Summer Reading

I started out this summer by finishing Pretties - the second book in Uglies/Pretties/Specials/Extras - I plan to read the last two this summer as well.
This was a book we started in lit. circle at the end of the school year - so my girls who are reading it are still blogging about it - so I have to keep up!

City of Bones - this is part of a series - sci-fi - action - keeps the reader hooked - I just don't love sci-fi - but I know I will read the other books in this series.

Body Surfing by Anita Shreve - ok this is the first "grown up" book I read this summer - a quick summer read - great for recovering from pnemonia

Sea Glass - also by Anita Shreve - currently reading - will get back about this one! This author was recommended by one of my former students' parent.

June 27 - I finished Sea Glass - what an incredible story that takes place during the Great Depression - interesting read w/our current economic situation.

I am now reading Fortune's Rocks - same author - it takes place 1899 - I've heard from several people that it is an amazing story. These three books all take place in the same house - it is more then just 3 seperate stories. Very interesting - I love realistic/historical fiction!

Finished Fortune's Rocks - it was by far the best of the three books I read by Anita Shreve - an absolutely incredible story!!!

Now, onto a young adult book - Specials - the third book in The Uglies/Pretties series. Some of my students from last year are reading this book over the summer and blogging on our class blog about - so I need to catch up!!!

July 7 - I am now reading the last book in the Uglies/Pretties/Specials series - The Extras also by Scott Westerfield - this book is more of a stand alone - but is based on the sci-fi setting & vocabulary developed in the first three books. I highly recommend this series for middle schoolers & high schoolers - it is a Brave New World meets Big Brother type sci-fi book with all the drama that middle schoolers/high schoolers love!

July 12 - I finished the Extras - the last book in the above series - it was more of a stand alone book then actually part of the series. It introduced new characters. I didn't enjoy it as much as the first three in the series, but real sci-fi lovers will enjoy it.

July 28 - Time to start reading the Blue Bonnets to prepare for the upcoming school year. Every summer I try to read all 20 (won't be happening this summer but at least I can get a head start). I also read aloud at least 5 during the school year so that all my students can participate in the end of the year Blue Bonnet party and also get to vote on their favorite Blue Bonnet. I will start a new blog for these books and will add the link to this blog.

Raising Dragon

My final summer activity (besides relaxing and hanging out!) is raising my first reptile! I am raising a bearded dragon. It has been quite an experience. At first I was afraid I wouldn't be able to keep him alive. Now, I am wondering hwo to keep the crickets alive long enough for him to not go hungry! He is a BIG eater!!!

Jewelry Making

A&M inspried earrings and bracelet

UT inspired jewelry

My favorite piece so far is the "falling leaves" necklace and earrings.

The purple necklace was my first try using nylon filament to create the floating look - very challanging!

The mis-match earrings were for my neighbor - she loves crosses and always wears mismatch earrings!

This is my first jewelry attempt.

The other activity I've under taken this summer is learning how to make metal jewelry w/beads. I'm just getting started - but I've posted some pics. If anyone has helpful hints - let me know!

More jewelry to be made - especially as I am couch bound with pnemonia (not part of the summer activity plan!)

Therapy Dog activities

This summer, besides trying to recover from pnemonia, my dog, Sugar, and I plan to do therapy dog work. Sugar is a regular at the City of Frisco public library as a participant of the Read to Rover program. The next Read to Rover is July 13 - so Sugar is resting up! Sugar is a registered therapy dog and also a R.E.A.D dog - she has visited nursing homes, schools, libraries, and barnes and noble to spread her love! Sugar is a 4 year old great pyreneese who loves to sleep in her spare time!

She doesn't love to dress up - but her small dog owner friends insist - so she plays along for the pictures!