Monthly Digest | July 2022

July 31, 2022July 25, 2022 ClassicBhaer6 Comments

Hello and welcome to a post highlighting my reading, crafting, and life over the past month. This month I finally felt like I had free time and I could relax a bit. I for sure kicked up my feet and read some thing month, which I am thrilled about. I also was on a making kick and was able to go on some adventures as well.

Reading

Gwendy’s Final Task by Stephen King and Richard Chizmar, I went into a bit more detail of my thoughts of this book in my post, The Mid-Year Freakout Book Tag, but I will say I ended up DNF’ing this book about halfway through. The reason I DNF’ed the book was because all of the real world references within the book kept taking me out of the story and into the real world and I kept drifting into my thoughts. I will try this book again down the road because the writing was great.

The Facemaker by Lindsey Fitzharris, this was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I read Fitzharris’ first book and adored it as well, The Butchering Art. This book took a deep dive into the the beginnings of reconstruction surgery during and after World War I. While this is a nonfiction read, the author is very talented and made this read as if a friend was telling you about something interesting them learned. There is a lot of information in this book, but you never feel bogged down etc. You also got to know the life of the doctors, the patients, and nurses so you they don’t come across as just people who worked there or just subjects.

The next two books I ended up reading during a impromptu 24 hour readathon. If you wanna see some more details on how that went, you can see that in my post, Impromptu Personal 24 Hour Readathon Wrap-Up.

The Employees by Olga Ravn, Martin Aitken (Translator), I really enjoyed this wild ride of a science fiction. It is very hard to put into words why I liked this book so much. But, trying my best I think it comes from they way the story is told through very brief interviews. Even from these small interviews you get a clear picture of the ship, those on the ship, and the challenges they face. The atmosphere that is created is so detailed you find yourself reacting to the interviews subconsciously, you just get feelings deep down in your gut. Not only this, but it explores the idea what it means to be human.

The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami, Jay Rubin (Translator), this book is really a wild ride. You go into it thinking you are going to read a general fiction about a man who was left by his wife for whatever reason and going to explore him navigating this. Well, as always Murakami always seems to add another layer to his books. This novel takes a supernatural/magical realism turn that makes this novel addicting to read. When I picked this book up I didn’t think I was going to finish it during the 24 hour readathon, I was wrong. I ended up reading this 600 page book in a single day.

When We Cease to Understand the World by Benjamín Labatut, Adrian Nathan West (translator), this fiction book takes real life players and events and takes the reader on a wild ride. It does talk about both mathematicians and physics, not knowing too much about both, just general knowledge, I was not lost in the slightest. The author did a great job of blending fact and fiction and really makes the reader think about the question if humanity is going forwards or backwards through discoveries. It plays on the quote from Jurassic park, “Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” It for sure is a book that sits with you and makes you think.

Willie the Weirdo by Stephen King, this was a mere 18 pages so I don’t really want to say too much, but I will say this this short story really had the creepy vibes I have been missing from his more recent works.

Slow Boat by Hideo Furukawa, David Boyd (Translator), this book was meh. It was not bad by any stretch, the writing was very well done, but this story was kind of boring. I read 45 pages the first sitting, which was a huge dent since this book is so short, but it was a struggle to pick it up again. If this book was any longer I probably would have DNF’ed it because it just didn’t pull me in personally. Like I said, the writing is really good, for a short book, the author did a lot in those pages, which is impressive.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune, this story made my heart hurt, It was imaginative in all the right ways. I read this in a 24 hour period from cover to cover. I don’t get too emotional while reading, but this book certainly pulled at my heart strings between friendships, found family and just the growth of the main character . Plus, GHOSTS, I am 100% on board.

Crochet, Knitting and Crafting

Anker’s Summer Shirt by PetiteKnit, this was my first time working a pattern by PetiteKnit and I can see why other knitters lover her patterns so much. They are simple, but have enough going on to keep you engaged. The styles are classic and timeless and are great for layering. I want to work another one of her patterns already. I made this project out of Sandnes Garn Line, which is a blend of cotton, rayon, and linen so it was perfect to make this summer shirt for sure. I really loved the textured yoke of this top down sweater.

