Book Review: Ivan the Terrier

by Peter Catalanotto

 

 

I was unable to find a synopsis online, so you just get mine on this one!  ;-)

 

Many of our friends ask why our little dog is named Ivan.  Well, it's because of this delightful children's book!

 

 

In this fun read, the author is attempting to tell traditional children's stories like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Ivan, however, has other plans!  If you've ever had a terrier in your life, you will completely understand the mischief those energetic little dogs can create!

 

I think this author perfectly captured the exuberant charm of my favorite breed!

 

Are any of your pets named after a book?

 

;-)  -Marci

 

The Great Blog Train Blog Hop {March}

 

Click on any menu item to see the complete recipe!

Appetizer:  Bacon Ranch Stuffed Eggs

Salad:  Fresh from the Garden with Herbs

Main Dish:  Herbal Baked Chicken

Sides:  Basil Tomatoes and Summer Squash Casserole

Dessert:  Lemon Balm Infused Cake

Beverage:  Stone Cottage Sweet Tea

Can you tell I am dreaming about Summer?  ;-)  Ssshhh...  Don't wake me!  We still have snow on the ground.  You can click on each menu item to see the entire recipe.  Grab your meal, take a seat and enjoy the train ride!
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Thank you for visiting the Dining Car - now onto the regular Blog Hop & Giveaway:

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The Great Blog Train

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The Great Blog Train's eighth Great Giveaway!!!

1 Lucky winner will win the following:

-$15 Gift Card to Subway from Lynn
-Monthly Ad Space worth $15 on Angie's blog

There are many ways to enter & then don't forget to link up to the train below!!




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Remember to join the fun even if you are running a little late.  The last entry will receive the Caboose Feature! 

February's Caboose and featured blog happens to be:

 
Penny Zeller Congratulations!

Penny describes her blog as this: "A day in the life of a Wife, Mom & Author.   Impacting lives for Christ through the written word...."  Please visit Penny's wonderful blog - you will be encouraged I guarantee it!

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LINK PARTY! Tuesdays With a Twist #48

Welcome to another fantastic party!

 

 

We're your co-hosts:

 

Mary @ Back to the Basics

Joyce @ It's Your Life!

 Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures

Angie @ God's Growing Garden

Rachel @    U Me and the Kids

 Debra @ Ms Moozy's Open House

 

Each co-host will be sharing her own picks for Features. This gives everyone a better chance of being featured.  Be sure to check all of our blogs!

 
 My feature this week is...  How to Raise a Clever Reader



 from Christine at Once Upon a Time in a Bed of Wildflowers.  You must read this entire post.  She tells how she helped her young children become avid readers and what they are currently reading!  It is inspiring!
 

If you've been featured we'd love for you to grab a button.

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We all love comments!  Please hop around and show some love!

The party starts every Tuesday at 7am EST and will continue until Friday at 11:59pm.  Feel free to stop back any time and "like" your favorites.  Please visit other blogs if you have a moment. 

Share older posts as well as new ones.  No limit on links!

*Pictures should be your own* 

By linking up you give us permission to use these photos

 (with proper link backs) in our features. 

And now for the party!

;-)  -Marci 
 

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Garden Guest: Native Sparrow

The north side of our front yard is a certified  National Wildlife Federation Backyard Habitat.  Really!  We have a certificate!  You can do the same by providing food, water, cover and places for wildlife to raise their young.  It is so much fun to see all of the critters that stop by for a visit.  I've begun a new series of posts to show you our Garden Guests. 

If you would like to see more, check my Gardening Page!



This little lovely is a native sparrow, but I'm not sure which one!

 

My best guess is White Crowned Sparrow, but would love feedback if that is incorrect!  ;-)  Teamwork always works, right?

 

For some bloggin' music, let's see.  We are having yet another winter storm here in Arkansas.  I am so ready for a Southern Summer!  Here is "Days of Gold" by Jake Owen.

 

 

Of course, when Summer arrives, I'll probably be fussy about the heat, too!

 

;-)  -Marci

 

Interchangeable Wreath for St Patrick's Day

Another makeover for my Basic Wreath Form that I like to call "Bess". 



You've already seen several of her outfits!

 

 

Summer Flowers

 

 

Christmas Poinsettias

 

 

Starry Snowflakes

 

 

A Sweater for Valentine's Day

  

So, Bess needs an outfit for St. Patrick's Day.  We wouldn't what her to get pinched!  ;-)  I have a house plant that needs a hair cut and a wreath form that needs to be dressed.  Hmmm...  What could go wrong?  ;-)  A sandwich bag was filled with wet cotton balls and attached to the back of my Basic Wreath Form.  One snip was taken on the house plant.  Ivy was wrapped around the form with the cut end inside the sandwich bag.  Success!

 

 

The process continued until Bess was pretty covered.  I snipped any stray or damaged leaves.  'Not too bad, right?

 

 

WRONG!  Attempting to add water to the sandwich bag was a complete disaster!  Poor Bess!  The ivy was wilting.  BLECH!  That crazy plastic bag was dripping all over the place.  DOUBLE BLECH!  I was too aggravated to photograph this epic failure!  It's funny now though.  I kind of wish the drippy disaster was documented.

 

Oh, well!  The good news is, my house plant got a nice hair cut!  One mission was accomplished!  As far as the wreath goes, though, I'm going to call this one a complete waste of time!

 

If you have an idea for Bess' next outfit, I'd love to hear it!  Clearly, I need some help!

 

;-)  -Marci

Book Review: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows.

Here is a portion of the review by Reading Group Guides:

Guernsey is one of the Channel Islands, nominally part of Great Britain but located in the English Channel, close enough to see mainland Europe with the naked eye. And, as the residents of Guernsey discover during World War II, close enough for the Germans to occupy. What started out as a layover during an intended full-out invasion of the British Isles resulted in a five-year occupation that changed the lives of these quiet, simple people forever.

My review:  This book is written as a series of letters between main character, Juliet, and members of the community in Guernsey as well has her closest friends.  Being a letter writer myself, I adore the format of this book!  Juliet is an avid reader as well as an author.  I laughed.  I cried.  I wanted to hug everyone in this heartwarming tale as they build new lives after the devastation of World War II.  This is definitely one of my new all-time-ever, favorite books.

Tell me about one of your favorites!

;-)  -Marci

Sewing Softies

There is the C U T E S T Owl Pattern at Stubbornly Crafty and it's FREE!  See what I made?

Sewing for two sisters and one brother can be tricky!  Using Lisa's Pattern along with her simple directions, two snuggly, little owls were created with fleece scraps in purple, gray and zebra.  For my favorite boy, I hope you can see I used the same pattern pieces upside down and sideways!

 

  The result kind of looks like Mike Wazoski from Monsters, Inc!

 

 

Perhaps my silly creation is Mike's sister's cousin's nephew, Fred Wazoski?  ;-) 

 

Anyway... 

 

This was a fun project for practicing applique.  I'd like to do the pattern again with different fabrics.  Since fleece is stretchy, some of the proportions are a little distorted.  The kiddos love how soft and cuddly they feel though, so fleece was a good choice that way!  Also, the softies would have a more finished look if I had taken the time to match my thread to each fabric instead of using gray for all of the applique.  Another sewing lesson learned, right?  ;-)

 

 

'Sending a big "Thank You" to Lisa at Stubbornly Crafty for this darling pattern!  I hope you'll visit her site and see her amazing skills!  WOW!  You will be impressed!

 

What have you been sewing?  Do you like making snuggly softies?

;-)  -Marci