Wordless Wednesday  2 March 2011

It is time for another Tuesday Teaser.  I really like doing these little glimpses into books -- opens up opportunities for others to look at works they might ordinarily pass by.

This week my teaser comes from The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe.  While "shopping" my own bookshelves for something new to start, I ran across this book which has been there for awhile.  I picked it up hoping it would be similar to The Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.  I have hopes for this novel as it's author, although raised in Houston, Texas, has her roots in Massachusetts and is related to two women involved in the Salem Witch Trials.

So, without further ado, here is my teaser.  Since I am now just starting the book, I will begin at the beginning -- first two lines on the first page, the prologue.

"Peter Petford slipped a long wooden spoon into the simmering iron pot of lentils hanging over the fire and tried to push the worry from his stomach.  He edged his low stool nearer to the hearth and leaned forward, one elbow propped on his knee, breathing in the aroma of stewed split peas mixed with burning apple wood."

Yum.  Now we begin.

Blue Monday

I have never done a Blue Monday before but it looks like fun.  Blue Monday is hosted by smilingsally.blogspot.com.

Blue English skies and two of my favorite people

Melissa's Musings

It has been a while since I have mused so I thought this morning seemed like a good time to do so.  I have been awake since 5 a.m. -- not my choice but rather an allergy stricken nose.  I finally had to get up and have a cuppa.  I have been going through some of my pics and realized that I hadn't posted any  of my own endeavors in quite some time so I thought I would do that now.

It seems that each Christmas I end up giving something hand/homemade.  This Christmas was no different.  My mother- in-law made the comment, a while back, that I had made everybody a quilt but her so I was looking through my collection of charm packs and decided to make her a disappearing nine patch  out of a cheery peach and turquoise  pattern.  I took photos of the process but, unfortunately, I forgot to take a picture of the finished product.  I will have to take a photo the next time I am over there.  In any event here are the pictures of that project:

Charm squares used in Granny's quilt 

Backing fabric

The quilt turned out really cute -- I will post a photo later, and I am in the process of making another out of a completely different colorway and it is going to be lovely, if I do say so myself.


Seems the new year has found me with a new interest in sewing clothing.  I haven't embarked on anything for myself yet but it will come.  I have a hard time finding things I like so I might have to resort to doing it myself.  But, in an effort to ease back into the construction of actual clothing -- not quilts you just wrap yourself in (although that may be an alternative) -- I began with a little jumper for Beanie.  I had purchased a really cute piece of corduroy a while back with no real purpose for it so, when winter came, I decided to try this little jumper pattern.  I had made a number of these button on the shoulder garments for my children so I know they are versatile so I gave it a whirl.  This is the finished product and I have to say that my machine makes really good buttonholes -- this being the first time I ever tried.

Voila! Baby jumper!

Cute babywale corduroy fabric

So, that is what I have been doing in the sewing world.  Well, all that I have photos of.  I need to take more pics and I need to remember to capture the finished products for all to see!  My cooking efforts will have to be for another blog. 

I am in the process of creating some special Christmas items but that will have to wait for another post, like after Christmas, because it is a surprise! More on that later.  So, have a wonderful Saturday!

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

I have always been a fan of historical fiction although I haven't read much of it in recent years.  I happened upon The Kitchen House and added it to my Nook library not knowing when I might be in the mood to read it.  After reading the incredibly light novel A Piggly Wiggly Wedding I decided to read something I could get "in to" and this book filled the bill.

It is the story of slavery in post-Revolutionary War Virginia.  It is about Lavinia, a young girl who was traveling to America from Ireland with her parents and brother to engage in a life of indentured servitude.  Her parents expired while on the journey and, when they reached America, the boy was sold and Lavinia was taken home to the ship owners home to become part of his household staff.  Lavinia was white.  It is also about Belle, a young slave woman who was part of the same household.  Belle became a mentor to Lavinia and Belle became part of her family.  This is the story of Lavinia and Belle with each chapter alternating between the two -- each telling the story from their perspectives.

