The Odd Life of Timothy Green

I just watched the sweetest movie a few nights ago, The Odd Life of Tmothy Green starring Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton.  The basic premise of the story is that Cindy and Jim Green are a happily married couple who can't wait to start a family, but can only dream about what their child would be like.  Lucky for them, Timothy shows up on their doorstep one stormy night and the Greens (and their small town of Stanleyville) learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life's greatest gifts. This movie is a heartwarming celebration of family in the way that only Disney can deliver!  The movie is rated PG and has been listed as the "perfect entertainment for the whole family."  It really will melt your heart.

Follow Some Fox Tracks...

I followed a different path this past week with one of my favorite authors---instead of reading her newest novel, I listened to it instead!  Rita Mae Brown's Fox Tracks is the latest in her cozy series starring Sister Jane Arnold, Master of Foxhounds of the Jefferson Hunt in Albemarle County, Virginia. This book's action begins in New York City, where Hunt Clubs from all over the United States have gathered for their annual dinner and gala event.  Feeling celebratory, Sister Jane and her young friend (and Custus Hall graduate) Tootie run down the street a few blocks to visit a tobacco shop and purchase cigars.  After an entertaining conversation with the owner, Adolfo, Sister and Tootie are shocked when they return to the shop to retrieve Sister's cell phone and find Adolfo dead with a package of American Smokes cigarettes lying over his heart.  This murder leads to an investigation of contraband tobacco that stretches across Virginia and even through Albemarle County.  Interspersed with the tobacco plot are descriptions of hunts and events in the lives of the human, canine and horse characters.  I suggest you begin reading this series with the first book, Outfoxed. If you enjoy listening to audio books on CD, Fox Tracks is a special treasure because it is narrated by the author herself! 

Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet

I've got the perfect way to celebrate Valentine's Day-read a paranormal mystery/romance!  Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet is the fourth mystery in the series written by Darynda Jones and starring Charley Davidson, Grim Reaper Extraordinaire. Besides being a sexy scythe swinger, Charley is also a Private Investigator, and the case she solved in the third book was a real doozy.  This fourth book in the series opens with Charley taking a couple of months off of life to hide in her apartment, lick her wounds and wallow in self-pity.  With the help of an intervention planned by her sister, Gemma, her secretary Cookie and her police detective Uncle Bob, Charley shakes off her grief to investigate the mystery of a woman who shows up on her doorstep convinced that someone is trying to kill her.  The woman's rich family thinks she is making the whole stalking story up, but Charley is determined to set the woman's mind at ease, while she assists dead people who are attracted to her light, helping them "cross over" to the other side.  Meanwhile, Charley is trying to avoid confrontations with the sexy, sultry, Reyes Farrow, son of Satan and the man with the uncanny ability of showing up to save her life at opportune moments.  Charley knows she should stay away from Reyes but something about him is irresistible.  Also thrown into the mix is Charley's anger at her dad, who turned on her in book three and whom she has not forgiven or been able to speak to.  This book is another hilarious installment in this New York Times bestselling series.  If you are not familiar with this series, start with the first one, First Grave on the Right. Darynda Jones lives in New Mexico with her husband and two sons--check her out onlinie at www.daryndajones.com. 

Homestyle Quilts: Simple Patterns and Savory Recipes

I discovered a very delightful book today!  Being a quilter, I enjoy examining every new quilting book that arrives on the library's shelves.  Homestyle Quilts:  Simple Patterns and Savory Recipes by Kim Diehl and Laurie Baker is a wonderful addition to the library's collection.  The book is unique in that it pairs quilting patterns with recipes---for example, the "Bygone Baskets" is paired with a "Sante Fe Soup" Recipe that one of the author's quilting friends served the quilting group for lunch.  Both the quilting and the recipes are easy to follow, with detailed pictures and descriptions of the patterns and the quilting process.  The book is great for beginners as well as advance quilters.  My favorite aspect is that the authors show updated views of older quilt patterns, using contemporary fabrics.  There is also a great "Quiltmaking Basics" chapter listed at the end of the book which showcases illustrated techniques.