tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86840617126488584532024-03-15T21:09:58.954-04:00a lovely shore breeze...."There is no frigate like a book,
To take us lands away." Emily Dickinsoncaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.comBlogger1371125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-40623134435991364162014-09-16T18:58:00.000-04:002014-09-16T18:58:17.051-04:00Emeral Isle Redux<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"A Few More From My Recent Trip to Ireland...</span></span></i><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
</span></span></i></div>
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUbPsKwhYYM/VBi9K9b0fZI/AAAAAAAAM3U/j7ADJC7i5KI/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CUbPsKwhYYM/VBi9K9b0fZI/AAAAAAAAM3U/j7ADJC7i5KI/s1600/IMG_0021.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ob3xCEEr77U/VBi9RExuosI/AAAAAAAAM3c/x3RkeM8bsiQ/s1600/P8160622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ob3xCEEr77U/VBi9RExuosI/AAAAAAAAM3c/x3RkeM8bsiQ/s1600/P8160622.jpg" height="506" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_dVgJcg_io/VBi9Zs7MHJI/AAAAAAAAM3k/woom8OWind8/s1600/P8160625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-k_dVgJcg_io/VBi9Zs7MHJI/AAAAAAAAM3k/woom8OWind8/s1600/P8160625.jpg" height="640" width="412" /></a></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-em0_RXeHoZg/VBi_Yy-FgZI/AAAAAAAAM30/V8juUZeKxTw/s1600/P8160607.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-em0_RXeHoZg/VBi_Yy-FgZI/AAAAAAAAM30/V8juUZeKxTw/s1600/P8160607.jpg" height="640" width="392" /></a></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnLECV0kEW8/VBi9fqeR-0I/AAAAAAAAM3s/9lqN7Jt8ZUo/s1600/P8160606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rnLECV0kEW8/VBi9fqeR-0I/AAAAAAAAM3s/9lqN7Jt8ZUo/s1600/P8160606.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...and as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-67394261346946448692014-09-02T18:48:00.002-04:002014-09-03T10:20:03.157-04:00I Reappear...in The "Emerald Isle" Wow, I have been gone so long I forgot how to create a post.<br />
Almost a year exactly.<br />
Really...What is my sign on? <br />
<br />
Just dipping my toe in, posting a few pics from a recent trip to Co. Cork, Ireland where I, the Bro and Sil and the Niece and her Hubbie attended the wedding of my cousin Katherine's Son, Donogh a few weeks ago.<br />
<br />
Assuming I can remember how to post a photo...oh my...help....<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUGabtN9WhI/VAZFn3fZmnI/AAAAAAAAMso/BOdZoaXmkNg/s1600/P8120473.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sUGabtN9WhI/VAZFn3fZmnI/AAAAAAAAMso/BOdZoaXmkNg/s1600/P8120473.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cliffs of Moher</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDwLPuBjJ7Q/VAZFwJkbNrI/AAAAAAAAMs4/qwTHvN-VGS4/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hDwLPuBjJ7Q/VAZFwJkbNrI/AAAAAAAAMs4/qwTHvN-VGS4/s1600/IMG_0031.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adare Manor, where we stayed two nights..very, very GRAND!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77rAd9VkAiw/VAZFn7GMmiI/AAAAAAAAMss/4pMaNHiC0L8/s1600/P8140477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-77rAd9VkAiw/VAZFn7GMmiI/AAAAAAAAMss/4pMaNHiC0L8/s1600/P8140477.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gardens at Longueville House, where the wedding was held</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xu9rcTNubM/VAZF5BfrZrI/AAAAAAAAMtA/EO6R138XtOo/s1600/P8140486.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1xu9rcTNubM/VAZF5BfrZrI/AAAAAAAAMtA/EO6R138XtOo/s1600/P8140486.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sheep on Longueville's lawn.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0Wlm1Jf3Ok/VAZF-Qo9CyI/AAAAAAAAMtI/fGdYzdDEhxM/s1600/P8150575a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W0Wlm1Jf3Ok/VAZF-Qo9CyI/AAAAAAAAMtI/fGdYzdDEhxM/s1600/P8150575a.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wedding couple, Claire and Donogh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i>Paul, are you reading this? LOL</i> </b></div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...and as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-70836578119212507732013-08-27T16:57:00.000-04:002013-08-27T17:14:28.879-04:00Just to Let You Know..<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Just to let my regular readers know that I am not disappearing off the face of the earth.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">I am taking a little..or maybe a BIG... break from Blogland.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few personal issues that have sort of left me without the heart or desire to post at the moment.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">My thanks to all of you...your involvement and comments have meant the world to me.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">See ya on the flip side!</span></span></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWrMa-4BaY/Uh0SeM53DgI/AAAAAAAAMA4/NGeHqFPRoSk/s1600/cpm.bw2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uUWrMa-4BaY/Uh0SeM53DgI/AAAAAAAAMA4/NGeHqFPRoSk/s400/cpm.bw2.jpg" /></a></div>
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-63198305495619585202013-08-26T03:43:00.000-04:002013-08-26T03:44:20.709-04:00Musing Monday...To Series or Not To Series, That is the Question.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s1600/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s400/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do I have a Muse? Sure I do!<br />
We sure to check out the others talking part at <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<i>..</i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Musing Mondays</b> asks you to muse about one of the following each week…</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Describe one of your reading habits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).<br />• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!</span></span></span> <br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
I will admit it..I love a good mystery series.<br />
In fact, I tend to get a little caught up in them sometimes.<br />
Karin Slaughter..I read all 12 books she had written at that time, one after the other, over a couple of weeks.<br />
Then there was Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks series. I was a bit less compulsive about that one, reading 12 of them..on my, 12 again...but interspersed with a few other books.<br />
My latest is Donna Leon's Commissario Guido Brunetti Mysteries. You may not believe this, but I just started the 12th book of that series too. That number 12 again, but in this case, I still have almost another 12 to go.<br />
Still, in all these cases, in order to have what I think is the best reading experience, I have read the books in order.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUS62fNS9ig/UhsD_PhkbII/AAAAAAAAMAo/NMcMBowKC7w/s1600/book15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gUS62fNS9ig/UhsD_PhkbII/AAAAAAAAMAo/NMcMBowKC7w/s320/book15.jpg" width="295" /></a></div>
<br />
There is the question. How do you feel about series..especially BIG series...and about reading them in order?<br />
<br />
If you are taking about a series of two or three or four books, it is not that much of an issue.<br />
But for a series that has a dozen or more books...well, to start that is a commitment! <br />
So what is an author and <i>the reader </i>to do?<br />
<br />
We readers like series, at least in part, because we get to know the setting and the characters and we care about them. But an author that creates strong, interesting characters, with interesting lives, with things going on in their lives, writes a book that is hard to read as a stand-alone.<br />
I am thinking of the example of Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler series. My, so much has happened to Simon, people in his life getting killed, people dying, people leaving, that you really have to start at the beginning to understand what is going on.<br />
Sure, the author can try to fill us in with the relevant facts about the character's past to the degree necessary but honestly, sometimes that can get confusing. Or they can make the characters personal lives not that important or not that interesting, but that takes something away from the books too, doesn't it?<br />
<br />
Does an author who keeps writing book in a series at a certain point, maybe after the first few books, just discourage new readers? <br />
<br />
Oh My...What to do? <br />
Hey, I have to get back to reading! I have like another 12 Leon books to read!<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-9325731048669865462013-08-24T00:07:00.000-04:002013-08-24T05:35:23.095-04:00Weekend Cooking...One Cup At A Time!<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V457YfFrl_o/UhgufFUAmYI/AAAAAAAAMAI/tud8seUW0V4/s1600/P8230399.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V457YfFrl_o/UhgufFUAmYI/AAAAAAAAMAI/tud8seUW0V4/s320/P8230399.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
I love tea.<br />
Yes, on occasion I will drink coffee, especially if it is from my beloved Tassimo single cup coffee<br />
maker.<br />
But tea is my first love.<br />
It is calming, yet invigorating.<br />
It is hot and comforting.<br />
As the English know, ever situation is better with a cup of tea.<br />
<br />
I like black tea. And if possible, made from loose leaf, not bags.<br />
I buy it online, one of life's small pleasures.<br />
<br />
But what if your tea purchase could have a positive effect on the world?<br />
What if it could make the lives of a few desperate young woman in a desperate situation better?<br />
<br />
According to a report I saw on Fox News, later picked up by the Huffington Post, it is possible!<br />
The woman trying to do that is named <span class="st">Katrell Christie, the owner of a small tea shop in Atlanta, Georgia. She is the founder of The Learning Tea, an organization that, through the sale of tea from India's </span>Darjeeling region and Indian dinners held at her shop.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7_j0PMmank/UhguoAqZvjI/AAAAAAAAMAQ/zS_8Nl_WNU0/s1600/P8200395.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f7_j0PMmank/UhguoAqZvjI/AAAAAAAAMAQ/zS_8Nl_WNU0/s640/P8200395.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">While it’s not uncommon for people to find a new perspective while traveling, Candler Park resident and Dr. Bombay’s Underwater Tea Party shop owner Katrell Christie found herself in India during Summer 2009 with a growing new purpose and a strong determination to help better the lives of the children she’d met while spending time at both a Darjeeling orphanage and a elementary school, one of the oldest schools in Darjeeling.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">For these Darjeeling children living in poverty, education is simply the only method of rising beyond their situation, which in most cases is dire.
Darjeeling is world famous for its beautiful tea gardens and flavorful teas, but it harbors a darker side as the region’s hub for forced labor and sex exploitation, as well as child trafficking and child labor. Without education, young girls are forced into prostitution in the area, or even transported to work in brothels in other regions of India when they leave orphanages at 16 or 17, with no viable alternatives in the area without a university education.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">100% of the profits from The Learning Tea will fund several projects for these children.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"> Katrell committed herself in 2010 to fully fund the education of three orphan girls at a nearby Darjeeling university; for $800, each girl can receive one year of university education, room and board, food, and clothing; empowering them towards a much brighter future than the alternative available for the women that have left the orphanage before them. No girl from the orphanage has previously ever had the opportunity to attend higher education.
