One Word 2023 - Reflect

 Reflect

I made this wall-hanging for my "Word" last year and I haven’t quilted it yet. I wasn't entirely successful in remembering to "pause" last year. I decided to choose "Reflect" for this year's Word. I will be 72 and have lived 2 years past my Mother and Grandmother's ages. I want to make the most of my time, so reflect seems to be apropos for the coming year. I am clearing some of my obligations and commitments from 2022 in order to be open to new experiences and opportunities. However, I will Reflect before saying "yes' and decide if what I am about to do serves who and what I want to do.

Past Words:

2022- Pause

2021 - Grateful

2020 - Joy  

2019 - Opportunity

2018- Clarity

2017 - Balance  

2016 -  Promise

2015 - Abundance

2014 - Believe

2013 - Simplify 

Information about "One Word"

http://myoneword.org

https://oneword365.com/find-your-tribe/?searchword=pause

Follow me on Instagram at kathy_nester

#oneword2023  #reflect

2023 UFO Challenge

Brandywine Valley Quilters 2023 UFO Challenge

For the last few years, my Quilt Guild has had a UFO Challenge. I wasn't going to join again this year because I don't seem to get anything finished. On the other hand, if I can I get 2 or 3 finished, it's worth it. Some of my UFOs are on this list for the 4th year.  I am determined that they will be completed this year. Maybe my word of the year should be "finish."

UNFINISHED OBJECTS  

1. Maze wall hanging

2. Flamingo Birthday Quilt - quilt and bind

3. Mystery Quilt Challenge - piece monthly

4. 2022 Monthly Color Quilt

5.Snow-a-long Quilt - piece and quilt

6. Hen Quilt Party - piece and quilt

7. Gnome quilt - piece and quilt

8. 2021 Monthly Color Challenge - quilt and bind

9. Maze Table Runner - quilt

10. Clark diamond - quilt

11.Word of the year - quilt and bind

12. Temperature Quilt - finish piecing 

Check back for progress reports or follow me on Instagram @ kathy.nester

#BVQ2023UFOChallenge #unfinishedquilts 

2022 Monthly Color Challenge - December

December - Garlic - Cream

 

The 2022 Monthly Color Challenge is designed by Patterns by Jena and the block can be found here. Cream is not the best fabric with my chosen background, however, it is okay with the other blocks. 

Garlic

Proven Health Benefits

December block requires accurate cutting and a SCANT 1/4 inch seam in order to be 12.5 inches unfinished.

Guest Bloggers

Patternsby Jen 

Lovingy Lisa

SunflowerStitcheries

True Blue Quilts

I still have a few previous months to complete before the end of the year. 

Follow me on IG at kathy.nester

#2022monthlycolorchallenge #December 

You are my Sunshine

 

You are my Sunshine: A story of love, promises, and a really long bike ride by Sean Dietrich. MI: Zondervan Books. 2022. 224 pages.  Notes ****

Described as "A laugh-out-loud true story of love, a grand adventure, and a promise kept." The book lives up to the description and so much more. It was only a few years after their marriage that Sean and his math-minded wife Jamie are faced with a medical scare that threatens their future together. Jamie is determined to live a grand adventure and to test life to its limits by proposing a bike ride of the Great Allegheny Passage and the C&O Towpath Trail. Sean is not at all athletic or outdoorsy, but he will promise anything to make Jamie happy in the belief that the bike ride will never happen. Jamie does all the planning, purchasing of needed gear, bikes, tent, grass fed beef sticks, supplies, etc., and Sean finds himself on a trike (he's afraid of bikes) on a trail that includes poison ivy and SNAKES! 

This quick read is an adventure filled story of marriage, friendship, and perseverance. Dietrich has a humorous way of capturing everyday events and presenting them in their absurdity to the reader. I laughed out loud at the exchange between Jamie and Sean, "would you eat me? If we were starving!" The kindness of the people they meet along the journey inspires all of us to overcome the fears that holds many of us back from our great adventure. What is holding you back?

I received a copy of this book as a Little Free Library giveaway promotion. 

Sean Dietrich is a columnist, podcaster, stand-up storyteller, and novelist known for his commentary on life in the American South. His work has appeared in Southern Living, Good Grit, South magazine, and other publications, and he has authored fourteen books. Follow Sean's daily writing at seandietrich.com or at @seanofthesouth on Instagram.

