Kicking Habit to Buy Bookcases!

'LESS TIM'S = A BILLY BOOKCASE'

CHALLENGE

Cutting down on my Tim Horton's Spending will enable me to buy the bookcases I have wanted forever! Good -bye 'Large with one cream' , hello bookcases! Yes, I will miss my daily trip to Tim Hortons, a traditional event in my day that brings me happiness, BUT I really want those...........Bookcases! (I know I am a geek.)

How will my challenge work?

My Billy Bookcases, from Ikea, will cost me $414; if I cut out my Tim Horton's spending 6 days a week for 41 weeks and 4 days, I will be able to buy my Bookcases!

Less Tim's = Billy Bookcase Challenge

Rules:

1. One Tim Horton's Visit Per Week!
2. Cup o'Joe allowed from home.
3. Can accept Tim's from compasionate Friends.
4. Any (lack of will power) slips will be penalized by extra days of saving.

'Less Tim's = Billy Bookcase' Challenge will run from Dec. 1/08 - Sept. 14/09.

Start your own challenge! Lets do it together, there is strength in numbers, right? Let me know what your challenge is about.

Happy Saving!

Sales Worth Mentioning..

Sales Worth Mentioning..

High Country Framing and Art Gallery
Christmas Framing Sale - 30% OFF or 35% for 3 or more pictures.

Mark's Work Wearhouse
$10 off when you spend $50 or more until Dec. 31.

TB!S The Bargain Shop
Starting Dec. 1st, EVERY $10 SPENT MON-FRI, GETS YOU ONE $5
WINTER WEEKEND SAVER to use on the weekend.

Shoppers Drug Mart
Sat. Nov. 29, 20x the points when you spend $50 or more!

Any other great deals, let me know!

Happy Shopping!

Great Grocery Savings This Monday and Tuesday!

Great Grocery Savings This Monday and Tuesday!

During the Christmas season we usually entertain more, indulge in yummy sweets and enjoy delicious food. This without a doubt increases our grocery spending. To save money on my Christmas groceries this year I am going to buy the non- perishable items this Monday or Tuesday. I hope to take advantage of the savings below.

Coupons - Extra Foods
Family Appreciation Days Clip'n Save on Monday, December 1st and Tuesday December 2nd.
15% off your first $100
12% off your first $50
10% off your first $25

IGA - 10% OFF TUESDAY, Dec. 2nd.

Safeway - 10% OFF TUESDAY, Dec. 2nd.

How do you save money on your Christmas groceries? Let me know.

Happy Shopping!

Have you gotten your hands on December's Book?

Have you gotten your hands on December's Book?

The Swallows Of Kabul written by Yasmina Khadra is our December's book. For more information about it go to the earlier post under December's Book on 'Tea Time'. Let me know if you have any problems getting this book.

Looking for suggestions for January's Book, please let me know if you have some ideas.

I am always interested in what books people are reading and what they think of them. Please don't feel obligated to only comment on the book of the month, let me know what you are reading!

Happy Reading!!

Some of This Week's Deals

Here are some of the deals I have come across for this week:
Extra Foods - COUPONS

$25 Gift Card with a minimum purchase of $200.
Coupon must be presented to the cashier at time of purchase.
Offer starts Sat. Nov. 22nd and goes until Fri, Nov. 28th.

Get a FREE Pampers mega wipes refill
when you buy a Pamper's Club pack diaper
Coupon has a $7.99 value
Nov. 22nd-Nov 28th.

Safeway- Air Miles
Earn up to 640 Air Miles reward miles this week!

