2 comments about Porch & Sunroom Planner (Better Homes & Gardens).

1. I am glad I ordered this book. It gave me a lot of info and ideas.



2. This is a great book got lots of good ideas the pictures really help explain what they are doing with the different rooms.

5 comments about You Will Dream New Dreams: Inspiring Personal Stories by Parents of Children With Disabilities.

1. My very pro-life girlfriend sent me this book as a gift the week I was due to go in for invasive testing to find out if I would be in these parents' shoes. She meant it well but it was poor and inappropriate timing. Once I had my test results, which said my baby was 'normal', I then read the book and learned a lot. I'll give you the perspective from a parent who has never had extra challenges to raising my children.

   This book is geared to those who have just learned of a diagnosis. I would also recommend it to anyone who works in related fields. It doesn't address the long-term issues and doesn't hand out answers. The parents were mostly disarmingly honest in how they felt and how they coped. Some of the parents of children with Down Syndrome were a little rightious but most were refreshingly forthright.

   While I feel grateful that I never had to face what these parents have, I didn't pity them. I also felt, and it is always the possiblity that I might still find myself in similar shoes, that the strength is there. I would learn and grow and cope with what we would face and it wouldn't diminish the love I have for my children, including the one en route. I could adjust my dreams.

   The book is engaging and reads easily. I want to learn more on the subject. You also learn what to say and not say to other parents. We're all equals. It's a tough job and maybe some of us have a job a little more difficult but we'll all get it in the end, whatever the goals and aspirations are.




2. As a sibling of a child with special needs, You Will Dream New Dreams helped me evaluate the dreams I have had for my brother in the past, and how I should change them for the future. It also helped me better understand my parents, and how they have coped with having a child with a special need.
   
   I would highly recommend this book to parents, and older siblings of children with special needs, and to professionals that are planning on working with children with special needs. I feel that this book would provide parents a feeling of support and hope for their child and their child's future. I think that this book would help older siblings understand their parents better, and why they have done things in life in a certain way. As for professionals, I feel it allows them an insight into the types of families they may be working with, which will allow them to empathize with the family rather than sympathize for the family.



3. 
   Perhaps I'm taking the title of the book "You Will Dream New Dreams" a bit too literally. This collection of stories written or dictated by parents of children with disabilities offers information, insights, anecdotes, and snippets from their lives and experiences.
   
   Many of the chapters are indeed sobering and deliver a welcomed jolt of optimism and hope. Some recount the efforts required to get the medical professionals to get off their high horse and focus on the evidence they either cannot grasp or discount. Many recount the work, progress, and advocacy that are required as parents have to become social, educational, legal, and even medical icebreakers that plow through the morass of societal obstacles imposed on anyone outside the narrow confines of what is deemed "normal." Some of the best advice here is that parents let go of guilt and blame about unchangeable events---advice that mirrors some of the Buddhists texts I've read as well.
   
   A few stories fail to convince me that those involved are not still legitimately in denial, particularly those that convey sentiments such as "we would not change anything," or "we would not be given anything we could not handle." I'm also bothered a bit by assertions of gratitude toward a disabled child for helping a parent gain insight, strength, or wisdom because all children potentially should provide these opportunities.
   
   Overall, this is quite valuable book for families who are coming to terms with the death of their dreams while new dreams are being fomented. The sage advice to focus on abilities not disabilities rings true, again, as much for "normal" children as for those without a disability. In that regard, this book should probably be required reading for anyone who plans to have a family and who is naïve about the way the genetic lottery works
   
   Moreover, without delving too deeply into this subject, the focus of this book, in my opinion, is not to diminish the lives, experiences, or contributions of anyone who has any sort of disability, but to convey the idea that matters beyond anyone's control do affect and transform others. No judgment should be implied or inferred by such recognition about the intrinsic value of any person.
   
   So do I dream new dreams? Sometimes, at some levels, I do when I'm awake. But dreams during sleep have their own odd reality, and when my daughter appears in those dreams free from her disabilities, what am I to make of the incongruity of reality and hope?



4. I am a Genetic Counseling student and this book was a great read before I started my program. It really inspired me and reminded me of why I was going to go into this field.
   I bought it to keep on my book shelf in my future office so that I may share some of these stories with patients if I feel they would benefit from them.
   It is a book of hope, caring and emotion.



5. As a mother of a child with "special needs", I found this book to be quite inspiring. In the introduction, it is recommended you read a few essays at a time. While the information can be overwhelming at times, they are also joyous. I read the entire book in two sittings. It was so wonderful to see how these parents overcame their own fears and depression so they may enjoy their children.
   You will truly realize "You are not alone" after reading these collective essays. There is also a wonderful place at the end of the book for parents to turn to for help and support.

5 comments about The Party Planner.

