Sunday Salon: 7/31/22

 Sunday Salon  32 Responses »
Jul 312022
 

Outside…
High is expected to be 103°, low is expected to be 81°

Books…
Need To Review:
The Swimmers by  Julie Otsuka
The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

Audio: Starting Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez tomorrow

I thought I was out of the book slump but it crept back in and now I can’t seem to review books when I do finish them. Anyone else having book related problems?

Watching…
I’m going to start Rutherford Falls and see if I like it
Lots of movies on Ups Faith & Family
Loving Relative Race, starting on season 2, I can’t find season 1 anywhere

In The Kitchen…
Chicken and Veggies Ramen Noodles Skillet
Brunswick Stew
The Hillbillies Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, corn
Crock Pot Bourbon Chicken and Rice

Looking forward to…
Taking a day trip soon

Question Of The Week…
Pizza has been my favorite food since I was a kid but it’s not anymore.  A lot of foods that I used to love aren’t in that list anymore. I still eat a piece of pizza every now and then but most of the time have  a salad, Chinese or Mexican. Have your favorites changed, care to share from what to what?

A Favorite Bible Verse…
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15

From the camera…

 

 Posted by at 2:12 PM

Sunday Salon: 7/10/22

 Sunday Salon  36 Responses »
Jul 102022
 

Outside…
“Feels like” today due to humidity is 97°, low is expected to be 76°

Currently Reading…
Audio: The Beach Trap by Ali Brady
Kindle: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Print: Love Story by Erich Segal

Reviewed Last Week…
Nothing

Review(s) Coming Up…
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

Watching…
Big Brother is back ♥
The Challenge USA
So many movies and series on UP Faith & Family

In The Kitchen…
Chicken Drumsticks w/BBQ Sauce, baked potatoes & beans, corn on the cob
Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake
Slow Cooker Tri Tip Roast, mashed potatoes, fried green beans
One-Pot Chicken Burrito Bowl
Fish, fries/onion rings, coleslaw

New To Me Stuff: Well, when it rains it pours. I thought I was finished having to buy kitchen items but last week my  countertop pizza maker that I’ve had for probably more than 20 years and LOVED, started not fully cooking the pizza so I had to get another one. This is not the one I had but it’s the same kind, different manufacturer. When looking for a replacement I saw this and decided to get it because it can be used for so many other foods and had great reviews. I made a pizza in it last night and it was so well done and crisp.

Today’s To Do List…
Nothing, just stay home and read, watch tv, maybe take a nap

Looking forward to…
Going to see Where The Crawdads Sing with my daughter, asap

Question Of The Week…
My daughter and I went to see the move Elvis last week. It’s longer than most movies at 2h 39m and we LOVED every second of it. Are you a fan of Elvis? If you are, you need to go see this! There were only me and my daughter in the Elvis theater until about 5 min. before the movie started. Then a man and woman came in and sat way behind us. There are multiple movies showing and it was a workday so I wasn’t worried about being too close to anyone else. I didn’t expect only 2 other people in the huge room though, but was happy about that.

A Favorite Bible Verse…
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.
Hebrews 5:9

From the camera…

 Posted by at 9:39 AM

Sunday Salon: 6/26/22

 Sunday Salon  43 Responses »
Jun 252022
 

Outside…
High is expected to be 88° before the humidity is factored in then it’s 96°, I realized my mistake after I got home and read my comments

Currently Reading…
Audio: Only have a 34 min. left of The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka
Kindle: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Print: Love Story by Erich Segal

Reviewed Last Week…
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

Review(s) Coming Up…
The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

Watching…
I watched A Winter Princess on Hallmark and it was so good! I’m a big fan of Chris McNally and snow and I loved the movie

In The Kitchen…
I’m moving everything in my kitchen around to make it easier to use. Everything is still where I put it when I moved and I’m not liking it anymore. One thing for example is that my silverware, plates, and bowls are on the opposite side of  the kitchen from the stove. I want them next to the stove.

New To Me Stuff:
The only things I’ve bought since my last pots & pan etc. splurge is new decals in the tub. The ones that were there started coming loose. My son said he’d buy a walk in shower and put it in but I’m fine with the tub/shower that’s there, just don’t want to be slip sliding around in it. I had a huge garden tub and a separate shower where I used to live and never, not once, used the tub in all the years we lived there, and I bought a set of Bamboo cutting boards which I really needed to replace the ones I’ve had for years, and I’m pretty sure I’m done for now.