It takes so little financially to make a huge difference in the life of these children. The Learning Tea is simply a catalyst for change, one cup at a time shaping their lives towards a much brighter future!</span> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8okzg6msAWE/UhguzArMg4I/AAAAAAAAMAY/dbDUSAEvQfs/s1600/P8200386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8okzg6msAWE/UhguzArMg4I/AAAAAAAAMAY/dbDUSAEvQfs/s400/P8200386.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
</blockquote>
She started with those three girls, then went on to 11 young women as people in her shops gave donations and from used book sales. As you can read at <a href="http://thelearningtea.com/">their web site</a>, they are expending as money allows, hope to open another site, providing food, clothing, a safe home, continuing education as well as computer classes, music lessons and other extracurricular activities for these desperate girls.<br />
<br />
If I lived in Atlanta, I would certainly check out those book sales and frequent her tea shop, but since I don't, and most of you don't, what to do?<br />
Well, if you check out the web site, you can see that Katrell is now also selling green and black Darjeeling, the “Champagne of Teas”, with 100% of the profits going toward the work with the girls. Check out the site. There is a great video, some great photos of the group of young interns helping out in Atlanta and some fantastic ones of volunteers in India.<br />
I love those clever wrappers that will remind you exactly what your small purchase can do....<u><b><i>One Cup at a Time!</i></b></u> <br />
<hr size="3" width="25%" />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s1600/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s200/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="150" /></a>This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.<br />
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."<br />
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by <a href="http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads.</a><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-20115189271100900102013-08-23T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-23T06:40:54.278-04:00A Review of "Reese's Leap" [63]<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcLAjaiOEPc/UhK_qZLZnZI/AAAAAAAAL-4/JquN2x3oIac/s1600/reeses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tcLAjaiOEPc/UhK_qZLZnZI/AAAAAAAAL-4/JquN2x3oIac/s320/reeses.jpg" width="208" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Reeses's Leap</b> by Darcy Scott</span></i></span><br />
<b>Published by: </b> Maine Authors Publishing<br />
<b>Publication Date:</b> March 23, 2013<br />
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 216<br />
<b>ISBN:</b> 978-1938883347<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
You want to help a friend out, be a buddy, right?<br />
Darren's son died a short time ago in a drug fueled accident and he has been having a very hard time dealing with it. So against his best judgement, Gil accompanies his friend out to Mistake Island, where Darren's girlfriend and several other woman are meeting for their annual girls week on the private island. No phones, no electrics, no bathrooms....just a lodge and some rustic out buildings, Adria Jackman's family summer retreat.<br />
<br />
Gil and Darren planned to head back to the mainland that evening, until the dense fogged rolled in. Then one of the woman brings a man she met wandering the island to dinner, an ex-con named Pete, who started going on about how his brother was killed on the island two years ago, and he is out to figure out what happen.<br />
Throw in some tales of dead sailors and mysterious treasure, a dead body that soon turns up, and the realization that they are all trapped, seemingly the prisoner of a madman, and a great story is underway on the rocky Maine coast!<br />
<br />
This the second book in Scott's <i>Island Mystery</i> series, and it is a good follow up to the first, <i>Matinicus</i>.<br />
I must say I totally enjoyed the first and this is a worthy, if less complicated, follow up. But worry not, this one can totally be read as a stand alone. I think if you do, you will want to go back and read the first because out hero, Gil Hodges, is a fabulous character. He is a botanist, a half-hearted professor, a hard drinker, a baseball lover and a man who has the absolutely worse luck in woman in the entire world. Not that he does not keep trying whenever he can. Soon, he is going to have to learn this lesson.<br />
<br />
The setting on this deserted Maine island is also a winner for me. Yes, I love all things Maine coast, but add in the fascinating history some of these places have, going back centuries, and the hard working, hard living people that live among them and you have a great place for a rather violent thriller. No, these are not cozies, between the drinking and a splash of sex and any number of violent deaths, these books have a bit of an edge. Happily, we have good-hearted Gil as our guide. He is a smart guy, good to have around in an emergency, but maybe he needs to be a little more suspicious of people, especially beautiful women and start thinking with his Big Brain and not with his...well, I will leave that for you to fill in, since this is not an R-rated review.<br />
And as a botanist, specializing on the flora of these coastal islands, rich and sometimes surprising diversity due largely to migrating birds and the seeds they leave behind, he lets us explore a side of these islands I was not really aware of a pleasant addition to the murder and mayhem.<br />
<br />
It seems there is to be one more book in this trilogy...yes, since it will be a trilogy....Gil back in an adventure that will take him back to Matinicus and I must say, I <i>can not</i> wait!
<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<img align="left" border="0" height="133" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P5iKFqz0u0Y/UW6JYbsMtBI/AAAAAAAAVes/F5AcHkyl_p8/s1600/ReesesLeap_Author.jpg" style="margin-right: 5px;" width="200" />DARCY SCOTT is a live-aboard sailor and experienced ocean cruiser who’s sailed to Grenada and back on a whim, island-hopped through the Caribbean, and been struck by lightning in the middle of the Gulf Stream. Her favorite cruising ground remains the coast of Maine, however, and her appreciation of the history and rugged beauty of its sparsely populated out-islands serves as inspiration for her Maine Island Mystery Series, which includes 2012’s award-winning "Matinicus" and the newly released "Reese’s Leap." Book three, "Ragged Island," is currently in the works. Her debut novel, "Hunter Huntress," was published in June, 2010 by Snowbooks, Ltd., UK.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://partnersincrimetours.net/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hottbooks.com/images/Tour/PICT_Button.jpg" width="110" /></a><br />
Be sure to check out the <a href="http://www.partnersincrimetours.net/2013/04/ReesesLeap.html">other virtual tour stops</a><br />
from the Partners in Crime Virtual Tour for other<br />
reviews and a chance to check out a great excerpt! caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-82348379757393927422013-08-21T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-20T16:40:31.894-04:00Wordless Wednesday...By the Sea, By the Sea...<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"By the sea, by the sea, by the beautiful sea! </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">You and me, you and me, oh how happy we'll be!"</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ox4mf8wak/UhMS9Lprg4I/AAAAAAAAL_M/S9oiXm-88Pk/s1600/P1020556.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F6ox4mf8wak/UhMS9Lprg4I/AAAAAAAAL_M/S9oiXm-88Pk/s400/P1020556.jpg" width="295" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JB7aCC1mOo4/UhMS9sZI4yI/AAAAAAAAL_U/HoQRLVNzX-0/s1600/P1020461a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="449" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JB7aCC1mOo4/UhMS9sZI4yI/AAAAAAAAL_U/HoQRLVNzX-0/s640/P1020461a.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXA0AJLOl5I/UhMS-71xT3I/AAAAAAAAL_0/IMUTPgB8CBo/s1600/P1020357a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="492" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OXA0AJLOl5I/UhMS-71xT3I/AAAAAAAAL_0/IMUTPgB8CBo/s640/P1020357a.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njvS9MQFG_k/UhMS-rP2nhI/AAAAAAAAL_s/d51GLaqM4oY/s1600/P1020471a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-njvS9MQFG_k/UhMS-rP2nhI/AAAAAAAAL_s/d51GLaqM4oY/s640/P1020471a.jpg" width="492" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVRlsVDx8h4/UhMS-LSa2qI/AAAAAAAAL_g/faRskBKDXHA/s1600/P1020508a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="560" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EVRlsVDx8h4/UhMS-LSa2qI/AAAAAAAAL_g/faRskBKDXHA/s640/P1020508a.jpg" width="640" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...and as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-48435653687673891192013-08-20T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-20T01:48:56.775-04:00A Review of "Night Film" [62]<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNZEf-kh7is/UhKxUcPUEAI/AAAAAAAAL-o/ykCyKYNRGxA/s1600/nightfilm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jNZEf-kh7is/UhKxUcPUEAI/AAAAAAAAL-o/ykCyKYNRGxA/s1600/nightfilm.jpg" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Night-Film-Novel-Marisha-Pessl/dp/140006788X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376956814&sr=8-1&keywords=night+film">Night Film</a> by Marisha Pessl</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Random House, ISBN 978-1400067886</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
August 20, 2103, 624 pages. </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><i>On a damp October night, beautiful young Ashley Cordova is found dead in
an abandoned warehouse in lower Manhattan. Though her death is ruled a
suicide, veteran investigative journalist Scott McGrath suspects
otherwise. As he probes the strange circumstances surrounding Ashley’s
life and death, McGrath comes face-to-face with the legacy of her
father: the legendary, reclusive cult-horror-film director Stanislas
Cordova—a man who hasn’t been seen in public for more than thirty years.</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><i>For McGrath, another death connected to this seemingly cursed family
dynasty seems more than just a coincidence. Though much has been written
about Cordova’s dark and unsettling films, very little is known about
the man himself. </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><i>Driven by revenge, curiosity, and a need for
the truth, McGrath, with the aid of two strangers, is drawn deeper and
deeper into Cordova’s eerie, hypnotic world </i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #fce5cd;"><i>The last time he
got close to exposing the director, McGrath lost his marriage and his
career. This time he might lose even more.</i></span></blockquote>
<br />
What to say about this great big book?<br />
First, I ended up spending way too much time reading it.<br />
But still, not as much as the author wanted. <br />
<br />
It got off to a great start, grabbed me and pulled me into it's world. The author was a great talent for quickly creating a very creepy atmosphere, even though at this point, not a great deal of a creepy vein has actually taken place.<br />
Don't worry, the really creepy, real or not is the question, is yet to come.<br />
McGrath stars on his investigation, shortly joined by too young people, the rather mysterious Hopper, who, it turns out, knew Ashley from their time years ago, at one of those tough love wilderness camps for troubled teens. Seems that did not work for either of them. Then we have the more charming Nora, who latches on because she needs a place to live. Honestly, neither ends up very helpful or reliable and if are going to venture into the madness that McGrath does, you need someone reliable helping out.<br />
