My mother gave me a new set of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder for Christmas. These were my ultimate favorites as a child. I read them over and over. I loved imagining myself as Laura (although I'm more like Mary, snotty and goody-two-shoes ish. Must be an oldest child thing lol), a pioneer, living in a little cabin in the woods or in a covered wagon crossing the prairies through Minnesota and Dakota territory, traveling on a train for the first time, teaching in a little one room schoolhouse.
A few years ago I was at the library searching for something, and came across the new series about Rose, Laura's daughter and her only surviving child. I checked a couple out of the library and read them. In reading those I learned there was yet another new one, about Caroline, Laura's mother. I have taken to collecting all these books as well, through Paperbackswap. I have most of the Rose books, and a few of the Caroline books so far. I read the first 5 Rose books (all I had) after getting through re-reading Laura's series. I haven't started the Caroline books, I'll wait until I have more of them. Now there are 2 more series, one about Laura's grandmother, Charlotte, and her great-grandmother, Martha. I plan to collect these as well. So far I have one of the Martha books, but I don't think I have any Charlotte ones.
February 15, 2012
September 02, 2011
Summer 2011
I took a huge bag of books with me to read over the summer, but didn't get as many read as I planned to. I also ended up reading some of my mom's books.
Here were some of the books I read (links to my goodreads pages):
Incantation by Alice Hoffman
Historical fiction, about the Spanish Inquisition and the "hidden Jews". I love historical fiction, so this was right up my alley. Alice Hoffman is a great writer too.
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Better than I expected, not great but if you like fairy tale retellings you'd probably like it. My sister and I watched the movie after I read it, and it was truly ghastly. I mean really, really bad. Don't watch it. It's too late for me...save yourselves!
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Since I love pretty much anything dealing with religion as a greater part of society, and learning about other cultures, I enjoyed most of this book. By the end it was growing very wearisome and I think I just skimmed the last couple chapters or so. But reading about her upbringing in Somalia and Kenya was truly fascinating, as well as her immigration to the Netherlands and adjusting to living life away from home, on her own.
Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
A cat story something like a disabled feline version of Marley & Me. Homer is found as a tiny kitten with a severe eye infection and his eyes were removed to save his life. But that didn't stop him from living life to the fullest. Funny and touching, I really enjoyed this one.
Here were some of the books I read (links to my goodreads pages):
Incantation by Alice Hoffman
Historical fiction, about the Spanish Inquisition and the "hidden Jews". I love historical fiction, so this was right up my alley. Alice Hoffman is a great writer too.
Beastly by Alex Flinn
Better than I expected, not great but if you like fairy tale retellings you'd probably like it. My sister and I watched the movie after I read it, and it was truly ghastly. I mean really, really bad. Don't watch it. It's too late for me...save yourselves!
Infidel by Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Since I love pretty much anything dealing with religion as a greater part of society, and learning about other cultures, I enjoyed most of this book. By the end it was growing very wearisome and I think I just skimmed the last couple chapters or so. But reading about her upbringing in Somalia and Kenya was truly fascinating, as well as her immigration to the Netherlands and adjusting to living life away from home, on her own.
Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
A cat story something like a disabled feline version of Marley & Me. Homer is found as a tiny kitten with a severe eye infection and his eyes were removed to save his life. But that didn't stop him from living life to the fullest. Funny and touching, I really enjoyed this one.
