Friday, August 31, 2007

Key Lime Pie


key lime pie
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
Jake loves all things key lime pie, but had never tasted one until today.

His love affair started with some key lime flavored yogurt I had picked up a while ago. He asked to try it and it was love at first spoonful. When went on vacation we stopped at a local ice cream shack he tried some key lime pie ice cream. Jake announced that it was the best flavor he had ever had.

Then I brought home a book from the library, Key Lime Pie Murder by Joanne Fluke. Jake immediately noticed that it was mystery book with recipes. His first question to me about the book was "Does it tell you how to make key lime pie?"

Why yes it does and to make my eldest happy I decided to give it a shot. Before I returned the book I copied down the recipe, then it was off to go find key limes. Jake had noticed them at our local Walmart a few weeks ago and they still had some in stock.

The limes are tiny little things and wasn't sure how juicy they would be. My guess was that one little bag would suffice, but to be safe (and at two bucks a bag, it was no big deal) I grabbed a second bag. It turned out my gut instinct was right, but we don't mind having the extra limes.

Anyway here is an abridged version of the recipe:

The Crust:

Any graham or cookie crumb crust will do. I debated between graham and shortbread. In the end I used my basic graham cracker crust.

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup melted butter

Mix together in the pie plate then press to the mixture into the bottom and sides to form the crust. Place in the fridge to set the crust.

The filling:
5 eggs
14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon lemon zest (do not use lime zest. It's far too bitter)
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup lime juice*
1/4 sugar

Add one egg into a medium sized mixing bowl. Separate the remaining four eggs, reserve the whites in another bowl at room temperature. Whisk the 4 yolks into the egg in the first bowl. Stir in the can of sweetened condensed into the whisked yolks and egg. Add lemon zest and sour cream to the mixture and set the bowl aside. Pour the key lime juice into a small bowl and then add the sugar. Stir until the sugar is dissolved. Now add the sugar key lime juice to the egg mixture and whisk. Pour the filling into the crust and bake at 325 F for 20 minutes. Once the 20 minutes are up, remove the pie from the oven and set it on a rack to wait for the meringue. Do not turn the oven off! Instead turn it up to 350 F.
* That worked out to be 15 limes. If key limes can not be found, frozen key lime juice or regular limes will do in a pinch.

The Meringue

4 egg whites reserved from above
1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
a pinch of salt
1/3 cup sugar

Add the cream of tartar and salt to the egg whites and mix in. Beat the whites at high until soft peaks are formed. While still beating, slowly add the sugar. Then continue until firm peaks are formed. One way to check the meringue is to stop mixing and tip the bowl. If the meringue stays in place and not slide down the sides of the bowl. Spread the meringue over the filling and bake the pie at 350 f for 12 minutes. Chill the pie before slicing.

Except for juicing the wee little limes, the pie was a snap to make. Larry, Jake and I thought the pie was terrific. Max only liked the meringue, he quickly peeled it off and ate it. Nate and Rebecca did not care for the pie and ended up with something else for dessert.

This one is definitely a keeper, next time I'll try a short bread cookie crust.

Oh and I have to warn you, the pie's filling is not green, instead it is a golden tan color. The only time the filling is green is when food coloring is added.

Thursday, August 30, 2007

Artist of the Week: Cartooning


Jake
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
This week's artist is Jake. For once he was more than happy to pose for a picture. Normally he is a bit camera shy or, at the very least, impatient and not willing to humor repeated shots. When I told him it was for AOW he perked up and ran to get his art.

The art in question is actually a two for one deal. Last week he took a cartooning class up in Richmond at the Visual Arts Center. It was the same class I had forgotten about at the beginning of summer, but luckily was able to reschedule. In the class they learned about a little of the history of cartooning, various cheats and made both a strip and a comic. It ran for a full week and lasted three hours a day.


strip
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
First up is his comic strip. He accidentally wrote it right to left, but it is not a big deal. As his instructor pointed out it is Japanese or "Manga" format (scroll down the Wiki entry to format). Traditionally Japanese comics are written from top to bottom, right to left. When Jake pointed out his strip's little quirk I observed that you could also call it Hebrew style since Hebrew is also read right to left. Anyway, direction aside, he hasn't quite finished the strip. It isn't fully inked and still needs a little tweaking, but never the less it is still fun.


cover
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
Next up is his little comic book. If you click through on the picture it will direct you to the picture's page where you can then go on to the set. I have the whole book posted in order. You really should click it to get the full story, I think he did a great job.