<br />
But then the book fell into the very long, rather pointless middle section, a boring, series of road trips of discovery, long and short, that could have been drastically cut. Drastically.<br />
I put the book down. I read a few pages. I put it down..I read a few more.<br />
Finally, finally, the reader emerges, for what turns out to be a quite clever and interesting ending.<br />
But by then I had almost lost heart.<br />
And the desire to go on.<br />
<br />
You may read a lot about this book in the press. It is full of all this non-bookish stuff, clippings from newspaper and magazine articles, photos, screen shoots from the secret Cordova web site, The Blackboards. I have read that in the finished book there will be links dotted throughout to web pages to explore, and as is only fitting since the book is already in production as a movie, the author has actually written scripts for all of Cordova's movies that are mentioned.<br />
Really?<br />
<br />
Was six hundred plus pages not enough?<br />
Now I am suppose to spend additional hours explores the web?<br />
Hey, I have other books to read you know! <br />
The author, it seems, is trying to create something that is beyond a book, a mixed media..thing..and IHMO, ends up being too clever for her..and the book's..own good. Without question, she is very talented. If she were not, I would not be so disappointed at the miss. But sometimes talent needs to be restrained from throwing everything into the pot in order to end up with a successful dish. Looking to be something else, she missed at first creating a really good book and ended up with one that is attention getting but for this reader, less than fully successful.<br />
<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">My thanks to the publisher and Library Thing Early Reviewers for a review copy of this book. </span></i></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-32702238353255143342013-08-19T01:25:00.001-04:002013-08-19T20:25:47.859-04:00Musing Monday...I See Venice in my Future.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s1600/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s400/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Do you have a Bookish Muse?<br />
I do!<br />
As always, hosted by MizB at <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<i>..</i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Musing Mondays</b> asks you to muse about one of the following each week…</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Describe one of your reading habits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).<br />• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!</span></span></span> <br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
It is time to plan another trip. My passport is getting dusty.<br />
So, as my Aunt Maura would say, "God Willing!" I will be returning to my beloved Venice at the end of this year.<br />
I have airline tickets, hotel reservations...Winter in Venice, Christmas lights and <span class="st">acqua alta. Do they make packable high water boots?</span><br />
<br />
<span class="st">So, in anticipation my reading too has turned to Venice.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span class="st">In bits and pieces, I have been reading the Commissario Guido Brunetti books by Donna Leon set in Venice, so I purchased a few new ones for my Nook. First, was book number 10 in the series,<i><b> A Sea of Trouble</b></i>...</span><br />
<span class="st"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="st"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlIyq0t62yk/UhGh_gzSCQI/AAAAAAAAL-A/pwpJyaWZmfI/s1600/seaoftrouble.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OlIyq0t62yk/UhGh_gzSCQI/AAAAAAAAL-A/pwpJyaWZmfI/s1600/seaoftrouble.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><span class="st"><i>" ...</i> offers a rare glimpse into the scrupulous
Commissario's personal life. When Brunetti investigates the murder of
two local fishermen on the island of Pellestrina, the small community
closes ranks, forcing him to accept Signorina Elettra's offer to visit
her relatives there to search for clues. Though loyal to his beloved
wife, Paola, he must admit that less-than-platonic emotions underlie his
concern for his boss's beautiful secretary. Suspenseful, provocative,
and deeply unsettling, <i>A Sea of Troubles</i> is an explosive and irresistible addition to Leon?s marvelous series."</span></span></blockquote>
<span class="st">While I love these mysteries and especially their glimpse into life in Venice, at the heart of their appeal are the characters, especially Brunetti and his delightful family. Also, there are his co-workers, the good and not so good..and none is better than </span><span class="st">Signorina Elettra, clever and resourceful. To call her a secretary does not begin to explain her abilities. But <i><b>Sea of Troubles</b></i> left her in a terrible state as the book ended, having suffered a terrible personal loss, so, of course, I had to buy the next, <b><i>Wilful Behavior</i></b>, to see how she made out.</span><br />
<span class="st">Relax, she is dealing with it OK...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="st"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCMnnasdOa0/UhGhRndTTvI/AAAAAAAAL90/LI_9sPx_GlA/s1600/wilful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hCMnnasdOa0/UhGhRndTTvI/AAAAAAAAL90/LI_9sPx_GlA/s1600/wilful.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"In <b><i>Wilful Behavior</i></b>, Brunetti is approached for a favor by one of
his wife's students. Intelligent and serious , Claudia Leonardo asks for
his help in obtaining a pardon for a crime once committed by her
now-dead grandfather. Brunetti thinks little of it-until Claudia is
found dead. Soon, another corpse and an extraordinary art collection
lead Brunetti to long-buried secrets of Nazi collaboration and the
exploitation of Italian Jews-secrets few in Italy want revealed."</span></blockquote>
As usual, both very good books, with more than a little ranting about how the Italian bureaucracy works...or doesn't...and now distasteful the tourists can be. Leon' books can be quite cynical, even angry at times, but I keep coming back for more.<br />
And a have a couple of other books in my library I must look at again as I prepare my mindset, both following in Brunetti's path. There is <b><i>Brunetti's Cookbook</i></b> by Roberta Pianaro and Donna Leon ..<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"In <i>Brunetti’s Cookbook</i>, Donna Leon’s best friend and favorite
cook brings to life these fabulous Venetian meals. The recipes are
joined by excerpts from the novels, four-color illustrations, and six
original essays by Donna Leon on food and life in Venice. Charming,
insightful, and full of personality, they are the perfect addition to
this long awaited book."</span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL6qtbqUcYY/UhGmgkJSsvI/AAAAAAAAL-M/LVOOWv0Hq9c/s1600/brunetticookbook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hL6qtbqUcYY/UhGmgkJSsvI/AAAAAAAAL-M/LVOOWv0Hq9c/s1600/brunetticookbook.jpg" /></a></div>
I am hoping for some restaurants that the good Commissario might recommend.<br />
And finally, we have <b><i>Brunetti's Venice: Walks with the City's Best-Loved Detective</i></b> by Toni Sepeda...<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"Follow Commissario Guido Brunetti, star of Donna Leon’s internationally
best-selling mystery series, on over a dozen walks that highlight
Venice’s churches, markets, bars, cafes, and palazzos.." </span></blockquote>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHCGqeJdugY/UhGnaGD93DI/AAAAAAAAL-Y/61AV_StbrZo/s1600/brunettiwalks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GHCGqeJdugY/UhGnaGD93DI/AAAAAAAAL-Y/61AV_StbrZo/s1600/brunettiwalks.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I think I am all set!!<br />
God willing! <br />
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-4040130600752009032013-08-17T06:48:00.001-04:002013-08-17T06:48:33.902-04:00Weekend Cooking...Bayou Birthday<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU2HS_Izuz4/Ug9UF6ycLRI/AAAAAAAAL9c/pQk52yoBZOs/s1600/baloons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jU2HS_Izuz4/Ug9UF6ycLRI/AAAAAAAAL9c/pQk52yoBZOs/s320/baloons.jpg" width="160" /></a>Ok, it did not actually happen <b><i>in the</i></b> bayou.<br />
It took place in NJ.<br />
But it was a dish one might eat in the bayou, so close enough!<br />
<br />
The Bro, the birthday boy, got to request what he wanted for his birthday dinner.<br />
Seems he would have preferred a vanilla cake and got chocolate.<br />
But it was delicious.<br />
<br />
<br />
And somehow, something was lost in translation and his requested jambalaya turned into a creole.<br />
Shrimp...rice...close enough!!<br />
Once again, like a recent post, those tasty Rotel tomatoes with peppers came into play.<br />
They were not in any recipe I saw, but I thought they would be a fine addition.<br />
I scoured a lot of recipes and settled on one from <a href="http://southernfood.about.com/od/cajuncuisine/r/bl80308e.htm">Southern Food About.com</a> with a touch of <span class="st">Emeril Lagasse thrown in for good measure.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKu_UYPujCU/Ug4xhppCuPI/AAAAAAAAL8w/yxIpe1ONYSw/s1600/P8160379.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKu_UYPujCU/Ug4xhppCuPI/AAAAAAAAL8w/yxIpe1ONYSw/s400/P8160379.JPG" /></a></div>
</div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<u><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Shrimp Creole</span></b></i></u><br />
<ul>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9CCkDtjaso/Ug9TF-LhY5I/AAAAAAAAL9Q/ZkyfIAJH7Dg/s1600/shrimp_a02.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i9CCkDtjaso/Ug9TF-LhY5I/AAAAAAAAL9Q/ZkyfIAJH7Dg/s320/shrimp_a02.png" width="267" /></a>
<li><i>4 lbs medium-size shrimp, peeled, deveined</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>2 tablespoons vegetable oil </i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 1/2 cups chopped onion</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 cup chopped celery</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>3/4 cup chopped green onions</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>2 large green pepper, chopped</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>4 cloves garlic, minced</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>2 cans (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 small can tomato paste</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 can Rotel tomatoes</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1/4 cup all-purpose flour mixed with 1 cup water </i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 teaspoon cajun seasoning</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>2 bay leaves</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 tablespoon lemon juice</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>1 tablespoon chopped parsley</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>hot pepper sauce to taste</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>salt to taste</i></li>
<i>
</i>
<li><i>serve with hot cooked rice</i></li>
<i>
</i></ul>
<i></i>
<i>Heat oil in Dutch oven and add onion, celery, green onions, green pepper, and garlic. Cook, stirring often, 15 minutes or more until vegetables are tender. Stir in tomatoes, tomato sauce and paste, salt, black and red pepper, bay leaves, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce. Bring to a boil. Mix the flour with the water to make a slurry and add, stirring well. Cover and reduce heat. Simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally. </i><br />
<i>Add shrimp and simmer for about 10 minutes more, or until the shrimp turn pink. </i><br />
<i>Remove the bay leaves. </i><br />
<i>Stir in parsley and serve over rice.
