December Yarn Along

 The  temptation was to title this post "Knitted Together and the Greenness of Life". Yet the post was truly intended for Ginny's December Yarn Along, so I am keeping it simple and favored as I put together this post on this bright first Wednesday in December.

                                One of the chapters of our morning's Bible reading, as Charlotte and I are reading the Bible through in its entirety once again this year, was Psalm 139. I could not help but notice that the NIV says "You knit me together in my mother's womb..." . What knitter does not feel the tangibleness of yarn and needles in hand and a picture perfect visual when the word KNIT is mentioned? It is just one of those kind of words which stirs a knitter.

                                          "For you created my inmost being: 

                                       you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

 

                I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

                                                                      your works are wonderful,

                                                                         I know that full well.

                               My frame was not hidden from you

                                                                     when I was made in the secret place,

                                         when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.

 

                              Your eyes saw my unformed body;

                                    all the days ordained for me were written in your book

                                                                  before one of them came to be. "

                                                                                   Psalm 139:13-16 

There is much to concern us in our world today, no one is not affected in some way concerning a plethora of matters. We all possess our own worldviews that have been shaped by something or someone, and in fact, these world views should shape the way we live, speak, and act. And in a land, upon which God has shed His abundant grace, makes laws that say an unborn child has no rights to live, I am grieved. I will state boldly and without excuse that abortion is deplorably wicked and is a fight worthy of a continual fight in the citizens who believe in the sanctity of life. 

Green signifies life and growth to me. This Easy Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Classics knitted in Kelbourne Woolens in a soothing mossy green color way is one of my most favorite" good things" of 2020, and I must elaborate there are many good things happening in 2020. But I will not take the time here to count all the ways I have been thankful for those ongoing good things😊.   

John Flavel makes me think hard, and it is no wonder that this present edition of his marvelous work, The Mystery of Providence, is giving me assurance of a Great God that is "even greater than (I) even thought when( I) first trusted for salvation."

And to share even more greenness, the pullover and book rest in the corner of our turnip patch.

Yarn Along in August

Calm knitting sometimes in the evenings, but for the most part knitting seems to be on furlough these summer days.  I knitted a pair of these mitts  with the enticing name of  "Fetching" several years ago.  They are a favorite hand mitt of mine to wear in the winter, hence I decided to make a pair as a Christmas gift for someone in my Smocking/Sewing Guild. (We are to make a gift this year for an exchange.)

My daily reading habit never stops, but it sometimes takes longer than I intended to finish a book. I find myself nodding off many a night when I had hoped to get an hour or so of reading done before bedtime.

I am almost finished reading Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South. After seeing the BBC movie adaption, I was planning no ill affects leading to a less enjoyable read. While the movies are usually wonderful to watch, the books are just better and worth reading above all.

 How Should We Then Live? by Frances Schaeffer, a book on my bookshelf I felt destined to read some time during my lifetime. This book gives a broad overview of Western Civilization beginning with the Roman Empire including areas such as art, history, music, science, and philosophy, written with Schaeffer's strong  Biblical worldview. I am greatly looking forward to getting to the chapters of the modern age, understanding it to have significant impact.

The third book on my stack arrived in the mail last week because "I could not help myself" and ordered it one afternoon on a whim. I loved reading Marta McDowell's book, The Gardening Life of Emily Dickinson immensely.  A book of this nature adds beauty and calmness to a soul. And who does not need more of that these days?

Joining in with Ginny's Yarn along...

June Yarn Along

I am not knitting anything new these days. But I am spending time in the gardens absorbed in happy industry and calm puttering, spending time walking, spending time praying, and spending time reading good books.  When one considers the extremely concerning turmoil of these present times, the fact that I was able to don the heavy woolen knitted shawl one recent morning because of the chilly temperatures to the sudden calescent temperatures of these past two days is nothing surprising. The  blocking of this shawl was a booger, because of its length and weight. I decided to use my guest bathroom for blocking it and it took several weeks due to the smaller space. But finally it was blocked and packed away into the cedar chest, until it was cheerfully unleashed  earlier this week for soothing warmth.

