Black Dudly Review

The Black Dudley Murder by Margery Allingham

Type: mystery

Synopsis: Dr. Abbershaw is attending a weekend house party, in a dark manor in England. During the first night one of the hosts is killed. There are all sorts twist in the events following, including a little romance. In here were are also introduced to Albert Campion, who only plays a minor part in this book but goes on to play the main character in other books.

Review: This book was originally published in 1929. So think of Agatha Christie type murder mystery. I found this to be a nice old fashioned English  murder mystery. Some of the parts didn't flow very well. Even though this is listed as an Albert Campion mystery, the main character and the one who is follows the mystery from start to finish is Dr. Abbershaw.

2.5 out of 5 stars. 

Meal Monday

Well I'm sure that everyone is a little busy right now. I now I'm just swapped. So here what we had for meals last week:

• Roasted Chicken and mashed potatoes
• pork roast 
• chicken hot dish using leftover chicken
• Shepard's pie
• spaghetti
• out
• pancakes

Anything good in your kitchen? How about some holiday treats?

If I don't stop back this week have a great week.

Vixen Review

Vixen by Lillian Larkin

Type: young adult historical fiction

Synopsis: Book one of The Flappers series. This is the story of three young women living in Chicago during the twenties. You have Gloria who is engaged to a man from a powerful family, but who wants to be part of the flapper crowd. Then there's Lorraine who is tired of being in Gloria's shadow. And lastly there is Clara, Gloria cousins, who is trying to hide her past, of a flapper living in New York, by being a good girl.

Review:  The first part of this book was a little slow, but when you are reading from three points of view it always takes me a little while to get into the story. I thought I was an okay read and I will probably try another book in this series to see what happens to our characters. 

2.5 out of 5 stars.

44 Scotland Street review

44 Scotland Street by Alexander McCall Smith

Type: fiction

Synopsis: Pat starting a new job and is looking for a flat to share. She ends up sharing a flat with Bruce. There are also many other characters in the book that you meet and spend time with.


Review: This was originally published as an on going series in a newspaper, so all the chapters are short. I had a hard time reading this, because of that. I probably would have loved to read it, in the newspaper, though. But as a book I found all the characters a little distracting. I do have to admit this was another book that I just couldn't finish. If I had more time with it I probably would have, as it is not a bad book, just something I couldn't concentrate on right now.

1.5 out of 5 stars.

Meal Monday

Okay another short and sweet meal plan

• Out to eat
• Shrimp Tacos -- found here. I used precooked shrimp this time. I didn't like it as much.
• hamburger stroganoff
• salad with ham
• stuff pasta shells
• taco soup -- leftovers from the freezer
• tuna melts

Anything good in your kitchen?

Crafty progress

Well how is every body's weekend going? Me? I should be busier then busy, but have yet to actually get anything done. Just to give you an update. The Boy moved to Texas with his mom this summer. He has now decided to move back home with us on a more permanent bases. I have mixed feelings on this. But other than that this is causing us to rearrange a good portion of our apartment. That is on top of trying to get ready for Christmas. Some of the plans for the weekend include the normal errands (library and grocery store), dig out and set up a Christmas tree, put away everything on two folding tables that are in the office (which is now being converted to our bedroom/office), laundry and other house cleaning, and paint a cupboard that the hubby sanded down for me. And well Hubby is scheduled to work OT all weekend.

But anyways I thought I stop by and share a small amount of crafty progress since last time.

First off we have some some cross stitch that I dug out. Now don't think that I got all this down over the last couple of months. The fact is I've been working on this for about ten years. But I know that I haven't touched it for at least five years. Newly worked on is the blue at on the what will be the wall and then tree and Santa in a rain coat on top of the bookcase.

I also add a couple more squares to my crazy afghan. Measuring it out I'm at about the half way point on the first row. So as a note to myself, I need 11 blocks for a total of 22 blocks in the first row.

I've also gotten both sleeves done and have now started on the body of my sweater. Not that one can tell by the picture but the bottom ribbing is down, as well as the pocket fronts. Then I'm about two inches into the body.

Well I hope everyone is has plans for a good weekend.

November Best of Kid Books

  

This has got to be one of my favorite kids books that I've read in a long time. It's The Man in the Moon by William Joyce. This is part of a new series called: The Guardians of Childhood. It is the first book and this one is a picture book. And it tells the story of the Man in the Moon. It has wonderful pictures and the story was wonderful too. Down fall, it's not one for the little ones. But I read it to Monkey and she liked, and it was also interesting enough for the adult that was reading it as well. This is one I bought for our collection. I also got the second book to the series Nicholas St. North and the Battle of the Nightmare King. We haven't finished this one yet as is a chapter book for independent readers. I'll let you know how that one goes.