Friday's Chuckle!

Here's another Friday chuckle:

I thought this was rather fitting since we are going camping in Vermont for the weekend.  I'll keep my eyes open for bears!  LOL!

Spring Meadows Bath Puff

Here's another new project using cotton yarn, a bath puff:

This project was super easy!  It is all double crochets and since you are adding multiple crochets into each one, it make the wavy shape naturally!  I will try it in the shower soon to see how it lathers up.  My hubby liked it so much that he requested one for himself!

Supplies:
Pattern: Bath Puff by Pia Lindén
Yarn: Peaches N' Creme #173 - Spring Meadows
Hook: G (4.0 mm)

Spring Meadows Water Bottle Cover

Here is a new crocheting project:

 

I just found this pattern the other day.  I made my handle a bit longer so I could put it over my shoulder so that my hands are free.  I really liked how this came out!  I think I am going to make a few more of these to have in the camper in case we go hiking.

Supplies:
Pattern: Water Bottle Cover by Terry Heese
Yarn: Peaches N' Creme #173 - Spring Meadows
Hook: G (4.0 mm)

After All - Deborah Raney

Summary from GoodReads: Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street Fire took the life of her husband, David, and four other heroic firefighters, Susan Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal. But then she discovers that David carried a secret to his grave. A secret that changes everything she thought their marriage had been. For the sake of their sons, can Susan forgive the unforgivable?

Andrea Morley lost her closest friend in the fire. But she has no right to mourn him. Instead, she must forever grieve in silence—because her dearest friend was someone else’s husband.

Peter Brennan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Hanover Falls’ fire chief, he was responsible for the brave firefighters who lost their lives that awful November night. Can he ever shake the feeling that he should have somehow prevented the tragedy? As he tries to rebuild the team at Clemens County’s Station 2, it seems he might find comfort in the arms of the woman he least expected.

Susan Marlowe is the director at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter.  She has been working hard to get the new shelter up and running again since the fire happened eighteen months ago.  She discovers a secret that her firefighter husband took to his grave.  How could he do this?

Peter Brennan is the fire chief who lost five of his firefighters at the homeless shelter fire.  He is recently divorced and stars becoming friendly with Susan.  But someone else is in the picture, Andrea (Andi) Morley.  She flirts with Peter even when Susan is around.  Does Susan and Peter know her secret?

What will happen between Susan and Peter?  Will Susan be able to forgive her husband?  Will this affect her sons?  And finally, how does this series end?  There is one more secret to be revealed at the end!

I thoroughly enjoyed this series!  I loved how the stories focused on different people from the same disaster.  This series helped me to learn that there is life after a tragedy.  It showed how people can mourn, pick up the pieces and move on.  Time does heal all wounds!  Deborah Raney is a great author and I am looking to reading some of her other books, including her Clayburn Novel Series!

Project Ideas for Cotton Yarn

I have come to the realization that I have way too much cotton yarn.  No, really??!!  So I have been looking for new projects, other than dishcloths, to make with it.

Here are some ideas that I would like to share:

• Bath Puff (Crochet)
• Braided Ball (Knit)
• Crochet Hook Pocket (Crochet)
• Fetch - Dog Toy (Knit)
• Grocery Bag Dispenser (Crochet)
• Heartbeat Baby Bib (Knit)
• Hexagonal Market Bag (Knit)
• Knit One Chemo Cap (Knit)
• Monster Chunks (Knit)
• Pin Cushions (Crochet)
• Ponytail Holders (Crochet)
• Posey Pin Cushion (Knit)
• Shell Tote with Lining (Crochet)
• Stash Bag (Crochet)
• Sunburst Hotpad (Crochet)
• The Thirty Minute Headband (Knit)
• Twisted Loop Double Knit Reusable Duster (Knit)
• Water Bottle Cover (Crochet)

Which ones will you be trying to help reduce your stash of cotton yarn?

 

 

 

Friday Chuckle!

Here's another Friday chuckle:

Hmmm, does this remind you of someone??? ME!!!  Just keep hubby out of my craft closet or I'll get in serious trouble!  LOL!

All Washed Up on Emerald Isle

Here are some new dishcloths I made:

Here is a close up:

I love this pattern!  I also love how dense the pattern is so it is perfect for dishes!

Supplies:
Pattern: All Washed Up by Jill Arnusch
Yarn: Lily's Sugar N' Creme #19241 - Emerald Isle
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

The Voice Bible

Summary from Book Sneeze: The Voice™ is a faithful dynamic equivalent translation that reads like a story with all the truth and wisdom of God's Word. Through compelling narratives, poetry, and teaching, The Voice invites readers to enter into the whole story of God with their heart, soul, and mind, enabling them to hear God speaking and to experience His presence in their lives. Through a collaboration of more than 120 biblical scholars, pastors, writers, musicians, poets, and artists, The Voice recaptures the passion, grit, humor, and beauty that is often lost in the translation process. The result is a retelling of the story of the Bible in a form as fluid as modern literary works, yet remaining painstakingly true to the original manuscripts.