I do appreciate Ginny with her monthly yarn alongs providing a safe place for us to share our knitting projects and current reading materials. I had been looking forward to reading this child's novel since I chose it for my 2020 Reading Challenge. You might recognize the author's name as the author of Heidi. I found this treasure at a library book sale some time ago, its pages yellowed and worn with age, but you can not fail to note the quality in its original form; the story of Cornelli  has a semblance to Heidi, so how could it not be an enjoyable read? 

April Yarn Along

I had designed plans to throw the completed alpaca wrap across my shoulders and photograph in order to make record of the finished project, but alas, I procrastinated in getting on with the blocking of this rather huge wrap.  But it is now in the process of being blocked, taking days because of its size and the limitations of space.  

As do most knitters, I try to always keep a simple carry-along project. Back in January I was in need of casting on a simple stockinette "mindless" knitting project. This Folded Poncho by Churchmouse Classics was faultless for such knitting, and will be fun to wear during the cooler months. I am knitting it in Melbourne Woolens Scout yarn, having chosen the Moss Heather color way. The green displayed in the photo is rather accurate in catching its true color.

My son, Alan, gave me this copy of St. Augustine's, The Confessions several years ago. It was chosen as part of my 2020 Reading Challenge;  I highly recommend this translation by Maria Boulding. I read a section of this book daily appreciating the richness of this spiritual classic, a fascinating autobiography of St. Augustine of Hippo.

I am a few days late in joining with Ginny's Yarn Along, as things might run  aberrant these days, we can also be thankful we are knitters and readers.

it is yarn along time

Goodness, it appears to have been a slough of time since I last joined with all you ladies at Ginny's yarn along! Not that I wasn't  reading good books mind you, but the needles in my hand were of the embroidery sort, not knitting. But as the approaching autumn was tickling my senses, I knew I must go on a hunt for that perfect knitting project. And I believe I might have found it in this pattern by  Cheryl Toy. I can only imagine how much I am going to love wearing this wrap when the weather turns chilly and a garment of this sort will provide perfect warmth as well as style. And the second best part is the luscious Berroco alpaca yarn. I am feeling rather privileged to be knitting this wrap in this yarn let me tell you.
After reading Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop this summer, I discovered another treasure on my bookshelf, O Pioneers! It is a book that reeled me into the story right from the start, and now I am remembering why I liked some of her other novels way back in my early motherhood years.

yarn along, winter successes

Here it is yarn along time with Ginny as the month of March has come in like a lamb...thus far in my region of the country,  and after missing last month's yarn along I was happy to be able to post on what I am presently knitting and reading.

I continued most winter evenings knitting on this fascinating cabled vest by Thea Colman, which I am  happy to announce I am almost through with the cabling side! Then its on to the front of the vest which is all stocking knit and should go much more quickly, a project to tote along while I ride in cars or wait in coffee shops allowing knitting  on it more devotedly. The cabling pattern required a pattern board and concentration....

But my serious lack of finished knitting does not mean I have neither been learning new things nor immersed in other worthwhile pursuits. The making of bread with sourdough starter and einkorn flour has been a journey worth traversing, and one which I have loved.  Along with my three cats, outside birds at the feeders (not mentioning the squirrels), I am now feeding a sourdough starter and a bowl of live brown planaria. Think tenth grade biology invertebrates, and the dissection of earthworms...

Reading....one of my goals was to find some very good clean crime/mystery novels this winter. This had a two fold purpose since my mother-in-law loves to read mysteries and crime novels and I would like to have some new authors to recommend to her. I believe I found it in Charles Todd. Why is it that crime and mystery writers can be so fecund? Their minds amaze me. I am presently reading through the Bess Crawford series by this author. And what is a winter without a little bedtime/soaking in the bathtub while reading Miss Read's Winter in Thrush Green? Truthfully, I must read that novel every winter and it never ceases to hold my delight and interest. I found another good read in the library recently, Ann Hood's Kitchen Yarns, an autobiography of her life from childhood (first memories) until the present. And she  disperses recipes at the end of every chapter enticing my tastebuds to tie on a apron and get cooking!

new year, cables, reading, and yarn along

The first of the 2019 Yarn Alongs, and it almost caught up with me. How about you? The changing of the calendar always makes me breathless, but in a fine way. Newness in the middle of winter, satisfying to say the least.

