...Woodstocky stuff...

The book is being read...

It's been hectic lately. My mum is back home and I miss her and my dad. I can't even think about that ...hopefully they will come here early next year...or maybe we will visit.

I'm figuring out the menu for Christmas. It's not easy. Shall I make the turkey? I'm afraid cause I hate to deal with uncooked poultry. Nik promised to help but will I have the courage to bring the bird home....don't know.

This week I baked bread made with yeast. Jamie Oliver's recipe. Turned out perfect. Nik loved it... If only it was healthier. I will bake that today too cause we ate the last loaf too quickly and didn't have the chance to take picture. Ok, we had the chance but lately we are so tired that taking pictures is beyond us. Nataniel decided that now he will only eat what he can take in his hand...part of the learning process I guess...but we are exhausted as after every meal house looks like a total mess. Food is everywhere. Hopefully Nataniel will learn soon.

I started cleaning up the house, planning, wrapping up the presents (thankfully we bought the presents last month). White Christmas? No way. The grass is green, sun shines and there is 10 degrees outside.

As part of the recovering process we watched Ang Lee's "Taking Woodstock" yesterday. Lovely movie. It reminded me of my previous experiences with woodstocky stuff. It all happened when I met Nik. We had long nights with music, beer, fire. Well, it's never really gone, well maybe we changed...Nik has short hair for few years now, it turned that it's not good for your health to drink so much beer...so we cut down...a little bit, the music has changed. We never really rebelled against anything so that's not different now...and we have a new companion...the adorable Nataniel with his shiny blond hair. It's better...we have our own place, we have ourselves.We are a family.

Book Nine: Elsie Burch Donald: "A model American"

Pages:298

Hello, hello!

I just got a spare moment as mum took Nataniel for a walk. I love those moments when I can just drink coffee and that's it.

It's the 3rd of December and we are officially on Christmas time.Here is a picture of my Christmas tree:



My reading now...I'm probably screwed. It's already December and I just started book nine. Eleven books left. Yep, good luck with that. Or maybe...

New book looks promising. It's about people who had a plane crush in the Cambodian jungle . At first it's a bliss... a Buddhists world with it's culture and new experiences not only though...the Vietnam war has just started and Khmer Rouge has just risen. I have this book for three weeks now. Hopefully it won't take me longer than 2 more days to read. I didn't really have time for the past days to read ...well I had but I chose to spend time going to the movies or theater...we don't have many opportunities like that ... I'm forgiven.

As for movies we've seen "The first day of the rest of your life".Very good French comedy about family relations with great music in the background. I was a bit afraid of French cinema as I saw a few really boring comedies in the past but these one...see for yourself, you won't regret.

Next movie we saw 2 days ago was Cesar awarded "Seraphine". This is a French-Belgium production about a woman, an artist that created in the first half of 20th century. The scenery was amazing but life during this time was awful:full of hard work with war always on the horizon. Seraphine was like a child trapped in a grown up body. Amazingly creative but not really ready for social life - that's why she ended up in a mental hospital.

And at last a play by Sam Shepard in Abbey Theater: Ages of the moon. It was about two guys in some tiny village in Minnesota or some other part of States. They are drinking bourbon on the porch and talk the night through. Not bad not very exciting either.It was good to see the Abbey Theater which is the National Theater.

My cooking...or rather baking: I finally made Sticky Gingerbread. It was amazing. Full of spices, aromatic, moist...like a Christmas on a plate:). My mum and Nik loved it and I loved it. Here is a picture of this little miracle:



And the biggest thing: I baked my own bread. I saw one being made on the afternoon show and it seemed so easy. And it was easy. Just mix the ingredients and put to the tin for 45 minutes. It's quicker than going to the bakery and tastes very good. Here is my brown soda bread:



Now I'm looking for a bread recipe I used to eat at home in Wroclaw. This was still brown bread and tasted divine. If you happen to know this recipe please let me know.

That's all for now. Nataniel and mum are back.

Cosiness

I'm so happy mu mum is here. With parents around I feel that everything is in place.
Hopefully tomorrow I will manage to take mum and Nataniel to the city center as the weather for the last few days has been miserable and we have to stay at home almost all the time. It can't possibly rain any longer, can it?

Did I tell you that we decorated a Christmas tree on Saturday? The place is so much cosier than before...with the twinkling lights and sparkling bubbles... I have to ask Nik to take a picture of that.