Today’s To Do List…
Working then home to order some groceries for the week, read everyone’s SS post, catch up on FB, and watch a movie or two

Looking forward to…
Going to the beach!!! It’s been WAY TO HOT & HUMID to go the last few days I’ve had off

Question Of The Week…
What made you the most happy last week?

A Favorite Bible Verse…
Have I not commanded you? “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go”.
Joshua 1:9

From the camera…

 Posted by at 6:28 PM

Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

 books read in 2022  11 Responses »
Jun 252022
 

Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

When twenty-seven-year-old Joan Bergstrom sends a fan letter—as well as a gift of saffron—to fifty-nine-year-old Imogen Fortier, a life-changing friendship begins. Joan lives in Los Angeles and is just starting out as a writer for the newspaper food pages. Imogen lives on Camano Island outside Seattle, writing a monthly column for a Pacific Northwest magazine, and while she can hunt elk and dig for clams, she’s never tasted fresh garlic—exotic fare in the Northwest of the sixties. As the two women commune through their letters, they build a closeness that sustains them through the Cuban Missile Crisis, the assassination of President Kennedy, and the unexpected in their own lives.

Food and a good life—they can’t be separated. It is a discovery the women share, not only with each other, but with the men in their lives. Because of her correspondence with Joan, Imogen’s decades-long marriage blossoms into something new and exciting, and in turn, Joan learns that true love does not always come in the form we expect it to. Into this beautiful, intimate world comes the ultimate test of Joan and Imogen’s friendship—a test that summons their unconditional trust in each other.

A brief respite from our chaotic world, Love & Saffron is a gem of a novel, a reminder that food and friendship are the antidote to most any heartache, and that human connection will always be worth creating.

Thoughts
I enjoyed this book, it reminded me of my best friend who I met when I moved into a new apartment. Louise was my next door neighbor. The first time we met we it was like we’d known each other for ever. I was 21 and she was 42, not as big a difference as Joan and Imogen, but still a gap. I had one son under 1 and her only child still living at home was almost 16. This book brought back a lot of good memories for me.

This is a feel good book for sure, full of things to keep you entertained. It’s a bit sad at times too and I liked the balance. It’s a short audio at just 3 hours and 46 minutes but there is a lot of story packed into that time. I liked hearing the references to the 60’s.  More memories!

The only negative thing I can say is that there was one repetitive thing that did get old, and that’s the PPS’s at the end of the letters. I’m not a fan of hearing anything that keeps repeating. Other than that, I loved this book.

 Posted by at 3:20 PM

Sunday Salon: 6/19/22

 Sunday Salon  44 Responses »
Jun 182022
 

Outside…
Saturday the heat index was expected to reach 112, and it was very hot. Tomorrow is not supposed to be as hot because there’s a 60% chance of rain and the high is expected to be 94°. Don’t know what the humidity % will be

Currently Reading…
Audio: The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka which I saw at Book Chatter
Kindle: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Print: Love Story by Erich Segal

Reviewed Last Week…
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Review(s) Coming Up…
Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay

Watching…
When Calls The Heart season 9 is on now! I’ve watched episodes 1-8 about 3 times waiting for season 9!
I love this show!

In The Kitchen…
Taco Salad for my son, Beef, Cheese & Tomato Burritos for me
Crockpot Chicken, Baby Carrots, Baby Red Potatoes
Crockpot Honey Pork Steaks, haven’t decided on sides yet
Barbecue Chicken Sandwiches
Mexican Stuffed Shells

New To Me Stuff:
Well, I wanted a new set of pots and pans and then went a little overboard but am very happy I did. I ended up getting a new set of pots & pans, pot & pan organizer, GreenPan Round Mini, GreenPan Square Mini, 8-Piece Nonstick Stackable Bakeware Set, a set of 4 Refrigerator Organizers for pop, an 18 Pcs Stainless Steel Corn Cob Holders & Butter Spreading Tool, and a set of 3 Stainless Steel Whisks. I couldn’t decide on which Silicone Spatula set I wanted so I’m still looking at them

Today’s To Do List…
I have to work in the morning and need to stay an hour or so longer to help cover for someone, then home to relax

Looking forward to…
Didn’t get to go anywhere with my daughter the last week because my head has been hurting on the back bottom right and it’s down into my neck also. It seems better and then worse again, hoping it stops too

Question Of The Week…
What is the one thing other than books that you have an addiction to? As you can see above, mine is kitchen items

A Favorite Bible Verse…
Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.
Malachi 3

From the camera…

From my and my daughter’s trip to Homosassa Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, Florida.

