OOOOHHHHH So good!
Life Right Now #34
On my bedside table: A Hundred Summers by Beatriz Summers; A Very Special Christmas by Mary Balogh
On my TV: We started The Mandalorian this week and color me intrigued. I also started rewatching A Chef’s Life. I have previously watched the first season and parts of the second season.
Listening to: I’ve caught up with a few podcasts so now I am listening in real time. Plus, I’ve added a few new ones to my list.
On the menu:
Monday - BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf with Mashed Potatoes
Tuesday - Fancy Schmancy Grilled Cheese
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Broccoli Beef
Friday - Baked Potato Soup
Saturday - Balsamic Pork Roast
Sunday - Chicken and Noodles
On my to do list: Bills, bills, bills. Oof. Also we need to plan out the rest of November and December.
Happening this week:
Monday - ???
Tuesday - Girly Book Club
Wednesday - Parent’s Morning Out; Book Club
Thursday - Gym Class at RnR
Friday - Finn’s Bday party
Saturday - ???
Sunday - ???
What I am creating: Nothing at the moment. I finished all the Christmas cards for this year. Hoping to get to my Memory Planner and Project Life albums this coming week.
My simple pleasures: Hot tea, good books
What I’m planning: Travel plans
Looking around the house: Decent I guess.
Looking forward to: A few hours away from my kids this week, especially book club.
From the camera: Running from the dinosaur!
Crisis in the Red Zone by Richard Preston
Title: Crisis in the Red Zone
Author: Richard Preston
Publisher: Random House 2019
Genre: Nonfiction - Disease
Pages: 375
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges:
This time, Ebola started with a two-year-old child who likely had contact with a wild creature and whose entire family quickly fell ill and died. The ensuing global drama activated health professionals in North America, Europe, and Africa in a desperate race against time to contain the viral wildfire. By the end—as the virus mutated into its deadliest form, and spread farther and faster than ever before—30,000 people would be infected, and the dead would be spread across eight countries on three continents.
In this taut and suspenseful medical drama, Richard Preston deeply chronicles the outbreak, in which we saw for the first time the specter of Ebola jumping continents, crossing the Atlantic, and infecting people in America. Rich in characters and conflict—physical, emotional, and ethical—Crisis in the Red Zone is an immersion in one of the great public health calamities of our time.
Preston writes of doctors and nurses in the field putting their own lives on the line, of government bureaucrats and NGO administrators moving, often fitfully, to try to contain the outbreak, and of pharmaceutical companies racing to develop drugs to combat the virus. He also explores the charged ethical dilemma over who should and did receive the rare doses of an experimental treatment when they became available at the peak of the disaster.
After reading The Hot Zone awhile back, I knew that I needed to read this follow-up. Right away I was drawn into both the story of the 1976 outbreak and the the 2014 outbreak. I learned so much more about ebola and how we currently fight it. I was on pins and needles on every page just waiting to find out what happened and especially what happened to those identified. Preston skillfully weaves personal stories with science knowledge. Never was I confused about the science. I was right along with the ride on every page. This book is not for the weak heart. The descriptions are suitable gruesome and horrifying. This is ebola we are depicting. This was such a good read. Now I need to go back and read some of his other books, especially The Demon in the Freezer.
Next up on the TBR pile:
The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Giesbrecht
Title: The Monster of Elendhaven
Author: Jennifer Giesbrecht
Publisher: Tor.com 2019
Genre: Horror
Pages: 159
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Random TBR
The city of Elendhaven sulks on the edge of the ocean. Wracked by plague, abandoned by the South, stripped of industry and left to die. But not everything dies so easily. A thing without a name stalks the city, a thing shaped like a man, with a dark heart and long pale fingers yearning to wrap around throats. A monster who cannot die. His frail master sends him out on errands, twisting him with magic, crafting a plan too cruel to name, while the monster’s heart grows fonder and colder and more cunning.
These monsters of Elendhaven will have their revenge on everyone who wronged the city, even if they have to burn the world to do it.
Such a twisted little novella. Definitely not for the squeamish. I was drawn in by the cover and then by the very first chapter. I was completely sucked into the very strange world of Elendhaven and the mysterious figure of Johann. I thought this was going to be a Jack the Ripper style story, but then Johann meets Florian and we get a totally different story. I loved the inclusion of folklore and magic and just a touch of science. I loved not knowing what was going to happen next. I was hooked until the very last sentence. In fact I was so engrossed with the story that I read it in one sitting. Definitely the perfect read on a cold day.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Odds and Ends
Here's my randomness for the week:
My reading momentum is incredible this week! Seriously knocking out the books.