The comic is a finished product and was made from one sheet of paper (Jake is holding it against his chest in the first photo for this post). He was able to make a photocopy and plans to make additional books to finish the story line. I'm going to try and push him just a smidgen to do the next issue, I would like to see the rest of the story. Knowing Jake, he has the storyline all mapped out in his head, he just needs a little push to write it all down.

Maybe if I tell him it would be another AOW feature that would be all the carrot he needs.

Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Hanging Out


Hanging out
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
It's been a busy day and it's late, so Artist of the Week has been deferred to tomorrow/Thursday.

In the meantime, feel free to hang out with Nate and Max. I took this photo of them down by the James River last week.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Big Doings

Big things are happening this week. We've been checking out orthodontists for the boys and getting ready for school.

Last weekend I finally divvied up all the school supplies that have been on our dining room table for the past month into four grocery bags.


school supplies
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
And here the bags are on the floor in the dining room with the corresponding back pack in front. From left to right we have Rebecca, Max, Nate and Jake. I'm not quite done with Rebecca's backpack, it used to be Jake's. He had it in kindergarten and first grade and it held up very well. All I needed to do was cover up his initials and "girl" it up a bit. We got the butterfly to cover up Jake's monogram and that is all set. Next up are the flower appliques that Rebecca picked out. It'll get done in time, I have until Tuesday.

The fabric swatches spilling out of Max and Rebecca's bags are rest mats. We have full day kindergarten and for an hour each day there is a rest period. The dynamic duo outgrew naps a couple years ago, but quite a few kids need this down time. Technically the mats should be towels, but I made them for Jake and Nate so, dang it, Max and Rebecca will get home made ones as well. Max's is Nate's old mat and he is thrilled to have it and Nate was wiling to let it go. Rebecca got to pick out the fabrics for her mat and I just finished making it tonight.

Tomorrow is kindergarten orientation and Max and Rebecca will get to meet their teachers and we'll drop off their school supplies. I'm not sure how the timing will work out since Larry can't come, but I will be sure to meet both of their teachers. Thursday is Nate's meet and greet and Jake gets to do a walk through at the middle school on Friday.

Big doings are going on around here.

Monday, August 27, 2007

What a Guy

As summer draws to a close and the start of school is just around the corner, soccer season begins. All four of our crew are signed up this fall. The boys were a no brainer, but Rebecca was a bit of a surprise. She flat out refused to play last year and Larry had to give her credit for her firm stance.

But after six months on the sidelines she was ready to give it another try.

So we dutifully signed everybody up a few months ago and Larry volunteered to coach Max and Rebecca's U6 team.

Our soccer club has a few paid coaches for the travel teams but on the recreational level all of the coaching is done by volunteers. Larry has been a good sport an has been a head coach or the very least assistant for quite some time.

Practice was supposed to start last week, but the club didn't even send out rosters until last weekend and it was only some of the teams. The club then sent out an impassioned plea for more coaches. There are four U12 teams, but only two coaches. They needed a few more volunteers.

Larry is such a nice guy he volunteered to take on one of the U12 teams in addition to the U6 team he already had.

Nate, of course, is very jealous that he doesn't have his father for a coach, but two teams is the limit.

So starting tomorrow we'll be spending a whole lotta time out on the field.

Sunday, August 26, 2007

Adventures in Fredericksburg

As y'all probably guessed we went on vacation. Part of the deal when we go away is that the dogs are kenneled. We found a nice kennel that is small with a staff that really loves dogs. The red boys love going and it's not a big deal.

Except... this time.

For whatever reason Crunch didn't get his bordetella vaccination the last time he went in for his shots last June. I realized this 6 days before the dogs were due to be dropped off at the kennel. And there's the rub, the kennel requires at all dogs being bordered must be fully vaccinated at least one week before hand. The earliest I could get Crunch in for his shot was three days before he was to be dropped off.

Unfortunately bringing Crunch along wasn't an option. Our trip involved stays at three places, my in-laws' condo (pet free), my cousin's (numerous standard poodles) and my Mom's (one dachshund). There was also a ballgame at the Shea stadium. They would all let us bring (except Shea), but it would be hard on the old guy. He'll be 15 the end of next month and this particular trip would be a bit much.

