Love's Coming

She had looked for his coming as warriors come,

With the clash of arms and the bugle's call;

But he came instead with a stealthy tread,

Which she did not hear at all.

She had thought how his armor would blaze in the sun,

As he rode like a prince to claim his bride:

In the sweet dim light of the falling night

She found him at her side.

She had dreamed how the gaze of his strange, bold eye

Would wake her heart to a sudden glow:

She found in his face the familiar grace

Of a friend she used to know.

She had dreamed how his coming would stir her soul,

As the ocean is stirred by the wild storm's strife:

He brought her the balm of a heavenly calm,

And a peace which crowned her life.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

God Bless Our Baby Book Review

Title: God Bless Our Baby

Author: Hannah C. Hall

Genre: Christian, Children, Family, New Baby

Plot: There's a new special someone on the way, a cute little baby to play with and love! As each animal family {from pigs and bears to squirrels and bunnies} get ready for their special new baby or babies to arrive, so too will the readers as they get ready for their own babies to arrive. Filled with bright colorful pictures and beautiful lyrical script, children of all ages will delight in this treasure, especially if it relates to their newest family member.

Likes/Dislikes: I read this to my three year old and seven month old. The toddler oohed and aahed at all the cute animals and enjoyed the story, especially where it related to being a big sister. The baby cooed at the squirrels and pigs, the brightest colored pages so win-win. I especially loved it; I spent last year tracking down every book on new babies I could find for my toddler before her sister came but this one is the only Christian one I've come across and it's adorable! Would recommend to anyone with second or third babies on the way!

Rating: G- all ages. Highly recommended.

Date Review Written: February 18th, 2017

I received this book from the publishers for this review. I wasn't required to write a positive review and the opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Love's Language

How does Love speak?

In the faint flush upon the telltale cheek,

And in the pallor that succeeds it; by

The quivering lid of an averted eye--

The smile that proves the parent to a sigh

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

By the uneven heart-throbs, and the freak

Of bounding pulses that stand still and ache,

While new emotions, like strange barges, make

Along vein-channels their disturbing course;

Still as the dawn, and with the dawn's swift force--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the avoidance of that which we seek--

The sudden silence and reserve when near--

The eye that glistens with an unshed tear--

The joy that seems the counterpart of fear,

As the alarmed heart leaps in the breast,

And knows, and names, and greets its godlike guest--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the proud spirit suddenly grown meek--

The haughty heart grown humble; in the tender

And unnamed light that floods the world with splendor;

In the resemblance which the fond eyes trace

In all fair things to one beloved face;

In the shy touch of hands that thrill and tremble;

In looks and lips that can no more dissemble--

Thus doth Love speak.

How does Love speak?

In the wild words that uttered seem so weak

They shrink ashamed in silence; in the fire

Glance strikes with glance, swift flashing high and higher,

Like lightnings that precede the mighty storm;

In the deep, soulful stillness; in the warm,

Impassioned tide that sweeps through throbbing veins,

Between the shores of keen delights and pains;

In the embrace where madness melts in bliss,

And in the convulsive rapture of a kiss--

Thus doth Love speak.

~ Ella Wheeler Wilcox

How To Be a Woman Book Review

Title: How To Be a Woman

Author: Caitlin Moran

Genre: Nonfiction, Memoir, Feminist, Coming-of-Age,

Plot: Modern woman has made considerable strides since witch burnings and getting the vote but they still have murky waters to navigate today. Many of the looming objects in those murky waters include waxings, ill-fitting bras, careers and whether or not they should have children.

With a touch of hilarity, plenty of hard earned self-experience and wisdom, Caitlin Moran gives her decided opinion on first world women's issues, concerns and difficulties as well as sharing her own experiences growing up, becoming a woman, wife, mother and writer.

Likes/Dislikes: I got this from our local library as a blind date {so fun} and was wary. I don't consider myself a feminist and look at feminists suspiciously. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Moran and I agreed on a lot of points - most particularly that it isn't man verses woman, everyone just needs to be polite to each other. However, I very strongly oppose her views on abortion. I'm Catholic and a mother; I could never ever abort my baby and it breaks my heart to read accounts of abortions. Those poor sweet babies. And chapter two was very shocking. Avoid if possible. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It was very funny and interesting. Lady Gaga is not a good role model btw.

Rating: PG-18 and up, mature audiences only {graphic masturbation, lots of drugs and drinking, lots of talk of sex, a fairly graphic abortion, and a lot of foul language}. Proceed with caution.

Date Review Written: February 4th, 2017

How Do I Love Thee?

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee to the depth and breadth and height

My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight

For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.

I love thee to the level of every day's

Most quiet need, by sun and candlelight.

I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;

I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.

I love with a passion put to use

In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.

I love thee with a love I seemed to lose

With my lost saints, I love thee with the breath,

Smiles, tears, of all my life! and, if God choose,

I shall but love thee better after death.

~ Elizabeth Barrett Browning

A Proper Drink Book Review

Title: A Proper Drink

Author: Robert Simonson

Genre: Nonfiction, Alcohol, History,

Plot: The rise of popular cocktails and mixed drinks owes a great debt to the hardworking bartenders of the '80s and '90s who helped to reintroduce the general public to such wonderful concoctions as the Aviation, Boulevardier and Hanky Panky {popular in the roaring Twenties before Prohibition}, as well as chronically the invention of delicious new drinks such as the Espresso Martini and the Cosmopolitan.

Compiled from over two hundred interviews and extensive research, this is the first ever complete history of modern cocktail drinking. In addition to all this interesting information and intriguing history, there are also forty drink recipes that the reader can make themselves and sip on as they continue reading this book.

Likes/Dislikes: To be perfectly honest, I haven't finished this book and I doubt I will. The writing style is horrible. Very stiff and very confusing as it jumps from historical person/event/location to the next without warning and without bothering to help the reader keep track of who's who before bouncing off again. I was under the impression this would be a wonderfully interesting, engaging book about drinking making with fun historical facts and lots of recipes. The only cool thing was the bit on the Cosmo and about three or four recipes that actually sound good. Its probably just me but this book was a disappointment,

Rating: PG-16 and up {its all about drinking, with mild language a few times}

Date Review Written: February 4th, 2017

I received a copy of this book courtesy of Blogging for Books and wasn't required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.

Always Marry An April Girl

Praise the spells and bless the charms,

I found April in my arms.

April golden, April cloudy,

Gracious, cruel, tender, rowdy;

April soft in flowered languor,

April cold with sudden anger,

Ever changing, ever true --

I love April, I love you.

~ Ogden Nash