Book Review: The

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio: How My Mother Raised 10 Kids on 25 Words or Less
Terry Ryan

I always have these grand reading plans - listen to four audio books a month, read at least six books a month, etc. Honestly, I can tell you a read probably 100+ board books and picture books a month but I'm slacking in the adult reading department. By the time I have time to read now, I fall asleep. I've been reading the same book since the beginning of the month! But I did finish an audio book!! Listening to books in the car makes the commute so much better.

Last week, I finished The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio. Many of you might remember the movie that starred Julianne Moore. I remember watching the movie and not really thinking much of it. It's been awhile so listening to the book wasn't completely ruined by seeing the movie. The book is a memoir of the author's life growing up with nine siblings, a sometimes absent and alcoholic father and a mother who applied for every contest possible just to make ends meet.

The book was definitely interesting. Not one does Evelyn Ryan raise 10 kids but she also finds the time and energy to enter contests to make a living. She won everything from sports equipment and trips to cash and cars. A few of her children even went to college on scholarships that Evelyn won for them. The book was both humorous and serious. Every time the family hit a road bump she managed to save them, including bankruptcy and losing the house. 

This is an easy and enjoyable read! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a a good memoir. You'll laugh, you might cry, maybe you'll even learn something - like how to survive with little. Head to the library and check it out for a great weekend read!

Happy Reading!

Pinterest Round-Up: January Projects

It's cold out and I have a sleeping baby after 8 p.m., so what better excuse to dive into some Pinterest projects on these chilly, winter evenings and during baby naps on weekends. I've been waiting until the holidays were over and my schedule to not be as crazy to start some of these. Here's what I'm hoping to work on this month.

READ Box for Library Books

Maybe it's the librarian in me who knows how often library books go missing or get mixed up with books kids already have, so I'm making Carter a READ box for his library books to keep in the living room. His books stay in the bedroom.

Baby Shadow Box

It's taken this long for me to realize that the pile of items in Carter's room that I set aside for a shadow box are still sitting there - his hospital bracelets, rose from church, bassinet name tag, etc. 

[Image from Pinterest.]

Space for Dennis' Stuff in the Living Room

This isn't really a Pinterest project but an organization task I need to accomplish. We have a large ottoman in the living room that doubles as a storage bin. I'm going to organize the inside for all of Dennis' mail, magazines, textbooks, etc.

Baby Size Hangers

Finally, I want to make size hangars for Carter's closet. Four months late again but at first I thought I didn't need it but I realized again tonight that it would be nice to have to separate his clothes.

[Image from Pinterest.]

And I hit the jackpot last weekend at Target with Christmas ornaments, so I think an impromptu Pinterest party might be in order to make holiday wreaths. Then I don't have to store the ornaments or I won't forget until it's too late that I bought them.

[Image from Pinterest.]

What Pinterest projects are you working on this winter?

Merry Christmas, Carrie!

Happy Holidays, friends! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year! It's hard to believe that it is already over. There was so much hype and rushing around that as always I feel like I missed it.

This year I was so much more excited about the gifts I gave that I really didn't even have time to think about the gifts I received. I'm still unpacking some of these that literally got put in the bedroom and not thought of again since we were so busy.

It was also special because it was Carter's first Christmas. Not that he had any idea what was going on but it was still fun to somewhat see it thru his eyes. We are still celebrating of course since Dennis worked. Tomorrow we are taking Carter to see the lights at Phipps.

I have to say that my favorite gift this year or at least the one I've used the most so far, would have to be my heating blanket from Dennis. It could be 60 degrees out and I'll be under the blanket. I've been asking for this for years, so I'm so happy I got it. And don't worry it is up to safety standards for the fireman. I can't wait to start reading some books cuddled up under my new blanket.

What were your favorite gifts?

Happy Holidays! Just a quick post for today! My goal as always is to be on here more in the New Year! We will see what happens!