Sunday in Safety Pin Studio

I'm wishing it was just a little warmer outside on this beautiful, sunny day so that I could be on the screened porch, quilting.  Since Safety Pin Studio is on the southeastern side of the house, it gets lots of sun, so it's the next best place to be.  The new baby quilt should be quilted by the end of the afternoon.

With some of my favorite music playing and sun streaming in the window, it's a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

On Being a Jane Austen Mystery: the real deal

I recently posted a review (read: rant) of P.D. James' Death Comes to Pemberley in which I mentioned the far better novels of Stephanie Barron.  I've just finished two new ones, Jane and the Madness of Lord Byron and Jane and the Canterbury Tale and I was not disappointed. Not only is Barron the mistress of every facet of Jane Austen's biography and the Regency period, she is also the queen of sparkling dialogue and thrilling mystery plots.

The first book of the series is Jane and the Unpleasantness of Scargrave Manor.  There is a wonderful story on Barron's website about how she came to write this novel.  If you love Jane Austen or mysteries or historical fiction, or all three, treat yourself to one of these gemlike little books.

Elevenses in the studio

Having my elevenses in the studio. Must sew.  More to come.

35 years and counting

Thirty-five years ago today, my dear Jim and I were married in my parents' living room during below zero weather with about two feet of snow on the ground.  We had a lovely dinner at our favorite restaurant, Lucky 32, and he gave me these gorgeous roses, and yes, there are 35 of them.  We celebrated yesterday because he had tech rehearsal today.  Happy anniversary, my darling.  Here's to at least 35 more.