Month: June 2024

June Book Club

Post author By Lila
Post date June 28, 2024

Another hectic June as a teacher is in the books; I am looking forward to devouring many more books over the summer. I managed to read three excellent books this month.

Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge

The first of the Phyllida Bright series; and I can’t wait to read more. However, in this particular novel, the housekeeper at Agatha Christie’s home must solve two murders which take place at a house party; a la Hercule Poirot.
Murder at the Dinner Party by C.J. Archer

In the latest (and eighth) installment; Cleo must investigate the death of a butler whose unusual behaviour indicate that foul play may have been involved. Joining her on the case is Harry Armitage; they uncover that the case of the butler is linked to a murder from decades ago.
The Perils of Lady Catherine de Bourgh by Claudia Grey

This is the third book in the Mr. Darcy & Miss Tilney Mystery series. You may remember that Lady Catherine is the autocratic aunt of Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice); a series of unfortunate events brings Jonathan and Juliet on to the scene to sort things out and prevent her murder.

What did you read this month?

Writing Prompt Wednesdays

June Journal #4

Post author By Lila
Post date June 26, 2024

If you had a pet parrot, what would you teach it to say?

I would teach it every swear word under the sun! No, I’m just kidding. It would be funny and cute for a bit but overall I think it would be annoying in the long term. I would teach my parrot as many words and phrases as I could so that it would be able to converse with me. Definitely, “I love you,” would be one of the phrases. I would also teach it reminders like, “Did you unplug the toaster?” “Don’t forget to bring you lunch!” Reminders would be super helpful. Even though I love birds and had two budgies (Joey & Pepsi) growing up, I am not keen on having one in the house.
What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Food & Drink

International Pineapple Day

Post author By Lila
Post date June 24, 2024

Although an upside-down one; may have a “naughty” meaning these days –this day celebrates the delicious, tropical fruit in the “innocent” sense.

close up photo of pineapple with party hat and a black sunglasses — Photo by Pineapple Supply Co. on Pexels.com

Not going to lie, I fell down the rabbit whole when researching the pineapple in preparation for celebrations on June 27 and this is what I discovered…

1. It was first documented by Columbus (Guadaloupe, 1463)
2. Hawaii is the biggest producer of pineapples (1/3 of the world’s pineapples in fact)
3. Other major pineapple producing countries include: Mexico, Thailand, Costa Rica, Honduras & China
4. It takes 2 years for a tree to produce fruit.”
5. The fruit and the tree look very similar
6. One stalk can produce HUNDREDS of pineapples
7. Pineapples are a low cal source of vitamin C, magnesium, iron & even protein
8. They improve digestion and have benefits for the immune system
9. To get your pineapple to ripen faster; store it upside-down
10. They are actually a member of the berry family

To commemorate the occasion; I’ll be sipping on my favourite drink (the Pinapple Mojito Mocktail) and eating my favorite dessert: the traditional Pineapple Upside-Down Cake

Food & Drink

Sausage & Peppers: The Perfect Picnic Entree

Post author By Lila
Post date June 21, 2024

Hello June! This month is all about celebrating the end of the school year and welcoming summer. Summer is the season of picnics, barbecues and getting together with friends. Burgers and hot dogs are great; they are classics. But, I wanted to try something different for our latest party….

Ingredients

1 Tbsp margarine
1 red bell pepper (sliced)
1 yellow bell pepper (sliced)
1 orange bell pepper (sliced)
1 onion (halved and then sliced)
1 pack of mild Italian sausage (sliced into rounds)
2 cloves garlic (minced)
1 Tbsp Italian seasoning
1 can Alymer diced tomatoes
1 pack hot dog buns

Directions

In a large pan, melt the margarine and sauté bell peppers and onions together until soft
Add in minced garlic and continue to cook until the mixture is lightly caramelized
In a separate pan sauté sausage until lightly caramelized; drain if necessary
Add the sausage to the peppers & onions
Add can tomatoes and seasoning; heat until bubbling
Slice the buns; (toasting is optional) and spoon mixture into buns (should be heaping)
Enjoy!

Writing Prompt Wednesdays

June Journal #3

Post author By Lila
Post date June 19, 2024

Name three things in your bathroom right now.

I have a lot of stuff in my bathroom; even in our guest bathrooms to be honest.

Robe
Towels
Endless supply of soaps, shampoos, conditioners & skin care items
My nail kit so I can give myself a shellac manicure
A travel bag with toiletries, ready for a trip at any moment
A basin to soak my tired teacher feet
Toothbrush and toothpaste

It’s a good thing that we have lots of storage so that I can hide all my stuff. My husband also has a shocking amount of stuff in our bathroom. Perhaps I should do some de-cluttering….What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Food & Drink

Back to the Vault: Charming Cherries

Post author By Lila
Post date June 17, 2024

This time last year I was highlighting all the delicious produce available during spring and summer; you know because I am a gardening nerd. Today we re-visit my post about cherries –the health benefits and the awesome things you can do with this versatile fruit.

Charming Cherries

Entertainment

Bingeworthy Shows for Summer

Post author By Lila
Post date June 14, 2024

It’s been a while since I found I series that I wanted to binge; it seems like I was in a Netflix lull. But, that is over now…

Bridgerton (Season 3)

Genre: Drama
Number of Episodes: 8
Synopsis: This season picks up amid the aftermath of Eloise finding out that Penelope was brains behind the gossip-monger, Lady Whistledown. Colin has returned from his trip abroad and Anthony & Kate have returned from their honeymoon. Francesca (and many others) make their debuts –which severely disappoint the Queen. Colin helps Penelope try to find a husband; with some steamy results while her sisters endeavour to produce a male heir as a means to secure the family fortune. If you want to find out if they all live happily ever after, you’ll have to binge it yourself…
The Gentlemen (Season 1)

Genre: Comedy
Number of Episodes: 8
Synopsis: A wealthy duke dies; however, the estate doesn’t pass to the oldest son –instead the duke left it to his second son which creates more than a little tension between the brothers. It is a race against time for Edward to save his brother from mobsters to whom he owes an $8 million debt. Edward joins forces with Susie Glass who operates a lucrative weed family on his family’s 15,000 acre estate. When the attempt to clear the debt goes awry, Edward is entangled in a messy web to cover his tracks and extricate his family from the underworld of crime.

photo of cup near flat screen television — Photo by John-Mark Smith on Pexels.com

Writing Prompt Wednesdays

June Journal #2

Post author By Lila
Post date June 12, 2024

What is something you have learned in the last few days?

[This is a throwback journal entry; I somehow missed it]

Hmm… in the past few days I have learned a great deal about Victoria, BC. My best friend and I have been researching it for a trip (and future trips because we don’t think we can fit it all in). Some information I knew, since I grew up in British Columbia; but some of it I had forgotten.

It gets more than 2000 hours of sunshine each year
The “Garden City” is actually one of the oldest cities in the Pacific Northwest (1862)
There is an epic food culture in the city –we are excited to go to Sult Pierogi Bar
The Chinatown there is the oldest in Canada and Fan Tan Alley is the narrowest street in Canada.

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Fashion