Kate Collins's Blog, page 88
June 15, 2017
It's the weekend and I'm going junking.
by Lorraine Bartlett / Lorna Barrett / L.L. Bartlett
And so it's the weekend again (I don't know about you, but my weekends start on Friday morning). Mr. L and I have four we're going to check out today, but I thought I'd tell you about some of the stuff I've picked up since my last post about junking about a month ago.
This little sugar and creamer came from Goodwill and goes pretty well with a cup I'd found the week before.
When I first saw this cup, I wasn't sure it went with the saucer, it was so brown. It wasn't tea-stained, which is easy enough to clean with a little baking soda (or salt) and some elbow grease. The cup, inside and out was stained so badly that it was tan in color. I soaked it in straight bleach for two days to get it back to pristine. It will go into my catch-and-release program. I've been giving away teacups for a couple of years now. I like them to go to loving homes, and they've made a lot of my readers happy. : )
And here we have a pile of mostly BAD movies. Okay, not terrible, but not watchable more than once. Return To Me ... oy. Not badly acted, but just a dumb story. (Man's wife dies, new girlfriend got her heart and she's too chicken to tell him.) I Am Sam ... eh, okay. Superior acting (top-notch cast), but uncomfortable subject matter. A Wrinkle in Time? Must have gone straight to video. The marvelous Alfre Woodard was totally wasted in this flick. I know I'll like Shrek the Third, so I'm saving that one. The Great Homes of Canandaigua (from our local PBS station) was boring. But the documentary they did on the history of Canandaigua was enjoyable to watch. Mr. L thought the Twilight Zone too dated to watch, but I might go through a few more episodes. Still haven't gone through the rest, but most are heading straight to the catch and release program (this time: a yard sale).
I rescued these vintage pins that I will try to find a new home for. Aren't they pretty? Women used to wear pins like these every day ... but I was told by a very good friend that "only old ladies wear pins." That's not true. My friend Lisa (younger than me) was a trend setter in high school and she wore pins like this all the time. This picture was taken before the pins were cleaned and they (especially the blue one) sparkle like crazy now.
And this is the best. But don't let me just show you a picture, let me tell you in my own words about this beautiful teacup. (Uh, it's only my 4th video. I'm sure I'll get better at it.)
So, what do you think of my junking finds?
And so it's the weekend again (I don't know about you, but my weekends start on Friday morning). Mr. L and I have four we're going to check out today, but I thought I'd tell you about some of the stuff I've picked up since my last post about junking about a month ago.
This little sugar and creamer came from Goodwill and goes pretty well with a cup I'd found the week before.
When I first saw this cup, I wasn't sure it went with the saucer, it was so brown. It wasn't tea-stained, which is easy enough to clean with a little baking soda (or salt) and some elbow grease. The cup, inside and out was stained so badly that it was tan in color. I soaked it in straight bleach for two days to get it back to pristine. It will go into my catch-and-release program. I've been giving away teacups for a couple of years now. I like them to go to loving homes, and they've made a lot of my readers happy. : )
And here we have a pile of mostly BAD movies. Okay, not terrible, but not watchable more than once. Return To Me ... oy. Not badly acted, but just a dumb story. (Man's wife dies, new girlfriend got her heart and she's too chicken to tell him.) I Am Sam ... eh, okay. Superior acting (top-notch cast), but uncomfortable subject matter. A Wrinkle in Time? Must have gone straight to video. The marvelous Alfre Woodard was totally wasted in this flick. I know I'll like Shrek the Third, so I'm saving that one. The Great Homes of Canandaigua (from our local PBS station) was boring. But the documentary they did on the history of Canandaigua was enjoyable to watch. Mr. L thought the Twilight Zone too dated to watch, but I might go through a few more episodes. Still haven't gone through the rest, but most are heading straight to the catch and release program (this time: a yard sale).
I rescued these vintage pins that I will try to find a new home for. Aren't they pretty? Women used to wear pins like these every day ... but I was told by a very good friend that "only old ladies wear pins." That's not true. My friend Lisa (younger than me) was a trend setter in high school and she wore pins like this all the time. This picture was taken before the pins were cleaned and they (especially the blue one) sparkle like crazy now.And this is the best. But don't let me just show you a picture, let me tell you in my own words about this beautiful teacup. (Uh, it's only my 4th video. I'm sure I'll get better at it.)
