AMERICANA SAL.......

Kaye over at Kitten Stitching is hosting an Americana SAL.  I'm going to join and see if I can actually finish a piece of Cross Stitch.  I used to do Cross Stitch years ago and had lots of Cross Stitch "Stuff".  Fabric, needles, Floss and kits.  I sold it all and now I haven't got anything, except Hobby Lobby to get supplies.  They don't have a lot of variety.  But I guess I could order on-line.  Not sure what the Americana SAL is.....here is some info.....

"Welcome to the Red, White and Bluest blog around! Each month we stitch on our own Americana (or Patriotic) projects. You choose your chart, fabric and threads. Share your progress as you go along and post any finished pieces by the last day of the month. You can join at anytime throughout the year and choose which months you wish to stitch with us. There will be the occasional giveaway, maybe some quizzes and competitions and definitely lots of FUN!"

So hop over to Kaye's place and check it out.  I will be putting a link to the Americana SAL in my sidebar.

BOOK REPORT......MY LOST BROTHERs

My Lost Brothers

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Brendan McDonough was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when, for the sake of his young daughter, he decided to turn his life around. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a team of elite firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Their leader, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left the unit, and, perhaps seeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. Despite the crew's skepticism, and thanks in large part to Marsh's firm but loving encouragement, McDonough unlocked a latent drive and dedication, going on to successfully battle a number of blazes and eventually win the confidence of the men he came to call his brothers.
Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonough - "Donut", as he'd been dubbed by his team - served as lookout, they confronted a freak 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. The relentless firestorm ultimately trapped his hotshot brothers, tragically killing all 19 of them within minutes. Nationwide, it was the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the 9/11 attacks. 
Hardcover: 288 pages 
Publisher: Hachette Books (May 3, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0316308188 
ISBN-13: 978-0316308182

MY THOUGHTS:  Really gripping book.  Started reading this book and could not put it down.  Following the life of the young man through the drugs, parties and messed up life was amazing.  And he done it all for his daughter.  Brendan got off the drugs and left that behind, he joined the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a very elite group of firefighters.  He was fighting wildfires.  The way these men went in and fought with mother nature was awesome.  Brendan   gives you insights into the fires, how they fought them, and what are the names of the things they do.  I have a totally different view of the way these people fight fires.  They are very courageous men and women that take their lives into their own hands to fight for the people that live in these fire area.  To me they are all HERO'S!  I give this book 5......

The book is for 5 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge (Done)
Memoir Reading Challenge

IS SPRING HERE?????

Maybe, it was 39 degrees this morning.  Haven't been able to plant the tomato's, corn or grape vines for fear they will get frozen.  While I was our looking around the yard, I did spot some new growth on the Rose Bush I planted last year.  It's kind of spindly right now, but it's green.

Also the Paper Whites are up, full of blooms.

Some of the flowering trees are blooming and of course if nothing else is up and going, there's always the Dandelions.

BOOK REPORT.......

Love, Star Girl - Jerry Spinelli

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Love, Stargirl picks up a year after Stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of Stargirl. The novel takes the form of "the world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements with new people in her life.
In Love, Stargirl, we hear the voice of Stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, Leo, and—of course—love. 
Paperback: 288 pages 
Publisher: Ember; Reprint edition (April 28, 2009) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0375856447 
ISBN-13: 978-0375856440

MY THOUGHTS:  New author for me, and of course I read the second book first.  Now I've got to get the first one.  I enjoyed reading this book.  I've found I truly enjoy Diary form books.  They are like looking into the life of the person.  In this book you are seeing a young girl who has moved and left all her friends behind.  Along with a boyfriend, Leo.  Although Stargirl makes lots of new friends at her new home.  Does Stargirl find a new love.  Read and find out.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.......
Read The Rainbow Challenge
Whatever I think Of Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge

TAST......

is Take A Stitch Tuesday and hosted by Sharon over at Pintangle.  She gives you a new embroidery stitch every week.  This is week 16.....the stitch is

Satin Stitch

I some trouble with Satin Stitch, couldn't get my lines to even up.  So I went with Outlined Satin Stitch.  I started making a sun, but as you can see it turned into a fish.  To see a Tutorial of Outlined Satin Stitch click here.

BOOK REPORT......POLDARK

Poldark - Winston Graham

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the first novel in Winston Graham's hit series, a weary Ross Poldark returns to England from war, looking forward to a joyful homecoming with his beloved Elizabeth. But instead he discovers his father has died, his home is overrun by livestock and drunken servants, and Elizabeth―believing Ross to be dead―is now engaged to his cousin. Ross has no choice but to start his life anew. 
Series: The Poldark Saga (Book 1) 
Paperback: 400 pages 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Official PBS TV Series Tie in ed. edition (June 9, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1492622079 
ISBN-13: 978-1492622079

MY THOUGHTS:  The minute I picked this book and read the synopsis I was hooked.  I love reading books set in the 1600's and onward.  This book starts in 1783 with the death of Joshua Poldark.  The story follows Ross Poldark through to December 1787.  The story follows the life of Ross.  He's come home to life not of his choosing.  Ross has to start over.  His farm is run down, his father has died, and his Elizabeth is marrying his cousin.  So Ross goes on.....he starts with the farm, buying some animals and planting crops.  But will Ross ever find love and happiness again?  I give this book......5

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.......
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge

BOOK REPORT........