Luckily I have an ace in the hole. Crunch's breeder, a fear friend of mine, lives in Culpepper, Va. One quick phone call later, Crunch was all set, they would be happy to take him. So the weekend before we left Mr. Crunch got driven up to Fredericksburg. Diane met me at Costco and we were all set.


Rebecca Trolley
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
Last Sunday we got home, but it wasn't until Tuesday that we could get Crunch home. Once again I drove up to Freddysburg and met Diane at the train station (she was picking up her daughter there). While we waited we walked to the visitor's center to us the public restrooms and got a little surprise.

We saw a bus/trolley parked on the side that was used for tours of the historic district, but that was not the surprise. As we walked by I noticed that the trolley had the name Rebecca written on the front. So of course I had to take a picture of the two Rebeccas together.

I think we need to go up again and maybe do a little site seeing with Rebecca.

Friday, August 24, 2007

Best Spam Ever!

Everybody gets spam and we all know about the Nigerian 419 scam.

Yesterday I accidentally opened one and found the best ploy yet.

ROBERT MUELLER III
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FBI
EMAIL:info@fedbureauofinvestigations.org
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION FBI.WASHINGTON DC.

Well they got the name right, but that’s not his email.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION SEEKING TO WIRETAP THE INTERNET

We believe that this notification meets you in a very good present
state of mind and health.

Honestly, I think the FBI couldn’t give two beans about my health and already I can tell this was written by a non-native English speaker.
We the Federal bureau of investigation (FBI)
Washington, DC in conjunction with some other relevant Investigation
Agencies here in the United states of America have recently been informed
through our Global intelligence monitoring network that you presently
have a transaction going on with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) as
regards to your over-due contract payment which was fully endorsed in
your favour accordingly.

Really? That’s news to me.
It might interest you to know that we have taken out time in screening
through this project as stipulated on our protocol of operation and
have finally confirmed that your contract payment is 100% genuine and
hitch free from all facet and of which you have the lawful right to
claim your fund without any further delay.Having said all this, we will
further advise that you go ahead in dealing with the Central Bank office
accordingly as we will be monitoring all their services with you as
well as your correspondence at all level.


All right! We’ve got the FBI stamp of approval! But...the FBI website notes that this is the latest permutation of the 419 scam and once again it’s clearly English as a second language.
In addendum, also be informed that we recently had a meeting with the
Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, in the person of
Prof. Chukwuma Soludo along with some of the top officials of the Ministry
regarding your case and they made us to understand that your file has
been held in abase depending on when you personally come for the claim.
They also told us that the only problem they are facing right now is
that some unscrupulous element are using this project as an avenue to
scam innocent people off their hard earned money by impersonating the
Executive Governor and the Central Bank office.

Oh no evil scammers are messing this up.
We were also made to understand that a lady with name Mrs. Joan C.
Bailey from OHIO has already contacted them and also presented to them all
the necessary documentations evidencing your claim purported to have
been signed personally by you prior to the release of your contract fund
valued at about US$8,000,000.00 (Eight million united states dollars),
but the Central Bank office did the wise thing by insisting on hearing
from you personally before the go ahead on wiring your fund to the
Bank
informations which was forwarded to them by the above named Lady so
that was the main reason why they contacted us so as to assist them in
making the investigations.

Nice touch, someone else is trying to impersonate me and get my money.
They further informed us that we should warn our dear citizens who must
have been informed of the contract payment which was awarded to them
from the Central Bank of Nigeria, to be very careful prior to this
irregularities so that they don't fall victim to this ugly circumstance.

Dear citizens? Sounds a lot like North Korea’s Dear Leader.
And should incase you are already dealing with anybody or office claiming
to be from the Central Bank of Nigeria, you are further advised to STOP
further contact with them in your best interest and then contact
immediately the real office of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) only
withthe below informations accordingly:

NAME: PROF. CHUKWUMA SOLUDO

OFFICE ADDRESS: Central Bank of Nigeria,
Central Business District,
Cadastral Zone, Abuja,
Federal Capital Territory,
Nigeria.

TEL: +234-808-089-7326

Email: admin@centralbankpaymentdepartment.com

NOTE:

In your best interest, any message that doesn't come from the above
official email address and phone numbers should not be replied to and
should be disregarded accordingly for security reasons. Meanwhile, we will
advise that you contact the Central Bank office immediately with the
above email address and request that they attend to you payment file as directed so as to enable you receive your contract fund accordingly.