The boys have been a handful lately. So many fights! Ugh!
I picked up so many great recipe books this week. Working on next year’s food project. Stay tuned.
Speaking of, we’re probably going to complete our grilled cheese project slightly early. 40+ recipes of weekly grilled cheese has really gotten a bit old. Things are tasting repetitive lately.
I need heavier footwear for winter. My mid-calf gray boots are not going to cut it.
All I want to do is wear cozy sweaters and scarves. So cold this week!
Next up on the TBR pile:
Feed by M.T. Anderson
Title: Feed
Author: M.T. Anderson
Publisher: Candlewick Press 2002
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 236
Rating: 2/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Teen, Top 100 YA; Dancing with Fantasy and Scifi - Satire
For Titus and his friends, it started out like any ordinary trip to the moon — a chance to party during spring break. But that was before the crazy hacker caused all their feeds to malfunction, sending them to the hospital to lie around with nothing inside their heads for days. And it was before Titus met Violet, a beautiful, brainy teenage girl who has decided to fight the feed and its ever-present ability to categorize human thoughts and desires. M. T. Anderson’s not-so-brave new world is a smart, savage satire that has captivated readers with its view of an imagined future that veers unnervingly close to the here and now.
Ooofff. This one really did not land well with me. I was immediately thrown off by the large amounts of slang through in. Are we trying to do a Clockwork Orange? IF so, it’s off putting. Beyond that, I could not stand any of the characters. I just didn’t care what happened to them at all. I did enjoy the world set-up and premise of the novel. It just failed when it came to all the characters. I get Anderson’s point, but seriously, I could not deal with any of the characters. Hard pass on this one.
Next up on the TBR pile:
When a Rogue Loves a Woman by Samantha Holt
Title: When a Rogue Loves a Woman (Rogues of Redmere #2)
Author: Samantha Holt
Publisher: 2017
Genre: Romance
Pages: 190
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Ebook; Finishing the Series
Notorious rogue, Lord Nathaniel Kingsley always tended to leap without thinking. Becoming a smuggler, adopting a sheep, getting engaged to Miss Patience Grey….
Patience has no need for a fiancé, or a husband. For once in her life, she wants to prove she’s just as good as a man and she does not need Nathaniel Kingsley getting in her way. With her brother injured, it is up to her to continue her family’s work…and that means tracking down a French spy and ensuring said spy will turn.
Unfortunately, no one believes she can do it alone. Which is where Nathaniel comes in.
Nate is happy to be of service. Why pass up the opportunity to repay an old friend, especially with a little intrigue along the way? Find the spy, play escort to Patience, return home to continue smuggling. Easy.
Another fun and fluffy romance for me. I’m not quite sure that I liked Nate and Patience more than Red and Hannah, but they were decent characters. I did like Nate a lot and getting to know some of the characters mentioned in the first book. At times, the characters do not act like Regency era people, but I’ll allow it. We’re not going for period accuracy here. It’s a bodice-ripper. And if that’s the criteria, I really enjoyed this one.
Rogues of Redmere
#2 When a Rogue Loves a Woman
#3 Waiting for a Rogue Like You
#4 What’s a Rogue Got to Do with It
Next up on the TBR pile:
Music Monday - Wage War "Prison"
Octane is really loving this one lately!
Monstress Volume 4
Title: Monstress Volume 4
Author: Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda
Publisher: Image 2019
Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 176
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges:
Maika and Corvin make their way through a warped and lethal land in search of Kippa, who is faced with her own terrible monsters. But when Maika comes face-to-face with a stranger from her deep past, startling truths are uncovered, and at the center of it all lurks a dangerous conspiracy that threatens the Known World. Maika is finally close to getting all the answers she ever wanted, but at what price? With war on the horizon-a war no one wants to stop-whose side will Maika choose? Collects MONSTRESS #19-24.
This series just keeps getting weirder and weirder. I’m having a bit of trouble keeping all the different storylines/characters straight within this very complicated world. I did really enjoy following Kippa and her predicament. I’m certain that I will pick up the next volume, but my goodness, this series is intense.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Life Right Now #33
On my bedside table: The Monster of Elendhaven by Jennifer Griesbrecht; Crisis in the Red Zone by Richard Preston
On my TV: We finished Letterkenny S7 this past week. What are we going to do without our favorite farmers? Beyond that, we caught up with The Good Place and Superstore.
