A Cup of Tea and A Cozy For Me

Julie Of The Wolves by Jean Craighead George

2012-01-15T16:34:00.000-05:00

This was another book I read with my son for a school book report.

At first, I thought Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George couldn't get any slower or dull! But by the end of the book, I was so enamored of Julie that I didn't want her story to end.

Julie is a young Eskimo girl whose mother has passed away. She lives on the Alaskan tundra with her father, Kapugen. When she is thirteen years old, Julie is promised as the wife of a neighbor, in an arranged marriage. Although apprehensive about becoming a wife, the boy's mother tells her they will live as brother and sister. But when Daniel, her betrothed, forces her into a sexual situation, Julie takes to the tundra to live life on her own in the Alaskan wilderness, with only a pack of wolves to protect her and help her stay alive.

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This story started out very slow. My son & I had a hard time with some of the names in the book, as they are Eskimo names that were hard to pronounce, and we read it aloud.

I was not crazy about the so-called "rape" scene, where Julie's husband Daniel forces himself upon her, but it was not a graphic description - just obvious as to what was happening. But this is recommended reading for my son's age group (he will be twelve in February). And there was one mention of Julie having her "periods", but again... these kids are in sixth grade and have already had health education regarding these things, so it wasn't that big of a deal - for me.
I think parents should take their own kids' maturity level and knowledge into consideration. (There has been some controversy over this passage, but I do think it's necessary for the reader to know the background as to why Julie is out there all alone. As I mentioned, parents should consider their own kids' understanding of this subject).

After a few chapters I got so wrapped up in Julie's story that I found myself saying, "let's just read one more chapter". Aside from the two scenes mentioned above, it was a beautiful, innocent story. This young girl was out on the frozen landscape all by herself trying to survive the elements with no food, water, or human companionship.

The whole book had me guessing what would happen not only with Julie, but with her wolf family as well. They took her in as one of their own, she named them all, and they became her family - it was hard not to wonder how it would all pan out. There was heartbreak and triumph, and the ending - though surprising - left me feeling very satisfied, and very glad indeed that this one was on the school reading list.

Downton Abbey - Part II... This Sunday January 8, 2012 on PBS

2012-01-07T13:29:00.000-05:00

Oh, how I've been waiting for this day!

Tomorrow night at 9:00p.m. on PBS marks the return of Downton Abbey!

If you love historical, period drama from the early 20th century that involves romance, scandal, betrayal, royal ties, class distinction, and everything in between, you have got to see this mini-series!

Part I took place in the early 1900's, and ended with the declaration of World War I in 1914. Part II is supposed to pick up right where the first one left off.

It's been months since Part I ended, and I have been absolutely chomping at the bit waiting for the next installment!
Seven episodes set to air on January 8, 15, 22, 29th and February 5, 12, and 19th, with actresses Maggie Smith and Elizabeth McGovern at the helm, Downton Season 2 promises to be worth waiting for. I hope it doesn't disappoint.

When Was The Last Time YOU Cried? (Semi-Spoiler Alert... Where The Red Fern Grows)

2012-01-06T20:55:00.000-05:00

I'm a crier. I admit it. I cry a lot! I cry when I'm happy, I cry when I'm sad. I cry over movies. I cry at church. I cry at weddings and funerals. You get the idea.

But there is one thing I have never cried over.... until now. I have never cried over a book.

This week I did.

My son was reading Where The Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls for his sixth-grade class. Even though he's twelve, he likes when I read aloud. We like to alternate.... he'll read a chapter out loud, then I'll read a chapter out loud.

I'll admit: in the beginning of the book, I was thinking it was a tad outdated. But by the second chapter, I was enjoying it much more than I thought I would.

Red Fern is a classic American tale about a boy who has a dream to own hounds and teach them to hunt coons. It takes place in a bygone era, set in the Ozark Mountains.

The story is simple, clean, and moving. And it made me bawl like a baby. I'm not kidding. By the last three chapters, the tears were streaming down my face. I haven't been so moved by a book in a very long time! And I have never, I repeat - NEVER cried over a book.

I will not say exactly what put me over the edge. (I'm sure if you haven't read the book, you might be able to guess what happens in the end.) But this has never happened to me before. I've read all kinds of books, stories, articles... whatever. Romances, chick-lit, literature... you name it.

Something about Red Fern just hit me the right way. Maybe because I had a hound (Daisy) for 8 years, and just last year I had no choice but to put her down? I guess I could relate to the way Billy felt about his hounds Old Dan & Little Ann? The love, the loyalty when you look into those soulful big brown eyes?

Where The Red Fern Grows was a classic, innocent, coming-of-age story. I loved it. My son liked it (which is saying a lot because, like the rest of my household, he is not a big reader. So when he admits he "liked" a book, I consider it a success!).
Don't be surprised if you too find yourself sniffling at the end.

How about you guys? Have you ever cried over a book? Which ones?

The Lost Boys vs. Twilight

2011-10-23T14:50:00.000-04:00

Now, I'm going to say this right up front: this is a very bias post.

Last week, I watched The Lost Boys. Classic, 1987 vampire movie starring Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, the two Coreys (if you are from this generation, this needs no explanation. If you are not of the 80's, it is Corey Haim and Corey Feldman), and Jamie Gertz.

