Thursday, April 23, 2015

Books N Bloggers Big Reveal for April 2015!

Ah books!  There is nothing better than new books, is there?  (Or used- I'm not prejudice.)  I just love how the air smells in bookstores, like paper and ink and if it's a used bookstore there's this old paper smell that mixes in. Yum!  Anyhow, so of course I had to sign up for Chaotic Goddess' latest Books n Bloggers Swap!

My partner was Stephanie of Wife Mommy Me.  She has a great blog talking about motherhood, marriage, and just life in general.  She's a great writer and it was fun to check out her site and get to know a little more about her. 

I got a great package from her.  All the books she sent were wrapped up in paper and some awesome treats were included with a sweet note.  So you wanna see what she sent? 


So you are supposed to pick a book you loved that you think your partner would like, a book from your partner's wishlist, and a book that sounds like something they would like.  So...

For a book she loved, Steph chose JoJo Moyes' Me Before You.  She said it was her favorite read of 2014.  I've heard lots of good things about this book, but I haven't read it yet, so looking forward to it.

For a book from my wishlist, she chose Still Missing by Chevy Stevens.  This book was recommended for me by reader Kim Reid during my Clear Your Bookshelf giveaway.  It sounded interesting, a little scarey, but like a can't put down read, so I'm looking forward to it!

And for a book she thinks I'll like, she chose Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay.  I hadn't heard of this book before, but just reading the back makes it sound super intriguing!  It takes place in 1942 and then goes forward sixty years, tying together two stories.  And I see one of my friends has read it and gave it five stars on Goodreads.

Besides three great books, she also sent me a great smelling candle.  It's succulent garden scented and smells fresh and spring like.  She also sent me a bag of Godiva chocolates (which were delicious!) and some cute wooden tags to use for bookmarks.  Sense I usually have several books I'm reading at once, these will come in very handy.

So, do you want to see everyone's posts of what they got from their partner?  Check out the link up.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Monthly Goal Link Up- March

Oops!  I forgot to get my goals recap done in time.  Part of this is because my friends and I didn't meet until almost halfway through the month due to conflicting schedules and part of it is that I just didn't feel like I did super awesome and didn't have much to share, but I'm going to do a quick recap just for the sake of continuity.

       Here were my March goals: 

  •   Take a trip somewhere for the day.  Did it!  Went shopping all over the countryside with my friend, Lori.  Didn't buy much but it was fun going new places and catching up with my friend.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall. Fail, but I put it on my list for this month and have started it.
  • Make PJ pants.  Grr... didn't get it done.
  • Sew 10 things.  Managed to use all stuff in my stash and some of it was really old stuff that had been there for years.  Mostly made grocery bags, but did a couple other projects too.
  • Write fiction.  Didn't even start.  Thought about it, but it didn't make it past thinking.
  • Read four books.  Did it and posted my reviews here.

    Here are my April Goals:

  • Read four books. Pretty much on my list for every month.
  • Sew 10 things. Still tons of fabric in my stash to get through!
  • Write fiction. (Attempt #2)
  •  Make wall art. (Attempt #2)
  • Clean my office. It looks like I'm auditioning for Hoarders!
  • Make PJ pants! (Attempt #2)
  • Open pop up Etsy shop to sell of some of fabric scraps. 

    Want to see how everyone else did?  Check it out at the link up!



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf



  • Take a trip somewhere for the day.  I just really have to get out of town for the day and go somewhere different.  Cabin fever is a real deal.
  • Make something and hang it up on the wall.  It's one thing to sew something practical like a bag but another to make something and call it "art".  So I figured it's time to step out of my comfort zone and create something with no practical purpose. :)
  • Make PJ pants.  I like this tutorial from Noodlehead and I have this sari fabric I bought a couple years ago and never used, so this month it's going to get done.  Finally!
  • Sew 10 things.  I'm still working on getting through my stash fabric.  
  • Write fiction.  People keep telling me I should write stories.  It's easy to tell a funny story, but this month, I'm going to write one.  Once again, gotta get out of my comfort zone.
  • Read four books.  Hopefully I do better this month than I did last month...
  • - See more at: http://www.chairintheshade.com/2015/03/monthly-goal-link-up-february.html#sthash.uYqwoQzI.dpuf
    Monthly Goals

    Thursday, April 16, 2015

    Busy Bias Apron Pattern Review

    So I have some new birthday gift sewing presents I can reveal now because they have finally been given to their intended recipient.  Here's the first one:

    One of my best friends has a February birthday and she had asked me months ago about making her a cobbler's apron because she doesn't like the kind that loop over your neck.  I had a hard time finding any cut cobbler apron patterns, but after searching through various apron patterns on Etsy, I finally came across the "Busy Bias Apron Pattern".


    I liked it because it was reversible and just slipped over the head, no neck ties, but still looked nice and girlie.  I thought it might fit the bill, so I ordered it. 

    The pattern is an actually tissue paper pattern which has pros and cons as a cat owner.  Pro is that you don't have to tape together 25 pages like a PDF, con is cats love tissue paper and I had to finally lock the little fur babies out of my sewing room because they kept laying on the pattern and trying to attack it whenever I smoothed or moved it.

    Lori loves green, and I had some Amy Butler fabric that has been in my stash for years which I thought would be perfect.  I did have to buy the green lining fabric, but it wasn't very pricey.  I think the finished results turned out pretty cute!


    I actually think I may like the solid green side even better though.  (Don't mind the wrinkles.)


