Sara Dahmen is becoming one of my absolutely favorite authors. She is the pen behind the '1883' series on the tube, so you may also be familiar with hSara Dahmen is becoming one of my absolutely favorite authors. She is the pen behind the '1883' series on the tube, so you may also be familiar with her characters.
But 'Copper, Iron, and Clay' is all about crafting and kitchenware. Sara is a life-long addict of the highs obtained by creating lovely, useful kitchen stuff. She started working with tin in the long-ago, and graduated to copper, so she is now an artist in both metals, often combines them, and shares with us an introduction to those mediums. Long an advocate of iron in the kitchen, and a years-long maker of clay kitchenware, I was easily converted to another generation of copper lovers. My mom treasured her copperware, as well as the iron that was passed down several generations to myself and my sisters. Neither she nor I imagined working with copper, though I have always also admired it. Now I wish I was 30 years younger. Ah, but there is another couple of generations of Goddard-Ketner-Reed descended women, and to them, I am gifting this book. It is most possible, girls. Go for it if the will is there. It is complicated but doable. Sara says so. Keep in mind that John Wise, grandfather of your grandfather Dan Reed, was a blacksmith on the Colorado frontier.
Reviewed on February 2, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
Merged review:
Sara Dahmen is becoming one of my absolutely favorite authors. She is the pen behind the '1883' series on the tube, so you may also be familiar with her characters.
But 'Copper, Iron, and Clay' is all about crafting and kitchenware. Sara is a life-long addict of the highs obtained by creating lovely, useful kitchen stuff. She started working with tin in the long-ago, and graduated to copper, so she is now an artist in both metals, often combines them, and shares with us an introduction to those mediums. Long an advocate of iron in the kitchen, and a years-long maker of clay kitchenware, I was easily converted to another generation of copper lovers. My mom treasured her copperware, as well as the iron that was passed down several generations to myself and my sisters. Neither she nor I imagined working with copper, though I have always also admired it. Now I wish I was 30 years younger. Ah, but there is another couple of generations of Goddard-Ketner-Reed descended women, and to them, I am gifting this book. It is most possible, girls. Go for it if the will is there. It is complicated but doable. Sara says so. Keep in mind that John Wise, grandfather of your grandfather Dan Reed, was a blacksmith on the Colorado frontier.
Reviewed on February 2, 2023, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo....more
I really love a good short story-and what a collection of special shorts! The true gem in this collection in my opinion is The Lapedo Child. Truly SouI really love a good short story-and what a collection of special shorts! The true gem in this collection in my opinion is The Lapedo Child. Truly Southern Noir at its best. And I was especially pleased with The Witch Bottle - and loved that the main protagonist is the husband, so unlike most stereotypical fraidy cat stories - and Goat Island, which takes place in New Mexico, right around the corner at Elephant Butte Lake. Ms. Feldman paints Truth or Consequences and Elephant Butte with a realistic but kindly brush. But these stories were all exceptional and thought-provoking. I shall add Susan Feldman to my 'Favorite Authors' list.
I received a complimentary ARC of this collection from Netgalley, the author Suzanne Feldman, and publisher, Washington Writers' Publishing House. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work.
Pub Date September 27, 2022 Reviewed on August 21, 2022, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Pub date changed to September 27, 2022. Reviewed on AmazonSmile and BookBub on October 1....more
I received a free electronic ARC of this debut novel from Netgalley, Mateo Askaripour, and Houston Mifflin Harcourt. Thank you all for sharing your haI received a free electronic ARC of this debut novel from Netgalley, Mateo Askaripour, and Houston Mifflin Harcourt. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Black Buck of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Askaripour writes with a fluidity and rhythm that catches your mind and won't let go. He is an author I will follow.
Black Buck is a novel about a young man living in LA. Twenty-two-year-old Darren lives with his Mom, has a great girlfriend, and when given the opportunity to reach the top of the retail worker's chain, he is hesitant to make any changes in his life. Written in the first-person perspective of a black youth, Darren Vendor, who is the supervising barista of the Starbucks located on the ground floor of the building housing a fairly new company, Sumwun, specializing in a program that employers may sign into, with connections to an associate who will council disenchanted or disgruntled employees, bringing them back to fully supporting and productive employees.