Next project I completed was a Duotone Cowl (Non-ralvery Option) by Orange Flower Yarn. I did this project as a stash busting project with the intent of donating it come colder months. I happened to have two skein of
Ritual Dyes Marona in a pink color and a dark green so I whipped up this project. I really loved how this pattern didn’t work with equal sized stripes all around, but made one color dominate in one half and then reversed on the second half. It makes this scarf look more intricate than it is and I love that in a project, plus it is a free pattern and very well written!

The next and final project I finished was a plain vanilla sock with a contrasting heel and toe for sock week 2022, I did an entire post dedicated to this project and you can find that here, Sock Week 2022 Journal. It was a fun quick project before jumping back into some larger ones.

Life

This past month I did a bunch of fun things. I went to the beach a few times, getting that fresh salt water air really helped me get over a cold I had for over two weeks. While at the beach I was able to get some reading and knitting done as well. It was just truly a relaxing experience and I needed it greatly. I always forget how much I need to be around nature and how calming it is personally to me.

Showing off Slow Boat by Hideo Furukawa on the beach

I also went on a lovely nature walk with my boyfriend this month. We walked around for about 2 hours easily looking at statues and enjoying all the different plants, flowers, and trees. We even found one that looked like it was growing tiny bananas. I think my favorite part of this walk was any time we came across the water. We found a water fall, a stream with a ton of koi fish, and even found a frog among the water lilies.

As you can see I spent a lot of time doing the things I love and enjoy this month and I really hope to keep this going. I want to go to the beach a few more times before it gets chilly again. I do have some fun plans coming up in August that I am really looking forward to sharing with you! But, that was my month of July! I hope your July was just as wonderful if not more so.

Sign Off 2020 — Sign off, thanks for reading!

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Bullet Journal & Planning

Bullet Journal | May 2020

May 3, 2020April 24, 2020 ClassicBhaer7 Comments

Hello and welcome to my May bullet journal post! This is an exciting one, I started a brand new notebook this month so I have more to share than just my monthly spreads. This is going to bit of a long one, so I am going to just get into it!

Items Used

Archer & Olive A5 Garden Sliter Dot Grid notebook

SAKURA Pigma Micron Pen Set 01

So, here is my new bullet journal. This time around I went for basic black and this one has a snake on the cover. One thing I love about these notebooks is the fact they have simple decoration on the cover. To me it gives off a classic and elegant vibe.

The first page of my notebook s always a general dot grid spread. I have used this n my last three bullet journals, it is really helpful when setting up new and old spreads. I always forget how many spaces go across my page and the halfway mark so this is very helpful.

This time around I decided to add a movie tracker. This spread is inspired by cyrus.serendipity14. All I need to do now is to add all the movies I need to watch. On the second page I added a TV tracker. This tracker is inspired by @birdybujo on Instagram. I like how simple it is, at this point Outlander is the only show added. Also, you will notice I doodled herbs and plants on each page, this will continue throughout. I thought it would be a good way to tie everything together. On these pages I have rosemary and basil.

This time around I am trying to be more away of my spending and ordering online. I have a few goals this year for myself so I want to get everything in order. This wishlist and waiting on is inspired by bulletjournal.com. Just like the previous pages, I really want to keep everything simple with these spreads because a lot will be added later on. On these pages I added lavender and sage.

Now these two spreads are a little more involved. On the left I am adding a health centered spread to track measurements and weight. This is inspired by @bulletjournalnoob. I need to still add some gray to differentiate the lines, but I am still searching for my gray highlighter. On the right I decided I am going to draw a book for all the books on my owned tbr shelf, this is inspired by @bujoandbee. I added a few plants that are a zz plant, monstera, and thyme.

On the lefthand side I wanted a way to keep track of all of my crochet projects. I decided to make a tag for each one. On each will be the start and end date, pattern, who it is for, and yarn used. On the right I put a monthly spread layout from emerald lotus divination. I am planning on doing this spread every month so I wanted to keep it on hand to make things a bit easier. On these pages I doodled a string of pearls and oregano.

This is a bill tracker I used in my previous bullet journal. It is really helpful when you pay your bills you can just mark it and you don’t need to worry if you forgot. I also add what date it is due and what I pay it with. On this page I attempted to draw mint, not sure how I feel about it, but I am still glad I tried.

