FO Friday - 5/29/2026

I finished something recently. It’s another shawl for my Year of Shawls project.

What is that, you ask? It’s my strategy to stash down some of the many singles skeins of sock yarn I’ve purchased in the past. They’ve been sitting around not being knit into anything, never mind not being knit into socks. 

Here’s the latest shawl:

The pattern is Get Set and Go by Jem Arrowsmith. I used The Fiber Seed Sprout Sock in Nautical. It is nice and squishy yarn. The put up is 510 yards, more than enough for the shawl, but I ran short. I did one less pattern repeat. 

I also finished these pillowcases (plus others that will be Christmas gifts that I can’t show) that I started back in February.

Remember how I couldn’t resist the pink flamingos in the fabric collection called Coastal Breeze by Northcott Fabrics? It must have been very popular, because one can hardly find any of the fabrics online currently.

I have another shawl and many sewing/quilting projects going right now. Hopefully, I’ll turn them into finishes soon.

MK out.

Book Chat - 05/28/2026

I read some books in April and this month. I’m here to tell you about them.

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Someone overhears Finlay discussing the plot of her overdue draft with her agent and thinks that Finlay is a hitman. She tries to hire her for a job. Much mayhem ensues. It was a fun read.

The King of Diamonds: The Search for the Elusive Texas Jewel Thief by Rena Pederson

There was a jewel thief in the 1960s and 70s who hit many homes in the Preston Hollow and Highland Park areas of Dallas. They were never caught. This book tells the story and also examines the seedy underbelly of Dallas during that time. I recognized many names and locations mentioned. It was interesting.

What She Saw by Mary Burton

A cold case reporter who has ties to the crime tries to find answers thirty years after four women disappeared from a music festival. It kept me guessing.

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

A mid-fifties menopausal woman looks forward to her family’s annual weeklong vacation on the Cape. Three generations get together to life, while she makes all kinds of sandwiches for their lunches. It was pretty good.

Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

This book has been adapted to a streaming series. Margo is barely an adult. She has a brief affair with one of her college professors. When she finds out that she is pregnant, she decides to keep the baby. But she has no income, and the baby’s father is no help because he is married and already has a family. What’s a girl to do? Why, start an Only Fans account, of course. It was alright.

The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout

If you like quirky characters, this book is for you. Strout’s latest book does not disappoint. A high school history teacher, who on the outside appears to be living his life fully and engaged is troubled. On the inside, he is questioning free will and the meaning of the life around him that appears to be becoming more ridiculous by the minute. It was very good.

This post brings me up to date. If you’re counting, I’ve read fourteen books so far this year. I’ve got another one on the go.

MK out.

Book Chat - 5/14/2026

And we’re back! I have a few books I’ve recently read to discuss.

The Correspondent by Virginia Evan’s

Former attorney/court clerk, Sybil Van Antwerp, sits down every day in her retirement and writes letters to friends, colleagues, and even celebrities. She’s lived a full and eventful life. The letters fill in the information about her past as well as serving to moved the story forward. There’s one recipient of her letters who remains a mystery until the end of the book. It was so good.

Everyone is Beautiful by Katherine Center

This book tells the story of Lanie Coates - a wife and mother who has spent her married life putting herself last. When she and her family make a big move for her husband’s career, she starts to remember that she once had dreams for herself too. She starts making a few changes, and pretty soon, people take notice. It was good.

Chasing Stardust by Erica Lucke Dean

Zoey’s mom has died. Her former music journalist grandmother has hinted that her grandfather was David Bowie. She sets out to spread her mom’s ashes along the 1972 Ziggy Stardust tour. It was cute.

Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen by Susan Gregg Gilmore

In 1970s Ringgold, Georgia, Catherine Grace Cline is dying to escape. She’s the daughter of the Baptist preacher and is tired of her small town life. She and her sister go to the Dairy Queen every Saturday afternoon, eating Dilly Bars, while she plans her getaway. It was a quirky and delightful read.

And that’s it for now.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 4/13/2026

I watched a couple of flicks this week. 

Downtown Abbey: The Grand Finale is a treat for all the Downton fans in the world. Dame Maggie Smith, who played the Dowager Countess in the series and in the other two movies is sorely missed. Her sassy quips added so much to n story. Most every one of the other actors returned to reprise their roles. The 1930s are upon us, and as time marches on, Earl Grantham is having a hard time handing Mary the keys to the big house and property. I liked it. It was a nice ending to the story.

Kristin Scott Thomas, Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham star in My Mother’s Wedding. Scott Thomas also directed the film. Three adult daughters return home for their mother’s nuptials. They are forced to face some unresolved issues. It was good.

Recent Streamers:

How to Get to Heaven From Belfast - Netflix

Shrinking, Season 3 - AppleTV

Too Much - Netflix

Diary of a Ditched Girl - Netflix - dumb

Age of Attraction - Netflix - dumb

 

MK out.

FO Friday - 4/10/2026

Y'all! I finished something, and it’s my first knitting make for 2026. 

This shawl took a month to make, and I don’t have a good reason why it took so long. The pattern is called Playtime by Meg Gadsbey. I used Yarn Carnival High Wire 3-Ply in Water Gardens and Yartini Semi-solid Sock in gin. Both yarns are lovely to the touch.

And I discovered that I never showed you some sewing makes.

I alluded to this quilt made from my son’s baseball tees back in April. A year ago…I finished it a year ago!

I made these scrub caps to gift before Christmas.

I made these scrub caps in February. They are currently in the gift box.

That’s all!

MK out.

Book Chat - 4/9/2026

I set a challenge to read 24 books again this year. I know I will read more, but I really don’t want to add deadline pressure to my life. I have plenty of ”have tos.” Readings supposed to be fun!

Let me tell you about a few I’ve read so far this year.

The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

A graduate student, while researching an author of horror novels, since his evil spirits on campus. She remembers a story. Her grandmother had told her about their families encounter with witchcraft. Related? Perhaps.

Excuses Begone! by Wayne W. Dyer

Dr. Dyer proposes that by changing our negative/limiting thinking, we can improve our happiness and success in life. Try it.

The Girls of the Glimmer Factory by Jennifer Coburn

Hannah and Hilde were school friends, but got separated when Hannah‘s family moved away. Years later, they meet up again when Hannah is a Jewish prisoner in a ghetto and Hilde is a supporter of the Nazi cause. Each wants a favor from the other.

Bad Date by Ellery Lloyd

In this novella, Faye is a famous actress, raising a son on her own. She’s very unlucky in love, as every decent man she dates tends to disappear without explanation. She’s on a mission to figure out why.

Tune in next time - weeks from now - when I tell you about more books that I’ve read.

MK out.

Movie Monday - 3/23/2026

I had the chance to watch the movies nominated for Best Live Action Short Film.

The Singers - a sing-off takes place in a bar.

Two People Exchanging Saliva - In this dystopian world where kissing is illegal. If you’re caught, you end up in a box that’s thrown over a cliff.

Butcher’s Stain - a Palestinian butcher is accused of tearing down hostage posters in the break room.

A Friend of Dorothy - an unlikely friendship forms between a young man and a grandmotherly woman.

And my personal favorite:

Jane Austen’s Period Drama - a period (not the grammar kind) causes much confusion between a young couple. It was very witty and clever. Pay attention to everyone’s names.

All were very good. The Singers won.

MK out.