When Darren talked the head of Sumwun, Rhett Daniels, into trying a new coffee basically against his will, Rhett is very impressed. Within days he offers Darren a position upstairs, which he is encouraged by his mother, girlfriend, and various friends and neighbors to grab with both hands. He does, but his disenchantment, though slow-growing, is always there, and only the knowledge that his mother, showing signs of aging and ailing, would be terribly disappointed keeps Darren with his nose to the grindstone.
I was impressed with the accuracy of the emotions experienced by Darren - called by his boss and coworkers 'Buck' - and how true to life I found them to be. And in every instance, you can change the speaker to that of any woman or most especially a black woman, and it will be spot on to the experiences most of us have faced in our working lives. Definitely, a coming of age tale told very well.
Interspersed throughout the tale you will find bold hints to the Reader, to improve your participation in retail selling, all very important, accurate, and well-intended. This was an interesting, enlightening experience. Again, thanks for sharing your hard work. pub date Jan 12, 2021 Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Reviewed on January 12, 2021 on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay....more
I received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Hope Adams, and Berkley Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. II received a free electronic ARC of this novel from Netgalley, Hope Adams, and Berkley Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Dangerous Women of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Hope Adams writes a tight tale with compassion and heart. She is an author I will follow.
This voyage of the Rajah, carrying 180+ women prisoners from London to Van Diemen's Land, also known as Hobart's Island (also known as Tasmania) in the Australian Islands, lasted but 105 days, from April 5, 1841, to July 19, 1841. Hope Adams give us those days, packed with details that color our world for the duration. The intersection of the worlds of the prisoners, their support matron, the ship's doctor, and minister, and the crew of the Rajah, the various ladies' attempts to move from life as a prisoner to a place of hope and growth are impressively presented. And the mystery is not obvious, even unto the end. This story is told in a back-and-forth pattern easily followed - chapters are labeled 'Then' and 'Now' for our convenience, Then being before the murder, Now being after. Each chapter is also from the perspective of one of the prisoners or their matron, Kezia Bertie, again named in the chapter heading and clearly outlining the personality and growing independence of these ladies. I am not always a fan of this type of delivery, but it works well in this tale.
Fiction based on historical fact is one of my favorite genres and extensive facts and sources are shared with us at the books ending. Hope Adams also shares with us the websites that feature the Rajah Quilt, the project designed by Kezia to bring these women together with one focus and perhaps a craft they can pursue once in Hobart. And there is such a quilt, displayed now at the National Gallery of Australia. Wikipedia has an excellent photo and details of this crossing as well.
It is hard to believe this is a debut novel. I can't wait for Hope Adams's next work!
pub date Feb 16, 2021 Berkley Publishing Reviewed at Goodreads and Netgalley on February 6, 2021. Reviewed on February 16, 2021, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay. ...more
This is an excellent guide to creating quilts or panels with threads and techniques into livable art. Even without the pandemic, I would not find whatThis is an excellent guide to creating quilts or panels with threads and techniques into livable art. Even without the pandemic, I would not find what I wanted to start this project locally, but within a month or two I will be able to shop - hopefully! - in Albuquerque or El Paso. It's a shame, as I'm itching to begin on something new. It is so exciting to find your next obsession!
Reviewed on May 24, 2020, at Goodreads. Reviewed June 24, 2020, at AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review at BookBub, Kobo or GooglePlay. ...more
I received a free electronic copy of this how-to from Netgalley, Linda Hahn and Deborah G. Stanley, and Fox Chapel Publishing - Landauer Publishing. TI received a free electronic copy of this how-to from Netgalley, Linda Hahn and Deborah G. Stanley, and Fox Chapel Publishing - Landauer Publishing. Thank you all for sharing this work with me. I have read Rock that Quilt Block of my own volition and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am happy to recommend Linda Hahn to friends and family. She writes with clarity directions to achieving ten different, refreshing quilt tops from the simple Country Crown block, an old-time favorite block we have all seen at Grandma's house.
