Very Good Things

 ~ Lorina Blood Orange fizzy drink ~

When I do errands, it takes, at the bare minimum, half a day and that depends on whether I go to Bluefield VA/WV or to the county seat or across the mountain to Wal-Mart. Most people think my life is boring and it probably is but it suits me. Dave and I were content to spend our time companionably and quietly and old habits die hard, especially when I'm not trying to change. On the other hand, today is the 6th or 7th day of hard rain and, after hanging clothes on the line (well, the sun was shining this morning!), I decided to do some errands.

Today, I went to Bluefield, VA/WV and, interspersed with the errands, I did a little shopping and found some delightful items. Everything was on sale, some things a great sale and, at Tuesday Morning, this Lorina Blood Orange Premium French soda was marked down to a couple of dollars a bottle. This sparkling soda has a bottle with a cork top and the bottle was worth the price alone. I'll save this for a special occasion, like a Thursday, and drink it ice cold with fruit, much like here. I'm enjoying the anticipation almost as much as I'll enjoy the drink, me thinks.

Usually, Tuesday Morning has wonderful yarn and they didn't disappoint today, except in quantity. This yarn is a mix of wool and silk and is going to be lovely to knit into scarves or throat cozies.  
There's a new to me store called Ollie's and it's a mark down store, much like Big Lots except with a lot more merchandise...a lot  more merchandise and an incredible book section. Yikes! Books mean serious trouble for me; I've already helped start two or three libraries and promised...promised!...myself I would not buy more books! I lied. I lied big.

 Are you familiar with Stampington Publications? They have many wonderful magazines and one of my favorites is Cloth Paper Scissors. CPS Studio is full of inspiration, great photos, web and blog address...all are fabulous publications especially if you enjoy making things. 

Garden & Gun is my favorite Southern magazine and focuses on two Southern traditions - gardens and guns. I grew up with both and must say am always amazed when people talk about "guns killing people", "being afraid of guns", etc. Dave showed his adult niece her great-great-grandfather's Colt 45 pistol and asked, "Would you like to shoot?" She looked at him aghast and said (rather haughtily, as Dave reported), "I take it as a matter of personal pride that I've never touched a gun!" Dave looked at her and said, "I'm not asking if you want to kill someone, I'm asking if you'd like to hold your great-great-grandfather's gun." Would it surprise you there was no meeting of the minds?

Anyway, Garden & Gun's Aug-Sep issue deals with such topics as cast-iron cook wear (my favorite cook wear), pies, the poodle as hunting dog, bourbon and Coke...all grown up and a slew of other interesting topics. Re the poodle as hunting dog...just remember, the dog doesn't choose the haircut.

 Sin Boldly caught me eye and then my wallet but, lest you get the wrong idea, it's a book about grace...God's grace and, as author Cathleen Falsani's friend said, "Without it, religion will surely suffocate you." Might I add..ain't it just the truth! 

To quote Frederick Buechner, 

" Listen to your life.

See it for the fathomless mystery that it is.

In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness:

touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden part of it,

because in the last analysis all moments are key moments,

and life itself is grace."

This little paperback, Felt with love, is full of hand crafted sweetness and I anticipate making brooches, bookmarks, the the like while listening to audio books or watching PBS DVD's on library loan. Oh yeah. I'll do that in my spare time...righttttt....

 A bread book I just didn't need but this siren called my name in a low and longing voice. And, considering I've got all that fresh churned butter in my refrigerator and freezer it seemed churlish to leave Nancy Baggett's kneadlessly simple behind...right? There are more than seventy recipes for yeast breads, whole grain, multigrain, gluten free breads, sweet and gift breads along with finishing touches...sauces, toppings, glazes, drizzles and they are all no knead! Hmmm, I think I should start at the very beginning and work bake my way through.

food in jars is by Marisa McClellan and I've been reading her blog for a couple of years, p'raps more. I'm a big believer in putting food by and have been canning since I was 13. The summer I was 13, I found some white fox grapes and Mom said, "If you pick them and bring them home, I'll teach you how to make jelly." I was hooked and have now been canning more than 47 years. Marisa's book is a keeper; she preserves year 'round in small batches and makes use of what's in season as well as what's at her urban farmers market. This is a good addition to my kitchen and I'll talk more about her later.

 This oversized book is fabulous! The subtitle is The fascinating history of its writing, translation & effect on civilization." There are "Over 90 illustrations with 23 Llife-Sized Pull-Out Pages from the World's Most Important Bibles". LOVE IT! When I was in London, I made a point of seeing the Magna Carta and the Gutenburg Bible. I stood at the displays, with tears on my face at the history, the blood, the lives those two displays represented. 

 The English Magna Carta inspired our US Constitution and Bill of Rights and the Fifth Amendment, which says, "no person shall...be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law" is taken from the "Magna Carta's guarantee of proceedings according to the "law of the land." 
The Gutenberg Bible is amazing...simple amazing, in no small part because the 66 books of the Bible were written in three languages by more than forty authors over a period of 1500 years, on three different continents. There are those who do not believe God's Holy Word and I leave that between them and God at judgement day. As for me, I do believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and do my best to read it every morning. At any rate, this book, The Story of the Bible, will give me precious insight and history into the best selling book of all time.

 Have I mentioned how much I want to learn to knit socks? I mean...I'm a fairly smart woman, I haven't done too badly since Dave died but my feet are nekkid and winter is coming. I've got to leave the sandals and flip flops behind, soon, and I need to learn how to knit socks. Pray for me...'k?

 Chuck Swindoll has been a favorite for more than thirty years. I've been reading his books before he was on the radio, before there was an i-net and it was a delight to find his Insights on Luke. As you know, Luke is one of the Gospel writers, a physician, and was an intimate, a disciple, of Christ. It will take me a couple of months to glean all this goodness but it will be well worth it. 

It looks like I broke the bank, doesn't it? But, everything was on sale, some of it 70% off whoohoo! and all this goodness will give me pleasure for years and years to come. I'm cheap tight thrifty (finally, my Scots blood came out) and love finding great bargains that are gifts to myself. Most women, are you one?, do so much for others and forget themselves. Now that Ollie's has moved into the region, I plan on treating myself more frequently.

Blessings ~ first sip of hot coffee in the morning ~ a green, verdant valley ~ wool and silk yarn ~ lovely books ~