This week was our first week of the holiday gauntlet lol. SBean celebrated her 13th birthday on Thursday, we held a family birthday Lupper (lunch/supper) for both the Kids on Sunday, and we celebrated HBear’s birthday yesterday.
SBean has grown so much this year. And I don’t just mean in centimeters, which she did as well, leaving me the short one in the family 🤪. She grew in maturity, talent, and knowledge.
This year SBean “graduated“ from middle school and moved up to grade 8 at Pen High. She has taken the changes in stride and enjoys all of her classes, especially drama and jazz band. This year unfortunately grade 8 jazz band was cancelled, but the teacher invited SBean to join the grade 10 jazz band instead. It is a challenge, but challenges are what SBean loves best. SBean excels at many after school activities and is enjoying her 4th year of competitive gymnastics, her 3rd year of Performing Arts with Soundstage Productions, she takes piano lessons, saxophone lessons and enjoyed learning how to solo at Jazz Cool this summer.
Mostly, SBean loves music. She loves her 3 ladies Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter and Olivia Rodrigo. She also enjoys all types of music and loved the Benson Boone concert this past fall in Vancouver. SBean also loves all the things this new generation loves TikTok, skin care, aesthetics, and her friends. She has made some great friends and this year they have stood by each other, encouraged each other, and laughed together. So much laughing!
SBean is quick with a comeback, sharp as a tack, and her humour blows me away. Bro, this kid is funny. Half the time I don’t even know what language she is using but with SBean you always understand what she’s saying 😜.
This year the Kids made their own slideshows! That’s right they saw Mom struggling with beats and timing and promptly took over lol. These are the pictures SHE chose to represent her year to a song that she WAY overplayed this past summer lol. I tried to link it but you can check it out HERE!
Happy 13th birthday SBean. Welcome to the Teens! We love you so much and can’t wait to see how you grow this year.
Like I said, this year the Kids made their own slideshows to represent their years and you can tell by HBear’s that she had a very FULL and exciting year! Check it out HERE!
HBear has been working at the library as a page for a while now but this year she applied to be the Assistant for the Maker’s Space and got the temporary position, which she has loved and excelled at. She will return to her page position when her term is up at the end of 2025.
She has entered her grade 12 year at Princess Margaret and is enjoying all the experiences and lead ups to graduation in June. She has also taken on a bigger role at school as a peer tutor, sound tech for the school musical, and set design artist.
After school, HBear is busy with curling, hip-hop, and drum lessons. Currently, HBear has drum lessons of her own, AND she teaches drums to three young students at The Leir House with PAMDA. HBear loves music. She plays the drums in her high school concert band and jazz band and will fill in on the trumpet and clarinet when needed. She also enjoyed songwriter camp at the Ignite the Arts Festival and Jazz Cool this summer. She even went with her school band and friends to Vancouver this past spring, where they went to the symphony and ate their hearts out.
HBear has a great group of friends. They are an eclectic group with wide ranges of interest and hobbies. They like to get together and play Dungeons & Dragons, or escape rooms, or like this Friday when HBear is having all of her friends over to present PowerPoint presentations for her birthday lol. This past summer, HBear went on a summer holiday with her boyfriend and his family to Banff, Emerald Lake, and Lake Louise. Her and her Boyfriend have been together for a little over a year and are super sweet together. They encourage each other in things like finally getting her L!!! HBear got her Learner’s permit this year but has zero interest in learning how to drive and prefers the term, “passenger princess”. 😂
HBear LOVES art. She is constantly creating, painting, or making something out of nothing. HBear has done a lot of work this year on her mental health and we continue to be just so darn proud of her 💛.
Happy 17th birthday HBear! We love you very much and can’t wait to see what year 17 brings!
In honour of the kids’s birthday here are some fantastic young adult books that I have read recently. Some of them have been recommended to me by the Girls or SweetPea and some of them, I recommended to them! These books would be great gifts for your teenagers this Christmas! Like usual I added the reading challenge topic in italics and added a link to Chapters/Indigo for each title. However, you can find all these books at your local library, bookstore, and maybe even your secondhand bookstore if you’re lucky. Happy reading!
