Audiobook Review:
Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

 audiobooks, books read in 2017
Aug 202017
 

 

Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney

Written by: Kathleen Rooney
Narrated by: Xe Sands
Length: 8 hrs and 56 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:01-17-17
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

It’s the last day of 1984, and 85-year-old Lillian Boxfish is about to take a walk.

As she traverses a grittier Manhattan, a city anxious after an attack by a still-at-large subway vigilante, she encounters bartenders, bodega clerks, chauffeurs, security guards, bohemians, criminals, children, parents, and parents-to-be—in surprising moments of generosity and grace. While she strolls, Lillian recalls a long and eventful life that included a brief reign as the highest-paid advertising woman in America—a career cut short by marriage, motherhood, divorce, and a breakdown.

A love letter to city life—however shiny or sleazy—Lillian Boxfish Takes a Walk by Kathleen Rooney paints a portrait of a remarkable woman across the canvas of a changing America: from the Jazz Age to the onset of the AIDS epidemic; the Great Depression to the birth of hip-hop.

Thoughts
This book took me on a journey through Manhattan, a place that I love. I enjoyed traveling through 1984 Manhattan with Lillian, a very poised 85 year old woman.

Her journey takes her from Murry Hill to Herald Square where she spent her working years as an advertising executive for Macy’s department store.

I don’t think Lillian ever met a stranger. She had a knack for getting anyone to talk to her, and found quite a few diverse strangers during her New Years Eve walk to talk to. She also had a knack for getting out of what could be dangerous situations.

We learn a lot about Lillian as she walks. She talks about her marriage and son, and her years at Macy and co-workers. About the city and how it’s changed.

I really loved the time I spent listening to this audiobook. It’s narrated by Xe Sands who did a great job with Lillian’s voice. She sounded just like the woman described in the book. She also gave the other characters their own distinct voice.

This book made me fall in love with Manhattan from a different time. It’s an amazing city. There were parts that were sad, parts that were hilarious, and I enjoyed every word.

Ebook Review:
Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

 books read in 2017, ebook
Aug 172017
 

Fist Full Of Love by Om Swami

Publisher: Black Lotus  (Sept. 24, 2015)
Category: Humor & Entertainment, Self Help, Psychology, Spiritual, & Motivational
Tour dates: Aug-Oct, 2017
ISBN: 978- 0994002778
Available in Print & ebook, 212 pages
A Fistful Of Love

A man was sitting with his friends in a local inn. After a couple of drinks, he asked his friends, “Do you love me?” “Of course, we do,” they replied. “So do you know what I need?” No one answered. “If you don’t know what I need then how can you say you love me?” To love and to be loved is the most basic human need. No wonder we are attracted to people who give us attention, care about us, and love us. Yet, love also remains the greatest challenge in most relationships. Why?

A Fistful of Love is a collection of insightful, thought-provoking nuggets of wisdom appreciated by millions around the world. This book is full of humor and narratives most beautifully woven into learnings of life that will make you stop and think.

Thoughts
Full of wisdom, this is such a thought provoking book. It touched me on so many different levels and gave me a peaceful feeling while reading it.

I found this book to be uplifting and nurturing. I’ll go back to it and read random chapters from time to time. I connected with so much of the book and know that if we all would think this way the world would be a much kinder and loving place.

I’m a positive person and it bothers me when I hear people complaining about things that I think are small, insignificant problems. So the chapter called “Problem Or Inconvenience?” was one of my very favorites. The author says, and I 100% agree, that you should know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. If you break your neck, if you have nothing to eat, if your house is on fire etc., then you’ve got a problem. Everything else is an inconvenience. Also, “A lump in the porridge, a lump in the throat and a lump in the breast are not the same lump. One should learn to know the difference.” So true, some people think something small is a catastrophe. It isn’t. When a true catastrophe hits your life, you’ll know the difference. I also loved that the author threw in some humor, parts of the book were very funny.

This is the first book I’ve read by Om Swami, and I’m already trying to decide which of his books to read next.

