Another Book Series

They are not pictured in order above, but I have discovered yet another cozy mystery series revolving around yarn.  There are 5 books in the Haunted Yarn Shop Mystery series with the newest novel to be released this fall.

In Last Wool and Testament, which is the first book, the reader is introduced to the main character, Kath.  She is returning to Blue Plum, Tennessee for the burial of her beloved grandmother, Ivy.  Kath finds herself almost in a bizarro version of Blue Plum, as she attempts to settle her grandmother's estate.  Kath encounters some shady characters, a ghost, and news that her deceased grandmother is/was a murder suspect!  With the help of The Weaver's Cat TGIF (Thank Goodness it's Fiber) group, and her grandmother's tapestry cartoon, Kath unravels the mystery surrounding the murder, the ghost, and her future in Blue Plum.

An entertaining, enjoyable read with delightful characters, both human. . . and not.

Sampler Blanket Update

Here's a little snippet of what I've been up to, but first. . . . . . .Happy Mother's Day!

I've had a chance today to work on the final round of grannys for my sampler blanket.  I've completed 6 and have 18 more to go!  I plan to finish up 6 more multi-colored and work up 12 solid grannys.  I will alternate these around the blanket.  All will be joined with a black border.  Here's the blanket so far . . .

 I'm so glad I decided to do this.  I'm learning a lot about yarn choice, color combinations, what I like, what I don't like, etc.  I think what I like most about this blanket is I'm in no hurry to finish it.  I truly enjoy the easy pace I can keep with it.  No deadlines!! No pressure!!

Have a great week!  I'm off to check how things are going in the garden.  Hubby is tilling so eldest can plant pumpkin seeds!

April Days . . .

13 softball games
1 track meet
1 prom
2 birthdays (including oldest daughter :)
Easter
2 books read
35.4 miles logged (woo-hoo!  Getting back up there)
1 crochet blanket completed

April was a BUSY month for me and my family.  Sports played a big roll in how we scheduled our days.  With track out of the way, it opened up more afternoons/evenings for other things including RUnNinG again.  How good it has felt to get outdoors, breathe the fresh air and escape for a little while.  As stated in my bio, I started running close to 5 years ago and this school year I really fell off the wagon.  Having two girls, one in jr. high and one in high school, both in sports through me for a loop.

Starting in August before school even begins is high school volleyball.  Once school begins, and jr. high games begin, my schedule is:  work 7:45-3:45 (usually earlier and later--remember, I'm a teacher :) Monday - Friday; jr. high games are Monday/Thursday; high school Tuesday/Friday, plus marching band on Friday (sometimes in a different town!) and jr. high football Thursday (I have a cheer leader and a drum major). If jr. high was home, high school would be out of town-usually-not always.  Throw in cross-country in the beginning (practice starting at 6 am or a little earlier 5 days a week) plus tournament play on weekends------ it made for a very time consuming, car-pooling, stressful, tiring beginning first semester.  I know EVERYONE is busy and in no way am I complaining--I just, personally, found it hard to fit in the 20 miles of running each week I was accustomed to.  Oh well, enough of that!!!

Here are some photos to capture the month of April . . .

The Babies enjoy playing on the hay bales.  They are growing soooo fast!  It's hard to believe!

A pretty speckled blue egg found after a windy rain :(  Ugh . . . my wrinkly hand!!)  

I made some Easter treats for a pal at school.  I remember my mother making these when I was little :)

I managed to finish the Bunco Blanket (wrong side still :0)

. . .and my current Project, the sampler was started.  Update coming soon. . .

My current read is this yarn retreat novel.  This is book 2.  I read book 1 back in January.  Great series!!

As promised, the confederate jasmine has officially exploded!!

A Butterfly is enjoying the blooming duranta (not sure about the spelling)

Same butterfly about to take flight

 . . . and the bottle-brush has bloomed as well.  Lots of bees, so hard to get a decent picture!

Although April was busy, I did still take time to enjoy the beginnings of spring and get in some hooky time.  Here's hoping you find some time to enjoy "the roses" too!

Happy May!