The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Tattered Cover Book Store http://www.tatteredcover.com/ is the go-to book store for DH and I, so we decided to visit a couple of other book stores in the Metro area on Saturday. A book crawl, as it were. Our first stop was at West Side Books where we were surrounded by walls and heaps of used books. DH caught a real bargain in getting six hardback novels for $5.00. Definitely a buy of the day! I picked up a new book of mazes to add to the Easter basket for one DGS.
We were off to The Bookies http://www.netnewsdesk.com/thebookies/, a treasure trove of books and educational products. I have loved books since childhood and continue to draw great enjoyment and pleasure from children's books. The Bookies is the most marvelous place--filled with with every imaginable book and related items for children to relish and enjoy again and again. Of course, the Easter books were calling me. A few even left with me--a pop-up, a pull-the-tab, and a wonderfully illustrated story about a bunny feeling loved.
After a stop at the Baking In My Pajamas Bakery, we just had to make a stop at the Tattered Cover Book Store. It just felt wrong not to go there! As usual, I left with a stack of I-can't-wait-to-read-these books. Of course, we veered into the attached Encore Restaurant where wood-roasted artichokes and a chicken Cobb salad awaited me! http://www.encoreoncolfax.com/
The birds feeding at the office window are enchanting to watch, though I can barely keep the feeder filled for them...and the occasional squirrel. I often place yarn scraps out for the birds to use for their nests. What to do with those itty-bitty yarn scraps? You too can be a force of nature, click here: http://www.craftstylish.com/item/42330/birdbrained-yarn-crafts-simple-nest-building-projects-for-your-feathered-friends
So, when Lailah is completely engrossed in chewing her rawhide bone, she assumes her most comfy position---the frog's legs pose. Doggie yoga at its finest? I remember when I was a kid, there were some who would sit in the human version of this pose. You know, sitting on the floor, watching TV, sitting in that..ummmm...elastic position. I could never do it, couldn't be comfortable in that position.
Look at these. Will they ever be a blanket? Only if they multiply. They need my help! I am knitting these little bows/butterflies/shells with DK weight self-striping yarn and size 6s to join together into a blanket.
This project was inspired by the Horst Schulz "African Adventure" ghan at http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/horst-schulz-fans/topics
Sometimes I think we have three dogs. Crazy, I know. There's Max. There's Lailah. There's Stuffy. Wait. Stuffy? Same colors. Usually with Lailah. Doesn't seem to eat much, though. Never needs to go outside. Never heard her bark. She is a St. Bernard--not a Boxer. Loves to play.
Made this January mid-month square with the Yahoo Monthly Dish Cloths KAL. I am making the squares for a blanket. The group makes two cloths per month with several lines of the pattern emailed per day. Such a fun, mystery KAL! I am currently working on another square using a flower pattern from the archives for this group. My squares are made with WW yarn and a size 6 or 7 needle. Join in at Yahoo Groups!
A favorite pattern is McCall’s leaflet 837-NB. It's called a Crocheted Border Afghan, but I refer to it as a "Tapestry Ghan" because that is what it looks like to me. Using worsted weight yarn and a size G hook, I've made two of these ghans and really enjoy the process. If I make another one, I'll use an H hook to loosen the stitches a bit.The yarns are carried across each strip which yields a heavy, warm blanket. 
Work continues in this way using the various charts and colors until the ghan is the desired size. I just may be up for making another one of these!
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
The youngest of our seven grands wanted a fuzzy blanket, so I crocheted a "Happy Ghan" using close-out "Happy" yarn from Idena along with stash DK in grey/black. I chained with a J hook until the size was right, then mindlessly double and triple crocheted until I used all the yarn.
Max wonders if he was ever as goofy as Lailah!! Actually, he wasn't!
I may not be a Blue Stocking, but I do have one thanks to Skippymom at http://skippymom.blogspot.com/ Stuffed with goodies, this snowman stocking arrived through our Stocking Swap. Along with the tin of chocolates and the tin with the gingerbread cookie is the little, round tin with Christmas earrings shaped like a Christmas light. Thanks to my partner for all the treats!
