A Little Lite Reading

Shortcake Books-
Definition: Literature relatively short in length, yet captivating, intriguing, and thoroughly entertaining.


My choices:
Goodbye Mr. Chips - James Hilton
Where Angels Fear to Tread - E. M. Forster
84 Charing Cross Road - Helene Hanff

Sewing-these days

I am enjoying some sewing projects of late. A pair of pillowslips with rose Motifs. A number of reversible baby bibs for my Mum's friends and co-workers. Three girl bibs are being made with Debbie Mumm fabrics, and the fourth is made with Peter Rabbit fabric which I have saved for a very special project. I've paired Peter with a cheery little red gingham check, perfect little combo, I'd say.

Image Courtesy http://www.allposters.com

Jeeves and Wooster

My latest Book Fetish. P.G. Wodehouse collection of short stories entitled, Jeeves and Wooster. Mr. Wodehouse was an artisian of the odd and humorous, as my good friend Rachel H. says, "The Hillarium is overwhelming!"

Image courtesy of http:www.hatsharpening.com

New Arabian Nights Quote

On Chivalry
Robert Louis Stevenson
from the short story, A Lodging in the Night

Listen to me once more. I learned long ago that a gentleman should live chivalrously and lovingly to God, and the king, and his lady; and though I have seen many strange things done, I have still striven to command my ways upon that rule. It is not only written in all nobel histories, but in every man's heart, if he will take care to read. You speak of wine, and I know very well that hunger is a difficult trial to endure; but you do not speak of other wants; you say nothing of honour, of faith to God and other men of courtesy, of love without reproach. It may be that I am not very wise--and yet I think I am but you seem to me like one who has lost his way and made a great error in life. You are attending to the little wants, and you have totally forgotten the great and only real one, like a man who should be doctoring a toothache on the Judgement Day. For such things as honour and love and faith are not nobler than food and drink, but indeed I think we desire them more, and suffer more sharply for their absence.

God Speed by Edmund Blair Leighton
(poster from http://www.allposters.com/)

Blogging Award

Lillibeth at http://www.thepleasanttimes.blogspot.com nominated me for the Nice Matters Award. "This award is for those bloggers who are nice people; good blog friends and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world. Once you’ve been awarded please pass on to seven others whom you feel are deserving of this award”

I would like to nominate Anna at http://www.pleasantviewschoolhouse.blogspot.com.
Keep up the good work Anna!

If only I knew 6 other bloggers who haven't received it, yes I'm still new to the Blogging world.
Thank you for the generous award Lillibeth...I nominate you too!

Joel, home in June

Joel was home for just a few days. Not nearly enough time with him, but any is better than none. We received an e-mail from him in Iraq earlier this month. He tells us that the job he is doing can't be mentioned in the e-mail, and that he lost a good friend recently.
Our Prayers are with him.

First Formal in 12 years

At last! My portrait pictures are ordered. I've had a picture of my Grandmother, Gramzie in mind, and wanted to duplicate the retro feel. My hair was done at Gail's by Stephanie, and the pictures taken at Sears.

Hooray!...now can I wait two solid weeks for them to arrive?

Mama's Bank Account

Friday evening I searched Mum's bookshelf in the dining room and found eight books I'd like to read this fall. One book I chose was Mama's Bank Account and having seen the movie version as a child on OETA movie club with my siblings and Gramzie, I decided it was time to read it for myself. And so at 10:30pm I delved in and read half of it, and finished the other half this evening.

The format is more like a series of short stories rather than a lengthy novel. The story is of a Norwegian immigrant family of seven living in circa. 1910's San Fransisco and the hardships of everyday life, and how Mama's wise and frugal ways influence the family.

Would be a great book to read aloud.


Mama's Bank Account by Katheryn Forbes 1943

The Video is called, I Remember Mama (1948)
Irene Dunn plays Mama

Hibiscus, and our fantastic neighbor

We've only lived in our new abode just over a year. Soon after moving in we met the neighbor right across the alley. She is an older lady and is just as vivacious as any young person. When ever I'm out gardening she comes over to visit, asking if there is anything I need. Another trash can for the yard debris, some twine, perhaps. Hatchet to chop the stump away.
Her yard was glorious this June. I fell in love with her blooming hibiscus at the alley fence row. Everyday the blooms were more numerous and getting larger. The largest was the size of a large dinner plate.