Warren Street

Mickey Haller #4 - Love this series!

2012-02-06T12:31:00.000-05:00

The Fifth Witness by Michael Connelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mickey Haller is really snookered in this one! Good grief, the twist hit me and I didn't see it coming. Maybe I was not paying attention. Wow!

I really liked the setup for the next Haller adventure. In the interim, this one is worth the time to read.

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Renovation

2012-01-28T16:56:00.000-05:00

I have met many skilled and courteous workmen in the last two weeks as they renovated my apartment. They should finish up in the next week. After 40 years of DIY, I have now watched the pros do their thing. A new wall, wallpaper removal, spackling, painting, upgrading the electrical system and the kitchen - they have demonstrated skills that I have seen on TV!

By the end of next week, the place will be mine again. I feel light-headed, having shed so many years of "stuff" and so many dated accessories. The wallpaper is down. The walls are all "Navajo White." My new theme will be "light." No drapes for me. The pictures and prints are all boxed. I will keep the few that I love and audition them in various rooms until I get a new look. A few new accessories will complete the decorations.

This will be a new canvas waiting for my first brush stroke.

Thank you Tidley, Cadie, George, Kevin, Bill, Robin, Kathy and complex management. You have given me a fresh new home.

Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown

2011-12-26T15:34:00.000-05:00

Breath of Scandal by Sandra Brown

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A revenge novel, "Breath of Scandal" benefits from well-developed characters behaving in a setting and in patterns that are believable. Jade Sperry is a determined and capable protagonist with good reason to focus her life on destroying those who robbed her of her dreams. Her focused desire for revenge leads her to success and love.

A well-told story.

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Heat Lightning by John Sandford

2011-12-26T15:21:00.000-05:00

Heat Lightning by John Sandford

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dead bodies with oranges stuffed in their mouths are turning up at veterans' monuments in Minnesota. Lucas Davenport, busy arranging security for the Republican convention, assigns the cases to Virgil Flowers, his younger, outdoor writer/detective who is as comfortable solving murders as he is fishing for muskies. Unassuming and charming, Virgil searches for the link between the murders and finds himself in more complex circumstances than he has ever encountered.

As usual, Sandford's characters are well-developed and interesting, the plot is thick and fascinating, and the conclusion is dramatic.

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Internation Quilt Festival, November 2-6, 2011, Houston, TX

2011-12-26T11:28:00.000-05:00

It has taken me a while to get around to this post. There was so much to say about this fabulous show. And, it was a great trip with quilting friends Rosemary, Dale, Catherine and Regina. So, let me describe it chronologically. From Wednesday through Saturday night, I stayed at the Embassy Suites Hotel three blocks from the George R. Brown Convention Center.

George R. is the largest convention center I have ever seen. About three blocks long and three stories high, it was vast. The vendors' booths were located on the first floor. Here is a view of about 1/3 of the vendor floor space.

The Houston skyline is spacious and new. It seemed that everything in Houston was fairly new.

On Thursday, I took an all-day bus tour to see a bit of Texas. We visited La Grange, Giddings, and Round Top. LaGrange was the most interesting.

It is the home of new Texas Quilt Museum. The Museum opened just to give us a sneak preview that day.

We were not permitted to take photos inside the museum. The quilts on display for the inaugural exhibit were all made by Texas women. They were pretty amazing. I liked the courthouse steps borders that were favored by many of the quilters and will definitely try my hand at creating them in one of my future projects.

The Museum is right on Courthouse Square in La Grange. Great care was taken to restore the building to its original condition. It is about 100 years old. We were treated to baked goods when we were settled back on the bus. The area was settled by German, Czech, and Moravian immigrants. And their baking skills have survived and thrived here. I would come back here just for the bread and pastries!

In Round Top, we spent some time at the Copper Shade Tree, an artists' boutique for quilts, jewelry and other handcrafts. This shop was Texas outside and 5th Avenue inside! The hand-crafted jewelry was really pretty. I dropped a bundle of money for Christmas gifts here :)

Did I mention that all of the items were crafted by men? Yes, indeed, there were no women allowed. This is a men's art collective.

On Friday, I spent the day in a class taught by Charlotte Angotti of Quiltmaker's Studio. What a hoot! This talented lady should be a stand-up comic. In one day of instruction and non-stop sewing, she walked us through an almost complete construction of one of her latest designs, "Amber Waves of Grain." I just got mine back from Janice Jamison (great long-arm quilter, jjam061454@aol.com) and will tell you more about it after I get the binding on and take some pictures.

Saturday was a time to spend viewing the festival quilts, meeting Alex Anderson, and ending the day by enjoying the concert performed by Ricky Tims.

At home, I want to find a couple of the fabrics featured: Robert Kaufman's "Florentine" and "Jewel & Earth" as well as "Etchings" by Moda.

I purchased a CD with professional pictures of all of the winning quilts. There are restrictions on posting the quilt pictures on a website. So, if you would like to see the quilts, I would be happy to lend you the CD.

It was a great trip. I can cross "Attend the largest international quilt show" off of my to-do list :)

Tea for Two

2011-11-13T15:01:00.000-05:00

The anticipation of a new baby reminds all of us that life is a miracle and a gift in a cycle that will keep going after we are gone. It refocuses our attention to the responsibility of raising responsible, warm and compassionate children to become the adults that will create a better world. This is a cause for celebration.

Yesterday, we celebrated the joy of expectation of little Hannah Reeve with a tea for her and her happy Mom, my daughter Jackie.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...IN OCTOBER!!!!

2011-10-30T09:21:00.000-04:00

Nutley was blanketed in the first snowfall of the season yesterday. Starting as heavy drops of raining slush around 10:30 a.m., it changed to heavy wet snow by 11:30 a.m. Throughout the day it melted on the ground, however, by 4 p.m. it was accumulating on the ground. Snapping and swooshing noises signaled branches breaking and trees falling. Going from window to window to door after every crash, we saw branches down everywhere.

Dianne called last night to say that Mayor Cocchiola declared a Nutley state-of-emergency because so many trees were down and branches and trees were still falling. The Mayor also postponed the Survivors' Brunch scheduled for this morning.

My sister Jackie called around 10 p.m. to say that she heard we were in the middle of a snowstorm. She was in Minneapolis at the airport hoping that flights to Philadelphia would not be affected.

This morning, the sun is shining brightly and the landscape is littered with leaves and snow and trees and branches. Bob and Grace were here last night. It took him a while to clean the ice and snow off of his car this morning. He returned with coffee from Dunkin' Donuts to report that it was really bad around town. Trees were down everywhere. The Farmer's Almanac predicts a mild winter, but I wonder....

"The Reversal" by Michael Connelley

2011-10-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

The Reversal by Michael Connelly

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I loved "The Lincoln Lawyer" and looked forward to reading "The Reversal." It was interesting to see Mickey Haller as a prosecutor working alongside his former wife Maggie "McFierce." And, of course, Harry Bosch is here doing the investigating. Jessup is a dastardly child murderer freed for a new trial by DNA evidence.

It was a good story. The ending was unexpected, a nice twist.

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My heart daughter

2011-10-15T19:51:00.000-04:00

On Sunday, 9/25/2011, I spent the day with my delightful daughter. We were checking out tea rooms in the city as possible fun places for her baby shower. It was a beautiful day that ended with our visit to the Queens Museum. I had not been to Flushing Meadow since the World's Fair!!! I was in high school for crying out loud. It was strange to be out of the car, passing by, and on the ground looking at the structures that I remembered from the long ago trip.

The Meadow is now a beautiful park and the Panorama Building is the Queens Museum of Art. The helicopters that we rode in to view the Panorama have been removed, but the ramp is still there. It serves as a viewing deck around the Panorama for visitors to walk around.

The Panorama is a scaled down model of NYC that has been kept reasonably up-to-date. The reason for the visit was a talk by author Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) who stood in the East River on the Panorama with a sign language translator to tell us about his journey to success as an author and his new book Wonder Struck in which the Panorama is a character. If you are unfamiliar with Selznick, perhaps you are interested now :-)

Jackie was a bit rattled by the autograph session, the crowd was a little out-of-control, but, she was so determined to get her copies of the books signed to share with her kids at school that she hung in there to the end.

