Share Your Shelf-October

It's the first Thursday of the month which means it's time to share what we've read the month prior. I've included a couple that carried over from September since I dropped the proverbial blog ball back then due to travel. 

This post is linked with Share Your Shelf hosted by Marilyn, Jennifer, Joanne, and Tanya. 

October was a pretty typical month for me...a couple of mysteries, fiction, a memoir, and historical fiction. I listened to to two of these books on Audible, and read the rest the old fashioned way aka actual books from the library. Here we go-

1.  The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese 

My goodness. I want to start by saying Abraham Verghese is an absolute masterful storyteller. Truly gifted. This book is over 700 pages long, which I know has some of you shaking your head and scrolling on by, but it's so good. Sooo good. The story flows. 

I listened to this one on Audible and I think that helped a lot with the Indian food-location-and people names. Plus the author narrates this one himself, and he has the most beautiful voice. I strongly encourage Audible here. As a side note- Abraham Verghese is an actual M.D., vice-chair for the Theory and Practice of Medicine at Stanford, and yet he somehow cranked out a 700+ page beauty of a book. 

As I said in my Hodgepodge a couple of weeks ago...I could use a bit more self discipline. 

The novel begins in 1900 and finally wraps up 80 some chapters later in 1977. Like I said though, don't let the length dissuade you. Set in Kerala India it follows three generations of a family with a mysterious drowning 'curse'. In each generation at least one family member dies by drowning. The story begins with a 12-year old girl from the Christian community in Kerala being sent by boat to her wedding. She will meet her 40-year old husband for the first time and honestly I don't want to say much more. She goes on to live a life of great love, great loss, great hardship and great joy. 

It's literally epic in scope and the exceptional changes she witnesses in her life are expertly woven into the story. There are new characters introduced along the way, yet I was never confused about the timeline or plot. It's just extraordinary. 

Easily 5 stars for me. 

2. The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins

This was just okay for me. When Ruby Kenmore dies she's North Carolina's richest woman. She's notorious too as the victim of a famous kidnapping when she was a child, and then a widow four times over. Upon her death her large estate passes to her adopted son Camden who wants nothing to do with the house or money. 

Cam has rejected his inheritance and is working in Colorado as an English teacher, married to his wife Jules. Upon his uncle's death he's more or less forced to return to Ashby House and face the family and his past. Jules pushes him to lay claim to all that Ruby wanted for him, but her plans to make this happen are not as straightforward as they first seem.

I gave it three stars. 

3. The Housemaid by Frieda McFadden

This was our book club's October selection and was a quick read. Another book I thought was overhyped and completely unbelievable in spots, but it did keep me reading so there's that. The Housemaid is currently being turned into a feature film and I rarely say this, but I think it might make a better movie than book.  

The story revolves around a wealthy married couple, Nina and Andrew, and their newly hired housekeeper Millie, a recent parolee who is homeless and in desperate need of a job. Things quickly take a turn for the bizarre with Nina's unpredictable and erratic behavior and Millie's discovery that her own attic bedroom  locks from the outside. 

The book had a Gone Girl feel for me in that you go back and forth as to who you think might actually be crazy, guilty, victim or perpetrator. Three stars for me. 

4. It Wasn't Roaring It Was Weeping by Lisa-Jo Baker 

Lisa-Jo Baker was one of the first bloggers I followed when I started my own blog. I was drawn to her warm, honest writing, and her interesting background as a white child born in South Africa who grew up at the heart of Apartheid. She was trained as a lawyer, married an American, and currently makes her home with said husband and their three children in the D.C. suburbs. 

She's written extensively on motherhood, faith, and a life lived with a foot in two continents. I've continued to follow her on social media platforms and enjoy her warmth and skill with the written word. This is her memoir. 

Her story of growing up in an angry land with a well educated but often angry father, and how that anger seeped in to her own parenting. In her memoir she shares how she's made peace with her homeland's history and her own 'home' history too. Her father is a physician, still living, and she writes this book with his blessing. 

