PUDDLES......

On one of our really hot days, we got out the hose and made some puddles for the twins to stomp around in.  As you can see the did more than stomp in them.

SUN FLARE......

Have you ever got ready to take a picture and the sun got in your way?  I did with this one.  I was trying to take a picture of the squirrel in the tree and as you can see the sun is in the way.

BOOK REPORT.....

This is my Book Clubs selection for June.

Burial Rites - Hannah Kent

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION(Amazon.com)
A brilliant literary debut, inspired by a true story: the final days of a young woman accused of murder in Iceland in 1829.
Set against Iceland's stark landscape, Hannah Kent brings to vivid life the story of Agnes, who, charged with the brutal murder of her former master, is sent to an isolated farm to await execution.
Horrified at the prospect of housing a convicted murderer, the family at first avoids Agnes. Only Tóti, a priest Agnes has mysteriously chosen to be her spiritual guardian, seeks to understand her. But as Agnes's death looms, the farmer's wife and their daughters learn there is another side to the sensational story they've heard.
Riveting and rich with lyricism, BURIAL RITES evokes a dramatic existence in a distant time and place, and asks the question: How can one woman hope to endure when her life depends upon the stories told by others?
 Paperback: 352 pages 
Publisher: Back Bay Books (April 1, 2014) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0316243922 
ISBN-13: 978-0316243926

MY THOUGHTS:  I was a little skeptical about this book.  But as I started reading it, I got more intrigued by the story of Agnes.  As Agnes tells her story about her life, I could feel the anguish and hopelessness of her life.  She had no one, no family or friends she could turn to.  I could also feel the starkness and beauty of Iceland through this author's descriptions.  Really good book, I highly recommend this book! 

REST......

The twins go outside to play and they play hard.  Busy, busy, busy.  Once in awhile they take a break.  I got Luke taking a rest in the swing.

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY.....

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday.  Have a project to share or just want to look as what everyone else is doing?  Head over Heather's to check it out.

As for me, I have a ta-da......I've finally gotten a quilt done.  My Teapot/Cup quilt is all done, yea.

 

I've also started a Dresden Plate quilt.   Don't know what I'm going to do with this one.  I found the pattern over at Quilter's Cache.  I really like the way they have put this one together.  Don't have any pictures right now, but I'll have some next time. 

Bubbles....

Bubble Wrap is the most fun, even if your a grown up....the twins love stomping on them and hearing them pop.

TRACTOR.....

I was going to take a picture of a real tractor.  But instead I took some pictures of the kids playing with their tractor.  Bella and Luke play with this little tractor, it's one of their favorite toys.

Bella pushing the tractor around with her foot.

Luke pushing the tractor around on the deck.

READ SCOTLAND CHALLENGE.....

Peggy Ann is the host for the Read Scotland Reading Challenge.  Hop over and check it out.

The Last Debutante - Julia London

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Who is the captive and who is the captor? When a sexy laird holds a spirited English lady for ransom, she turns the tables and steals his heart.
The last person Daria Babcock expects to find in her grandmother’s home is a brawny, naked Highlander. She doesn’t buy Mamie’s explanation about finding the poor man shot in the woods. Nor does she trust the gorgeous laird, who insists his own memory fails him. But Daria came to Scotland looking for adventure and romance, and after the intriguing stranger kidnaps her, she gets her wish—and so much more. . . . 
Series: Secrets of Hadley Green 
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages 
Publisher: Pocket Books; a edition (February 26, 2013) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1439175489 
ISBN-13: 978-1439175484

MY THOUGHTS:  I love to read a good Historical Romance.  This was well written with a long list of characters and a little mystery as well.   Daria's grandmother, Mamie, is hiding something.  And Daria is bound and determined to find out what.  Daria is taken to the Laird's castle and held for ransom for the money her grandmother swindles out of the Laird's Uncle.  While Daria is at the castle she finds people who need her help.  Can't tell anything else as it will give the story away.  Really good book, loved it.

VINTAGE BINGO CHALLENGE.....

Bev over at My Reader's Block is the host for the Vintage Bingo Reading Challenge.  Want to know more about this?  Go here.....

Crooked House - Agatha Christie

(from Back Cover)
This takes place at Three Gables, the home of the indecently wealthy and recently deceased Aristides Leonides and his extended family.  In love with Aristides' granddaughter Sophia, Charles Hayward becomes embroiled with the whole clan.  As they come to suspect that Leonides may have been murdered, Charles is stunned when each of the family in turn tells him that it's all right "if the right one did the murder."

MY THOUGHTS:  Charles is falling in love with Sophia.  Charles is sent to the house as an "undercover" person to find out what is going on.  Everyone seems to think the young wife of Aristides Leonides is the murderer.  All fingers point to her.  But did she do it?  Will Charles and Sophia survive this?  You will have to read the book to find out.

This book is for the Spooky Title Category.  And is book 5 of 6 for this reading challenge.

BUSH......

This bush/tree, I'm not sure what it is....but it has blooms on it that smell really good.  When I bought it, it was suppose to be a Snowball Bush, but no Snowballs have come out.  Maybe it's a wanna be Snowball Bush!

LIFE OF A DANDELION.....

Blooming

Seeding

All Done

BRICK......

Our house is made of brick.  Some of the bricks were made by hand and some were bought.  The ones made by hand are flaking apart.  Two examples of the brick are......
The kitchen had a window added on many years after the house was built.  You can tell where the add on is by the bricks.

This is the utility room or back porch.  It was added on to the house many years later.  Some of the bricks are different colors.

MAY 350 BLOCKS REPORT.......

Shelly over at Prairie Moons is the host for this project.  Want to join in or just get some more info?  Head over to Shelly's place to check it out.

As for my May count on blocks, I did a lot of work on my Crazy Quilt last month.  I got 51 blocks done for May.  I've also started putting the Crazy Quilt together.

NEEDLEWORK TUESDAY......

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday.  Have a project you want to share or just want to look at all the projects everyone is working on?  Head over to Heather's place, she has some beautiful quilts on display at her place.  As for me.....

I've finished my Teapot/Cup quilt.  Just need to put it together and get it tied.  I didn't add a border to this quilt.  I like it the way it is and the binding I am going to make will give it some extra border color.

I've also been working on my Crazy Quilt.  I've started putting it together.  I went with a dark color that looked Victorian to me.  I've still got lots of blocks to make for this one.

Don't forget to head over to Heather's place.

GATE....

This is a gate.....to keep 2 very nosy kids out of a room.  The room in question is my craft/hobby room.  There's lots of stuff in there that they could get hurt on.