Back in November a huge desire to knit a project using cables would not settle until I hunted through Ravelry and decided upon a pattern that I would not only like to knit but also would enjoy wearing.  This vest by Thea Colman was perfect, especially since I do not have much experience in cabling and it had been some time since I had in fact knitted anything with a cable. You begin knitting the project on the back of the vest where all the cabling is designed. The color of this yarn, Fauna, by Brooklyn Tweed Shelter is not showing up as pretty as it truly is, but I tried to show it with the second photo. I forgot how concentration is key when beginning such a project, but I learned quickly enough! And my magnetic board is extremely helpful in keeping my place.

Back in December I pulled Stillmeadow Daybook off the book shelf. Gladys Taber's books are never far from my reach, particularly her monthly journal books. I read throughout the December entries, many times reading them aloud to my family, now I am enjoying her January entries.

"New Year's resolutions are a chancy thing. I make mine simple. I only pray that I may be a better person the coming year than in the past. More tolerant, kinder, and gentler. Not impatient when things are difficult."

caps for their heads December yarn along

Knitting caps are to me a Christmasy thing to do, a gift that is easy, quick and makes me think of Little House on the Prairie days when handmade gifts were the only ones to be had during some of those leaner years, unlike the year Ma received the stove.

Breanna and Ivy's hats were knitted with my very own spun Romney wool that I dyed with Country Classic Dye.  The patterns for these hats can be found free on Ravelry, the Herringbone Hat by Ann Mizoguchi for the girls made for some fun color work while watching Hallmark Christmas movies. Since Riley is still a baby, I did not want his little head with significantly less hair to be in direct contact with the 100% wool, therefore, I decided that leftovers of acrylic yarn would do nicely for  knitting the Luuk by Annis Jones for him. I have so far knitted a pair of mittens for Ivy to go along with her hat, hopefully I will whip up some for Breanna too before Christmas.

With the Christmas season bringing extra events and activities, even so I continue to knit, and likewise, I continue to read. So much so that I presently am reading three books. But I wanted to share this particular cookbook with you. After checking it out from the library twice, I decided I must have it for more than its excellent recipes. Ruth Reichel was the former editor of Gourmet Magazine that left not only its loyal readers, but also its staff, lamenting its passing with the decision to stop its publication in 2009.

I am also reading The Substitute Guest, a Christmas story written by Grace Livingston Hill,  on those nights when even the decaf coffee delays sleep, and a book I received when I visited Operation Exodus in New York back in early October, Exodus II: Let My People Go by Steve Lightle. 

All three books are entirely different in content, technique of writing, and purpose but I am enjoying each one immensely.

I look forward to Ginny's Yarnalongs, please feel free to join in and share your latest fiber project and current reads.

August Yarnalong

 Yes, I am still knitting the same sweater I began in June, but it is summer after all and there are so many adventures that just do not involve knitting, and I must confess here that during my evening knitting times I find myself nodding off to sleep...while knitting...you know what that means don't you..."tinking" or unknitting the next night! And while this Swans Island Merino wool is a perfect knitting yarn for these hot days of summer weather, it is a fingering weight which for me translates as slow going since I am not a fast knitter. But it is an extremely lovely knit with a pattern that is easy to memorize and I am presently on to knitting the second shoulder.

 Back in high school I first read The Chosen and it was one of those novels that stuck on a "mind board" as an excellent book. When Alan was visiting back in the spring, we discussed certain books I should read and after he left I happened to discover this book in his extensive book stash, my memory was jarred and I just knew I must read it again this summer. Because of my growing love of Israel and the Jewish people which has evolved over the years, I understand its story so much more, yet I realize I still know so little. And I want to know more.

Joining up with Ginny and her Yarnalong this first day of August.

last day of november yarn along

       Thanksgiving is over and even though we lighted our first Advent candle on Sunday, and the Christmas tree is up and the decorating way on its way, the event that truly welcomes Christmas celebration into our family with full intensity is attending the annual performance of Handel's Messiah given by the local oratorio society/orchestra, which we attended last night. It was nothing less than glorious.

But with the balmy days of late and the carpet of leaves left underfoot, a source of confusion is created in my mind as we are on the brink of flipping our calendars to December.

 Nevertheless, I knit on, and I read books about godly woman.

 Women I want to emulate in their quest to know God, to serve Jesus, and to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit.

