Wednesday, September 09, 2015

yarn along



Hi sweet friends
I am holding onto the land of the living; I guess we started the sickness season early around these parts and I'm hoping that means we have a healthier autumn!  A virus has rotated through each member of our family the past several weeks and I was the last to go down a few days ago!  I am slowly reviving.  Glad I can't infect you through my computer screen!

I am still working on my Hitofude and although it looks like no progress is being made, I actually have gotten a good amount done though I know I'm not as speedy as many of you.  I'm halfway through the first part now.  It was a bit monotonous and I was feeling the embroidery itch so I got out my cross-stitch and finished the stitching on this sweet Shepherd's Bush needle roll for a couple evenings.  I can't quite decipher the directions for the hemstitch on the ends so it's on hold for the moment, possibly until my next visit with my momma who has made a few of these in the past and who gifted me with this kit!

I read Big Cherry Holler by Adriana Trigiani this past week (the second of the Big Stone Gap books) but I have to confess, I am not sure I liked it.  In the almost ten years that have passed since the first book took place the main character has not matured past her whiny self-absorption.  I guess that was intentional since that's the main conflict... but I felt it hard to like or connect with her in this one.  However, I feel like the end of the book brought some growth so I am going to give the third book another chance soon.  

For now, I went back to The Monster in the Hollows by Andrew Peterson in my fiction category.  I really can't recommend this series enough for older children and young adults.  Andrew Peterson is my favorite singer-songwriter because he really knows how to weave beauty and truth into his stories and he's done it again in novel form.  I think this would be a good option as a read-aloud for a boy who isn't all that into books; there's a lot of adventure but there is also a lot of embedded discussion about honor and courage and loyalty and what makes a true man - without being preachy or self-conscious.  

For non-fiction I've been reading Teaching From Rest: A Homeschooler's Guide to Unshakeable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie.  I love her Read Aloud Revival podcast and her blog and I knew I'd like her newly re-released book and I was right.  It's a really gospel-centric book and I look forward to reading through it.  

7 comments:

  1. I'm hoping to get my Hitofude done in the next couple of weeks. But I've got baby knitting to complete as well even sooner! My husband and walking pneumonia as a result of all the smoke that came our way from the fires in WA state. My daughter and I have dry hacking coughs but aren't sick. Just really annoyed to still be coughing!

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  2. I think I should look for this book! Making a list! Great looking crossstitch.

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  3. That is one of the nasty things about viruses, they make the rounds. I do hope you are feeling better and autumn is ill free.

    Your Hiltofude is really coming along, I want to cast one on too.

    Take care of yourself.

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  4. Hope you are all feeling better soon. It is terrible to have no energy. I love your cross stitch - gorgeous! I have put The Monster in the Hollows on my list. I really think I prefer childrens and young adult fiction a lot of the time.

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  5. I've been meaning to read Teaching From Rest. Thank you for the reminder.

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  6. I agree with you about the big cherry holler reflection...she was immature! I hope you are on the road of recovery and that we do not get infected through the computer!!

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  7. Love your hitofude, hope you all feel better soon.

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