The Secret of the Ancient Marinara

This was an interesting read. I've never been to Italy but felt the pull of the culinary aspects through this book. The characters were realistic and the dialog conveyed the feelings of their experience in the Cooking Class. I was kept off guard as the story unfolded and surprised at the turn of events as a death closed the kitchen. It was one mishap after another and our heroine sleekly came up with ingenious alternative plans. 

I would like to hear further adventures from this author and her surprisingly inventive designer. I definitely had to cook some Italian meals as I read through the week at the cooking school. I would love to try some of the marinara sauces that were described. I also love olives and had to break out a favorite jar just so I could continue the book without drooling too much. 

A delightful, fun, romp through the Italian countryside.

Jericho by Ann McMan

I loved this book. I listened on Audible, set the timer every night for the past few weeks and let Syd and Maddie lull me to sleep. The light hearted banter between the two women evolved from the story beginning with one apparently straight librarian and a closeted lesbian physician to full-fledged loving intimate conversations. Their friendship with a male couple accentuated the underlying attraction the two had for each other. 

They very slowly grow into a family with supportive in-laws and a five-year-old boy who is going to join and contribute to their household along with the family dog. 

I'm looking forward to the continuation of their lives in small town, Jericho, deep in a small-town Appalachian Mountain state. I just have to finish a few other books first... maybe.

I was impressed with the attention to details of their professions, librarian and physician. I also enjoyed the fact that the story developed without sex coming on the second date! The commitment was strong with both characters overcoming past challenges with relationships. Totally believable and throughly enjoyable. 

I wholeheartedly recommend this book which won an Outstanding Debut Novel.

A Cat Mystery

Undercover Kitty at a Cat Show is a new role for Elvis and he manages it surprisingly well. He is recruited by Rose and Charlotte’s Angels. The detective agency is holding space at the Second Chance Repurpose Shop. Rose and the Angels don’t take no for an answer easily and Sarah finds herself learning all about Cat Shows. Elvis takes it easily in stride fast becoming a favorite. This was new territory for me. I’ve always had a cat but have never considered entering one in a show. This story reveals some of the trials and tribulations of such an endeavour. 

I also enjoyed reading about the repurposing of objects at the store. I’ve dabbled a bit in refurnishing furniture and always have a few minutes to stop at a yard sale. I’ve enjoyed television shows about abandoned storage units.  The finds that Sarah and her crew pull together for their amazing displays inspires me to do the same!

The relationships between the characters is enjoyable.Unfortunately, tragedy strikes a newly met friend of Sarah’s at the Cat Show and the mystery deepens. The Angels are on the case and the bad characters get caught. Meanwhile a romance deepens.

This was a nice cozy mystery. Congratulations are in order for Elvis on winning in the companion cat category.

Reading, only 3 books at one time?

 Ok, but they're all good ones. I love to read and unless its a hold-my-breath page turner and some are, I usually have two or three going at a time. Of course the last few days - November 3, 2020 to November 6, 2020, I also have the sound muted television on with cnn mix so I can watch and hope and pray. My prayers appear to be answered except in Kentucky!

Ok, back to reading - I've got Undercover Kitty for daytime, Jericho for falling asleep to and Magic Lessons when I want intrigue. There are a few others that are still open - The Mystwick school of Music which is on audible with music at appropriate times in the book is enjoyable to pick up from time to time. 

I'm also reading a series of books on writing and my cookbooks and gardening books are nice when I can't find what I'm looking for on the Internet. 

Am I the only one trying to take in this much information all at one time? 

Focus

I must find the bright side of events, especially those that are negative at first glance. Not that we haven't had a few glances at the current health negative scare.

For a frustrated introvert that cannot seem to stay home, I'm successfully staying at home with a self-quarantine. That's a good thing because I have a lot to do. Unfortunately, I often find myself with too much to do. I decided to make some decisions to make my life simpler. I'm going to focus on two projects.

First of these, my handmade cloth dolls. I've been painting faces and dreaming of various adaptations to the model that I created in 2017. I made 15 dolls with various shades of hair, eyes and clothes. These were gifts for family and friends. I could have made more but Christmas deadline came fast and that's when I stopped sewing and started gifting. I received lots of positive comments. A few suggestions concerning marketing the dolls but I just never got one of those round to-its.

Here I am again with intention to make dolls. I'm working on my body pattern now but I'm happy with the faces.

With the remainder of my stay at home time I'll work on getting some of my stories either published or put them into an e-book format and start distributing them to friends for their reactions. More about that later. For now, the Eyes have it.

Is it Fall Already?

Seems as though summer passed through like a breeze and here we are with talk of snow in the air. I'm taking orders for my herbal salve, time to make up a big batch. I've got large and small orders to fill. Let me know the quantity and size you need and I'll make sure its ready for you.

I'm back

I apologize for my long absence. I'll provide my excuses later .. maybe. But I'm so happy that you are here. I'll provide a brief update.

My substituting has reached a good level - I'm on a permanent stay with a kindergarten class near my home while the regular teacher is on maternity leave. I'm most happy to get up in the morning and go to work.

I am looking forward to spring to start doing some camping and hiking.

I'm planning on spending my summer working on my short stories and novel. I really intend to get published this year.

I do want spend time on crafts - doll making, doll houses, soap making. Maybe I'll be setting up a booth at some festivals this year.

Oh, and I want to just play, walk on the beach, spend time Letterboxing & geocaching.

I really would like to get more involved in my massage practice and perhaps get more training in trigger points.

I can't neglect my gardening and storing food for the winter.

How will I find time to do it all? I'm realizing the sands of time in my hourglass are slowly slipping away.