Weekly update: OMG for December and a book review

The boys are back!  My nutcracker collection began with a gift from my mother in 1980, the first year we were married.   She gave us two more.  I've gotten others at TJ Maxx/Marshalls, an antiques mall, and estate/garage sales.  The latest is #8, a $2 estate sale score last month.   (They are all German, mostly Erzgebirge.) 

Holiday events are underway.  The GFWC Tenth District luncheon was Tuesday and the Lake County Women's Coalition luncheon was Saturday. The quilt guild holiday party was Wednesday -- scaled down considerably from years past with a box supper. We continued our guild traditions of a fat quarter bundle exchange (four FQs per bundle) and a handmade ornament exchange. We also trade white elephant gifts--every year they ask me to read a "passing story" to mix things RIGHT up so no one is LEFT out. Hilarity always ensues.  

Friday evening our friends Debbie and Bill joined us for dinner followed by  Carthage College Christmas Concert .  In past years the chapel was packed.  This year there was assigned, distanced seating.  (I bought our tickets October 1, the day they went on sale.)    It seemed that there were fewer students in the choirs and orchestra, but nonetheless the music was wonderful.  

Sunday evening we went to see Wayne Messmer and Friends, put on by the Lake County Community Concert Association.  Messmer is known in Chicagoland for singing the national anthem at pro sports events. He quipped, "I will show you that I do know the words to more than one song."  He certainly did! Easy listening classics (Sinatra, Crosby, Torme, Tony Bennett, Nat King Cole, and more) with piano, bass, woodwind, and brass accompaniment.  We saw a dozen of our friends in the audience, too.  

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In the studio:   the CW nine-patch strippy (shown last week) was on the top of the flimsy stack and I chose it as the next to quilt.  I'm halfway done -- no photos yet.   

I finished the first clue of Rhododendron Trail, the Quiltville mystery.  I haven't begun the second. 

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My December OMG -- One Monthly Goal -- is to plan what I'll make for the Modern Mini swap sponsored by the Modern Quilt Guild.  The minis are to be 24 x 24 and are due in February.  The thinking and planning require concentration and definitely inspiration.   

I also hope to quilt several more flimsies and keep up with the Rhododendron Trail clues.  

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The intrepid senior citizens Joyce, Elizabeth, Ron, and Ibrahim -- aka The Thursday Murder Club -- return! Former MI6 agent Elizabeth's ex-husband shows up at their retirement community. He is on the run from a British crime boss and from the Mafia because they want the 20m pounds' worth of diamonds that he has hidden. He is murdered but there's no time to mourn as Elizabeth must decode the clues to the loot that he has left. Joyce (retired nurse, widow, inveterate diary-keeper) contributes spot-on observations that surprise no one but herself. Union organizer Ron is the ever the fierce champion of the workingman. To add to the complexity psychotherapist Ibrahim, the cautious over-thinker, is attacked by a young thug to the outrage of his three friends. A local drugs boss, a young MI5 agent, handyman Bogdan, local police detectives Chris and Donna (oh, and Donna's mum Patrice who is dating Chris) join the cast of characters. There are a few missteps. All ends well (and lucratively) with an intricate sting operation that involves everyone.

It's a grand caper novel with endearing heroes.   (And if you haven't read the first in the series -- The Thursday Murder Club -- by all means, do!) 

Linking up with Oh Scrap!   OMG December  Monday Making   Design Wall Monday

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P.S.  Good advice!