Wordless Wednesday: Currently Reading & Loving

Hens Dancing

I’ve run into a lot of talk about books lately.  So, may as well mention this one that I’m reading, since it is probably my favorite of all time and that was before I re-read it as a single mother.  I’m going on the fourth read and it is probably the ONLY book from which I have copied a page to keep around when I need a smile, it goes something like this:

“The Beauty and Felix are both festering with my vile cold and are now at the streaming snot and raised-temperature stage.  Giles has no symptoms, so he and I rise at dawn to prepare for school.  Rather wish he was ill too so that I wouldn’t have to bother.  I have the light-headed carefree sense of not having been to bed, which I know will later turn into wrung-out-rag fatigue….and I have developed a tic in my left eye which I fear is permanent….bundle the ill people into the car in their pajamas and pass Giles a small surgical mask.  “Here, put this on so you don’t  inhale the germs from these two.”  Giles stares at me in horror. “No way, Mom, I hate masks.  I won’t catch their germs; I’m in the front.  Why do you keep winking like that? It makes you look evil.”  Cannot believe his intransigence.  He should be deeply impressed at my foresight and top-class parenting.  He should not mention my tic.  “Please wear it Giles.  I’ve got one too; I’ll wear mine if you wear yours.”  I put in on and mumble, “See, it’s fine”.  He is flattening himself against his door now, cringing away from me, only partly as a joke.  “Mum, you’re crazy.  You can’t drive around with a mask on.  And your eye winking.  You’ll be arrested.”  Felix interrupts from the backseat.  “Mum, mum, you’ve got to wipe The Beauty’s nose.  It’s like toffee, it’s really gross.” Turn around to look with the mask on, and both The Beauty and Felix burst into tears.”

Here’s the link if you are interested.  It’s British, single mother, living in the country, raising three kids, dogs and hens in a crumbling old house, in a diary format.   And if you like, it check out the sequel Summertime.

Favorite Friday…

Wow, it’s Friday already.  And it’s Halloween, so Happy Halloween, or Harvest Day or whatever you call it.

Thursday slipped by with nary a post.  Good reasons though, sewing and cleaning.  Yes, even us blogaholics have to peel ourselves away from our blogs, flickrs, twitters, and various social networks and take care of the business around the house.  Though it’s not nearly as fun.

 

Though sewing yesterday was fun,  here’s what I’m working on.

Christmas Apron

 

Dolly Quilt

I’m handstitching the butterflies and borders so this one will be a little while, but it’s so therapuetic. 

 

So Favorite Things Friday, here we go.  I insisted that I was going to buy Etsy handmade or make all my gifts this year.  So noble, so worthwhile, so anti-commercial.  THEN, this comes, the Hearthsong catalog.

 

HELLLO!

You are not helping my cause with beautiful, amazing, toys and games like these and $4.99 shipping.  Okay, maybe just one each.

Check them out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And if you are toy shopping online this year, here are my recommendations for creative, safe and thoroughly enjoyable toys.

Fat Brain Toys, free shipping on orders over $75.00.

Oompa Toys, $4.95 shipping, or over $65.00 free shipping.

Three Sisters Toys, $5.00 flat rate shipping.

Blueberry Forest Toys

Barefoot Books

Chinaberry Books and Gifts

Landbridge Toys Thanks, Melissa!

 

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

Just a few…..

 

 

The ocarinas my mom and sister put in the easter egg hunt this year.  They were made in Guatemala and bought at the Village Imports fair trade store.  We love that place!

 

Twinings English Breakfast tea in my Department of International Magical Cooperation mug.  Yes, I am a Harry Potter freak and not ashamed to admit it.

 

 

The mailbox I made for the girls yesterday, my first Cricut letters.  I have been wanting to make them one on a post outside, but in the meantime, this one works out of an old cereal box.  Think I will add a ribbon to hang it on the doorknob.

 

 

The artwork for my new kitchen….can you say IKEA frames and Martha Stewart Living magazines.

 

 

Chocolate fudgey brownies with and without nuts.  I ate four today.  Bad girl!

 

It’s all about what I love these days!  Thanks for stopping by.

Hugs and love!