Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 17
January 6, 2021
This Week’s Book Haul
Each day, I get more and more books from amazon, google play, from bookbub, or from other sources. I have been doing this for quite some time and I’ve wanted to share what I’ve gotten, but never figured out the best way to do it. So, I’m going to start a new series of This Week’s Book Haul. I’ll be posting them on Wednesdays.
Each Wednesday, you’ll get to see what books I’ve gotten from various places. If I get physical books, I’ll include those as well.
Let’s get started.
Google Play
The one I’m looking forward to the most is The Watchmaker’s Daughter.
Amazon
I’m most looking forward to The Obituary Society and Sweet Water.
Book of the Month
I’m really looking forward to reading, The Survivors. It’s next on my list after the Girl’s Night Book Club book, Breathless with her.
Library Books
The book of the month winner of 2020 was The Vanishing Half. I really want to read it and wasn’t able to choose it for my December box. So, I’ll be checking it out from the library and reading it when it is ready. Fire Blood is the second after Frost Blood by Elly Blake. I keep meaning to buy the books, but I’m dragging my feet. So, when I saw it was available, I snagged it. Lastly, Midnight Sun is all hype, I’m sure. However, I read all the other books in the Twilight Series, so might as well read this one too.
What books did you get this week?
Facebook|Instagram|Twitter__ATA.cmd.push(function() {
__ATA.initDynamicSlot({
id: 'atatags-26942-5ff5ee2648fbc',
location: 120,
formFactor: '001',
label: {
text: 'Advertisements',
},
creative: {
reportAd: {
text: 'Report this ad',
},
privacySettings: {
text: 'Privacy',
}
}
});
});
Sausage and Cabbage Skillet (Keto)
We tried this last night and it was amazing!
https://realsimplegood.com/sausage-and-cabbage-skillet/#wprm-recipe-container-1696INGREDIENTS
4 large sausage links or bratwurst, uncooked (check ingredients for Paleo/Whole30 compliance. Can sub pre-cooked cooked sausage, see instructions)
8 pieces bacon, diced
1 onion, diced
1 bell pepper, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
8 cups shredded cabbage (pre-bagged mix with carrots, etc. is ok)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp spicy brown mustard
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp ground pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Add enough water to submerge the sausages to a medium pot. Bring the water to a boil and then turn it down to a gentle simmer. Add sausages to the water and boil for 15 minutes. (Skip this step if you are using pre-cooked sausages)
While the sausages are boiling, prep the bacon, onion, bell pepper, garlic and cabbage as noted.
In the pan over medium heat add the bacon to cook. Cook, stirring occasionally until the bacon is just getting crispy, about 7-8 minutes. Remove bacon and set aside on a plate.
When the sausages are done, remove the sausages and pat them dry with a paper towel.
In the same pan as you cooked the bacon in over medium heat, add in the sausages. Cook sausages to brown on the sides, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove sausages and place on the plate with the bacon.
Add in the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the same pan. Scrape up any brown bits from the bottom of the pan and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the onions and peppers start to soften.
Add the shredded cabbage/slaw mix to the pan. Cook and stir frequently, until everything is combined and slaw is wilted, about 3-4 minutes. Turn down heat to low.
Add in the mustard, apple cider vinegar, paprika, salt and pepper. Stir to mix.
Finally, add the sausages and bacon back to the pan, stirring everything to mix. Serve and enjoy.
January 5, 2021
Tea and Read With Me-Dec 5
Happy Tuesday, everyone. Welcome to the first Tea and Me meeting. I’d like to start off by saying I’m excited for what 2021 may bring. This week is going to be focused on my current read, Hideaway, and the next five books on my reading list. I’ll be reading, Breathless with Her, The Survivors, Sweet Water, and The Obituary Society.
Tea
First, let’s start with what I’m drinking during this lovely Tea and Read meeting. Today, I’m drinking good old Chamomile tea. I love reading the Celestial box. This is what the box reads.
“Cherished since the days of the ancient Egyptians as an antidote to life’s complications, chamomile is beloved today for its soothing aroma and subtle sweet apple flavor. We blend the finest chamomile flowers from around the world to create a relaxing cup you can take comfort in any time of day.” -Charlie Baden, Celestial Seasonings Blendmaster
Read
So, today’s read is Hideaway by Nora Roberts. It is what I’m currently reading. If you are reading the book or plan on reading it, fear not, I’m not going to spoil it. I’ll be talking about Nora’s writing style, her character development, and what I like most. I will NOT be talking about the storyline or where it goes (because when people spoil books, it pisses me off and I’m sure the same goes for others with shows or movies) and that’s final.
