It's Monday! What are you Reading #6 Listening, reading and creating.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  I am really enjoying this meme as a way to visit other's participating and see what everyone is reading. I have added lots of titles to my reading list as a result. So fair warning....you could be adding to yours too. Come and join us by visiting Sheila's blog and checking on all who link up. 


Today, I am listening to The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I must be one of the last in the country who hasn't already read this book. It was the only edition available at my library, due to the movie being released I am sure.  Listening to a book is good during this busy time of year. I can get 2 things done at once. I have been busily doing hand stitching and reading. 

My sister sent me a copy of  

It is not a book you read from cover to cover, though you could if you wanted to, but the idea is to create calm and this book needs to be savored and enjoyed. I have read some negative reviews, stating there are no DIY pictures etc. I am viewing it as a tutorial in attitude and gratitude. There are project ideas, but it is up to you to create your own calm, your own special art. 

Also I am back to Benni Harper, taking #14 State Fair by Earlene Fowler to bed with me at night.  This one takes place after Elvia and Emory's baby girl is born and Benni's Aunt Garnet is visiting from Arkansas. It is "county" fair time and there is lots of lemonade, corn dogs , agricultural  exhibits and of course a "dead body".  Hud is on the case and Benni can't keep her hands ( ie opinions) out of the investigation. It is a fun one. 

Until next time 
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

What's In A Name 2014

This will be the 3rd year I have done this challenge.  Beth Fish Reads  was the host in the past but has passed it on to  The Worm Hole for 2014.

The challenge runs from January 1st to December 31st, 2014.

Here are the categories and a possible candidate or two.
1. A reference to time: Morning Glory by Sarah Jio,
2. A position of royalty: The Constant Princess by Phillipa Gregory
3. A number written in letters: A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini
4. A forename or names: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
5. A type or element of weather: Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah

I reserve the right to change or add to the above list.
As always, I look forward to searching for books to meet the title criteria. Sometimes I struggle and sometimes they just fall in my lap.


Until next time
Stay Busy and Stay Happy

First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros. Daughters of the Quilt #1

Every Tuesday, Diane at Bibliophile by the Sea posts the first paragraph or maybe two of her current read. Anyone can join in. Go to Diane's website for the image and share the first paragraph (or2) of the current book you are reading.

Hannah Lapp covered the basket of freshly gathered eggs with her hand, glanced behind her, and bolted down the dirt road. Early morning light filtered through the broad leaves of the great oaks as she ran toward her hope ...and her fears. 

So would you read on?  Have you read any of Cindy Woodsmall's other titles, or Beverly Lewis or Lauraine Snelling?  

This is the first in the Sister of the Quilt series by Cindy Woodsmall and I have been wanting to read it for some time. It was recommended to me by a fellow quilter.  It is listed as contemporary fiction but upon reading the back of the book and my friend's recommendation I know it is Amish Christian based. Usually these are great stories, with good lessons to be learned. I am needing that at this time. It is a borrowed book from the library so I hope to get to it soon. 

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

It's Monday. What Are You Reading? #5 Candlelight Christmas

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  I am really enjoying this meme as a way to visit other's participating and see what everyone is reading. I have added lots of title to my reading list as a result. So fair warning....you could be adding to yours too. Come and join us by visiting Sheila's blog and checking on all who link up. 

Last week, I was reading the 12th in the Benni Harper Mystery series and I also finished #13 in the series - Tumbling Blocks. I enjoyed these last 2 just as much as the first in the series. I have 2 more to read to finish the Mega Mix Challenge.  

I decided to take a break from Benni and read a book I plucked off the "Featured" shelf at the library last Tuesday. 

GOODREADS:

A single father who yearns to be a family man, Logan O'Donnell is determined to create the perfect Christmas for his son, Charlie. The entire O'Donnell clan arrives to spend the holidays in Avalon, a postcard-pretty town on the shores of Willow Lake, a place for the family to reconnect and rediscover the special gifts of the season.

One of the guests is a newcomer to Willow Lake— Darcy Fitzgerald. Sharp-witted, independent and intent on guarding her heart, she's the last person Logan can see himself falling for. And Darcy is convinced that a relationship is the last thing she needs this Christmas.

Yet between the snowy silence of the winter woods, and toasty moments by a crackling fire, their two lonely hearts collide. The magic of the season brings them each a gift neither ever expected—a love to last a lifetime.

So far I really like it. Goodreads says it in #10 in the Lakeshore Chronicles, but it doesn't seem to need any of the previous books to make sense.  Maybe because it is a Christmas story, it can stand alone.  I probably will add the Lakeshore Chronicles to my reading list though. So far I have like the character development , I could fall for Logan if only I were...35 years younger!...and the bits and pieces, like the spaghetti recipe and how to make Christmas pickles. Fun!!

I have a bit more gift wrapping to do, but mostly I am done. I won't do  any additional baking, we had a cookie exchange within a group that Mr Busy and I belong to, so I have a great variety in the cookie jar.  My decorating is complete, sparse though it is, so I am planning on reading a great deal. 

Until next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy

The Friday 56 - #5 Crafting Calm

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader

 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post in Linky at Freda's Voice. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

But to begin your practice immediately, another way to create a blessing basket is simply to embellish a pre-existing basket that you feel drawn to, using paint, ribbon, charms, and anything else that evokes blessings for you. Remember---------that's what's most important is not the actual crafting of the basket, but the spiritual practice behind it. 

In this wired, wild world, it is harder than ever to shut out noise and busyness in order to truly calm yourself, but in Crafting Calm, a D.I.Y. guide to peace of mind, you'll find inspiring ideas for how to do exactly that through a wide range of creative exercises.

I received this book in the mail from my sister. A "just because I thought of you gift".  I am hoping to find it inspiring and uplifting. I need to create some calm in my life and maybe this is just the encouraging focus I need. 

Until next time, 

Stay busy and stay happy or be creative and be calm

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Benni #12

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.  I love being a part of this and I hope you do too!  As part of this weekly meme I  encourage you all to go and visit the others participating in this meme. Fair warning… this meme tends to add to your reading list!

This week I am reading the 12th book in the Benni Harper Mystery series. 

It is my goal to finish #13 - Tumbling Blocks, #14 - State Fair & #15- Spider Web before the end of the year. I should be able to make that happen. I have nearly all my Christmas shopping done. I have to get them shipped off and our daughter has a birthday the 16th of December, so I need to get that remembrance sent too. 

I am looking forward to new book challenges in the new year. I especially like "What's in a Name" at Beth Fish Reads and I will continue to participate in the Ebook Challenge on Workaday Reads.Then there are all the challenges on Goodreads. Oh my, will I overdo again this year?  

Until next time, 

Stay Happy and Stay Happy

Friday 56 #4 for me

Rules:

*Grab a book, any book.
*Turn to page 56 or 56% in your eReader

 *Find any sentence, (or few, just don't spoil it) that grabs you.
*Post it.
*Add your (url) post in Linky at Freda's Voice. Add the post url, not your blog url. It's that simple.

Behind Gabe, I could see Mac's face.It was stoic, unreadable, but he was concentrating on me, on what I was saying to Gabe. When I caught his eyes, his face turned neutral again. 

Until Next time, 

Stay Busy and Stay Happy