SUNDAY....NEW YEAR'S EVE.....

Well, it's New Year's Ever.....again.  I'm going to stay home...which I always do anyway, but I'm going to be working on my pillowcases and reading today.  The pillowcase I'm working on is a set I picked up a few years ago and stuck them in a drawer.  One is almost done.

As for what I'll be reading...The Backyard Parables by Margaret Roach.  Hoping to get some ideas for a garden I'm working on.  We'll see....
I've also gotten all my reading challenges done for 2017...
Alphabet Soup Challenge - Goal 26 books - Read 26 Books-I'll be joining the 2018 Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge - My goal was 68, Read 79 books-I'll be joining the 2018 Challenge
Library Love Challenge - Goal, 50+ books, Read 58 books - I'll be joining the 2018 Challenge.

Month in Review

TOTAL BOOKS READ - 10
Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon
The Madman of Piney Woods - Christopher Paul Curtis
Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk - Kathleen Rooney
T is for Trespass - Sue Grafton
Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz
Zoya's Story - John Follain/Rita Cristofari
A Year Down Yonder - Richard Peck
Vicious Circle - C. J. Box
S is for Silence - Sue Grafton
Birdseye...The Adventures of a Curious Man - Mark Kurlansky

TOP BOOK FOR DECEMBER
Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon

Linking up with....
Slow Sunday Stitching
Sunday Post
The Book Date

Have a safe and happy

CHRISTMAS 2017......

I've finally gotten all the pictures off my camera.  There are first snow, Christmas Tree and of course opening presents.  I'll post a few so I don't overload you with all these pictures. 
Our Christmas Tree....

Our First Snow....

Snow Throwing....not quite a snowball.....

This is a snowball.....

Christmas Goodies....it wouldn't all fit in the stocking....

Opening presents.....

Me.....new apron....

Light Sabre......for Bub

New Hat and Roblox card.....that's a game on Bella's computer....

Dad opening a present from the kids....

And of course Toby got a present too.....a new coat....both Bob and Toby got a new chew bone, but Bob disappeared while I was taking pictures....lol

Well that's Christmas 2017.  Hope all of you had an awesome Christmas too!

BOOK REPORT......EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING

Everything, Everything - Nicola Yoon

Product Description(Amazon.com)
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He's tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. 
Hardcover: 336 pages 
Publisher: Delacorte Press (September 1, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0553496646 
ISBN-13: 978-0553496642

MY THOUGHTS:  This is an awesome book, I read it in one sitting.  I couldn't put it down.  Waiting to see what happens to Maddy and Olly.  Do they fall in love?  Does she go outside?  Does she live?  All questions that ansered, but you have to read the book to find out.  I highly recommend this book, If I could give it a better rating than 5, I would give this book 100%.  But I'll have to stick to my own rating.  I give this book 5.......

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Strolling Through Non-Fiction
Library Love Challenge 

BOOK REPORT.....THE MADMAN OF PINEY WOODS

The Madman of Piney Woods - Christopher Paul Curtis

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Benji and Red couldn't be more different. They aren't friends. They don't even live in the same town. But their fates are entwined. A chance meeting leads the boys to discover that they have more in common than meets the eye. Both of them have encountered a strange presence in the forest, watching them, tracking them. Could the Madman of Piney Woods be real? 
Hardcover: 384 pages 
Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 30, 2014) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0545156645 
ISBN-13: 978-0545156646

My Thoughts:  Have you ever read the synopsis of a book, and think it sounds awesome?  And then it doesn't hold your interest?  That's what happened to me reading this book.  I was doing good until about halfway through the book, then it just happened.  I lost interest.  But I kept going and finally finished it.  I don't think it was the author, characters or story line, I just wasn't interested.  The story line is great, but it didn't hold my interest.  All I can say is it's a readable book, but not this time.  I give this book3....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
11th Canadian Challenge

Library Love Challenge

ONE MONTHLY GOAL......

One Monthly Goal(OMG) is hosted by Patty over at Elm Street Quilts. 

(Select ONE of your quilt-related goals for the month.  This could be to make a few blocks. cutting fabric for a project, sewing on a binding, or finish a quilt top.  Any goal that involves a step in the process of making with thread, fabric or yarn is a valid goal.)

My goal for December was to make the binding, label and finish 3 quilts.  They aren't beg quilts.  But for me this is the hardest part of quilting.  I love making the tops, but putting them together is another thing.  I worked on them and got them done!!!!!

