Recent Reads Book Reports

Betrayal of Trust by J.A Jance

J.P. Beaumont and his wife, Mel, are called in to investigate Washington's governor's family involving a murder, teens and mayhem. It's nice to see J.P. back in print.

Killing the Blues by Michael Brandman

A Robert B. Parker Jesse Stone story written by Mr. Brandman. Really? Really? The storyline was very good and had Parker's typical Stone situations and all of his usual verbal comebacks,  but not a Parker book. It was written and reads like a movie script. No descriptions, set-ups or background - just dialogue. And not very original dialogue at that. The book's cover is very misleading - it's not a Parker book, but a stand in author trying to continue the Jesse Stone stories. 

Misery Bay by Steve Hamilton

An Alex McKnight story set in Michigan's UP. Alex joins Maven, the chief of police, in searching for answers surrounding a suicide -- or was it? As a pattern starts to emerge and Alex won't stop until all the questions are answered. Another great Hamilton story.

The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley

A light weight read staged in Scotland - so what's not to like? 1708's invading Jacobite fleet of French and Scottish soldiers nearly succeed in landing the exiled James Stewart in Scotland to reclaim is crown. Carrie McCleeland hopes to turn this story into her next best seller novel. Settling into a cozy cottage in the shadow of Slains Castle ruins, she starts to write what seems more fact than fiction. This book alternates chapters of the now and then, weaving a shadowy remembrance to what was and now.  I'll read more Ms. Kearsly books - cause they're not heavy, fun and sometimes it's good to get out of mysteries.

The Beach Street Knitting Society and Yarn Club by Gil McNeil

Not so much about a knitting club but more about how to cope with the death of a cheating husband and carrying for two small boys. Jo moves to the UK beach and takes over her grandmother's yarn shop. Great characters, funny, with a cute storyline. Not a run to the library to find book but very entertaining.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

If you haven't read this book -- Do It Now!

There's a reason this has become a best seller, made into a movie and a must read. It's just that good.

The Affair by Lee Child

 While recently stuck in an airport waiting for a flight, I realized I was about to finish my take along reading material and needed to find another book as my traveling companion. I was roaming the mystery aisle of the airport's bookstore (Portland's Powells) when the salesperson asked if she could help. We started discussing the various authors on the shelf and she said, I think you need to come with me.  She took me to her station and recently opened box. There on top was the just released Lee Child book -- and I love Jack Reacher stories (and so did the salesperson). 

This one is one of the best of Jack Reacher stories.  A flash back in time that tells the tale of how Jack became a traveling, wandering, out of the army, helping those in need guy. It all startred somewhere - elite military cop, Jack Reacher is sent to Carter Crossing, Mississippi in 1997. A lone railroad track - a crime scene - a set up with lots of twists and turns - Jack's undercover to help the local sheriff, Elizabeth Deveraux, to get to the truth. Town's people or military base?

Needles and Pins by Gil McNeil

The continuing story of Jo MacKenzie from The Beach Street book (read above). It's been a year since the move to the beach town, out of her comfort zone and settled into a quite way of life.  Or is it? This was just another chapter to the original story. Another fun read without a lot of hup-la, plot or drama.

Northwest Angle by William Kent Kruger

Cork takes the whole family on a little R-N-R houseboat vacation to Lake of the Woods. A freakish storm hits and hits hard - separating the group.  Cork and his daughter land on an island and find a tiny baby and his murdered mother. Is the killer still around? An adventure to stay ahead of the killer, get some answers and discover somethings about themselves. Not Kruger's best story - but a must read for his fans.

Heat Rises by Richard Castle

This is the third in the series ABC publishes to go along with the TV series, Castle. This book was pretty good, better written than the last two. A lot of the TV show's scenerios are used to develope this story line. If you're a Castle fan, like I am, you'll recognize season 3 in most of the book - a different plot with all the characters we've come to love. Good Book.

and books I just couldn't finish

Mariana by Susanna Kearsly

I got half way through and put it down -- slow, slow, slow read that wasn't going anywhere and I wasn't interested to see if it ever would.

The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel

Having read all of the previous Earth's Children books, I was looking forward to the latest edition. However, if you've read about one painted cave, you've read about them all. And this book was one description of numerous caves, without any plot and dragging storyline.  I was half way through the 756 pages when it was put on the shelf. Boring.

Apparently, I'm Gray Mouse. What's your superhero name?

A Pot of Soup...

This last September the family gathered in Cannon Beach, Oregon. The main event was a coastal wedding - the benefit was getting the family all together in one place for a few days of sun and fun. After comparing notes on local restaurant reviews (not very good) (sorry Cannon Beach) and being very disappointed on a few "let's try it one more time" outings, we ended up walking down the block from our beach house to Warren House Pub. What an amazing find! Fantastic food, very friendly service and a great menu. We ended up feasting at The Pub numerous times and we were never disappointed. 

 

I was very pleased with their soup of the day Beer Bacon Cheese Soup and had it a couple of times -- just couldn't get enough of this liquid magic.  Being a soup maker, myself, I had to try and replicate this winner when we got home. I'll share with you my results -- I'd have to say that the following recipe hits about the 98% mark compared to the original. YUM!!

 

Beer Bacon Cheese Soup

makes about 6 cups

Takes about 2 hours to make and ready to serve

Ingredients:

6 Tablespoons butter

1 clove finely minced garlic

1 cup finely chopped onion - finely chopped!

