The ramblings & obsessions of a fisherman's wife! ~ a potpourri of history, genealogy and books. Also some general ramblings if they take my fancy!
Sunday, 31 December 2006
Winter Wonderland
More photos Loaded at Flickr
Not all the models were done in a Christmas theme, but many were and we had a wonder into Santa's groto, Santa of course had fled back to the North Pole! Nevertheless it was a great afternoon, I enjoyed spending sometime with Mum and think we should visit earlier next year - before Christmas.
The Art of Knitting
A quick rummage in my very disorganised study and I have located issue one, plus all the wool, needles and the DVD.
Thanks to all my Book Crossing and Live Journal buddies who alerted me to this.
Thursday, 28 December 2006
Apple of my Eye by Helene Hanff
I really enjoyed this book, but then I have enjoyed all the Helene Hanff books I've read. An interesting web site about Helene Hanff is Here
In this one, Helene tours New York, and sees places that she has never seen before, despite living in the City. With her she takes a friend, Patsy, who she had lost contact with, but who she had ran into a week or two before, and together, the two of them tour the city and explore their friendship. On page 32 there is a great description of the World Trade Centre, which for those of us who have never seen the building, never will, so the book, in its own way creates a peice of history.
Having read the book, and not knowing New York (although I would love to visit) I've decided to obtain my own copy and read it clutching a New York map. I'm one of these visual people and I want to "see" the areas that Helene and Patsy walk as they prepare for the book.
I especially enjoyed the details about Ellis Island (pg 118-120). Like so many, my husband has relatives that entered the United States through Ellis Island and if you stop and think about it, those who entered into the US through Ellis Island had closed one chapter of their life and were hopefully opening another. An interesting site about Ellis Island with links to search for those entering through into the US is Here
Thanks so much for sharing this book, I loved it!
Wednesday, 27 December 2006
NSSFC December 2006
2 books from my wishlist
2 bars of Lindt chocolate
Several smaller bars of assorted chocolates
Christmasy gold coins
M & S small Christmas cake
a packet of Biscotti with chocolate chips
A book - The writer's block
3 bookmarks
various stickers for scrapbooking
a mini keyring torch
a really useful notepad on a keyring
a Lush christmas pudding
small notebook & coloured pencils
Captain Corelli's Mandolin audio edition
bath/shower gel in a plastic champagne bottle
and a fabulous soft heart radio.
I am simply overwhelmed Sally with your kindness.
Your packages were a delight to open.
Tuesday, 26 December 2006
The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
The concept is a clever one, and altough not one of the best books this year, I did enjoy it and found it to be a profound and thought provoking book - who has impacted on our lives and whom have we impacked on. Who would I like to meet again in heaven and who would be there to greet me? Very thought provoking.
Stitch 'n Bitch Handbook by Debbie Stoller
I managed to catch up with my reading this afternoon, and although I had a few others in front of this one, this book had an appeal today.
I really enjoyed reading this one and found that I needed a note book as I was reading to jot down a few web page addresses and some notes. A really useful book and I enjoyed reading it.
Sunday, 24 December 2006
Christmas Eve reflections
I finally got chance to ice the cake today, not the best icing I've ever done, but it was tricky with the heating on and the backdoor open to try and keep the kitchen cool, while the oven was on for festive cooking. It didn't help that I had had several glasses of a rather a nice rose from Tesco!
While I was having an icing crisis, Mum was busy making the rum truffles, with the proper stuff, not the cheap essence. Every year, this rather tatty extract from a Woman's Realm Mag appears. I had chance to have a proper glance at it. The receipe is from The Archer's Country Cookbook by Martha Woodford published in 1977.
I can certainly vouch for the truffles!
4oz dark cooking chocolate
4oz icing sugar
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons ground almonds
2 tablespoons double cream
2 tablespoons rum
chocolate vermicelli
Melt the chocolate over a basin of hot water. Beat in the icing sugar,egg yolk,almonds,cream and rum and pound altogether until mixture is smooth, and form into little balls. Roll each truffle in a little vermicelli and coat it.
