Looking at my reads from 2011.

At the end of each year, I always enjoy taking a little time to look through all the book titles that I have read during the last 12 months. I usually come across a lot of "I read that book only just this past year?"---especially ones that I loved so much, and it seems like its been ages since I did read it---but it was only a few months ago. This year I accomplished reading 50 books, which almost means one book every week. I enjoyed each of these, but I do have my tip-top favorites. So now...




(in no particular order, because I can't bring myself to use favoritism on my favorites)

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I'm so glad to have read a classic like this---it is currently my favorite of Dickens' works that I've read so far. If I was to choose a character from any book that I admire most, it would be Sydney Carton. {You can read my full review here.}

Little House in the Highlands by Melissa Wiley
The first in a series of 4 about Martha, the great-grandmother of Laura Ingalls Wilder. She roamed and romped across the wild, heather-filled highlands of Scotland!

A Peep Behind the Scenes by O.F. Walton
Sweet and charming. Just how I thought a Lamplighter book would be. Now I can't wait to read more of these books in this new year.

My Heart's in the Lowlands by Liz Curtis Higgs
Has anyone heard of "arm-chair travel"? The author literally takes you on a trip across the sea to Scotland and "shows" you the landmarks, the quaint shops, houses, kirks, and majestic castles. She talks to you, as the reader, as if you were standing beside her, taking in the same sights, smells, feelings, and noises that she is.

In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty
To introduce myself to Henty, this was a great book to do it with. It is the story of William Wallace & Robert the Bruce, two exceptional leaders in the First War of Scottish Independence.

Do Hard Things by Alex & Brett Harris
A perfect book that every teen should read! It holds many invaluable truths. The subtitle of the book says it all: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations.

Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus
This is one children's book that I will adore forever, now that I have found it. I do so need to read more of little Basil's adventures. {You can read my full review here.}

Miracles on Maple Hill by Virginia Sorensen
Exquisitely delightful! Reminiscent of Laura Ingalls' childhood stories, but set in the time right after WWII ended. I can see myself reading it again sometime!

The Coral Island by R.M. Ballantyne
Heart-pounding suspense with island cannibals and pirate ships. Utter delight and respect for everything God has created. I'm looking forward to more books from Ballantyne.

Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid
This was the perfect addition to my December days. Meshes beautifully with the book "A Dog Named Christmas" by the same author.



Here are some other bloggers who have written end-of-the-year bookish posts:

Jennifer {Blogful of Books}

Eyebright {Defective Compositions}

Katie {Whisperings of the Pen}

Rachel {Young Homemakers}

Favorite Finds #29 {Almost Christmas}

Just a few favorite Christmas things I've found this past week... Enjoy!


Christmas Book Tree

{Pandora's Box}

23 Days of Handmade Christmas

{Midwestern Moms}

How to Wrap a Cat for Christmas

{Seven Sisters}

I'm Dreaming of a DIY Christmas

{Dealicious Finds}

Writing with Pine Needles: JOY

{Simply Vintagegirl}

Snowman Garland

{Crafts by Amanda}

Merry Christmas!

Pine needles & 'Peace'

And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
James 3:18






Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment now
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment
And live each moment
In peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.

Seymour Miller & Jill Jackson
1955 "Let There Be Peace on Earth"


Thank you, Emily Rose, for the splendid idea of writing with pine needles!

Taking a look at these words...

Time to reveal the answers to those intriguing words from my Dictionary Dash post. Let's begin...



Milquetoast \MILK-toste\
A timid, meek, or unassertive person. (noun)

Milquetoast is a little comical (for me) because it sounds like the words "milk toast"---somehow it sounds about right for a "timid, meek, or unassertive person"---"a milk toast kind of person". I learned from Jenny's comment that there are actually other spellings of the word.

"Don't be a milquetoast," said the young boy to his friend, "the water's not too cold. Come jump in the lake!"



Ferly \FAIR-lee\
Unexpected; strange; unusual. (adj)

A Scottish word from the thirteenth century!

Wee hoverin’, fleein’ ferlie fello’.
(first line of "Ode Tae a Bumble Bee" by Stuart McLean)



Otiose \OH-she-ose\
Producing no useful result; lacking use or effect. (adj)

An dull pencil is an otiose object.



Druthers \DRUHTH-erz\
One's own way, choice, or preference. (noun)

After I learned how this word was formed, it really stuck in my mind better. Druthers is actually a variation of the words "would rather". A person's druthers are the things they would rather do. It came about as a word sometime around 1870.

If I had my druthers, I would curl up with a book tonight.



Concatenate \con-CAT-eh-net\
Linked together. (adj) ... To link together in a series or chain. (verb)

The electrical wiring must be concatenated before the machine will work.



Have you found any new, interesting words lately?

Favorite Finds #28

Hello readers!

I just wanted to pop in and show you a few of my recent favorite things that I have found around the blog-world. Take a look:


the {holiday sweet swap} link party

{Pressed Down, Shaken Together}


IHeart Holiday Gift Giving

{IHeart Organizing}


Peppermint Wreath

{Procraftination Station}


a flower tutorial

{i love it all}


DIY [Felted] Stocking Stuffers

{Bugs and Fishes}


12 Crafty Days of Christmas

{Happily Mother After}


25 Days of Cookies

{this heart of mine}




And lastly, a couple of my own posts to remind you of:


Sharing Our Bookshelves

{December edition}

Dictionary Dash

Sharing Our Bookshelves {December 2011}

Here is the book link-up for December!
I'm hoping to see some Christmas-related book posts this month... so if you're posting a holiday book review, a list of favorite holiday reads, or maybe some awesome quotes... just link to your blog post below.


{image source}


I'm going to browse through my list of books I've read this year, and be coming up with my top favorites that I read in 2011. Can't wait to see what I'll come up with. Anyone else want to join me in that?

If you have any book-related blog posts, you are welcome to come back and link up all month long!

Winner Announcement

Thank you to all who entered in my contest
for the wooden READ or WRITE sign.

And a special thanks to My Heartfelt Designs for the prize!

The winner has been selected!

Congratulations to....

.:. Caroline .:.
{ c.w. frosting }

Again, thanks to everyone else who participated in the giveaway.

If you're interested in buying one of these signs for either yourself or for a gift for a bookworm or aspiring writer you know, they are for sell on Etsy.

Just visit: MyHeartfeltDesigns.etsy.com