Finally: Book 2

I finally finished reading the first book of my read-a-thon on Christmas day. I thoroughly enjoyed it and it has certainly piqued my interest in philosophy.

My second book is:
"Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction."
Edward Craig

(Thanks for pointing me in the direction of this series Mel and Brett.)

Actually I started this book a while ago. I have a habit (I won't call it a bad one) of starting a new book before finishing the first. Unfortunately it often results in me not finishing the first book - but not this time!!

It is in a very different style and it is much easier to just sit, read and absorb. I don't feel the need to reach for my notepad and pen with this one. I highly recommend it as great place to start reading about this subject.

Christmas Baking

I just love Christmas. I get all carried away with the little details like hanging Christmas lights and wrapping presents. And I love the anticipation that builds up to the special day.

I especially enjoy preparing Christmas food. I guess that could partly just be because I love food in general! Here are a few pictures of my Christmas baking this year. I got the recipe for the luscious cake from a friend. She got it from a fundraising cookbook. It is called "Princess Marina's Wedding Cake in Miniature". How quaint! (Of course I googled Princess Marina.)

Supermarket Splurge.

I went to the supermarket yesterday for the first time for over 7 weeks.

I had already been all over Rangiora (the town where we live) yesterday sourcing all the bits and pieces required for the special Christmas meals I have planned and stocking up on a few other things.

I went to:
* The local fruit and veggie shop. I just love the luscious stone fruit at this time of year.
* Bin Inn, of course toting my own containers to fill
* The pet shop
* The Gingerbread House: a delightfully quaint lolly shop just off the main street
* The local bakery. Award winning bakery I might add.
* The local nursery who happened to have plants all on sale at 50% off due to a long closure for the holiday season. I picked up a few lovely bargains!
* And even The Warehouse: yes I know it is a big chain store but at least it is NZ owned and they sell the best cat litter.

I walked the length of both sides of High Street but still couldn't find the one particular thing that I really wanted to have on hand for the holidays: Ice cream!! Of course there were a few places selling by the scoop but no local businesses selling by the tub.

So I relented and went to the supermarket. I felt a little conflicted and was quite aware of the fact that no-one actually needs ice cream. But I went anyway. And unfortunately I got a little carried and bought 3 liters! Kilkenny's Maple Syrup and Walnut - unbelievably good. Cookie dough, and good old fashioned vanilla.

3 litres, 3 flavours, and only 3 people to consume them.

O the indulgences permitted in the name of Christmas!

A long way off target.

Well here we are in the middle of December already.

And I have read half way through the first book of my December non-fiction read-a-thon. Seems David's suggestion of aiming for one book was right on target!

In my defense, the time I have spent "in" my first book so far I could have finished it by now. But halfway through it I found that my head was already swimming with information and that it was subtlety leaking out. So I went back to the beginning with notebook and pen in hand and started making notes. Apparently I am still not one of those people who can learn just by reading. It certainly slows me up, but hey, at least I am learning.
:)

So far I am finding it really interesting and enjoyable. When I get the time I will post a few of the "take home messages" in a blog. Hopefully that will help to catalog the information in my brain and improve my chances of retaining it.

Fortunately I do have quite a bit of time off over Christmas so there is still a chance (slim though it may seem) that I will successfully complete this challenge.

Now, first things first, it is time to watch a Survivor season finale! Love that show. But that is a whole separate blog in itself.

The History of Philosophy

After a trip to the local library on Tuesday I came home armed with a few introductory philosophy books. I have decided to start with this one:

"History of Philosophy" by Martyn Oliver. Informative yet relatively simple, very easy to read, generally chronological and lots of beautiful illustrations.

It has been a bit of a busy week so I have not read much yet. But the plan is to sit down with a cup of tea this afternoon and absorb some information!

That is, after I have finished making Christmas presents, wrapped them, written cards and visited the post office to send off the fun little packages to family in Perth.

The worst part of my job

Giving bad news.

:(

December: Non Fiction Read-a-thon

I have toyed with a few ideas for my December challenge to myself. I finally decided a few days ago that I was going to set myself a goal of reading 4 non-fiction books. When I mentioned this to my husband he suggested that perhaps a more realistic goal would be 1 non-fiction book. I am sure he meant it as a helpful suggestion. Hmm, he knows me to well!

I have a bad habit of intending to read non-fiction, and sometimes starting to read non-fiction, but rarely actually completing a book of non-fiction. So much easier to curl up with an engrossing novel after work than to apply my mind to concepts, arguments and critical thinking. Blatant mental laziness!

So here goes. I am aiming to read 4 books, even if just to try and prove my husband wrong in his estimation of my reading stick-ability (yes I am a bit stubborn and competitive). I have a bunch of writers and subjects in mind so the first step in the challenge will be choosing what to read first.