Features include:

* Italicized information added to help contemporary readers understand what the original readers would have known intuitively
* In-text commentary notes include cultural, historical, theological, or devotional thoughts
* Screenplay format, ideal for public readings and group studies
* Book introductions
* Presentation page for personalization
* Reading plans for Lent, Easter, Advent, and more
* Topical Guide to the Notes
* Topical Guide to the Scripture

I love the layout of this bible!  I found it easy to read, almost like a story, that it is presented in an easy-to-understand language.  Using the kindle, you have the ability to jump to referenced sections easily and by hitting the back button, you are right back to where you were reading.  There are also three years of daily scriptures to help you to read your bible daily.  When God of Jesus is speaking, I like how it shows up as "Jesus:" so you can easily see when He is speaking.  This is a nice version to have with you all the time when you have your kindle with you!  I would highly recommend this version to anyone, especially to someone who is new to reading the bible!

Missing (Love Inspired Suspense #229) - Lynette Eason

Summary from GoodReads: Her daughter is the most important person in Lacey Gibson's world. So when the girl disappears, Lacey will do anything to find her. Even track down a man she hasn't seen in sixteen years--U.S. Marshall Mason Stone, the father of her child.

Mason was perfectly content with his life until Lacey arrived. Her confession that their daughter--the daughter he didn't know they had--is missing shakes his carefully controlled world. But there's no time to adjust as they race to find their child, catch the kidnappers...and learn whether they can have a second chance at happily-ever-after.

This was a fast paced story about Lacey whose 15-year old daughter, Bethany, was kidnapped after returning back to her parent's house.  Lacey asks for help from her old high school boyfriend, Mason, who is a U.S. Marshall.  Along the way, Bethany's attacker has contact with her by leaving old yearbook photos on her car, attacking her in public and even sneaking into the house and leaving bothersome things in Bethany's room.  Will they find Bethany before it is too late?  Who is seeking revenge on Lacey and using her daughter as a pawn?  Will Lacey and Mason rekindle the flame from 15 years ago?

This was a very quick read that kept you hanging on until the end.  This is one for the first Love Inspired Suspense books that I have read.  I love how they are easy to get into and keep you wanting more.  This is also the second book by Lynette Eason that I have read.  I really enjoy her character development, the twists in the story and a bit of romance to get you emotionally hooked!

This was the group read for Fans of Amish Fiction group for Christian fiction as well as Fans of Christian Romance.  What are the chances that the same book is being read at the same time for these two groups??!!

Friday's Chuckle!

Here's a chuckle for Friday:

This is so me!  I take my knitting EVERYWHERE!  I'm usually knitting either dishcloths or socks so I don't need to be focused on a pattern!  Can anyone else relate to this comic?  What are your favorite travel projects?

The Lucky One - Nicholas Sparks

Summary from Good Reads: When U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman half-buried in the dirt during his third tour of duty in Iraq, his first instinct is to toss it aside. Instead, he brings it back to the base for someone to claim, but when no one does, he finds himself always carrying the photo in his pocket. Soon Thibault experiences a sudden streak of luck—winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat that kills two of his closest buddies. Only his best friend, Victor, seems to have an explanation for his good fortune: the photograph—his lucky charm.

Back home in Colorado, Thibault can’t seem to get the photo—and the woman in it—out of his mind. Believing that she somehow holds the key to his destiny, he sets out on a journey across the country to find her, never expecting the strong but vulnerable woman he encounters in Hampton, North Carolina—Elizabeth, a divorced mother with a young son—to be the girl he’s been waiting his whole life to meet. Caught off guard by the attraction he feels, Thibault keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate and all-consuming love affair, the secret he is keeping will soon threaten to tear them apart—destroying not only their love, but also their lives.

Filled with tender romance and terrific suspense, The Lucky One is Nicholas Sparks at his best—an unforgettable story about the surprising paths our lives often take and the power of fate to guide us to true and everlasting love.

Logan Thibault heads out on a walking journey from Colorado find the woman in the picture that he found while he was in Iraq that his friend Victor called his "lucky charm."  He finds E, Elizabeth, and he instantly feels a connection with her.  Logan gets a job working for her grandmother at their kennel and gets to know the family, including Beth's ex Keith who has made her life difficult.  After spending time with the family, Logan and Beth start building a relationship of their own.  Will it last?  How will this work with Beth's son, Ben?  Will Beth ever find out the real reason that Logan came to Hampton?

 

I really enjoyed this book!  In true Nicholas Sparks format, you love all the characters and their interaction with each other.  I did see the movie before reading this book and the movie followed the book pretty closely.  Some things were left out but it did not change the story line much. 

