Wouldn't This Be Lovely?...

First, let me say this is not a room in the farmhouse. Would I love it as a place for all the books that are currently still in boxes in our (safe and dry) basement? Indeed, I would! In fact, I could happily inhabit this spot for hours reading or stitching. 

Sadly, the "under the staircase" portion of our farmhouse does not lend itself to this design. One side of our stairs shares a common wall with the kitchen stove area. The other is where our built-in china cabinet is located in the dining room. Even so, a girl can certainly dream, and even simply adding shelves in a guest room would be wonderful. Until then, I'll continue to save photographs such as these for inspiration.

I'm off to work now. Last night was busy and flew by. After Handsome and I had dinner, I fell asleep in my chair. We were watching "Jeopardy", and truly, I was no competition at all. lol

Today, I'll be thinking about returning to my bluebird embroideries. That's my plan for next week. It's time to complete the embroidery portion of the project so I can choose fabrics to finish it into another wall hanging. I hope you enjoy your weekend. See you again soon!

I'm Thrilled To Announce...

Brynwood Needleworks - Joy Harding's Debut Book

 my friend, Julie ("Joy Harding" is her nom de plume) is now a published writer! 

Over a year ago, she approached me, asking if I would be a beta reader of the manuscript for this book. Of course, I (and her other beta readers) agreed to keep what we read top secret - and we were all honored to do so. Thus began my process of reading, not only for the enjoyment, but to proof, take notes, and offer my insights to help make her book even better.

 

I'll share the preview of the storyline from Joy's back cover:

 

"Trauma surgeon and co-founder of the Boundary Waters Search and Rescue Unit, 

Jack Lockwood was beyond frustrated...

 

A century blizzard, impassable roads, and gale force winds start Jack's Monday off 

the wrong way long before daybreak. To make matters worse, his friend and 

colleague - police chief of Ely, Minnesota - orders him to stay home on a morning 

when the weather virtually guarantees injuries requiring Jack's skills. Little did he

 realize that he wouldn't need to go anywhere to save a life that morning. His next 

rescue would be in his own front yard, where he finds a half-forzen, gravely injured 

woman buried in a snowdrift. A woman who needs his help to stay alive long enough 

to tell her story - why she was out in this kind of weather - bound, battered and bleeding."

Are you intrigued? I can tell you it's a wonderful read - and there are already two more in the series that I and her other beta readers have proofed. In fact, Book Two should be published in October! My dear friend has been busy!

Boundary Waters Search and Rescue: Beyond Belief

I received a box containing my copies (hardcover and paperback) in the mail today!!! (Imagine the thrill of not only knowing and loving the author, but being honored with a mention in her book dedication - along with her other readers). Julie also included promotional bookmarks, and a Joy Harding canvas tote. I think this is so exciting, and I couldn't wait to crow about my friend, and tell you about her first published work.

If you're interested in purchasing your own copy of a 290 page story of love, loss, and redemption that's fast-paced and action-packed, you can purchase your own copy on Amazon HERE.  If you'd like to learn more, you can visit Joy Harding's website and blog HERE.

 

Congratulations, my dear friend. I'm so excited for you.

Thank you for asking me to be a part of your wonderful journey.

I'm beyond honored.

I'll Read Instead...

Vintage Image - Girl Reading Book

One of the things I've been doing for the past year is proof reading manuscripts for a dear friend who is in the process of writing a series of books. It's been a thoroughly enjoyable process for me, as I help support her efforts. 

 

When it's too uncomfortable for me sit at the sewing machine, or other creative endeavors, I have this wonderful pursuit, to sit and read her latest manuscript. The one I'm reading now is her third book, a continuation of the story line from the first two.

 

I'm unable to tell you who the author is, or her book titles (yet), but I can tell you that when her books are published (the first one very soon!), I'll be back to crow about them to you. 

I'm meeting Mom Grace's daughter (Sis, to me) for lunch today. I haven't seen her in months, so I'm so looking forward to seeing her. I'm hoping to be working on my "Everlasting" quilt when I get back home. Hoping I can share updated photos tomorrow. 

 

Another thing I need to do is change out my "Winter" header for a new one. I think it's safe to turn away from the snow now. lol

HAPPY JUNE (already?) !

 

What I'm Reading Now...

