My big plans to sew for two days straight this weekend were thwarted by a mysterious queasy lethargy that settled upon me and wouldn't let go. I forced myself to complete four rows of the Red and White Snowball Challenge Quilt and like what I see. My son commented that I had taken such a simple design and "brought it to unimagined levels of complexity". Wow. Too bad that guy isn't home from school more often!
I did finish two Anita Shreve books while I was moping around the house. "Change in Altitude" and "All He Ever Wanted". I have to say that Shreve is an author who challenges herself to write about the most unsympathetic characters imaginable. Characters so dislikeable you ask yourself in the middle of the book "Why I am doing this? I hate these people".
"All He Ever Wanted" must have been a particularly difficult challenge for the author. The point of view is from the most boring, stuffy, controlling husband. He marries a woman who tells him straight out she will never love him the way he loves her. The marriage is simply better than what her alternative choice would have been. Through his eyes, you can see what a miserable life she is living (stuck with the likes of him). By the end of the book, you are relieved that you no longer have to spend another second with him.
All in all, as you can probably surmise, I had a What's the Point? weekend!
38 responses to “Coming Together”
Stunning quilt!! I am inspired to put a quilt like this on my list of ones to make (after I finish the pile I’m currently working on…) I love all things red, especially quilts. You can never have too many red quilts.
Thanks for the heads up on the Anita Shreve books. I am an inveterate reader, but not in the mood for books like those right now.
Stunning quilt!! I am inspired to put a quilt like this on my list of ones to make (after I finish the pile I’m currently working on…) I love all things red, especially quilts. You can never have too many red quilts.
Thanks for the heads up on the Anita Shreve books. I am an inveterate reader, but not in the mood for books like those right now.
Your son is right.
Your son is right.
The snowballs are going to make a beautiful quilt. I agree about the bad book, what a waste of our time. Wishing you wellness, Brandie
The snowballs are going to make a beautiful quilt. I agree about the bad book, what a waste of our time. Wishing you wellness, Brandie
Nicole, what can be done to get you back up going again? You’re having a tough go of it, between your flu, tooth and now this new malady…….I hope you get back to feeling 100% again, soon!
I’ve read some Anita Shreve books and have enjoyed them, but your description of her writing style is so perfect!
Your red and cream snowball is looking great. I’m thinking of giving mine to my Dad, he’s a huge Santa fan, then I’ll make a different red and cream quilt for me!
Take care of you!
Nicole, what can be done to get you back up going again? You’re having a tough go of it, between your flu, tooth and now this new malady…….I hope you get back to feeling 100% again, soon!
I’ve read some Anita Shreve books and have enjoyed them, but your description of her writing style is so perfect!
Your red and cream snowball is looking great. I’m thinking of giving mine to my Dad, he’s a huge Santa fan, then I’ll make a different red and cream quilt for me!
Take care of you!
The “snowball” is growing, good progress! Life’s too short to finish not very good books. I just finished The Help, wonderful read!
The “snowball” is growing, good progress! Life’s too short to finish not very good books. I just finished The Help, wonderful read!
YES! I’ve always wondered what I had against Anite Shreve’s books. You summed it up perfectly.
Feel better soon!
YES! I’ve always wondered what I had against Anite Shreve’s books. You summed it up perfectly.
Feel better soon!
wow! this is just beautiful! I may have to think about this design sometime too!
wow! this is just beautiful! I may have to think about this design sometime too!
You know, it’s as if you drew the fortune cookie that said: “suckeggs” for you! Bummer man. Total bummer. And you of all women I know, YOU! You the great reader that you are usually knows better than to do this but I gather you couldn’t allow yourself the feeling of a failed effort, ha? I’m thinkin’ that. I’m thinkin’ you needed some sort of Finish. But oh my friend, my dear friend…
You know, it’s as if you drew the fortune cookie that said: “suckeggs” for you! Bummer man. Total bummer. And you of all women I know, YOU! You the great reader that you are usually knows better than to do this but I gather you couldn’t allow yourself the feeling of a failed effort, ha? I’m thinkin’ that. I’m thinkin’ you needed some sort of Finish. But oh my friend, my dear friend…
I would have put the book down. I can’t stand reading a book where I like no one…kind of like a party where you know everyones secrets and don’t like any of them…why bother going?
I give you total props for being able to read through. A finish is a finish right?
I would have put the book down. I can’t stand reading a book where I like no one…kind of like a party where you know everyones secrets and don’t like any of them…why bother going?
I give you total props for being able to read through. A finish is a finish right?
Your Snowballs are beautiful. Love red and white.
I totally agree with you about “All He Ever Wanted” – I kept wondering why I persisted with this miserable story but the book was a present and I had read that Shreve is one of Jodi Picoult’s favourite writers (and I LOVE her books)so I thought there had to be something in her recommendation. I have also read “The Wedding” which was a bit better.
Your Snowballs are beautiful. Love red and white.
I totally agree with you about “All He Ever Wanted” – I kept wondering why I persisted with this miserable story but the book was a present and I had read that Shreve is one of Jodi Picoult’s favourite writers (and I LOVE her books)so I thought there had to be something in her recommendation. I have also read “The Wedding” which was a bit better.
