Let me start by saying that I am a completely amateur knitter. I do things my own way and am not by any stretch a perfectionist when it comes to knitting or sewing or probably most things. So with that disclaimer out of the way, I can share the perils of combining knitting and Netflix. I know there are many knitters that can combine these 2 things with ease and come out with a perfect knitted item. But alas, I am not one of those knitters. The Perils of Combining Knitting & Netflix I decided to make a pair of fingerless gloves or hand warmers for my daughter. I pulled…
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September Roses
I am working on my last round of Jane Austen Readalikes, but it was such a nice day today that I had to take a minute and appreciate the roses in my garden. There is something very special about roses in September in Southern Oregon. They will keep blooming on into November, but September is their last big show where they pull out all the stops. The bushes are so laden with blooms that they have a hard time staying upright. Bursting with Blooms Spring always brings such joy and and is pregnant with possibilities. But early fall in Southern Oregon always feels a little sad to me. The days…
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Jane Austen Readalikes Pt2
Authors Similar to Jane Austen What to read next after reading all of Jane Austen’s books for the 100th time… If you enjoy Jane Austen, here’s a couple more authors and books you may enjoy. The time period is not at all the same, but these authors both have the knack for observing their fellow creatures with an Austen-like acuteness. Angela Thirkell Angela Thirkell sets her books in an English country village at the beginning of the 20th century. Light-hearted and fun, Thirkell’s books are a little bit like champagne. They might look bubbly on the surface, but underneath there is that sharp tang of wit. My two favorites are…
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Jane Austen Read A Likes
Authors Similar to Jane Austen So in a previous post, I talked a bit about my own reading fingerprint and how uncovering why I loved Jane Austen led me to other authors and books that I love. This journey is a personal one and may not look the same for everyone. That’s why I call it a reading fingerprint–it’s unique to you. So I figured out that I like books by women about women for women. I also love British literature and a bit of history. I want to learn a little about the time and place in the story. But I want that “real” view of it. The way…
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The Pocket of the Mind
Hmm. What luxury to be left alone with one’s thoughts–like forest animals scurrying around going about their business. I wonder if in this digital age of constant screens & entertainment we have lost the ability to appreciate simple things like weak January sunshine breaking through the clouds or even simply turning our thoughts over and over like shiny marbles. Maybe there is a connection to the anxiety felt by so many of us and the lack time we spend on simple pleasures and thoughts. Of course dwelling on negative thoughts is not a good thing either. But perhaps if one took the time to evaluate it for what is was,…
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Reading Fingerprint
Mapping my own reading fingerprint has changed the way I read. It has broadened my reading horizons and I have discovered books and authors I never thought I would like. My reading tastes are constantly changing. Circumstances, moods, and the passage of time can all impact what I like to read so I will never be finished. Figuring Out What We Like to Read & Why Delving into a favorite author can be a good place to start exploring your reading interests. Jane Austen is one of my favs so let’s talk about her for a bit. Austen’s novels are generally romantic, but it wouldn’t be accurate to surmise that…
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Book Matchmaking
I used to have a very unique job at the library- I was a book matchmaker. What does that mean? It is a unique form of readers’ advisory where I choose books for people who are unable to come to the library because of illness or disability. I have become acquainted with many reader profiles over the years- all of them different from my own. Every reader has unique tastes. I like to think of it as a reading fingerprint rather than a profile. Mapping a person’s reading fingerprint involves much more than defining genres (they like mysteries) or using a book or author that they enjoy (she likes Debbie…
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Lemongrass Herbal Tea from the Garden
Right now I am obsessed with an herbal tea blend that comes straight from my garden. After tasting lemongrass tea with a friend, I decided I needed to plant my own lemongrass plant so that I could make the tea whenever I wanted. I also decided to plant lemon verbena, chamomile, and stevia among the collection of herbs that I plant every year. The lemongrass has been thriving, outgrowing the pot quickly. The lemon verbena had a more rocky start- I learned that they do not like their roots to get too wet. The pot had poor drainage and standing water collected after each watering time. I transplanted the lemon…
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Taking Time to Breathe
Why is it when life gets too hectic and busy, it starts to feel like claustrophobia? Little shallow breaths, not enough oxygen, too many things to remember, not enough time in the day- it’s as if I’ve forgotten how to breathe. I decided to make a little mental list of some things that help me to feel calm in the midst of chaos. Everybody’s list is different, but here are some of mine: reading a good book, listening to music, working on a creative project (sewing, knitting, writing, etc), talking to my mom on the phone, laying outside in my lounge chair soaking in some vitamin D, having a cup…
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Summer Breakfast
In the past 6 months I have been trying to eat healthier and exercise more. In the past that would have meant hitting the gym hard and trying (for about 2 minutes) the latest diet advice: low-fat, carb-free, sugar-free, dairy-free, gluten-free (yeah right! None of those are ever going to happen!) I can’t stick to any of that advice because I enjoy food too much. I love a loaf of crusty sourdough, a hunk of tasty cheese or a slab of gorgeous chocolate cake. However, eating giant portions of them regularly is not exactly waistline friendly. Cutting back and making better food choices- that’s doable. Walking the dogs every night-…