Christmas Quilt-Done

Dot Quilt-Done

Thanksgiving Quilt-Done

To give you an indication of  the size of these quilts, they are laying on a twin size bed.  Now I can mark 3 more off my list of quilts to finish.  15 more to go......
1. Dots Quilt
2. Dresden Quilt(Gray Center)
3. 6" Crazy Quilt
4. Halloween Quilt
5. Thanksgiving Quilt
6. Christmas Quilt
7. Jar Quilt
8. Strip Quilt
9. Easter Quilt
10. Boo Quilt
11. Valentine Quilt
12. Dresden Quilt(Red Center)
13. Under The Sea Quilt
14. Spring Quilt
15. 4th of July Quilt
16. ABC Quilt
17. Circle Quilt
18. Red and Blue Work Quilt
19. Calendar Quilt
20. Tree & Leaves Quilt
21. Winter Quilt
22. Bone Quilt
23. Calendar Quilt
24. Coloring Book Quilt
25. Dashound Quilt
26. Dog-Cat Quilt
27. Sunbonnet Sue Quilt
28. Tea Pot Quilt
29. Tree Quilt
30. Winter Quilt

BOOK REPORT....LILLIAN BOXFISH TAKES A WALK

Lillian Boxfish Takes A Walk - Kathleen Rooney

 

Product Description(Amazon.com)
She took 1930s New York by storm, working her way up writing copy for R.H. Macy’s to become the highest paid advertising woman in the country. It was a job that, she says, “in some ways saved my life, and in other ways ruined it.”
Now it’s the last night of 1984 and Lillian, 85 years old but just as sharp and savvy as ever, is on her way to a party. It’s chilly enough out for her mink coat and Manhattan is grittier now―her son keeps warning her about a subway vigilante on the prowl―but the quick-tongued poetess has never been one to scare easily. On a walk that takes her over 10 miles around the city, she meets bartenders, bodega clerks, security guards, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be, while reviewing a life of excitement and adversity, passion and heartbreak, illuminating all the ways New York has changed―and has not.  
Paperback: 304 pages 
Publisher: Picador; Reprint edition (April 3, 2018) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1250151163 
ISBN-13: 978-1250151162

MY THOUGHTS:  This is my book clubs choice for December.  The plot was very strong and  the characters were very interesting.  Lillian decides to take a walk around the city on New Year's Ever, 1985.  She meets lots of interesting people and gives you insights into the city.  Since I've always wanted to go to New York, this was an awesome book to read.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge

BOOK REPORT....T IS FOR TRESPASS

T is for Trespass - Sue Grafton

Product Description(Amazon.com)
tres¥pass \'trespes\ n: a transgression of law involving one's obligations to God or to one's neighbor; a violation of moral law; an offense; a sin
-Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition, Unabridged

In what may be her most unsettling novel to date, Sue Grafton's T is for Trespass is also her most direct confrontation with the forces of evil. Beginning slowly with the day-to-day life of a private eye, Grafton suddenly shifts from the voice of Kinsey Millhone to that of Solana Rojas, introducing readers to a chilling sociopath. Rojas is not her birth name. It is an identity she cunningly stole, an identity that gives her access to private caregiving jobs. The true horror of the novel builds with excruciating tension as the reader foresees the awfulness that lies ahead. The suspense lies in whether Millhone will realize what is happening in time to intervene.

Though set in the late eighties, T is for Trespass could not be more topical: identity theft; elder abuse; betrayal of trust; the breakdown in the institutions charged with caring for the weak and the dependent. It reveals a terrifying but all-too-real rip in the social fabric. Once again, Grafton opens up new territory with startling results. 
Series: Kinsey Millhone Mysteries (Hardcover) (Book 20) 
Hardcover: 400 pages 
Publisher: Marian Wood Books/Putnam; 1 edition (December 4, 2007) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399154485 
ISBN-13: 978-0399154485

MY THOUGHTS: I have to admit this book started out slow.  Unlike the others that took right off.  But once the story got started I couldn't put it down.  The story line is something we don't want to think about happening, but it does, all too often.  Like the description above, you see all this happening and you hope against all odds that Kinsey figures out what's happening.  Really awesome book......I give this book 5.....