I have had a tracker for my followers for this blog and my twitter for the past two bullet journals, but I changed the layout this time around, I was inspired by @penspapersplanner. I just do it for every five new followers, nothing fancy. I am not much of a numbers person, but I like marking it. On these spreads I drew chives.

I will be completely honest, I took the easy way out on this spread. I just photo copied from previous bujo because I loved how well it came out the first time I didn’t want to mess it up.

On the left I migrated by temperature blanket tracker, I have very much behind and I really need to get back to it. Maybe you will see it in my next crochet update, my latest update you can find here: Crochet Talk | April 2020. On the right I photocopied a moon doodle from the book Muse with the Moon by Jo Cauldrick. It is the perfect reference I needed to keep track of the moon and the phases in order. On this page I doodled cilantro.

I love buddy reads and I love keeping track of them. I decided to continue with a buddy reads tracker and I also just migrated my top reads of 2020 spread. I left it blank when I took this picture so you all can be surprised at the end of the year. On this page I added basil.

Now onto the monthly spreads. This spread was taken by @littleolivebujo. I really loved how simple and organized this monthly introduction was. I loved the idea of monthly goals and a place for bigger events and the such. On this page I doodled some thyme.

Now, you mostly likely know I am studying Korean if you have been reading my blog regularly. I ended up taking this study spread from @jeannestudies. On the right I am keeping track to random expenses that come up. I kept these simple because they are going to be very full of information soon enough. I added rosemary and chamomile to these spreads.

My TBR and pages read spread is the one I used last month, just migrated over. I figure if it works, why change it up? On the right is where I am going to take notes and record my monthly spread that I noted earlier. I left a lot of open room so I have a lot of room to reflect and revisit as the month goes on.

This month my weekly spreads are a bit different. I added a few trackers on the sides that include habit, weekly, hours sleep and weather. Unfortunately I pinned this a while ago on Pinterest, but the link is now broken. I don’t remember where it came from so if you know who did this please let me know! I want to give them credit. On this spread I added thyme and dill.

What theme are you using this month?

What do you have planned for May?

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Hauls & Unhauls

Someone Picks My Books | Aunt Edition & Series Return!

January 26, 2020January 25, 2020 ClassicBhaer11 Comments

Someone Picks My Books.jpg

Hello and welcome to a very exciting post. I am so happy to be bringing back a series I had on my blog over a year ago. Due to a lot of things going on in my life I needed to put it aside, but I am thrilled to be starting it again. This time around I am planning on doing this once a month, where the person picks a book for me and then I read it and review it all in one post.

Since I knew I wanted to restart this series, I decided to start it with a book my aunt has been trying to get my to read for the past few months, even today as of writing this I saw her and she asked if I had read it yet. The answer was no and she gave me a look that said “READ IT ALREADY YOU WILL LOVE IT”. Truth is, she knows my taste in books, ours are pretty similar so I should have read it already, but this gives me the kick in the butt I needed. Anyway, that book is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.

Book Description

“For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life–until the unthinkable happens.

Perfect for fans of Barbara Kingsolver and Karen Russell, Where the Crawdads Sing is at once an exquisite ode to the natural world, a heartbreaking coming-of-age story, and a surprising tale of possible murder. Owens reminds us that we are forever shaped by the children we once were, and that we are all subject to the beautiful and violent secrets that nature keeps.” –goodreads.com

So, am I am writing this I just finished this book and I have to say I absolutely love it. This is actually my first 5 star read of 2020, which is super exciting. I am also going to take this time to apologies about the gush fest this post has now turned into.

First thing I really liked was the choice of time period. While it does have a wide range and is told by jumping back and forth, I think the time period was a great choice for a few reasons. The first being alluding to civil rights and Jim Crow laws. There were a few time in this book that I just teared up or flat out cried at. The second aspect being the hard topic of abuse. I feel like the author did a good job of handling such a hard topic. It didn’t shy away from it, it was a hard honest look at it. I really liked that the author didn’t just comment on one social issue, but a few.

On top of the commentary on the U.S. and relationships during this range of time, I really liked how much of nature was a center role of this novel. I love nature, I love just going on long walks in the woods and watching the animals so I connected just a bit with the main character. I can see why the marsh was so important to her. The book really made the marsh tangible, the writing was poetic and the world really came to life. I could easily picture the shacks and the surrounding area with little little delay. This was also true of the characters.

