"Martha Stewart's Handmade Holiday Crafts: 225 Inspired Projects for Year-Round Celebrations"

Published by:  Crown Publishing Group/Random House

Pages:  369

Genre:  House & Garden/Crafts

Here's the Scoop:

There is no question that Martha Stewart has long been the reigning queen of DIY home crafts and decorations.  In this holiday-centered book, she has gathered the best of her ideas, giving us up-close and fully realized directions on how to create extraordinary crafts and gifts for home, family and friends. Martha doesn't disappoint her fans, and anyone is bound to find something beautiful to create in this holiday crafting book.

Major holidays are segmented and ideas for crafts, home decorating and gift giving are shown for each one:  New Year's, Valentine's Day, Easter, July 4th, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas...and all others in between!   The large spread photographs are lovely, the ideas are not expensive, but are easily accessible; and, the resulting crafts present bright, festive, magical, and even enchanting pieces.

Here's What I Liked:

Valentine's Day: 

Red tulips in double glass vases with red cinnamon candy hearts were vibrant, beautiful and made an easy presentation for a dinner arrangement.

Also, a carnation heart made of multiples of pink carnations on floral foam to make a centerpiece is quick and gorgeous!

Easter :

Fabulous egg-dyeing techniques using natural formulas made from coffee, cabbage, blueberries, beets and spices made incredibly beautiful and exotic eggs.  And, Martha gives specific directions for marbleizing eggs!  Actually, most of her egg crafting was exceptional.

Thanksgiving :

Gourd candles made from hollowed out mini gourds with colored, melted candles are just amazing little jewels!  Pumpkin carving is fabulous!

Christmas :

I loved the cookie cutter ornament ideas made from various paper goods, family pictures and such.  The gilded, and verdigris Polish inspired eggs, and the ribbon poinsettia wreath was just to die for.

Hanukkah :

Paper packages, a menorah, and satin stars are glowing and sparkling in Martha's hands.

Here's what I found lacking:

Often the crafts are more complex than one would want to become engaged in. 

The directions are not clear cut; that is, they are not in a "recipe/materials" format, but are listed in text, which I found to be more difficult to follow.  I needed to break it down for myself on my own paper.

Diagrams sometimes took too much for granted, or at least seemed to expect the more experienced crafter could "fill in the blanks."  I wasn't up to some of that!

Several projects were quite time-consuming for very little return or impact.

And, finally, I found the pictures too small in the working segments.

Overall Rating:  3 stars ~ I can't highly recommend it, but it's a good book to check out of the library...

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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"Christmas at Pemberley~A Pride & Prejudice Christmas Sequel" by Regina Jeffers

Published by:  Ulysses Press

Pages: 350 with Afterward

Genre:  Fiction/Regency Romance

THE DARCYS AND THE BENNETS

CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO

CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY: A PRIDE & PREJUDICE HOLIDAY SEQUEL

Very quick Summary:

Darcy has invited the Bennets and the Bingleys to spend the Christmastide’s festive days at Pemberley. But as he and Elizabeth journey to their estate to join the gathered families, a blizzard blankets the English countryside. The Darcys find themselves stranded at a small inn while Pemberley is inundated with refugees seeking shelter from the storm.

Without her brother’s strong presence, Georgiana Darcy tries desperately to manage the chaos surrounding the arrival of six invited guests and eleven unscheduled visitors.

But bitter feuds, old jealousies and intimate secrets quickly rise to the surface. Has Lady Catherine returned to Pemberley for forgiveness or revenge? Will the manipulative Caroline Bingley find a soul mate? Shall Kitty Bennet and Georgiana know happiness?

Written in Regency style and including Austen’s romantic entanglements and sardonic humor, Christmas at Pemberley places Jane Austen’s most beloved characters in an exciting yuletide story that speaks to the love, the family spirit and the generosity that remain as the heart of Christmas.

Pemberley from the Dame's Perspective :

I only wish I had 10 more days of Christmas and 10 more books written by Regina Jeffers about the Darcys and clan to fill them! This is my very favorite of the Christmas books I've read for review this year.  And, I'm so happy to bring it to your attention just in time for your Christmas rush!

If there is ever a time to get one more book for yourself in that "one for her/him~and one for me" pile;  this is the ONE!

Jane Austen would love Regina Jeffers's perfectly Pemberley story that unites not only Elizabeth and Darcy in further intimacy around their soon-to-be first child, but also begins to be-ribbon some family relationships that have kept us aching for more closure.

Regina is the reigning queen (name is rightfully hers) of the sequels to Miss Austen's books, in my humble opinion.  She takes care to keep her characters in perfect unity with Jane's intentions, it seems to me. This makes the books all the more close to authentic in nature, and all the more desirable for Austen aficionados. 