Praise for Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

“This is a strong novel about love and hope and really gives you the tools you need to improve your outlook on life and relationships. I liked the way that this was set up, the writing style was well done and easy to follow.  There were many lighthearted and comedic things thrown in that keeps this novel light and spirited.”-Momma G, My Reading Addiction

“Om Swami’s voice is clear and true. He offers sage wisdom in easy to understand language. Knowing he is a younger monk with a contemporary background makes him very relatable.”- KerryPhilo, Amazon Reviewer

“The book is not only a delight and joy to read, but also so insightful and enlightening. Strongly recommend this beautiful book written in such an easy and clear style.”-Amazon Reviewer

“Precious words of wisdom narrated in a pleasant lighthearted way that inspires both mind and soul. The words of wisdom especially on love and relationship are truly indispensable.”-Rose, Amazon Reviewer

About Om Swami

Om Swami is a monk who lives in a remote place in the Himalayan foothills. He has a bachelor degree in business and an MBA from Sydney, Australia. Swami served in executive roles in large corporations around the world. He founded and led a profitable software company with offices in San Francisco, New York, Toronto, London, Sydney and India.

Om Swami completely renounced his business interests to pursue a more spiritual life. He is the bestselling author of Kundalini: An Untold Story, A Fistful of Love and If Truth Be Told: A Monk’s Memoir.

His blog omswami.com is read by millions all over the world.

Buy Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

Amazon
Barnes&Noble
BookDepository

Giveaway Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

This giveaway is for one ebook and is open worldwide.

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Follow Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus Aug 14 Kick Off

Amy Amazon Reviewer Aug 15 Review

Rockin’ Book Reviews Aug 16 Review

I’d Rater Be At The Beach Aug 17 Review

Carole Rae’s Random Ramblings Aug 18 Review

A Holland Reads Aug 21 Review & Excerpt

411 on Books, Authors & Pub News Aug 22 Excerpt

Deanna Amazon Reviewer Aug 23 Review

Jill Amazon Reviewer Aug 25 Review

From Isi Aug 28 Review

Networking Witches Sept 12 Review & Excerpt

Lori Amazon Reviewer Oct 26 Review

*This tour schedule is subject to change.

Fistful Of Love by Om Swami

Note: This tour is being hosted by Garima Om, not Om Swami himself.

Readers’ Workouts: 8/15/17

 Readers' Workouts 2017
Aug 152017
 

Readers-workouts-Joy

Hosted by Joy @ Joy’s Book Blog

 

August:
Daily 
prayer & meditation
deep breathing
stretching/flexibility
80 oz. water

Pick Two, Three Times A Week:
Tai Chi
Squats, Lunges, Push Ups, Wall Sits
Building Strength with Susan
Moving With Susan
SparkPeople Workout Videos

Steps Last Week:
Tuesday~ 8/8: 9,973
Wednesday~ 8/9: 8,351
Thursday ~ 8/10: 8,116
Friday ~ 8/11: 8,282
Saturday ~ 8/12: 8,359
Sunday ~ 8/13: didn’t track
Monday ~ 8/14: 9,582

Menu:
Tuesday: Pizza
Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes, corn
Thursday: Soup
Friday: Slow Cooker Ham ~ see comment below
Saturday: left over ham
Sunday: Hamburgers, baked beans, macaroni salad (at my son & dil’s house)
Monday: Ham sandwiches to finish off the ham

Ham: The ham was SO good! I added pineapple chucks and slices all around the ham because I always add them to a ham. This was the first time I’ve made one in the slow cooker. I usually use the oven or an electric roaster. The ham was so flavorful and tender, loved it!

Friday 5

 friday 5
Aug 112017
 

Friday 5

1. What random letter was generated by the online random-letter generator ?
L

What’s something gross whose name begins with the letter?
Limburger Cheese

2. What’s something crunchy whose name begins with the letter?
Leaf

3. What’s something (or who is someone) you wouldn’t mind hugging whose name begins with the letter?
My sister Linda

4. What’s something whose name begins with the letter and can be found on a passenger airplane?
Luggage

5. What’s something (whose name begins with the letter) you could purchase at a hardware store?
Lathe

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 wednesday hodgepodge
Aug 092017
 

From this Side of the Pond

Hosted @ From This Side Of The Pond

 

1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.
No, I’m semi retired so I just go with the flow and do whatever I feel like doing. Unless of course I have an appointment or something at a specific day/time.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person?

Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

I love lighthouses and if you ever came to my house you’d know that right away. My walls all have lighthouse pictures on them, I have lighthouse figurines on most all tables etc., and I even have lighthouse light switch plates. Of the ten listed, I’d like to see the Fanad Lighthouse in Ireland the most because well, it’s in Ireland. I love the St. Augustine Lighthouse and have visited a few times. I’ve even climbed to the top and bought the t-shirt

When you’ve been away, what’s your ‘lighthouse’ telling you you’re on the right road home?
The 301 exit sign on Interstate 75

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?
I can’t think of anything I’ve unintentionally, or intentionally, stopped doing

4. We’ve had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.
My GRAND moment was 2 weekends ago when my son Anthony and I went to the beach. I’d been trying to go for a while, but we’re in our rainy season, so it took a while before we had a decent day.

5. Tell us one song you love with the word ‘baby’ in the title.
Sunspot Baby by ♥ Bob Seger ♥

6. Insert your own random thought here.
You never know what someone is going through, be kind!

Wondrous Words Wednesday

 wondrous words
Aug 092017
 

Hosted @ BermudaOnion

 

I saw these two words @ Socrates Book Reviews

lothario was found on this post

Garrett hasn’t fared poorly either, transforming from teen heartbreaker to adult lothario.

Definition of lothario:
plural lotharios
: a man whose chief interest is seducing women

 

Khunying   was found on this post

Almost unrecognizable as a wealthy khunying from Bangkok, she wore a polyester blouse and baggy pants, cheap rubber flip-flops, and carried an eight ball of cocaine in her handbag.

I couldn’t find a definite meaning for this word, but it seems to be having to do with royalty, fashion style, hairdo, or charitable work.

Readers’ Workouts: 8/8/17

 Readers' Workouts 2017
Aug 082017
 

Readers-workouts-Joy

Hosted by Joy @ Joy’s Book Blog

 

August:
Daily 
prayer & meditation
deep breathing
stretching/flexibility
80 oz. water

Pick Two, Three Times A Week:
Tai Chi
Squats, Lunges, Push Ups, Wall Sits
Building Strength with Susan
Moving With Susan
SparkPeople Workout Videos

Steps Last Week:
Tuesday~ 8/1: 7,916
Wednesday~ 8/2: 8,559
Thursday ~ 8/3: didn’t track
Friday ~ 8/4: 10,036
Saturday ~ 8/5: didn’t track
Sunday ~ 8/6: didn’t track
Monday ~ 8/7: didn’t track

I need to start tracking every day, not just the days I work

Menu:
Tuesday: Smoked Sausage dogs with chow chow
Wednesday: Chicken, baked beans & cole slaw
Thursday: Soup
Friday: Corned Beef sandwiches
Saturday: Pizza
Sunday: Left over pizza
Monday: Chinese

Ebook Review:
The Sacrifice by Indrajit Garai

 books read in 2017, ebook
Aug 062017
 

The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice by Indrajit Garai

File Size: 567 KB
Print Length: 145 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Indrajit GARAI (August 25, 2016)
Publication Date: August 25, 2016
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B01L2TII1K

In this collection, meet:
Guillaume, who gives up everything to protect his child; young Matthew, who stakes his life to save his home; and François, who makes the biggest sacrifice to rescue his grandson.

Thoughts
This is a collection of three short stories and it only takes a few hours to read the book.

The Move: There was a lot of sadness in this short story, a father trying to save the farm his family had owned for years, and doing whatever it takes to try and make that happen. He also wants to protect his son from any hardships. Very emotional.

The Listener: A story about Matthew, a boy who didn’t have the greatest home life, but did find solace in a forest, especially from one tree. Then men start showing up, marking some of the trees, and those trees start being cut down. Matthew does not want to loose his tree so he sets out to make sure it stays safe.

The Sacrifice: This story was about a boy who’s mother is in a drug rehab so he goes to live with his grandfather. Each look out for the other and do what they can to make sure the other is ok. The grandfather is a writer who hasn’t had good luck with his last 3 books, but since Artur, his grandson has come to live with him his writing has produced a book that could be a best seller.

I really enjoyed this book, all three stories left a big impression on me. Although the last story is called The Sacrifice, they all could be named that because all three have characters that make sacrifices.

