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Julia's 'get away from reality for awhile' corner
hi julia! just dropping by bringing some virtual cookies :-) hope you enjoy our group. have good day
Hi Julia, nice to meet you. Left some muffins on your counter, enjoy.
Hello, Julia. Nice corner. I am not familiar with the author/title; but that won't keep me from checking it out!!
Thanks Ratz, Katherine and Alondra for the welcome cookies & muffins!I finished my book "Chosen By A Horse" yesterday, and this book made me just about bawl. I have a family member who is having some health issues and this book was very relatable(sp).
I am now going back to a book I had on hold
by Beverly Butler. It's about a 17 yr old girl in the 70's who is losing her sight and how she copes. I read it in when I was in school (many moons ago) and loved it.
So, as this is my corner I figure I can add whatever I want, I just wanted to add that my BF & I are trying to plan our vacation for later on this year.We usually go to Ft.Myers/Sanibel/Captiva Island, but I think this time we want to head out west to see either The Grand Canyon or Yellowstone. Has anyone been out that way and if yes what would be the best time to go?
I've been to the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone and both are highly recommended. Last time I went was in July and it was great, although the TGC can be quite dangerous if you don't come prepared for the heat. Summer is also the midst of tourist season, so if you want to sleep in a hotel and not at the campgrounds, then you might want to reserve rooms already :)At TGC we slept in a tent at one of the campgrounds and in Yellowstone we stayed at a cabin one night and another night in one of the motels outside Yellowstone in West Yellowstone.
Are you going to fly there or drive?
If you're driving you can do both. Start in Yellowstone and drive down to TGC through Salt Lake City. You could then visit Bryce and Zion national parks in Utah. If you do that then purchase a yearly pass for the national parks - saves money.
Thanks for the tip about the passes Jon! Anyplace to save a $$ helps.We were going to drive out, but decided to fly out instead. We don't have alot of time to spend and don't want to spend all of it driving there and back.
I did see a site for the Grand Canyon Railway so may also be looking into that.
Hi, Julia! Welcome to the group. Nice corner, BTW!
Hi Julia. Thanks for the goodies! ;)
Hi Dustin & Kat! Feel free to stop by anytime. I always try to have goodies avail.
Can't seem to find a book to hold my interest :(Anyone have any recommendations?
I usually read JD Robb/Nora Roberts, Kristin Hannah, Patricia Briggs, Emily Giffin, Tess Gerritsen but am willing to try anything new . . .
Jon (and I)recommended The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Great, easy reads. Just don't watch the TV show.I suggested World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, but as I haven't read it, can't say if it's any good. I presume the reviews and the upcoming movie say it is. :)
Julia2848 wrote: "Hi Dustin & Kat! Feel free to stop by anytime. I always try to have goodies avail."
I feel so welcome, Julia! Thank you! Please feel free to drop by and show my corner some love, as well.:)
Thanks Kat - I added the 1st of the Dresden Files to my TR shelf. I may check that one out tonight.
Kat wrote: "Jon (and I)recommended The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. Great, easy reads. Just don't watch the TV show.I suggested World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, but as I haven't read it, can'..."
I picked up the first Jim Butcher Dresden Files, Storm Front; as it came highly recommended by just about everybody! Julia, it looks like we are both newbies to this series. :)
I have a library book that just came in so I'm reading that first before I start the Dresden Files. My library allows patrons to order online and also offers home delivery. I just received The Pact by Jodi Picoult so I'm reading that first. Only a couple pages in, but liking it so far.
Oh my goodness. I'm so sore, but in a good way.Just did a zumba workout at home. Now I need a foot massage.
Julia2848 wrote: "Oh my goodness. I'm so sore, but in a good way.Just did a zumba workout at home. Now I need a foot massage."
Owww! Excellent. LOL
I love Zumba, but it really takes a toll on my feet (bad arches), so I can't do it as often as I like.
Hi Julia. Great corner you have here. ☺
Hi Julia thought I would stop by and say hello.. check out what you are reading and whats going on.I left you some lemon bars and of course some peanut butter and chocolate brownies too... hope you enjoy and have a great day..
Hey Julia!*hands out homemade lemonade!*
Hope you're enjoying your book :D xx
OMG!!! What have I gotten myself into? I've never baked a ham before and I've volunteered myself to bake one for Greek Easter, which is THIS COMING SUNDAY!! What? I have to soak this thing for 12-24 hours??? This is NOT going be as easy as I thought it would be.