Follow me on Instagram at flaming_books

#bookstagram #grandadventure #overcomingfearandanxiety @zondervanbooks #GreatAlleghenyPassage #C&OCanalTowpath 

The Girls Who Disappeared

 

The Girls Who Disappeared by Claire Douglas. New York: Harper, 2023. ****

Four girls enjoy a night out and drive home on the Devil's Corridor ending in disaster! Only one girl is found at the crash site pinned by the steering column and unable to get out of the car. Rescued and unable to remember what happened to her friends leaves Olivia Rutherford open to the suspicious scrutiny of her neighbors and the townspeople. A long and arduous recovery does not restore her memory of that horrific night. It's now twenty years later and journalist Jenna Halliday has arrived in Willshire to interview those close to the missing girls to create a podcast in the hope of turning up new evidence or clues as to what happened on that night. Jenna didn't expect the locals to be willing to talk, however, she didn't anticipate hostility and threats. Are they protective of Olivia or does everyone have something to hide? 

I received an e-copy for a review.

This fast-paced psychological thriller will keep you guessing until the very end. No spoilers here. Douglas' plot is ingenious and original. We know that no one can disappear into thin air, however, there are no credible sightings to explain what happened. It has now been twenty years without a clue. A suspenseful read that will keep you reading,  many discussion points for Book Clubs. 

Claire Douglas has worked as a journalist for fifteen years, writing features for women's magazines and national newspapers. She wanted to be a novelist since the age of seven, a dream that came true with the publication of her first novel, The Sisters, which won the Marie Claire's Debut Novel Award. She lives in Bath, England, with her husband and two children.

#psychologicalthriller #bookstagram 

Mini Series Sew Along 2022 Season 3

 

Alison Glass and Guicy Guice have collaborated and are hosting a Mini Series Sew Along for 2022.

https://alisonglass.com/mini-series-sew-along/

I joined from the very first, however, I am just now making my blocks. Somehow, I couldn't wrap my head around the process of paper piecing such small pieces. I kept trying and trashing. It didn’t help that I purchased a new machine at the same time. 

A few suggestions:

• Print the patten in color
• Do not print double-sided (a no-brainer, I know)

Finally, three friends got together to sew and it just clicked. I didn't pay too much attention to color placement and even though the pieces are small, you do use pretty big pieces of fabric to make it work. 

Meet Trixie and the Triangle Cabin Block.

On of the suggested tools is this seam roller. I found it very helpful in pressing the strips.

Usually when I get to this stage I start to panic that I did something wrong, keep going!

Ta dah!

Trixie has let me know that she does not like Decobob thread.

Block 3 - Bloom - this block was more challenging than the other two!

Block 4 - Rainbow - the last block in Series 3 

All 4 in Series 3 are completed, so much fun! 

#miniseriessal2022 #trianglelogcabin #alisonglass #guicyguice #MiniSeriesSAL #diamondsidestep #rainbow #bloom

So Long, Chester Wheeler

 

So Long, Chester Wheeler: A Novel by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Seattle, Lake Union Publishing, 2022. 224 pages. Book Discussion Guide. **** Publication Date December 6, 2022.

Lewis Madigan is young, gay, out of work, and just discovered that his boyfriend is moving on without him. Home all day living next door to Chester, his cranky, rude, homophobic neighbor convinces him that he needs a job now. Since Chester has offended and gone through all of the home health nursing agencies, his daughter is desperate and dangles a large sum of money in front of Lewis for him to step in. The only requirements: run errands, be on call, and put up with Chester.  Can Lewis put aside his loathing and care for Chester? When asked to fulfill a dying man's last wish, will Lewis refuse or accept the mission? 

I know when I read Hyde's novels, there will be tears, love, hope, and acceptance. It is so easy to dislike Chester and in the words of Lewis, "I'm always tempted to say hate, but I feel that 's a line I never want to cross." A doctor recently asked me why some older people are so miserable, unhappy, and mean, while others are pleasant, happy, and so nice? An answer requires knowledge of the person's health, finances, and family. Through Chester we get a look at how his past and choices made him who he is today and a glimpse at how Lewis grows with his experience. Given my age, I can relate to Lewis and Chester's struggles. I didn't want this heart-warming story to end and find myself wondering where Lewis is now and what is he doing, the true sign of a good book. Perfect for a Book Club choice, many topics to discuss and explore.

I received an ecopy for a review. 

Other Hyde books reviewed by me: 

Dreaming of Flight

Seven Perfect Things

My Name is Anton  

Brave Girl, Quiet Girl

Have You Seen Luis Velez?

Just After Midnight

Heaven Adjacent

The Wake Up

Allie and Bea

Say Goodbye For Now

Ask Him Why

Worthy

Catherine Ryan Hyde is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author of more than forty published and forthcoming books. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer, she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website.

From Catherine Ryan Hyde:

"In addition to my writing, over the past few years I’ve done a lot of professional public speaking. I was privileged to speak at the National Conference on Education and at Cornell University. I even got to share a dais with Bill Clinton for three speeches. And I was invited to the White House for the movie screening of Pay It Forward."

For more information on the author, click here: Her Youtube Channel 

Follow me on IG at flamazing_books

#bookstagram #realisticfiction #dyingwish