All In A Day's Work (Patagonia, AZ)

I'm feeling very productive this week.  Last night, I finished crocheting the baby blanket.  Yea!  It only took me a year to finish, but I had fun doing it!

Once in awhile, I like to read my horoscope.  I don't see me reminiscing about my past unless it is about my sewing room, but I do like the last part (in bold).  Oh Yes!  So True!

• If you listen to someone reminisce about the past today, don't be surprised if you get an urge to follow suit. Your mind will wander back to the person you used to be, and you will naturally compare that person to who you are now. The rose-colored lens of nostalgia might make you miss the life you used to have, but after closer inspection you should come to the conclusion that there is no other place where you would rather be than right here. It's a good feeling. 

 I got some great photos of Western Bluebirds and a Cedar Waxwing.

Getting some sun

Honey, who is that masked bird??

Never fear!  I will protect you from that crazy lady with the camera! 

I finished another murder mystery book....

Knit, Purl, Die by Anne Canedeo

I finished the second book in the Black Sheep Knitters’ series.  Once again, the Black Sheep Knitters pick up on dropped clues and slowly knits them together to solve the mystery.

I had a harder time getting into this story.  The knitting group is still the same.   Their support for each other had a great feeling of camaraderie.  I love this group of ladies and I would learn to knit just to spend time with them.

So, why did I have a harder time with the beginning of this book compared to the first one?  I finally realized that I was having a problem liking the new member – Gloria.  Gloria is in her fifties and one of those flamboyant rich women who insist on fighting natural aging with chemicals and surgery.  I have a very strong dislike towards women like Gloria.  I’m not jealous.  I just happen to respect older women who age gracefully with healthy living and with a mature attitude towards aging.  Women like Helen Mirren who starred in “Calendar Girls”.   Which is also #1 in my favorite movie list…….. and I digress….

Once I realized it was me and not the story, I was able to enjoy the second mystery.  Gloria is the murder victim and her untimely demise leaves the Black Sheep Knitters in shock.  During one of their knitting sessions, their friendship deepens as they talk about life being cut short and living to fulfill their dreams.  I see some subtle changes in Maggie the shop owner and widow.  I also see Lucy deepening her relationship with her boyfriend.  A message to all of us is to live life to the fullest.

In the end, I found myself enjoying this story.  What I really like about Anne Canedeo’s writing is the mystery clues actually fit, but she doesn’t overdo it to the point that I have solved the mystery before the ”Poirot Conclusion”.   Well, okay, I usually have a general idea as to who did it, but she has managed to surprise me both times….and yet the clues were there.  I’ll have to do better on her next book “A Stitch Before Dying”.

Last, but not least....the cats got some outdoor time.

Did I hear a tweet?

I'll be your friend.

And that's my work week so far......

A Cozy Murder Mystery and Cats

While My Pretty One Knits 

by Anne Canadeo

I have been very lazy lately.  I have been finding it easier to listen to audio books instead of reading them.  Well, this one I did read and I could not put it down! A great cozy murder mystery that moves fast with good solid clues (not stitches) dropped along the way.

I know this is an older book (2009), but I just discovered Anne Canadeo.  Of course, I always love a good murder mystery and better yet, one with a tight knit group of crafty ladies…no pun intended!

Lucy is the main character.  After her divorce, she moves to a small town to live in her deceased Aunt’s house.  For once, I am not reading about how nasty or pigheaded the ex-hubby is or was during their marriage.  There’s just enough background covered to let the reader know how Lucy is feeling about her divorce.

Most murder mystery women/sleuths end up in a relationship with either a detective or a lawyer or some other kind of law associated professional.  Hurray for Lucy!  She finds a man in a different profession.  Thank you! Lucy also rescues a dog despite the fact that the Vet’s bill will be high.  Animal lovers understand this completely.  We are guilty of paying high Vet bills with two of our adopted cats.

This story is about Lucy’s friend and experienced knitter/shop owner, Maggie.  She is suspected of murdering another yarn shop owner.  Soon, the whole knitting club is there for Maggie.  All the Black Sheep Ladies are the kind of friends I love to sit down with and get to know.  Conversations are light and witty.  They have a wonderful friendship full of support for each other as they try to solve the murder.  The best part – no one declared “we should solve this murder!”

I’m not a knitter, but anyone with a love of working with their hands will enjoy reading about the knitting projects.  Lucy is working on Sock Monkey hats for her nieces, but it is not overdone.  Just enough to keep you interested.  At the end of the book, Anne added two websites on Sock Monkeys.

I did learn some odd facts while trying to solve this mystery - like Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe are knitters.  I googled this just out of curiosity and I only found something about Russell Crowe knitting.  I thought that was very interesting.  I also learned that wool yarn can be dyed with Jell-o.  Apparently, it does not work on cotton.  Too bad – dying with Jell-o might have been fun to try with some muslin.  There is a link to Jell-o dyeing at the end of the book as well. 

Anyway, Anne has two more Black Sheep Knitter’s series and I plan to read both.  I found Anne’s FB page and I just learned she has a fourth book coming out soon.  Well, I better get to reading so I’ll be caught up for book #4.

The Never-ending Saga of Cat Grooming

You need a good grooming.

Wait!  Is anyone watching?

Ahhh!  It's okay.  Now let me finish grooming you, Fish-Breath.

Hey! I can't help it if your breath smells like fish!