From my Book Shelf - IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS

IN THE GARDEN OF BEASTS

by Erik Larson

is a non-fiction that reads like a thriller.

One of the author's aim in writing the book was

to give a sense of what daily life was like

in Berlin just after Hitler's assumption of power.

In 1933, William Dodd, a history professor at

the University of Chicago,

was interested in a government position

which would give him time for writing.

President Roosevelt was having a difficult time filling

the position of ambassardor to Germany.

Others were hesitant to take the position because

Hitler was somewhat of an unknown entity,

the "Jewish question" in Germany was just rearing its head,

and most powers in the U.S. were more concerned with

Germany's debt than current politics.

So, although not Roosevelt's first choice,

Dodd became the unlikely statesman.

Viewing the job as a big adventure,

Dodd goes to Berlin with his wife and

two grown children in tow.

The book is Dodd and daughter, Martha's story.

Martha, an aspiring writer, but better

suited as a party girl, was soon caught up in 

Berlin's social scene.

Early on she is quite enamored with the Nazis.

However, as more and more laws are passed

restricting the freedoms of Jews,

the true stituation slowly becomes evident.

I have always questioned in my mind,

"How did normal German people let this happen?"

Although I wholeheartedly recommend this book,

it really didn't fullly answer the question for me.

Somewhat in the same vein, (except Paris rather than Berlin)

I want to mention SARA'S KEY by Tatiana de Rosnay.

I read this book a couple of years ago, but I just saw

a movie trailer for it this past weekend.

I didn't even know it was being made into a movie.

This is such an engrossing story that I still think about it.

It is NOT an easy, light or "beach read,"

but well worth the effort.

And finally, (my mind is really working in circles tonight),

if you're one of the two or three people who haven't yet

read THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett, (a first novel!!!)

GO GET IT!!!

It's a wonderful read, and

the movie is just about to come out for it too.

An Animal Candlesticks Collection



The whimsical appeals to me.

Years ago I saw this goofy little

frog candlestick in a catalogue and for

some reason I HAD to have it.

Thus began my collection of

animal candlesticks.

The second animal to join the

collection was this little squirrel.

I remember the day,

probably 25 years ago, or more,

my sister and I were fun shopping,

(as opposed to necessity shopping),

and again, as soon as I saw it,

it had my name on it.

Two of my favorites are this dog...

and kitty with her teacup.

They usually hang out together.

I have another kitty...

and other frogs.

Frog candlesticks must be popular

because they seem plentiful.

When I became enamored with the

Country French style of decorating

I was delighted to find this rooster.



For some reason, when the weather turns cold,

I like to bring out this little bear.

He just looks cozy to me.

I also like that his candle is

in a bit of honeycomb.

I like the spirit of cooperation of these two guys.



This studious fellow lives on the bookcase...

...along with these two.

At Thanksgiving,

one of my favorite sets...

come out to grace either

the mantle or table.

They're  somewhat fragile,

because they're made from

real pine cones.

Easter is also a great time to bring out

parts of this collection.

Animal candlesticks are one of several

collections I have.

I also collect sheep,

a natural for someone who

works with wool.

Unfortunately, in all my searching,

I've yet to find a sheep candlestick!

But that's the fun of collecting.

It gives you something to keep an eye out for,

never knowing when you'll find

another of "your" pieces.

Bye, bye!

This week I'm linking up with

 Privet & Holly for the Collection Show-n-Tell

Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesday

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

My Romantic Home for Show & Tell Friday

Garden Tour 2011

It's been a busy weekend here at Buttermilk Cottage.

We were part of our neighborhood garden tour.

Most (all) the credit for the garden here 

goes to my sister Nancy's efforts.

My job for the day was to sit on the front porch,

to welcome visitors,

offer them a glass of iced tea,

and send them around to

Nancy in the backyard.

Nancy has named the garden, "The Catbird Garden."

Although I am not a gardener,

I am a cook,

so I have my own little plot of basil

just outside the backdoor.

Our garden shed is an excellent example

of turning a sow's ear into a silk purse!

An old bench no longer worthy of seating can still

 be put to good use in the garden.

Notice the window boxes upstairs. 

They're new since last fall.

Here's proud "Nanniepannie"

ready to show off her garden.

Please visit her blog here

to get the full garden story.

Do Not Call!

Did you know..

