Books I Once Loved: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E. L. Konigsburg -- This incredible tale about Claudia Kincaid and her brother Jamie,who run away from home and hide out in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was a favorite when I was in 5th grade. Our teacher at the time made us work on a project that described what we would do if we were going to run away from home. We had to plan out every single detail of it, the lesson being that we would learn how difficult it was and never attempt it in real life. Unfortunately, some of us were ridiculously good planners and our parents called the teacher to complain about the dangerous project.

My idea, in case you're wondering, was to get our parents to take us to Six Flags Great Adventure, where we would purposely get lost in the crowd and while our parents were busy looking for us in the theme park, we would have already headed for the nearby train station and jumped onto a train bound for Florida (with tickets purchased using saved allowance money). Our final destination was going to be an island in the Florida Keys that I had seen on television and which appealed to me because the host had described it as very "remote."

About this project: A few days ago, I went to the bookstore to buy a few books on writing book proposals. While looking for the reference section, I wandered into the pre-teen aisle and took a look at the books on offer. I was actually a little turned off by all the Twilight and Gossip Girl books on the shelves. It got me thinking about some of the novels I loved when I was that age, and so I've decided to record them here with comments on a completely irregular schedule. I hope that you enjoy.

Books I Once Loved: The Dollhouse Murders

The Dollhouse Murders, by Betty Ren Wright -- This book grabbed my attention and scared the heck out of me when I was 11. It tells the story of Amy, a 12-year-old girl who is frustrated about having to spend the summer looking out for her mentally-challenged sister Luanne. The girls are sent to their Aunt's house and discover and miniature replica of the family home in the attic. They soon discover that the dolls in the house move on their own, and it seems that they are trying to tell Amy something. You'll have to read it to find out what, but I promise you that it's a great story, and is probably a great first mystery for a child in 4th - 6th grade.

About this project: A few days ago, I went to the bookstore to buy a few books on writing book proposals. While looking for the reference section, I wandered into the pre-teen aisle and took a look at the books on offer. I was actually a little turned off by all the Twilight and Gossip Girl books on the shelves. It got me thinking about some of the novels I loved when I was that age, and so I've decided to record them here with comments on a completely irregular schedule. I hope that you enjoy.

My Plant

My Plant in my garden., originally uploaded by Alejandra of Always Order Dessert.

This is my garden. It only has one plant. MY plant.

My plant was born 5 months ago from a little seed packet that I got as a baby shower favor. The other seedlings (my plant's brothers and sisters) perished quickly a few weeks after birth, but my plant lives on.

This photo was shot in Macro. My plant is only about an inch tall, and seems to have stopped growing, although she is still strong and bright green.

I have no idea what kind of plant my plant is, but I still love her. (My plant is a girl.)

Sometimes I secretly think that my plant is actually a baby tree. Like all mothers, I have high hopes for my little girl.

Saffron / Azafran

Saffron / Azafran, originally uploaded by Alejandra of Always Order Dessert.

I finally Mad Men'd myself

I finally Mad Men'd myself, originally uploaded by Alejandra of Always Order Dessert.

It looks absolutely nothing like me. Except for the donut. And maybe the boobs.