Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts with the label Books

getting through winter

As classes of all sorts get scheduled, rescheduled and postponed due to weather, and with the short days with less light, I often find January and February to be a forced pause.  Years like this convince me that I should get good at reading rain gauges and keeping track of the temperature.  It seems like we've had an usual amount of snow.  That should be good for our snow pack and seasonal runoff to fill creeks, lakes, basins, but we'll see what the spring brings.  In the meantime, I have been trying to tick off indoor chores and projects, and working on garden things.   We have started a handful of seedlings:  basil, foxgloves, verbascum, lavender, rosemary, onions and something new to us, naranjilla .  We have varying levels of success.  The naranjilla did take a long time to germinate; I think we used 11 seeds, and we currently have five seedlings, some a couple weeks older than others!  We're still 12-14 weeks out from planting and I...

November knitting

Another blogger used to have a monthly "what are you reading, what are you knitting?" post,  but she's moved on to raising new babies.  I'm posting mine today for posterity.   Before my local yarn shop closed its doors, I bought a bunch of yarn with the intention of making an "advent calendar" of mittens.  I thought I'd make one a week, no problem.  As it turns out, I've gotten more like two a year finished!  One of the reasons I didn't race to the end is because I liked some of the stitch designs more than others.  I knew I would be able to come up with some alternative stitches, but I need to set aside time to modify the charts.  Luckily, I left off the number on the first one, so I've stitched the ones I like, regardless of their order. Pattern:  Mitten Garland Advent Calendar Yarn:  Elsbeth Lavold's Silky Wool in 114 Maraschino , 086 Dark Oak , 002 White Sand , and a bit of 083 Sapling Green Needles:  US1/2.25mm, 40" (I ...

2021 :: a year for books

Like most of you, I've had to assess my priorities, goals and beliefs, over the past couple of years.  Let's keep it simple: some old online haunts and habits are being replaced with new ones.  I have added a couple of hundred books to my "read someday" list over the past couple years, and I think this year is a good place to spend some extra reading time.   I received at least four books off my wish list for Christmas, and recently acquired another six or seven, second-hand.   2021 finishes include  Genealogical Proof Standard, Building a Solid Case (4th ed. rev.) , by Christine Rose     Super short, and the next step I felt I needed in my genealogy pursuits.  Essentially, it read like a text book on a topic I'm interested in.  There was good info, I need to put it into practice. Disruptive Witness , by Alan Noble      This book is about distraction of the current age, and sharing your beliefs in that climate; how im...

books and knitting: Miragamo Bag

Hello September!  In anticipation of Ginnie's yarn-along , I included a picture of my most recent book.   Just finished reading:   Cassius Marcellus Clay: Firebrand of Freedom , by H. Edward Richardson In my family history research, I came across a 4th-great-uncle, Cassius Clay Easton, b. 1845.  This uncle could not be named after the famous boxer (b. 1942) and I was curious about the namesake who must have inspired at least two families to name their sons after him.  I dug around a bit and found this book.  Along with being a staunch abolitionist and member of President Lincoln's cabinet, Clay was infamous for some of his fights with a Bowie knife.   I enjoyed learning more about history and politics, but the author does address some of the more unsavory facets of Cassius Clay.  Written in the 1970s, the author had first-hand acquaintance of some of Clay's ancestors and includes some more personal perspectives.  Clay spent so much ...

books and knits

Knitting, he thought, was a comfort to the soul.  It was regular.  It was repetitious.  And in the end, it amounted to something. -At Home in Mitford On the needles, I have a "swoncho" - a sweater-poncho hybrid, with some handspun yarns from a friend.  More on this later, assuming it turns out alright, or even maybe if it doesn't.  I finished the red sweater that I blogged about here and here .  It fits perfectly!  Next time, long sleeves.   In October, I finished reading Elizabeth Zimmermann's Knitter's Almanac .  The casual, journaling voice, wise without being pushy, made for a great late summer / early autumn read.  I thoroughly enjoyed EZ's commentary on life, on her companion, the Old Man, and their car trips; she ties in new projects to the season beautifully, and then gives you the information to make your own, and make it your own.  I was sad when I finished it but I suppose I may read it again sometim...

September Yarn-Along

Keeping it simple today so that I can get back on track!  I'm reading The Ministry of Ordinary Places, by Shannan Martin, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin, and here and there, I'm doing some genealogy research.  And I'm knitting a blue hoodie sweater - I'm down to the seaming, which I love!   Find more beautiful knitting and books with Ginny's Yarnalong! 

yarn-along with Ginnie, July 2019

I usually miss it, but not this time!  Ginnie Sheller's yarn-along is one of the ways I've discovered new knitting blogs to read in recent years. The two books I'm primarily reading these days are: ~  The Ministry of Ordinary Places , by Shannan Martin - which is lovely prose about hard things like connecting to people where they are, ministering to people in the everyday.  I am enjoying the read, and it's hitting me where I'm at this year.  (It's no longer on pre-order, my sister got it for me in December.)  ~ The River , by Peter Heller.  I have been enjoying Anne Bogel's podcast, What Should I Read Next?   When I heard her describing this book, I thought it sounded like the perfect summer read for my husband.  He enjoyed it a lot, and I had also thought of reading it, so when he was done he handed it off to me.  The "voice" took me a few pages to get into, but now I'm really enjoying it. As for the knitting, I'm callin...