Sweet cast. Great movie.

So, here's my question: why is this one of my favorite movies of all time, when I'm not the least bit interested in the whole Twilight thing? Is it because it is not my generation? Is it because there is so much hype about the whole saga? Is it because I'm getting old, and I just don't get it?

I told you this would be a bias post.

I have not read the books. I have not seen the movies. The whole premise of vampires and werewolves just seems so.... silly to me! But why did it fly in the 1987 version of "paranormal"?

Kiefer Sutherland and Jason Patric were definitely two hotties in my day. Are Taylor Laughtner and Robert Pattinson our modern day "Lost Boys"? (oh, how I hope I got those names right! That goes to show you how little I know about the series!)

I'm thinking it might be time to see what I've been missing with Twilight, etc. If I see it on Netflix, I might take a look at it. And if I like it enough, I'll try to read the books. This is totally going against my grain because I'm a big fan of reading the book first, then checking out the movie. But this time, I think I'll do it the opposite way.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this subject? Do you love/hate the Twilight saga? Why? What makes it so great? What turns you off about it?

I would love to hear from all the "Team Edward"s and "Team Jacob"s out there (see, I do know that much!)
What should I expect? Total genius or total ridiculousness?

Help this 80's girl come into the 21st century!

Men of the Stacks

2011-10-05T19:53:00.000-04:00

Well, I knew there was a good reason why I love the library!

Check out the Men of the Stacks! 2012 Calendar! Can you say, "hubba, hubba!"??

I would love to see some of these cuties at my local branch!

Seriously, all the proceeds from the sale of this calendar go to the "It Gets Better" Project which helps raise awareness for the bullying of young people, especially gay and lesbian teens. What a great cause.

Kids especially need to know that it's okay to be proud of who they are, and not feel like they have to hide the truth for fear of being bullied and teased.

Pajama Friday

2011-09-30T20:46:00.000-04:00

I know I've posted about it before. But I'm so excited that it's finally time to indulge in "Pajama Friday"s again!

The summer time is no time for Pajama Friday! Fridays in the summer mean sitting out back with a fire, some cold beers, and a table full of hamburgers and hotdogs. But come the fall and winter, I like nothing more than to come home from work on a Friday afternoon and change right into my p.j.'s. It's time for me to catch up on all the catalogs, magazines, and reading material that came in the mail all week. It gets dark early, the week was long, and it's time to unwind.

Well, now that the cool weather has returned (yay!), Pajama Friday is soon to be back in full swing! I love getting into my bed at 7:00 on a Friday night surrounded by reading material, and just lounging out. Especially after a day like the one I had today.

I got really irritated by a situation I had going on in the office, and I really lost my cool. Then a couple of co-workers said some things that really hurt my feelings, and I just wanted to crawl under a rock! And of course, after that I felt like I just couldn't do anything right, and I wanted to crawl even further under that rock. Ever have one of those days?

So, I thought it was the perfect time to reinstate the Pajama Friday I so dearly love. I actually had some errands to run after work today, so I'm already a little behind schedule here. But now I'm ready to get undressed, climb into my bed and call it a night. Tonight I have a new People magazine to read (slow week in the periodical department), but then I'll be continuing the book I started last week, The Confession by John Grisham (one of my all time favorite authors).

Here's hoping tomorrow will be a sunnier day. :)

Sunday Evening Dinner Chat

2011-09-25T21:08:00.000-04:00

So, I'm back to blogging, and I'm really excited about it. But as I was going through the list of blogs I follow, a lightbulb went off.

Seeing many of these blogs' latest posts reminded me of why it was so easy for me to let blogging fall by the wayside. I mean, don't get me wrong... I have been ridiculously busy! BUT, I think I was secretly harboring a deep resentment towards not only my own blog, but many of the blogs I follow.

As I was scrolling through, I realized that a lot of the blogs are the same-old, same-old. I guess I'm tired of that. The memes, the reviews of the same book by 120 blogs, the challenges, etc! I've had it.

My blog is not supposed to be "work". It's supposed to be "fun"! And it was kind of turning into a chore. Trying to "keep up with the Jones's" left me feeling irritated and cranky. I already have a full-time job, thankyou. When I come home from a long day, I have dinner to think about, kids with homework, meetings, schedules..... LIFE!

So from now on, I'm doing things MY way! I don't have time to read 6 books a week, and then review them. I'm lucky if I can read just one! And you can bet your sweet bippy that if I do have the time to pick up a book, it's going to be something I like, something I've been wanting to read. Not something I agreed to read and review because it will score me some more followers. I need to be true to myself and get back to basics here.

I do like to participate in a meme here and there (i.e. Cat Thursday), but that's because it makes me happy.

I don't mean to sound bitter and petty. So I'm sorry if I'm coming off that way. But seriously, the In My Mailbox just gets my goat. Or maybe I'm just envious that I don't have the time to read 8 or 9 books that have been sent to me in a timely fashion. And then the energy to write a quality review. Maybe I've just spread myself too thin in the past, and it finally caught up to me.

I do know that from now on, my blog is not going to be work! I want it to be fun and fresh... not a cookie-cutter of every blog you see in the "blogosphere" when you're surfing around to see what's what.