The Garden of Small Beginnings - Abbi Waxman

Product Description(Amazon)
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not... 
Paperback: 368 pages 
Publisher: Berkley (May 2, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399583580 
ISBN-13: 978-0399583582

MY THOUGHTS:  Loved this book.  So full of everyday people and things.  One heart broken mother of 2 girls is just now getting back to like after the loss of her husband.  Lilian is an illustrator of books.  Her boss sends her off to take a gardening class.  She takes her 2 girls and her sister.  They meet lots of new people and soon are all good friends.  There is also love in the air for Lilian's sister and a couple other people.  Lilian is also seeing someone, the instructor of the class.  But is she ready for a relationship?  Her body says yes, but her mind isn't sure.  I give this book 5......

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

I HAVE A TA-DA......

I have a ta-da today.  I started a Giant Granny Square Afghan a couple of years ago.  I was using all my left over yarn, you know the ones, the little balls of yarn that accumulate after working on a project.  There's not enough to do anything with.......so my Granny Square kept growing.  This is what it looked like the last time I worked on it.

This is the finished Afghan......

I've also neglected to post my TAST (Take A Stitch Tuesday) stitches.  You can see all the stitches at Sharon's place Pintangle.  Sharon has a Stitch Dictionary full of stitches.  With definitions and illustrations of how to do the stitch.  Just click on the link and you will go straight to the Stitch Dictionary. 

Week 12 - Sheaf Stitch

You often see Sheaf Stitch used as a light, filling stitch with single stitches spaced evenly over an area, but it is often underestimated, as it is far more interesting than just an area filler. 









Week 13 - Buttonhole Wheel Stitch

These are often used to form small floral sprays making them useful stitches for crazy quilting and surface embroidery, but you can also use them in a contemporary manner too. 









Week 14 - Arrowhead Stitch

It is very versatile and you can use it for stylish projects on the one hand, and children’s stitching projects on the other.











Week 15 - Rice Stitch

 
 Rice stitch is also known as Crossed Corners and William and Mary stitch. This is thought of as a canvas stitch. 












I've also got my TUSAL (Totally Useless Stitch A Long).  Do you keep all those snips of treads and yarn?  If so, you should join Sharon for the TUSAL.  She posts every New Moon. 
April TUSAL....

Year to Date TUSAL

I'll be linking up with.......

Heather at Books and Quilts
Sharon at Pintangle 
Sharon at Daffycat

BOOK REPORT.....

The Atomic City Girls - Janet Beard

Product Description(Amazon.com)
“What you see here, what you hear here, what you do here, let it stay here.”
In November 1944, eighteen-year-old June Walker boards an unmarked bus, destined for a city that doesn’t officially exist. Oak Ridge, Tennessee has sprung up in a matter of months—a town of trailers and segregated houses, 24-hour cafeterias, and constant security checks. There, June joins hundreds of other young girls operating massive machines whose purpose is never explained. They know they are helping to win the war, but must ask no questions and reveal nothing to outsiders.
The girls spend their evenings socializing and flirting with soldiers, scientists, and workmen at dances and movies, bowling alleys and canteens. June longs to know more about their top-secret assignment and begins an affair with Sam Cantor, the young Jewish physicist from New York who oversees the lab where she works and understands the end goal only too well, while her beautiful roommate Cici is on her own mission: to find a wealthy husband and escape her sharecropper roots. Across town, African-American construction worker Joe Brewer knows nothing of the government’s plans, only that his new job pays enough to make it worth leaving his family behind, at least for now. But a breach in security will intertwine his fate with June’s search for answers.
When the bombing of Hiroshima brings the truth about Oak Ridge into devastating focus, June must confront her ideals about loyalty, patriotism, and war itself. 
Paperback: 384 pages 
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (February 6, 2018) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0062666711 
ISBN-13: 978-0062666710

MY THOUGHTS:  This is my book club's choice for April.  When I first started this book I couldn't figure out what the heck they were doing at Oak Ridge.  Building a whole city and hundreds of people and buildings.  Plus it all was top secret.  This book has romance, mystery and a little revenge mixed in.  June strikes out on her own to get a job at Oak Ridge.  While there June meets Cici and they become room mates.  Cici is after a rich husband and June is just there to be independent.  But June gets curious about what they are making here.   So she strikes up a chat with Sam, a physicist working at Oak Ridge.  They soon become lovers and Sam hires June as his secretary.  About 3/4th's of the way through the book I figured out what they were building.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges.......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge

BOOK REPORT......

The Embroidery Book - Christen Brown

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Enjoy the tranquility of slow stitching with this step-by-step, visual guide to 149 embroidery stitches, motifs, and extras. Go beyond basic color theory–robust color charts take the guesswork out of choosing thread, silk ribbon, buttons, beads, and trims. Then take your embroidery to the next level with luxurious seam treatments and stunning stand-alone designs! Best-selling author Christen Brown's traditional and contemporary techniques are showcased in a colorful gallery of crazy-quilted projects. 
Paperback: 160 pages 
Publisher: C&T Publishing (December 1, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1617452246 
ISBN-13: 978-1617452246

MY THOUGHTS:  I bought this book, because at the time I was working on a Crazy Quilt.  I didn't know a lot of stitches at the time and wanted to learn some new ones.  This book is loaded with lots of new and old stitches.  It also has examples of stitches.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges......
Creativity Reading Challenge
Outdo Yourself  Challenge

BOOK REPORT.......

"Y" is for Yesterday - Sue Grafton

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In 1979, four teenage boys from an elite private school sexually assault a fourteen-year-old classmate—and film the attack. Not long after, the tape goes missing and the suspected thief, a fellow classmate, is murdered. In the investigation that follows, one boy turns state’s evidence and two of his peers are convicted. But the ringleader escapes without a trace.
     
Now, it’s 1989 and one of the perpetrators, Fritz McCabe, has been released from prison. Moody, unrepentant, and angry, he is a virtual prisoner of his ever-watchful parents—until a copy of the missing tape arrives with a ransom demand. That’s when the McCabes call Kinsey Millhone for help. As she is drawn into their family drama, she keeps a watchful eye on Fritz. But he’s not the only one being haunted by the past. A vicious sociopath with a grudge against Millhone may be leaving traces of himself for her to find.. 
Series: A Kinsey Millhone Novel (Book 25) 
Hardcover: 496 pages 
Publisher: Marian Wood Books/Putnam; 1st Edition edition (August 22, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399163859 
ISBN-13: 978-0399163852

MY THOUGHTS: The "sex tape" that starts this whole thing, snowballs out of control.  Kinsey has to find out what is going on.  Who's blackmailing the McCabe's?  All involved in this ring of people have the same story to tell.  Word or word.  Which makes Kinsey suspicious.  And Ned is back to harass Kinsey, or is he after revenge?   I give this book 5.....

NOTE:  Sue Grafton passed away from Cancer.  "Z" will not be written upon request of the family.  Mis Grafton refused to have her books Ghost Written.  So the series ends at Y.  My own thoughts on what happens to Kinsey Millhone is simple.  Kinsey keeps doing her job of investigating and finding bad guys.  With all her friends supporting her. 

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

WHAT'S GOING ON HERE.........

I've been distracted lately........haven't gotten much reading, needlework, or quilting done.  Not sure what the problem is, but hoping I find a happy medium between them all.  I think one problem is I'm trying to do all 3.  Instead of sticking to one item, I'm bouncing between all 3, which leads to nothing getting done.  I think I need a schedule of some kind, but not quite sure how to set it up.  I guess I'll figure it out sooner or later.  Until then confusion is going on here.

I only read 6 books for the month of March.  Which is really a low count for me. 

Rules of Prey - John Sandford
"X" - Sue Grafton
A Skillet Full - Lodge
The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead
The Great Alone - Kristin Hannah
The Woman in the Window - A. J. Finn

 I also had 2 new to me authors this month.  Really enjoyed both books.  And both of them are my choice for Best book(s) for March.

 The Underground Railroad - Colson Whitehead

 The Woman in the Window - A. J. Finn

 






As for Quilting and Embroidery, well the Quilting has been sitting all alone.  I've still got the Easter Quilt in the hoop waiting to be tied.  Plus 2 others awaiting their turn in the hoop.  I'll have to try and get them tied this month.

As for embroidery, it's all over the place, not one single project, but 3 or 4.  At the moment I'm working on flowers.  This is one of the flowers I've finished.

My other project is a year long one.  I'm doing buttons and stitches.  I'm using my mom's buttons, I got her button box after she passed and have been using those.  I'm also doing TAST over at Pintangle.  So I'm adding those stitches.  But I'm way behind on adding to this project.

So you can see my confusion.....lots of "stuff" to wok on, but not done.  If anyone has a system or a hint of what could work with all this confusion, let me know.  I would really appreciate any and all suggestions.

I'm linking up with......
Slow Sunday Stitching
Sunday Post
Month in Review

Whatever your working on......I hope you all have a.....