Just say no to books like that. I have a hard time stopping a book that I don’t like but sometimes I come to my senses long enough to put it down.
I really like the Red and White Snowball Challenge blocks you have done. I love how it is turning out. Your son really does have a way with words.
Just say no to books like that. I have a hard time stopping a book that I don’t like but sometimes I come to my senses long enough to put it down.
I really like the Red and White Snowball Challenge blocks you have done. I love how it is turning out. Your son really does have a way with words.
Way to go on your snowballs! I am hoping to get a couple other “must do’s” finished in the next week and get back to mine. Fingers crossed!Hope you’re feeling better soon.
Way to go on your snowballs! I am hoping to get a couple other “must do’s” finished in the next week and get back to mine. Fingers crossed!Hope you’re feeling better soon.
…but your quilt is looking fabulous!~
…but your quilt is looking fabulous!~
Love the snowball supreme coming together–especially the little hourglass blocks in the corners.
Shreve, eh? Well, I’ll cross that author off my list, I think! I have felt this way about Jodi Picoult’s books too! She makes me squirm with her subject matter and there is never an easy ending. It’s a bit exhausting emotionally. I tried but could not read “My Sister’s Keeper”. It was too upsetting to me, having two girls!
Love the snowball supreme coming together–especially the little hourglass blocks in the corners.
Shreve, eh? Well, I’ll cross that author off my list, I think! I have felt this way about Jodi Picoult’s books too! She makes me squirm with her subject matter and there is never an easy ending. It’s a bit exhausting emotionally. I tried but could not read “My Sister’s Keeper”. It was too upsetting to me, having two girls!
I think I’ve seen Anita Shreve books on English Lit lists–and now I know why! LOL! Girl, you need to get a little more fun in your life! Hearing about your queasy lethargy makes me think that bug you had during your vacation was the swine flu–it seems to have a stomach flu-type component and the symptoms keep popping back up for a couple weeks. Love your red and white snowballs though! And your son’s a genius–but you probably already knew that!
I think I’ve seen Anita Shreve books on English Lit lists–and now I know why! LOL! Girl, you need to get a little more fun in your life! Hearing about your queasy lethargy makes me think that bug you had during your vacation was the swine flu–it seems to have a stomach flu-type component and the symptoms keep popping back up for a couple weeks. Love your red and white snowballs though! And your son’s a genius–but you probably already knew that!
Your Snowball quilt is beautiful – I have always loved this pattern!
Hope you are feeling better – I had the same thing this weekend! I was hoping on Saturday it was just from having too much of a good time on Friday night (Mardi Gras Ball!) but, when it went into Sunday and lingered on Monday – I didn’t have that much fun!!! lol!!
I’m feeling normal today – hope you are too! Have a great day!
Your Snowball quilt is beautiful – I have always loved this pattern!
Hope you are feeling better – I had the same thing this weekend! I was hoping on Saturday it was just from having too much of a good time on Friday night (Mardi Gras Ball!) but, when it went into Sunday and lingered on Monday – I didn’t have that much fun!!! lol!!
I’m feeling normal today – hope you are too! Have a great day!
Hello Nicole,
Sorry to hear you haven’t felt well again. That is too bad. I hope you will be feeling your normal self soon. My son had H1N1 and felt crummy for a few days and then ended up with bronchitis and felt draggy for 3 weeks. During the initial illness he said he had felt worse before, with other bugs. It is an odd bug as to how it affects different people. Anyway…
I really like your quilt—makes me want to make one just like it! What a sweet comment your son gave you!! I hope you have a good week.
Beverly in WA
Hello Nicole,
Sorry to hear you haven’t felt well again. That is too bad. I hope you will be feeling your normal self soon. My son had H1N1 and felt crummy for a few days and then ended up with bronchitis and felt draggy for 3 weeks. During the initial illness he said he had felt worse before, with other bugs. It is an odd bug as to how it affects different people. Anyway…
I really like your quilt—makes me want to make one just like it! What a sweet comment your son gave you!! I hope you have a good week.
Beverly in WA
Your quilt is gorgeous! Lucky you to get that compliment from your son…I think the majority of my children think this quilting thing is out of hand…once in a while I’ll get a glimmer of a compliment from them!
Your quilt is gorgeous! Lucky you to get that compliment from your son…I think the majority of my children think this quilting thing is out of hand…once in a while I’ll get a glimmer of a compliment from them!
Your son’s compliment is so cool. Don’t you just love it when that happens?! I totally get what you mean about Anita Shreve’s characters. I only read one because it was our book club book. I did not enjoy it at all. I did not realize she was one of Jodi Picoult’s favorites. Don’t understand that one at all!
Your son’s compliment is so cool. Don’t you just love it when that happens?! I totally get what you mean about Anita Shreve’s characters. I only read one because it was our book club book. I did not enjoy it at all. I did not realize she was one of Jodi Picoult’s favorites. Don’t understand that one at all!