It's Here...

Finally!!!

Free-Range Knitter by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee!

My bookstore called yesterday morning to tell me it had arrived!

Can't wait to start this book - but, it will have to wait cause I have a couple of library books to finish first. And, it will make nice fall reading!

Her books are fun reads...and I especially like her essays...and that is what this one is...not really instructional - just interesting tidbits!

New Book...

Just started reading a new book last night - Check it out here! It is good!

Yard Sale Finds...

The last couple of days there have been tons of garage sales - yard sales...

Was happy to find this interesting book - The Encylopedia of Stitches...for $2. Also found a brand new humidifier - still in the box - for another $2.

Then today on the way home - I ran into a couple of sales - picked up five full rolls of thin silk ribbon for 10 cents a roll - it will be perfect to learn how to do silk embroidery to use to embellish quilts. And, a cute pitcher for 25 cents that will make an adorable flower vase...

New Author...

This year is the year for new authors for me...since I have working on the A-Z Reading Challenge - new authors are joining the list.

One of the newest authors I've read is Fern Michaels. Started out reading the first book of The Sisterhood Series, Weekend Warriors and ended up completing the series by reading the other six for a total of seven books in April.

The books were:

Weekend Warriors
Payback
Vendetta
The Jury
Sweet Revenge
Lethal Justice
Free Fall

They were really enjoyable...not to mention that seven books in one month is a personal best for me this year!!!

What's Up with Blogger?...

Today just seems to just be slow going with just about everything!

The weather is foul! Raining and it is a wintery mix...It is dark and dreary. Edgar Allen Poe would have fit right in.

The electric company will love me today cause I've got lights on in the kitchen and living room just to get enough light for it not to seem like night-time.

And, blogger/google is giving me fits (and it seems to be everyone!) about getting to blogs, links, and posting...

So, I'm baking a banana nut bread! Knitting on Socks! Catching up on mail that needs to go out! And, reading Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen.

Have a great Saturday...

Books and Movies...

What else is there to do on a snowy day other than read and watch movies?...(well, I guess I could finish up the last few boxes that need to be unpacked, start on a new quilt or a dozen other things)...but, I felt like finishing a book and watching a movie.

Just finished reading Th1rteen R3asons Why by Jay Asher. While the book has a very good plot line - somehow in my humble opinion it fails to deliver. The story centers around Clay Jenson (being one of 13) who receives a set of tapes which Hannah Baker has recorded before killing herself.

There is a lot of teenage angst throughout the book - but, I didn't feel there was enough going on or happening to cause someone to kill themselves...but then who knows how teenagers think. It was just a fair book.

Seems like I've been into movie watching - Checked out the following from my library:

Bridge to Terabithia - second time I've checked this one out and still haven't watched it. Just could not get in the mood.

Stardust - popped it in to watch and just could not get into it. Somehow I don't think I can suspend my sense of reality long enough to watch it...I may try it again though...just not right now. The timing is off for both of the above movies.

Gone Baby Gone - The author of Mystic River strikes again...Must have tried to watch Mystic River three or four times before I could finally get into it...this one looks about the same. I couldn't get the past the scene where the lead actor spends (what seems to be) fifteen minutes calling everyone in the free world a M_Fer. And, I'm no prude - those words have certainly come out of this mouth ... but, it was a bit over the top...

Plain Truth which was a Lifetime Original Movie was pretty good. Starred Mariska Hargitay and it was about a murder in an Amish community.

The Brave One with Jodie Foster. Excellent movie...I really liked it!

By the way - there is still lots of snow on the ground - but the sun is shining and it makes the snow look beautiful!!!!

I'm In Love...

With Him! Is he not adorable??? Just finished reading this book: Knut: How One Little Polar Bear Captivated the World by Juliana, Isabella, and Craig Hatkoff and Dr. Gerald R. Uhlich.

This is the story of a little polar bear born in the Zoo Berlin whose mother could not care for him and how Thomas Dorflein, a bear keeper at the zoo, became his foster father and helped raise him. The book is only 36 pages long and full of photographs.

I am sure it is a children's book - but I loved it!!!!

Veggie Cooking...