Instructions on all phases of producing this block are clear and complete. Thank you, Linda Hahn, for taking the what-ifs out of this pattern.
pub date April 7 moved to pub date June 1, 2020 Reviewed on April 4, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley. Reviewed on June 3, 2020, at AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble. Not available for review on BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay. ...more
I received a free electronic copy of this how-to book from the author, Freya Gates. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I read this work of I received a free electronic copy of this how-to book from the author, Freya Gates. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am excited to share news of this book with my great-nieces and nephews. Quilting is a wonderful way to express your creativity - it can be as wild as your imagination or a regimented project that expresses you, as well.
Whether you are an eager new quilter or just coming back after a break from quilting, this book is one to have around. Hints that you may not have known or have just forgotten are at your fingertips, as are more complex problems answered simply, easily understood. This break from real life with Coronavirus shutting us in is a perfect time to get out that fabric stash and get to work on something simple to share with the kids or that complex project you have been putting off for years because your time is limited and this job needs your full attention.
Reviewed on March 29, 2020, at Goodreads and AmazonSmile. Not available for review at B&N, BookBub, Kobo, or GooglePlay....more
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent self-help book from DigitalBookSpot, Anna Hess, and Wetknee Publishing. Thank you all for sharing I received a free electronic copy of this excellent self-help book from DigitalBookSpot, Anna Hess, and Wetknee Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition and this review reflects my honest opinion of Homegrown Humus: Cover Crops in a No-Till Garden.
This is an excellent book, sharing the basics of, firstly the concept of No-Till gardening, and then to the use of humus crops to add nutrients to your soil in off-crop seasons.
High Plains Desert dwellers such as myself have a LOT of need for mulch and humus. our topsoil is windblown three months out of the year, the layer is thin and the rocks are plentiful and close to the surface. It's really hard to grow anything without de-stoning, tilling, mulching and fertilizing, but once you have dug into the soil there are a million years worth of weed seeds waiting to pop to the top. A large part of my garden is already tilled and mulched last fall and the dollar weed and mustard forest pulled last week.
Before I till and plant the old garden, I plan to scratch in some cover crop seed to the land I will be adding to my garden area this year. I am planting it today with oats - seed I had on hand, and we will see how it goes. I have spent two months pulling mustard from every flower bed and garden spot I have, the alley, and the grass. Our nearby mountains are prone to the odd prairie fire (thank goodness there are no trees on my side of the Sacramentos or the San Andres) and the second the fire dies down the forestry department is flying over, seeding the new burn areas with mustard. They grow so fast and so profusely that I can never get them all before they re-seed, and if you just cut them off they grow massive roots that won't pull. Oats should be an easier pull and the seeds aren't minuscule.
I am grateful for all the hints and tips, and the complete instructions available in this excellent guide. Thank you again, Anna Hess! Reviewed on April 4, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub ....more
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent guide from EReaderCafe and Malcolm Dewey. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I enjoyed I received a free electronic copy of this excellent guide from EReaderCafe and Malcolm Dewey. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I enjoyed this work, the hints, and tips to making that outdoor painting experience less chaotic and more fun. A fine how-to for both experienced painters and newbies, this work lets you know what it is safe to leave behind and what you can reasonably do on this excursion. It actually isn't necessary to take a truck bed of supplies when you have a hankering to paint ducks. Who knew?