I have a beautiful daughter with a loving husband both expecting their first child. She is happy to spend a day with her mom and is so in touch with her life. My heart is bursting with pride for the woman she has become.

Fine Arts & Crafts Show, Anderson Park 2011

2011-09-18T16:19:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful Sunday morning! Church, diner and then the fine arts & crafts show in Anderson Park, Upper Montclair.

It could not have happened on a nicer day - cool, clear, sunny.

Putting out a few bales of hay always makes me think of autumn.

This was the cutest booth! Filled with clothes and shoes for American Girl dolls, it was filled with little girls in the afternoon.

This was unique! I had not seen a drinking fountain that accomodated dogs before today. I liked it and so did the dog. :-)

Fifteen minutes to relax on a bench and listen to this talented musician was not nearly enough. I could have stayed there all afternoon! And, I could also watch the soccer game going on in the middle of the park.

A wonderful walk, a little shopping, music, sports - this day had it all.

Then, off to the Nutley Farmers' Market to get some fresh corn for dinner tonight.

9/11

2011-09-11T15:24:00.000-04:00

Hard to believe that it has been 10 years, I watched the memorial service today. The new national memorial in NYC is spectacular. I have not been downtown to that area since the attack, but now a visit would be good.

It was especially nice to hear the readers of the names thank the first responders, the volunteers on the pile, the construction workers and everyone who is responsible for this beautiful permanent memorial.

Jackie's School Bag

2011-09-06T11:19:00.001-04:00

Finished in time, this school bag is the same as the project bag that I made for my friend Linda. When Jackie saw that bag, she thought that the same pattern would make a great school bag for her.

She had little time left to take on a new project before school opened. She was thrilled and I was happy to offer to make it for her. She even had fabric that she thought would be perfect. And, after I realized that the raindrops should fall down rather than sideways, it turned out to be one of the cutest projects I have ever made. AND, it is soooooo Jackie.

I made that little tuck-inside purse from leftover fabric from the same line - Tula Pink's Prince Charming. It will be so convenient when she just wants to leave the big bag in the car while she runs into a store.

Rob's Birthday

2011-09-05T10:54:00.000-04:00

Rob's Birthday is today! We had a nice family get-together yesterday at the Cheesecake Factory in the Menlo Park Mall. With everyone so busy, we decided to meet there to reduce the travel time for everyone.

Reading the cards and opening the gifts are always fun. It was a very pleasant afternoon.

I have a feeling that Rob is going to have another great year :-)

Blue Jersey:: Ed Reform 101 Starts Tomorrow

2011-08-30T08:19:00.001-04:00

This will be a very informative series to follow. Education reform is an emotional issue with the governor. He is "passionate" about reforming all of the schools in New Jersey, not just the few under performing schools. The education system in New Jersey is one of the best. This series will present facts to counter the governor's emotional arguments.

Blue Jersey:: Ed Reform 101 Starts Tomorrow

Irene Flood Before and After

2011-08-28T19:36:00.000-04:00

Hurricane Irene

2011-08-28T12:02:00.001-04:00

Irene reached the area this morning. I was surprised that it was so quiet, just a steady downpour and raging Third River. The river has crept higher by about three feet since I began taking pictures of it around 7:15 a.m.

Here it is at 9:30 a.m. The Memorial Park pathway is next to the row of young trees and streetlight. It is underwater. The Mudhole pond is indistinguishable from the river overflow.

Power is still on in my neighborhood although I saw a FB post earlier from a friend in town whose home is without power. If it goes out during the day, I am prepared for an evening of audiobooks and lantern light. I even purchased a few flowers to sit next to my candle to soften the mood.

My emergency supplies and more pictures from my windows and doors. Check this video. The good part begins around 1:01.

Waste not...

2011-08-21T10:21:00.001-04:00

My sewing room is a little cluttered with fabric leftover from recent projects. So, I was inspired to make a few small gift items last night! Here is a crochet hook folder for Linda. It matches the tote I made to give to her for Christmas.

These are small purses that are great for carrying ID, a bank card, and a few dollars in a pocket when going for a walk or a quick trip to the grocery store. They are nice holders for gift cards as well.

I have to get a storage bin for all of the gift projects I have completed so far. Perhaps there is room in the garage. Hmmm....

Linda's Bag

2011-08-20T16:05:00.005-04:00

My friend Linda Fisher is an avid crochet crafter. When she is not grading papers for her high school English students, her hands are busy crocheting.

Her family traditions include gifting her with sock monkeys. When I saw this whimsical sock monkey print with a coordinating brown banana leaf print and a banana yellow banana print, her Christmas present was "in the bag." There was even enough fabric for a little wallet and purse tissue cover.

The pattern for this bag is "Cindy's Bag aka The Monster Tote" by Marlous Designs, The Cross Town Carry Collection.

Now, I need to make one for myself!

When things go wrong, don't go with them - The Debt Ceiling Quilt part 2

2011-08-19T13:18:00.002-04:00

I first wrote about this quilt on August 2, 2011. I had been working on it and watching the debt ceiling controversy unfold on TV (hence the quilt name). I went back to this quilt after I got lost about how to put it together, put it up on my design wall and figured out how to make it into something. Surprise, an original design was the result.

My quilting buddies loved it when we got together. So, I spent the next two weeks quilting it. When Grace saw it draped over a chair in my sewing room she matter-of-factly informed me that it was her quilt and asked if I were going to put a princess on it! So, now, it is most certainly her Christmas gift. The jury is still out on the princess. Maybe I can work one into the label :-)

The moral to this quilt project came from a fortune cookie munched earlier this month: "When things go wrong, don't go with them." It worked for this quilt and works well in life generally.

When things go wrong....The Debt Crisis Quilt part 1

2011-08-02T08:42:00.001-04:00

This quilt-in-progress is the unveiled "mystery" quilt from the workshop with Janice Jamieson last Friday. She put it up on the flannel wall to show us how to lay out the blocks. This is a very interesting quilt to build. We all took pictures, notes and asked questions. Laying out blocks that are not square or rectangular was going to be a challenge. I was ready. With this picture, the layout diagram that Janice provided and all of my blocks completed, I went home for a weekend of sewing and watching the debt crisis coverage on MSNBC and other networks.

At some point in the crisis, I lost my way laying out this quilt. I sewed half of my blocks into rows on the diagonal at home on Friday night. After the Republicans passed John Boehner's bill that night, I put the rows away for more work on Saturday. Rising early, I sewed the rows together with a plan to fill in the other half of the blocks to create the layout in the picture. Legislators were still haggling in Washington and analysts were still prognosticating on TV. I learned that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid was working on a plan. Later, I heard that Senate Minority Leader McConnell refused to meet with Reid and went directly to the President to negotiate a plan. Mr. Reid prepared to introduce his bill in the Senate. Meanwhile, the House voted down his bill before it even reached the House. With all of this going on, I discovered too late that my plan for sewing the blocks into rows was flawed. I went for a walk.

To be continued....

"Interlocked Squares" for Kathryn

2011-07-31T13:27:00.001-04:00

I wanted to make a green quilt, not too traditional, for Bobby's friend Kathryn. I think she is the love of his life. Green is her favorite color. So I am so pleased with this quilt from the pattern "Interlocked Squares" by Brenda Henning for Hoffman Bali Pops.

Using the "Green Tea" collection, I removed the yellows and substituted a few other batiks found at Aardvark in Morris Plains and a gentle Asian flower print from Fabric Inspirations in Englishtown. My friends at the Cozy Quilt Shoppe in Maywood were the arbiters of the final border arrangement. Their good advice is always appreciated.

I quilted it in sections. It was challenging and rewarding to make. At 69" by 78.5" it is a very big throw suitable for reading or napping on the couch.

Next, it goes into the wash on a gentle cycle with cold water and then into a gift box for Christmas. I have enough fabric to make a big matching pillow. Hmmmm, perhaps this afternoon....

Please Look after Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin

2011-07-28T13:40:00.001-04:00

Please Look After Mom by Kyung-Sook Shin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Motherhood, a complex topic, is beautifully framed in this best-selling novel from South Korea. I agree with the publisher's review that after reading it, you will never view your own mother in the same way as before.