Serves 8. </i><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
It seems like a lot of ingredients, but is really just a fair bit of chopping and prep. Then they almost all go in together, and except for some stirring, it is good to go.<br />
And as with many dishes with a sauce like this, even better the next day when all the flavors have 'married'. <br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvuVoR9w4-c/Ug4xiD5_FpI/AAAAAAAAL84/ibRA2xtDifo/s1600/P8160385.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="318" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XvuVoR9w4-c/Ug4xiD5_FpI/AAAAAAAAL84/ibRA2xtDifo/s400/P8160385.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="25%" />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s1600/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s200/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="150" /></a>This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.<br />
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."<br />
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by <a href="http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads.</a><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="25%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-65496358932531266222013-08-13T16:00:00.000-04:002013-08-13T17:29:33.293-04:00Wordless Wednesday..A Guest Post from Japan<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Did I mention I accidentally erased all my photos from this year....and could not get back the last few months worth? </span></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">So when a co-worker returned this week from his first trip abroad...TO JAPAN...I thought he might like to share!</span></span></i></div>
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVwUHVo6DFo/Ugl3b9Vdi0I/AAAAAAAAL60/hxUyoJ-tklE/s1600/IMG_1067.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="463" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BVwUHVo6DFo/Ugl3b9Vdi0I/AAAAAAAAL60/hxUyoJ-tklE/s640/IMG_1067.JPG" width="560" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Tokyo</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxF1x3FfCTI/UgmCdGWeKbI/AAAAAAAAL8g/rY_InWzChME/s1600/IMG_1237.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jxF1x3FfCTI/UgmCdGWeKbI/AAAAAAAAL8g/rY_InWzChME/s640/IMG_1237.JPG" width="433" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Osaka Castle</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmV2mezTPZk/Ugl3cDQjh-I/AAAAAAAAL68/yJfMCLNYKD0/s1600/IMG_1212.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WmV2mezTPZk/Ugl3cDQjh-I/AAAAAAAAL68/yJfMCLNYKD0/s400/IMG_1212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Is that hot dog sushi? Can't quite read it...</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ffpfKHhRGg/Ugl3d4XyTpI/AAAAAAAAL7g/bwxzSwIBWEs/s1600/IMG_1383.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="560" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6ffpfKHhRGg/Ugl3d4XyTpI/AAAAAAAAL7g/bwxzSwIBWEs/s640/IMG_1383.JPG" width="401" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Sogenchi Gardens, Kyoto</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftmXSmA9FNM/UgmBldbqSKI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/5f8LguyrisM/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="580" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ftmXSmA9FNM/UgmBldbqSKI/AAAAAAAAL8Q/5f8LguyrisM/s640/IMG_1467.JPG" width="580" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8684061712648858453" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGCd06xCTl0/Ugl3eSK7JHI/AAAAAAAAL7o/qxrltBeKa0c/s1600/IMG_1484.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" height="505" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VGCd06xCTl0/Ugl3eSK7JHI/AAAAAAAAL7o/qxrltBeKa0c/s640/IMG_1484.JPG" width="560" /></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Excellent job...must be that camera I sold you. </span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Thanks for use of the pics Keith!</span></i></span></div>
<br />
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...and as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com32tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-8070974219572095062013-08-13T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-19T20:24:39.584-04:00Review of "The Beast" [61]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwehYRZWnYg/UgioMgkK0qI/AAAAAAAAL6g/ZqpZ7mjOADE/s1600/beast+banner.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JwehYRZWnYg/UgioMgkK0qI/AAAAAAAAL6g/ZqpZ7mjOADE/s640/beast+banner.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Book Details</b></span></h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Genre:</b> Mystery/Thriller</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Published by:</b> Harper Collins/ William Morrow</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b> Publication Date:</b> August 6, 2013</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Number of Pages:</b> 384</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>ISBN:</b> 9780062121752</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Purchase Links:</b> <a href="http://hottbooks.us5.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=aff32f4c1276ddafdecdeeedd&id=62fc3dc607&e=ddbc12b422" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word !important;" target="_blank"><img align="none" alt="" src="http://www.hottbooks.com/images/amazon.png" style="border: 0px none; line-height: 100%; outline: medium none; text-decoration: none;" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://hottbooks.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=aff32f4c1276ddafdecdeeedd&id=f00d4816e7&e=ddbc12b422" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word !important;" target="_blank"><img align="none" alt="" src="http://www.hottbooks.com/images/bn.png" style="border: 0; line-height: 100%; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" /></a><span style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: small;"> </span><a href="http://hottbooks.us5.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=aff32f4c1276ddafdecdeeedd&id=2fa429aeea&e=ddbc12b422" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: underline; word-wrap: break-word !important;" target="_blank"><img align="none" alt="" src="http://www.hottbooks.com/images/gr.png" style="border: 0; line-height: 100%; min-height: auto !important; outline: none; text-decoration: none;" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">"Throughout his years with the LAPD, Peter Decker has handled a number of tough cases and strange killers. But few of his previous assignments compare to his latest case—the most bizarre of his storied career.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">When Hobart Penny is found dead in his apartment, the cops think that his pet cat—an adult female tiger—attacked the reclusive elderly billionaire. But it soon becomes clear that the beast that killed the eccentric inventor is all too human. Digging into the victim's life, Decker and his colleagues, Detectives Marge Dunn and Scott Oliver, discover that Penny was an exceptionally peculiar man with exotic tastes, including kinky sex with call girls.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"> Following a trail of clues that leads from a wildlife sanctuary in the San Bernardino Mountains to the wild nightlife of Las Vegas, the LAPD detectives are left juggling too many suspects and too few answers. To break open a case involving the two most primal instincts—sex and murder—Decker wrestles with a difficult choice."</span></blockquote>
<br />
Follow the money...isn't that what they say? Especially if your murder victim is a very rich and, it's seems, a very nasty man. And as promised we have a large and interesting group of suspects. A very rich and slightly odd ex-wife who seems to have a few secrets, a couple of grown children, who to various degrees, hated their father. Then there is the director of a wildlife refuge who is very, very interested to see if her group is in the will and maybe just a little too desperate for cash. Then, when the dead man's very sorted past..and present..is revealed, a whole new reasons for some people to want him death come to light.<br />
<br />
Granted, the murder, what with the tiger in an apartment and all, is a bit over the top. But if you can suspend your disbelief long enough to believe that someone could keep wild animals in a city apartment it is a fun read..and in reality it seems to happen at least once a year in New York City that they find someone keeping a lion in their efficiency apartment!<br />
<br />
This is the 21st book in this series, and I must admit, I do not believe I have read any of them before. Which led to two issues for me with this book, one small and one a bit bigger. This is billed as a Decker and Lazarus and it took me awhile to realize who the Lazarus half of that equation was, Decker's now stay at home wife. She plays a small role in this installment, too small a role, apart from asking if anyone wants something to eat and a little parenting of their piano prodigy foster son.<br />
The 17 year old foster son and his romance with a 16 year old girl is the second problem. Yes, since I did not read the previous book, I don't know their history together but still I think too much time was given to that story line to the detriment of the main plot.<br />
<br />
All in all, a fun summer read, that I am sure fans of the series will be looking forward too.<br />
And another series that I need to go back to the beginning of, because Decker and Lazarus are appealing characters.<br />
But 20 books! Where to find the time?<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-23114155075842872972013-08-12T05:07:00.000-04:002013-08-12T05:07:13.118-04:00Musing Monday...Ode to the E-Book<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s1600/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s400/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Monday, Monday...Musing, Musing..<br />
As always, hosted by MizB at <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<i>..</i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Musing Mondays</b> asks you to muse about one of the following each week…</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Describe one of your reading habits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).<br />• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!</span></span></span> <br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
Yes, you read that right.<br />
I, who once ranted about e-books, have come to praise them.<br />
But I must admit, there are a lot of reasons to like these electronic <span id="hotword"> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">vade</span> <span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">mecum.</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">I credit this idea to my sister-in-law who brought this topic up in a conversation, when she realized how much easier it is to read an e-book in bed, not having to bothering the Bro with a light on. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">So lets made a list..</span></span><br />
<br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Pros of e-book-</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Can carry many books on one small device.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Great for travel, whether to work on a bus or a trip around the world.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Can buy new books and download them in seconds.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Most devices are illuminated, requiring no outside light.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Built in dictionary, highlighter, note taker. </span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Books are cheaper than 'dead-tree' books.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Cons-</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">You have to buy the device.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Limited battery life. What is worse than the battery running out at the best part of a book?</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Can not give away..or except to a very limited degree with some devices...loan books. </span></span></li>
</ul>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"></span></span>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Now, REAL books.</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><br /></span></span>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">The pros-</span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">They smell good. The older the better.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">They are sometimes very attractive, with lovely covers, nice bindings. (of course, in reality, most are rather cheaply made trade paperbacks)</span></span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Cons- </span></span><br />
<ul>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">They are bulky, heavy.</span></span></li>
<li><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">More expensive.</span></span></li>
</ul>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"></span></span>
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">I have to admit it, the contest seems to be</span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"></span></span><span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"> leaning toward those Evil E-Books!</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Do you have any pros or cans of your own to add.</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;">Who do you think the winner is??</span></span><br />
<span id="hotword"><span id="hotword" name="hotword" style="color: #333333; cursor: default;"><br /></span></span>caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-76553262142816416752013-08-10T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-10T07:50:26.546-04:00Weekend Cooking...The Pimm's Cup<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
Perhaps we need just one more toast to the future King George!<br />
So today we are going to make a Pimm's Cup, the most English of all summer drinks. Since he is a summer baby, it seems only fitting.<br />
We are going to take a look at the Pimm's Cup.<br />
It is made with Pimm's No.1...<br />
So what is Pimm's?<br />
From their web site..
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"London's dandiest city gents loved to partake in oysters and gin. But with its bitter tang, gin was knocked back, not savoured. Enter shellfish-monger James Pimm and his famous central London 'Oyster Bar' in 1823. Patrons soon swallowed oysters with the PIMM'S 'house cup'. Flavoured with liqueurs and fruit extract, this more palatable long drink 'gin-sling' kick-started the great British PIMM'S story."</i></blockquote>
If you are lounging by the side of the Thames with a picnic, watching the rowers go by, or looking for some refreshment between matches at Wimbledon, you may very well be drinking a Pimm's Cup.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPDJ9S2zJqU/UgV69qRXtoI/AAAAAAAAL58/mgC9m1ZVbf0/s1600/P8090374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EPDJ9S2zJqU/UgV69qRXtoI/AAAAAAAAL58/mgC9m1ZVbf0/s400/P8090374.JPG" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Let us gather our ingredients...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Since it is a gin based drink, you can drink it as is, mixing it with lemonade, lemon-lime soda or ginger ale. But for a little stronger drink, you can add a shot of gin as well.<br />
And then there is the matter of garnishes, a very important aspect it seems. According to an article in the New York Times...