Listening to: So close to catching up with The To Read List podcast…
On the menu:
Monday - Salami and Cheese Grilled Cheese
Tuesday - Black Bean Soup and Tacos
Wednesday - Leftovers
Thursday - Avocado, Bruschetta Chicken
Friday - BBQ Cheddar Meatloaf
Saturday - Blackened Salmon
Sunday - Brie, Turkey, and Pear Grilled Cheese
On my to do list: I’m certain that I have a ton of little items, but we’ve all been sick most of last week. I’m recovering from a migraine, so not really thinking of a my list right now.
Happening this week:
Monday - Nothing…
Tuesday - Playdate at Children’s Museum
Wednesday - Millard Library Playdate
Thursday - RnR Crayons to Canvas class; PTO meeting
Friday - Mall playdate; Dinos on the Loose at the Children’s Museum
Saturday - Nothing…
Sunday - Nothing…
What I am creating: Getting close to finishing making Christmas cards for this year. I’m shooting for about 20 more (at least three more designs).
My simple pleasures: A good night’s sleep, cold water, pretty recipe books
What I’m planning: Working on some ideas for 2020 projects. For the kitchen, we did 52 weeks of grilled cheese this year. We’re thinking soups and stews around the world for next year. For reading, I’m planning on changing some things up in terms of reading challenges.
Looking around the house: Ooofff. The playroom is out of control. And I really need to vacuum.
Looking forward to: Picking up my holds at the library. I have a ton of recipe books that I want to explore.
From the camera: I stopped into the newly renovated Joanns down the road. I couldn’t resist some new goodies.
Rabid by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy
Title: Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus
Author: Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy
Publisher: Penguin Books 2013
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 288
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Nonfiction Bingo - Medical Condition
The most fatal virus known to science, rabies-a disease that spreads avidly from animals to humans-kills nearly one hundred percent of its victims once the infection takes root in the brain. In this critically acclaimed exploration, journalist Bill Wasik and veterinarian Monica Murphy chart four thousand years of the history, science, and cultural mythology of rabies. From Greek myths to zombie flicks, from the laboratory heroics of Louis Pasteur to the contemporary search for a lifesaving treatment, Rabid is a fresh and often wildly entertaining look at one of humankind's oldest and most fearsome foes.
I feel very conflicted about this book. I love the premise and the a majority of the pages. I loved learning more about the history of rabies and connections to a shared history. I loved diving into some specific examples throughout history. And yet, I felt like the book took too many long tangents. I don’t think I needed to hear Louis Pasteur’s entire life story leading up to the rabies vaccine. And yet, that’s what we got. As the book went on, I got more and more disappointed in the tangents.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Songbook by Nick Hornby
Title: Songbook
Author: Nick Hornby
Publisher: Riverhead Books 2003
Genre: Essays
Pages: 240
Rating: 3/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Rory Gilmore; Popsugar - Seen on TV
Songs, songwriters, and why and how they get under our skin…
Songbook is Nick Hornby’s labor of love. A shrewd, funny, and completely unique collection of musings on pop music, why it’s good, what makes us listen and love it, and the ways in which it attaches itself to our lives—all with the beat of a perfectly mastered mix tape.
I picked this one up to fulfill a few reading challenge slots. I have enjoyed many of Nick Hornby’s books, but this wasn’t a great one. I found many of the essays to be tedious and a little too esoteric. I think this is a case of mediocre white guy rearing it’s head. Not one I would recommend.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Videos Getting Colder
How did I miss this video? Love the songs listed here.
Hmmm… interesting
So much scandal!
Hmmm… I don’t know about this one.
This was a delight!
