Yarn Along

I've tried to keep my eye on one project this week. A patchwork style, granny square blanket in Autumn-y colours. I haven't bought new wool in months and have been attempting to use up the multitudes of yarn I've had in boxes for years! I did break my goal a little though, as I needed to buy more brown for the borders, but a small price to pay I think for the end product.

So far I have done 70 squares, with 30 more to go.

In total, I only have 7(!) projects in progress now, and I have put away all my other supplies, I'm avoiding Ravelry, and just generally trying to not let myself get inspired to start anything new. I'd like to have most things finished before the baby comes.

This evening I finished reading The Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman. I am not sure I can put into words how wonderful I found this book. Breathtaking comes to mind. So very well written, I often found myself drifting off into a dreamland, imagining the world in which they lived.

Here is the synopsis of the book:

In 70 CE, nine hundred Jews held out for months against armies of Romans on a mountain in the Judean, desert, Masada. Only two women and five children survived. Based on this tragic and iconic event, Hoffman weaves a spellbinding tale of four extraordinary bold, resourceful, and sensuous women, each of whom comes to Masada by a different path.

Yael’s mother died in childbirth, and her father, an expert assassin, never forgave her for that death.

Revka, a village baker’s wife, watched the horrifically brutal murder of her daughter by Roman soldiers; she brings to Masada her young grandsons, rendered mute by their own witness.

Aziza is a warrior’s daughter, raised as a boy, a fearless rider and expert marksman who finds passion with a fellow soldier.

Shirah, born in Alexandria, is wise in the ways of ancient magic and medicine, a woman with uncanny insight and power.

The lives of these four complex and fiercely independent women intersect in the desperate days of the siege. All are dovekeepers, and all are also keeping secrets — about who they are, where they come from, who fathered them, and who they love.

King Herod's fortress at Masada

 

I totally recommend this book, I devoured it in a matter of days, staying up way past my 9:30pm bedtime each night, because I just could not put it down.

 

And because of those 3 late nights, I am off to have a hot shower now and crawl into bed, sans book, hoping for a good nights sleep. Well as good as it can be at 34 weeks pregnant!

 

x Shara

 

Joining in with Ginny!