ENNA BURNING

I just finished reading this book today, which is a sequel to The Goose Girl, but told from the point of view of a different character. The first half of the book was a little hard to get through. Not bad, but not as good as The Goose Girl. As the book went on, it got quite a bit better. Although some of it was a bit over the top, I find myself connected to the characters and feeling a little sad that it's over. There is one more book from the series titled River Secrets. I think I will read it sometime. I do recommend this book. It is a pretty easy read.

My Book Review

TWO THUMBS DOWN!!

I totally would not recommend this book to ANYONE. A complete snooze (even if you are into this kind of thing). The book it a ton of money, and just leaves a big, huge QUESTION MARK above your head.

Avoid at all costs!!

R

Applied Economics by Thomas Sowell

Mr. Sowell is now one of my favorite authors. This book was fantastic. It really helped me to understand the importance of, what he referred to as, seeing beyond stage one.
He discusses this with some particular candor about politicians. So, many politicians only see the next election in front of them. So, they do what they feel will please the masses at the time, rather than what is going to be good for us in the long run. It is so true, and it is so evident in our time.
Some of the things that Mr. Sowell specifically addresses are medical care, housing, business, immigration and discrimination. He gives a thorough and fair analysis of all of these things. I found the chapter on medical care particularly interesting seeing what the government is currently attempting and of course working in health care myself. He is able to give a lot of details about what the plan for our healthcare system would do to us, because there are other countries that are trying it right now, like Great Britain. It's pretty much flop and headed for disaster.
Anyway, it is an excellent read. I highly recommend it. For me, who had only a passing interest at best in economic issues before, it was a fairly easy read and completely understandable.
It is also very clear that America needs a good dose of reality and forward thinking.
Also, on a quick note I finished reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis today, per mom's suggestion. I thought it was fantastic. I had to make sure I only read it during the day :) The ending was surprisingly touching. I also really enjoyed reading the additional section of Screwtape proposing a toast. It talked a lot about democracy and totally related to stuff going on right now.
Love ya
Sarah Emily Jordan

The Moon is Down

This is my first post on the blog. Hope it goes well. When I took a sick day, I thought to myself, hey maybe you should do something that is good like read a book. So that's what I did. I asked Sarah to go to the library and find me a short Steinbeck book. I am a fan of Steinbeck. His books are so gritty. And I can't help myself, I love gritty.

Anyways, Sarah found a book that I had never heard about, but I enjoyed immensely. The Moon is Down is a book that takes place in a small town during World War II that is occupied suddenly. The beginning of the book shows the absurdity of war. In the beginning the mayor's wife does not know what the etiquette is when having the occupying leaders over.

The book's main focus is on the spirit freedom. Steinbeck does a great job of showing how life would be easier for the occupied if they just followed what their captors asked them to do. But people yearn freedom. You can not stop it. No matter what you try people will fight for freedom even if it makes them hungry, or lonely, or if they die. People will be free.

In vintage Steinbeck, the ending takes some time to digest. I love his endings. After I closed the book, I had to ponder for a while. That's why I love his endings.

It was a comforting book. Steinbeck and comforting do not usually go hand in hand, but in this case it works. For all you people who are a little bit afraid of Steinbeck, this is an easy read and it does not have the bad words that some of his books do. A great book to jump into this great author with.

Peace on Earth (A Twirling Leaf Production)

Okay guys, I listen to Christmas music year round. So, a friend recently sent me this version of "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." That song did not do much for me, until after September 11th, and that is when I really got the message of it. So, there is some element of that in the video. The thing that gave me the greatest peace after September 11th was when they built a temple in Manhattan, so that's in this too. Consider this a rough draft. I would like to include more of my in-laws, so maybe kid photos or something, cause gosh darn it my in-laws are like real siblings for me. Also, any suggestions about which temples you might want included would be great. Anyway I hope you get some pleasure at watching this rookie attempt at video making. Hugs and Kisses.
Sarah

Media Malpractice

A few people saw this video with me when I was home last. It is really well done. The film's producer does a fantastic job of detailing the media's blatantly biased role in the last election from the primaries and even post election.
John Ziegler actually this past week went to an event where Katie Couric was to receive an award for her election coverage. He wanted to pass out copies of his video and also to get into the event itself. He ended up getting handcuffed and detained. It is some pretty wild stuff.
He has a website at www.howobamagotelected.com if you want to learn more about the video.
In regards to the media I have been feeling for a while that something really needs to be done. I know Sarah has voiced the same feeling to me and I'm sure others feel the same. Not sure what to do about it. But, picture this: having the crowds of people at the 3 major morning news shows at the same time turn their backs on the cameras and hosts. People could be wearing t-shirts or something expressing that we feel the media has turned their backs on all of us, who just want to know the truth. It would also be good to start a website called March on the Media or something that details their bias.
Whoops, looks like I'm getting confused about which blog I'm on.
Anyway, if you get the chance watch this video. It's good stuff. It also includes the full 40+ minute interview with Gov. Palin.

