Austen Accomplished

I finished my improvised Newbie Overachiever Level for the Jane Austen Challenge of 2010 with a day to spare!

Lady Catherine's Necklace was a quick read, but a terrible disappointment after some of the other Joan Aiken novels I've read based on Austen's work. I would go so far as to say save yourself the trouble and skip it because only Lady Catherine and her daughter Anne are actually from Pride and Prejudice, and the storyline with its ensemble of new characters just doesn't flow well.

After that letdown, it took me a while to start Mr. Darcy's Diary, and I must admit that I was surprised by how much I liked it. I wasn't prepared for much after previously reading Edmund Bertram's Diary, also by Amanda Grange, but this was a good companion to the original Pride and Prejudice. It started slightly before P&P begins, follows the course of P&P from Mr. Darcy's point of view, then shows all of our favorite characters a few months after P&P ends.

In all, I enjoyed completing the Jane Austen Challenge since it gave me a good excuse to read several of the books that have been collecting dust on my shelves! The final list of novels I read:

• Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
  
• Edmund Bertram's Diary by Amanda Grange
• Mansfield Park Revisited by Joan Aiken
• Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Lady Catherine's Necklace by Joan Aiken
• Mr. Darcy's Diary by Amanda Grange
  

Merry Christmas Eve!

May the peace of Christmas be with you
throughout the New Year!

Thank you to the Lion Brand e-newsletter for the awesome image!

Lime Bib Bliss

Several years ago, I attempted a "real" knitting project (i.e. not a scarf, hat, garter stitch baby bib, or burp cloth) out of the book "One Skein". The pattern was called "Petal Bib", and it was the most complicated thing I had ever tackled (still is), and in the end, I wasn't even sure it would actually properly fit on a baby. So I tucked it away with my knitting stuff to hide in obscurity.

After three years in hiding, I pulled it out to include with a Christmas package for my BFF and her beautiful little girl--my adopted niece--Faith. I suppose the bib was just waiting for the right baby because it fits her perfectly! Please just ignore the fact that the "petals" are curling... lol

Christmas Decor?

Because nothing says Merry Christmas quite like a glittery pink statue of Mary, an adult Jesus in purple, and a penguin to match...

Mmm... Puzzle!

I used to work on puzzles all the time... but then I learned how to knit, and that sucked up all available puzzle time. However, this puzzle has me trying to figure out where I can squeeze in a puzzle table at home. I love the colors, and it doesn't hurt that they're pretty cupcakes with lots and lots of sprinkles!

Friday Funny

I had grouchy start to the week (just ask Dave), so I figured this was appropriate...


Fortunately, my week got better, but we have a BUSY weekend ahead of us! Ah, the craziness of the holiday season and my inability to say, "No, we've got too much on our plate already, so we can't possibly squeeze that in..."

Friday Funnies

It's cold outside, and I think I'm in the mood for pizza...

A bonus funny because it reminds me of Dave when I order veggie pizza!