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The proper garnish has long been a point of contention in Pimm’s mythology. In 1949, Jim Moran, a wily New York marketing man prone to stunts, was enlisted to raise the liqueur’s profile. He hired two actresses to stage a fight at a Manhattan nightclub over the correct garnish for a Pimm’s Cup: cucumber or mint. It made the papers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>That dispute continues in earnest today. Cucumber is commonly in the mix, though some bartenders muddle it and others don’t. Mint is often seen. But any ingredient in your average fruit salad may turn up."</i></blockquote>
So first, the basic...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV80BtFktl4/UgV7OasMZDI/AAAAAAAAL6E/rRDQn9l2QSw/s1600/P8090377.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nV80BtFktl4/UgV7OasMZDI/AAAAAAAAL6E/rRDQn9l2QSw/s400/P8090377.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My favorite version, made with the very gingery zip of Ginger Beer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">PIMM'S CUP</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Ingredients:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1 shot Pimm's No. 1 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Fill with 7-Up </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1 slice Cucumber </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Twist of Lemon peel</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">mint </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">In a highball glass add Pimm's No. 1 and twist of lemon. Fill with 7-up. Garnish with cucumber slice and mint.</span><br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
Just to let you know, I muddled my mint!<br />
<br />
But now that you bought that bottle of Pimm's, are there other drinks you can make with it? Of course!!<br />
Replace the 7 Up with Champagne and you have a Royal Pimm's Cup. Replace it with ginger ale, or even better, spicy ginger beer, and you have a Pimm's Ragoon.<br />
But there are bartenders out there coming up with all sort of other ideas. For fans of tequila, there is the...<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">EL DIABLO</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Ingredients: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1 1/2 ounces blanco tequila </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice from 1 lime </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/2 ounce high quality triple sec </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/2 ounce Pimm's No. 1 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Ginger ale</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Combine tequila, lime juice, triple sec, and Pimm’s in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain contents into a Collins glass filled with ice and top with ginger ale.</span><br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
And for a drink that can extend the Pimm season past the summer, how about a cocktail with whiskey?<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">PIMM DADDY</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">"This rye-based Pimm's cocktail was created by Taylor Bense of The Post Office in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. We added a touch more lemon to our taste. Muddled cucumber adds a lovely freshness to the drink."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Ingredients: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">2 half-inch slices peeled fresh cucumber </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/2 ounce simple syrup </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">3/4 ounce freshly squeezed lemon juice from 1 lemon </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">3/4 ounce Pimm's No. 1 </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">2 ounces Rye whiskey</span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">cucumber ribbon </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">In a cocktail shaker, muddle cucumber rounds in simple syrup until mixture is an even paste. Add lemon, Pimm's, and rye, and fill shaker with ice. Shake until well chilled, about 20 seconds. Strain into ice-filled rocks glass. Garnish with cucumber ribbon if desired. </span><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
Or for something quite tropical...<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">The Kameleon </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Ingredients: </span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1 oz 151 proof rum </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/2 oz Blue Curacao </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">3 oz Pineapple juice </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;"> 2 oz Orange juice </span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: #ffe599;">1/3 oz Pimm's No. 1 </span></li>
</ul>
<span style="background-color: #ffe599;">Mixing instructions:
Firstly, build ingredients in the order given in a collins glass over ice. Layer the Pimms on top. It will look sort of like a traffic light. When served, stir in front of customer and it turns lime green. </span><br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
I need to get some Blue Curacao.
<br />
Whichever version you try, Pimm's is a tasty liqueur and makes a light, refreshing summer drink!!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-0wSDplLM4/UgV72I1pf5I/AAAAAAAAL6Q/oTdu1uyvgOk/s1600/P8090375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-k-0wSDplLM4/UgV72I1pf5I/AAAAAAAAL6Q/oTdu1uyvgOk/s640/P8090375.JPG" width="299" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My, that goods good!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr size="3" width="25%" />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s1600/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s200/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="150" /></a>This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.<br />
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."<br />
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by <a href="http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads.</a><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="25%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-83727947055499384592013-08-08T20:34:00.000-04:002013-08-09T03:02:30.531-04:00Review of "The Cuckoo's Calling" [60]<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWU6uqHw8ZU/UgSTqfG-KGI/AAAAAAAAL5w/DQbWDibY8gQ/s1600/cuckoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" jsa="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iWU6uqHw8ZU/UgSTqfG-KGI/AAAAAAAAL5w/DQbWDibY8gQ/s320/cuckoo.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Cuckoos-Calling-Robert-Galbraith/dp/0316206849">The Cuckoo's Calling</a> by Robert Galbraith<br />
Mulholland Books, ISBN 978-0316206846 <br />
April 30, 2102, 464 pages<br />
<hr size="3" width="40%" />
<br />
Cormoran Strike has had better days.<br />
He has broken up with his posh, rich girlfriend, is a bit broken hearted and finds himself homeless as well, since he had moved in with her. His business as a private detective is going down the drain and a large part of his day involves trying to avoid calls from the man who holds the loan he cannot pay. Then he arrives at his rather seedy office to find that the temp agency has sent another secretary, who he also cannot afford to pay. Not to mention the constant pain from the prosthetic leg due to his war injury by a land mine in Afghanistan.<br />
<br />
But things take a decided turn for the better up when a new client walks in the door. He is a wealthy man, the adopted son of a well known family whose sister, Lula Landry, a very and very rich supermodel supposedly killed herself 3 months ago, jumping from her apartment balcony. But the brother does not believe that is what happened and is willing to pay Cormoran several times his normal rate, with a big advance, to find out the truth. <br />
<br />
OK, so now Cormoran can afford to keep that secretary, Robin, which is a very good thing, for the investigation and for the book. See, it has always been Robin’s secret dream to be a PI and this may be her one chance to fulfill that dream as she interviews for some "real jobs". She is very clever in her own right, adding a balance of finesse to Cormoran's rather hulking presence. She is the Dr. Watson to his Sherlock, an excellent team that I hope we will see again. <br />
<br />
Of course, I am sure you have heard that the real author of this book is no other than the very famous JK Rowling. That would make no difference to me, not being a fan of her previous work, if only because I never read them. Either way, I would still have very much liked this book and would recommend it. <br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The characters, especially Cormoran and Robin are very good, and their interaction is great fun. Not that Robin's rather prissy fiancé agrees. But many of the secondary characters are very good as well, painting an interesting view of the whole paparazzi/club scene/super model/fashion world. And yet, for the entire very modern scene, it is a book that has a rather old-fashioned feel. I would forget at first that Cormoran was a vet of a very present day conflict. Cormoran could easily have been an injured soldier coming home from WWI or WWII. I read that Rowlings is a great fan of the earlier classic mysteries of Agatha Christie and Dorothy L Sayers and wanted to write a book in that style. If so, she certainly succeeds, along with adding a very modern touch, a fair bit of humor, and a no doubt personal understand of the danger of fame and success. </div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
A well written, well plotted, quite enjoyable 'debut' mystery, that I certainly hope is the first in a series.</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="40%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-34840267056793587542013-08-07T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-07T06:45:07.937-04:00Wordless Wednesday...On The Streets of Sorrento<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Still revisiting Italy, this time along the Amafi Coast, south of Naples.</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="40%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx3jSO-CBSk/UgEzyAG1XMI/AAAAAAAAL4c/788gii_BjRw/s1600/PA180081a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="407" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wx3jSO-CBSk/UgEzyAG1XMI/AAAAAAAAL4c/788gii_BjRw/s640/PA180081a.jpg" width="540" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9E2vKr4_YyY/UgEzyhyFeaI/AAAAAAAAL4o/UPZ1JqAwCXI/s1600/PA180110a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9E2vKr4_YyY/UgEzyhyFeaI/AAAAAAAAL4o/UPZ1JqAwCXI/s640/PA180110a.jpg" width="377" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkokA3WJNFo/UgEzzdfYkxI/AAAAAAAAL40/o4jEIPlQgDY/s1600/PA180085a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="520" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkokA3WJNFo/UgEzzdfYkxI/AAAAAAAAL40/o4jEIPlQgDY/s640/PA180085a.jpg" width="538" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2NBxNuQTouU/UgEz0L-zHlI/AAAAAAAAL48/gulWYgchL90/s1600/PA180075a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="570" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2NBxNuQTouU/UgEz0L-zHlI/AAAAAAAAL48/gulWYgchL90/s640/PA180075a.jpg" width="365" /></a> </div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lcTVrqXxmU/UgEz0ZfhjUI/AAAAAAAAL5I/o2C4p_lxFvc/s1600/PA180089a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="482" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3lcTVrqXxmU/UgEz0ZfhjUI/AAAAAAAAL5I/o2C4p_lxFvc/s640/PA180089a.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See the doggie?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0DyLQSwa0Y/UgEz1AnaSKI/AAAAAAAAL5U/z966wqVe3rc/s1600/PA180079a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="427" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y0DyLQSwa0Y/UgEz1AnaSKI/AAAAAAAAL5U/z966wqVe3rc/s640/PA180079a.jpg" width="540" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..and this one was actually ON the street!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />
<div style="color: black; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>...as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com38tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-73365688655602159212013-08-06T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-08T20:34:31.271-04:00Review of "Eva's Eye" [59]<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLm71-G9TpM/Uf7ibS2CTcI/AAAAAAAAL3Q/R6ynuqvecYQ/s1600/eva.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wLm71-G9TpM/Uf7ibS2CTcI/AAAAAAAAL3Q/R6ynuqvecYQ/s1600/eva.JPG" /></a><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/evas-eye-karin-fossum/1112318730?ean=9780547738772">Eva's Eye</a> by Karin Fossum</span></i><br />
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, ISBN<br />
<span id="yui_3_8_1_1_1375658211927_1099"></span>8/6/2013, 36 pages<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
A mother, Eva, and her daughter walk along the river and ,shockingly, come upon
the body of a man in the water. Except the woman does not seem that
shocked, and only pretends to call the police to report what they saw to placate her daughter.<br />
How very odd.<br />
<br />
Of course, someone else reports the body and the dead man is soon identified as Egil, a brewery worker who disappeared four months ago after he had gone out to sell his car to a mysterious buyer.