Sydney Rye Mysteries by Emily Kimelman

 

When reality gets to be a bit much, the best thing is to slip between the covers of a good book. I decided a few weeks ago to tackle a series. I have Books 1-8 of Emily Kimelman's Sydney Rye Mysteries.

I'm currently on Book 4, and zipping right through this action-packed series. The language is sometimes a bit raw (so I wouldn't recommend it for kids or the faint of heart), but I'm enjoying the story line immensely.

I've updated my "Completed Book List" in my right side bar (to date), so I wanted you to know why you haven't seen any sewing or needlework lately. This is a deeper escape from the events of the past few weeks, and I can completely engross myself in the characters. Just what I need right now.

My plan is to get back to handwork first - and very soon. I promise to share something handcrafted as soon as I start a new piece. For now, you'll find me in a comfy chair with a good book.

Currently Reading...

Brynwood Needleworks - The Wind In The Willows Book Cover

 

I realized that I'd promised to share what I'm reading throughout 2020, but forgot to tell you about my first read. I pulled out a book from my childhood to enjoy again...a British printed copy of "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Grahame.

 

This copy was a gift from my British aunt and uncle, gifted in 1970. I've always loved books, and took great care of this one because it was so special to me.

 

There's nothing better than finishing the day by reading a few chapters of a good book (except, as quoting from this one, "There's nothing half so much worth doing, as simply messing about in boats.")

 

I'm going to complete this book, and then I'll let you know what I pick up next. I'm sure it will be another old favorite, but I'll wait to tell you until after this one is wrapped up.

 

Old Books And My Reading List...

Brynwood Needleworks - Old Copy of "Birds of America"

I love books. I love old books. I love new books. I love the heft, the feel, and even the smell of books. IPads and readers just don't compare...although my arthritic thumbs prefer them.

I hate to admit it but I have hundreds of books, and they're mostly still in boxes from our move. Why, you might ask? In Florida, we had special built-in units made to house all our books. All we had to do at any given time as walk into the "library", select one, and sit down to read. So far, we have neither the space, nor the shelving to house those favored tomes. So, for now, they sit - safe and dry - in sealed boxes in our basement.

Brynwood Needleworks - "Birds of America" Bluebird and Robin Illustrations

I have a master list of every single box we packed, journaling the contents, so that I'd know the exact box I'd need to go into to find something I needed. I was pretty general when it came to the books, so although I distinguished between "cookbooks" and "history books", I was a little fast and loose with my "fiction" categories. Wouldn't you know it, that's the category that encompassed the book I was looking for yesterday.

While I was looking for that one book, I decided to look through other boxes that were completely off topic. Joyfully, I found a few that I want to read (or re-read), and a few I just wanted to have handy. This was one of those books.

It's an old copy, and it had that old book smell when I first ordered it off Ebay years ago. The pages are in pretty good shape, although the paper slip cover has seen better days. I tucked it under my arm with the other selections and brought it upstairs. The first color plate I saw when I opened the cover was of our Wisconsin robin, and the eastern bluebird which lives on our farm every spring and summer. Serendipity, you might say!

Brynwood Needleworks - "Birds of America" Finch Illustrations

 

Here's another pretty page, just for you to see how wonderful the illustrations really are. I'm sure I'll go back to this book frequently, to see if I can find images of all the birds that frequent Hickory Hill Farm.

 

I'm also going to make a point of reading more this year. I love to read, and have since I was a child. But with all the things that have occupied my time since moving back to Wisconsin, reading has fallen by the wayside. That's going to change in 2020. 

 

I'm going to decide which book to read first. I'll post a new widget in my sidebar to show you what I'm currently reading, and then I'll keep a list of all the books I CoMpLeTe this year. Some will be childhood favorites that I haven't read in...ahem...decades, while others will be new on my list.

I think I'll start with an old favorite - reading the actual book I had as a kid. Two of them that immediately come to mind are a lovely copy of "Black Beauty", and another of "Wind in the Willows". I also have a copy of "Watership Down" that I love. Hmmmm. Where to begin? Watch my sidebar for the first book on my list.

 

Enjoying September...

Liljegren's Hickory Hill Farm

It was unseasonably warm this past weekend, and our nearly-100 year old farmhouse doesn't have air conditioning. We have windows, and beautiful breezes that cool our home. Even so, Destiny and Jane generate a little too much heat for me to spend time sewing up in my studio. Instead, we could be found outdoors.