Saturday, 23 December 2006
Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M C Beaton
Another delightful read in the life of good old Aggie!, sorry Agatha!! Only a brief glimpse of James, but there is lots of Charles and a rather dodgy, but eventually dead hair dresser, a rather grumpy,rude vicar and a rather iffy episode with a depilatory cream. Need I say more?
Monday, 11 December 2006
The Coal Tattoo by Silas House
The storyline was wonderful,with beautifully descriptive scenes and written in such a way that there was a genuine innocence about it. In this third book by Silas House, we effectively complete the cirle of the characters from the author's first two novels, and in finishing it there is a sense of completion, but yet I find myself wanting to know if there is addition to the series.
Wednesday, 29 November 2006
S for Silence by Sue Grafton
Nonetheless, I enjoyed the book, it had a storyline that jumped from 1953 when Violet goes missing into present day, and thus keeping the reader intune with the storyline, rather than simply devouring.
I enjoyed it and I feel no guilt when I add this to my PC, I'm greedy, I want a whole alphabet of Grafton, to enjoy long after the author gets to Z!
Monday, 20 November 2006
Ohio Town by Helen Hooven Santmyer
What an amazing book,I felt that the book had the feel of a one sided conversation, the sort you might have with an elderly family member, a way of recording the past and bringing it alive. Probably of real interest to those who live in the area, and could identify with the town in reality.....super book
Sunday, 19 November 2006
Quilts: a Charm Book by Ljiljana Baird
Each illustration of the quilt is accompanied by a brief description of the design or patten.
My favourite design is of the Jane Austen Quilt on page 127
Friday, 17 November 2006
Trial by Fire by Benjamin Nicholls
I saw a review of this in one of the genealogical magazines, or a family history society magazine and bought direct from the author earlier in the year
I'd been itching to read this one since I bought it. I took it with me on my holiday last month, but didn't get chance to read it then, but recently ceased the opportunity. Started last night and finished this evening....a page turner!
Written in a young adult style, it was the gentle story of a teenager who develops the family history bug. In general the genealogical aspects were well researched, with a little poetic license! Well pulled together and a delight to read.
It is the only copy registered on Book Crossing, and does deserve to be read by others, it may well go out on a bookring before joining my permenant collection. If anyone is interested on a small book ring drop me a note!
Tuesday, 14 November 2006
100% English
The programme synopsis
"Take eight people - all of whom are convinced they are 100% English. Then submit a sample of their DNA to a series of state-of-the-art tests... Lord Tebbit, Garry Bushell and Carol Thatcher are among the participants who have agreed to place their genetic make-up under the microscope." | |||||
What was produced was a fascinating and yet controversial programme. What makes us English? If we are born of English parents? That we can trace generations after generation into deep rural England, or perhaps the child of a migrant couple?.....see,all very controversial and definetely verging on being non politically correct.
I was born in England, to an English mother and an Italian father, my older half brother was born in Italy, to Italian mother and father and in the main educated in Italy, but did spend time in England. My younger half brother, born to Italian parents was born in England. His he more or less English than I am?
I guess it depends on your view. I am anglo Italian, and proud of it. The use of DNA is a fascinating one, and as my father comes from Sicily I wonder if there is any Arabic blood in there? given the history of Sicily.
You are only what you feel, and when I am in a mixed group, say at the Italian Procession in Clerkenwell in July, I do feel that I embrace my Italianness!
One point that was raised from several of the 8 people, as they were given their DNA results, they commented if the results indicated a particular comfortableness to a particular country or culture. One was told that there was a chance she had links to the China region and she wondered if this was her interest in Chinese artifcates....an interesting point from the same individual who was horrified her father's off license had become a chinese takeaway and had never had a spring roll!
Much food for thought - thanks LyzzyBee!
Live Journal thread is HERE
Monday, 13 November 2006
Snowball!
