Mexican Macaroni Salad

For a summertime recipe, you cannot beat the Pioneer Woman to share her cooking talents.  We made this Mexican Macaroni Salad.

Delicious! Perfect for the weekend bar-b-ques.

Saturday Sparks

I'm a little....

..... Old Fashioned.

I love these dishes.  I wish I could find a whole set of them....

But until I do, I will enjoy these few pieces that I have for now.

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Boys will be boys

 

Twenty nine years ago, our last child was born. A boy. Ten years younger than our first born girl, and seven than our middle son.

Having two boys was a challenge for me. I grew up without a father, and having no brothers, was totally clueless about the nature of the male species. So when these little boys came into our family, I had no idea what I was in for.

Things start out small. Like climbing and making mud pies in the sand box.

But before I knew it, things escalated.  

They go from this...

 

 

...to this

My memory serves me when my middle son decided that he would take his Dad's golf clubs and hit a few. His one mean stroke sailed through the air, and went right through my bedroom window. 

Yes, boys. They are a breed of their own. 

 

 

 

But life sure would be dull without them.

All pictures courtesy of Pixabay

Happiness Lane

Skywatch Friday

A Bride of Convenience

A Bride of Convenience is the story of the Bride Ships that sailed from England to Victoria, now Canada.  These women were mill workers, out of jobs because of the cotton shortage due to the Civil War.  In the 1860's not many single women had many options. So they boarded a ship and headed to the new land to marry strangers.

Zoe Hart is seeking her brother, who has run away after being accused of starting a fire in one of the mills. Zoe is intent on finding her  brother and letting him know he was exonerated of the charges. Through a misunderstanding she enters into a marriage of convenience with a local minister. Pastor Abe has been waiting for his fiance but is shocked to receive a letter that she has married another. When an infant is left in Zoe's and Abe's care, the adventure begins. It was fun watching serious Abe take the bantering from Zoe. His desire to elevate his position in the church takes him away from Zoe numerous extended times. He struggles with extreme self control, even though Zoe is his wife, he does not want to push her. As Abe gets to know Zoe, his admiration grows, as he sees her unselfishness and a heart for orphan children.

As always, in her previous books, Jody Hedlund does an excellent job of research. Her depth of characters fills you with an appreciation of her writing. This book was a delight to read.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Rainy days and Mondays

This morning started out bright and beautiful! My plan was to set up tea on the porch and enjoy the early morning sunshine and the sound of the fountain. Pick up one of the books I am reviewing. But as I was making my plans, the sky turned dark and ugly. We've had a week of rainy days with little break. However, why should a little bit of rain hinder my need for a pretty tea setting?

I hope your day turns out to be bright and beautiful!

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Life across the bay

My Corner of the World

Our World Tuesday

Skywatch Friday

Sweet Memories

Anniversaries............

....... a time of remembrance..........


Wedding china - Trudy by Nortake
Goblets - Gorham
Venetian - Community Stainless




Beautiful bouquet from my sweet husband.

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In the morning

"In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I lay my requests before you

and wait in expectation."

Psalm 5:3

How Sweet It Is

"Son," his Dad faced him," I'm going to say this as plainly as I know how. You and your brother will work things out, or I will shut down Laffriot for good and sell its assets to a competitor. Caliban would turn a tidy profit."

And so the story begins. Jed Henning comes to Boise to find his brother, Chris, not because he wants to but because his father has given him an ultimatum to make things right. But while Jed searches for him, he discovers a lot of truths about himself. And why his once close relationship with his brother had gone south. Going through letters and a family bible, he rediscovers his faith and his family while living in Holly Stanford's basement apartment

Holly Stanford is struggling to keep her business, Sweet Caroline's, afloat after her ex-fiancée leaves her. She is left with staggering debt and struggles to run the restaurant left to her by her late uncle. But all Holly wants is to fulfill her dream and bake.

The secondary characters bring interest and a twist to the story. The history of the Henning family is also intertwined in the story.  With Jed's great grandparents the principal characters. 

Robin Lee Hatcher has written a wonderfully compelling book. One I found hard to put down, as the story drew me in to the lives involved.  Holly and Jed, Chris and Willow, Andrew and Helen. Each walking through faith, forgiveness and second chances.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Time for tea

Come join me today for Tea.

The tea is Russian and was brought from one of our trips.

I brought the hand made lace in Belgium when we traveled there several years ago.

 The silverware was a gift from my hubbys' aunt who had purchased it around the time of the second World War.

The creamer was painted by my late mother in law.  She was a talented and gifted china painter.

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Saturday Sparks