The characters created by Delia Owens were just wow. The complexity and the detail that went into many of the characters showed. It has been a long time since I have read a book where I have cared so deeply for so many of the characters. I want to name so many of my favorites, but I fear I might spoil something so I am going to resist.

While, I did love this book and give it 5 stars, like I said earlier there are tough topics within this book. This includes abuse (physical and sexual), of a few kinds attempted and fulfilled. As said by the description Kya is abandoned in the marsh and is by herself for so long, but this is not the only thing that is done to Kya. While she is a strong character and very bright, she goes through a lot, things one human being, let alone a child should go through.

Overall I felt that this was a beautiful and surprising read. I really recommend it anyone who would not have a trouble with the topics within this book. It is beautifully written and you just fall into the story and have a hard time climbing out. I am so happy that my aunt recommended me this book, I am going to be asking her for more in the future. I will also be reading more from this author.

I am so happy to be bringing this series back to my blog with a bit of an update. I am going to be reading, reviewing, and discussing a book recommended to me every month for the year. For February I have the wonderful Reg over at Bookish in Bed picking my book and I am truly excited about it.

Have you read this book? Did you enjoy it or do you think you would enjoy it?

Sign Off 2020

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Bullet Journal & Planning

Bullet Journal | September 2019

September 4, 2019August 27, 2019 ClassicBhaer3 Comments

Hello everyone! Today I am going to be sharing my bullet journal spreads for the month of September. I am so excited and pumped about this month because I am trying more new spreads and I am in love with my theme. This year I went on vacation to Maine and I fell in love with the state, it is so beautiful and wonderful. I decided I wanted to hold on to those memories and feelings by making Septembers theme Maine!

This has not changed, it really works for me to have a little mini calendar for quick reference at the front of the month. I also decided to doodle a lighthouse that I took a picture of when I was in Maine. I have not drawn in a while so excuse the wonkiness, but I love it!

So, this month I decided to try a new type of habit tracker inspired by journalby.amber on instagram. I really liked how simple and clean it looked and it wasn’t a huge rectangle that took up the whole page. I like how each habit has its own little home. On the other page, which is kinda a little peak into something I am giving a go, you will see a page tracker. This was inspired by BooksandLala on youtube a long time ago. The doodles for these two pages are lobster and buoys. I was tempted to color these in, but I decided to leave this month without color, I don’t want to steal someone else’s color! If you didn’t know the color scheme on a buoy is unique to each fisher.

This month I decided to give my TBR a little bit of a makeover inspired by bookshelves and paperbacks. I loved that she had a bit of an area to check off her progress. I edited them a bit to fit my needs more, but I put S- started, R-read, P-placed. All are pretty self explanatory, but placed means that I placed the mini review in my middle mark or wrap up and marked it in my bujo tbr list. This illustration is of a mountainside. The area in Maine I was in a lot of it was made of granite . So the beaches are all rock and have a lot of steep drops. It is really beautiful to see the pink granite everywhere you look.

The last spread I added was 50 miles in September, which was inspired by The Petite Planner on instagram. If you were not aware this summer I did 2 5Ks and really enjoyed myself and I want to keep up being active. So looking through the internet I found this challenge of sorts and I really wanted to do it. I also loved that it had a spot built in to write my way ins. I kinda hate having to flip to more pages than I need to.

This month my weekly spreads are the same as they were in August, the only difference is I added some doodles since I was feeling inspired. I added a hook because fishing is such a staple in Maine, Blueberries because everyone had a famous blueberry pie or blueberry infused food item, a whale because they are everywhere, and lastly a huge pine tree because I loved the trees by where I was staying so much. They were so tall and sturdy.

Where is your favorite place to visit?

Do you use a habit tracker? What kind of format is it?

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Garden Adventures | August 2019

August 21, 2019August 9, 2019 ClassicBhaer3 Comments

Gardening

It has been sometime since I last updated everyone on my indoor and outdoor gardens. I decided that I would take a little time today and share the victories and pitfalls I have had over the last few months.