    So let's break the pattern down shall we:
    Pros
    • Pattern comes with child through adult sizes
    • No interfacing or zippers
    • Goes together very quickly
    • Clear directions
    Cons
    • It's cut on the bias so it takes quite a bit of fabric.  (But without cutting it that way, it wouldn't lay so nice so.)
    • Since it is a tissue paper pattern, you have to trace it if you plan on making it in different sizes. 
    • Tissue paper is perhaps a little too cat friendly.  (But if you don't have cats you don't have to worry about this.)
    All in all, I'd make this pattern again.  I think the end results are pretty cute.  And Lori seemed to like it when we finally got together a few weekends ago to celebrate our birthdays.

    Monday, April 13, 2015

    Musical Mondays- Middle Distance Runner from Sea Wolf

    Monday, Monday, Monday.  Another week is under way.  I had my meeting with my two friends to discuss our April goals.  We met later in the month than normal due to Easter and work schedule conflicts.  I always feel so motivated after these meetings.  Like I can take on anything I want.  But, then life gets in the way- work and laundry and grocery shopping and errands that need to be run, and before I know it, it's the end of the month and I've only accomplished half the things I planned on doing.

    My song choice for the week is in a similar vein.  Sea Wolf's "Middle Distance Runner" is more a song about relationships, but thinking about trudging on towards ones goals.  One verse in it fits pretty well.
    Well my heart is beating hard
    And I'm off with a shot at the start
    And my legs tremble from strain
    But by the finish line I'll drain
    That's how I feel a lot of times about life goals. But I don't feel as depressed about it as the song sounds.  Working towards goals are kind of like wearing away at a brick wall slowly by slowly.  There's progress, albeit slow progress.


    So, I hope you all are slowly wearing away at the brick wall of your goals.  Keep pressing on. And you know, all that other motivational stuff. ;)  

    And if you want to see what everyone else is loving this week, check out My So Called Chaos' Musical Monday link up.

    Thursday, April 9, 2015

    April 2015 Reading List

    I've finished all my March picks (a few days late, but got through them).  So here are book picks for April.


    Last month was all about mysteries, this month is more a hodge podge. 

    The Oracle of Stamboul by Michael David Lukas takes place in Turkey and Eastern Europe in the 1877 involving a young girl and her father.
    MaddAdam by Margaret Atwood is the third book in her MaddAdam Trilogy.  I've read the other two and while they weren't my favorites of her books, they're still good.   It takes place in a dystopian future world that makes the Hunger Games look like Disneyworld.  But I want to know how it ends.
    A Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman takes place on a lighthouse, on an island after the end of World War 1 off the coast of western Australia, and involves the lighthouse keeper, and his wife, and a baby that mysteriously shows up one day.
    The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester is a nonfiction account of work on the Oxford Dictionary.  Sounds dry.  But, apparently one of the most prolific contributors was an ex civil war doctor who ended up in prison for murder and was insane.

    So, this month's selection travel throughout time and the world, and that appears to be the only common thread.  What are you reading this month?

    Monday, April 6, 2015

    Musical Monday- "Burning House" from Cam

    Hello and happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a lovely Easter.  I had lunch with my parents and brother at my parents house and then my dad and brother and I played a couple hands of cribbage before I headed back home.

    My song for the week has no real personal significance, just a song I like.  It almost sounds like it could have came out of The Civil Wars catalog.  And the video is a nice, little video.  By the by, I really like her shirt, too.  I'm not sure if it's knit or woven, but I've been on a kind of woven shirt kick lately.  I just ordered this shirt from H&M that should be arriving tomorrow. I love that woven shirts look dressier than a tee shirt, but are still comfy.
     
     
    Anyway, so here's to a fresh week!  Hope it's a good one for all of you.  And of course, check out My So Called Chaos' link up to see what everyone else is listening to this week!

    Sunday, April 5, 2015

    March Book Recap

    March was a good month for reading. I read all the books on my pick list except for House of Silk which I finished Saturday. So here's a quick recap of what I read and what I added to my shelves.


    What I Read:
    The Tuesday Club Murders by Agatha Christie- This is the second book to have featured Miss Marple.  She seems even more prim and proper than in future mysteries, but she's endearing and sweet and it was a nice little collection of short mysteries. 
    Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn- Gillian Flynn's characters always make me annoyed.  She writes such good books but all her characters are so selfish and unlikeable.  This book was no exception, but I actually liked it better than the Sharp Objects or Dark Places.  I haven't watched the movie yet, but I really would like to now.
    The Likeness by Tana French- I LOVE Tana French.  This book cemented it.   It's my third book by her and by far my favorite.  The initial premise is a little far fetched, but you gotta be willing to let the story suck you in. She creates these real, flawed characters, who you sometimes want to just grab them by the shoulders and shake them, but you still love them.  It's the second book in her Dublin Murder Squad series and while it helps to have read the first book to kind of get some of the groundwork in place, I think you could read it as a stand alone.
    and
    Something More: Excavating Your Authentic Self  by Sarah Ban Breathnach- This is another book by the author of Simple Abundance, which is one of the most insightful books I've ever read.  Something More was not as life changing, but it still had some great insights and it was definitely worth reading.

    What I Acquired:
    I added quite a few books this month due to the a used book sale, but I got some really good finds.  :)
    Blog Inc.I actually won this book in a giveaway from Miss Angie over at My So Called Chaos. It looks pretty good.
    In Defense of Food- I love Michael Pollan and found this at a thrift store.  I couldn't remember if I already had this one or not, so I picked it up because it was less than a buck.  Turned out I did already have it, but for the price, it's okay.
    The following all came from the book sale, so I'll just list them with links to their Goodreads profiles:
    The Last Lecture, The Snow Child, Little Wolves,Maiden Rock, The Power of Habit, Dear Mr. Darcy, Sherlock in Love and The Death of Bees

    Year total:
    Read- 11  Acquired- 18

    So, I bought more than I read, but luckily the book sale only happens once a year. :)  And I did get some great finds.