Pardonable Lies: A Maisie Dobbs Mystery by Jacqueline Winspear
Indeed,another great story from Jacqueline Winspear, which has dealt with the complex post war issues with understanding and kindness.
Monday, 6 November 2006
Uncatalogued:A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
Saturday, 4 November 2006
Unsigned :A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
The fifth book in the series continues with the action,sinister and mysterical storyline of the previous books. In this one there is the added complication in that Alex's fiancee is still missing after her time spent as a hostage in Iraq. Everyone, except Alix believes Sarah is dead, but then he sees Sarah in the street, or does he. Alex learns of a twist in Sarah's life that he never thought possible.
Friday, 3 November 2006
What Should I Do With My Life? by Po Brosnan
mood: thoughtful
Ironically, this book arrived just as I had, had my Performance Review at work. I had been pondering on which way my career should,would & could go in. Having been told that I am ready to go to the next level, I wonder if I really want that, and if I do the impact it will have on my beloved. The one thing that I do know - I don't want to do in totality is go back into pure
pharmacy full time.
The book was an interesting read,one that required me to read chunks then reflect and digest just what I was doing in my life.
Untitled:A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
In the fourth in the series, Alex Plumtree is invited (and accepts)to join the Dibdin Club. Once again, Alex is caught up in the world of under cover book problems going back generations. Another page turner in the series.
Unprintable:A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
In the third book of the series there is more death,corruption and friendship. There is also the rather tenuous romance with Sarah, his dead pals wife.....it all happens at Plumtree Press! Is Alex doomed?
Unbound: A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
More Plumtree adventures in the second book of the series.
Old Uni friend Angela writes a book revealing a series of typographical errors in a previous edition, or is there more to it?
The book is action packed and I am once again plunged into the depth of Plumtree Publishing.....another page turner.
Unsolicited: A Book Lovers Mystery by Julie Kaewert
Tuesday, 31 October 2006
Sunday, 29 October 2006
Holiday reading
We got back from Hay on Wye yesterday. While away I managed to get lots of reading done and finished A breath of Snow & Ashes by Diana Gabaldon, about to head out on a bookring.
Earlier in the year I did a trade with a book crosser who sent me 5 of the 6 books which make up the series of A book lovers Mystery. I love sitting with a set of books and reading them back to back. I read 1-3 while away and finished book 4 this morning. I've just started book 5 and know that I will get book 6 read also this week then I can get back onto my rings.
Book 1 = Unsolicited
Book 2 = Unbound
Book 3 = Unprintable
Book 4 = Untitled
Book 5 = Unsigned
Book 6 = Uncatalogued
I am pondering what to do with the Kaewert series. I am tempted to send them out on a book spiral in the UK. Anyone interested?
Tuesday, 17 October 2006
One Day in History - 17th October 2006
As part of the relaxation process I spent some time working on a couple of genealogical lines that were irritating me. The Will I ordered from the Probabe office arrived. Drat it is not the will of my great grandfather, and neither is the death certificate that also arrive from the ONS in Stockport. Ironically the Will and Death certificate are related to the same person, just not to me!
I spent also spent some time looking through a very large pile of book rings that I have received from Book Crossing. This time last week I had 10 of them, this has now dwindled thankfully to two and I have started my latest read, a huge tome the latest by Diana Gabaldon. I've read the whole series this year, that is something like 6,000 pages in addition to the other 75 books already read this year.
I also replied to several emails that were outstanding to friends oversea,one in Canada and another in New Zealand.
We then spent the evening in front of the telly, watching a film. It is almost unheard of for me to sit in front of the telly, let alone remain seated for the duration of the film.
