The Master Quilter (Elm Creek Quilts Series #6) by Jennifer Chiaverini Amazon.com Edition: Paperback
A Cozy Quilt On A Cold Winters Night, September 8, 2 The Master Quilter (Elm Creek Quilts Series #6) by Jennifer Chiaverini Amazon.com Edition: Paperback
A Cozy Quilt On A Cold Winters Night, September 8, 2008
The Master Quilter
I'm sure I skipped ahead with this book, since Sylvia is now married and I didn't see it coming. I still enjoyed jumping into this story. Quilt Camp has been established at Elm Creek Manor. Each of the quilters, from the Tangled Web Quilters, takes part in teaching classes on different aspects of quilting. Sylvia Compson, the owner of the manor, is able to share her vast knowledge of quilting, with both new and experienced quilters.
Sarah and Matt McClure live year-round at the manor. Sarah is the bookkeeper, while Matt is the groundskeeper. This story is woven in with the lives of the quilters. Sylvia got married to Andrew, and the Elm Creek Quilters want to make her and her husband a wedding quilt. Sarah sends out letters to Sylvia's friends and those who have attended quilt camp at the Elm Creek Manor, so they can make a special square for the quilt. Each camper writes a story along with the square, to tell what Sylvia means to them.
In this story, Gwen Sulluvan, the hippie mom, is passed over for a position at the college, where she works, for a younger colleague. Her daughter, Summer, has moved in with her boyfriend, Jeremy, without even telling her mother. Judy, who is from Viet Nam, and also a professor, is given an opportunity to teach at a larger college, but she is hesitant to let anyone in on her secret.
Diane, who is sometimes mouthy, and her neighbor, Mary Beth, who is the head of the Quilter's Guild, are feuding, but their boys are best friends. The feud has gone too far, and now the boys are involved.
Bonnie's quilt shop, Grandma's Attic, is losing money. Bonnie is trying to keep the business going, when her husband, Craig, secretly meets with a realtor to sell the business. Bonnie is ashamed to let her friends know her business is in trouble, not to mention her marriage.
Agnes and Sylvia, who are sisters-in-law, have been estranged for many years. They are able to pick up the thread of friendship and become better friends than ever before.
Will the Elm Creek Quilt Camp survive the changes in the lives of these friends? Will Bonnie ever be able to recoup her losses from Grandma's Attic and get her life back on track? Will Sarah be able to get enough squares to finish Sylvia's wedding quilt? Will the ladies be able to remain friends, with Judy moving away?
Reading about the love and friendships of the Elm Creek Quilters is as cozy as a warm quilt, on a cold winters night.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat...more
The Mysterious Benedict Society By Trenton Lee Stewart
Mr. Benedict is a genius who is trying to stop a very serious crime ring. With no way to get inThe Mysterious Benedict Society By Trenton Lee Stewart
Mr. Benedict is a genius who is trying to stop a very serious crime ring. With no way to get into the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, he devises a plan to find the most intelligent children.
Children come from all over to take Mr. Benedict's test. They are tested in obedience, following directions, honesty etc. Although hundreds of children take the test, there are only four children who can pass it.
All of these children are either homeless, or orphans. They will infiltrate the school, on an island, in the middle of the sea. They will communicate with Mr. Benedict, through a secret code. If they choose to take on this mission, their very lives may be in peril.
These children learn to depend on each other. They learn to be brave, while learning just how smart and needed they are.
Children and adults alike will be entranced by The Mysterious Benedict Society.
I highly recommend this unusual tale of responsibility and never letting your friends down.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood Author: Through the Rug Through The Rug: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat
The Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts Series #1) by Jennifer Chiaverini
Coming Home, The Quilter's Apprentice
Sarah and Matt McClure are a cute, yoThe Quilter's Apprentice (Elm Creek Quilts Series #1) by Jennifer Chiaverini
Coming Home, The Quilter's Apprentice
Sarah and Matt McClure are a cute, young couple, who have just moved to a small college town in PA. Matt has a new job working as a Landscape Architect on an old estate. The owner, Sylvia Compson is planning to fix up Elm Creek estate, in order to sell it. She has been away for many years and can't stand to see her childhood home is disrepair.
