What I'm reading Wednesday...

Twenty-second challenge finish of the year.

('Found family trope' is defined as characters who choose to make unrelated people [characters] their family.  You may know this already, but I had to look it up.)

This was very good.  I enjoyed this sequel every bit as much as its predecessor.  And I was really excited to see that the author has decided to make this a trilogy.

Twenty-third challenge finish of the year.

('Breaks the fourth wall' is defined as one or more characters breaking from the story to address the reader directly, ie Jane Eyre saying, "Reader, I married him."  You may know this already too, but my friend, the PhD, didn't, so I thought I'd mention it also.)

This was my new book club's May book.  I'm counting it for the challenge as well, since I was able to borrow it from the library.  

I was a bit perplexed by what prompt to put it under.  Google says it does not break the fourth wall.  I disagree, as I felt that the character of Marcellus was always talking to me directly.  :)  When I saw that another challenge participant also listed it as 'breaking the 4th wall prompt,' I decided I could too.

I really liked this book so much.  The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I don't believe I will go back to it to read it again.  But if the author ever comes out with a sequel, I will definitely read it.

Twenty-fourth challenge finish of the year.

Again, I really enjoyed this book.  The only reason I didn't give it five stars is because I doubt I will go back to it to re-read.  

It doesn't exactly have a diary entry, but it reads like one.  Having only 66 pages, it is a fast read.  The forward, illustrations, and editorial comments add to it.

It has been on my Kindle since 2014, so I am elated to have given it its due by reading and appreciating it finally.

Tuesday treasure...

I think I'm going to be doing a new post for Tuesdays.  Just about the best things I find or experience on Tuesdays.  That is usually the day I volunteer at the library, so often it may be about books.

I was looking through some recently donated books while I was working there today, and was SO excited to see this one.  They Call Me Ranger Ray by Ramiro "Ray" Martinez, retired Texas Ranger.  He is a bit of a legend in Texas, and he lives in a nearby town.  I was filling in at a business in that town when he came in with his wife, and both of them are incredibly personable and pleasant to talk to.  We chatted about the small town where Carey and I obtained our marriage license at the courthouse where Ranger Ray Martinez worked on a big political corruption case.  At the time, I had no idea that he was famous for a case that had nationwide coverage.

And what makes it an extra special treasure?  It's an autographed copy!  I mean not to me, but still.  LOL

Just thumbing through the book, I wanted to read it cover to cover right then.  But I have some other must-do priorities at the moment, so will have to wait awhile.  If I was a loving wife, I would let Carey have first dibs on it.  No promises.  ;)

2025 Frugal Friday File, April 25...

 

1.  Carey is working hard getting ready for a fall garden.  When we bought the house, it had a fenced in garden area (tall fencing to keep deer out) which we have never used.  We've had container tomato plants, but he finally was ready to go to the effort of preparing the garden.  Maybe he's worried about availability of produce too?  

    I know gardening is not necessarily frugal (when you have to start by buying a tiller), but he has been reading and working on it most diligently.  Our county offices provide free mulch, so he went and got a pickup load free of charge.

2.  I was able to reserve our next book club selection at the library.  Others were ahead of me, so I was not at all sure that I would get it in time.  Happily I now have it in my possession and started it today.

3.  I deposited four checks that were partial refunds from insurance company for chiropractic care that I prepaid out of pocket.

4.  I have had a shut down on energy and motivation lately, which makes meals an unwelcome chore.  I ordered four subscription meals for this week.  Not cheap, but definitely less than eating out.

5. Last weekend the youngest granddaughter was home for Easter and wanted to know if I had tips and bags for piping cake icing, and if I could teach her how to use them.  My mother had gone through a phase of learning cake decorating, then she passed on all her supplies to me when the kids were little and I did more of that sort of thing.  