Monday, 16 October 2006
A Parchment of Leaves by Silas House
"In 1917 rural Kentucky, a young Cherokee woman named Vine, rumored to cast spells on unsuspecting men, falls in love with local Irishman Saul Sullivan, whom she eventually marries. This second novel by Appalachian writer House (Clay's Quilt) tells the story of Vine and Saul's tender relationship and the prejudice they face and eventually overcome. While Vine was not raised according to Cherokee customs, she is still aware of being seen as an outsider when she leaves her Cherokee community to be with her husband. People are drawn to her gentle and generous personality, however, and soon she forms enduring friendships with her hard-working mother-in-law, Esme, and feisty and independent midwife Serena. When World War I erupts and Saul temporarily takes a better-paying job far from home, Vine finds herself trying to ward off the unwanted advances of Saul's restless younger brother, Aaron, who declares his own love for Vine. A deep respect for the natural world and the enduring spirit of the human heart are what make this book worth reading and remembering."
I really enjoyed this book. It was written in such a gentle way that I felt that I really got to know the characters and was walking along side them.
Here is the Journal Entries
Sunday, 15 October 2006
One Day in History - 17th October
"Make history on 17 October by taking part in the biggest blog in history.
'One Day in History' is a one off opportunity for you to join in a mass blog for the national record. We want as many people as possible to record a 'blog' diary which will be stored by the British Library as a historical record of our national life.
Write your diary reflecting on how history itself impacted on your day - whether it just commuting through an historic environment, discussing family history or watching repeats on TV." http://www.historymatters.org.uk/output/Page96.asp
I'm going to participate.....are you?
Exchange by Paul Magrs
Young Simon is orphaned and he moves in with his grandparents. His grandmother shares his passion for reading and together they explore the neighbouring town and discover the Great Book Exchange.
Through exchanging a book at this wonderful shop (I wonder if such a place exists?) Simon's grandmother comes across a selection of books written by someone she knew from her childhood. We then follow through the memories of Simon's grandmother. Simon makes friends with Kelly, a young girl who works at the Exchange, and they devise a plan whereby the three of them can attend a reading from the author that grandma knows. What follows is a renewing of an old friendship.
This is a wonderful story, containing dealing with the sensitive issues of grief, friendship and understanding.
Thanks so much for sharing; without Book Crossing I probably would not have come across this book. The Journal Entries are HERE
Ex Libris : Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman
The Journal Entries are HERE
In this house, the books are still pretty much seperate. Hubby's fishing and angling books, which total about 20 or so, there are a few miscellanous books that belong to Stuart, nearly all collected since our marriage. Actually when we got married 12 years ago, Stuart only owned three books!
Saturday, 14 October 2006
Small Change: The Secret Life of Penny Burford By J Belinda Yandell
I read this in one sitting, and loved it. It is especially moving once Penny has died and her husband and children are coming across exactly what Penny did with her life outside of her family home. She became her own person and I found that I was sad that Penny could not have shared part of her life with her nearest and dearest.
The Journal Entries are HERE
Thursday, 12 October 2006
Flowers & Birthday!
Thanks to everyone who sent me virtual or real cards or messages of Happy B day. I have really been overwhelmed.
I was in a meeting, when a lovely bouquet of flowers arrived addressed to me. They were placed in water and when I had chance to nip out I had a look at the card. They were from one of my team, she is leaving and sent me the flowers as a Thank you for being supportive. That is lovely and I was very touched.
It is such a shame that she is leaving, I tried hard to get her to stay, no pressure, but just making aware of opportunities for the future, but everyone needs to follow their own dreams. This is one member of staff that I will gladly re-employee.
Wednesday, 11 October 2006
Between Friends by Debbie Macomber
The Journal Entries are HERE
Tuesday, 10 October 2006
My Birthday RABCK Experiment pressie
My pressie arrived at the weekend, I recognised the sending address, so kept it sealed until the 10th! Thanks for sending RoryG
Monday, 9 October 2006
The Crimson Petal & the White by Michel Faber
I tried several times to get into this book, and then decided I would have one more attempt before sending on its way.
The truth is, I enjoyed it. Perhaps it was the way it was written or perhaps that I needed to go down with a really bad cold and have a few days in bed to get me to enjoy it. I found that I had to just keep turning the pages; and I guess that is what makes a good book.
