October So Far

 

We are still on baby watch and ready to travel when we get the call, but also staying busy as we wait.  October is my favorite month in Florida and this weekend we are finally being rewarded with some cooler weather.  It’s time to open the door wall to the lanai and enjoy indoor/outdoor living.

Golf is lovely this time of year, with a welcome breeze and great conditions from the rainy season.  One morning this week, I golfed first thing with some neighborhood friends and I even wore a jacket for a bit. I’m looking forward to getting the ladies golf group I run back together for weekly golf at the end of the month.

My book club is starting back up after the summer off and the first book we are reading is Lessons In Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.  It is my kind of book - smart writing, unique and quirky.  Great characters too.  It reminded me a bit of Where Did You Go Bernadette which is on my all time favorites list.

Wedding planning is moving right along and I am along for the ride with the bride who is a wedding planner.  I am very excited about the choices she is making and think it will all be beautiful. She booked an appointment at a bridal shop in Sarasota and also an appointment when I will be in Michigan, so ordering the bridal gown will be happening very soon.

Finally, I made a delicious and different sweet treat with some leftover pumpkin puree and if you love pumpkin pie, this is a great crustless alternative.

Pumpkin Crisp 

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Spray a 8x8 baking dish with cooking spray.

2.  In a medium bowl, whisk together 3 eggs, 1 c sugar, 1 15 ounce can pumpkin puree, 2/3 c heavy cream,  3 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 tsp vanilla and pinch of salt.  Pour into prepared  baking dish.

3.  In a food processor, pulse 1 1/2 c brown sugar and 1 1/2 c flour.  Scatter 1/2 cup cold butter, chopped into small pieces on the top, then pulse until crumbly.  

4. Sprinkle crumble mix on top of pumpkin mixture.  Add chopped pecans on top of crumble mix, if desired.

5.  Bake 40- 45 minutes until set and top is lightly browned.

Enjoy!

Library Card

 

Sometimes it takes me a long time to do something and then I wonder why in the world it took me so long. Getting a library card has been on my to do list for way too long.  I kept procrastinating and never actually doing it.  I am an iPad/Kindle app reader and buy books from Amazon, but the prices keep going up and up and I read a lot.  I finally decided now was the time to figure out the library e book system.

I have a long love for libraries, but do not enjoy reading physical books any longer.  So as much as I used to love coming home from the library with a pile of books, it’s not something I will be doing.  But, stepping into the beautiful, newly renovated Venice library did bring back all those good feelings about libraries that I formed in childhood.  I couldn’t resist browsing the stacks just a bit, before getting my library card.  

And the e book lending process on first impression, is very easy and user friendly.  I have already read a couple of books that have been on my Amazon Reading List for a long time, but did not want to pay the high price.  But, it’s easy to try a book when it is free.

Apples Never Fall, the newest Liane Moriarty book might be my favorite read so far this year.  It’s very reminiscent of Big Little Lies.  I waited to read it because her book before this one got very bad reviews and I was hesitant to be disappointed in a favorite author. 

 

The Summer Place by Jennifer Weiner was also one that lived up to her best writing style. I find her hit or miss lately, but this was a good one, with strong characterization; one of her strengths.

Finally, in all honesty the one disappointing thing about the e book process is that many popular books must be put on hold and the hold times are long.  Some I will wait for, but some, especially from a favorite author, I will most likely purchase from Amazon like usual.  

All in all, its a great system and if your library offers it, it is worth figuring out.

Happy Reading!

5 Books I Wish I Could Read Again For The First Time

I saw someone posted about this thought provoking list and it has been on my mind.  There are books in my long book loving history that have stayed with me and given me the love of the way a writer’s words can make you feel.  They have given me the gift of becoming immersed in a story that takes you places you would never experience in your real life.  They have given me the gift of beautiful words that have influenced my own love of writing.  At the time in my life when I read them, they were exactly what I needed to read.

It took some thought and it was hard to narrow it down to just five, but these five are a representation of books that I not only loved, but are like old friends that I can pick up and read again with the same enjoyment as the first time.  But, like the point of this post, oh how I would love to experience each one of them for the first time.  

There are many more I considered, (including the first Harry Potter book) but the true test for me is the reread and all of these are high in that number.  What are your five?

Life Lately

 

Life is busy, but good busy.  I have been quite social with breakfasts, lunches and dinners. I have also been getting my hands dirty, which I love; both in my volunteer role and still working hard in my neighborhood to get things back to normal after the hurricane damage.  There has been a lot of mulch spread this past week, including in my role as a captain for Make A Difference Day in Venice.  

