Jude's 25 for 2010........version 3

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THE LIST:

1) REASONS-Tracy Fabre ***
2) GHOSTWALK- Rebecca Stott **
3) THE GREEN AND THE GRAY- Timothy Zahn ****
4) KILL DRESS- John Young *
5) STILL LIFE- Louise Penny ***
6) GRACE AFTER MIDNIGHT: A MEMOIR- Felicia "Snoop" Pearson ****
7) OOM- D J Webber ***
8) THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO-Stieg Larsson ****
9) UNNATURAL FIRE - Fidelis Morgan ****
10) DIGITALLY DAUNTED: The Consumer's Guide to Taking control of the Technology in Your Life - Sean Westcott & Jean Riescher Westcott ****
11) THE CHINATOWN DEATH CLOUD PERIL- Paul Malmont ****
12) THE VANISHING OF KATHARINA LINDEN- Helen Grant ***
13) BROWN GIRL IN THE RING- Nalo Hopkinson ***1/2
14) SUMNER ISLAND-Michael Cormier ***
15) THE TRANSFORMATION OF BARTHOLOMEW FORTUNO - Ellen Bryson ***1/2
16) HARD EIGHT - Janet Evanovich ***
17) TO THE NINES - Janet Evanovich ***
18) TEN BIG ONES - Janet Evanovich ***
19) BIRDMAN -Mo Hayder ***
20) MALLORY'S ORACLE - Carol O'Connell ***
21) THE MAN WHO CAST TWO SHADOWS- Carol O'Connell ***
22) JACKSON PARK - Charlotte Carter ***
23) ELEVEN ON TOP - Janet Evanovich **
24) TWELVE SHARP - Janet Evanovich **1/2
25) COVER HER FACE - P D James ***
26) OUT - Natsuo Kirino ****1/2
27) GUILTY PLEASURES - Laurell K. Hamilton ***
28) THE GENDARME - Mark T. Mustian ****
29) FLESH WOUND - John Say **
30) THE CONVENT - Panos Karnezis ***
31) MORE HOME COOKING: A WRITER RETURNS TO THE KITCHEN - Laurie Colwin ****

Hi Jude, hope things are going well for you.

Gotcha starred! :)

Damn, you guys are fast...I just finished this thing a while ago....

Ah, Fame!!!

;-}

>3 calm: I am doing fine..it's just so COLD here....unseasonably so.....my toes are cold....if I keep typing fast enough my fingers stay warm....Thanks so much for stopping by

>4 Ape: Stephen...you are always welcome here, you know that...Are you staying warm????

Hey, Jude!
To keep your toes warm -

Oh Oh Claudia..i have knitted those socks!!

thanks so much!!

;-}

Hi, Jude! I have you starred!

*waves merrily*

Hi, Jude. I can pick this thread up when I'm reading my Your Groups, but as soon as I have a good excuse I'm going to post a message so that the thread will show up on my Your Posts which I read first and sometimes is the only bunch that I read in a day.

I hope you are feeling at least roughly pain free and that it lasts through the holidays, and then just on and on.

Robert

Thank You, Robert.....I am doing much better with the back pain....my exercise regimen and anti-inflammatory meds have helped....and I know when "not" to overdo the strenuous stuff. My problem now is this damned cold weather which chills me to the bone...can't do anything outside for more than 20 minutes before my fingers and toes freeze....even wearing thermal gloves, socks, and insulated work boots. I am such a wuss...The holidays will be quiet this year, I hope....I'm not in the mood for a lot of company, and most of my friends feel the same..a bunch of old homebodies we be.

And thank you, Terri, for the starring. i still haven't picked up a book to start reading....not that there isn't anything to read here...I can't explain it...not so much aversion as avoidance..I hope this passes..I have 4 books for which I owe reviews...with one more en route...Grrr.

;-}

..I have 4 books for which I owe reviews...with one more en route...Grrr.

Jude, nothing chills my desire to read more than having a whole pile of stuff that I ought to be reading. . .

pretty pretty thread!

>12 tymfos: Terri, I know...but these 4 are going to be good reads!! I just got lazy...and the errant, en route one...made it here this afternoon....which brings the total to 5!!!

>13 mckait: Aw, thanks, lady!
;-)

Glad to hear the back pain is easing up some for you, Jude! Sorry the book funk is continuing though.

Hey! I have had BA too.. (book avoidance).
It does pass eventually, but really.. if you don't feel like reading..
enjoy other things until you do. I would love to be able to offer advice,
but for me, I just have to wait for it to go away. I come here instead!
Have another cozy day... and get your errands done.. snow moving in
I think?

More Home Cooking: A Writer Returns to the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin

.........this came in the mail today...and I read (actually re-read) it in one sitting...what a lovely/lively/fun book...my review will follow as soon as...

I woke up this morning with lower back pain...which was pretty scary...but between applications of ice and/or heat...and my anti-inflammmatory meds I'm feeling better tonight..a good thing, since my doctor is on Medical Leave!!! ACK!!! I'm hoping for a good night's sleep....keep your fingers crossed.

I guess the Reading Standoff is over..and I am back..

;-}

Oh no... not good..I hope that you are better today. Do you have a good mattress? Hope you wake feeling well and healthy today.