These particular socks I am presently knitting, I named the Merry-Go-Round Socks; the color of fir and pine trees against clear blue skies with the golden glow of sunny days... yes, Merry, a word we hear quite often during this season... and the constant going round and round on the ribbing and knitting that sock knitting certainly affords. I am thinking I will do an afterthought heel on this pair of socks.

I have finished the Fair Isle sweater mentioned a while back.  You may read about it if you like on ravelry, or on my past post.

And on this last day of November I am thankful to be able to join Ginny's Yarn Along.

an august yarn along

Good Morning Wednesday!
 Knitting and reading, comforting activity for all seasons, sharing with all here.

I am so pleased with the Piper's Journey Shawl I knitted with Quince & Co Chickadee Yarn. I love its hushed green color, I love its calm drape, I love its gently curved design, and I love its baby softness. Could I say it more plainly? I love this shawl! And I am longingly anticipating cooler weather to wear it. And with the hotter than normal temperatures this August, it is good to dream of those days arriving soon.  I am still managing to keep most of my potted plants living, alas not thriving though, they need nothing less than rain from God's clouds to do that.

As for my end of summer reading,

Always, several books scattered from nightstand, to pool bag, from kitchen counter and beyond. I want to highlight two entirely different books in particular. My swimming partner mentioned a book by Kate Morton that she had loved reading. She loaned me her copy hoping  I would get pulled into The Secret Keeper and  find myself on the path of guessing  how the many twists of this novel would end. If you like a book with a mesmerizing story line that will draw you in with its many twists, I would suggest this book. The next book I want to highlight is a heart breaker for sure, but written so empowered with the marvelous grace and surrounding mercy of God.  It is a book that has left a dent in my spirit because of its depth and the truth of what Christ Jesus has paid for our lives, sinful, lost lives. Glenda had a very sad, tragic childhood yet God saved  her and redeemed her; the story she tells holds no bitterness for wrongs done to her and will leave you awed.

on this Wednesday

 Since socks have proven to be a perfect take along project, I lean toward keeping an ongoing sock project on my dpns at all times. As something new in sock knitting this spring I began knitting a pair of toe-up socks with the added bonus of an afterthought heel. The light blue yarn you see is holding the stitches where I will be adding the heel very soon, I hope

While at our local library sale I was perusing the shelves containing old hardback treasures, the charming book sleeve was enough to arrest my attention, but then the author's name had me recalling a previous book I had read two years ago and I immediately grabbed for it.  The Cutters is a splendid story celebrating family with all its everyday challenges and joys, especially rendering the struggles that motherhood brings into Nell Cutter's home. Yet the heart of her struggles are only echos of many mothers today. It was a satisfying read with a humorous thread running throughout the chapters.

"Her prosaic everyday work at home appeared now, a glorified, beautiful thing. She had come to the land of her heart's desire, and lo! the only land she wanted was the dear, substantial one of her everyday happenings."

I could not resist buying this double pointed needle keeper while in Cary back in April. I am looking forward to sewing some myself since she has graciously provided a tutorial for making your own.

 And since I am knitting and reading, joining the yarn-along flows together quite nicely on this Wednesday.

praying and knitting

 I like to think of myself as being an ongoing student in the school of prayer. Simply put," Lord, teach me to pray", and He does. Thankfully, there are excellent books at my fingertips to ponder and pray through as I read them, and there have been many prayer mentors and partners through the years that have directly influenced my prayer journey.  The other day I remembered I owned this little gem of a book by Watchman Nee. So I pulled it off the shelf to reread for what probably is the fourth or fifth time. Don't you just love books of this magnitude? We can talk about the need of prayer, but as its title says, let us pray.

And while at a Precept Bible Training one weekend back in April, I just happened upon a yarn shop tucked in a corner of downtown Cary. Its wooded floors and  beautiful yarns stacked in square wooden bins literally invites a knitter in, as if a knitter needs an invitation to browse a yarn shop! And appropriately, the shop's name is Warm and Fuzzy. While there I selected a Quince & Co. yarn (Chickadee)in the Belize colorway. To my way of thinking at that moment a simple shawl seemed  desirable for a spring project, thus it took minimal effort to choose Piper's Journey shawl by Paula Emmons-Fuessle. I am enjoying knitting this shawl immensely.

