A Waffling Hodgepodge

Hello, dear friends.  I hope y'all are enjoying your week.  We have been blessed with gorgeous weather and even got some significant rain a couple of nights ago.  The excitement is in the air for my #1 and Adorable Jonathon's visit Labor Day Weekend.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed for sunny skies and cool temps.  

It is not only hump day, but it is also time for Hodgepodge.  Stop by From This Side of the Pond and read some other blogger's answers to Joyce's thoughtful questions.

1.  It's National Waffle Day (August 24th) ... what decision are you currently 'waffling over?  (or share what you recently waffled over).

Annie's Eats

The last thing I waffled over was this morning's breakfast.  
Thanks for the inspiration.

2.  It's the middle of August, but I'm already seeing lots of autumn-related posts.  Do you think we rush the seasons?  If so, does that bother you?  I saw (here) an end of summer bucket list included -

Pinterest

I have gone to two blog conferences.  Both of them urged bloggers to start writing and pinning for the next season six weeks before the season's beginning.  If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know I'm not organized enough to do this.

Make s'mores, read a new (or favorite) book in the park, eat something delicious and bad for you at a state fair, be a tourist for a day, have a potluck picnic, book a last minute summer getaway, relax by or in the pool, take a hike to watch the sunset, have a day o the lake, try a new summer recipe.
Which activities on the list might you squeeze in before summer officially comes to a close? 

Synopsis

I'd like to sit on my patio and finish this delicious book.  I understand now why this one got so many 5-star ratings!

3.  Your favorite summertime 'art' found in nature?

The Graceful Gardener

In my eyes, the beautiful summer flowers are nature's art.

4. Stephen R. Covey is quoted as saying 'We judge ourselves by our intentions and others by their actions.'  Agree or no?  Do you define yourself based on your intentions, your actions, or something else?

I'm afraid I'm a bit too shallow to answer this question.

5.  Are you useful in crisis?  
Elaborate.

You should ask these two young ladies about how well I handle a crisis.  During their teenage years, it seemed that I needed to be in charge of damage control every week.

I don't miss those years in the least.

6.  What's been your go-to dish this summer?  Is it something you'll continue making as the seasons change?

My go-to dish is whatever is on the Mister's menu.

The above are photos of his latest creations which he served for Sunday brunch when my lovely cousin and her gentleman came over this weekend.

7.  Adult coloring books are a thing now.  Have you jumped on the bandwagon?  If not, is this something you think you might enjoy?

Not for me.

I'd rather read a book rather than color in one.

What have you been waffling over lately?

Until next time...

Love that Pet

Every Bloomin' Thing

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that you are enjoying your weekend.  We've lucked out with another beautiful weekend in New England.

  Yesterday was the Mister's pic at the movies, and his choice was War Dogs.   It was better than I thought it would be, but if I were you, I would save my money and watch it for free on TV.

This garden post is overdue.  I took these pics while I was on my blogger hiatus.  I'm glad I shot them then because things are not looking quite as good today.

Can you tell I have an affinity for window boxes?  

Unfortunately, we did not have a lot of rain this summer.  We have water restrictions concerning sprinklers, but the field is wide open when it comes to hand watering.
Lucky me!

The most difficult part of the watering process is the second story window boxes.  I either use a watering can through the windows or the Mister whips out his pole.  Insert politically incorrect inappropriate joke here.

We took down a huuuuuge half-dead tree by the side porch.  When it was gone, it looked like we needed something there, so we put in this window box and a Japanese Red Maple tree.

We planted some more hydrangea bushes.   

And we planted a small garden of white ones, too.

We had no luck with hydrangeas in Texas, so I am making up for it now.

The rhododendrons are in the back of the house. 

I have one small peony bush that blooms for about a day.  Wish they lasted longer.  

The benefits of my hard labor.  

I wonder how many calories I burn while I water...

Until next time...

My groundskeepers who do their own kind of watering.


