An Irish Country Courtship

Books

Author: Patrick Taylor

Pat picked this book out for me at the Texada Library Book Sale. I was surprised to see that the author, originally from County Down in Northern Ireland, now lives on Saltspring Island.

The story revolves around two GP’s working out of the same clinic in a small village in Ireland. Their love lives are complicated and one ends well and the other not so well. The best part of the book, for me, were the stories of their patients. I could hear the accents from the beginning of the book and the author includes a glossary of translations for the lesser known phrases and words. From reading the author’s notes I think this is one in a series of books focussing on these two doctors but I’m not tempted to read another.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

The Orphan Sisters

Books, Needlework

Author: Shirley Dickson

This is one of the books included in Kathryn’s 2025 birthday bag. I saw the idea on Facebook and decided to pass it along. On her birthday Kathryn received a bag of books (second hand that I’ve pre-read) each wrapped in brown paper. The idea is that once a month (on her birthdate) she can pick a book to read. Each book includes a bookmark of some sort.

Etty and her big sister, Dorothy, have been abandoned by their mother at an orphanage. Dorothy aged-out at 15 and was sent to work with a kind family. Etty had to remain at the orphanage until she turned 15 but when she was finally released she was taken in by her sister. Both girls found work in the economy boost that the Second World War brought. The story takes us through the hardships and losses suffered during the war, as well as some of the happier times spent with friends.

Goodreads Rating: * * *

Biscornu

Needlework

September 15, 2024

Biscornu (by Michaela Learner)

I read a post on Facebook that you could use lavender to stuff a pin cushion. I liked that idea and we have lots of lavender growing in the yard. I had a pattern for a small pin cushion made from a couple of squares of quilting cotton. Then, just a few days later, a pattern for a biscornu popped up in one of my Facebook groups so I decided that would be fun to make.

I was using scrap pieces of canvas for the two sides so the pin cushion is a lot larger than the pattern called for. It took a lot of lavender and I had to add a bit of stuffing to pop out the sides. I call it a pin pillow and have it sitting by my chair for evening stitching.

I love the aroma of lavender I get whenever I change needles (mostly because I’ve dropped and lost the one I’m using).

Congratulations Madison and Walid

Journal, Needlework

September 6, 2024

What a lovely event to celebrate Madison and Walid’s engagement.

Walid is Lebanese so the celebration was going to allow us a glimpse into a very different culture. We weren’t told many details except that it was a fancy-dress party. Online searches didn’t reveal much information but anyone our family spoke to about such an event gave us the same information – the food will be amazing and it will be so much fun. No one lied!

I wanted to make something for the couple so I did another online search to see what the Lebanese culture might give me for ideas. Immediately it was the Cedars of Lebanon that came up. That sparked my mind about a cross stitch project I had in my bin. It was entitled Spring but it seemed perfect for the occasion.

The project was done on a larger-count fabric than I normally use and the design was stamped on the canvas. Although a chart was included, I found I didn’t need to use it. There were six thread colours, all very similar. It didn’t take long to get it finished and I was able to have it framed and shipped in plenty of time for the party.