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Entertainment

October Book Club

I crushed a ton of books in September but I only managed to find time to read one book this month; but it was so good and I can’t wait until the third one comes out. This month I read…

A Murder Most French by Colleen Cambridge

In this novel, Tabitha must solve the murders of two chefs and the attempted murders of her beloved monsieur’s with the help of Julia Child. From the demonstration kitchen at Le Cordon Bleu to the catacombs under the city of Paris; Tabitha throws caution to the wind to bring a killer to justice.

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

October Journal #4

List 25 things you will never do!

  1. Cheat
  2. Quit my job
  3. Give up on love
  4. Like snakes
  5. Skydive
  6. Bungee jump
  7. Scuba dive
  8. Wear high heels again
  9. Be good at sports
  10. Be brave enough to eat alone at restaurants
  11. Reconcile with those who betrayed me
  12. Have a castle and Scotland
  13. Meet my literary idol
  14. Compromise my values
  15. Learn to drive stick
  16. Win an Academy Award
  17. Wear make up to work again
  18. Make assumptions about others
  19. Move back to BC
  20. See my dad again
  21. Take my friends for granted
  22. Put up with disrespect
  23. Waterski
  24. Stop reading or buying books
  25. Originally, I had “have kids” listed here but we were finally blessed with a baby in the summer so I guess I have to think of something else to add to the list

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

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Entertainment

Back to the Vault: Halloween How To

Considering that my “Guess Who” costume won the contest last year; I figured I would re-share in case you are looking for a winning costume this year. I am not dressing up this year; however, my little guy is going to be an dinosaur!

Halloween How To: Guess Who

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

October Journal #3

Imagine you were at your next high school reunion. How do you think your old-school friends would react to the person you are today?

I have never attended one of our high school reunions. This summer it would have been TWENTY years! I never had the inkling to go either. To be honest, I don’t even really keep up with anyone; I doubt they keep up with me. I had a few friends in high school, but we drifted apart or they moved while we were in high school. A lot of my friends or rather those who I thought were my friends came from Sea Cadets instead. I kept to myself pretty much in high school. I don’t know if anyone would really care too much or even give me a second thought at high school reunion. A very, very tiny shred of me would love for them to be impressed by me: teacher, wife, mother, business owner but I don’t really care about their opinion at all.

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

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Food & Drink

French Onion Meatballs

We only planted potatoes and onions this year and we got quite the crop so I am looking at integrating those into most of our meals. I saw this type of meal at Costco in the form of one of their ready-made section. So, I did some Googling and came across this recipe; we tried it and loved it.

French Onion Meatballs

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

October Journal #2

What does spring look like in your neighborhood?

Melted snow
Reveals the dead brown grass below
The in between stage
Finally earth starting to show

Temperatures unpredictable
More sunlight; moods more stable
Inching closer to gardening season
Takes so long; seems a fable

It is so very short; blink and you’ll miss it
Soon summer will come — pure bless
Oops! a spot of spontaneous winter
Then back to spring, how confusing is this!

Rest, Easter having fun
Kids will ask when school will be done
Fleeting quick
Then it is done

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

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Baby Life Reflections & Lifestyle

Product Review: Baby Brezza

When I first heard about this product I wanted one. I thought to myself: wow, this is gonna make my life easier. After unpacking it and reading the instructions I was immediately feeling regret —to the tune of $229. 

Not only does the manual not include the feeding chart, but the extra parts and the frequency in which they must be washed put me off.

As instructed I went to the website to find the chart; it was NOT readily available and I had to hunt it down. It’s a little scary to trust it because improperly made formula can make babies quite sick. 

There are 6 pieces that needed to be washed before starting and the funnel components must be washed after being used four times. I already spend an inordinate amount of time washing and sterilizing things —why am I taking on more?

