Read a Book: Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey {An E-Book Review}

Happy Leap Year!
February has been an interesting month and even though our Lil' Munchkin arrived, I was still able to get some reading time in. Hey, those late night feedings are good for something as she sleep nurses. Of course it is hard not to fall asleep while reading, especially when already tired...
I am thankful for the extra day this year to let me finish my third book for the month, and to be able to get this review up!

Here are the books I have read this month!
Wife of the Gods by Kwei Quartey
The Silver Door by Emily Rodda
Love Does by Bob Goff

This book, I have no idea how I came across it. I don't recall. But I read it as part of the Book Riot Read Harder Challenge for task 16: "read the first book in a series by a person of color" ...

The Story
This was a fascinating murder mystery, set in Ghana, Africa. We follow the detective through his investigation of the murder, while unearthing the truth to his own family tragedy.

I found the character in the book as neither extremely likable nor hated. But it is not because they were not developed well enough. They were developed well, with aspects which make them admirable and not. I did not like, nor appreciate, the main character's addiction to marijuana and his aggressive behavior. But at the same time, his aggression was towards those who mistreated and abused others or broke the law (even though his was hypocritical, with the marijuana addiction).  Yet, these elements of each character made them more real.

I found the language intriguing. The way the characters interacted and spoke to each other was almost formal. I wondered if this was just the others writing style or the way they actually spoke to one another. I'm thinking the later since the author, though living in the states now, was born in Ghana.

My favorite parts was the glossary of terms at the end and the background information of the given in the beginning about the servitude and slavery of women taken by "fetish priests" (Trokosi). A huge part of the book focuses on the controversial of the Trokosi within the nation itself. Ok, maybe not huge, but it took up a big part of it. 

It's a series!

Am I going to pick up the next book in the series? Probably, probably not. I really don't know right now. I liked it, but am not chomping at the bit to read the next one... I do want to learn more about the detective's family and what happens with his son who has a heart problem and the insurance in the country is not great, they cannot afford the surgery he needs.

Extra Thoughts

As a teacher, we were always on the lookout for books and stories which accurately betrayed other cultures. There are so many out there which do not give an accurate representation of countries and their people. When I end up finding one I hope does provide an accurate representation, I want to share it. I hope this book is such.

What do you think?
What books do you think are great/accurate representations of other countries, other cultures, and their peoples?

Read a Book 2016:
Maltese Falcon

Happy Reading!

Sunday Lately {week 61}

Planning

Husband and my anniversary is coming up in a couple weeks. I've been sinking the fund for this one since a little after Halloween, a little at a time) and I'm excited to get to go out on our annual date! We haven't decided where or what restaurant, but it is one of the few times we eat out at an actual sit-down, serve you food, restaurant. I'd say I look forward to a night where I don't have to cook, but it's usually a grandparent that watches the kids and they are doing such a huge favor to us by just watching the kids, I can't impose on them more and expect them to make dinner as well! 7 years married, 9 years together. It doesn't seem like it's been very long and it really hasn't. But I sure do love this man and our family we have made!

First car ride as a family of 5! Taking the baby for first Dr check up!

A photo posted by JessiBerry (@jessiberry09) on Feb 8, 2016 at 9:08am PST

Loving

I'm loving every minute of having a newborn again. That is aside from the hellions the other two have become! And, the cold that has plagued our house for the last week. It does make it hard for me when I'm already tired.

I am still loving the way my little guy looked in his Boys Can Wear Pink outfit! It's been several days since I took the pictures and I still am in awe. Mostly cause the colors are not me and what I usually sew with, but also because my biased self can't get over his cuteness! I'm pretty sure this picture is going to get framed and hung up. He cracks me up. 

Reading

I have been working on finishing Love Does by Bob Goff since finishing the bible study a few weeks ago, have started The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah for my local book club book for March, and little man, husband and I have started the final book of the Three Doors Trilogy: The Third Door by Emily Rodda. I at least want to finish Love does before the end of this month... 2 days is enough to finish about 40%, yeah? I have my monthly book review scheduled for tomorrow too!

I have missed reading and really enjoy it! Though it's been hard since the colds entered our house and I'm overwhelmed by all holds coming in from the library at once. 21 days is not enough time to read it all... I am still on track for 30 books this year! Seriously though, GoodReads is amazing for finding new books, and keeping track of what you are reading. Little man and I use it as a virtual bookmark. Mostly because his sister is really good at walking off with the one in his book! 

Wishing

That colds would be over with. I am done with it. The baby cries and coughs, I have no energy and can't breathe, and the older two are snotting all over everything. I cannot bleach, lysol, wipe down everything enough! Actually I have done nothing of the sort. I'm waiting for it to run its course, and even then I will probably forget. The older two usually only get sick about once a year (ok at least 2 times for little lady)... So I hope that I'm still good, right?

Feeling

I am feeling... Tired. Content. Loved. Blessed.

Happy Sunday!
Until next time,

Be Bold: Handmade Boy's Boys Can Wear Pink Season 2 {Blog Tour & Giveaway}

Welcome to my stop on Handmade Boy's Boys Can Wear Pink blog tour! This was such a fun tour last year and it worked out perfectly with my boy's favorite colors, brown and pink, and you can check out that post here! I love the message, that just because it's pink doesn't mean it's for girls. It's a color. That is all. Boys Can Wear Pink too!

