The Kitchen Linens Book: Using, sharing and cherishing the fabrics of our daily lives by Ellyn Anne Geisel.
I received this book as part through Library Thing's Early Reviewer Program. I didn't know what to expect, but it sounded kind of interesting (despite the fact that I'm not a sewer), and besides, there's a an adorable embroidered teacup lady on the cover.
What it turned out to be is an wonderfully readable appreciation of antique and vintage kitchen linens: tablecloths, napkins, placemats, aprons, and teatowels. Geisel is an expert on the subject, and has also written The Apron Book and Apronisms.
Chapter topics include discussions of the various fabrics used to make the items, different techniques for making them, and a plethora of uses, both mundane and unexpected during the past century or so. Interspersed throughout the narrative are short essays from other vintage linen aficionados describing their personal memories associated with kitchen linens. There are also some gorgeous colour photographs that made me want to run out to the nearest thrift or antique shop to see what I could find.
The book was a delight, and I recommend it to lovers of all things vintage and culinary, and also fiber lovers, including knitters (like me), crocheters, and sewers.
30 May 2009
18 May 2009
Just finished reading...
Wormwood by Susan Wittig Albert.
In the seventh of the series, China has been persuaded to get away from things, and goes to visit a friend in a Kentucky Shaker village to help out with a workshop. But her friend has ulterior motives: she's hoping China will investigate some unusual occurrences that cannot just be ascribed to Shaker ghosts.
This is the only one of the China Bayles books that is not completely written from China's point of view. There are several chapters that are supposed to be the journal entries of various early Shakers, which are very well written and impart a lot of historical information about the Shakers. I've heard from some of Wittig Alberts fans that they dislike this historical intrusion, and would just prefer a straight mystery, but I really enjoyed it.
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris.
I expected to wait a lot longer to read the ninth in the Sookie Stackhouse series, but Katy ordered a copy from Amazon, and I was able to read it as soon as she finished (which was very quickly!). I, too, read it quickly, but I have to admit to some disappointment.
Now that vampires have been "out" for some time, the were community has decided to go public, too. Unfortunately, this does not go well for Sookie and those close to her. Her employer Sam's mother comes out to her husband, who shoots her. Sam rushes to her bedside and leaves Sookie in charge of Merlotte's. Sookie throws herself into the job, wanting to do the best she can for Sam, but her life becomes even more complicated when one of the local weres is found murdered behind the bar.
As much as I enjoy Ms. Harris' writing, I have to say that I think there's just too much going on in this book. Problems with vampires and weres are par for the course in Sookie's life, but when her otherworldly relatives start involving her in their problems it just seems to me to be too much for one narrative.
Despite those misgivings, I really did enjoy the tale, and am looking forward to the next installment in the series.
In the seventh of the series, China has been persuaded to get away from things, and goes to visit a friend in a Kentucky Shaker village to help out with a workshop. But her friend has ulterior motives: she's hoping China will investigate some unusual occurrences that cannot just be ascribed to Shaker ghosts.
This is the only one of the China Bayles books that is not completely written from China's point of view. There are several chapters that are supposed to be the journal entries of various early Shakers, which are very well written and impart a lot of historical information about the Shakers. I've heard from some of Wittig Alberts fans that they dislike this historical intrusion, and would just prefer a straight mystery, but I really enjoyed it.
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris.
I expected to wait a lot longer to read the ninth in the Sookie Stackhouse series, but Katy ordered a copy from Amazon, and I was able to read it as soon as she finished (which was very quickly!). I, too, read it quickly, but I have to admit to some disappointment.
Now that vampires have been "out" for some time, the were community has decided to go public, too. Unfortunately, this does not go well for Sookie and those close to her. Her employer Sam's mother comes out to her husband, who shoots her. Sam rushes to her bedside and leaves Sookie in charge of Merlotte's. Sookie throws herself into the job, wanting to do the best she can for Sam, but her life becomes even more complicated when one of the local weres is found murdered behind the bar.
As much as I enjoy Ms. Harris' writing, I have to say that I think there's just too much going on in this book. Problems with vampires and weres are par for the course in Sookie's life, but when her otherworldly relatives start involving her in their problems it just seems to me to be too much for one narrative.
Despite those misgivings, I really did enjoy the tale, and am looking forward to the next installment in the series.
13 May 2009
On poetry
I was listening to the NYT Book Review podcast earlier today, and they were talking about John Updike's poetry. I'm not a big fan of his novels (he is such a misogynist!) but I may just check out his poetry.
When I was an angst-ridden teenager, I wrote a lot of poetry, as angst-ridden teens are wont to do. I was told by my teachers and others that some of it was very good, but the poems that they singled out were not the ones that I thought were my best.
I haven't written poetry since I left my teens, although I still read it occasionally. (I guess I've been exercising my creativity in other ways, like photography and knitting.)
I'm not so angst-ridden now, but I'm thinking I might try my hand at writing some poetry.
