Heaven is for Real - Todd Burpo

Summary from Good Reads: A young boy emerges from life-saving surgery with remarkable stories of his visit to heaven.

Heaven Is for Real is the true story of the four-year old son of a small town Nebraska pastor who during emergency surgery slips from consciousness and enters heaven. He survives and begins talking about being able to look down and see the doctor operating and his dad praying in the waiting room. The family didn't know what to believe but soon the evidence was clear.

Colton said he met his miscarried sister, whom no one had told him about, and his great grandfather who died 30 years before Colton was born, then shared impossible-to-know details about each. He describes the horse that only Jesus could ride, about how "reaaally big" God and his chair are, and how the Holy Spirit "shoots down power" from heaven to help us.

Told by the father, but often in Colton's own words, the disarmingly simple message is heaven is a real place, Jesus really loves children, and be ready, there is a coming last battle.

I read this book for my neighborhood book club.  It was a very easy and casual read.  I loved Colton!  He is a 4 year old who is wise beyond his years.  After his encounter with Jesus in heaven, he shares his discoveries with his parents so a matter of factly.  He shared details about heaven that he would only have known by reading the bible thoroughly.  It was nice to hear about heaven through the eyes of an innocent child.  I'm very glad that I read this book!

Bird Cage Blanket - Block #1

I am making a blanket to go over my MIL's bird cage.  Here are 4 of the blocks:

Color #1

Color #2

We are bird sitting for her for 2 weeks while she is in Aruba!   I thought it would be a nice surprise!

Supplies:
Pattern: Free SmoothFox's Charity Square Nbr 1 by Donna Mason-Svara
Yarn: Wintuk Ombre #3028 - Spice & Red Heart Super Saver - Rainbow Brights
Hook: US 8/H

Crochet Hook Pocket - Rainbow Brights

Here's a cool crochet hook pocket that I made this past Sunday:

I made this for a co-worker who laughs on me because I love gadgets!  She keeps all her crochet hooks in a ziplock bag.  When I found this pattern, I had to make it for her!

Supplies:
Pattern: Crochet Hook Pocket by Erin Doutre
Yarn: Red Heart Multi - Rainbow Brights
Hook: US 7/G
Accessories: Button

Blue Banana Dishcloths in Purple & White

Here's something new for me:

I am making my first dishcloth using two colors at the same time!  Here they are separately:

#1

#2

This pattern was easier than I thought it would be!  I'll be doing more of these soon!

Supplies:
Pattern: Blue Banana Dishcloth by Chrissy Gardiner from Lion Brand Yarn: Just Gifts
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Cream #01317 - Hot Purple & #18001 - White
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

A Simple Single Crochet Cloth - Hippi

Here is another simple single crochet cloth:

As promised, I made another one using varigated yarn.  I must admit, I think it looks much better than a solid one.

Supplies:
Pattern: A Simple Single Crochet Cloth by Theresa L. Jones
Yarn: Bernat Handicraft Cotton #W260943 - Hippi
Hook: US 8/H

Charity Square #1 - Dusty Blue

Here is the second 12" block I made for my co-worker's baby blanket:

This was my first granny square!  It was so easy and I love how there is not much counting!!!  I love how quickly it worked out too!  This pattern is also a freebie over on Ravelry!  This designer has several differnet granny square patterns available for free.  I grabbed all of them! :)

Supplies:
Pattern: Free SmoothFox's Charity Square Nbr 1 by Donna Mason-Svara
Yarn: Lion Brand Vanna's Choice #108 - Dusty Blue
Hook: US 8/H

Calla Lily Easy Griddle Stitch Dishcloths

Here's another set of dishcloths:

Here is one up close:

This is another great pattern.  It looks wonderful in varigated yarn too!

Supplies:
Pattern: Easy Griddle Stitch Dishcloth by Jennifer Kaye
Yarn: Bernat Handicraft Cotton #W275761 - Calla Lily
Hook: US 8/H

Hippi Crocheted Potholder

Here is a crocheted potholder:

Here is a close up:

Wow, this is so thick!  I love how it came out!

Supplies:
Pattern: The Best Crocheted Potholder by Heather Tucker
Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton #W260943 - Hippi
Hook: US 8/H

Charcoal Ribbed Dishcloths

Here is the last set of dishcloths for my co-worker:

Here is a close up of one:

This is my favorite dishcloth to use around the house.  I made 8 of them for me.  For these, I casted on 35 so they were not as big.  Good thing because I literally had about 3 feet of yarn left on the second one!  Now that's good planning! LOL!

Supplies:
Pattern: Dishcloth - Ribbed by Publications International. LTD
Yarn: Pisgah Yarn and Dyeing Co - Peaches N' Creme Solids #68 - Charcoal
Needles: US 8 on 24" Cables

Operation Bonnet: A Novel - Kimberly Stuart

Summary from Good Reads:  Twenty-year-old Nellie Monroe has a restless brilliance that makes her a bit of an odd duck. She wants to be a private investigator, even though her tiny hometown offers no hope of clients.   Until she meets Amos Shetler, an Amish dropout carrying a torch for the girl he left behind. So Nellie straps on her bonnet and goes undercover to get the dish.   But though she’s brainy, Nellie is clueless when it comes to real life and real relationships. Soon she’s alienated her best friend, angered her college professor, and botched her case. Operation Bonnet is a comedy of errors, a surprising take on love, and a story of grace.

