Weekly Goals Update: Week 30

1.  Disaster Preparedness
Week 30 was nutrition and exercise.  After this week I feel better about the nutrition side of things.  Our 12 year old nephew stayed with us for a couple of days.  He asked both W and myself about snacks.  I told him to check the refrigerator and pantry (and found out W had done the same).  Our nephew complained that all we had were fruits and vegetables.  He did eat four Oreos that were left from making the cake last week.  This time of year I get plenty of exercise in the yard and garden.  Taking Toby for walks has also increased my activity level.  My focus needs to be on strength training though.

I did find some candles on clearance to add to our emergency supplies.  These are a good size and are made of thick glass.  At just 15 cents each I could not pass them up.

2.  Makeover the Garden

I did work on weeds a bit, but we had more rain.  I do not feel I am making much progress.  I might have to give in and let W mow in between the beds.

3.  Organize Recipes

Yet again I did not work on this goal.  Winter will get here eventually.

4.  Have 13 No Spend Grocery Weeks

I bought just a few groceries this past week.  I am hoping to skip the stores this week though.

5.  Focus on Saving

My plan for August is to use up some things.  I am piles of samples and also need to work on the freezer.  I want to free up some space to do some freezer cooking.  My calendar for October to the end of the year is filling up.  Having meals in the freezer will save both time and money.

6.  Etsy Shop

I have been working on some items to add to my Etsy shop.  I just need to get those finished, photographed, and listed.

Weekend Book Reviews

Kappy King and the Pickle Kaper by Amy Lillard is the second book in the Amish Mystery series.  When Sally June Esh is killed in a hit and run accident while delivering pickles, the Amish community is devastated.  Kappy, an Amish woman living a bit on the edge of her community, and Edie, Kappy's friend who decided to live among the Englisch, find themselves in the middle of the mystery.  Edie is receiving cryptic text messages about the accident.  This is a wonderful series.  Kappy is a charming character, and her friendship with the eccentric, shunned Edie is entertaining.  The mystery was strong. The characters, mystery, and writing combine to make this one of my favorite cozy series. 

The second book in the Farm-to-Fork Mystery series by Lynn Cahoon is Killer Green Tomatoes.  Angie's restaurant, County Seat, is turning into a success.  Her sous chef introduces her to a new produce supplier, his cousin Javier.  Shortly after their meeting, Javier's former love interest in found murdered, and he is the only suspect.  Angie believes that Javier is being framed even after he disappears.  She has her hands full taking care of her neighbor's grandmother for the week but is lured into investigating.  I finished this book in just over a day.  One clue near the end helped me solve the mystery.  The family setting of the restaurant and the farm theme make this a delightful series. 

The Woman's Herbal Apothecary by JJ Pursell features 200 remedies.  It covers a wide variety of topics.  Some of the remedies, such as one for poison ivy, are good for anyone.  Most were made using four to five ingredients which could be grown or purchased online.  I do question the idea of taking comfrey internally as mentioned in the book.  Overall it had good information for any woman interested in natural treatments or care.

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

Weekend Book Reviews

Staged 4 Murder by JC Eaton is the third book in the Sophie Kimball Mystery series.  Phee is hoping to focus on her work at the private investigation company even though her crush has arrived from Minnesota.  Her mom insists on daily updates from the local theater company's production of Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.  Phee's mom and the members of her mother's book club are all taking part.  When Miranda, the lead actress, is found murdered, the suspect list is long.  Miranda was no one's favorite person.  Other members of the cast start receiving threatening notes, Phee and her co-workers are in the middle of another mystery.  I enjoy this series.  Phee's mom is quite a character.  The mystery was strong and kept me guessing until the end.  This is another hit from the husband and wife writing team that are among my favorite authors!


Book two in the Sister Lou Mystery series by Olivia Matthews is Peril & Prayer.  The advent season is nearing, and Sister Lou's congregation is having a retreat at a local resort.  She is tasked with planning the retreat and with  keeping Sister Marianna in line.  Things are not going well when Sister Marianna has a confrontation with the owner over the menu.  When the owner is found murdered, Sister Marianna is at the top of the suspect list.  Sister Lou, her nephew Chris, and journalist Sheri are determined to solve the latest mystery.  Sister Lou is a wonderful cozy heroine.  The mystery kept me guessing up until the end.  I also like the side stories involving Sheri's job and Chris and Sheri.  I look forward to more in this wonderful series!




