New Book Review and Giveaway!

I just finished the latest book I received from The Library Things early book review.  I am pleased to say I really enjoyed this book.

The book is a fictionalized account of the story of George Mallory's last attempt to climb Mt. Everest in the 1920's and the affects on his marriage to Ruth. 

It is a story of a man torn between his obsession to achieve and his love for his wife. 

This is a debut novel for Tandis Rideout and I think she did an outstanding job. 

I am including my review for The Library Thing below.

Giveaway!

I have not had a lot of success in the past when I have one of my book give aways so I hope more people will respond.  I enjoy sharing books with other readers!

So, I'm making this easy. 

Just make a comment here, any comment and I will enter you in a drawing for this book.

I will hold it on Feb.14th!

An inspiring love story of a courageous couple for Valentines Day!

Help me reach a goal of 10 comments!

I'll be watching!

Review

Tanis Rideout did an outstanding job for her debut novel! I was not familiar with the story of George Mallory so part of the way into the book I was clueless as to the ending. I did some research and was not disappointed to know the ending. Tandis's descriptions put the reader right there on the mountain experiencing the pain and difficulty with the climbers as well as experiencing the true conflicted feeling of a wife who respects her husband’s obsession but also wants him to choose her first. I was surprised to read on reviewer who did not find the descriptions realistic, at one point I was trying to breathe for them! As far as publishing goes, I much prefer the cover with the climbers and the woman’s torso on the cover over the couple on the beach. I wouldn't look at that one on a shelf. Also I was impressed with the feel of the cover and the deckled edges on the pages for my uncorrected proof copy. I hope this is how it comes out in the stores. Over all I loved this book and story.

It's my Birthday and I can do what I want!

 An estate sale, a FREE Mocha from Caribou Coffee and Pumpkin bread. What else could a girl want for her perfect birthday morning?

 Had a gift card so got some new music

 Goodwill! 

I don't need these but they sounded good and I have lots of time to read now.

Oh yeah, 

I am unemployed. 

Lowes put several of us on a leave of absence.  

but, 

my husband got a great job! 

So, all is well and I am enjoying my 2nd week of being a kept woman.

I have never not worked since college so this is fun.

I really needed a break and if you have followed all that we have been through I think you will agree I should take some time to relax.

This was my plan for my birthday today anyway and these are some of the items I purchased.

 Antique Yo Yo's Not sure what I'll sew them to yet but I think they are adorable. They are laying on a mans shirt I found at a thrift store I passed after the estate sale.

 Close up of fabric in shirt. Will Re~purpose this!

 Loved the vintage print in these cafe curtains and look at those awesome ruffles!  Can't wait to re~purpose these too!

 These napkins will probably be mine for awhile. Colors perfect for my living room

 Great box for my supplies :)

 2 addictions! Will have my friend make me a bracelet with the watch faces and typewriter keys.

 All in all it was a great day but I need a nap.  It has been rainy. That is why the images are not so good. Not much light to work with but I really wanted to share my finds and good news with you.

I really do not have a good excuse to be gone from here any longer except that I will be very busy sewing with all my new fabric finds.  I have several shows coming up so lots to do! Some creations will show up in my Etsy shop also, soon.

Celebrating with a Give Away!

We got internet at our house today!

I can not tell you how excited I am so I will show you by having a giveaway.

While I have had so much (Free) time while being without the internet in my off hours, I have been reading.

I have been reading some of the many books I have on my shelf's and I just finished a book I purchased at our library sale. It was published in 1987. I was drawn into the story right away. It feels a lot like some of the classics I have read and the story line was new and different than what I have read before. I really liked Joe and his Grandfather. There are lots of story lines to keep you wanting more. I'm not a good reviewer so I copied this from a web review.

"The River in Winter is the story of 17 year old Joe Weatherfields attempt to find love, mercy, and redemption in a world charged with the moral wreckage of family decisions made long before he was born. His search carries him from Massachusetts to Florida and finally to Dunmocks Head, Maine, where he rediscovers his long-estranged grandfather and quickly becomes involved in a kidnapping, a murder, and a long-buried scandal all of which leads him to the hard irredeemable lesson that the innocent are often as guilty as the damned."

I also read a book I found in my Grandmothers house published in 1880!

Surprisingly I also enjoyed it. You can find this book and read it on line. I'm going to try another one of his now that I have internet access at home.

Now on to some music. I have discovered my newest favorite band, The Civil Wars. I purchased their CD, Barton Hollow at Target on Tuesday and it is hard for me not to listen to it over and over. It is indy-folk and I love the feel of their songs. I chose to share this video because it is powerful. It speaks about how sometimes a couple will not like each other even though they do love each other. If you like this, check out some of their other videos on You Tube




So now for the giveaway.

Post a comment about the video or about your favorite song by The Civil Wars by Feb. 24th and I will draw a name from the comments and I will send you my copy of "The River in Winter" and a new (not my!) CD of The Civil Wars~Barton Hollow! Sorry, I can't part with my copy of The Day of Fate ;)

I can't wait to hear what you think of my new favorite band!

Help Please

A library in need...

