COUSIN CONNECT


Friday 31 July 2009

GLUE BOOK - Numbers 1 to 10





The Yahoo Glue Book group has a new challenge - creating pages for the numbers 1 through to 10.
Have completed 1,2 3 and 4 so far and take a look:

GLUE BOOKS


I have posted a few pages from the Alphabet Book that was the challenge set by the Glue Book Group (Yahoo).
All the pages have been done, and I completed the covers of the book yesterday.
Sponged various colours in acrylics onto the front and back and then added the embellishments

ATC 30 Jul 2009 - Daily Grind


ATC 30 Jul 2009 - Daily Grind
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

ATC 29 Jul 2009 - New Look


ATC 29 Jul 2009 - New Look
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

6 x 4 Postcard - 30 Jul 2009


6 x 4 Postcard - 30 Jul 2009
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Background is an old birthday card that my mother received.
She has given me a bundle to use in my art work; far better than putting them in the rubbish.

Tuesday 28 July 2009

INKDEATH by Cornelia Funke

Inkdeath (Inkheart, #3) Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The great finiale to the Inkheart Trilogy.
Dustfinger is dead and the evil Adderhead is now in control. The story has taken an unhappy turn.
Even Elinor, left in the real world, belives her family to be lost, but between the covers of a book.
But if only Mo and Meggie can rewrite the wrongs of the past, and make a dangerous deal with death.

Enjoyed this series as well.

View all my reviews >>

BLEEDING HEARTS - Susan Wittig Albert

Bleeding Hearts (China Bayles Mystery, Book 14) Bleeding Hearts by Susan Wittig Albert


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Another China Bayles story. This time, China is asked to investigate a sexual harrassment incident against the town's popular football coach.
She also is confronted with another discovery - she has a half brother.

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BREAKING DAWN - Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn (Twilight, #4) Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The conclusion of the Twilight series.
Bella and Edward are married and Bella falls pregnant while on their honeymoon. The child drows so fast that it is sapping her energy - so blood transfusions are given.
Bella is transformed into a vampire at the birth as Edward is able to get the vampire blood into her and so starts the transformation process.
The showdown comes with the Volturi - all of that clan coming to the Cullens as they have heard of the child.

I really enjoyed all of the books in this series, and my mother, who is 77, has just finished reading them as well.

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DEATH DU JOUR - Lou Jane TEMPLE

Death du Jour (Spice Box Mystery, Book 2) Death du Jour by Lou Jane Temple


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The author writes stories of crimes and cuisines of authentic kitchens through history.
This story has been recreated in Paris in the summer of 1790, with the entire city ablaze with revolutionary fervour.
Fanny Delarue is a young cook for a wealthy family in the Palace Royale. But cooking is not the only thing on Fanny's mind - she loves the head chef, Henri and they become involved in a murder, mainly because Fannu wants to discover the truth behind the murder of chef, Etienne de la Porte, who used to work at Versailles.

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DEAD MAN'S BONES by Susan Wittig Albert

Dead Man's Bones (China Bayles Mystery, Book 13) Dead Man's Bones by Susan Wittig Albert


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The character in this mystery series is China Bayles, a Texas ex-lawyer and now herbalist, who digs into murder, past and present.
This time her teenage son discovers some skeletal remains while on an archeological dig. Some bones are from the past, but the others are not so distant.
It appears that the wealthy Obermann sisters have something to hide.

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AUNT DIMITY AND THE NEXT OF KIN - Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin (Aunt Dimity (Paperback)) Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin by Nancy Atherton


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This adventure of Lori's sees her befriend a lady in hospital who is dying of cancer. Following the death of Miss Beacham, Lori receives an envelope containing a set of keys and a letter that Miss Beacham wrote just days before her death.
Miss Beacham was more than just an invalid, as Lori discovers.

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THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE by Stig Larsson

Flickan som lekte med elden (Millenium, #2) Flickan som lekte med elden by Stieg Larsson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Volume 2 in the Millenium Trilogy.
Solanda is suspected of the murder of 2 investigative journalists who are ready to expose the people who run the sex trafficking industry in Sweden and its international links.
A name keeps popping up in this industry - ZALA.
Fast paced and draws you into the true background of Solanda.
It turns out that Zala is a Russian defector who has been in Sweden for many years and his life has been kept secret by a few people in high positions - the biggest secret is how Zala and Salanda are linked.

