Headed towards Fall.

Even though we're having an indian summer, I'm still thinking about how to warm up little Ana through the winter. So, a few weeks ago, I headed towards The Purple Iris, Marshall's knitting shop, with some time to browse. I left with some super soft ocean blue wool yarn and this really cute pattern.

Isn't it the cutest sweater? I was so happy to have found an age appropriate and somewhat vintage-y looking patter. And yes, those are owls lining the chest. And yes again, that means that I'm learning how to do cables. Which, I am shocked, are really easy! In fact, I didn't have to consult anyone when I tackled my first cable. And it turned out beautifully! Pictures later.

Onwards to my brief review of Jewel by Bret Lott. I heard of it years ago when I was purusing Image Journal's best 100 books of faith. Well, now it's 100 writers of faith. But back then it was best 100 books of faith. Anyhoo. Dan and I were driving napping Ana around Powell River near Vancouver a month ago. We were having tons of fun taking turns popping into these neat used bookstores and buying up their classics shelves when I found a copy of Jewel. I remembered it from the list, and thought, why not. I still hadn't found a copy of The Cross to finish the Kristin Lavransdatter trilogy, and with all the rain I was looking for a good read. $3. I bought it.

It started out wonderfully. The characters were so rich and the story line was promising. It is about a woman named Jewel who, with her husband and five children, live in the backwoods of Mississippi during the 1940's. Their sixth child is born with Down's Syndrome. I won't give anything more away, except that the story is about the joy and hardships the family go through in order to keep the blessed child and care for her during a time when there wasn't a lot of information on children with Down's Syndrome.

What I appreciated most about the story is that it honestly portrayed the hardships of marriage, even when both husband and wife are good-hearted. But I was disappointed that halfway through the story, it seemed to loose the depth that I loved in the first half.

I am happy to say, however, that I did pick up The Cross at Barnes and Noble last week and am having a wonderful time reading it.

So, back to my book. Good night all.