And how odd that Eva was also childhood friends with
another woman that was found dead in her apartment, murdered, just days
before the man who was found floating disappeared. Also, what is it with
her daughter's frequent comments about how they are now financially
better off than they were a short time ago.<br />
Any fan of good mysteries
does not believe in coincidences and neither does a good detective like
Inspector Sejer.<br />
<br />
I have read several of the books in the
Inspector Sejer series, but I must say this one, the first, at last translated and published in English, made more of
an impression than some of the others.Yes, it is a bit of a pet peeve of mine, these series being translated out of order...<br />
Happily now, readers can now start at the beginning and be introduced to Sejer properly, because this is a fine place to start. We find out how his beloved wife died, how his daughter just returned from Africa with her husband and a new grandson. He met his doggie and go skydiving with him, an interesting hobby.<br />
<br />
In
many ways this is a low key book, small facts being gradually revealed,
connections becoming obvious, all moving to what is a rather sad but
inevitable ending. Sejer is a man that understands such things. He is a
very solid and believable man, someone you trust as the reader to do the
best that can be done and yet allow justice to prevail.<br />
Personally, I am off to check out some others in the series that I have missed.<br />
<br />
A solid, well written, very enjoyable mystery.<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">My thanks to Amazon Vine and the publisher for providing a review copy of this book. </span></i></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-77931533686292424932013-08-05T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-05T00:00:04.645-04:00Musing Monday..What Tops The TBR Pile This Week!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s1600/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s400/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It's Monday and time to muse!<br />
As always, hosted by MizB at <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<i>..</i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
No rants this weeks, for a change, so I will share with you a few books I recently got my mitts on.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puoHNyfccLA/Uf7pjl9h6OI/AAAAAAAAL3w/GzQIdGNi1co/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-puoHNyfccLA/Uf7pjl9h6OI/AAAAAAAAL3w/GzQIdGNi1co/s1600/lighthouse.jpg" /></a>First, there is <i><b>Lighthouse Island</b> by Paulette Jiles. </i><br />
Yes, I will admit that lighthouse in the title first got my attention...but it does sound interesting.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">"<span id="freeText15068970007607227000">The bestselling
author of the highly praised novels The Color of Lightning, Stormy
Weather, and Enemy Women pushes into new territory with this captivating
and atmospheric story set in the far future-a literary dystopian tale
resonant with love and hope.<br /><br />In the coming centuries the
world's population has exploded and covered the earth with cities,
animals are nearly all gone and drought has taken over so that cloudy
water is issued by the quart. There are no maps, no borders, no numbered
years. On this urban planet the only relief from overcrowding and the
harsh rule of the big Agencies is the television in every living space,
with its dreams of vanished waterfalls and the promise of virtual
vacations in green spaces, won by the lucky few.</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span id="freeText15068970007607227000">It is an unwelcoming
world for an orphan like Nadia Stepan... Abandoned by her parents on a
crowded street when she was four, the little girl is shuttled from
orphanage to orphanage, foster-family to foster-family. Nadia grows up
dreaming of the vacation spot called Lighthouse Island, in a place
called the Pacific Northwest. She becomes obsessed with it and is
determined to somehow find her way there. In the meantime this bright
and witty orphan falls into the refuge of old and neglected books; the
lost world of the imagination."</span></span></div>
</blockquote>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-879gXXPZSKw/Uf7tQE2SMOI/AAAAAAAAL4I/qz5G84w_nxg/s1600/accidents.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-879gXXPZSKw/Uf7tQE2SMOI/AAAAAAAAL4I/qz5G84w_nxg/s1600/accidents.jpg" /></a></div>
Next is <i><b>Accidents Happen</b> by Louise Millar.</i><br />
<div class="widgetContent">
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<h5>
<div style="margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">What if the one in a million is you?</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">
</span><div style="margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Kate Parker has had so much bad luck in
her life, she's convinced she's cursed. But when she tries to do her
best to keep herself and her son safe, people tell her she's being
anxious and obsessive.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">
</span></h5>
<div style="margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Just
when her life starts to spin completely out of control, an Oxford
professor she meets offers to help. But his methods are not
conventional. If she wants to live her life again, he will expect her to
take risks.</span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">When a mysterious neighbour starts to take more than a passing interest in her, Kate tries to stay rational and ignore it.</span></div>
<div style="margin-top: 0;">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Maybe this, however, is the one time Kate should be worried.</span></div>
</blockquote>
</div>
Oh Kate, always be suspicious of mysterious neighbors!<br />
Don't be rational..be afraid!<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
And last, here is one that I actually bought!<br />
But after I read the recommendation on one of my favorite blogs, <a href="http://host.com/web-address.html">The Conversion Dairy</a> I had to. I love her writing...seems she will have a book out in the near future...and she is so funny, I will quote what she wrote about the book. It made me buy it!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q14peFXhzzs/Uf7oMsmxLjI/AAAAAAAAL3g/ziTqKBNLr4Y/s1600/longships.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q14peFXhzzs/Uf7oMsmxLjI/AAAAAAAAL3g/ziTqKBNLr4Y/s1600/longships.jpg" /></a><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">"Your life isn’t complete until you read <i><b>The Long Ships </b>by Frans G. Bengtsson</i>.... </span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">My one complaint about The Long Ships is that it’s only 600 pages. When I reached page 280, I wanted to cry when I saw that I was almost half way through. A book like this should be no less than 2,000 pages. And, yeah, if you’re short on reading time it’ll take you a while to get through it. But that’s fine, since you won’t ever want to read anything else anyway.
The book is an epic saga in the classic sense of the term. It covers the adventures of a Viking named Red Orm, from the time he’s a young man until he’s older. It’s a swashbuckling tale of Viking culture around the time that Christianity first made its way that far north. Reading the book is less like turning the pages of a manuscript, and more like sitting around a fire with rowdy Northmen, drinking ale and listening to them loudly chronicle their exploits.
</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Also, it’s hilarious. All throughout the book there is a dry, understated type of humor that often had me laughing out loud at one o’clock in the morning." </span></blockquote>
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">"Your life isn’t complete..." well, I have to read that one!</span><br />
As usual, I have some great sounding books waiting for me.<br />
Now I just need the time to read them all!<br />
<br />
How about you?<br />
Is there one book you can just not wait to start? caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-81371258466300254412013-08-04T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-04T00:00:00.882-04:00Happy Birthday Bandit!!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xaj1LwmHJqI/Uf2b-WQw3wI/AAAAAAAAL28/qD4K8xE6p3k/s1600/line.string.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="3" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xaj1LwmHJqI/Uf2b-WQw3wI/AAAAAAAAL28/qD4K8xE6p3k/s320/line.string.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Yes, the other night was Bandit's 5th Birthday...</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">although as his mom will tell you, he is still a puppy at heart. </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">So we had a little party! </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDmeDJ8Hhpw/Uf2ZFkuMDnI/AAAAAAAAL14/e0QLZhkSWVs/s1600/P8010368a.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bDmeDJ8Hhpw/Uf2ZFkuMDnI/AAAAAAAAL14/e0QLZhkSWVs/s400/P8010368a.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;">There was cake of course...</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyvzpdF2wpA/Uf2ZGSnoPwI/AAAAAAAAL2A/B7iA4Wa7T5A/s1600/P8010342a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zyvzpdF2wpA/Uf2ZGSnoPwI/AAAAAAAAL2A/B7iA4Wa7T5A/s400/P8010342a.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">..and the birthday boy had a special hat.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Ours were plain. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Yes, we all wore hats!</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhCfXXDUO-c/Uf2ZGsH_RiI/AAAAAAAAL2M/sONOSwkN1-o/s1600/P8010356a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MhCfXXDUO-c/Uf2ZGsH_RiI/AAAAAAAAL2M/sONOSwkN1-o/s400/P8010356a.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">..here are some of the gifts he received.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">He LOVES toys. </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pFVp73gvjU/Uf2ZHBRkBqI/AAAAAAAAL2Y/18ah9as3DzY/s1600/P8010360a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8pFVp73gvjU/Uf2ZHBRkBqI/AAAAAAAAL2Y/18ah9as3DzY/s400/P8010360a.jpg" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">..and I think he might already have a favorite! </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGY5kyExO4Q/Uf2ZHnrVjaI/AAAAAAAAL2g/-CUNaGXS7iU/s1600/P8010373a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGY5kyExO4Q/Uf2ZHnrVjaI/AAAAAAAAL2g/-CUNaGXS7iU/s400/P8010373a.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The boys, Sammy in the front and Benny </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">in the back,</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">had a good time, </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-1FKi1ntMU/Uf2bfJxCuqI/AAAAAAAAL20/wllGS77vPFU/s1600/balloon_02.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M-1FKi1ntMU/Uf2bfJxCuqI/AAAAAAAAL20/wllGS77vPFU/s1600/balloon_02.gif" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">then jumped in the car to head on home.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaj1LwmHJqI/Uf2b-WQw3wI/AAAAAAAAL3A/dOrt2hJRj50/s1600/line.string.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="3" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xaj1LwmHJqI/Uf2b-WQw3wI/AAAAAAAAL3A/dOrt2hJRj50/s320/line.string.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-54667730312704562472013-08-03T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-08T20:34:17.332-04:00Review of "6 Ingredient Solution" [58]<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Ingredient-Solution-Editors-Americas-Kitchen/dp/1936493446/ref=tmm_pap_title_0">6 Ingredient Solution</a> </i></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">by the Editors at America's Test Kitchen</span></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Boston Common Press, ISBN 978-1936493449</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
August 1, 2013, 328 pages</div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfNWBaPCu8/Uft3T6XLvDI/AAAAAAAAL00/upxy1S3EouA/s1600/6IngredientSolution.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hZfNWBaPCu8/Uft3T6XLvDI/AAAAAAAAL00/upxy1S3EouA/s1600/6IngredientSolution.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="productDescription">
<br />
Oh boy, my friends at America's Test Kitchen have a new cookbook out and I got my hands on a copy! So what is this one about?</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div class="productDescription">
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;"><b>"How to Coax More Flavors from Fewer Ingredients</b></span>
</div>
<span style="background-color: #fff2cc;">Think it takes more than a handful of ingredients to get a hearty
chicken soup, Sunday dinner-worthy roast beef, or robustly flavored
spaghetti and meatballs on the table? Think again.