Now I really need to go to bed. Goodnight.

Time- most luxurious gift ever!

Hello again! I would like to apologise to all my dear followers (especially Kasia-the best reader ever!) for not writing for so long. Last week I was a little bit homesick and I wanted so much to go to Wroclaw, meet my friends, parents, spend some time in my favorite places and see the Christmas decorations on Market Square. Hopeless. I wanted to go so much so I checked the flights, called my parents...and than I had a quick reality check as I'm terrified of flying with a crawling toddler( he wants to move around practically all the time )than there is this stupid swine flue and unexpected weather conditions. So for some time I decided to put off the trip and ...I begged my mum to come over for two weeks. So she came here on Sunday. It's so good to have her in the house. It's like the perfect gift for us. It's her third day here and we already have been to the lovely pub Stag's head jus off the Temple Bar.Oh what a glorious feeling to drink a pint in a pub together again without worrying about a baby. It's so important to have someone trusted to babysit Nataniel even just for few hours...even just to stay sane. Yesterday we went to see a movie in IFI "Serious man" directed by Coen brothers. Oh, it was a good craic, especially after a lovely pint:). The film was about a Jewish man who after his wife said she wanted to leave him starts to have doubts and goes from one Rabbi to another for advice. It was such a good comedy. Jewish traditions are so interesting and their way of life is a bit like from another world. Definitely worth seeing.

Today I was supposed to bake Nigella's Christmas ginger cake but there was some misunderstanding about the amount of ginger in the house...I thought that there wasn't enough but then I found a lot...really complicated...so I baked the beetroot cake again. My mum fell in love with the taste and said she never tasted anything like that before...I wonder what will she say after tasting the incredibly easy Christmas cake ...which tastes like a peace of heaven...So Nigella, thank you again. You are my hero.

For now I have to finish as my dear husband has come back from work and I want to give him a hug.I promise to talk to you tomorrow.

Superwoman

I would never believe the amount of work mother does. Tomorrow we have a party for 8 people (including us). Good way to put my new cooking skills to the test. Today I've made Christmas rocky road and Red-speckled loaf cake. The last one is still in the oven and smells incredible. It's really weird but cooking has relaxed me big time in the evening. Nataniel didn't have a best day and was a bit cranky. Nik went to a goodbye party of some of his work colleagues so I'm all alone. I did the cooking, polished the floor, had a shower and I feel relaxed.Not stressed at all...not all credit goes to the beautiful ruby port I'm drinking:).

I'm so excited because next week I'm starting to teach Dutch to Nik. It will be so good for me. My Dutch desperately needs some refreshment.

And, if you excuse me, I'm going back to my port. I will talk to You soon.

Book Eight: Tracy Hogg, Melinda Blau "Secrets of the baby whisperer for toddlers"

Pages:328

Hello again!I started a new book about toddlers. That's actually the second part of "Baby whisperer" which was for infants. The book as the previous one is excellent. It emphasizes that you have a (not so) new little person at home that should be treated with kindness and respect.It helps to build a good relationship with a baby and teaches how to be the best guide you can be.

I haven't finished listening to the Cd's yet. Strangely enough it's taking me the longest. During the last week I had the weirdest foot injury ever and I can't go for walks with Nataniel now. It all happened last Friday. I was watching a comedy "The ugly truth" with my husband and when I got up my foot started to hurt. Apparently it was a sign that I shouldn't watch lousy movies anymore. Nik and I thought that the movie was like a slap in the face and a total waste of time. Next time I will have to apply a better screening process so there will be no injuries anymore.

Oh, I can't wait to read my new book. We picked it up yesterday with Nataniel in the library. It looks really promising.

As for the beetroot cake (Scarlet-speckled loaf cake) update it turned out really really good. No beetroot aftertaste. A delicious way to add up to your afternoon cup of tea.



Two days ago I baked the easiest cake ever: Spruced up vanilla cake. You simply put all the ingredients into the food processor to mix and ...that's it, really!. I didn't use the mountain shaped cake tin so it looked pretty ordinary...and to be honest the taste wasn't really ...well...my thing. I know I know I read the instructions it was supposed to be just simple cake like Polish Easter "Babka Wielkanocna". Don't get me wrong the cake was still very good...I'm just more into more moisture and more flavour.