The first day, Matt takes Sarah along for the ride, since she is still unemployed. Sarah asks for a glass of water, and Sylvia tells her to get it herself. She finds Mrs. Compson very abrasive. While Sylvia Compson is showing Matt around the estate, Sarah finds herself snooping around the house. She discovers a beautiful handmade quilt in the sitting room. When Sylvia finds her snooping she is even more distasteful to Sarah.
Since Sarah doesn't have a job, Sylvia asks her to work for her. She needs help cleaning out the rooms upstairs. Sarah, who is a CPA, reluctantly takes the job, but, instead of pay, she asks for quilting lessons. As Sarah and Sylvia quilt, Sylvia tells Sarah the tales of her youth. The women, although they got off to a rocky start, become fast friends.
Sarah makes friends with other quilters at Grandma's Attic, fabric shop, and helps to re-unite Sylvia with her old friends, with whom she has had a falling out, in years past.
I loved the friendships formed in this book. I also loved the history of Sylvia's family, and the quilt history woven in.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway, The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat...more
The Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, Book 3) by Carolyn Keene Edition: Hardcover
A Creepy Feeling, September 8, 2008
The Bungalow Mystery Book 3 Nancy DreThe Bungalow Mystery (Nancy Drew, Book 3) by Carolyn Keene Edition: Hardcover
A Creepy Feeling, September 8, 2008
The Bungalow Mystery Book 3 Nancy Drew
I have read this book several times in my lifetime. My first time was as an eighth-grader. Next, I read Nancy Drew while raising my girls. I'm now on the third-go-around. This time, I listened to the book on CD, and found it as exciting as ever.
Nancy and her friend, Helen Corning, are on vacation at a resort. When they take a boat out on the water, a storm capsizes their boat. Nancy and Helen's calls for help, bring a sixteen-year-old girl, Laura, to their rescue.
Helen and Nancy are concerned for Laura, who has lost her mother and is planning to meet up with her new guardians. When Nancy is called home, to care for her housekeeper, Hannah, who has a broken leg, she makes a mental note to check on Laura.
Laura finds out that her guardians are trying to steal her mother's jewels. She runs away, to Riverheights, where Nancy lives. Nancy Drew sets out alone to investigate Laura's guardians.
Nancy stumbles upon a securities theft, and a stolen identity, when she sets out to solve the Bungalow Mystery.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat...more
The Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop Edition: Audio CD
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Great Fantasy, October 15, 2008
I enjoThe Castle in the Attic by Elizabeth Winthrop Edition: Audio CD
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Great Fantasy, October 15, 2008
I enjoyed this book so much, I have listened to it twice.
William is ten-years-old when he finds out that his house-keeper/nanny is going to leave him. She says,"He is old enough to take care of himself now." William is afraid that with busy parents he will be left alone. Before she parts for England, Mrs. Phillips gives William a very special gift. She takes him up to the attic and shows him a very large, fully functional castle. He has to be brave, in order to have the castle, which has been in Mrs. Phillips family for many many years. There is only one knight that comes with the castle, the silver knight. Mrs. Phillips tells William that there is a story passed down through her family, that the silver knight is under a spell, and that one day he will come back to life. There is magic, spells and trickery within the walls of the castle. Not only will William need to be brave and stand on his own, but he will need to help end an evil curse.
You will enjoy reading about the life and times of the silver knight, as you join William on an adventure, back to the times of knights and ladies.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2 : Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat ...more
The Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) by Valorie Schaefer Edition: Paperback 1 of 1 people found the followinThe Care & Keeping of You: The Body Book for Girls (American Girl Library) by Valorie Schaefer Edition: Paperback 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Where Was This Book When I Was Growing Up?, October 7, 2008
Where was this book when I was growing up? What a great book for girls. As a mother of three girls and a grandmother of four girls, I give thumbs up to The Care & Keeping of You.