May 14, 2011
Spring 2011
Reading: Got some new books at the Library Book Sale and also a few of my wish list books on PaperbackSwap.com came up, so I now have a few new books to read - like I didn't have a pile sitting there waiting for me! I'm still slogging through Radical Homemakers, but I find the later half slower going than the first half. I've started The Mayflower & the Pilgrims' New World over spring break. A couple of weeks prior to that I learned from looking through my uncle's genealogy binder that we are in fact related to some of the Pilgrims. Constance Hopkins (later Constance Snow) was my 9th great-grandmother, and her father Stephen Hopkins also came here on the Mayflower, along with her stepmother and 3 siblings. So I found it quite thrilling to read about my ancestor! I also started reading Infidel a few days ago and found the first few chapters completely engrossing. I love reading about other places, cultures, religions. Lastly I also started reading The Betrayal of Work: How Low Wage Jobs Fail 30 Million Americans which is also engrossing. It reminds me somewhat of the Nickel & Dimed book I read a while back. It's really sad how in this country the rich keep getting richer and the poor just keep getting poorer, even though they are working so very hard doing difficult and demanding labor.
Creating: Working on something right now for Secret Pal. Won't reveal what it is right now though!
Creating: Working on something right now for Secret Pal. Won't reveal what it is right now though!
April 16, 2011
Winter 2010/2011
Reading: Re-read HP & the Deathly Hallows. So good, and this time I took my time and I think I followed it a little better. The first time I was in such a rush to find out what happened I don't think I really absorbed it. JK Rowling really is excellent at creating a complete world. I get really pulled in by her books and I think others do as well.
Am a bit more than halfway though Radical Homemakers. I agree with many things the author says, but being someone with a few chronic medical conditions I can't really swallow her ideas of no health insurance, but some of what she said in that section did make sense and from a few things she said it sounded as though she is a proponent of a state run health system like the rest of the free world has. Which I can certainly get behind.
Creating: March was National Crochet Month, and during that month I worked very hard on various things for the CLF's NCM Scavenger Hunt on Ravelry. It was a lot of fun and I made a few silly things for points. I also made another v-stitch shawl, this time in a red/orange combo called Saffron & Wild Fire I believe. Not really my colors but she liked them. Still have to work on Amanda's. Hope I can do that during break. Also made some squares for Heartmade Blessings again, for Operation Purple Heart.
Am a bit more than halfway though Radical Homemakers. I agree with many things the author says, but being someone with a few chronic medical conditions I can't really swallow her ideas of no health insurance, but some of what she said in that section did make sense and from a few things she said it sounded as though she is a proponent of a state run health system like the rest of the free world has. Which I can certainly get behind.
Creating: March was National Crochet Month, and during that month I worked very hard on various things for the CLF's NCM Scavenger Hunt on Ravelry. It was a lot of fun and I made a few silly things for points. I also made another v-stitch shawl, this time in a red/orange combo called Saffron & Wild Fire I believe. Not really my colors but she liked them. Still have to work on Amanda's. Hope I can do that during break. Also made some squares for Heartmade Blessings again, for Operation Purple Heart.
January 30, 2011
Pattern: V-Stitch Shawl
V-Stitch - (dc, ch1, dc) in same stitch
Row 1 - Ch 4. 4 dc in 4th ch from hook.
Row 2 - Ch 4 and turn. Dc in same st, skip next dc, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next dc, skip next dc, (dc, ch1, dc - v stitch made) in next dc. You should now have a small triangle shape with one "V" on each side and a "W" at the peak.
Row 3 - Ch 4 and turn, dc in same stitch. V-stitch in next dc, skip next dc, v-stitch in next dc, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next dc, V-stitch in next dc, skip next dc, V-stitch in 3rd chain of the ch4. You should now have 2 "V"s on each side and a "W" in the middle.
Continue the pattern - Ch4 and turn, dc in first stitch, then make V stitches up to the peak, make the "W" in the top DC, then make more V-stitches on the way back down, adding one V on each side on each row. Turn and repeat. Continue until shawl is as long/wide as you wish!
As far as I know, no one has written a pattern similar to this, I haven't been able to find one. I haven't really written a pattern before so I hope you understand my directions!
Row 1 - Ch 4. 4 dc in 4th ch from hook.
Row 2 - Ch 4 and turn. Dc in same st, skip next dc, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next dc, skip next dc, (dc, ch1, dc - v stitch made) in next dc. You should now have a small triangle shape with one "V" on each side and a "W" at the peak.