1. I have started a personal event planning business and there was a wealth of information, I especially liked the tips section in each chapter.



2. I didn't find many of his ideas that I would use. Most were alittle too over the top. I would scale them down.



3. It's great. Lots of big pictures & well-thought out themes & good format. It really transports you to these special & original parties.



4. "The Party Planner" is thoughtfully laid out. Cocktail Parties, Dinner Parties, Holiday Entertaining, Special Occasions and Milestone Celebrations. Each party is laid out by "The Look", "The Scent", "The Touch", "The Taste", "The Sound" along with "Tutera Tips". A number of drink recipes are provided along with a few recipes. The book is filled with colorful pictures and "how to" instructions. Some of the ideas may be a little over the top, however for anyone looking for inspiration or if you are new to entertaining it would be a helpful resource.
   [...] for those who are passionate about creating memorable occasions.



5. World class celebrity party planner shares his tools of the trade to make your event a memorable one. Be you own professional planner and mesmerize your guests with this book from one of the best.

4 comments about Black & Decker Finishing Basements & Attics: Ideas & Projects for Expanding Your Living Space (Black & Decker).

1. This is a great place to start with if you're a do-it-yourselfer planning to finish your basement. The only drawback I found is that it leaves you wanting more. I ended up buying more books on plumbing, flooring, and building in general. I managed to find several good used books. I'll probably end up buying a book on electrical work too (I'm still working on my basement). I also did a lot of research on the internet. Also, there's a lot of variation on local building codes, so you need to talk to your governing authority to get specifics. In the end, you might decide to do some parts of the job yourself and leave other parts for professionals. In any case, reading through this book will give you a lot of ideas to get started.



2. My wife brought this book and 5 others home from the library for us to review as we are just starting to finish our basement. This book is the best of the six by far. It's drawback is that it is not comprehensive - if you don't have some basic knowledge/experience and you want to do the work yourself, then you will want more detail. For the few pages that are there, however, the book does an excellent job showing the work at hand and gives some good ideas. I'll likely buy the book to have it on hand as we progress. Enjoy your project!



3. I am a complete home improvement dummy who is trying to build out her basement. This book was great at teaching me the basics & forcing me to think in a logical step by step manner - heating first, earthquake proofing next, etc. It also helped me understand drywalling techniques & effective insulation. Further, it helped me focus on building codes & regulations (I hadn't thought of that & as I said, i'm a home improvement dummy). Plus the pictures gave me great ideas. On the whole, a worthwhile investment. This book does assume that you'll want to *do* your own basement so there are tons of pictures showing you how to effectively insulate etc...



4. This is very useful if you are finishing your basement yourself. It walked you through all of the basics from planning and framing to finishing off molding. There is great content in this book and this was one of the heavily referenced books my husband and I used to finish our basement. I would caution you that the photos seem a bit dated, so get another book if you are shopping for ideas.

5 comments about The Backyard Lumberjack.

1. There's more to cutting wood than swinging an axe. Learn the finer points of wood splitting in this book.



2. This is a great all-purpose book if you have a woodlot or even if you don't. It covers just about everything you ever wanted to know about trees, identifying them, felling them safely, splitting, stacking, aging and burning them! We heat our house exclusively with wood, most of it taken off our property, and have found this book (like most Storey publications) to be genuinely useful.



3. I just bought a chainsaw for my 12-acre woooded property, and after reading the manual cover to cover, I was terrified of using it. This book was very helpful, and the pictures were great. It has given me some confidence that when I get out there, I will know what I am doing.



4. This is an ok book. Probably the most helpful info was the section on how to cut down a tree. Not worth keeping on the personal library shelf and I don't recommend buying it. I'm sorry I bought it.



5. Lots of pretty pictures and cute writing. 23 full color pictures of the authors swinging splitting mauls. Lots of pictures of them doing all sorts of things. A really eccentric felling style. I wouldn't try it. There are much better, safer and more accurate methods in general use.

3 comments about Ultimate Guide to Wiring: Complete Projects for the Home (Ultimate Guide).

1. I found this book easy to follow. It did not lay the technical jargon on too thick. And all the terminology used was explained thoroughly. I was able to make simple electrical repairs, even though I've never worked with wiring before. I really appreciated how they included all the safety measures you need to take while working with electricity.



2. The "Ultimate Guide To Wiring: Complete Home Projects" from Creative Homeowner Press is a compendium of 'how-to' information for do-it-yourself homeowners with respect to household electrical wiring tasks. Step-by-step methodical instructions and diagrams are very nicely illustrated with more than 900 color photographs for a variety of more than 85 specific wiring projects ranging from switches, receptacles and light fixtures, to home automation, outdoor lighting, and networking. Of special value for the novice homeowner are the informative sections on tools, cables, conduits, fixtures, appliances, and code-approved work. Thoroughly 'user friendly', the "Ultimate Guide To Wiring" clearly lives up to the promise of its title and is strongly recommended as a core addition to personal and community library homeowner 'do-it-yourself' instructional reference collections.