I lost myself in this wintry novel as it danced among the characters and their longings for connections of heart, purpose and mind.  Jane Austen's books are of this quality; not just fluff, but of the substance of true life and its mysteries, if a reader will take a moment to look beyond the surface, as Lizzy would have us do.

The story of a coming home to Pemberley at Christmastime brought me such pleasure this weekend as I put the last trimmings and touches on our holiday.  While I went to church, heard the last of the pre-Christmas sermons and remembered things from past holidays with husbands (yes, there have been a couple--I was widowed very young) and children; "A Christmas at Pemberley..."  lifted my heart even more. 

This is a beautifully, thoughtfully written book.  Perfectly in keeping with Miss Austen's tone of characters.  A positively on-target treat for Darcy and Lizzy fans. If we can't have Jane, at least we have Ms Jeffers!  Thank God!

A Christmas in Regency style that is up-lifting, heartwarming and centered on the things that matter most in life:  Love and Family.

The Best of Christmas Books in 2011

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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Christmas Book Drive ~ Migrant Workers' Children

Not all children have books for Christmas or any other time of year.

Many children don't even have children's magazines, coloring books, crayons or pencils of their own; and, they're lucky if they can find any to share.

In our immediate area in South Florida, there is a shelter for migrant workers which seeks to provide care for the too many children and mothers left in poverty, and who live virtually homeless.  Not only do these children lack basic needs, but

to ask for a book or books of their own

would be impossibility thinking for them.

If you would like to participate in a Christmas Gift of Books for these children and their mothers, please leave a comment with your email

Thanking you, and God be with you this Christmas

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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O, Christmas Tree~I Put Up Our Tree Tonight :]

I built our Christmas tree tonight from some of the books read and reviewed this year. What could be better than to celebrate the authors and books that have brought me such pleasure over the last months? 

Florida isn't known for its snowy roads and evergreen-covered forests, but we do have lights that twist around our palm trees and fountains that herald reminders of stars in a distant Bethlehem.

And, on certain beautiful nights, if you look up wondering what it's all about, you'll see a glowing moon to let you know that no matter how far you live away from those you love, the same moon lights the night for each of you.  And Love never leaves your sides.

In the days before Christmas, thanks to beloved family, dear friends, those authors and publishers and the quiet, bearly noticed people who made my life special this year.

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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Christmas Cookies! "Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook"

Published by: Harlequin

Pages: 240

Genre:  Family/House & Garden

Something About Debbie :

We call her the "Official Storyteller of Christmas"—but Debbie Macomber is more than that. She is someone who loves the holiday and all its traditions. Now she shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes to help you enjoy this most joyous of seasons. You'll also find easy-to-follow instructions for crafts, decorations and gift-wrapping—everything you need to create a beautiful and festive holiday.

What makes this cookbook unique Is Debbie's personal memories and observations. Join her as she reminisces about traditions past and present, and discover the craft ideas she herself uses. As she says, "The holidays are about being with others. They're about celebrating and sustaining our personal community of family and friends."

In this beautifully illustrated book, she shows you how to serve a memorable meal, whether it's a sit down Christmas dinner for a crowd, entertaining a group of friends at an open house or tea, or spending time with your children and grandchildren...

The Dame's Summary of the Book in a Nutshell:

When I went scouring my cookbook library shelves and hideouts this season, I just couldn't find the Christmas cookies and new baking ideas I wanted for the holiday.  It's the 21st century!  I needed some inspiration! 

I went hunting at my local book shop and found "Debbie Macomber's Christmas Cookbook."  The beautiful cover jumped off the book shelf!  Up until now, I have to admit not being a fan of Debbie's books. I'm not into ladies groups and small town chit-chat novels.  But, boy, does she know holiday stories and making holidays special with family and friends.  This is a wonderful, picture and memory-making book to fill out the old and weary cookbook shelves of any household. (And, its caused me to ferret out her newest Christmas novel, as well, which I recommend!)

Debbie's simple, yet beautiful cookies and delicious desserts are mouthwatering. But she also includes wonderful recipes for breakfast, brunch and munchies of the savory sort. And, while you're waiting for these to bake, her stories are so much fun and so heartwarming to read. Her easy to follow crafts ideas are as clearly pictured as her recipes. In fact, this book is beautifully pictured throughout.  It's of the coffee table quality books for Christmas.

I enjoyed Debbie's sense of  humor and the times she cherishes with her grandchildren. I'm not able to spend time with my grandchildren since they live in four different States; pretty far away from me. So, although this book was sometimes bittersweet to read, it was a reminder of when my children were babies.  And a time when I was a young mother, baking Christmas cookies and decorating them with my little children in a Yankee Barn in New Hampshire while snow piled up 4 ft. high on our deck...