I ventured out to a park that is very close to me, but is known for having a lot of alligators since it is adjacent to a river.  It really is a nice, peaceful walk with old Florida ambience.  And, I am definitely much braver and more nonchalant about gators than when I first moved to Florida.  Don’t bother them and they won’t bother you.  But, the warning signs you see are just a little different here lol

Finally, I have been making a point to read more lately.  I finished The Henna Artist and it is exactly the kind of book that makes me appreciate being in a book club. I can’t say I would have picked if up on my own volition, but I throughly enjoyed it and found it is the kind of book that immerses you in the culture and characters so much, that when you are done it stays in your thoughts.  

Have a wonderful weekend!

Winter Reading List

 

I am finding more time to read lately and the cooler temperatures this past weekend, really had me in the mood.  It is also lanai coffee and reading weather on my comfy couch.  Add a blanket if the wind is blowing off the lake and it’s pretty much heaven.

There are  currently a lot of books on my list and that makes me happy too.  It’s hard to be patient for new releases by my favorite authors, but it’s always so satisfying to revisit the well remembered characters and see what has happened since the last book.  

Here is what I will be reading in the next few months.  Read along if you would like and we can discuss in the comments.

For my February Book Club

New from the author of Finding Mrs. Ford 

New from JoJo Moyes

British crime series favorites return

DI Gemma James and DCS Duncan Kincaid

DS Maeve Kerrigan

Late Fall Reading List

 

All of a sudden, my saved reading list on Amazon is full.  There are always books saved by favorite authors to be read in the future months, but sometimes not so many for right now.  I was really happy to find quite a few that appealed to me when I was searching for new releases.  I also appreciate all of you recommending books you have read.  We all have different reading tastes, but I have learned many of you do like the same books as I do.

The Barbara Kingsolver, Susan Elia MacNeal, Jodi Picoult all have great reviews, so I am willing to give them a try.  All three author’s last books were disappointing to me.  I haven’t been a Sally Hempworth fan, but this one sounded more my style.

Here is my late fall reading list and links to Amazon for Kindle.  Let me know if you read and enjoy.

Amazon Link

Amazon Link

Amazon Link

Amazon Link

Amazon Link

What My Book Club is Reading

As summer speeds along, my book club is getting prepared for our resumption in the fall.  We have a process where we all suggest a book or two that we have read and liked.  Then, this list is compiled and put out via email for a vote, with the top seven chosen as our books for the year.  If you are like me and love a good book list, it’s a great process because not only do I get to read the seven chosen, but also have a bigger list of all the recommendations.  

I thought you might enjoy seeing and maybe reading along with the books we will be reading and discussing. Two of the books I recommended were top vote getters (Finding Mrs. Ford and The Nature of Fragile Things).  I will be leading the discussion on Finding Mrs. Ford which takes place in Detroit in the late seventies and an era in Detroit that is very familiar to me.  It is also a great read with a twist you won’t see coming.

The other books are a range of genres, but we tend to pick books with strong female characters which invite great discussions.

Happy Reading!

• The Maid by Nita Prose 
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch 
• Finding Mrs. Ford by Deborah Goodrich Royce 
• The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi 
• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
• The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner 

May Book Club

 

My neighborhood book club met for the last time this “season” during the first week in May and had a very animated discussion about our book choice - The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.  As book clubs sometimes do, the discussion went on a bit of a tangent and got a little too political for my taste in that setting, but there were some topical themes dealing with immigration that I’m not sure the author intended when it was written.

I did like the book and I was happy about that since I find this author hit or miss.  The Great Alone is one of my all time favorites, while some of her others are too close to traditional romance novels.  The main theme of the story is the survival of a family in the dustbowl era.  It begins in West Texas (almost exactly where I just traveled to, so that was interesting) and ends in southern California.  Many harrowing things occur, but the characters are well written and that time in history is something I was only slightly familiar with and the author’s detail was strong. 

All that said, the ending was a weak point for me, because it felt way too far fetched.  But, don’t let that stop you from reading this, because the other ninety nine percent is worth your reading time.

Happy Friday!

Good Reads

 

I have mentioned before that I am finding really good books few and far between lately.  I’m still reading of course, but quite underwhelmed with the choices.  All that said, to my surprise, there  have been three really good books I have read in the past month; two I stumbled across on Amazon and one was my book club’s February selection. 

First, the book club selection was one I probably would not have picked to read, but a I ended up finding the subject matter quite interesting.  It deals with race in the deep south and how different shades of skin color have a hierarchy.  Most of the story is told in flashbacks to pre Civil Rights days and is quite insightful into that era.  It is primarily the story of twins and how their lives diverge when one leaves the other behind to pass as white.

Next, is the story of a mail order bride from Ireland who travels to San Francisco to marry a wealthy widower. She takes over the care of his young daughter and grand home, but slowly comes to realize all is not as it seems.  Set during the massive San Fransisco earthquake of 1906, it is a story of survival and women helping each other in extraordinary circumstances.

