Katie's Best Sellers

Friday, October 7, 2016

Fall TV & Books

Hello, dear friends.  
For all of you who are in Hurricane Matthew's path, you are in my thoughts and prayers.  Our family has lived through two hurricanes, and they are no fun.
Stay safe.

Here are a few reviews and some books and TV shows that I am eagerly anticipating.  


Synopsis

After reading a few blogger critiques on This Is Us, I think we all agree - this is a hit in the making.  Love the characters and the storylines.  I do have to say I was a bit confused at first.  I don't do well when a lot of characters hit me at once, and then the story goes back and forth in time.   I might not be the brightest bulb, but I eventually figured it out.

Synopsis

I was very excited to see Bull.  It is loosely based on Dr. Phil's time as a jury consultant for my pal, Oprah.  The Dr. Phil part was not nearly as intriguing to me as the life of a jury consultant.  Since the OJ trial, I always wanted to be one.  Sadly, the blogging world snatched me up.  The courtroom's loss is the blogging sphere's gain.

Anywho... Bull was a disappointment.  After about 30 minutes, I changed the channel to something more educational - Real Housewives.



synopsis


SJP is coming back on TV!  The show is described as a comedy, and it actually looks pretty good.  I like to watch shows like this in front of the Mister to keep him on his toes.

Another thing I like to do is watch a true crime show about a wife who murders her husband.  It doesn't bother the Mister too much until I start taking notes.

Maybe I should write a book on how to have a happy marriage.  



Designated Survivor will never take the place of Kiefer Sutherland's last hit, 24.  First of all, the plot is totally far-fetched.  Secondly, is it just me or does Kiefer Sutherland play the same character in every show he is in?  

The Mister is a fan, so I am sure I will watch the full season because I am a beautiful, accommodating trophy wife.  Another chapter for my book.






I enjoyed the last season of Secrets and Lies and this new one has begun with a bang.  Literally.  I do have to say that Juliette Lewis' character cracks me up.  She wears one expression - sour with a side of lemon.  Do you remember when I sat in the makeup chair next to her for my TV debut?  She had that same expression on her face.  You can read about it here if you missed it.




Synopsis

Whoa!!!  Did you hear about this new series on HBO?  Jude Law portrays a young Pope Pius XIII.  Jude Law - a Pope?  And as if that's not enough bait... how about Diane Keaton playing a nun?!  Yup, a nun.  
Save me a seat in the first row for this one!!


Books

If you have been reading my blog for awhile, you know by now that I am no whiz in the kitchen.  That's one of the many reasons that I married the Mister.  But just because I don't cook doesn't mean that I don't watch cooking shows or buy cookbooks.  One of my favorite shows is The Barefoot Contessa.  I have a crush on Ina and dream about living her life in her gorgeous house.  She can keep Jeffrey, though.  


I love to give cookbooks as hostess and birthday gifts.  I preordered a few of Ina's new one for friends.  Its release date is at the end of this month.   Amazon has got a great price on it now.



Alton Brown has been making the rounds on the talk show circuit pushing his new book.  It sounds like a good one.  But then again, what do I know?




synopsis

A friend of mine, who is a fabulous cook raves about this cookbook.  She tells me that the photos are magnificent and the recipes are all about small bites that are done to perfection.


What I've Read. 




Holy guacamole, this one is good.  I listened to The Kind Worth Killing on my walks. I know that it's a good book if I take the long way on my strolls.  And that's exactly what I did with this one.  If you enjoy a good old-fashioned thriller packed with plot twists and a shocker ending, this book is for you.  



synopsis

I enjoyed this one very much.  It centers around a few neighborhood families in a subdivision that harbor secrets that are divulged in small pieces.  The writing style reminds me of Lianne Moriarity.


What's next on my reading list.



synopsis

I admit it; I judge a book by its cover.  
I can tell this girl and I have a lot in common.
Maria Semple wrote Where'd you Go, Bernadette, so it's got to be good!




synopsis

This is the third book in Elin's winter trilogy.  The series tells the story of a very likable, imperfect family that owns an inn in Nantucket.  The matriarch is a national anchorwoman that is loosely based on Katie Couric.  I can't wait to read this last installment and yet I'll be sad when I have to say good bye to this family. 

