Remember Me??

 I had good intentions, but they fell by the wayside last year.  I was busy with crochet projects.  We stayed home 99% of the time.  My life was so dull and quiet I decided not to bore you all with what was (was not?) happening.  Tomorrow is a new year, and I am determined to make the most of it no matter what.

These two are best friends, and it feels like Sadie has always been here.  In reality she has been with us for eight months.  She is a totally different dog.  She loves pets and cuddles.  When she sees one of her people whether it has been a day or a couple of hours, she greets them with a squeal and proceeds to "talk" for several minutes.  Being home all of the time with her has really helped her settle in and feel comfortable.

That is the excitement from here.   I hope all is well in your part of the world! Stop back by tomorrow for my goals post.  

    

Weekend Book Reviews

 A Shot of Murder by J.A. Kazimer is the first book in the Lucky Whiskey Mystery series.  Charlotte Lucky returns to her hometown after many years away to help run the family distillery following her grandfather's heart attack.  When an ex-boyfriend is found dead with her grandfather the number one suspect, Charlotte sets out to clear his name.  The first clue that the main character would not be likable is in the first paragraph of the book when she takes a cheap shot at Burt Reynolds. Sadly this was the first of many cheap shots which included small towns and southerners.  I could have also done without the repetition.  The author must have assumed that all readers have the memory of a goldfish.  It has potential but needs some serious work for the future of the series.  

The second book in the Georgia B&B Mystery series by Anna Gerard is Peachy Scream.  Nina finds herself hosting a Shakespearean acting troupe.  She is annoyed to find that the director is Harry, who claims to be the heir to her B&B.  When the lead actor is found dead on the property, Nina with help from Harry is determined to solve the mystery and save her B&B.  I enjoy the mix of Nina and Harry.  The mystery had plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing until the end.  I am looking forward to the next book in the series!

Digging Up the Remains by Julia Henry is the third book in the Garden Squad Mystery series.  Lilly and the garden squad are hard at work on both their own gardens and the town's anniversary.  When a nosy reporter is found dead on the 10k race route, Lilly wonders if it was an accident or murder.  I enjoy the characters in this series.  They mesh well together and make the story enjoyable.  Add in a strong mystery, and this is an excellent book.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

 Quiche of Death by Mary Lee Ashford is the third book in the Sugar &Spice Mystery series.  Sugar and Dixie have moved on to their next cookbook, a family cookbook for the Arbor family who made their fortune in quiche.  I feel like with this book the series has settled in nicely.  Sugar and Dixie work well together along with several fun supporting characters.  When a guest at the Arbor home is found dead, the entire family and staff are on the suspect list.  This is an enjoyable cozy mystery with just a touch of romance.  I am already looking forward to the next book.

The first book in the Sea Glass Saloon Mystery series by Sherry Harris is From Beer to Eternity.  Chloe is a librarian in Chicago, but she travels to Florida to fulfill a promise to a friend.  Chloe takes a job at the Sea Glass Saloon to keep an eye on her departed friend's grandmother, Vivi.  It turns out that Vivi is not interested in help, but Chloe is determined to hang in there.  When a bar patron is found dead, Vivi is the main suspect.  Chloe finds her mission changing slightly as she tries to clear Vivi's name.  This was a nice start to the series, and I am anxious to see how the characters develop over time.

Knot of this World by Mary Marks is the eighth book in the Quilting Mystery series.  Martha fears that her friend and fellow quilter Birdie has joined a cult. When Birdie and her husband plan to move to the commune, Martha enlists some friends to go along with hopes of changing her friend's mind.  When the commune's leader is found dead, Martha adds solving the murder to her list.  This is an enjoyable series with an eclectic mix of characters.  The mystery had a few twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end!

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

 The Easy Baked Donut Cookbook by Sara Mellas is one of my favorite new cookbooks.  I love the variety of recipes and that they can be done in donut pans or in one of the donut hole makers.  I was so happy that I had held on to the electric donut hole maker I bought years ago.  Most of the recipes were very easy to halve if you wanted fewer donuts/dounut holes.  The donut holes were delicious and easy to make.  Most recipes could be made with ingredients in my pantry.  

The Southeast Native Plant Primer by Larry Mellichamp and Paula Gross is a collection of plants perfect for those living in the southeast.  It is packed with information on everything from grasses to trees.  I love that each plant had detailed growing information including where to plant and the growing conditions.  This is a wonderful guide for those new to the region as well as those who have lived there all their lives.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

 A Design to Die For by Kathleen Bridge is the fifth book in the Hamptons Home and Garden Mystery series.  Meg is a decorator in the Hamptons.  She has been asked by a friend to decorate some areas of her show house.  When the friend's husband is found murdered, Meg finds herself pulling double duty as a decorator and amateur detective.  This was a traditional cozy mystery.  I did suspect the killer early on although there were plenty of suspects from which to choose.  It is also very obvious that the author is a big fan of the television show Ghost Adventure.  I had not read any of the previous books and had no trouble following along.

The third book in the Bookmobile mystery series by Nora Page is Read or Alive.  Cleo is excited for the book society's book fair in Catalpa Springs.  She plans time away from the bookmobile to attend.  She soon discovers that her cousin Dot and others have been swindled by one of the attendees.  When Cleo's boyfriend Henry becomes the main suspect, Cleo decides to investigate.  I enjoy this series, but this particular book fell a bit flat.  The killer was glaringly obvious, and the flow of the story was not as smooth as in the previous books.  I would not say that I disliked it, but it is definitely not my favorite.  

The Black Cat Breaks a Mirror by Kay Finch is the fifth book in the Bad Luck Cat mystery series.  Sabrina is an author in Texas.  Her brother and nephews are in town for a country music concert.  When her older nephew stumbles on a dead body, Sabina feels compelled to solve the mystery.  I had not read any of the previous books in this series, but I was able to follow along with the characters.  Hitchcock is the "bad luck cat" and a wonderful addition to the book.  This is a good cozy mystery for those who enjoy a book heavy on the mystery with a healthy dose of mischievous cat.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not othewise compensated or these reviews.  Al opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

 Nacho Average Murder by Maddie Day is the seventh book  in the County Store Mystery series.  Robbie has left Indiana for a class reunion in California.  While there someone shares some startling news about her mother's death.  The book was okay, but I found myself missing the country store setting.  The characters seemed a bit disjointed in this one.  The story itself jumped from one thing to the next with no flow.  While I love this series, this book is not at the top of my list.

The eleventh book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon is Murder in Waiting.  Jill, owner of Coffee, Books, and More, is upset to learn that the historical society has rejected her request for historical site approval.  However, things may be turning to her favor when one of the society's experts, Frank, runs into outside her store.  Sadly Frank is run down, and this starts a snowball of problems for Jill.  The mystery was a bit too predictable and seemed to be sidelined by all of the wedding stuff.  I prefer my cozy mysteries to be heavier on the mystery.  

