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“I’m a great believer in Luck, and I find the harder I work, the
more Luck I have.”--Thomas Jefferson
BOOK REVIEW TIME
I guess March is supposed to be a month of luck; I certainly feel lucky I stumbled upon a new author. I picked up a couple of books here at the library by Molly Fader. Never read her before, but boy I am sure enjoying her books. The first one I read was The Sunshine Girls.
The story unfolds beginning in 1967 through the present. It follows three nursing students as they navigate college, love, family, responsibility and the looming Vietnam War. Where do their loyalties lie? It spans fifty years of unfailing friendship and secrets. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. It’s a keeper.
Her second book I checked out was The Bitter and Sweet of Cherry Season. It’s a story of family and and how Hope arrives in northern Michigan to her family estate with a terrible secret. How can she make a life with her aunt she has never met. As she works in the family orchard she starts to feel a new life can begin. But as we all know our past will follow us wherever we go. And it has for Hope. I really do wish you guys would try this author. She grips you from page one, and keeps you so interested you can’t wait to finish whatever you are doing so you can pick it up again.
I do enjoy a light mystery read every now and then. I checked out M.C. Beaton’s Agatha Raisin Devil’s Delight. What a delight; no pun intended. This book is hilarious, scary, and interesting all at the same time. It involves a murder at a nudist colony. Well, Agatha certainly has her work as a sleuth cut out for her trying to solve this one. What will she remove to solve it? Ha ha please read this completely enjoyable work.
I sometimes travel to the classics. So I chose Heidi by Johanna Spyri. You know the classic, little orphan whose Aunt brings her to the Swiss Alps to live with her grandfather whom she has never met. He’s a grumpy ole cuss, but soon Heidi works her magic not only on her grandfather but Peter the Goat herder, his grandmother and the whole Swiss village. What a heartwarming little classic. I am so glad I picked it up and read it one cold day. It made my heart grow just a little.
Let me shout out some praise for JoJo Moyes new novel Someone Else’s Shoes. This is a riveting book with intricate characters you will cheer for from start to finish. Sam is in an oppressing job, living with a deeply depressed husband, an incontinent dog, and a teenager. She’s balancing all this plus tirelessly helping her parents. But one day while at the gym feeling completely overwhelmed she accidently picks up someone else’s bag. She’s in a terrible hurry, it looks like hers so she grabs it and runs. She has important meetings so she will just change in the company van. But when she opens her gym bag…inside is a tee-shirt, jeans, a Chanel jacket and a pair of very red crocodile high heel designer shoes. She has no choice but to wear someone else’s shoes because she was still in the flip flops provided by the gym.. These shoes somehow transform her from the passive down trodden employee to a woman of power. Meanwhile, Nisha the owner of said gym bag and high society socialite, steps out of the shower only to find a gym bag slightly like hers containing plain low heeled black pumps along with an array of frumpy items. What can she do? Like Sam wear someone else’s shoes? These shoes’ will take both women on a very unexpected journey in their lives. How will they each navigate what’s been handed them and what will ensue when they finally meet? I seriously loved every minute of this novel. It is so thought provoking, bringing with it a mystery that surrounds us all. How do we really see ourselves and what can we do to live our best lives? Does it take a little time in someone else’s shoes to find the answer? Goodness, please read!
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW TIME
The book on CD I am currently listening to is Meant to Be Mine by Hannah Orenstein. Edie’s grandmother has predicted the whole family’s future partners. Edie’s mother, her sister, and countless others. Now it’s her granddaughter’s turn. Edie puts her whole faith in her grandmother’s sight. She has given Edie the date it will happen. She will meet her perfect match. So when Edie meets a member of a band who she sits beside on a plane to Vermont she just knows he’s the one. After all it’s on the date her grandmother predicted. She wore her best outfit and she’s ready for her future to begin. Edie takes quite a journey to discover who she is and what her destiny really is. It’s quite an enjoyable listen and the author does a great job with all the characters. Take a listen!
I’m not sure how many basketball fans are out there but I think some March Madness Recipes might just be the ticket. Let’s watch some games, listen to the wind and enjoy some yummy food.
March Madness Slam Dunk Dip Recipe by Cori
Ingredients:
1 8 oz cream cheese softened
1 jar marsmallow crème
1/3 of a can of orange juice concentrate
Cantaloupe scooped out with melon ball scoop
Directions:
Blend everything together in a bowl.
Use a hand mixer or stand on the whip setting
Whip until smooth and creamy
Serve with balled cantaloupe and enjoy!
Chipotle Hot Dogs
Ingredients:
6 hot dogs
½ lb ground beef
¼ cup chopped onion
1 garlic clove, minced
1 can (8ounces) tomato sauce
2 ½ tsp minced chipotle peppers in adobe sauce
¾ tsp chili powder
¼ tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
6 hot dog buns, split
¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 green onions, chopped
Directions:
Cook hot dogs according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large cast-iron or heavy skillet, cook the beef, onion and garlic over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in the tomato sauce, chipotle peppers, chili powder, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, until flavors are blended, 4-5 minutes.
Place hot dogs in buns. Spoon chili over hot dogs. Sprinkle with cheese and green onions.
These are a couple great recipes for watching basketball with friends and family!
I don’t know if you ever tune in to the chef, Jamie Oliver. He’s quite delightful to watch. He has a new cookbook out. It’s called One: Simple one-pan wonders. He’s got a lot of recipes I have tried and find quite good. If you are looking for a way to simplify dinner time, check this one out.
I was thinking if any of you have a friend or someone special to buy a gift for this month you may like the idea of purchasing a Bonsai Starter Kit. I found it on Amazon and I understand while trimming and forming the tree it can be quite relaxing. I would also purchase the pruning gloves to go with it. This would make a great gift for someone or even yourself if you are finding these times stressful. I think I am going to get one for myself. Let’s de-stress together!
Don’t forget St. Patrick’s Day is March 17, 2023. Remember to wear something green and may the luck of the Irish be with you.
Hey, even if you don’t have a special Valentine this year, how about picking up a card and sending it to a shut-in; someone in a nursing home or a veteran? It doesn’t have to be mushy or anything. Just make someone smile. After all, it’s a long winter and we are all in this together.
“If you have the power to make someone happy, do it. The world needs more of that.”--Beatrice Loana