PS. I enclose a picture of the Red salad as promised. You can find it in the previous post.

PS 2. Nik is taking all these amazing pictures and all credit for lightening up my blog goes to him.

Book Seven: Marian Keyes "Anybody out there"

13 CDs-audiobook

Omg this week was hectic. We have moved in to a new apartment. Nataniel seems to be getting used to his new space. He already has his favourite spots. I'm exhausted after cleaning, unpacking the boxes and I need some sleep desperately.

For the past two weeks I've been listening to the "Anybody out there" audiobook. I wanted to use the walking with Nataniel time to catch up with my reading. The story is about an Irish woman who lives in New York and lost her husband in a car accident. The woman that reads the book is amazing, she has a vary clear and dramatic voice. I still have 5 cds to listen to so I really need to hurry up if I want to read 20 books till the end of the year. Well, now I will have plenty of time because we decided to try out living without the TV. We weren't really watching it that much. My favourite programmes are available on Internet anyway so there is no biggie -well I was already watching them online as there are no commercials haha.

I'm sitting in my new living room. It's getting cosy alright. The building is situated on the hill so there is an amazing view over Dublin - especially looks cool at night, with all the twinkling lights.

As for Christmas preparation I made Nigella's Red salad for supper yesterday. Unfortunately we ate it too quickly and forgot to take a picture. I will try to prepare that again during the weekend. It was a combination of red kidney beans, macerated in red wine vinegar red onion, cherry tomatoes and fresh parsley. I served that with baguette with chorizo sausage on top. Very different as my dear husband commented. I was a bit cautious about the strong flavour of red wine vinegar but it wasn't very overwhelming. Today I'm baking a pie: Scarlet-speckled loaf cake. One of the ingredients is beetroot so it will be interesting.

Christmas Fruit Cake

The cake was sooo good. Even the making it was a pure pleasure. Combining the ingredients: dried fruits,liqueur,cocoa, spices...and the smell while baking...omg.On Sunday morning we unveiled the cake. It was beautiful. Unfortunately I didn't have the recommended decorations but I will leave that for actual Christmas time. The taste was unbelievable, very, very rich and moist. Pure delight.

Today is a busy busy day. We are getting the keys to the new apartment so we will slowly start to move out. Eh, I like this apartment...I hope I will like the new one two. I don't like changes, I hope everything will go smoothly.

Long autumn evenings with a book

"If you could see me now" is an amazing book. It's the one that takes you to that nice cosy place where there is only you, cup of tea, the warm blanket and the book. I learned from King's " Memoir of a craft" that you can sum up a book in just one sentence so here it will be: a women struggling after a disappearing of her mother long time ago is helped now by an imaginary friend that only she and her nephew can see. The sentence lacks the magic and warmth though so it would be better to read it for yourself. It's definitely a nice distraction from the chilly weather outside.

Book Six: Nigella Lawson "Christmas Kitchen"

Pages:277 (well with lots of photos I have to gladly admit:) and frankly I wouldn't buy it if there weren't any)

I'm holding a precious gift in my hands. The book "Nigella Christmas" arrived today. It's gorgeous. The cover, every page looks perfect, so delicious. It's exactly what I was looking for. Every recipe has it's story. It's so much I want to learn about the traditional English feast. Well, I know I should be learning about Irish traditions but Nigella just happens to be British. What I've learned so far is not to panic. No one can prepare everything perfectly without nervous breakdown so if you want to stay sane just buy some of the ready made food. You can use then the time you would have spent on cooking on pouring yourself a glass of something nice and relaxing and just enjoying all the smells, feeling the Christmas spirit.

Last week I made the Christmas Rocky Road (a recipe from the very book) and it was sooooo good. Melted chocolate with golden syrup, Brazil nuts, marshmallows, glazed cherries...as Nik said it's all you can expect from the real treat. Very festive,very heartwarming. A definite on my Christmas table. I uploaded the photo so you can see for yourself.

This week I'm making and you can start to laugh now: "Incredibly easy chocolate fruit cake". I like the title and the promise that it's delicious. I already have most of the ingredients but I will leave that for the weekend as it's a bank holiday Monday so it will be nice so have something special to celebrate.

Ah, and in a week and a half we will be moving to the new apartment. I can't wait.I like when everything is new. I like to figure out what I will put on the windowsill or where is a perfect place for a Christmas tree:).