1 cup finely chopped celery - finely chopped!

1 cup finely chopped carrot - finely chopped!

1/4 cup all purpose flour

1 12 oz. can of beer (I used Pabst and was very satisfied with the results)

1 & 1/2 cup chicken broth

12-15 pieces of bacon -  cook bacon & chop into tiny pieces

1 cup heavy cream (heavy whip cream works well)

1 cup grated Cheddar cheese -- I added a little bit extra

1 cup grated Colby Jack cheese

1 teaspoon dry mustard

5-8 shacked drops of Tabasco sauce

1/2 - 1 teaspoon cracked pepper

Place butter and garlic in a large pot over medium heat. Stir butter and garlic until all the butter is melted.  Add onions, celery and carrot. Cook about 5-10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.  Add flour and stir for 3 minutes (be careful not to burn).

Continue stirring, while slowly adding the beer and chicken stock.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce to a simmer and continue stirring every few minutes until soup has thickened (should take about 40-45 minutes). I know this is the boring part - but, very important to get the mixture thickened, slowly.  Add bacon pieces.  On LOW heat, add the cream, cheeses and spices. Make sure the heat is on low, if it is too high it will cause the dairy to break down.  Serve when the cheese has melted and all is well blended.

Serve as is (yummy!) or topped with a few croutons or additional bacon pieces. Hubby likes it with bits of crab added. ENJOY!

Just a little fun, today.....did ya find it? huh? huh? huh?

So Cool!

I love bandanas - what's not to love? They're cheap (usually a buck each) come in fabulous colors, a great size to craft with and they're not just for doggy neck wear or cowgirl costumes. Take these little paisley prints out for a spin and let your imagination fly.

I found these on the blogger web site: under the table and dreaming 

where there's more ideas waiting to be discovered.

These are few of my favorties!

napkins

table runners

table cloths

a napkin holder

placemats

a quilt
or maybe a fun handkerchief

I'm heading to the store, partner, and getting some bandanas to play with.

Fabulous!!!

3 glorious days of music! Blame Sally, Chris Isaak, M. Ward, Robert Earl Keen, Hugh Laurie, Ricky Skaggs, Kris Kristofferson, Merle Haggard, Broken Social Scene, The Low Anthem, Dr. John, DeVotchka, Buddy Miller, Elbow, and Gomez just to name a few of the stage acts we followed, rocked to, danced to, and thoroughly enjoyed along with thousands and thousands of Golden Gate attendees. We missed not having March 4th Marching Band roaming the stages, but we rocked out just the same. It was sunny and warm then foggy and chilly -- that's San Francisco at it's best. Plus, we topped off each evening with some absolutely wonderful eats at local eateries. 

Now to wash off all the dust, do some laundry, take some make-up naps and get back to the ordinary, usual daily routine and look forward to the next Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival!

I'm getting on a jet plane and heading to San Francisco for some foot stomping, hand clapping, dance moving good music, rock out times. Catch ya on the flip side next week.

It was 40 years ago, today.....

Today is our 40th wedding anniversary. 

 

then.....

and now.....

You're going to love this -- I promise!

More Pinterest posts that followed me home

This would be so cute for wedding tables.

Hershey Kisses instead of peppermint? OR Valentine candy hearts (if you planned ahead)

Use large round plates or serving platters - depending on the size of your tables.

 

A blank white canvas and Elmer's Glue

How simple - How beautiful!

Using shower curtain hooks to hang up those bags

If only I had the closet space to do this -- I'd be in heaven

Using a Large V-neck hooded sweatshirt

Cut down center - hem - wrap to the side and add buttons

Adorable - Simply Adorable!

A Goodwill suit jacket -- there's lots out there without the matching pants.

Find one that is a good length and fit (don't worry about the arm lengths)

Trim off the arms (or remove at seam) - leaving some of the lining from the jacket side to fold inward to create a finished edge. WahLaa- you've got a custom vest, man (or woman).

Mirror Mirror On The Wall.....

More Pinterest finds.....

 

Love this idea to fill a small blank space

I've got the old windows - just need some scrap wood

Using inexpensive mirrors and hung horizontally

Be great to fill a wall - top to bottom

Oh, what you could do with empty toilet paper rolls

Love, Love a burst of flower power

Good Idea(s)?

Found some great ideas on Pinterest and brought them home to share with you.

Rubber bands to mark your sewing measurement

Empty ketchup bottle to hold pancake batter

for the perfect pancake size

One summer swim tube - cut down the center

Old shoe box with a cut out to hold the tube halves

Bag of marbles

I love this idea for some racing fun!

Ah, the beach

 

I just returned from a few days on the beach - the Oregon coast beach. (more on that to come).

Before I left - I did another Jessica Sprague site challenge. Using the words "day off" in the title, we were to create a layout page of what we'd do with a full day off. Since most of my retirement days are "days off" I used what I'd love to do most if/when I had a day off the grid and my usual daily routine.

.....Head to the Beach.....

(photo from web search)

Wanna Play? Easy as 1-2-3-4

ONE: Blank Canvas

TWO: Box of 64 Crayons

THREE: Hair Dryer

FOUR: Create Art

I would need to find a blank wall to showcase my creation.

That might be harder than making the masterpiece.

(another Pinterest find to try someday)

Taking the week off for some R-N-R

Heading to the Oregon Coast for a beach wedding, short family get-together, 

beach walks with M&M's, picture taking and good times.

See ya all next week (or on the beach)