Yarn Along

I spent some time before the open house cleaning and organizing my sewing room, what an undertaking that was.  It  was good for me to again take stock of how much fabric and yarn I have and recommit myself to "making do".  I need to use up yarn just as much as fabric so I decided to participate with the yarn along on Ginny's blog, "Small Things".  Each Wednesday knitters and crocheters share what they are working on and also what they are reading.  Hundreds of people link up. It's a great way to get ideas, look at books and stay motivated.  This Christmas Maddie and I knit up a bunch of cowls and scarves as gifts.  This scarf I decided to keep for myself.  I apologize for not knowing the name of the yarn - I lost the label - but I hope the picture shows the sparkles in the yarn. It will be great to wear for special occasions.

My current book is "Almost Amish" by Nancy Sleeth.  It is one woman's quest for a slower, simpler, more sustainable life.  It is very interesting so far and not just in her approach to "things" but I also am impressed by her desire to live more aware of the choices she makes.  Sometimes I feel like I just move through my days and don't always make conscious choices but ones out of habit (or laziness). This would be a great book club choice.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

Blessings,

Chicks Must Wait

The weather has taken a dip in temperature, here, in Michigan.  There's a bit of a nip in the air.  More like the March we know.  The flower beds are greening out nicely as are the weeds, so soon enough it will be time to spread some Preen.  I managed to get the porch cleaned and set some of my favorite things out on the aqua hutch I so love.

There's been a bit of a halt in the chick production.  I made the mistake of starting this book.  "The Forgotten Garden" may be the most wonderful read to date, until this one, "The Distant Hours" by the same author.  Can I just tell you that by page 21 (out of more than 500 pages) I knew I was a goner. Who needs eating, sleeping and other necessities of life when I can immerse myself into another world, time and place.  I'm surprised I stopped long enough to type this post, seriously.  Have any of you read it?


Joyfully,

Hospitable Book Club

You may have noticed the new book club button on my sidebar.  Lisa, from Hospitable Pursuits is hosting a book club.  "Cherries in Winter", by Suzan Colon is the current book.  I started reading it yesterday and I couldn't put down, finishing this morning.  The best way to share what the book is about is to take a paragraph from within - "When Suzan Colon was laid off from her dream job at a magazine during the economic depression of 2008, she needed to cut her budget way, way back and that meant home cooking.  Her mother suggested, "Why don't you look in Nana's recipe folder?"...Reading it, Suzan realized she had found something more than a collection of recipes, she had found the key to her family's survival through hard times."

This book really spoke to me.  I have been doing a lot of thinking recently about how much we have in America and about how much I really need to be happy and healthy (spiritually and physically).  A yearning began in me a few months ago to simplify my life inside and out.  The book takes you back to a time when money was scarce but love was abounding and though they "may be broke, they weren't poor".  So many insights to be gleaned from Suzan's story.  I wholly recommend reading it.  While you are at it, be sure to visit Lisa's blog.  It will be a blessing to your day!

Don't forget to scroll down and leave a comment on the giveaway post, there's still time!


Joyfully,