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Books, Movies, & TV

Hello, dear friends.  I hope that you had a great week.  Newsflash:  book readers live longer.  Read all about it here.

I haven't done any book or movie reviews for awhile.  As you will see, there are some good ones and some duds.

Synopsis

Purchase here

I think it is probably difficult for authors who have a hit with their first novel.  Everyone says the new ones are never as good as the first.  This is the case with this one. 

Synopsis

Purchase here

Ugh.  The Mister and I listened to this one in the car on a road trip.  The author couldn't say a nice thing about anyone except the Obama girls.  We turned it off midway. 

Synopsis

Purchase here

I thought this one was beautifully written, and the story definitely kept me captive until the bitter end.

Synopsis

Purchase here

I really had high hopes for this one, but it didn't hold up.  If you want to read about a narcissistic entitled couple in the 1960's who forget that they have kids, this is the book for you. 

Synopsis

Purchase here

This book is an exciting page-turner chock full of twists and turns.  There is one problem, though - the author drops the ending like a hot potato.  It was almost as if his editor told Hawley that he only could write so many pages so when he got there, he ended the story.  It's a shame because I loved the story.

Synopsis

Purchase here

Because I really enjoyed Hawley's writing, I gave him another chance.  This novel has an interesting premise and moves along fairly quickly most of the time but is a bit of a struggle at other times.

Synopsis

Purchase here

This book is basically an argument for Michael Skakel's innocence in the murder of Martha Moxley.  I've read almost all the books pertaining to this sad tragedy.  Kennedy spends the entire book pointing fingers at everyone, including the victim's mother and brother.  He paints Skakel as an average guy who went to daily Mass and performed many good samaritan acts.  Kennedy did no favors for Skakel with this ridiculous diatribe. 

Synopsis

purchase here
A terrorizing tale of the "perfect couple."  
It sizzles with tension. 
If you're a Gone Girl fan, you're going to love this one.
Doesn't get better than this one.  

Synopsis
Purchase here

This is one of Karen White's best.  Great storyline, likable characters, and a wonderful ending - the perfect recipe for a delicious summer read.



The following books are on my reading list.

Synopsis

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The reviews are unbelievably good on this one and after reading reviews of this book, I am still at a loss as to its premise.  Some people consider it a love story and some don't.   My curiosity is piqued. 

Synopsis

Purchase here

This one has mixed reviews but it involves a woman being thrown off a luxury ship.  This sounds right up my alley.

synopsis

Purchase here

This one centers around a picture-perfect neighborhood which harbors more issues than Vogue.  Good reviews so far.  Comes out Sept. 1.

synopsis

Purchase here
I've had good luck reading books about bookshops.  This one looks charming.  Release date: Sept. 20th

Synopsis

Purchase here If you think I put this on my list because I like the title, you are one hundred percent correct. Release date:  September 2nd.

Amazon

Purchase here

Speaking of reading, I gave the Mister a Kindle Oasis for our anniversary.  It took a month to get it because they are in high demand.  He absolutely loves it.  Evidently, it is smaller and has a much longer battery life.  Hopefully, he is not on the lookout for Wife #2 with the same qualities. So I just thought I'd mention it if you are looking for a gift for a reader or a student in your life.

Have you heard about Library Reads?  One of my favorite readers, Susan, sent me the link.  If you love to read, check out this site.

On to tv

The Mister and I finished watching Doctor Thorne.  The good news is the script is sharp, and each actor gives a stellar performance.  The bad news is that it is only three episodes, and it still is up in the air as to whether there will be a second season.  It has left us wanting more.

At the movies.

Trailer

A sweet movie featuring Meryl Streep at her best.  

Side note:  Hugh Grant only gets better with age.

Move over, George Clooney, you're about to be replaced.

Trailer

I was pleasantly surprised with this one.  I'm not a big fan of Woody Allen's or the Twilight chick, but I really enjoyed this movie.

Any recommendations for me?


Until next time...

dogaware.com

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