-Pitfalls-

Sadly my moon valley and pothos did not do well at all. My pothos did some to me ill with something and I did my best to care for it and reverse the damage. Sadly, the spots on the leaves slowly took over the plant to a point it was no longer able to properly photosynthesize. My moon valley also did not do well at all. It was getting burned where I was keeping it and then it was starting to get very floppy so it wasn’t getting enough sunlight. This went back and forth for about 2 months until it finally died. I am really upset about this, but it seems like I do not have the proper environment for this plant.

-Victories-

My ZZ plant has a new very large stem on it! It was so much fun watching it grow and slowly unravel each and every day for about a week and a half two weeks. It is going very well as of late, even though I have had to cut off two older stems that were starting to yellow and wither.

One of my outside, nameless succulents, has been doing amazing! It has flowered a few times and grown tremendously. I was able to catch a bug hanging out in the flower as well. Not sure if it is a bee or not, because it was loving the pollen inside.

My air plant continues to thrive and do wonderful. It has slowly, but steadily growing. In this picture it is in need of a soak. It gets even fuller when it has been watered.

This year my tomato plants are going wonderful! Last year I struggled quite a bit, but this year they are doing better than I thought they would. I have a study supply of these yummy bite sized fruits this year and I have been eating them in salads.

Now, this last one I am worried about. I feel like I have a bit of a spider mite issue. It looks like my main plant is getting eaten by something, but I have this new little plant growing at the same time. As of writing this I am looking up ways to try and beat them. If you have any suggestions let me know I don’t want anything happening to this beautiful snake plant.

Do you have a vegetable or fruit garden this summer?

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Indoor Garden Adventures|February 2019

March 5, 2019February 24, 2019 ClassicBhaerLeave a comment

More Than Books

Welcome to the second month of my indoor garden adventures, if you missed the first installment where I introduce the first terrariums I set up, Indoor Garden Adventures | January 2019. This installment I will update you with how the seedlings are doing and share a new addition I have added to my garden. I will say starting this in January might not have been the best start since I have been trying to keep the temperature nice and warm for my plants, but it has been so cold. Anyway, here are the updates!

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Updates

So, sadly I have an update that is not so good. Then a bit of an upgrade for one of my established plants The first bit of news is my air plant was damaged during shipping. Seemed the heat pack was too hot for the little plant and it was too stressed. I honestly felt horrible. As soon as I noticed something was wrong I thought I already did something to the plant. Turns out I personally did not, but the shipping did not go so well. I was sent a replacement plant, which arrived 2/29/19 and it seemed to be be in better condition. It felt like it had more heft to it and was brighter in color.

The second bad news, well not sure if I should call it bad news… my seeds never sprouted like I suspected they wouldn’t. This is true for my outside gardening as well. I can never do seed starters, but if you give me a baby tomato plant I will grow it larger than myself, yes that actually happened to me last year. My plant became bigger than me. I am still not sure how I pulled it off, but I have a green thumb somewhere it seems.

Also, I am happy to say that I have had an aloe plant for years. Sadly it is not able to live in my room because it needs more natural light than it can get in my room with the window I have. Anyway, it has gotten so big! It has 3 pups growing off of it now and I thought it was time to give it an upgrade! I am hoping it does well with the new pot and continues to thrive.

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Additions

So, while I was waiting for my replacement air plant I ended up picking up a grow light for my plants. I wanted them to get as much sunlight as they needed and the weather has been not so great the past month. Every day seemed to be overcast and dark. So I picked up a cheaper one and I am hoping that will help the little ones.

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What is your favorite plant or flower? Do you have a garden, indoor or outdoor?

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Indoor Garden Adventures| January 2019

February 3, 2019February 1, 2019 ClassicBhaer6 Comments

One thing I really wish I could do is keep plants. I would love to have a room filled with plants and books, I have a plan for my future library of sorts. I am planning on turning it into a greenhouse/library. I may have taken inspiration from one I stumbled into in December. life

The most beautiful home library I have ever seen. pic.twitter.com/Zbuttzd3w6

— bookishluna (@BookishLuna) December 8, 2018

Anyway, I always want more and more plants, but I don’t have a ton of room for them. But, a few weeks ago I was walking through the store and I noticed that this brand was selling terrarium kits. I thought it would be a great way to start with my current limitations. I ended up picking up two different ones because I could not decide, as well as a mister for an air plant I will show in a future edition of this series. Anyway, I picked up a Forest Floor Scandinavian and Forest Floor Woodland. The Scandinavian edition has seeds for a plant called Hyssop and the woodland has Sedum.