This book was an emotional read and the stories will stay with me for a while. The characters were “real”, some were good people and some were bad. And together they made really good stories.

Would recommend this book for anyone who likes something different and/or short stories.

Sunday Stealing: Freckles And Other Oddities

 Sunday Stealing
Aug 062017
 

Sunday Stealing

Do You Have Freckles?
Nope

Do You Sleep With Your Closet Doors Open Or Closed?
Closed, open would be weird

Can You Whistle?
Nope, I’ve tried and tried

Did You Wake Up Cranky today?
I never wake up cranky, why would I?

Zodiac Sign
Scorpio/Sagittarius cusp

What Is Your Eye Color?
Hazel

Take A Vitamin Daily?
Nope

Do You Sing In The Shower?
Nope

What Did You Have For Lunch?
Haven’t had lunch yet today, yesterday I had Taco Bell

Do You Watch The Olympics?
Sometimes

Do You Prefer To Swim In A Pool Or The Ocean?
Pool, but I’d rather be at the beach

Bottled Water Or Tap Water?
Bottled

Do You Work Better With Or Without Music?
With, or listening to an audiobook

Can You Curl Your Tongue?
Nope

Is There Anything Pink Within 10 Feet Of You?
A Memo Cube Holder, the papers on top are pink

Have You Ever Caught A Butterfly?
Nope

Are You Easily Influenced By Other People?
Depend on what the subject is

Do You Have Strange Dreams?
All the time, I’ve woken up the whole house because I was laughing in my sleep

Do You Like Going On Airplanes?
Only been on one once, from Florida to NYC, but I LOVED it!!

Name One Movie That Made You Cry
An Affair To Remember which is my favorite “classic” movie, and The Notebook which is my “newer” favorite movie.

Peanuts Or Sunflower Seeds?
Sunflower Seeds

If I Handed You A Concert Ticket Right Now, Who Would You Want The Performer To Be?
I’d want to see Bob Seger again. I saw him at the Cow Palace in San Francisco in ’83, best concert ever!

Are You A Picky Eater?
Not really, but I won’t eat organ meat, souse, or chitterlings, and a few other things

Are You A Heavy Sleeper?
No, the smallest noise wakes me up

Do You Fear Thunder / Lightning?
I couldn’t live in Florida if I did, it’s the lightning capital of North America

Do You Like Your Music Loud?
When I’m at work and sometimes when I’m alone

Would You Rather Carve Pumpkins Or Wrap Presents?
Wrap presents

What’s The Next Movie You Want To See In Theaters?
Kidnap

Been On The Computer For 5 Hours Straight?
Many times

Do You Like Meeting New People?
Depends where and why

What Are Three Things You Did Today?
Said my prayers, read today’s scheduled Bible verses, cuddled with my dog

What Do You Wear To Bed?
Light PJ’s, it’s hot and humid in Florida

Do You Wear Jeans Or Sweats More?
Jean capris, don’t wear sweats at all

Name Something That Relaxes You
Being at the beach and snuggling with my cat and dog

Book Review:
Healthy Five Ingredient Recipes by Hannie P. Scott

 books read in 2017, weekend cooking
Aug 052017
 

Healthy Five Ingredient Recipes: Delicious Recipes in 5 Ingredients or Less

Healthy Five Ingredient Recipes by Hannie P. Scott

File Size: 2949 KB
Print Length: 68 pages
Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1546720464
Publisher: Hannie P. Publishing (May 15, 2017)
Publication Date: May 15, 2017

Healthy Recipes in 5 Ingredients or Less!
Are you tired of complicated recipes with hard-to-find ingredients? Are you looking for delicious and easy recipes with only a few simple ingredients? Now you and your family can eat healthy meals with simple and delicious five ingredient recipes.

Healthy and wholesome ingredients Easy to understand, step-by-step directions 50 healthy recipes in 5 ingredients or less
Less is more because you will be spending less time shopping and cooking, and more time eating healthy foods with your family!

This cookbook was created out of necessity. I was tired of searching far and wide for ingredients that I would only use once every six months. Who wants to spend all that time and money on complex recipes you will never even cook? That’s what led me to create this cookbook full of step-by-step recipes that are easy to follow and simply prepared. Most importantly, they are healthy and your family will love them. All of the recipes only require 5 ingredients or less!

Check out some of mouth-watering recipes:
Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus
Buffalo Chicken Pieces
Grilled Orange Balsamic Brussels Sprouts
Zucchini Fritters
Peanut Butter Energy Bites
White Chicken Chili
Low Carb Broccoli Cheese Soup

Full-Time Mom, Best-Selling Author, and Lover of Food, Hannie P. Scott is a best-selling author that knows a thing or two about cooking! Cooking and experimenting with foods is her life passion. Driven by her desire for cooking for others (and herself), Hannie spends a lot of time in the kitchen. She enjoys sharing her love of food with the world by creating “no-nonsense” recipe books that anyone can use. You can find cooking tips, advice, and recipes on her blog.

FYI: The book is now on sale at Amazon for .99¢

 

Thoughts
This is one of the best cookbooks I’ve seen in a while. I love that there are only 5 ingredients or less and just a few simple steps.

At the beginning of the book there is a list of abbreviations, conversions, and an introduction.

Then this quote which I love:
“One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever we are doing and devote our attention to eating”
Lucino Pavorotti

All the recipes sound good, but here are two that I want to start with:

Pineapple Salsa Chicken
Servings: 6

2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 16oz. jar of tomato salsa
1 20oz. can of pineapple chunks in 100% juice, juice reserved
3 medium zucchinis, diced

Place chicken in your slow cooker and pour the salsa over them

Cook on high for 4 hours or on low for 6 hours

Shred the chicken

Add in the pineapple with 3/4 cup of the canned juice and the zucchini

Cook for another 30 minutes

 

White Chicken Chili
Servings: 4-6

6 cups chicken broth
4 cups cooked and shredded chicken
2 15oz cans of great northern beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups salsa verde
1 tbsp ground cumin

Place all of the ingredients in a medium sausepan over medium high heat

Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce heat and simmer for 20 min.

Note: You could also do this in the slow cooker using raw chicken.
Cook for 4-6 hours on low and shred chicken before serving

Thanks to the author for the review copy

wkendcookingWeekend Cooking is hosted @ Beth Fish Reads

Book Review:
The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

 audiobooks, books read in 2017
Aug 032017
 

The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne
Narrated by: Emily Rankin
Length: 9 hrs and 54 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release Date:06-13-17
Publisher: Penguin Audio

The Marsh King’s Daughter is mesmerizing psychological suspense, the story of a woman who must risk everything to hunt down the dangerous man who shaped her past and threatens to steal her future: her father.

At last, Helena Pelletier has the life she deserves. A loving husband, two beautiful daughters, a business that fills her days. Then she catches an emergency news announcement and realizes she was a fool to think she could ever leave her worst days behind her.

Helena has a secret: she is the product of an abduction. Her mother was kidnapped as a teenager by her father and kept in a remote cabin in the marshlands of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. No electricity, no heat, no running water, not a single human beyond the three of them. Helena, born two years after the abduction, loved her home in nature – fishing, tracking, hunting. And despite her father’s odd temperament and sometimes brutal behavior, she loved him, too…until she learned precisely how savage a person he could be.

More than 20 years later, she has buried her past so soundly that even her husband doesn’t know the truth. But now her father has killed two guards, escaped from prison, and disappeared into the marshland he knows better than anyone else in the world. The police commence a manhunt, but Helena knows they don’t stand a chance. Knows that only one person has the skills to find the survivalist the world calls the Marsh King – because only one person was ever trained by him: his daughter.

Thoughts
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book like this, and I’m glad I chose this book to get back into the genre.

I liked Helena, who has for years lived a normal life with a husband and two girls. Her husband had no idea about her childhood or who her father was, until the police came to their house.

I thought the book was going to focus on the hunt for her dad, but there was so much more to it. We learned about her mother’s abduction, her years in the Marsh and how her father taught her to fish, hunt and survive. Helena and her mother weren’t that close, because her father didn’t want them to be. Helena learned from her father and didn’t treat her mother very good, and her mother wasn’t affectionate to Helena. At times her dad treated Helena and her mom in horrific ways, but he was everything to her as a small girl.

