Book Review: The Little Book of Rock Painting

I have several creative friends in my life, and as an excuse to gather us together, I scheduled a rock painting night. Had I ever done so before? Nope. But it seemed a perfect activity to relax us while we socialized and decompressed at what is a busy time of year for all of us.

I was searching websites for advice, and only after I'd picked up some rocks and some oil-based paint pens did I stumble upon The Little Book of Rock Painting. I couldn't resist looking into this title to learn about basics of rock painting. This book focuses more on using acrylic paints, but as I already had paint pens on hand, I was most interested in the delightful tutorials that were offered.

I am in awe of what this book allowed me to create. I was intimidated at the skill level of some of the projects, but I boldly jumped in and, due to the clear instructions and pictures, I was able to follow along and end up with beautiful rock art.

Here is a photo of my creations. I heartily recommend this book to offer basics on how to begin, but especially for the quality of the instructions, tutorials, and templates. I enjoy creative ventures but don't feel that I have innate drawing ability; however, this book taught me how to make it look like I am more skilled than I am! The spectrum of complexity is also welcome - I suspect my eight-year-old daughter, who is adept at art, could tackle the more detailed projects, whereas my five-year-old daughter would stick with some of the more basic ideas.

(I received a digital ARC from Quarto Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: Coffeehouse Knits

I began knitting around the time I was engaged to be married nearly 16 years ago (I brought my first project -- a ribbed scarf -- on my honeymoon for travel knitting). I intentionally developed my skills and am not intimidated to tackle stuffed animals, socks, shawls, or sweaters.

As my abilities and confidence have grown, I can also pinpoint ways knitting has brought dear people into my life through two specific examples. I had a knitting group form organically, starting with just two of us at a local coffeeshop and growing to around a dozen friends committed to meeting weekly and sharing the nitty-gritty of our lives together. When I was pregnant, I also joined an online due-date group within the Ravelry forums, and those initial shallow interactions about what we were making for our child(ren) or how our pregnancy was going have grown over the years to be an intimate group that doesn't hesitate to share about marriage difficulties, parenting struggles, job transitions, or moving opportunities. These friendships began over a shared love of knitting and grew deep.

Coffeehouse Knits was a visually engaging book to review, and it's framed around how public spaces like coffeeshops are natural gathering sites for knitting groups. The patterns within have names like Chai Latte Cowl and Latte Swirl Sweater. I've recently been turning my attention to creating cowls and shawls, so I was most drawn to the cowl and scarf patterns. Interspersed are essays reflecting on the value of knitting groups. I found the essays within a little uneven, but a couple later ones did connect with me and convey similar thoughts to the power of crafting to draw people together.

Coffeehouse Knits could be just the gift for a friend in your knitting group.

(I received a digital ARC from F+W Media via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: A Thank You Walk

When I was young, my maternal grandpa loved to take me on walks. One of his favorite stories he would recount to me when I was older was about the time I spotted a robin ahead of us on the sidewalk. I hunched down and watched it intently for several minutes, then I tried to waddle after it to get closer. It looked at me and, apparently not sensing a threat, let me approach. My Grandpa Claire was just tickled every time when he'd describe how we were practically nose to beak, studying each other.

I now have fond memories of taking my daughters walking around town. It began with exploring my Indiana neighborhood when I had only one daughter, who sometimes slept in the stroller during these excursions. Now I get to take both of my girls to my favorite Wisconsin trails. We might notice birds flying overhead or pinecones and acorns scattered on the ground. When we are along the river, there might be boats that catch our eye or conversations carried across the water that we pick up on. The slow pace of these walks allows us to seek out details we'd miss if we were rushing by in a car, and it gives us opportunities for conversations we might not otherwise have.

Bright Start -- A Thank You Walk is a short picture book that shows a mother and child enjoying each other's company while they take a walk. They notice the chirping birds at the feeder and the mom narrates how they are thanking them for the food. Through this modeling in other examples, at the close of the story, the young child helps a beetle turn upright and, as the insect flies away, the child declares that it is thanking them for intervening.

It is a darling, sweet read that enforces the special moments that can take place through a short walk and models how meaningful simple conversations can be in such a setting. And I'm thankful for the way it called to mind the special story my grandfather would tell me; he is now gone, and it was a treat to recall his joy when telling stories such as the one I shared above.

(I received a digital ARC from Quarto Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)

Book Review: The Western Wind

The Western Wind is a rich story using the framework of 15th century England as its setting. John Reve is the priest of a small town, and we observe events in the days immediately before Lent.

When the richest villager dies, the priest and the dean are seeking out whether it was accidental or, if not, whether he was murdered or committed suicide. The story is told in reverse order - the first chapter is Day 4: Shrove Tuesday, the next chapter is Day 3, and so on. Even the chapter's sub-headings are mirror opposites. This technique suited the storytelling well. We gain more insight as we read the preceding day, filling in the blanks or unknowns that were mentioned in passing.

Due to the timing of the church calendar, as well as an offer of a pardon, we are witnessing the priest hearing confessions in each section, and through his words and actions, it's evident he dearly loves his village and wants to do what is best for them. I found the lists of confessions at times amusing, provocative, or heartbreaking:

"Father, I slept all day, I cut a hole in a wall to spy on a woman, I shovelled some of my no-good-clay onto my neighbour's plot, I stole the last spoonful of honey instead of offering it to my husband, I ate the lucky egg, I cursed my father, I swore, I snored, I farted, I doubted."

This is a well-written, thoughtful book that takes on themes of guilt, forgiveness, grief, and secrecy. When you finish, you will be tempted to read it again, this time in reverse (and, thus, in chronological) order and find someone to process it with you. It's a beautiful read.

(I received a digital ARC from Grove Atlantic via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. I've used Amazon Affiliate links here; should you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you.)