Ruth Anne Benziger's Blog, page 9

Blogmas Day 2: Stocking Stuffer Ideas

Christmas morning, for most people, starts by grabbing that stocking hanging over the fireplace, on the wall, or on a table. We all wonder what is going to be inside and what little goodie we will find. For us, our Christmas started with us getting our stockings and waiting until my dad brought out the video camera to open presents.

Let’s start off with little goodie ideas for kids, because let’s be honest, the kids are center stage for the stocking. At least, in my opinion. I love to come up with some good ideas for the kids and I love to figure out what will surprise them.

Stocking Ideas for KidsGlowsticksCandy Santa (We always buy a chocolate Santa as a tradition in our home) SocksStuffed animalsJewelryPlaydohColoring booksCardsGamesStickersToys

Here are a few things my kids got in their stocking last year.

Stocking Stuffer Ideas for WomenJewelryEarbudsHair tiesFace MaskMakeupSocksLip balmwatchphone caseLotionCandyNail PolishStationaryHair brushCoffeeGift CardCraft suppliesScented CandleScarfBookBath BombsStocking Stuffer Ideas for MenWatchCologneBeanieRazorst-shirtSnacksCardsSocksCandyToolsGlovesGift CardPocket KnifeKeychainTieSunglassesTumbler

If you are like me, I love to watch people open up those stockings and find little gems inside. It brings me joy to see others happy. So, I hope these ideas help you this Christmas.

Until next time,

Ruth

Blogmas Day 1: Reflecting on 2021

Looking back on this year, I can firmly say that it ended much better than it began. As I’m sure most of us hope for. When the new year begins, we make resolutions, set goals, and hope the year ahead is better than the one before. To be honest, I just hoped that I survived the year and was safe from Covid. I wanted to keep my kids safe and to help them grow academically. I hope that I learned lessons that I needed to, that my kids grew appropriately, and that my faith remained strong. I can say, now, that some of these are true.

My children, while still behind in math, have grown academically. They have exceled and I can still say, after being in our third year, I don’t regret homeschooling them. Does it get exhausting having them home all the time? Sometimes, I’ll admit. There are times that I wish I could just have a moment alone and not when they are asleep in bed. Often times, I work through the day and when they go to bed, I am not far behind them. I don’t want to sit up late at night, exhausted from my day, just to grab a few quiet moments. Even so, I love having them around. When they visit family, I often miss them and the noise they create. The laughter, the love, the youth of it all is what makes me happy.

This year, in the beginning, was rough for me. I had many friends who were sick, or going through tough spots. There was death, illness, diagnoses, depression, anxiety, and a sad bought of suicidal thoughts from those I admire, those I care about. I found, that even when I wasn’t in constant contact with them, they plagued my dreams, plagued my thoughts a lot of the time. There was family drama, as there is for most of us, in my friends and frustration at how to handle it all.

For me, I had a quiet year, as I do most of the time. I tend to be a homebody. I spend my time writing, reading, practicing my faith, and teaching my children. To me, I live a rewarding life. Would I rather go get a job somewhere and make more money? Sure, who wouldn’t? But I will admit that if I do get a job in the future, I’ll miss out on precious moments with my kids. Despite my illness, my health concerns, and the fact that I have been home for sometime, the future is bright.

This year, I lost 76 pounds. So far. I had weight loss surgery and learned a ton about nutrition and healthy eating. I’m still learning and enjoy the process. My daughter is overweight and that helps me learn nutrition in kids and genetic components for obesity. I think that I’ve made some amazing choices in terms of our diet. Things are going well for us and I couldn’t be happier with the results for both me and my children.

There was the biggest struggle for me this year, loneliness. It’s something I rarely speak of. Mostly because I don’t like getting those pitying stares from others. At the church I attend, I’m one of the only single women there. I’m also the only one who has children, unless you count grandchildren. I love my church family and it can be a bit isolating to see all these amazing couples. And I spend most of my time with my kids. I’m sure in the future, this will change. For now, I try to contact my family and fill that emptiness with scripture and study. With friends and family.

This year, I’m happy to say that I didn’t fall into depression like I have in previous years. I suspect, cutting out toxic people, like my ex-husband, is the reason. We have peace and no drama and that is a gift in itself.