The soybeans in our north field (and beyond) are turning color from green to gold. We're told it should be ready to harvest in October or November. Until then, we enjoy watching them change with the seasons.

Drying Hydrangeas

Our hydrangeas are changing, too. They spent the summer in their creamy, white dresses, and now they're turning from green to linen-brown. They occupy one whole end of our wraparound porch, and they're beautiful every time of year.

Tag and Bella Love The Farm, Too.

 

So, I took the dogs and my latest read, Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard by Rick Riordan (a book loaned to me by our elder granddaughter), and headed outside. Our porch was the perfect place to sit and read, and the dogs made sure I took plenty of breaks to let them run around in the yard. 

Sometimes I tossed a retrieving dummy for them, and sometimes they just ran along with me as I took pictures (or picked up windfall hickory nuts). I didn't play in the studio. I played outdoors. 

This week is supposed to be cooler, I'll be making a new crossbody handbag style, sewing up those aprons I put off last week, and setting up the last three Wooly Critter blocks to finish.

 

What will you be doing this week?

 

Little Bee...

  I worked as an Inspector at one of our local polling places yesterday. It was a "minor" election, with only one item on our ballot (a question), so we didn't expect a large turnout. Our Clerk told us we could bring a book to read (or needlework) to help pass the time. (We were there from  6 am - 7:30 pm). It was a long day. I decided to take a book for simplicity.
I've had this book for a while as it was a gift for Christmas, so I thought it would be the perfect way to spend the "waiting time". Little did I know that the entire story line takes place in my birthplace in England! I was  reading along when "Kingston-upon-Thames" came up. Imagine my delight.
"Little Bee" is a #1 New York Times Bestseller written by Chris Cleave. This is the synopsis that appears on the back of his book: "This is the story of two women. Their lives collide one fateful day, and one of them has to make a terrible choice, the kind of choice we hope you never have to face. Two years later, they meet again - the story starts there... Once you have read it, you'll want to tell your friends about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens. The magic is in how the story unfolds."
Well, alright then. I'm going to continue reading this book and when I finish it, I'll keep my review simple..."thumbs up" or "thumbs down". Just know that, for now, I'm enjoying it and smiling an awful lot.

A Basket of Good Books...

 If I can't sit in the studio much these days, I always have my basket of good books

to occupy my days (and nights). I originally put this assortment together to take on

the Flying Cloud this summer. Of course, my recent surgery has changed our plans

a bit, but there's no reason that I can't take advantage of the extra "home time"!

 In the past three days, I finished a two-volume Ayn Rand book called 

"The Fountainhead". I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it in three days, after all.

Most of the books in my basket right now were gifted to me for Christmas or

on my Birthday, so I thought they'd be the perfect tomes to tackle now. The

only hard part will be deciding which one will be next. I'm leaning toward a

book that my elder daughter-in-law chose for me last year..."American Wife" by

Curtis Sittenfeld (The author of "Prep").  (She always picks great books for me.)

 Although it's in my book basket, this is a book that I reach for every morning.

"Simple Abundance" by Sarah Ban Breathnach. It's a great way to start the day.

 June looks to be a wonderful month...especially if it starts with my nose in a book!

highestheels.tumblr.com

 

Summer Reading Update...

I've continued to read this summer and am currently working on a book given to me by daughter-in-law #1. Its title is Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi. (The title is a link to the book on Books-a-Million's website.)

It's a fascinating read, and I find myself learning more about events that unfolded when I was in high school in the early 70's. It's made me curious to learn more about the people and culture at that time, so I'll probably go in search of other books for more information.

I'm also going to admit that I finished the Fifty Shades Trilogy by E.L. James last week. It consists of three books, which you've certainly heard something about by now, titled Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. Suffice it to say that they were an amusing and adventurous read, and are everything that the reviews have said they are.

I have always loved reading and find myself transported to the most interesting places. I've also found that the movies that follow any given book never measure up to what I've created in my own mind's eye. I wonder where I'll "travel" to next?

What have you been reading?

I've Been Reading Again...

web image

I love to read. I caught the bug when I was a child and it's never gone away. I remember the summer reading programs I took part in when I was a kid. Every year, we kept track of the books we read so that we could earn bookmarks and other small prizes through our local library. I don't even know if they do that for young people anymore, but if they don't they should!

