Magical Journey by Katrina Kenison

MAGICAL JOURNEY by Katrina Kenison came my 

way after reading a few of her letters on the blog

A WAY TO GARDEN (awaytogarden.com).  I just

connected to this author and loved her style of

writing. An honest thought-provoking book that

tells her story, her journey, her path if you will

of a very trying time in her life. Her son leaves

home before she had come to terms with that

happening, (are we ever ready for the empty

nest?) and this starts a series of changes in her

life. Her bittersweet truths set her on a spiritual

journey to find answers to: who am I, where am I

going, I'm getting old, a friend has died.. questioning

everything and wondering how do you get from

here to there. To me it's like you're outside yourself

and watching the losses grow. Where is the purpose.

Sounds heavy and negative doesn't it? Well it's not.

Really. You realize that you share these "things"

with other women. Shifting tides. I do a lot of

reflection lately and I think it's my age (63), the

lose of my Dad after being a caregiver, and watching

my daughter grow into herself and change. I look

back a lot when I think of her. I'm learning a lot more

now especially after reading this book, and maybe

realizing a little more of what life's all about. This story

about a woman who accepts, who allows grace to enter,

who's at peace right now, this very moment. That's

all we can ask for…right?                                                                                        

Thank You Katrina.                                                                                      

              

*A great book club selection                                                                           

                                                                         

The Gardeners' Book by Diana Craig

A sweet little book I found at Anthropologie. A lot of
information and tips, advice and techniques put
together with quotes, delightful photos and sown
together with some garden history. You can be a
brand new gardener  or an experienced one and
you would still love this book. Topics abound,
including, Going To Seed, The Home Herbalist,
Watch The Birdie, Grow your Own, and Cutting
Edge. So, if you want to bone up on garden terms, 
make a bird house, rejuvenate your existing garden
or plan a new one, this gem of a book will delight
without being over-wordy. Fun book, A+.

the forest feast by Erin Gleeson

I was drawn to this book by the cover. Such vibrant colors. I  
could almost pick up a tasty looking morsel. When I saw the 
water color palette, the book was sold. It does not disappoint. 
Author Erin Gleeson states on the cover of her cookbook, it
contains, 'simple vegetarian recipes from her cabin in the 
woods.' With a hundred recipes, each are displayed over two 
pages. There are five sections: appetizers, cocktails, salads, 
vegetables, and sweets. Simple ingredients, illustrations are 
beautifully laid out. The recipes could not be easier to follow,
fun to read, and are healthy. She uses local produce and shares 
pictures of her home, husband, and woodland surroundings, 
plus she tells her story of how it all began. A highlight…..
discovering she has a blog, theforestfeast.com
Take a look. A wonderful book, I loved it.

coming home With Gooseberry Patch

I often go back and revisit favorite books. Coming Home With 
Gooseberry Patch by Vicki Hutchins and Jo Ann Martin (2007) 
has been a go to book for me for many years. I'm sure many of 
you are familiar with the Gooseberry line of cookbooks/recipes,
homestyle products, and craft ideas. They have a blog now and
you can enjoy them on Pinterest and Facebook. With seasonal
ideas and recipes, this delightful book has many photos that will
inspire you to celebrate food with family and friends. Its cozy 
and comfortable, and this puts me in the mood to start my fall
decorating and menu planning. Don't you just love the cover of 
this book? Recommendation? YES.

Country Living happy halloween

Isn't this a great book cover? And the inside does not disappoint. 
From Country Living, Happy Halloween is a delight. This is 
another one of my go to books that I've had for years.  You'll
find it all in this paperback book. Four chapters of recipes, party
ideas, decoration how-to, adorable costumes, and of course there
has to be pumpkins.  Colorful pictures and easy to understand 
ways to carve that special jack-o'-lantern. There's also templates
provided and the cover just happens to be a stencil. A fun must
have book, a tingling guide to Halloween. Definite A++.

Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good by Jan Karon

Here is a delightful book….warmhearted, spirited and loving.
The title, Somewhere Safe with Somebody Good by Jan Karon.
The tenth book in the Mitford series, this engaging fiction book 
does not disappoint. Father Tim an Episcopal priest retired, 
and his wife Cynthia, return to Mitford after a trip to Ireland. 
Five years gone from the pulpit, Father Tim quickly finds himself 
back into the swing of Mitford life and struggling. The many 
characters are quirky, sad, troubled, comical, and bighearted,
just like real life. It's a feel good book without being too sugary.
The title itself draws you in, after all isn't that where we all want 
to be. This book was written a few years after the author had 
decided to end the series but the fans deluged her with pleas for 
more. You can pick up and read this book without having read 
the others. Step into this book, lose yourself for a few hours and
have no regrets having done so. Loved this series, thumbs up.