Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Words and Wool

Here is the secret Easter knitting! Six little bunnies all ready for the children and cousin John. They were super easy to knit but just took a little bit of sewing to get them all together. The kids loved them!!!


And Christina was delighted with her daffodil tea cozy which I made to look just like mine. It helps to make us feel like spring is here!


Now that Easter knitting is behind me, I am hard at work on more secret knitting, so I can't reveal too much. Have just finished up something with this lovely wool and am onto the next project. I will certainly reveal things as I am able.......


As for reading, I have finished several books in the last two weeks:


31 Days to Clean - Having a Martha House the Mary Way by Sarah Mae was an ebook that I read during Spring break that gave me a shot in the arm regarding housework. The book helps you to answer "Why do I want a clean home?" and also gives practical cleaning ideas for spring cleaning your house one day at a time (I thought these were a little over the top and not practical, but since that was only a tiny portion of the book I just used it as a launching point to make my own monthly list). I sat down and went through the book in about an hour, taking notes and thinking through my cleaning strategies.

The book contained many good reminders: don't judge yourself by others' standards, our goal is to bring life to those around us, get off the computer, etc. I managed to find this book on sale the first week of April and so got it for just a $1.50 and I definitely got my money's worth from that price.


In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth was finished last week. This was such a good book. The subject of death and dying is no one's favorite, but Worth points out that we all need to get a grip on this and begin to talk about it more and to figure out how we can minister to those who are dying. Worth handled the subject very well, presenting all kinds of aspects and thought-provoking scenarios without making the decisions for you. I highly recommend this book!

The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber was the first Macomber book I have read. It is what my sister calls "potato chip reading" -- fast, easy, fun. The book follows the life of a woman opening a knitting shop and three other women who attend her Friday afternoon knitting class. It is fast moving and kept my interest and of course the knitting theme was fun.

The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin was a great book! I read this with a friend and found much to discuss and think about. The book begins with lots of statistics about friendships and women but eventually moves into very helpful chapters on various aspects of women's friendships. You do want to make sure you get the updated version of this book rather than the first edition as Brestin has changed the content a good bit since the first printing.

Beowulf the Warrior -- this is a book that I have always heard about but never read so I thought it was time to read this since we are studying Medieval history in school and in Sunday school! It was short enough not to become a burden and I loved the illustrations in this volume. The story was written during the Dark Ages and is all about a hero fighting monsters and enemies. Not exactly my choice of reading but I am glad now to have actually read it.

You can find more ideas for reading and knitting over at Ginny's Yarn Along.

Please note: this page contains affiliate links.

14 comments:

Lisa Uotinen said...

I might try to find that edition of Beowulf, when we study it next year. Thanks for sharing!

Unknown said...

wow such pretty WIP's and I love those bunnies - super cute. Have a knitty wednesday xx

Reneelynn said...

There are a few more books in the Blossom Street series. They're all fun reads. Also have you read War Brides......I found it to be eye opening once again to how difficult the war year were. Your knitting is great. Waiting to see what the purple knitting is ;)

Anonymous said...

I really enjoy the beauty of your tea cozies. Inquiring as to whether or not you make them for sale?
Sylviemari

bookworm-Mary said...

You've made a very beautiful and cheerful tea cozy! That would be a excellent addition to anyone's kitchen, especially with the winter blues still clinging in some parts.

Heather L. said...

Sylviemari == I'm afraid I have not considered selling these tea cozies as the cost would be prohibitive from the price of the wool and then the 4-5 hours involved in making them. :(

Heather L. said...

Reneelynn -- which War Brides are you referring to? I would be interested in reading it. It seems there are several on amazon.

Karen Sue said...

I went on Ebay and bought a collection of the the Blossom Street books, which I have already read, but liked for the ease of reading, and now that I'm knitting more, I enjoy those references. Keep going through the series. The cleaning book..might have to check into that. I got an ebook from the library to help goose me along, hopefully! Similar style perhaps. We're not her, so let's find something that works for us. The friendships book looks good, too. We are just switching our ladies SS class over to an every week is different style for the rest of our year. We are struggling with distractions and then being behind and not know where we are. Trying to get us back on track and excited to be there again. But it might be a good one for our Bible Study small group or for next year's SS class..or maybe, just for me. :o)
The knitting is very nice. Bunnies...and the purple color, hmmm. Is your tea cozy a knit?? That is sooo coool!!
Have a great day!

Amy said...

Your tea cozy is lovely. and I bet the kids loved their little bunnies.

September Violets said...

I once bought a 'green cleaning' book, and although my husband rolled his eyes at my choice of book, it had excellent tips and suggestions ... basically a good reminder to sort/purge/clean and stay green! I love that tea cozy ... wonderful shade of springtime green and the yellow flowers all so cheery! Popped over from Yarn Along! Wendy

karen said...

love the purple yarn! And the basket of bunnies is perfect for Easter :)

Anna said...

Oh how I love the purple yarn! I typically don't like purple but my daughter, Grace, is teaching me the fine art! I think your felt birds are so sweet! I read the Debbie McComber blossom street books. Have you read the other knitting books by Kate Jacobs? I read the first two and loved them, I had no idea there were more until I googled to remember her name- loaned them to my mother . Visiting from Yarn Along

Reneelynn said...

Heather-The Author of War Brides is Helen Bryan.

HeatherMavis said...

Have you ever visited the blog "The Quiet Home"? Tina, the blog writer ,lives in northeast Scotland and she loves the Lord. Along with you, she is one of my favorites.