When Park So-nyo fails to follow her husband onto the train, her oldest son, husband and daughters lives are changed forever. As they search for her, they search their own memories of her and wonder if she was happy, if they were good in her eyes, and if they will ever find her. As the voices telling the story shift from one to another, the reader learns so much about love, family,the Korean culture and the universality of "family."

A great story very well told....

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The Whole Truth by David Baldacci

2011-07-16T19:07:00.000-04:00

The Whole Truth by David Baldacci

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a new book by Baldacci, "The Whole Truth" has a great plot. It is James Bondish, but longer and without the technology. Also, the villains are more complex. Money, here, is definitely the root of the evils Baldacci describes so well.

I finished the audio book in the car this afternoon road tripping with my sister to Cracker Barrel at exit 5 and then quilt shops in Burlington and Pennington. Good company.

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23rd. Annual Spring Fine Arts and Crafts Show, Brookdale Park

2011-06-19T10:50:00.002-04:00

Yesterday, a fine day to be outside, proved even better with a visit to the Fine Arts and Crafts Show in Brookdale Park, Bloomfield, NJ. After a light breakfast at the Corner Bakery to start the day, it was off to the park to wander through the stalls of crafts people from all over the east coast.

Charity Quilt - "Light and Shadow"

2011-06-18T09:36:00.001-04:00

This quilt is destined for donation to a local cancer support group. I like pink as the color for cancer support groups. It has a warm feminine quality. The little flowers in the border fabric really appealed to me. They soften the geometric construction of the body of the quilt.

The pattern is "Light and Shadow" by Brenda Henning for the Hoffman Fabrics Balic Pops line of fabric strips. I will use the pattern title as the name of the quilt when I make the label. I began to work on this quilt at the Spring Bed, Breakfast and Quilt weekend April 29 through May 1, 2011 in Wildwood Crest, NJ. I finished it on June 7, 2011 at the Cozy Quilt Shoppe, Maywood, NJ quilting bee. The quilt is machine pieced and machine quilted by me.

I made it with love, send it into the world with a hug, and hope that it will bring comfort to someone dealing with cancer.

Emily Alone by Stewart O'Nan

2011-06-07T09:02:00.001-04:00

Emily, Alone: A Novel by Stewart O'Nan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is hard to believe that a man could write so realistically about the thoughts of an elderly woman living alone, or that I could find the result so hard to put down.

My favorite chapter, "Kleenex," began and ended on page 76. In it, Emily prepares for a Christmas visit from her daughter and young adult grand-children. When she uses the last tissue from the box in her bathroom, she travels throughout the house weighing tissue boxes and swapping them around before deciding where the new full box should go. "Only then, with order restored, could she go on with her day." Priceless :)

Emily also contends with the neighbor's cat who leaves footprints across her car in the garage. Complaining to Betty, her once-a-week housekeeper, Betty asks, "You think that matters to him?" Emily replies, "Oh, he knows exactly what he's doing. That's the way cats are, very calculating."

On page 126, Emily is recovering from strep and unable to eat better as advised by Dr. Sayid. Chastising herself, Emily thinks, "Selfish and deceitful, her mother would say - the worst thing a person could be." The complete opposite of Jesus Christ, the impossible model to which Emily spent her childhood being compared.

I suppose it's the feeling of being a fly on the wall in Emily's life that kept me going with this novel. And, I'm not sure that it would appeal to much younger people. But, for me, I could laugh, worry, remember, and regret right along with Emily.

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Cross Fire by James Patterson

2011-05-30T14:32:00.001-04:00

Cross Fire by James Patterson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tight, suspenseful and engaging, "Cross Fire" was a quick read that I couldn't put down. Alex Cross is one of my favorite characters in fiction. He was present in this novel in all of his fatherly doctor of psychology and sleuth behaviors. He is also hopelessly romantic.

Of course, Kyle Craig is back in one of his most ingenious evil plots to kill Alex and his family. But that plot line is supplemented with a sniper team doing a Robin Hood type campaign of serial killings and another killer carving mathematical equations into his victims.

Maybe it's my imagination, but Patterson seems to allude to NJ politics when the action moves to Brick Township, NJ. Officer Guadagno, a blond woman, is sent to meet him. Her boss is Detective Cowen, a smart man who is very talkative. Later, back in DC, a couple of liberal leaning Supreme Court Justices suddenly need to be replaced. Go figure.

The conclusion of the novel is horribly chilling. Also, did I mention that Cross gets married?

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BBQ Spring 2011

2011-05-08T13:36:00.006-04:00

Let me catch up on posts about weekends. During the last weekend in April, my sister, my daughter and I traveled to the Adventurer Inn in Wildwood Crest, NJ for a Bed, Breakfast and Quilt (BBQ) weekend. It was the first time that we all spent a weekend together! It was fun.

Little Jackie (my daughter) completed a baby quilt, a charity quilt top and began stripping together Moda Candy Bars for a ladder quilt.

Aunt Jackie (my sister) stitched a complete quilt top for her friend Nina. It will be a Christmas gift. We spent the previous Friday together shopping at Pieceful Choices, having dinner with my friends Tom, Linda and Vic, and cutting out the pieces for her quilt.

I worked on an applique project and a pink project for a thriving survivor. And, I am still working on the quilting in hopes of having it finished it time to donate in October.

We took a break to travel to Ocean City to make a quick trip to Calico & Cotton. and to Somers Point for lunch at the Crab Trap.

Garden Sampler

2011-05-07T17:33:00.001-04:00

Collecting fabrics printed with vegetables was a lot of fun. My sister even found some for me during her travels!

This cute rabbit started it all when I saw this little wall quilt in "Quilter's World" magazine.

I am hanging it in my dinette for the rest of the Spring and Summer :)

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

2011-05-07T13:46:00.000-04:00

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bravo! It is difficult to imagine a book lover who could not connect in some way with this complex novel. Themes abound: father/son, 1st. love, devil vs. innocent, social study/political study, historical mystery, romance...all set in post-war Barcelona circa 1945. Long and engaging, Lucia Graves' translation shares all of the artistry of Zafon's Spanish best-seller.

The best scene, for me, was Daniel's 16th. birthday party at which his widowed father, a bookseller, gave him a special gift after a worrisome night.

My favorite character was Fermin Romero de Torres, "...bibliographic advisor for Sempere and Son."

So absorbing that my life was on hold while I read it, I even borrowed the audio book from the Nutley Library to keep the story going while I was driving, quilting, and cooking! Jonathan Davis' flawless accents and pronunciations of Spanish proper nouns on the audio reading gave the story even more flavor. I was reluctant to hear the story end. A great book for vacation reading, I recommend it to lovers of great novels.
5/7/2011

The "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" chapter which precedes chapter 1 reeled me in. The premise so unique and beautifully written that I put the book aside to clear other projects from my list before giving it my full attention. It is snowing today. I have not been able to put it down. -Mom JoAnn 3/23/2011

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Russian Tea Room

2011-04-03T18:59:00.000-04:00

My first trip to the Russian Tea Room was nice :) Jackie treated Grace and I yesterday for our March birthdays. Grace was excited about going to a real tea party. We were very "fancy" as we shared high tea and Grace was served the "children's tea." The tastiest sandwiches for me were the shrimp salad with remoulade and the artichoke with red pepper and sun-dried tomato and goat cheese. The scones were smaller than those I make, more delicate and crisp. They were delicious. I enjoyed the oolong tea.

It was special to be out on the town with my daughter and grand-daughter. I hope that we get out together again for a girls' day out. Grace is a chatterbox. She did not miss a decoration or a treat during tea. Spooning miniature marshmallows into her hot chocolate with Jackie's help gave her an opportunity to stir. She likes stirring. Jackie helped her to get her napkin unfolded and into her lap. That lasted about 30 seconds and then she was busy looking in the mirror behind our banquette, commenting on the gold-painted wall ornaments and asking about the contents of the sandwiches. She was good about tasting the grilled cheese, the pig in a blanket and even the egg salad. For dessert, she seemed to enjoy apple slices with caramel dipping sauce.

After tea, we went over to American Girl Place. Excited little girls packed the store. It was amazing that these lovely dolls have grown into such an industry. Grace chose Coconut, a small white dog with a little tote/kennel and she played with it all the way home in the car.