It's a story filled with raw emotion, and Lisa-Jo writes with great tenderness of God's grace, so evident in the healing of relationships, past hurts, and her family story.  I bought the book and would be glad to share if someone wants me to send it their way. If that's you, message me. 

5.  Lady Tan's Circle of Women by Lisa See

Lisa See is one of my favorite authors. I don't think I've read a single book of hers that I haven't enjoyed, and this was no exception. This particular novel is set in 15th century China, and as you read you'll find yourself feeling grateful to have been born several centuries later. I always learn a lot about Chinese culture, history, and tradition when I read her books, and that was true in this instance too. Her fictional characters are so well drawn and you easily connect. 

Lady Tan's Circle of Women is a work of historical fiction based on the true story of Tan Yunxian, one of China's first female physicians. Yunxian is an upper-class woman, and is trained in Chinese medicine by her grandmother. When she's sent into an arranged marriage her new mother-in-law forbids her from seeing her childhood friend (from a lesser background, but also practicing in the field of medicine), or from helping the women in her new household by using her medical knowledge and skill. 

We see painful class distinctions as stories of female characters from poorer backgrounds are woven throughout. The power of female friendships, breaking with tradition, and women helping one another are at the heart of this story. 5 stars for me. 

6. Special Circumstances (Mike Daley #1) by Sheldon Siegel 

Mike Daley is a former priest, a former public defender, and in the first few pages you learn is now also a former partner in a prestigious California law firm. When his best friend and former colleague is accused of a brutal double murder Mike is hired to defend him and the story takes off from there. 

This was definitely a page turner. Hubs and I listened to this one on Audible while on a road trip and we had varying ideas as to the guilt or innocence of the accused as the story went along. A very enjoyable legal thriller and I'd read more featuring the Mike Daley character. I gave it 4 stars. 

Have you read anything good lately? If so, please share! 

Nacho Average Hodgepodge

Welcome to this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for your neighbor there. I'm writing this on Election Day and while I don't know how it will go I do know we like to keep it friendly here. Thank you. 

Now here we go-

1. What is one good thing you often take for granted? 

Wow, so many things...hot water in the shower, opening the door to a full refrigerator, heat when it's cold and air conditioning when it's not, are just a few things that spring immediately to mind. 

Still, I think I'm going to say family. 

What I mean by that is my family of origin and the enormous blessing of growing up with two parents in the home and siblings too. With lots of love, and a sense of security and well being that in large part made me who I am. They are the people who make me laugh still, and they are always there.

They're the background noise, the fabric of the quilt, a sure thing...whatever you want to call it, it's a gift and it's good to think about it and acknowledge that now and then. 

2. What's the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe?

I lean more toward classic than bold so not sure how to answer this one. 

I have some sparkly pants I love wearing to events where sparkle is appropriate so let's go with that. 

3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate.

Are we playing a game of cards or are we getting married? My answer would depend. If we're getting married then I think you absolutely need common values. And common interests will certainly help in terms of enjoying that person in all the many seasons you'll walk through in a long life together. 

If we're playing cards, pickle ball, or shooting pool then I guess our values might be secondary to our common interest. 

4. November 6 is National Nacho Day...do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out? 

I do like nachos. I very rarely make them at home (although this question has me craving a plateful right now) and only occasionally order them out. They feel more like a snack than a meal, but calorie wise they're a meal and then some. I mean who can eat just a single serving?Hubs and I sometimes share an order if we're in a Mexican restaurant and don't want a full dinner. 

I like them all ways. My favorite would be beef, cheese, pico de gallo, black olives, onion, jalapeno, and guacamole. Gotta have the guac. 

5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.?  If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you'd like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice? 

I've spent a lot of time in D.C. We lived in Annapolis for nine years so were in the city pretty regularly showing around our houseguests, attending events, etc. My dad is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and we like to visit whenever we can. 

My oldest daughter lived in Bethesda for a couple of years prior to getting married and worked very near the White House. I always enjoyed my visits there. I've written a lot of posts featuring treks into D.C. which are easily accessible by typing Washington D.C. into the search box on my sidebar. 