Title: Serving up The Harvest: Celebrating the Goodness of Fresh Vegetables
Author: Andrea Chesman
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Pages: 500
ISBN: 13: 978-1-58017-663-7

This book is AWESOME!

For starters, other than a few favorite vegetables, I don't eat them. And, I need to be more flexible in my diet and learn to eat more things. During the months when the Farmers' Markets abound here veggies are plentiful. Not only that but they look good, smell good, and just almost seem to beg you to take them home and cook them.

Contents:

The book starts off with an introduction section which features a few words about the book and her acknowledgements. Then it has two chapters:

1) The well-stocked Pantry deals with the staples that you should have in your home: broth, oils, vinegars, condiments and sauces and nuts, lemons, etc. She includes twelve recipes for making your own.

2) Mastering the Basics: Methods and Recipes...includes the information about the basic way of cooking vegetables. Included are fourteen recipes (such as: basic stir fry, fettuccine alfredo with vegetables) that can be used quickly when the bounty is overwhelming.

The book is then divided into the following sections:

Spring into Summer
Early to Mid-Summer
Mid to Late Summer
Fall into Winter

Each section is then broken down by vegetable. For instance Spring into Summer includes:
Asparagus, Peas, Spinach, and Salad Greens.

Each vegetable is then given its own section with information about how it is grown and harvested, math, kitchen notes, nutrition notes, and timing.

The math section for asparagus reads: 1 pound = 20 spears, 1 pound = 3 cups chopped

Recipes for fixing the vegetable are mixed in with other tidbits of information like history or other practical advice.

The section for the Salad greens not only includes different recipes for salads but for making different dressings too.

The Appendix includes a chapter on Preserving the Harvest and a Resources and Suppliers section.

The recipes look really tasty - and the info facts are interesting to read. This is one of those books that one can read as well as use for cooking. It is a welcome addition to my cookbook shelf. Maybe now I won't be too afraid to try Parsnips or eggplant...

One Book...No...Three Books!

January is proving to be a good reading month for me! Of course, I commited myself to two reading challenges this year - mainly because I wanted to keep better track of what I was reading...and secondly to search my own stash of books to keep from reaching for my "favorites" all the time...

Marley and Me - by John Grogan (A-Z Reading - Author "G")
292 pages

I loved this book! It took me through the gamuet of feelings and emotions while reading about owning this loveable dog named Marley. His antics were laughable and loveable...and at times the story touched me so much I had tears in my eyes. Grogan is a really decent writer - but, then he is a newspaper man! Philadelphia Inquirer, I think. It is worth the read. The only thing I found that I didn't like is that there were no photos in the book. The only photos were on the inside of the cover and that was covered by the book jacket that the library puts on.

Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky by Art Wolfe (A-Z Reading Book "E")
240 pages

Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! Some would say that this was just a photography book - but, there was more to it than that. Each section was introduced by some lovely writing (and I can't remember who did the writing) plus Robert Redford wrote an introduction to the book.

What I really liked about this book was that the front section of the book just had the photos - large and gorgeous - with just a small label telling you where it was taken. Then at the back of the book was a section that showed each photo (much, much smaller) with information on where, facts about it, and what type of camera equipment was used and how. Truly enjoyed this book!!!

Challenge of A Lifetime by Barbara Kaye (Harlequin Superromance #433)
(A-Z Reading Author: "K"; Romance Reading Challenge)
298 pages

This was the second book of a three part series about Hamilton House - a large restaurant corporation whose CEO is seeking her successor. Paula Steele is the widow of country singing legend, Justin Steele, and VP of the Nashville Hamilton House. At forty-five she doesn't expect love to coming knocking on her door - but it does in the form of Dane Markham, ten years her junior.

In the beginning she befriends and becomes a mentor to Dane as she tries to help him with his music career...and the story takes off from there. There were a couple of surprises that I never saw coming - which was really good. As romances go this one was rather good. Kaye is a good writer and keeps the interest going.

Reading Day...

Today is starting out to be a lazy day...and it can't be! Have way too much to do!

