This Week In Books (October 28)

Books completed the week ending October 28

• How to Beguile A Beauty - Kasey Michaels
• How to Woo A Spinster - Kasey Michaels
• Midnight Crystal - Jayne Castle
• Hot Finish - Erin McCarthy
• Sinful in Satin - Madeline Hunter
• Ten Ways to Be Adored When Landing A Lord - Sarah MacLean

This Week in Books (October 21)

Books Completed the Week Ending October 21 (a double week due to a pause in reading/blogging during a fabulous (but busy) visit from my parents!)

• One Perfect Rose - Mary Jo Putney
• Precious Jewel - Mary Balogh
• The Paid Companion - Amanda Quick
• Lord Lightning - Jenny Brown
• Glitter Baby - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
• What I Did For Love - Susan Elizabeth Phillips
• How to Tempt A Duke - Kasey Michaels

Quilt Along

A couple of weeks ago I squeezed out a few hours into a crazy day and snuck over to the American Quilters Society (AQS) Show that was here in Des Moines.  Wowsa.  It was awesome!  Just seeing the beautiful work by others was inspiring, but it was dangerously fun to spend so much time in the trade show where there were tons of booths from various quilting-related suppliers and stores.  I picked up tons of projects and ideas.

With the soon-to-be-completed craft room downstairs coming ever-closer to reality, I've decided to try an online Quilt Along that I learned about after reading about it on a post on one of the many quilting/sewing blogs I follow - Hooked on Needles.  I'm a bit worried it might be too much for a true beginner here, but it's a good excuse to make myself do some cutting and sewing -- and it's great practice.  So starting in a few weeks, I'm going to get started on the Moose on the Porch Quilts Layer Cake Quilt Along 2010! It runs through May 2011, with new blocks posted every other week.

Requirements:

• 1 Layer Cake (or 12 fat quarters)
• 1 1/2 yards accent fabric
• 1 2/3 yards outer border 
• 4 yards backing 
• 2/3 yards binding

I have quite a few fat quarters, but I may see if Layer Cakes are on sale anywhere that catch my eye...seems like a good excuse to buy some fabric (like I need an excuse...).  The rest of it I'm thinking I'll pull from my stash or pick up as needed. 

So keep an eye on the blog for quilting action shots!  We'll see if I can put that new craft room to good use...

A Gluten-Free Thanksgiving

The holidays are always challenging fir me when it comes to food...generally involving failed attempts not to overeat each meal.  However, since I've had to start watching/avoiding my gluten intake, holidays pose an additional challenge.  With that in mind, I owe a big thanks to my friend Amanda over at Stitch to Stitch, who directed me over to The Thrifty Mama who had a link to a helpful guide for the upcoming holidays.  There I found a coupon code for a free download of the ebook: Jules' Gluten Free Thanksgiving. 

It's a book, it's free, and it'll help with a gluten free holiday...what more can you ask for!?  Even if you yourself aren't gluten-free, your friends or family may have this on their do-not-eat list.  The book provides lots of recipes and ideas for the holiday meal (and surrounding meals) that provide options for all.  Check it out here and use the coupon code "thanks10" through October 14 to download your free copy.

This Week in Books (October 7)

Books Completed the Week Ending October 7

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows (re-read) - J.K. Rowling
• How to Tame A Lady - Kasey Michaels
• Chains of Fire - Christina Dodd
• Lessons From A Scarlet Lady - Emma Wildes
• Wait Until Midnight - Amanda Quick

This Week in Books (September 30)

Books completed the week ending September 30

• On the Steamy Side - Louisa Edwards
• The Devil Wears Plaid - Teresa Medieros
• All I Ever Wanted - Kristan Higgins
• The Confessions of A Duchess - Nicola Cornick
• The Scandals of An Innocent - Nicole Cornick
• The Undoing of A Lady - Nicole Cornick