It is winter, after Christmas, nothing to look forward to.  This time of year in our family is called Janu-Feb.  The dark, cold time of year when there is little to look forward to until June if you live in the northern United States.  Sooooooo, what better to do than light the fireplace, put on a Jane Austen movie, (BBC, “Emma”, my new favorite)  and knit small projects. I have recently come...

Its finally done!!  I had to break my leg to do it!  Literally!  Yes, I am the type that can’ sit still, so while I have been forced to sit still I crocheted this blanket, hat and booties: This pattern came from the book reviewed in an earlier post, “Blankets, Hats, and Booties to Knit and Crochet”, by Kristin Spurkland.  This is an older book, but I love the patterns, and with a few changes...

Recently I have been trying different knit and crochet books by checking them out at the library and trying a few of the patterns.  I came across the book”Blankets, Hats, and Booties to Knit and Crochet” by Kristin Spurkland.  I kept checking the book out until I finally decided I needed, and wanted this book!  You can get this book new for under $5.00.  Although some of the patterns may be a...

It’s just after Christmas, I want to share a review about a gift I received, “The Pioneer Woman Cooks”, by Ree Drummond.   If you are not familiar with The Pioneer Woman blog, you are missing out!  Ree Drummond, the ultimate type A personality, has a wealth of information, photography, recipes, and life anecdotes, to inspire you for years. Based on her blog, www.thepioneerwoman.com, this...

Just as I am excited to grow the vegetables in the garden, I am excited to use the recipes in my vegetarian cookbook.  I purchased this book with the money I received from my YMCA workout buddies after I had surgery.  I thought it to be a fitting use of money from my fitness minded friends!  “Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone”, by Deborah Madison, has turned out to be a great investment. Packed...

I was recently invited to join a website, as usual I was skeptical, I thought why would I want to spend more time at the computer?  What I did find was a website that facilitates spending more time away from the computer READING!!!  Shelfari.com is a fun website.  You can share your recently read books with others, and they can share their favorite books with you.  You can rate your books, get ideas for...

Stories Behind the Best Loved Songs of Christmas, by Ace Collins Every song has a story, Christmas songs have fascinating stories about how they came to be.  Most of us know the story behind Silent Night,It was 1817 in Austria,  the organ at St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf, wasn’t working on Christmas eve, Joseph Mohr , the assistant priest had to do something to save the Christmas Eve service. ...

Last night, around 10:50, I was standing outside my local movie theater in a line of 100’s of teenage girls with their mothers. It was about 10 degrees outside, and I was wearing boots, a sweatshirt, my winter coat, 2 pairs of gloves, and a hat.  I, along with thousands of girls around the country all waited in lines for hours in order to get a glimpse of the worshipped Twilight movie. I’ve read...

The past few months we have been remodeling our kitchen.  You wouldn’t believe the mess!!!  Electricians, carpenters, and the worst, the plumber tromped through my house grinding in the dirt.  Up and down the stairs, across the recreation room leaving their trail. I became very aware that my entire basement carpet badly needed to be cleaned.  I turned to my copy of “Clean Your House and Everything...

Now, to begin reviewing books you can put in your neat and tidy book closet, or shelf!!!  (See previous post)I thought I would list four books today, two for older children 6 – 10, and two for younger children, 4 – 6, however, I feel children of both age groups will enjoy all four books. For the younger age, “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs“, by Judie Barrett. A darling tale of raining...