It's time to celebrate. Well, actually I've been celebrating for a week and a
half now, since I finished The Bookshelf that long ago. This one means a lot
because it's not just another lovely design, but also because it represents
a love of mine that has existed for as long as I can remember. My love of
books. I'm not sure where I'll hang this once it's been framed. The logical
location would be my library, but the room is wall to wall tall bookcases
so there is no room there, unfortunately.

I've been terribly remiss in keeping my blog up to date, but the weeks
have just flown by and I've never had the time to devote to composing an
entry. Last weekend we had company all weekend. The weekdays have
been filled with work, and when I've been home I've been sitting outside
cross stitching. When I am on the computer I've been reading everybody
else's blogs and stuff.

Darlene was here last weekend for a movie weekend. Betcha can't guess
what we went to see? A little movie called "Harry Potter and the Order
of the Phoenix". We'd planned to go the weekend that it opened here,
but something came up and we had to postpone it a week. No matter,
since it was well worth the wait. DH actually accompanied us to see this
one, since he's also read all the books, and has seen all the movies in the
theatre. We all thought it was an excellent movie, and I think that
Daniel Radcliffe has really evolved into a fine young actor who has made
this role his own in every way. Loved Imelda Staunton as well.

After the movie we headed to the bookstore so that I could pick up a copy
of the last Potter book. Sniff! Can't believe that the last one is here and
we'll have no more to look forward to. At the store I chatted with the
check out clerk, and she said that the store was open until 1:30 am, with
two long lines of people snaking through the store and out the door. All
waiting to either pick up the book that they'd ordered, or just to pick up
the book without ordering it ahead of time. She said that it was a fun and
memorable night, but also exhausting.

I also picked up a few other books and things this week. I added two more
Maeve Binchy books to my collection. I love her! I have about a dozen of
her books now and I just about devour them when I read them. They
are stories that I can really loose myself in.

I also picked up the DVD of The Queen, with Helen Mirran. I've been so
eager to see this movie, but it came and went in the theatres around here
pretty quickly, and we never had the opportunity to go. But I planned to
add it to my DVD collection anyways, and when I saw it in Zeller's I
grabbed it.
Here is my latest project. Samplers and Such - Spot of Tea 1. Oh, this is
going to be a fun stitch. I love all the little motifs and look forward to
creating each one. This is being stitched with the recommended varrigated
thread - Philadelphia Red from Olde Willow Stitchery - on 32 count cream
coloured fabric. I'm not used to stitching on 32 count, and find it a bit
hard to see what I'm doing. And I'm using a smaller needle, instead of my
usual, old favourite needle. The smaller needle has a sharper point to it too
and I keep stabbing myself in the same finger with it. Well, at least it keeps
me alert.

I'd like to thank everyone for their kind words about Peaches in my previous
blog. It's great to share my love of stitching with you all, and your advice
and encouragement is invaluable. Hmmm. It seems that I'm not the only
one with French Knot issues.

Imagine my excitement last weekend when I read Dani's comment on my
last post, advising me that I'd won her draw for her 800th post!!! I was
beyond excited. What a thrill, and honour, to be chosen to receive
something made by her. I'm still dancing around the house because of that
news!

My latest reading finish is by my favourite mystery writer, Elizabeth
George. This one features Deborah and Simon Allcourt-St James and
takes place on the Isle of Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands. As
always with Elizabeth George, I was immersed in the story from the
get go. Full of wonderful, fully drawn characters, with lots of
interesting history about the time during the second world war when
the Nazi's occupied the Island. If you haven't read Elizabeth George
and love a good mystery I highly recommend her, but I also
strongly suggest that you read her books in order. The back stories
of her main, featured characters (usually featuring Inspector Lynley,
his wife Helen and his partner Barbara Havers as well as the St
James) really need to be followed in order as their relationships
unfold and develop in each book.

I am now reading Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. Yum!

Phoebe reserves the final word! Meow!