The Woman in White is an exciting and complex story with a memorable cast of heroes, villains, and sundry other interesting characters. Wilkie Collins lived between 1824 and 1889 and his life overlapped those of other well-known Victorian authors whose books I’ve enjoyed reading: Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870)Elizabeth Gaskell (1810 - 1865)Charlotte Bronte (1816 … Continue reading The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (1859)
Mother Culture
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1949)
I Capture the Castle was one of the books on my shelf that I'd been reluctant to begin. I’m not sure why because I enjoyed Dodie Smith’s other well-known novel, 101 Dalmatians. Once I'd started this book my hesitancy quickly disappeared as I discovered that it is such a quirky, fun with patches of seriousness, … Continue reading I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1949)
2023 Reading Plans
A few books to start with... Instead of listing a whole swag of books that I might read this year, I've decided to start with those I've either started to read already or definitely hope to read this year. Although I hadn't planned to join any reading challenges this year these two are a couple … Continue reading 2023 Reading Plans
My Reading in 2022
I'm very annoyed with myself that I didn't keep track of everything I read last year. I was just slack. My reading was fairly wide, a bit more nonfiction than usual and also more lighter books than I normally read. I felt a little run down after some bouts of flu, throat & ear problems … Continue reading My Reading in 2022
For the Family’s Sake: Ch 14 – the end
The Quilting Bee by Grandma Moses (1940-1950) I hope those of you who have been reading For the Family’s Sake either for the first time or like me, re-reading it, have found it worthwhile. Feel free to add any thoughts on any of the chapters. Thanks to those of you who have commented here or … Continue reading For the Family’s Sake: Ch 14 – the end
A New Year, a Blank Page
My two youngest bought me this Typoflora planner/diary/journal for my birthday and it's just perfect. It's been years since I've had the 'right' one of these that suits my style of relaxed planning and space for reflections or just recording snippets of a day. I love that this is nature focused and isn't too large … Continue reading A New Year, a Blank Page
For the Family’s Sake: Ch 13
Breakfast in the Open by Carl Larsson, 1913 Homes and Life in Community - to understand the need for community we need to get our perspective right by looking at the big picture. Where does my life fit in? Then how do we all fit together as human beings? We were built for community and … Continue reading For the Family’s Sake: Ch 13
Towers in the Mist by Elizabeth Goudge (1938)
Towers in the Mist is set in Oxford during the Reign of Elizabeth I. Elizabeth Goudge centres her story around the Leighs, a fictional family, but she includes a wealth of historical figures such as Walter Raleigh, Philip Sidney, Thomas Bodley, Cardinal Wolsey, and the Earl of Leicester, Robert Dudley. Canon Leigh is a widower … Continue reading Towers in the Mist by Elizabeth Goudge (1938)
Reading, Thinking, & Domesticity #7
I'm working on an applique quilt and have been chugging along quite nicely. I've almost finished a fourth block. The biggest hold up for me is choosing material. I have stacks left over from other projects but trying to choose complementary fabrics is so time consuming! I started a monthly sewing/craft day last month and … Continue reading Reading, Thinking, & Domesticity #7
The Cornish Coast Murder by John Bude (1935)
The Vicar, who was fond of bodily comfort, sighed with the profoundest satisfaction. Behind him a big log fire crackled in the open hearth. A reading-lamp cast an orange circle over the seat of his favourite chair and gleamed, diluted, on the multicoloured book-backs which lined most of the room. In the centre of the … Continue reading The Cornish Coast Murder by John Bude (1935)
journey & destination 