This book in the Dying Earth series follows the adventures of Cugel, who was first introduced to us in The Eyes of the Overworld. Cugel’s a likeable trickster-figure – he’ll do anything to advance his way, make him money, or get him the girl. But the real star of this book (really, the whole series) […]
Cugel’s Saga – Jack Vance Read More »
We headed over to Vermont this past weekend, and spent some time meandering the backroads to our traditional trip to the Northshire Book Store in Manchester. It was the perfect weekend for that kind of drive. It was cold, but clear, with that insanely blue sky that only winter can manage.
Back Roads of Southwestern Vermont Read More »
So this is the one thing I allowed myself to buy with my tax return this year: a composter. I went for a self contained one so I could pull it up easily if circumstances warranted. Plus, there’s just two of us, so this should be just the right size. I’ll admit I’m excited to
In this second Book of Ember, the people of the city of Ember have escaped their dying underground city, and found their way back above ground. Some long ago Disaster has wasted the land above ground, but only a few days walk away, they find the village of Sparks, where the people there have finally
The People of Sparks – Jeanne DuPrau Read More »
In this sequel to The Boggart, Emily and Jessup are back in Scotland to visit Castle Keep, and the family’s Boggart that lives there. The Boggart is a mischievous spirit that usually attaches himself to a particular family. While in Scotland, they decide to visit Loch Ness, and the Boggart tags along, only to find
The Boggart and the Monster – Susan Cooper Read More »
Well, I had my first full on canning disaster. I was really excited to use my new canner that my mother bought me for Christmas (in action above – it’s so nice and big!). I got it filled up with jars, and those sterilized, and I also got to use the new jar lifter I
Further Adventures in Domesicity Read More »
Arthur Penhaligion has returned to our world thinking that he was done with the strange House he’d found himself in on Monday. But, as soon as he returned to the regular world, he finds a new enemy in Grim Tuesday, and he’s forced back to the House to take the second key from Grim Tuesday,
Grim Tuesday – Garth Nix Read More »
The Decade Quilt is done. I actually finished it up on Sunday night, but haven’t been able to photograph it in anything approaching decent light until today. I started collecting the fabric for this about ten years ago. It’s all celestial or sky themed, so I decided to make it a postage stamp quilt to
This book continues the story of Beggars in Spain, where a few humans have been engineered to no longer need sleep, and these Sleepless change society in many ways, for both good and ill. This book deals with the consequences of the actions of the Sleepless, but they play a surprisingly small role in the
Beggars Ride – Nancy Kress Read More »
So I was tooling along pretty nicely with the landscape quilt – I got the last of three ‘tree’ strips done, and all three sewn together. I pinned those at the river bed, and got ready to sew that. And that is where I hit a snag. The clear thread I currently have is absolutely