A Heart Divided - Kathleen Morgan

Summary from GoodReads: It is 1878 and the Caldwells and Wainwrights have been feuding for decades. Still, Sarah Caldwell has misgivings when her father pressures her into distracting a ranch hand while he and her brothers rob the Wainwright place. When it becomes clear that hand is actually Cord Wainwright, Sarah realizes she needs to lay low. But Cord spots her in town and, with the sheriff away, makes a citizen's arrest, dragging her off to the Wainwright ranch until the sheriff's return. As the feud boils over, Cord and Sarah make a most inconvenient discovery--they are falling in love. Can they betray their families for love? Or will their families betray them?

The Caldwells and Wainwrights have been at odds for decades.  Then Sarah Caldwell is asked to distract a gentleman while her father and brothers commit a crime.  Sarah becomes hostage until the sheriff could come to assist them.  While she is there, she is taken in by the Wainwrights family and staff.  She ends up falling in love but at the risk of her family.  Will her family accept her decision?  Can she find true love in the family's enemy?

 

This was a good story about crime, family, love and dedication.  Along the way, forgiveness and the love for God is achieved by several characters.  I felt that this was a heart warming story that has a lesson for all.

Black Cottage Tweedish Cloths

I thought I would continue using 2 colors for dishcloths!  I can use more of my stash this way!  Here they are:

Here is a close up of one of them:

This pattern was super simple to memorize!  I love the way it looks with a solid and varigated yarn.

Supplies:
Pattern: Tweedish Cloth by Patricia Lawrence
Yarn: Peaches N' Cream #01040 - Black and Knit Picks Dishie Multi #25849 - Cottage
Needles: US 7 on 24" Cables

Berry Iris

Here's another Iris monster:

 

This Iris does not have a home yet.  I decided to make some monsters to see if I could sell them.  It never hurts to have extra monsters around!  LOL!

Supplies:
Pattern: Iris the Gourmet Monster from Rebecca Danger
Yarn: Cascade Yarn 220 Hand Dyed purchased from kurlyq37 on Ravelry
Needles: US 5 on 40" Needles

The Best Crocheted Potholder - Blueberry

Here is a crocheted potholder:

I love how thick this potholder feels!  It's a super easy pattern too!

Supplies:
Pattern: The Best Crocheted Potholder by Heather Tucker
Yarn: Spinrite Cotton - Blueberry
Hook: US H/8

Our Ohio Vacation Purchases

We were on vacation in Jefferson, Ohio last week.  We had a very nice and relaxing trip.  It was Hershey's first vacation and first camping trip.  He was very good and is a very personable dog to have at a campground!

While we were there, we went to Middlefield which was the closest Amish community to us.  While we were there, we stopped at a quilt shop called Tiny Stitches (I thought it was a cool name for a quilt shop).  Jason feel in love with this quilt:

He loved the camping related squares and the colors match our camper perfectly.  It is 50" x 55" so we have it drapping over the couch in the camper.

On our way back to the campground that same day, we saw a shop where someone carved things out of trees.  We bought this bear:

Also while we were out there, we visited the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame, Great Cleveland Aquarium and Cleveland Zoo, toured the covered bridges of Ashtubla County and rode 20 miles on the bike path.  My only complaint is that there were not many choices for restaurants near the campground except for McDonald's and Subway so we made sure we ate lunch or an early dinner where we were for that day.  Unfortunately, we are both back to work now!!!

Forever After - Deborah Raney

Summary from GoodReads: A fire killed his best friend and his lifelong dream of being a firefighter. The same fire killed her husband and hopes for a family. Can new dreams replace old? Lucas Vermontez was a proud firefighter like his father. Now, not only has he lost his father and his best friend, Zach, in the fire at the Grove Street homeless shelter, but the devoted rookie can no longer do the work he loves after being crippled in the tragic event. When friendship with his buddy’s beautiful widow turns into more, he wonders, what could he possibly offer Jenna? Jenna Morgan is trying to grieve her husband’s death like a proper widow, but the truth is, she never really loved Zach. His death feels more like a relief to her. But that relief is short-lived when she loses her home and the financial support of her in-laws. Now the secrets of her past threaten to destroy her future. Can the two forget the painful past and discover new reasons to live and love?

Lucas Vermontez was injured in the Grove Street homeless shelter fire over a year ago.  He is still working on the road to recovery while missing his job at the fire department.  Jenna Morgan lost her husband Zach in the fire who was Lucas' best friend.  They meet up one day and start to build a friendship.  Jenna is going through lots of changes in her life between losing her husband, having to sell her house, moving in with her in-laws and trying to start a life again for herself.  She has some secrets of her past that she is battling, including her true feelings about Zach.  Can she learn to get past them?  Will she be able to make something of herself when she has always been given everything?  What will become of her friendship with Lucas?

I really enjoyed the second book of the Hanover Falls series.  It was nice to see how other people from the tragedy have moved on with their lives.  I am looking forward to reading the third and final book of this series, After All, as soon as I read my book for my book club!  I am looking forward to reading more by Deborah Raney since I purchased the Clayburn series and I am patiently waiting for it to come in!