Two Unrealized Aspirations of 2025

2025 is long gone. However, I started this blog post in November of last year. 🤣 At the beginning of 2025, I made a list of three things I wanted to accomplish. Not resolutions, just three simple sounding things that I thought would challenge me beyond my comfort zone  be fun during the year. The first thing I wanted to do was learn how to make Sourdough Bread. 

                                           

                                                       Image: Jennifer Burke, Unsplash

All the videos and books on breadmaking (I bought this amazingly beautiful Bread Dough book) made it sound relatively simple and something that would be an outlet for destressing. Hmph. That might be true but it is not something I have achieved this year. I didn't even make a new starter after killing my old one. Now you say, but Anne, you made a starter! I did. Then life became even more incredibly busy, and I forgot about it. Our newest grand son arrived in February 2025 and they live extremely close to us, so daily life became all about babies/toddlers...again. They're sweet and cuddly and lots of fun, but they're also exhausting for this 'old' lady. LOL

Image: Laura Adai, Unsplash

I also had on my list two non-fiction books that I wanted to read, plus I planned on reading through the Bible on audio. One book has been on our shelf for years. One I bought just for the purpose of reading it in 2025. Did I get either one read? Nope. I started the one I purchased at the end of last year and hope to actually carve out some time to finish it. It's relevant for today's culture, especially after the horrific assassination of Charlie Kirk, which happened on my birthday. I'm behind on my read through the Bible in 6 month plan, however I don't plan on stopping. I'm determined to finish it even if I go into 2026, which I probably will. I have to say I've really enjoyed listening to it. The narrator for the ESV version in the YouVersion app has a soothing deep voice. :) 

And now it is...May 2026!!! 

I don't know where the time has gone. Life is busy on the homestead, and I decided to teach myself to quilt near the end of Summer 2025. As of today, I've made 9 quilts!!! So maybe that's where the time has gone...into my sewing room. I've given away all but two of them. I have several more already planned and fabric already collected or purchased. 

Most of the stuff I was whining about not getting done in 2025 hasn't been done now either. LOL

Oh well.

Life goes on. And I'd rather be sewing anyway. 

The above quilt is a large throw I made using the Partial Seam Block pattern. It's the second one I've made using that pattern. Super easy for a beginner! I gifted this one to a friends daughter who reminds me of our sweet Amy who passed away on Mothers Day 2012. 

I've listened to a few really good books on audio while quilting and I plan on sharing those at some point. I'll mention this one now...The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. I know lots of folks don't like any P&P variations but this one is fabulous! I wasn't sure about it either, and it is kind of tedious to get through part one as it's a retelling of P&P through Mary's eyes, but the story is oh, so good. I highly recommend the book!!!

What's Summer 2026 looking like for y'all? Anything exciting planned? 

Review ~ The Highland Heist (A Freddie and Grace Mystery #4) by Pepper Basham

 

About the Book

Lord Astley surprises his wife with a trip to America to see her family before they end their honeymoon adventures. But just as they arrive, they find Grace's sister, Lillias, is the prime suspect in her husband's murder. To add to the confusion a solicitor arrives to tell the sister's they are needed in Scotland immediately to claim their mother's inheritance.

The clock is ticking to clear Lillias of suspicion, but someone is determined to keep the sisters from reaching the Scottish Highlands. When Lillias disappears, Freddie and Grace race to Scotland, sure the answers will be found in a long-forgotten castle.

With a ghost from Frederick's past leaving threatening clues along the way, the mysterious Mr. Kane waiting in the wings to grab the inheritance for himself, and an apparition haunting the infamous castle, Lord and Lady Astley must capture the castle, save Lillias, and not die in the process.

The Highland Heist is a Freddie and Grace Mystery, sequel to The Mistletoe Countess, The Cairo Curse, and The Juliet Code.

320 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2025 by Barbour Fiction

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My Review 4.5 STARS!!!

Freddie and Grace are one of the MOST fun couples in CF as far as I’m concerned. The exploits, especially Grace’s, made me laugh out loud and I might have caught myself giving an occasional eye roll (all in a good way, of course).

The pacing in this story was enough to make me feel like I had a workout! Gallivanting around takes on new meaning in The Highland Heist. Along with a good, strong faith theme (which I always appreciate) the mystery kept me wondering whodunit, and of course the dialogue was one of the delightful aspects of reading this story.

I highly recommend this series. I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review.

Have you read this book, or this series yet? If so, what did you think?

Basham writes across genres and is one of the MOST talented and gifted writers I've read that can actually pull it off! Check out her books on her website here: Pepper D Basham  

Short Review ~ The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher (Cape Cod Creamery, #2)

 

The Secret to Happiness by Suzanne Woods Fisher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I listened to the audio of this book. It's good, with several pov's, which I really liked. Fisher always delivers a solid and captivating story. The narrator did a great job.
If you like contemporary women's fiction without an overabundance of angst, this is the one!

View all my reviews

Just a Little Crochet Project...

It's been over 30 years since I picked up a crochet hook. I've never worked with bulky yarn either but it is so soft and lovely that I couldn't resist it. I've taken so many rows out and re-done them, it's ridiculous. I'm determined to make this scarf with even rows though. I'm getting close to the length I want it to be, then it's on to making tassels. I know, it's a hot project for summer. I actually started back in late winter, but life became busy and I didn't finish it. My plan is to get it done before September so I can start on a couple of other crochet projects that I want to make for Christmas gifts. I got a spectacular deal on yarn at newly opened thrift store in our little town!! 

How's your summer going? Are you working on any special projects? Leave me a comment and let's chat!

Review ~ The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club (The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club, #1) by Wanda E. Brunstetter / AND A Personal Note

The Half-Stitched Amish Quilting Club by Wanda E. Brunstetter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I very much enjoyed listening to the audio of this book! Brunstetter presents a fabulous cast of characters, some that you'll be quite fond of and others...not so much. LOL
I'd say this is one of my favorite inspirational fiction stories I've listened to in a while.

View all my reviews

Note: I'm not reviewing much at all anymore in a professional reader capacity because in Nov 2024 I was diagnosed with Macular Degeneration, and reading an actual paperback book is a bit difficult for me. But I fully intend to share the good books I listen to. I'll be posting a few of those in the next few days. :-)