Bella's Beauty Day

Bella went for her pampering at Petco. Hair, nails, the works! I loved the welcome sign they had out for all of their canine customers :)

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin

Please Look After Mom was a heartbreaking read that tells the story of a Korean woman who is left behind at the Seoul subway station and goes missing completely. Her husband and children search the city for her but mostly it is their hearts and memories of Mom that are searched and related here in this story. Did any of them truly know Mom, what her hopes and dreams were? How could they have lost her so long ago and not even have seen it? This novel brought up so many thoughts and feelings that cross any cultural divide and speaks to all of us about what is most important in life and how we need to see past the business or busy-ness of our everyday lives and connect more deeply with our closest, most important people. If I could have just one more day to spend with my own Mom every second of it would be precious.
People are people no matter what country or culture you were raised in. All of us have dreams and the basic need for love and connection. It makes me so sad to think of all of the countless souls out there in the world that feel that they are pretty much alone, without a feeling of purpose or appreciation.
This was a wonderful story about family and love that will stay with me for a long time.

11/22/63 by Stephen King

If you could go back in time and change an event, which one would it be and why? How would that alter the course of history? This is the premise behind King's latest novel of that fateful day in American history when JFK was assassinated. The main character travels back to 1958 and spends some time there in preparation for foiling the attack by tracking down and killing Oswald. King has a story telling gift like no other, drawing you back in time and making you feel nostalgic for those simpler times. I really loved the book although I think it could have been a lot shorter and still been effective. 840 pages is a pretty hefty read.
When all is said and done, the past just does not want to be changed.
It's a Wonderful Life just like it is!

Sarah's Key

Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay- 5 out of 5 stars and very highly recommended. This is the story of the Vel' d'Hiv roundup in France in July of 1942 of French Jewish citizens that were herded into the Velodrome by the French police and then transported to their deaths at Auschwitz. I had never heard of this event prior to reading this book, sadly. Now it is something that I will never forget.
This brilliantly told story goes back and forth between Sarah in 1942 and Julia in Paris, France 2002. As the French police bang on Sarah's family's apartment door to gather them up she locks her young brother into a secret cupboard to keep him safe for now, to be retrieved shortly. What follows is a heartbreaking story of losses that are too enormous to even comprehend.
The story of Julia, an American living in Paris with her husband and daughter takes place in 2002. She is a journalist assigned to cover the story of the 60th Anniversary of the Vel'd'Hiv roundup where she learns of Sarah and their connection. One that will change her life forever.
I really could not put this book down and will always remember and pray for these innocents, most of them were children.

flower chick

Cute Easter decorations made of styrofoam forms and paper flowers. I am going to try making these myself with the Stampin' Up three flower punch.

Interlake HS Band

Last week at IHS for the high school preview and band performances that the middle schools check out each February. It was great fun to see them perform with the older kids and felt like just yesterday when we were there doing this. Next we'll be looking at colleges!
The IHS band is really huge. Billy is in back with the percussion section.

Pottery Barn tablescape

This is a lovely Easter tablescape display at the Pottery Barn that inspired me to start planning for the holiday. Much prettier in real life! I loved the pussywillow branches with crystals where the buds should be, the pastel egg ornaments, glass cloches with bunny on the grass, lots of white dishes, pastel and green accents. So classic spring!