Happy Monday Everyone!!!  This is going to be a very busy week and I won’t be on the computer much….ok…you can all stop jumping up and down with joy because you won’t have to listen to me chatter, gab, talk, ramble on since my fingers take the place of my mouth in bloggyland, but I have signed up for the Winter’s Respite Read-A-Thon this week (more info in this posting).  And then this weekend, my friend Gina, from Hott Books suggested told me I had to sign up for Bloggiesta…lol…she doesn’t realize the joke is on her…since, as everyone knows, that I am soooo computer illiterate, she just might have to drive 5 hours to my house to sit beside me to get me through this challenge….lol…Gina…hope you got a full tank of gas in your car!!!!  So my posts for the weeks are all drafted, my books are lined up and I will be checking in occasionally when I need a change in position or my eyes need a break from reading.

I hope you don’t mind but I would like to share some wonderful news I received, and for all you mothers out there, you will understand, what I am feeling.  And for those with little ones, treasure each and every moment, because the time goes by in the snap of your fingers.  It seems just like yesterday that I was being wheeled out of the OR after having a Csection under general anesthesia and the nurse placing a beautiful baby boy on the gurney with me and saying “meet Mark James”, our 2nd baby boy.  Well, Mark graduated last week from Eastern Kentucky University in a very specialized field, Fire and Safety Engineering.  Not only did he receive his B.S., but he graduated Magna Cum Laude and working a full time job throughout his college years.  My baby is all grown up.  His Dad and I are so proud of him, his accomplishments and the man he has become.  And add to this, his gf Jess, my reading buddy, who we absolutely love and adore!!

Jess and my youngest son, Mark

Questions:

1. Do you like your ice cream in a dish, waffle cone, pretzel cone, sugar cone or cake cone?
My first choice would be a cup because my favorite comfort food is a 5 scoop
sundae from Friendly’s , and my second choice would be a sugar cone with ice cream. 

2. Do you read the newspaper daily?
I used to but it seemed that the cost of the paper kept increasing but
the paper kept decreasing.  Now we only get the weekend paper delivered

3. Marinara or meat sauce?
Being Italian, we call it a meat sauce “gravy”

4. Last time you cried?
2 months ago

5. What word/phrase do you find really annoying?
The “N” word

I’m super excited…can’t wait for an excuse to sit around and read! I don’t care what needs to be done around the house (aside from my writing goals). I’m going to read, read, read! Here are the dates and times for the read-a-thon: Monday, January 17 at 12 am until Sunday, January 23 at 11:59 pm (adjust your time zone as appropriate…I’m on central time). As I’m pretty sure there are no other read-a-thons that week (I checked and double checked so as to not intrude on someone else’s event), we will be using #readathon hashtag on Twitter. I would really appreciate any help in spreading the word. Also, if there are any bloggers and/or authors out there who would like to host a mini-challenge/giveaway during the event, please email me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom. Also, please email me or leave a comment if you have any questions. You can sign up and participate at any time during the read-a-thon…this is a flexible event. I hope you will join me for a week of reading fun!
Want to join?  It’s not to late!!  And….what’s one more little challenge to add to all the ones you already have?  And if you join this one……then you should join the one that Gina and I are hosting….The Reading Challenge Addict Challenge  lol.

 

It is definitely from other bloggers’ reviews that I not only find new books to read but am also introduced to new authors.  Before blogging, I had a list of many authors that I liked and would usually just read their books unless if I saw a book that caught my eye either in the library or at a book store.  But this past year, my personal tbr list has become my bucket list.  There are still some genres that other bloggers read and review with high ratings, which I respect, but I know or maybe I should say I think, I wouldn’t enjoy.  I have also found, from bloggers, a lot of sites, to obtain books.  There are many great advantages being a part of this community!

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
                                                  Tuesday                            Wednesday

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!

 

People have commented on my big brown eyes.

5. Soft cookies or crunchy cookies?

Chewy!!!!



 

It is definitely from other bloggers’ reviews that I not only find new books to read but am also introduced to new authors.  Before blogging, I had a list of many authors that I liked and would usually just read their books unless if I saw a book that caught my eye either in the library or at a book store.  But this past year, my personal tbr list has become my bucket list.  There are still some genres that other bloggers read and review with high ratings, which I respect, but I know or maybe I should say I think, I wouldn’t enjoy.  I have also found, from bloggers, a lot of sites, to obtain books.  There are many great advantages being a part of this community!

According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
                                                  Tuesday                            Wednesday

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!

 

People have commented on my big brown eyes.

5. Soft cookies or crunchy cookies?

Chewy!!!!