Row 3 - Ch 4 and turn, dc in same stitch. V-stitch in next dc, skip next dc, v-stitch in next dc, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next dc, V-stitch in next dc, skip next dc, V-stitch in 3rd chain of the ch4. You should now have 2 "V"s on each side and a "W" in the middle.
Continue the pattern - Ch4 and turn, dc in first stitch, then make V stitches up to the peak, make the "W" in the top DC, then make more V-stitches on the way back down, adding one V on each side on each row. Turn and repeat. Continue until shawl is as long/wide as you wish!
As far as I know, no one has written a pattern similar to this, I haven't been able to find one. I haven't really written a pattern before so I hope you understand my directions!
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| Close up detail |
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| Shawl done in worsted weight Wool-Ease |
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| Beginning of Shawl, done in Lion Brand Homespun, with J hook |
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| Completed shawl with added fringe |
December 12, 2010
December already?
I feel like I've been "hooking" and reading a lot lately but not keeping up with it here! I made several christmas ornaments for 2 different exchanges, and also made some things for Amanda, who commissioned some items from me. I'll post pics soon, I promise!
October 16, 2010
Mid-October Update
Reading:
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers: More Mad, Marvy Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise Rennison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I personally love this series. It does get a bit repetitive, but I gotta love it anyway. I always find myself talking like Georgia afterwards. Must get the next one now.
View all my reviews
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Truly enlightening. I found the first part fascinating, the second interesting. Mushrooms not so much, I mean it was interesting but a bit long, I felt it was longer than it needed to be. I sort of skimmed the last 20 pages or so.
View all my reviews
Making: Finished all 10 of my ornaments for the Ornie swap. Need to get into the Christmas stuff to find some cards, which I usually send out with them. Started one of Amanda's shawls. Did some experimenting with my secret pal gift. I had originally intended to make 5 stars - one each in red, yellow, blue, green and white. I have little charms that I had planned to put on them. I made up my own pattern but didn't think it was quite right. I found some online and made one today. It came out great, but it's bigger than I had planned, and the charms look very small on it. I dont know if I should try to make it smaller, or what. Tomorrow I'm going to stop at the store and get a few things - stiffening, pins, a board and possibly a new smaller hook. I think the one I'm using is too big.
Then He Ate My Boy Entrancers: More Mad, Marvy Confessions of Georgia Nicolson by Louise RennisonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I personally love this series. It does get a bit repetitive, but I gotta love it anyway. I always find myself talking like Georgia afterwards. Must get the next one now.
View all my reviews
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael PollanMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Truly enlightening. I found the first part fascinating, the second interesting. Mushrooms not so much, I mean it was interesting but a bit long, I felt it was longer than it needed to be. I sort of skimmed the last 20 pages or so.
View all my reviews
Making: Finished all 10 of my ornaments for the Ornie swap. Need to get into the Christmas stuff to find some cards, which I usually send out with them. Started one of Amanda's shawls. Did some experimenting with my secret pal gift. I had originally intended to make 5 stars - one each in red, yellow, blue, green and white. I have little charms that I had planned to put on them. I made up my own pattern but didn't think it was quite right. I found some online and made one today. It came out great, but it's bigger than I had planned, and the charms look very small on it. I dont know if I should try to make it smaller, or what. Tomorrow I'm going to stop at the store and get a few things - stiffening, pins, a board and possibly a new smaller hook. I think the one I'm using is too big.
October 05, 2010
October 2010
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail by Bill BrysonMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book! As a novice hiker, it appealed to me. Bryson was hilarious, I rarely read a book that made me laugh as much as this one did. The facts were really interesting, though at a couple points he kind of goes off on tangents that seem unrelated to the topic. All in all, one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a while.
