Book Review: Seriously I'm Kidding... by Ellen Degeneres

I recently joined audible.com because I thought it would be nice to have audio books to listen to while I'm walking the dogs and riding in the car. So far, I have listened to Tina Fey's Bossypants (horribly funny! I highly recommend) and Seriously I'm Kidding... by Ellen Degeneres. Both books were read by the author, which I found to be favorable and I enjoyed quite a bit. Although Ellen is one of my favorites, I was a little disappointed by her book. I'm not sure if I set the bar really high or what, but Tina Fey's book was a lot funnier. And also, much more blatantly inappropriate which is in turn hilarious.  Both are a good read, or "listen" in my case and worth purchasing.

So far I like being a member of audible because they give me a credit per month and it gives me a chance to get to those books that I don't have time to sit and read. I have not tried anything other than the type of book mentioned above, because I have to admit I am a little nervous about listening to a classic novel. I don't know, I guess I am just one of those readers that is so worried about missing something and I hang on every. single. word. With Ellen's book or Tina Fey's book, I wasn't too worried about missing a word or two. I will have to report back.

Next on the audio book list: The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. New York Times best seller and it's about dogs. Can't go wrong.

Gifts from Auntie B

My nephew is almost 2 1/2 years old and I just gave him his first blanket made by Auntie B. My niece was much older than that when I finally made her a blanket (in all fairness, I didn't know how to crochet or do anything all that crafty when she was born).  I chose some colors that I already had, which was helpful because my yarn stash is finally going down after my surge of buying everything that I liked.  I'm posting this "pattern" of sorts so that beginner crocheters can see how easy it is to do. No pattern is really necessary, but it's nice to have something to follow along with even if it is simple.  Here is what I came up with:

Supplies:

• Size Q 15.75mm Hook
• Two-three skeins each of
• Vanna's Choice Linen
• Vanna's Choice Seaspray Mist
• One skein RedHeart Supersaver Royal Blue
• Garment Label (if you prefer to add one - I just used my sewing machine, but you could hand sew it too)

Pattern:

1. Take one strand of each color yarn (three total) and treat it as if the three together are one strand. Chain the width or length that you prefer. I honestly don't know how many I chained, but the blanket was about 2 1/2 feet wide and 4 feet long.
2. When you reach your desired length, single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain until you reach the end of the row. (It is important that you go to the second chain/stitch on every row so that you maintain the same number of stitches. If you don't, your blanket will end up being uneven instead of straight. I have done this so many times and unraveled so many projects because of it!).
3. Chain one, and turn. Single crochet in the second stitch from the hook and in each stitch until you reach the end of the row.
4. Repeat #3 until the blanket is the desired length.
5. If desired, add a border - I used a single crochet border by using three strands of one color. Please see photos below. I think the border finishes the blanket nicely and it made it a little bit bigger.

While in process

Pre-border

Finished product

With Garment Label