Finally, the setting of this book is the star and a different type of WWII story.  Set in Casablanca both during the war and in present day, it is the kind of book you can’t put down because you know the story is leading to a dramatic ending.  And one of my favorite literary devices; the use of an unreliable narrator, leaves you shocked when all becomes clear.  

Happy Reading!

Winter Reading List

 

I’m a little late with this list, but have been watching a few more shows than I normally do for some reason. My Britbox trial is coming to an end and before I cancel, I managed to get in all the seasons of Vera including the newest season just released.  It’s not as good as the books, but does bring her quirkiness to life.  I also finally watched A Discovery of Witches and was pleasantly surprised.  I do love that book series and found it enjoyable to see it brought to life.  

Do you see a theme here?  Shows based on books I have read are a favorite, especially when the characters live up to how they are written.  Maybe I will find a new series of books that I can love in this reading list.  That is one of the joys of reading for me and it started with those Nancy Drew books I took out of the library all those years ago.  Always so much possibility on that first page.  

Happy Reading!

Northern Spy

 

Hour of the Witch 

  

The Family

The Recovery Agent

A Solitude of Wolverines 

 

Januarying

 

January is my least favorite month, but it’s not all bad, especially not having to deal with snow and cold now that I live in Florida.  Here is what I have been up to so far.

Reading

Firekeeper’s Daughter - My sister recommended a YA book and while I was hesitant, when I discovered it was set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, I was sold.  And, it may well be my favorite book I read this year.  It has great Native American characters, an interesting setting and a mystery involving drugs and the FBI. When it becomes a future Netflix series as scheduled, it will be fabulous.

 Organizing

There is something cathartic about the New Year and putting away Christmas.  I feel like everything is in the proper place and I have the “white space” I need back.  A small thing, but very helpful, is my mission yesterday to unsubscribe from all those Christmas shopping emails I added to get discounts.  

Cooking 

December was the dinner party that wasn’t due to caution with Covid exposures, so I finally cooked the meal (just for us) that I shopped for and tried to make twice.  The main dish was a favorite Skinnytaste recipe (Butternut Squash Lasagna Rolls with Spinach) and I highly recommend.  It has great flavor and a beautiful presentation when traditional lasagna can look messy to serve.  

Watching

My oldest daughter was of the age that loved and got caught up in the Harry Potter books and movies and we did many midnight book releases and movie premieres.  Looking back, it was magical and fun for me too and I am thankful to have read and loved all the books right along with her.  I watched the Harry Potter 20th reunion on HBO Max and thought it was very well done and quite fascinating.  I may have even shed a tear.

Recommending

My beauty routine is quite basic, but as I age, there are things that can be done with very little effort.  I have been using Bliss That’s Incredi-peel once a week and my skin is thanking me.  You just wipe on your face after cleansing and right before bedtime then you wake up in the morning with seriously soft skin.  It’s low glycolic acid, so only stings a bit when you apply and gives me less concern of doing something like this at home.  The price at Ulta was great too, compared to what the salesperson was trying to get me to buy.

Happy Januarying!

 

Life Lately

 

A lot of Christmas prep is happening here and things really start to get busy this week with a gift exchange party, hosting a dinner party here, a lanai cocktail party and hosting a stop for the glow ride in our neighborhood.  

What else have I been doing?

Volunteering

The group I volunteer with always helps to decorate a city park and the past few years, I have been assigned to the official city tree.  The whole park comes together so beautifully and it is a lovely and festive spot to walk through during the holidays.  I included photos of the volunteer day and later, the park at night.

All the Christmas Lights

I can never get my fill of Christmas lights, so we went to dinner at a great spot in Sarasota where all of the palm trees (100’s) are wrapped with lights that are synchronized to Christmas music.  It really is beautiful to have dinner on an outdoor patio and just soak in the holiday atmosphere.  Florida style Christmas at it’s best.

Watching

Shetland is an all time favorite show of mine and I have been searching for a way to watch the new season.  Britbox was having a free trial, so I signed up and I have one episode to go, but am loving it and Jimmy Perez, Tosh and Sandy.  Shows where the location fit the storyline and the characters so well are my favorite.

Reading

Anyone else finished the new Outlander book Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone?  It’s the kind of book that is good, so you want to read fast, yet you don’t want it to end, so you try to slow down a bit.  Unfortunately, there will probably be at least another five years until the final book in the series (Book 10) is released.  Jamie and Claire are back home on Fraser’s Ridge and are struggling to keep the war from invading their peaceful family days.  It wouldn’t be Outlander if chaos did not find them.

Enjoying Florida in December

December weather in Florida can be unpredictable, but we have had a stretch of sunny and 80 degree days that have me enjoying the pool during the day and savoring the warm nights on the lanai.  I may see snow in Michigan at Christmas, but for now, I will take this slice of paradise.

Happy Monday!