Something on a Sunday “Almost April” 2018

Last fall, I discovered that Jenny of Reading the End posted a very good blog idea for Sundays. The idea is to share good things. To Quote Miss Gin-Jenny, “to talk about things that kept me moving forward or gave me some joy.” I’m borrowing a few of her categories for inspiration:

Touched by:  I had dinner with a friend last night and she gave me a very sweet compliment.  I told her that I very much treasured her friendship. We are going to start a book club together for the summer! I suggested we start with Tayari Jones’ smash bestseller everyone   seems to be talking about, An American Marriage. 

Proud and Wowed by: All the wit and courage and feistiness of the March For Our Lives citizens. “Guns are not school supplies.”

Happy about: Having this morning to myself. Goals:  blog post, finish my Classics Club Spin book  Cold Comfort Farm, and laundry. Maybe vacuuming.

Sad about: K-State Wildcats lost to Loyola last night. But HEY!  We made the Elite Eight!!!  WOO HOOOOO

Self-cared for:  Uh, does it count in this category that I completed my first 5K yesterday? I had walked in many-a fund-raiser walk but this was the first that I entered that took official times and gave a shirt. I finished in under 1 hour; was 626 our of 636. LOL  (Had to set a baseline.)

Itching to tell you:  I have missed blogging! But I haven’t finished a book in weeks, it seems. My audiobook (The Zero by Jess Walters) is fascinating but I haven’t had long stretches alone in a car to listen.

Excited by: All the people who have asked me about the TOB! I do occasional Facebook updates on it…  AND I think I finally picked my favorite book of the tourney:  Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong. It was knocked out by Exit West – a book that I admired but didn’t get charmed by. GV oozed charm. I read so many books that I liked but couldn’t really choose my bestest favoritist until I watched the booktube commentary by @daejin_v2! (Loved it. Impressive – I want to make a book review video…)

FYI – I downloaded Stephen Florida but I don’t think I will read it. I might open it and look at it…  I never could get my hands on Dear Cyborg – my library didn’t have it. I put a hold on The Book of Joan but it still hasn’t come to me yet. I’ll probably pass on that, too. Otherwise, I read everything! I think.

Also, my book club has selected Together by Julie Cohen.  Anyone read it?

Looking forward to:  SPRING. Warmer temperatures. Longer days of sunshine. Boat season. Common sense in politics. We can hope, yes?

Have a great Easter! I’m thankful for this blog, this little corner that is mine, but mostly for the kind and caring book blogging community and the opportunity to be a part of it. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate you.

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2018. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Advertisement

The Last Sunday Before Christmas Eve

Jenny of Reading the End has a terrific meme idea for Sundays. The idea is to share good things. To Quote Miss Gin-Jenny, “to talk about things that kept me moving forward or gave me some joy.”

Impassioned by:  Pie. SO, here’s what I did:  I gave away a gift certificate for a pie of choice for my work department’s Yankee Swap. The person who won was confused but once explained, she seemed quite thrilled by the idea. She asked for Dutch Apple Pie. “Great!” I said. “Yay!!” I thought, as I rushed home to pull out all my pie books and look for a good Dutch Apple Pie. But then I got confused because some have raisins, some have egg in the crust, some have pastry topping when I thought the Crumb Topping was what made it ‘Dutch Apple’. Sigh, what IS a Dutch Apple Pie? I did some #scientific-based research (I posted a poll) and then just asked the recipient what she expects for Dutch Apple. That should clear up this confusion. I know it will have apples and butter and cinnamon and sugar. All good.

Happy about: I found my Pecan Pie recipe! I have this crazy loose leaf recipe collection barely stuffed into a three ring binder and the sugar-splattered copy of my Cook’s Country Pecan was missing. Is missing still. But the husband has a digital copy (it’s his favorite and he never fails to remind me that I didn’t make it for his birthday last year for whatever reason I can’t recall) and I also found it in my emails to my friend Karen many years ago. I wonder if she ever made it?

And if you want to see my Old Fashioned Pecan Pie recipe, I’ve loaded into Google Docs.

(Jeanne helped me out with a link lookup request which has been fixed by the above sentence… Thanks NonNecromancer!)

Super charmed by: My friend Heather asked me about Christmas Pie and we had a lovely FB-Messenger chat about Pumpkin (Dec 25 has been designated “Pumpkin Pie Day”) and Apple and a Crustless Cranberry. Let me know if you, too, would like me to post this recipe. I think I best start creating my resource online. Might as well be here at Care’s Books and Pie, right?