 Posted by at 7:33 PM

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

 audiobooks, books read in 2022  14 Responses »
Jun 172022
 

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett

The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Eudora Honeysett is done with this noisy, moronic world—all of it. She has witnessed the indignities and suffering of old age and has lived a full life. At eighty-five, she isn’t going to leave things to chance. Her end will be on her terms. With one call to a clinic in Switzerland, a plan is set in motion.

Then she meets ten-year-old Rose Trewidney, a whirling, pint-sized rainbow of color and sparkling cheer. All Eudora wants is to be left alone to set her affairs in order. Instead, she finds herself embarking on a series of adventures with the irrepressible Rose and their affable neighbor, the recently widowed Stanley—afternoon tea, shopping sprees, trips to the beach, birthday celebrations, pizza parties.

While the trio of unlikely BFFs grow closer and anxiously await the arrival of Rose’s new baby sister, Eudora is reminded of her own childhood—of losing her father during World War II and the devastating impact it had on her entire family. In reflecting on her past, Eudora realizes she must come to terms with what lies ahead.

But now that her joy for life has been rekindled, how can she possibly say goodbye?

Thoughts
Three unlikely friends who make each other’s lives better. What’s not to love?

And I absolutely did LOVE everything about this book! Eudora, Rose and Stanley are great characters and kept the story interesting and entertaining. Eudora is prim and proper, Stanley is dignified but a bit carefree, and Rose is a free spirit even at her young age. Put them together and you’ve got 3 people who are completely different but together they make the best of friends.

I loved reading about how their friendship started, all they did together, and how they changed each other’s lives. I felt all the emotions while reading this book and now I want to read more books by this author.

I hope that Annie Lyons see’s what a great character she created in Rose and writes a book based on her life. I would grab a copy as soon as it was published and I know others would too!

Will be going on my Favorite Books Of 2022!

 

 

 Posted by at 10:08 AM

Sunday Salon: 6/12/22

 Sunday Salon  35 Responses »
Jun 112022
 

 

Happy Birthday to my mom
I love and miss you so much

Outside…
High is expected to be 82°, without the humidity added in. Low is expected to be 72°

Currently Reading…
Audio: Love & Saffron: A Novel of Friendship, Food, and Love by Kim Fay
(The Puma Years: A Memoir by Laura Coleman) was a DNF, 1st word in sentence missing, was getting on my nerves)
Kindle: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Print: Love Story by Erich Segal

Reviewed Last Week…
None

Review(s) Coming Up…
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Watching…
I watched a movie called The Cokeville Miracle, based on true events, and it was so good! I’ll try to get a review posted soon.

In The Kitchen…
Grilled hotdogs, baked beans, baked potato
Steak, , fried green beans, brown sugar baked carrots
Fish, coleslaw, fries
Pizza
Chicken, yellow rice, peas

Today’s To Do List…
I work in the morning and then home to relax

Looking forward to…
Going to the beach with my daughter on Friday

A Favorite Bible Verse…
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.”
Psalms 46:10

From the camera…

It kind of looked like a monster standing up on it’s hind legs

 

 Posted by at 6:35 PM

Sunday Salon: 6/5/22

 Sunday Salon  33 Responses »
Jun 042022
 

Outside…
High is expected to be 92°, low is expected to be 68°

Current Books…
Audio: The Puma Years: A Memoir by Laura Coleman
Kindle: The Five Wishes of Mr. Murray McBride by Joe Siple
Print: Love Story by Erich Segal

Review(s) Coming Up…
The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons

Watching…
The Cokeville Miracle: 2015
The Weekend Away: 2022

In The Kitchen…
I bought this a few days ago and I love it!

Today’s To Do List…
Not working so maybe go for a ride and out to eat, maybe stay home and relax

Looking forward to…
Going to see Where The Crawdads Sing with my daughter as soon as it’s showing near us

Question Of The Week…
What’s your favorite movie based on a book?

A Favorite Bible Verse…
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:15

From the camera…

This was taken a few weeks ago when my daughter and I went to Homosassa Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, Florida. It’s a refuge for wildlife that have been injured and/or raised by humans and are unable to survive in the wild on their own.

 Posted by at 5:55 PM
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