What I love the most in all this preparation is the time I spend with my family. I feel so cosy to hold Nataniel and Nik in my arms. I just wish I could spend this Christmas with my parents too. I miss them so much and although I know that they will come to visit us in January I'm sad that this will be the second Christmas without them...next year.

Book Five: Cecelia Ahern:" If you could see me now"

Pages: 330

Oh I'm so happy I finished A little beach book. Although it had just 150 pages it took me the longest to read it. Well, the short stories would be definitely more interesting if read on the beach as prescribed if not they are just a bunch of stories and most of them was created around birthday parties. The strange thing I noticed-the more luxurious surroundings the more boring the story. Maybe the author is so busy describing intricate jewelery, designer clothes and scrumptious food that there is no place for the action left. That's probably the case.

My new book is thankfully Cecelia again. For now I can say it's about a lady that takes care for her sister and her son...oh and there is an imaginary friend involved...that bit of magic which I love.

As for Christmas preparation the book Nigella Lawson -Christmas Kitchen is on it's way to me, ordered yesterday from amazon.co.uk. I also recorded the show last Christmas and when I watch it now it brings about all the smells and warm feelings of the festive season. Today I'm going to prepare the Christmas rocky road. That's a dessert made of chocolate, nuts and marshmallows (??? we don't eat them in Poland so it will be interesting)...And I took out the CD with Christmas music so now Nikodem, Nataniel and I enjoy each other's company while listening to Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole.

Book Four: "Little Beach Book"

Pages:150
My new book or rather compilation of short stories written by various artists is an easy read.I chose that because I wanted to see how short stories are built, how the plot evolves and how short exactly they are. Everyone knows that I'm not really exuberant, I tend to stick to the point and I'm not a big talker. Maybe I opened up a bit in Ireland because Irish people like to talk and I like Irish people:). I like simple talk, everyday talk without worrying that I won't get a Nobel Prize for the kind of words I use.I like when someone listens, when someone is really interested in your point of view. That is a really nice.

I didn't really have time for lots of reading this weekend. We had a Nataniel's first birthday party. I baked a cake. Chocolate cake with summer fruit filling. It tasted good but didn't look as cool as I hoped for. Nikodem saved the appearance by writing Happy Birthday Nataniel and drawing a nice flower. I'm not a big detailer you know. Oh... and there was a candle on top. We took Nataniel to the Zoo later during the day, although he enjoyed looking at other people more than at animals:). We were so lucky with the weather, it was warm and very Autumny...and Autumn is my favourite time of year.

Exploring the world

A friend of mine reminded me of the movie "Neverending story" today. Do you remember it too? I guess I'm still a baby hidden in the body of 27 year old woman. I loved the story, my dad took me to the movies to see that. I wanted to get The Book that transferred you to fantasy world, I wanted it so much that 20 years later I created my very own fantasy world... through my writing.
I finished Cecelia Ahern's "A place called here" yesterday. I devoured it in 4 days to my husband's amazement. Story was so captivating that I just couldn't stop reading. And it's so good to read about places I know.
I forget to tell you how it went with my Christmas preparation last week. Well, it was goooood. Roasted vegetables, with herbs, olive oil and balsamic vinegar.Yummy. I'm also looking for an ultimate apple pie recipe. Last week I made apple shortcake and French Apple Claufoutis. They were both good but still it's not what I'm looking for. This week I probably skip the Christmas dish as I'll be making my son's first Birthday Cake. His birthday is on Friday but we are making the party on Saturday. We plan to go to the zoo so lets hope for beautiful weather and if it's miserable outside we will go to the children's interactive museum Imaginosity.
Last Sunday we took Nataniel to his first exhibition. Mani: The Lost Religion of Light. It was held in Chester Beaty's Library. It was so interesting. I've read about this religion already but seeing the restored papyruses and reading the history just took my breath away. It's really worth a visit.I used to read about religions all the time. Well, I was mostly interested in Buddhism. I went to lectures to the University (they were late so my farther had to pick me up :)), read Dalailams's books. I liked that Dalailama didn't say :our faith is the only one but instead he encourages to seek your own path, read a lot,get experience and then see what suits you best. I believe that you can learn from every religion, philosophy or culture. It shapes your imagination and pushes you to explore the world.