So, what do you think of my junking finds?
Father's Day and Memories
by Karen Rose Smith
Since Father's Day is this weekend, I thought I'd write a blog in honor of it and my dad. My dad was born in 1916 and was never very vocal or emotive. At least not when I knew him. After my mom passed on, I inherited his service diaries. I didn't read them for many years. I took a cursory look at first and did not realize the wealth of information about him that was in them. So much that I never knew.
I have a photograph album too from his years in the service during WWII. But without descriptions, the pictures didn't tell me much though they did have dates. Once I read the diaries, I could put the photos with his words.
My dad wrote in the diaries every day he was in the service. He was never much of a writer though he did write me letters when I was in college. But in his diaries I saw the names and addresses of the men he served with, I felt the adventurous spirit that was once my dad's, the beauty he felt being on a transport ship sailing toward Naples, the joy when he arrived there, the camaraderie he felt with his buddies. His parents were Italian emigrants and being in the country where they were born had to mean so much.
I learned he was at a base in Oregon, stopped in Utah, traveled through Chicago and ended up at camp Patrick Henry in Virginia. From there he boarded the General Richardson and sailed with almost 5000 soldiers to Naples. While in Italy he visited Caserta, Bastia, Florence and Rome. His platoon was even received by Pope Pius XII. We were a traditional Catholic family and I never knew that.
Near the time he was due to be sent home, he received news that his youngest brother had been killed in the Philipines. He mentions it in his diary, though not his feelings about it. But I noticed in his entries after that, he wrote letters home more often.
I wish I had access to these when he was still alive. I have so many questions. I wish I had read them much sooner. These diaries are 74 years old and besides my dad's handwriting and thoughts, contain a certificate of proficiency in a course of Armament, a Reservation for Purchase of Defense Savings Bonds, and an enlisted man's pass for Portland and its vicinity. They are a treasure trove of information I never knew about him.
Thank you, Daddy. Because of your diaries I can still feel your presence and remember so much more.
Since Father's Day is this weekend, I thought I'd write a blog in honor of it and my dad. My dad was born in 1916 and was never very vocal or emotive. At least not when I knew him. After my mom passed on, I inherited his service diaries. I didn't read them for many years. I took a cursory look at first and did not realize the wealth of information about him that was in them. So much that I never knew.
I have a photograph album too from his years in the service during WWII. But without descriptions, the pictures didn't tell me much though they did have dates. Once I read the diaries, I could put the photos with his words.
My dad wrote in the diaries every day he was in the service. He was never much of a writer though he did write me letters when I was in college. But in his diaries I saw the names and addresses of the men he served with, I felt the adventurous spirit that was once my dad's, the beauty he felt being on a transport ship sailing toward Naples, the joy when he arrived there, the camaraderie he felt with his buddies. His parents were Italian emigrants and being in the country where they were born had to mean so much.
I learned he was at a base in Oregon, stopped in Utah, traveled through Chicago and ended up at camp Patrick Henry in Virginia. From there he boarded the General Richardson and sailed with almost 5000 soldiers to Naples. While in Italy he visited Caserta, Bastia, Florence and Rome. His platoon was even received by Pope Pius XII. We were a traditional Catholic family and I never knew that.Near the time he was due to be sent home, he received news that his youngest brother had been killed in the Philipines. He mentions it in his diary, though not his feelings about it. But I noticed in his entries after that, he wrote letters home more often.
I wish I had access to these when he was still alive. I have so many questions. I wish I had read them much sooner. These diaries are 74 years old and besides my dad's handwriting and thoughts, contain a certificate of proficiency in a course of Armament, a Reservation for Purchase of Defense Savings Bonds, and an enlisted man's pass for Portland and its vicinity. They are a treasure trove of information I never knew about him.
Thank you, Daddy. Because of your diaries I can still feel your presence and remember so much more.
June 14, 2017
Never Enough
I love sleep. My life has a tendency to fall apart when I'm awake"-Ernest Hemingway
I’m one of those people who can sleep anywhere, any time any place. I think I learned it in college with so much do and so little time. Slept in class, curled up on a library chair, on the floor, campus bench, empty classroom, the cafeteria.