It just feels like a huge competition, and truthfully.... I've been through middle school. I don't need the drama.

I just want to read books. That I like. At my own pace.

They might not be the newest release, or the current bestseller, or by the next up & coming author.

But they will be books that I enjoy. So most of my reviews will most likely be positive ones. After all, why would I read stuff that I'm not into? Just to get a free advance copy and a leg up on other bloggers who are coveting the same book?

Not up in here. Not up in here.

It's Been Awhile....

2011-09-24T19:03:00.000-04:00

Wow.... it's been a long time since I last posted.

I apologize to all my faithfuls for not having anything new lately. Life has been so busy the past few months!

I started working full-time and it has taken me awhile to get into the groove. Then before I knew it, summer was in full swing, and now - before I knew it again, summer was over! Now we're a month into the new school year, and time is just flying!

I think I've finally gotten a handle on working full-time for the first time in 16 years! Whew!

I'm hoping to be able to post more reviews, on a more regular schedule, like I used to do!

I hope you'll all join me again.... I love blogging, and I love doing the reviews! So please check back soon!

"Gaslight" Mysteries Author Victoria Thompson Guest Post

2011-06-05T08:00:00.001-04:00

Victoria Thompson is the author of my absolute favorite series of all time, the "Gaslight" Mysteries.

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, the series main character is Sarah Brandt, a midwife whose job takes her to all corners of Manhattan, from the lower East Side tenements to the marble mansions of Fifth Avenue.

To celebrate the release of her latest mystery, Murder On Sisters' Row, I asked Ms. Thompson to stop in to A Cup of Tea to let us all know about the research that goes into each of her sensational books. I am absolutely thrilled that she took me up on the offer and decided join us here.

I am honored to welcome Victoria Thompson!

For someone who hated studying history in school, I’ve turned into quite a history buff as an adult. I’ve been writing historicals for over 25 years now, and for me the best part as always been doing the research. Researching New York City in the 1890’s is much easier than you might think, too. Photography was quite popular then, and you wouldn’t believe how many photographs there are of the city and its residents. I actually have several books of nothing but photographs, and these tell me far more than any research book ever could. I mean, who would think to write a detailed description of what the back of a tenement building looked like? Or a flop house? Or a beach at Coney Island? Yet all I have to do is look at a photograph to find all the details of what life in that particular time and place was like.

Another great research tool I have found is the book How the Other Half Lives by Jacob Riis. This is one of the earliest books that used photographs as illustrations to touch the hearts of upper class New Yorkers and convince them they needed to take action to help those less fortunate. He has short chapters devoted to various neighborhoods and ethnic groups in the city where he outlines their unique issues and problems. Here is where I found a story about the Irish women who married Chinese men and lived in Chinatown, which was the inspiration for Murder in Chinatown. And here is where I gleaned a lot of great information about Italian immigrants for Murder in Little Italy. I also plucked out details of life in the tenements that I have used in every one of the Gaslight Mysteries.

While I’m researching my current book, I often come across ideas for future ones as well. This happened when I saw a reference to the New York Charity Organization Society in a book I was reading for something else entirely. I was fascinated to learn that attitudes toward poverty were much different in the Nineteenth Century than they are today. Do-gooders back then believed that only the deserving poor should receive help, and not too much at that, lest they grow lazy. This became the germ of an idea that grew into my newest Gaslight Mystery, Murder on Sisters’ Row. Sisters’ Row was a row of houses on 25th Street that were all brothels, and when Sarah Brandt is tricked into going there to deliver a baby, she can’t resist helping the young woman escape from prostitution. But nothing is what it seems, as Sarah learns when she seeks help from the Charity Organization Society.

If you’re a fan of the Gaslight Mysteries, you’ve already learned that the problems people faced in the 1890’s aren’t so very different from those we still face today, and that’s why I find doing research so fascinating.

You can find out more about Ms. Thompson and her books by visiting her website http://www.victoriathompson.com/. She is also the author of many romance novels, if that is more your cup of tea!

Review: Murder On Sisters' Row by Victoria Thompson

2011-06-05T07:59:00.001-04:00

Murder On Sisters' Row is the latest and greatest of Victoria Thompson's amazing "Gaslight" mystery series.

Sarah Brandt, midwife, has been summoned to a birth. When she arrives at what she believes is a guesthouse for young women, she finds a young lady in the throes of labor. What she doesn't realize is that the house is really a brothel. The mother-to-be, Amy, insists that she is not a prostitute and is being held against her will. She begs Sarah to help her escape with the help of a Mrs. Van Orner, who has been known to help other girls that want to leave that kind of life behind.

Once Amy is safe in a rescue home that Mrs. Van Orner runs, she surprises everyone by naming her newborn baby after its father, which just happens to be the name of Mrs. Van Orner's husband Gregory. Is this a coincidence? Or is Amy really connected to the very rich, very high society Gregory Van Orner?

When Mrs. Van Orner appears to be poisoned, Frank Malloy of the New York City police is sent to investigate. But because the rescue home does not allow men inside, Malloy is none to happy to have to ask Sarah to help him with the case by questioning the women who reside there.