Robert, protective Dad that he is, made sure that we arrived at tea safely, dropping us right in front of the restaurant and then picking us up at Rockerfeller Center for the trip home.

AQS 2011 Quilt Show-Lancaster

2011-03-25T08:14:00.000-04:00

March 18 - 20, 2011, Jackie and I road-tripped to Lancaster, PA for the American Quilters Society show, one of the BIG ones. We stayed in the beautiful [highly recommended w/unbelievable restaurant and great bar area] Marriot at Penn Square attached to the convention center. Any road trip with Jackie is a real treat and great mother/daughter time.

We had brunch on Saturday morning with Karen Kay Buckley. She treated the brunch crowd to a video trunk show of her quilts showing a progression from her first quilt to her last major award-winner. Her mantra, "How hard can it be?" encouraged all of us to push our perceived limits.

Jackie and I did lots of shopping at the show. I found a great book, Cotton Theory 2, which I had heard about. While resting and waiting for Jackie, I talked with a lady seated next to me who had just purchased the book with a kit for getting started. It was a great buy! So, of course, she gave me directions to the vendor and I went right over there to get one. Quilting a quilt as you sew it is the technique featured. I have done two quilts on my own trying to master various techniques, but I had heard that Cotton Theory was the technique to learn. So now I am all set!

Some of the local shops were open late [until 8 p.m., the rest of PA closes at 5 or 6 on Saturdays :( ] so we drove East on Rt. 30 to Sylvia's. Sylvia is really a stitch! Her yard was filled with gorgeous quilts displayed on clotheslines. Inside her shop, we found dozens more. I will definitely come back. I did buy a fat regional cookbook that has so many down-home recipes that I will be busy for months converting my favorites to lower the fat.

This morning I saw the winners of the show posted online. This quilt was the $10,000 winner with the 1st. place ribbon. And, this picture does not really do it justice.

It is great that AQS hosted this show for the 2nd. year. I hope that it is a successful show for them and for the vendors because it is really nice to have a big show so close to home. I am sure that every year it will get better and I look forward to future shows.

Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane

2011-03-23T15:09:00.000-04:00

Moonlight Mile by Dennis Lehane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

     If only these detectives had done the right thing rather than the legal thing 12 years ago. Integrity sometimes has devastating consequences. Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, private investigators, have changed over the years. The significance of their decision 12 years ago has new meaning as they raise their own 4 year old daughter.
     Amanda McCready is missing again in this complex mystery. Kenzie and Gennaro searched for 4 year old Amanda, found her and returned her to her mother at the request of her aunt 12 years ago. Yet, they remain haunted because her mother's "care" was negligent and the home from which they rescued her was idyllic.
     This story is fast-paced, complicated, and rough. The ending provides a satisfying twist that almost rivals "Diggstown" and "The Usual Suspects" for surprise. I cannot count the number of times I stayed in my car draining the battery to finish listening to one episode or another.
     I recommend this story to mystery lovers. However, you have to pay attention if you listen to the audio book or you will miss important details. And, every detail in this one is important.

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Page-turner Alert

2011-03-23T14:41:00.000-04:00

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

Last night I began to read this book borrowed from my friend Dianne. She cautioned that it would be a page-turner.

The "Cemetery of Forgotten Books" chapter which precedes chapter 1 reeled me in. The premise so unique and beautifully written that I put the book aside to clear other projects from my list before giving it my full attention. It is snowing today. I have not been able to put it down. -Mom JoAnn 3/23/2011

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Sherlock, Sherlock

2011-03-11T14:02:00.000-05:00

Dust and Shadow by Lyndsay Faye

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sherlock, Sherlock, your hunt for Jack the Ripper has been admirably Doyled by Lyndsay Faye, a girl from New York. It's all here - Watson, Mrs. Hudson, LeStrade, nineteenth-century London - portrayed so well in a debut novel that leaves me hoping that she will write another.

Good job Ms. Faye and bravo to Simon Vance, the reader of this tale, winner of several Earphone Awards and an Audie.

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Like-Spring Weekend

2011-02-20T16:55:00.000-05:00

Kathryn posted about her cleaning attack this week. Strange how contagious that "virus" became :) My sewing room was a disaster, cluttered, cramped and dated. I had ordered a great indestructible new rug (smaller and designed for an outdoor patio), a buffet to serve as storage and ironing station, and a table-top ironing board to replace my giant board that was always "out," but had not really made a plan to do the work. These items arrived very quickly! I guess this weekend was destined to be the cleaning weekend.

Friday: Finish the projects currently in progress and get them out of the way.

Saturday: Up at 5:30 a.m. to move all of the furniture out, put the old rug out for BC to haul to the dumpster for me, make a trip to the diner to relax and fuel up. Back home to dust and wash every surface, object and tool, scrub the floor 3 x, knit in between drying periods, wax the floor, trim and lay the new rug pad, lay the new rug, put everything back. To bed at 10:30 p.m.

Sunday: Up at 7:30 a.m. to unpack the new buffet and get rid of the packing materials. Then off to the diner to fuel up. You have to love the Nutley Diner. It is bustling at every hour. I love to go there when I need to be out among people but don't want to go to the trouble of arranging a meal out with a friend or two.

Then back home to put the buffet together. BC arrived just as I was running out of steam and finished it up for me. He muscled it into place, cleaned up the mess and admired the new arrangement. What a kid!

Wa la....the "new" sewing room! Now, a nap sounds pretty good.

February 15, 1903

2011-02-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

On this day in 1903, the teddy bear was born when Morris Michtom and his wife Rose placed two stuffed bears in the window of their Brooklyn shop window. Michtom sent a stuffed bear to President Theodore Roosevelt and asked for his permission to use his nickname, Teddy, for the dolls after a 1902 political cartoon depicted Roosevelt refusing to shoot a bear while on a hunting trip in Mississippi. The sign along side the dolls in the window read “Teddy’s bear.” The toys were an instant sensation and Michtom started the Ideal Novelty and Toy Co.

Clifford Berryman's political cartoon of President Theodore Roosevelt's bear hunting trip to Mississippi that gave the teddy bear its name. This is one of several cartoons he drew of the same event.

2011-02-14T13:02:00.003-05:00

That Summer in Sicily: A Love Story by Marlena De Blasi

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow, what evocative language.... I listened to the MP3 download. The reader's voice and Italian language skills are gorgeous. This is a complex love story. It gives the listener a tone, lifestyle, value system, political system and somewhat historical glimpse of life in Sicily in the mid-twentieth century. I finished the tale wishing I could be a part of the society so beautifully described by the author, who, as it turns out, was also the reader of this audio book. She reads in a bit of a monotone that makes it difficult to differentiate between the two story-tellers. However, her reading adds so much to the listening value that the monotone is almost insignificant. F

I am not a habitual love story reader. This one was well worth my attention. Maybe I will make it a habit to read at least one love story in January/February every year to celebrate Valentine's Day.

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2011-01-29T11:16:00.000-05:00

Hell's Corner: The Camel Club Series, Book 5 by David Baldacci

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brand new and even better than the previous entries in this series, if that is even possible, Hell's Corner is the nickname among the various security agencies in Washington, D.C., for a park where jurisdictions are very complicated. The tale begins with an explosion and another explosion brings the plot to its climax. Oliver is assisted in this one by his friends and a newcomer, MI5 agent Mary Chapman.
A really good read!

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2011-01-29T11:06:00.000-05:00

The Camel Club by David Baldacci

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really love this group of misfits! On the fringes in Washington, D.C., conspiracies occupy their thoughts and activities. And, they are so capable, each contributing unique skills. Are they crazy? Maybe a little. However, they do stumble upon a plot that kept me on the edge of my seat for several days. I wish that I had read this first in the series first.

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School Project

2011-01-15T18:52:00.000-05:00

I had not expected to do another school project after all of these years. However, Grace's pre-school initiated a school-wide project for each family to spend some time together creating a family crest. Rob, Grace and I spent the afternoon creating this one. Grace was very excited to have homework! Rob and I...not so much :-)

Anyhow, it turned out well. We are exhausted. Grace is inexhaustible. Nice though, when we finished Rob confessed a new respect for my help with the many projects he remembered when he and Jackie were kids. That was worth an afternoon of cutting and pasting.