HideawayI’ll start with the description:
“A family ranch in Big Sur country and a legacy of Hollywood royalty set the stage for Nora Roberts’ emotional new suspense novel.
Caitlyn Sullivan, a daughter of Hollywood royalty, was already a star at ten, but still loved to play hide-and-seek with her cousins at the family home in Big Sur. It was during one of those games that she disappeared.
Despite her glamorous background, Cate was a shrewd, scrappy survivor, and she managed to escape her abductors. Dillon Cooper was shocked to find the bruised and terrified girl huddled in his ranch house kitchen—but when the teenager and his family heard her story they provided refuge and comfort, reuniting her with her loved ones.
Cate’s ordeal, though, was far from over. First came the discovery of a betrayal that would send someone she’d trusted to prison. Then there were years away in Ireland, sheltered and protected but with restlessness growing in her soul. Then, finally, she returned to Los Angeles, hoping to act again and get past the trauma that had derailed her life. What she didn’t yet know was that two seeds had been planted that long-ago night—one of a great love, and one of a terrible vengeance…”
Discussion
So, let’s talk writing style. Let me preface by saying I started reading Nora Roberts when I was in high school. My dad bought me River’s End from a Salvation Army and I loved it. I loved the suspense, the imagery, the characters, and the emotion she pours into each story. In Hideaway, it is no different.
Roberts has a way of grabbing readers by the first page and holding on for dear life. You get invested in the characters, in the mystery or the scandal, and you pull for the underdog. In Hideaway, for example, Cate is a young child who is kidnapped. (It is in the description, I’m not giving anything away.) What appeals to the reader about Cate, is that she’s scrappy and she’s incredibly clever. Add in the rest of the Sullivan crew. You’ve got a band of people with strong family ties, fierce loyalty, and strong resolve.
What I love about this story so far (I’m only on part II), is that each character I come across, I want to know more. I feel like these could be people I’ve met, or meet, or family members I have. That’s what is so great about her writing. You don’t feel like its a story that you’re going to forget in about a day or so. Her characters appeal to readers, they hold on to you days after.
So, I’m thoroughly enjoying this book. I wish that I had more time to sit down and to read it for long stretches. Alas, I’m homeschooling my kids and I just don’t have the time. But I can say, when I’m sitting and reading, I don’t regret a moment.
The books next for me are Breathless with Her, Sweet Water, and The Obituary Society.
Library Books
I just renewed my library card for another two years. It took me some time to fix the outdated status, but I did it. Right now, I put on hold a few books. The Vanishing Half, Fire Blood, and Midnight Sun. I’m not sure how long it will take me to get them as there is a huge reserve list, but eventually they will make their way to me and I’ll have them.
There is my Tea and Read with me Update.
What are you reading this week?
Facebook|Instagram|Twitter__ATA.cmd.push(function() {
__ATA.initDynamicSlot({
id: 'atatags-26942-5ff507c0e659e',
location: 120,
formFactor: '001',
label: {
text: 'Advertisements',
},
creative: {
reportAd: {
text: 'Report this ad',
},
privacySettings: {
text: 'Privacy',
}
}
});
});
January 3, 2021
My 2020 Reading Stats
Thank you to Kristen Craves Books, I wanted to follow along with her post and post my reading stats using The Story Graph. I’ve wanted to look at the statistics on my reading in terms of genre, ratings, and stuff like that. This makes it really easy to organize. So, let’s get into my stats from 2020.
My goal for the year was 150 and I really wanted to reach it, but I didn’t. I’m okay with that. I like that it shows what mood the books I read are. I guess I like lighthearted books most. Emotional is a given since I read a ton of romance. I’m looking at mysterious and tense and thinking how appropriate it is. I love those types of books.
This didn’t surprise me at all that the pace would be fast. Simple fast reads.
I tend to read short books. This year, I’m hoping to read a few 500+ this year.
This is embarrassing. I knew that I read a ton of romance, but I didn’t even break out of that genre all year, it seems. I’m changing that this year. I want to ensure I read a little of everything.
It seems that summer was the most I read this year. That’s predictable. Let’s see what happens this year.
