February has just flown by! I hope you had a wonderful Valentine’s Day surrounded by good books! I only finished three books this month. I started a fourth, but I’m struggling to stay focused on it. Say You Love Me by Kelsey Langton You might remember last month I talked about finding out that a book you’ve just read is part of a series. It happened again with my first book Say You Love Me. It is number 5 in the Malory Family Series! Number 5! It read fine on its own though. It was actually a pretty good story…
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Hello everyone! I hope your new year is off to a fantastic start, and you’ve been reading all the books! Here in Ohio, this month has been snowy, cold and windy – a great excuse to stay inside with a warm blanket, a hot mug of tea, and good books. Not that I need an excuse. One of my pet peeves is finishing a book and then realizing it’s part of a series – and, of course, not the first book in the series. That happened to me twice this month! I think the book covers should be clearly marked…
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Hello readers! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas spent with friends and family – and lots of books! I finished November reading Janet Evanovich’s Thanksgiving. My intention is not to write spoilers, but I just have to with this one. Spoiler Alert! Much as I had to keep an open mind reading the fantasy novel, Under the Cerulean Sea, I had to do the same reading this one. It was a cute love story, a mushy romance with some funny bits thrown in. I’m 56 years old and, having been married and divorced and involved in romantic relationships…
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Drying fruit is another ancient holiday tradition that is easy, economical, and enjoyable. The end result is almost as beautiful, festive, and aromatic as the process itself. The dried fruit can be used in so many different ways during the holidays and beyond. Our ancestors included it in their holiday decor and gave it as gifts in an effort to invite good fortune, abundance, prosperity, and longevity into their lives and the lives of their loved ones in the coming year. Your first step is to choose which fruit you want to dry. I’m doing mandarin oranges and apples but…
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If you’re anything like me, there is a bit of regret and disappointment in the air if you don’t take the time to create special things for your home and those you love during the holiday season. Sometimes the hustle and bustle win out and those “little” things start feeling like extra things that you can’t spare the time for, maybe don’t have the money for, and can’t possibly manage to get done. But making and taking the time to create special things with special people during the holiday season should, in reality, be at the top of all of…
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For me…this really is the most wonderful time of the year. There is a magical quality about Christmas that really speaks to my romantic nature. The lights, the love, the scent of pine and cinnamon in the air, the warmth of a fire, and promises of gatherings with family and friends really help light the darkest of days. Many of the customs and traditions that we still adhere to today are rooted in ancient winter festivals that were centered around the winter solstice. Neolithic henges in Northern Europe that are aligned to the winter solstice have produced archeological evidence of…
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I was trapped in a vortex when my sister’s book report landed in my inbox. Her first line is “How is it Thanksgiving” and just like that…it’s Christmas. I feel so bad. I had the thought that perhaps there is a lesson here. Maybe…we should take a little extra time to be Thankful this year. And just maybe…before diving headlong into the holiday season we should give ourselves one last slow, cozy, Fall day…snuggled up with one of these books, a blanket, a warm beverage, and perhaps a candle or twenty. Here are Julie’s suggestions for just such a day.…
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When the cold winds of change begin to blow (seemingly straight through your bones) and the sky hangs heavy and grey, nothing will warm you up quite like a bowl of Butternut Squash Soup. This soup is extremely versatile, easy to make, and is loaded with health benefits from boosting your immune system, improving heart, eye, bone, and brain health, improving blood sugar control, reducing inflammation, and reducing the risk of certain cancers. All three of our star ingredients, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, and potatoes, are excellent sources of Vitamins A, K, C and B6 and also contain minerals like…
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Suggested Reading for the Spooky Season Hello everyone! I have been an avid reader from the day I learned to read – more than 50 years ago. When my sister asked me to write about books, I was thrilled! I love talking about books, suggesting books for others to read, buying books – everything books! While I am not a fan of e-books, I do have a couple saved on my phone for times when I find myself with time, but no book – like in the waiting room at the doctor. I do use the Goodreads app and have…
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Autumn is a time of change and introspection. As the days grow shorter and cooler we begin to slow down affording us the time to look inward. It shows us, with every leaf, that change is beautiful. Every falling leaf serves to remind us that shedding that which no longer serves us will only make room for new growth. Mother Nature is not subtle about this, and yet, for many the meaning behind the season goes unconsidered. Our Ancestors lives depended on being connected to the Earth and Her seasons. Autumn was a time spent preserving harvests, prepping themselves, the…