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CIRCLE OF QUILTERS - Jennifer Chiaverini

Circle of Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel (Elm Creek Quilts Novels) Circle of Quilters: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel by Jennifer Chiaverini


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
For anyone who loves to quilt, this story is another sage in the lives of the people associated with Elm Creek Quilt Camp in Waterford Pennyslvania.
Two of its founding members are leaving to pursue other interests, and they need to be replaced.
This story is of the people who applied for the jobs and what made them do so.
Great human interest themes and as you read, makes you want to start sewing.

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THE BOOKWOMAN'S LAST FLING - John Dunning

The Bookwoman's Last Fling: A Cliff Janeway Novel (Cliff Janeway Novels) The Bookwoman's Last Fling: A Cliff Janeway Novel by John Dunning


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I have read other books by this author and enjoyed the characters - Cliff Janeway is an ex-cop and a rare book dealer who just cant seem to let go of his police skills.
This time, Cliff is called in to find some missing books, which have been replaced by cheap reprints.
The collection belonged to Candice Geiger who has been dead for a few years - some believe she was murdered.
Candice's husband ws a wealthy horse trainer, so Cliff gets into the racing scene, in an attempt to discover the truth.

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THEFT ON THURSDAY - Ann Purser

Theft on Thursday (Lois Meade Mysteries) Theft on Thursday by Ann Purser


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is from the list put out by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.
A light hearted and enjoyable murder mystery set in a small English village and the sleuth is a modern day version of Miss Marple.
Lois runs a small cleaning business in the village and helps out her old admirer and adversary - Chief Inspector Hunter Cowgill.
This time a new minister arrives in the village and so starts a web of intrigue and bigotry, involving the vicar and the new young choir master.

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THE GARDEN BOOK by Brian Castro

The Garden Book The Garden Book by Brian Castro


My rating: 1 of 5 stars
I had selected this book to read as an own choice for my book group and was disappointed.
As I have written in my journal - A NO SHOW on this BOOK.

Written on a much high level of words than I enjoy. - skipped quite a lot of pages but still couldn't get enthused.

Basically the story is set in the Dandenong Ranges in Victoria (Australia) in the years between the Depression and the Second World War.
The story revolves around Sway Hay, born Shuang He, daughter of a country school teacher, her marriage to the brutal Darcy Damon and her love affair with the aviator and architect, Jasper Zenlin.
50 years after her disappearance, Norman Shih, a rare book librarian pieces together Swan's chaotic life from clues found in libraries and antique bookshops and her own writings.

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AUNT DIMITY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA by Nancy Atherton

Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea by Nancy Atherton


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
One of the stories in a series - came across this author on a list by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association (USA) which has lots of best sellers for the last couple of years.
Aunt Dimity is a ghost and communicates with Lori by writing appearing in a special book (Aunt Dimity and Lori's mother were friends for many years).
This advneture takes Lori and her two boys to Scotland where they have been sent for their safety following death threats made to the family.
Great characters and setting.

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IN A DRY SEASON by Peter Robinson

In A Dry Season (Inspector Banks, #10) In A Dry Season by Peter Robinson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Great suspense novel and moves between the present day and the second world war.
A body is found in a reservoir in Yorkshire - due to the dry season, the water had dried up and the village reappears.
A young boy playing in one of the old buldings finds a skeleton and the story takes us through the lives of the people who had lived there.
The DCI investigating the case is also having his own problems - marriage break up, a new romance and trying to prove to himself that he still enjoys his work.

Will read more of this author's work.

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ECLIPSE by Stephenie MEYER

Eclipse (Twilight, #3) Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The 3rd book in this series.
Bella is once again surrounded by danger, mysterious killings in Seattle and the Cullen family ralise that these killings are being carried out by vampires (who are out of control).
Bella also has to decide - her love for Edward or strong friendship with Jacob. Plus her struggle to become a vampire or remain human.
Great story and more to follow (Breaking Dawn).

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Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth BUCHAN

Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman by Elizabeth Buchan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
We all must wonder how we would react if placed in the position of Rose, a successful woman with everything - or so she thought.
Until the day when her husband, Nathan, comes hyme and tells her that he is leaving and going to live with Minty - the girl who is her assistant at the publishing house where she works.
Rose is forced to face the future - unsure of where or what she wants to do.
Nathan on the other hand realises too late, that the new life he wanted is not how it should be.

