The deep freeze continues. Some relief is in store tomorrow, though we’re going to get the dreaded ‘wintry mix.’ And on Wednesday? Highs in the fifties. Go figure. The temperature changes from day to day this winter have been mind-boggling. But the sun is out and that makes everything better.
• Yesterday I received a couple of packages in the mail. One was from my talented sister, Meredith. She has been experimenting with needle felting. Let’s see what that cutie sent to me:
This adorable felted heart pin. Isn’t it sweet? Our Etsy shop just might have a variation on this heart very soon. Just giving you a heads up.
Oh. my. goodness. I am in love with this beautiful bird, complete with a nest on a branch. As you know, I love birds. I love red. This is perfect.
Be still my heart. Meredith will most likely be embarrassed by my posting these photos, but I’m so proud of her creativity. These are her first forays into needle felting and they are fabulous. Imagine all the wonderful creations that are in store.
Thank you, sweet sister of mine.
• The Screen Actors Guild sent us an Awards Screener copy of Lincoln and I watched it last night. I really loved it. There’s so much important history in this story. Everyone in our current Congress should watch it. They could learn a thing or two. Or three. Lincoln has always been fascinating to me and now I want to read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book on which the movie is based.
The cast is stellar. (There are at least 3 actors in major roles that I have worked with and coached. That makes me smile.)
Daniel Day-Lewis is simply incredible. He is a brilliant actor on any old day of the week, but this performance is pitch perfect and worthy of an Oscar. Sally Field is heartbreaking and wonderful as the First Lady.
• I finished Gone Girl. I wasn’t all that crazy about it. Gillian Flynn is a brilliant writer. No bones about it. She writes beautifully and her intricate plot, which weaves together a complicated story and lays a trail of tantalizing clues that reveal more and more about the characters, is first-rate. That being said, my problem was that I didn’t much like the two major characters. There was nothing that made me root for one or the other or ultimately care what happened to them. Neither of them had much in the way of redeeming character traits, so I was left feeling empty and unsatisfied. It’s the kind of book, for me, that dazzles me with the sheer skill of the writing, but leaves me feeling like I would if I wanted a full dinner but got an elaborate dessert instead. I love dessert, don’t get me wrong. But it doesn’t fill me up.
I’m sure I am in the minority here. This is a hugely popular book and I know it. And I’ll never give plot points away. Just my ‘unofficial’ review.
• Just a word about my weekly A Favorite Thing party and why I love it. Two words: cozy and manageable. I feel strongly that it is my duty to visit and comment on every post. And I do. I’m the hostess, after all, and it’s the polite thing to do. I welcome all new participants, of course, but this party isn’t about numbers. It’s about sharing stories with each other. I know that other linky parties are much bigger. But, since my aim is to share in your posts and comment on each one, this cozy little get-together is just perfect. However, if the numbers did go up from, say 40 or 50 to 80, I would still visit each and every one of you. If it ever got to the point where I couldn’t visit you, I’d have to reconsider the whole thing.
Okay. I just may clean out our closet today. You have no idea what a mess it is. Then I will reward myself with some work on my dollhouse. Clean and sort first. Play later.
Happy Sunday.
The heart and the little red bird are adorable!
They are indeed.
I am not a seamstress but the little felted creations seem the perfect medium for these darling little things. I hope they do appear in the Etsy shop as I would love to hold one in my hand. I would love to see Lincoln, not just because everybody I know who has seen it loves it but because I am in awe of Daniel Day-Lewis and how he seems to always become the character. When I first heard Sally Field was given the part of his wife I cheered that she had the chance to play that part. Maybe because she has been associated so long now with television it was a surprise to me. But who can ever forget her as Norma Rae (have I gotten her name right here? senior moment)? She is a darling.
I love your Favorite Thing Fridays. I’ve found so many beautiful blogs this way and the nicest people in the world.