Meeting new people is always fun and exciting and scary. But putting yourself out there is the only way that you will overcome those fears. You have to try and if you fail, at least you tried. I may have met someone that I admire, look up to, and have some warm fuzzy feelings about. That is another gift.

Trying new things, learning new skills, and researching new hobbies has been a fun thing to do this year. I actually started to get into a few things that I wasn’t sure about. Turns out, I really enjoy homesteading videos and learning to be self-sufficient. I learned how to can, preserve food, and about fermentation. I learned about raising animals for meat, how to survive off land you own. Do I have my own land to do any of these things? No, I don’t. The point is that I liked learning about it and dedicated some time to actually canning food. It was fun.

I learned about growing vegetables and Herbs and I even attempted to do both. Apartment living with limited sun spoiled my fun, but I tried and I learned. That was rewarding in itself. I can still learn and plan in the future if it tickles my fancy. There are many things that I want to learn about, to try. I know I will when the time comes.

As the year comes to an end, I’m thankful for what I’ve learned, who I’ve met and connected with, and for all that will come in the future. I trust God and I know that he has a plan for us. I listen and I learn. I grow as a writer and I grow as a mother. I enjoy my life and despite the limitations of my situation, I don’t regret any of it. I have come so far in terms of health, I’m in a good place.

I hope as the year comes to a close that you have been able to overcome struggles, hard times, and that you are at least starting to grieve and move on. It takes time to heal from things, but once you do, I promise things will get easier.

As we go into the new year, I hope your smile widens, your heart lifts, and you grow. I hope that you will try something you haven’t had time to do. Maybe you have been putting off a trip, or a vacation. Sometimes we plan and we save things for later. What if there is no time? Make sure you are enjoying life and you aren’t just going by that mundane schedule that is life. Smile. Enjoy. Even in the hard times. The little things are actually the big things.

I wish you the best Holiday Season,

Ruth

Hello December!

gaurdian.ng

December is already here! How did that happen? I feel like this year went by way too fast. The beginning of the year crawled slowly into spring. Summer was hot and felt full of events and fun. As soon as September hit and I had surgery, the rest of the year shot by. I’m thankful for the year ending, but I just feel the older I get the faster it all goes by.

I have so many plans for December including blogmas, book reviews, recipe reviews, and some hobbies that I want to share with you. I’ve been doing a lot of learning this year and I’ll be posting some of those things coming up in December and the new year. For now, there are short-term goals that I want to share with you.

Blogmas

I haven’t had many takers on the whole guest post thing, but I know a couple of people I can reach out to who will have my back. If not, I’ll always change the topic and add in things that I wanted to. I’m excited to share more of Bea’s story with you. If you read part one last year, look out for part two this year.

The kids are growing and learning and I want to share some of their hard work. It has paid off and they have enjoyed it so much. I will have a photo collage of the year of our family and what we have done this year. That will be fun for the memory bank.

I plan to post daily and I’m trying to write some of those now so I won’t be stuck on the computer scrambling to get it all done. Don’t worry, I’ll figure out the best way to handle it all.

Book Reviews

If you read my TBR post, you will see the list of books that I plan on reading for the end of the year. I plan to continue to do my book reviews for each of them. I’m also taking requests for reading your books, in exchange for a copy of your book. I post on Goodreads, Amazon, my website, and other platforms on request. Let me know, if I have time in the new year, I’d be happy to do it.

Recipe Reviews

I’ve been trying to learn how to cook and bake with skills that I haven’t possessed. It’s fun to try new things and to share it all with you. If you have bariatric-friendly recipes that I can try, please share them. I’ll be doing more of these soon. Cooking calms me and gives me a sense of organization and order. I feel Zen when I’m chopping and I don’t even mind doing dishes anymore, hand washed of course. I look forward to sharing that with you.

Hobbies/Skills

This year, I have taken on some hobbies and learned things that I want to share with you. To give you a glimpse of things to come, you will find topics like herbs, gardening, scrapbooking, genealogy, canning, fermenting, and plant medicines. I’ve learned a lot after finding things that interested me. I look forward to sharing my experiences, failures, and showing you that even if you aren’t good at things, you can still have fun trying.