Purex Bathroom Tissue
$6.99ea, BUY 2 EARN 50
limit 4

Gourmet Meat Shoppe Stuffed Chicken Breasts, assorted varieties
3 for $9.99, BUY 3 EARN 30
Frozen, 284g

Gourmet Meat Shoppe Stuffed Jalepeno Peppers, frozen, 454g
$6.49ea, BUY 2 EARN 15

Safeway Select Beef and cheddar firecrackers, frozen
3 for $9.99, BUY 2 EARN 15

Gourmet Seafood Shoppe Crab and Fish cakes, frozen 500g
$7.99, BUY 2 EARN 25

Gourmet Seafood Shoppe Breaded Butterfly Shrimp, frozen, 227g
$5.49ea, BUY 2 EARN 20

Buy 1 Get 1 Free

Kraft Peanut Butter, Assorted Varieties, 750g-1kg
Vim Cleaners, Selected varieties, 500mL - 1L
Vlasic Pickles, assorted Varieties, 1L
Canola Harvest Canola Oil, 1.42Litre

Carrie's Pick

Catelli Pasta, 2 for $6
Green Giant Canned Vegetables, 4 for $5
Campbell's Tomato Soup, 4 for $3
Healthy Choice Pasta Sauce, 2 for $6
Clover Leaf Light Skipjack Tuna, 4 for $5
Maxwell House Coffee, $6.99
Tetley Pekoe Tea, 72's, 2 for $8
Crest Toothpaste 4 for $5

Lots of good mix and matchs.

If you are planning on purchasing Holiday Gift Cards, there are 2 coupons:

10 BONUS AIR MILES, when you purchase $50 in gift cards.

25 BONUS AIR MILES, when you purchase $100 in gift cards.

Coupon: Earn 100 Bonus Air Miles when you spend $100 at Safeway Wine and Spirits.
Nov. 23-Nov. 29.

Happy Shopping!

Put On Your Sunday Clothes

The movie Wall e is very popular in our household right now. We saw it in the theatres and recently rented it. Great flick! Click the link for 'Put On Your Sunday Clothes', a great song from the movie!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eeiohJn1sQ
Let me know what you thought of it.

My Favorite Part of The Shack

Chapter Fourteen, Verbs and Other Freedoms, page two hundred and five,

"Then let's use your two words: responsibility and expectation. Before your words became nouns, they were first my words, nouns with movement and experience buried inside of them; the ability to respond and expectancy. My words are alive and dynamic-full of life and possibility; yours are dead, full of law and fear and judgement. That is why you won't find the word responsibility in the Scriptures."

This is such a great piece that it is the only one I will put in this post. Thoughts on this one......

Happy Reading!!

Chapter's Twice As Nice Giftcard

I visited Chapter's yesterday, as I do regularly, and as I entered the store a nice lady handed me the TWICE AS NICE GIFTCARD. The giftcard, which read: worth up to $5000! Use this card twice on purchases of $50 or more. Valid until December 24, 08. Chapters, Indigo, COLES, was nicely folded inside a colourful card.

Upon further investigation, I learned that if I purchase $50 or more (after discounts and before taxes) with this Twice As Nice Card, I have a chance at a discount of $5, $10, $25, $100, or $2500!!

This is the kind of gambling I like, I can't lose, and it gets even better. I can use my Twice As Nice Card again on another purchase of $50 or more (within 24 hours of my last purchase) and have a chance at a discount of $10, $20, $50, $200, or $5000!
For more details, click on the link below:
http://indigo.ca/twice-as-nice-giftcard/twiceasnice_giftcard-artnb.html

If you were planning to buy Christmas gifts at any of the above stores, or to buy something for yourself, this card is definitely something to consider.
Happy Shopping!

Tim Bits!

I had surgery on my knee on November 10th and recovery seems to be taking forever. To help lift my mood I have come up with 10 things that I am grateful for as I go about my day with my crutches, positioned under my arms.

Click the link to see 10 things I am thankful for in my Recovery World.
http://www.teatimewithcarrie.blogspot.com/

Happy Reading!

Emotions are the Colours of the Soul!