View all my reviews
September 08, 2010
September 2010
Reading: I'm still reading 2 of the books I mentioned in the last post. I'm about 1/3-1/2 way through A Walk in the Woods, and it's about the best book ever. I am in love with it. It's half humor and half non-fiction, full of facts about the trail and the flora and fauna of the Appalachians, and it's about hiking!
I've only got maybe 20 pages of The Omnivore's Dilemma left, and am finding the last bit tedious. I guess I just don't care about mushrooms. So I generally choose reading the other book instead.
I have another non-fiction book that I took out of my library cause it's too high level for my now K-5 school. It will be going to the middle school but not before I read it! It's called When Plague Stikes. It's in 3 sections - one about the bubonic plague, one about smallpox and one about AIDS.
Making: I finished all of Amanda's washcloths, even have another one going that I may keep for me. Need to weave in the ends. I need to get started on my Christmas ornaments for the exchange. I am debating on doing the same ornies or making new ones. I do love the ones I always make. Also need to make something for my secret pal.
I've only got maybe 20 pages of The Omnivore's Dilemma left, and am finding the last bit tedious. I guess I just don't care about mushrooms. So I generally choose reading the other book instead.
I have another non-fiction book that I took out of my library cause it's too high level for my now K-5 school. It will be going to the middle school but not before I read it! It's called When Plague Stikes. It's in 3 sections - one about the bubonic plague, one about smallpox and one about AIDS.
Making: I finished all of Amanda's washcloths, even have another one going that I may keep for me. Need to weave in the ends. I need to get started on my Christmas ornaments for the exchange. I am debating on doing the same ornies or making new ones. I do love the ones I always make. Also need to make something for my secret pal.
August 16, 2010
Summer 2010 update
What I'm reading:
I'm doing something VERY rare for me....reading not one, not two, but FOUR books at once. Not like, simultaneously, but in different places at different times. My mother had The Time Traveler's Wife in the bathroom and even though sappy romances aren't really my bag, I started reading it and am almost finished. I also started The Omnivore's Dilemma again at the beginning of break, and have gotten through all that I read earlier and am in the last part of it now. I read that at the kitchen table, in the morning at breakfast and at night while the rest of my family watches tv that I don't like. On the desk next to the computer I have A Walk in the Woods. I've just started and only read it while I wait for the dialup to connect and pages to load, so it's going slowly, but so far I LOVE it. It's hilarious. At bedtime I read a few pages of a Georgia Nicholson books, which is a YA series from Britain, also hilarious. The first one, Angus, Thongs and Full frontal Snogging, was a big hit and there were several after that. I think this one is the 4th? 5th? in the series, Away Laughing on a Fast Camel.
So it's nice to have some variety. Romance, comedy, serious non-fiction, YA.
What I'm crocheting:
I've been making some dishcloths for Amanda. I also want to make her a scarf and a shawl before I see her in November.
I'm doing something VERY rare for me....reading not one, not two, but FOUR books at once. Not like, simultaneously, but in different places at different times. My mother had The Time Traveler's Wife in the bathroom and even though sappy romances aren't really my bag, I started reading it and am almost finished. I also started The Omnivore's Dilemma again at the beginning of break, and have gotten through all that I read earlier and am in the last part of it now. I read that at the kitchen table, in the morning at breakfast and at night while the rest of my family watches tv that I don't like. On the desk next to the computer I have A Walk in the Woods. I've just started and only read it while I wait for the dialup to connect and pages to load, so it's going slowly, but so far I LOVE it. It's hilarious. At bedtime I read a few pages of a Georgia Nicholson books, which is a YA series from Britain, also hilarious. The first one, Angus, Thongs and Full frontal Snogging, was a big hit and there were several after that. I think this one is the 4th? 5th? in the series, Away Laughing on a Fast Camel.
So it's nice to have some variety. Romance, comedy, serious non-fiction, YA.
What I'm crocheting:
I've been making some dishcloths for Amanda. I also want to make her a scarf and a shawl before I see her in November.
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