Well, there is a view. I rated most of these high because I enjoyed them. I rarely read a book that I didn’t finish or didn’t enjoy last year. So, my rating average is pretty high. If I rate a book a 5, it had to be amazing.
There you have it. Thanks, again Kristin for turning me onto The Story Graph. I really enjoyed looking at my stats.
If you sign up for it, let me see your stats. Tag me on your post and I’ll be sure to check it out.
Facebook|Instagram|TwitterJanuary 1, 2021
2021 Reading and Weight Loss Goals
Happy New Year!
Y’all know by now, unless you haven’t been following along, that I don’t make new year resolutions. I know myself too much. I will be all gung-ho one minute and feel on top of the world and lose interest a day later. So, I make small attainable goals and stick with them. I like to make monthly goals or even weekly goals. I tend to change my mind a lot and life has a way of getting us off-kilter.
So, this year I’m going to discuss the two things I know will be my focus. Why? Because reading is my life and because I care about my health and have dedicated more than a year to finding my groove when it comes to eating and exercise. Does that make me an expert? Hell no! But I feel I know it will be my focus and priority this year.
I have so many things that I want to do and I hope you’ll follow along with me and see where I go next!
Reading Goals
In 2020, I made a challenge goal of reading 150 books and I ended the year at 132. So, I did not reach my goal. Here’s the thing…with the pandemic and having way too much time on my hands…things may have taken a turn for me. First, I started watching TV Shows! I know…so not like me. I started Outlander and I could not stop watching it. I stopped at season three because I couldn’t be bothered to buy the stars add-on. I’ll get to the others, I swear! I started watching Dawson’s Creak and it brings back nostalgic feelings, let me tell you. But it isn’t as good as Felicity. I said it! Fight me!
I’m also watching SVU from the beginning because I can, I started watching Arrow because it’s freaking good, and I re-watched iZombie because, why not? You get my point right? I got lost in the watching tv gambit. Thanks to my boyfriend, I also watched movies, NASCAR, and football. So, my focus wasn’t in the books. I’m not complaining because I enjoyed it all. I had a blast and I don’t regret it, even if it makes me sad that I didn’t read as much as I usually do.
132 books isn’t something to be ashamed of. I still read like crazy. So, this year, I’m going to maintain my goal of 150 and hopefully reach it.
Let me also mention that I’m joining the Book of the Month challenge. I’ll get one book a month and review it on my website, goodreads, reedsy, and amazon.
I’m also doing a Girl’s Night Book Club book a month. It is a free subscription. They send you a free book to your e-mail inbox. You read it and discuss it. I’m looking forward to it. The first book of the month is Breathless With Her by Carry Ann Ryan.
My first book of 2021 is Hideaway by Nora Roberts. Are you surprised I’d pick Nora as my first book of the year? Then, you don’t know me at all!
Yay. I’m so excited for this one. Weight Loss Goals
As some of you know, I started my weight loss journey last year and I lost about 20 pounds before chucking it off to the side and saying f*** it. Let me tell you, I wasn’t really in the headspace at the end of the year. I’m back feeling myself after moving around, being lost for a bit, and back to finding my groove. I talked to my doctor who is really awesome, she doesn’t judge me, and really motivates me.
I’m using the carb manager app because it is a lot easier to track and it ignores calories. It also has the same input stuff my fitness pal does, in case you were wondering. It’s free! Unless you want to add the recipes and other paid parts of it. I don’t bother because I just need to log my food. No biggie, it works for me.
My goal is simple, eat healthy. Another goal? Exercise three times a week. Third goal? Don’t get too discouraged. That’s it!
Why so easy? Because losing weight is freaking hard! We put way too much pressure on ourselves and that’s a huge reason we give up. So, I’m making really simple goals for my long term plan. Like they say, it’s not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change. Have you tried to change something about yourself? Is it easy? If you said yes, you are a big fat liar. It’s not easy, it takes work and time.
I hope next year, my Christmas picture will show my progress and hard work.There you have it! Those are my goals and I’m going to be posting lots of stuff to show you what I’m up to.
Tell me, what are your goals for 2021?
Facebook|Instagram|TwitterDecember 31, 2020
Book Review: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
One Christmas wish, two brothers, and a lifetime of hope are on the line for hapless Maelyn Jones in In a Holidaze, the quintessential holiday romantic novel by Christina Lauren, the New York Times bestselling author of The Unhoneymooners..