Well that’s nice. They are looking out for my best interests and warning me to stay away from all the other Nigerian scams.
Ensure you follow all their procedure as may be required by them as
that will further help hasten up the whole procedures as regards to the
transfer of your fund to you as designated. Also have in mind that the
Central Bank of Nigeria equally have their own protocol of operation
as stipulated on their banking terms, so delay could be very dangerous.
Once again, we will advise that you contact them with the above email
address and make sure you forward to them all the necessary
informations which they may require from you prior to the release of your fund to
you accordingly.

More English as a second language, just what I would expect from the FBI. Mr. Mueller was born in NYC and grew up around Philly, but apparently he can not write grammatically correct English.
All modalities has already been worked out even before you were
contacted and note that we will be monitoring all your dealings with them as
you proceed so you don't have anything to worry about. All we require
from you henceforth is an update so as to enable us be on track with you
and the Central Bank of Nigeria. Without wasting much time, will want
you to contact them immediately with the above email address so as to
enable them attend to your case accordingly without any further delay as
time is already running out.

Hurry! Act now before time is up. I feel like I’m watching a late night infomercial.
Should in case you need any more informations in regards to this
notification, feel free to get back to us so that we can brief you more as we
are here to guide you during and after this project has been
completely perfected and you have received your contract fund as stated.Thank
you very much for your anticipated co-operation in advance as we
earnestly await your urgent response to this matter.

BEST REGARDS
ROBERT SWAN MUELLER III
WASHINGTON D.C ROOM,7367
J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI BUILDING
935 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE,
NW WASHINGTON, DC 20535,USA.
EMAIL: info@fedbureauofinvestigations.org

Sorry dudes, I’m not falling for this. Instead, I’ll forward this baby to the real FBI.

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Lunch Time

Saw this over at The Llamas and I thought I'd give it a go.

Turns out I'm one of my favorite sandwiches, all it needs is a nice slice of tomato tucked inside.

You Are a Grilled Cheese Sandwich

You are a traditional person with very simple tastes.
In your opinion, the best things in life are free, easy, and fun.
You totally go with the flow. And you enjoy every minute of it!

Your best friend: The Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich

Your mortal enemy: The Ham Sandwich

I wouldn't call a ham sandwich my *mortal enemy*, but it is oddly appropriate considering I'm Jewish.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Artist of the Week: Toys


big bubble
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
My mother, Nana to he kids, has a real knack for picking out toys. She keeps her eyes open and finds them in all sorts of places.

We just saw her last week and her surprise for the kids were bubble wands. And just your ordinary ones, but monster bubble wands.

She was once again, spot on.

She bought two wands and we decided that one would stay with her and the second one would come home with us.


bubble wall
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
Today we broke out the second wand. Meryl had stopped by and the kids wanted to show it off.

The beauty of this particular wand is that anybody can use it to good effect. Jake and Nate had a great time making, capturing and breaking bubbles. Max and Rebecca were able to make some monstrous bubbles all by themselves. All I did was hold onto the reservoir, a long sheath that you stick the wand in. It can't stand alone, but it is far better than a big pan of bubble solution.

I love the bubble wall Max was able to make with almost no effort. I have tried other monster bubble wands, but none were as easy to use as this one.


bubble wand
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
Thank you Nana for once again finding a great toy.

We are all having great fun with it.

Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Slacker


DCP_0621
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
It's summertime and it's time to kick back. Mind you I've still got my endless mom duties, but posting will be a bit irregular this week.

I've decided to cut back my online time this week and be a bit more like this fellow, blinking in the sun and just enjoying the moment.

I do recommend that y'all go over to Terry's and check him out before he closes shop. Rumor has it that this is his last week.

See ya later!

Friday, August 10, 2007

Thursday, August 09, 2007

Thursday Three: End of an Era

Summer,at least for the younger members of the possum clan who got to go back to school this week, is over and the great Axis of Weevil Thursday Three springs to life.

Well maybe not springs, lurches forward for one last dying gasp is a little closer to the truth, because... Terry has up an gone and gotten a job that will actually make him work while at work. So without further ado
It's....

"The Von Trapp Family Singing 'So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedersehen, Good Night'" Version of the Axis of Weevil Thursday Three!

Except without the Nazis. Or singing. Or nuns. Okay, it's not at all like anything in the movie. SO SUE ME!! (Not really.)

