Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

• I really love playing cruise director. I may need to pursue this angle for a future profession.
• Macarons are my weakness. Definitely had to buy some while in the city yesterday. And I'm not sharing with anyone!!!
• I will miss walking along the water if we ever move out of the Bay Area. 
• I need to make some time to read today.
• The pantry needs to be cleaned out soon. I've built up lots of random odds and ends that need to get used or tossed. 
• Quentin's belly laughs are getting me through his toddler tantrums. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Walking Dead Vol. 29

Title: The Walking Dead Vol. 29: Lines We Cross

Author: Robert Kirkman; Charlie Adlard; Stefano Guadiano; Cliff Rathburn; Dave Stewart

Publisher: Image 2018

Genre: Comics

Pages: 136

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Recent events have thrown Alexandria into turmoil, and now Rick, Dwight, Eugene and Negan all have something to prove.

Collects THE WALKING DEAD #169-174.

This volume was less about zombies and more about the divisions between the survivors left. Interest conflicts and moral dilemmas. I was especially interested to see how Maggie's interactions played out. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed by Jo Beverley

Title: Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed (Renfrew/Kyle #2)

Author: Jo Beverley

Publisher: Signet Eclipse 1988

Genre: Regency Romance

Pages: 283

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Seasonal Series - Second Book

Even if the handsome, debonair Lord Wraybourne is only marrying Jane Sandiford for her fortune as she suspects that does not diminish the powerful sway her betrothed seems to hold over her. The Sandiford Heiress has lived a sheltered life and is known for being stuffy, so her passionate responses to her fiancé's attentions catch her by surprise.

As confused and mortified as she is by her own emotions, Jane is even more scandalized when the dread Whisperer, the scourge of polite Society, rasps unspeakable vileness into her ear. And she is troubled by the news that someone is assaulting young women ?of the middling class? in the streets of London. Yet she remains unaware that an adversary closer to home schemes to sabotage the relationship between Lord Wraybourne and his betrothed? 

At first I was very confused about how this book connected with the first book that I read in this series. But then I realized that Lord Ashby was the connector. Okay so I group loosely connected but different stories in each volume. While I enjoyed Jane and Sophie as characters, Lord Wraybourne's wasn't the most interesting male protagonist. I wish he had been a bit more fleshed out. At any rate, it was a typical fluffy Regency romance. It was a nice quick enjoyable read. 

Renfrew/Kyle

• #1 The Stanforth Secrets
• #2 Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed 
• #3 The Stolen Bride
• #4 Emily and the Dark Angel
• #4.5 If Fancy Be the Food of Love
• #5 The Fortune Hunter
• #6 Deirdre and Don Juan

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Christina Aguilera feat. Demi Lovato "Fall in Line"

Two powerhouse singers with a great song.

Life Right Now #23

Right now I am: Eating breakfast (lemon poppy seed muffin and coffee) and getting ready to leave for a trip to Arthur's favorite brunch place (Black Bear Diner) and a visit to the Pacific Pinball Museum.

On my bedside table: Chimera by Mira Grant

On my tv this week: J and I didn't watch too much tv this week. I did catch the latest episode of The Bachelorette. We finished Ken Burn's The Roosevelts. For movie night, we picked Rampage. Way more entertaining than it should have been.

Listening to: Mostly podcasts. I caught up on What Should I Read Next and listened to more back episodes of Lore.

On the menu for this week:

• Monday - Out at The Fish Market
• Tuesday - Tacos and Black Bean Soup
• Wednesday - Out probably
• Thursday - Avocado Bruschetta Chicken
• Friday - Sausage, Potato, and Spinach Soup
• Saturday - Hot Dogs and Brats on the Grill
• Sunday - Caribbean Salmon Quinoa Bowls

On my to do list: Not much due to family being in town. We're just focused on having a good week.

Happening this week:

• Monday - Stinson Beach Visit
• Tuesday - Oakland Zoo
• Wednesday - San Francisco Day (probably the Wharf and North Beach)
• Thursday - San Francisco Day (Asian Art Museum and the Mission)
• Friday - Jelly Belly Factory
• Saturday - Gundlach Bunschu Winery Tour (not me, but the other adults); Sonoma Traintown
• Sunday - Purisima Creek Redwoods

What I am creating: Not much, but I might slip in some crafting time here and there this week.

My simple pleasures: Q snuggles, lemon poppy seed muffins (my fave!), good weather

From the camera: Feeding the goats at Tilden

The Walking Dead: Here's Negan

Title: The Walking Dead: Here's Negan

Author: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn, Dave Stewart

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 70

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Who is Negan? Since his debut in THE WALKING DEAD #100, the charismatic psychopath has antagonized Rick Grimes, murdered his friend with a baseball bat wrapped in barb wire (which he calls "Lucille"), and led the Saviors into war against Alexandria and the neighboring communities. But who was he before society broke down? That question will be answered here, collecting the “HERE’S NEGAN!” story originally serialized in IMAGE+ magazine.