That Book I'm Readng

Finally, the post about the book I'm reading!!  I'm reading Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver .  In truth, I am working on / have read more than one book in the last month or so, but this is the one to which I have referred.  More on other books later. But first, a picture, a sneak preview for the March Photo Scavenger Hunt.  Chives!  I said it before, they're the first thing up in the garden each year.  Now back to the book.  A wise, elder friend who grew up in a farming community gave me this book.  She does not share my interest in gardening, but happens to be an expert on nutrition.  I tried to read it directly, but I had a hard time getting past the first chapter, and finally put it down.  That was at least a year ago!  Somehow, perhaps in anticipation of a new garden, I came back around to this book and picked it up again.  Since I had pretty much read the first chapter, I skimme...

Homemade Bread

Today, I made the Basic Hearth Bread from The Bread Bible .  Apparently I have a few things to learn about yeast and / or altitude.  Despite the non-rise fail, my kids ate it up and asked to have this kind of bread all the time.  We are working on making more food thanks to that book I'm reading and never post about.  (One of these days, a book post.)  What I like about The Bread Bible is that it is so comprehensive, you will really know every aspect of bread making, once you read it.  The thing I don't like is, it is so comprehensive, it will take a long time to read it, and sort out what I want to do.  The bread tasted great, however the outside was veeeerrrrry crunchy.  I guess no one minded! 

Tidbits

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  We've had a busy weekend and I didn't get any good green pictures so this will have to do:  sweet potato vine and coleus from last year's summer pots.  Lots of lovely greens! Thank you all for commenting on your favorite books; lots of great recommendations.  I picked the next book for the book club, Possession by A.S. Byatt.  I've read it before but it's been a long time.  Once, I was discussing books with one of BFJ's best friends and he was listening so intently to me about this book, I couldn't believe it.  Finally he said, "So... no one gets possessed?"  Ha! no wonder; it's not that kind of possession, its about (fictitious) writers.  Anyway, I look forward to exploring all the books that are your favorites.  And I would just like to say that I would have responded to your comments directly but most of the comments did not have return emails.  Although Shawn, I neglected to reply to you ....

Reading Material

I love books.  I received several books for my birthday and Christmas in December, mostly knitting, at least one gardening.  I have a friend who's recently moved her office and cleaned out some books and gave them to me, and my in-laws are moving.  They are cleaning stuff out and giving us books.  While BFJ snoozed on the couch the other night, I stacked the books up on the mantel.  Actually, I still had half a box to go when I quit.  Here's what I've been given in the last three months:  And in case you've always wondered, here's the top of my bedside table:  Oops, I didn't draw an arrow to the one I'm reading, that would be The First Circle by Solzhenitsyn.  I also usually have a Bible and a glass of water on this table, too.  I love having a bunch of different books to look at before bed, especially if I'm not in the middle of a gripping story.  And I have a stack of quilting and knitting magazines and seed catalo...

February

It's been a busy two weeks since I last posted.  To begin with, one of my boys had a homework assignment to make a box for Valentines.  Silly me, I got this great idea that we should make it extra special , Mod Podge it up.  And, we should all  make Valentines!  It took me so long to talk them into it that once I realized we didn't have time for all this, I had a very difficult time talking them out of it.  Then I volunteered at the school parties, after which everyone in the house had a four day weekend.  We enjoyed watching the opening ceremonies for the Olympics.  It has been awhile since we have sat down and watched something this long in its entirety.  Although I kept hearing that the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony would be hard to top, I personally felt the people of Vancouver did an outstanding job.  I was surprised to discover that this blog I frequent is written from somewhere nearby, and I have enjoyed reading a litt...

Bellas and Books

I have a friend with a birthday this week.  She loves the Twilight series, including the movies, so I am making her Bella's Mittens from subliminalrabbit .  So far I have one done:  Pattern:  Bella's Mittens Yarn:  Jo Sharp Silkroad Ultra in Tapenade (I hear my LYS will no longer be carrying this as it has to be shipped from Australia!  Too sad, I really like it.) Modifications:  There are a lot; they are convertible because moms need fingers and they have a thumb hole for texting!  (If anyone responds to this, is not on Ravelry, and wants to know what I did, I will respond with more info.)   My book group is discussing The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society next week, and next we're reading The Help.  I had links on here but somehow they disappeared and I'm too tired to go track them down.  I really liked TGL&PPPS, especially the era - post WWII 1940s.  There were some heavy moments in the book ...

Books and Winter

Just a quick? update on the Book Club front; I don't want to go into long descriptions or give away major plot points, so I'll try to keep them short.  If you want more information, you can read other reviews, or read the books yourself! I did finish The Shack but did not get to the meeting to discuss it as I was very ill that day. I did enjoy this book. One thing I thought was interesting was how it broke through traditional paradigms of religion, like what God "is." I thought the writing was decent; I thought the story was interesting, and I thought the plot was great. I was disappointed that several people chose not to read the book "because of its subject matter." (Presumably religion?)  I should reiterate, it was a fictitious novel. That's not very sporting! One of the reasons I have always wanted to join a book club is to get outside of my comfort zone, my usual authors and subject matter. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~...