First off, I just want to say thank you to all of you that helped me with my thrift store finds from my last post. I have decided to leave the bowl as is (I did put a coat of stain on it just to make it look nice and smart), I took the handle off the candle holder but I am keeping it just in case I change my mind. I really like it both ways. I will show some pictures of them on my next post. Also, I wanted to answer a few questions that I have been recently asked. No, I did not make the dolly that is in the picture on my new header. I usually do make all my dolls, but this one was only $4.99 at a craft store in Logan, Utah. At first, I couldn't figure out why she was so cheap, and quite frankly, I didn't care. I just snatched her up at took her home. Upon further inspection of her, I realized that her legs were sewn on backward. I soon had her all set to rights. I do love her. She's a cutie! The stars on the platter are a stencil of sorts. You know those little gold foil star stickers???? I stuck those around the edge and painted over them. Then once the paint was dry, I peeled them off. You can see where some of the paint seeped through on a few of the stars.....oops! Then I sanded and stained it. And, on a silly note...I just can't tell you how excited I get when I see that someone new is "following" me! I just feel like I have acquired a new friend! Okay...onto what I really wanted to post about today. I have always loved to read. My Grandma used to read this book to me all the time. We would sit in her green velvety recliner with an afghan over our legs and she would read this book to me while pointing at the words. Then, one day, as if by magic, I could read the words, too. I was about 4 years old. Since then, I have read many, many books. Sometimes at the expense of my poor children. (I heard this a lot....."Mom.....WHEN are you going to get done reading THAT BOOK?!?!") This book was one that my parents brought home to me right after we moved to England. It was one among many. I still remember the day....they also brought me home a copy of David Copperfield and Alice in Wonderland, which I still have as well. Back then, I kept a dictionary with my books so I could look up the definitions of the words I didn't understand. I recently re-read Pollyanna. At the time, I had taken to reading easy books, one, because it they have a simple story line, and two, I can usually finish them in one sitting. We all remember the story of Pollyanna, right? In this story, Pollyanna Whittier is the daughter of a poor minister who plays the Glad Game wherever she goes. After her father dies, she is sent to live with her aunt Polly, who is by all accounts, an unhappy and lonely spinster. When Pollyanna arrives in her new home, she soon transforms those around her with her continuous positive attitude. It is a must read for everyone. Is anyone up for a round of the Glad Game? :) Makenzie, knowing my love of books, gave me a Barnes and Noble gift card for Christmas. The book, These is My Words came highly recommended by a few friends of mine. So, I picked it up along with the 2 that came after it. I simply cannot tell you how much I enjoyed reading these books. They are books that have a lot of historic value as well as character building examples. They are also books that I would feel comfortable having my children read. It is the story (in journal form) of a young girl named Sarah Agnes Prine. It chronicles the Prine family as they travel from Texas to Arizona in search of a better life. The three books cover a couple of decades. If you have a chance to pick up these books, you won't be sorry! Happy reading!