The Second Deluge by Garrett P. Serviss
Title: The Second Deluge
Author: Garrett P. Serviss
Publisher: 1911
Genre: Proto Scifi
Pages: 215
Rating: 4/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Ebook; Dancing with Fantasy and Scifi - Proto Scifi
I routinely listen to The Apocalist Podcast highlighting apocalypse books chronologically and they haven’t recommended many of the books for listeners to read. This one was an exception. I dove in not knowing much about this apocalypse book, but ended up really enjoying it. The book reminds me of Jules Verne and H.G. Wells. There’s an adventure story punctuated with random science writing. We get a protagonist which no one listens to until it’s too late. We have some wild plot points. There isn’t many female characters, but that’s pretty typical of writings from the time period. The plot is fairly laughable in 2019 standards, but this was a fairly enjoyable classic science fiction novel.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe by Heather Webber
Title: Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe
Author: Heather Webber
Publisher: Forge Books 2019
Genre: Magical Realism
Pages: 333
Rating: 5/5 stars
Reading Challenges: Literary Escapes - Alabama; Dancing with Fantasy and Science Fiction - Maternal Heritage
Nestled in the mountain shadows of Alabama lies the little town of Wicklow. It is here that Anna Kate has returned to bury her beloved Granny Zee, owner of the Blackbird Café.
It was supposed to be a quick trip to close the café and settle her grandmother’s estate, but despite her best intentions to avoid forming ties or even getting to know her father’s side of the family, Anna Kate finds herself inexplicably drawn to the quirky Southern town her mother ran away from so many years ago, and the mysterious blackbird pie everybody can’t stop talking about.
As the truth about her past slowly becomes clear, Anna Kate will need to decide if this lone blackbird will finally be able to take her broken wings and fly.
A random library find that caught my eye. I love the cover on this one and the summary definitely intrigued me. I fell right into the story amongst all the great characters. Anna Kate and Natalie are wonderful narrators for our story. I definitely connected with many of their struggles and concerns. I was rooting for them to find peace and love by the end of the novel. The ending was a bit rushed, but overall I really enjoyed this book.
Next up on the TBR pile:
Music Monday - I Prevail "Hurricane"
Heavy rotation on Octane.
Life Right Now #32
On my bedside table: Feed by MT Anderson; The Lager Queen of Minnesota by J. Ryan Stradal
On my TV: We finished our spooky movie month with Thankskilling. That was terrible! So now we’re starting to catch up on our currently airing shows.
Listening to: Lots of podcasts like usual! I starting back at Episode 1 with the To Read List. Yet another book related podcast to listen to.
On the menu: AAAAHHHH!!!! I have no idea what we are eating this week… Seriously need to get on that meal planning today.
On my to do list: I have the dentist bill 50% taken care of, but we need to figure out a few insurance issues. I also need to wrap up the BFC exchange, work out my TBR for November, and schedule next month’s RnR classes. I know I have other items on my list…
Happening this week: Such a light week right now. I feel like I need to figure out what else we’re doing.
Monday - RnR Open Play
Tuesday -
Wednesday - Parent’s Morning Out at RnR
Thursday - Park Playdate
Friday -
Saturday -
Sunday -
What I am creating: Working on those Christmas cards. I’ve got over 60 made so far. I’m thinking I need to make about 50 more cards.
My simple pleasures: Reese’s peanut butter cups. That’s it. They are my life right now.
What I’m planning: Working on our November activities. We have many many holes in our schedule right now.
Looking around the house: The boys got bunk beds this weekend. Yeah! But now I need to rearrange their bedroom and clean up the playroom.
Looking forward to: Ummmm…. Friendsgiving?
From the camera: Q and I had a breakfast date at Starbucks on Friday.
Grilled Cheese Adventures: September and October
Part of my 2019 goals is make a different Grilled Cheese recipe each week. I find grilled cheese to be so comforting, but just cheddar or Colby gets boring after awhile. So, I checked a few books out from the library and make a Pinterest Board with lots of options. Here’s what we ate:
Week 35: Apple and Cheddar GC
Pretty decent combination.
Week 36: Philly Cheese Steak GC
Very lackluster compared to an actual Philly Cheesesteak
Week 37: Hawaiian GC - Ham, Pineapple, and Pepper Jack
Another lackluster sandwich.
Week 38: Grown Up Bacon Grilled Cheese
Along with bacon, this sandwich has muenster and brie cheese. Decent but not the best.
Week 39: Brie Grilled Cheese
This one also has sliced chicken and horseradish mustard on it. Not the best.
Week 40: Cheddar, Pastrami, and Apple
The addition of apple butter and dijon mustard helped elevate this sandwich.
Week 41: Johnny Appleseed Griled Cheese
Bacon, Granny Smith Apple, and White Cheddar. I changed the cheese out to a white cheddar and it was the right choice. This was really really good.