10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston When Sophie overhears her boyfriend saying he wants a break from her, all the romantic Christmas dreams she had go up in smoke. Instead she is staying with her Nonna (and the rest of her BIG family) who has a holiday idea to cheer her up! 10 blind dates. Each day of the holiday, each family member takes a turn setting her up on a date with a new boy each night. Of course she has her cousins and the boy next door, Wes, to help her get through the chaos. The side story is Sophie’s pregnant sister being on bed rest, they have a fun relationship and their text messages are funny and sweet. This is a little predictable but in a cute way. I laughed at so many parts of this book and recommended it to my 13 year old as soon as I closed it. This is a very cute holiday young adult romance novel.
The Giver by Lois Lowry Considered a classic. SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW What an absolutely fascinating book. Reading it felt like reading George Orwell for the first time. Jonas lives in a community that is far in the future, 100% regulated and controlled to make sure everything has sameness. Words are used precisely and people are raised to fulfill roles in the community. Every year children are given new clothes, new forms of independence, and new responsibilities before they are assigned roles as they start training to become adults after they turn 12. Each adult applies for a spouse and is matched by the elders, each couple is allowed to apply for two children, one male and one female. Babies are birthed by women in the role of, birthmother, then babies are cared for by the role of nurturer. Jonas’s father is a nurturer and has brought one of the babies home for extra nurture at night. When he is named, he will be Gabriel. The day of Jonas‘s ceremony of 12, he is not assigned a position, but chosen to become the next Receiver of Memories. He has the honour and the burden of holding onto all the memories of the world throughout history. Memories of things he has never seen, things he has never even heard of before like snow and sunshine. Once the previous Receiver of Memories, now called The Giver, starts giving the memories of history to Jonas, Jonas has questions. Now that he is the receiver, he is allowed to ask questions and he wants to know about something he nor anyone has heard of before, the freedom of choice. The choice to make decisions. The big question is, is it better to make a decision even if it’s the wrong one rather than living a life of dullness with no choice or curiosity but remaining safe. The ending doesn’t answer that for you. He made a choice but we don’t know how it turns out because no one knows the future.
Warrior Girl Unearthered by Angeline Book 1 or 2 of a duology. I loved the first book in the FireKeepers series. This is the second book and is about the young twins, Perry and Pauline from the first book. This book takes place years later and the twins are interning the summer before their junior year. Perry’s assignment is at the tribal museum with Cooper Turtle and I liked him right away! All the interns are broken into teams, and every Friday throughout the summer they compete for a $4000 prize. I liked Perry’s teammates right away. Perry’s work deals with NAGPRA and the repatriation of ancestral bones and cultural artifacts. I also really liked Eric and the way he takes a new ideas and is mindful once he knows. There is also the murder of an old enemy. I love this book. I’m not sure if I love this book as much as the first one, but I love the way she writes, the characters, the subject matter, and how much I learn while I enjoy a good read. This is a fantastic series for adults and young adult!
Maus I: A Survivor’s Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegleman A graphic novel. Wow! You may think that because this is a graphic novel or as Artie’s Dad calls them comics, that this book is going to be easy and light but you would be very wrong. This is a tragic graphic novel/memoir written by a son about his father, Vladek Spiegleman. The book is about him listening to his father’s life story so that he can publish it as a graphic novel. Valdek was a Polish Jew during WWII. Vladek tells of the years he and his wife and their family and friends spent hiding from the Gestapo. It is straight to the point, easy to read and very easy to understand. This is good way to introduce young adults to the horrors of Auschwitz, the mice are the Jewish people and the cats, are the Nazis. This is a powerful book and starts in the early 1930’s and ends just as Vladek and his wife Anja get sent to Auschwitz in 1944. Part 2 picks up where he left off in his life story. This was an incredible book that discusses the holocaust and other stories like the author’s mother’s suicide and his Father’s new wife and their family problems during the time when he is listening to his father’s story and writing this book. I can’t wait to get the 2nd book and find out the rest of the Spieglemen’s story.
Heartless Hunter by Kristin Ciccarelli Published in 2024. A witch and a witch hunter. I love books about magic and this book isn’t just about magic. It’s about, blood magic. So first of all, I love all the names in this book. It’s like the author went into every historical/fantasy book I’ve ever read and picked out the best names lol. I really liked Rune and her Bestie Verity and Alex is awesome, I just don’t like Gideon. I like his name, not his character lol I like cat and mouse books but their chase didn’t seem friendly, at all. Considering there wasn’t any banter I was surprised that there was spice in this book, especially for a young adult book. I am interested in the second book after that ending though!