A few more interesting quotes from 'The Shack":

Chapter Twelve, In The Belly Of The Beast, page one hundred seventy nine,

"As well -intentioned as it might be, you know that religious machinery can chew up people!" Jesus said with a bite of his own. "An awful lot of what is done in my name has nothing to do with me and is often, even if unintentional, very contrary to my purposes."

Chapter Twelve, In The Belly Of The Beast, page one hundred eighty one,

"..This whole thing is a process, not an event. All I want from you is to trust me with what little you can, and grow in loving people around you with the same love I share with you. It's not your job to change them, or to convince them. You are free to love without an agenda."

Chapter Thirteen, A Meeting Of Hearts, page one hundred eighty five,

"Mack, just because I work incredible good out of unspeakable tragedies doesn't mean I orchestrate the tragedies. Don't ever assume that my using something means I caused it or that I need it to accomlish my purposes. That will only lead you to false notions about me. Grace doesn't depend on suffering to exist, but where there is suffering you will find grace in many facets and colors."

Chapter Thirteen, A Meeting Of Hearts, page one hundred eighty seven,

"Honey, you're a survivor. No shame in that. Your daddy hurt you something fierce. Life hurt you. Lies are one of the easiest places for survivors to run. It gives you a sense of safety, a place where you only have to depend on yourself. But it's a dark place, isn't it?"

"Lies are a little fortress; inside them you can feel safe and powerful. Through your little fortress of lies you try to run your life and manipulate others. But the fortress needs walls, so you build some. These are the justifications for your lies. You know, like you are doing this to protect someone you love, to keep them from feeling pain. Whatever works, just so you feel okay about the lies."

Chapter Fourteen, Verbs and Other Freedoms, page one hundred ninety six,

"Emotions are the colors of the soul; they are spectacular and incredible. When you don't feel, the world becomes dull and colorless. ....."

We are nearing the end of the first book on Tea Time please let me know what you think. Is this a good format? Any suggestions? Please let me know some of your book recommendations.

Happy Reading!!

Comment Challenged! Sorry.

I want to offer my apologies to the readers that have tried to comment and have not been able to do so. Thank you for sticking with me. I was playing around with the comment functions today and I found that if you have a problem publishing a comment:

Click the profile link
Then click anonymous.
Then add your name to your comment so we know who you are.

I hope this helps. Please email me at littlemrsw@yahoo.ca if you continue to not be able to leave your comment. Your thoughts are wanted and appreciated!
Happy Reading!!

Pinching Pennies

Safeway Coupons

So, maybe there are still coupons in Canada, they are just hiding. Check out this link for a pile of print off coupons at your local Safeway!
http://print.coupons.com/coupon.asp?id=69406514379

Happy Shopping!!

Pinching Pennies

More great deals at Shoppers Drug Mart for:

Saturday Only, November 22nd!

3.77ea, rest of week 4.99
Pantene Hair Care Products
Selected types and sizes
Limit 4

2.77ea, rest of week 3.99ea
Dove Hair Care Products
Selected types and sizes
Limit 4

17.77ea, rest of week 19.99
Crest whitestrips Dental Whitening System, 56's
Limit 4

4.77ea, rest of week 4.99ea
Listerine Mouthwash, 1L, Pocket Mist (2's), or PocketPaks (72's)
Limit 4

6.99kit, rest of week 9.99kit
Excellence or Natural Match Hair colour
Limit 4

14.77ea, rest of week 15.99ea
Huggies Pull-Ups 33's-44's, Pampers Mega, Huggies Mainline, Ultratrim or Supreme Diapers
Selected types and sizes
Limit 4

4.99ea, rest of week 6.99ea
Motrin, IB tablets (50's - 100's), Tylenol, Extra Stength caplets or EZ Tabs (100's)
Limit 4

7.77ea, rest of week 9.99ea
Duracell Mini charger 1, Pre-charged AA, AAA 4's,
Coppertop AA 16's or AAA 12's
Limit 4

1.49ea, rest of week 1.99ea
Life Brand -35 degrees Windshield Washer Fluid, 3.87L
Limit 4

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25 & WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
RECEIVE 15000 SHOPPERS OPTIMUM BONUS POINTS
WHEN YOU SPEND $100 OR MORE!

