Photo Fun

 These photos were taken at the Dallas Aquarium in 2019.

Flamingos

Manatee

Seahorse

Rays

Toucan

Please visit Wordless Wednesday at their new home and at Comedy Plus.

It's About Time I Posted

 

Hello!  It's been a while.  First, I just wasn't "feeling it" a couple of weeks ago when I had the chance to post, then we were on our family vacation, and without reliable Internet, I couldn't post.  But here I am today with not much to say but glad to be here anyway.

We actually were able to get 9, yes NINE, of our family together for a vacation!  That included our two little granddaughters, which of course was the most fun.  We were missing a few family members, but that's the most we've had together at the same time in a long while.

We took our granddaughters to a cupcake making class (ages 3 and 6).  Surprisingly, the three year old made it through over half the class before she was ready to go.  She had already made her frog.  So I decorated the other cupcake and took it to her while my husband took her back to the room. Our 6 year old did GREAT!  She did as well as most of the adults at the class.  

It's a frog on a water lily in case you can't tell.  So much fun!  Sad to be home now.  But we're taking off again in less than two weeks for our anniversary trip, and I don't know where we're going.  It's a surprise.  So, let's get to something funny.

This is valid!

This just cracks me up!

For more funnies check out Stacy's Random Thoughts and Happy Tuesday!  Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis - Cozy Mystery

 

Lykoi Larceny by Katherine Hayton
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Kitten Cafe series. The first thing to note is that you don't have to have read the first two for this one to make sense. If you have read them, you're familiar with the setting and a couple of the characters, but it's not necessary.

Marjorie, who owns the cat cafe', has been busy baking for the Community Center where they will be hosting an event for foster kids and their families. As she goes to check on her neighbor, she finds him dead. She ends up taking temporary ownership of a rare "Werewolf" Lykoi kitten due to his owner's death. In addition, the Christmas gifts for the foster kids have been stolen. Marge and her friend and fellow entrepreneur Esme realize they must go out and try to find the gifts while also asking for further donations.

I won't spoil anything and tell you how it worked out in the end. But be assured there's no swearing, no cliffhangers, and no graphic scenes. I liked this book, maybe not as much as the other two, but not bad.

View all my reviews

Current Mood

 

Looking through recipes a couple of days ago, and my husband found one.  I cooked it for dinner last night with only a few minor tweaks.  It's French Onion Meatloaf, and it was good.

Next, I'm making crispy chicken sandwiches (kind of like Popeyes chicken sandwiches). Dry mix is breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, seasoning salt and flour.  Batter ingredients are egg and milk.  Perfect fried chicken every time.

 Then I'm making my charro beans from scratch.  I won't have the whole family here, just my son, but my whole family loves them, and they freeze very well. First, they have to soak overnight.  These have a few ingredients:  onion, tomato, broth, jalapeno, bacon, bacon grease, beer, spices, pinto beans, and green chiles when I have them.  I often put cilantro, but my soon-to-be daughter-in-law is allergic, so I've been leaving it out.  It's still good.  They key is to mash some of the beans when they get to a certain point in the cooking process which makes the beans a little thicker.  Come on over and have some!

And if all this sounds exciting... it's not really.  I'm in a "meh" state of mind currently.

But this will be me in ten days, so it's alright!

Please visit Comedy Plus and Stacey's Random Thoughts.  Have a great week!

Sunday Synopsis - Guilt

Guilt by Jonathan Kellerman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the 28th installment of the Alex Delaware series. I had read a couple previously, so you can see that you don't have to start at number one. I usually do because that's how I roll, but I got this one for such a bargain I decided to go out of order. Everything is explained enough that you don't have to have read the one(s) prior.

Alex Delaware is a psychologist who often works as a consultant for LAPD and works mostly with a friend of his on the force, Detective Milo Sturgis. The story begins with the discovery of a dead baby buried in a tin box at a woman's house 60 years ago. This event sets off a series of unfortunate mysteries that Delaware and Sturgis will need to connect somehow. And will they even be able to identify the biggest threat?

If you enjoy crime ficion, mysteries, and psychological thrillers, you may enjoy this book. I did.

View all my reviews

Happy Random Tuesday

 

Today as I was reviewing my recipe email, I came across a recipe for Charcuterie Salad.  Do we really need a recipe for charcuterie (also known as adult lunchable)?  Salami, ham, cheese, crackers, nuts, olives, and so on.  Absolutely nothing in the "recipe" distinguished it as a salad.  The only difference was it said to serve it in cups with toothpicks.  At least with a tray, you can use toothpicks to select the parts you actually like rather than being stuck with what the "chef" wanted you to have.  Seems like there is less waste with a tray, also.

Now moving on.

Have a great week!  Visit my friends at Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.

Sunday Synopsis - The Boelyn Traitor

 

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one in a long line of Philippa Gregory's novels about English Royal History. And I'm here for it! I hope she continues to write from different points of view within a pre 19th century timeline. They are my favorite.

This book focuses on someone who seems unimportant, but in actuality has more influence than one would think. The main character is Jane Boelyn, also known as Lady Rochford. She was Anne Boelyn's sister-in-law having been married to her brother. As a spy, Lady Rochford must manage the secrets of the Tudor Court and the dangers that come with it. She is often seen as a villain, but serves as the protagonist of this story. Jane is a survivor of much of Henry VIII's rule.

The book addresses the themes of power, betrayal, ambition, survival, and loyalty. I don't want to give away any more to the story because it is such a great book, I think you should read it.

View all my reviews

Fun Photo

 Beautiful scenery in Big Bend National Park in Texas

Join my friends at Wordless Wednesday and Wordless Wednesday at Comedy Plus.

It's Tuesday Again

 Here it is again... Tuesday. Funny how that happens every week!  Here's a random thought.  I was watching Call the Midwife today, and one of the characters said, "You're going to have to wait on me hand and foot."  That made me wonder... why do we say "wait on" and "hand and foot."

Obviously waiting on you means catering to your needs, but why "wait on?"  Apparently, it has been linked to the word "waiter" as early as the 14th century which means to serve someone. According to the www, it is mainly an American saying, especially in the South. I still don't understand why the word wait means to serve someone.  

Hand and foot makes a little more sense.  It originated in the 14th century as well and refers to the "hand," doing manual tasks, and "foot," meaning movement, and together meaning to be at someone's beck and call.  Doesn't that one make more sense?

Have a great week, and don't forget to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts!

Happy Random Tuesday

What do you do when you are unhappy?  Feeling unhappy happens to everyone at times—it’s not something to ignore, but it’s also not something you’re stuck with. The key is to gently shift from “I feel bad” to “What can I do next?”

Here are a few simple, realistic steps according to Chat GPT:

🌱 Start small (don’t try to fix everything)

Pick one tiny action:

• Take a short walk
• Step outside for fresh air
• Drink water, eat something nourishing

Small resets can change your mood more than you expect.

🎯 Do one thing that gives you a sense of control

• Tidy a small space
• Finish a quick task
• Work on a simple craft

Progress—even tiny—can lift your mood.

❤️ Be kind to yourself

Avoid thoughts like:

• “I shouldn’t feel this way”
  Replace with:
• “It’s okay to feel this. It will pass.”

To help you be kind to yourself if you are feeling unhappy, here are some funnies.  (But is anyone else running out of funnies?)

Have a great week, and remember to visit Happy Tuesday and Random Tuesday Thoughts.