I LOVE books. I LOVE to read. I want everyone to LOVE to read or at least have the opportunity to read. When I came across this post I knew I had to share. We have to many books to move again so I am just going to bite the bullet and let them go. I hope you have some to pass along or can buy some nice used books from your local 2nd hand book store and support local! Win, win for all involved.

The original post comes from Danielle ~ here http://www.frenzyofnoise.net

"The literature section of Ballou Senior High School's library in Washington, DC has 63 books, not enough to fill five small shelves. In the area marked "Pure Science," there are 77 volumes. The generally accepted standard for school libraries is 11 books for each of Ballou's 1,104 students."
Why we should care:


"It's a challenge for kids to take their literacy seriously when they don't even have books to read. Ballou is located in the most dangerous ward in our nation's capitol. Right now, the library serves as a physical safe space and a refuge for students in off school hours, but wouldn't it be great if they had something to read while they were there--even choices across genre?....This is not the only school in the country with needs, but when the flare went up we saw it and chose to respond."
What they need:
Everything. From Shakespeare to Octavia Butler to Richard Wright. Fantasy, sci-fi, YA, adult fiction, history books, poetry, classic literature, science. Basically anything and everything suitable for teens. She said they would take anything as long as it is in GOOD condition and has no writing in it.
I've asked if they would accept ARCs (new or old), and the director of the book drive, Lisa, said YES.

How to donate:
If you have books you want to give, please mail them directly to:
Perry School
c/o Margaret Pegram
128 M St. NW suite 318
Washington, DC 20001
Inside the box put a note that says "c/o Lisa P. Ballou Book Drive".

The school will be accepting books until August 22nd.

(Also, if you'd like to include some kind of quick note for the kids, words of encouragement, that would be awesome!!)

Spread the word!
Reblog this post on your blog. Tweet this post. (we're on twitter at #HSBookDrive) Tell everyone. Send books

Current Books and a Giveaway!

I am doing something I HATE to do!

I am reading 3 books at one time.

I started this book because it was on an all time favorite list

of an author I really enjoy reading.

All of the reviews are 5 stars.

They do warn that it is a bit long but so worth it.

I'm trying, but I may have to give up. It's a bit like Alice In Wonderland.

I really do not know what the point is or

where it is going and I am on page 120 of 538.

Has anyone else read this and should I keep going?

I have loved all of the books by Geraldine Brooks that I have read so far so I was sad when I read Marie's review of her latest book here http://www.bostonbibliophile.com I do like a lot of the same books that Marie likes, but we may disagree on this one. Well she had a giveaway of this book and I got it! I am currently reading it,

(Little,Big is on the shelf right now)

and I have to say it is keeping my interest.

Last Friday Marie asked on her Friday Finds, what books did we add to our shelf this week? Since I can not spend any money on books right now I have not been adding any new books but I had something exciting happen last Saturday so I have a list!

While I was sitting at my craft show last Saturday,

(which was a bust :{ ) looks like a mustache instead of a pout LOL,

Sorry I digress.

I planned to continue reading Caleb's Crossing but I left it in my car,

which my daughter needed so that left me at the show without my book.

Gurrrrrrrrrrrrrr

As luck would have it the local library had a free book booth there!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So,

Here are the books I added to my shelf! FREE

The 1st one here on top, I read this week.

(Caleb's Crossing went on the shelf with Little, Big too)

The Randolph Legacy by Eileen Charbonneau

I really liked this book!

Is is historical fiction with lots of twist and turns to keep it a page turner. She gives you enough info to string you along so you can't put it down. I really have not read a book this interesting in awhile.

The next 3 I also picked up. BTW, I really support our public libraries so I asked if I could leave a donation and she was very pleased so I did.

I have no idea if I will like any of these but they all sounded like good reads and I could not pass up free books. I tried not to be greedy.

Now on to one of the books I found at a garage sale. My copy is Old, published in 1922 so it doesn't look like this.

I am trying to include a classing here and there through out the year so I hope to start this one soon. The fact that mine is vintage makes me like it more ;) plus it cost me .25!

OK, so now for the give always!

I reviewed The Long Journey Home here

http://theeccentriclady.blogspot.com/2011/06/long-journey-home-book-review.html#links

I received it as one of my Library Things early review books.

If you would like to receive it, I will pass it on.

Leave the title in your comment and I will draw a name to see who will receive this book.

I will also pass along Caleb's Crossing as soon as I finish it. (I started reading it again today) Leave this title in your comment and I will draw names to see who gets this book.

I might as well pass along The Randolph Legacy also! Do the same thing.

I will draw the names Saturday June 25th. Please only one book per comment.

It's always fun to get a free book so I hope some of you will leave a comment to be included in my giveaway. Hope you have a wonderful week.

1st Estate Sale of the Year!

Look at what I got today!

I can not tell you how bad I have been needing to go to a sale. Watching American Pickers each week, reading all the bloggers who live in warm climates who have sales year around. It has been killing me.

Well all I can say is I hit the jack pot today.

I can't wait to make something from all these finds.

What do you think of the dresser? The details are very art decoish.