Pancake Fun

2011-01-09T11:02:00.000-05:00

These are my new "Star Wars" pancake molds :-)
I have been anxious to try them out. And, lucky for me (not so much for Rob), Rob now has the bronchitis and sinus infections from which I am recovering so I decided to make him smile this morning with "Star Wars" pancakes! Mission accomplished :-)
Hint: If you use these molds, make the batter thin and don't forget to pull the handles to the upright position before heating them up on the griddle. I speak from experience.
Next, "Star Wars" grilled cheese sandwiches and a nice thick tomato soup. Yum!

It's not about the presents, however...

2010-12-27T09:25:00.000-05:00

...some really thoughtful gifts were under my tree this year!

For example, look at this GREAT PHOTO ALBUM from Adam and Jackie. A wonderful picture of Jackie and I from her wedding (I don't think I had a copy before this, hmmmm :) ) in the front of an album to be filled with pictures of our future adventures together. LOVE THAT MOTHER/DAUGHTER TIME! And also containing some GIFT CARDS to grease our travels! And look at that FABULOUS PHOTO OF GRACE with her name carved into the mat, no less. Photographer Adam gets kudos for this wonderful shot, a grandmother's gold. And Kudos to Jackie for collaborating with Grace to give me this gift. Now take a look at the card. Unassuming, yet loaded with a real treat...are you ready? TICKETS to see Whoopi Goldberg at NJPAC in February. Seeing Whoopi in person is one more item I will be able to cross off of my list! Wow, Bobby, you and Kathryn really topped off my day with this one. PLUS, the "John Adams" series on DVD. (Why did On Demand pull this series before I finished watching it? Oh, right I thought it would stay On Demand for a very long time. Please note that the DVDs did not make the photo because they are sitting next to my TV waiting for me to spend this snow day with coffee and JA.)

And, of course, what Christmas would be complete without a good gadget? My sister, Debbie, came up with this one, a soap dispenser with an electric eye! It dispenses liquid soap when it "sees" your hand under the nozzle!!!!! Love it! And it made its way to our bathroom vanity in record time as you can see.

Presents...always nice.

BLIZZARD!!!

2010-12-27T07:59:00.000-05:00

BEAUTIFUL :-)

Wind chill is causing very low temperatures. Turnpike and GSP ramps are impassable. 15" - 22" according to TV. Layer of ice under snow.

Airports closed. LIR closed. State of emergency declared. State Police advise everyone to stay home.

The view from the back door!

The sewing room window overlooking the park. Bear is, of course, unaffected and unimpressed.

Christmas Worship Celebration

2010-12-13T19:10:00.000-05:00

Last night Rob, Grace, Kathryn and I attended the Christmas Worship Celebration "Love Has Come" at the Hawthorne Gospel Church. Rob and I attended last year. This special program is awe-inspiring. The Jazz Ensemble pictured here warmed up the crowd with cool renditions of "The Christmas Song" and "Angels We Have Heard On High." Dave Dillon on Saxophone and Stacy Bautista's vocals put us in the mood to expect more. We were not disappointed.

Santa

2010-12-10T07:02:00.001-05:00

Our visit to see Santa on Sunday was great! We arrived at Macy's before it opened and were among the earliest people on line with Grace and Kyle. Both of the kids were excited. Santa was the best. After a snack, we took cabs over to Rockefeller Center to see the tree. The Center was bustling with shoppers, skaters and a motorcycle club. The club was collecting toys for donation to children in families struggling to make ends meet.

Jackie found the perfect place for lunch, Blue Smoke at 27th. and Lexington. Kyle was excited to compare it to Famous Dave's. He declared Blue Smoke the better tasting restaurant. The kids really had fun there. The restaurant brought each of them a raw cookie to decorate. While they ate, the cookie was baked and presented to them at the end of the meal to take home. The crowds, the cab rides, and the energy of the city impressed the kids. Kyle had a 10 minute nap on the way home and Grace was asleep for the entire ride.

Socks!

2010-12-08T10:17:00.000-05:00

Well, they are finished, my first pair of socks! Knit on three needles with help from Mary C. at Cozy Quilt Shoppe, learning to knit "in 3D" was a challenge from my to do list. Many thanks, Mary.

A New Tradition Begins

2010-11-27T10:41:00.000-05:00

Yesterday, Black Friday 2010, was the perfect day to see a Broadway show! All of the tourists and shoppers were downtown while Jackie and I enjoyed the light crowds in midtown. "Elf, the Musical" was the object of our adventure. It did not disappoint us, roaring good fun.

We met at the Marriott Marquis in Times square, for a light lunch, then hustled over to the Hirschfeld Theatre for the 2 p.m. matinee. After the show, we walked over to the Nintendo store for some quick shopping. Then we hailed a cab over to Fresco by Scotto for great calamari and mac & cheese. On the way back to Jersey, we laughed; totaled our expenses for the day, and laughed some more. We plan to do this again on future Black Fridays. It was a great day and we did our bit to bolster the economy.

Clovis 4/13/92-11/11/2010

2010-11-15T09:06:00.001-05:00

Clovis ran the house from the day she was born.

Jackie brought home a stray cat, suspiciously fat. A few weeks later, her bedroom closet was home to the mom and four (?) kittens. Clovis was the largest, loudest and first able to climb out of their box :-) Jackie begged to keep her, so we found homes for the mom and the others and Clovis became part of our family.

Her name came from Stephen King's film "Sleepwalkers." Jackie was into her horror film period. Clovis was deputy Andy's cat. In the film, the cat is the heroin who saves Tanya from vampire Charles and then leads the pack of cats, which had been gathering nearby, into an attack on vampire Mary thus saving Tanya again. Jackie was 13 years old when she named Clovis. I guess she felt that she needed protection from vampires.

Our Clovis was a character. She is missed and remembered with love.

Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace

2010-11-11T06:51:00.000-05:00

Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Life in the White House(the 18 acres of the title and the pinnacle of U.S. government) is the subject of this first novel driven by the lives of Charlotte, first woman to be President; Melanie, a White House veteran and Charlotte's chief of staff; and Dale, TV correspondent covering the White House and Mistress of Peter, Charlotte's husband. The story is an unexpected page-turner! Melanie was my favorite character, but I was always turning pages to keep up with Charlotte and Dale as well. It's girlish and gossipy. At the highest levels of government, girls will be girls. And, they play politics a bit differently than men. Sort of beach book goes to Washington, I really enjoyed this story.

Nicolle Wallace, former political analyst for CBS news and communications director in the George W. Busch administration writes well about a subject she knows in her debut novel.

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Grace Weekend

2010-10-10T17:15:00.001-04:00

Grace was visiting this weekend. Yesterday, she went with Rob, Kat and the Quinones family to a pumpkin farm. They had a great time and brought home a nice big pumpkin.

Grace is a big car singer. On the way home from the diner after breakfast, she ran through her repetoire of geometry songs including "Cindy Circle," "Susie Square," and "Trixie Triangle" then surprised us with a verse of "Hey Soul Sister."

And, she had mail here this weekend. Her first issue of High Five magazine arrived. She was good at finding items hidden in pictures, loved the poem about Mr. Turtle's birthday (he is 92), and cooked the "Mac & Cheese Muffins" with her Dad.

The missing muffins were eaten by the cooks!

Ford County by John Grisham

2010-09-29T10:24:00.002-04:00

Ford County by John Grisham

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I seldom read short stories. However, John Grisham is one of my favorite authors, so I picked up his collection "Ford County." I was not disappointed. Grisham is a master storyteller both short and long.

Among the seven stories in this collection, "Casino" was my favorite. It had all of the Mississippi nuances that give strength to the realism of all of these stories. Writers do write best about what they know best. Sidney dearly loves, or is very used to life with, Stella. Who would have guessed that he had the skills to get her back? After enjoying each episode that added up to the climax, I had to smile when the story ended. It was a satisfying ending.

There is a lot in these stories to keep a book group talking. Because they are stories rather than a novel, members could read as much as they could in a busy month like December and still take part in the discussion without guilt. The discussion would certainly be lively.