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27TH
SENIORS SAVE 20%, RECEIVE 20 FREE STAMPS WITH A PURCHASE OF $50 OR MORE

Get huge savings when you switch to Life Brand products, Compare and Save!

Shopper's sale goes for two weeks, Sat. Nov. 22nd to Fri, Dec. 5th, 2008.

M&M Meat Shops Has a Open House One Week Only Sale!
Lots of savings and a special offer of FREE Italian Style Beef Meatballs with a minimum $40 purchase (value 4.98).

Mark's Work Wearhouse, check your flyer for a $10 CASH CARD!
They are giving away 10.00 towards a purchase.
Good until Nov. 23, 08, check back of card for more details.

Mark's also is having a Storewide Savings, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 5PM - 11PM!
Friends and Family Night, Help raise $50 000 for Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Helps kids get in the game. For every purchase over $75, Mark's will donate $2!

Today is the last day for DOLLAR DAYS at IGA!

SAFEWAY
If you are an AIR MILES COLLECTOR you can earn up to 750 reward miles this week, ending Nov. 22nd. Make sure to keep your eye out for the blue signs, I have my three year old on air mile, blue sign patrol. He runs through the store pointing out the Bonus Air Mile Purchases!

In this week's flyer, pg. 1, there are three Air Mile coupons to clip out,

50 bonus air miles when you buy 2 Scott Towels
50 bonus air miles when you buy 2 Cottonelle bathroom tissue
40 bonus air miles when you buy 2 Scotties facial tissue, 6pk

SAFEWAY WINE & SPIRITS
Spend $100 and earn 100 BONUS AIR MILES reward miles!

Happy Shopping!

If you have checked out the new store in Cochrane, TB!S Bargain Store, let me know what you think of it? Will it do well?

Pinching Pennies

Shoppers Drugmart

Saturday, November 22 & 23
Beauty Bonus

Redeem 40,000 points for up to
$100 OFF
your purchase
EXTRA 25.00

Redeem 75, 000 points for up to
$200 OFF
your purchase
EXTRA 50.00

Super Save Saturday
November 22nd

2/5.88, rest of week 2/8.99
Pepsi or 7-UP
Regular or Diet
12x 355mL
Limit 4

1.77ea, rest of week 2/5.00
Lay's Cips
235g
Limit 4

1.79ea, rest of week 1.99ea
Dempster's
White or Whole Wheat
570g
Limit 4

.99ea, rest of week 1.49ea
Life Brand
Flavoured
6x500mL or
Spring Water
Limit 4

5.99ea, rest of week 7.49ea
Turtles
Original chocolate or
Toblerone 400g
Limit 4

.99ea, rest of week 1.49ea
Pringles
Potato chips
145g-170g
limit 4

2/7.00, rest of week 3.99
Nescafe rich instant coffee
150g-200g
Limit 4

1.99ea, rest of week 2.49ea
Mrs. Fields
255g-269g
or Dare Bear Paws
300g
Limit 4

40% off, rest of week 30%
QUO cosmetic brushes

4.99ea, rest of week 5.99ea
Bounce, ultra sheets, 120s
Ultra Downy, 60 loads/1.53L
Fabric softener, Gain, 1.47L
Tide laundry detergent
Limit 4

More Saturday Specials to come.

Happy Shopping!

Pinching Pennies

Grand Opening Spectacular-----The Bargain Shop---today, Friday, Nov. 21st!!
Free Lottery ticket for the first 100 customers on opening day!!!!!!
Free coffee and treats, Win 42" flat screen coulour TV, gift cards and store merchandise.