The test cooks at America's Test Kitchen tackled a new challenge with
this collection of 175+ fuss-free recipes that slash the shopping list
but deliver the big flavor you'd expect. We put our ingredients to work
and revamped cooking methods for everything from starters and soups to
braises, casseroles, pastas, and desserts--without losing any of the
flavor."</span></blockquote>
How will they achieve great recipes with just six ingredients? Well, they are a number of key points. <b>Look Beyond the Usual Cooking Fats</b>...like using coconut milk to fry in.<br />
<b>Use High Heat to Develop Flavor</b>...searing and browning add great flavor.<br />
<b>Stock Up on Spice Blends</b>..and add some new ones to your pantry like 5 Spice or herbes de Provence.<br />
<b>Unlock the flavors of Spices and Herb</b>s...by, for examples, heating them in a little oil.<br />
<b>Discover New Uses for Store-Bought Sauces</b>..store made pesto or BBQ to name just two.<br />
<b>Build Glazes for Meat with Jams and Jellies</b>...fig jam on a pork roast or hot pepper jelly on chicken!<br />
<b>Rethink Pickles and Marinated Vegetables</b>...jarred roasted peppers, Giadiniera and stuffed cherry peppers appear in several recipe. Easy and full of flavor.<br />
<b>Explore the International Aisle</b>...think outside the box with curry paste or oyster sauce and many other suggestions.<br />
<b>Consider the Snack Shelf When Cooking</b>...baked cheese sticks crushed as a coating for fish or chicken..crushed cookies to make a quick trifle, to name just a few.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuzP831eSVY/UfxCEa02OWI/AAAAAAAAL1U/ydom1EzomNY/s1600/P8010336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fuzP831eSVY/UfxCEa02OWI/AAAAAAAAL1U/ydom1EzomNY/s400/P8010336.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This book is full of great, interesting recipes, from easy appetizers to quick desserts, and in between, casseroles, soups, grilled items, a big pasta section, lots of chicken, beef and pork and a nice section of vegetarian mains dishes which even tempted this carnivore. And every one with just 6 ingredients.<br />
<br />
As always with ATK books, there are lots of great photos and the ever helpful "Why this recipe works" intro to each recipe, along with lots of tips and product recommendations. <br />
So which recipe to make first?<br />
There are so many...the Hearty Italian Chicken Soup with Kale and Gnocchi looks so good in the photo. That added pesto sounds like a great idea. Or how about Braised Beef with Red Wine and Cherries...yum. You get the idea...these are not Plain Jane dishes just because they have only 6 ingredients. <br />
<br />
So I picked something a little spicy..<br />
<br />
<i><u><b>Spicy Pork Tacos with Pineapple Salsa</b></u></i><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZXcNENJxhc/UfxCD_3ZNZI/AAAAAAAAL1M/zeX_IefTEA4/s1600/P8010334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fZXcNENJxhc/UfxCD_3ZNZI/AAAAAAAAL1M/zeX_IefTEA4/s320/P8010334.JPG" width="207" /></a><i></i><br />
<ul>
<li><i>9 ozs. fresh peeled and cored pineapple</i></li>
<li><i>1 small red onion</i></li>
<li><i>Fresh cilantro</i></li>
<li><i>1 (10 oz) can Rotel Diced Tomatoes and Green Chilies</i></li>
<li><i>1 lb. ground pork</i></li>
<li><i>8 Store bought taco shells (old El Paso brand recommend by ATK)</i></li>
</ul>
<i></i><br />
<i>Cut 6 ozs. of the pineapple into 1/4 inch pieces and coarsely chop the remaining 3 ozs.</i><br />
<i>Finely chop the red onion and mince a 1/4 cup cilantro. Toss the finely diced pineapple, half the onion and the cilantro in a bowl and season with salt and pepper.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Process the tomatoes with their juice and the coarsely chopped pineapple in food processor until smooth, about 15 seconds. Cook the remaining onions and the pork together i a 12 inch pan over medium high heat until pork is no longer raw, about five minutes. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer until thickened, 8-10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.</i><br />
<br />
<i>Warm taco shells as directed on package. Divide pork mixture evenly among taco shells and to with pineapple salsa. </i><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
This one was a winner, quick, easy, full of flavor and very popular with the folks! Of course, the key is the spicy Rotel tomatoes that add a big punch of flavor and a nice bit of heat. Paired with the sweet salsa and the fresh kick of cilantro it was excellent.<br />
I doubled the recipe...so I could have some left over for my lunch this weekend..lol. And I should mention that I used ground turkey instead of pork. It was on sale! I am not usually too fond of ground turkey but with this sauce it was very good. Beef, pork or turkey..I think all would work just fine.<br />
I also added a squeeze of lime to the salsa, because I had a lime on the counter. So maybe my version was 6 and 1/2 ingredients. As you can see, I served it with some rice with black beans. And there is that lime again....<br />
Very good, from a very good new cookbook, and a recipe I will certainly be making again soon.<br />
And I have so many more in this book to try. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oywLqvswqto/UfxHrw0Hk1I/AAAAAAAAL1k/-N1PAiW2HrU/s1600/P8010348.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oywLqvswqto/UfxHrw0Hk1I/AAAAAAAAL1k/-N1PAiW2HrU/s400/P8010348.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<hr size="3" width="25%" />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s1600/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s200/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="150" /></a>This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.<br />
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."<br />
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by <a href="http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads.</a><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="25%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-61310563570059809782013-08-01T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-08T20:34:01.788-04:00Review of " Let Me Go" [57]<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELwpZdOd5GU/UfZmFYketxI/AAAAAAAALzg/bdZN3FAm5J0/s1600/letmego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ELwpZdOd5GU/UfZmFYketxI/AAAAAAAALzg/bdZN3FAm5J0/s1600/letmego.jpg" /></a><i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312619812">Let Me Go (Archie Sheridan & Gretchen Lowell)</a> by Chelsea Cain</span></i><br />
Minotaur Books, ISBN 978-0312619817<br />
August 13, 2013, 368 pages<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">"Detective Archie Sheridan just has to get through the next few days,
then his birthday and Halloween will be over. But with escaped serial
killer Gretchen Lowell on the loose, the investigation into the murder
of a DEA agent demanding his attention, and journalist Susan Ward
showing up at his apartment needing a favor, it’s going to be a long
weekend.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #d0e0e3;">Soon Archie finds himself crashing a masked ball on a private island
owned by Jack Reynolds, a notorious local drug kingpin. By morning,
Archie is back on pain killers, a guest is dead and Archie quickly
realizes that little is what it seems. One thing is clear: Gretchen is
back, and Archie’s nemesis and sometimes lover has something special in
mind for the birthday boy, something she’s been planning for a long,
long time."</span><br />
<br />
Have you read the other 5 books in the Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan series?<br />
Well, if you like creepy..think a female Hannibal Lecter maybe...well written, great characters, this is a great series and this is a worthy addition to the group.<br />
Yes, once again Gretchen is on the loose, a few dead bodies in her wake, and the strange relationship between her and Archie continues. For me, this is the key to this series. She is evil, beautiful and smart and even funny. And evil. And even though in an earlier book Archie was one of her victim and still suffers from results of the terrible torture she subjected him to, they have a connection that is hard to explain. Yet oddly believable.<br />
Well, she did leave him a great, cute dog at least last time. I love a great dog character! <br />
<br />
This time the odd relationship continues, as does Archie on again/off again friendship/maybe more with the quirky reporter Susan Ward. Talk about the anti-Gretchen. Yet when Archie's life is in danger, both of his 'girls' will be looking to help him out, each in their own way.<br />
Archie is still battling his demons, including one bad addiction to pain killers, but happily he has his act a bit more in order than when last we saw him. Flawed enough, but at least able to work. <br />
<br />
This is a series that should be read in order. These relationships have developed through each book and you really need to understand that to appreciate the relationships. I will say this one is not the most creepy of the group. And maybe not the best. That goes to the book in which Archie is tortured. And the ending in this one did stretch believability a bit too much. Gretchen is on the verge of turning into an evil Super Hero, able to leap all building...you get the idea.<br />
I will also warn you that there are a few sex scenes that could best be described as kinky and a good deal of bloody violence.<br />
But for fans of the series this is a must read. <br />
<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">My thanks to the publisher and Amazon Vine for providing a review copy.</span></i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-69493303915933815812013-07-31T00:00:00.000-04:002013-07-31T08:02:28.241-04:00Wordless Wednesday..Ciao Bella Roma<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Wow, I started looking at my photos from Rome again and </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">saw so many I liked...so forgive me if I share a few more.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Hope none of these are repeats! :-) </span></i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="40%" />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpt7rbOELnE/UfgV3TnnBSI/AAAAAAAALz0/xsQDbH-67EY/s1600/IMG_0310a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="457" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zpt7rbOELnE/UfgV3TnnBSI/AAAAAAAALz0/xsQDbH-67EY/s640/IMG_0310a.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3baksqEjoKQ/UfgV31aPcoI/AAAAAAAALz8/p4LOPo6pYsU/s1600/PA190136a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3baksqEjoKQ/UfgV31aPcoI/AAAAAAAALz8/p4LOPo6pYsU/s640/PA190136a.jpg" width="459" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QobMrhh-T38/UfgV4A7JuNI/AAAAAAAAL0E/cf3eaWsM1jY/s1600/IMG_0253a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="496" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QobMrhh-T38/UfgV4A7JuNI/AAAAAAAAL0E/cf3eaWsM1jY/s640/IMG_0253a.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4J5PkPPiHMQ/UfgV4o_gQzI/AAAAAAAAL0U/PFKfqkKlYAE/s1600/IMG_0376a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4J5PkPPiHMQ/UfgV4o_gQzI/AAAAAAAAL0U/PFKfqkKlYAE/s640/IMG_0376a.jpg" width="486" /></a><br />
<br /></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecFax_x_Nk0/UfgV5AG6RLI/AAAAAAAAL0c/py6MenvHdTI/s1600/IMG_0350a.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="580" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ecFax_x_Nk0/UfgV5AG6RLI/AAAAAAAAL0c/py6MenvHdTI/s640/IMG_0350a.jpg" width="443" /></a> </div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: CENTER;">
</div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />
<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>...as always, for more Wordless Wednesday, </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>check <a href="http://wordlesswednesday.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">these</a> out.</i></span> </div>
<br />
<hr size="5" width="45%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-65007250026902899642013-07-29T03:36:00.000-04:002013-07-30T15:37:34.863-04:00Musing Monday...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s1600/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="248" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XuTEeXB3gTI/UcdlazacpRI/AAAAAAAALjE/Zu0-JKRzQ0U/s400/Musing+Mondays2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
These weeks go by so fast!<br />
Yes, it is Monday, so let's get Musing!!<br />
As always, hosted by MizB at <a href="http://shouldbereading.wordpress.com/">Should Be Reading</a>.<i>..</i></div>
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
<br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Musing Mondays</b> asks you to muse about one of the following each week…</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Describe one of your reading habits.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what book(s) you recently bought for yourself or someone else, and why you chose that/those book(s).<br />• What book are you currently desperate to get your hands on? Tell us about it!</span></span></span> <br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Tell us what you’re reading right now — what you think of it, so far; why you chose it; what you are (or, aren’t) enjoying it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Do you have a bookish rant? Something about books or reading (or the industry) that gets your ire up? Share it with us!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">• Instead of the above questions, maybe you just want to ramble on about something else pertaining to books — let’s hear it, then!</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="50%" />
There was an article in Shelf Awareness this week, <i><b>in fact, a special addition with just this article on Saturday,</b></i> that discussed an issue that caught my eye. It is something that book readers and book buyers should be aware of.<br />
Did you see it?<br />
It is about my old friends at the Great Evil Amazon and a little game they seems to be up to...<br />
<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">"Yesterday Amazon.com quietly began discounting many bestselling hardcover titles between 50% and 65%, levels we've never seen in the history of Amazon or in the bricks-and-mortar price wars of the past....</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">The discounts are far below the usual 40%-50% range sometimes offered by Amazon, warehouse clubs and other discounters and are more typical for remainders than frontlist hardcovers. In some cases, the hardcovers are priced below the Kindle editions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: #cfe2f3;">...