These are my goals for December. I will have a more detailed post about what I plan to do next year, but for now, these are what you can look forward to. I hope this month brings you blessings, productivity, family, fun, and adventure. May the hard times be short and the good times last.

Until Next Time,

Ruth

Brussel Sprouts and Chicken

I haven’t done a recipe review in a while and I’ve been looking around for a really good Brussel sprouts recipe. I scoured Pinterest with too many options. I then, went to my Facebook groups to see if I could find one that was bariatric friendly. So, today I was messing around on YouTube and I finally came across one that I really like.

Chef Ange is new to me but I looked over his channel and found that he makes some really good food. this is one of them. So, here is the video if you feel inclined to watch and learn exactly how he did his dish.

I made alterations, as you can tell my the title. You can find the recipe here:

The following was taken directly from the video that I linked above, you can find all of his links in the description box.

INGREDIENTS

Produce & Protein

· 10-20 Brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved

· 2-3 oz bacon, cut into small pieces

· ½ onion, sliced

· 3-4 garlic cloves, finely chopped

· a few sprigs of parsley, leaves removed from stems and finely chopped

Pantry Ingredients & Seasoning· Olive oil· 1-2 tsp Chef Ange Base Seasoning (see page #)· salt & pepper· 1-2 tablespoon white wine vinegarDIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 375F convection or 400F regular oven

Ingredient PrepTrim Brussel sprouts and cut in half. Remove any discolored leaves and place in a large mixing bowl.Slice onionsCrush and chop garlicCut baconPlace prepped onions, garlic and bacon in small containers for stovetop assemblyAssemblyPreheat oven to 375F convection or 400F regular ovenToss Brussels sprouts with olive oil and base seasoningArrange on baking sheet with cut side up. (Line baking sheet with silicon mat, parchment paper or aluminum foil to save on clean up)Place tray in oven for 20-30 minutes or until browned and loose leaves are slightly charred. (Periodically check in on the Brussels sprouts in the oven and give the pan a shake and/or turn the pan to get even browning).Brown bacon pieces in a frying pan over medium to medium high heat. Move pieces around in the pan to get even cooking.After fully cooked, remove pieces keeping rendered bacon fat in the pan.Reduce heat to medium and add onion slices to bacon fat and sauté until they begin to brown. (If not enough bacon fat in the pan, add a little olive oil.)Add garlic and sauté 1 min.Add heavy splash of white wine vinegar and let evaporate a little bit.Shut off heat and season with salt and pepperReturn cooked bacon to the pan and sprinkle with chopped parsleyWhen Brussels sprouts are done, transfer to large bowl and toss with bacon and onion mixtureMy Review and Alterations

I pretty much followed everything that Chef Ange did, however, instead of using larger onions, I chopped mine. Instead of adding wine vinegar, I added soy sauce because it was what I had. I’m sure it will come out better if I had some. So, I’ll be getting some for my kitchen. I didn’t have fresh parsley, so I used parsley flakes. I made the arrangements and substitutions that I could but tried to stick to the recipe as much as possible. Since I can’t have super hard food, I did end up taking the Brussel sprouts out of the oven before the recommended time to keep them on the softer side.

I also added chicken to the end of the recipe to add more protein for me. I was able to eat a good amount of it and am really full. It was so delicious and I’m so glad that I tried it. My daughter even enjoyed it. However, unfortunately, my picky eater wasn’t swayed by the sprout. So, we will have to try something else that he will enjoy. Here is how my plate turned out.

Thanks, to Chef Ange for this delicious recipe. I’ll be making it again in the future.

Enjoy! And if you try this recipe, let me know what you think.

Until next time,

Ruth

Book Review: Of Blood and Bone: Chronicles of The One, Book 2 by Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the epic Year One returns with  Of Blood and Bone,  a new tale of terror and magick in a brand new world.

They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed.

Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before—the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted—and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden.

In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.

