Red 2

Two things:

1. I am so far behind on my blog posts. My blog is also a journal for me, so I need to catch up on some vital events that have not been recorded yet. This movie is not one of those vital events, but it sure was fun.

2. It's sad how few movies I see. This is my first movie of 2013. The last movie I saw was Les Mis on Christmas day.

I liked the movie! I screamed at the suspenseful parts, giggled and even laughed out loud a few times. The people next to us really enjoyed it, which was also fun to see. This is just the kind of movie I like Bruce Willis in. Of course, you can never go wrong with Helen Mirren or Mary-Louise Parker.  I like John Malkevich better in this movie than any other I've seen him in. (see #2 above to give that last sentence its correct perspective).  It's too late to see this movie in the theater, and quite frankly I bet even the dollar theaters don't remember it by now. But it's worth renting, or netflixing, or whatever you do to see a movie that is no longer in the theater. 

August Report

1. First things first: still doing okay on this one. I'm ramping up for another eight week concentration on all these things beginning September 7.

2. Photo labelling and scanning: I helped Orva with her slides on one of our workdays. I haven't done any of my own, and I've got a big pile just waiting for me.  All in good time.

3. Household organization: I worked on the yard quite a bit. I worked on the house a little. I did get my bathroom closets all done, and last week Audrey was here and we organized my entire sewing room. It feels great. Okay, I guess I did more than just a little in the house.

4. Projects: I printed my dad and mom's autobiographies (thanks to my sister-in-law Bonnie for formatting them and helping to edit them). Then I took them and had them bound. Hardback. They look so nice! That was a nice one to get done. My dad is so happy.  I also finished two quilts.

Not too bad. Really what I need to do is catch up on all the blog posts I haven't gotten done yet. Here's hoping that happens in September. Stay tuned.

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.