Hidden Power by Kati Marton

I could not put this book down. I started it one afternoon, finished it the next day, and wished there was more for the author to tell.

Hidden Power: Presidential Marriages That Shaped Our Recent History by Kati Marton opens with Woodrow and Edith Wilson, their abiding love, and the impact of their marriage on his presidency and on the nation. This is familiar territory that is made even more interesting by the author's narrative and deep research. The same keen eye is directed toward Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Harry and Bess Truman, John and Jackie Kennedy, Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson, Richard and Pat Nixon, Jerry and Betty Ford, Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter, Ronald and Nancy Reagan, George H. W. and Barbara Bush, Bill and Hillary Clinton, George W. and Laura Bush. Did you notice the absence of the Eisenhowers? The author excluded them because their marriage did not strongly effect the nation. Her choice makes quite a statement in itself.

This appealing book reads like a novel and steeps the reader in history. I could not put this book down.

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God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy. ~ Matthew 5:7

Stocking Stuffers

Little Boy is now finished and ready to join Li'l Girl as stocking stuffers for the two youngest grandchildren. The Little Buddies pattern allows for variation and using those small amounts of DK yarn that I just can't bear to throw away. These were done on size 3 & 5 needles.

The dolls are about 5 inches tall. The pattern is available as a download at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7314421 by Yvonne Boucher. I really had fun making these small dolls!

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Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on each other. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block in another’s way. ~Romans 14:12–13

Been There--Done That--Have the T-shirt

Saw the following meme at http://beyondthefairway.blogspot.com/ and thought it looked like fun. If its bold, it applies to me...not that I am bold or anything. So, here goes..

I HAVE...
1. Started my own blog.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than I can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sung a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched lightening at sea
14. Taught myself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown my own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitchhiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of my ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught myself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had my portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had my picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Rode an elephant

Wow! I hadn't read the entire list before hand and am surprised at the number of items that apply to me. I wonder...what is the correlation between age and the number of experiences that apply?? Jest wundrin'.

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For I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD. They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

Friday Fill In #99

1. The last band I saw live was marching down the street in front of some horses.
2. What I look forward to most on Thanksgiving is a hearty meal and watching the Macy's Parade.
3. My Christmas/holiday shopping is a year-round project, so it never ends!
4. Thoughts of lounging on a tropical beach fill my head.
5. I wish I could wear a swimming suit!
6. Bagpipes screech shrilly.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to darkness, tomorrow my plans include daylight and Sunday, I want to be in the twilight zone!

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What a shame, what folly, to give advice before listening to the facts.
~ Proverbs 18:13

Two Dogs and A Book

Isn't this a pretty picture? Love the books with tasseled book marks and thanks to Paula http://bassetknitter.blogspot.com/2008/11/books-thrusday-and-meme.html for tagging me with it!

Follow these steps:

• Open the closest book to you, not your favorite or most intellectual book, but the book closest to you at the moment.


• Turn to page 56.
  
• Write out the fifth sentence, as well as two to five sentences following there.
  
• Then pass this lovely little award on to five other people.

From The Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim

They did not even know what horse was in Italian. It was contemptible to be so ignorant. In their anxiety, for the road twisted round great jutting rocks, and on their left was only a low wall to keep them out of the sea should anything happen, they too began to gesticulate, waving their hands at Beppo, pointing ahead.

Please consider yourself tagged. Do let me know about your posting so I can read it too!

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Max and Lailah frolic amid growling, barking, and snarling which, can you believe it?, is playful. There are times when it breaks into something beyond general doggie play. Usually, though, their noises sound much worse than they really are.
They do pause in their play for a quick pic, then bound off across the yard to discover new adventures.

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A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
~ Proverbs 15:1

She's A Doll!

Little Doll will pop into a Christmas stocking for li'l DGD. She's 5" tall and a cute, fast knit. I used DK wight yarn with size 3 and 5 needles.

The pattern is "Little Buddies" available for purchase and download at http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=7314421 by Yvonne Boucher whom I found on Ravelry.

Little Boy is on the needles for youngest DGS. Aren't these cute stocking stuffers? They are fun to make with various colors and trims for the clothing.

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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
~ Proverbs 13:12

Bookie Christmas Swap

Interested in a readers' swap for Christmas? I am!! I just emailed to join this one. Nothing complicated. Simple and sweet. Last sign-up day is November 20. Get the details at
http://thingsmeanalot.blogspot.com/2008/11/book-bloggers-christmas-swap-2008.html

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Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.
~ Proverbs 13:12

#98

1. Please feel free to complain to the management.

2. When I dig in the mud I can't help sniffing it occasionally. Huh??

3. My favorite thing to cook is a microwave dinner.

4. Time in the mountains is something I can't get enough of.

5. That's the thing I love most about living in Colorado .

6. Fear mongers always makes me think to myself, what the heck?

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to swimming in the Euphrates, tomorrow my plans include climbing Mount Kilamanjaro and Sunday, I want to relax on the beach in Monte Carlo!

::yep::

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So be strong and take courage, all you who put your hope in the Lord! ~ Psalm 31:24

Dogs on Deck

Love this quizzical look from Lailah. "What is that thing you're holding and why are you pointing it at me?!"

Waiting for food, Max tries to belly-up to the table.

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Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone. ~ Psalm 33:22

Cute Monster Quiz & Other News

I've discovered some Links-I-Like and have posted some in the sidebar.
For readers--
http://www.dailylit.com/
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For knit lovers--
http://www.twistcollective.com/
inspiring visual beautiful
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For anyone--
http://www.mrs-o.org/
If you're interested in Michelle Obama's clothing, this is a fab site.
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For swappers--
http://swapdex.blogspot.com/
I saw the Cute Monster Test along with some other funsies at http://kellygirlknits.blogspot.com/

What Your Cute Monster Says About You

You are a simply happy person. You still view the world with a childlike innocence. You have an easy going attitude, and you value harmony. You love freely and inspire others to love. You inner demon is frailty. You are easily beaten down by life. People think you're cute because you are optimistic. Your outlook on life is charming.

The Cute Monster Test

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I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. ~ Romans 15:13

Ab-SO-lutely Fabulous

Cooler weather means its time to work on the AbFab throw, a Colinette kit, in the Amethyst colorway. Ya gotta like PURPLE for this! And, our older DGD surely does! If the stars align, she will receive this for Christmas to add to her all purple bedroom. Did I mention that she's 14?

Enjoy the look of these luscious Colinette yarns! AbGorgeous! And, the names!

Mohair #66 Mist

Skye #89 Dark Umber

Mohair #84 Cinnamon
Zanziba #31 Heather

Wigwam #83 Lilac

Fandango #83 Lilac

Mohair #31 Heather

Zanziba #66 Mist


Did I mention luscious? This pattern is "Scallops", an easy 56-row repeat on size 11 needles. OK! I have the urge to pick it up and knit!

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A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ~~~ John 13:34

Annuner Scarf?

Per DGD's request, I made "annuner scarf" for her. This will be in her Christmas stocking along with other goodies! Using Nashua Sassafras yarn and size 9 needles, I knit garter stitch over 16 stitches for 38 inches. I added three crocheted corkscrews to each end. Quick and fun!

DH is recuperating after hip replacement surgery. Everything proceded according to plan. He has been quite comfortable throughout. The surgical techniques and pain control are nothing short of amazing! Thanks for your kind wishes!

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Surround me with your tender mercies so I may live, for your instructions are my delight. ~ Psalm 119:77