One Word - Grateful

 January 2021

 Grateful - feeling or showing an appreciation of kindness; thankful.

 

Each year I choose One Word to direct me in my outlook, accomplishments, communications, etc. For more information about One Word 365, check out - https://oneword365.com/#join-us I have been doing this activity since I retired from my career as a librarian. Some years are more successful than others.  

2020 has been such an anxiety driven, isolating year that I have been especially careful in choosing My One Word for 2021. I tried to find "joy" in some fashion every day. Because of the pandemic, it was difficult to find joy in every day activities.

My One Word from past years:

2020 - Joy  

2019 - Opportunity

2018- Clarity

2017 - Balance  

2016 -  Promise

2015 - Abundance

2014 - Believe

2013 - Simplify

 Grateful and Thankful kept jumping out at me while contemplating my One Word and when I found these dishtowels, it seemed serendipitous. 

I am grateful that my family is healthy entering the New Year, my Grandson had Covid at Thanksgiving and has fully recovered. We are following CDC Guidelines; wearing masks, hand washing and socially distancing. No Christmas Eve celebrations and we socially distanced while opening Christmas presents. We have never gone out for New Year's Eve, so we won't miss those celebrations. 

I am grateful:

• for my husband and best friend - I can't imagine what it must be like quarantining with someone who is difficult, controlling or abusive.
  
• for my family and friends
• that I am healthy
• the distribution of the vaccine has started and gives me hope. 
• family members have had Covid and survived.
• that I quilt and read and write book reviews, those activities have kept me sane during the last 9 months.
  
• that I have a home, heat, health insurance and food for the table (sadly, many do not have these most basic needs met right now).   
  

I love it when I choose my word and then I start seeing it everywhere. This pen was in a three pen set at Home Goods. 

 

 

I love when I start seeing my word everywhere! 

Paper napkins at HomeGoods.

Follow me on IG - kathy.nester and Twitter @KathleenNester

 

#2021grateful #grateful #MyOneWordGrateful

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

 The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. New York: Random House, 2012. 320 pages. ****

Harold Fry receives a good-bye letter from a friend he hasn't seen in 20 years. Queenie Hennessy is dying of cancer and the letter brings back memories of how things ended when Queenie left the brewery where they both worked. Harold writes a reply and heads out for a short walk to the mailbox to post it. Leaving behind his wife and his cell phone, Harold has a hard time mailing his reply and gets it into his head that his response is inadequate and he needs to deliver his good-bye in person. Harold begins his six hundred mile pilgrimage ill-equipped with boat shoes, no umbrella, no sense of the best route, only the clear conviction that it must be on foot and Queenie must stay alive until he gets there.

This story chronicles Harold's journey and the people he meets along the way and the realization that "he had come to trust in the basic goodness of people." (page 198) He acquires a few followers along the way who attempt to hijack his pilgrimage and steer him the way that they want to go and they provide another valuable life lesson for Harold. 

As much as I liked Harold's story, I realized that Maureen, his wife left behind, had many of her own life-affirming moments in his absence. I could totally relate to both of their situation and points of view. Joyce captured some of the feelings of couples that have been married for many years, reach retirement and lose their individual and combined sense of purpose.  I laughed, I cried, I worried whether Harold was going to make it and cheered him on. I couldn't help but wonder if I would be up to the task, could I do it? 

A neighbor who stopped at my Little Free Library recommended this book and I am so glad she did, sometimes the exact book that we need finds us.

The Love Story of Miss Queenie Hennessy is the sequel and I have placed it on reserve at my local library.

Fans of The Elegant Gathering of White Snows by Kris Radish or The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg will enjoy Harold Fry's pilgrimage.

Rachel Joyce is the author of the Sunday Times and international bestsellers The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, The Love Song of Miss Queenie Hennessy, and Perfect. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was short-listed for the Commonwealth Book Prize and long-listed for the Man Booker Prize and has been translated into thirty-six languages. Her latest book is Miss Benson's Beetle, an Amazon November 2020 Best Book. Joyce was awarded the Specsavers National Book Awards New Writer of the Year in 2012. She is also the author of the digital short story A Faraway Smell of Lemon and is the award-winning writer of more than thirty original afternoon plays and classic adaptations for BBC Radio 4. Rachel Joyce lives with her family in Gloucestershire.

