Favorite Audiobooks Currently on MP3 player

This is a partial listing of books I've been listening to, along with a few quick notes about the books/authors.

Excellent! one is The Help by Kathryn Stockette.

Set in the late 50's, early 60's, five characters speak in Southern dialect about racial issues and social mores that keep you wanting more from this author.

Anything by Swedish author Stieg Larsson, such as this one available at our local library:

Larsson is a mystery writer, and his character action takes place in Scandinavian areas.

The Good Apprentice by Iris Murdoch: (read most of her books in the 80's, and she is still going strong)

Olive Kittridge by Elizabeth Strout (give it an "A" score)...

This is a toughie, and another excellent reader which makes listening a pleasure.

Any of Jane Austen's books ... see them here on Amazon!

Failure to Appear by J.P. Beaumont (he has a series, but this is the only audiobook I could currently catch at the library). 

A Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.  Here is what a Ravelry friend said about it, and I concur:

That narrator is magnificent! She’s doing wonderful Australian accents, mixed with English, Irish and the occasional AMerican (which seems to be the only one she can’t swing btw). It took me a while to get sucked into the book, but now I’m finding it to be wonderful!

So much to listen to, so little time.

Toad House

An easy way to make toad and frog houses for your hopping critters can be accessed here.

With that process in mind, a bit of looking around on the internet came up with some classy accommodations for toads that can be purchased here (picture also courtesy of that site):

DIY showed the handmade toad house below.  That required a clay pot, glue and pebbles.

Our backyard toad is a big fellow, so he needed a fairly large opening for an entrance.  Using a galvanized steel vase turned on its side and half filled with dirt, here is what I came up with:

It took several days for Mr. Toad to find his new home, but hopefully we can keep this renter through the rest of the summer.

Amazing how his toady skin is camouflaged in the dirt!

Yet Another Scarf: Beehive Pattern

This project was supposed to go down to Dallas in a week to keep my hands occupied with a fruitful occupation.  But, dang it, it got finished before I even left!

The Beehive Scarf, found here as a complimentary pattern from Tilli Thomas, was knit with a beaded yarn that came from Livermore, Colorado.  I found it online from Bountiful Yarns.

Finished dimensions: 71" x 9"
Yarn: wool and silk, with glass beads about every six inches throughout

It sparkles! 

Fortunately, there is another project in the works that will travel to Texas in a carry-on.

(Ravelry friends, this page shows all the details of the yarn.)