Book Review: Bossypants by Tina Fey

I'm going to say that I really enjoyed this book...eventually.  The reason I say that is because I did not like the beginning.  I just didn't find her childhood that interesting and really could care less about her first period!  Having said that, once she started talking about 'Second City' and 'SNL', etc. it got much better.  I then started laughing out loud!  So, yes, I do suggesting reading this book.  It is a quick read and very light but a perfect weekend read.  Enjoy!

I'm now reading:  Four of a Kind by Valerie Frankel.

Next book to read: Bossypants by Tina Fey

I have heard that this book is laugh out loud funny...I really hope so!

Book Review: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

So, I think I have become a Margaret Atwood fan - I loved this book. 

The story is somewhat basic and most of the book is Grace going back and telling her life story...which sounds quite simple, almost dull.  But it is not.  I love the way she wrote this book - I found it very compelling and intriguing and I wanted to learn all about Grace and know everything that had happened to her.  I don't want to give too much away about the plot because I want you to read the book for yourself, but the end is quite captivating (I had to stay up late one night to finish it because I couldn't put it down). 

This book is set in the 1800s and there is a medical theme in the book that I really found interesting.  Specifically, how medicine and illnesses were viewed back then compared with what we know now. 

I have heard that Sarah Polley is going to be making this book into a movie and I sincerely hope so (although books are always better) and can't wait to see it.

As I said above, I think I am an Atwood fan now and want to read more of her.  Does anyone have a particular book to suggest?

Laughing!!!

A great photo of a  Woman Laughing - check it out!  When was the last time you laughed so hard you threw your head back like that?


Another great photo by Ted Topping: 

Last photo for the day: 

Have a great day everyone and keep laughing!

My Finished Afghan!

So as I mentioned, I have finally finished the afghan I was making for my nephew's wedding next month.  Here are some shots of the finished project:

So because my couch is also chocolate brown, you don't get the best contrast here, sorry.

While I was taking these pictures and had the afghan spread out, my dog decided that this new blanket must be for her and jumped into my shot:

This next shot doesn't show the colour correctly, but does allow you to see the design in the afghan:

So there it is!

I made this afghan using 'Loops & Threads' yarn because they had the best chocolate brown colour, I thought.  You knit the whole afghan using two strands of yarn at the same time.  This is not difficult, just annoying because the strands constantly get tangled and you spend a lot of time unraveling and keeping everything straight.

Otherwise, the pattern is quite easy.  It is all simple knit and purl stitches, nothing fancy at all.  It is similar to a lace pattern where you constantly have to be counting your stitches to keep on track but once you get the hang of it, you don't even realize you are counting all the time!

Now, I get to plan my next project!!!

Quote of the Week:

Let me recommend the best medicine in the world: a long journey, at a mild season, through a pleasant country, in easy stages.
James Madison

 

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/season.html#MhozfzjaYrHbjmm0.99

Still reading 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood

I haven't given a book review in a while and that is because I am still reading Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.  It is longer than most books I have been reading lately and I'm not the fastest reader!  But rest assured folks - I am loving this book and will be talking about it very soon.  I have made good headway on it this weekend!

Afghan DONE! Woot woot

YES!  I totally finished my nephew's afghan...3 weeks before the wedding!  YES!  Pictures yet to come...stay tuned:)

Check out this Song...

I seem to be finding lots of good music from my favorite TV shows.  This week I encourage you to check out She & Him.  'She' is Zooey Deschanel from New Girl and has an amazing voice.  Take a listen:  She & Him - You Really Got a Hold on Me

Photograph of the Week!

One of my favorite places to take photos! 

Under the Weather

OK folks - I need your help.  I have another virus...this is like the 5th virus I have caught in the last 10 months.  I have had enough.  If you have any tips on how to boost a person's immune system I am all ears.  Seriously sick of being sick and want to do something about it.  Tips please!

Happiness Quote of the Week:

Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.  ~Abraham Lincoln

New Blogs Anyone???

I think I have a slight obsession with discovering new blogs.  So I thought that maybe my followers would like to suggest to me their favorite blog...perhaps one that I haven't discovered yet.  Please tell me why it is your favorite and I would love to check it out too!

Song of the Week: Audra Mae

I was watching one of my favourite TV shows: The Good Wife a few weeks ago and stumbled on this amazing cover by Audra Mae.  It is now one of my favorites!  Check it out:  Audra Mae - Here I Go Again.

Sewing and a Giveaway Link

Carla is having a giveaway and blogged about some fabric she just bought.  I really love the polka dot fabric she showed.  I sure am getting the urge to learn how to sew...hmmm...I just need to buy a sewing machine.  Then the mayhem can begin!

Colour Blue

My favourite colour is blue so I just love seeing this group of photos:  Blue Photos - check it out!

Quote of the Week

Quote of the Week:

"It’s not where you are in life, it’s who you have by your side that matters."
~ Unknown

Book Beginnings: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

Thanks to Rose City Reader for Book Beginnings.  This is my first time participating, so here it goes:

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood - first paragraph:

"Out of the gravel there are peonies growing.  They come up through the loose grey pebbles, their buds testing the air like snails' eyes, then swelling and opening, huge dark-red flowers all shining and glossy like satin.  Then they burst and fall to the ground."

This first paragraph doesn't really tell you anything about the plot of the book, but that is okay with me.  I think it is very symbolic of the theme of the book and still made me want to keep reading.

If you want to participate in Book Beginnings please head on over to Rose City Reader to learn how and join in the fun!

Chocolate Brown Afghan aka 'Work in Progress'

Ugh...I have like 30 more inches to knit in my afghan and about 4 weeks to get it done.  Someone help me discover a way to disconnect my fingers so they can knit while I do other things.  That way inches just appear already knitted whenever I sit down to knit!  Sounds good to me, don't you think?

Book Review: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

So I think I liked this book.  I know that sounds weird to say, but it took me quite a while to get into the book however in the end I really enjoyed it.  Normally it doesn't take me so long to get into the story and get 'hooked' but for some reason this book did.  And I am already reading the next book in the series and I am having the same problem!  I find that this author has a lot of characters in her books and sometimes I have a hard time keeping track of all of them but having said that, the characters are all really entertaining, so it is not necessarily a downside.  I'm going to keep reading this series and I recommend you doing the same!

I would love to hear what you think about this book or perhaps this entire series...

Song of the Week - Sleeping Sickness by City and Colour

This is one of my all time favorite songs and one of the greatest duets...in my humble Canadian opinion!

http://youtu.be/t4EPWD7A87A

I loved this...

Quote of the Week

“You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take.” -Wayne Gretzy

Sunday Night Chit Chat

Reading?  Two for the Dough (about 3/4 the way through).
Watching?  Going to watch Fringe from Friday night and The Firm from Saturday night.  Both are two of my favorite shows.
Listening to?  Audra Mae - just love her!
Cooking/Baking?  Tonight is leftover night...so nothing!  I did all my baking during the week already but I have some ripe bananas that will just NEED to be made into banana bread!
Happy you accomplished this week?  Finished rehanging up all the pictures I took down and refilled with new pictures.
Looking forward to next week?  Friends coming over for dinner on Friday and getting my hair done on Saturday.
Thankful for today?  The beautiful weather.  We broke a record in Winnipeg today it is so nice and sunny!

Thanks Carla for the chat - have a great night.