TB!S

3.47ea
NESCAFE INSTANT COFFEE
200g. Reg. Price 4.47
Limit 2/customer

22.22ea
Audiovox
DVD Player with remote
Limit 1/customer

2.33ea
Bounty 2 Ply 'Big Roll' paper towel
Single Roll Decorator Print Design
Limit 3/customer

19.97ea
Reg. price 34.99ea
Men's Levi Strauss
signature Stonewashed denim jeans

3 for 10.00
Reg. Price 4.98ea
Cambridge
Heavyweight
Cotton Bath Towels
Limit 3/customer

3.47ea
Reg. price 9.99
Curel
Body Lotion
W/pump
480mL
Limit 3/customer

19.97ea
Reg. 39.99
Ladies
Famous Brand
Denim Jeans

19.98ea
Reg. 44.99
Black & Decker
Coffee Maker
Programmable
12 cup
limit 1/customer

3.97pk
Reg. 4.99
Sunbeam
CFL light bulbs
2-pk
Limit 2/customer

2.97pk
Energizer
Alkaline Batteries
4-pk. AA
Reg. 4.24
Limit 2/customer

3.37ea
Reg. 4.47
Planters Whole Cashews
275g
Limit 4/customer

2/1.00
Reg. .87
Campbell's Sou
Assorted Flavours. 284 mL.
Limit/6 customer

This new store is located in Rockyview Mall, where SAAN used to be.

Happy Shopping!

WILD AND BEAUTIFUL!

More from November's Book, The Shack:


Chapter Nine, A Long Time Ago, In A Garden Far, Far Away
Page one hundred thirty eight

Sarayu stepped toward him until she had invaded his personal space. "And well you should, Mackenzie, because this garden is your soul. This mess is you! Together, you and I, we have been working with a purpose in your heart. And it is wild and beautiful and perfectly in process. To you it seems like a mess, but to me, I see a perfect pattern emerging and growing and alive - a living fractal."

Chapter Ten, Wade In The Water, Page one hundred fourty two,

"It is your desperate attempt to get some control over something you can't. It is impossible for you to take power over the future because it isn't real, nor will it ever be real. You try and play God, imagining the evil that you fear becoming reality, and then you try and make plans and contingencies to avoid what you fear."

Chapter Twelve, In The Belly Of The Beasts, Page one hundred seventy five,

"But why do we keep all that crap inside?" Mack asked.
"Because we believe it's safer there. And, sometimes, when you're a kid trying to survive, it really is safer there. Then you grow up on the outside, but on the inside you're still that kid in the dark cave surrounded by monsters, and out of habit you keep adding to your collection. we all collect things we value, you know?"

"So, how does that change, you know, for somebody who's lost in the dark like me?"

"Most often, pretty slowly," Jesus answered. "Remember, you can't do it alone. Some folks try with all kinds of coping mechanisms and mental games. But the monsters are still there, just waiting for the chance to come out."

"So what do I do now?"

"What you're already doing, Mack, learning to live loved........

Please don't feel obligated to comment on the snippets I pull from the book, let me know the parts you liked or didn't like. What do you think about the book in general, would you recommend it?

Happy Reading!

Seuss Wisdom

Some more Dr. Seuss:

On and on you will hike.
And I know you'll hike far
and face up to your problems
whatever they are.

You'll get mixed up, of course,
as you already know.
You'll get mixed up with many strange birds as you go.
So be sure when you step.
Step with care and great tact
and remember that Life's
a Great Balancing Act.
Just never forget to be dexterous and deft.
And never mix up your right foot and your left.

And will you succeed?
Yes! You will, indeed!
(98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
KID, YOU'LL MOVE MOUNTAINS!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!
By Dr. Seuss

I love this book. If you would like to know more about this book click on Carrie's Library on the right side of my blog.

Happy Reading!!

PINCHING PENNIES

So, why am I going to blog about my family's attempt at Pinching Pennies? Well, the truth is I have never been very conscientious about searching out the best deals or planning my shopping around the sales. Instead, I would spend when I had the money, and stay at home when I did not. Now that said, I have never been a big spender, so it hasn't been a real problem.