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

Chocolate Oreo Cake

Lindsay at Life, Love, and Sugar is my absolute favorite cake blogger.  I honestly no longer look at any other cake recipes since I started baking cakes from her recipes.  Now that W no longer has co-workers, I am looking for opportunities to try out new cake recipes.  As delicious as cake is, two people do not need an entire cake.


This past weekend we had Vacation Bible School at our church. Sunday night is always family night with hamburgers and hot dogs.  Every cookout needs desserts, and this was the perfect opportunity to try out Lindsay's Chocolate Oreo Cake.



After two full days of VBS (plus all of the time spent prepping), I did not have piles of patience to completely smooth the icing.  I still think it turned out quite nice.  W is not a big Oreo fan, but he said that the icing was good.  The cake was a hit, and I brought home an empty cake carrier.

Weekly Goals Update: Week 29

1.  Disaster Preparedness
Week 29 was charity.  I have a hard time thinking of myself as not being charitable.  For short term disasters it seems cruel to not be charitable.  Following last year's hurricane, we got power back much earlier than most people.  We opened our home up to family and friends who needed a hot meal, shower, etc.  Living in a small rural community, people are always helping out each other.  Neighbors got together with chain saws to clear roads.  Having extra items on hand to share with those in need is part of daily life.


2.  Makeover the Garden
Last week was hectic here.  W cracked two ribs in an accident in the yard which meant he could not handle mowing.  I mowed our yard yet again, and I also mowed the cemetery at our church.  Add in getting reading for Vacation Bible School, and I had no time for the garden.  The weeds are taking over so my plan this week is to work on those.


3.  Organize Recipes
I did nothing on this goal last week. 


4.  Have 13 No Spend Weeks
I planned to add another to the list last week, but I found discounted milk, chocolate milk, and cereal. 


5.  Focus on Saving
I did not purchase a single thing during Amazon's Prime Days.  I did look at the sale items, but I saw nothing that I needed or even really wanted.  Not shopping is the best way to save money!


6.  Etsy Shop
I definitely did not have time to work on this project.  I am hoping to work on it over the next couple of weeks.

Weekend Book Reviews

Formerly Known As Food by Kristin Lawless explains all of the problems with America's food.  Most of the information should come as no surprise, but the scope of damage is shocking.  I expected for this book to read like a textbook.  The book was enjoyable to read although a bit repetitive at times.  At the end the author offered some "solutions" but no feasible way for them to be enacted.  A system broken due to big corporations and government apathy cannot be fixed by more government involvement.  It does discuss important information regarding the issues facing current and future generations.  Formerly Known as Food was much more enjoyable to read than similar books on the same topic.

Kate Carlisle's twelfth  book in the Bibliophile Mystery series is Buried in Books.  Brooklyn has everything under control for her upcoming wedding and is confident she can also handle presenting at a librarian's convention in town.  She gets a big surprise when her two college roommates show up at the convention.  None of them have seen each other since her roommates argued over a guy in college.  The friends try to one up each other with rare book gifts.  When one of the friends is found dead buried in a pile of books, Brooklyn sets out to find the murderer.  I have read previous books in the series, but it is really not necessary.  This series features a strong female character, and this book is no exception.  It is action packed 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

'Til Dice Do Us Part by Julie B Cosgrove is the fourth book in the Bunco Biddies Mystery series.  I have read the previous books in this series.  While it is not necessary, I highly recommend it.  The residents of Sunset Acres are preparing for a wedding. While decorating for the wedding shower, one of the ladies falls resulting in a trip to the ER.  She overhears a suspicious conversation that has the ladies in the middle of another mystery which threatens the wedding.  I absolutely adore this series and appreciate the subtle religious aspect.  Ms. Cosgrove has written another wonderful, entertaining book which I read in just one day!

Lena Gregory's Murder Made to Order is the second book in the All Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery series.  Gia is finally settling in to her new life in Florida with her breakfast cafe.  She discovers her cafe is in jeopardy due to a zoning regulation.  When Gia discovers the city council leader dead in the woods, she has another mystery to solve.  This book has several side plots, and the mystery had me guessing until the end.  I am already looking forward to book three in the series!

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