Summer reading-go to your local library!

So those of you who know me can attest to this- I am an avid reader. Every Wednesday my kids and I head to the library and I pick up my holds and grab a stack of home decorating books while I am at it. I let my kids fill a big bag full of whatever books they want and we read those books until next week when we return them and get more. My good friend Holly who lives down the street from me is a book reviewer (the link to her blog is here) so I get plenty of good reading material from her as well. 

In case you are squinting trying to read the spines-from left to right- a Chinese LDS hymnbook, A Year Down Yonder (Richard Peck), Inspired You (Miss Mustard Seed), The trial of Mary Lou (Ron Carter) The Nesting Place (Myquilyn Smith, and My Dear Sisters (Gordon B Hinckley)

When I was at the Library this week I saw the summer program advertisements getting set up (school is almost over), I got excited! Last summer I made a halfhearted but decent effort to participate in the programs for adults and I ended up winning some small prizes like a free car wash- can’t sneeze at that! 

Also did you know that reading is incredibly beneficial? No really it is! Go here for a long list of articles about the benefits of reading! Did you know that the CDC report says "In 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended that children watch no more than 1 to 2 hours of "quality programming" per day," If you have kids at home this summer those 1-2 hours will go by very quickly which is just one more reason to get them involved in reading!

 So today I have a challenge for you (I heard that moaning!) Go to your local library- or the website for your local library, and see what programs they have in your area! Most libraries have programs for all different ages including children and teens. It can be a really great way to stay motivated to learn over the summer vacation! I set a personal goal to participate on my own and with my kids in the summer reading programs too!

It might be just what you need to help you look forward to a productive and relaxing summer (because reading can be relaxing)! 
*Too see some of my favorite books click here to go to my amazon read and loved wishlist page. It is a list of books that I find myself rereading the most often-as well as some of my kids favorites most of them are books I have in my own home for keeps!

Ham Gravy for Easter, and a Bunny

We celebrated our Easter dinner with a simple but sweet table set up. Some candles and striped napkins were the stars. The Ham gravy was amazing (as was the ham) and I hope we can all agree that there is nothing so savory as fluffy mashed potatoes with ham gravy on them.

The simplest of Ham Gravy’s:

The drippings of a baked ham –get the drippings before you put the sweet sugar, mustard or honey glaze on the ham. That way it is just a pure ham taste.

Cornstarch mixed with cold water.

Bring dripping’s to a boil.

While stirring constantly, drizzle the cornstarch and COLD water mixture into the boiling drippings until the gravy is the desired consistency.

Enjoy with mashed potatoes-although we all know it’s good enough to eat  plain.

*Taste the drippings to make sure they are not too salty (it is highly unlikely that you will ever need to add salt to ham drippings)

The bunny who you can see in this picture (deepest apology's for the poor lighting) is named Peter and is our official family bunny. I had a  bunny who looked just like him when I was a girl, and he was named peter, because of the peter rabbit story's don't-ya- know. I am pretty sure we ate him when he grew up.

We wont eat this peter rabbit- because he is made plastic-I mean the kids might try to eat him, but I don't think they will have much luck. He is pretty sturdy for a little guy. 

The end.

I hope you are all pulling out your old copies of "The Velveteen Rabbit" and the "Tale of Peter Rabbit" and just to be thorough "The tale of Benjamin Bunny" because I know I have to when I get that itch or the book worm part of my brain pokes me for a few days out of revenge for being ignored. I start to worry that someday no one will remember those books, and that would be tragic. Lets face it classics are classics.

Have an Awesome Monday everyone.