This carried over to adulthood. I’ve pulled my car over to sleep and zonked out draped over the steering wheel, I always fall asleep on the couch...my TV is just an expensive nightlight.
I can sleep with my head on the keyboard resulting in little squares indented in my face. I can sleep in church, the movies, the symphony and at $80 a ticked that is expensive sleeping.
Some of the worse places I’ve slept are in a tent in the rain with the water leaking through the sides and running in the bottom, a plane to London with two screaming babies behind me, the dorm freshman year where no one slept ever, on the sidewalk waiting for New Kids on the Block tickets.
Some of the best places where I’ve slept is in a hotel room after that flight to London, in my own bed after a week of camping in the woods, under the stars in the Grand Canyon, on a sailboat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.
What about snoring? I won’t ask if you do but can you fall asleep if the other person snores. Personally I’ve contemplated suffocation but that’s just between us.
What about you? Do you need a special blanket to fall asleep? Do you have a special pillow? Are you one of those people who take your pillow with you?
Tell us about you and sleep and I’ll give away three of these adorable sleep masks from the answers. Just the thing when you want to sleep on that airplane flight.
Happy SleepingHugs, Duffy
I’m one of those people who can sleep anywhere, any time any place. I think I learned it in college with so much do and so little time. Slept in class, curled up on a library chair, on the floor, campus bench, empty classroom, the cafeteria.
This carried over to adulthood. I’ve pulled my car over to sleep and zonked out draped over the steering wheel, I always fall asleep on the couch...my TV is just an expensive nightlight.
I can sleep with my head on the keyboard resulting in little squares indented in my face. I can sleep in church, the movies, the symphony and at $80 a ticked that is expensive sleeping. 
Some of the worse places I’ve slept are in a tent in the rain with the water leaking through the sides and running in the bottom, a plane to London with two screaming babies behind me, the dorm freshman year where no one slept ever, on the sidewalk waiting for New Kids on the Block tickets. Some of the best places where I’ve slept is in a hotel room after that flight to London, in my own bed after a week of camping in the woods, under the stars in the Grand Canyon, on a sailboat in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay.
What about snoring? I won’t ask if you do but can you fall asleep if the other person snores. Personally I’ve contemplated suffocation but that’s just between us.
What about you? Do you need a special blanket to fall asleep? Do you have a special pillow? Are you one of those people who take your pillow with you?
Tell us about you and sleep and I’ll give away three of these adorable sleep masks from the answers. Just the thing when you want to sleep on that airplane flight.
Happy SleepingHugs, Duffy
June 12, 2017
A Sheep-y Saturday
by Maggie SeftonThis past Saturday I drove up to that beautiful mountain town, Estes Park, just an hour from Fort Collins where the Wool Market was held in the Fairgrounds Exhibition hall.
I was signing Kelly Flynn Mystery books for the Lambspun fiber shop that had a large booth at the Exhibition hall. I've done this for years and enjoy it immensely mainly because I love meeting and talking with people. So, it was lots of fun. Also, the mountain town of Estes Park is a wonderfully scenic spot to visit. The entrance to Rocky Mountain National Park is there as well.
Right across from the Exhibition hall where all the vendors booths were you found the Livestock barns. There are more than one livestock barn, but the one I visited was my favorite. That barn held all the different breeds of sheep.
I love the faces of sheep. Some will look you straight in the eye. Maybe they're wondering if I'm friendly or not. I most definitely am. :)
So, today I'm sharing several of the sheep photos I took while there. So many different breeds. And some of those sheep were camera hogs. :)
June 11, 2017
THE ULTIMATE SUGAR RUSH, a FIFTEEN-DOLLAR MILKSHAKE
By Mary Kennedy
Would you eat a monstrous confection known as a "monster milkshake?" They may be the summer's new hot thing (now that Starbucks' unicorn has come and gone.) They're really popular at seaside resorts and people eat them (or share them) while strolling along the boardwalk. There probably isn't a graceful way to eat them--they messy, sticky and possibly delicious (I haven't tried one.)
A monster milkshake is your wildest dream (or nightmare) topped with everything from donuts to edible glitter, Swedish fish, rock candy, rainbow sprinkles and chocolate brownies. One variety is even topped with a towering mass of cotton candy. It might have candy bars on top, an ice cream bar or even salted pretzels.