Death on Windmill Way is the first book in the Hamptons Murder Mystery series by Carrie Doyle.  Antonia has started a new life on the East coast as the owner of a restaurant and bed and breakfast.  She bought and renovated the property without any real business plan or even a thorough check of the property's background.  She discovers that the previous owners all died under suspicious circumstances.  Antonia is not very likable.  She is extremely judgmental of everyone and is surprised to learn she is nearly broke even though she imported furnishings from overseas.  The author's writing style was a bit long-winded.  I found myself skimming entire sections as the descriptions went on and on (and on).  Antonia's best friend was a pointless addition who flitted in and out in a self-absorbed cloud.  I will be passing on future installments.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

 A Call for Kelp by Bree Baker is the fourth book in the Seaside Cafe Mystery series.  Everly has her hands full with her seaside cafe but makes time for her great-aunts' beekeeping documentary.  A famous actress, Mitzi, is in town to help with the promotion.  When she is found murdered apparently by bees, the town is overrun by her distraught fans.  Everly begins to investigate and finds herself the killer's next target.  The book has several things going on aside from the murder, and readers will find it helpful not to start with this book without reading any of the previous ones.  I love the setting and am always glad to escape to the island town with each new book.

The first book in the Kitty Beret Cafe Mystery series by Ruth J Hartman is Hairballs and Homicide.  While reading this I almost felt like this was further in the series as the assumed I knew everything about the characters before reading this book.  I was missing the introductions of each character.  I liked the cat cafe setting although Ellie, the owner, is lacking depth which goes back to the first point.  Ellie's cats are also more accommodating about wearing cute costumes.  I value my life too much to ever try dressing up any of my cats.  Overall I am on the fence about this book, it had both good and bad points making me at least plan to give the second book a try. 

Dog-Gone Dead by Jackie Layton is the second book in the Low Country Dog Walker Mystery series.  Dog walker Andi Grace and her friend Juliet are going to pick up mulch from Andi Grace's brother, Nate,  at a job site.  They find a body and Andi Grace's injured brother.  Even with his injuries, Nate is the police's main suspect.  Andi Grace and her friends are determined to solve the mystery.  I liked the combination of a B&B (run by Juliet) and a dog business (run by Andi Grace).  The southern setting is wonderful, and the mystery kept me waffling back and forth between suspects.  I look forward to the next installment.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

Killing Time by Suzanne Trauth is the sixth book in the Dodie O'Dell mystery series.  Halloween is fast approaching and to set the mood the Eatonville Little Theater is showcasing Dracula.  Dodie plays along with a garlic themed menu for the Windjammer restaurant.  When someone is found dead with a stake to the heart, it becomes an instance of life imitating art.  I do like this series and the characters.  The mystery on this one was a bit on the weak side, and by book six I would hope that Dodie will start being a bit smarter.  It was still a fun seasonal cozy mystery.

Jane Darrowfield, Professional Busybody by Barbara Ross is the first book in the Jane Darrowfield series.  Jane has barely started retirement and is already out of things to do.  She soon finds herself with the job of helping others with sticky situations including a friend with a pint sized pee-er in the garden.  When the director of a senior living center approaches Jane for help, she turns into a professional busybody.  A murder on the property soon has Jane wondering if she is in over her head.  I love, love, love this series.  Jane is the perfect cozy heroine.  I would give this more than five stars if I could and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series.

The sixth book in the Maggie McDonald series by Mary Feliz is Snowed Under.  Maggie has gone with her friend, Tess, to Tess' family cabin to help organize it before Tess puts it on the market.  When Maggie finds the frozen body of Tess' missing neighbor, their organizing plans go out the window.  The story focused as much on the snow storm and other neighbors as it did on the mystery.  The book is a nice addition to the series and can be read on its own.  It did make me realize I have no interest in living anywhere that it snows more than once ever 10 years or so!

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Weekend Book Reviews

Marshmallow Malice by Amanda Flower is the fifth book in the Amish Candy Shop Mystery series.  Juliet and the reverend are getting married so of course Bailey is pulled into the nuptials.  She is serving as maid of honor as well as preparing the cake along with her grandmother.  Summer heat and marshmallow frosting are not a good mix.  Even that mess does not compare to the shocking events during and the morning after the wedding.  Bailey and her friend Cass find themselves in the middle of a mystery.  I adore this series, and it is easily one of my favorites.  The author tackles religious differences as well as alcoholism in this book.  The subjects are handled with tact and well woven into the mystery.  I look forward to the next installment!

The second book in the Vintage Sweets Mystery series by Kaye George is Deadly Sweet Tooth. I had a few issues with the main character Tally in the first book, but I decided to give the second one a try.  Tally is hosting a party for her parents and hires three new employees.  When a guest at the party is murdered, Tally's dad becomes the main suspect.  Unfortunately the murderer was quite obvious the first time the character was introduced.  Aside from the weak mystery, I had several issues with the book. First Tally is completely incompetent.  Two of the people she hires are candidates for the worst employees in the world, yet she continues to let them work.  Second Tally does not even listen when people talk and instead makes up her own "clues".  Third in the South "y'all" is only used when referring to more than two people.  When one person walks up to you, do not ask if "y'all want to sit down?".  Finally either I was missing a chapter near the end or the author gave up.  Sadly I am giving up on this series after two strikes.

Death by Auction by Alexis Morgan is the third book in the Abby McCree Mystery series.  Abby is helping her tenant and friend, Tripp, with a bachelor auction for his veteran's group.  The emcee for the evening turns out to be a very unlikable person, and no one is very sad when he is found murdered.  That is not the only shocking event of the night.  Tripp's ex-wife also returns to town.  I love the characters in this series although Abby was much nicer than I could ever hope to be.  I look forward to more from this series. 

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

So......

I fell off the pantry challenge train.  I did not completely fall off though.  I decided to do a mix of a pantry challenge and freezer cooking.  I ended up doing a Wal-Mart pick up order for items I could use along with what I have to make some freezer meals/snacks.

This month thus far I have added four breakfast for supper casseroles, sausage and cheese biscuit sandwiches, baked oatmeal cups, jalapeno poppers,  cheese sticks, and two apple crisps. 

This week I am hoping to do one item a day for the freezer.  On my list are:

• jalapeno poppers
• eclair cake
• pesto tortellini
• taco spaghetti
• chicken pot pie filling

For the main dish items I will have at least two meals worth.  I may try to divide the eclair cake into three pans since we do not need a huge amount of dessert at one time.  I bought disposable pans with lids from Amazon for about 30 cents each.  I will not feel bad if they are too messy to wash and just get thrown away.  The pans are not huge as I am not planning on leftovers for the freezer meals.  

As I am starting to put a few things in the freezer I realize that the freezer needs some attention.  My goal is to put items we plan to eat during the week in the kitchen refrigerator freezer.  The pantry refrigerator freezer will be for snack and breakfast items mainly.  The main freezer will be for storage of the freezer meals, meat, fruit, vegetables, etc.

I am always looking for tried and true recipes.  Do you have a favorite freezer meal?  

Sunday Book Reviews

Evil by the Sea by Kathleen Bridge is the fourth book in the By The Sea Mystery series.  Liz is all set to help her great aunt host the first event at the hotel - a wedding for a medium and a white warlock.  The bride is a good friend to Liz's great aunt.  The groom seems to be a controlling person that no one really likes.  When he dies at the rehearsal dinner, no one is certain if the groom or the bride was the intended victim.  As the bodies pile up, Liz realizes she may be too close to the truth for her own safety.  This is a great series as I love the setting and the quirky characters.  While this book can be read on its own, it is best read after the other books to get the full effect.