My Thoughts

At the end of Year One, we see the birth of who is to become The One. We continue that journey as Fallon Swift, on her thirteenth birthday, is fated to go with Mallick to train, to learn, and to become The One. In her youth, she’s heartbroken to leave her family for two years. In her teenage years, she’s defiant, angry, and miserable. In time, she learns to take on quests, to learn, to trust herself. Even in dreams, when the gore and the burning come, she is determined to do what she is fated to do. Mallick is fated to help her and is devoted to teaching and, in his words, cannot fail. In times when Fallon is scared and unsure of where she will go or what she will do, I admire her strength, her courage, and her fight.

Raiders and Purity Warriors continue to devour the magical and to kill those who do not share the same thoughts and goals. They leave those in fear, while others from New Hope continue to rescue those fated to die or worse. It angers me when I hear of those being raped, tortured, and killed all because they possess magical abilities and are different. It’s also inspirational to hear those who get out, who survive, even with scars that will last.

In New Hope, where a community was formed, the family grew, and friendship bloomed, life is fragile. They grew and learned to grow food, raise animals, and survive in a community with security and laws. A community built on hope. A community that goes out of its way to protect those who can’t, so they can continue to live peacefully. Threats are always there, but with each other, they can fight against them.

They build and when they build, in the end, threats come. Don’t worry I won’t spoil it, but Fallon’s army bands together to fight. There are some losses, some heartache, and some unknowns. As the ending of this book came, I often wondered when the dreaded enemies would show their faces. I can’t wait to see how Fallon and her army defeat them and what becomes of New Hope in, The Rise of Magicks.

Roberts has done an excellent job, as always, writing characters you can relate to, those you can love, you fear for, and you get angry for. I was immersed in their world and I’m glad the story continues so that I don’t have to say goodbye to them just yet.

My First Bariatric Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time to spend with family, be thankful for all we have, and let’s be honest, it’s about food. It is a holiday centered around turkey and stuffing and all the foods that we love. Well, when you have just had bariatric surgery and are already struggling with getting in your protein and liquids, it can be a really hard holiday.

This year, my parents tried to figure out how to make the holiday easy for me and I’m so appreciative of that. I had to tell them that no matter how many alterations they made, there are going to be foods that I just can’t eat. That’s okay. After surgery, we have to get in a certain amount of protein and we have to try to drink 64 oz. of water a day. We have all these things that we need to focus on.

One thing I didn’t want to focus on was food. I really didn’t want to focus on what I couldn’t eat. What I couldn’t have. I didn’t want to have a negative outlook on what was being served. Did I want to eat all the food on the table? Hell, yes!

My friend Briana makes these amazing stuffed jalapenos and I wanted one so bad. But I had to remember the last time I tried to eat one, I got sick. So, I abstained. My mom makes queso every year and I really wanted some. So, I figured out how to have a little. Instead of using chips, I used pork skins. Was it the same? No, but I’m happy to have chosen a healthier option and I did enjoy the queso.

I took a picture of my plate to remember what it was that I ate. I’m attaching that below.

As you can see, I had turkey, a spoon of mashed potatoes (I couldn’t resist), my dad’s gravy, and green beans. I would love to have had more options like stuffing, pie, rolls, and the lot. But, I was full of this plate and I even managed to leave a few beans on my plate.

I won’t lie, the want for foods that I shouldn’t have was strong. I struggled all day with smelling the food and preparing it. Knowing that I couldn’t eat it didn’t really help. But I’m happy with the fact that I’ve lost 76 pounds since May and nothing can take that feeling away. I’d rather give up all the delicious sweets and carb-filled meals than go back to the 305-pound unhealthy person that I was.

Thanksgiving ended up being a really nice holiday, if you read my last post, you’ll read about it. It was quiet this year and we had a great meal. I’m glad there were many other things that filled that day. My kid’s smiles and laughter was the highlight. I love to see them happy. To see them surrounded by family and know they are growing into amazing human beings.

So, I hope your first bariatric thanksgiving wasn’t too hard. If it was, I feel you and I’m here if you want to vent or talk about it. This journey is hard work. Don’t let anyone tell you different. It is hard and there are ups and downs and bad days. The good, for me, outweigh the bad. I hold onto that when I’m feeling bad or down. I hold onto that when I’m mad that I can’t just eat more food or eat the foods that I cut out. But to me, it is all worth it.