Politics as a career? Hmmm. Just say no-ha! I mean as one part of a career then sure, but don't go to Washington and make it permanent. I'm all for term limits. You shouldn't just keep running for re-election and end up never working a 'real job' or interacting with people outside the D.C. bubble, which is so artificial. 

I do think there are people who go to Washington with noble ideas, but then they get comfortable with the power, the notoriety, the money, and most of all with a sense of self-importance that's overblown. 

Come in, do your job, then go home and live and work amongst the people who elected you. Live by the laws you've helped enact. It's healthier for everyone, most especially our country. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Since I'm writing my answers on Election Day, and will have no idea of the results when I hit publish, let's just watch something funny. Surely we can all use something light hearted right about now.

My hubs sent me this on Instagram and it made me laugh, it's quick and -linked here. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 576

Somehow it's November. And it's a big day in the US of A. I will spend some time today praying for peace in our cities and in our hearts on this election day, and in the days ahead too. 

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there-

1. What is one good thing you often take for granted? 

2. What's the boldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe? 

3. Do you think common interests or common values are the key to people getting along? Elaborate. 

4. November 6 is National Nacho Day...do you like nachos? How do you like yours? Do you make them at home or only order out? 

5. Have you spent any time in Washington D.C.?  If so what did you think? If not, is that a place you'd like to visit? What do you think about politics as a career choice? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

You Betcha It's Monday

 Linking with Holly and Sarah for this week's weekend recap -Hello Monday 

We had a fun weekend attending the wedding of the daughter of some of our oldest friends. The bride and groom live in Minnesota, a state I'd never been to before last weekend and it's always fun to go somewhere new. 

We left SC on Thursday morning, then had a ridiculous layover in Charlotte before making our connection on to Minneapolis. So what does one do when they have a three hour layover in the Charlotte airport?

Well they might just buy themself a brand new Brighton watch band. I've been wanting a band for my iWatch that looks less sporty and more like jewelry and I love this one. 

We got to our hotel in Minneapolis around 6 PM. The bride and groom, along with her parents and several friends, were relaxing in the lobby when we arrived so we dumped our bags and joined them. In case you're wondering, I brought my ginormous suitcase because even though it was just a weekend we needed fancy clothes, walking around clothes, shoes, jackets, hubs had a suit plus a sport coat, and all that to say- giant bag for the win! 

We headed to bed before midnight and let me just say right now it does not feel like I gained an hour this weekend. We stayed in the Hilton Canopy situated in the Mill district and it's a very pretty hotel. The design is essentially two towers originally built in 1900 and 1904. It was at one time home to a company that sold farm implements around the midwest, but it's been converted into a hotel that still has a lot of wood, bricks, beams, and detail.  

Friday we had the day free until dinner so hubs and I went on a self-guided walking tour of Minneapolis. Question-do you do the touristy type things in your own city or is it just the tourists who do that? 

There wasn't a live guide. Instead you paid for the tour download on line, then you downloaded an interactive map using a code you're sent via email, then you head to the starting point, which was very near our hotel. We used this company-Viator and the tour was very well done. You could walk as fast or as slow as you wanted, and besides directions the narrator gave lots of fun facts and interesting bits of trivia as you navigated the city. 

Friday was an absolutely beautiful day. Chilly, but bright sunshine and it felt good to walk. We started near the Vikings stadium which coincidentally is built roughly in the shape of a Viking ship. 

We carried on into Gold Medal park, then along beside the river before crossing the bridge over the Mississippi on foot.  

It took us about 2 hours to do the whole thing. When the tour ended we met up with another couple who'd arrived just that morning, to have lunch in a local brewery. We each had a salad and shared some wings which were so good. These had a dill pickle rub and we might try that one at home. 

Fifteen of us went to dinner at Murry's Steakhouse, a Minneapolis institution. The food was fabulous. Hubs and I shared one of their signature dishes called the Silver Butter Knife Steak for two, so named I think because you could literally cut it with a butter knife. 

Also I could have fed a family of six with this steak made for two. 

After dinner we all went back to the hotel for a welcome party hosted  by the bride and groom. The party wrapped up around 10:30 and everyone crashed. We were pooped. 

