Free e-books

I shared this on our facebook page but, you don't need to be on facebook to use it so I thought I would share it here for all the kindle/tablet/nook users. Pixel of Ink gives you updates on their website or via email or on facebook about free or inexpensive books for kindle and nook. There are different sections. The former is for adult books and I have had a few that have been deleted from my cloud for content. I personally love the young edition. (These are two separate links so be careful.) They had a limited free download this week of a book called The Worldwide Dessert Contest. It is interactive and so fun. When I am done I am gonna let Marcus read it. They have had some fun Easter picture books and recently a St. Patrick's book. Inspired Reads has Christian books that are free or inexpensive. Since I got my kindle in December I have only paid for one book. I wanted to share with ya'll. Let me know if you use it and share any good ones you have found.


*When you go to get the book, be careful. Sometimes the free is no longer free and can cause you grief if you don't pay attention. 

Rocket Boys

Stacie came down to our side of town to host last night at Kacey's house. We had great discussion about Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam. Most people agreed that his mom was the favorite character. Stacie was able to understand the father and appreciate his character more. Rocket science was in its infancy at the time and seemed like a silly dream to most people. The movie name, October Sky, was an anagram for Rocket Boys since the name turned some people off to the movie. October was the month that Sputnik went up. We learned about the 1950's from those that lived it and from statistics. Buying a home would be a whole lot cheaper, but on $3200 a year it would still be something to save for. For dessert we had a yummy jello dish. Anything anyone wants to add?

Next month we are meeting at Kacey's again and we are reading Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Adrienne is gonna host for the first time. March 28th, be there.

Fresh Apple Cake w/ Brown Sugar Glaze

Many people asked for this recipe. So, since we are keeping the blog I am gonna use it to share the recipe. (Originally found on lickthebowlgood.blogspot.com)


Fresh Apple Cake w/ Brown Sugar Glaze

Apple Cake:

• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup canola oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups finely chopped apples
• 1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped (optional)

Brown Sugar Glaze:

• 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 3 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 Tablespoon heavy cream

For the cake: Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-inch pan (round or square) and set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking soda, salt and cinnamon.Stir with a whisk to mix everything together.
In a large bowl, mix the eggs with a hand mixer til light in color and foamy. Add the oil and vanilla and beat well.
Stir in the flour mixture with a spoon and continue stirring the batter til the flour disappears. Add the apples and nuts (if using) and stir to mix them into the batter.
Scrape batter into prepared pan and bake for 40-45 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Place the hot cake on a wire cake. While it's still hot, prepare the glaze.
For the glaze: Combine all the ingredients into a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook for 3-5 minutes.
Spoon the hot glaze over the still hot-from-the-oven cake. Let the glazed cake cool completely before serving straight from the pan.

Our 3rd year!

We kicked of our year of reading last night. I will give you break down of the books that were suggested, the book and host(ess) for next month and you can check out the side bar for the year schedule. (I did not list the book chosen for book club reading on their month so we don't have repeats.) Yay!

Mindy suggested:
Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman
Tending Roses by Lisa Wingate
The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Jenny suggested:
The Snow Angel by Glenn Beck
(the book she thought was called Bright Angel is not.)
Michele H. suggested:
A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
The Great and Terrible series by Chris Stewart
Michelle L. suggested:
The book she chose will be her book in November (see sidebar)
Adrianne suggested:
Al Capone Does my Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko
Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko
When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks
Heidi suggested:
Austenland by Shannon Hale
Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Stork by Wendy Delsol
The Blue Fairy Book by Andrew Lang
Stacie suggested:
A Lesson Before Dying by Ernest J. Gaines
Kacey suggested:
The Tiger's Wife by Tea Obreht
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton*
House at Riverton by Kate Morton*
Jeannie suggested:
Return From Tomorrow by George Richie
Time for Andrew by mary Downing Hahn
Children of the Dust Bowl by Jerry Stanley
Mickey suggested:
Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn
Nightmare Mountain by Peg Kehret
A Dog Named Kitty by Bill Wallace
Tennyson by Lesley M.M. Blume


*Not recommended for book club reading necessarily


Stacie is hosting next month at Kacey's house. The book is Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

To Keep or not?

I started the blog so we could review the books we read in book club. If people couldn't come they could still see what they missed and maybe add ideas or questions. It was also to keep track of dates and changes. The blog is very much neglected and not as I envisioned. Most people don't even read it or know how. What are your thoughts? (All 4 of you.) With the facebook group is this even something we want to keep doing or worrying about?

Tomorrow

Seriously. How awful am I at blogging? Goodness. We are having book club tomorrow night. The book is Now and Forever by Ray Bradbury. It contains 2 novellas. Jenny Tyler chose the book, but I believe we are meeting at Kacey's house @ 7:00. We will try to make a plan for next year as well. (At least I am assuming this is the case.)

2 weeks

In 2 weeks we will be discussing Sarah Plain and Tall and Skylark by Patricia MacLachlan. I will be hosting here at my home. If you really like the books and feel that they were not long enough you could read the sequels, Caleb's Story, More Perfect than the Moon and Grandfather's Dance in that order. They are good reads as well. If you still need to read the books I have copies but I will need them that night to discuss. Happy reading!