The third book in the Ditie Brown Mystery series by Sarah Osborne is Murder Most Southern.  Ditie's best friend, Lurleen, has talked her into taking part in a baking contest hosted by celebrity chef, Savannah.  Savannah's husband dies after growing ill at the welcome party and more mysterious events take place at the contest.  Ditie and Lurleen soon discover everyone involved has secrets making it hard to know who to trust.  I enjoy the southern setting in this book.  The slight "dig" about Atlanta not being the south earned a few extra points with me.  I enjoy this series, and this book is a nice addition.

A Deadly Inside Scoop by Abby Collette is the first book in the Ice Cream Parlor Mystery series.  Win has taken over her family's ice cream shop in Ohio and is ready for the grand reopening. Unfortunately it coincides with the first snowfall of the season which keeps customers away.  Too bad it did not keep the dead body out of her path.  The dead man tried to swindle her family years ago, and Win's dad is the police's number one suspect.  The book was a bit slow in places which is not unusual in the start of a series.  I loved the family aspect although Win's friends are a bit out there.  I do look forward to the next installment to see how the relationships develop.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Pantry Challenge Week 1

I am not sure that I made a dent in the freezer or pantry yet, but I spent $0 on groceries.

Breakfasts - W does not usually eat breakfast anymore.  I have been focused on eating up some things though. I had a mixture of things including sausage rolls (no biscuits) and some random packaged breakfast items in the pantry.

Lunches - I focused on using things from the freezer here.  We also ate plenty of vegetables from the garden.  The fresh vegetables are probably contributing to the fact the freezer did not go down as much.  One day our meal was boiled corn and tomatoes.  I took a few pictures, but they did not turn out well enough to share.

Dinners - We had been snacking at dinner, and it was mostly junk food.  This week I have been prepping a light dinner while I was making lunch.  It has varied from a hashbrown & ham bake to veggie summer rolls.  This has helped use up some items and gave us a better meal.  I also make pizza bites instead of buying packaged pizza rolls.

I call this first week a win.  I also set aside the money I might have spent on groceries.  This week is supposed to be cloudy/rainy so I am not sure pictures will work any better, but I will try. 

Sunday Book Reviews

Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey is the second book in the Cider Shop Mystery series.  Now that Winnie and her grandmother have the orchard back on its feet.  Winnie is hosting the first wedding event.  The only problem is that the groom is drinking heavily and gets into a scuffle with Winnie's ex Hank.  When the groom is found dead shortly after, Hank is the main suspect and is also on the run.  Winnie jumps into the investigation and soon becomes the target of the killer.  I love the setting and characters in this series.  The mystery was strong enough with plenty of misdirection to have me questioning myself.  The book ended with a cliff hanger guaranteed to make you want to read the next installment.

The second book in the Cookie House Mystery series by Eve Calder is Sugar and Vice.  Kate is loving her new life in Coral Cay.  She is getting ready for the town's pirate festival and has started a cookie of the day challenge at the bakery.  While helping her friend Maxi put in garden beds behind the flower shop next door, Kate's dog Oliver unearths a body.  At first it is believed to be the long dead pirate Gentleman George who founded the town.  It soon becomes apparent that the body is more recent. Kate begins her own investigation into both the unidentified body and the mystery of the pirate George.  I loved the setting of the book and wished I lived in Coral Cay.  Oliver was certainly the star.  The pirate mystery was just as interesting as the murder mystery.  I did wonder how Kate could give away so many cookies, but that is just the business side of me thinking.  I look forward to my next visit to Coral Cay!

Proof of Murder by Lauren Elliot is the fourth book in the Beyond the Page Mystery series.  Bookshop owner Addie heads to an estate auction hoping to finds some books for her shop.  Instead the following day she finds a dead body inside a locked room.  In addition some very valuable books are missing.  The mystery was good, but I had a few areas that bothered me personally.  First Addie abandons her own shop to constantly help out at the auction.  I could see a bit of time spent helping, but she practically gave up her own business.  Second her ex-boyfriend (almost fiance) returns to town with a new girlfriend.  This new girlfriend immediately decides Addie is guilty of everything.  If the ex had mentioned "following the evidence" one more time, I would have happily had him be the next murder victim.  Addie would have been better off hiring a lawyer to sue for harassment and go back to her bookshop.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Pantry/Freezer Challenge

I decided about a month ago I wanted to do some freeze meals toward the end of summer to make things easier as the fall and holiday seasons approach.  Life was so crazy during that time last year so I am planning ahead.

To make stocking the freezer easier, I need to do two things:

1.  I need to cut back on grocery spending so I have money to fill the freezer.

2.  I need to free up some space in the freezer.  A large portion of the room is currently taken up with cartons of milk and juice.

For the next 4-6 weeks I want to spend as little as possible on groceries while hopefully making room in the freezer for future meals. My plan is to update on Mondays.  Hopefully I can resist temptation to shop.

Weekend Book Reviews

Berried in the Past by Peg Cochran is the fifth book in the Cranberry Cove series.  Monica and Greg are enjoying a quiet night at home when a late night visitor arrives saying someone is trying to kill her.  That involves Monica in the woman's life including discovering her sister dead.  The suspect list in this was varied.  I waffled back and forth on the culprit being certain and doubting all at the same time.  I enjoy the setting of this series although I do question how many cranberry dishes two people can eat.  I have read previous books although this one can be read on its own.  I look forward to the next installment.

The eighth book in the Bookmobile Cat Mystery series by Laurie Cass is Gone with the Whisker.  It is the Fourth of July in Michigan.  Minnie and her cat, Eddie, are supposed to be enjoying a summer with Minnie's niece, Katrina.  Minnie is having a hard time relating to Katrina.  Things go from bad to worse when Katrina stumbles over a body at the town's fireworks.  Minnie is determined to find the killer and salvage Katrina's summer.  This book can be read as a standalone.  I enjoyed the setting and Eddie the cat.  Katrina's foul attitude put a bit of a damper on the book for me, but it is a nice summer themed read.

The Diva Spices It Up by Krista Davis is the thirteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series.  Sophie is looking forward to a bit of a break in between jobs when a ghostwriting job falls into her lap via her ex-husband Mars.  Tilly is a former actress and current politician's wife whose former cookbook ghost writer Abby has dropped off the face of the Earth.  In addition to Abby's recipe notes, Sophie finds a mysterious code.  Sophie wonders if it has anything to do with Abby's disappearance.  Add in a second missing woman and a woman beaten nearly to death plus a mysterious stranger and Sophie has more on her plate than just delicious food.  The story is sprinkled throughout with domestic diva tips.  While this book had tons of stuff going on, it all worked well together.  It was one of those books that made me want to read "just one more chapter".

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own.

Sunday Book Reviews

Dead in the Doorway by Diane Kelly is the second book in the House Flipper Mystery series.  Whitney and her cousin have their first house to flip thanks to a great loan from her employers.  A dead body in the foyer threatens to ruin her house flipping dreams.  Whitney investigates and is not sue if the property neighbors are good people or murderers.  The mystery portion was strong, and I love the characters.  I look forward to reading more of Whitney's adventures.

The first book in the Finn Family Farm Mystery series by Elle Brook White is Dead on the Vine.  Charlotte has inherited her uncle's produce farm, and her only plan is to sell it.  Her quick sale plan goes off track when a dead body is found in the tomato patch.  Charlotte is now investigating a murder in addition to running the family farm.  The longer she stays the more attached she becomes.  When I first started this book, I thought I was going to hate it.  I was not sure that a character who thought a 1996 car was "classic" would ever be likable.  The more I read the more I liked Charlotte, her friends, and the farm fixtures.  By the end I found myself looking forward to the next book.

