TA DAH, Blue Bird is finished, Audio Books, Meme Dump

 

Ta Dah, another afghan finish.  Had a few ideas as to the name for this, but had initially thought I would use both blue and pink/mauve to size (edge) and join the squares.  Changed my mind and went with all blue.  It's such a pretty shade of blue so have named this one Blue Bird.  Anyone immediately singing Mr. Blue Bird on my shoulder?

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay
My, oh my, what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine headin' my way
Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder
It's the truth, it's actual
Everything is satisfactual.....and so it goes.  A Disney classic for sure.

I added a little scalloped edge to the afghan on this one.  A little different than the ruffle on Peppermint the previous afghan.  You might need to click on the picture to enlarge it to see the scalloped edge.

Christmas is past, but this meme still seemed appropriate to share.

Oh how I wish I could say this wasn't true, but sadly this is right on the mark.

This one just made me laugh.

107 Days by Kamala Harris.  I LOVED this book.  And the fact that the audio book is read by her made it even better.  Her code name was Pioneer, seems most appropriate as she is the ONLY woman to ever be elected as Vice President.  She is the ONLY person ever to have ONLY 107 to campaign for the Presidency.  I can't help but think, if Biden had made the decision earlier, she could have won and we would have had the FIRST Woman President EVER.  AND aside from all the historic importance of that, we would not be dealing with the world hating us, we would not be having sleepless nights from fear and worry about the horrible state of things.    I gave this book 5 stars and Goodreads average rating currently is 4.30.

You all know by now I like books with strong female characters, and boy does Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray hit the mark!  Frances Perkins changed history.  She was the first woman Cabinet Member and the longest serving Labor Secretary.  She worked with children in Hells Kitchen, she was active in Greenwich Village and met lots of influential politicians and artist.  She had a 20 year friendship with FDR and was his most trusted lieutenant .  I gave this book 5 stars and it's current average on Goodreads is 4.45

This book Cultish by Amanda Montell was recommended when I listed I had read The Cult of Trump in a Libby Group on FB.  So I nabbed it right after finishing The Cult of Trump.  I found this book a bit disappointing though it did have lots of information about cults in general., and what makes something a cult.  She discussed things like Amway, brand type cults, Scientology, and of course the trump cult.  I found some of her statements rather dismissive about the dangers of cults.  She seemed to think it was pretty common for people to fall into them.  I'm not sure I agree with that premise.  I gave the book 3 stars, it's Goodreads current average is 3.80.

I LOVED this book, Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller is fun and funny, but at the same time hits on a very series problem which seems so appropriate to read right now with the influx in book banning by the far right.  I gave it 5 stars and Goodreads is 4.05.

**Seems I rated 3 of these 4 books higher than Goodreads, so if you read any of them, you'll have to let me know if you agree with my ratings or theirs.

I stand with Minnesota, not ICE

I stand with Ukraine not Russia

Impeach Noam and trump the FELON!!

**No exercise stats, as I've not done any calculations and haven't done of good job of recording, so need to see what I have.

Recently had a nice Chocolate Martini at one of favorite restaurants, CQ's here on Hilton Head Island in Harbor Town.  YUM!!

Some pretty flowers from awhile ago, that I kept forgetting to share with you from Dear Hubby.

Peppermint Afghan, and Audio Books,

 

Peppermint is Done with a curly/ruffle edge.Here's it's laid out after being laundered...so it's blocked and drying.

Here's it laid out right before I tossed it in the laundry.  I think these pictures are pretty true to color unlike the previous post.

A little different than my normal reading, Crow Mary by Kathleen Grissom was excellent.  I learned more about Native Americans trying to live like they were White.  Crow Mary was a very strong woman.  I think you'll enjoy the book.

The Bishop's Wife by Robert Nathan was a real dud.  It came highly recommended and since it was a short book, I did finish it..........but regret doing so.  I kept thinking it would get better.  It didn't.  I found nothing interesting, or memorable about this book.  If it's on your list, do yourself a favor a draw a line through it.  I under this book was made into a movie back in the day; no desire to watch the movie.

Not much in this book, "The Cult of Trump" by Steven Hassan didn't surprised me, but his insight about how cults come to be and how the leaders of cults control their members is interesting AND it's exactly what we see each and everyday with this regime.  How will these folks get deprogrammed?  AND how will we survive if they don't see the light!!

The fact that they made up an award for him, then he was given a Noble Peace Prize 2nd hand has given the creative meme folks lots of material to work with.

Sadly, this seems 2,000% on the mark to me, given the horrific things we see daily about how ICE is behaving.

Can you spell hypocrite!!!!!

He thinks he will make people forget about Pedo files.  He's wrong.

January, Projects, Books, Memes and Stuff

 

Not sure why the colors on this are so off.  I tried to edit it but, that didn't help.  It looks like there's orange and yellow in the squares.  This is Peppermint that you probably remember from my previous post.

These are the true colors.  The pictures are oriented differently, as the 1st picture is on a twin bed, and I'm limited with space.  The mint green yarn I'm edging with those is really pulling it all together.  I plan to do a large border around it, as it's a bit on the smaller size, and perhaps end with a ruffled or scalloped edge........will see how the volumn of yarn holds out.

These colors are a little off too, but not much.  It's just a bit darker in this picture.  We're having a very cloudy day here, so guess that makes since.  When I posted this corner to corner project last it measured 26 in diameter and it now measures 41 inches.  I had 83 stitches on the needles in the previous picture and now have 138....so, some good progress.  You can see the darker ball of yarn which if this becomes an afghan will be the middle section.  My plan is to continue with the lighter version and see how big it is before deciding if it will be a shawl with just the current lighter version or an afghan blending the 2.