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Thank you Bob Braun...

2010-09-27T07:53:00.000-04:00

...for your column on the front page of The Star-Ledger this morning (Monday, 9/27/2010). I recommend it to all of the wonderful educators I have known. And, I encourage them to keep their chins up, stand up and do not give up.

2010-09-08T11:54:00.001-04:00

First September that I am not going to work, feels weird.

"Now and Then" by Robert B. Parker

2010-09-07T14:18:00.000-04:00

My rating: 5 stars

Spenser and Susan are back together after a separation. Their conversations are as witty and cryptic as ever. Of course Hawk, Vinnie and Cholo are on hand as well to give Spenser the backup he needs to protect Susan while he entices the killer of an FBI agent and his philandering wife into a trap. What begins as a straight-forward job of snooping on the wife at the request of the husband turns into a complicated case of false identity and terrorism.

I loved this one. It is probably my favorite. Spenser is smooth, Hawk is cool, Vinnie is psycho and Cholo is, well, expert. Highly recommended.

Van Riper House Benefit Street Fair

2010-09-06T13:27:00.000-04:00

Yesterday the street fair to benefit the Van Riper House was held on Franklin Avenue between Harrison and Centre Streets. Jeanne Van Steen and I set up the League of Women Voters table and the tent (a tricky project) with help from the Spencer Savings Bank crew ( a neighboring table). It was breezy, cool and clear, a beautiful day for the event.

Rob, Kyle and Grace met me on the Avenue. After pizza and soda at Belle Paese's sidewalk concession, the kids had a great time playing on the inflatable attractions.

Later, I met Rob, Kathryn and Jackie at the Salt Creek Grill in Rumson for Rob's birthday dinner. Seated next to the Navasink River, we chatted and enjoyed the restaurant. It was a good day.

Sesame Place

2010-08-29T12:48:00.001-04:00

How big are Ernie's hands?

After the shoe shopping described below, we headed off to spend the afternoon and evening at Sesame Place, in Langhorne, PA. It was a beautiful day. There was a huge crowd. The park was colorful, nostalgic and chaotic with happy little kids. The many water slides and pools were popular attractions. And, we were EXHAUSTED driving home, except for Grace who chattered, asked questions about our front seat conversations (she doesn't miss anything) and watched "Toy Story" without falling asleep.

The Count's Splash Castle was a riot. It dumped a huge pail of water on the crowd below in the pool every few minutes.

School Shoes

2010-08-29T12:31:00.001-04:00

A tradition continues. Shopping for school shoes is a tradition I hope to continue with my granddaughter Grace, pictured here in one pair of the new shoes. That's her dad, Rob, carrying the bag.

Christine Donato at the library once described how her mother still took her to shop for school shoes after she reached adulthood. Chris was a school librarian before she retired and came to work with us. Her father continued that tradition after her mother passed away. I loved that story, especially since my daughter is a school librarian. After hearing the story, I began taking her to shop for school shoes. We had not done that since she was a student.

Yesterday, Rob, Grace and I visited two shoe stores, the Little Shoe Box and Nordstrom. It was a successful trip. Grace is wearing the pair she picked in the photo. Black patent leather MaryJanes, requested by her mom, are in the bag.

"Compulsion" by Jonathan Kellerman

2010-08-24T17:11:00.004-04:00

Compulsion by Jonathan Kellerman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Listened to the audio book and I was reluctant to stop. Milo Sturgis investigates and Alex Delaware, psychologist, consults in a team-up that never fails to produce twists and turns.

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World Quilt Festival, a Road Trip with Jackie to New Hampshire

2010-08-24T13:55:00.000-04:00

August 18-22, 2010, Jackie and I drove to NH for the World Quilt Festival. On Thursday, we participated in an all-day class taught by Barbara Barber from the UK. BB is famous for her circular piecing techniques and her book "Really Sharp Piecing." This is the block that I began in her class and just finished today at home. Clovis, my quilting companion, was very curious about this block. She had never seen me quilt anything in a circle. I was pretty pleased with the result. It took some trial and error to get this one right. Now, I think I could do another easily.

On Friday, we devised our own "shop hop" and visited four shops on our way up to Center Harbor, the home of Keepsake Quilting which Jackie dubbed "mecca for quilters." Our first stop at The Quilt Patch in Bedford set the playful tone of the whole day. The proprietor, Sue Trask, had just opened the store and watered her garden as we arrived. We spent a ton of money, laughed, consulted, pondered, drove, criticized the GPS and even had a wilderness adventure that will go down in family lore. ;-) Getting to Keepsake Quilting was so much fun.


Jackie entering Peggy Anne's Quilting & Sewing Co. in Concord. Found great SALES

Cute country shop in Andover. All quilts in the shop go on sale at half price after Thanksgiving, and they were beautiful. Good place to get holiday gifts.

After our "off road" adventure, we arrived at The Quilting Corner.

Finally we arrived at Keepsake Quilting in Center Harbor, a beautiful resort town.

NJ State Fair

2010-08-24T12:59:00.002-04:00

What's a visit to the State Fair without a pony ride? Rob, Kat, Grace and I spent the Saturday, August 14th. in Sparta for the event.

I learned about oxen. I was never too sure exactly what kind of cattle they were. However, there were three pairs at the fair and some very knowledgeable people who set me straight.

The livestock displays included this little guy who was very camera and child friendly. Grace was a little hesitant at first.

Rides? Grace loved them!

New audio book download

2010-08-07T14:45:00.001-04:00

Compulsion by Jonathan Kellerman

Listening to the audio book just downloaded from the Nutley Library Listen NJNW site. A great service, these unabridged audio books go onto my MP3 player for listening in the car, during walks and while sewing. Love them!

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Facelsss Killers by Henning Mankell

2010-08-06T20:47:00.001-04:00

Faceless Killers (Wallander #1)
by Henning Mankell, Steven T. Murray(Translator)

A good first novel, the police procedures are painstakingly described, however, the action does not suffer. Detective Wallander, brooding and instrocspective, is very human. His relentless pursuit of leads and theories kept me right there with him in the story. I will read more mysteries from this Swedish author.

Bones by Jonathan Kellerman

2010-08-06T20:26:00.003-04:00

Bones by Jonathan Kellerman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Nothing new or interesting here, Kellerman is becoming stale.

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Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods

2010-08-06T20:22:00.001-04:00

Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Shallow, pretentious....

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Packing

2010-07-11T15:41:00.001-04:00

It's done and it only weighs 40 lbs. 2 oz., well under the 50 lb limit. I have an entire day to second guess what I packed before going to the airport on Tuesday morning. This is going to be a great trip.

2010-07-08T07:46:00.001-04:00

Storm Prey by John Sandford

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Where is the edge-of-your-seat anticipation of horrific events? Not like the usual Sanford, this one is mellow by comparison.

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2010-07-07T03:56:00.003-04:00

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
EXCELLENT! Mickey Haller, defense attorney whose office is a Lincoln Town Car (hence the title), works for a client who can pay his "A" schedule fees, a "franchise" client. Roulet quickly becomes his worst nightmare. Connelly knows how to build tension and desperation in his characters.

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2010-06-30T11:04:00.005-04:00

High Profile by Robert B. Parker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Unflappable police chief Jesse Stone is back working a double murder in his town and trying to cope with his own personal problems. Parker has written another chronicle of the evil that men (and women) do. A good beach book, "High Profile" is a good read.

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2010-06-30T11:04:00.004-04:00

True Detectives: A Novel by Jonathan Kellerman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars
The sibling rivalry and characatures of the bad guys are trifling.

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Night & Day

2010-06-25T13:32:00.002-04:00

Enjoyed a nice evening with my son, Rob, last night. We went to see Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz in "Night & Day," a movie that kept us smiling throughout. The stunts are nonstop. The structure of the film brings the opening full-circle to the ending. I loved the ending. Cameron Diaz's spunky character and Tom Cruise's unlimited patience and time-outs to explain and give specific instructions to her are comic. Their timing is very good. It is fun to stretch believability with a smile.