Shredding the Evidence by Daryl Wood Gerber is the ninth book in the Cookbook Nook Mystery series.  Jenna is excited about Food Bowl Week in Crystal Cove including the part that her bookstore will play.  The death of a local food reporter who seems to have set everyone she met on edge threatens to put a damper on the week.  It is even worse when her best friend's husband is the main suspect.  This was a good story with plenty of twists and turns along the way.  The series is great for food lovers.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

June is Here

Where has this year gone?  I missed the holidays due to working, and I feel the same about the quarantine.  I finally have my head above water as far as work goes.  There are still plenty of orders on my list, but I do have time for a few other things too.

I spend a bit of time each day hanging out in the yard with the dogs and sometimes their friends. 

I pull a few weeds from the garden each day and often write a letter or read while we are outside.

I am keeping up with the housework a bit better and have managed to stay out of the grocery store except for a quick trip last week.  We have plenty of food on hand so I am making myself use it.  I am setting aside the extra money for stocking up later.  I want to do some freezer cooking in September to make life easier as the holidays approach.

I have been finishing up quite a few custom orders.  As those continue to get marked off my list I want to work on other items for the farmers market and hopefully a festival.  I have no idea what the fall/winter holds, but I am moving forward.  

Sadie has settled in nicely.  We took her to the vet last month.  They came out and got her while we waited outside.  It was hard since she is so scared of anyone new.  She did fine and was thrilled to see us when they brought her back outside.  She gets to go out in our fenced yard on her own now with plenty of "wellness checks".  

Weekend Book Reviews

Death on the Page by Essie Land is the second book in the Castle Bookshop Mystery series.  Shelby is co-owner of a bookstore that has a second location in a castle.  When the author from her recent book signing decides to stay overnight at the castle to research a book, it does not end well for the author.  Her body is discovered the following morning at the bottom of a staircase.  Shelby finds herself investigating the murder.  The book was good particularly the setting.  There were several side plots that drew attention away from the murder without adding a great deal to the story.  Perhaps the characters and story will tighten up as the series progresses.  It was interesting enough to make me want to read book three.

The first book in the Vintage Sweets Mystery series by Kaye George is Revenge is Sweet.  Tally has moved back to Texas and set up a sweet shop next door to her best friend Yolanda's gift basket store.  When the fridge in her shop goes out, she has handyman Gene come over to take a look at it.  It seems like Gene is dating half of  the small Texas town so it is not a big surprise when he is murdered.  Among the suspects is Yolanda which means Tally looks into the murder.  I thought the mystery portion was stronger than the supporting story.  Yolanda and Tally were constantly at odds and did not act like best friends at times.  I also wanted Tally to get a backbone.  She was dealing with an employee who was stealing.  Even when she found out the identity of the thief, she had not plans to fire the person.  If some character flaws are ironed out, this will be a good series.

Mystery at Apple Tree Cottage by Clare Chase is the second book in the Eve Mallow Mystery series.  Eve finds herself being talked into writing a story about the living rather than the dead when Ashton Foley returns to Saxford St Peter.  The former rebellious teenager is now a designer to the stars.  When he is found murdered near his mother's home, the suspect list is long and includes people from both his past and present.  Eve returns to her normal job of obituary writer and begins digging into Ashton's life.  The mystery kept me guessing to the end.  I love Eve's life in the small English village.  This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Sadie Update

Today is 14 days that Sadie has been with us in her forever home.  She is doing great.  We are still on supervised outside time - mostly off leash.  The leash comes out when she chases chickens/guineas.  That does not happen often.  I notice it is more when the chickens run from her or just run in general.  I tell her no and put her back on the leash as a sort of time out.

Obviously Toby and Sadie adore each other.  I expected more jealousy on his part, but overall he understands he still gets his share of treats and plenty of pets.  This week Sadie has started to enjoy her morning egg.  We have an abundance of eggs so it is a nice breakfast for the dogs. 

We are in the middle of the three weeks when a rescue starts to get more comfortable and tests the limits/rules.  I see that in the chicken runs and sometimes pretending she cannot hear us.  She uses her potty pad at night.  We did hire mom to dogsit on Saturday when we went out for a couple of hours.  Sadie still has enough puppy in her to want to chew on stuff, but she is not familiar with toys.  We are super happy with our decision to adopt again!

Weekend Book Reviews

Here Comes the Body by Maria DiRico is the first book in the Catering Hall Mystery series.  Mia has returned to New York to help her father with his catering business, Belle View.  Mia moved in with her nonna and is ready to help her dad move on from his previous mob lifestyle.  When a body is found during their first event and more suspicious activity happens, Mia wonders if she can solve the murder before it is pinned on her dad.  Mia is an excellent cozy mystery heroine.  She is smart and manages to investigate without the usual recklessness.  I love the mob aspect of the book and found this to be a great start to a new series!

The fourth book in the Pie Town Mystery series by Kirsten Weiss is Pies Before Guys.  Val and Pie Town are hosting a poetry slam for her employee Abril.  Among those reading poems are several employees of the local college.  When one of the professors is found murdered after leaving Pie Town, Val and Charlene (the Baker Street Bakers) are on the case.  The mystery was interrupted a few times by some personal drama from Val and some hi-jinks from Charlene.  It is a fun series and I enjoyed this book.  The supporting characters add interest to the story.  While this book stands alone, you will enjoy it more if you read the previous book in the series.

A Novel Way to Die by Tamara Baumann is the second book in the Cozy Mystery Bookshop series.  Sawyer has her hands full hosting the first book signing at her inherited bookshop along with parenting 15 year old Brittany, a job she also inherited.  When the diva author's husband is found dead, Sawyer is convinced someone is trying to frame his old girlfriend and Sawyer's best friend, Renee.  With Brittany's help Sawyer is determined to clear Renee's name.  The supporting characters add to the story, and the mystery had plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested until then end!

The first book in the Tory Benning Mystery series by Judith Gonda is Murder in the Secret Maze.  Tory is getting married just two weeks after her father died.  Not long after the ceremony is over, the groom Milo disappears.  It soon becomes obvious that he was the victim of foul play.  I wish I had good things to say about this book, but it was just odd.  A normal (even slightly normal fictional person) would be grief stricken to lose a parent and a spouse in so short a time.  Not Tory.  She carries on stopping for a coffee date with her friend before going to the police station to fill out the missing person report.  Two more weeks pass and she is over it enough to move on by noticing plenty of "cute" guys and flirting.  I wanted to see some emotion other than carefree shallowness from Tory.  Where was the anger and grief?  Fiction or not I like to see a tad of realism in a story. 

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Monday Update

I had this listed as a quarantine update but technically my state is not under a full quarantine.  That said W and I are still staying close to home.  I appreciate the mobile deposit for our bank which means fewer trips into town. 

Looking at the week ahead I have no plans to go into town.  I do need to mow the church cemetery either tomorrow or Wednesday.  I have plenty of Etsy orders to fill but finding yarn has become more difficult.  I ordered some over a week okay but it has not shipped yet.  I placed an order with a different company that gave me an estimated delivery date.  I am still praying it comes at least in the middle of the estimate.  I also have some custom orders to work on.