But, I started the day off by reclining in my lounge chair and finishing up the last 30 pages of the book Marley and Me by John Grogan. What an awesome book. I just loved it! But, then I love dogs...so, this book was a natural for me. How could one not fall in love with this sweet dog - and his family. It truly was a feel good read - even though there were some incredibly sad parts...and , yes, I cried during the sad parts.

Now off to work on the house until this evening when I can read some more. The one left to finish is Edge of the Earth, Corner of the Sky by Art Wolfe. The library will be expecting me on Monday with the return of these two books.

Then I have about eight books sitting next to my bed in a to-be-read-pile. Five of them are for my reading challenge this year - and don't have to be read back-to-back.

New book...

Yesterday a new book I ordered arrived...Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece by Piece. This book contains the photos of the 52 quilts that are traveling the country to raise awareness of Alzheimer's Disease.

These quilts were designed by people who have been affected by this miserable, dreadful disease. Each quilt had to fit inside one of those cardboard priority mail envelopes...with a maximum size being 9" x 12".

The above link will lead you a site where you can see a few of the quilts. For more information you can also go to http://www.alzquilts.org/ Ami Simms has brought a world of information to all of us.

I cannot tell you how this book affected me...but, let's just say that it had a tremondous impact on me.

My mother suffers from a form of Alzheimer's which at times has caused her to not know who I am...her short term memory has its days - but mostly she doesn't remember things. Thankfully, her long term memory is still fairly well intact.

Hopefully, this disease will cease and more monies will be funded to help those who have it or who will get it.

September Musings...

Seems that the first of a new month brings tid-bits that don't quite make it into other posts...and a time to look back and plan ahead.

1. Ran up to the giant office supply store in my area - only one - to buy ink cartridges for my printer. Now I've had this printer for a while - got it when I lived in Tennessee so we are talking at least seven years. It is an HP DeskJet 693C (maybe those numbers should have told me something)...inquired as to the price of ink and was told close to $78. Gotta tell you - damn near fainted! This is an ink jet for heaven's sake!

For two more dollars I could have bought four Lexmark printers that they had on sale at Wally World and thrown them out when the ink ran out.

But for $20. more dollars I got a brand new printer - it is an all-in-one...HP C-4280! And, it came with ink! (Remember what I said about the numbers - the lower the printer number the higher the price for the Ink). Besides I had been wanting a scanner...so now I have one.

2. I can't drink Orange Juice any more...and I used to LOVE orange juice! Now it whacks out my stomach...must be the acid in it. They say your tastes change every few years - wonder if this is the year I'll like brussel sprouts??? (Nah...I doubt it)

3. There will be no margarine in my refrigerator again. That Dr. that is on Oprah every now and then said that our forefathers ate butter all the time...and our bodies are made to handle butter better...so, I'm switching. I've always used butter on my potatoes, pop corn, and on veggies that I would choose to put it on...but for cooking I used margarine...Not anymore! It's the real deal or nothing!!! I do like olive oil too...(no, not Popeye's girlfriend - the real stuff)!

4. One of the things I had wanted to read this summer was some poetry - but, my huge poetry book (The Best Loved Poems of the American People - published in 1936) was not unpacked. It is now...so each day I will be reading a poem...I'll let you know which one in case you want to read it too.

Well, that's it for today...photos tomorrow as I am uploading them from my camera today! Have a great first day of September.

Today's poem: Sonnet From The Portuguese by Elizabeth Barett Browning

The End of August...

August ends today...once again the time has flown! Guess that happens faster the older we get...

Finished up the last two books of the Sun-Coast Chronicles by Terri Blackstock. The titles were Ulterior Motives and Presumption of Guilt. Both of the books are billed as Christian Suspense. Terri and I were in the same writers group when I lived in Florida...as a matter of fact she was the president when I joined. Years later I also served as president of the same group.

All four of the books were very good...and they kept the suspense up all the way through. Truly enjoyed them.

Hope everyone has a wonderful week-end. I'll be around for most of it...as Mom and I have no real plans other than to enjoy ourselves, watch some movies, and eat really well.

Movies and Books...

Remember my saying that I was running into a lot of books that seemed to be forgotten in my bookcase?

Case in point...Ira Levin's The Stepford Wives. The book was completed in February 1972 and published that same year. It is 35 years old...and I had never read it. I saw the movie when it came out and the re-make with Nicole Kidman (which by the way I thought was just awful!).

