Was it only last week that it was freezing? Wind blowing? Storm clouds rolling in? Yes, that sounds like last Monday. But not this Monday. Today we’ve had gorgeous sunshine and warm temperatures that reach into the high 80s. I think it is great. Others are complaining because the weather has gone from one extreme to the next without a gradual build up. I just hope it stays.
Month: April 2012
Sunday Sundaes
Taking a little turn from my normal topic of remembering Sunday afternoons as I grew up I’d like to talk about my Great-Aunt who will be turning 95 this coming Thursday. She’s the longest living sibling in my grandmother’s family. When this aunt was born they say she had a veil over her face that the mid-wife had to cut off. I’m assuming this meant she had a thin layer of skin over her face, but this was supposed to have made her special. I’ve asked what this meant, but no one seems to know. But she has out-lived everyone in her generation.
Today her three children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great, great-grandchildren will be honoring her with a birthday party. At her age she still drives, lives alone, and gets around pretty good, though she is moving slower these days. I think anyone living to the age of 95 is doing awesome. They are blessed with longevity.
Do you have any relatives that have lived as long?
Play Date Saturdays
Some Saturdays are a do nothing day. Or at least not a play date day. Some Saturdays you just stay home, do the necessary tasks for the week like laundry, dusting, vacuuming, putting away items that are not being used, making my son stay off the computer long enough to do a few chores around the house as well (he’ll thank me for this one day), putting dinner on in the crock pot (we’re having roast for dinner), and then taking it easy. But taking it easy doesn’t mean vegging out in front of the television. On the contrary. It will mean spending a few hours writing.
That pretty much sums up my day. I’m getting ready to write while the roast finishes cooking before I fix a few side dishes to go with it. I’ve invited my parents over. We’ll see if my dad wants to come eat or not.
I hope you have enjoyed your Saturday!
Random Thoughts Friday
Last day of Spring semester classes at the university where I work. YEAH!! Though it is hard to believe the semester is over. I knew it was approaching, but it wasn’t until Monday that I was like aware how close we were. Not that I wanted it to go longer, but there are things I needed to complete before today. I hope I didn’t forget anything.
What are You Reading Thursdays
I’m giddy today and can’t wait to tell you about it. I got to read another advance copy of one of Juli Alexander’s YA novels My Life as the Ugly Stepsister. It was great. I think this one is my favorite now. I’m not sure what was different about it that appealed so much to me. This one is a straight romantic comedy so maybe that was it. 
I also loved Ally’s Brutal Teen Truths that came with each chapter. That girl may only be fourteen, but she knows what she’s talking about.
The story opens with Ally finding out her mother is moving away and she is going to be living with her dad and stepmoster for four months. This coming about only two weeks before she begins high school. For a teenage girl this is a life altering experience, but that isn’t all that will happen to Ally. The trauma she goes through is enough to give any stable teen a breakdown, but she takes each punch in stride. I laughed and grinned recalling my own teen years (especially the horror of having to go buy feminine product)s as I read this book. Though I didn’t have to deal with a stepmonster. Or a stepsister. Though I have to say as a stepsister Caroline was a refreshing twist. She wasn’t horrible. She was nice, and genuinely wanted Ally in her life.
I don’t want to spoil the book for you so I won’t go into great detail about it only to say that I read it in one day. So it is a quick read, the pacing is excellent. I have a feeling you will enjoy it too. So if you are looking for a young adult author for your teen suggest Juli Alexander. My son loved her Valentine’s Day Sucks novella and he is not one who I can get to read many books.
I soooo look forward to reading more of Ms. Alexander’s stories.
Rumor Has It Wednesdays
I hear that Juli Alexander is toying with the idea of a sequel to Valentine’s Day Sucks. I vote yes! But then I might be biased since I love her books.
Ellora’s Cave author Cecily French just sold her third book Be My Lover. It is the 2nd book in the Rogue’s Gallery series. That’s pretty awesome for a new author to have that many books released within the first year.
Recipe Tuesdays
Last summer my friend Carolynn Carey gave me this recipe and I have yet to try it, but it sounded really good. So I wanted to share this with you too. If you should try it before I do please let me know. It sounds a lot like a Chess Pie to me and I love Chess Pie.
Buttermilk Pie
- ½ cup butter or margarine, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell
Cream butter and gradually add sugar. Add flour and beat until smooth. Beat in eggs until combined. Stir in buttermilk and vanilla. Beat well. Pour into pie shell. Bake at 400 degrees for five minutes, then reduce to 350 degrees and bake another 45 minutes or until set.
Yield: One 9-inch pie.