I just finished reading The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. I highly recommend this book and especially to read as a family. It is very easy reading. I read it in less than 24 hours with lots of other stuff going on. Lizzy recommended it to me, and she is right about it being a very good book. I have it so you can borrow it from me any time you want.

Deena

I finally met the two weeks challenge a week late. I finished reading Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility. I very much enjoyed reading it, but it was a rather hard one to always keep track of. I will read another Jane Austin, but I am ready for a fast easy read. The next one I am going to read is The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Lizzy recommended this book to me. Very cute Vlogs!!!!!! Good going Sarah

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Liberal Fascism by Jonah Goldberg

This is another heartwarming tale great for reading just before bedtime.
Actually it is a great read for some historical perspective particularly on the U.S. progressive movement. The author discusses several fascistic movements in detail including Mussolini and Hitler.
He discusses how the Liberal agenda, or Progressive agenda, has quite a few similarities to the principles of fascism.
It is particularly eye-opening to read more about Woodrow Wilson and FDR.
It's a good read and certainly helped me to gain more perspective on the current political climate.
My take on progressivism: thanks for giving me the right to vote (though I think that probably would have come eventually anyway) now go away. The question I always ask is "progress to what end?"
Anyway I suggest this book for some good historical perspective.

I will be getting up the VLOG post as soon as I can. The download process to my computer is taking quite some time.

This is a combined post. We finished Fablehaven Number 1 tonight. It is a very exciting and well written book. Almost the same class as Harry Potter. We all highly recommend this book. It might be a little scarry for young children, but definitely Zeke would enjoy it. We are looking forward to reading the second book soon. James even priveledged us with illistrations as we were reading and did an oragami book mark for us.

A Hodge Podge from Shan

I have a few movies I've seen recently and a few books. Going back to childhood, like Adam sugested, James and I watched Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler. This was actually a really cute movie and suprisingly clean (as Sandler movies go). Another awesome movie Iwould highly recommend is one that dad got from somebody at the temple. It is called Why are You Waiting and it's a lecture by a food storage specialist for the southwest region of the church. I think her name is Wendy DeWitt and it really helped me to realize how realistic food storage can be...now I just have to get money to do it...hmmmm. James can make a copy of it for anyone that would like.

Okay, and now for my book hodge podge. I've been reading Fablehaven by Brandon Mull with mom, dad & Steve. It's AWESOME! I think we should finish it tonight. I have also been trying to read more classic novels, so right now I'm reading Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe. It's a little slow reading at first with a lot of nautical terms, but i've found it quite interesting none the less, especially to think about how I would be able to survive just figuring out how to live life on my own without all the comforts that I have...that and it's been interesting when Crusoe had a change of heart and really turned to God and how his perspective became a lot more positive. I have also been reading the first of two volumes of the Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. I've had to take breaks and read other books while I've read it. I would suggest maybe reading one at a time instead of all, it gets really repeditive. His first book, A Study in Scarlet, is also grossly inacurate as one of the murders happens to have been because of this whole thing with the saints in Salt Lake forcing a woman to marry a palygamist, and that just put a bad taste in my mouth. I think the short stories of his are the best though.

This is really long, and a lot of stuff...and yet we still had time to rock out!

I finished reading The Screwtape Letters this morning. I highly recommend this to others. C.S Lewis has a lot of insights into so many things with life and how Satan uses them against us, and also how much our Heavenly Father is willing to allow us to mess us and still get back into His love forgiveness. At the end of the book is a section that the auther wrote later called Screwtape gives a toast. His forward is included. I was touched by what he had to say about writing The Screwtape letters in how it was not enjoyable for him at all as he had to get into the realm of thinking the way the devils think. I appreciated his sharing that and that he was willing to go there for a short time to share with us the insights that he has.

Prepare for THE VLOG

Well, I guess when you put a video on a blog it is actually called vlogging. I am planning on being home this weekend for Easter. I'm bringing along a camcorder and would like to invite any of the kids that want to talk about a book they have read to VLOG about it.

The Poisonwood Bible

Wow! Not my favorite book in the world, but definitely one for bringing up some deep issues. The premise is a Baptist minister from Georgia relocates his family of 5 (all women/girls, besides himself) to the Congo to bring the heathen peoples there to the light of Christ. Barbara Kingsolver tells the story through journal entries from each of the 4 women/girls in the family. That was a stroke of genius b/c you get so many different views of the same situations and happenings. While this book is a work of fiction, Kingsolver really did her homework and has tried to make the surroundings as historically and socially accurate as possible; which I always really appreciate. The biggest questions it raised for me were: What would I do if I were to be plunked down in the Congo for a year's time? How would I react to/interact with the native peoples? Could I do it at all?
All in all, a good read, 3 stars for good writing and interesting social/emotional questions.
Sarah Elizabeth
P.S. The book is about 550 pages long, but it reads rather quickly (I was able to do it in 5 days) so don't let the length deter you.