There are some really white knuckle moments in the book, and some that made me cringe. But it all made me not want to stop listening.

This book was very good. It kept me excited to see where the story was going to go and how it would end. It was everything I wanted it to be, only better.

The way the author described the marsh and everything that happened was so vivid that I could see it in my mind like I was a bystander.

The book is narrated by Emily Rankin who did a great job! Her voice was calm and soothing and gave a great balance to the harshness of the story.

Readers’ Workouts: 8/1/17

 Readers' Workouts 2017
Aug 012017
 

Readers-workouts-Joy

Hosted by Joy @ Joy’s Book Blog

 

Wow, it’s hard to believe it’s August already! I’m sticking with the same goals I had for July, with the addition of  doing a few video workouts a week.

August  Goals:
Daily 
prayer & meditation
deep breathing
stretching/flexibility
80 oz. water

A few times a week:
Tai Chi
Squats, Lunges, Push Ups, Wall Sits
Building Strength with Susan
Moving With Susan
SparkPeople Workout Videos

Steps Last Week:
Tuesday~ 7/25: 7,692
Wednesday~ 7/26: didn’t track
Thursday ~ 7/27: 10,220
Friday ~ 7/28: 9,189
Saturday ~ 7/29: 7,073
Sunday ~ 7/30: didn’t track
Monday ~ 7/31: 9.261

Sunday Reflections: 7/30/17

 Sunday Reflections
Jul 302017
 

Sunday Reflections

Outside…
It’s 79°, and supposed to rain on and off all day. Don’t know if the lawn will get mowed or not today

Thinking…
About what colors to paint the inside of the house when it’s ready to be painted

Thankful…
That I had both Saturday & Sunday off, my son Anthony and I went to Clearwater yesterday to Skyline Chili and then to the Clearwater Beach. There was more people than I’ve ever seen there before and we had to weave in and out of them to walk down the beach, but I still loved being there, and the waves were higher than I’ve ever seen them too. It was a great day! The beach is my happy place!

Reading…
The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain

Listening To…
Almost finished listening to The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

Watching…
We switched from Hulu to Netflix, so I decided to binge watch Grace And Frankie. I’ll be starting season one today

Creating…
Nothing right now

Hoping…
To get the grass mowed either today or tomorrow

Learning…
For the last few months I’ve been realizing that I like lighter, smaller meals now

Fitness…
I’ve been slacking on everything except walking and strength training, and I need to stop it

In The Kitchen…
Salisbury Steak, Sweet Potatoes, Green Beans

Today’s To-Do List…
Mowing the grass if possible, a few loads of laundry, a few movies, some reading, starting Grace And Frankie, and Big Brother.

One of my favorite things:
Days like yesterday

A website I’d like to share:
Don’t know what to make for supper with the ingredients you have in your fridge? Try My Fridge Food

Pin It & Do It…
Baked Pineapple Teriyaki Pork Chops

Looking forward to…
Going to Fred Howard Park Beach with my daughter and 2 of my grands

A Favorite Bible Verse…

A favorite quote…
“Animals are such agreeable friends―they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” ― George Eliot

From the camera….

See how crowded Clearwater Beach was yesterday?

I’ve been going there for over 30 years and have never seen it so crowded!

Friendly Friday Fill-Ins

 friendly fill-ins
Jul 282017
 

Hosted @ McGuffy’s Reader & 15andmeowing

 

1. As a child, my favorite playground activity(ies) were Four Square & Tether Ball.

2. For breakfast, I have Greek yogurt with blueberries or strawberries, avocado and dry steel cut oats all stirred together.

3. An instrument I would like to play is drums.

4. I always try to be friendly to everyone because you never know what they’re dealing with in their life.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 wednesday hodgepodge
Jul 262017
 
From this Side of the Pond

Hosted @ From This Side Of The Pond

We’ve reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what’s your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?
Yesterday at 3:15 I was getting ready to go to work, which isn’t typical. Usually I have to be at work at 7:15 am, but once in a while I have to be there at 5:00 pm. Energy level at 3:15 pm is usually between 4 and 6. I exert a lot of energy at work

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball…which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.
How about none of the above? Sorry, but none have recently been thrown or thrown at me

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.
A vacation, new kitchen appliances, & a pile of money. Why? Because I need a vacation, I don’t want to take the appliances we have where we’re living now, and because remodeling is expensive.

4. Do you think you’re strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?
Yes, I do think I’m strong. I’ve been through a lot in my life and I survived some things I didn’t think I would. After God, my kids and grandkids make me strong. Without their love and support, I would be lost.

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What’s your favorite book set sometime in the past?
I don’t like historical fiction much at all, so it’s funny that one of my favorite books is an historical fiction. When I was younger and hooked on Danielle Steele, she came out with an historical fiction, Zoya. I didn’t want to read it because it was an hf, but decided to because it was written by Steele. I LOVED IT! After all these years, it’s still one of my very favorite books ever.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
Not a thought, but a question. Would you rather go on vacation to Japan or Ireland?

Readers’ Workouts: 7/25/17

 Readers' Workouts 2017
Jul 252017
 

Readers-workouts-Joy

Hosted by Joy @ Joy’s Book Blog

JULY GOALS:
Daily 
prayer & meditation
deep breathing
stretching/flexibility
80 oz. water

Weekly-3x’s:
Tai Chi
Squats, Lunges, Push Ups, Wall Sit
Building Strength with Susan
Moving With Susan

Steps: 
Tuesday~ 7/18: 10,625
Wednesday~ 7/19: 10,477
Thursday ~ 7/20: 8,210
Friday ~ 7/21: 7,788
Saturday ~ 7/22: 7,818
Sunday ~ 7/23: 7,764
Monday ~ 7/24:8,001

Last Week’s Food
Hamburgers
Tacos
Chicken, Coleslaw, Potatoes
Fish, Coleslaw, Brussels Sprouts
Ham Sandwiches with Colby Cheese & Tomatoes
Pizza
Leftover Pizza

Audiobook Review:
Walking with Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy

 audiobooks, books read in 2017
Jul 242017
 

Walking with Miss Millie Audiobook

Walking with Miss Millie by Tamara Bundy

Narrated by: Catherine Taber
Length: 4 hrs and 39 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Genre: Middle School Fiction
Release Date:07-04-17
Publisher: Listening Library

A poignant middle grade debut about the friendship between a white girl and an elderly black woman in the 1960s South.

Alice is angry at having to move to Rainbow, Georgia – a too small, too hot, dried-up place she’s sure will never feel like home. Then she gets put in charge of walking her elderly neighbor’s dog. But Clarence won’t budge without Miss Millie, so Alice and Miss Millie walk him together.

Strolling with Clarence and Miss Millie quickly becomes the highlight of Alice’s day and opens her eyes to all sorts of new things to marvel over. During their walks, they meet a mix of people, and Alice sees that although there are some bullies and phonies, there are plenty of kind folks, too. Miss Millie shares her family’s story with Alice, showing her the painful impact segregation has had on their town. And with Miss Millie, Alice is finally able to express her own heartache over why her family had to move there in the first place.

Tamara Bundy’s beautifully written debut celebrates the wonder and power of friendship: how it can be found when we least expect it and make any place a home.

Thoughts
Oh my goodness, how I loved this book! I fell in love with Alice, Millie, and Clarence. I loved how their friendship grew and how they ended up depending on each other’s company.

I felt for Alice, she really didn’t want to move from her home and friends, but Millie made that move turn into something wonderful and gave her memories she’ll never forget. There were some sad parts in the book, but mostly it was filled with kindness and love.

Millie also taught Alice some history and told her about her life in the past.  I loved listening to every minute of it.

Pam and her brother Jake were also characters I fell in love with. Pam was a kind girl and became friends with Alice and her brother Eddie. She wanted to learn sign language so she could communicate with Eddie, who was deaf. Jake was also a good kid, and he too became friends with them and learned some sign language. Pam and Jake’s other brothers were not so nice.

This is a feel good story about life in a small town where everyone knows everyone. It was short at just over 4 1/3 hours, but it’s really good and I’m sure I’ll listen to it again in the future.

It is narrated by Catherine Taber who did a great job with all the voices. I especially loved Pam’s voice. She made me laugh more than once.

I highly recommend this book to everyone.

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