August. . .GOAL!!!

I finished the church magazines a couple of weeks ago, but didn't get this post done.  I am almost done with September, but not quite there yet.  I just needed to do this post so I can get a little self-esteem shot in the arm.

The Fire of the Covenant

I have actually read this book several times before.  However, since we were doing the Trek through Martin's Cove with our church youth, I thought I would read it again.  Now that I have actually been to the place and seen the terrain these people were dealing with, it gives me a whole new appreciation for what they accomplished.  I would highly recommend this book if you need a litte reminder of how great we have it!!!

New Monthly Goal

I have decided that I have a new monthly goal. . .we pay for magazines every month that come to us.  I dont' even have to go to the library to have material to read.  But, I never seem to get around to reading these magazines.  So. . .new goal, read the Ensign, New Era and Friend magazines every month.

 This month there were amazing stories and articles in each magazine.  As we are preparing for a Trek to Martin's Cove in Wyoming in about a week, it was very encouraging to read stories of other people who have been on treks.  (Boy, was that something I needed to share with my Young Women--can anyone say inspiration?!?). 

Each month I accomplish this goal I will make a short post with a photo of a soccer ball--GOOOOAAAAL!!!

300 Under 300

This is not really a "book", per se.  But, I have really enjoyed browsing through this book.  All of the recipes in this book are under 300 calories.  Here is a list of some of my favorites (or soon-to-be favorites, once I try them out):

S'more Pancakes

Thanksgiving in a Salad Bowl

Island Time Salad

Rockin' Red Velvet Pancakes

Breakfast Pizza Mexicali

Great Greek Pizza

Grilled Fuji 'n Chick 'Wich
Nacho-rific Stuffed Chicken
'Bella Asada Fajitas
Crunchy Beef Taco Egg Mug
Banana Split Oatmeal
Apple Cinnamon Desert Crepes

Throne of Fire

This book is the sequel to The Red Pyramid.  It is a kids series (big surprise)!  I really enjoy Rick Riordan's writing style.  This series is a little different in that the story is told as an audio recording.  If you have some spare time and would like to indulge in a little Egyptian mythology, pick it up!

See what happens when you  have to waste time waiting for kids!!!!!

5000 Year Leap

Wow, it has really been a long time since I have posted.  It is not that I have been reading my guts out, it is that I have been way too busy to indulge my habit.  I did finish the 5,000 Year Leap a few weeks ago, and was amazed at the information that it contained about the founding fathers, writers of the consitution and how our government is supposed to operate. 

Once again, our founding fathers are probably rolling over in their graves at the monstrosity we now call the Federal government.  I'm not sure that the US government today is much different than King George in the 1700s.

Let me say this, if our government was run as it was intended by the founding fathers, we would be the most prosperous, creative, educated, free and happy people on the planet.  Sadly, we are now the highest taxed, lowest scoring, laziest and fatest people on the planet.  Hopefully, we can "trim the fat" so to speak and reduce the size and scope of what government does!!!!!  It was not meant to take care of us from cradle to grave.  But, unfortunately, we have turned our country into a socialist democracy instead of the republic that it was meant to be.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know why the founders committed treason by signing the Declaration of Independence.  It is inspiring to see how a new nation was formed by men who were willing to pledge their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.  Where is our honor?????

Cleopatra

I gave this book up as a bad job.  I usually don't throw in the towel so easily, however, there was so much speculation in this supposed biography that I could not stand it. 

As I have stated before, I love all things to do with Egypt, and Cleopatra is as mysterious as it gets; but this author operated mostly in conjecture and guess-work.  I'm all for a biography, but when there is no evidence of character traits of a person (who BTW, lived over 2,000 years ago), it is very difficult to read someone's "idea" of who a person was.