3.5 I enjoyed the more details about the quilts. I liked the realistic view of the Amish (as one who lives in an Amish community), and getting to see B3.5 I enjoyed the more details about the quilts. I liked the realistic view of the Amish (as one who lives in an Amish community), and getting to see Benni and Gabe more as a married couple was fun.
Would recommend this to mature readers as there is some adult content--again, we're taken to the bedroom but not necessarily inside, so to speak. The mystery whodunit wasn't as challenging as the first one I read. I did appreciate the Vietnam that Gabe was working through and how that was handled....more
Nastolgic read for me. I read these back in my young adult years. I did not remember at all the more mature themes. While we never went into the bedroNastolgic read for me. I read these back in my young adult years. I did not remember at all the more mature themes. While we never went into the bedroom, so to speak, the conversation were a little more than I felt comfortable reading, for a prude. ...more
Ok, I feel awful giving this only 4. I know that when I read it again I'm going to love it more. I know it. I think it has a better plot that PernassuOk, I feel awful giving this only 4. I know that when I read it again I'm going to love it more. I know it. I think it has a better plot that Pernassus on Wheels, it has a deepness of character developed and let's not start on the amazing quotes and book dialogue conversations. However, I think I was not in the right season to read this. There is a lot going on that it made this book even more heavy rather than mining. So, with that, I will return, but I want to get this up so I can remember my initial thoughts later on....more
That was a fun ride! Kind of didn't know what to expect but had a blast.That was a fun ride! Kind of didn't know what to expect but had a blast....more
Rounding to four stars but I would say this is more of a 3.75 I did enjoy this book. However, I did not realize this was her second work (not her faultRounding to four stars but I would say this is more of a 3.75 I did enjoy this book. However, I did not realize this was her second work (not her fault! My own for not researching), and it was not necessarily more about her way of living, but more of a blurb on how she grew up or what she is doing now in her life as an introduction to whatever recipe she is going to share. For example, each chapter as a one word title, like Simmer. She uses the first few pages describing a childhood dreams of hers. It is simmering on the back stove of her life. Over time the idea is growing and circumstances bring the dream to the surface, she ties in some devotional type thoughts and wraps up her personal thoughts, and then the rest of the chapter is recipes on things that take time and slow cook. For the chapter titled Culture, we have reflections on the culture of our past and present, and then Norris ties in cultured foods to help create a more hand made and nurtured home. All in all, it was a very interesting read. Again, while the recipes are fantastic and I can see the benefit of having them all in one source, I felt like they could easily be found on her website and that the book was just a collection of blog posts with recipes and ways to do things all combined into a handy printed version. Again, it isn't bad, but it wasn't necessarily anything extraordinary. That being said, I do enjoy watching a lot of homesteading YouTubers and most of what is here wasn't new to me. Except the vinegar with the beans! I do have to say that I think Norris nailed why I have been having harder beans because I thought it was the better way to do things. ;)
So, if you are a beginner in the hand made, natural world, this may be a valuable tool. I would be interested in reading Norris' Made From Scratch Life and see if it has more of the stories I am interested in. ...more
I actually really enjoyed Rhoades "Young adult" book very well. This was kind of a reverse Old Fashioned Girl (Alcott). Our main character, Marion, isI actually really enjoyed Rhoades "Young adult" book very well. This was kind of a reverse Old Fashioned Girl (Alcott). Our main character, Marion, is a stuck up person who sees the value in people through their pocket book, or as her aunt warns, "don't value people on only what they can give you". Her aunt, in hopes of maturing her niece's thoughts, sends Marion to live with her country family. Her brothers and sisters then become her pet project of "refining" but she has much to learn and soon learns that character is more to be valued than rank.
I really enjoyed this. However, as always, in the "good old fashion" stories, it seems our main character has to learn a hard lesson and instead of dealing with the consequences, always manages to get deathly ill and things tend to work themselves out when they don't have to face as much. Now, I get it, Marion dealt with her shame and will continue to do so, but when everyone is so glad to have you well, the consequences are much less severe. While it works wonderfully in a story, dealing with it in life is much more difficult and humbling. ...more
I feel like Nina Rhoades was the Hallmark for middle grade in the early 20th century. This story tells the hardship of a brother and sister who get seI feel like Nina Rhoades was the Hallmark for middle grade in the early 20th century. This story tells the hardship of a brother and sister who get separated due to their financial circumstances, Esther lives with an adoring couple who want to adopt her, finds a friend in the little girl next door, and surprises happen when everything isn't as it seems....more
This one was ok. Peggy is a sensitive child who delights the hearts of those around her. After being ill, her aunt sends her to live with Peggy's brotThis one was ok. Peggy is a sensitive child who delights the hearts of those around her. After being ill, her aunt sends her to live with Peggy's brother and sister in New York. Peggy's sister is a selfish woman who finds society higher than taking care of her her younger sister. Through many events, Edith learns to love her sister and Peggy learns to appreciate her mischievous older brother. All ends up well in the end. ...more
I think this one is my favorite, so far, with the rereading of the Rhoades books in my adult years. This book is actually three short stories. We are I think this one is my favorite, so far, with the rereading of the Rhoades books in my adult years. This book is actually three short stories. We are introduced to Priscilla, then Lulu (who we get more of a story about in Winifred's Neighbors), and finally Eva. However, for one simple fact alone did I love Lulu's Penance, the second story. As a girl, I was also introduced to the Elise Dinsmore books but did not find them enjoyable. In fact, I found Elise to more a self-righteous disobedient girl in the name of morality than anything else. Apparently Rhoades felt similar for one of the final paragraphs had this to say about Dinsmore and it echoed my sentiments exactly: "You don't approve of Elise Dinsmore!" exclaimed Minnie, her eyes opening wide in genuine horror. "No, Minnie, I don't. I'm very sorry if it hurts your feelings, but I can't help it. I don't think she ought to have felt that she knew better than her papa about things, not even about playing on the piano on Sunday. Perhaps he wasn't a good man, but he was her papa, anyways, and I don't believe it can be right for little girls ever to think they know more than their relations-- no, not even for the sake of converting people, or going to be missionaries."
Yes ma'am. Eva's Dilemma was probably my least favorite but I did enjoy it. ...more
Like I've been saying, very childlike fairy tales for the "modern" early twentieth century children. Winifred is a quiet little girl who keeps her "chLike I've been saying, very childlike fairy tales for the "modern" early twentieth century children. Winifred is a quiet little girl who keeps her "children" aka dolls, as her constant companions. When her very distracted aunt finally realizes that her niece needs to have a social life, she finally gets her out into friends with other children and school mates. However, the rumor is that she is "under a cloud" and Winifred's life isn't as it all seems. Is she really an orphan? Fun little read and trip down memory lane....more
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