Karate Kid

2010-06-12T19:16:00.001-04:00

...see it. Didactic. Editing - flawless. Music - beautiful. Sound effects - amazing. Cinematography - artistic. Sets - authentic, panoramic. Characters - 2 main have depth and are well-developed. Acting - Jackie Chan: never saw him in a dramatic role before, he CAN ACT; Jaden Smith - probably worked harder than he ever imagined to prepare for this role, a good lesson to learn so young.

THE MAGIC IS ALL THERE. Breath taking. Inspiring. Enjoyed by all ages in the theatre.

More Michael Connelly sans Harry Bosch

2010-06-12T14:18:00.004-04:00

The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Connelly makes Jack McEvoy, reporter, believable as he deals with losing his newspaper job. The plight of newspapers is current and his assessment of print reporting currency, accuracy and standards vs. TV reporting is accurate. That Jack uncovers the story of his career through great investigative journalism gives readers a plot that keeps them reading.

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Hooked on Michael Connelly

2010-06-11T13:22:00.001-04:00

Harry Bosch is my new favorite detective. Immersed in an audio book binge since early April because Bosch is so hard to put down, "Nine Dragons" is my favorite book in the series so far. I am not reading them in order. Len Cariou is one of the best audio book narrators working. His recreations of the Bosch/Connelly series make listening addictive.

Kids. They can really complicate life. Harry's daughter complicates his in a twist at the conclusion that took me by surprise. I do love late in the novel twists that create memorable endings. "Diggstown" and "The Usual Suspects" are films that I enjoy for that reason.

Downloading audio books through the Nutley Public Library subscription to ListenNJ is wonderful.

Cherry Blossom Festival 2010

2010-04-29T09:00:00.019-04:00

Our county park has more cherry blossom trees than Washington, D.C.! Who knew? After years (40) of hearing about the trees and many trips by the park without going in to really enjoy them, Rob drove me through on Easter Sunday afternoon. I returned during the week to take my walk among the beautiful trees and to read about the history of the project that the county put together inside the visitors' center.

NY Film Critics Coming Attractions 4/5/2010

2010-04-26T22:00:00.001-04:00

"The City of Your Final Destination" a Merchant Ivory Film was the first piece screened in the Spring 2010 series. A favorite interest, the discussions that follow the screenings feature a NY film critic, usually Peter Travers, and a principal from the film. James Ivory was the guest for this screening and Godfrey Cheshire was the critic (Travers suffered a broken shoulder).

Based on a novel by James Cameron, "City" stars Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney (the only two I recognized), and also Norma Aleandro, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Alexandra Maria Lara, Omar Metwally and Hiroyuki Sanada. A young academic tries to persuade the heirs of a recently deceased Uruguayan novelist to permit an authorized biography of the novelist. Lush settings, a rural pace, well-developed characters and attention to the details of relationships kept my interest in the story as it developed. Left with much to think about....

Nutley Rotary Beefsteak Dinner 2010

2010-04-26T16:27:00.000-04:00

April 24, 2010, another successful Beefsteak fundraiser. The gym at the Parks and Recreation building was packed. With 117 raffle prize baskets, 30+ grand prizes, door prizes and a 50/50 raffle, this all-you-can eat feast is anticipated every year. GREAT FUN.

Most guests concentrate on the beef. The slices of bread on which it is served become the raw material for the "bread sculpture competition." Jackie and Adam Reeve (I know them well) bring a team each year that creates something original. This is the second year that their team won the competition. Here is a picture of the "SS Nutley Rotary" a sailing ship complete with gangplank and captain's wheel (is that Johnny Depp at the gangplank?)

NY Film Critics Coming Attractions 4/12/2010

2010-04-26T16:07:00.000-04:00

"Handsome Harry" a film by Bette Gordon was screened. Jamey Sheridan was the central character trying to unravel the identity of the buddy who struck the crippling blow to a member of their group during a brawl which occurred while they served in the Navy together. One of the group, played by Steve Buscemi, worries on his deathbed, that he may have been the culprit. He summons Sheridan for clarification. Sheridan is haunted by the question and sets off to ask the others what they remember. It is a journey of discovery that finds the buddies well along in their lives. Their fortunes span the gamut of human experiences. All have suffered in one way or another.

An excellent film, the conflict was absorbing and well-portrayed. ...could not stay for the discussion with Bette Gordon. Peter Travers was back to moderate.

2010-04-21T14:21:00.003-04:00

The Piano Teacher by Janice Y.K. Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
"Oh, Claire, what are you doing?" ...my first reaction when beginning this absorbing historical fiction.
Able to pilfer from her employer without a qualm in the first chapter, Claire's early lapse signals the reader that this story is all about character flaws, human imperfections and the struggle to survive. The war-time occupation of Hong Kong by the Japanese is the setting that provides the stage for a cast of well-developed characters.

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2010-04-21T14:00:00.003-04:00

This Book Is Overdue!: How Librarians and Cybrarians Can Save Us All by Marilyn Johnson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
YEESSSS! How is it that librarians understand these concepts and yet remain so invisible? For every librarian who has lent self-less expertise without acknowledgement, Johnson understands.

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2010-04-21T13:48:00.003-04:00

All New Square Foot Gardening Cookbook by Mel Bartholomew

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Simple recipes for fresh produce, Joe Scarpelli's and Joanne Cocchiola's departments will host farmers' markets in municipal lot #1 behind the former Janette Store beginning June 6th. I'll be there with this book in hand.

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"Square Foot Gardening" by Mel Bartholomew

2010-04-21T13:44:00.000-04:00

Mel Bartholomew is inspirational. At the NJ Garden Show, he lectured on his square foot gardening method (and signed my book!). The square foot method is do-able in the space I have. The idea of abandoning planting in rows and the work that larger gardens entail is very appealing. Mel is specific in his recommendations and explains techniques very well. There is an abundance of good information here. This is an excellent beginner's guide to a manageable vegetable garden that will produce from late spring through the autumn.

Can't resist a cute cupcake!

2010-04-21T13:27:00.003-04:00

What's New, Cupcake? Ingeniously Simple Designs for Every Occasion by Karen Tack

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

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Great Story

2010-04-13T18:55:00.002-04:00

Among the Mad (Maisie Dobbs, #6)
by Jacqueline Winspear, Orlagh Cassidy (Narrator)

rating:

bookshelves: mystery

status: Read in April, 2010

** spoiler alert ** December 1931. Maisie Dobbs, indomitable World Ward II nurse turned investigator, teams up with Scotland Yard's Detective Chief Superintendent Robert McFarland to unravel a nerve gas mystery. Terrorism is the theme of this mystery and much has not changed in its techniques and effects.

The story is also a poignant commentary on the condition of veterans with visible and invisible wounds. It provided some insight into the British "conscription" of scientists to counter the threat of chemical weapons during the war.

Best quote: "You look like hell."
"That's how people look when they have seen hell through another person's eyes."

I listened to this complex story as an audiobook downloaded from the library and will probably read more titles in this series.

Please vote for ConKerr Cancer

2010-04-03T14:19:00.000-04:00

AQS Quilt Show - Lancaster, PA

2010-04-01T19:34:00.001-04:00

The highlight of last week was a two-day visit to the American Quilting Society show in Lancaster. It was by far the largest quilt event I have ever attended. Here are some pictures.

Great Author

2010-03-25T17:07:00.001-04:00

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Severely introspective, complex, well-crafted.... I will go back and read Larsson's "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo."

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Birthday Weekend

2010-03-08T20:16:00.001-05:00

Previously I wrote that I entered a quilt into a tri-state competition. It was accepted for the juried show. My wonderful son-in-law, Adam, took the required photographs for me in January. The acceptance letter was received in mid-February. The judging was conducted this last Wednesday and the show was open to the public on Thursday through Sunday. For my birthday on Sunday, Jackie and I had some time together at the show in the morning. We shopped at the vendors for fabric to complete placemats for each other. The challenge was to select a fabric palette that the other of us would choose and make the mats as gifts to each other. I thought that this would be a lot of fun for us to do and give us an opportunity to see how well we knew our quite opposite tastes. The mats must be completed by June. We will use them when we visit each other for coffee, tea and chat. Adam, Rob and Grace joined us around lunch time to view my quilt. It did not win a prize. I am anxiously waiting for its return with the judges’ comments so that I will know how to improve. My sister, Jackie joined us and we all went to lunch together afterward. It was a great day.