Fall Bucket List Update #2
Ahhh fall! My favorite season of the year. I really missed it when we lived in California! Now I get to enjoy all the fall fun! Progress 12/25
Visit two pumpkin patches (2/2) ✓
Vala’s - Obviously!
Skinny Bones - We really enjoyed this smaller patch.
Carve pumpkins ✓
Read 10 spooky books (not kids) (7/10)
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
The Tower Formerly Known as Sears by Lisa M. Lilly
Life Among the Dead by Daniel Cotton
Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco
The Broken Girls by Simone St. James
Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven
Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Read 20 spooky kids books (20/20) ✓
Five Silly Ghosts by Hilli Kushnir
The Pout-pout Fish Halloween Faces by Deborah Diesen
Happy Halloween Mittens by Lola Schaefer
The Halloween Kid by Rhode Montijo
Pumpkin Party by Maudie Powell-Tuck
Mouse’s First Halloween by Lauren Thompson
Halloween Hustle by Charlotte Gunnufson
Where’s the Pumpkin by Frankie Jones
Trick or Treat Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen
Halloween Good Night by Rebecca Grabill
The Ghosts Go Haunting by Helen Ketteman
Sammy’s Spooktacular Halloween by Mike Petrik
Happy Halloween, Witch’s Cat! by Harriet Muncaster
Skelly’s Halloween by David Martin
Curious George Haunted Halloween
The 13 Days of Halloween by Carol Greene
It’s Halloween Chloe Zoe! by Jane Smith
The Ghosts at the Movie Theater by Dori Hillestad Butler
Halloween Is by Gail Gibbons
Little Blue Truck’s Halloween by Alice Schertle
Make 5 pumpkin recipes (1/5)
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins - a staple this time of year!
Go on a hayride ✓
Take pictures of boys in a pile of leaves
Find a new Halloween activity ✓ - We did trick or treating at The Durham. It was fun, but probably not worth it if we didn’t have a membership.
Create a fall signature cocktail
Bake a pie
Watch 20 Fall/spooky movies (20/20) ✓
Idle Hands (1999)
Dracula (1931)
The Black Cat (1934)
The Mummy (1932)
Anna and the Apocalypse (2018)
The Mummy (1999)
Beetlejuice (1988)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992)
A Cabin in the Woods (2012)
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Labyrinth
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
Scream (1996)
Dark City (1998)
Godzilla King of the Monsters
Sleepaway Camp II
The Fly (1958)
The Fly (1986)
The Witches of Eastwick
Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
The Relic
Cockneys vs. Zombies
Shaun of the Dead
Navigate a corn maze ✓
Buy Halloween pajamas
Buy a new nail color for fall ✓
Make a leaf craft
Buy a new pair of boots ✓
Buy and complete a new puzzle
Decorate the front porch ✓
Make a scarecrow
Go trick-or-treating ✓
Fill 25 more reading challenge slots (22/25)
Find a Halloween door hanger ✓
Dye my hair something suitably fall
Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown
Eat at 3 new-to-me restaurants
Next up on the TBR pile:
November 2019 Life Goals
Let’s check in on October's goals and my progress.
Scary movie/television/reading month - Success! We had a great month of spooky-ish movies and books. Unfortunately I have many more spooky books on my list.
Pumpkin patch visit with friends - Success! We went to Skinny Bones (first time for us!) and it was a lovely albeit very cold day.
Pull off Arthur and Quentin’s birthday party - Success! I think everyone who came had fun. It was a chaotic day, but oh so much fun!
New Halloween activity - We did trick-or-treating at The Durham and Omaha Children’s Museum.
November’s Goals:
Figure out Christmas travel plans - I have a basic plan in place. Need to finalize plans and dates.
Read 10 ebooks - Trying to focus on all those ebooks on my Kindle app…
Buy advent calendars for the boys - I bought myself a jam advent calendar. Still deciding on the boys’s calendars.
Take care of bills - We got the Academy bill and dentist bill to finish paying before December starts.
Look into starting atheist family group chapter - An internet friend mentioned an atheist family group. We don’t have a chapter here in Omaha, but I can potentially get one started.
Meal plan through Christmas holiday - Meal planning has become so annoying to me. I want to knock this out for the rest of the year (well until I leave for Indiana).
Friendsgiving? - I think we are doing Friendsgiving again this year. Need to figure out the menu.
Next up on the TBR list: