Last night while I was preparing dinner I caught a glimpse of Emma reading in the family room, just like you see her in the picture. There was such a pleasant-ness about it. A cozy, comfortable, "all-curled-up-with-a-book" kind of look. We were at the bookstore yesterday and she found one of those young reader paperbacks for girls. You've seen the kind, usually about horses, with a necklace hanging off the cover (this one had the proverbial pony necklace). She really wanted it, but to me it didn't look like the type of book she could read, plus I knew it was the necklace she was after most. So I asked her to read the back cover to me while we were standing in the store. Well, she did! I made a deal with her that I would keep the pony necklace until she had finished the entire book. She's been working so hard, reading alone, to her stuffies, and to me last night before bed. I am really pleased to see her working this hard for something she wants. I am pleased to see her enjoying reading and I especially love talking with her about what's happening in the book. But a little dumbfounded too. I mean, weren't we just reading the same Maisy board book over and over again just a few months ago??
Books have been on my mind lately, for lots of reasons. I love to read before bed and its really the only time I ever to, although I will admit to many an evening barely being able to flip through the pages of the current craft book I'm "studying" before I turn out the light. Reading often gets pushed aside for the sake of crafting, but as warmer weather starts to fill my thoughts a little more, I'm starting to think about "summer reading". I don't really mean summer reading in a literal sense, more the idea of allowing myself the time to get swept away in a good read.
A short list of books I plan on for "summer" reading
Devil in the Details
A Room of One's Own- thanks to Erieann for suggesting this classic which I've never read
Housekeeping- thanks to Alicia
Mirabilis
Life Mask - By Emma Donoghue, who also wrote Slammerkin, which was a book that really has stuck with me. It was intense, emotional, I couldn't put it down.
I would love to hear what types of books you are reading or are planning to read. I used to be in a book club, but quite frankly, I couldn't keep up. I don't like to read on a schedule, when that happens I immediately feel stressed. These days I just talk with friends who are in book clubs and usually get good suggestions that way.
And, because this is first and foremost a craft blog, I'll show you the patchwork bag I just finished. This one for myself.
I actually started it a long time ago. I put it down because it was such a bugger, this bag resisted every bit of construction I tried to put it through. The fabrics all stretched like crazy in different directions and the layers I ended up sewing through were so thick. I always do the most slap-happy construction when its for me Why is that?? But, its done and its sentimental, and I'm glad I saw it through. I have scattered all the contents and am amazed that this is now all I leave the house with. I went from carrying everything but my blowdryer to work...to carrying diapers, sippys, and toys, leaving only room for a chapstick for me...to this. Notice my tissue holder that Lisa made. I treated myself at Christmastime with it and I realized I've never shown a picture. I love this little guy.
Just enough room in there left for a good book. : )