As you can see the kits came with quite a bit. I had to assemble the layers as well and place the seeds inside. I am very nervous about these because I feel like it would be very hard to grow plants from seeds if you are not very experienced. But, I am going to do my best. The picture below is the first day of the seeds being placed in their new home. It is said that it could sprout from 7-21 days so I have a lot of waiting in front of me.

While this is quite a short post I wanted to put together this introduction to this new series on my blog where I am happy to share other interests I have outside of reading. Please wish my plants and myself luck because I am so worried I am going to fail at this and do these little seeds a disservice.

Anyway, if you know anything about plants or anything like that please share your knowledge. I could use all the help I can get!

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Knitting, Crochet & More

More Than Books | Wild Crystal Box September 2018

September 25, 2018December 2, 2018 ClassicBhaer4 Comments

More Than Books So as of late I have found myself wanting to share more and more of my non-bookish hobbies and interests. All around I have found I have been wanting to share more of myself with everyone. While I have previously shared myself trying to find a new hobby in my Find A Hobby Series I wanted to expand more. I wanted to share more about things I enjoy in my life, how I love to cook and create things, and my love of nature. I figured I would start with an unboxing of a subscription box I really enjoy.

Since I was a young girl I really loved crystals. My uncle used to go away and go to mines for fun and always bring me back a crystal when he found any. I have really find memories attached to them. To this day I enjoy having them with my for their beauty as well as the affect they have on me. I personally find it relaxing to have rocks, crystals, and other gem stones around me. I feel a connection with nature and I find it soothing. While you may say this is just be a bunch of hoopla, well it may be, but it still makes me feel better and it hurts no one.

Anyway, I wanted to share this unboxing. This subscription box sends various crystals every month and explains their significance. I enjoy it not only because I learn about new minerals and crystals, and I get to add to my collection. If you want to know more I will link their website here. I would also like to point out that this is NOT sponsored, I pay for this box with my own money.

Here is the box on the outside, I wish I could write in this font. I always want to learn calligraphy, but I never follow through… why?

Here is what you are greeted with when you open the box. This sheet is the information sheet about the characteristics of stones in the box. I didn’t want to take a picture of the entire sheet and infringe on their stuff. But, I will say that what they write is very detailed and an entire 8 1/2 x 11 page is always filled with information.

When you remove the bubble wrap and information sheet this is what you are greeted with.

Once you rip open the wrapping you are met with a jam packed box. This month I saw 3 pouches with a different item in each and bunch of sage.

I never burn sage, but I have a friend who does. I am not sure if it is the proper kind or not so I will run it by her if this is the type she uses. If it is not I will keep it because it does smell nice without it being burned.

This month each subscriber got a different necklace. I ended up getting sodalite. I will be doing some research into this stone as well as replace the chain. I don’t tend to mix well with fabric based chains. I do very much like the metal that is holding the stone.

In this box I was sent two pieces of Carnelian. These two stones are is very nice shape. They are tumbled well, with no edges. I liked that they added a little history to the fact sheet by sharing that in Egypt it used to be referred to The Setting Sun. The picture does not do the color justice, but I can say I can see why they called the stone this.

The last item in my box with month was a large and beautiful piece of Amethyst. I love the color of this stone and the angles. When the light hits this one it reminds me of the purple version of the Philosophers Stone in harry potter, the light just dances on its surface.

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Do you have a collection you keep adding to?

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Knitting, Crochet & More

Bookstore Travels

May 11, 2017February 4, 2018 ClassicBhaer2 Comments

A few weeks ago I drove a few hours to Princeton University and walk around the historic campus and downtown. To my amazement when we were walking around the downtown I found a cute little bookstore that I HAD to go into. Let’s just say I spent an hour in here easily.

The Bookstore: Labyrinth Books

What cause my eye first about this bookstore was the fact that they had 6 or 7 tables out front piled high with books. Not only were there so many outside they were ALL on sale! I don’t know about you, but I LOVE when books are on sale. It means I can buy more and not feel as guilty about spending money on them.