In the garden I really need to do some weeding.  That is a bit tricky as I need to keep an eye on Sadie at the same time.  I planted the last of the tomatoes.  I am seeing lots of blooms on the tomato and pepper plants as well as a few small squash. 

I am staying up pretty well on housework.  W is helping by hanging out clothes and washing dishes.  I am working off the big menu plan I did last week for our meals.  I expect it will last much longer than a month since leftovers take up some days.  We are eating on the stuff that Warren's parents gave us for suppers - cereal, frozen grilled cheese, uncrustables, and piles of snack items.  I may have to get some dairy items by next month, but with our stockpile and the garden producing we should be pretty well set on food. 

I hope everyone is doing well.  Stay safe!

Weekend Book Reviews

Southern Double Cross by Caroline Fardig is the third book in the Southern B&B Mystery series.  Quinn and her sister, Delilah, help their father run a bed and breakfast in Savannah.  Quinn is helping with a local fundraiser.  Things are going as smoothly as they can until the homeowner is found murdered.  With the main suspect being the brother of Quinn's friend, Quinn and Delilah find themselves in the middle of a mystery.  I loved the southern setting for this book as well as the differences between Quinn and Delilah.  This series can easily become one of my favorites.

The fourth book in the Kebab Kitchen Mystery series by Tina Kashian is On the Lamb.  Lucy and her friends are attending a bonfire before the tourist season is in full swing.  The evening is cut short when a local landlord is found murdered.  Unfortunately one of Lucy's friends had a public fight with the man shortly before his death.  Lucy is determined to prove her friend's innocence.  A few side story lines keep this book moving along quickly.  My new favorite character might be Lucy's landlady who is full of spunk!

Dressed Up 4 Murder by J.C. Eaton is the sixth book in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series.  Phee's mother is focused on the retirement community's pet costume contest, a three part event that she is determined Streetman will win.  Streetman has other ideas when he sniffs out a dead body in the neighbor's back yard.  Phee tries to keep her mother's focus on the contest while Phee keeps her focus on the murder.  The mystery portion is not as strong with plenty of obvious clues left along the way.  Still I love the characters so much that it was not a deal breaker.  I can hardly wait to see what Phee's mother gets into next.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Welcome Sadie!

Before the pandemic we had been casually looking for a second dog.  Toby is very social but did get play dates with my parents' three dogs.  Sadly about two months ago Toby's best dog friend Shadow passed away.  By then the virus was taking over which was not the best time to start seriously looking, but we did. 

I feel like I submitted applications on dozens of beagles.  They would all be adopted quickly before we could even set up a meeting.  Great for the rescue dogs but hard when we wanted to adopt.  Sadie had been one of them, but she too was adopted.  I was going through Facebook and who should show back up - Sadie.  I messaged and asked about her, and she was available again.  I did not get my hopes up since nothing else had worked out. 

We were warned she was very shy and skittish and did not warm up to people quickly.  W said we needed to at least meet her.  Wednesday morning we left with Toby.  Her foster stayed with us a bit, but then W took both dogs and walked them away from her.  Sadie quit pulling away from him and seemed to settle a tiny bit.  Toby liked her so we took the chance.

Today is the start of our second full day with Sadie.  She is napping better, wags her tail when she sees us, and comes when we call her.  She walks well for the most part on a leash.  (We are not letting her roam free in the fenced yard yet.)  She sleeps in her bed at night and lets her grammy and grampy pet her just a little.  These are all things we were told she would not do for a while.  You see Sadie has been adopted and returned twice.  I cannot imagine how scary it is for her to be in yet another new home.  

Maybe this is just meant to be her furever home and that is why the others did not work out.  She and Toby get along really well.  Toby just loves having a little sister for playtime.  Never let other people's experience with a rescue pet deter you from adopting.  We went into this following the 3-3-3 rule:  a rescue pet takes three days to stop being completely overwhelmed in the new environment, three weeks to settle in, and three months to feel completely comfortable. Stay tuned to see how Sadie does with each of these milestones in her new home.

In the Garden

These are the largest pepper and tomato plants.  I bought them from the school's FFA. I noticed a few blooms on the tomato plants so we should have some early tomatoes.

These two squash plants were extras from a purchase my aunt made.  They are growing slowly since we have been having cool nights.

I started a bunch of tomato plants.  I gave some away and then just planted the rest where I could find a spot.  In hindsight I should have labeled them.  They are going to be a surprise instead.  The cooler nights have helped them.  No blooms yet, but they are growing well. 

This tomatillo plant sprouted on its own.  I have yet to ever harvest any tomatillos.  Maybe this is the year.  The plant looks very healthy and is full of blooms aleady.

Banana pepper and Eggplant

This is a pepperocini that I overwintered in the greenhouse.  It looks a bit puny but has already started putting on new growth.

Black jalapeno.  After I moved it out of the greenhouse ants took over.  I have some instant grits to toss in and around the pot which will hopefully get them to move on.

Next week I will share the herb portion of the garden.  

Weekend Book Reviews

The Grumble Free Year by Tricia Goyer is the perfect book to read during the current situation.  It follows a large family over the course of a year in their attempts to stop grumbling.  It made me much more aware of the times I am tempted to complain.  I appreciated the author's real and honest portrayal of her family.  Did it make her family or will it make any family grumble-free?  No.  The point is to try to be better today than the day before.

Beginner's Baking Bible by Heather Perine is not just for beginners.  I am a seasoned baker, but I marked recipe after recipe that I wanted to try.  My first one was the raspberry jam bars which my husband gave one and a half thumbs up.  He said ice cream on the side would have been the other half of a thumb.  My favorite thing is that the majority of the recipes use basic ingredients.  That makes it perfect for quarantine baking and when you need something that can be made with ingredients on hand.  I can see myself turning to this cookbook time and time again!

Food Fix by Dr. Mark Hyman takes a look at the current food system and its many, many problems.  The information included was well laid out and revealing.  Sadly it was also quite depressing as many of the issues were caused by government "help".  I thoroughly enjoyed the book.  I simply have little hope that any of the big fixes can be implemented. 

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Quarantine Update

I sort of gave up on goals and other normal things during this abnormal time.  Life has been hectic even though we have been staying at home for a little over four weeks now.  W and I continue to both be very busy.  Since our jobs are not tied into big stores or being around a bunch of people, we are blessed to continue to work.  I am working on pre-orders as well as new ones that come in.  Fortunately I have a good stockpile of yarn and have had no problems with ordering what I need.

The garden is nearly done as far as planting.  I need to clean in between the beds and also do weeding.  That is a never ending job.  Thankfully my area has been getting regular rain without the bad weather affecting much of the south.  Rain does the garden more good than water from a sprinkler. 

We also have baby chicks thanks to several batam hens sitting on eggs.  I will share pictures of the chicks as well as the garden later in the week.

Hope everyone is staying safe!

Monday & Goals Update

Monday.....I am not going to get into the panic portion of what is going on in the world.  There is more than enough of that to go around.  Today let's focus on some positive things.

W had to run a few quick errands - bank deposit, pick up parts to fix vehicles, get animal feed.  He made a quick stop at the grocery store spending less than $9.  I wanted a couple of fill in items to stretch our pantry.  He noted that the store was still stocked overall.