Excited for: Winter Solstice is coming. The shortest day of the year. Which means the days start to get longer. and longer and LONGER! and then it will be spring!

Enjoying: I’m enjoying researching and searching for where to give some of our charity dollars most needed, most effective.

and pie. This WILL be a pie-riffic week!

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2017. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Old Fashioned Pecan Pie for D

My Pecan Pie comes from Cook’s Country – have you seen their shows on Create channel? Their website requires sign in so I am just retyping it here for you.

1 cup maple syrup
1 cup packed lt brown sugar
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 Tblsp molasses
4 Tblsp unsalted butter cut into pieces
1/2 tsp salt
6 egg yolks, ltly beaten
1 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans
1 unbaked pie crust, preferably glass plate, chill in fridge 30 minutes prior to filling with filling

1. toast pecans in 350 degree oven for 5 minutes or so or whichever way you do it, then chop.
2. Adjust rack to the lowest position of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
3. In saucepan, heat syrup, sugar, cream, molasses on medium heat, ~3 min til dissolved, stir often,
4. Take off heat for abt 5 minutes to cool slightly, then whisk in salt and eggs gently, a little at a time till incorporated.
5.Scatter pecans in chilled pie shell and then pour the filling over carefully.
6. Place in lowest rack of oven, shut the door and then lower temp to 325 degrees.
7. Check 45-60 minutes later to see if center jiggles slightly when gently shaken.
8. Cool pie 1 hour.
9. continue to cool 3 hours in the fridge.
10. Bring to room temperature before serving.
11. Make real whipped cream or not, but whisk in a tsp of bourbon into it!  Mmmmmm

Enjoy, do know this is from my cryptic notes I brought on my trip to see family!!

Something on a Sunday

Jenny of Reading the End has a new blog idea for Sundays. The idea is to share good things. To Quote Miss Gin-Jenny, “to talk about things that kept me moving forward or gave me some joy.” I’m borrowing a few of her categories for inspiration:

Touched by:  Even though I’ve bombarded my Facebook timeline lately with a lot of posts about my wedding anniversary, it really does surprise me how many people LIKE or HEART or leave a comment “Happy Anniversary”. IF you want to share in that joy, you must know that D and I went to see Badfinger as part of our wedded-bliss celebration. AND THUS, you must tell me which of Badfinger’s songs is your favorite! Here’s a link to help you if you can’t remember any… (and no, I was young when this band was ‘hot’ – I’m not THAT old… just sayin’.)

Happy about: All the little things I’ve gotten done this weekend. Saw a friend for shopping and lunch, walked the dogs for a few miles each day, packed/organized/cleaned.  You know, all the stuff you feel better having done but only after you’ve done it.

Self-cared for: Ice cream? I found Talenti on sale and bought the Vanilla Chai flavor. It’s actually gelato.

Proud of: My job, so far. I’m challenged, inspired, proud, energized. Never thought I could say that about a job and I’m hoping this isn’t just the honeymoon phase, but I do think it is going very very well. (I’m conducting leadership training and helping with the strategy for the department. I get to apply my tech skills and also ‘facilitate’ training (get up in front of people!) and help, just possibly, share a new thought and/or make their day a little brighter.)

Looking forward to: Tomorrow’s announcement of the Tournament of Books Long List. I think I’ll only have read one but I’m still thrilled!

and pie. This should be a pie-riffic week!

Have a great Thanksgiving! I’m thankful for this blog, this little corner that is mine, but mostly for the kind and caring book blogging community and the opportunity to be a part of it. Thank you for visiting. I appreciate you.

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2017. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Catching Back Up

I’m baaaaacccckkk!

I was in Dublin most of the time. Yes, I did manage a few peeks into the TOB but haven’t commented. Yet.

Happy with Sudden Death going forward, not surprised the Underground Railroad won, and my bracket(s) were blown up by All the Birds! So, oh well. One or both could still emerge victorious at the end but perfection isn’t to be. This thing ain’t over until it’s over.

And I can’t show you many photos because I can’t get my iPhone to talk to my PC to transfer photos. (very frustrating – why is photo org so maddening?!) These I had to email to myself:

Sophie’s view of Dublin

Of course we went on the Literary Pub Crawl!

Oscar Wilde

Me in my Rooster shirt.

I have a review of The Nix to give you and Pi Day is coming up very soon.