This is a story of human strength, weakness, determination, family bonding and a glimpse of the lives of the people during that time.  This is the story of family and not the one you might think.  It is a gripping tale and even though it tackles the subject of slavery of all sorts I couldn't put it down.  It was a sad book but then I guess there are probably millions of sad stories about the time when our country was just being born. I think this one would make a great movie.

I recommend this book with out reservation but you should know that it is somewhat graphic and it is sad.

Jumping on the Band Wagon -- My Ten Favorite Movies

Following the lead of Brianna over at LoneStarPrep, I am going to attempt to list my ten favorite movies.  This is difficult for me because my family has always been "into" movies.  I remember going to the drive-in with my parents at a very young age and I even remember being collected from school and driven back to the movie theater where my folks were enjoying a late afternoon matinee.  My cousin and I were movie buffs, bought all the movie magazines and would sit through our favorites multiple times -- "Westside Story" and "Lawrence of Arabia" both come to mind as well as "The Longest Day".  So, since I am of a certain "vintage" and can safely say I have seen many, many movies, it is going to be difficult to name just ten but I will make an effort.  Please note that these are in no particular order except the order they popped into my head.

I went to see "The Haunting" with my friend Sarabeth when I was in junior high school.  I have to say it was the scariest thing I had ever seen.  When you see it in the theater, it is completely different than when you see it on tv and completely different than the new version with Liam Neeson.  Although I am quite fond of Liam, I didn't like his version of this movie.

What can I say about West Side Story?  I saw this movie multiple times when it was first released and I never miss the chance to watch it on tv even though I own a copy of it.  This is the movie that we bought the soundtrack to, learned all the lyrics (I can still remember them) and we all wanted to be Natalie Wood and we all loved Russ Tamblyn.  There is no intro like the one to West Side Story, it still send chills up my spine to see those colors change and art fade to reality.  I think I will watch it tonight.

"Imitation of Life"  was a fantastic movie that covered so many topics and it did it with sensitivity and grace.  It is a rare movie that can deal with divorce, unwed mothers, domestic violence, rejection, and neglect without scaring the child in the audience! I loved this movie and still watch it everytime I run across it and yes, I still cry.

I guess "The Bells of St. Mary's" has to be my all time favorite movie.  When I was a child, after we had Christmas Eve celebrations with my family, I would watch this movie and then midnight Mass.  I was a pain in Santa's patootie because I just would NEVER go to bed on Christmas eve until my viewing had been completed.  This was very strange behavior for a non-Catholic child but after watching this  movie for a few years, I toyed with the idea of being a nun.  More odd behavior from a non-Catholic child but Ingrid Bergman was just so gorgeous and I thought it would be great to be Ingrid Bergman.  Of course, none of that happened but I still watch the movie every Christmas and still get teary eyed and still think Ingrid Bergman was gorgeous.

Next to "The Haunting", "Bunny Lake is Missing" has to be the most frightening movie! Black and white movies just lend themselves to this genre.  My hubby, when he was still my boyfriend, and I sat out for our usual Saturday night movie date.  We had scoured the paper and decided on something but when we got there, what we went to see was being replaced with a "sneak preview" and this was the movie.  I was disappointed at first but once it started I was entralled.  In fact, some of the best movies I have seen were "sneak previews".

I am from Texas.  My father dabbled in film making and ran with the local film making crowd, most of which was involved in making this movie.  The soundtrack is fantastic.  I watch it just to listen to the music.  It reminds me of my dad and it makes me cry. 

The Hubs and I saw this movie not long after we were married.  It was a strange movie -- plot within a plot sort of thing.  This is the first I had heard of Meryl Streep but I thought she was one of the best actresses of my generation I had ever seen.  You have to watch closely to follow it but it is worth watching.

Oh, how I loved the musicals of my youth.  "Funny Girl" is no exception.  The Hubs, while still the BF, sat through this more than once and endured the soundtrack numerous times.  It might not have been such a trial if I hadn't insisted on singing along.  I still enjoy this movie and the sequel "Funny Lady" is probably the only sequel I have really liked.