Many of my favorite pattern designers on Etsy had 50% off sales over the weekend.  I ordered a few in an effort to support other small businesses.  I also have a huge amount of yarn so this will give me some variety of items to make over the next month.  I am focused on stocking up for when things are more normal, and they will be more normal.

The weather has been nice and I have gotten a start on the garden.  There is not much to show yet since it is mostly bare beds with seeds not yet sprouted.  I will try to do a post later in the week as I plant more things.  Several people have noted that this could have happened in the middle of winter rather than the start of spring.  While there is no good time, winter to me is more depressing than the early spring days.

Goals Update

1.  Save All of Our Change for the Year
Shopping is at a minimum so not much change going into the jar for now.

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business
I am thankful to still be getting orders and for having a list of local orders to wok on.  As I mentioned earlier, my plan for April is to work and make as many items as I can using yarn that I already have.  I am excited to try some new projects and may even work on a thing or two for myself.

3.  Use the Dehydrator More
I have taken two bags of peaches from the freezer.  I am letting them thaw so I can drain off the extra juice.  That will go into my hippie herbal fruit drink.  Then I will puree the peaches for fruit leather.  I expect it will take a bit of trial and error to get it right. 

Weekend Book Reviews

Last Licks by Cynthia Baxter is the third book in the Lickety Splits Mystery series.  Kate, owner of Lickety Splits Ice Cream Shoppe, is thrilled when a movie crew wants to use her shop to film a scene.  When the rising starlet in the scene dies in the shop, Kate sets out to solve the murder and save her shop's reputation.  This is a fun series both with the setting and the characters.  There are several twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.  I look forward to more from this light-hearted series.

The eighth book in the Sarah W Garage Sale Mystery series by Sherry Harris is Sell Low, Sweet Harriet.  Sarah is happy to be contracted to do an estate sale for a couple who recently died.  She learns they were former CIA which intrigues her.  The job turns mysterious when the house is broken into and Sarah discovers a hidden camera.  She is also asked to help investigate a murder on the base.  This book was full of action and some twists and turns.  This series gets better with each book, and I am already looking forward to the next one!

There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany is the fifth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series.  Gemma and her friends are in London for a Sherlock Holmes convention.  What is supposed to be a fun vacation turns into a murder investigation.  Gemma discovers she has an uncle she knew nothing about.  The uncle is found dead in a coat closet with Gemma's dad who is the prime suspect.  Gemma and her friends begin their own investigation to clear her father's name.  I enjoy this series although it takes a bit to warm up to Gemma.  Her character is curt and condescending at best.  The supporting characters help soften the mood and bring the entire book together.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Back to Basics

I am not sure what things look like in your part of the world.  Life seems to change more and more from one day to the next.

Last week W and I did venture to the grocery stores.  We skipped the big box store and instead went to a couple of smaller stores.  I found them to be well stocked and was able to get everything on my short list.  We already had a good stockpile of most things.  Living so far out in the country, it has always been my nature to have extras on hand.  The only item I bought multiples of was flour.  I knew I could use it to make a variety of breads.  I chose to leave the pre-made breads for others.  I did not spend much over a usual shopping trip, and I planned to stay out of the grocery stores for at least three weeks.  Honestly we could hold out a couple of months or more although the meals might get a bit weird toward the end.

The main change here was no church services.  That was the norm here for all churches.  Instead the service was recorded and uploaded online.  It was a quick learning experience for me as I handle the technology stuff at my small church.  It was far from professional, but we managed with our inexpensive laptop. 

As I mentioned yesterday I went out quickly to pick up a few things for my parents and got a couple of items for us.  It seems we may be in for stricter restrictions in the coming days.  I used extra amounts of hand sanitizer and did my best to distance myself from others.  For now I am not planning to venture out at all for at least two more weeks.

A few gratitudes in all of this...

• I am thankful W and I are able to work from home and that we are both content to do so.

• I am thankful the weather is warming up which hopefully will help stop the virus spread but at least will allow us to grow some of our own foods.

• I am thankful to see people being kind and courteous even during difficult times.

Goals Update Week 12

I did not mean to take a break from blogging.  I ended up getting a pile of Etsy orders as well as a rush local order.  I did nothing but work for over a week.  I finally have things under control for a bit.  It was hectic, but I am very thankful for the orders.

1.  Save all of our Change for the Year

Shopping is pretty minimal right now.  I did pick up a few things and ran out earlier today to grab a couple of things for my parents.  Otherwise we are staying at home.  I do not expect to have much change to add to the jar over the next month at least. 

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business

I did end up leaving the shop.  I am selling plenty of stuff through my Facebook page as well as on Etsy.  The shop was just not getting enough foot traffic, and that is not going to improve with the current world situation.  It was silly to keep pouring money into something that was not working.

The farmers' markets are currently not an option due to local restrictions.  My focus instead is on filling the direct orders I am getting and adding more items to my Etsy shop.  I am also going to make up items for the farmers' markets/craft shows when those reopen. 

3.  Use the Dehydrator More

Ummm...nope, not yet.  I still need to get started with the fruit leather.  I want to work on the garden this week so that I have herbs and vegetables to dry later this year.

Sunday Book Reviews

Knot On Your Life by Betty Hechtman is the seventh book in the Yarn Retreat Mystery series.  Casey runs a yarn retreat and is a part-time dessert maker.  Her yarn retreat is sharing space with a group of tech people on a mindfulness retreat.  When she discovers one of the tech people dead, she begins to suspect he was murdered.  Even worse she thinks one of the members of her yarn retreat could be guilty.  This is the first book I have read in this series, but I was able to follow along just fine.  I enjoyed the book and would read more from this series.

The tenth book in the Tourist Trap Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon is Memories and Murder.  Jill's bookstore is hosting a discussion on elder abuse.  At the time she had no idea that she would be seeking the speaker's help regarding that very topic and he Aunt Jackie.  Meanwhile a murder in town has everyone on edge.  I love this series, and this book fit right in.  It also brought to light how anyone can fall for a nefarious scam artist.  I look forward to more in this series.

Sealed Off by Barbara Ross is the eighth book in the Maine Clambake Mystery series.  The clambake season is winding down.  Jill and her family are working with a skeleton crew for the last of the clambakes while another crew is working on the family mansion.  Several of the clambake crew are not getting along and without the buffer of the other crew members a fight breaks out between two of them.  When one of the fighters is found dead on the island, the second is the obvious suspect.  This book was full of twists and turns even though the clues are huge red flags to what is really going on.  I enjoy the characters and am anxious to see how things develop after this book.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Goals Update Week 10

1.  Save All of Our Change for the Year

I added a few coins to the jar.  I also rounded up all of our credit card purchases to put a bit extra toward the credit card bill

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business

This past week was spent on orders and a few small items that can be sold at the farmer's market later this month.  Until then I will put them in my shop booth.  Unless something dramatic happens in the next two weeks, I will be leaving the shop.  I will put focus on Etsy and local farmer's markets/festivals where I am actually selling some things. 

3  Use the Dehydrator More

We had so much rain this past week that I gave up on even trying to get out to the building where the dehydrator is.  I moved the peach fruit leather to this week. 