Stay tuned…

 

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2017. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Banana Cream Pie Day 2017

Happy Banana Cream Pie Day!  March 2nd…

Now, I know you all think I do everything by scratch but I don’t.

Here’s the before: (yea, I had already deleted the pic from my phone and had to save the image off IG. I’m a dork.)

The after:

However, I can show off the pie I made yesterday for a friend’s birthday. This was my own pastry dough and I peeled/cut the apples and wove the lattice top, so YEA. Sometimes, I do it all.

The next pie day is, of course, Pi Day, March 14. Then, the 4th of April brings us Chocolate Mousse Pie Day. Plan accordingly.

 

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2017. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Letter Month 2017

It’s February and that means it is Letter Month.

I will be participating. I will answer every letter I receive (and all I received in January – if I haven’t already.)

I have been unable to access my account or create a new one on the lettermo.com website so any attempts to connect with me there will be to no avail.

May you have a blessed February.

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2017. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Care’s Gift Idea Guide

EXCITING GIFTS to get me YOUR LOVED ONES this Holiday or anytime, really.

1.  Arrange for a Postcard from a Favorite Author!   The Common Foundation is raising money for a good cause (encouraging emerging novelists, etc.) by arranging personal postcards from a variety of impressive writers. CHECK IT OUT!  (and quickly, this only has a week to go.)

2.  Photo Stamps!  I have created custom stamps for years and they make great gifts. There are many companies that are licensed to do this but I’ve used PhotoStamps.com and like their simplicity of creating and ordering.

3. Books. Books are always a good idea. Gift cards to bookstores?

4. Pie supplies. What are “PIE SUPPLIES”, you ask? Well, my favorite are cute mini-pie  dishes of ceramic. And I love my flour  shaker wand (I own two so I don’t need another). You could get someone a pastry scissors or cutter tool for making fancy lattice strips.  Or pie books, of course. And gift cards to places like King Arthur Flour…  I have also given “Pie Coupons” away but sadly, rarely ever get them redeemed. I think they forget. Which is why just baking a pie and thrusting it upon others is the best way. That’s how “those people who live near me” get treated in my neighborhood. I also support and recommend Beth Howard’s Pie-Evangelism and she has two books available. Click on her logo to find out more –>

 

5. DONATIONS in someone’s name. I have done this, especially when I don’t know if they need anything. I would be honored if someone made a donation to a charity that is close to my heart OR their heart. Just as long as a good deed is made, that’s cool.  I have given to food banks in the towns where my loved ones live so that their town is blessed. And I have purchased water buffaloes and chickens through Heifer  International. I have given to my parents’ church so they get their name in the bulletin – usually to donate flowers for the alter at their anniversary. I am considering donating to the library that they frequent.

 

6. Pizza. Pizza is pie, right? Easy-peasy to give online gift certificates from a pizza place in their town so no mailing involved whatsoever. I always think this is a great idea – who doesn’t love a pizza party? Especially good for a family gift all at once.

What kind of gifts do you like to give when thinking of that right something is difficult?

 

 

 

 

 

Copyright © 2007-2016. Care’s Books and Pie aka Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club.  It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Happy Pi Day 2016

Happy  π  Pi Day!

Getting ready. I usually use the pie dough of butter + crisco from the A Year of Pies cookbook by Ashley English. Do notice Miss Jill, I used King Arthur Flour.

This is what the flour and fat combined looks like before I add the water.

 

This is me attempting a beautiful crimped edge. I need more practice.

I put my neighbors to work zesting the lemons and limes for the Lemon Lime Chess Pie.

A few (4) eggs, some juice, the zests and more butter  – into the crust and bake. SO simple. ~ 50 minutes at 350 degrees.

 

After the baking. Oh! The recipe calls for 3 Tbsp of cornmeal and I used a rather grainy one – almost the polenta coarseness. It really gave texture to the pie.

My neighbor insisted on whipping the whipped cream. She eschews such devices as Kitchen Aid mixers. Scoffs, even!

 

Piping on a bit of the cream for presentation. Wa la!  PIE.

 

I might try making this:

 

though I could only find Laffy Taffy rather than true saltwater taffy…

EAT PIE.

 
 

Copyright © 2007-2016. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Update on a December’s Eve

My blog is undergoing a transformation or experiencing metamorphosis; perhaps some great cataclysmatic eventing, too. Not sure. YET.

I just decided ‘eventing’ is a word. Deal.

