In elementary school I was given the chance in fourth and fifth grade to help out as either a crossing guard, food service/dishwasher in the kitchen, helping in the library or in the office. I think because my best friend was helping do food service, as well as the cutest boy in school, I decided to try that first. After burning myself and hating the smell of ammonia I decided that I couldn't be bought by just a free lunch and a chance to look at the boy who wouldn't speak to me, so I changed over to working in the library. It was like heaven. It was quiet and we were allowed to check out more than the regular seven books! (I used to ask people if they would checkout books for me because I was always at my limit!) On Fridays we would get to choose a treat from a big bowl of goodies. I managed to lose a tooth in a Rollo! Ah, memories...
 
Now I get paid to work in a book store! How great is that? I have to say that a big sum from that check goes right back into the store.... It's a little dangerous.
 
I love to learn new things and translating the words and pictures of a book into something I've made in person is a huge thrill ("Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones", Betty Crocker's "Cooky Book"). Most of the fiction that I read is a bit on the odd-ball side ("The True Confessions of Max Tivoli" by Andrew Sean Greer) or a classic ("Rebecca" by Daphne Du Maurier). Sometimes both! ("A Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde). And then I still get caught up in kids' books ("The Pink Refrigerator" by Tim Egan) and just about anything that will make me laugh ("Don't Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!" by Mo Willems) or have a deep thought ("Little People in the City: The Street Art of Slinkachu").

• Rustic Desserts  -  Delish!
• Time Travelers series by Linda Buckley-Archer  -  What a truly historic adventure.
• Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket  -  Off-kilter and funny
• The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas  -  A classic with a revengeful twist.
• Drama of the Gifted Child by Alice Miller  -  Whew! This book changed my life.
• Magic Books by Esther K. Smith  -  Making magic out of paper
• Hayfever by Noel Coward  -  Coward is my favorite playwright.
• Bend the Rules Sewing by Amy Karol  -  Such sweet, simple projects. Love her blog!
• The Arrival by Shaun Tan  -  Such an incredible, beautiful and poignent book...without words!
• Goodnight, Mr. Tom by Michelle Magorian  -  A quiet, moving story about a boy and an old man learning to trust again. (My favorite since middle school.)
• The Principles of Uncertainty by Maria Kalman  -  Quirky illustrations to go along with the stories that make up her life.