I began reading this book with my nine-year-old granddaughter, Autumn. She enjoyed learning about how to brush her hair, and her teeth. She loved the illustrations and the advice. We each took a turn reading. When it came to the chapter about her period, she said, "Please don't make me read that part, right now. I want to read the rest of the book, but I want to wait until I'm around 12 to read that part."
I told her, "Sure, we can wait. But at least you know the book is here, if you need to know about it." She is growing up in a home with a mom and two older sisters, and her mom as already had "the talk" with her.
The chapter about developing is great. All girls don't develop at the same rate. Some are uncomfortable because they aren't developing, while others are unhappily, developing too fast. It tells the girls that they are all different and that they have many other great things about them. They should focus on their smiles, or their talents, not what others think about them. Above all, hold their heads up and keep good posture.
I think a book that answers all the questions a girl will have, growing up, is a great idea. This book also encourages the girls to talk to their mothers or an adult they can trust.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood Through the Rug Through The Rug 2 : Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat...more
Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers by Jack Canfield Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people foundChicken Soup for the Writer's Soul: Stories to Open the Heart and Rekindle the Spirit of Writers by Jack Canfield Edition: Paperback
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful: Lighten Your Heart, October 18, 2008
I love the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and Chicken Soup for the Writer's Soul is no exception. What a great idea, to have published authors encourage other writers, by telling their stories.
Did you know that Dr. Seuss's first book, And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street, was rejected by twenty-seven publishers? Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind was turned down by more than twenty-five publishers? Fifteen publishers and thirty agents turned down John Grisham's first novel, A Time to Kill. His first book has sold over 60 million copies.
I never tire of hearing about Richard Paul Evans, and how he published the bestselling book, The Christmas Box. The book went on to create a phenomenon with grieving parents flocking to the Christmas Angel statue in Salt Lake City.
I love the story about Clive Cussler, who tells us of the power of persistence. He quit his job as a prestigious director for a national advertising agency, to work as a clerk in a dive shop. He wanted to learn all he could about diving, to help with his underwater adventure series. His family struggled, living on his wife's salary as a police dispatcher, plus his $400 a month, but he would not give up on his dream. It took Clive Cussler eleven years before his books were successful.
If you are a writer, or want to be a writer, this book is a must read. I have read it twice. Since discouragement seems to come in the night, I read one or two stories before going to sleep.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat ...more
Raylaina: the story of a teen with an abusive boyfriend by Carrol Wolverton
An Important Book For It's Time
This review is from: Raylaina: the story o Raylaina: the story of a teen with an abusive boyfriend by Carrol Wolverton
An Important Book For It's Time
This review is from: Raylaina: the story of a teen with an abusive boyfriend (Paperback) Raylaina, The Story of a Teen with an Abusive Boyfriend
By C. A. Wolverton
Raylaina, aka Ray, is sixteen and nearly grown. She lives with her single mother and her older brother in a rundown house on property which has been owned by their family for generations. Even though Ray doesn't have the nice things from the mall that her best friend Kimmy has, she is happy with her roots in the south.
Ray has never had a real boyfriend. She is mesmerized by the good looks of the new guy across the street. At first she only hears tales about him and his family. When she meets him, she is quickly bowled over. She even begins to forget about the importance of her family love, her best friends, and her need for an education. Everything else in Ray's life seems to melt away when she is in the arms of her beloved, Daren.
When others around her can see the problems of a family with reported domestic violence, Ray only sees that she's in love.
This book is a straight forward view into a young girl's heart, the fear of her mother, who lived in an abusive relationship and a young man who's only following in the footsteps of his abusive father.
We all remember the recent headlines about the pop singer Rihanna, who was abused by her boyfriend. A very important book for it's time, Raylaina, The Story of a Teen With an Abusive Boyfriend will hit home with many young girls and their mothers.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood co-author: Drugs Make You Un-Smarter ...more
Every year I look forward to a new Christmas book by Richard Paul Evans and he always comes through with a feel good love storFeel Good Christmas Book
Every year I look forward to a new Christmas book by Richard Paul Evans and he always comes through with a feel good love story. If you haven't read his books you are in for a real treat. This is a story of love, Grace and forgiveness....more
Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House by Barbara Gail Techel
Never Give Up
This review is from: Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House by Barbara Gail Techel
Never Give Up
This review is from: Frankie, the Walk 'N Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby's House (Paperback) Frankie the Walk n' Roll Therapy Dog Visits Libby House By Barbara Gail Techel
Frankie is a dachshund with a spinal injury. She is fitted with a special wheelchair so she can walk. Her owners, Barbara and her husband care for Frankie.
