Reading Lists....

One of the things I struggle with when studying is the dreaded Reading List.  I don't often manage to complete a whole book, and tend to just dip in and out, a chapter here and there, and generally only when needing to write assignments. I have, in effect,  forbidden myself from reading a novel or even something unrelated to the area of study for the last year and a half.

So now I would like to present my Post Study Reading List.....

1).  The Ruby in the Smoke by Philip Pulman.
I picked this up with the intention of reading it to my youngest.   She wasn't that taken with it and I soon realised some of the themes were a bit beyound an 8yr old but by then I was hooked.  And so began the reading marathon!

2). Love, Aubry by Suzanne LaFleur
I saw my middle daughter reading this and the blurb intrigued me.  It is quite possibly the saddest, most heart rending book I have ever read and totally captivating, I could not put it down, and had to read most of it through rather blurry eyes!!

3, 4 & 5). His Dark Materials by Philip Pulman (trilogy)
I just love these books and consider them my all time favourite read.  This is the third time I've read these now and it was just as exciting as the first (it first came to my attention during my counselling training).  I love thinking about the theme of Demons, or the external soul, and think about what my Demon might look like.  In comparison I watched the film version of the first book The Golden Compass and found it very disappointing indeed.  The main character Lyra was just not how I had imagined her, and I certainly wasn't picturing Nicole Kidman when reading about Mrs Coulter.  It was definately a case of the written word being more powerful than a film. 


6).  The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M Auel
(Part of the Earth's Children Series)
This book was recommended during two separate conversations about what to read next so it seemed to me that I would have to read it, although I wasn't too sure of it at first.  It didn't take long to get completely hooked so when that was finished...

...7).  The Valley of the Horses by Jean M Auel.
The second book of five.  Again I was totally hooked but was very surprised to find this one rather racey!!  a bit Mills and Boon in animal skins!!  I totally rushed the ending and probably ruined it for me, grabbing any opportunity to read when I should have been packing and getting ready for a couple of days away staying with friends (and when I should have been communicating with the very friends we were visiting!!). 

8).  The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield
This is just a fill in until I see my friend to get the rest of the Earth's Children books.  The first time I read this book was when I was living on my narrowboat.  I was hanging out with some wierd and wonderful crop-circle and crystal healing enthusiasts and its really interesting revisiting it again, asking myself have I learnt much since the first time?  Have I changed much?  Am I any more insightful!!?  I kinda think I am  :0)

So, with all that reading there hasn't been much time for crafting.  I am still plodding on with the Goddess Gown but that can't really be photographed and my other project is a rather uninspiring Brown Man's Jumper!  Instead I shall leave you with a pic of one other little project, something I'm working on for this years Larmer Tree Festival.  It's going to be called The Big Weave.

Happy Easter All :0)

School's Out for Summer (well nearly!)

Well, it feels like I've reached the end of a rather long and exhausting race........and my prize?

Is this!......

After 6 weeks in a fantastic yet challenging school, followed by assignment writing and getting ready for my Larmer Tree Workshop, I feel utterly spent, and also still rather surprised I managed to pull it off.

The timing couldn't have been better, on the day the assignment was handed in we headed off with a van packed with food, fabric and glue. The workshop was brilliant producing this fantastic work of art ......



Give or take the odd tired and emotional meltdowns ( and not just by the children), everyone had a good time. The atmosphere was lovely and you would not believe how much there was to see yet what did my Man and I take photo's off?

Gardens.......



and my wool!.......



Is that a bit sad?

But now I must go as the postman has just dropped lots of lushious things through my door :-)

TTFN x

Ahhhhhhhh.........

Well the Easter Hols are over and everyone has, somewhat reluctantly, gone back to school and work. If the intended purpose of school holidays is to have a restful time then we've failed. All 3 girls looked pretty worn out this morning, but I was thinking that may be a benefit. Tired children can just sit quietly and soak up the information can't they? Going back to school should give them a bit of a rest!!

Of course, going back to school marks the beginning of the last term. The summer term is for doing as much learning outside as possible, sports day (urrgh) and planning the summer entertainments. I'm on the school PTA so I will be gunning for a Sponsored Walk this year.

So far we're booked in for the Larmer Tree Festival Fun For Kids . I'm doing a Wonders of Wool workshop and can't wait. Lots of prep work though which I will probably typically leave to the last minute. Come and say Hi if you're going.

Other items on the agenda is my alternative route to Recession Busting. Instead of following the advice to shop our way out of recession (borrring) I shall be Knitting, Growing and Baking my way out who needs money anyway :-) .

I've found it almost impossible to be grumpy when on the allotment. I shall also be pumping a bit of time and energy into getting a plot going at our local school. To do something similar check out Landshare and RHS - Campaign for School Gardening - Home . Of course when I say 'pumping time and energy into' what I mean is nag/encourage/bribe the Man of the House to go up to school and help me make a plot!

And in the oven today is bread and a Lemon Drizzle cake.

After much pondering and computor gazing I found this pattern

Hey Teach cardigan - Summer 2008 - Knitty , so I've started knitting it (see left & right) and I'm imagining its going to be my protective garment, my suit of armour! Its going to be my Magic Teacher Top!

Now the weather is typically gorgeous so I really must be outside. I can feel a dyeing session coming on (that's wool people, please don't be alarmed) , which I might attempt outside on a fire and there's Art Therapy at the end of the week (almost forgotten about that didn't you! yes!) so there should be some interesting pictures soon.

Thanks for droping by.

Ta Ta x