Nellie Monroe is not your typical young adult.  She never fit in at school, she was very smart even at an early age and her personality it some what peculiar.  She lives with her grandmother, Nona, who I suspect is showing early signs of Alzehiemer's.  Nellie takes on her first private investigator job with Amos, an Amish man who left the community.  He left his true love and wanted Nellie to see if the rumors of her getting married were true.  Nellie starts taking cooking lessons from Granny Mary and finds Amos' love.  Will Amos get his love back?  Will Nellie be able to keep her cover without causing any problems?

This book was not your typical Amish fiction book.  The Amish did not get into the story until about one-third of the way through the book.  Nellie was a naive girl and somewhat immature for her age.  She did have a wonderful and personal relationship with her grandmother.  Amos was developed as an Amish man who has learned things about the English from TV.  He is protrayed as a rather dumb person since he does not understand English colloquialisms.  But I must admit, the book cover is eye grabbing!  I think this was a good book over all.

A Simple Single Crochet Cloth - Blueberry

Here is the newest crochet pattern from Theresa L. Jones:

Here is a close up:

I know it is not my usual bright varigated yarn but I wanted to try a solid color for a change.  I will definitely make this pattern again maybe I will even make some using my Mistletoe Ombre for Christmas gifts.

Supplies:

Pattern: A Simple Single Crochet Cloth by Theresa L. Jones

Yarn: Spinrite Cone - Blueberry

Hook: US 8/H

Summer Splash Houndstooth Dishcloth #1

Here is another set of dishcloths:

Here is a close up:

I love how this pattern is working out!  It has a nice tight weave and there are some bumps to give it some texture.

Supplies:
Pattern: Houndstooth Cloth Quartet by Theresa L. Jones
Yarn: Bernat Handicraft Cotton #W272599 - Summer Splash
Hook: US 8/H

Hot Blue HDC Dishcloth

Okay, I promise that I will be trying a new pattern soon!  LOL!  Here's another single HDC dishcloth:

I had some hot blue leftover from the last couple of projects.  Plus I don't have many single crocheted dishcloths to add to my stash of completed peojects to sell soon!

Supplies:
Pattern: HDC Dishcloth by Theresa L. Jones
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Cream #01742 - Hot Blue
Hook: US 8/H

Knit with Love: Stories to Warm a Knitter's Heart - Lisa Bogart

Summary from Amazon: Knitting blesses the knitter in so many ways. It affords quiet time, the satisfaction that comes with a challenge met and a project finished, and a creative passion to share with other knitters. As knitting and the fiber arts enjoy a renaissance in popular culture, more and more women are discovering these personal benefits. But knitting also offers knitters a way to bless those around them with handmade gifts that come straight from the heart.

With inspiring stories, Knit with Love encourages and motivates knitters to see their own potential to bring joy and comfort to themselves and those around them. Whether someone has just picked up knitting needles for the first time or is a lifelong knitter, she will discover new ways to share her beautiful creations with others--and the peace that the rhythm of knitting brings to her own life.

As an intermediate knitter and new crocheter, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!  I began knitting back in January and I discovered a new love.  I have been so inspired to create  and challenge myself through new projects from scarves to hats to bags to dishcloths and finally to socks.  I began crocheting last month to learn new patterns for making dishcloths.  I took to that quickly as well.  I love doing both since it keeps my hands and mind busy in the evenings.  Although I must admit, I can complete a crocheted dishcloth quicker than a knitted one.  But I can knit more detailed patterns into my dishcloths than I can to crochet them!

I love the short stories that inspired me to create and inspired me spiritually!  It was a nice and easy read where you did not have to get so involved like any other fiction novel.  When you had a moment to be inspired, you could read some of it quickly.  I love how they discussed every step of knitting, from casting on to binding off, as it related to life and religion.  It makes me think of knitting in a new light.

Available October 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

The Mercy (Rose Trilogy #3) - Beverly Lewis

Summary from Good Reads: Rose Kauffman pines for prodigal Nick Franco, the Bishop's foster son who left the Amish under a cloud of suspicion after his foster brother's death. His rebellion led to the "silencing" of their beloved Bishop. But is Nick really the rebel he appears to be? Rose's lingering feelings for her wayward friend refuse to fade, but she is frustrated that Nick won't return and make things right with the People. Nick avowed his love for Rose--but will he ever be willing to sacrifice modern life for her? Meanwhile, Rose's older sister, Hen, is living in her parents' Dawdi Haus. Her estranged "English" husband, injured and helpless after a car accident, has reluctantly come to live with her and their young daughter during his recovery. Can their marriage recover, as well? Is there any possible middle ground between a woman reclaiming her old-fashioned Amish lifestyle and thoroughly modern man?

This series wrapped up beautifully!  I was pleased to see that Hen and Brandon worked out a compromise in their marriage.  Brandon learned that life was better with God in it!  Rose was battling love again and she followed her heart and God to ensure that she had a love that was right for her.  Nick returned home after finding God's love and wanted the Amish way of life.  Mamma Emma is feeling better after her surgery and physical therapy.

This is only the second series of Beverly Lewis that I have read.  I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to reading more from her soon.  I love the "soap opera" style of story telling she presents in her serieses.  I also like how you get to know and love the characters as if they were your own family.

Special thanks to Bethany House for allowing me to review this book for them.