Because I am sitting here facing a challenge at a time of year when I want to both cuddle with my dogs and watch movies while also furiously ranking my best-of lists and getting ready to chunk reading stats and making to-do and goals lists because that is what I love about December. I love the festive hustle-bustle and flipping through my many pie books to decide some new concoction for a Christmas gathering and wrapping of gifts! But I loath getting out the stuff to decorate and worrying about where the tree should go and the pounds I pack on while stressing about what to wear to office ‘parties’ where I have to smile at people who know of me but I don’t know at all. The competing forces of this time of year…

And now, you see, please understand… my blog has been sickly. If you have visited in the last few weeks, you may have noticed that my menu bar had disappeared. This was due to an unsupported theme. A theme that I had been using at least five (six? SEVEN?!) years and loved. I loved the look of my blog. I love(d) the clean-ness, all the white space, the uncluttered, everything-in-its-place feel. I had it just like I liked it, or at least had grown to fondly dismiss any of its weaknesses and those features that I couldn’t change anyway. But now!

Now! I have changed to THIS theme. Whaddya think? It still allows my customizable header photo. My search button is in the same place. And now I get the comment-link at the top. #sadface.  And the tags are at the bottom. #cantrecallifthatiswhatIusedtonotlikeandcouldntchange? And the font is BIG. BIGGER. Whaddya think?

Note: the menu bar is confusing here. You must click on the menu title to see THAT PAGE and not just the links to more pages. SO confusing. For example, if you only hover over the 2015 Challenges, you might think my only Challenge is the Classics Club and that’s not true – it is just one more page of specifics. Am I explaining that clearly?

Maybe this is good for me. Perhaps I *should* start thinking about going WP.org. I have had such good times here, though and I feel like I’m deserting an old friend when the friend just happened to got a new hair cut. And I should. I really should get my fingers into the goo of really owning my own blog; cease my dependency on WP.com. I should. I should think of it as adventure. #braveface

Updates. Here’s one: Welcome to this new theme! Don’t get used to it? Be prepared for an announcement that you will have a new url addy to follow! But don’t worry, I do not anticipate this happening soon what-with Christmas being a quick zoom of two weeks or so? Three? Feels quick. I have real life things to do a lot of in the next two weeks, I’m thinking with a side-glance at my calendar…

Updates, some more: NaNoWriMo. Yes! I didn’t finish with a word count of the goal of 50,000 but I DID write 15,000! I refuse to think of this as a failure even if I really didn’t write anything at all the last two weeks of November. Nor much of the second week. But for the first 10 days, I really applied myself. I had zero ZERO idea of what I was going to write about and I actually had a few characters come to a little bit of life and speak to me with ideas. The ideas didn’t pan out but maybe they needed to go to sleep til a later time. OR maybe I just need to actually take some plot-development courses and see what I got?  Sure, I had some blahblahblah words that were typed and sentences strung out to multiply word (oh crap, I can’t think of THE word that should go here!) <— such as; this is a great example. I typed in a TON of notes to myself to “explore this further in detail, etc”. So, true, I didn’t “make it”, but I am not unhappy with my experience and I thank Nancy and Athira for checking in on me. Congratulations to all my buddies for their successful 50K counts!

What else?  Thank you Kim Lulu Becca & DoingDewey (a blog I need to spend more time with) for #NonFicNov! I am deep in my civics lessons still but am glad for the push to devote the reading time I did to these brilliant texts. Also, on Small Business Saturday, I purchased Devil in the White City by Erik Larson so I can jump into that in December, methinks.

Estella’s Revenge is cussing over at her blog… Having just purchased a book that I apparently already had on my shelf, I guess I need to spend some of my time considering this idea, too.

On a plus note, I have zero books to hurry!!!-and-read to complete any 2015 challenges and THIS is something to celebrate. Reviews of I am Malala and The Bungalow by Sarah Jio (fiction for neighborhood book club) coming soon. Back to my audio of My Brilliant Friend, oh oh yes. Looking forward to this sinister-feeling Italian escape.

Something else to look forward to? TOMORROW, DEC 1, SHOULD GIVE ME BLOG-SNOW!  Squeeeeeeeeee (It’s the little things, really).

Talk to me! What are YOU up to?

 

Copyright © 2007-2015. Care’s Online Book Club. All rights reserved. This post was originally posted by Care from Care’s Online Book Club. It should not be reproduced without express written permission.