This is a book that will find its way into your lap when you walk away from the kitchen to sit in your favorite chair crunching on your warm baked goods.  It may find its way into your lap when you have a grandchild by your side.

I think it's a book well worth purchasing this year.

Happy Holidays...I wish I could send each of you a tin of my holiday lemon bars!

5 red stars

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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Amish Story~"A Lancaster Co. Christmas" by Suzanne Woods Fisher

Published by:  Revell/Baker Publishing Group

Pages:  191, and Discussion Questions

Genre:  Fiction, Inspirational

Introduction of Author:



Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Choice, The Waiting, and The Search, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. Her interest in the Anabaptist cultures can be directly traced to her grandfather, W. D. Benedict, who was raised in the Old Order German Baptist Brethren Church in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Benedict eventually became publisher of Christianity Today magazine. Suzanne is the host of a radio show called Amish Wisdom, and her work has appeared in many magazines. She lives in California.

Book in a Nutshell:

Are you as curious about the Amish as I am?  It seems I've had a sense of awe about them and what seems their secretive ways.  A couple of my children went to small, private colleges near Lancaster County (Dickinson and Gettysburg), affording me an opportunity to visit the Amish villages,  and see their farms once in a while.  Since I stopped to shop in their small town, I was a heartbeat away from these gentle people whose nearly downcast eyes and shy smiles felt like gifts to me as they passed by. My spirit was lifted just be being around them.   Although, I'll never forget nearly crashing into a buggy with my too- fast-moving sports car one afternoon...an English lady not paying attention to what I was doing!

The Quilt Museum in Lancaster County is a display of the most astonishing quilts I've ever seen.  With simple, unpatterned cotton in every hue, Amish women have created quilts that flash and vibrate.  It's truly other-worldly.  I've never experienced anything like it.  The juxtaposition of colors makes your eyes "play tricks" on you so that the quilts actually sparkle!  Such is the plain life of these people~they quietly sparkle in their simplicity. And lest one think their clothing is too plain, it's amazing how inventive women can be with plain, beautifully colored cotton and cotton blends...no zippers or buttons included.

In "A Lancaster County Christmas" Susanne Woods Fisher brings us a story of such an outwardly simple, plain Amish couple with one cherished son, who meets and takes in a young "Englisher" couple in trouble.  The couple is in trouble both physically, as their car is disabled in a raging snowstorm, and in that their marriage is on the brink of divorce. 

Through this story during the weekend of Christmas, we learn about loss and love, the meaning of friendship and faith, family and following the light we've been given.  We also learn that whether Amish or not, people are the same in their life-struggles and in their feelings of insecurity and pain.

The theme of the book, "Emmanuel (God) with us" reminds us of the true meaning of Christmas.  That He came down to be with us. It's the reminder that we would not always find life to be perfect and without struggles, but that we would have the promise that He would always be by our sides~with us~and He would never fail us through it all. It's a story that's simple and, yet, so complex to grasp. 

 "A Lancaster County Christmas" is a book that leads us along the path to understanding the importance of real communication.  I loved the story of the two couples, of how they saw the similarities in the troubles they had to deal with, how they gave each other hope and strength.  It's a book that's gentle to read, and a book that leaves you stronger for the reading.  A sit down between cookie baking novel...

May you know that Emmanuel is with you this Christmas.

Recommended for now through January--and beyond.

4 winter stars

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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Follow Friday~Blog Hop A Chance to Meet New Blogging Friends

Please follow Alison Can Read to find today's Follow Fiday list of bloggers to visit and exchange greetings.

You can also add your blog(s) to the link and have a following!

I think this is a great way to actually meet fellow reviewers who have similar interests in books and to establish connections with them.  It's worked for me incredibly well.

You'll find details for signing up for this event that takes place several times per month.

Nearly forgot:  Every time there's a blog hop, there will be a featured site and a question for the Friday.  This Friday's question is~

"What do you do with your books after you've read them?

I keep them for the most part.  Confess that I'm a book hoarder of the first rank.  My library is pushing us out of the house!  I've also begun to share them with my daughter who has now shown herself to be a serious reader; now that she's in her 30's, finally!  And, I share them with friends who are also serious readers. If I have duplicates, I give them away in "giveaways" on my blog. Because I believe "Books are our friends," a phrase I coined when I was in my early teens, I don't give them away randomly to swaps or such.  That's like dropping them off at orphanages to me!  LOL

Seriously, what do you do with the books you've already read??

Deborah/TheBookishDame

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