Hi Kyle Denisa & Ali! Thanks for stopping by. Who are some of your fave authors?Thanks for the goodies, and please help yourself to some choc chip & oatmeal cookies.
OK - I have a question for everyone. Once you start reading a book, do you feel obligated to finish it if it doesn't hold your interest?The reason I ask is b/c I see quite a few people already have a reading plan mapped out for May. How do you know what you're going to be in to mood to read?
Hi Julie, I just stopped by to see how it's going. To answer your question, yes - I feel obligated to finish a book once I've started it. If something isn't holding my interest, I might take a break from it, but I'll always try to finish it later. Also, I have a couple books going at once, so I can move between them as my mood changes. As for a reading plan, I'm thinking of my "plan" as more of a reading goal. I'm somewhat new to goodreads, and I'm excited by the idea of these reading challenges, so I'm setting goals to read certain books to fulfill some of the challenges.
Excellent questions. I'm interested in what others think too. So I'll be back for a visit later. :)
Julia2848 wrote: "OMG!!! What have I gotten myself into? I've never baked a ham before and I've volunteered myself to bake one for Greek Easter, which is THIS COMING SUNDAY!! What? I have to soak this thing for..."
it will be fine... count to ten... breathe and step by step
Julia2848 wrote: "OK - I have a question for everyone. Once you start reading a book, do you feel obligated to finish it if it doesn't hold your interest?The reason I ask is b/c I see quite a few people already ha..."
Julie I usually have two or three books going at a time...I am not genre specific so I may have a classic romance, a thriller and a memoir so I just read from which ever one. If I truly can not bring myself to turn another page... I don't finish it. I have only had that happen once... that I can remember. Its like I keep reading thinking it will get better and maybe I don't like the plot but here is one character I want to know what happens with or maybe its too much detail, I just keep reading till the end and think, hmmm should have given up on that one earlier but its read soo...
I guess reading more then one book at a time helps. Its not that hard as I am in college so I read three different text books at a time and it is much like that or watching a series on TV... you watch more then just one and are able to keep them separate.
Julia2848 wrote: "OK - I have a question for everyone. Once you start reading a book, do you feel obligated to finish it if it doesn't hold your interest?The reason I ask is b/c I see quite a few people already ha..."
If it doesn't hold my interest, I quit, but that only happened twice or once.
I choose my books from my tbr shelf depending on my mood at the moment.
If it truly doesn't grab me then I won't continue and I'll explain why in my review... I hate an unfinished book but sometimes it can't be helped! :)
Hi Liz, Denisa, Ratz and Ali!Thanks for the visit and also for your thoughts to my question.
I used to be able to read several books at once, but now the most I can do is 2 at a time (this is called age). If a book has not grabbed and kept my attention by the first few chapters, I'm done. There are too many other books out there that I want to try.
Thanks for the visit and pull up a couple of chairs to make yourselves comfortable. I have a nice harvey wallbanger cake on the counter so help yourselves.
Generally if a book doesn't hold my attention then I don't finish it. Life's too short to do things you don't enjoy, especially when there are so many other books out there to sample. There is one exception though - F. Scott Fitzgerald. I read The Great Gatsby and Tender Is the Night. I couldn't really get into either of them so I was tempted to stop, but his writing style is so poetic it made me want to continue.
Julia2848 wrote: "Hi Liz, Denisa, Ratz and Ali!Thanks for the visit and also for your thoughts to my question.
I used to be able to read several books at once, but now the most I can do is 2 at a time (this is call..."
"mmmm" love the snack and I love just sitting here and talking...
Julia2848 wrote: "OMG!!! What have I gotten myself into? I've never baked a ham before and I've volunteered myself to bake one for Greek Easter, which is THIS COMING SUNDAY!! What? I have to soak this thing for..."
http://www.bordbia.ie/aboutfood/recip...
Pretty close to my recipe but I use at least 500ml of cider in the boiling liquid rather that all water and I don't add celery (takes over everything) Recipe forgets to mention to stud all of the diamonds with a whole clove (essential) before covering with the honey mustard etc. I also put a ladle or 2 of the poaching liquid into the roasting tray with the ham to keep it moist.