The idea of pinching pennies has been slowly percolating over the last six months. I saw my sister in law in June and she told me about a blog she was working on, Frugal in Virginia. Dana, my sister in law, can combine coupons with sales to practically get things for free or close to it. She saves around three hundred dollars per month. That is a substantial amount in my books!

I have been keeping an eye on her blog and also investigating how that could work here in Canada. The 'way' of the coupon is close to non existent, so what can Canadians do to stretch out their money?

I am sure that there are many of you reading this post that are already expert Penny Pincher's. I would love to get your thrifty tips.

For those rookie Penny Pincher's like my self, I hope my family's journey, to be more creative with our earnings, will be informative, funny and entertaining.

For more information about Frugal in Virginia scroll down to Dana's blog on the right side of Tea Time; check out the great money saving ideas.

I am off to hunt down some great deals!

What do you think?

Here are a few more snippets from November's Book,

Chapter Six, A Piece of Pie, Page ninety five:

"Mackenzie, the Truth shall set you free and the Truth has a name; he's over in the woodshop right now covered in sawdust. Everything is about him. And freedom is a process that happens inside a relationship with him. Then all that stuff you feel churnin' around inside will start to work its way out."


Page one hundred and one:

"Love and relationship. all love and relationship is possible for you only because it already exists within Me, within God myself. Love is not the limitation; love is the flying. I am love."


Chapter Eight, A Breakfast of Champions, Page one hundred and fifteen:

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from known to unknown.
-Author Unknown

How are you liking this book? What are your thoughts?

Happy Reading!

Subscribe Via Email

Being a rookie in the game of blogging I have been looking to my brother Ryan and the book Blogging For Dummies, for wisdom. After launching my blog I have learned new ways to keep fellow blog viewers updated. Check out the new options at the top right of Tea Time, you will see:

Subscribe Via Email, which is as simple as it sounds, put your email address in the space provided and you will be sent an email with Tea Time blog updates.

Subscribe Now, Subscribe in a reader, when you click that link you will have choices. For example, I use yahoo, so I clicked yahoo and now on 'my yahoo' page I automatically get updates from Tea Time with Carrie. It would be the same for google, etc.

This makes it easier to get the updates from Tea Time.

I will be adding two more components, What are Mommies Made Of? and Penny Pinching!!! I hope to keep you entertained.

Please let me know if you have any problems subscribing or commenting. I look forward to our blogging fun. littlemrsw@yahoo.ca

Happy Reading!!

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?

Here are a few interesting parts of Chapter Five that I have picked out to comment on. Let me know what your thoughts are on these paragraphs or others.

We routinely disqualify testimony that would plead for extenuation. That is, we are so persuaded of the rightousness of our judgement as to invalidate evidence that does not confirm us in it. Nothing that deserves to be called truth could ever be arrived at by such means.
-Marilynne Robinson, The Death of Adam

Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, page 74

On the long stretch up the Gorge, Mack felt a creeping panic begin to penetrate his consciousness. He had tried to avoid thinking about what he was doing and just keep putting one foot in front of the other, but like grass pushing through concrete, the repressed feelings and fears somehow began to poke through. His eyes darkened and his hands tightened on the steering wheel as he fought the temptation at every off-ramp to turn around and go home. He knew he was driving straight into the center of his pain, the vortex of The Great Sadness that had so diminished his sense of being alive.


Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, page 78

And finally his heart exploded like a flash flood, releasing his pent up anger and letting it rush down the rocky canyon of his emotions, turning his eyes heavenward, he began screaming his anguished questions. " Why? Why did you let this happen? Why did you bring me here? Of all the places to meet you-why here? Wasn't it enough to kill my baby? Do you have to toy with me to?" In a blind rage, Mack grabbed the nearest chair and flung it at the window. It smashed into pieces. He picked up one of the legs and began destroying everything he could. Groans and moans of despair and fury spat through his lips as he beat his wrath into this terrible place. "I hate you!" In a frenzy he pounded out his rage until he was exhausted and spent.