The color is almost perfect as is but I think it needs sprucing up. I was thinking of a color instead of the white look but since I will probably sell it I don't know what color to go with.

If I keep it it will need to be a bit more white than yellow.

What color would you go with?

Robins egg blue

Aqua

Rusty pink

Green?

Look at these handles.

LOVE THEM!

The beautiful patina.

Drool

They alone are worth what I paid for the chest.

I won't tell you how much I paid because you will have a heart attack.

Go ahead and guess if you would like and tell me what you would pay for it cleaned up.

I got more bottles to alter. I just added some to my Etsy shop.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/70940439/romantic-carnival-glass-vintage-steam

More books to use. I love books so much I hate tearing them up. But I'm getting over it when I see what I make with them.

Awesome sheet music that is already distressed to unbelievable coolness!

Do you see the edges?

I almost died right there in their driveway.

See those 2 knobs. They were marked $3.00. Nope, not paying that.

Asked what she could do.

She put all this, the bird print, tintype frame and both knobs together for

$1.00

yup a

$1.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

These will be added to something soon.

I thought this silver bracelet was very interesting.

I really likes these small beads with the silver spacers. I don't like the larger sized beads at the base of the necklace so I think I'm going to remake it into a bracelet for myself.

I didn't take close ups of the cutter quilt or the dust ruffle but they are really nice. Already washed them and am ready to start sewing something with them.

So, I think I did real good for the first sale of the year. I got my fix and now I'm ready to get busy making stuff.

Do you want to know how much I spent total?

It's going to help you with your guesses on the dresser but lets just say I had enough left from $30.00 to get a mocha!

Some Favorites

Last night while finishing my book by Geraldine Brooks we were watching Palladia and I found a new favorite blues artist. Joe Bonamassa.
http://www.jbonamassa.com/
If you like Clapton or Stevie Ray Vaughn then you need to check this young man out. I had an ITunes card I had not used yet from my Speedy Rewards so I immediately went and down loaded his cd from the Royal Albert Hall. I will be jamming for a few days!

Now back to Geraldine. She is now one of my favorite authors.

I chose People of the Book for my Book Club last year. I knew it would give us lots to discuss. I enjoyed her style of writing so when I found March in my local used book store I decided to give it a try. Well, I was not disappointed.

Back to the used book store to see what else she might have of Geraldine's and I got The Year of Wonders. I just love the style with which she gives her characters a voice. Her style is easy to read and she includes facts that gives you the desire to find out more. I do enjoy historical fiction so these 3 books satisfy my desire to learn about things in the past while enjoying a story to go along with it.

Another artist I have just found in the folksy type genre is Peter Bradley Adams. I found him on facebook on a pop up! Take a listen to I Can Not Settle Down.
http://www.peterbradleyadams.com/

I really like Patty Griffen her lyrics give me lots to think about as I listen to her beautiful songs.

http://www.pattygriffin.com/
I suggest you listen to Heavenly Day, Up to the Mountain.

One more artist is Dar Williams. Again awesome lyrics. If you have a child leaving the nest I definitely love The One Who Knows. I put these lyrics on my daughters graduation announcement. Tear jerker!
http://www.darwilliams.com/

I hope I have given you some things to look into this week and I hope you enjoy! I am just about healed up. Feeling much better so I will be spending a lot of time editing my portraits from the last week now that I can sit at the computer again. I did a couple of really fun sessions last week. I may have to force you to look at some of my images!

Hello! Is Anybody Home?

Where has she been? You are all wondering.

Well, at least I hope someone out there has been wondering about me.

No, I did not get stuck in Wonderland but I got lost in craft land.

Look at this mess! My dinning room exploded. Well, it didn't explode but my craft supplies did.

I had a big show to participate in with my local Etsy, Handmade Dayton team.

We participated in the Springfield Antique Extravaganza, in Ohio.

I have been spending every waking minute when not working in my portrait studio, making things. Here are a few of those items.

I really hated this book so I decided to give it a useful life. No one else would want to read it. Great for holding notes, bills, photos.

New selection of my Bitty Sentiments.

Some pendants I decided to venture into. They were fun to make!

Then there are my lovelies!

I spent the entire 4th weekend sewing these pillows and bags made from a cutter quilt I have been hanging on to for 2 years. I went to JoAnn Fabrics to find fabric for the backs and ruffles expecting to choose old fashioned prints, but these retro prints just kept calling to me. Don't you think they look great?

Then I made the decision to use my Mom's vintage buttons. Why should I horde her buttons. She is not in the buttons. I decided to let other people enjoy them and give them a new life just like the old quilt.

I had so much fun playing with supplies I have been collecting for years.


Here are all the pillows I could get done before the show.

I decided I wanted to make a messenger bag. I just made this whole thing up. Used an old tablecloth to back it.

I made 2 different bags.


Cute little paper roses made from old books.

And here is the display at the show.






I wish I could say it was a smashing success but, we have not had as profitable a weekend as we all had hoped. We still have tomorrow but Sunday is traditionally slow at this show. I will be posting some of this in my Etsy shop and trying some in a local shop. I guess I better not quit my day job.