Rebel Witch by Kristin Ciccarelli All too well – Main Character getting over a break up. I still don’t like Gideon. And I don’t buy that him and Ruin are in love. No way. Yes, they are lying to each other but for no good reasons. Not really. Cressida’s curse was a good twist and I think that should’ve been the crux of why they couldn’t get together instead of the lying because really how did they even know each other enough to love each other? The second half of this book was what I wish happened half way through the first book! I feel like the story just got good when they became a team. The ending saved it for me and I was satisfied. It wasn’t my favourite young adult series, but I can see why people would like it.
Fireborne by Rosaria Munda Exile – Featuring a dual pov. This is the YA version of Fourth Wing written 4 years before Rebecca Yarros’s adult version. 2 kids orphaned in the revolution, go to school to become dragon riders, if a dragon chooses them and if they get through the challenge. The top four dragon riders become the fourth order. I’m serious. It’s ridiculously similar. This is perfect for teenagers that are too young for Violet & Xaden’s story but would enjoy Annie and Lee’s. This book also explores political themes of absolute power, corrupts absolutely and questions ends, justify the means or the means justify the ends?
Flamefall by Rosaria Munda Young Adult Fiction. I read the first book in the Aurelian series at the beginning of this year, so it took me a while to remember who Lee and Annie were. In this second book of what feels like a teen version of Fourth Wing, there is a lot of political intrigue. In fact, this book really shows you how nuanced politics, revolutions, and the term equality really are. I liked that this book wasn’t just about relationships. While friendships and loyalty are very important, romance takes the backseat in this book. Like in real life the question is always, whose side is “good”? What a cliffhanger! I cannot wait to see how this series wraps up.
Furysong by Rosaria Munda A young adult book (crossover). The final book. I really liked the political aspect of this series and I’m with Annie, I also like Power. I don’t like how long this book is though. It really dragged on. The point that is made over and over again is that good guys could be on the bad team and bad guys can be on the good team, no matter where we were born or who we were born to, we all have a choice. Which I definitely liked. I was satisfied with the ending because nothing is ever perfect and the people that were lost and the sacrifices that were made prove that. I wonder if we will get a spinoff series some day?
We just got our first snowfall and it makes me think of… Soup! Here are three delicious soup recipes that we have tried as the cold winter nights approach.
This Spicy Chicken Soup uses up leftover chicken or you can do what we did, buy a rotisserie chicken at the store and pull it apart for the soup, we freeze the leftovers for future dinners. This soup has a little heat, and you can add as many chilli flakes as you can handle. This was a delicious, tomato based, vegetable, chicken noodle soup that will keep you toasty and warm.
Another fabulous soup that we had recently was this Turkey Meatball Soup. The meatballs were so flavourful and the broth just felt comforting and nourishing. This soup was delicious for dinner and for lunch the next day.
Another favourite soup that is comfort in a bowl was this German Beef Noodle Soup. Yum! I love the texture of egg noodles and beef and vegetables and the yummy broth, this is the perfect comfort dish as the snow begins to fly.
Spicy Chicken Soup
4-6
servings15
minutes95
minutesIngredients
2 celery ribs, diced
1 carrot, diced
1/2 onion, diced
1 potato, peeled & diced
1 red pepper, diced
1 can of diced tomatoes, drained
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon parsley
1 tablespoon oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
5 cups water
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 cup ditali pasta
Directions
Heat a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, adding olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the celery, carrots, potato, onion, and pepper. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
Stir in the drained tomatoes, parsley, oregano, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes.
Pour in the water and chicken broth. Cover the pot and bring the soup to a boil over medium-low heat. Once boiling, reduce heat and let it simmer for an hour.
Add the shredded chicken to the soup and let it simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook the ditali pasta according to package instructions.
Just before serving, stir the cooked pasta into the soup. Top with freshly grated Parmesan cheese on top.
Turkey Meatball Soup
4-6
servings15
minutes35
minutesIngredients
2 carrots, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
2 cups potatoes, cubed
8 cups vegetable or chicken broth
2 teaspoons oil, for frying
2 cups macaroni, uncooked
3 bay leaves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
- Meatballs
1lb ground turkey
1 onion, grated
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons oil, for frying
Directions
Add the meatball ingredients (except the oil) to a medium bowl and mix well with your hands.