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You all know how much I love the "Gaslight" series! The setting of early Manhattan is just fantastic. Peppered with period details, it's like going back in time to a simpler life that just happens to have murder and mayhem!

Reading Sisters' Row was like coming home. Being the thirteenth novel in the series, the characters are like old friends. The plots of these mysteries are always fresh and new, even if set over one hundred years ago. They bring the reader to all different sections of the city, from the highest society to the poorest slums. And they keep to the era in which they are set - they're believable and solid.

I get so excited when I hear Ms. Thompson will be publishing a new installment of the "Gaslight"s. No matter where in New York City the author is going to take me, I know that there is going to be a history lesson embedded in the mystery that I can never seem to solve until the very end!

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This book was graciously provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review; all opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way. Thank you to Berkley Prime Crime.

"A Cup Of Tea On The Trail"... Review of Trail of Thread and Guest Post From Author Linda K. Hubalek

2011-06-03T07:26:00.001-04:00

I was recently contacted by Jodi at http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/ to read and review the first book in Linda K. Hubalek's Trail of Thread series.

I had never heard of this series, but after reading a summary, I jumped at the chance because it seemed right up my alley.

Trail Of Thread is "A Woman's Westward Journey" from Kentucky to Kansas during 1854 - 1855. Written in letter form, it is a fictionalized account of the author's great-great-great grandmother's movement across the Plains. Not only is this a fascinating read, it is truly a lesson in American history.

At a quick 109 pages, it took me no time to devour the story of Deborah Goodpastor Pieratt and her family. Times were definitely tough for these pioneers who travelled hundreds of miles to get to Kansas to start a new life.

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Not only is this the 150th anniversary of Kansas, but also of the Civil War. The author is now celebrating the e-book release of her Trail of Thread series.

About the author:
Linda’s sixth grade teacher assigned her class the traditional “What I Want to be When I Grow Up”. Linda has an untraditional answer…she didn’t want to be a nurse, a teacher, or a mom. She wanted to be a farmer! Linda’s sixth grade dream came true when she graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in Agriculture/Horticulture and spent years doing agronomy research and eventually starting her own business Prairie Flower Creations.

Much like her own ancestors headed West, Linda found herself in California tending a cement garden and longing for the fields of Kansas. Linda “visited” her beloved Kansas by writing the Trail of Thread series about Kansas pioneer women.

Although Linda is back in Kansas (growing bison this time, not prairie flowers), she’s still writing about Kansas women. Her FOURTH series, the Kansas Quilter series will be released late this year.

You can find out more at
http://www.lindahubalek.com/

And now, please help me welcome the fabulous author Linda K. Hubalek.

A Cup of Tea on the Trail

Talk, gossip, laughter or tears—with a cup of tea or coffee—has been a comfort and need for women in any century.

These days it is easy for us to brew a quick cup of a hot drink, and hardly stop the flow of conversation. Even if it is just a cup of hot water heated up in the microware with a tea bag thrown in…it takes less than two minutes.

Back in the pioneer days—depending on if you were traveling or on the homestead—you’d have to gather the wood, start the fire, go outside to a well or creek to draw up a bucket of water, put an enamel pot over the fire to heat up the water, roast and grind the coffee beans, etc (sigh) before even thinking of savoring that hot cup of brew.

The time consuming work of getting meals—or even an afternoon cup of coffee on the trail—was very evident when I was researching and writing my Trail of Thread series.

For example, Deborah and John Pieratt, featured in the first book of the Trail of Thread series left Kentucky in 1854 when the Territory of Kansas was formed. They were part of the thousands of families that packed wagons and headed east for the promise of a new life. They had to gather wood for a fire for every cup of hot drink they made for three months. I’m sure conversations with other women they met along the trail were welcomed, but short, due to the groups moving on every day.

Thimble of Soil, the second book in the series, features Margaret Ralston Kennedy. She was a widow who moved with eight of her thirteen children from Ohio to the Territory Kansas in 1855. She was dedicated to the cause of the North, and helped with the Underground Railroad in both Ohio and Kansas. Did she brew and secretly give hot drinks to people hiding under her watch? Did Margaret have a chance to ask where her visitors were from let alone where they were headed?

Orphaned Maggie Kennedy, portrayed in Stitch of Courage, the last book in the series, followed her brothers to Kansas looking for a better life as the states fought out the history of the Civil War. Again, think of the work it took to make a cup of coffee behind the battle lines, and how welcomed a normal conversation with someone from home would have been.

This series, written in the form of letters the women have written back home to loved ones portray the life and times of that generation. I wish I could have a cup of tea with one of my ancestors to get to know her, and her way of life.

I imagine there would be talk, gossip, laughter, and tears—with that cup of tea…

(And since you talk about cats quite often in your blog…)

I have a large paperweight on my desk…that loves to bite pens, shove papers off the desk, and push the keyboard out of his way.

Meet Gray Cat! He’s a stray tomcat that adopted us seven years ago. After several months of living in our backyard—wanting food but not attention—he moved into the house and hasn’t stepped outside since.

He only sits on my lap occasionally, and for just a short period. However—if he really wants to be petted—the keyboard slowly moves out of my reach…

It’s sometimes tough to keep my train of thought on writing with Gray Cat trying to help…

Cat Thursday... On Friday!