It would be pretty hard to estimate the calories, and honestly, I don't think I want to. Some are just so over the top, they don't even look appealing.
At least, that's my take. How about you? Would you spend $15.00 on a monster milkshake, or will you pass on the new craze? It looks like it might melt before you even get it out of the shake shop. What do you think? A tempting treat or is this an ewwwww moment? Hope everyone is having a great summer. Mary Kennedy
June 9, 2017
Booktown #11 - A Just Clause
Wow -- two Booktown books within a week? Go figure. But it's true, A Just Clause is out on Tuesday.
Tricia Miles, mystery bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, is in for a surprise when her ne’er-do-well father, John, comes to town—and promptly becomes a prime suspect in the murder of a woman with her own scandalous past. Even Tricia’s faith in the old man is shaken when the Stoneham police break the news that her father is a known con man who has done jail time. From merlot to murder, Tricia is determined to clear the family name before another body shows up and ruins Stoneham’s first—and highly anticipated—wine and jazz festival.
To get your copy by Tuesday, order it today!Amazon | Kindle | Kindle Worldwide
Barnes & Noble | Nook
Books A Million | Chapters/Indigo | Book Depository (free shipping worldwide)
iBooks | Kobo
Audible | Amazon
June 8, 2017
A Luscious and Easy Brownie Dessert
by Karen Rose Smith
I'm a Mr. Food fan. So I bought a Sinful Sweets & Tasty Treats Mr. Food Test Kitchen cookbook and this easy, calorie filled, luscious dessert caught my eye. Here is this simple recipe that's sooooo good for an inside dinner or an outside barbecue!
CANDY BAR BROWNIE TRIFLE
1 (19.8-ounce) package brownie mix for a 9x13 inch pan
1 (6 serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling
3 cups milk (I use whole milk because I've found in this type of recipe it holds up better.)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3-1/2 cups coarsely chopped assorted candy bars, with 1/2 cup reserved for garnish (I used a bag of Snicker minis and 1/2 bag of Milky Way minis) RESERVE a 1/2 cup for garnish
1 16 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 9x13 inch baking dish; allow to cool completely.
In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened. Whisk in peanut butter until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
Break up brownies into 1 inch pieces and place half in bottom of a trifle bowl or large glass serving bowl. Cover with half the pudding mixture, half the candy and half the whipped topping. Repeat layers and garnish with reserved candy.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.
Enjoy!!!!
I'm a Mr. Food fan. So I bought a Sinful Sweets & Tasty Treats Mr. Food Test Kitchen cookbook and this easy, calorie filled, luscious dessert caught my eye. Here is this simple recipe that's sooooo good for an inside dinner or an outside barbecue!
CANDY BAR BROWNIE TRIFLE
1 (19.8-ounce) package brownie mix for a 9x13 inch pan
1 (6 serving size) package instant vanilla pudding and pie filling
3 cups milk (I use whole milk because I've found in this type of recipe it holds up better.)
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
3-1/2 cups coarsely chopped assorted candy bars, with 1/2 cup reserved for garnish (I used a bag of Snicker minis and 1/2 bag of Milky Way minis) RESERVE a 1/2 cup for garnish
1 16 oz. container frozen whipped topping, thawed
Prepare brownies according to package directions for a 9x13 inch baking dish; allow to cool completely.
In a large bowl, whisk pudding mix and milk until slightly thickened. Whisk in peanut butter until thoroughly combined. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
Break up brownies into 1 inch pieces and place half in bottom of a trifle bowl or large glass serving bowl. Cover with half the pudding mixture, half the candy and half the whipped topping. Repeat layers and garnish with reserved candy.
Cover and chill at least 2 hours before serving.
Enjoy!!!!