Frankie has the opportunity to become a therapy dog but first she has to pass some special tests.
Will Frankie and her owner be able to walk together with Frankie on a leash?
Will she allow strangers to pet her?
Will she be afraid around wheelchairs?
Will she be aggressive toward another dog?
The Last test is for Frankie and her owner to be well groomed
When Frankie passes the test, she becomes a therapy dog.
Frankie's owner, Barbara takes the little dog to Libby's House, which is a retirement home. Frankie forms a special bond with several of the older residents and she is invited to share in singing, birthday parties and many other activities.
After reading Franie's book, I loaned it to a resident at The Avenues Courtyard Retirement Home. Nita, a retired teacher really enjoyed this book. "I read the book to my cat, and she purred the whole time. Princess and I really loved this book. Next time I hope the author writes a book about a cat."
The recreation leader read Frankie's book to the residents at The Avenues Courtyard and these are some of the comments. "Aw, the poor little doggie, she's in a wheelchair, just like me." "Even though Frankie is in a wheelchair, she can still be a working dog and visit the residents at the home." "I love this book about the little dog. I love Frankie and she makes everyone happy."
Bring Frankie into your home and your heart. She will teach you to never give up.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood Author: Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures Of Sara, The Pineapple Cat ...more
The Collard Patch by Mary Lou Cheatham Edition: Paperback
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: A New Cooking Adventure, October 6, 2008
TheThe Collard Patch by Mary Lou Cheatham Edition: Paperback
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful: A New Cooking Adventure, October 6, 2008
The Collard Patch By Mary Lou Cheatham Paul Elliott
What a great idea for a cookbook, with stories and recipes. This is a beautifully written book, with details on growing, and preparing collard greens.
I live in Utah. I didn't even know collard greens from spinach, kale or turnip greens. I looked for frozen collards, with no luck. Next, I looked for the fresh variety, still no luck. I did find some at the Whole Foods store. I later saw collard greens at Walmart, as well. They looked fairly sturdy, compared to other limp varieties of greens.
I have been reading the stories in the cookbook each night. Finally, on Saturday I began my chopping and freezing. It is very simple to remove the inner tough stem, and twist like a cigar. Then you slice at an angle and chop each section. Quick and easy.
Did you know there are two ways to soften the collard greens? One is by freezing, and the other is by adding a pinch of baking soda.
On Saturday, I picked out four recipes: Cherry Chocolate Cake, Apple Collard Raisin Pie, French Onion Collard Soup, and Collard Corn. The cake, although you need to note the missing ingredient, cherry pie filling, is a supper tasty and moist cake. Beware, it would be a very good idea to have company over. As a family of three, now, we ate and ate on the cake. Now it's time for some exercise. I walked the dog all over town, trying to fit back into my clothes.
The Collards Corn went very well with the Lasagna, I made for dinner tonight. I admit that I cut the garlic in half. My husband isn't a big fan of garlic. I thought this dish was great and very tasty, as a side dish.
The French Onion Collard soup is great. I embellished it, a little, by adding two packs of onion soup mix to the four cups of water. I also added two whole onions, to get the real onion texture. I added the chopped collard greens on top of each cup of hot soup, browned the French bread rounds with a little butter, and added cheese, mine was mozzarella. It tasted just like Mimi's. Do they have Mimi's in the south?
Tomorrow, I will make the Apple Raisin Collard Pie, with the remaining 5 cups of collards, in my freezer. It sounds good, as well. I don't know why I picked two deserts. I guess I was just curious. If I like the desserts, I will surely like the collards. I remember the time my mom made cookies out of mashed potatoes. They were good, with a strange texture. Now that I have tried collard greens, I will try to keep some in the freezer, for any future taste treats.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat ...more
The Inventions of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick A Masterpiece!