2011-05-27T14:46:00.000-04:00

A favorite meme, all about CATS and the cute, funny, hilarious things they do. Brought to us by Michelle at The True Book Addict.

This video is almost too cute to watch. You could just die over how sweet this is! Mommy protecting her baby who appears to be having a bad dream!

Hope you all have a great Memorial Day weekend! Be safe and have fun!

I have a few fun guest posts and reviews scheduled for June, so I hope you'll come back and visit again soon!

Cat Thursday

2011-05-19T08:00:00.001-04:00

It's that time again! Time for Cat Thursday! A fun meme hosted by Michelle at The True Book Addict.

Let's celebrate all things cats!

This is by one of my favorite artists, Charles Wysocki. He does fantastic cats, along with all kinds of other folk art. This one totally captures my simple dream. Cats and books. That's it. That's all I need. :)

Tasty Tuesday.... "Meatloaf Dip" Sandwiches

2011-05-17T07:26:00.001-04:00

MEATLOAF "DIP" SANDWICHES

2 lbs. meatloaf mix
(this can be found in your grocer's meat case. It is a mixture of ground beef, veal, and pork. 1 lb. of ground beef and 1 lb. of ground pork can be substituted if you can't find meatloaf mix)

1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs
1 envelope mushroom-onion soup mix
(onion soup mix may be substituted)
1 egg
1 10 3/4 oz can condensed tomato soup, divided

8 Kaiser rolls

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large bowl, combine meatloaf mix, bread crumbs, onion soup mix, egg, and 1/2 cup of tomato soup. Reserve remaining tomato soup.

Shape into 8 patties. Place on broiler pan, or similar pan that will allow juices to drip through to bottom.
Bake for 45 minutes, flipping 1/2 way through cooking time.

With about a 1/4 cup of water, loosen browned bits from bottom of the pan. Combine drippings with remaining tomato soup and heat until bubbly.

Serve patties on rolls with small bowls of gravy to "dip" sandwiches into.

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Serve with coleslaw, curly fries, and carrot sticks with veggie dip.

The Cat, The Lady, and The Liar by Leann Sweeney

2011-05-16T16:24:00.001-04:00

Another fave! Oh my... I guess there are just so many good ones out there and I don't waste time with ones I don't like!

The Cat, The Lady and The Liar by Leann Sweeney is the latest mystery in the "Cats In Trouble" series.

Seriously, this is one of my all time favorite series! It's a down-home, feel-good kinda series that makes me crave the next installment!

This time around, Jillian Hart has her hands full with a pampered black cat named "Isis". Trying to determine if Isis was abandoned, or if the kitty has slipped out on her own, Jillian tracks down the well-to-do (to say the least) owner and quickly sees that something is amiss.

Ritaestelle Longworth is the very wealthy lady of Longworth manor house. Although a longstanding member of "society", the townsfolk are starting to question Ritaestelle's sanity and trustworthiness - lately she's been found with some stolen accessories, and been telling some outlandish stories.

Convinced that her money hungry, mooching family members are drugging her tea, Ritaestelle enlists Jillian's help to prove that somebody really is out to sully her good name. When her secretary Evie is found floating in the lake behind Jillian's house, and Ritaestelle is standing nearby with a bloodied rock in her hand, it will take some quick thinking on Jillian's part, plus the help of all her feline friends to help clear Ritaestelle's name and reputation.

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FUN, FUN, FUN SERIES!!! There is something about Leann Sweeney's "Cats In Trouble" mysteries that keep me coming back for more. They have great story lines, and I love Jillian Hart!

I'll tell you a secret (not really, since I've stated it on this blog before, but...) when I can really get into a book, I can picture the characters in my head. Now, I've never met Ms. Sweeney, per se, but I have seen pictures of her. And she is exactly what I have in my mind for Jillian.

As for Jillian's love interest (but mostly friend) Tom Stewart, I've got none other than Tom Selleck stuck in my head!

Candace, an evidence loving police officer and Jillian's closest friend I have pictured as one of the security guards at my son's school (I don't have a photo of her! LOL).

Having these images of the characters in my mind really helps to cement the story as well as the people, so I can keep track of what's going on in the book. (Weird, I know!) If they're just faceless ideas, sometimes it's hard to get into the story.

Not so with the "Cats In Trouble"! Ms. Sweeney manages to pull me in each and every time!

Other titles in this series:

The Cat, The Corpse and The Quilt

The Cat, The Professor and The Poison

***this book was graciously sent to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, just an honest one. I received no monetary compensation, and all opinions are my own. Thank you to Berkley Prime Crime.

Doctor Confidential: Secrets Behind The Veil by Richard Sheff, MD

2011-05-09T14:28:00.001-04:00

I love memoirs, biographies, and personal accounts of anything to do with doctors, nurses, hospitals or any kind of medical subjects. So I jumped at the chance to review this one.

Doctor Confidential by Richard Sheff, MD is a great memoir of the author's days as a medical student and intern in the 1970's at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine.

The chapters are broken down into the different "rotations" the author had to participate in, such as Obstetrics, Psychiatry, and Surgery. It is not only a journey through med school, but also a coming of age feel-good story of a young man morphing into a caring and compassionate doctor.

