August Reading Recap

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart  (4 stars)

Whimsical and mysterious, We Were Liars grabs you by the hand and pulls you right in.  Teenager Cadence Sinclair is the oldest grandchild of the prestigious Sinclair family which comes from old East-Coast money.  The Sinclair family summers on the private Beachwood Island, Cadence spending her time with her cousins Johnny, Mirren, and family friend Gat - the 4 of them referred to as The Liars.  However, after a mysterious accident when she was 15, Cady is now trying to figure out what exactly happened.  Amnesia, heartbreak, and a family of secrets, this is the type of book you cannot put down.

Trip to the North Shore & July Reading Recap

This year for our Wedding Anniversary we went up to the North Shore of Lake Superior.  It was beautiful weather and we had an amazing time!  One of our favorite parts of the trip was seeing the giant ships coming into to Duluth and Twin Harbors.

In Duluth we headed to Canal Park to see if there were any ships coming in.  We timed it just about perfect.  There were tons of cars & people around and we noticed that the lift bridge was up.  The Roger Blough was coming into to port!

We learned from Duluth Shipping News she was built in 1972 and is 858 feet long.  Does anyone else think its interesting that most ships are named after men, but referred to as ladies?? Anyway, out on the pier we were sooo close to her coming in and going under the lift bridge. Great start to our trip!

As we worked our way north, our next stop was Split Rock Lighthouse.  I had gone here with my family when I was young, so it was a really good experience to share with my husband as well.  We had another beautiful/sunny day.

Easy to see where the lighthouse gets its name!

While there, we got to tour the lighthouse as well as the grounds and the light-keeper's homes.  There is also a museum and gift shop where we learned about the multiple shipwrecks in November 1905 which lead to its construction.  And after seeing the huge freighters up close in person, its hard to fathom them running into the rocky shoreline and sinking.  Which leads me to my July Reading Recap...

Steel on the Bottom by Frederick Stonehouse (5/5)

I picked up this book to learn more about Great Lakes Shipwrecks and with eight different stories it was a good choice!  It feels kind of morbid to be excited about a shipwreck book, but I found each of the stories fascinating.  Have you seen the quotes on Pinterest about having a "book hangover" and needing time before reading the next book?  That's how I felt about Steel on the Bottom.  Only it was after each chapter.  After reading about each wreck, the people involved, how everything went down, and coast guard conclusions on how they could have been prevented, I needed time to digest.  I wanted to give each story my full attention, so it took me a couple weeks to finish the book.  When I only had one more chapter to read, I kept putting it off. I didn't want the book to end.  I think I have found a new genre of books for me, this book had me thoroughly immersed . If you ever get a chance to see these great ships in person, you've gotta do it.  Even if you don't think you'd be interested, just do it.  Their size and how they maneuver is remarkable.  And even if you don't see them in person, I recommend the book whole-hardheartedly.  You won't be disappointed!

Pets on Quilts 2014 - Dog Themed Quilt

My Carter loves to help his mama sew.  And if you've spent time around my blog you've seen proof of that!

He's helped me pick out fabric to make curtains for our garage: 

Tested out the layout of a Christmas quilt:

And finally has a quilt of his very own!  

This is my submission of a Dog-Themed Quilt project for the 2014 Pets on Quilts show at Lily Pad Quilting.  This quilt is simple squares of dog bone print and a bunch of different types of dogs in blue and brown print.  I just stitched them together randomly to make a small quilt for Carter.  And....it looks like he approves!  

Does this still qualify since its technically a Quilt on a Pet?! :) 

Check out all of the cute submissions and then after the submissions close - come back to vote for your favorites!  

Pets on Quilts 2014 - Mr. Carter Santa's Little Helper

As everyone knows I absolutely adore my little Carter dog!  He is my little buddy and definitely a mama's boy!  And when I'm quilting or sewing, he knows that mama needs his help as well!

So the Pets on Quilt Pet Show going on at Lily Pad Quilting is right up my alley!

This entry is for the Dog/Puppy on Quilt category.  I snapped this pic on my phone when I was working on my Christmas quilt for my mom last year.  I had put all of the blocks on the floor downstairs and when I turned around this little guy was giving me this look.  Can't be mad at this little face!

Do you have a cute pic of your pet on a quilt?  Come join the fun & click on the button below!  

Riley Blake Christmas Basics - Christmas in July

I can't believe July is almost over.  There are even a couple trees around the area that a starting to change color!  I for one, am excited.  I love Fall and getting into the fall mood, means Christmas is right around the corner!  And right now, I have the cutest Riley Blake Christmas fabric in my Etsy shop!

Riley Blake Designs "Christmas Basics" - Trees on Blue

Riley Blake Designs "Christmas Basics" - Snowmen & Christmas Trees on Pink

Aren't these the sweetest prints?!?  I love that they are not your "traditional" Christmas colors, but still give you the full taste of the season.  Plus anytime you can get pink in there, you know I'm game!

I also couldn't resist these buttons with white "stitching".  It was hard to narrow down, but I thought the Red, Teal, and Pink coordinated perfectly with this new fabric!

I'd love if you take a minute to check out my shop & see what I've got on there.  When I first opened it, it wasn't to make a big profit - I only wanted to share items I love! And each item, I do truly love!  I hope you do too :)

Happy Monday #24

I couldn't agree more, Carter brings me more happiness than I thought was even possible.  I absolutely love this little guy!

Hope you and your pup have a Happy Monday!
~Melissa

June Reading Recap

The Sugar Queen by Sarah Addison Allen (5/5)


It's hard to find those books that you really connect with and The Sugar Queen was just one of those.  The author's writing makes it easy to identify with the main character Josey and root for good things to happen for her.  The daughter of a wealthy family, her father passed away when Josey was young and feels like she needs to make up for her rebellious childhood by taking constant care of her demanding mother.  In turn, Josey is sad and lonely - drowning her feelings in sweet treats (something I think a lot of us can sympathize with!).  When she wakes up one morning to an unexpected visitor hiding in her closet, things in Josey's life begin to change.

I wholeheartedly loved this book!  The authors breezy writing made it the perfect book to bring along on vacation.  Easy to pick up and start reading where I left off, but kept me engrossed enough that I couldn't stop until I finished it one morning while enjoying the view of Lake Superior from the deck of our vacation home.

Totally recommend!  Both the book...and the relaxing vacation on the North Shore :)