Yarn along and a Book review

~ Two of my favorite things are knitting and reading (though not at the same time!), and the evidence of this often shows up in my photographs. I love seeing what other people are knitting and reading as well. So, what are you knitting or crocheting right now? What are you reading? Take a photo and share it either on your blog or on Flickr. Leave a link below to share your photo with the rest of us! ~

Ginny Sheller @ simple things 

I haven't joined Yarn along since last Fall! 

It's just been a tough season.

So glad to join everyone !

I just finished reading "in firefly valley" by Amanda Cabot. I read the first book in the Texas crossroads series " at bluebonnet Lake" and was glad I was chosen to get to review this one as well. This author has a writing style that I enjoy. I like realistic characters with a deep plot that I find myself asking questions about the details and wanting to find out what decision the characters will make morally. I find there is a balance in a Christian novel and don't like the authors faith to be overbearing and this author does a good job at it! Both of the books in this series had a romance thrown in for good measure as well. It was so entertaining that I read it in three days. If you are looking for a Christian novel I would recommend this Author. I will head over to Amazon to give this book five stars. Id like to thank Revel books for this review copy. This review is my opinion and I was in no way encouraged to give a positive review. 

I mentioned that I have recently become a grandmother and can't believe our little guy is three weeks old already. He is such a cutie and seems to be settling in rather nicely. That brings me to my next topic. I downloaded Jared Floods blanket "Bairn" to knit for our grandson. It has several different cables so not a pattern for a beginner. I had a hard time at the start but now that I am writing the rows down and have gone through the repeat a time or two I have got the hang of it. I love a pattern that has some details so I don't get bored. Anyhow, since we live in Florida he will get his blanket this Fall or Christmas. Thats code for, " I wasn't able to get it knit up in time for his birth!" 

lil G has had a virus/ cold and this photo was my happy thought for the day yesterday. Poor thing even had ulcers in her throat necessitating a Dr appointment to make sure it wasn't strep. This past winter she kept stealing my house slippers, I wear them all the time since we have tile floors and they are so hard on my joints. We bought her some slippers of her own but she still steals mine every chance she gets! I don't know why but it makes my heart happy hearing house slippers scuffling down the hall. 

I hope this finds you and yours enjoying the beautiful Spring weather.

Under His Wings,

Anna

Daily painting

Most of the time when I sit down to review a book I have limited time so I post reviews of multiple reviews on one post. Today I wanted to post a review of a book that arrived in the mail before Christmas. The book is only 182 pages including the index so not too overwhelming on first examination. It is soft back and a nice handheld size, but upon further examination I realized I had stumbled onto a real Gem. I wavered back and forth wondering if the author had tackled too many topics and chapters for one small book and wanting to just reach out and give her a hug. Seriously. If you've been reading my blog for long you know I'm an artist and that it's a real passion of mine. I just struggle with so many other things that come along if you really want to be successful at being a " real artist". Those things for me include, pricing my artwork, scheduling my painting time with a little one and not fearing the blank piece of paper. Last year I started the year off with a bang and was intentional about my art. But I let things get in the way and settled back into old habits. 

Some of the topics covered in this book are choosing materials, subject matter, art basics such as value and color mixing, composition, fighting artists block and finding community and selling your work. 

If you are an artist and need a boost I suggest purchasing this book. You won't be disappointed. Thank you to Blogging for Books and Watson Guptill for the opportunity to review this book. This is mmy humble opinion and I was in no way compensated for this review. 

Edited to add: I just found this review in my list of posts and never clicked post or shared my review on Amazon. I'm hoping someone still reading my blog will find this post and it will be just the book they need to add some umph into their art career. 

Since I am editing this post I thought I would throw in a photo or two.

This is our first grand baby. He is just so beautiful. I'm head over heels in love.

Here is our sweet Lil G. She's not so little anymore is she? She is leaving the hospital with her favorite guy...... She is an aunt. Life is good. Very very good.

A book review

You might enjoy hearing that our family has added the first Grand baby since I have blogged. A healthy baby boy was born last Tuesday and is healthy and doing well. There aren't words to describe the love I feel for this little guy. I can attest that I was the first grandchild on BOTH sides of our family so I was a blessed little girl indeed. I talked with my mother this afternoon and we discussed being grandmothers, something we now have in common. I can't wait for her to meet our little guy. He still smells like heaven.

Sadly my book review is a little overdue because of all of the excitement! I need to start marking my calendar to make sure I get these reviews posted on time! 

     So "The Legacy" is the fourth the book in the Restoration series written by Dan Walsh and Gary Smalley. I was able to review the third book in the series, "The Desire", and was eager to get the copy of the last book to review. Sadly I didn't enjoy this book as much as I enjoyed The Desire.The adoption part of the story was finalized in this book and part of what I enjoyed in "the desire" I think more detail could have been given and maybe even some of the bonding process could have seemed more realistic. It seemed very glossed over and was hard for me to read since it was such an emotional process for us as adoptive parents. When you have adopted a child there are so many misconceptions you have to deal with that I feel it's sad for a Christian novel to only further gloss over the details. 

I also thought that some of the writing could have been more in depth whereas some of the segments were too wordy and unnecessary.The characters were the same family as the other three books in the series so I was looking forward to getting to know the main character a little more. If you picked up this book it wouldn't stand alone like many of the books that were in a series that I've reviewed recently. Reader beware. The story moved slowly and I felt like it was written in a hurry, I guess I expected more of a closing and felt like the ending was too rushed and expected. Very disappointing. It took me much longer to read this book than what is typical and maybe part of it was that the story line wasn't as gripping as I would like. thank you to Revell publishers for the opportunity to review this book. I was in no way compensated for this review.

The second book I would like to review is " Finding Me" by Kathryn Cushman. I was glad to be selected to review this authors book because I recognized the name as an author I've enjoyed. I read this book in less than three days. It was really well written with deep characters and true to life emotion. I enjoyed the suspense and story line since it's not one that has been overused in the Christian novel community! I'm going to easily give this five stars on Amazon. This book was recieved from Bethany publishers for review. This review is my opinion. I was provided a copy of the book for review purposes but in no way compensated for a positive review.