Book Three: Cecelia Ahern "A place called here"

Pages: 485
I couldn't decide on the next book so I took Nataniel to the library and we both chose Cecelia Ahern's " A place called here". I've read two of her books already and I can say that they never fail to impress me.I love Cecelia's books, I would like to have her imagination. Well, the story takes place in Ireland (the author is Irish) and roughly it's about a woman who goes missing. The reader somehow gets the insider's info of what happens when you disappear.I have to keep reading to find out more.
As for reading itself it's not easy these days because Nataniel decided to cut his naps in half so when I get my coffee, book and a sandwich it's actually time to get up and spend time with Nataniel. He is probably teething because his cheeks are red so he is totally forgiven.
As for Christmas preparation this week I decided to prepare roasted vegetables with herbs. I bought the last ingredient which was balsamic vinegar today so I will make the dish tomorrow. Well, I'm actually worried because I'm running out of easy recipes and probably next week my cooking will get serious, brr. As for the next dishes I'm a bit stuck because the key ingredient in most of them are chestnuts. Where do you get them? You buy them? Are they sold raw or prepared in jars? Which supermarkets have them or is it only on eBay? If you are reading this and you happen to know please let me know.

My language

Why am I writing in English? I guess, not modestly, I wanted to get bigger audience, some of my friends don't know Polish and almost all of my Polish friends speak perfect English. There is just one drawback: It's not my native language and I probably will never sound as "one of us" for English speakers. I finished book two a few minutes ago and I'm moved because you can express so much in Polish. This is my language? All my childhood, my memories are all shaped by Polish culture. Why did I forget that? Why was it so easy to take on someone else's language and treat as my very own? ...It's all two faced. English now is an old Latin or French. In Polish you often don't use Polish equivalents, it's easier, it's cooler. How am I suppose to teach my son Polish as even I don't know how to use it anymore. I'm not really freaking out because I, somewhere in my heart, feel that it's impossible to forget your own language, no matter where you now live. There will always be : mama, tata, babcia,dziadek, pierogi, truskawki, lato, woda...ech now I'm creating this world for Nataniel. In a few years he is going to think about his childhood and I want to fill it with good memories...without rush or flashy toys, just by simply being with him.

Last two weeks are so important to me. It's like with writing I can manage my life - if it's ever possible. It clears my mind, clears my emotions. I have more time for myself, all housework disappears quicker and I manage to do things I always wanted to do. It somehow finally got to me that it's not the world that shapes you, it's you that have the creative power. In fact it's the simplicity , humble surroundings and even bad weather that makes you a better person.

Book Two: Roma Ligocka "Czulosc i obojetnosc"

Pages: 185

If you are an English reader and don't know any Polish please don't be discouraged. The title is in my translation "Tenderness and indifference". The author is a woman born to a Jewish background in 1938. You can probably figure out what happened to most of her family during the war. I read one of her books few years ago and it was a difficult experience. The title was: "The girl in the red coat".I got a copy of that from my future mother in-law. That was first hand war experience of a child that survived WWII. The author is an amazing woman. Her writing is very tender and you can see a little girl there, hidden somewhere under the table, trying to get into the world that was once taken away from her. I really can't even imagine what she went through, I'm not even trying.

The words that are put on the pages are somehow flowing. It's like Roma almost didn't touch the page with a pen, extremely light breezy writing. It's like a memoir or rather impressions on her life, touch points, brief moments that moved her or are actually part of her.

In her grown up life Roma moved a lot, emigrated to foreign countries. She never had a real home. I emigrated a few years ago but it was totally different experience. My husband got a nice job in Ireland and since we moved here we fell in love with the country. But where home actually is? It's definitely not the building. It's the people you love, people you left behind in the country and the ones that are here with you. It's like being torn apart between here and there. You feel comfortable now, you found your place but knowing that your parents are going to see their grandson only few times a year is almost heartbreaking. At least I know that my folks feel at home in Wroclaw, they have their theatre, movie festivals, other kinds of festivals and the mountains they love so much. I'm happy.