Tell me, how was your thanksgiving if you have had surgery? If you are a year or more out, how is was your year different than it was last year? I’d love to hear about it for inspiration and just to hear what others have experienced.

Until next time,

Ruth

Blogmas Schedule 2021

Alright, everyone! It’s that time of year.

I’m going to be sharing my Blogmas schedule. Here it is:

I’m looking forward to sharing my posts with you!

Until next time,

Ruth

December TBR

This year hasn’t been the best for me in terms of reaching my reading challenge goal. I set out a 100 book goal and I’m nearly half way through it. I just have been so busy with other things and I’ve been focusing on my health and surgeries.

I still have a month left to get some reading in and I’m determined to post the rest of my book reviews. So, without further ado, here are the books I plan on reading until the end of the year.

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I’m finishing up the second half of Of Blood and Bone

The #1 New York Times bestselling author of the epic Year One returns with a new tale of terror and magic in a brand new world.

They look like an everyday family living an ordinary life. But beyond the edges of this peaceful farm, unimaginable forces of light and dark have been unleashed.

Fallon Swift, approaching her thirteenth birthday, barely knows the world that existed before—the city where her parents lived, now in ruins and reclaimed by nature since the Doom sickened and killed billions. Traveling anywhere is a danger, as vicious gangs of Raiders and fanatics called Purity Warriors search for their next victim. Those like Fallon, in possession of gifts, are hunted—and the time is coming when her true nature, her identity as The One, can no longer be hidden.

In a mysterious shelter in the forest, her training is about to begin under the guidance of Mallick, whose skills have been honed over centuries. She will learn the old ways of healing; study and spar; encounter faeries and elves and shifters; and find powers within herself she never imagined. And when the time is right, she will take up the sword, and fight. For until she grows into the woman she was born to be, the world outside will never be whole again.

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I’ll move onto the third book in the Chronicles of One series by Nora Roberts, The Rise of Magicks.

Nora Roberts, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Year One and Of Blood and Bone concludes her stunning new trilogy praised as “A match for end-of-the-world classics like Stephen King’s The Stand” with The Rise of Magicks.

After the sickness known as the Doom destroyed civilization, magick has become commonplace, and Fallon Swift has spent her young years learning its ways. Fallon cannot live in peace until she frees those who have been preyed upon by the government or the fanatical Purity Warriors, endlessly hunted or locked up in laboratories, brutalized for years on end. She is determined to save even those who have been complicit with this evil out of fear or weakness–if, indeed, they can be saved.

Strengthened by the bond she shares with her fellow warrior, Duncan, Fallon has already succeeded in rescuing countless shifters and elves and ordinary humans. Now she must help them heal–and rediscover the light and faith within themselves. For although from the time of her birth, she has been The One, she is still only one. And as she faces down an old nemesis, sets her sights on the enemy’s stronghold, and pursues her destiny–to finally restore the mystical shield that once protected them all–she will need an army behind her… 

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Next is another trilogy by Susan Old about vampires. I’m excited to re-read the first book and to move onto the other two. If you haven’t checked it out, I would highly recommend. Rare Blood, Rhapsody In Blood, and Gift of Blood.

Rare Blood (The Miranda Chronicles, #1)

“The first time I met Tristan I thought he was a conceited, arrogant, womanizing bastard. Too late, I realized those were his best qualities. It was a warm, May evening in Los Angeles. A book party was held at the Bel Air Hotel to promote my thriller OBSESSION WITH DEATH. Three years of disciplined writing and the luck of signing with a well-connected agent had put me on the brink of success…”

Miranda Ortega was about to find out why a Templar knight, Tarot Cards, a rare blood type, and an extremely seductive billionaire book publisher all played important roles in her life.

She could not believe her luck when a scholarship to UCLA enabled her to leave the cornfields of Illinois and pursue writing. Little did Miranda know that the events in her life were part of a well-orchestrated plan by an ancient being called the Magus.

Her book agent pressures her to meet the demands of Tristan Mordecai, her publisher who has no sense of personal boundaries. She feels control of her life slipping away as she is pulled into a nocturnal world of Lamborghini driving, Chanel wearing, egomaniac assassins with a strict liquid diet.