Reviewed on March 21, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo. Not available for review at Kobo. ...more
I received a free electronic copy of this excellent cookbook from EReaderCafe, and Hannie P. Scott (Abedikichi). There are several recipes in this booI received a free electronic copy of this excellent cookbook from EReaderCafe, and Hannie P. Scott (Abedikichi). There are several recipes in this book I am anxious to try - Hannie has me wanting to explore in the kitchen, again. It is so easy to get into a rut with five or six recipes that are fast and 'easy'. Reviewed on Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and Barnes&Noble on April 4, 2020. ...more
I received a publishers discount on this craft e-book from EReaderCafe, Kerry Lord, and publisher David & Charles. This is an excellent resource book I received a publishers discount on this craft e-book from EReaderCafe, Kerry Lord, and publisher David & Charles. This is an excellent resource book for crocheters. Kerry Lord presents patterns that are simply read, and size changes are accomplished by changing yarn weight and hook size. Patterns are presented in gradients to account for skill level - most patterns are basic, skill level would only be required when requiring a loop stitch or changing colors of yarn frequently. If you don't understand how to change colors, this book will teach you. If you don't want to learn, just pick those animals requiring only one or two colors - tho the sheep and alpaca needing a loop stitch are adorable. I love that all of the critters are pictured in natural yarns and that the instructions tell you how to choose different types of yarn - synthetic, cotton-based, animal-based and the plus and minus of each type on this project. This is a book for newbie crocheters or us old-timey crafters. ...more
I received an electronic ARC of this how-to from Netgalley, Chris McLaughlin, and Companion House Books on January 8, 2020. I have read this work of mI received an electronic ARC of this how-to from Netgalley, Chris McLaughlin, and Companion House Books on January 8, 2020. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest personal opinion of this work. I am pleased to recommend Chris McLaughlin's work to friends and family. She writes it like it is, including the hidden costs of raising fiber animals, all the plus and minus aspects that you need to know before you buy your first critter.
This is a self-help guide to assist you in determining whether or not you want to invest the time, love, and money involved in raising fur-babies. Having spent several years volunteering on a farm in Texas set-up as a wide-ranging petting zoo for hospice patients and their families, and a fiber-for-personal-use sideline, this book brought me to tears or laughter every couple of pages. All of these critters are precious and well worth the trouble involved in their care. That said, they are a LOT of work, better done by a younger back, and the expense is never-ending, so you should only go into it if you intend to actually use/sell the fiber for a profit to help offset the expenses. We had neighbor goats when I was a child and had to run them out of our property, garden, chicken house on an almost daily basis so I have automatically eliminated goats from my want list. Until I read this, anyway. Now I am waffling between sheep and goats. I have the proper room to roam for a couple of either critter, but realistically I am 71 and more physically capable of wrangling rabbits. I will gift it to both of my grown children - it would be nice if I could volunteer at their petting zoo/fiber factory...
Things I learned in Texas that are not covered in this book - llamas, and alpacas cannot thrive in the summer heat and humidity of the Texas Hill Country, nor do they thrive in the desert heat of most of New Mexico, unless they have access to an air-conditioned barn. These special critters have centuries of adaptation to the many mountains of Peru. They need a mountain. If you have one, they are awesome creatures with a lot of love to share. And Bethlehem Donkeys may not be a fiber animal, but they are indispensable in a mixed fiber barnyard. They can sometimes keep the goats in line...
pub date July 9, 2019 received Jan 8, 2020 CompanionHouse Books Reviewed on January 19, 2020, at Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, and GooglePlay. Not available to review on BookBub....more
I received a free ARC electronic copy of this How-To from Netgalley, Kirsten K. Shockey, and EBookDigital. Thank you all for sharing your hard work wiI received a free ARC electronic copy of this How-To from Netgalley, Kirsten K. Shockey, and EBookDigital. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my personal, honest opinion of The Big Book of Cidermaking.
This Self-Help book is very complete, giving us all the necessary steps to preparing, aging, and storing cider of all sorts. Shockey includes methods of naturally flavoring ciders with companion fruits, making vinegar and alcoholic ciders, Also included are recommendations for on-site computer aids, and sources for the necessary tools required for successfully producing cider of all sorts. pub date September 1, 2020 Storey Publishing LLC Reviewed on January 19, 2020, at Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed on September 1, 2020, at AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay.