The stories in Doctor Confidential were both heartfelt and eye opening. I had to remind myself through some of the chapters that this took place in the 1970's, because even though many of the principles and practices of medicine have changed throughout the decades, the bottom line of compassion and bedside manner are timeless.

And Dr. Richard Sheff was definitely way ahead of his time in that department. From helping a woman in labor to breathe through her contractions, to extubating a dying woman so she can have one last conversation with her family, Dr. Sheff answers the question:

"What's love got to do with medicine?... Everything!"

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I really enjoyed reading about Sheff's experiences in the hospital. This was a wonderful book that took me one afternoon to breeze through. Told in layman's terms, the language was not difficult to understand, and there were plenty of footnotes to help if the medical jargon got too technical.

It's always fun to see what goes on behind the scenes, so the author's subtitle of "Secrets Behind The Veil" is very fitting.

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This book was graciously sent to me from the Cadence Marketing Group in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, just an honest one. I was not compensated for my review, and all opinions are my own.

Cat Thursday... On Friday!

2011-05-06T07:26:00.003-04:00

This is one of my favorite memes. Hosted by Michele at The True Book Addict.

I haven't participated in awhile because... well, life keeps getting in the way of blogging, and I haven't had much time to blog lately!

But I'm participating this week, and I think this is THE BEST CAT THURSDAY (even though it's Friday!) I have ever found to share!

Look at this cat's markings! I don't know if this has been shopped or not. It looks real to me, but these days you never know....

I prefer to think it's real, and just goes to show you the amazing things God can do when He is "making stuff"!

Hope you all have a great weekend, and a very Happy Mother's Day to all the women out there who inspire us every day!

Blast From The Past

2011-05-05T19:13:00.000-04:00

When I was in sixth grade, my best friend and I used to sneak off school grounds at lunch time to go to the deli. We would each get a buttered roll and a bag of Bacon Cheddar Crunchy Cheetos.

Does anyone remember these delightful snacks? I haven't seen them in years. Don't know if they make them anymore or not.

Another favorite that I haven't seen in forever is the Chocodile. A chocolate covered Twinkie, if you will. The "mascot" was a little green crocodile on the box. I believe they were made by Hostess.

Why, oh WHY can't I find me a Chocodile???

Any snacks, candy or food from your past you would love to have again?

Mind Your Own BeesWax by Hannah Reed

2011-05-03T14:12:00.000-04:00

I fear I'm beginning to sound like a broken record, but I'll take my chances....

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!

The second book in the "Queen Bee" mysteries, Mind Your Own BeesWax by Hannah Reed is a great follow up to last year's debut Buzz Off!

In addition to being an amateur beekeeper and local store owner, Story Fischer also teaches classes on candlemaking.

When an old high-school classmate shows up at one of her sessions, Story is surprised to say the least. When they were seniors, Lauren Kerrigan was sent to jail for drunk driving and subsequently running over and killing the town's Police Chief.

Released from jail because she is suffering from cancer, this is Lauren's first time back since the accident. When she is later found dead, along with a local townswoman people refer to as "The Witch", the residents of Moraine are wondering if she was killed for revenge. But where does the murder of Hetty (the witch) fit in?

Story and her friends are about to find out.

Packed with interesting tips on bee-keeping and honey, the "Queen Bee" series is a fantastic mix of fact and fiction.

With plenty of fun characters, including "Pity Party" Patti (P.P. Patti), and Dinky, the widower Norm's mangy dog, you'll be reading non-stop until you get to the last satisfyingly sweet page!

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This book was graciously sent to me by the publisher, Berkley PrimeCrime in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, just an honest one, and I received no monetary compensation for this review.

Ape House by Sara Gruen

2011-05-02T08:30:00.001-04:00

As the author of Water For Elephants, Sara Gruen is HUGE right now. But that's not why I picked up Ape House.

I have not even read Water For Elephants. I don't know why, but for some reason when a book becomes soooo big that everyone and their mother is reading it, I don't want to read it. I think because there is so much hype about it, and I'm afraid that it's not going to live up to it's reputation. I just don't know.

But anyway, I picked up Ape House because a couple of weeks ago, me and the fam had an outing to The Bronx Zoo. It was a fabulous day. A little drizzly and cool. We were practically the only ones there, and if you've ever been to The Bronx Zoo, you know that is a rare occurence!

But I digress.

My favorite part of the B.Z. is going in to see the Gorillas! They are so human-like, it's almost disturbing. Fascinating to watch, I could sit there all day.

So when I saw Ape House sitting on the shelf at the library, I thought, "oooh, I bet it will be like watching the Gorillas!"

It was a great book. Although it was about Bonobo Apes, not Gorillas, it was still as engrossing as I hoped it would be!

Isabel Duncan has spent her life training Bonobo Apes to use American Sign Language. She believes it is possible to communicate with these great creatures who share 94% of humans' DNA, and from all of her research and observations so far, she is very right!

She is doing some wonderful work with the apes, and is communicating with each and every one of them on a human level. Until a bomb rocks the research facility, critically injuring Isabel and allowing the Bonobos to escape.

Tranquilized and without Isabel to guide them, they are sold to an entertainment venue and are made the stars of "Ape House", a reality show based on the behavior of Bonobo Apes.