When I was an angst-ridden teenager, I wrote a lot of poetry, as angst-ridden teens are wont to do. I was told by my teachers and others that some of it was very good, but the poems that they singled out were not the ones that I thought were my best.
I haven't written poetry since I left my teens, although I still read it occasionally. (I guess I've been exercising my creativity in other ways, like photography and knitting.)
I'm not so angst-ridden now, but I'm thinking I might try my hand at writing some poetry.
06 May 2009
May is Lupus Awareness Month
I went to see my rheumatologist yesterday. Things are looking pretty good: no chest pain, no rashes, no fevers.
The only big issue I'm having right now is joint pain. Dr. Godfrey said that could be relieved with anti-inflammatory drugs. Except my cardiologist has nixed Celebrex, and I've nixed prednisone, which I finally kicked after being on it since I was eighteen.
I'd rather live with the pain.
Could you have lupus?
The only big issue I'm having right now is joint pain. Dr. Godfrey said that could be relieved with anti-inflammatory drugs. Except my cardiologist has nixed Celebrex, and I've nixed prednisone, which I finally kicked after being on it since I was eighteen.
I'd rather live with the pain.
Could you have lupus?
05 May 2009
New products in Marlyn's Corner!
I've got SIGG water bottles adorned with my fine art photographs. Other photos are available if you wish.
04 May 2009
Just finished reading...
A Date You Can't Refuse by Harley Jane Kozak.
The fourth Wollie Shelley mystery finds our heroine taking a job as a spy. No, really.
It all begins with jury duty. After the trial, the defendant offers Wollie a job as a "social coach" for foreign celebrities. Although she feels uncomfortable with the whole concept, she accepts because the salary is exceptional and she needs the money. Then an FBI colleague of Simon's asks her to spy on her new employer, and she can't think of a way to say "no".
When she finds out that the previous "social coach" was killed in a freak accident, she gets nervous, but the FBI handler blackmails her into staying by suggesting that her brother, who is psychologically unstable, might be unable to stay in his halfway house. She stumbles along, feeling incompetent in both jobs, and trying to find a way to get out.
Wollie reminds me a little bit of Lucy Ricardo. Or maybe Stephanie Plum. Or a combination of the two. She has the best of intentions, but somehow things tend to go awry, putting her in extremely awkward situations.
I'd like to see Wollie more often!
The fourth Wollie Shelley mystery finds our heroine taking a job as a spy. No, really.
It all begins with jury duty. After the trial, the defendant offers Wollie a job as a "social coach" for foreign celebrities. Although she feels uncomfortable with the whole concept, she accepts because the salary is exceptional and she needs the money. Then an FBI colleague of Simon's asks her to spy on her new employer, and she can't think of a way to say "no".
When she finds out that the previous "social coach" was killed in a freak accident, she gets nervous, but the FBI handler blackmails her into staying by suggesting that her brother, who is psychologically unstable, might be unable to stay in his halfway house. She stumbles along, feeling incompetent in both jobs, and trying to find a way to get out.
Wollie reminds me a little bit of Lucy Ricardo. Or maybe Stephanie Plum. Or a combination of the two. She has the best of intentions, but somehow things tend to go awry, putting her in extremely awkward situations.
I'd like to see Wollie more often!
01 May 2009
Just finished reading...
I've known Robin Burcell virtually for many years. I didn't actually meet her in person until Left Coast Crime in Hawai'i in March, at which I was pleased to obtain a signed copy of her latest book, Face of a Killer.I have read her previous books, featuring SFPD Homicide Investigator Kate Gillespie. The latest book is not part of the series, although the protagonist, FBI agent Sydney Fitzpatrick, does mention knowing Kate.
Sydney has recently transferred to San Francisco, partially with the ulterior motive of meeting the man who is in prison for murdering her father 20 years earlier. He has maintained since his arrest that he is innocent, and when Sydney visits him, she finds herself believing his story. Beginning to investigate it, she finds herself the object of a serial killer. Or is it a hit man?
This is a gripping story. We learn quite a bit about Sydney's (and Robin's) talent and training as a forensic artist. The character of Sydney is sympathetic, and her thought patterns and relationships with family and co-workers are realistically portrayed.
I had to force myself to read more slowly than usual so I could enjoy the excellent writing. I'm now planning to go back and reread the Kate Gillespie books.
Sydney has recently transferred to San Francisco, partially with the ulterior motive of meeting the man who is in prison for murdering her father 20 years earlier. He has maintained since his arrest that he is innocent, and when Sydney visits him, she finds herself believing his story. Beginning to investigate it, she finds herself the object of a serial killer. Or is it a hit man?
This is a gripping story. We learn quite a bit about Sydney's (and Robin's) talent and training as a forensic artist. The character of Sydney is sympathetic, and her thought patterns and relationships with family and co-workers are realistically portrayed.
I had to force myself to read more slowly than usual so I could enjoy the excellent writing. I'm now planning to go back and reread the Kate Gillespie books.
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