If you've been following me for a while, you'll know that once I sit down and start reading, I keep at it for a while. Last summer I read books for weeks at a time, and managed to read over a dozen books within a couple of months. Well, summer has arrived and it's that time again!

I think it's important to start kids reading at an early age, and am tickled that all of our grandchildren are avid readers. My younger daughter-in-law introduced me to a series of books that our granddaughters are reading now called "The Sisters Grimm". There are nine books in the series. I started reading Book One last Friday and I'm nearly finished with Book Nine as of yesterday!

Sabrina (11 years old) and her younger sister, Daphne (who is 7) are descendents of the Brothers Grimm. The Brothers Grimm stories, thought by many to be fairytales, are actually factual accounts of the magical and mystical beings encountered by them. The fairytale creatures are referred to as "Everafters" by the family.

The books chronicle the adventures of the sisters, who are now the current bearers of the family legacy. They, along with their Granny Relda Grimm and a few trusted Everafter friends, solve mysteries in a small, strange town called Ferryport Landing.

I know they're not what anyone my age would consider "heavy lifting", but they are fun reading for any age! I regret that there are only nine books in Michael Buckley's current set, but highly recommend them as entertaining reading for your favorite youngsters (girls or boys).

As soon as I finish these, I'll be sure to let you know which book(s) I tackle next!

This Week's Book Reviews...

I finished "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein this past week. It was such a good book, but be sure to have a box of Kleenex handy because you're going to need it.

Handsome had read the book before me, but made a point of keeping it off my radar until after Taggart came into our lives. I'm so glad that he did. I think I'd still be weeping if I had read it while still raw from his loss.

I'm not going to tell you much about the book, except it involves a hard-working man, his dog, car racing and the life they share together. It's told from the dog's perspective...and you'll love reading this story.

I watched Part One of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on Pay Per View last weekend, and although I purchased the book as soon as it came out, I found that I wasn't familiar with the storyline. You know what that meant, right? I took the book off the shelf and started reading.

I don't think it read it at all after purchasing it! I have each Potter book and have read them all...well, I thought I had. This is the perfect ending to the Harry Potter series - even though there are rumblings that there may yet be more sequels. I think after reading The Deathly Hallows, I can be a content Potter fan if this is truly the end of the story.

It had everything you've come to expect from all these beloved characters. I laughed; I cried; and I was really angry with a few of the characters, only to be surprised right along with everyone else as the plot resolves.

That's The Way It Goes...

I'd love to share some wonderful story with you today to explain why I'm not sharing a newly completed project. Perhaps a story of how I tripped through fields of chickory and Queen Anne's lace with the dogs would have been appropriate. I do like my "thoughts on a joyful and creative life" mantra, you know.

The truth is, I'm mostly flat on my back with a heating pad (and an occasional valium), having sprained my back over a week ago. It's getting better, but I've run out of cute stories, puppy pictures and book reviews to hide the fact that I've been a slacker. I'm left with the cold, hard truth. (I really am reading all those books, though!)

Please don't fret. I'll be back to my obsessive/creative (did I just make up a new term?) self soon...and I'll have something interesting for you to read about tomorrow, I promise. You're all my friends, so I know you'll understand.

This Week's Book Reviews...

I recently told you that I was going to read "Edgar Sawtelle" by David Wroblewski, and I was really looking forward to this book. It's set in the real northern Wisconsin town of Mellen in the Chequamegon National Forest (pronounced she WA me gon). It's a place I know and love. The central story revolves around dogs...another favorite topic for me.

I'm going to be brutally honest with you now. While there were so many wonderful dog stories told within the covers of this 800+ page book, I was actually angry with the author's non-treatment of the ending.

I'm not the kind of person who requires a happy ending. I can take sad endings, too. What I can't abide is an author who just decides that after having your undivided attention for that many pages, he has to wrap up the book in - oh, say...four pages - and get this book to print. In my estimation he just ran out of interest in his own writing and walked away from it. (Imagine rolling a bowling ball across a kitchen table and just letting it fall when it gets to the edge.)

There were so many loose ends, unresolved issues and wonderful, full characters just left hanging at the end. He apparently just decided, "Well, enough is enough. I'll just kill 'em all off." Really! I was more than mildly peeved. I was throughly incensed.