This week’s musing is a simple one to start off the new year…
How many books did you read in 2010? If you had a reading goal, did you meet it? What books are you most looking forward to reading for 2011 (either new, OR ones that have sat on your shelves for a while)?
  I read 65 books in 2010.  I am disappointed with that number, however, I am thinking that I guess it isn’t too bad since I had 2+ months that I didn’t read due to my surgeries in April and then a slump in September/October.  I had signed up for the 2010 100+ Challenge, not expecting to finish it but seeing how close I could get, since this was my first year at blogging and reviewing and had never kept track of my books in the past.
  For 2011, I am changing some of my reading habits.  I read like a robot in 2010, reading books in the order of receiving them, no matter what mood I was in.  In 2011 I will be taking the liberty of choosing books from my request pile, out of order, and also selecting books from my personal pile.  I think that was a reason for the slump I had in September.  However, I will be guaranteeing 3-4 ARCs a month.  So yes, there are quite a few books that are on my shelves that I can’t wait to pick up.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before sharing my mailbox, I want to thank Rose City Reader for generously hosting this meme in January.

“Meet Me On Monday!”
  Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
  Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
  “Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better….one Monday at a time!!!”….as quoted by the Chacogirl!!

Because it is still difficult for me to stand and bend from

This week’s musing is a simple one to start off the new year…
How many books did you read in 2010? If you had a reading goal, did you meet it? What books are you most looking forward to reading for 2011 (either new, OR ones that have sat on your shelves for a while)?
  I read 65 books in 2010.  I am disappointed with that number, however, I am thinking that I guess it isn’t too bad since I had 2+ months that I didn’t read due to my surgeries in April and then a slump in September/October.  I had signed up for the 2010 100+ Challenge, not expecting to finish it but seeing how close I could get, since this was my first year at blogging and reviewing and had never kept track of my books in the past.
  For 2011, I am changing some of my reading habits.  I read like a robot in 2010, reading books in the order of receiving them, no matter what mood I was in.  In 2011 I will be taking the liberty of choosing books from my request pile, out of order, and also selecting books from my personal pile.  I think that was a reason for the slump I had in September.  However, I will be guaranteeing 3-4 ARCs a month.  So yes, there are quite a few books that are on my shelves that I can’t wait to pick up.

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before sharing my mailbox, I want to thank Rose City Reader for generously hosting this meme in January.

“Meet Me On Monday!”
  Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
  Every Sunday I will post five get to know you questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
  “Its a great way to to meet new friends and for others to get to know me better….one Monday at a time!!!”….as quoted by the Chacogirl!!

Because it is still difficult for me to stand and bend from

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before sharing my mailbox with you, I want to give a big shout out to Lady Q for hosting this month.  And I think everyone will agree as to the wonderful job she did.  Except for posting all those images of desserts, whereas I put on weight just looking at them  lol.  So Lady Q…Thank you!!
                                             
                                             12/20  Mon                    12/22 Wed.  Won

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
Questions:

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”
Before sharing my mailbox with you, I want to give a big shout out to Lady Q for hosting this month.  And I think everyone will agree as to the wonderful job she did.  Except for posting all those images of desserts, whereas I put on weight just looking at them  lol.  So Lady Q…Thank you!!
                                             
                                             12/20  Mon                    12/22 Wed.  Won

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
Questions:

Mailbox Monday was created by Marcia of The Printed Page and is now on tour.
According to Marcia, “Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.”

“Meet Me On Monday!”
Blogging is a funny thing…we tell our most intimate thoughts for all to read and yet most of the time I find myself sitting and wondering, “who is this person!?” I know them…but yet I don’t know them! I want to know who the person is behind all those words so I thought of a great way for all of us to “meet” each other!
Questions:

First we start with: Example of an Italian Christmas feast (from an email I received)

ANTIPASTO then LASAGNA or MANICOTTI (depending on what you had last year) with MEAT IN THE GRAVY then SOUP
Now we get to the Meal:
TURKEY
STUFFING
ROASTED POTATOES
BROCCOLI RABE
ROASTED RED PEPPERS
SAUTEED MUSHROOMS
SAUTEED STRINGBEANS ALMONDINE
THE BREAD (that nonna made)
and GOD FORBID YOU FORGET THE SALAD!!!
To wash it all down, we had:
HOMEMADE WINE
 CHESTNUTS
MIXED NUTS
FRESH FRUIT
DRIED FIGS
and FINOCCHIO
Then we started the dessert:
ITALIAN COOKIES
SFOGLIATELLE
 CANNOLIS’
and ITALIAN PASTRY (just in case we missed something)
During this feast we enjoyed a nice EXPRESSO with
MARIE BRIZARD ANISETTE or
ROMANA SAMBUCA
Then after that we needed a little something for DIGESTIVO
AVERNA