Anyway, as you all know, The Axis of Weevil Thursday Three has been one of the more popular recurring features of Possumblog over the years, dating back to April 8, 2004. It has been on summer hiatus to allow it to be properly aired-out and disinfected, but when we sent it out, we had no idea that we'd be making our big exit before resuming production for the Exciting New Fall Season.

SO, in the spirit of the times, and to cap off the most drawn-out, insufferably melodramatic blogdeath sequences ever recorded, we herewith assault you one last time with The Completely Self-Centered Good-bye Edition of the Axis of Weevil Thursday Three! Since the original idea was posited by none other than Jim Smith, PhD, he has graciously written out the final question set for us.

As has always been both rule and custom, anyone may play along by either leaving a comment below, or by leaving a link to the answers on your own blog. Answer us now these things:

1. What was your favorite Possumblog post over the years? (With archive link, please, if you can find it.)

2. What will you miss most about Possumblog?

3. Do you have any final words? (And it better not be "Rosebud"!)

And, the exciting bonus question!

4. What will you not miss at all about Possumblog?

Hey I got plenty of singing today and I even saw a Nun in her habit, but this isn't about me. Well only the bits here are, otherwise it's all about Terry.

1)Favorite post, gee I didn't expect a test. I'm all ready pushing midnight so I'll cop out and say the ones about meeting and courting Reba, the bizarro soon to be ex-co-workers and the always exciting weekend wrap ups.

2)I'll miss the wonderful active community in the comments. I'm so glad I decided to join in.

3)My final words would be to Possumblog are It has been great while it lasted, I hope that Terry doesn't entirely let it die and you can never go wrong with ponies and ice cream.

And for the exciting bonus question, the bits about American Idol. My family doesn't watch it and we have no interest in it.

I don't know what I'll do on Thursday's now or who I'll get to photoshop.

So in honor of of the end of an era I'll end with a final photoshop of Terry. It's not the Sound of Music, but the outfit comes close.

Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Artist of the Week: Photography


Baby_Abby
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
This week's artist is Larry's sister Abby. Since the most recent photo I have of her either has one of my kids in the way or is a few years out of date I decided to go whole hog and post this cute snapshot from her toddler years. She is utterle adorable and her being at the beach fits in with the theme of the pictures she took.

Afew days ago Abby sent us a few pictures she had taken a couple of years ago when we went to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. The reason that she was sending them now was that she had just taken a photography course and these were a few of the pictures she used for her final project.


beach Nate
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
The two I'm posting her are both of Nate. He was in that sweet chubby cheek phase. He is so happy to be on the beach running around and getting covered in sand and mud. He loved going down to the beach every day. He would be bouncing around the house as we got ready to head on down. I love that little gap tooth smile of his.

I think the second picture was taken at twilight. I'm basing this guess on the almost molten quality of the light reflected in the tide pool. After dinner we would head back to the beach for a stoll and a quiet splash in the tide pools. The beach was never very crowded during the day and was even less so at the days end.


tidepoolNate
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
I think this was my favorite time of day at the beach. I love the beach during a hot summer day, but I think it is even better during the off times. Then it can be quiet, almost secluded. Summer is best for splashing in the waves, but the rest of the year has its own appeal as well.

Tuesday, August 07, 2007

It's Too Hot

Today was dreadful.

Summer has hit Virginia with full force today. The pool is starting to feel like a giant bathtub and sweat pours off your all ready sticky body from the high humidity.

So of course I had a ton of errands to do today, the dump, the bank, the post office and the oil change place for the van.

The dump wasn't too bad, it was largely deserted and I was able to tip out my garbage in short order. The bank and the PO were also a snap, at 4:30 pm both places were empty. I guess more sensible people were staying home to escape the heat. All that was left was getting the van's oil changed.

I pulled up to the Jiffy Lube and was able to get my van straight into one of the bays. I noticed a man loitering near the garage, but thought nothing of him. That is until I entered the waiting room. Apparently the air conditioning was out. The heat hit me like brick. It was stifling inside the building. I then understood why the guy was outside. It was much nicer in the garage than in the waiting room.

After a few minutes one of the techs called me over and we discussed my service options. He recommended a fuel filter change (which I declined, I had just down that a few months ago elsewhere) and a transmission flush (which struck me as a good idea since it has been awhile) along with the oil change. The whole thing would take about a half hour.