#bookstagram #flamazing_books

Seven Perfect Things

 Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde. Lake Union Publishing, 2021. 318 pages ****

Thirteen-year-old Abby Hubble is out walking when she sees a man throw a sack into the river. When the sack starts moving, Abby feels that she has no choice but to dive into the river. Imagine her surprise when seven puppies wriggle out of the sack Taking them to the pound seems her only option until she finds out what the future holds for them. Taking the puppies home is out of the question; her father already makes life miserable for her and her mother. Abby remembers a cabin in the woods where she may be able to keep them and visit them daily. Elliot Colvin has lost his wife and the purpose for his life when he crosses paths with Abby and the puppies at his cabin. That chance encounter gives them both the hope that they had lost.

Hyde's strength in her writing is her message of love and the belief in the goodness of people. The subject matter is not always an easy one, in this case abuse, however, Abby and Elliot find each other at the exact time that they are needed. Hyde brings humor and lightness through the antics of seven puppies and the lengths to which Abby hides caring for them. 

Seven Perfect Things is a heart-warming book filled with the joy of new beginnings and courage found in unexpected places.

I received an ecopy for a review. 

 Other Hyde books reviewed by me:

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 author of forty published and forthcoming books. An avid traveler, equestrian, and amateur photographer,  she shares her astrophotography with readers on her website.

www.catherineryanhyde.com

 

Follow me on Instagram: flamazing_books

 

#grateful #sevenperfectthings #bookstagram

 

2021 Monthly Color Challenge - January

 

 January - Eggplant- Purple

Patterns by Jen hosts and designs the Yearly Color Challenges - this is my fourth year participating. The theme for this year is fruits and vegetables and all of the information and monthly patterns will be found on her blog. There are two choices for block size - 6 and 12 inches finished.

The themes for the previous years:

2020 - Birds

2019 Flowers

2018 Colors 

January - purple

Information about eggplants - https://www.britannica.com/plant/eggplant

The benefits of eating eggplant - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/279359#benefits

25+ Recipes That Will Make You Fall in Love With Eggplant. - Eggplant isn't something that I eat, I may have to try some of these recipes. 

I have decided to use fruits and vegetables fabric coordinating with each month. Some months may be a challenge, however, I will try to substitute a fruit or a vegetable of the same color. 

On a whim, I stopped in a fabric store Obie's Country Store.

Look what I found, who would have thought?

 

I am trying to use background fabric from my stash. I am auditioning these two - leaning towards the blue on the right. 

It's hard to tell if I like them, we'll see!

Make sure that you use a scant 1/4 inch for your seams and 

trim your blocks according to the pattern!

Love it!

 

Bloggers for this month :

Patterns by Jen   

Anja's Quilts 

Pieceful Thoughts 

Everyone Deserves a Quilt 

Faith and Fabric Designs

Kathy's Kwilts and more

Quilt to End ALZ 

Sunflower Stitcheries 

Trueblue Quilts 

 

 Sponsors for January

Dragonfly's Quilting Design Studio - Goodie Bag*

Bea Quilter - PDF Pattern

Love to Color My World - PDF Pattern

Designs By Sarah J - Fabric Bundle and Book*

Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabric - Monty Fabric Bundle*

Benartex - Fabric Bundle*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Angel 100% Flame Retardant Fibers*

Quilters Dream Batting - 60 x 46 Dream Wool*

The Warm Company - 55 x 60 batting 80/20*

Appliques Quilts and More - $10 gift certificate

DayBrook Designs - 2 PDF Patterns

Patterns By Jen - PDF Patterns

Those marked with * are for US residents only. Prize laws vary throughout different countries.

Join us on Facebook - Quilt and Learn with Patterns by Jen 

#2021monthlycolorchallenge #januaryquiltblock

2021 UFO Challenge

 January 1, 2021 

My Quilt Guild - Brandywine Valley Quilters Guild has issued a challenge to its members. 

• Create a list of 11 unfinished projects to be completed during 2021.
  
• Record the list on a Google Docs and submit to the Guild for accountability.
  
• At the monthly meeting on Zoom, a number will be drawn and that is the quilt you work on that month. 
• Prizes will be given monthly.

My UFO List:

1. Temperature Quilt - Visual representation of the year I was born. 3 months are done, 9 more to go. Then sandwiching, quilting and binding. 
2. 2020 Monthly Color Challenge - blocks are completed, top needs to be sewn togther, sandwiched, quilted and bound.
3. Interleave - the center Interleaved block is made. I envisioned a medallion style quilt. Long way to go.
4. Lucy's Love Notes - The Project Linus 2020 Mystery Quilt. Ready for sandwiching and quilting.
5. Gypsy Wife - I love this quilt and have spent way too much time on this quilt without finishing it.
6. Gnome for Christmas - Applique pieces are ironed and need to be sewn. Sew top together and quilt.
7. Hen Party - same as #6.
8. Snow Sew Along - Only 4 out of 12 blocks completed. 
9. 100 Modern Quilt Blocks - 48 blocks completed. Considering  a shadow box setting.
10. 2019 Monthly Color Challenge. Blocks completed, top needs to be sewn together.
11.  Harmony - Needs borders, quilting and binding
    

 

 I'm ready! All of the patterns, fabric, etc. are in numbered plastic boxes. 