Preheat a Dutch oven and swirl 1 tablespoon of oil to coat.
Form golf size meatballs and add in a single layer to the pot with oil. Fry for a minute or so or until browned, flip and fry for another minute. Transfer to a plate and repeat this step with remaining meat and adding more oil. Set meatballs aside.
Add 2 teaspoons of oil, carrots and celery; saute for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add broth, cover and bring to a boil.
Add potatoes, meatballs, pasta, bay leaves, 3/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to very low and cook for 12 minutes.
Turn off heat and let soup sit for 10 minutes covered. Add parsley, stir and serve hot.
German Beef Noodle Soup
4-6
servings15
minutes75
minutesIngredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1.5 lbs beef chuck, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 carrots, sliced
2 stalks celery, sliced
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried parsley
6 cups beef broth
2 cups water
2 cups egg noodles
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Fresh parsley, for garnish
Directions
Heat the vegetable oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
Add the beef cubes and brown on all sides for about 5-8 minutes. Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.
In the same pot, add the onion and garlic. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes translucent.
Add the carrots and celery to the pot. Cook for another 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Return the browned beef to the pot. Season with salt, black pepper, dried thyme, and dried parsley. Stir to combine.
Pour in the beef broth and water, bringing the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 1 hour.
After 1 hour, add the egg noodles and Worcestershire sauce to the pot. Continue to simmer for an additional 10-12 minutes, or until the noodles are cooked through.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve hot, garnished with fresh parsley.
Thank you to Crazy Little Lovebirds for featuring my Winter Reading & One Pan Chicken Dishes at their Crazy Little Lovebirds Link Party last week.
Busy week! This week we celebrated SBean’s 13th birthday, HBear’s 17th birthday with the whole family, opening night of HBear’s high school musical Charlie Brown, we shopped and ate at A Sprinkle of Magic downtown, saw the Santa Claus parade (HBear was in it with theatre), and we set up the Christmas tree!
13 thoughts on “Birthdays, YA Books & Soup!”
I loved reading about both girls and what they are like and up to. My younger two play a lot of D&D too. I didn’t know there was a 2nd book in the Firekeepers and will definitely be looking for Warrior Girl Unleashed. I enjoyed The Giver when I read it in high school and reread it when my middle son was in college and talking about it.
Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy Warrior Girl Unearthed as much as I did, she is a fabulous author! I appreciate your comments, thanks for stopping by!
I love turkey meatballs; then again any meatball is a winner for me. I wonder why we like them so much? Wishing you a fab festive season.
cheers
sherry
My youngest LOVES meatballs and my eldest won’t eat any meat in the shape of a ball LOL. Go figure? LOL Happy holidays to you and yours as well!
My 11-year-old granddaughter’s Christmas wish list had GRAPHIC NOVELS (NO OTHER BOOKS). Oh, well, eventually her love for actual books will return, and until then, at least she is reading.
Keep at it! I have been told by MANY librarians that graphic novels are still reading and no matter what they are reading, it is a good thing. I used to read the back of the cereal box and the shampoo container so I guess I would have to agree LOL. My Kids read a mix of both but graphic novels are the way I have introduced them to books like Anne Frank’s Diary and Animal Farm. As long as they’re reading! Happy holidays and thank you so much for stopping by!
This is such a great soup recipes. Thank you so much for sharing on last week’s #HomeMattersParty. I hope you will stop by again this week, as I will be featuring your post. Have a great day!
Thank you so much! See you again next week 🙂
Happy Birthday to your girls 🎉🎂. I’m a soup gal and will welcome it all year. So these recipes are going to come in handy.
Thanks so much for sharing with Sweet Tea & Friends this month dear friend.
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Happy belated birthday wishes to both your girls, I hope they had wonderful days. I’ve not read the books you’ve featured although I did read The Crimson Moth.
Thank you! The whole month was a big celebration! Happy New Year and happy reading!
I remember reading The Giver in 6th grade and the story still sticks to me to this day! I need to read the rest of the books in that series!
I didn’t realize Warrior Girl Unearthed was a continuation of the Firekeeper series! I’ll definitely have to add that to my TBR. :]
Thanks for linking up with me at My Month Is Booked!
I didn’t know The Giver was a series so I guess we both helped each other out lol. Thanks for having me 🙂