Have you read my posts about spending the weekend with Elin in Nantucket?  You can read them here and here.  




synopsis

This one is next to accompany me on my walks.  It centers around a beautiful woman who appears to have everything including a deep dark secret.  I'll keep you posted on this one. 




synopsis

I haven't read a Grisham novel in a while.  This one sounds pretty good.  A crooked judge is the main character.  It will be released at the end of the month.





synopsis

A woman is found murdered next to her beautifully set dinner table.  I'm hooked.





synopsis

I have read every book that Jodi Picoult has ever written.  Some novels I liked better than others.  But the one thing about Picoult's books is that I always learn something. This one has a racism theme.  Looks like a page turner to me.
  



synopsis

This novel centers around a stalker.  I thought that if I listened to this one on my walks, I might get scared enough to break into sprints and burn a few more calories. 
What can I say?
I need all the help I can get!

What's on your book/tv list?

Until next time...





I'm not the only one who likes to read in the family.



One of many attempts to get the finished product.


Linking up with:
Foodie Friday & Everything Else
Home Sweet Home

Friday Features Linky Party

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

A Last Minute Fall Home Tour

Hello, dear friends.  I just found out that there is no Hodgepodge this week, so I kind of threw this post together.  As you will see, we put a little more effort into the outside of the house than the inside.  




We have two of these bowls on the stone wall.  There is a family of chipmunks that have taken up residence in one of the walls and feast on one of the bowls.  I guess they don't like to leave their comfort zone to venture to the other bowl.  Needless to say, they know me by name at the nursery.







Speaking of comfort zones, this year I decided to use Asters in the urns instead of Mums.
What can I say?
I live life on the edge.











My Fall mantra is... when in doubt, use mini pumpkins.































These flowers have lived for two weeks, and they're still going strong.





When I lived in McKinney, there were two lovely ladies that had a home accessory business.  They would travel down to Mexico and come home with trucks of must-haves for the home.  One of their clients would open their home for them to decorate and people were invited to see the accessories in a home setting.  I bought this turkey about ten years ago from them, and every time I pull it out I think of the fun my tennis buds and I had that day. 






In the sunroom, I like to decorate with two mischevious pups and a bowl of apples and scented pinecones.



Until next time...






Sunday, October 2, 2016

A Perfect Day with My Pals in Plymouth

Hello, dear friends.  Good morning.  It has been pretty wet and dreary around here, but I promised myself I would not complain because we have had a beautiful Spring and picture perfect Summer.  And as everyone says, we need the rain.

Although it was cloudy and raw outside, I had sunshine in my heart on Friday.  A few of my book club buds and I were supposed to go on one of the lady's boat, but due to the strong winds, we decided to take a pass.  Instead, we decided to visit another book club bud, Renee, in her new shop.  






Renee's shop is in the charming town of Plymouth, home of the rock.  


Renee's shop, Upscale ReSail, is just steps away from the water.  
Love the name and signage. 




This is adorable Renee.  



Renee sells space in her shop to crafters and people who want to sell their gently used clothes and home goods.  A lot of the garments still have the price tags on.  She just sold a gorgeous champagne colored Kate Spade skirt and a lot of Ralph Lauren items.





Aren't these note cards adorable? 




What a way to bring a bottle of wine to the hostess in style -  wrapped in a faux fur!







This sweet bag reminds me of my little grandma.  She had one just like it.



One of the renters makes these earrings from paint swatches. 


I couldn't leave without picking up this scarf and darling pitcher.



The rain held off, so we walked to a new restaurant in town that has received rave reviews.




As you can see, Plymouth is chock full of New England charm.  Next time I bring the Mister, I have a feeling that this bakery will be his first stop.



The Tasty lived up to its reviews.  It is small and intimate and has a great selection of Mediterranean food.  We all ordered different entrees and everyone was very pleased and stuffed by the time we left.


I had a wonderful day and feel blessed to be part of this book club filled with fabulous, fun ladies.

If you visit Plymouth, stop by Upscale ReSail and tell Renee that Katie sent you.


Until next time...


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