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love

BOOK REPORT......ORPHAN X

Orphan X - Gregg Hurwitz

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The Nowhere Man is a legendary figure spoken about only in whispers. It’s said that when he’s reached by the truly desperate and deserving, the Nowhere Man can and will do anything to protect and save them. But he’s not merely a legend.
Evan Smoak is a man with skills, resources, and a personal mission to help those with nowhere else to turn. He’s also a man with a dangerous past. Chosen as a child, he was raised and trained as an Orphan, an off-the-books black box program designed to create the perfect deniable intelligence asset: An assassin. Evan was Orphan X―until he broke with the program and used everything he learned to disappear. But now someone is on his tail. Someone with similar skills and training who will exploit Evan’s secret new identity as the Nowhere Man to eliminate him. 
Series: Evan Smoak (Book 1) 
Hardcover: 368 pages 
Publisher: Minotaur Books; 1St Edition edition (January 19, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1250067847

MY THOUGHT:  New author and series for me.  I actually got the first book of the series, I'm amazed at myself!  Really great book, characters and plot all flow together.  If you like mysteries, government thrillers and just want a good book to read, this is the one.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge (Done)
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge

BOOK REPORT......ZOYA'S STORY

Zoya's Story - John Follain/Rita Cristofari

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Follows the experiences of a twenty-three-year-old Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan member who witnessed the rise of the Taliban and who risked her life on missions to challenge state edicts against women in her country.  
Hardcover: 246 pages 
Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (2002) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0755311116 
ISBN-13: 978-0755311118

MY THOUGHTS:  This story is about a young girl living with her parents under Russian Rule.  Which soon comes under the rule of the Taliban .  Zoya loses her parents and escapes to Pakistan.  She goes to school with lots of other girls who have been sent there to be educated and to be safe.  While Zoya is at the school she finds out about WOF, Women of Afghanistan.  This organization is all about helping women.  In Afghanistan women have no rights.  They are considered property of their fathers or husbands.  When the Taliban took over it got even worse.  All women had to wear the burka.  If you want to know some of the things going on there, you should read this book.  I give this book 5.....

 




This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challeng
Library Love Challenge

BOOK REPORT.....A YEAR DOWN YONDER

A Year Down Yonder - Richard Peck

Product Description(Amazon.com)
It was within the pages of Richard Peck's Newbery Honor-winning A Long Way from Chicago that Mary Alice and Grandma Dowdel first made their captivating debut. Now they're back for more astonishing, laugh-out-loud tales when fifteen-year-old Mary Alice moves in with her spicy grandmother for the year. Expect moonlit schemes, romances both foiled and founded, and a whole parade of fools made to suffer in unusual (and always hilarious) ways. 
Series: Newbery Medal Book 
Hardcover: 130 pages 
Publisher: Dial Books; First Edition edition (October 1, 2000) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0803725183 
ISBN-13: 978-0803725188

MY THOUGHTS:  I've read a couple of Richard Peck's books.  They are awesome books for kids.  They have a witty humor to them that kids can associate with.  It's set during the aftermath of the Great Depression.  Mary Alice has been sent to spent some time with her grandmother Dowdel.  Mary Alice is like a fish out of water in this tiny farming community.  Mary Alice lives in Chicago, so moving to a small communtity where everyone knows everyone.  Grandma Dowdel does some things Mary Alice isn't to sure of, but they usually work out for the best.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge

READING CHALLENGE......

I was over at Bev's place, My Reader's Block.  She has posted about a reading challenge I want to join. It's the What's In A Name Reading Challenge.  I did this one a few years ago and loved looking for books that fit the categories.  So I decided I'd try it again.  It's being hosted by Charlie over The Worm Hole.  Here are the particulars......

The challenge runs from January to December. During this time you choose a book to read from each of the following categories. (Examples of books you could choose are in brackets – translations and other languages most definitely count!): 

1. The word ‘the’ used twice (The Secret By The Lake; The End Of The Day, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time

2. A fruit or vegetable (The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society; The Particular Sadness Of Lemon Cake)

3.  A shape (The Ninth Circle, The Square Root Of Summer, Circle Of Friends)

4.  A title that begins with Z – can be after ‘The’ or ‘A’ (Zen In The Art Of Writing; The Zookeeper’s Wife, Zelda)

5. A nationality (Anna And The French Kiss; How To Be A Kosovan Bride; Norwegian Wood)

6. A season (White Truffles In Winter; The Spring Of Kasper Meier; The Summer Queen; Before I Fall; The Autumn Throne)  

BOOK REPORT.....VICIOUS CIRCLE

Vicious Circle - C. J. Box

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The plane circled in the dark. Joe Pickett could just make out down below a figure in the snow and timber, and then three other figures closing in. There was nothing he could do about it. And Joe knew that he might be their next target.
The Cates family had always been a bad lot. Game warden Joe Pickett had been able to strike a fierce blow against them when the life of his daughter April had been endangered, but he’d always wondered if there’d be a day of reckoning. He’s not wondering any longer. Joe knows they’re coming after him and his family now. He has his friend Nate by his side, but will that be enough this time? All he can do is prepare...and wait for them to make the first move. 
Series: A Joe Pickett Novel (Book 17) 
Paperback: 400 pages 
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons; Reprint edition (January 23, 2018) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399185496 
ISBN-13: 978-0399185496

MY THOUGHTS:  This is new author to me.  I've started the series, as usual at the dead last book.  But I got enough from the book to figure out the story line.  Now I'll have to add this author and series to my list.  The Cates family, whats left of them is out for revenge.  They want Joe and his whole family wiped off the face of earth.  But Joe is slowing creeping up on them.  He's figured out the money, how it was delivered and who done it.  Now all he needs is the gang that has threatened his family.  Really good book.  I give this book 5......