Week of big accomplishments

This week my blogging has unfortunatelly been put aside but it's not as bad as it sounds: I mananaged to resolve one big space problem and my creativity ...is just flowing all over the place.
Lets start from the beginning: We finally found new apartment. Well, the one we have is fine, just a bit small. We had to put lots of things in boxes and they are standing in our cramped kitchen now. Enough of that, please.
Then, I finally started writing. The story turns out to be completely different from what I've been expecting but that's fine - my novel lives it's own life I suppose.
And finally I finished book one from my assignment. It was amazing journey through author's life and his experience as a writer. Well worth reading. Rule number one now is to read and write as much as I can, as Stephen has advised me to do.

Hard work and the big preparation

The book still reads extremely well. It has lots of hints how to get yourself started with writing. So beside the reading I'm also going to write 1000 words a day.

Well, now I'm writing a story. For now I have the atmosphere described and I'm waiting for one of the characters to show up and lead the way. It's so exciting!

I began also preparation for Christmas. My in-laws and my husband's brother are coming over, well flying over from Wroclaw for the big week. As I have no experience in the field I decided to try and master one dish a week. I have a well treasured December 2006 issue of "Good housekeeping" - no laughing please. This week it's Brussels sprouts. They turned out really well. The recipe was with caramelised shallots and toasted pinenuts. Even my husband, who hates Brussels sprouts said it was delicious. Eh, Christmas is finally upon us:).

Liberating experience

I haven't felt so good in years career-wise.I feel liberated. I feel free to be creative. I had a feeling that I need art to express myself but I always thought it was painting I should pursue. I thought I hate writing. Now strangely enough it liberates me.

I must admit I'm hooked now on reading. I have my time, I have my space.It's amazing to find out how Stephen King created "Carrie". Everything seems to be happening on purpose. His helping wife, early poverty, his children. It all makes you work even harder and if what you do is what you love it's like the whole world comes to you and helps you, heaven opens up.

Yesterday I saw "The Illusionist". I'm not sure about magician types of movies but it was quite charming.The plot, the characters ...eee...it reminds me of Woody Allen's movie: "Scoop". This one was pretty cool and ..."I mean this from the bottom of my heart"!ha

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X31pBRzhqaw

Concentrate on the Now

I got a question yesterday from my beloved follower about the list of books. Well, there isn't one. For now I will see how it goes. For now not knowing what I will read next works well.There is no big waiting list but just this one book I read. That's my new philosophy - Concentrate on the Now.

Yesterday I had a little catch up with Mr Jamie Olivier - Well, I watched the next episode of his "Jamie's American Road Trip". I think it's brilliant. It's these extraordinary cultures he is talking about through food. In high end restaurants you certainly will eat great food but it's the small places, family run where you can hear the heartbeat.

I've read a few chapters from my book. Why is it so that Stephen King's books remind me of my childhood. Well, I wasn't writing back then but this feeling of freedom, that you can do whatever you want the whole day it's just so captivating. I liked when he wrote about his trips to the movies to watch horror stories. Isn't that funny that when you are 12 or so is the best time to watch those movies. I've seen so many of them back then. When you grow up it just looses it's charm. Maybe movie selection just gets more sophisticated ...or there are no good horror movies anymore. Today's slashers? - No thank you!
I remember one movie form my growing up in particular: "Cinema Paradiso" by Giuseppe Tornatorre.It's the best movie ever. I somehow managed to get a DVD of that.It's charming. I wish it was the first movie I've ever seen(maybe it was, wasn't it?).One time I actually felt like one of the characters. It was in Crete in Paleochora in the south of the island. There was this open air cinema. There was no popcorn, which I hate, but there was beer, which I love. You sat there sipping your bottle, the moon shone over your head, millions of cats were running around and this entr'acte, a break in the middle of the movie to refill or go to the loo:).It was the ultimate cinema experience.

Book One: Stephen King " On writing. A Memoir of the Craft"

Pages: 367

I decided to read this book because I want to write! I have no experience in the field and I turn to the king for advice.There is a bit of damage made by my high school teacher to my confidence as a writer but hopefully that can be mended.

So far the book reads well. One thing only: The author thinks that you have to be born with the gift of writing. Is that so?Maybe. Hopefully it will come to the surface.

The Assignment

To read and write about 20 books until 31th of December 2009

It's me now. Here on the Web! I love reading, I love jumping into the lives of characters ...the whole magic transformation but I never manage to have time for that so I decided to read 20 books until the 31st of December 2009. Belive me it really is a spectacular number for me, especially with almost 1 year old baby Nataniel and a lovely husband to feed.