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October
"Autumn Leaves of red and gold
that crunch beneath your feet
Pumpkins on front porches,
Candy corn, and trick-or-treat,
Tart and tangy cider,
Apples ripened on the trees,
A hint of winter coming
on the chilly
autumn breeze."
-Author unkown
So as autumn rolls in it’s time to start getting cozy with some good books.
REVIEW TIME
I found a Susan Wiggs I hadn’t read before called A Summer Affair.
This book follows the life of a widowed doctor, Blue Calhoun, who runs his medical practice out of his home on Nob Hill, as well as raising his son. He encounters a fugitive with a gun shot wound whom he thinks is a man, but in fact is a woman named Iasbel. Why is she on the run? Why would his son put this fugitive in his late wife’s bed chamber to recover? How will her recovery impact Blue, his son, and many of the staff members? This book is full of intrigue, danger, high society, as well as a quest to discover a rare kind of love. I so enjoyed this book. Please read and cheer for our good doctor and patient.
I am currently reading the new Nicholas Sparks book Dreamland.
This story chronicles Colby Mills, his musical career, his life owning a working farm, and his encounter with Morgan. She’s a voice major from Chicago on vacation in St. Pete, Florida. What would be the odds that these two would be on the same beach? Well, I guess you will have to be like me and check the book out and see what happens. But if you are a Nicholas Sparks lover as your ole bookmobile lady here, you know you are going to love it and probably use a few tissues.
I also have Elin Hilderbrand’s new novel in my book bag. It’s called Endless Summers
She revisits some of her most cherished books to tie up some loose ends that may have left us hanging. Like 28 Summers, Beautiful Day, Match-Maker, and Summer of 79. So curl up as I am going to do with this new winner. I can’t wait!
DORTHEA BENTON FRANK (SEPT. 1951-SEPT. 2019)
I discovered the much loved author Dorthea Benton Frank at an older age in my life. I have now read several of her books and have loved her style. I can’t believe I had never taken a chance on her novels. So I am enjoying her contribution to my ecletic reading style. She sadly passed away in September, 2019.
My Book on CD pick this month is:
Rules at the School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan.
This is the second in the School by the Sea series. I’ll just say another hit for Jenny Colgan. Travel back to Cornwall to Downy House School for Girls. Follow Maggie, Veronica, David and all the girls in the school. What will happen with Veronica and Daniel? How about Maggie and Stan? How will David fit into all this? How will the second year girls turn out? They will get a new student from Texas, U.S who brings gusto, brash, and charm to the second years. Just when you think you know what’s going to happen…don’t get comfortable, And the end!!! I’ll not give it away, but will there be a third? But before I move on, let me just tell you the name of the dog who plays a huge part. His name is Steven Diddilous. Isn’t this worth listening?
My DVD picks:
A Second Chance at Love
This movie is about two couples. One couple who divorced some several years before and the other couple is this couple’s daughter and her husband. The story chronicles how we let our jobs, pressures of life, family matters and friends take up so much of our time and how we take for granted what we have at home. It’s a lovely film and really touched my heart. Hope you will curl up with it on a cool crisp night.
The Wedding Veil
We have this 3-part series at the library. These movies involve three best friends who purchase an antique wedding veil from a vintage shop. Together they trace the veil’s heritage. There is a saying about the veil, whoever is in possession of it will find true love. Sound sappy? Well, it is and it isn’t. The mystery is quite interesting. I enjoyed all three movies, the characters, and how each are intertwined by the veil’s presence.
HALLOWEEN
Okay, as we all know Halloween is just around the corner, so start carving pumpkins, buying candy and costumes. Stay safe and watch out for all the lil goblins out there who will be coming to your door soon saying the magic words Trick-or-Treat!
Let’s make Popcorn Balls and Caramel Apples *Recipes from "All Recipes.com"
Popcorn Balls
Ingredients:
5 quarts plain popped popcorn
¾ cup light corn syrup
¼ cup margarine
2 tsps cold water
2 5/8 cups confectioner’s sugar
1 cup marshmallows
Cooking spray
Directions:
Place popped popcorn into a large bowl.
Combine corn syrup, margarine, water, confectioner’s sugar, and marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat. Heat and stir until the marshmallows have melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
Carefully pour hot marshmallow mixture over popcorn and toss together to coat each kernel evenly.
Grease hands with cooking spray and quickly shape coated popcorn into balls before it cools too much to shape.
Wrap balls with cellophane or plastic wrap and store at room temperature.
Caramel Apples
Ingredients:
6 Apples
6 Wooden Craft Sticks
Cooking spray
1 (14 ounce) package individually wrapped caramels, unwrapped
2 tbsps milk
Directions:
Remove the stem from each apple and press a craft stick into the top. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place caramels and milk in a microwave safe bowl; microwave for 2 minutes, stirring once. Set aside to cool briefly.
Roll each apple quickly in caramel sauce until well coated. Place on prepared sheet to set.
Hope everyone has a Spooktacular Halloween!