Happy 4th! and some stitching updates

I'm nearly finished with my block (upper middle section) of Carol S.'s piece in our Neighborhood RR. Carol's starting pic is the one in the 2nd row in the middle with the crows~ so I need to add lots of creatures to my block!


Here's a stitching update on my Cirque des C. In real life it's much more interesting than it appears in this picture. I'm beginning to really be happy with it. Can't wait to spend more time working on it. It's a very enjoyable piece to work, but mine is taking "think time" as well as stitching time with all the blended metallics and varigated threads.
Did I tell you I'm in the middle of reading this book? I've finished "Brethren" by Robyn Young. It was very interesting and I was simply entranced by the storyline and the characters. A very good book for those who enjoy historical fiction with a light love story included.

Anyway, "Skeletons at the Feast" has been sitting on my Kindle "Stella," waiting for me to finish it for nearly 3 weeks. It's a great book, but I've been stolen away on the kidnapped children and Knights Templar track...don't know why.... This book by Chris Bohjalian is actually better written than his "Midwives..." book of some fame, written years ago.

Closing with a new picture of our group miracle baby, Kellan! That's a little crab on his onesie....:] Joy to the world~ Deb

Book Hunt!

Does this book sound like my usual? I don't think so...but I was on a book rampage today. Barnes & Noble is having a 50% off sale on thousands of books! I literally got about 25 books for about $46 and that included shipping in 3 days!! Run to your computer!!! Oh....run to their site...and run back here to see what I chose! :]

"Brethren" sounded so interesting to me. It's written by a woman, and the reviews say she is quite knowledgeable about historic details of the times. The book concerns an inner Templar secret circle with a sort of grail that a young knight is caught up in protecting. I think this is a series...

Other books I bought and can't wait to read are:

The Stone Heart by Joyce Carol Oates writing as Lauren Kelly

Strange but True by John Searles

Beneath a Marble Sky, a love story by John Shores

The 6th Lament by William Brodrick

A Corner of the Universe by Ann M. Martin (Newbury Honor Book)

Rabbit Heart by Colleen Hitchcock

Small Change by Elizabeth Hay

A Bit on the Side (Stories) by William Trevor

The Ha-Ha by Dave King

Murder in Little Italy by Victoria Thompson

Knitting by Anne Bartlett

The Worst Thing I've Done by Ursula Hegi

I tried to vary my genre from the Crusades to psychological novels, short stories, love stories, to this sort of bodice ripping murder, suspense book above!

June 26th: The B&N sale online may be over. But, the 50% off sale of these books and others are most likely to be found in the stores themselves. I was just thrilled with my books when they came in the mail today. I'm starting "The Brethren," today.

I have been on a reading jag for the past week. This book, "..Year of Fog," is one of the finest books I have read in a very long time! I so highly recommend it that I want to send it on a "worldwide tour" of all my friends. So, I'm starting out by sending it to Annemarie in the Netherlands, and she will send it on to the next person on my list, who will send it on to the next, and so on..... If you would like to be on the list, please add you name to the comments section.

The book is the story of a young woman photographer, the fiance' of a guy who has a little girl. The young woman adores the child and they have a close relationship. The child's birth mother abandoned her. One day as she is staying with the child and they are on the beach gathering sand dollars, the child gets missing. The book is the story of the young woman and her year of trying to find the little girl. It's filled with fabulous insights into memory, photography, relationships, not giving up on those you love, and loving relationships. The writing is unforgettable. I couldn't put this one down, and read the 400 pages in a day and 1 night!

The second book I read the day before is "The Bright Forever," a Pulitzer Prize Finalist. OMG! This was fantastic. On the same sort of theme, it's the story of a 9-10 yr. old little girl who goes to the library and goes missing. The story is told from the perspectives of a town odd-ball math tutor, her brother, her father & mother, and the wife of strange newcomer to the small town. The writing, once again, is of Pulitzer Prize quality. It was a "not to put down" book. I'm sending this one around starting with Jenn of JennX. If you want to be on this list around the world....please add your name to the comments section.

Finally, the book I finished last night, "The Life of CeeCee Wilkes," was less a great writer, but an absorbing story and a compulsive read that I just couldn't stop reading! The author is good enough to be the quality of Jodi Picoult. It's the story of a 16 yr. old girl who's swept up in a kidnapping that results in her having to care for a baby. She raises this baby as her own....and many years later has to face the consequences. That's a very simplified review because I don't want to spoil the plot for you. It's a fabulous story that is just unforgettable! I'm going to start this one around by sending it to Barbara in the Netherlands, then to those who want to be on the list.