Blog Background

So...I want to make a cool background for our blog, but that will take time, so, for now, I thought we could have holiday themes...

Hopefuly it won't take me too many holidays!!

If you hate it...Let me know...I will work harder and faster and get some more imagination...or go bad to boring...I mean simple;)!!

Love, Rychelle

Sons and Daughters of LIBERTY

This is a post from Daddy Jordan under the disguise of Mama Jordan. I was able to listen to the 5000 year leap while I have been working in the flower garden and also down stair cleaning the store room. The store room looks pretty good by the way. Trying to prepare for the future by getting space ready for the needed food storage. Back to the book. I find it fascinating how far we have drifted from the founding fathers intentions for this blessed country. If we believe in the inspired creations of the constitution then we have to find a way to change the direction of the present course that has been set over the past several administration. It may be easier to back up to a safer time (as far as the constitution is concern) and then set a new course rather then try and set a new course from where we are now. Though it is a sobering book to go through I think it can give us a wake up call to become the sons and daughters of liberty again. I am glad to have gone through the book and hope many of you will be able to read it or listen to it. I have the CD if any one wants to borrow it.

Dad

I was thinking I needed to wait until I finished reading a book before I posted again. I am half way with Sense and Sensability. I have acutally enjoyed it more than I thought I would. The past few days dad has worked very hard to clear out the storage room. In doing so we found quite a few older books. I have offered Zeke quite a few of them to read and then bring back. Heather took a few. There are some others that are here if you are intersted. Just let me know. This is a great way to keep in touch.

Harry A History by Melissa Anelli

If your not tired of Harry Potter, I read this book a while back. It is written by the lady who runs The Leaky Cauldron one of the really popular Harry Potter websites.
Anyway, it gives a lot of fun background insight into the series and its fans. The author interviewed lots of people including Jo Rowling, several times. She even has a chapter where she interviewed the lady who was going through a bunch of court cases to get the books banned from the school library.
It's a fun read. You will relate to some of the memories of excitement for the books, midnight parties and such. It really is from the fans perspective.

Side note: I couldn't be happier about the response to this blog. It is so fun to hear from all of you. I think I must be the most blessed person on the planet. I have family who I consider my best friends and friends that I consider like family. Big hugs from Spokane Washington.

I just finished reading a really great book titled "The Goose Girl". Shanelle is actually the one who told me about the book (and let me borrow it). It is a book with many great elements. Elements of romance, of war and betrayal, of magic and legends. It is also a great story of finding one's self. It is very well written, in my opinion, and I highly recommend it. It is written by Shannon Hale and is part of a 3 part series. I have already ordered (from Amazon, of course) the 2nd book, and hope that it is just as good as the first. Happy reading everyone!

Jessaca

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC

So, I have both read and watched this movie!! I love it. The book is definately better. But, both are fun and I will own the movies when it is out! The books (there is a series) are set in London and the main girl is obsessed with getting a good deal and buying designer clothes, needless to say she is in debt. So,

• she hides from creditors,
• becomes the financial spokesperson on a television show and of course,
• falls in love with the dream guy (not the collector!!).

It is great. The movie is a bit different, for one it is set in NY, but definately watching worthy.

I suppose I was attracted to these books b/c of my love of "chic-lit"and the name, I being a "shopper"and lack the ability to balance a checkbook! So, if you like a cute and fun read, w/o the steamy love scenes....CHECK THIS OUT!!

And all the info is: The books are written by: Sophie Kinsella--I really like her other books, as well.

books for a childhood

Because I am engrossed in my studies, I often delving deep in the horrible parts of humanity. I find myself wanting a return to childhood in one form or the other. I think back on the books I read and the places that they took me. it was a simpler time in my life, when the good guys always won, and the bad guys weren't that dangerous. these are the books I love to read when I feel that being an adult is a little to much, The Chronicles of Narnia, Where the Wild Things are, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, The Hobbit, and the One I am Currently reading The BFG, the other night I was reading in bed and it was the part about Whizzpoppers I was laughing so long it hurt. good times. need to lighten up your day, my suggestion read your favourite book from your childhood and believe in a simpler time in your life.

brought to you from the cornfields of IOWA

So, Todd and I went and saw the movie "Knowing" a couple of weeks ago. I have to say, it's a creepy movie. I really don't want to say much about the story line, just in case somebody is planning to see it. I don't know that I would recommend it, although it would be nice to get other people's opinions about the movie. I would, however, suggest that Mom never see this movie.

Jessaca