In preparation for an annual exchange of items in celebration of Advent, I've been knitting these little red mitten ornaments. They were fun to make, and quick! They're done now, and I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to make next. I've just frogged a sweater that I started this summer, and once again am faced with skeins and skeins of Donegal Tweed in a lovely celery green. I bought it 4 years ago to make a sweater for myself, but bit by bit I'm using it up in other small projects. I just can't seem to find a pattern I like enough to spend the time on it! Sigh.
One book we're loving right now is The Troll by Julia Donaldson (we've read this almost daily for a year...there are lots of possibilities for adding hilarious voices, if this is something you like to do). It has a troll, pirates, and the most belly-laugh-inducing illustrations! It's a family favourite, along with other books by the same author: The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child, What the Ladybird Heard, and Stickman.Add Donalson's books to your Christmas list; the children in your life will love her wonderful rhymes and charming stories.
From the local library we borrowed Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen. This is a sweet tale about how a lion learns to follow, then bend, the rules in the library in order to help the librarian that loves him!
I just finished Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani. I HIGHLY recommend it. I plan on doing a post about my favourite rural-setting books in the next week or so, so stay tuned for details.
Big Stone Gap is a hard act to follow, but Colm Toibin's "The Blackwater Lightship" is not a bad read. I'm not distracted with wanting to read it and admit that my attention has wandered since I started it. Tomorrow is library exchange day, so we'll see what else I can find!
Those little mittens are adorable! One of these days I'll try knitting something tiny! And I'm going to look up the Troll book. My gang would love that!
ReplyDeleteLove your mittens and love your book suggestions. My kids are getting to where they don't want me to read to them because they are enjoying reading by themselves. Argh! I cherish the times Brother Bear wants reading time. They grow up so fast.
ReplyDeleteI have been on the search for a book for me to read. I will take your advice and start with Big Stone Gap. The title sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteThanks.
i love those little mittens! Perhaps I'll try making some someday...sigh...when I get better at knitting! lol I will have to check out that Troll book too!
ReplyDeleteI just started a new book blog...please stop by for a visit!
www.books2bridgemiles.blogspot.com
oooo, a book post. I can't wait! When I was trying to figure out what to write about in my blog, I wavered between music and books - my two great loves. Looking forward to reading about what you're reading :o)
ReplyDelete(I'm just starting Merle's Door right now, about an outdoor enthusiast who adopts a dog he finds in the Utah desert)
The mitten ornaments are charming! And I think you should just go ahead and do the gnomes too. They're a huge hit here. LO keeps running off with the little gnome babies (I had to hide them).
ReplyDeleteOn knitting and books -- both are so darned difficult to put down.