I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know Goodreads had these cute graphics with ones stats at the end of the year.  As many years as I've been using Goodreads, I never looked.  I've not yet made a goal for this year, trying to decide if I want to or not.

This was probably the best one in that it shows you your reading pattern?  I thought perhaps I should get a lottery ticket with my double numbers, lol.

This was a short read, only 3 hours for the audible version, which I highly recommend, as it's read by the author and she has a really lovely voice.  I found, We Should All Be Feminists extremely interesting.  Would love to know if any of you have read it and what you thought.

I've read a good number of serious/heavy topic books of late and decided I needed a little fluff to clear my head.  Yes this is a beachy, love story........but, the twist is the baggage many families carry.  Highly recommend this book who's back story is long long standing friendship and Invitro, and cancer.  So...not really a total fluff book.

Told you I had been reading serious content of late.  This is a true story folks.  I've read a lot about WWII, the war, the camps, the Nazi's, women code breakers; but didn't know much about the Dutch Resistance.  "Seducing and Killing Nazis" by Sophie Polderman is a very interesting and educational read.  I highly recommend it.

Bimbo Barbie is truly disgusting.

AND some memes I thought worth sharing.  AND Where are the EPSTEIN files!!

I stand with Ukraine and Greenland!

The end of Christmas, packing stuff up for another year.  All of this took place before we left town for the winter, so my post is not in chronological order.

2026 Projects at the Ready, Hitler, New Years.

 

2025 is coming to an end, so I was organizing some of my project bags for the afghans I'll work on in 2026.  As some of you know, we leave Ohio for the winter, so I need my yarn goods organized to go take with me.  If you've visited my blog before you know I always name the afghans.  My daughter suggested Red Stone for this one.  Rarely are the squares I work with the same size, as they were made by so many different people, some are knitted, some are crocheted.  I don't remember what color yarn I tossed in this project bag to size and join these squares, so it will be a bit of a surprise when I open the bag.  Normally I take a picture with the yarn I plan to work with.

This one I've named Popuri.  I've included blue, yellow, green, and dark red/marron in this project bag, but once I start working on it we'll see how much of what I use..  

Most of these squares are knitted corner to corner/mitered...so for lack of a better name, I'm currently calling it Mitered.  But, if you have a suggestion with the colors in it, please sing out..........in tune of course!  I've added burgundy and gray yarn to this project bag.

I'm totally without an idea for a name for this one, so please give me some ideas.  From the time I had put this project bag together til the other day when I was double checking everything, the mint green yarn was no longer in the bag.  Perhaps I nabbed it for a previous project?  I can't say I remember.  Edited to add Ellie Foster suggested Misty Blue for this one....I need to see how it evolves.  But, if anyone else has an idea, please sing out.

Calling this Peppermint/Spearmint?  This project is a bit unusual, in that the squares are all the same size, probably made from the same person except the for right 2nd row on the top.  Again, I didn't photograph this with the yarn to work with, so will see what I end up with.

Lots of sizes in this primarily purple group of squares.  Purple Rain?  Purple People Eater?  What are your thoughts.  Edited to add Ellie Foster suggested Grape Juice for this and I think that works well, unless someone else has a thought.

I only have this labeled currently as Everything.........surely one of you has a much better idea for a name?  Edited to add Ellie Foster suggested Country Kitchen for this and I LOVE this idea.  Thanks Ellie!

#8 is a project bag with blue and green squares.  I must have lost the picture I took when I designed it, so this will be a true surprise to me.  Darling Daughter suggested Sea Glass perhaps for the name.  I had written Marine on the bag.  Will see what it looks like when I start working on it.

Because we still have to laugh in these crazy times, a few meme's I thought you might enjoy.

I'm 94% through this book, "Hitler's First Hundred Days" by Peter Fritzsche.  It's taken me a while, not an easy read.......and not a light read.  With Darling Daughter being home and Holiday Celebrations this has been peacemeal.  As I often say, the people we need to read this book, to see what's happening in our country right now; won't be the people to read it.  <sigh>

Let's hope 2026 is a good year, a better year.  I know it's been a tough year for most of us.  If you're traveling for the holiday, please be safe.

Christmas in Pictures, Colorful Veggies, and The Free Store

 

When Darling Daughter was home over Thanksgiving, we made a run to the Free Store.  Believe we had 13 afghans, a spread, duvet, drapes, and personal care items.  Normally I've made Homeless Families Foundation as our primary charity to support; but a friend was telling me about the Free Store, they serve a very underserved population of folks in need in a different area of the city.  They were appreciative of the donation.  I encourage you all to see if your local has a Free Store.  You've seen the pictures of the afghans throughout the year.  I generally make deliveries in the fall or early winter when things like that are in need.

The veggies I took to the family Thanksgiving gathering.  Always think they're so colorful before you cook them.  They loose some of their brightness after cooking.  Brussel Sprouts, Butternut Squash, Cranberries, and a tart apple make a really cook mix.

Gearing up for Christmas, no doubt many of you are as well.  Many of our ornaments have been purchased during our travels, so it's always fun to remember our trips as I unwrap and place them on the tree.

A Christmas long ago, when both hubby and I had full heads of dark hair, and our Darling Daughter still believed.

Still pictures from the way back machine.

We're getting older

Mother and daughter sweaters on Christmas morning.

Christmas quilt I made for Mom, many many years ago.  She's been gone a long time, I now put the quilt on the sofa back during the holidays.  She loved Poinsettias.  

The photo's aren't in date order, obviously.

And in the truly way way back machine.  Check out the old tv in the background.  I'm not sure how old I was here, but maybe 3.

Merry Christmas to you all.  And if you're traveling for the holiday, safe travels.