I first saw  "The Diary of Anne Frank" when I was about 14 years old.  What can I say -- about the saddest thing  I have ever seen.  I am still moved when I watch it.

"The Dungeon of Harrow" -- probably the worst movie in the history of the cinema (well, next to "Bucket of Blood") but, my father -- the one who dabbled in film making -- made it.  It was made in San Antonio, Texas and the surrounding areas.  The budget was like zero.  The acting pretty much the same as the budget but it is my Daddy's movie and still watch it and remember all the work he put into making it.  It was fun for me and I was glad to have the opportunity to be a part of it but....it is still a really bad movie.

So, those are probably my ten all time favorites -- the ones I would watch over and over.  Even though they are from my youth, I have many favorites that are more contemporary.  I love almost anything with Liam Neeson, Hugh Grant, and Meg Ryan.  I love contemporary romantic comedy and I always enjoy the British offerings.  "Titanic" is a favorite way to spend time and I am always up for a good mystery.  So, you see, it is pretty near impossible for me to pinpoint a favorite  -- I guess once a movie lover always a movie lover.

Booking Through Thursday

All other things being equal -- do  you prefer used books?  Or new books? (The physical specimen, that is, not the title.)  Does your preference differentiate between a standard kind of used book, and a pristine, leather bound copy.


Well, this does require a bit of thought, doesn't it.  Do I prefer used books?  It depends.  If I am looking for a title that is out of print I obviously  have to prefer it used, don't I?  In that case, I would go for a hard back copy.  The most recent purchase of this type has been The Bumper Book, a children's book from my youth that I have bought copies of for my grandchildren.  Both copies that I have bought have been a bit worn and a bit musty but very tight and intact and I was pleased with my purchase except for the ridiculous price tag that was on them.  

I guess I would say that for current reading I prefer new books.  I like the larger paperbacks over the standard paperbacks but, above all, I prefer hardbacks.  I go against all decor suggestions and leave the dust jackets on them because I like to look at them -- remember, I am the one who chooses books by their covers -- not a great idea but my style, for sure. 

This then brings us to the question of e-books, doesn't it?  Can't leave that new technology out of this conversation, can we?  I have an e-reader that I have a love/hate relationship with.  However, after the latest updates, our relationship seems to be mellowing out and we are working much better together.  The idea behind me wanting an e-reader is my inability to quit buying books.  We have run out of room in our house.    We have no more bookshelf space and no more wall space to put more bookshelves so something had to be done besides purging all the books.  I have begun purging some of the books and I have made the decision  that almost all new books will be bought for the e-reader and if I want to a hard copy to add to  the library here I will but I will no longer  enter a bookstore glazed-eyed, without direction, and run willy-nilly past the bargain bins to the new releases gathering up enough books to run a small lending library.

So, in my case, I guess there are no hard and fast rules as to my preferences.  It depends on the situation, the price and the importance.

New to this!

For my teaser this week, I am using an excerpt from The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom.  When I finished A Piggly Wiggly Wedding last week I knew I wanted to read something less "light"  so I chose this book from my ever growing Nook library.  I have to say that so far, this book as been a page turner.

"There are times after she's taken exercise in the yard -- the mad yard, they call it -- when she appears to have some recognition.  But then she pleads for the baby, or for our sister Isabelle.  I feel I must be honest, yet she grieves so when I tell her they are both dead." This is taken from page 173.

Really good book.

The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window I am seeing the absence of the temporary sales office to our spanky, new co-op condo that they have been building behind my house.  The temporary office has been there for a year, looming over our fence and blocking our view.  I am glad it is gone.

I am thinking that there was something else I needed to do today but I don't have a clue what it is -- ah, the joys of the aging brain.

I am thankful for today and the fact that the aforementioned temporary building is gone.

From the learning rooms I am learning about cross stitch fabric.  I have been doing cross stitch for years and am still learning new things.  One new thing that I have learned is that I am not sure I like linen.  I am stitching without a  hoop and maybe it would be easier with a hoop -- guess I will learn about that later.