It is good to be joining up with Ginny and her Wednesday yarn along today.

now the sweet bonnet...yarnalong

 It seemed the only proper thing to do upon the completion of the sweater was to knit the matching bonnet for her soon-to-be-born-sweet head. After all it was such a fun project to knit, and the sweater is adorable. So I picked up my #5 needles and the Bernat Softee Baby yarn and began knitting once again. I love the addition of the softest 1/4" pink silk ribbon  woven through the eyelet knit holes.  I am flagging this pattern  as a favorite knitted baby set, especially for little girls. Therefore, I am giving kudos to it once again on this weeks 

yarn along with all of you.

My family is back to "normal" once again after a flurry of family visits and other activities of the past week and a half. But I did find the time to pull my Lenten books off the book shelf. This book, written by Walter Wangerin, Jr., is a new one I purchased last year but never read. I look forward to this being a part of our family Lent devotions as I do like what I have read in the introduction thus far.  During my own personal quiet time this morning I revisited this excellent book by Nancy Guthrie. 

I do love this season.

P for pink and promises

There is a whole lot of pink going on around my house these days.  Knitting a newborn-sized sweater for my first grandchild who is expected to arrive in early March, and relishing His promises of one generation commending His works to another.

The pattern for this sweater was found here on Ravelry.  I have yet to read anything by Elisabeth Elliot that isn't beneficial for the soul, heart and mind. The Music of His Promises is a book written with short excerpts regarding His many promises. I believe our postmodern world has made us callused from "standing" on God's promises in everyday life. By neglecting God's promises or even living them lightly, our spiritual walk might be hindered stirring up unbelief and distrust rather than a strong faith and trust that declares His promises according to His Word. May we be like the father of the boy with the evil spirit who exclaimed, "I believe; help my unbelief". (Mark 9:24)

"The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all he has made."

Psalm 145:13

Join a special group of knitters and readers at Ginny's Yarn along.

my sweet creature and a yarn along

Knitting and reading in January fits, much like a horse and carriage, tea and honey, grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup...you get the idea. What pleasure to share one of my knitting and reading ventures on this Wednesday in January at Ginny's Yarn along.

Two Januarys ago, and all the way into spring, my husband and I watched the series All Creatures Great and Small (1978-1990). We absolutely loved it! From used book library sales I was able to purchase this book and its companion, All things Wise and Wonderful. What an engaging treat to read James Herriot's stories of his life as a vet in the Yorkshire Dales of England. These tales of his true to life vet practice beginning in the 1930's are heartwarming, witty, and makes one wish for the characters to come knocking on your door so you could meet them.

I am knitting a charcoal gray vest in this pattern. Because I am knitting and sewing on so many other projects (does anyone else have scattered projects galore?), it seems to be slow going at the present. But I do like to pick it up from time to time, and I take great store in believing I will enjoy wearing it when it is finished.

When Serena, one of my small creatures, moseyed into the sun room this January morning, and ensconced herself amongst my knitting with the book's title in full display, I thought it was a picture perfect scene.

yarn along

I must say it is good to be able to skip over to Ginny's Yarn Along this Wednesday and see what some of you are knitting and reading. The Prairie Ridge Shawl  I was knitting last week was completed and is on the blocking board at the present. I know I will love pulling this shawl out of the cedar chest to wear this winter. For now knitting a sock in a self-striping Opal wool satisfies the "knitting need beast" in me. It carries well to the pool and in the car, especially since I found DP Wip Tubes to hold my sock knitting. I do not know about you, but I stuff my little projects like socks and mitts into my pocketbook or a carry along bag, but on numerous occasions I have been known to whip out my DP project only to  discover I have dropped stitches in transit. Not any more!

Opal Stadtgefluster Potpourri colorway knitted on 2.5 cm dp's in a plain simple sock. I begin this type of sock by casting on 64 stitches with a k2p2 ribbing. Mindless knitting but that is one of the glories of knitting socks of this sort, especially on hot summer days.

I did want to mention the needlework traditions magazine, Piecework. I love this bimonthly magazine that features some sort of handwork including, but not limited to, knitting, crocheting, tatting, embroidery, beading, or lace making.  Reading the history written about a featured type of needlework is informative along with project patterns you can create for yourself. I have yet to do so, but one can drool and dream!

the plum...yarnalong

Reading and knitting equals a wonderful time to join with Ginny's yarnalong this day in May.