Sunday Book Reviews

The Way I Heard It by Mike Rowe is a collection of stories from his podcast.  It is a mix of history and personal stories from his life.  Readers will be reminded of Paul Harvey.  This is easily my favorite book of the year thus far.  I was constantly stopping to to say to my husband, "Hey, listen to this."  I especially loved the stories about Deadliest Catch star Phil Harris.  The stories are short and easy to read, but I found myself wanting to read just one more time and again.  I was truly sad to reach the end of the book and will be looking into the podcast series.

This is Going to Hurt by Adam Key is marketed as the secret diaries of a medical resident.  Unfortunately the title refers how I felt while reading the book.  I appreciate that medical residents have a strenuous and stressful schedule.  Mr. Key assumes that the rest of us are complete idiots who have never heard of any medical procedures or illnesses/conditions.  The fact that practically everything had to be explained was a red flag that he was searching for filler.  The secret diaries were just brief lines for the most part of things that may (or may not) have happened to the author.  Better books dealing with the same subject are available.  I am encouraging you to skip this one and avoid the pain I felt!

The Pollinator Victory Garden by Kim Eierman is a resource for those looking to attract a wide variety of pollinators.  I love seeing my garden full of bees, butterflies, wasps, moths, and other insects so I was anxious to read this book.  This book is better for beginning gardeners than long time ones.  While it had a variety of information, it is much too basic for those who have been gardening for years.  I do recommend this for general information, but I encourage people to find books geared toward their growing region for the best information.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Grocery Spending Week 9

My plans for a big grocery shop were put off this week.  I ended up just buying a few things to get by with plans for the big shop next week.

I bought:

barbecue sauce
Hebrew National Hot Dogs (on sale)
carrots
bananas (planning smoothies this week)
half & half
fish fillets (on sale)

Total Spent:  $19.59

The half & half will last for several weeks.  I can get at least two meals each from the hot dogs and fish.  The carrots are mostly for the rabbits.  We have heavy rains in the forecast for this week which makes foraging for rabbit greens not fun.

January:  $80.41
February:  $140.27
March:  $19.59

Grocery Spending Weeks 7 & 8

I decided it was best to catch up on my grocery spending for the year.

Week 7 I had hoped to skip the grocery store, but W was gifted some milk and wanted cereal.  I needed something for breakfast so I picked up almond milk for oatmeal.  The total was $6.07

Week 8 was mostly things we were out of and items for W's birthday meal.

flour
cheeses
cackers
jams
brownie mix
sour crream
pizzas (lunch on errand day)
lettuce
tomato
roast beef
cream cheese

I spent $34.43 on that shopping trip.  That brought my February total to $140.37.

This week I am planning a big shop for the month so I can hopefully stay out of the grocery stores at least one week.

January:  $80.41
February:  $140.37

Back to Basics

W and I went to several Dollar Generals last week.  I got seven more backpacks to donate.  I also stocked up on cheap Valentine candy.  I give my Bible class students a small treat at the end of each class if they have followed a few rules (listen, stay in your seat, and keep your hands to yourself).  This should keep me stocked for several months.

W had a birthday.  Dinner out is not really in the budget nor are there any fabulous places to eat here.  I asked what he wanted for his meal at home.  He chose roast beef sandwiches, cheetos, and a peanut butter brownie dessert.  I also used lemon juice from the freezer to make lemonade.  He was happy, and we made two meals out of it.  

 

I planned laundry around the weather so I could dry clothes on the line.

I ordered can cat food from Amazon as it was cheaper than anywhere locally.  

I found a crochet pattern that I needed for a custom order on sale.  It will do double duty.  I needed the farm animals for a baby mobile, but the pattern also included a barn pattern.  I will make a second set of animals that are stored inside the barn.

W was working at his shop but sent me to an estate sale right down the road from our house.  He wanted vases for flower arrangements at the church.  I found two and spent just $25.  

Goals Update Week 9

1.  Save all of our Change for the Year

I added a few coins to the jar this week.  We also found 12 cents on the ground while out running errands.  That money went into the jar too.  W and I have taken to scanning the parking lot when we get out of our vehicle.  I think many people drop change when they are getting their keys and just do not bother to pick it up.  It is never going to make us rich, but it adds a bit to the jar.

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business

This past week it was all about orders.  This week will be more of the same.  I have been focused on getting the Easter orders done early in case any others pop up.  It will also give me time to work on some more general items.  I am considering doing a couple of festivals this year so I am slowly trying to stock up on items.

3.  Use the Dehydrator More

Peach fruit rolls are definitely on my to do list for this week.  It will be a healthier sweet snack for us to have on hand.

I am happy to be back on track with my posts.  Perhaps the new year should start around March.  I seem to be more settled into a routine now than I was two months ago.

Sunday Book Reviews

The 5-Ingredient  Fresh & Easy Cookbook offers over 90 recipes for busy cooks.  My favorite part of this book is that it included a short list of easy to find ingredients along with simple preparation steps.  The recipes also include tips and/or ingredient swaps.  This cookbook is definitely geared toward those who are interested in avoiding processed foods while not spending all day in the kitchen.  I marked several that I felt my family would enjoy which is always a sign of a good cookbook.  I look forward to putting it to good use!

Fresh Flavors for the Slow Cooker promises reinvented meals.  Some of the recipes included ingredients geared toward less than adventurous eaters.  I found many of them had multiple steps.  When I think of slow cooker meals, I want to use mainly just the slow cooker.  I do not mind a few recipes with prep work, but these recipes just do not fit in with my life at present.  That does not make it a bad cookbook.  It is simply not what I need at this point in time.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Catching Up: Goal Update Week 8 & Back to Basics

Pollen is not my friend this week.  Well, I should clarify that pine pollen is not my friend.  I have been happy to see the bees with pollen from my citrus trees.  The pine pollen has left me feeling less than perky.  Earlier in the week I spent my time on things that must be done.  W is working a bit late, and I am taking a break so I thought it was a good time to check in.  Goals first....

1.  Save all of Our Change for the Year

I added a bit of change this past week.  We did very little shopping so there was only a few coins to toss in the jar.

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business

I am continuing to work on Easter baskets.  The rabbit is almost done, but I am rethinking the ears.  Next on my list is a dinosaur.  I am working away on orders and am on track at this point.  I have reached a fork in the road so to say about the direction for my business over the coming months.  I have decided to see how things go through March before I make any final decisions. 

I was pleasantly surprised to get a new list of orders just as I was about to catch up.  These are spaced out enough with a bit of extra room before the deadlines. 

3.  Use the Dehydrator More

I will certainly do this more when the garden is in full swing.  For now I am researching things that can be dehydrated.  We have an over abundance of peaches in the freezer so I am thinking homemade fruit rolls will be in my future.


Back to Basics....

With the sinus/allergy problems I have been trying to drink more.  I wanted something more than plain water. I ended up making some flowerchild tea.  I added in two cups of bottled juice and no additional sugar.  It is one of my favorite drinks.

We ate leftovers for several meals.  It helped to not have to cook every day. It also helped the grocery budget.  I was able to roll over a few planned meals to this week.  I skipped buying additional snacks since we had plenty of snack foods in the pantry. 

I used more aquarium water for my seedlings.  They are growing well so it must be working. 

I picked greens from the yard to feed the rabbits and chickens.  We have an issue with some pests in the chicken house due to the warmer winter.  W opted to treat it with Dawn dish detergent.  It is so much safer for our the animals in addition to being cheaper. 