Details of the Journal Entries are HERE
Eat Drink and Be Married by Eve Makis
So, I was delighted to receive an email from the author offering me a copy of the book to replace the missing one. Isn't that lovely. I have accepted and once read the book will continue this on a ray.
How many of me?
Sunday, 8 October 2006
Christmas Ornament Exchange 2006
Saturday, 7 October 2006
Eye Colour.......
Basically, you insert the eye colour of yourself, your spouse/partner and both sets of parents. The calculator then predicts what the most likely eye colour any off spring will have.
An interesting site, if the subjects of Gene's interests you.
http://museum.thetech.org/ugenetics/eyeCalc/eyecalculator.html
Thursday, 5 October 2006
Will of John Goucher - died 1873, Proved 1875
There was something rather sad about it, he was obviously aware that he wasn't leaving anything to most of his Children and only three out of 8 were named, but he mentions that he prays that God will watch over them and help them. I wonder what or who determined which children inherited. John was born 1799, he wrote the will in 1867 and died in 1873. The will was proved in 1875.
Wednesday, 4 October 2006
The Secret River by Kate Grenville
A fascinating read for anyone who loves this period of London or Australian history, or perhaps like me has a convict ancestor.
I think that I will open this up as a book ray. Here are the Journal Entries
Tuesday, 3 October 2006
What a coincidence.......
Then the postman delivered a slim bookring, called Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman. A delightful little book that has a certain charm about it. The storyline is amusing in parts - on merging her book collection with her husband's the author comments that they are truely married - in reality they had been married at least 5 years by this point.
As if that wasn't enough,Loopy on the BCUK list this morning posted about the excitment of reading, with these questions "What's it like for you? Do you still experience that total magic? What's the last book you read that you couldn't put down? How long ago was it? Do you still feel you enjoy reading as much as you did as a child?"
These three coincidence have all made me think about books, and actually what they mean.
When I discovered Book Crossing, I hadn't culled my reading material in 20 years. Every book I had ever bought, I still had. I had lost a few books along the way, lent them to people who had not given them back,but in the main 20 years of books sitting in my study, at the top of the house, The poor removal men,when we moved in, had to carry all the boxes of books up at least 32 stairs! Most of the books were from the wonderful,and much missed Thorps Bookshop in Guildford. I spent much of the summer of 2004 going through my books, keep or eBay. Then I discovered BC and a third pile was formed.
I developed my love of reading because of my Mum, who would buy me a book a week. I still have my set of Noddy Books all clutching the price ticket of 12p! and these are much treasured. Now, I view fiction books are Book Crossing material. There are a few that I have enjoyed so much they are part of my permenant collection, but in the main they can be replaced if I really want another copy.
Despite Book Crossing I do collect various books - those about Thyroid and various local history & genealogical books, and a few special cook books.
Yes, I still enjoy reading as much as a child. I can loose myself completely in a book and apparently, If spoken too, I grunt an answer. I recently read A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber and this was one of those books I could not put down, another book that I enjoyed was called the Granger Chronicles which was the story of a man who migrated to the US from Hungary. That particular book is the genealogy of a fellow Book Crosser, and in someway echoed parts of my own ancestry.
These three coincidences have given me much food for thought!
Monday, 25 September 2006
A Good Yarn By Debbie Macomber
These books are, to me pure escapism. There is such sensitivity is the writing, describing the lives and loves of the characters, their hopes, achievements and disappointments. Not to mention their friendships, forged out of meeting complete strangers to pursue a new hobbie, and in someways this echo's the life of a Book Crosser!
Saturday, 23 September 2006
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans
The story gives us a message. That we should value and treasure things, for when they are gone it is too late.
The Author's web page is HERE
The Journal Entries are HERE
Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Will of Thomas Heath 1727 - 1812
Isn't that simply fascinating? Also loaded to Flickr