Here's my advice. If you want to read the book for it's amusing and interesting dog stories, go ahead and borrow the book from the library - or a friend who already laid out their hard-earned cash - but (here's the important part), stop reading the book before the final chapter and make up your own ending. Anything you can imagine is going to be 1000 times better than what the author wrote.

Barring that, steer clear of "Edgar Sawtelle" and read something anything else. Eight hundred pages is a lot of wasted time to get to this author's pathetic attempt to wrap up his storyline.
On a happier note, I also finished reading "Water For Elephants" by Sara Gruen last night. Filled with flashbacks that only enhance the storyline, this book is a great way to spend a few summer afternoons. (Don't forget to pour yourself a tall glass of lemonade. You'll understand why later in the book!)

I'm much more apt to read the book than see the movie any day, so pick up a copy of "Water For Elephants" and sit back and enjoy the vivid images that the author helps conjure through her writing.
Next up is "The Art of Racing In The Rain" by Garth Stein. Another book involving dogs (I'm told). I'll let you know what I think of this one as soon as I'm finished reading it.

I've Been Reading...

You may wonder why you haven't seen many projects from me lately. I have a perfectly great reason! I've been reading this summer. I've been an avid reader since I was a kid, so it's not unusual for me to be found with my nose in a good book.

You already knew that I'd tackled the latest five Stephen Donaldson books (I read those in less than two weeks! His available books are available through BAM here. Be sure to read my book review so you know in which order you need to read them.)

After Fezzik died, my friend Twyla sent me a copy of Heaven Is For Real . I wrote a book review for you here, and highly recommend this book. It's a wonderful and uplifting story.

I was hungry for more reading so I decided to download a few books onto my iPad and have been enjoying my choices ever since.
(Just so you know, every book title is a link to Books A Million's website in case you want to order your own copy. I am in no way compensated by Amazon or anyone else for the links. The Stephen Donaldson and Heaven Is For Real links are to my blog posts about them.)

I decided to start with a classic, Alice in Wonderland. I hadn't read it since I was a kid and thoroughly enjoyed Lewis Carroll's delightful book, written for his special Alice.

When I'd finished this book, I rented the Johnny Depp version of the story. (I'm a huge Johnny Depp fan, in case you didn't already know.) It was especially fun to watch the movie, having just completed the original story.

After that, I tackled The Call of The Wild by Jack London. Another favorite from my childhood, I was surprised at how much of this story I'd forgotten! I read through this one in no time at all and was glad that I'd added it to my summer reading list.

Have you read Half Broke Horses by Jeannette Walls yet? I can highly recommend it. Written by her granddaughter, this is the inspiring and entertaining story of a true pioneer, Lily Casey Smith. Although Jeanette could substantiate every story her mother told her about her grandmother, she wrote it in the first person and hence called it a "true-life novel". I loved every minute of reading about this amazing and enterprising woman.

Next on the list was Tourist Season by Florida author Carl Hiassen. The guy writes the darkest stories with the funniest lines. I've read over a dozen of his books and each is better than the last. Don't look for "The Governor" in this one. He doesn't make an appearance in this story. Written by a man who loves Old Florida and all it's natural life, Hiassen can weave some of the most intriguing story lines, and will help you appreciate Florida at the same time.

If you want a laugh or ten, you can always count on Hiassen, and his books are perfect for a quick read during a trip. I have all the books in our guest room. If any of our visitors want to read a book they can finish while they're here, all they have to do it grab one, and head out to the Holidome with their favorite beverage.

My latest read is Silver Girl by Elin Hilderbrand. Set on Nantucket Island, it's a story about a woman named Meredith. Shes desperately trying to survive the shame of being married to a man who conceived a ponzi scheme to bilk all their wealthy friends out of billions of dollars. In the process, she rekindles a trusting friendship with her longest, dearest girlfriend, Connie...and Connie's brother, Toby - Meredith's first love. I just love a good love story.

Next on my list is Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. My friend, Amy loaned this book to me last year but I couldn't read it because I was due for a new pair of glasses. Now that I can see clearly, I'm going to make this my next book. (I haven't stolen your book, Amy. Really! I'll get it back to you as soon as I turn the last page.)

I hope you decide to pick up and read one or more of my "suggested reading" books this summer. I'd love to know what you're reading. Any other book suggestions for me?