Guess Who's Coming to Dinner?, page87

Thoughts tumbled over eachother as Mack struggled to figure out what to do. Was one of these people God? What if they were hallucinations or angels, or God was coming later? That could be embarrassing. Since there were three of them, maybe this was a Trinity sort of thing. But two women and a man and none of them white? Then again, why had he naturally assumed that God would be white? He knew his mind was rambling, so he focused on the one question he most wanted answered.
"Then," Mack struggled to ask, "which one of you is God?"
"I am," said all three in unison. Mack looked from one to the next, and even though he couldn't begin to grasp what he was seeing and hearing, he somehow believed them.

Happy Reading!

Dr. Seuss Wisdom

I hope to entertain you with some Dr. Seuss wisdom. Here is the first Dr. Seuss post. Enjoy.

Fox
Socks

Box
Knox

Knox in box.
Fox in socks.

Knox on fox
in socks in box.

Socks on Knox
and Knox in box.

Fox in socks
on box on Knox.

Fox in Socks

By Dr. Seuss

Reading, Surveys and Adorable Animals!

I hope everyone is enjoying November's book, The Shack. Over the next few weeks I am hoping to add some more components to my blog. I have added a survey that will help me with my next project. Please check out the survey and vote.

If you like adorable animals, scroll down to the bottom of the page to see the 'Loving Animal Mother Pod', very cute. There will be different pictures every day.

Happy Reading!

December's Book

The Swallow of Kabul, written by Yasmina Khadra.

As written on the back of the book:

Kabul under the Taliban, a devastated city ruled by executioners and crows, where laughing in public brings down the wrath of the religious police. This is the world in which Yasmina Khadra - the pseudonym of a former officer in the Algerian army - sets his cauterizing novel of fanaticism and tenderness.

With an implacable eye, Khadra follows two couples: Mohsen and Zunaira are dispirited survivors of Afghanistan's educated middle class; Atiq is a brutish jailer bound by a debt of gratitude to his dying wife, Musarrat. One day the horrified Mohsen finds himself taking part in the stoning of a condemned prostitute, an action that will impel all four characters toward new destinies. As spare as carved bone and filled with images that explode like bombs, The Swallows of Kabul is a work of haunting power.

"Beautifully written...Puts a human face on the suffering inflicted by the Taliban.... The Swallows of Kabul will stay with you long after you've finished it."--San Francisco Chronicle

This book is rather short, one hundred and ninety five pages, which is a good size for December because I am sure everyone finds themselves very busy.

I picked it up at Chapters today, $16.00, less with a Chapters Card.

Happy reading!!

The Most Inspiring You Tube Ever!

You will be inspired by this.


Take a look at this you tube video. Anything is possible!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2I0DRk8dFjI

I hope this works.

Wow!

Wow! I think there is enough in this book that we could be into discussions for days. I don't want to give my overall thoughts yet so I post about each chapter.

Starting with the note:

Mackenzie,

It's been a while. I've missed you.

I'll be at the shack next weekend if you want to get together.

Papa

Do you think that the author,W.M. Paul Young, received a note from God??

Does God send notes? Does he talk to people? I believe anything is possible, especially with God!

"There is was. Papa was Nan's favorite name for God and it expressed her delight in the intimate friendship she had with him."

Calling God Papa has definitely stirred up some discussion even in my own household. I would love to have a relationship with God where I felt comfortable calling him Papa. I don't yet but maybe some day I will.

My heart broke for Mack and his family in the next few chapters. A Mother and Father's worst nightmare and there was nothing that could have prevented it. The tears were flowing as I read about the tragic event.

Please click on comment below each post to add your thoughts. I will be continuing with more posts this week.

Happy Reading!