Books, blogs and a good day for crafting!

I really have been meaning to be better about blogging but I must admit my priority is downsizing and you have no idea what a HUGE project it is! LOL!  But I have managed (thanks to the book How to Manage Your House Without Losing Your Mind by Dana K. White) to implement her strategies of how to de-clutter without making a bigger mess and it is working!  Also, I have not fallen behind in cooking or daily chores or laundry...Amazing!  But today I will catch you up on my reading, blogs and what I've been watching.
I haven't forgotten that my word this year was FINISH and it has been in the forefront of my mind each day.  I try to find something each day to finish be it a book, a magazine, or a handwork or craft project.  Even a decorating project...something that is done once and not a repeated task.  I can't find something each day but being mindful and always on the lookout for a 'finish' has helped me stay focused at least.
Since the last time I blogged about books I have finished this book.........it was good and I enjoyed it.
**** 4 of 5

I finished this one and the writing was very good and the story line was interesting and rural which I love but I thought it was going someplace but no...it ended and I didn't 'get it'.  One of 'those' books although it could be just me.  It seemed like it just stopped with no plot or future or reason....strange.  
*** 3 of 5

These mysteries are a hoot and very enjoyable with always a ghostly presence but friendly....there are murders but nothing too grisly and recipes too!  Easy, enjoyable, pleasant books to read before bed.  This is the 2nd book in the series.  The first was If Fried Chicken Could Fly.
**** 4 out of 5

 I bought another magazine and finished reading it along with the last National Geographic......this is a beautiful magazine with all kinds of mouth watering recipes.....a keeper to bring out every Fall!

So, what am I reading now you ask?  Back to a few I need to FINISH (there's that word again!).........
I've read parts of this and was reading one chapter and then implementing their suggestions but now I am just going to read it all the way through and keep it as a reference.  Their actual budget system sounds good but also very time consuming and I'm not sure I'd stick to it....we'll see.........they have lots of other topics though and great suggestions on how to cut costs.  Some of which I already do.  Highly recommend if you are wanting to save some money or just want a method for tracking your spending and budgeting for those 'bucket list' items. 

I stopped reading this as I was wanting to finish a library book and also one I had previously started so now I am back to it....very good and should finish soon.  I also noticed that this is a series and there are 2 more books after this one.  I think I am about 1/2 way finished.

I am reading this historical fiction about Rose Wilder Lane, Laura Ingalls' daughter who wrote The Little House on the Prairie books.  It is by Susan Wittig Albert who also wrote an historical fiction mystery series about Beatrix Potter which I loved.  This is very good and I am about 1/2 through the book.  This is only fiction because she took liberties with creating conversations among the characters but the story line is based on journals and diaries and her own research.

That's all for my reading except for an audio book I am listening to..........

Amazon states:"Why does talk in families so often go in circles, leaving us tied up in knots? In this illuminating book, Deborah Tannen, the linguist and and bestselling author of You Just Don't Understand and many other books, reveals why talking to family members is so often painful and problematic even when we're all adults."
I've had this tape for years so I am trying to listen to my tapes so I can pass them on or sell them in my garage sale.  It's good information and we can all communicate better but I'm sort of past the point of self-improvement.....not that I can't  use it....but I've been down that road and I'm pretty happy with myself after all these many years! I'm sure not everyone would agree with me but some people are never happy....lol!  
As for my Good Reads Challenge...I have read 41 of 75 books so far this year.....I need to get a 'move on'!
Video-wise, I watch the news and then usually podcasts of knitters and makers........I caught up with Stitching the High Notes and Brooklyn Knitfolk and now I am watching The Bakery Bears again and I found a wonderful podcast last night called Mischief Maker.....Jade Prosser from Vancouver, BC who does beautiful knitting and sewing and crochet....she also dyes yarn, makes project bags and has several bag and quilt patterns on Craftsy!  She's amazing and I highly recommend her podcast.   That's all for now.....I wish I could watch football....both college and NFL but I would have to get satellite again and I am too cheap! LOL!  I am able to listen to games using www.freefootballradio.com and also www.freebaseballradio.com so if any of you are in the same boat give it a try!  Please share what you are reading, listening to and/or watching!
Happy Trails!!!

P.S.  I think Fall is coming to the Ozarks....it's been really hot and dry but now it is going down to the low 80's and today it is pouring rain.  There are flash flood warnings but I don't worry as the lake has a spillway and I am cozy and dry here.....even my porch! LOL! 
P.S.P.S  I forgot to mention 1) there is a site called The Library Thing where you can catalogue your books for free up to 200 books and after that there is a charge and 2) The BBC has a list of 100 of their readers favorite books called The Big Read.