Monthly Challenges discussion

If you have any questions or comments for November ask them here. Feel free to chit-chat here too.

.... the smell of roasted chestnuts, fresh pretzels, bratwust, and hot spiced wine, the sound of festive music, and the glimmer of Sparkling Christmas Ornaments, all in a cozy atmosphere
---- this is the authentic -German-style Christkindlmarket experience.....

If you happened to see Task 5.1 - we'll be having our very own Christkindlmarket

We need booths at our market.

1. Give your booth a name and tell us want you'll be selling.
2. Will need 2 to 3 tasks referring to your booth
(Choose one: type task)
3. The 1st 5 booths will be in task 5.1 :D

Booth: BIRDS OF A FEATHER - selling bird-shaped ornaments for your tree.
My mother collected bird ornaments. I have all of them now that she has passed, and I put up one one Xmas tree that is JUST her bird ornaments.
1) Bird on the cover
2) Bird name in title or author's name (e.g. The Sparrow or Kathleen Eagle) For auth can be 1st, middle or last name

Booth: Weihnachtspyramide (Christmas pyramids)

A lot of Christmas traditions my family celebrates come from our German heritage. I have always loved the candle-powered rotating Christmas decorations. They seemed magical to me as a child.

1. Most of the pyramids demonstrate nativity scenes. They include the story of the Christ child being born, of shepherds and wise men visiting the child, and of angels rejoicing in heaven. The nativity scene often is placed on the longest shelf at the bottom of the pyramid, while a pine cone or a star would crown the top.

Read a book with an angel, pine cone, or star on the cover.

2. The origins of the Christmas pyramids date back to the Middle Ages. In this period it was traditional in southern and western Europe to bring evergreen branches, for example boxwood, into the home and hang them in order to ward off moroseness in the dark and cold winter months. In northern and eastern Europe traditional candles were used to achieve this goal. The Christmas pyramid would eventually unify these two traditions and become a symbol of Christmas celebrations.

Read a book with MPG: MEDIEVAL which also has either a GREEN cover OR a candle on the cover (show cover)

3. The name "Christmas pyramid" came about because the Napoleonic Campaign in Egypt at the end of the 18th century brought pictures of the pyramids back to Europe and eventually to the Ore Mountains, where they reminded the people of the mining capstans and also of the Christmas constructions.

Read a book with all the letters "EGYPT/ORE" in the title (no subtitles, and title must contain 2 Es) OR author's name (may use all names as appear on Goodreads, but still need 2 Es)

Booth: The Wurst of Germany - selling 5 kinds of sausages

1. Bratwurst is a sausage made from finely minced pork and beef and usually grilled and served with sweet German mustard and a piece of bread or hard roll.

2. Blutwurst, or blood sausage, is made with congealed pig or cow blood and contains fillers like meat, fat, bread or oatmeal. It is sliced and eaten cold on bread.

3. Bockwurst originated in Frankfurt and is made from veal with some pork or other meats and flavored with salt, pepper, and paprika. It is boiled and eaten with Bock beer and mustard. It looks like a curved hot dog.

4. Short and stubby Knockwurst, sausages are often all-beef and flavored with garlic. They are sometimes smoked and then served traditionally with sauerkraut and potato salad.

5. Leberwurst, is usually made from pork with some pork liver and flavored in various ways. It is spreadable.

Pick one and read a book with the authors first and last name initials in the name of the sausage selected or read a book with any type of sausage on the cover (show cover)

If 5 is too many options, drop #2 and 3 since they repeat letters found in the remaining 3.

We need 2 more booths to finish 5.1


I couldn't wait anymore - I went ahead a did booth 4 & 5

....... this suggestion is by Marianne Wilson

I have a suggestion for a challenge. In honor of Movember, in which we focus on men’s health, read a book in which the protagonist is a man, esp. one struggling with a health crisis. ( Many men refrain from shaving this month to bring awareness to men’s health. My son is!)

Thank you Marianne for this suggestion. Unfortunately, all the tasks for this month were already assigned. But I can use it for December.

All tasks are up :D

I have a question Diana: I read Martita, I Remember You/Martita, te recuerdo by Sandra Cisneros, and it is listed as having 128 pages. However, the first half of the book is the entire book written in English, and the second half of the book is the same book, but written in Spanish. In other words, it's a very short book! I figured I couldn't count it unless I read the Spanish half, too, and of course I can't read Spanish. Can I count it if I listen to the English version and then read the written version? Or should I just forget it!? I intend to read it because the narration was so poor, with a soft whispery voice, I couldn't understand it very well!

Yes Marilyn, if you listen to it on audio it will count. : D

Announcement:

My 4th grandbaby was born 11/23/21
at 4:15 am. Her name is Chloe Grace, 7 lbs 2 oz. :D

Congratulations, Diana! Wonderful news!

Congratulations! What a joy! Hope mother and baby are doing well

Congratulations on the new "edition" to your family, Diana! Definitely something to be thankful for!

Congratulations!!

Thank you Everyone! She is so precious :D