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Sunday Salon: Christmas Edition


Family and Life:
Yesterday was Christmas and for the first time in many years we didn't have a sunny day; it was cloudy all day and we got a down pouring of rain in the afternoon and evening! Even so, we had a lovely day filled with family, laughter, singing, and love. And, yes, a tiny bit of reading.

We (my parents, my daughter and I) started the day opening our stockings and even the dog got a toy in his stocking. Before we had gotten far my brother and his family showed up to do our presents with them. I got books! Whoopeee! One of the sweetest things was my three nieces singing as their present to my parents. They not only did Christmas carols, but my eldest niece (age 10) sings in a chamber choir in London so she had a beautiful old song that she sang. After my brother's family left we four exchanged our "under the tree" presents and here's some of my highlights:
My parents gave me a cashmere sweater/coat...so cozy!

Kleen Kanteen (to take water to work where we now have filtered water drinking fountains provided by the school's Earth Club), a funky frog tape dispenser, a Day of the Dead dog (I have a  small Day of the Dead figurine collection) and books: Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay; Fasting, Feasting by Anita Desai; Chasing Windmills by Catherine Ryan Hyde; The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard; Palestine by Joe Sacco (graphic novel); and The Investment Answer by Daniel C. Goldie (apparently the hot new book on 1-hour reads for investment)

I also got this wonderfully soft blanket and 2 Indian (as in India) pillow covers; it's amazing how much better my couch looks!

Work:
No work this week or next!

Books and Reading:
Oddly, I haven't had much time to read since we got back from Ireland. On the trip I read two books: The Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins and Matched by Allyson Condie, both of which I liked a lot. I am now working on three books (not a good state for me to be in): Broken Birds by Jeannette Katzir; The Wave by Todd Strasser; and I am putting Murder on the Down Low by Pamela Samuels Young on hold until after January 1.

4 comments

Amanda said...

I've seen that Sarah's Key book around and was curious about it. Can't wait to hear your thoughts.

:)

Helen's Book Blog said...

Amanda--I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the books I really want to read right now. I can only get so much reading done in a day (and it isn't very much)

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Looks like the gift-givers in your life know just how to make you happy! Glad you had a perfect day.

Helen's Book Blog said...

Diane--The gift-givers in my life definitely know how to keep me happy... I believe I may have hinted heavily as well :-)