Book list update- review Dean Koonts Frankenstein Lost Souls

Well, I have been so busy with everything else, I haven't been reading hardly at all, only listening to books. Thats OK actually, it means my normal winter depression is under control, for now and all the dog events and training are keeping me up and moving. Much better than hibernating and reading really.

However just finished Lost Souls and I was very dissapointed.  I usually love Koontz, but this one left me flat, almost bored. Its part of a series I think as there is reference to prior happenings and it leaves off without a real conclusion. Not interesting enough for me to bother with the others. Oh well.

last night I got a start on sock number 2. I will be curious to see how long this one takes me.  The dog show rush is over, next shows not until later in the month.

Turning the heel

I guess it was a couple of years back now (wow time flies) but a while ago I decided it was time to learn to knit.  So I did. I knit a sweater from my granddaughter, some hats for the family and a few other simple items.  Then I decided to knit a vest for myself - done not perfect but a success.

But then it was time to try a sock. Started out great, knit the first leg of sock 1. Oh time to do the heel. HMM, Maybe instead I will knit the top of sock two, great, but now Ihave 2 socks needing a heel.  Well, maybe its time to put that away for the summer after all have gardening to do no time to knit. Honestly reading the directions for the heel confused me. Scared me. Easier to just put the whole darn thing away.

This weekend I decided I wasnt going to let the sock win.  I went and picked up sone heavier yarn, and some larger DPNs. I thought maybe if I worked with something a bit more substantial, I would be able to see it better. Found a different pattern for an anklet in a worsted weight and cast on. Knit the ribbing, moved on to the heel   Read the pattern over and over, got on line found a sock site and looked at pictures. Re-read the directions and picked up my knitting. Turned the heel woohoo, created the gussett BIG WOOHOO and now I just need time to knit the foot.  It wasnt really that hard once I figured out and understood the terms, once I learned a little bit how to manage all those needles.   I am rather proud of my little socklet.

Book - Christmas with Tucker by Greg Kincaid

This has to have been one of the best books I have listened to in a while. It's really a pre-quel to A Dog Named Christmas. If you like hearwarming stories this one is for you. If you saw the movie or read A Dog Named Christmas, this book is the story of why the father was so reluctant to have a dog.  the story is fabulous, and the reader is perfect. Loved it.

Cold Minnesota Winter + Books

Its cold outside and I am not an outdoor person. So there really is no better time to grab a good book and curl up.  Since i didnt have time to go to the library with the dog show Friday, I chose to reread a couple of favorites. Anne Bishops Black Jewel Trilogy.  Adult fantasy wonderfully done.  The days just floated on by, with a book in hand and a dog curled up next to me.  Hope your weekend was equally peaceful.

Book List

I decided I am going to track my books read for the year 2011.  I have posted a list at the side. If you have any suggestions that I should read, let me know.

Sorry been MIA

Although I havent been quilting, I have been busy, canning and freezing and cooking.  I love fall, but it does get busy.

I work full time, so have only a few hours each evening to do my fun activities.  But I have managed to get a bit accomplished.  Since my last post I have frozen corn off the cob, and several quarts of creamed corn too. Green beans, herbs and zuchinni in the freezer, and dehydrating. More tomatoes canned, including a batch of tomato tang, which is a spicy catsup like condiment.  This week we have started on apples, canned slices, sauce, wedges, jelly and also dehydrated rings. Oh, and Davids favorite, Grapplesauce.  Might need to do one or 2 more batches of that if I can get more grapes.

But I did get my package of fabric off to my brown bag quilt exchange partner.  I hope she doesnt hate the fabrics I chose for her!

Canning this weekend

Go to the dog blog to see the total counts for the weekend, but here is the photo.