Sally Field is really wonderful as Mary Todd Lincoln. Daniel Day-Lewis just may be the best actor of this generation.
I’ve seen those hearts on your sister’s blog – and thought they could be good sellers on etsy! They are so sweet! Have a wonderful Sunday!
They are very sweet and so is she! You have a wonderful Sunday as well, Deb.
I haven’t seen Lincoln yet..waiting for Netflix..Cute birdie :) Enjoy your Sunday..
I think you’ll like it, Missy.
I love the little felted heart, did you see the garland of hearts I made the other week…it’s so fun to discover a new craft.
And the bird…and the nest… so cute.. I can’t wait to see them on your Etsy site, they will be great sellers.
I’ve read Gone Girl, and just like you, I felt the same way….and personally I like the beginning of the book better then the end.
Jen
Me, too!
I didn’t see your garland, so I’m going to go on over and read that post!
I agree with you about Gone Girl. I was expecting much more after how many weeks it is been number one on the booklist. I enjoy your blog. Thanks, Doris
Thank you, Doris!
We are anxiously awaiting Lincoln to come out on Netflix. I’ve heard so many great things about the movie and my husband would love to read this book…I wasn’t aware that the movie was based on a book. I picked up Gone Girl many times in book stores and flipped through it and it just didn’t seem like something I would enjoy. I knew it was widely popular but I thought I would just wait to hear more. Visualizing characters and identifying with them a bit makes for a good read for me. Thanks for the review…I don’t think I’ll be spending money on it.
I love the heart and cardinal. Your sister is very creative and I hope she finds a lot of joy in working with felt. I only hand sew and I feel a lot of satisfaction working simply with a needle and thread.
We are supposed to get an ice storm today (I’ll believe it when I see it), and our temps are going to be in the 50’s by mid week. Yes, go figure.
XO,
Jane
I hope you don’t get an ice storm, Jane! The book is “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.
I also read “Gone Girl”, and was really into it for about the first half. It then seemed to veer off into a different story altogether, and in the end I didn’t care about the main characters, either.
How fun that you get all these movies in the mail. Can’t wait to see Lincoln. Hope you have a warm day in your cottage Claudia!
I AM having a warm day and it seems to be a wee bit warmer outside. Yay!
What a sweet little resting cardinal! She looks tired after her trip in the mail. I’d love to try needlefelting too… so many cute little characters to be made! How exciting to have Abe arrive in the mail!! I can’t wait to see it and I am happy to have your review! Have fun in the dollhouse! :)
I will. I actually cleaned out the closet (I’m so proud of myself) and had some lunch and soon I’ll do a little painting of dollhouse furniture.
Wow, that little bird is cutie petootie! I am not linking up today but only because I don’t have time for a post – have a great day!
I know – I love the little bird.
Claudia, I love that little red bird! I’d love to get two to match my feathered babies colors, once you get them in your shop! I also agree with you about linkys. Keeping them manageable is the key. Ignoring all participants is not nice. It happens with quite a few ladies, too, and I always feel badly. I take it personally, I know I shouldn’t. “Blogging without obligation”. I understand the volume, but not everyone links up all the time. I think limiting to just one post might help with keeping it manageable. xo
I think some of the parties have become so big that it is impossible, even with the best of intentions, for the hostess to visit everyone. I know one who does her best to visit different bloggers every week. Let’s face it, hosting a huge party like that is a lot of work!
I didn’t like Gone Girl either. I am reading Burning Man now and it had me up until 2:00 AM……couldn’t put it down.
You are so lucky to get those movies to watch! I will see both Lincoln and Argo when they come out on DVD.
Wish I didn’t have to wait so long for that to happen.
Well, movies come out on DVD pretty quickly these days. I bet you don’t have to wait long. Gone Girl was really disappointing to me. I expected something far better than it ended up being.
I’ve been enjoying Meredith’s foray into needle felting on her blog. Love that bird in its nest! I agree with you on Gone Girl. I couldn’t put it down, but I certainly didn’t like either of the main characters. Maybe that was the whole idea!
It might well have been! But, unfortunately, I could put it down. I just couldn’t get into it! For some reason, it wasn’t a page turner for me.
Looks like most of us were somewhat disappointed in Gone Girl. The writing is excellent, that is for sure, so worth the time on that point. I just finished a really good book, The Good House, by Ann Leary. She is the wife of Denis Leary, and is wicked funny and tells a very good story.
Love your sister’s felted items. How lucky you are to have a wonderful, talented sister, who sends you sweet gifts. Of course, I am sure she feels the same about you. Every day I look at the lovely garland I bought from your Etsy shop, and think how lucky I am to have found you here!
I’m rather relieved! The way everyone was raving about it, I thought I was the only one who didn’t like it! I’m so glad you enjoy your garland, my friend.
The needle felting projects are so pretty! That looks like such an interesting craft; have not tried it myself.
“Lincoln” does look very good; haven’t seen it yet. I like your idea about having congress watch it!
I also appreciate you commenting on the link participants. It is very considerate of you. Something not very common in today’s world unfortunately.
Well, it’s the polite thing to do!
Happy Sunday, Claudia! The weather here is also supposed to be better this week, although right now we’re in a storm advisory with snow/rain mix that is making the roads pretty icy. You must be proud of your sister–I love her needle felting projects! Finally, someone who agrees with me about Gone Girl!! I have been feeling quite alone, as your assessment is exactly what I thought about reading it–I like to LIKE at least one character in a novel, and these two were lacking in the likeability factor.
I will be disappointed if Daniel Day-Lewis doesn’t win the Oscar for his Lincoln performance. It was amazing and moving and beautiful. I’m turning my daughter’s bedroom closet into my new sewing/craft area, so I’m off to start organizing…
xxoo Martha
I know – isn’t there supposed to be a protagonist in a novel? Not two antagonists! It looks like lots of people agree with us.
We’re getting your weather tomorrow, I think.
Hope you are staying warm Claudia. Love the felted pieces your sister made for it. What a pleasant surprise!!
Judy
I know – I had no idea she was sending them.
I just invited my husband to take me to see Lincoln tomorrow.. he’s grumbling.. hope I can get him to go. He went with me to a powwow yesterday, I just posted about it. Have fun working on your dollhouse! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Tell him that he’ll really like it! But maybe he thinks that because he went with you to the powwow, he doesn’t have to see Lincoln??
I love the heart and bird! Needle felting looks so great! Hope they make it to the Etsy shop! I love your movie and book reviews. I have head how good Lincoln is so I’m looking forward to seeing it.
hugs,
Linda
I’ll tell Meredith that her bird is a hit!
Claudia, I knit and felted a red purse and I love it. This needle felting looks like something I’ll have to check out. the red bird is too cute. I’m glad the sun is shining for you. I can’t imagine being alone w/out Don and having to worry about the pipes freezing.
Tomorrow: snow turning into rain which means icing. Don’t like that!
Yeah and whew! I hated (!) the two characters in Gone Girl also! Everyone is in love with the book but me, or so I thought. (I guess those that don’t like it are keeping mum.) I would never have made it through except I was sick when I began it and thus a captive audience. I just kept thinking “it’s got to get better, everyone loves it”. I read a lot of it that first day … and after that I continued on as I was “intrigued” by something that a person on TV let slip while talking about the book and I had given enough of my life to the book that I then wanted to know what they meant.
Wasn’t Lincoln wonderful?! Loved it. I want to read Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book too – thank you for reminding me.
Love your sisters felting, so darling. I adore her red bird.
I love that you visit and comment on every “favorite thing” – I think that is so lovely of you, a kindness and good manners. I used to always answer my comments but have fallen apart completely since my father passed away and I feel horrible about it. Hoping to get better at it in 2013!
