or two here and there and work them as I see fit. Like the writing center in this book. Maybe I’m just “educationally stylized reading” out after a relative summer full of it. Anyway. Read this book. Or at least look at the pictures.

The Marketing of Evil: How Radicals, Elitists, and Pseudo-Experts Sell Us Corruption Disguised As Freedom – This book was recommended and then lent to me by a friend. Its rather eye opening, but not in anyway that you don’t suspect already. In one creepy instance, I had read something on child p*rn*gr*phy in utter disbelief. Two days later, I happen to hear a news story play on the radio and was in utter shock at the accuracy of the book’s prediction. God help us.

The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be – I’m really loving this book. The writing is sophisticated, and the humor dry. Need I say more?

On the needles: the never ending sweater frogged and started over. In the last knit along (well, for me, anyway) I was lamenting at how long it was taking to knit. And, while I made no mention of it in my post, I was a bit worried at the rate I was moving through the yarn. Finally, I bit the bullet and counted the stitches on my needle. Too many to admit to here, especially after all my boasting about gauge. Anyway, the sweater has been re-started – and not as a mens extra large – and is progressing rather nicely.