Great backstory for one of the most interesting villains in comics books. I was so very interested in how Negan became the man we see in the main series. Loved every page in this volume. Great story! 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth

Title: Locke and Key: Heaven and Earth

Author: Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez

Publisher: IDW 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 72

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Following the Small World deluxe edition, this special deluxe release finally reprints the oft-requested and long-denied Eisner-winning one-shot, "Open the Moon!" Plus the other long-sold-out one-shot, "Grindhouse!" PLUS plus: the even more hard-to-find IDW 10th anniversary Locke & Key tale, "In the Can!" And additional covers, behind-the-scenes photos and more, all wrapped up in a beautiful 72-page hardcover package.

Love the extra little stories we get collected in this volume. Of the stories collected, I really loved "Grindhouse!" as it was the most in spirit of the original series. Very in line with the horror of the keys and the house. 

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day by Seanan McGuire

Title: Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day

Author: Seanan McGuire

Publisher: Tor 2017

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 182

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsugar - Time of day; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Sunglasses

When her sister Patty died, Jenna blamed herself. When Jenna died, she blamed herself for that, too. Unfortunately Jenna died too soon. Living or dead, every soul is promised a certain amount of time, and when Jenna passed she found a heavy debt of time in her record. Unwilling to simply steal that time from the living, Jenna earns every day she leeches with volunteer work at a suicide prevention hotline.

But something has come for the ghosts of New York, something beyond reason, beyond death, beyond hope; something that can bind ghosts to mirrors and make them do its bidding. Only Jenna stands in its way.

Such an atmospheric novella. I randomly picked this one up while looking for some of McGuire's other books. I didn't even know this one existed. I immediately dove into the ghost world of Jenna's Manhattan. McGuire created a full-fleshed world in just a few pages. I was drawn in and didn't get out until the end of the book. I loved the mystery surrounding the ghosts and witches. Sophie was definitely my favorite character. Loved it!

Next up on the TBR pile:

High Summer Videos

Well, that took an interesting turn...

I really enjoyed the first two. Hope this one is just as good.

I do so love disaster movies and this one looks intriguing...

I'm always up for a ridiculous monster movie.

Symbiont by Mira Grant

Title: Symbiont (Parasitology #2)

Author: Mira Grant

Publisher: Orbit 2015

Genre: Sciences Fiction

Pages: 518

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Blue on Cover

The SymboGen designed tapeworms were created to relieve humanity of disease and sickness. But the implants in the majority of the world's population began attacking their hosts, turning them into a ravenous horde.

Now those who do not appear to be afflicted are being gathered for quarantine as panic spreads, but Sal and her companions must discover how the tapeworms are taking over their hosts, what their eventual goal is, and how they can be stopped.

According to the author, this series started out as a duology, but during the writing of these volume, she expanded it to a trilogy. For the most part, I really enjoyed this volume. Sal is a great character. And all the side characters are super fun and interesting in their own rights. I really enjoyed the storyline. I loved the adventure with Sherman. But... there were a few times that I wanted the book to go just a little faster. Don't worry. I will be picking up the third book to read soon.

Parasitology

• #1 Parasite
• #2 Symbiont
• #3 Chimera

Next up on the TBR pile:

Currently #5

Reading: Picked up Symbiont by Mira Grant (Parasitology #2) and am flying through it!

Watching: J turned me on to What Would Diplo Do? and it is glorious. So sad that there was only five episodes. Hope it gets picked up for another season.

Listening: I downloaded and have been binging Nothing More's The Stories We Tell Ourselves. Love love love this album and keep coming back to it.

Making: My online community is obsessed with Smitten Kitchen's Summer Strawberry Cake. We love it so much that it's become #teamcake. I've been making my own and recently experimented with peaches instead of strawberries. So good! 

Feeling: The last few weeks have been difficult. This week has been a bit better. 

Planning: The in-laws are coming next week for a visit. And if you know me at all, you know that I love planning and scheduling. I'm putting the finishing touches on our plans next week. 

Loving: Arthur and Quentin have been spending most afternoons in the backyard running around and playing with their toys. I've been taking a few minutes to sit and watch, play with them, and/or read a chapter in my book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday - Kailee Morgue "Ghost of Mine"

YouTube has been killing it with some great music recommendations.

July 2018 Life Goals

Let’s check in on June's goals and my progress.

• Make our Summer Bucket List -- Success! And we're making progress. 
• Work out our whole living situation -- Success I guess. Things are still sorta in limbo.
• Fill three bags for Goodwill -- Fail. I really need to get on with some destashing. 
• Sell books at Half Price Books -- Fail. Although to be fair, I'm waiting until I fill a second bag before we go. I should be ready to sell at the end of July.
• Start the Library Summer Reading Program -- Success! We've been reading and recording.
• Try 5 new recipes -- Fail. I think I tried one new recipe this past month...
• Read 25 books -- Success! 
• Implement our new chore chart -- Success!

July's Goals:

• Sell books at HPB -- Carry over goal.
• Read 15 books -- I don't have a huge stack of comics this month to read. So there will be less books but hopefully a comparable page count.
• Enjoy a week with the in-laws -- They are visiting for a little over a week right after the Fourth of July. We have some fun activities planned!
• Gather the twins's school supplies -- We need to get our lists together, backpacks selected, and supplies either bought or sent home.
• Start the birthday party idea gathering -- We're going with a Mad Scientist theme this year and I need to start thinking about what we want to do.
• See at least one movie in the theater (without kiddos) -- J and I haven't seen a movie in the theater for years. I would love to sneak away for a movie or two before the twins leave. 

Next up on the TBR list: