What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

How are you...snowed in or sweltering in the summer heat?  The new year has started with wild and horrible weather around the globe. Heartbreaking to see devastation on such a scale in California. It makes us appreciate what is a normal winter so far here in the Ottawa valley. Wind chills of over -20 many days but you can have all the gear to layer up and keep warm on walks while out and about. I notice some folks have very fashionable, and what I would call, even beautiful winter outer wear. Mine tends to be more utilitarian and ...

A crisp -23 C wind chill out there this morning. I'll bundle up for the morning walk, maybe even break out my balaclava. I'm now filling two bird feeders with black sunflower seeds. These little guys are getting snacks from the ground. 

I had to give up my quilty table for a couple of days. It sported the thrifted vintage Santa table cloth and displayed my second hand store Petit Point dish set. Both big bargains and well loved by me

My retired librarian sister always sends me a book and it is always completely appropriate. It is ...

This year has been a record-breaker for me—156 books read, with 25 earning a perfect 5-star rating. Hours spent researching new releases, rediscovering classics, following recommendations, and tackling my ever-growing TBR list paid off with an incredible collection of memorable … Continue reading →

Stand up, sit down!

Even though I was supposed to be at my desk, writing, I needed to get back upstairs. I wanted to continue the momentum and finish the year - well, start the new year with those rooms in order. 

This is what happened. 

While the guest room was more or less organized, some of my stuff had been moved to Studio U for the big clean-up, and some had not been put away. This was the state of the room when I walked in. 

Studio U is a bit messy

Stuff from the guest room

When I saw this design I knew I needed it in my life!!! And then I decided I needed to make it for all three of our children as Christmas quilt. I have made each of them many quilts over … Continue reading →

What started out as a pleasant cozy (very light) mystery turned very spicy at the end and it was a not unpleasant turn of events.Jeanie's aunt retires and leaves Jeanie the Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbor and Jeanie moves into the little apartment above the café and begins to make herself at home in the small New England town. But with all of the ruckus every night in the alley behind the café

 *I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for my honest review.*I was so happy to get back to Alice and her other mom friends in this series. The mums are all tired and running ragged trying to do all that they can with the babies. And they happen upon a nude protester photo shoot and then they are invited to a sit in to protect a local

It was time to put the red quilt on the bed for the holiday season, I usually put a flannel quilt on the bed about this time of year and since I finished this one 2 years ago it is the one that goes on the bed.  It is called Yuletide Gatherings.  Of course after […]

 *I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for my honest review.*Capri (emphasis on the PRI) is a strong willed woman who started a tour company in San Francisco 10 years ago when her marriage fell apart. As the granddaughter of the infamous Overkill Bill serial killer, she emphasizes serial killers and murders in her tours and the company

 The last flowers to come into bloom in my garden are the Asters. The wild ones are also in bloom and like these, starting to fade. The sunlight lately has been wonderful and has that noticeable October slant. But shines strongly with a golden tinge that makes it beautiful. I've tried to capture it in this weeks' photos.

He finally took the plunge and immediately took ...

I went to bed at my usual time, and I did not take any cold meds. Guess what? I got up at my usual time, so that's all sorted out, and I feel fine. I'm probably a bit tired and dehydrated, but I'm trying to fix both. Travel is a big culprit in messing with your health! At least for me. And I mean travel for work, not for vacation. 

But the dreams I had? Oh boy!!! You would think the world is coming to an end, with alien ships traversing the sky and spying on people ...

 Another novel about a neurodivergent main character. Five stars from me again!Poor naive, unassuming Molly the maid works in the Regency Grand Hotel in a big city and is one of the best maids due to her attention to detail and ability to follow all of the rules to the letter. She is definitely unique and on the spectrum in some capacity. But she is also so easy to like in her quaint ways

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.*I can't believe that I put this book off as long as I did. What a fantastic debut novel for Karryn Mayne and I am adding her to my authors to follow on Goodreads. And recommending this book to everyone!On the surface, Lenny Marks is set in her ways and one could assume it is due to being on a

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.*Stella is an attorney appointed to look out for the best interest of a 9 year old while the parents are going through a nasty divorce. At every turn, the parents and grandmother thwart Stella's attempts to get to know Rose and find out what would be in her best interests. Another wrench in Stella's

*I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my honest review.*Charley is working at a legendary hotel on the coast of Maine with a crotchety and handsy boss who has recently died. She thinks she had it made with room and board included with the job and isn't sure how things will work out with the boss's daughters who will inherit the hotel - will she keep her

The last day of this section of the marathon! Then, after two days of mini madness, I'll be back on the road! If you live in Penticton, BC, or the area around, come out, as I have a great event planned. Then I'll be in Chilliwack and Surrey for more great events. If you live in those areas, check out the shops. Tom's Sewing Center is in Chilliwack and Surrey, and Black Rabbit is in Penticton! I'm going to make it!!

Here's a couple of observations before I share my photos with you. Is your ...

 *I received a free copy of this novel from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for my honest review.*My second book in this Bakechop Mystery series and I really want to go back and start from the beginning! Jules and Carlos are working with Lance and his Fair Verona Players theater troupe in the Uva vineyard when one of the actors is murdered in the wine cellar. And Jules is