Terra Mesa by P&B Textiles

I made this for the quilt shop I work at. After it is done being displayed, it will come home to me.

This was a quick and easy pattern, and the fabrics are lovely to look at, and lovely to work with. The pattern is free at pbtex.com. They have grossly miscalculated the amount of fabric used for the background. They say 3 yards, and I did it easily out of 1 1/4 yards (their fabric, which is a good 44 inches wide). 

Terra Mesa 

45 X 45 inches

Terra fabrics by P&B textiles

Free pattern: Terra Mesa

2012-2013 Block of the Month Quilt

After the extra effort and detail of last year's Block of the Month quilt (see post here), I kept things simple this year. I only made the twelve blocks given for free, and didn't do any extra blocks. I kept the setting plain as well. 

I actually like it a lot better than I thought I would. It has a nice warm feel to it. It will be a great lap quilt.

Finished size: 45 X 60. Block of the Month class through Quilt Etc.  in Sandy, UT.

The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King

My former college roommate recommended this book to me a few years ago. Then another friend recommended it a few weeks ago. I got it from the library and decided to give it a go.

The story is about Sherlock Holmes, now semi-retired out in the country. A young girl meets him (the story is from her point of view), and she becomes his apprentice. Eventually a case comes up, and the rest of the book unfolds from there.

I read all the Sherlock Holmes stories years ago, and loved them. They were an early stepping stone in my love of mysteries. I felt this book stayed fairly true to the character of Sherlock Holmes, and it's been long enough since I've read the originals that it didn't bother me if it wasn't exactly true to form.

I liked this fresh approach to a Sherlock Holmes story, and look forward to reading more in the series.

Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos

Dead End in Norvelt is the 2012 Newbery Medal Winner.

I liked the book--in fact I liked it a lot. It is the story of one summer in Jack's life (1962). There are fun characters, and the story is well crafted. There is one page with some potty humor that I thought was unnecessary, but it wasn't really offensive, just not realistic.

If you are looking for a book for a boy--this is a great one, although I think girls would like it just as much.

Celia Garth by Gwen Bristow

Celia Garth is my favorite of Gwen Bristow's books. I like all that I've read of hers, but this is my favorite.

Celia is a girl living in South Carolina at the time of the American Revolution. I love historical fiction, and this is one of the reasons why.

Bristow's books are easy to read, completely clean, and full of history in an enjoyable way. I've read most of hers a few times over the years. Recently a friend borrowed Celia Garth from me, and I decided to reread it. I'm glad I did. It was a great diversion.

These books were out of print for a while, and I paid a pretty price for a couple of them at a used book store. I'm thrilled they are back in print now.



Other books by Gwen Bristow:
I reviewed Calico Palace here, and Jubilee Trail here.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

A lovely book, well deserving of the Newbery Medal (winner for 2013).

Ivan is a gorilla housed in a cage in a shopping mall. A few other animals are caged there also. It is their story, and how Ivan saves the day.

You'll appreciate a good zoo after you read this book. Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle is known for its excellent habitat for their animals. I was glad I knew about it while I was reading this book.

Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson

I don't listen to many books on tape. I just can never think of one that might be as good to listen to as it is to read. I need to be better about that, because I think I'd get through a lot more books if I listened to some of them.

I listened to this book on my recent drive to Boise and back. I was by myself in the car, and the story kept me entertained and my mind awake for the whole trip (5 hours each way).

This was a fun book - a clean regency romance, much like a Georgette Heyer book. I liked the story, and the reader was very good.

Room by Emma Donoghue

I did not want to read this book. I've heard about it for quite a while, but the premise just seemed so depressing. A mother and her son hidden away for years - in fact he was born while his mother was kept in this room (a shed actually).

Well, it was chosen for my book group, and the girl who chose it usually picks books I like. So I tried to begin the book with an open mind. I actually liked the book. It helps that quite a bit of the book actually takes place after their escape.

It was fascinating to think about it. I wonder how I would do under the circumstances. I find myself still reflecting on the book, and I finished it a few weeks ago.

July Report

Oops! Here is is August 4 already. I completely forgot we were into a new month.  I'm so far behind in posts, it is ridiculous. Maybe that will be my goal for next month: catch up on blog posts.

1. First things first: I'm doing well on this, mainly because I'm participating in a group that is focusing on all these things for 8 weeks. It feels great.

2. Photo labeling and scanning: I scanned a lot. That also feels great.

3. Household organization: I think perhaps this might qualify as an oxymoron in my life. I will count keeping up on the weeds in my vegetable garden as a success in this area. (If I don't get out there this week it might count like a fail instead.) Our tomato plants are gigantic. I don't know if we will be able to find any fruit once it ripens. It's like a jungle out there. Which, considering how poorly they were doing earlier this year, is a miracle.

4. Projects: No sewing done. That makes me sad. But, I did learn how to make the whole wheat bread that the rest of Ray's family makes, and have made a few very successful batches. I secretly call it whole wheat cake. Why did it take me 25 years to do this? Several people have volunteered to teach me in the past, and Ray's dad has demonstrated for me several times. Finally this year my daughter Debra taught me how. She is so patient. I'm very happy about finally achieving that goal.