Answers to comments and a few links

Tim Challies has begun a new blog called 10 Million Words where he plans to review all the books which show up on the New York Times (Nonfiction) Bestsellers list in 2010 as a look into the books affecting (and reflecting) today's culture.  I have been anticipating this since he first announced the idea.  It also provides a snapshot of books that have tweaked my curiosity. 

As one who was mentored (through books) by the Schaeffer's, I find the idea of looking at modern culture through media interesting.  Francis Schaeffer would often use a recent film or popular book as a basis of discussion at L'Abri.  I have seen Ravi Zacharias and his associates use the same concept. In one of their lectures, they mentioned The Matrix as having opened many doors for discussion all over the world.

Ann at Holy Experience has a link to her list of family favorite books... here.  It contains her "best books for boys" and "best books for girls" lists, in addition to other good books.  Great suggestions!  I love it when I see rather obscure authors our family loves recommended on another blog.  Just another proof they are likeminded sojourners.  :)

Sharon Lovejoy offers us a peek into her new book with some very cute ideas for indoor gardening with the kids during these cold weather months... here. 

Regarding questions asked in comments...

Thank you for the comment that my newer posts are better than the older.  In the first year of blogging, I wasn't sure where I was going with Coffee Tea Books & Me so I must admit to being more "general" in my writing at first.  The longer I blog, the more I feel free to show my entire personality... for better or worse.  :)

I have seasons where I'm thinking more about books and others where deepening the pantry is where my attention has settled for awhile.  Then there is tea time, and gardening, and cooking, and decorating, and deep ponderings.  Basically... I write where I am at the moment.  Now, half way through my fourth year of blogging, I don't think as much about who is reading but what there is to write about.

Which also frees me from noticing much if numbers go up and down as I've come to realize there will always be a core community of likeminded people while others come and go.  I am always amazed (and humbled) that the core group has continued to grow over the years.

Yes, I have been told many times throughout the years that I should be writing books.  I will leave that to my talented author friends.  Blogging is good and much cheaper than seeing a therapist in this rather upside down world we find ourselves.  :)

My brother-in-law is still hanging on.  He is in the hospital but no longer in intensive care.  I'm still thinking the doctors wanted to keep him alive through the Holiday Season if at all possible.  I also know my sister and how she says she understands this time he will not get well enough to come home but holds on to hope that he will... sigh. 

The round bread on my tea tray is Arnold's multi-grain Sandwich Thins.  This new thin style of sandwich bun has been around for awhile but I didn't try them until my husband brought home sandwiches from a church luncheon which had been made with them... yummy.  They are lower carb and can be used for everything from sandwich buns to... cinnamon toast.  :)

Jody, I don't know what happened with that anticipated law which would make selling old books illegal.  Probably the same thing as the ridiculous law which would stop the selling of used toys.  I never took the time to find out how much of the rumor was truth and what was hype... probably a little of both.

Added Note:  Mama Squirrel commented as follows (can you tell I'm really behind in reading blogs... Dewey's Treehouse is on both my Bloglines and Google Reader feeds!)

Mama Squirrel said...

Brenda, are you referring to the CPSIA making the selling of pre-1985 children's books illegal, among the other problems it has caused? It's not a rumour--I've been blogging about it all year and so have others including the Deputy Headmistress at The Common Room. "Overlawyered" is another good source of current news on this legislation. Small businesses have been affected, thrift shops have dumped toys and zipper-containing children's clothing, and well-known European toymakers (Brio, Selecta) have decided not to sell their (already-tested-to-be-safe) products in the U.S. anymore. And yes, it is technically illegal now to sell those older children's products at your yard sale. http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/thrift/thrguid.pdf There have been certain extensions and stays of testing, but no, the law did take effect almost a year ago--it's no rumour.

My county library didn't have any Goudge books but I found a few at the library near the University.  Which doesn't really surprise me as the county library sale is where I find old books which have been removed from the shelves.

Stephanie loved The City of the Bells so I'm hoping the library has a copy of that title available.

Thank you for the food and diet recommendations.  They included foods I hadn't thought which I could use for snacks even when I am not hungry and during the late evening when I need a small snack.  Since my insulin intake was raised quite substantially, I must eat to prevent low blood sugar (a constant balancing act of complex carb and protein).

My mother's brother also developed Juvenile Diabetes in mid-life.  He died from complications of diabetes when I was a child and I remember what a horrible life he had in his last few years.  How thankful I am for our modern insulin... both short term and long term.  I may complain about taking six shots a day but all I have to do is think of what my uncle went through and needles are not so bad.

Picture:  Sharing Grandma's Cookies; allposters.com