With author Bonnie Scott, you always win. Her recipes are basic with a twist, directions are simple and result always tasty. She writes LOTS of types With author Bonnie Scott, you always win. Her recipes are basic with a twist, directions are simple and result always tasty. She writes LOTS of types of recipes, but has extensive choices in recipes in jars, for gift giving, etc. I like to keep a couple in the pantry for an unexpected gift or a quick fix when I need a chocolate infusion. I have yet to have one just sitting around when I need a quick gift, however. I found three in this book that I had never seen or thought to want before. And those new, must-have kitchen appliances - like the instant pot, or air fryer - adapt to these instructions well. Received Feb 2, 2020 Reviewed February 15, 2020, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub. Not available for review at Kobo or GooglePlay....more
I received a free electronic copy of this how-to from Netgalley, Virginia Lloyd-Davies, and Walter Foster Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hI received a free electronic copy of this how-to from Netgalley, Virginia Lloyd-Davies, and Walter Foster Publishing. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Mindful Artist of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This was a work I wound up buying as I have problems with downloading Netgalley's offerings, but it is one I would most likely have purchased any way...
This work basically outlines the differences between watercolor washes and painting with watercolors which sounds very simple but is not something I am getting right even yet. It's going to be a long cold winter, so I will be able to get in some practice before gardening duties draw my back outdoors. The depth and detail in these works of Virginia Lloyd-Davies are exquisite, and it is a technique I plan to master! Thank you, Virginia, for sharing your art with us. It makes the heart sing. pub date Dec 3, 2019 Walter Foster Publishing Reviewed on December 29, 2019, on Goodreads, Netgalley, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, and GooglePlay. Not available for review on BookBub....more
I received a free electronic copy of this how-to book, first published in 2012, from DigitalBookSpot and R. Wayne Koepp. Thank you for sharing your haI received a free electronic copy of this how-to book, first published in 2012, from DigitalBookSpot and R. Wayne Koepp. Thank you for sharing your hard work with me. I have studied this work of my own volition, and this review reflects my personal opinion of Wood Puzzles.
These patterns are interesting, the instructions simple, and the patterns will print on your printer, so you can change sizes if you would like. I was very pleased with this how-to - and will be using it and the procedure outlines, on my gifts for the greats coming up. Thank you.
Reviewed on Oct 18, 2019, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, and Barnes & Noble. Not available at Bookbub, Kobo, or GooglePlay. ...more
I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Suzanne Staubach, and Timber Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I received a free electronic copy of this novel from Netgalley, Suzanne Staubach, and Timber Press. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read A Garden Miscellany of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion on this work.
A Garden Miscellany is an excellent guide for setting up or improving your home garden, helpful for both beginning gardener and old pro. Suzanne Staubach brings to mind the simple things that make a garden special - things we often overlook in our frantic world today. This is a book I can heartily recommend for friends and family. It makes for a nice break into nostalgia for even the life-long gardener.
Pub date October 29, 2019 Protected PDF cell phone Reviewed on Aug 29 on Goodreads and Netgalley. Reviewed October 30, 2019, at AmazonSmile, Barnes & Noble, BookBub, Kobo, and GooglePlay....more
I was not able to read this book in the electronic form but ordered a print copy from Amazon for my How-To Library. This is an excellent guide to assiI was not able to read this book in the electronic form but ordered a print copy from Amazon for my How-To Library. This is an excellent guide to assist the beginner or intermediate woodworker - and even the experienced can use some of the information on tools and how to use them. I can highly recommend this book to friends and family. We learned a good bit just flipping through the book and even more after a careful study.
Netgalley, the War Department, and F+W Media, Popular Woodworking Books introduced me to this book and though I was not able to use the electronic copy, I am so pleased to have it accessible in my working library. Thank you for sharing this hard work with me. I have read this manual of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. Originally published on June 1946. This Pub Date May 28th, 2019 by Publisher F_W Media, Woodworking Books. Received the printed copy, July 9, 2019 Reviewed on Goodreads, Netgalley, and SmileAmazon on July 21, 2019. Not available at Barnes & Noble, BookBub, or Kobo....more
Bonnye Reed
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