"It's an open declaration of war against the industry," said Jack McKeown, president of Books & Books Westhampton Beach, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. Like several people familiar with Amazon's move, he speculated that Amazon has been "emboldened" by the Justice Department's victory against five major publishers in the e-book agency model case as well as Wall Street's acceptance of continued losses by Amazon for now in the expectation of retail domination--and major profits--eventually."</span></blockquote>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhMlsMtUlaE/UfYX1AN5m4I/AAAAAAAALzQ/jCaSGki5GdQ/s1600/Books-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WhMlsMtUlaE/UfYX1AN5m4I/AAAAAAAALzQ/jCaSGki5GdQ/s1600/Books-2.jpg" /></a></div>
Yes, they lose money in the last quarter and Wall Street is not concerned about their future.<br />
Why is that?<br />
It reminds me of the ploy of drug dealers. At first the drugs they sell you will be very cheap, free even, until you are roped in. And then once they got ya..and drove the competition off the street corner...then they hit ya with the real price.<br />
<br />
Am I a hypocrite? Don't I buy from them?<br />
Well, yes I do. But in my defense, I have little choice book wise. There are no independent bookstore around here, not even a Borders or a Barnes and Noble. I do buy all my e-books from B&N online as a bit of a protest, even though I read all my e-books on my iPad now.<br />
Price is important to me in everything I buy, and often Amazon is the cheapest.<br />
<br />
But I will say it again...the growing place of Amazon in the book world is more than a little worrying. {Did I mention their buyout of Goodreads?} Hey, I don't mind them or any company doing well, but to now be in the position to be able to take a loss for a bit in order to undercut the competition, maybe drive them out of business... make me sit up and take notice.caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-13964635662445854762013-07-27T12:18:00.001-04:002013-07-27T12:22:09.794-04:00Weekend Cooking...Let's Try a ShandyToday, in honor of the new wee Prince George, we are going to have a toast to his good heath and exciting future.<br />
But what to drink for the toast?<br />
What we need is a nice summer drink that might be consumed in the UK.<br />
<br />
And once again, I remember a beverage from one of Peter Robinson's Inspector Banks mysteries. No less than Adam Banks himself was stopping at a pub for some afternoon refreshment, as he frequently does, and he ordered a Shandy.<br />
<br />
"What in the world is a shady?" I said.<br />
<br />
Well, according to Wikipedia..."A shandy, or shandygaff, is beer mixed with a soft drink, carbonated lemonade, ginger beer, ginger ale, or apple juice. The proportions of the two ingredients are adjusted to taste, usually half-and-half."<br />
<br />
I must say, as a person who likes beer, this sounded vile.
But I needed to do my research! As always, just for you my dear readers.<br />
<br />
So off I went to the liquor store to get some supplies for my test.<br />
There are a large number of bottled shandys, so I bought a couple of them and then some regular beer..many sites suggest a white wheat beer to mix with lemonade to make a 'homemade' version.
Then I threw a ringer in, with a beverage from the Evil Bud Beer Company, the <i><b>Bud Light Lime-a-Rita</b></i>, sort of a mixture of beer and margarita. Hmmm..<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvIknoRUSdo/UfPvdOocSDI/AAAAAAAALyg/MWOgIdbsaKQ/s1600/P7250310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jvIknoRUSdo/UfPvdOocSDI/AAAAAAAALyg/MWOgIdbsaKQ/s400/P7250310.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
So, how did the taste test go?
First, the bottled shandys.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-5egUCISHc/UfPvrI2BWyI/AAAAAAAALyo/nIvw_DlW4kU/s1600/P7260326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-B-5egUCISHc/UfPvrI2BWyI/AAAAAAAALyo/nIvw_DlW4kU/s400/P7260326.JPG" /></a></div>
The first one I tried was the <b><i>Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy</i></b>.<br />
Their site describes it like this...<i>"Leinenkugel's Summer Shandy is crisp wheat beer brewed with natural lemonade flavor which makes it a perfect summertime refresher for those sun-splashed summer days."</i><br />
It does seem very popular by the amount the store had on hand, in bottle and cans. It did certainly taste like lemon, I will say that.<br />
It smelled like beer and tasted like fake lemon. Odd.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUpwVlTg0SY/UfPvywHaeyI/AAAAAAAALyw/bXi4StkUlVo/s1600/P7260329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IUpwVlTg0SY/UfPvywHaeyI/AAAAAAAALyw/bXi4StkUlVo/s400/P7260329.JPG" /></a></div>
Next I tried <i><b>Tenacious Travelers Shandy</b></i> which says it is "<i>a ginger shandy—the perfect combination of spice and sweetness!"</i><br />
OK, I think I missed the ginger part.<br />
Tasted OK, but nothing to write home about.<br />
<br />
So, lets try a homemade shandy! 1/2 lemonade...half beer.
And by far the best. Lemony in a nice way and yet still a flavor of beer. So IMHO, if you want to explore the shandy world, make your own as the first try.<br />
Quick, easy, cheap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGn2JGq3ris/UfPv6vbgQmI/AAAAAAAALy4/62Afe1FTDB4/s1600/P7260319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LGn2JGq3ris/UfPv6vbgQmI/AAAAAAAALy4/62Afe1FTDB4/s400/P7260319.JPG" /></a></div>
And finally, what of this Lime-a-Rita?<br />
I will say, I expected to hate it.<br />
And I did not.<br />
It is tasty. Sweet. Not quite a margarita, not <i>at all a beer</i>, it's a malt beverage flavored to taste like a margarita.<br />
If you like Mike's Hard lemonade you may like this. It is similar with a bit more fizz.<br />
<br />
BUT...do not be fooled but the "Light" on the label. This is a <i>sugar packed</i> drink, contains 8% alcohol by volume with 220 calories and 29.1 grams of carbohydrates per 8oz serving.<br />
So that 24oz can they sell would have 600 calories! And at 8% ABV, that is <i>a lot </i>of booze. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TL_YdG2-yO0/UfPwFlgAodI/AAAAAAAALzA/hqIGUjhGFEQ/s1600/P7260325.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TL_YdG2-yO0/UfPwFlgAodI/AAAAAAAALzA/hqIGUjhGFEQ/s400/P7260325.JPG" /></a></div>
<br />
So, what did I finally decided about this whole shandy issue?<br />
Personally, I doubt I will drink any of them again.<br />
<br />
When I want a beer, a want a beer.<br />
When I want Lemonade, I want lemonade.<br />
And when I want a delicious, icy cold Margarita..well, you get the idea!<br />
<br />
Still, I do have three more cans of that Lime-a-Rita in the fridge..and I hate to waste...
<br />
<hr size="3" width="25%" />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s1600/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="162" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tcPhVFYjoss/TkaAPskSk1I/AAAAAAAADRY/7QJGwL08zp4/s200/WEEKENDCOOKING.jpg" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" width="150" /></a>This is my contribution this to this week's Weekend Cooking.<br />
"Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book (novel, nonfiction) reviews, cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, fabulous quotations, photographs. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend."<br />
Be sure to check out the other entries this week. As always, hosted by <a href="http://bfishreads.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Beth Fish Reads.</a><br />
<br />
<hr size="3" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="25%" />
caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8684061712648858453.post-17065762394122494262013-07-25T00:00:00.000-04:002013-08-08T20:33:46.246-04:00Review of "The Ghost Trap" [56]<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn4wYuwx5uk/UezMFbmVynI/AAAAAAAALwA/NnZEOUtXkqI/s1600/ghosttrap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rn4wYuwx5uk/UezMFbmVynI/AAAAAAAALwA/NnZEOUtXkqI/s1600/ghosttrap.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Ghost-Trap-LeapLit-Stephens/dp/0981514871">The Ghost Trap</a> by K. Stephens </span></i><br />
Leapfrog Press, ISBN 978-0981514871<br />
September 1, 2009, 327 pages<br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
Many of us have slightly romantic ideas of Maine..and no, you are not going to take mine away from me. <br />
But we know the reality, like the reality of every place, is a little different.<br />
<br />
<br />
Lobstering is a hard life, a hard way to make a living. There is the weather, often harsh, the work, back breaking and dangerous. The prices may fall, or the lobsters disappear, but the bills are still due. The boat needs repairs, your friend gets arrested, the lifelong fights with your father go on and on. And there are the trap wars, going back generations, agreements about who can put their traps where, with those that try to push the limits ending up with their gear at the bottom of the ocean..or worse.
<br />
<br />
But this is Jamie Eugley's life, like his father and his father before him. He is a lobsterman and things are hard.<br />
I will warn you, from the beginning you know this story can not have a happy ending.<br />
Jamie has not only the daily grind of the work and the sometimes careful dance of dealing with his friends and family and his neighbors, but he also has taken on himself the burden of caring for his brain injured girlfriend Anja.<br />
<br />
He feels responsible for the accident that caused her injury...it will be well into the book when we find out what happened and you can decide yourself how much guilt he should bear...and has taken care of her though the last three years of her painstakingly slow recovery. Perhaps a tiny part of him hopes that someday the beautiful young school teacher, the talented artist he was about to propose to will return, hidden now in the almost child-like Anja he cares for.
Maybe the saddest part of the books are our views into Anja thoughts, her own glimpses of clarity, the relentless return of the fog that clouds her days.<br />
Jamie is a loyal man, but as the pressures of work build, as he meets Happy Klein, a mate on a tourist schooner up from Key West for the summer, he dares to glimpse another future, away from his history, away from his responsibilities. But to grasp at it he will have to abandon who he believes he is...and who we come to believe he is.
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYuJfzYTl6A/UezPb7Gn_NI/AAAAAAAALwU/bc8_b5wYz9Y/s1600/1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZYuJfzYTl6A/UezPb7Gn_NI/AAAAAAAALwU/bc8_b5wYz9Y/s400/1111.jpg" width="450" /></a></div>
<br />
But hold on, I don't want to paint too grim a picture here. At times the book is very funny, some of Jamie's friends quite amusing. It is a gritty life, with ways too many DUIs, maybe because the local bar is their one refuge but one and all, they are a great cast of characters. I particularly enjoyed the description of a trip up the coast a bit that Jamie takes with one of his friends to a party in Camden. It brilliantly shows us the differences in the worlds of the natives vs. the privileged summer folk, quite entertaining.
<br />
Stephens, for whom this is her debut novel, has a excellent ear and the dialogue, as in all of the book, is spot on.<br />
<br />
These characters will be so real to you, the story so authentic, you will be on the edge of your seat hoping against hope that somehow it will all work our happily for everyone, yet knowing it can not. <br />
Personally, I could not put it down, reading it straight through in one day. The ending is just a little heartbreaking, yes. But you will just have to know how it will all play out, so you will happily read on..and maybe shed a few tears at the ending.<br />
<br />
Excellent book, highly recommended. <br />
<br />
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i>My thanks to the author for providing a copy in hope of a review.</i></span></div>
<hr size="3" width="20%" />
<br />caitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05824538078958999767noreply@blogger.com8