June 7, 2017
Teaching kids to read
I have a grandson going into kindergarten in September and it seems that when kids go to kindergarten they are expected to be reading. In the olden days kindergarten and the first grade were when kids were taught to read. I guess this new approach comes from kids now being in preschool and the task of reading being tossed to those teachers?Some kids take to reading really easy. They want to read, love books and are almost self-taught. None of my kids were this motivated. They were completely content to have me read to them, tell them the menu at McDonalds, read the instructions to the newest toys etc and it seems my grandson is the same way. Fact is, Nate has three main interests in his life...cars, his iPad and the part of his anatomy that makes him male. (IMHO this makes him a typical male)
But I digress. Back to reading... I taught sixth grade for seven years then went back to teaching as a special ed teacher and taught kids to read. The thing with being a teacher kids have to listen to you whereas my grandson thinks my purpose in life is to take him on outings and bring toys.
First I have to try and convince him reading is a good thing. I think I’m going with the idea of Nate, you’re going to the big kids school and everyone there reads. This might work unless he comes up with the answer of Good, I’ll stay home and just not go to school. Kids are pretty crafty like that.I’m pretty old school in teaching reading...I do phonics. I’ve looked at the other methods of look-say and whatever but phonics makes sense. Fact is, I still use it if there’s a word I don’t know. You learn a few basic rules like letters have sounds, vowels have two sounds, y is like a vowel at the end of a word, when two vowels go walking the first one does the talking, divide words between consonants.
Actually, those rules take care of a multitude of reading situations. I found this series that goes along with my phonics approach, Primary Phonics. It teaches the basic rule then there are short books the kid reads that use the rule. I think it’s brilliant! I just hope Nate agrees.
So what about you? How did you learn to read? Phonics? Self-taught, look-say method, memorized the words?
June 5, 2017
Can You Believe It? Kelly Flynn #15 is Here. :)
by Maggie SeftonIt's here!---ONLY SKEIN DEEP---Available in bookstores and online now.
June 4, 2017
PLACES THAT INSPIRE ME TO WRITE
By Mary Kennedy
A list of places (in no particular order) that I love, that have served as the setting for many of my books. (You knew Florida would be on there, right?) Florida has been a constant source of inspiration for me, and I've plotted whole books while strolling along the water's edge.
There's something so relaxing, so timeless about the ocean that I can sit and stare at it for hours. My favorite spot is the balcony of the Ft. Lauderdale condo. It's quiet and secluded and in the early morning hours I can pretend I'm on an island, all by myself.
Florida is interesting because besides the beach (which is enchanting!) there's also a big city vibe. South Beach, in particular, is fascinating to me because of the energy, the vitality, the blend of cultures. And the general "glitziness" of the place.
All those Art Deco neon hotels are fascinating from an architectural point of view... .
...the café umbrella tables lining the street have a cosmopolitan flair and remind me of the south of France.
Key West has a different vibe, very arty, home to artist and writers.
There's something remote and wonderful about it. I draw inspiration every time I go there. Key West is pure relaxation, as you can see from the slogan below.
Savannah is a totally different vibe and I chose it for my Dream Club series. Beautiful, historic, mysterious, with dozens of parks. Forsythe is one of my favorites.
How about you? Do you have a place that gets your creative juices going, that inspires you? It might be half way across the world or it might be as close as your own backyard. Mary Kennedy
A list of places (in no particular order) that I love, that have served as the setting for many of my books. (You knew Florida would be on there, right?) Florida has been a constant source of inspiration for me, and I've plotted whole books while strolling along the water's edge.
There's something so relaxing, so timeless about the ocean that I can sit and stare at it for hours. My favorite spot is the balcony of the Ft. Lauderdale condo. It's quiet and secluded and in the early morning hours I can pretend I'm on an island, all by myself.
Florida is interesting because besides the beach (which is enchanting!) there's also a big city vibe. South Beach, in particular, is fascinating to me because of the energy, the vitality, the blend of cultures. And the general "glitziness" of the place.
All those Art Deco neon hotels are fascinating from an architectural point of view... .
...the café umbrella tables lining the street have a cosmopolitan flair and remind me of the south of France.
Key West has a different vibe, very arty, home to artist and writers.
There's something remote and wonderful about it. I draw inspiration every time I go there. Key West is pure relaxation, as you can see from the slogan below.
Savannah is a totally different vibe and I chose it for my Dream Club series. Beautiful, historic, mysterious, with dozens of parks. Forsythe is one of my favorites.
How about you? Do you have a place that gets your creative juices going, that inspires you? It might be half way across the world or it might be as close as your own backyard. Mary Kennedy