This was definitely the case of being conned into thinking technology was better than simply pouring distilled water into a bottle and adding a scoopful of powdered formula into a bottle. We only serve our baby room temperature formula so why do I need a machine that can make room temperature formula as one of the settings.

The product is supposed to produce less bubbles in the mixing process but that isn’t enough to sway me. 

The adage of “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” applies. Make the bottles yourself and if you want warmed formula you can easily pop it into a more reasonably priced bottle warmer. 

Also interesting to note I posted the machine on Marketplace and I have had zero interest… hmmm….

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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

October Journal #1

You have been given $100 on the condition that you must spend it all on yourself. What will you do with your money?

BOOKS!

I would 100% buy a ton of books. Considering that the books I typically read (both paper or iBooks) are about $14-$18. I would actually end up with 5-7 books so perhaps “a ton” is a bit hyperbolic. Right now I’m devouring mystery book after mystery book; you can check out what I read at the end of each month in the archive section. It’s not surprising my go to books are mysteries since my favorite author is Agatha Christie. I read all of her novels, plays, stories but I’ve been able to find a few authors that can hold a candle to her. My too be read list is huge; just currently waiting for various release dates!

What about you? Comment below!

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts

Categories
Entertainment

September Book Club

I have been enjoying baby cuddles and reading while on my Maternity Leave.

  1. The Windsor Knot (Book 1) by S.J. Bennett

    The Queen becomes concerned over the death of a piano player after one of her “dine and sleeps;” some fail to see the importance, some chock it up to an act of espionage on the part of the Russians. Her Majesty and her Assistant Private Secretary, Captain Rozie Oshodi have to solve the case to bring justice to the young man and prevent the Royal household from falling apart.
  2. All the Queen’s Men (Book 2) by S.J. Bennett

    The death of an unliked member of her Majesty’s staff is discovered dead in the pool house -at first it seems that this is just the case of “getting what she deserved” according to many characters, however, it is wrapped up in a more sinister smuggling plot. Once again it is up to the Queen and her APS to steer the authorities in the right direction.
  3. Miss Morton and the Deadly Inheritance (Book 3) by Catherine Lloyd

    Lady Caroline can’t seem to shake the complications from her father’s financial debacles and suicide. When a mysterious note from her solicitors arrive indicating that there is a new will; she seeks to find out what is going on -however, several individuals connected to it turn up dead. With the help of Mrs. Frogerton and her son, Samuel; Dr. Harris & Inspector Ross she launches an investigation.
  4. Death at The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 1) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery

    Set in the 1960s in London, Priscilla heads up the PR department at The Savoy. She must clear her name and save her job when a man turns up dead in Room 705. The eclectic characters from the aristocracy and Hollywood add to the glitz and glamour.
  5. Princess of The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 2) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery

    Just when Priscilla thought her crime solving days were behind her, there is a yet another crisis at The Savoy. Two Italian princes arrive at the hotel. One is a fascist hoping to topple the British government and the other is driven by visions to thwart his cousin and claim the Dukedom.
  6. Scandal at The Savoy: A Priscilla Tempest Mystery (Book 3) by Ron Base & Prudence Emery

    Priscilla finds out that a performer in one of the shows at The Savoy has been murdered. In order to solve this one she must summon help from her famous celebrity friends who are long time guests at the hotel as well as a few very well known gangsters.
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Writing Prompt Wednesdays

September Journal #4

If you could build your own vacation resort, what is one attraction you would definitely include? 

This isn’t very original but the top attraction that my vacation resort would be the FOOD. I want a whole section to be a food experience. Whatever you’re craving you can get, there are culinary activities that take place there too. The only thing I would like but I know is impossible but I guess that’s the point isn’t it is…you can eat what you want, wherever you want and how much you want but you will never ever gain a pound while on vacation at my resort. In addition to the food there needs to be a world-class spa. Basically my resort would be the ultimate relaxing destination in the world. 

Prompt from: Piccadilly’s 200 Writing Prompts
What about you? Comment below!