The Outfit
I will be honest. I did not have as clear an inspiration this time. My little dude has switched his favorite color to brown (and it makes me horribly sad!) because he has since been made fun of. But he heard another little boy has a favorite color of purple, so I am hoping that pink makes it back into his list of favorites!

I really wanted a button down layered look for his outfit as I love the look that gives, but lets face it... Newborn babes do not allow for the time needed to make one of those, especially when said baby is sick and when you are as inexperienced as I am with button downs (I have only ever made 1).

So after a trip to Joann's we decided on the Bright orange fabric for the body of the tee and the pink for the binding and pocket. I was worried the two color choices wouldn't match. The colors are definitely more BOLD than I ever choose! And I love how they look on my little guy! Don't mind while I sit in awe for a moment... *smitten momma moment*

The patterns I used...

Fedora Hat by E and E Patterns

Vintage V-Neck by Blank Slate Patterns

Spencer Slacks by Momma Quail Patterns (one of the giveaway sponsors!)

The Hat

The hat is repurposed from a pair of khaki's sitting in my bin and the lining is a pink fabric I was gifted from a cousin's stash. It is the same as the binding. I used a stabilizer that was a bit too thick, but that is ok. I think it became more of an Indiana Jones hat, but I like it!

The shirt

My little guy is super skinny, and long. The shirt is an 18 month width (I could have gotten away with the 2t because of the pulling at the arm) and 4t length. I need to redo the neck from 4t to the 5. But it is still cute! And I can't get over the color combo! It was also my first time, ever, doing the binding on a v-neck! The only other time I ever made this shirt was for Halloween 2013 and I didn't do a neck binding...

The pants

These are one of his favorite pairs of pants. As soon as they come out of the dryer they are worn, multiple times, before making their way back to the hamper. It was a pair I had sewn up for testing. So, they aren't new, but they fit the look so well!

The Tour!
Check out these other awesome creations!

February 22 Wild & Wanderful  Handcrafted by Red Made by Jack's Mum 

February 23 Friends Stitched Together Phatquarters Blog   Mae and K Free Notion 

February 24   Doodle Number 5 Pen Seb Rox Pattern Revolution 

February 25 Beri Bee Designs The Kisses Co Rebel and Malice 

February 26 Paisley Roots Max-California The Wholesome Mama

February 27  Squishy Face Collection Bunch o Berries Adventures with Bubba and Bug 

HattieLu Handmade

The Giveaway

Prize package includes the following:
1 pattern of choice from Momma Quail Patterns
2 patterns of choice (excluding bundles) from Patterns for Pirates
3 digital designs of choice from Handmade Escapade
3 patterns of choice from Winter Wear Designs
Bartowski Slim Tie Pattern from Paraplu
$10 gift certificate from Mabel Madison

There will be one random winner. International entries welcome. Winner will be contacted via email and will have 48 hours to claim their prize before a new winner will be drawn at random.
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Happy Sewing!

Sunday Lately {Week 60}

This week has been a crazy week! We have had something going on every day this week!

Completing

I am working on completing my capsule wardrobe, but I feel like it is more of a dream instead of something that will come to fruition.
I used polyvore (mostly cause I was bored but didn't want to get my gum off the couch). That website is taking some getting used to for me. And I am thinking that pants are never gonna happen... But here they are so far.

Capsule Wardrobe Sudoku by jessicaberry-i

Capsule Wardrobe Sudoku 2 by jessicaberry-i

Once I get some energy to sew, I look forward to having some nursing friendly outfits that will look cute too. This is not going to become accomplished in the crazy wardrobe in a week that is going on with the capsule sew along group! I wish I could, but there is just no way... Those ladies are crazy! Crazy and awesome!

Visiting

I took the kids to see my grandmother this week. She had not seen the newest addition to the family and being on her side of town, I thought it would be nice. She even got to hold the baby! I wish I took a picture.

There was also a bridal shower for a cousin that I got to attend this weekend. We are so excited for them! And getting to see cousins is always fantastic. The theme was Alice in Wonderland's tea party. The table decorations, and everything, was awesome! I wish I took pictures there too. Cousins and Aunts looked so beautiful.

^^ I have no idea why the font went weird here^^

Repeating

Sleepless nights... I am repeating the sleepless nights. I miss sleep. I miss feeling rested. It amazing what little amount of sleep moms need with newborns.

Writing

I finally finished writing the post about baby 3's birth story. I am so happy to finally have that out! Now, once I forget I can go back and read it.

Scheduling

I need to start working time for me back into my daily schedule. I used to have my entire day planned out, from laundry and dishes to computer and sewing time. I need to get back to that. It's part of my "Being Intentional" ... When I did this, I got stuff done. I just need to get back into that groove! I must be crazy, to plan out my entire day this way. But that's what the planner is for, and it keeps me on track. I know I have forgotten tons of things these last several weeks (more like last month) because I have slacked off... no more slacking!

At least I am no longer scheduling weight check visits with the doctor for the baby every 4 days! That was becoming to much; to much gas, to much time driving, to much time in the carseats (it's hard on their little bottoms), and to many missed nursing opportunities. It's about an hour drive to the doctors office for us. But she is gaining well! Yay!

Hope ya'll had a fantastic week!

Until next time,