On Saturday, we celebrated Grace’s upcoming birthday with a trip to the Museum of Natural History. We thought that it would be a quick visit for her to see the big blue whale and walk through one of the dinosaur rooms. To our amazement, she loved the museum. We were there for two hours! The run-up to the visit involved bedtime picture books about a dinosaur who went to school and an octopus who thought he was the king of the ocean until a blue whale made an appearance. She was ready to go see the whale and the dinosaurs. Using the museum map in “Dora, the Explorer” imagery, we visited North American Mammals where she was speechless and saucer-eyed viewing an Alaskan brown bear, two of the dinosaur rooms and the ocean mammals. Her interest was more than I had hoped it would be. By the way, the new butterfly conservatory inside the museum is well worth a visit when you are in the city. We will follow up with more science activities.

Rob took Grace home late this afternoon. I needed a nap before preparing dinner. And, I was in my pajamas by 7 p.m.! She is a joy and she is exhausting.

"The Silent Hour"

2010-02-18T15:24:00.004-05:00

The Silent Hour by Michael Koryta

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The audio book version was not kind to this complex mystery. Its many plot turns and twists are rendered laborious by a plodding, melodramatic narration.

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Maria

2010-02-17T19:13:00.000-05:00

Thank you Bob for going to the Dog, Cat and Bird Clinic to pick up Maria's remains today. I was trying to muster my composure to go there. I am happy that you were here.

Pressing/cutting small table

2010-02-17T19:04:00.000-05:00

At my quilting group last Saturday, Maureen had converted a wooden snack table into a nicely portable, keep-next-to-your-machine pressing cutting table. Perfect for my sewing room, it allows me to press as you go and trim without moving from the sewing machine to the ironing board and the cutting table (maybe this is not good exercise-wise, but it sure is convenient). I am making one for myself. It just requires a snack table, a layer of regular low-loft batting, a layer of thermal batting, the silver ironing board cover material and a staple gun.

Stopped reading "Magician's Elephant"

2010-02-13T14:38:00.000-05:00

A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

More promising than "Magician's Elephant." I need a break from Elephant. May go back to it.

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It's Official!!!

2010-02-10T12:50:00.005-05:00

My quilt, "The Pond," has been accepted for entry into the Tri-State Quilt Competition. It will be displayed March 4-7, 2010, at The Quilt Fest of New Jersey VI to be held at the Garden State Exhibit Center, 50 Atrium Drive, Somerset, NJ 08873.

This is my first venture into quilt competition. I hope the judges' critique will help me to improve my skills.

Here is an album of my quilts to date.

Maria, August 1, 1990 - February 9, 2010

2010-02-10T12:37:00.004-05:00

The most loving kitty and a member of our family. She will be missed.

Update 11/15/2010. Maria's Story.
Tony mentioned that the guys in the metal shop were feeding a stray black kitten. He wondered if he should bring it home to make friends with Jackie, who was giving her stepfather a rough road to travel. I think I said no. Anyway, I arrived home from shopping with Bobby to find Jackie and Tony using one of my best towels to dry off a kitten. The bathroom was a mess. The two of them were thrilled because they gave the kitten a bath revealing that she was a tabby when they thought she was black. Bobby was leaving for his first year at USC, so we decided the kitten would be his - a playful link to home. He named her Maria. She was affectionate, unflappable, even-tempered, and mature beyond her years. She scoffed at the antics of "lesser" cats and remained haughty until she wanted attention. She was a great companion. She is missed.

"Beverly Hills Dead" by Stuart Woods

2010-01-30T07:04:00.005-05:00

Polished, classic....

"Faces of the Gone" by Brad Parks

2010-01-26T09:40:00.002-05:00

Faces of the Gone: A Crime Novel by Brad Parks

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Newark, NJ is a complicated city, the largest in NJ. Brad Parks successfully shines a light on its darker side and the workings of a newsroom for a large regional newspaper. A bit heavy on the wittisisms, the plot is straightforward, the real villain is almost a complete surprise, and the subplots are entertaining. I could not put it down. It is a well-conceived and written first novel.

Contest entry mailed

2010-01-22T11:52:00.004-05:00

Yes, the entry form, digital photos (thank you Adam) and fee have been mailed! It's hard to believe that I am actually entering this contest. Here is a photo of my quilt.

This is a Tri-State Quilt Competition - NJ, NY, PA. The accepted entries will be shown at the Quilt Fest of New Jersey, March 4-7, at the Garden State Exhibit Center in Somerset, NJ. By February 5th., I will know if my quilt has been accepted!

Keeping my fingers crossed...!

New Year

2010-01-19T14:06:00.003-05:00

Wow! I have neglected this blog for almost a year. Time for an update:

I retired on October 1, 2009.
I bought a new Honda CR-V in June 2009.
I went on my first cruise in July 2009. (To Bermuda, it was very nice.)

Baby Shower

2009-02-22T11:05:00.003-05:00

My sister Debbie is expecting her first great grandchild! Yesterday I travelled with my daughter to the shower. It was an hour and a half drive so we had plenty of time to chat and catch up. We had a lot of fun in the car and at the shower.
At 22, India, Debbie's granddaughter, is a lovely mom-to-be. Her mom, friends and cousins really turned out to give her a nice shower. We played games (I won the first one), ate ravioli, and talked non-stop. Jackie R., my daughter, made the cutest quilt with dots and little cars. It wil be a great blanket or playmat for the baby. I found some tiny workboots with help from my friends Tom and Vic and I included a Visa gift card to give India some cash to purchase what she still needed. My sister Jackie G. made a baby quilt and a quilted book which were adorable.
The gift that was a surprise was the baby tub and spa. How do inventors think of these things? I remember bathing Bob and then Jackie in the kitchen sink. It was easier on the back and afforded a better hold on the infant.
Debbie at 78 celebrated paying off her mortgage in the summer and just purchased a beautiful Buick. She is so involved in her church and family activities. Having a new car just makes her more active.

Gift for Jackie

2009-02-18T18:46:00.005-05:00

This is a long story. My daughter, Jackie, is an amazing young woman...creative, lively, and with unique perspectives. Her 30th. birthday was last week. I sent her a nice chunk of money which she reported she was thrilled to spend on a great fabric binge. A couple of years ago, I gave her a Kenmore mechanical sewing machine as a Christmas gift. Just in case it was a passing interest, I did not spend more than a reasonable amount on this gift. To my great pleasure, Jackie has been sewing non-stop ever since! She has adopted this creative outlet and really invested time and practice into her projects. I have been a sewer all of my life and it seemed that Jackie did not have the sewing gene until now.

On Friday the thirteenth, my friend Betty and I planned a road trip up to Vernon to the Pieceful Choices Quilt Shop to purchase fabric for the project we were going to learn at the BBQ weekend in April. While there, Betty looked at a Janome machine to be her class portable. She was looking at a mechanical machine very reasonably priced. However, with a minimum of coaxing, she considered the Janome Jem Platinum 760 (which I was drooling over). I have a Janome Jem Gold which I take to classes, but the Platinum is computerized and I was amazed at the features it sported AND the price was great!!!! I decided to buy one for Jackie, but first tried to reach her on the phone. After I left a message for her, I decided to buy one anyway and check with her later. I knew she was lusting for a Bernina QE, but it might be a long time before she could afford it. In the interim, her Kenmore was at the shop and she seemed to have "outgrown" its basic functions. Betty decided to buy one also! We were both ecstatic and off to find Cracker Barrel for an early dinner.

Jackie returned my call to say that she would continue to save up for a Bernina. The next day I saw a posting on her blog with a photo of the thread mess that her "repaired" Kenmore was making of her current project. I called her back to ask why she kind of turned down my offer. She explained that the cost of the gift made her uncomfortable. Smile. What a kid. After a brief of description of the pleasure it would give me as her mother to support her sewing hobby and the joy I felt because she was pursuing a craft that I had enjoyed all of my life, she relented. I delivered the machine to her last night after work. She was happy. After I got there, I wondered what in the world I was doing leaving home at 6 p.m. to make an hour and a half (my speed) drive each way just to see her happy response.