Back to Basics & I Remembered

I did some bargain shopping this week.  I bought backpacks at 70% to donate to our church.  I got over $60 worth of backpacks for less than $20.  We are a small church so it helps to stretch every dollar.

I also bought some planner stickers, pens, etc at the same sale to give to my "sister" in the secret sister program at church.  I think all of her gifts except one have come from clearance sections.  I have heard through the grapevine that she has loved everything which proves you do not need to spend a ton of money on a gift.

I used water from the aquarium to fertilize my seedlings again.

The rabbits have been eating vegetable scraps or things scavenged from the yard.  We do not spray anything so they get to eat organic.

I won a book and tennis ball in an Instagram giveaway.  I really just wanted the tennis ball for Toby.  I do not read romance novels so I gave the book to my mom.

Many of my nieces and nephews no longer live close to use.  Rather than buying a gift and then paying for shipping, I find something on Amazon Prime that they will like and have it shipped free.

I did remember what I thought my third goal should be - use my dehydrator more.  This is something that is easy to do if I just push myself a bit.  I want to get out of my comfort zone and dehydrate some new things.  I also want to make better use of dehydrating herbs and excess garden produce which will be a money saver.  

Goals Update Week 7

1.  Save All of Our Change for the Year

The coin jar is a little fuller.  We do not do a ton of shopping so I am not sure the jar will ever completely fill up.  Still it will be interesting to see how much is there at the end of the year.

For our online purchases, I have decided to round them up when paying the credit card bill.  That should help chip a bit off the debt.

2.  Plan Ahead for My Business

This past week I posted something on my Facebook page every day.  I went from almost completely caught up on orders to having a list with deadlines through June.  I am not sure if the two are completely related, but I feel like it definitely helped.  Unfortunately I am mostly out of new things to post this week.  Instead I will post a few previous items since I do have many new followers.

I finished another Easter basket - a dragon.  

 

This week I need to finish up a bunch of sloth plant holders for online orders and a unicorn which is being donated to a local school.  I also want to find a bit of time to start on a bunny Easter basket.

3.  Goal #3

This one is tough.  Last night as I was trying to shut my mind down so I could go to sleep, I decided that trying to master 12 cooking techniques this year was probably not in my best interest.  I thought of a wonderful new goal that would be a bit challenging but something I could achieve.  The problem.....this morning I cannot remember what it is.  I am hoping that it will come back to me so I can share it with y'all.  *Sigh* I feel like that is what my life is like now.  

Sunday Book Reviews

Crisis in the Red Zone by Richard Preston is a thrilling non-fiction book about the most recent Ebola outbreak.  While I knew some of the story from the news reports, Mr. Preston takes readers much deeper into the events.  Most shocking was the information about Doctors Without Borders and their ineffective politically correct policies.  It makes me wonder how many people die needlessly due to their "fairness" policies.  How is not treating anyone since they cannot treat everyone in the midst of an emergency a smart practice?  I was amazed by the strength of the African doctors and nurses who did so much with so little in the face of overwhelming sickness.  This book was eye opening and a wonderful read.

The fifteenth book in the Mystery with Recipes book series by Isis Crawford is A Catered New Year's Eve.  I had not read any of the previous books in the series which might have led to the fact that I did not like the main characters, Bernie and Libby.  The two honestly made the worst decisions.  They get tons of red flags regarding some estranged relatives but continue to pursue a relationship.  Then the engage in a high speed chase in a snowstorm driving a van on its last legs.  Their father should be the main character as he is the only one with good sense.  The mystery was okay, but the characters were just not people with whom I connected. 

Three Widows and a Corpse is the third book in the Food Blogger Mystery series.  Hope and some friends are taking part in her town's annual scavenger hunt when she stumbles on a dead body.  The scene gets even more complicated when three women show up all exclaiming about their dead husband.  I like the series including the setting, Hope's life, and the supporting character.  My only issue is Hope's constant need to explain that she is "curious".  She is not curious but an overly nosy busybody which is fine if she will just own it and move on.  The mystery is strong.  I simply want Hope to be a smarter, stronger character.

disclosure:  I received these e-books through NetGalley but was not otherwise compensated for these reviews.  All opinions are my own!

Garden Update Week 6

The seedlings and plants are slowly taking over the living room and kitchen.  W has offered to build me a growing tower, but he is swamped with his business right now.  I am just trying to find room as best I can for now.

You can see a bunch of new peat pellets this week.  I planted several varieties tomatoes, a few herbs, and some eggplants.  The dwarf tamarillo seedling (smaller green plants) are continuing to do well.

Many of these pepper plants are almost ready to be transplanted into larger containers with compost.

The banana pepper seeds have sprouted.

Here are more tomato starts and the transplanted baby sweet peppers.  For some reason a few of my artichoke seedlings are dying.  I wonder if these would be better if direct sown in the garden.  

I also cleaned out a few more beds in the garden.  The temperatures here continue to fluctuate, but it is much too early for planting outside no matter if we have 80 degree days.  

Grocery Spending Weeks 5 & 6

I went a bit overboard during the last two weeks with my shopping.  We were out of fresh produce.  I am dreaming of spring when I can just get that stuff from the backyard rather than buying it at the store.  I also added in some quick meal items.  Overall it is not horrible, and I should be able to avoid the grocery stores next week.  Many of this week's meals will provide leftovers for the freezer too.

Week 5
pineapple juice (wonderful for sinus congestion)
apples
avocado
hamburger
broccoli
cabbage
carrots
cheese
Italian seasoning mix
egg rolls
lettuce
grape tomatoes

Total $35.27

I appreciate being able to buy fresh produce, but I really, really want to have our greenhouse and hydroponics set up before next winter.

Week 6
half & half
potatoes
bread
pepperoni
sub rolls (I have yet to find a good homemade sub roll recipe.  Anyone have one to share?0
butter
pretzels
cream of mushroom and chicken soups
creamed corn
crushed tomatoes
refried beans
ketchup
cheese
mushrooms
oatmeal
bell pepper
jam
lunch meat
pickles
tortilla chips (I found tomatillo salsa in the freezer)

Total $64.54

I will have to watch the spending for the rest of the month, but I know I have more than two weeks worth of meals out of today's purchases.

January Total:  80.41
February Total:  99.87

Back to Basics

I feel like last week passed me by.  W was under the weather for a few days, and then I had a migraine.  The good news was that while I did get a bit behind on housework, I managed to feed us from the pantry/freezer.  I did pick up some quick meal items while at the grocery store since we had cleaned all of those out during the pantry challenge.

One of my back to basic goals for this year is to do some decluttering so the house is easier to clean.  That means I need to set aside time to sort items that are trash, to be donated, and to be sold.  I started in my craft room which is by far the worst room.  I am giving myself until the middle of March.  I already tossed out some trash and set aside items for a neighborhood yard sale. 

I only bought yarn that I needed to start on an order.  It was tempting to pick up some other especially since there was a sale.  I am working to make as much as I can from yarn that I already have and am only buying what is necessary to complete custom orders.

Rather than buy fish emulsion fertilizer for the seedlings I dipped water from the aquarium.  Water must be taken out and replaced once a week anyway. Rather than throw all of it out I used it as fertilizer.

There was a clearance sale at Dollar General this past weekend.  While I did go look, nothing that I needed was included at the store near me.  I left without buying anything.  A deal is only a deal if it is on something that you need. 

How have you saved money recently?