still looking for clues

So . . . after an amazing 5 comments from yesterday, I do have to say that Mrs. Dub gets the prize . . . basically because she is the only one who attempted to answer the questions.  However . . . PDaddy was not kidding when he said that he did some research.  I now know more than I could possibly need to know on the subject of "Who was the author."  (Ans: Carolyn Keene was actually a number of people over a number of years, some of whom were men.)  The other answers include Hannah Gruen, Carson Drew, Bess (who was plump) and George (who was a tomboy), "sleuthing", Ned Nickerson, Roadster (the color changed according to the author) and pumps.  Nancy Drew always wore pumps as I remember it, but in the movie it was penny loafers.  The answer to the final question is "a cookbook".  Apparently there is a Nancy Drew cookbook.  Please finish reading my blog before you frantically go searching for it on ebay, because I know you want to put on your apron a whip up a Hannah Gruen treat, just as much as I do.

Using an ever-so-smooth segue, I bring us back to quilts.  The above pictured "I Spy" quilt is one I made and taught in Grandma's Club at this store this week.  It was from a year-old issue of Better Homes & Gardens Quilts & More magazine, designed by Karen Montgomery. (This store still has some copies, if you want the pattern.) The purpose of "I Spy" quilts is for the youngins' to spend hours of quiet, well-behaved time, searching for pictures of specific objects found in the quilt.  These have traditionally been made with hexagons, which is such a royal pain to sew.  When I saw this pattern, I knew it was for me, plus I loved the concept of actually spying the objects in the fabric.

As much as I would be thrilled to hand off one of my precious N.D. books to Mrs. Dub, I have not officially closed the contest.  I have, however, tried to stay away from controversy this time around. I am finding that is sometimes easier said than done.

It's a mystery to me . . .

Editor's Note:  I cannot apologize enough for the very unfortunate placement of my charming pitcher of flowers in the above picture.  The title of the book would be "Password to Larkspur Lane".  It is not the belief of this author or any of her family members or even passing acquaintences that this misplacement was done on purpose.  Please read on as if nothing had been amiss.  I will go and flog myself.

So, the other evening Sonny Boy and the Mrs. took me to a movie.  It was actually a belated birthday gift from the Mrs. that involves a long and somewhat ugly story where the newspaper printed lies (lies, I tell you) about what movies were where on the day -- much closer to my birthday -- that we tried to see the movie.

But once again . . . I digress.

You probably don't need a clue to let you know which movie we saw (at the Dollar Theatre) but suffice it to say that it was a walk down memory lane (aka "Larkspur Lane") and was an absolute treat despite the fact that my feet stuck to the floor of said theatre.

When my girls were little I bought the whole set of N.D. books at a yardsale and sometime years later got rid of all of them but a few.  The minute I got home from the movie, I opened up the aforementioned book and settled in for the night, missing only some of  . . . the Drew family housekeeper's . . . delicious hot baked cookies.  Which brings me to the point of my post.  (Woohoo, there is one!)

In the spirit of mysteries, secrets and clues, I am offering a quiz to test your knowledge of the titian-haired girl and her cohorts.  If there is a clear winner, I will offer a prize of one of my precious remaining books.  So, strap on your magnifying glass, it's going to be a haunting ride:

*1 What is the full name of the Drew family housekeeper? 

*2 What is the full name of Nancy's father?

*3 What word does Nancy use to describe her hobby/profession?

*4 What are the names of her two close friends?

4a:  Bonus points for last names.

4b:  Bonus point if you can tell me which one was "plump".

*5 What was the full name of Nancy's beau?

*6 What term did she use to refer to her car?

*7 Who was the author of the books?

7a: Bonus points if you can explain why this is a trick question.

*8 What kinds of shoes did Nancy wear?

*9 One of the books in the series was not a mystery.  What was it?

Hope you have as much fun with this as I did.  Oh, and by the way, Sonny Boy wants it to remain a secret that he ever went near that movie theatre with us.