This book is a masterpiece of art and words.
It has been a long time since a book has tThe Inventions of Hugo Cabret By Brian Selznick A Masterpiece!
This book is a masterpiece of art and words.
It has been a long time since a book has touched me like this one.
I usually read until I fall asleep. This book kept me awake, until I finished.
Hugo Cabret is a twelve-years-old boy, with the whole world on his shoulders. He has no parents, no school, no money, no friends but he does have huge dreams. He works hard to keep all the clocks running in the Paris train station. This is a big and important job, for a boy. The clocks keep the whole city of Paris running as it should. This story is woven with the loss of Hugo's father, and the lives of a toy maker, and his goddaughter. It also tells of Hugo's determination to save a magical machine that may contain a secret message from his father.
If you pick up a book with 540 pages, it can seem a little overwhelming. When you see that half of the pages are filled with cleaver, detailed drawings, the book becomes much more fascinating. The details in Brian Selznick's book are so clever. The pictures make the story run as it should; telling Hugo Cabret's story in a way that mere words could not achieve.
I am even more fascinated with Hugo and his clocks, because my father and grandfather were watchmakers. I used to watch my father take apart a watch or clock, fix and clean it and put it back together with his intricate parts and small tools.
I think adults and children of all ages will love this book.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood, Author Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat...more
This review is from: THE HORSE PAINTERS (Paperback) The Horse Painters By THE HORSE PAINTERS by Peter Stockwell
Adventure at Every Turn! July 27, 2009
This review is from: THE HORSE PAINTERS (Paperback) The Horse Painters By Peter Stockwell
The Horse Painters is a tale of survival in the wild country during the Ice Age. Each creature needed to be cunning to survive in a cold world where animals roamed the earth.
This book is so artistically written, there is no need for illustrations.
Aariak has the spirit of the horse painter. When she draws animals on the wall of caves, her drawings bring animals to her family for food. A jealous boy who desires her gift kills the horse painter in her sleep.
If fourteen-year-old Umalik and his twelve-year-old brother Aku can't kill the murderer and return the spirit of the horse painter to their family, all will be lost.
The young boys meet up with freezing conditions, starvation, wild animals and dangerous men on their quest. Will they be killed by hungry animals? Will their family starve before they get back? Should they go home without the horse painter's spirit?
There is adventure at every turn in The Horse Painters. I recommend this book to adventure lovers of any age. This would also be an enjoyable read for a young boy with a flashlight under his covers, or a classroom of fourth through sixth graders.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood, author What's It Like Living Green?: Kids Teaching Kids, by the Way They Live ...more
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: The Cheese Touch, July 27, 2008
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid By Jeff Kinney
Yes, this is a very funny 2 of 2 people found the following review helpful: The Cheese Touch, July 27, 2008
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid By Jeff Kinney
Yes, this is a very funny book. Greg is the middle child and in middle school. He is also in the middle of everything. If there is a problem at home, or at school, you can bet he has been there. What does it take to be popular with girls? It seems like the rules have changed. Even his dorky friend, Rowley is more popular than Greg, and he's not even trying.
When Greg tries to be the class cartoonist, it backfires and all of his cartoons are edited by the teacher. When Rowley becomes the class cartoonist, he has taken the ideas that he worked on with Greg, and won't give Greg any credit. When Greg decides to be the class clown, he knows he can pull it off on the day when they have a substitute. But even that backfires. Who do you think turns out to be the class clown?
On the day he substitutes for Rowley on the safety patrol, he chases the kindergarteners with worms. Can Greg help it if Rowley gets kicked off the safety patrol?
As the mother of a boy, I enjoyed the Diary of a Wimpy Kid. This book brings back memories of those awkward years of middle school. This book looks like a diary, with simple drawings on every page. It is easy to read. Middle school boys will want to read and laugh along with Greg's antics.
Jill Ammon Vanderwood author: Through the Rug Through The Rug 2: Follow That Dog (Through the Rug) Stowaway: The San Francisco Adventures of Sara, the Pineapple Cat ...more
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