There, she struggles to make sense of a crazy world where people are often not what they appear to be. Fortunately, she has a really good bullshit detector, with little regard for class distinctions.

Miranda Ortega loves to surprise people who underestimate her, especially powerful, wealthy, brilliant vampire nobility.

Rhapsody in Blood: The Miranda Chronicles: Book II

Miranda, exasperated with her powerful, unfaithful, arrogant husband, Baron Tristan Mordecai, returns to the small farm town where she grew up. Crazed monk vampire hunters, rebellion within the nocturnal world, and jealous lovers of her husband follow and challenge Miranda’s ability to protect her family.

Miranda, exasperated with her powerful, unfaithful, arrogant husband, Baron Tristan Mordecai, returns to the small farm town where she grew up. Crazed monk vampire hunters, rebellion within the nocturnal world, and jealous lovers of her husband follow and challenge Miranda’s ability to protect her family.

Watched over at night by an ancient, scholarly vampire, and during the day by a vampire approved mortal biker, makes readjusting to rural life after years living in L.A. a daily struggle. After settling in for only a few weeks, a visit by the Baron throws her life back into chaos. He stirs up Miranda’s conflicting emotions of love and resentment, complicated by passion and frustration. The night of his first visit succeeds in igniting her fiery temper, and on a visit to town attracts the notice of the local police.

Join Miranda in her search for normalcy as the ever-chaotic insanity of the centuries-old vampire society seeks to avoid attention in the modern world. Miranda’s coffee intake increases as she continues to fight the centuries-old vampire patriarchy.

Gift of Blood: Miranda Chronicles Book III

Newly divorced Miranda Ortega- Mordecai has moved her family to the Pacific Northwest to limit contact with the vampire society. The Common Caste rebellion is over, but there are still rogue vampires targeting Miranda and her children. The Magus, the original vampire, will do anything to get samples of her rare HH blood. Tristan will not let go of her that easily, and other vampires vie for her attention. Miranda has only one course of action to protect her family.

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I would like to read Malibu Rising, which has been on my tbr list for quite some time.

Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Malibu: August, 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the famous Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together, the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over—especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva.

The only person not looking forward to the party of the year is Nina herself, who never wanted to be the center of attention, and who has also just been very publicly abandoned by her pro tennis player husband. Oh, and maybe Hud—because it is long past time to confess something to the brother from whom he’s been inseparable since birth.

Jay, on the other hand, is counting the minutes until nightfall, when the girl he can’t stop thinking about promised she’ll be there.

And Kit has a couple secrets of her own—including a guest she invited without consulting anyone.

By midnight the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped this family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface.

Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them… and what they will leave behind.

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Another on my tbr list is The Last Thing He Told Me.

We all have stories we never tell.
Before Owen Michaels disappears, he manages to smuggle a note to his beloved wife of one year: Protect her.

Despite her confusion and fear, Hannah Hall knows exactly to whom the note refers: Owen’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Bailey. Bailey, who lost her mother tragically as a child. Bailey, who wants absolutely nothing to do with her new stepmother.

As Hannah’s increasingly desperate calls to Owen go unanswered; as the FBI arrests Owen’s boss; as a US Marshal and FBI agents arrive at her Sausalito home unannounced, Hannah quickly realizes her husband isn’t who he said he was. And that Bailey just may hold the key to figuring out Owen’s true identity—and why he really disappeared.

Hannah and Bailey set out to discover the truth, together. But as they start putting together the pieces of Owen’s past, they soon realize they are also building a new future. One neither Hannah nor Bailey could have anticipated.

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Hunting Wives is another one that I’ve heard is really good. Can’t wait to read this one.

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behavior in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder.

Sophie O’Neill left behind an envy-inspiring career and the stressful, competitive life of big-city Chicago to settle down with her husband and young son in a small Texas town. It seems like the perfect life with a beautiful home in an idyllic rural community. But Sophie soon realizes that life is now too quiet, and she’s feeling bored and restless.

Then she meets Margot Banks, an alluring socialite who is part of an elite clique secretly known as the Hunting Wives. Sophie finds herself completely drawn to Margot and swept into her mysterious world of late-night target practice and dangerous partying. As Sophie’s curiosity gives way to full-blown obsession, she slips farther away from the safety of her family and deeper into this nest of vipers.

