Books read Sept 25

The Fashion Designer by Nancy Moser
First time redading this author and can't wait to read more.
I am a fashion designer, published also so this book really appealed to me. So happy that the explicit details of dress making is included in with the story line.
Starts out with Annie and her friends, some have left other companies and they are going to start up their own business, Annie will deisgn the dresses that normal regular woman can wear.
There are many fall backs as things just don't go as planned. She never gives up and prays to God a lot and she knows he will send help. in his own way.
It's easy to keep the women straight and we learn about their past. Such a fascinating read, wish I had read the prior book about Annie first-will still be a good read.
So many historical events take place during this book also, valuable to the story and outcome. Love the parade-priceless! History of Lane Byrant was a big hit to read about!
Love how it all ends when things were so dismal at times.  It's a wonder how they struggled or suvive, and suvive and flouish they did.
There is so much to this book: travel, adventure, mystery of robberies, romance, dress making, opinions from all angles of characters.

Great Smokey Mountains by Mike Graf
We have visited this area but wish we had read this book before going.
There were so many more places we did not see. Love hearing about the wildflower national park during a few months out of the year. Hated hearing of the tick bite as I suffer from Lyme Disease.
Loved hearing as always about the synchronizing fireflies.
Especially like hearing of the CCC and their work in AT.
So much to see and do there, loved hearing of the chimney tops. we had seen a few other places that we enjoyed and would go here again.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Secrets of the Sequoias by Mike Graf
We have visited this national forest. We had found a tree so large we fit our car into and took a picture.
Encompasses the CA national park which there are many outlets to talk about.
Love the history of the trees and why they only grow naturally in CA.
Wish I had read this book before going-we missed so much, although we didn't have a lot of time to spend there.
Liked hearing of the caves and anmals that live there.
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

Easy Dessert Cookbook: Delicious Dessert Recipes You Can Easily Make At Home! by Adella Friesen
Table of contents where recipes are not in any order.
One paragraph for introduction.
Recipes have a title, list of ingredients which you might be able to substittue for your healthier dietary needs: low sugar, low fats, low sodium products.
Directions are given and most do NOT include how many it will serve.
There is NO nutritional information, NO pics.
Like the idea of the torte but would use other products to make this.

Cast Iron Cookbook: Timeless Cast Iron Skillet Dinner Recipes by Louise Davidson
Intro about cast iron cooking, talbe of contents where recipes are broken up into food categories.
Other works by the author and an intro about why this book was created.
How to take care of your pan is also discussed. Each recipe starts with a title, cook, prep time and servings.
Ingredients are included and i'd substitute for our healthier dietary needs: low sodium, low fats, low sugar and no canned products-use fresh.
Directions are given. There are NO pictures.  There is NO nutritional information.
Cooking and converstion tables are listed at the end. Other works by the author are also highlighted at the end.

Amish Friends Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales One by Karen Anna Vogel
Don't really read Amish books but this one is about knitting and I try to read everything I can on the subject. Love the cover and figured it'd be a good read.
Like a lot of things about this book-learning about Amish community rules, how others help those in need, scriptures quoted and what they mean to those reading them,
Double Blitz -actually went online to find out what it's all about-sounds fun, wedding traditions and things like when they can marry and what they wear.  Am familiar with the community as we have traveled through Ohio and saw how they make cheese and other items.
Love hearing of the knitting circle and how it comes about-wish there were knitting patterns. There are lots of recipes for food, some which I could probably substitute for healthier dietary needs and give them a try.
There are so many people that are followed in this book-after a short while you are familiar with who is who and what they do.
Like conflicts and successes. Book continues in the next story. Really like how modern technology comes to the rescue when needed.

 Amish Friends Knitting Circle: Smicksburg Tales Two by Karen Anna Vogel
Enjoyed the first book and am familiar with the characters now so I know I will enjoy this one also as the days go by.
Table of contents where the recipes are also included and about the author at the end.
Love hearing of the seasonal things the children are able to do with a bit of supervision-so educational.
Glossary of Amish words are translated at the beginning.
Like how the book starts out-bringing you up to date on the previous book but adding new bits of information in the present day.
Like the idea of camp but felt they needed to charge or have others bring things they could use: food, fabric, etc because they spend a lot of time doing it.
Like also how their problems are solved and Recipes included and I can't wait to try the blueberry muffin on-always on the lookout for new ones.
Can't wait to read the next in the series. Wish they had patterns for items they are making for charity. Lots of changes occur over the time of the year and new rules are in place.

Amish Knitting Circle Christmas: Granny & Jeb's Love Story by Karen Anna Vogel

Have read many of the others books in this series and this appears to be the first in the knitting series.

Starts out with Jeb and he's come to the town because of all the rules of his previous town. Deborah-her family have sent her to live with an aunt as she can't make up her mind as to who to marry.

She learns soon enough and uses the phone to find out the truth. She's devastated and swears off all men. Love the part of the book where Jeb gives a black man a ride and also invites him to stay with the family.

Like the political connections and events that happen during this book as i was a young girl at this time, in school. Story follows Jeb's girlfriend Sarah and her brother Jason and Deborah. Love the part about the twelve days of Christmas carol and what it signifies. Had never realized it before but it's right there in front of us.

 There are everyday events as there is in other families but their rules are a bit different. Wish I had read this book first but it's a really good read regardless. Love hearing how they decorate. Knitting is mentioned but no patterns to speak of.

Other works by the author are highlighted at the end.