Chloe arrived, baked, and decorated.  It was a fun day with her.  I taught her everything I know (not a lot), and referred her to YouTube for further tips and tricks.  Then I had her take the box of decorating tips and couplers home with her.  They were free to me in the first place, and I was happy to pass them on.  And it kinda gets me off the hook for the future.  LOL

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Easter dinner with the family...Crawfish Boil

Sunday:  Homemade Hamburgers, Deviled Eggs

Monday:  Spanish Rice

Tuesday:  subscription meal

Wednesday:  subscription meal

Thursday:  subscription meal

Friday:  subscription meal

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Twenty-first finish of the year.

Part of the Agatha Raisin Mystery series.  Quick, pleasant read for light escapism.  Don't have to put a lot of thought into it.

The Hunter by Tana French

Now I'm reading this sequel to one I read last month.  Happily, I was able to borrow this e-book from the library.

2025 Frugal Friday File, April 18...

 

1.  I made a menu and grocery list.  Will pick them up at 7 a.m. tomorrow.  Some of it will go in freezer to stock back up, butter, bacon, and sausage for instance.  

2.  Haven't been out of the house much this week.  Except for volunteering at the library, I didn't have one thing scheduled.  The quiet week was heavenly!

3.  We celebrated our 49th anniversary yesterday without a single gift.  Too much crap around here as it is.  We did go out for Tex-Mex at our nearby favorite local place which is quite close to us.

4.  Except for a few ebooks and groceries, I haven't bought a single thing in weeks.

5.  Paid our electric bill this week, and it was the lowest so far this year.  It will start going up just like the thermometer from here on out.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  Mexican Cornbread Casserole

Sunday:  Family supper at Kasey & Beau's

Monday:  leftovers

Tuesday:  leftovers

Wednesday:  Quiche and Salad

Thursday:  out for anniversary

Friday:  leftovers

What I'm reading Wednesday...

Twentieth finish of the year.

I've loved Daphne Du Maurier's work since I was a teenager.  My favorite of the ones of hers that I have read is The House on the Strand...it was the beginning of my love of time travel.

But for some reason I could never read Rebecca.  I have picked it up, probably, half a dozen times over the years, and for some reason could not get past the first chapter or two.  I think maybe because I thought I knew what it was about from seeing a short clip of the movie.  I mean, that original 1940 movie seemed pretty campy, but again, I've never seen the entire movie.

I decided to give it one more try, and I could barely put it down.  It was a little dated, but it was really good.  Now I will see if I can find the 2020 version of the movie to watch.

2025 Frugal Friday File, April 11...

 

1.  I emailed the congressman who says he represents me.  He doesn't, at least not very well.  I reminded him how he could do a better job...for about the umpteenth time.

2.  Met with our financial adviser for our regular annual review.  Good to see him again (he's my former boss).  Made sure that we are on track to preserve our assets in these crazy times.  

3.  Rudy's vet appointment went well.  He woke up feeling much better this morning, but we wanted to keep the appointment to rule out some things in case he got worse again over the weekend.  They took an ex-ray to look for enlarged organs, or a blockage of some kind.  When I went to the desk to pay the bill, we had a $160 credit on the account (for a consultation that I prepaid and had not needed to have done), and a $40 discount.  That was a welcome surprise.

4.  Made it on time to the book club, and had a fabulous time.  My friend made a great brunch.  Such a fun group.  One of them volunteers at the animal shelter, which I have been thinking I might call to see about volunteering.  It was nice to be able to ask her questions about the layout of the facility, what kinds of help they might need, etc.  Another of the group lives right around the corner from me.  We had met before, so it was nice to have an extended time to get to know each other.  

5.  I have not been wanting to cook lately, at least not every day.  I visited the meal subscription we had used in the past (when I was still working full time), and I was pleased to see that the prices had not gone up noticeably since back when we had used them.  I ordered three meals for this week, because they are much less costly and healthier than eating out.  It was a nice break.

On the menu this week:

Saturday:  leftovers

Sunday:  Bombay Salad with Shrimp

Monday:  Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Brisket

Tuesday:  meal subscription 

Wednesday:  meal subscription 

Thursday:  meal subscription 

Friday:  takeout burgers