Teaming with reporter John Thigpen, Isabel is hardpressed to save her "family" before harm comes to either them or the horrible people who are keeping them from her.

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From start to finish, Ape House was everything I wanted it to be! Heartwarming, sad, refreshing and honest. It touched on many issues including animal rights and freedom of speech. But it was also a love story, in a very different sense of being a "love story". Isabel loved her apes as if they were human. She treated them like children. She had their very best interest at heart, and would have crawled over broken glass to protect and save them.

This was the first Sara Gruen novel I have read, and now I am rethinking my decision to not read Water For Elephants! Maybe after all the excitement and hype over the movie die down, I'll remember how I loved Ape House, and decide to give it a go.

Begging For Trouble by Judi McCoy

2011-05-01T11:52:00.000-04:00

The Dog Walker series by Judi McCoy is seriously one of my favorite series out there right now.

The latest, Begging For Trouble is just as much fun as the first three books in this mystery/paranormal series.

Normally, I'm not much of a fan of the "paranormal" genre, but this is just so much fun.... it's not to do with vampires and shapeshifters (which I admit, I do not get at all) but rather with a regular, every day girl next door, who just happens to be able to talk to dogs!

Ellie is a professional dog walker in New York City (one of my favorite settings in books), and when one of her clients, who happens to be a drag queen, invites her to his newest show, she jumps at the chance. She "drags" along her boyfriend Sam of the NYPD.

During the show, screams are heard backstage. When Sam goes running to investigate, he finds Ellie's friend Rob leaning over a body, weapon in hand. Ellie does not believe that Rob is guilty of the crime, and unfortunately, the only witness was Rob's tiny poodle/chihuahua mix, Bitsy.

Ellie tries to get as much information as possible from Bitsy, but it seems she is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after witnessing the crime, so she is not very forthcoming with any clues. Which, much to the chagrin of boyfriend Sam, leaves Ellie to do some sleuthing on her own.
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I love this series! I love the setting, the characters, the talking dogs! Like I said, I guess talking canines does lend a touch of the paranormal, but if you are a pet lover (like I am), it definitely works! Dog (and cat) lovers on the whole, I think, prefer to think that their companions can tell them things! Maybe not to the extent that Ellie's friends can, but that's what makes this series fun.

I love how Judi McCoy gives the dogs certain personalities. For instance, Bitsy is a poodle/chihuahua mix. Her personality is delicate and demure. Where as Mr. T, a rough and tumble, Animal Planet watching Jack Russell acts tough as nails, to match his name!

The romance between Ellie and Sam doesn't overpower the heart of the mystery. It's a nice addition to the series, but Ellie and her charges definitely take center stage. I kind of feel like if I wanted to read a scorching love story, then I'd pick up a scorching love story!

If you want fun whodunnit mystery, with very light romance, and a whimsical touch of the paranormal, you should really give the Dog Walker series a try.

Begging For Trouble is the fourth title in the series. Previous titles are:
1. Hounding The Pavement
2. Heir Of The Dog
3. Death In Show

**this book was graciously sent to me by the publisher, in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to give a positive review, just an honest one. Thank you to Berkley Prime Crime for this opportunity.

Fascinating Read: Kosher Nation by Sue Fishkoff

2011-04-19T18:39:00.000-04:00

With Passover here, this is the perfect book for you to pick up.

Kosher Nation by Sue Fishkoff

(Why More and More of America's Food Answers to a Higher Authority)

Let's get one thing straight: I am not Jewish. I do not think this book was necessarily written for Jewish people. Apparently, there are a lot more than just Jewish people who want to eat kosher food.

This book is fascinating. There is a myth among ... er, how should I say it.... non-Jews? that "kosher" food is just food that is blessed by a rabbi. Kosher Nation will show you that it is soooo much more than that!

There are rules and regulations on how the food needs to be prepared, in what order food needs to be eaten, on what plates the food needs to be presented on and which utensils need to be used. (I had a hard time keeping it straight!)

Where I live in the Hudson Valley in New York, we have a huge Hasidic Jewish community just over a mile away. So I have always been interested in their way of life and customs and beliefs. Kosher Nation definitely helps to understand the ins and outs of keeping a kosher home (not as easy as you think!)

But like I said, more than just religious Jews are looking for kosher food these days.... Muslims also have rules and regulations; vegetarians, and Seventh-Day Adventists are also some of the 11.2 million Americans who regularly seek out kosher food for purchase and consumption.

I totally love this book! It was interesting to see what goes into making a kosher home, why people choose to observe kosher rules, and what making food "kosher" entails.

It's not a religious book. There are some Biblical references as to why some parts of the animal are okay to eat but others are not, etc....

But it really deals with consumerism. (Interesting tidbits on how Coca-Cola, Nabisco, and other big name companies have jumped on the kosher bandwagon!)

From the inside front flap: "A revelatory look at the state of kosher in America, this book will appeal to anyone interested in food, religion, Jewish identity, or big business."

I agree, wholeheartedly.

A Rant..... Kind of.

2011-04-18T08:03:00.002-04:00

I see a lot of bloggers that participate in a meme which consists of telling everyone what books they "acquired" in a given week.