When the body of a teenage girl is discovered in the woods where the Hunting Wives meet, Sophie finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation and her life spiraling out of control.

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I’ve put off The Kindest Lie too long now. I need to read all these books. This one should be really good.

A promise could betray you.

It’s 2008, and the inauguration of President Barack Obama ushers in a new kind of hope. In Chicago, Ruth Tuttle, an Ivy-League educated Black engineer, is married to a kind and successful man. He’s eager to start a family, but Ruth is uncertain. She has never gotten over the baby she gave birth to—and was forced to leave behind—when she was a teenager. She had promised her family she’d never look back, but Ruth knows that to move forward, she must make peace with the past.

Returning home, Ruth discovers the Indiana factory town of her youth is plagued by unemployment, racism, and despair. As she begins digging into the past, she unexpectedly befriends Midnight, a young white boy who is also adrift and looking for connection. Just as Ruth is about to uncover a burning secret her family desperately wants to keep hidden, a traumatic incident strains the town’s already searing racial tensions, sending Ruth and Midnight on a collision course that could upend both their lives.

Powerful and revealing, The Kindest Lie captures the heartbreaking divide between Black and white communities and offers both an unflinching view of motherhood in contemporary America and the never-ending quest to achieve the American Dream.

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I started to read The Lost Apothecary awhile ago and ended up putting it aside. Sadly, I waited a long time to pick it back up.

A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them – setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course.

Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.

One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose – selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.

In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate – and not everyone will survive.

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I know this is ambitious because December is going to be crazy, but I’m going to attempt to read them all. If I don’t get through them, I’ll carry them over into the new year.

What is on your TBR?

Until next time,

Ruth

Post-Thanksgiving Thanks

After spending a quiet day at my parent’s house, it is clear to me that I have much to be thankful for. Every thanksgiving we watch the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. Let me tell you, previous years have been much better. The floats, balloons, and most performances were great. However, this year I felt that the singing performances were not as great. That’s just a personal opinion of mine. I still enjoyed it and so did the kids.

We also watched the El Paso Sun Bowl Parade. I’m really impressed with the floats this year. I heard at the beginning of the parade, they hired an artist who drew sketches and planned the floats. They didn’t waste their money, that’s for sure. The floats were put together well and the detail was very good.

As a family, we enjoyed the original Santa Clause (1985). I really enjoy the older movies during the holiday season.

As I helped my mom in the kitchen peeling potatoes, cubing cheese, and making sure all the food was presentable and delicious, it occurred to me that we had been blessed this year. Many are dealing with loss, or are grieving. Some are lonely or disconnected. Many are sick and even a friend’s brother died. All in the span of that thankful day.

The thing that I’m most thankful for is my kids. They really are the light of the holiday. They always make me smile. The excitement on their faces, the laughs, the wildness. This year, we were short kids because of covid, but we still had a good time.

I gathered food and delivered it to my sister’s who were across the street. They appreciated the food and I got to see them and talk to them through the door. It’s no fun being isolated but I’m glad they are not alone.

I enjoyed the table talk, the enjoyment of games, of catching up with those whom we rarely get to see. Thanksgiving and many holidays in our family usually consists of food, games, movies, music, and lots and lots of talking and laughter. I am thankful for all of these things and I’m really looking forward to Christmas.

This is my favorite time of the year.

What is your favorite thing about the holidays?

Let me know and enjoy the rest of your week.

Until next time,

Ruth

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope this day brings people together. I hope you enjoy food, family, and relaxation.

Right now, the Turkey is in the oven, the pies are cooling on the racks, and we are watching Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The coffee is warming my belly and I’m wrapped in a blanket on my parent’s couch. All around me their home is being decorated with Christmas cheer. The tree is up and the ornaments are at the ready the moment Santa goes down that parade route.

Some of our family members will be missing from the table because they are ill. But thanks to technology and love, we can still try and enjoy the holiday long distance.

May this be the start of a wonderful season of hope, love, and cheer. Enjoy today.

Happy Thanksgiving from my family to yours.

Ruth