Saturday the father of the bride along with the bride's brother hosted a breakfast at the hotel and then I talked hubs into taking an uber to see some of the scenes from the old Mary Tyler Moore Show. I know I'm dating myself, but the show was really popular when I was growing up, and I loved it. In the show Mary lived in Minneapolis and there's a statue in her honor downtown.  

"Who can turn the world on with her smile....?" Raise your hand if you're singing the theme song right now. We also went into the mall where you see Mary having lunch in the opening credits. We didn't drive by the house where her super cute apartment was, mostly because we didn't have a car and it was too far to walk. 

Around lunchtime a whole big group of us walked a few blocks over to a local sports bar to watch some college football. 

Our team wasn't playing until later, but we watched some lesser games-ha!, then had lunch before I left to get my hair done. When I attend an out of town wedding I always try to book a hair appointment somewhere nearby so that's done and I can just relax and enjoy getting ready. 

There was a shuttle to get us all to the beautiful wedding venue-Nicollet Island Pavilion, which is situated right beside the river. I'm not posting any wedding pics because I want to let the bride have her moment, but just know she looked lovely and happy and the groom was adorable too. Cheers to the newlyweds! 

We dined and danced and wore silly props while smiling in a photo booth with people we've known since we were 20 years old. We had to be in the hotel lobby at 6 am Sunday morning in order to make our flight, so it was a short night in terms of sleep. 

Really big on fun though! 

So what kind of fun did you have this weekend? 

Rolling In The Dough -Week Three Of The At Home British Bakeoff

It's Bread Week in our at home version of The Great British Baking Show. If you don't know what I'm talking about read this post-Bamboozled By A Battenberg followed by this post-Waltzing In To Bakeoff Week 2 to catch up. 

This week's technical challenge had contestants baking a 7-strand plaited bread wreath in two hours, thirty minutes. They weren't given a recipe, just a list of ingredients. Paul demonstrated the plaiting technique before they got started and daughter2 and I agreed we'd probably watch that bit at least ten times before we tried it on our own. 

Okay, first of all we're not on the clock-ha! 

Secondly, we used a recipe. Our house, our rules. 

Neither of us are bread bakers on a regular basis and we were excited to try this. Plus fresh bread? Yes please. 

Not exactly like braiding hair, but it's the same general idea. Rolling out the 'octopus' was the hardest part of the process. I didn't feel like my strands rolled as easily as the contestant's did, but I got there 

Look at me all official with my proving bag.

my finished wreath

I have to say this turned out surprisingly well. I credit years of raising daughters who regularly wanted their hair braided. 

My daughter’s wreath 

I told my daughter she was star baker this week. 

Now,  did  I make a kitchen mess? You betcha. In fact hubs may have stated he hopes we don't do this again next year lol. Except I think he was serious? Whatever. He's not turning down freshly baked bread, and it's been fun baking with my daughter, comparing notes, trying something new, and realizing I could never be an actual contestant on the show-ha.  

I'm sure Paul Hollywood would say mine was 'slightly underbaked' but I tapped it like an honest to goodness contestant and it sounded hollow, which apparently is the sound you need. The texture was really good. 

Next up-caramel week. We're going to hold off on the actual bake for another week because we both have some travel scheduled and we don't need the extra pressure. Plus! we anticipate being in the same kitchen next weekend so our plan is to do the caramel bake together. Double the fun...

No doubt double the mess too. Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

Trick or Treat! It's The Hodgepodge!

BOO! It's the Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions, add your link at the end of my post. Then head over to your neighbor there, and leave them a comment. What a treat!  Here we go-

1. What are your current priorities in this season of life? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I think the older you get the more aware you become of the passing of time. I know I want to invest in things that matter for eternity. I want to stay healthy and active. Hubs and I enjoy going and doing and we have five grandchildren who I want to see grow up. 

I especially want to be intentional as a grandparent in spending time with them, praying for them, encouraging them. And for my daughters too who are in the thick of it with young children in the house. I want to be available for them when they are available. The flexibility in my daily schedule is a gift and I want to listen and support and laugh with them at all the funny things their babies say and do. 

