10 January 2012

Book Shelf: Best of 2011


My favorite five books from the last two years actually.

Five: The Big Year: A Tale of Man, Nature and Fowl Obsession by Mark Obamascik. This book has been made into a movie starring Steve Martin. I already had it in my library when the movie was released.Although I didn't see the movie, it prompt me to read this true, well-written story. A girl named Robin naturally has curiosity about birds and ever since Ornithology class in college I have been a bird watcher. Not a birder who records every siting and works on a life list. I simply utter the prayer "thank you" when I see a beautiful bird. Enjoyed this book.

Four: Jessica by Bryce Courtenay. I love this author, a big deal in Australia, his book aren't released in the US. I found him many years ago through my book club and he's so good. This is the story of a young Australian in the 1800s who shames her family and is put out in the woods to pioneer her life. The outback is so similar to the land settlement days here in Oklahoma that this foreign setting felt familiar. And I do love me some settlers. So, so good...

Three: The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. A lovely life story of a young writer who works for Freda Kahlo and Diego Rivera. Well imagined it creates an epic travel through Mexican and American history. Loved it. Art, writing, history, love, it's all in there.

Two: Abundance: A Novel of Marie Antoinette by Sena Jeter Naslund. Another novel set in historical truth, Naslund writes a fully realized creation of the life of Marie Antoinette with facts woven through this tapestry of royal abundance and the harsh fall from grace. I like just to touch the spine of this book to return to the lush imagination of this brilliant author.

One: One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are by Ann Voskamp. A gift from my dear friend Beka, it was a grappling hook in my early days of grief over mother's death. A song, a poem, a lovely reality, this breathed gratitude into those long foggy days.

Also during those sad days, I looked at myself in the mirror and saw a puffy, ashen face that needed a change. I would go to CVS and look at pretty make-up. I bought all new cosmetics and started playing again with brushes and colors. Shortly Jessi Nagy started her video series Jessi Girls Beauty World. I have watched them all and am like a puppy waiting for her return with each video. It is such a lucky world I live where I can care about make-up. It adds something pretty and positive to each day. I have tried many of the products Jessi recommends. It has really been a great diversion from myself and has actually brought me lovingly back to myself.

To that end I thought I would just sit down and talk about the make-up I was wearing, record it with my phone and upload it to You Tube, none of which I had ever done before. I am not sure why I did this, or why I am sharing with you but I with embarrassment and truth am...

9 comments:

  1. Oh you are so darn pretty..I love all of your tips and would have never thought to use the Hard Candy products...My Tween is always looking at that section so I guess Mama needs to also! I thought I was too old but I have used the MaryKate & Ashley Olsen line so I guess I am not! :)
    I loved hearing your voice.
    Thanks for the video and enjoy your walk.
    Blessings~

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  2. Thanks for the book list....I read Lacuna....I must admit it wasn't my favorite of all the Kingsolver books....but it was interesting.

    xo

    Jo

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  3. Love this post! You did a great job! And that video... brilliant!!

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  4. Loved your cute video! You look lovely.

    I've been using Philosophy for several years and like it so much, but I only like the Hope in a Jar WITHOUT sunscreen. The sunscreen makes it too oily for me. I'll definitely try the Hard Candy products, and look forward to reading some of the books on your list, too. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. Robin, you are so beautiful! Thanks for being brave and sharing with us!

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  6. Loved Loved Loved your video! I think I hear Hollywood calling your name! You are a natural..........

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  7. OMWord......., I got me some Robin this morning. This is brilliant...whenever I feel the need to see your beautiful face or just hear the wonderment of your voice, I can have you. It matters not what you speak of darlin'♥. You are MAGNIFICENT !!! Te Quiero.

    Charlotte Perez

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  8. Really. Gorgeous and cute all at once!

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