3. For me this was a good reminder of how it's done. I haven't done it in years this helped on a project I had going.

5 comments about Do It for Less! Parties: Tricks of the Trade from Professional Caterers' Kitchens.

1. This has got EVERYTHING in it, no joke. From locations to amounts of food you need per persong at any party....budget pages... SO USEFUL! i am never going to let this book go! if you are thinking about getting it...don't bother...JUST DO IT!



2. I love this book, it has a wealth of useful information with an excellent format. If you purchase this book, you will not be dissapointed.



3. by Judy Bart Kancigor, author of Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family
   
   from The Orange County Register
   January 25, 2007
   
   I am not a football fan. My idea of a super bowl is my mother's Val St. Lambert. But I do love a party, so if my centerpiece has to be the TV, hey, think of what I'm saving on flowers!
   
   My Superbowl guest list is growing each day, and I'm getting nervous. Just how much food do I need for a crowd? And then there's the expense. Not to worry. With Denise Vivaldo's cookbook and catering guide "Do It For Less! Parties" I know I can throw a bash that won't stress me out and won't break the bank.
   
   "People are not used to cooking in quantities," said Vivaldo, a classically trained chef and caterer, whose company, Food Fanatics, specializes in recipe development, consulting, and food styling for print, film and television. "It freaks them out to see how much food they've got. Is it enough? It is too much?" This book eliminates the guesswork with recipes given in chart form for 12, 25, 50 or 75 guests. "Remember, the more things you have on the menu, the smaller the portions you need to serve," Vivaldo advised.
   
   But how much will this party cost, I wonder. "When people entertain, they spend a lot of money instead of keeping it simple," Vivaldo noted. "If you're having a lot of people, you don't have to offer a complete bar. Why not make one kind of drink, say Cosmopolitans, and add something non-alcoholic and some water and you've got it."
   
   This seasoned professional, who has catered 10,000 parties (serving the likes of Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bette Midler and Prince Charles), reveals her tricks of the trade for everything from planning the menu to napkin folding.
   
   "When we're entertaining, we're all our own harshest critics," she said. "But if someone else has set the table, the simplest meal is divine."
   
   Vivaldo offers nine complete party themes, each with a menu, shopping list, decorating ideas (including invitations, table linens, favors and entertainment), time- and money-saving tips, an equipment list and a menu countdown, so you're not doing everything at the last minute.
   
   "You don't need to spend a lot of money on matching linens," Vivaldo advised. "Look around your house. Everything doesn't have to match. Be creative. You can use a Mexican serape or even $10 sheets from Target. People don't come to your home to see your couch. They come for the company and a glass of wine."
   
   For Superbowl I'll score with the Toscana menu: Classic Caesar Salad, Chilled Penne Pasta with Pesto and Pine Nuts, Italian Meatball Lasagna, Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter Sauce, Tiramisu, and Chocolate Almond Biscotti. Touchdown!
   
   Vivaldo's game plan makes it all simple, starting with shopping for non-perishables the week before. I see two days before the game I can prepare the gnocchi dough and biscotti, with the bulk of the cooking the following day. On party day I have only to cook the gnocchi, reheat the lasagna and gnocchi sauce, toss the salad and brew coffee. Then I can relax and enjoy the game. Or you enjoy the game and I'll enjoy you!
   
   "People make themselves crazy when they entertain," Vivaldo reflected. "If you could enjoy yourself more, you would do it more often."
   
   CHILLED PENNE PASTA WITH PESTO AND PINE NUTS
   from "Do It For Less! Parties" (Terrace) by Denise Vivaldo
   
   1 1/2 pounds penne pasta (uncooked)
   1 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
   4 cups fresh basil leaves
   1/3 cup walnuts
   4 garlic cloves, peeled
   4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
   1/2 teaspoon salt
   1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
   3/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
   
   1. Bring a large stockpot of salted water to a rolling boil. Cook pasta in batches until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes, being careful not to overcook. Drain. Drizzle with a little olive oil if needed to keep from sticking.
   2. Process basil leaves, olive oil, walnuts, garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper with a food processor until mixture forms a coarse paste. Taste and adjust seasonings.
   3. Toss cooked pasta and pesto together in a large mixing bowl (in batches if needed for manageability). Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts.
   3. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serves 12 (options for 25, 50 and 75 in the book)



4. Denise Vivaldo has done it again with a party book that actually gives practical, step-by-step directions. So many books look great, but when you read through them, they are just fluff. Not Denise. Her book spells everything out in detail--even to the point of telling you how to fix burned food, overcooked vegetables, lumpy gravy, etc. Let's face it--mistakes happen. What can we do now??
   