This UFO activity will be a challenge because I have already committed to making "Wanda" starting in January. Wanda is a Gudrun Sew Along, info at GE Quilt Designs. 

I am also a blogger for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge, this is my 4th year doing this Challenge. Patterns by Jen designs and hosts the challenge each year. Her instructions are well-written, clear and the monthly project is a lot of fun! Join us at https://www.facebook.com/groups/259684534541789. Patterns will be posted at https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2020/12/announcing-2021-monthly-color-challenge.html.

 I will be blogging and posting throughout the year on my progress.

#9 was chosen for the month of January! It is the 100 Modern Quilt Blocks and I finished the top and have sent it to the Long Arm quilter. For more information - https://pennyformythoughts-nona.blogspot.com/2021/01/2021-ufo-challenge-january.html

 

#BVQ2021UFOchallenge #2021monthlycolorchallenge #Wanda #brandywinevalleyquilters

2021 Monthly Color Challenge - Introduction

 December 2020

Patterns by Jen hosts and designs the Yearly Color Challenge - this is my fourth year participating. The theme for this year is fruits and vegetables and all of the information and monthly patterns (the first of the month) will be found on her blog. There are two choices for block size - 6 and 12 inches finished.

The themes for the previous years:

2020 - Birds

2019 Flowers

2018 Colors  

Some of the tools that are helpful during the challenge.

1. 12" x 12" Clear Scrapbook Case by Simply Tidy™- I love these cases for keeping all of the material and blocks together each month. I buy them at Michael's on sale - paid 2.99 recently.

2. Various size square rulers. Especially the 6.5 and the 12.5 size.

3. Pins - I am a pinner to keep all seams aligned

 

I had this crazy idea of using fruit and vegetable fabrics.You may use any fabric that you want - solids, prints, etc. Jen has a list of the months and their colors on her blog - https://patternsbyjen.blogspot.com/2020/12/announcing-2021-monthly-color-challenge.html

Guest Bloggers for the Challenge:

The sponsors for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge.

 

Join and share your blocks in the Facebook Group - Quilt and Learn With Patterns by Jen

Follow me on IG - kathy.nester 

#2021monthlycolorchallenge

Ladder of Years

 

 

Ladder of Years by Anne Tyler. New York, Vinatge Books, 1995. 325p. ****

"Baltimore woman disappears during family vacation." Delia F. Grinstead, 40 years old, wife of a physician, mother to three and with her two sisters goes on a vacation with her family and doesn't return. There isn't one incident that is a tipping point, she walks away from the beach blanket in Bethany Beach and just keeps walking. Will anyone miss her, will they come looking for her, does anyone care? 

I enjoyed Delia's story and could identify with some of her feelings. What mother doesn't feel unappreciated at some point in time and could just keep walking out the door and down the steps? With $500 of vacation money in her pocket and wearing her husband's beach robe, Delia didn't plan in advance and has no idea where she is going, however, she feels free and at peace. I read this book in a day and a half even though it has been hard to focus and enjoy reading. It's the week before Christmas in the middle of a pandemic, so anxiety is high. Some of the Amazon reviews of this book are not kind and suggest that Delia has nothing to complain about---her husband doesn't beat her, she's financially secure and has three healthy children. All true, but a chance encounter in the supermarket and her family's reaction to accusation against her, cause Delia to feel unimportant and taken for granted. Anne Tyler has captured those feelings and given a voice to many voices unheard. I enjoyed this book and grateful that it is a Book Club choice for the The Bee Keepers - The Book Hive Book Club. I once read a story about a woman who left her life behind by signing up to work on a cruise ship. That story like this one fascinated me. 

No spoilers here, however, I would often wonder, what happens next? Is this what happens to missing people and do they ever just go home again?  

ANNE TYLER was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941 and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. She is the author of more than twenty novels. Her twentieth novel, A Spool of Blue Thread, was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2015. Her eleventh novel, Breathing Lessons, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1989. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. She lives in Baltimore, Maryland. For more information: https://annetyler.com

 Follow me on IG - kathy.nester or flamazing_books

 

#annetyler #ladderofyears