Author: Strout, Elizabeth

This book has been on my list for a long time and it took some time to get it from the library. It was actually another book by this author that I wanted, but that one will have to wait for another time.

Although the title indicates the story is about the Burgess boys it is really a family story. It includes the wife of Jim, a successful New York lawyer, his brother Bob and his ex-wife, their sister, Susan, and her son. When Zach, the nephew, runs afoul of the law Jim is called in to smooth things over with his many connections. But it is Bob, the less than successful lawyer, who keeps everyone calm and mends the many rifts in the family.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

I just heard that I’m officially a Great Grandmother. Congratulations Walid and Madison and welcome to the family Amina. I sent this parcel to Elizabeth early so that she can give it to Madison at her first opportunity AFTER the baby arrived. I’m thrilled to see photos of Amina snuggled up in the blanket.

The blanket pattern is the same as I made when I was awaiting Madison’s birth. Unfortunately the yarn I used then is no longer available but I did my best to re-create it.

When Madison was a baby Pat bought her a stuff rabbit – Mr. Bunny. Elizabeth and I both searched for a duplicate to give to Amina but came up empty. I found a pattern for this bunny and I’m calling it a Cuddle Bunny. Madison still has her Mr. Bunny so I hope the two will get along.

And finally, what is a present from me without a card. I wasn’t even looking for this when it popped up as a freebie.

We’ll be making our way soon to Calgary and I can hardly wait to meet Amina.

From our house to you.

January 1, 2025

Without even making a plan my crafting year is filling up.

My current Tuesday/Guild project is a mystery. I’ve finished two clues (yes, one of them had two blocks) but I have no idea if this will be the layout. Up to now there has been quite a gap between revealing the clues so in the meantime I’ll continue to work on my Dream Path quilt and my Leader and Ender project – my postage stamp quilt.

It will take a couple more weeks to finish the top of this Thursday project. It looks so simple but I don’t think Gail and I have struggled as much with any other project. When that is done we have a series of hand stitching projects that Gail bought from the internet. We’ve also talked about doing a block once a month, based on patterns and pictures she has found online.

Our Guild’s quilt show is in March and I still have three projects to complete. They are all pieced but need to be sandwiched and quilted. When I’m home I’ll be focusing on them. There is no shortage of UFO’s that I can work on when they are done – both piecing and quilting.

For the rest of the Christmas season I’m going to be working on this cross stitch. I probably won’t get it done but it seems like “the thing” to be doing this time of year. It was a project Mum started and I’ve taken on the finishing of it. I can only take credit for “7 Swans a Swimming” and “8 Maids a Milking”.

Stacia, Deloise and I have already picked a sewing date for January to work on our small projects. I am a bit behind the others with 15 patterns remaining. I missed a few times when I was in treatment and recovery so I got behind. I’ll have to speed things up if I want to complete them all this year.

I will sign up for another 30 books with Goodreads with the intention of surpassing it. Always better to aim low I think. This is the stack of books I’ll be working my way through; I already know there will be library books to add as I’ve been finding lots of titles on Facebook.

I’ve been itching to get back into some knitting or crocheting and have a couple of projects in mind for the yarn I have – another afghan and a wall hanging made from wool I purchased in Donegal.

I have signed myself up for a year-long block of the month; we will meet for a day once a month to get a new pattern (all different trees) and, I’m hoping, to get some hints on what to do with them. I’m excited and nervous at the same time. These are samples of the first two blocks.

What are your plans for the year?