Sending love and hugs....and thanks for reading this very long entry!!! Deb

Preemie Caps

Sending a call out for preemie cap patterns! If you have a cute one, will you please email it to me: interiorsbydeb2@aol.com The hospital nursery is now putting warm caps on Kellan, and Jessica's asking me to knit some. I have one little cap knitted as of yesterday, but don't want them all to look the same!

That's Kellan's first preemie cap knitted by Grammie yesterday. :)

Hugs,
Deb

Kellan Update 6.12.08

Update on Soup-to-Nuts

Photographed dim and dark, my bright little stitching room...which my friends and I call the "little French room" because of the furniture, is getting more and more disorganized by the day! You see I have to take my shoes off and tip-toe between things to get to other things....etc... I know I have to fix this one of these days, but I just don't know how!

I've also stashed things away in my great room, under my bed, beside my bed, in my closet, and in my garage. I'm hoping Jessica will really get serious about stitching some day! Or, I can keep out of hospitals long enough to get some things done. Or, I can develop two more arms and hands and work through things at lightining speed, that would be nice, too!

Cirque has been picked up consistently over past days and I've made some progress. However, my photography skills are at their worst, so I have to wait for DH to give us an update on that one. I do see the "Mists of Funk" arising, though!

Vonna, I want to thank you in particular for sharing your story with us about all of your children being preemies. We can see how beautiful and well-rounded they are now. That was a great testimony for Jessica's heart. Julia, your being a preemie of 6 wks. from the 50-ish timeframe also was joyous to hear! You're so amazing and such a good friend here in Naples, and Jessica knows you, so that was a great help.

To all of you who have sent comments, emails, calls and notes...too many to name here, we want to thank YOU so much. It has meant everything to know the Magills have your support and prayers. Jessica says she's sure guardian angels surround Kellan's little warmer in the NICU because of all your prayers. Jessica reads my blog every day to get your comments...

The little Kell-lion's update: He's off all breathing apparatus and breathing on his own. He still has a feeding tube in his belly button, but is sucking his pacifier and swallowing and keeping down all of his mommy's milk. He's taking nearly an ounce and a half every 2-3 hrs. His digestive system is in great working condition. His eyes are opening well and he knows daddy and mommy voice and responds to them.

Waving to my children who may be reading this from their various offices or homes in MA, NYC and NV and FL! Love you!

Hugs to all,
Deb

The Little Kell-Lion Is Ruling the NICU!

Can you believe this darling picture my DH took of little Kellan's hand in his Daddy's hand? This is his second day, and his daddy was visiting him to soothe him in the NICU. See his tiny heart patch and monitor to the right?

Daddy, Kevin, holding Kellan up. Kellan is getting some oxygen and breathing help because of immature lungs at this point. But, otherwise, all is well. He is the largest baby in the NICU, and the healthiest.

We have been playing with his nickname for months as "Kell-lion," so it was funny that his main NICU nurse (without even knowing his nickname!) had made a big name card for him with glitter and a sticker of a baby lion on it! Then, they changed him to a hooded warmer and put a lion king type flannel blanket over it! Jessica was so delighted!! :)

Jessica went home today, but Kevin and I will be taking her daily to see Kellan. She and Kevin (and I) are so grateful for your sweet notes and prayers.

Love and hugs, Kellan's mommy, daddy and grammie

Guess Who Surprised Us All!!!

Precious little Kellan John Magill decided to come 4 weeks early and surprise mommy and daddy this morning about 3:30 AM! He's having a bit of oxygen and monitoring in the NICU here, but all signs are great. His heart, lungs and everything are healthy and well. He kicks hardily, exercises his lungs (!), sucks his pacifier, drinks from a bottle as of this afternoon, and has a beautiful complexion. Can you believe his long curly hair!!???

Jessica wanted all of you to see his earliest pictures. She's doing well, but is in pain and very tired. After the C-section, the drs. had to do some minor surgery (removed an ovary) and some clean up of areas. But, she hopes to be up enough to sit in a wheelchair to see Kellan this evening and to feed him.

My heart goes out to her because she wants so much to have him in her arms. Please all of you pray that she will be able to hold him close very soon.

Love to all,

Your friend and new Grammie! Deb