Cell phone numbers go public this month?

All cell phone numbers are being released to

telemarketing companies and you will probably

start to receive sales calls.

You can call the

National DO NOT CALL Registry

and have your number blocked.

Call 888-382-1222.

You must call from the phone number

you want blocked.

Once registered, you're on the list for five years

It takes about 20 seconds to register.

(I just did it.)

If you' like more information you can find it here.

(Thanks to my brother Rick for this info.)

Buttermilk Cottage is part of our

neighborhood's Garden Tour tomorrow.

Hope for good weather!

Have a great weekend!

Progress Report #3

The mice sweater-knitting continues...

Yarn for the little sweaters went with

me on my recent trip to NYC.

You can knit a serious number of these little sweaters,

when you're sitting at the airport all day long!

69 now finished...

31 left to go!

(The subtitle of this project is

"More time than good sense.")

A Wee Knitting Project

I just recently completed a sweet little knitting project

for a darling little new, baby boy named Anthony.

Anthony is the first grandchild of

my dear friend Marty.

I first met Marty in a pastry class

when her twins,

Matthew and Susie were infants.

(Susie is Baby Anthony's Mommy.)

It was one of those connections where we both

felt as if we'd known each other all our lives

after our first meeting.

Mark, Marty's husband is

my daughter Kate's godfather.

Although Marty and her family now live far away

and we don't visit often,

we still maintain

a solid connection.

I've had this sock yarn in my stash

for quite a while, always planning

to someday knit a baby sweater with it.

 So, when Marty told me Susie was expecting

I knew the time had come.

The sweater is knit from sleeve to sleeve.

Because the yarn is "space dyed"

the color-change pattern evolves

simply by knitting.

Clever, huh?

I had some yarn left after finishing the sweater.

A little matching hat was needed.

Then, a little bunny that was going along

needed to coordinate,

so he got a matching scarf too!

A big congratulations to

Baby Anthony's parents, Susan and Anthony

and

Grandparents, Mark and Marty.

(Marty...come visit soon!)

This week I'm linking with

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Whatever Goes Wednesday at Someday Crafts

Look What I Made at Creations by Kara

Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Chic Cottage

Show & Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Home Again

I made it home last night from my NYC trip

and I'm happy to report all is well.

Kate's procedure went well and

with no side effects,

so we were able to do some fun things.

***

Getting there was a challenge.

After sitting all day at my local airport,

one delay after another,

I finally flew out... an hour AFTER I was

scheduled to have arrived in NYC!!!

The upside to all that was I got

bumped up to first class on the

flight from Atlanta to NYC,

so I was somewhat appeased.

Flying first class versus coach is a

whole different world!



Google Image



Kate was able to go to work on Thursday and Friday,

so I had lots of time on my own to explore.

I spent lots of time just walking and soaking it all in.

I wandered into the NY Public Library

because I couldn't remember if I'd ever been inside

and happened upon a wonderful exhibit

celebrating the 100 year anniversary of this building.

It was a eclectic display of all sorts of things

ranging from music scores notated by Beethoven

to an actual Ku Klux Klan robe (creepy).



Google Image



I walked into St. Patrick's Cathedral

and spent over an hour enjoying the beauty

of the building and the artwork found there.

It wasn't all serious touring though.

One night while at Times Square

I caught a picture of "The Naked Cowboy."

He's quite an attraction/street performer and

there was a line of gals waiting to have

their pictures taken with him.

Kate and I choose to pass on that experience!

We got lucky one evening and were able to pick up

tickets (half price!!!) for CHICAGO at the

TIX Booth in Times Square.

They were excellent seats, center mezzanine.

This is a show I've wanted to see since

the movie came out a few years ago.

It did not disappoint!



Google Image

On Saturday we went to the

Metropolitan Museum of Art

and saw the Alexander McQueen exhibit,

SAVAGE BEAUTY.



Google Image





This special exhibit was organized by

The Costume Institute,

includes more than 100 of McQueen's pieces

and spans his career from

his post graduate collection of 1992

to pieces from his last runway collection

after his death

in 2010.



Google Image



The pieces range from the sublime...



Google Image



...to the absurd.

But every piece is a stunning  work of art.

***

New York City is a world unto itself.

I enjoyed every minute of it, but

on the flight home yesterday,

I couldn't help but think,

my most favorite place to go is...

home.