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Murder on the Lusitania by Conrad ALLEN

Murder on the Lusitania Murder on the Lusitania by Conrad Allen


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I always enjoy murder mysteries and this was no exception.
The settiing is the maiden voyage of the Lusitania from Liverpool to New York (1907).
George Dillman has been hired by the ships captain to pose as a passenger - in fact he is a private detective for the Cunard Line.
He expects to have a few dealings with petty criminals, but events escalate - first the murder of a journalist, then thefts of jewellery and even a favmour Stradivarius violin.
There are suspects galore and the murderer/thief is not who you expected.

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44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall SMITH

44 Scotland Street (44 Scotland Street, #1) 44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book contains the stories that were written for The Scotsman newspaper. They proved so popular that the author was asked to publish as a book.
The story revolves around the lives of the people who live in 44 Scotland Street.

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HOLY FOOLS by Joanne Harris

The story is set in the 17th century - at the time in France when witch trials and religious frenzy abounded.
This is the story of Juliette, who was in a band of travelling players and she is forced to find her own way when she becomes pregnant.
She seeks refuge in a convent and life settles down for her,or so she thinks.
Then the old Abbess dies and everything changes. Her daughter, Fleur, is sent away from her and she needs all her wits to survive, especially when, Le merle, turns up at the convent, her old lover, disguised as a priest and he is upto his old tricks.

Monday 20 July 2009

GEORGE KITCHEN AND EMILY BENGTSSON

Following on from a previous post on Emily Kitchen.
I have now obtained a digital copy of the service records for George Kitchen, and now know that he served in the Australian Military Forces - Part Time Only.

His records show that he was born 29th April 1903 at Bundamba Qld,(still can't find a record of this birth in the Queensland index). He was married in 1932, which ties in to what I have found in the records, and lived at Yarwun, which is in the area west of Gladstone. Occupation is listed as a Farmer.

Looks like I will have to just keep taking one step at a time to find out more of these two people and their families.

MORE GLUE BOOK PAGES





Some more pages that I have made for the Glue Book group challenge

Monday 13 July 2009

GLUE BOOK PAGE L


The pages are getting easier to create when you are in the mode.
I have started uploading onto the Photo section of the Glue Book Group at Yahoo as well.

Sunday 12 July 2009

GLUE BOOK PAGES J AND K



My theme for these 2 pages was Oriental - couldn't resist.

Friday 10 July 2009

EMILY KITCHEN

I believe that I may have found out some details on the lady who married my gt. grandfather, David Henry SMTIH.
David's first wife was Rosina GARGARO (Watson), who died in 1964 and I have guessed that it was around 1967 that David and Emily married.
I have been unable to obtain a copy of their marriage certificate, as Emily still has living relatives, so I have had to go the long way round.

Emily was about about 1904 and died in March 2007. She is buried at Hemmant Cemetery Brisbane.
My first option was to look through the microfiche of the BDM's for Queensland and the online indexes as well.
One entry that is likely is for EMILY BENGTSSON, born 10 November 1903 Queensland, parents names - Jons BENGTSSON and Elina NILSSON.
Elina died 16 August 1911, aged 39 years and was born in Sweden. Can find no second marriage for Jons Bengtsson.

A search was made on the National Archives of Australia site for a George KITCHEN.
There is an entry for a George KITCHEN - Service No. Q212942 - born 29th April 1903 Bundamba Queensland; enlisted at Gladstone Queensland. Next of kin - Emily KITCHEN.
Have ordered the relative file and this hopefully will reveal some information.

Had narrowed down who Emily married by searching the indexes where I found a marriage in 1932 (29th March) for a George KITCHEN and Emily BENGTSSON.

Also found a death for George KITCHEN 12th August 1961 (parents George KITCHEN and Margaret THOMPSON.

Hopefully I may get another step forward with this research.

Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 NO. 3


Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 NO. 3
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 No. 2


Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 No. 2
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 No. 1


Monthly ATC Challenge Jul 2009 No. 1
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

ATC 9 Jul 2009 - In Love


ATC 9 Jul 2009 - In Love
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

ATC 9 Jul 2009 - Country Scene


ATC 9 Jul 2009 - Country Scene
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008

ATC 9 Jul 2009 - Paris Dancers


ATC 9 Jul 2009 - Paris Dancers
Originally uploaded by emerging artist2008