   I also really appreciated her correct table layouts for those of us, like myself, who are "table setting challenged." Oh, so that's where the bread plate goes!
   
   I am looking forward to trying out her recipes. They look wonderful.



5. I first rented this book from the library, it was such a help and packed with so much information that I decided to purchase a copy to have at my finger tips at all times. It's filled with all kinds of information for any cook not just party information. Excellent book.

4 comments about The Skateboard Art of Jim Phillips.

1. Jim Phillips is finally stepping out from the obscurity of his drawing board to take a bow for the countless skating design innovations for which he is solely responsible. The skateboarding, surfing and rock & roll art of the last 30 years was trailblazed by this softspoken and humble artuer and the rest if the world has been playing catch-up ever since. Any skater who grew up riding in the 70s, 80s and 90s had these designs plastered on every wall of their bedroom as well as the decks of their boards. The ripples started in Santa Cruz, CA but have radiated out to impact the art worlds of Europe, Japan and Canada. Check out Jim's other 2 books on Rock Art and Surf/Skate art, too! AWESOME!



2. I think there is a big difference between this book and the Skateboard and rock poster book. This book comes with full blown pages of closeups of all of or most of Jim's artwork. I'm a hobby artist myself so I'm really jazzed up about this book. Another book to get that is rather intresting is Disposable which covers different skateboard companies and riders but you will be happy with this book here.



3. I bought this book based on the two other reviews on Amazon but when I received it i was a little disappointed. It wasn't exactly what I expected. I wasn't very familiar with Jim Phillips' art before this book. I own other skateboard art books, but this kind of art is too busy for me. If you're a fan of Jim Phillips' art then I guess this book is for you, but it wasn't exactly my taste.



4. Presented in this book is practically the very definition of BAD TASTE! But, two stars given because if you happen to be into the silly skateboard scene, you'll probably LOVE this one.

5 comments about Decorating with Architectural Details.

1. I have found this book to be very helpful when I see architectural features in a house with which I am unfamiliar. When I am done with it, I share it with other new agents.
   
   The descriptions used by the author have helped us write descriptions of our listings on the Multiple Listing Service. We realty agents see varieties of architecture that must be described briefly to help sell the homes. The book provides some descriptive terms that help us beginners.



2. This is the perfect book for someone in the construction phase of their dream home. There are so many pictures providing a pletora of innovative ideas. I really liked the construction pictures that depict how a few separate pieces of molding can create a spectacular design! I'm taking the whole book to my trim guy so he can have a 'visual' of exactly what I want. I've purchased a lot of books as a first time owner/builder, and I have to say, this was certainly one of the best!



3. I bought this book for my wife for Christmas. She likes it as an inspirational book to get some ideas of what we can do for some woodworking/trim for our house.
   
   We find it a little light on the "how to" sections, so we also ordered the Trimwork book - part of the same series.



4. I am a custom carpenter in Metro Detroit, and have a large library of carpentry / trimwork detail books. I mostly use these books for discovering my customer's style and for generating ideas for their projects. This book is by far one of my 2 most referenced books in my library. It makes nearly every trip I make to a new customer's home. It contains great photographs of very nice architectual details. I highly recommend it, and will soon be buying my second, and possibly third, copy.



5. This book provides not only good ideas but "how to" as well. It is an impressive collection of interior photographs illustrating examples of architectural details use in a range of styles from formal to casual and period to eclectic. It is entertaining as well as informative--a good read!

4 comments about Perfect Tables: Tabletop Secrets, Settings And Centerpieces for Delicious Dining.

1. This book is not what I expected. The settings were mostly the same, crystal and china. I was looking for new ideas with fabrics, flowers and other items to decorate the table for holidays and special occasions.



2. The photographs are lavish and the styling of the book is excellent, but what I find it lacks somewhat is the practical ideas. The focus is a lot on the china and table service.



3. I purchased this book for myself with an Amazon gift certificate. We give a lot of dinner parties and I am always fussing with the table. This beautiful book is filled with enough ideas to last the rest of my life. Even if I don't use the entire lay-out of a featured tabletop, there's at least one or two ideas that can be taken from each page and incorporated into my own design. If you love to "dress up your table," then this is the only book you might ever have to buy.



4. I like it lots. Some interesting views on dos and don'ts in table settings, and beautiful photos. My only problem with these lovely books is that they consistently don't identify flatware, and also most china, linens, and glassware. For a serious purchaser -- and I am -- I would like to know antique sources, provenance and contemporary patterns and such.
   
   Good job, Mr. Yeoward. As I write, I am pre-ordering your newest publication.