Gee 30 minutes with two five year olds in the sweat box waiting room, that sounds just peachy. Then I remembered the Dairy Queen just next door. We could have a nice frozen treat in air conditioned comfort with a direct view of the van. Now that was an option. I told the tech where we would be and then hustled off for ice cream.

Max, Rebecca and i settled down at the window opposite the van and enjoyed our ice cream. Just as I finished my cone I saw the van pulling out of the service bay. There is no way that was half an hour. We walked back to the van and into the sweat bax. a moment later the tech came in so that we could pay up. I said that was fast and he replied that they couldn't do the transmission flush and kid of spend things up. I'll say.

Anyhow, that was fine with me, I could do it later. It wasn't that critical.

Maybe on a day when the ac works.

Monday, August 06, 2007

Telegram From the Past


telegram
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
My cousin has been going through her mother's personal effects and found a few little gems that she has sent my way.

The best was the telegram that my parents sent to her parents on the announcement of my birth.

How neat is that? How many people have the actual telegram announcing their birth? The mailed ones are a dime a dozen, but telegrams are a thing of the past. When I told Meryl about it she said I had to post it. Indeed, because in a small way it marks an era that is no more.

With the advent of cheap phone calls and the internet, telegrams are a thing of the past. In fact Western Union sent its last telegram on January 27, 2006. I can’t wait to show it to the boys on Wednesday.

Sunday, August 05, 2007

Life at Half Volume

Half of my children are gone. Whisked far, far away to Grandma's house.

They left early this morning and we won't see them again until Wednesday and Max is already missing his brothers.

I caught Max staring dolefully off the deck at the empty backyard. He sighed, turned around and when he spied me, announced "I miss Jake and Nate." Bedtime was hard for him tonight. He wandered out after I tucked him in and said that he can't sleep by himself. I ended up laying in Nate's empty bed for about 15 minutes so that Max could settle down. Just before he drifted off to sleep I quietly got of of bed, gave him a little hug and left the room.

It will be interesting to see how he copes for the next few days.

Friday, August 03, 2007

I've Been Simpsonized


simpsonized
Originally uploaded by Teckelcar
It's been years since I've regularly watched the show and I don't plan on seeing the movie, but I still have a fondness for the show. The early years were amazing and it really was the best thing going at the time.

So hey, it's Friday (or what's left of it). Let's get Simpsonized.

Thursday, August 02, 2007

Post Harry Potter Letdown

This week has been a bit of a blur, hence artist of the week on Tuesday instead of Wednesday. I realized afterwards it was indeed Tuesday and not Wednesday, it just felt like Wednesday.

I finished reading Deathly Hallows in the wee hours, 3:00 am to be exact, of the morning on Tuesday. I started Monday morning and kept dipping into it throughout the day. Once the little ones were tucked in I dove into the book. I just could not put it down until I finished the whole dang thing.

It was a great read and I found myself rereading the end bits of the previous book, Half-Blood Prince, and the ending chapters of Deathly Hallows Tuesday night.

Wednesday I spent drifting along, at loss what to read. I had been immersed in the world of Harry Potter for the past two weeks. Two weeks ago I had been seized by the idea of rereading the entire series. My plan was to reread up to the Goblet of Fire, see the movie Order of the Phoenix, then reread Order of the Phoenix and Half-Blood Prince. Then I would cap it all off with Deathly Hallows.

The timing of the movie is important to me, because I can not truly enjoy a movie if I have just read the book it is based on, the omissions and inconsistencies are too glaring. But if it has been a few years, the details are blurred and I can sit back and relax. For whatever reason rereading a book afterwards is not a problem. I have seen the movie and it can stand on its own.

So that is what I have been doing. This has worked out well in our household, because it gave Jake first crack at the book without my breathing down his neck to finish. His only challenge was to not talk about any aspect of the book. He is old enough now that he was just able to pull it off. It took him until Saturday night, very late Saturday night, to finish the book. I was just nearing the end of Half-Blood Prince and I was ready to read Monday morning.

Larry too has been doing a little rereading, just not on the same scale as me. He just opted for the Half-Blood Prince. It has taken him a little longer than me to reread it, what with having to go to work and all. He’ll be starting Deathly Hallows either tonight or tomorrow. I really enjoyed reading side by side with him. Meryl was very kind and lent me her copy H-BP and made it all possible.

Now I have to find something else to read. I have been tackling Beowulf this summer, but I also want something a bit lighter.