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge

TA-DAAA................

I've finished the Dot Quilt, yea!  Got the binding and label on, washed and dried it.  So here it is......

Today it is Cloudy with a brisk wind blowing at 14MPH.  The temp is 25, but feels like 13 with the wind chill.  And there are snow flurries.  Not my favorite weather. 

How's the weather in your neck of the woods?????
I'm linking up with Tamar over at Random-osity and with Kelly over at My Quilt Infatuation.  Hop over and find out what everyone is talking about today.

BOOK REPORT.......S IS FOR SILENCE

S is for Silence - Sue Grafton

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Thirty-four years ago, Violet Sullivan put on her party finery and left for the annual Fourth of July fireworks display. She was never seen again.

In the small California town of Serena Station, tongues wagged. Some said she'd run off with a lover. Some said she was murdered by her husband.  
But for the not-quite-seven-year-old daughter Daisy she left behind, Violet's absence has never been explained or forgotten.

Now, thirty-four years later, she wants the solace of closure. 
Series: A Kinsey Millhone Novel 
Paperback: 464 pages 
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons (March 1, 2016)  
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399575200 
ISBN-13: 978-0399575204

MY THOUGHTS:  Kinsey has been hired by Daisy to look into her mother's disappearance.   Daisy's mom, Violet went missing 34 years ago.  Not a sign of murder, kidnapping or abandonment.  Even the cops don't know what happened.  Violet just disappeared off the face of the earth, even the car she was driving was gone.  So what happened to her?  Kinsey starts looking for info, and gets to close, how does she know this?  Someone slashes all 4 tires on her car.  Does Kinsey find the person before she gets killed??? Read the book to find out.  I give this book 5......

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge

NEELEWORK TUESDAY.......

Heather over at Books and Quilts is the host for Needlework Tuesday.  Hop over and see what everyone is working on.

Still working on the Rose Pillowcase, got a little more done on it.

I'll also be working on my Dots Quilt.  I've got to put the binding and label on, that's what I'm planning on working on today.  I have to explain this picture before putting it up.  When the camera comes out around here you usually have one or more kids pop up wanting be in the picture.  This is Bella and Bub with the Dot Quilt.

Bella was the first to say she wanted to be in the picture, and of course her twin bother, Bub decided he wanted to be in a picture, so now I've got 2 pictures of my Dot Quilt.  Along with the Doll House and Baby Alive Kitchen. lol I don't have what most people would think of as a Quilt room, it's anywhere I can lay out a quilt or set up my sewing machine.  A Quilting Room is on my WISH LIST!  Maybe one of these days!

STITCHING AND BOOKS.......

I'll be joining Kathy and all the folks Slow Stitching today.  Kathy hosts Slow Sunday Stitching over at Kathy's Quilts.  Hop over and check it out.

I'll be working on a pillowcase.  I bought them several years ago and as usual they got stuffed into a bag and forgot about.

They are a special edition from Bucilla.  I'm working on the top rose right now.

It's December already, where the heck did November go???  I seem to lose days and weeks, even months now a days.  I've got plans for that in the coming year.  I'll keep you posted on that one.

NOVEMBER READING MONTH IN REVIEW

Katheryn over at The Book Date hosts Month in Review.  Hop over and check out all the people sharing their books.  You might find your next book to read.

TOTAL BOOKS READ IN NOVEMBER - 8
Isaac's Storm - Erik Larson 5*
Q is for Quarry - Sue Grafton 5*
The Boundless - Kenneth Oppel 5*
A Farewell to Arms - Ernest Hemingway 3*
The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella 5*
Sapiens...A Brief History of Humankind - Yuval Noah Harari 5*
R is for Ricochet - Sue Grafton 5*
Blink & Caution - Tim Wynne 3*

NEW TO ME AUTHORS
Erik Larson
Yuval Noah Harari

TOP BOOK FOR NOVEMBER

Over at The Sunday Post,

they had a link to an article that was really interesting.  Pop over to Between My Lines and take a look......  5 Surprising Benefits of Using a Paper Planner.