Book Blanket 2025 {post #1)

January 1st, 2025 I decided to start creating a book blanket.  What is a book blanket?

I use any scrap yarn (#4 weight), and a 5.5mm crochet hook, and crochet one granny square to match the cover of every book I read this year.  Purchased this book at an antique store.

(with first granny square)

The blanket is also a join-as-you-go blanket.  The final results will be my "book" blanket.

I am using a much different pattern, than the regular join methods, and I love the look too.

I am not picking my books out by how colorful the cover is either.  I am working on books that I have purchased, books that were passed down to me from my Mom, or from a daughter (or even friend), and matching the yarn colors to the best of what I have in my scrap yarn stash.  

The idea is to use up what I have without buying any new (deep breath here, ha ha!).  It is also my motivation to read more books, and scroll on the internet (or my phone) a lot less.

Another book read with matching granny square.  A library book that was somewhat interesting.  It was nothing I already knew about experiences of raising chickens, other than one suggestion from a rooster sanctuary.  She said, to calm a feisty rooster, just pick him up  and cuddle him.  Ha ha! Yeah, that would not happen here ha ha!  Then again, who knows.

(2nd book to this is being released April 2025)

Two more books I finished this month, and matching granny squares for each book.  It's hard to capture the true colors, because it's winter and most days, we lack sunshine barreling thru the windows.  Either way, you get the idea of the project.

The granny squares are connected as I finish each one.  Each granny square is crocheted after each book is read.  Hence the "Book" blanket.  I'm using a different type of pattern for connecting all of the "book blanket" granny squares together.

The plan is to be the best of two worlds. #1 - reading books I have had for a while, and getting back to reading more often.  #2 - to crochet in small bits, spending time with handiwork, but also using up yarn in a very creative way.

The plan is to have a blanket just for us, and in time for winter homesteading days.  The plan is to have the blanket made by December, but I will not fret if I need to roll into another year either.  We'll see how well I do, and if this encourages me to dive more into reading again.  It's all with a "fun" plan.  Not to mention, the end result is a useful item, and the reading will have improved my overall health.

On a side note.  Journals.

I keep a list of the books I read in a simple $.50 spiral notebook, that I started in 2002 (I decoupaged pictures of books on the front that I cut from old magazines so many years ago).  Goodness, I have not read a real magazine in years now.  To think about it, Mom used to pass her magazines on to me, and now I do not get them from anyone.  I do not subscribe to any magazines either.  I do miss reading them.  

Anyway, back to the subject of book journals . . .

Quotes from the book, "The Book of Peach" that I liked:

"When was I going to learn to keep my big mouth shut and keep my treasures to myself?"  Page 144

"Families are the folks who make you feel good about yourself, who accept you as you are, who don't expect you to be perfect, who listen when you talk and let you change your mind if you need to."  Pages 162-163.

Both spoke to me on a personal level.  

I keep a journal for book quotes (started in 2014 in a dollar store notebook) that speak to me, are ones that are good reminders in life, or they are just simply good quotes.

Book Blanket 2025 {post #1} © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart

Happy Homemaker Monday {January 20, 2025}

 

Last week's egg salad sandwich on the homemade avocado bread was fantastic.  I can't wait to try chicken salad, southwest chicken salad or even tuna salad on this "bread" it is that good.  I may play around with other seasonings, other than homemade everything but the bagel seasoning.

Update on the Chicken Breakfast "Sausage" Patties - I used the same seasonings, but made them with  ground turkey. They were delicious!  I used turkey patties and made breakfast sandwiches with egg, cheese, turkey "sausage" and a slice of the homemade avocado bread.  So good!      

Next, I will experiment using the two different meats, with the same seasoning, and cooking it as I would for breakfast burritos, casseroles, frittata's, and quiches.  

                                                                                                                       

Today I am joining Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom.

The weather in our neck of the woods . . .

Our version of the extreme cold, that  is unusual for our area.  It does happen, but just not that often.  The wind can make it very brutal here.  This morning it is a brisk -13°F.  A very thin layer of snow.

Things that make me happy . . .

Enlarging this photo, because they had a room where they sold donated yarn, sewing supplies, craft supplies, craft books and the like.

(Books and magazines were half price while we were there.)

Taking road trips to see something new to us.  Small or big.  We found a hidden treasure, and it filled my adventure tank (minus the hiking ha ha!).  What a treasure to find.  A non-profit foundation that has a used book store, that sells all sorts of books, magazines, puzzles, new local artist work, new local author books, locally made crafts/art, a room full of donated yarn for sale, crafting books, and much more.  We were both shocked at what we found inside, because the outside made it appear small.  I'm so glad we ventured out to find this, and yes (gulp), I bought some books, but held off on the yarn (for now anyway).  

Another good thing about this discovery, if we venture there again, I can donate books, craft books, craft supplies, kids books, and even small balls of yarn (yes they sell those too).  What a happy place.  There are a few chairs to relax in, so my husband had no problem waiting on me to check it all out.  Heck, we can donate our puzzles, and buy a new one there.


Book I am reading  . . .

Another book I started, tucked away in a drawer for some reason, and totally forgot about it.  

What's on my TV . . .

The Day you Found Me (movie), any comedy for some healthy laughing.

What's on my breakfast plate . . .

Not sure just yet.  

What's on my lunch plate . . .

Not sure.

What's on my dinner plate . . .

Not sure.

On the menu . . .

Breakfast:  Breakfast Quesadillas, fresh fruit (maybe)

Dinners:

-Sausage and Ditalini Soup (never got this made)

-Herbed Crockpot Flounder, roasted brussels sprouts

-leftovers

On the to-do list . . .

-make a new breakfast for the next few days 

-tend the hens ( a given "to-do" daily)

-dinner prep

-pick 3 things on my written to-do list

New recipe I tried or want to try . . .

A date bread recipe that was handed down to me from one of my Aunt's, which previously was a friend of my Grandmother (her Mother).  Will it happen?  I am not sure.

What I am creating . . .

I am mostly focusing on the crochet lap afghan.  I made another granny square too, and jus need to sew in the ends.  I'll be sharing that project this week (granny square project).

No words needed (favorite photo) . . .

All of these were taken in the morning, but on different mornings.

Taken last Thursday at around noon.  I think they knew a cold spell was coming.   I have not seen deer at noon before.  Not that I remember.

Devotionals, Prayers, and Bible Verses . . .
"I will shout for joy as I sing Your praises; my soul will celebrate because You have rescued me."  Psalm 71:23 (Voice)

Happy Homemaker Monday {January 20, 2025}  © January 2025 by Kristina at Pioneer Woman at Heart