2. What's one thing you wish you had more of? 

Self-discipline.

3. Do you celebrate Halloween? If so, what are your Halloween traditions? Any special plans for Halloween this year? 

We do celebrate Halloween. We usually go to a party and I enjoy dressing up. We have wedding festivities happening this weekend, so will be celebrating young love instead of Halloween.  

When the girls were growing up we carved pumpkins, chose costumes, and then usually the dads in the neighborhood took the trick or treaters out and moms were home handing out the candy. 

The dads enjoyed it as much as the kids, and they sometimes dressed up too. I don't decorate for Halloween per se, but I do put pumpkins on my porch and add some fall decor inside. 

4. Last thing you ate that contained chocolate? Last thing you made that called for chocolate?

I haven't had a lot of chocolate lately. I guess the last thing I ate would be the last thing I made. These chocolate peanut butter bars my sister gave me the recipe for. I've only had one but hubs has been enjoying them a lot. In fact I didn't take a picture when I made them and this is all that's left-

Super easy and no bake! The recipe is linked here-No Bake Chocolate Pretzel Peanut Butter Squares

5. Do you prefer laid back weekends or do you like to have a lot of plans? Thinking back to this past weekend... which was it? 

I like both. I need both. I enjoy plans but need down time to recover too. Last weekend was pretty laid back. I wrote about it in Monday's post-Monday Morning Quarterbacking

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I dug out a couple of Halloween pics from years past. This was last year's costume-

And an Austin Powers themed costume I loved from a few years back-

And one more of my girls from way back when...

Enjoy your Halloween fun, and I'll see you in NOVEMBER. Say what??

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Give Me Five

If you're looking for this week's Hodgepodge questions you'll find them one post down. 

Linking this post today with Joanne's Talking About it Tuesday. 

Penning another letter to my grandson who celebrates a birthday today. His birthday hits five days after his baby sister's, two days before Halloween, and a week before what will no doubt be a tumultuous election day. I never want him to feel lost in the shuffle. 

Dear Max, 

Officially five today! That might be Nana's favorite age. I was thinking about your blog name and how it suits you, but also how your real name does too. Sweet William. Nana added the sweet, but it's the phrase that always comes to mind when I think of you. 

Which is every single day. 

There's a flower I love called Sweet William and did you know flowers have meaning? Out of curiosity I looked this one up, and guess what? It also suits. 

The flower known as Sweet William has multiple meanings including gallantry and masculinity. You, my newly minted five year old, are all boy. You love to wrestle, play 'futbol', baseball, ride your bike, drive the boat fast, pretend you're a knight, a Jedi, a ninja, a superhero. You love to climb and run and throw and jump. 

You have the biggest vocabulary and the best accent of any five year old I know. 

You want to do whatever big brother is doing, but these days you're finding your own way too. You have opinions lol. You're exceptionally bright, articulate, curious, and funny. And since you've recently moved into your fifth house in as many years I guess I should add resilient to your list of strengths too. 

You wear your emotions on your sleeve and your mama has helped you learn to ask yourself if something is a big problem or a little problem before you react. I find myself doing the same and it helps. 

We're never too old to learn little man. 

Pawpaw and I had so much fun visiting you in your Cambridge home last month. We loved hearing your thoughts on all the new things you've experienced...mushy peas, double decker buses, an International school, Saturday mornings on the pitch and more. 

Your birthday lands just a few days before the US election, and let's just say it hasn't been pretty. While it's hard not to wonder what our nation will look like when you're a young man I want to tell you something  Nana knows for certain.

This world may be full of conflict and confusion, but God in His infinite wisdom created you for such a time as this. You are a part of God's divine plan and He made you all the wonderful things you are-strong, smart, curious, and resilient-traits that will serve you well as you grow from boy to man.  

I pray you always seek His will for your life and know how fully and completely you are loved by Him. 

By your Nana too. Deep and wide my sweet William. 

xo~Nana~xo

"Stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Let all that you do be done in love." 

1 Corinthians 16:13-14