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Showing posts from August, 2008

The Sunday Salon

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This last week has found me reading a few short stories by Daphne Du Maurier, 'The Rendezvous and other stories'. These were good for quick reads in between sewing. However as the months are passing quickly I remembered Becky's challenge for the Bronte Sisters which I had signed up to a while ago. So yesterday I started re-reading 'Agnes Grey by Anne Bronte. I love this book. I read it years ago on a train journey from Cambridge after visiting my daughter. The lady I sat next to on the train remarked that she tried to read it in the past and couldn't. When I replied that I was a keen fan of the Brontes she gave me a very strange look, lol! Well that made me determined to read, and determination soon turned to pleasure as the story unfolded. It has a popular 'Bronte' theme with Agnes Grey leaving home to be a governess to a very unruly family. Next week I'm sure this book will be finished and I'll have moved on to another grear read. Hope you all hav

Christmas stitching.

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'Christmas' I hear you say, 'it's too early'. Well for me, hoping to do some ornaments for Christmas, it's certainly not. I have quite a few projects and reading planned before Christmas so I needed an early start. This is my first ornament, I like the finished result although I did not follow the chart completely. Some of the backstitch was omitted(not keen on back stitch!)and some was replaced with seed beads. Unfortunately the details are not very clear on the photo. I think it will nice on the tree. Hope you all have a good weekend.

Booking through Thursday

This is the discussion today ---- 'If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next? Or, um, is it just me?' It's the story every time for me too. I don't use any analysis in my reading, which I'm sure many academics would frown upon. I read as a form of escapism, like the childhood fairytales. I can envisage myself in the story alongside the characters. Reading a good book, by that I mean a story with a exciting plot and interesting characters,makes me long for more . More books , more stories. More discussions here.

ABC 3RD Round

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Here we are at the letter 'F' . This is my favourite feline, her 'proper' name is Smokey but she is also known as 'Mog'. A real beauty, she adopted us about 7 years ago and has been such a loving pet, we couldn't wish for a nicer cat.Click on photo to enlarge. You can see more photos here.

My sewing bag

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Today I completed my sewing bag. I'm pleased with the result, it will be ideal for my embroidery class in September. It was easy to make, literally took a couple of days, I think it's cute , like a mop cap really!Not sure whether it's clear on the photo there are pockets around the edge to keep scissors, needles safe and a pin cushion in the centre.

Bits and Bobs.

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These last few days have been full of bits and bobs. The crossstitch 'Joy' is not finished(I had to pull it out twice yesterday, lol!not concentrating!) when finished it will be a Christmas ornament. Today is 25th August , four months to go(my daughter goes crazy when I say that, lol) . The bracelet I made with a free pattern off the web. Unfortunately I can't find the site, but when I do I'll post it. It's a pretty crude try at crocheting with wire and beads but I'm going to try with some more and see if I can master it. The book, written by Ruth Herring and published by New Holland is one from the local library I thought some of the projects looked interesting so I might give them a whirl. You never know if I can really improve some of these may be good for Christmas presents and our Church Christmas Fayre.

Thankyou.

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Over on Loopy Lou's blog she has nominated me for an award. That is so very kind, thankyou. The 'rules' of acceptance are that you nominate 7 other bloggers to receive the award. So here are my seven, 1. Ginnie's cross stitch. 2. Books please. 3. HE KNOWS MY NAME. 4. Catholic Mom of 10 Revisited. 5. booksnbordercollies. 6. Charliandme. 7. Ramblingsfroman englishgarden. It is very hard to choose just seven, as all the blogs on my list are very interesting and deserve awards.

The Sunday Salon

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Another week gone by, I'm afraid with not much reading. Sewing has been my main employment this week but I have started a new book. It's a collection of short stories by Daphne du Maurier, titled 'The Rendezvous and other Stories'. Short stories are not usually high on my list of reading matter but these are proving good. I have read three of the fourteen . Her writing is good, and the twist in the stories really surprise the reader. Hope you all have a good week.

Sunday Scribblings.

On Sunday Scribblings today we are asked to write about our first meeting with our ... I have chosen to write of my first date with my hubby, very soppy I'm afraid, but it's nice to be 'soppy' at times. I met him one August night, I thought HE'D never arrive, No he was not late that evening, But late in years. I'd given up on men. I really believed My life was destined To be all alone But there he was In his blue suit And shiny shoes, And there was I Head over heels In love with him. More words here.

Temptation

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This book was released on Thursday and I am sooooo tempted. I really am. There are lots of books on the shelf that I have not read yet so I will have to try and be good . But Philippa Gregory's books are usually so great! This is going to be difficult. Discipline that's what's needed. Now if someone could tell me how to sew and read at the same time...

Sky Watch

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This is a photo of the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Baptist in Norwich. We attended Mass there last Sunday. A magnificent building both inside and out.Like many old cathedrals it is steeped in history. It was gifted to the city of Norwich by Henry Fitzalan Howard, 15 th Duke of Norfolk(1847-1917). I presume that these are the same Howard family to which Catherine Howard, 5th wife of Henry 8th belonged. The Howards had preserved their Catholic faith over the years . The 15 th Duke was a determined young man whose faith blossomed under the influence of Cardinal John Henry Newman. As the 19th century approached Catholics were free again to practice their faith openly. More photos here.

Stitching.

Yesterday I started stitching a drawstring bag to keep my sewing items in. It is from a McCalls pattern , shown here. Although the pattern front doesn't show my bag there are some other good ideas shown. Also I have a request for cross stitch pictures from my daughter, she has a frame with places for three photos and she would like to display cross stitch cats there. We are a cat loving family. So it looks like a busy time ahead. This is a Bank holiday weekend here in the U.K, as usual the weather is not too good, but it may improve. I think we will spend the time at home. Hope you all have a good weekend.

ABC 3rd round

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This week 'E' is the letter. This is a photo of Egglestone Hall.(courtesy of this site.)It is located in Teesdale , a beautiful area of Co. Durham, close to the market town of Barnard Castle.The grounds of the hall are open to the public and cookery courses are held at certain times of the year.It has seen a revival of interest lately as the T.V. series, 'Ladette to Lady' was filmed there. The hall, being a finishing school in the past was obviously chosen as a good venue, with cookery, etiquette and deportment teachers being readily available. Check out Mrs. Nesbitts place for more photos.

Sunday Salon

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This week I've finished reading 'Saint Therese of Liseaux', by Kathryn Harrison. It follows Therese's life from babyhood to death. She was an exceptionally spiritual person and decided at a very early age to devote her life to God. To do this she welcomed any sort of pain or discomfort. Her life was remarkable , she embraced death from tuberculosis at a very young age. I found some of the analysis of her actions and dreams to be too contemparary. Perhaps many authors looking back on a life years ago may have reached the same conclusions but I can't believe that the Saint herself would have thought in these sexual ways. I'm pleased I read the book, but would have preferred the Saint's own words, maybe a book of her poetry or ' The Story of a Soul.'

Weekend

We've just returned from a lovely weekend visiting one of our daughters. She lives in Norwich. This is part of the country I don't know very well. The flat landscape is so very different from our 'rolling' hills here in Co. Durham, a real change. We were only there for a couple of days so time was precious and sightseeing down to a minimum, as we wanted to spend time with her in her lovely house. We went to Mass before we left this morning in The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist. This is a very grand building dating back to 1910. I will post some photos later in the week. Hope you all had a good weekend.

Sky Watch

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Winter Feeding. Swaledale sheep in a lonely part of Northern England. More photos here.

Calling all book worms!

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Look what I found on Lezlie's blog. All the details can be found on My Friend Amy. Take a look readers and reviewers are included.

ABC 3rd Round

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So today we are up to the letter 'D'. I took this photo on Monday , in between showers. If I'd taken it today they are looking in a very sad state, this English 'summer' is playing havoc with the few flowers that grow in my garden. Check out Mrs. Nesbitts' blog for more photos.

New Magazine

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There is a new sewing magazine released on October 31st. It seems as though it will have a similar format to Burda magazine(as shown) where all the sewing patterns are included. It's name is Sew Hip and I think I'll have a look in October.

The Sunday Salon

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Within the last couple of days I have started this book. It has been on my TBR list for a while but trying to buy a copy was difficult. It was recommended by one of my daughters who has a great devotion to this Saint. The book begins with Therese's parents and grandparents.Zelie (Therese's mother)applied to become a nun but was refused.However she found her vocation in her marriage to Louis Martin and bore him a large family. Therese grew and her 'temperament was not formed for compromise or moderation'. In the Saints' own words(from 'the Story of the Soul') 'a life spent not taming but directing her appetite and her will' was how she summed up her days. Her very early life in the family home was greatly influenced by her parents' religous fervour. The cause for their beatification has been opened and more information is available here. This is a book that I sense I am going to enjoy and so I'm taking it slowly to savour every page. Hope you

Sewing is finished.

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Well I've finished my crazy quilting block. I've decided to make it into a bag,so it has a dark blue lining and a purple cord for a strap to wear across the body.The silver block in the center wasn't the best choice of material as it did click a little but you live and learn. This was my first real attempt at this type of stitching and I'm really pleased with the result overall. Today is an awful day weather wise so I won't be taking it to church tonight but the first dry day and it will be out there. Now what will I start next, it's fun deciding.

Sky Watch

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This is a photo of the ruins of the castle in Barnard Castle, Teesdale. It was founded by the Normans and at one time owned by Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick. He was known as 'the Kingmaker' and played a leading role in the War of the Roses. More information is here and here. Barnard Castle is a beautiful market town and I feel privileged to live nearby. More photos are here.

ABC 'C'

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Well for 'C' in this weeks ABC I have chosen my Christmas Cactus. According to the label the horticultural name is Schlumbergera. If produces very pretty pink flowers around Christmas, hence the name .I have had this for about 4 years and it has always given a good supply of flowers. I'm not a 'green fingered 'person so this suits me as it needs little care. More 'C''s here.

Shopping

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Well it's been a good day today. My parcel arrived with an Opus Mono craft frame . It can tilt to any angle so therefore any seat in the house is suitable to stitch on . The chart holder on the top means that , with my magnetic board I can see clearly how the chart is progressing . Just to make it all complete I bought a clip on magnifier. The stitching in the photo is my crazy block . I should finish this soon and then decide what to do with it. It's been interesting trying out different stitches een if they haven't all turned out very neat. As you can see the famous' Mog' had to get in the photo!!!

Book Review

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Well I have finally finished this book. As I've been busy with other hobbies and farm work it's taken me quite a while. If you like 'James Bond' type adventures then you will like this . It's 'James Bond' without the girls, which is just as well as there is a chunk of the story set around the Vatican. The theme being the releasing from a Chinese prison of a Catholic Cardinal. Interweaved with this we are taken through the procedures required to acquire a new Pope, being a Catholic I knew some of this but not all. I therefore found this part very interesting but the 'Bond' adventures I found a little far fetched (but it's fiction after all)

Sky Watch.

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A view of Cambridge University. Not sure, but it might be Kings College. Architecture is superb. More photos here. Click on photo to enlarge.

August.

"Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, Ripening fields lush- bright with promise; Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn." - Michelle L. Thieme, August's Crown Poem courtesy of this site.