The book is only 145 pages and the movie (original) followed the book so closely. Read it in one sitting...and tonight I am going to watch the original movie which was made in 1975. In case you forgot - it stars the gorgeous Katharine Ross (Sam Elliot's wife) and Paula Prentiss.

"The Stepford Wives remains a legendary combination of chilling chauvinist horror and savage social commentary," so says the DVD container.

Me - I think it is a hell of a good book and movie!

Discovery...

Oh my...went and discovered a new author! It's not like I don't have a zillion authors that I like and enjoy reading - I had to go find another one - and a darn prolific writer, too...

This would be the book I just finished - Deep South by Nevada Barr. It was an excellent mystery featuring a National Parks Service Ranger named Anna Pigeon...and it is the 8th one featuring Anna. This story was set in Mississippi's Natchez Trace where she has just been transferred to accept a promotion. This book, while being a decently paced mystery, was filled with excellent prose describing the area and the park land as well as the subtle and sometimes not so subtle differences between its people. I will be looking forward to reading many more books (I think she is working on #14 in the series!) by this author.

May Reading Reviews...

Can't believe I managed to read eight books in May. If that had been after the first of June - I would be almost to my goal in the 2007 Summer Reading Program! By the way, if you want to join up for the Summer Reading Program leave me an e-mail or comment and I'll send you the info.

1) Knitting Rules - Stephanie Pearl-McPhee. 224 pages. Really liked this book...it was witty but at the same time informative. Learned a few things I did not know before.

2) Pretty Maids In A Row - Marilyn Campbell. 384 pages. Been digging in my stash of books and this was a very good book. Enjoy Marilyn's style of writng...

3) Gang Mom - Fred Rosen. 238 pages. True life crime book which was okay...nothing special.

4) 35 Cents - Matty Lee. 206 pages. Biography of a young man who was a male prostitute from an early age. The title reflects what he received in payment for his first paid encounter. The book was a little raw...and it took me a while to read. It was a very interesting book in that you were totally inside this man's head as he grew into adulthood.

5) Without Pity - Ann Rule. 433 pages. True life crime stories by the mistress of true life books. There isn't a badly written Ann Rule book. She is one of my favorite true life crime authors in that she really digs to get all the facts and presents the stories in a very entertaining way.

6) Shadow Walkers - Nina Romberg. 302 pages. I had problems with this book. The book was about a group of children (the oldest maybe around 15 or 16)...who are making a home for themselves in an old abandoned building. My problem was that the heroine who was 11 was thinking in ways that were way too adult for her. The genre was hard to define too ... maybe a bit of "horror" fiction.

7) 79 Park Avenue - Harold Robbins. 406 pages. There is no denying that Robbins was a masterful story teller! I had so forgotten how much I loved reading his books. This was worth the time spent reading it. This well written work of fiction chronicles the story of Maryann Flood and Mike Keyes...it's worth the read.

8) The Wedding Quilt - Lenora Worth. 250 pages. While I've read a lot of romance novels - I had never read any of what are termed and sold as "Inspirational" romances...and it actually was a good book. It is the story of a woman who works at a church and is responsible for bringing in a steeplejack to refurbish the church's steeple and in between time fall in love and deal with their own issues. And, while it was religious in nature it was never intrusive.

There you go! Eight books - One month...My book stash is starting to be depleted!

Reading...what a pleasure...

Or maybe not...depending on what book one is reading. Lately my choices have been ones that one would expect them to get better somewhere along the line...Not Happening!!! Duh...Just finished:
This was the worst book on the Kennedy's that I've ever read. The author never went into any real detail about what happened to any of them...I was not impressed...and it was information that I already knew from reading other things about them. The only thing that was new to me was the info about the Fitzgerald side of the family.

Having grown up during the "Camelot" years - where a lot of us placed the Kennedy's up on pedestals - this book showed the reality of who and what they really were - but, it could have been a lot better.

This was one of the books that was supposed to have been finished for the From the Stacks challenge this past winter...I'm slow...

Think I'm up for some fiction this time around and am starting to read:

So far - so good.