It exists because of the snow. My husband drove me to the yarn shop in late February so that I could  purchase some wool with this project in mind. It was very cold outside and predictions of more snow were in the forecast. Of course, there was the other matter of me desiring to improve my continental knitting and the exercise of knitting a sweater for my daughter appeared to be a sensible thing to do. My local yarn shop did not carry Classic elite yarn in her shop, so it was suggested I try Cascade yarn. Other than reworking the gauge and going down two needle sizes, all went well with its sizing.  Since I thought of plums as I knitted the sweater in the multi-colored yarn, I named it as such.

A very good childhood friend of mine first introduced me to J.R.R. Tolkien when we were about eleven years old. I was not impressed with this trilogy even though she praised Tolkien and shared parts of these books with me. I could tuck myself away for hours and read, but fantasy or science fiction of any sort were always put aside for other classic novels or a well-written biography. Then I entered adulthood, and while science fiction still stirs no interest whatsoever,  I have discovered the delight in the pages of other books  included those written by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.  Frankly, I am not sure I would have grasped the gems of some of these novels back then as a child. Because I have read to my children throughout the years, I am taken away to places I missed as an eleven year old, and the journey makes me happy. Charlotte and I have been reading the The Hobbit together. 

"You don't really suppose, do you, that all your adventures and escapes were managed by mere luck, just for your sole benefit? You are a very fine person, Mr. Baggins, and I am very fond of you; but you are only quite a little fellow in a wide world after all!"

to crochet, to read, to yarnalong

I took on a crocheting project during the long evenings of winter. Charlotte desired an afghan to put at the foot of her bed to cover herself, for the times when she might be on her bed reading and needed a cozy covering.

A soft acrylic yarn was used to crochet 6x6 inch squares. Five colors were randomly double-crocheted in strips of seven rows joined to five rows. You certainly could crochet any amount of rows, this simply was the size I determined for Charlotte's afghan. I must admit the most undesirable thing about this project was the joining of the squares. I made up my own manner of crocheting them together, which created a distinction between the right side and a wrong side, desiring a definite flattened right side for this afghan. Then a picot trim was added because the addition of picot trim always seems to enhance the beauty of any project.

And speaking of beauty,

 I am reading another book by Leslie Ludy. I have appreciated her heart in appealing to young woman to seek Jesus above all else. She gives parts of her own life story as well as real-life situations of other young women she has met. Leslie handles the Scriptures well as she gives practical actions in order for a  life to be changed, renewed, and shaped into a "set-apart woman".  I would recommend this book to a high school girl and up, but I would be quick to suggest that you read the book first since some of the content would benefit being discussed between parent and young person.

Linking up with Ginny for her weekly yarnalong. Come and join us!

Hill Day Yarn Along

When I was a child Wednesday was known as Hill Day, therefore, it happens to keep this description in my brain. Wednesday resides smack dab in the middle of the week, you reach the top of the hill and a coast down the hill begins until you slam straight into the weekend.

So it is on this Hill Day in the last week of January, that I contribute my knitting and reading pursuits of the week for Ginny's Yarn Along. At least two knitting projects and one crochet project are on my needles, or hook, at the present, but I am about to finish these mitts today. The yarn, Ty-Dy Wool, in the color of Berries, is being knit on # 7 double points with the pattern toast. I more than likely have shared this pattern before, but I love these mitts in their simplicity and function. Mitts are worn even inside the house by me throughout the days of winter, especially since I seem to lack warm hands during cold weather.

                                            "Because the road was steep and long,
                                              And through a dark and lonely land,
                                                God set upon my lips a song
                                               And put a lantern in my hand."
                                                                              ~Joyce Kilmer

Bess Street Aldrich writes a tender story, in this case about a  courageous woman who chose willingly and sacrificially to give of herself to her family, understanding that eternal things are the most priceless gifts we are given in our lives. A Fine Romance by Susan Branch takes you on a delightful journey to England, via the RMS Queen Mary. Her hand-written journal entries and illustrations flow throughout its pages making you feel as if you were stuffed into her suitcase to ramble alongside her to enjoy parts of the English countryside, the historical homes, and the sipping of tea in tea rooms. One evening I drew a hot bath to soak in and with anticipation opened its pages. One could begin and end this book with only one seatting, but my bath water became too tepid! But by the next day I had returned back home from my trip, just wanting to go back again( but for real this time).