It's fun because it gives others a chance to see what is new & upcoming, or already available. And it gives ideas on what we would like to put on our ever-growing TBR lists!

But something's bothering me. I have what one might call "mailbox envy"! No, really! I do not get half of what some of these mailboxes are seeing on a daily basis! I don't know what I would do if I did.

I do receive books for review from publishers and authors. But the few I do receive sometimes feels overwhelming! I don't think I could keep up with my review and posting schedule if my mailbox was as indulated with stuff as some of the ones I see on the blogs.

How do they do it? Are bloggers really reading all of the loot they're receiving, and posting quality reviews? Or is it just the euphoria of getting free stuff from authors and publishers?

I mean, I feel like I have fallen way behind in my reading and reviews because, well..... life keeps getting in the way! Between working, laundry, cooking, cleaning, homework, pets, errands, appointments..... well, you get the drift. There isn't always time to be reading for hours on end, and then before I know it, I've fallen behind and need to play catch up!
Does this happen to anyone else out there?

Does anyone feel guilty for rackin' up all this "loot" and then finding they don't have the time do follow up on their commitments to the author or publisher?

Currently, I have four books to still read before I can review them for my blog, and I am smack dab in the middle of a book that needs reviewing. It's starting to feel like homework that needs to get done.... like I have this project due and I better get it started because before I know it, it's going to be the night before it's due and I have yet to do any research for it! (remember that old feeling of not having your homework done?) And you really didn't want to go ask Mom for help, because she would undoubtedly ask you when it's due, and God forbid you say "tomorrow".

But I digress.

I'm not really ranting. I'm just curious to know how all these "mailboxers" are able to keep up with the books and ARC's they are receiving from various sources and not feel overwhelmed.

-Do you have a certain number of books you feel you can safely commit yourself to without feeling the pressure of having to get them read?
-What do you feel comfortable with?
-How much is too much?
-At what point do you say, "enough is enough... I've gotta get caught up"?

I'm curious to know if bloggers have a "competitive" feeling towards other bloggers? Like maybe one blogger might "one up" a fellow blogger by getting more swag? And getting a leg up on other bloggers by posting reviews for a great not-yet-released title?

Here on "A Cup of Tea....", I think things are pretty easy going. I just do what I do. I don't participate in too many memes (I do have a couple of favorites here and there...), I don't follow a weekly format where Mondays are always _____, and Tuesdays are always ______. I just go with the flow, and whatever gets posted that day, gets posted that day.

Do you think that blogs with weekly memes and formats do better and have more followers than those that are just willie-nillie? I am an Amazon.com affiliate, but I will tell you a secret. I have not gotten one red cent from being an affiliate for Amazon, or for anyone/thing else! I am not getting rich from my blog. Crikey, I'm not even getting lunch money from my blog! LOL.

But for me, it's fun! I've always been way into creative writing and reading, and I never thought I'd have as much fun managing a blog as I am having while managing "A Cup of Tea"! I'm not quitting my day job, that's for sure.

Have you, or anyone else you know started a blog with the intent to get recognized, or monetary compensation?

So many questions.... I'm not trying to create any kind of controversy or firestorm... I'm just curious as to what goes through the heads of other bloggers, successful or not.

Please share your thoughts with me and let me know where you stand on all these issues!

Crock-Pot Mac & Cheese

2011-04-17T12:58:00.000-04:00

This recipe, with all its ooey-gooey goodness is perfect for damp,dismal Fall evenings, or for bright, blustery Spring days like we're having today.

I've gotten loads of requests for it before, so now I'm sharing:

Crock-Pot Mac & Cheese

1 16oz. box rotini pasta (or any spiral shape)
2 C. half-and-half
1 can condensed cheddar cheese soup (10 3/4oz. size)
1/2 stick butter, melted
4 C. shredded mild cheddar cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

Cook pasta according to package directions.
(I like to cook the pasta for only a few minutes, until it starts to soften, and let it cook the rest of the way through in the crock-pot).

Meanwhile, turn on crock-pot to "LOW". Place butter in pot and let melt. Stir in the cheddar cheese soup, 1/2 & 1/2, and salt & pepper to taste.

Drain pasta, add to crock-pot. Add shredded cheddar and stir to combine. Cover and cook on "LOW" for about 2 hours, until heated through and cheese is all melted and gooey.

***if you like it really creamy, add more 1/2 & 1/2 to suit your preference.

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I like to keep it simple with this one. Hotdogs with chili, or frozen beer battered fish filets (ya know the ones in the blue box?) make a perfect accompaniment to this mac & cheese. It is filling and satisfying.

Let me know how you liked it!

Writer's Block

2011-04-16T14:58:00.000-04:00

Well, I've started this post about seven times now, and each time I've deleted it because I just can't seem to get my thoughts together!

Bah! I hate when this happens!

So instead of posting, I am just going to hunker down and do some reading! It's a cold, dark, blustery, rainy day here in New York. The Yanks are on the board with 3, but it sure is coming down at the Stadium... I wonder if they'll call the game.

I've got macaroni & cheese in my crock pot for a nice hot comfort-food dinner, and kitty is keeping my legs warm!

Hopefully, I'll have somethin' to say soon! ;)