Weekend Snapshots

Apologies to my readers who are not college basketball fans, but our weekend centered around the NCAA Tournament, bracket watching and most importantly MSU's two wins and advancement to the Sweet Sixteen.  The team this year is so much fun to watch and we are looking forward to the next game on Friday against LSU.  Watching the games with our Florida Spartan friends has been the best.

In between basketball games, I snapped some photos of sunsets, blue skies and the beautiful Gulf of Mexico.  We are in the sweet spot of weather here and early Saturday morning I sat on the mostly empty beach with my coffee and just enjoyed the 67 degree temperature, with no humidity and the sound of the surf.  When I do this, I feel all the emotions, but mostly oh so lucky.

Finally, a friend gave me the first two books in the Poldark series to read and I am looking forward to seeing how they differ from the television series (which I love). I like to have an actual book for the pool, as opposed to my IPad, so they will be perfect for that.

  

Happy Monday!

Spring Reading List

2019 is flying by and it's already time to post my spring reading list.  My reading has hit a bit of a dry spell and I have to admit I have not read a book that I really loved in way too long.  The exception was The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah, but that's one out of many.  I do have high hopes for this list, because it includes some favorite authors that I always enjoy.  As always, my list and reading style is eclectic and includes different genres.  I read a lot of mysteries/police procedurals, but also love a good chick lit or psychological thriller.  Literature that is thought provoking is also a favorite. And, a series, with the same characters, is near and dear to my heart and I always anticipate finding out what old friends in books are up to.

There are two on my list that I am the most excited for.

 First, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin, who is the author of The House Girl, which I'm sure many of you have read.  It is a currently a Today Show book club pick. Also, I have high hopes for the new book by JoJo Moyes.  I can honestly say, I have enjoyed all of her books and I have gone back and even read her earlier, less popular ones.

One of my favorite books of all time is In Her Shoes, by Jennifer Weiner, so while her books can be hit or miss, this new  book does revisit the sister theme.

 If you haven't read any of the Dr. Ruth Galloway book series, by Elly Griffiths, start at the beginning immediately.  The main character is an archeologist and professor, who gets involved in forensic bone identification with the local police.  She is smart, independent and a wonderfully written character.  The locations on the English coast, are some of my favorite to read about as well.

 Finally, The Night Olivia Fell is in the Gone Girl genre and sounded interesting, with good reviews.

Happy reading!

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps

We have been having so much fun getting together with other southwest Florida Spartans to watch the basketball games.  There is a core group who rotate houses and lately there have been friends of
friends invited, making the cheering during the games even louder.  Luckily, the fun factor has been
high, since our Spartans have been winning and we are all still celebrating the win Saturday night over Michigan and the raising of the Big Ten Championship banner.  Shots all around that night!

We mix things up as far as food goes and all contribute to make things easier on the hostess.  When appetizers were on the menu, I took these Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps for something on the lighter side.  This is a Skinnytaste recipe, so no worries about flavor - her recipes are always good.  The chicken is cooked in the crockpot, shredded and the hot sauce added.  You serve it with lettuce cups, blue cheese, chopped celery and ranch dressing for do it yourself assembly.  The recipe doesn't say how much lettuce to use, but because you don't know how many cups you will be able to get from a head of lettuce, definately buy two to be on the safe side.  Enjoy!

Happy Tuesday!

{Linking with these friends}

Stonegable

Between Naps on the Porch

21 Rosemary Lane