It’s the most wonderful time of the year…but not for Maelyn Jones. She’s living with her parents, hates her going-nowhere job, and has just made a romantic error of epic proportions.
But perhaps worst of all, this is the last Christmas Mae will be at her favorite place in the world—the snowy Utah cabin where she and her family have spent every holiday since she was born, along with two other beloved families. Mentally melting down as she drives away from the cabin for the final time, Mae throws out what she thinks is a simple plea to the universe: Please. Show me what will make me happy.
The next thing she knows, tires screech and metal collides, everything goes black. But when Mae gasps awake…she’s on an airplane bound for Utah, where she begins the same holiday all over again. With one hilarious disaster after another sending her back to the plane, Mae must figure out how to break free of the strange time loop—and finally get her true love under the mistletoe.
Jam-packed with yuletide cheer, an unforgettable cast of characters, and Christina Lauren’s trademark “downright hilarious” (Helen Hoang, author of The Bride Test) hijinks, this swoon-worthy romantic read will make you believe in the power of wishes and the magic of the holidays.
My Thoughts
Maelyn Jones goes to the family cabin for Christmas. During her vacation, she finds that things aren’t going how she liked. When she feels things are falling apart, on her way back to the airport, her car is hit by a truck and she wakes up on a plane…on her way to said vacation.
Forced to relive her vacation over and over in a groundhog day type story, Mae asked the universe to show her what would make her happy. And boy did it.
I absolutely loved this story. The characters were fun, the writing was engaging and lyrical, and the message was loud and clear. Be careful what you wish for, and if you work hard to see what your inner self is capable of, you might just get what you want.
This was a book of the month book and I’m so glad that I chose it. I loved Lauren’s writing so much, I’ll be putter more of her work on my tbr list. I’m honored to have picked this novel as my last book of 2020.
December 30, 2020
Book Review: Images of Devotion by Kate Alexander
Dixie has a problem. Her boyfriend just broke up with her only two weeks before the big family gathering to celebrate her grandparent’s anniversary. Even sadder still, she isn’t all that distraught about losing this relationship. Now, a trip she was looking forward to, is tying her up in knots. While she loves her family, she is not looking forward to all the questions and pitying looks when she shows up single… again.
Chase has been Dixie’s friend since they were children. She was his sister’s best friend and was considered a part of their family. After a tragedy took the life of his sister and mother, he devoted himself to being Dixie’s friend as they both healed from their loss. For years, he watched men come and go from Dixie’s life and promised himself that she deserved the best, even if that meant it was someone other than him. He was doing well until she started dating Jay. Jay was cute and would provide a nice life for Dixie, but now they have broken up. Chase is determined not to lose her to another man. He finds an opportunity to fill in as Dixie’s boyfriend in front of her family, and he just has to convince her this is for real.
Can they overcome their past and find true devotion with each other?
My Thoughts
Chase and Dixie’s story was bittersweet. Friends to lovers story where mistakes were made, secrets were kept, and a fake relationship brings out the truth of their feelings.
Alexander’s story had some tear-jerking moments, all too real family dynamics, and redemption from the very first chapter. The characters were well developed, funny, and have a long history.
The blossom hills gang is entertaining to watch and of course, a happy ending is always lovely to read.
Unspoken
©Ruth Anne Garcia Bleeding Orchid Poetry Collection 2019
.
Silence!
Listen…
The sounds of
Unspoken promises
To which they
Know not
The
Truth
.
Do you hear?
Do you say,
What I hear?
Listen…
The wings of small
Flutter feelings
Do you near
.
Whisper!
Hush, you must
For I Know
What is in
Unspoken
Song
December 29, 2020
Healthy Foods
Healthy foods are all on my list of things to eat. However, oats are something my doctor has instructed me to abstain from eating.
16 Healthiest Foods to Kickstart Weight Loss, According to RDs (msn.com)
Morning Smoothie Recipe
https://www.eatthis.com/what-happens-drink-smoothie-every-day/?utm_source=msn&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=msn-feed
Light
©Ruth Anne Garcia Bleeding Orchid Poetry Collection 2019
I am feeling good today
The pain is gone away
I go about my day happy
Glad to work my way
There is so much to do
I know it is thanks to you
My body has given me a chance
.
A window reflects the light
Bright and yellow glare
Coffee and muffin to go
Feet on Pavement
Brain movement glows
.
Love is free, advice needed
Bring me peace and happiness
Today is bright, my mood lifted
Aches and pains subside
.