I went to a miniature show yesterday, fun fun fun! Have fun with your dollhouse! xo
Oh, I’m jealous that you got to go to a miniature show! As for the book, I don’t get why it’s so popular. And I’m sorry I bought it just before it arrived at my local library. Grrr.
The weather here has been just like yours…you just never know what the next day will bring! We just had an ice storm come through, but by Wednesday, it’s supposed to be in the 50’s. So weird.
Isn’t it great to receive little surprises in the mail? Your sister is very talented – must run in the family. :-)
It’s always wonderful to get a surprise in the mail!
Okay yes I am terribly embarrassed and I don’t like Gone Girl and I am not even half way through with it, I don’t like the characters at all and fall asleep reading it.
M
Don’t bother finishing it! It’s not worth it. I don’t get what the big deal was about that book. Why would I care what happens to those people?
I have wanted to read that book ever since it was coming out. I’m disappointed you don’t like it. But now I’m not so crazy about reading it myself. Guess you’ll always get far worse weather than we do here, so I shouldn’t be griping so. It’s just so depressing when I can’t get out (my ankle) and get some good exercise to battle the winter depression.
Brenda
I love the heart and bird you got from Meredith, they are so cute. We’ve pretty much just been in the deep freeze for weeks with just the past few days inching above freezing. I’m very ready for spring and the “real” birds to come back! :-)
Blessings,
Betsy
Claudia, although I enjoyed reading “Gone Girl”, you hit the nail on the head that I just couldn’t quite find. The two main characters were not very likeable, just as you said. I am going to try another of the authors’ books. I love that felted bird. Will your sis be making some for the shop? I have no idea what effort goes into such a work, but I imagine it’s not easy. I would certainly put my name on the list if they show up in your shop! Stay warm! Ann
Claudia, I was the same way when I hosted my party, Simple Pleasures. It was such a joy to mingle with all of the participants, and I felt, as the hostess, it was my duty to do so anyway. I was grateful that the party remained at a manageable size, but, unfortunately, my frequent travels got in the way of my hosting abilities, so I had to close it down. Hopefully, I can start it back again one of these days.
LOL of course you are supposed to visit us and that is why we visit each other as well/ generally the hostess leads example wise
I have attended parties where the hostess does not bother and after awhile people follow her example ..
COME TO THINK OF IT… out of all of the parties that I attend ( let’s say 10 ) there are probably about 3 of you that bother! :)
Claudia: Thanks for sharing your book review, since I didn’t enjoy that book either and am still wondering how it could be on the list.. I just saw Silver LInings Playbook and absolutely loved it, wonderful movie. I did see LIncoln and thought the performances were amazing. Both Daniel Day Lewis and Sally Fields were great. Your sister is talented also I see, the heart is sweet. Thanks
Those felted pieces are so beautiful, Claudia! I’ve always wanted to experiment with felting (the “on purpose” kind… not the “I washed those 100% wool socks in hot water by accident” kind!) and these have inspired me to try it this year. I have heard nothing but wonderful things about “Lincoln” and am looking forward to seeing it.
I love the felting, I loved Lincoln, I love D. D. Lewis, Gone Girl, I feel the same as you do, but I liked the 1st and 3rd book she wrote! Talented writer….
HI Claudia…I”m trying to catch up on posts!
I had to comment because I resonated so strongly with your review of Gone Girl. I was so upset with the ending I literally threw the book across the room. I felt duped by the writer, as good as she is, for leading me to such a tragic and ridiculous ending. And I, too, hate a book with no characters to root for, no bit of hope to cling to. All I could think was ‘how utterly selfish of both of them, they deserve each other’, and of course ‘that poor child’. Ugh. Worst book I ever read, and the first book I’ve ever regretted finishing.
Hoping to see Lincoln this weekend!
Meredith’s needle felting projects are adorable. I love the little red bird sitting in its nest.