A Little Piece Of Calm

A Word from M.O.M.

The universe feels a little off right now.

As we race towards the holidays which should be a time of peace, reflection and joy we are being bombarded on all sides. There has been unspeakable sadness with a pain that reaches deep. And the stores are full and people shop as if that will make everything right.

Stop and take a moment to find some calm and peace.

We have a wonderful friend, Louis Landon, who is a gifted musician who creates music that reaches your soul.

Take a moment. Get a cup of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and listen to something that makes the chaos still.

If only for a short while.

Thank you Louis.

Icicles by Louis Landon  ~ Here -  (Helpful note – play button is at bottom of the screen and don’t forget speakers on!)

’150 Ways to Give a Book’

I apologize for not posting but as Christmas is coming school clubs, and outside event performances are happening. Such a hectic time of the year. But here is a little gift idea list.

Mother Reader did an amazing list of ’150 Ways to Give a Book’. It really is a very well thought out list. Click here to see the list.

The best part about it is that it is grouped by age range. Really well done. Go and have a look and you will be amazed.

10 Great Books to Get Book Lovers

Not sure what book to get your book loving family member or friend?

No worries. John McAlley did a great list of books on NPR’s book section.

Click here to see the 10 best books to give.

Enjoy.

 

Holiday Gift Ideas

Not sure what to give a loved one for Christmas?

Have a look at this awesome flow chart from Book Riot.

And remember, that books are always a great gift to give for Christmas.

A Word From M.O.M.

You may have noticed that posts are a little scarce at the moment. Actually, scarce is being generous. Where are the posts? the funny observations? the book and movie recommendations?

Sophomore year, that’s where. Do you remember yours? (And for our wonderful international readers that translates to second year high school) Essays, readings, lab reports, power points (didn’t have them in my day), piano practice, dance and let’s not forget a little social time too. So, while MLCWO struggles to get to grips with everything (dealing with distractions isn’t her strong point……..) posts will be tended by me. Only for a while. So, the voracious book reader can catch her breath, help with Halloween parties at the library, plan her costume and such like. With Halloween fast approaching (one of our favorites times of the year – such great books and movies) we can’t let it slip by…….silently……and unnoticed.  M.O.M. is here to help.

Need some pumpkin inspiration?

Ever wondered what the connection is between books and pumpkins?

Then check THESE out. Creative, charming and totally cool.

What do you think? Do they inspire you to get creative? I hope so.

 

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!!!

Just wanted to wish you a very Happy Valentines Day!

Hope that you have a Valentine \

To spread the love I thought I’d share some really cute animals and how they share the love.

Hope you enjoy.

Happy Belated Holidays!

 

 

 

 

Happy New Year! Did you miss me?  I went travelling and there was no Wi-Fi. So, Happy New Year…just a little late.

2012 is going to be an action packed year. There are the USA presidential elections, the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee. And what else? What am I forgetting????? Oh, yes! This is the year the Mayan calendar runs out which some take to mean the world will end. Personally I’d bet they just ran out of tablet. Or got bored working it out. So, you know all those books on your “to read” list? Better get going just in case.

Reviews coming up soon…..just dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. The Elephants Tale and Dead Mans Cove by Lauren St. John.  Arthur, Cowboys and Aliens, The Nativity Story and the last Harry Potter are on the agenda for the movies. So much to catch up on! Stay tuned.

Holiday Book Blogger Swap!!!!

I received my gifts from my lovely Secret Santa and boy was I surprised.

I received Tiger’s Voyage (which I am ecstatic about because I get to read it as much as I want), Everlost by Neal Shusterman, a great book bag from B&N, 4 beautiful book marks, and a wonderful journal.

This was such a great thing to do for a 2nd year running, and if you have a book blog, I encourage you to join in with the fun for next year.

Thank you to my Secret Santa – who ever you are!!!

Also thank you to the Book Blogger people for creating this wonderful event.

Gift Giving, With Love (and a ball of wool)

As we are now full swing in the season of gift giving do you find yourself running around crazily searching for the perfect gift?

Well search no more.

In line with the thinking that hand-made gifts are the best as they are creative, made with love, and so on……

Here is the perfect thing for just about everyone in your life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How cool to be able to knit some of the wonderful characters of Christmas? Reindeer, Santa and more! They would make the perfect gift to give to that special person.

Of course, you do have to be able to knit…….

 

 

Best Teen Books of This Year

Want to know what the best books are for this year? Don’t know what awesome book you should have on your Christmas list? Well head on over to Kirkus Reviews and have a look at the list of ‘Best Teen Books of 2011.’ Maybe you will find the best book in the world on that list. I am not sure what my favorite books are of this year.

The only three which I can think of are Tiger’s Voyage,  Tiger’s Quest, and Tiger’s Curse.

What are some of your favorite books of this year?

How Do You Give A Book?

So you bought this perfect book for someone, but you have absolutely no idea how to wrap it or to give it to a friend. What do you do? No worry. Just head on over to MotherReader and read her post about what are great books for different ages and great ways to give the books. Click here to view her post about this. It will definitely get you through the holiday season if you have a person who loves books.

Awesome Christmas Fun!!!!

You are never too old for this stuff. Not sure how to keep the kids occupied until Christmas? Visit this interactive online calendar and have some fun.

Click here to view the calendar.

Great Things to Do With Kids At Christmas Time!!!!!

Getting into gear for christmas over here at MyLibraryCardWoreOut. I have my elf hat, elf shoes, and the Christmas spirit (pictures coming soon.) So, in the coming weeks, there will be posts on gift ideas, maybe some holiday decorations, awesomely lit up houses (like those crazy ones you see where you think to yourself “What the heck were they thinking?”) and maybe some recipes.

So as Christmas is just around the corner and kids are getting anxious about Santa coming, and “Will Santa bring me what I want?” and the perennial questions of ‘Can I see my gifts’, ‘Can we put up the tree,’ and ‘Will Santa give me coal this year?’ (that was one thing which I was mortified of happening – waking up and finding a stocking full of coal – luckily that never happened ) Well to keep the kids busy with things to do until christmas time to get them more into the spirit and to maybe ward away those questions, Lillian at Domestic Simplicity did a great post on 50 Things to Do With Your Kid In December. Please head over to the blog and have a look at the post as there are some great ideas. If only my mother had done those with me every year – going to have to get some therapy because of that.

Thanksgiving is nearly here!!!

Almost time to stuff ourselves with the turkey, get fat, and then fall asleep for 12 hours (oh, well I think I already did the 12 hours sleeping part )

But it seems as if Merlin has eaten the turkey. I was wondering why a piece of it was missing.

Christmas Time is Near!!!!!

As you may have noticed, I have already changed my blog background to fit the Christmas spirit. Yes, it is the beginning of November and I am one of those annoying people who goes around singing Christmas carols, and has already started listening to Christmas songs on their iPod. I have even started the Christmas gift list, and am already contemplating what decorations I am going to use this Christmas.

So I thought to fit my Christmas spirit, I would change the blogs background.

Hope you are as excited for Christmas or that break at the end of December as I am.