From  the kitchen I am figuring out that I am not great at just concocting dishes on my own -- the "thing" I made a couple of nights ago I liked but the Hubs didn't.  He did like the chili I made during our "blizzard", however. 

Chili! By my Mom's recipe!

I am wearing an old t-shirt from a quilt shop hop that I did a few years back -- I love this t-shirt even if it is dingy and waaaaaaay too big but it is comfy and reminds me of a great time the Hubs and I had together.  Oh, and I am also wearing gray athletic shorts -- yes, shorts but it is Texas and the weather has been gorgeous.


I am creating some handmade Christmas gifts.  I decided this year would be the year that I didn't get to December 1 and wish I had started earlier!

I am going on a small vacation soon.  The details are not set yet.

I am reading The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom.  It is a really good book that I am having trouble putting down.  I acquired my e-reader when I decided that something needed to be done about the copious number of books I buy since I was running out of space.  I decided that I would purchase e-books and if I really wanted to add something to my personal library I would purchase the hard copy -- preferably a hardback.  I think I will be adding this book to my shelves.

I am hoping that the weather  stays good and that I can stay on the roll I am on with my purging and organizing our excess "stuff".

I am hearing, on some news program, that not everybody needs to eat breakfast -- in some people it just piles on extra calories.  I never had a weight problem until I started eating breakfast as an example to my children and it seems that once I eat in the morning, I am hungry all day.  So, for me, this is good news!

Around the house things are getting more organized and "leaner" in regards to our "stuff".  The older I get, the more I dislike excess -- clothes, kitchen items, magazines, weight -- is that normal?

One of my favorite things is waking up early and taking my morning tea outside on the patio to drink it.  After a year of not being able to do that compliments of the offending building, I am looking forward to doing that again.

A few of the plans for the rest of the week include babysitting, sewing, crafting and reading.

Here is a picture thought for you

Love me some bright and perky Starbucks art!

A Piggly Wiggly Wedding by Robert Dalby

I just completed "A Piggly Wiggly Wedding" by Robert Dalby.  I had used this book as a Tuesday Teaser a while back.  I used to read books like this when I was younger and enjoyed lighter reading and it has been a while since I had enjoyed something of this nature.  It took me longer to read it than it should have but I don't seem to stay with my reading like I used to. 

At any rate, it is  a light- hearted book about Gaylie Girl Lyons and Hale Dunbar Jr. -- a middle age+ couple who had been a couple as teenagers, had gone their separate ways, had separate lives and came together again after the death of Gaylie Girl's husband.   The book takes place in the little town of Second Creek, Mississippi.  It begins as Gaylie Girl arrives and takes up residence just prior to her wedding to Mayor Dunbar.  She is introduced to the Nitwitts -- the ladies group of the town and is embraced with open arms and becomes an active  member of the group.  Sound dull?  Think of "Golden Girls" doubled.  Gaylie Girl has a wonderful future ahead with a wonderful man, she is going to be the First Lady of Second Creek and she is going to be renovating a vintage home -- but her euphoria is squashed by her two children from her previous marriage who are not at all excited about the prospect of a step-father in a town called Second Creek.  After all, their mother had been the wife of a very wealthy, prominent businessman in Santa Fe -- how could she be happy and....what about their inheritance.  In the end it all works out but the children create the conflict in the story.  As in many "small town" books, the residents of the town make up the colorful characterization and I think my favorite was Whittsie.  You will have to read for yourself to see why.  It is so interesting to see how the residents of a small community work to bring culture and sophistication to their lives and these characters do just that in a big way.  There is nothing "hickish" about these folks, just charm all around.

I would recommend this book for light reading.  It is pleasant, the conflict is not all that conflicting and it is humorous.  The descriptions are such that you can completely see this little town and put faces to the residents -- we have all had neighbors, friends or relatives just like these people -- universal characters.  It was a bit superficial, could have been deeper in areas but overall, a good read.