I've been messing around with my blog again, and I think I'm happy with it. I sure hope you are too! Every now and then I get a little crazy and start playing around with the HTML code in the template and, well, I know next to nothing about writing HTML code, so I have mixed results. For a long time there, my blog was kind of lopsided with everything shifted a bit to the right, including the header, but after messing around and plugging different numbers into different places tonight, I think it's pretty much centered again. And, as you can see, I'm getting ready for the Be Mine Blog Tour by gussying up the background and adding all sorts of stuff to the sidebar including a spot for the 11 IN '11 quilts. And yes, I'd sure be happy as punch if any of you want to join me in that goal! In fact, if any of you know anything about making cute buttons and feel like messing around with something for us for 11 IN '11, please have at it. You know me--left to my own devices, I'll start messing around with HTML code again and with my luck, my whole BLOG will explode into atomic particles! But if you want to commit to making 11 quilts this year, after the blog tour, I'll ask you to email me so I can keep a list in my sidebar of participants--watch for it!
(I'd really like to say something about that photo up there, but I can't because it's a secret, okay? Wink, wink!)
One of the things I took out of my sidebar is the list of books I've read recently--because it's been blank or out of date for quite awhile now. I don't know why, but at some point, and I think it was while I was off work with the carpal tunnel problems, I lost all interest in keeping it current. But I AM still reading. In fact, right now I'm reading this book:
It's an interesting book and there's a certain mood of suspense that I quite enjoy, but I'm half way through the book and the suspense is getting a bit old. I was hoping it would be a real page-turner; it's not, but that doesn't mean it's not a pretty good book anyway. Have any of you read it or anything else by Kate Morton? I looked at a couple other books by her but I thought I'd start with this one. If you've read something else by her, I'd be interested in hearing what you thought.
One of the BEST places to find books, I think, is the thrift store. I was in Goodwill the other day and found these books:
I've either heard good things about the books or authors for most of these. Have you read any of them? If so, what are your thoughts?
As you can see, Spike is pretty excited about the blog tour and Valentine's Day.
When I found those books at the thrift store, I was actually there to look for some clothing that could be "up-cycled" into heart pillows like the white one there and other Valentine's projects. I'll have to show you what I found soon! Thanks for stopping by for a visit.
Right now I'm reading "The Forgotten Garden" by your author. I'm about a quarter into it and it's not bad. The flipping back and forth between past and present is irritating - I'd rather read the past and then fast forward to the present - but overall, it's nicely written.
ReplyDeleteI read the The Forgotten Garden, which I quite enjoyed. I have The House at Riverton waiting on my nightstand.
ReplyDeleteI think the public library is the best way to get books. If I actually purchase a book, either new or used, I never read it. But if I have the deadline from the library I get it read. I really like to listen to books while I quilt and sew. I listened to "Lovely Bones" and enjoyed it more than I thought. Couldn't stop thinking about it.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work on your blog. Your mouse saga was the best!
Cathy
I have read The Forgotten Garden and enjoyed it. For some reason, your blog background has a white border around it??? I have a large HD monitor and have noticed this with other blogs too, so you are not alone. I just ignore the background when I visit them.
ReplyDeleteI read The Lovely Bones and found it to be a haunting book, one you will remember. It's very good.I think they might have made a movie of it? Hugs, Cathy Trumble
ReplyDeleteYour blog looks really cute! Lots of fun stuff to look at. I'm on a reading kick right now myself. I spend most of my free time at the bookstore now instead of the quilt shops. My Kindle is mad at me. LOL Right now I'm reading Water for Elephants, it's turning out pretty good. I started to read the Lovely Bones once and while I never like to abandon books, I'm afraid I did that one about half way through.
ReplyDeleteThe Lovely Bones is indeed haunting. I have read and re-read the book but did not see the movie. Incredible book, I've recommended it to lots of folks. It's very different.
ReplyDeleteCan't help you with the HTML code...it terrifies me!
I have listened to "The Forgotten Garden" and really enjoyed it. Right now I am listening to or reading more action type books. The ones I am into right now have "Jack Reacher" as the main character but I can't remember the author and I am too lazy to get up and go look.
ReplyDeleteKaren in IN
merrylittlequilter.blogspot.com
I read The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton and loved it. I have The House of Riverton on my wish list..
ReplyDeleteI read The Lovely Bones and really enjoyed it ... I have the movie on my DVR, but haven't watched it yet.
I got hooked on the Peter Decker/Rina Lazarus cop mysteries by Faye Kellerman...
I have read both the Forgotten Garden and the House at Riverton. I liked them both- She has a new one called The Distant Hours which I will probably try and borrow from the Library. I am currently reading " The Passage" .
ReplyDeleteMarcie at http://patchalotmore.blogspot.com/ just had quite a list of books that she read in this past year. Among them, The Help which I loved.
I have not read any of the ones you found but I have read the book by Billie Letts that was made into a movie. I also have seen the movie " The Lovely Bones which is indeed a story that will stay with you for a long time. I find that is true of Jodi Picoult's books- They are not for reading if you are feeling emotionally fragile- They are complex stories with complex problems that don't always have solutions.
I am looking forward to seeing your heart project. I am sure it is terrific.
Warmest regards,
Anna
I guess I'm going to sound negative as I have read The Lovely Bones and The Jane Austen Book Club and didn't enjoy either. In fact, The Jane Austen Book Club has become our book club's worst choice book! I haven't read the Billie Letts book, but I've read two others of hers that I enjoyed--The Honk and Holler Opening Soon and Where the Heart Is. Your blog looks great!
ReplyDeleteWhere the Heart Is by Billie Letts was awesome and was made into a movie starring Natalie Portman. I also liked Billie's novel Shoot the Moon. Her novel Made in the USA was good, but more predictable.To me, it almost seemed like a Young Adult book, somehow. Still good, light reading.
ReplyDeleteI've been doing some blog housekeeping, too. I need to center my blog header, and I can't figure out how to do that. Where did you find your information? I love the look. It's beautiful.
ReplyDelete