When I finally combed through all of the sale books I headed inside dragging my friend along. The inside was bright and beautiful. There were books on two floors. There were displays by subjects, new releases, ancient texts, and classics. What I liked the most was the wide range of non-fiction that I don’t normally find in my local bookstores. So jealous of people who live a reasonable distance away from this place. Here are a few pictures I was able to take inside the shop.

After spending about an hour in this store I ended up leaving with three gorgeous books. Still so sad I have to travel hours to get to this place!

The Haul:

I think I want to plan some more day trips to far off bookstores. On a side note, this campus is just as beautiful as the bookshop!

What is your favorite bookstore you love to visit?

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Hauls & Unhauls

Birthday Book Haul!

May 9, 2017June 19, 2017 ClassicBhaer7 Comments

Book Haul

Some of you may have know, but my birthday was a few days ago and I was lucky enough to get a few books for my birthday this year. Normally my family and friends just pick out gift cards from Barns and Noble or Amazon so I can pick some stuff for myself, which is great. But, it is very nice when someone picks a book or books out just for you. Here are the books friends and family got me this year.

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf

The first book my Mom picked up for me is The Invention of Nature because she knows I enjoy science, nature, and non-fiction. Even though in my picture you can only see the spine, click the title to look at the actual cover. It is absolutely beautiful. Not only does it have a beautiful cover, I read the description (below) and it sounds really interesting. I cannot wait to eventually pick it up and read it.

Alexander von Humboldt (1769–1859) was an intrepid explorer and the most famous scientist of his age. In North America, his name still graces four counties, thirteen towns, a river, parks, bays, lakes, and mountains. His restless life was packed with adventure and discovery, whether he was climbing the highest volcanoes in the world or racing through anthrax-infected Siberia or translating his research into bestselling publications that changed science and thinking. Among Humboldt’s most revolutionary ideas was a radical vision of nature, that it is a complex and interconnected global force that does not exist for the use of humankind alone.

– via goodreads

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

This is the second of three books my Mom picked up for me. I have been really into suspense/thriller reads as of late. Once again I read the description and was very happy with this pick. There is a great mixture of mystery and history. I am very excited to see what unfolds in this book.

West Hall, Vermont, has always been a town of strange disappearances and old legends. The most mysterious is that of Sara Harrison Shea, who, in 1908, was found dead in the field behind her house just months after the tragic death of her daughter, Gertie. Now, in present day, nineteen-year-old Ruthie lives in Sara’s farmhouse with her mother, Alice, and her younger sister, Fawn. Alice has always insisted that they live off the grid, a decision that suddenly proves perilous when Ruthie wakes up one morning to find that Alice has vanished without a trace.

– via goodreads

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

This is the last book my Mom picked out for me. I read The Goldfinch and generally liked it overall, but found faults with it. You can read a little bit more of my review in my post #TBRTakeDown: Wrap Up. Anyway, my mom picked this up because I have mentioned I have wanted to try another book by her. This one is much shorter so I am more confident this book will not have the same large flaws, fingers crossed!

Under the influence of their charismatic classics professor, a group of clever, eccentric misfits at an elite New England college discover a way of thinking and living that is a world away from the humdrum existence of their contemporaries. But when they go beyond the boundaries of normal morality they slip gradually from obsession to corruption and betrayal, and at last – inexorably – into evil.

– via goodreads

Into the Water by Paula Hawkins

One of my best friends picked this up for me because I LOVED The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. I was so happy when I finally got it open. My friend loves to wrap presents in a way that makes it very difficult to open so she can watch people struggle. She put it in a box, surrounded it by two bags, and then wrapped it completely in duct tape. I was not allowed to use scissors. Anyway, I was so excited to get it open AND it to be this book.

A single mother turns up dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town. Earlier in the summer, a vulnerable teenage girl met the same fate. They are not the first women lost to these dark waters, but their deaths disturb the river and its history, dredging up secrets long submerged.

– via goodreads

A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas

My wonderful boyfriend bought me a personalized autograph copy of A Court of Wings and Ruin. I am so grateful and excited! I am so worried to actually read this because I don’t want to ruin it. I may put in a call to the library and carry that one around instead.

Feyre has returned to the Spring Court.

– via goodreads

I am so happy with the book I received for my birthday and I wanted to once again thank all of you who wished me a happy birthday. It meant so much to me. Have a great day and happy reading!