By the way don't discard the poaching liquid either, fantastic stock of soups
Julia2848 wrote: "OMG!!! What have I gotten myself into? I've never baked a ham before and I've volunteered myself to bake one for Greek Easter, which is THIS COMING SUNDAY!! What? I have to soak this thing for..."
Should have said the whole soaking thing depends on where you get the ham from (i.e. how much salt is in it). Your butcher should be able to tell you.
Regarding the recipe i posted, I have been cooking it for the past 3/4 years and it is always a great success. Also (the recipe does't clarify) it should be Wholegrain mustard (and a bit of whiskey helps too)
Thanks for the tips on the poaching liquids Katherine. The ham I got is a salt cured ham. I'm on day 2 of soaking and will probably start cooking it tonight. I printed out and saved your recipe.
Robert wrote: "Generally if a book doesn't hold my attention then I don't finish it. Life's too short to do things you don't enjoy, especially when there are so many other books out there to sample. There is one ..."I tend to agree with you Robert. But I have not read anything by Fitzgerald, although I do have a couple of his books on my TR shelf.
Going out garage saling & thrift shopping this AM. I get alot of great deals and pick up about 50 books for about $10-$20.I left some cream puffs, crumb cake and fresh coffee for any pop-ins, please make yourselves comfortable and help yourselves.
Julia2848 wrote: "OK - I have a question for everyone. Once you start reading a book, do you feel obligated to finish it if it doesn't hold your interest?The reason I ask is b/c I see quite a few people already ha..."
I no longer feel obligated to finish a book. I have read and finished some horrible books in the past; but no longer. Life is too short and there are too many wonderful books out there, for me to concern myself with one that sucks. Even if the book is highly rated, it just may not be the book for me. Case in point, Outlander. I could not get into and stopped trying... sorry.
Hi Alondra - don't apologize, I'm the same way. There are too many books out there that I want to try to spend time on a book that isn't holding my interest.
I'm about halfway into The Pact and am enjoying (for want of a better word) it. I've read a couple of books by Jodi Picoult and they are in no way a light read. So far the books I've read deal with social and family issues but the characters are flawed and the families are dysfunctional.The book is about 2 teenagers who make a suicide pact. I just don't understand how a person can think that life is so bad that the only way out is death, or that a person can think that death is a better choice than hurting someones feelings. (I don't know you very well, and I hope I haven't offended anyone who may read this post)
Julia, How did you get on with the Ham?
I was wondering how it turned out also...
Thanks for asking Katherine & Denisa - but it was horrible! Way too salty. I followed the directions EXACTLY as they were posted and it came out terrible. Which was a real shame b/c it looked DELISH!! I (and the rest of the family) took one bite and announced it unedible. BUT . . . at least I tried, and that's the main thing.
Julia2848 wrote: "Thanks for asking Katherine & Denisa - but it was horrible! Way too salty. I followed the directions EXACTLY as they were posted and it came out terrible. Which was a real shame b/c it looked DE..."yes you did try! and Julia Childs made some alful delights in the beginning and look at her now....I know my mom usually soaked her hams like 3 days before and soaks them in water constantly changing it about every 3 to 4 hours...
I'm sure it wasn't hat bad...
Can't wait for Mothers Day - I'm treating Mom & Sis to a hot stone massage. None of us have had one before and we are so looking for it.
For my GR friends . . here is another link that I tend to go to quite a bit . . . thought you might be interested (hope you can open the link)http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/
Julia2848 wrote: "Can't wait for Mothers Day - I'm treating Mom & Sis to a hot stone massage. None of us have had one before and we are so looking for it."that sounds wonderful!!!
Hi Julia,Thanks for the sweetie treats. I have brought some virtual brownies over for you. Hope you like.
To answer one of your questions - when I was young and idealistic I used to finish every book but now I am older and jaded I don't. Life is too short. I present exhibit A - Cloud Atlas. Half way through was enough.
To answer another of your questions about any interesting books, you could try Life of Pi as it's topical at the moment. Vernon God Little and The White Tiger are both Booker winners and are great. And there is another little known one called Wombat Sushi which is brilliant by, um the name escapes me right now, oh yeah that's right - it's by me.
Love your corner by the way. I think I might become a squatter.
Rgds,
Rhonda Louise
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I am loving this book, but I'm pretty sure it's going to make me cry.