#31

More Home Cooking: A Writer Returns to the Kitchen by Laurie Colwin

4 Stars

I first read this book, and its companion Home Cooking: A Writer in the Kitchen in 1997. This time around I devoured it in one sitting...and it is still a satisfying read.

Food writing as it should be..true Kitchen Table talk...full of stories, anecdotes, hints, tips, victories and flops. The recipes? some work...some don't

The favor Ms Colwin did for me was mentioning Taste of Country Cooking by the inimitable Edna Lewis...which title I recommend to anyone interested in "American" cookery...besides that, Ms Lewis is one hell of a storyteller.

MORE HOME COOKING has a chapter on what to eat whilst suffering JET LAG....the bugbear of our times. Her chapter on feeding children is a gem since she does not focus so much on the "dos and donts" as she does on the "exciting the palate" of those who are not jaded..Her chapter on Lentil Soup left me with a serious craving...and are those drool spots on the page(s)???

I love this book. It's a pity Ms Colwin died so young...we lost a good Foodie....and a Good Woman to boot. Highly recommended to anyone who must cook in order to eat well

;-}

Wonderful review.. IT sounds like a good fun read.. Thanks jude!

Sorry to say that my local library has neither of Colwin's Home Cooking books. Rats.

Hope you are feeling better, Jude!

Thanks for the kind words, people... I am feeling better...don't know what the backache was about...I have a crappy mattress but I also have a 3/4 inch bed board between it and the box springs..I do not sleep on a marshmallow!

Problem today is the weather...it's raining now but will change to wet snow..the forecasters are going all Doom & Gloom which makes me feel so sunny (not)....I really don't want to be snowed in, yet...too early..

Stasia, it's too bad that your library doesn't have the Home Cooking books...mine probably doesn't either...so I found used copies at Better World Books. I gave my set away a couple of years ago to a friend who was moving out of state....Good for her, bad for me since I love Colwin's unpretentious writing style

Gotta go, my cat wants feeding
;-}

Hi Jude!
It doesn't take much for backs to act up! :P
Glad you are feeling better.

I was introduced once to a woman here in Maine who had a humongous garden and wrote about food history. Apparently she was something of an expert on the subject. She wrote a marvelous book that was too expensive for me at the time... and now I can't remember her name or the book's name. I think it was Sandy Something. I'm gonna try to look that up.

ETA: It was Sandy Oliver and her book was Saltwater Foodways. Still $44.
Here is a link to her site
http://www.foodhistorynews.com/about.html

Glad you stopped by, Claudia....it's a wet, miserable morning and a friendly face/type font is always welcome..

I, too, will try to track down Ms SANDY SOMETHING...since i love reading Food History..

;-}

thanks for the update!

OK.. Here's what Ron recommends for a snowblower -

You'll need a 2 stage blower, at least 26" width
This will give you approx a 7-8 HP machine that should "do the trick".
He said they don't rate as HP anymore - they do it in cubic centimeters.

Anyway - if you have a Lowe's in your area, you can look online to see what they have and the prices.
Advice from Ron: Always use a fuel stabilizer. And buy extra shear pins.

It's heavy but there are 6 speeds forward and two reverse to do the work for you.

I have very little idea what this all means... but if you have any questions...I'll ask him for ya! :)

That sounds plain scary.

Well, I dunno??? That's what he said. They are all scary to me. :{

It's not the biggest and meanest... but what he thinks you will need for a driveway as you describe.

Thanks so much, Claudai...I was looking on the site

www.snowblowersdirect.com this morning

so I knew I needed a two-stage (gravel driveway)...found a 26" but still need to do more shopping....I always use fuel stabilizer in my mowers...and read that I need extra shear pins...

Will look at the Lowes website...the closest to me is a 50 mile drive...I'll check the local Hardware Stores toot-sweet...or as "toot" as I can...depending on how much snow we get tonight..I might be stuck here on the hill for a few days...

Actually.....none of this stuff is scary to me, anymore..Heck, I had to buy a new furnace this year..now THAT gave me pause....

Thanks again...much appreciated
;-}

Made it into town this morning...Drug Store run...Post Office run...bought a new snow shovel/pusher...and enough food for a small Army. The weather forecast here is totally wonky....so i hedge my bets and bought a lot of non-perishables....plus food for my Beasts

Hope everyone is doing okay...keeping warm...

;-}

Drive safely, Jude! Stay warm yourself :)

Will do, Stasia...I don't plan on going anywhere for the rest of the week......housework beckons..but I ignore it ;-)

Books to read.........****Temptation***

Stay warm yourself (silly thing to say, since I don't know what the weather is like in North Texas...DUH!)

;-}

*waves* glad that you are snugged down and prepared.

Hello, Sister "kait"

Snugged down is right.....my Beasts have food, so do I...just hate to leave the Living room, since the rest of the house is seriously chilly..

;-}

For some reason, Dan had the furnace on 55 today. I am still trying to warm up the place. Brrrr. I have a fire in the LR too. nice.

I turned my furnace down this afternoon, too...because the Buck Stove had warmed the living room so much..and I was trying to, uh, disperse the air...Furnace is now up to normal...going to be in the single digits again tonight..Grrr...I'm too old for this crap!

Stay warm, my friend
;-}

My old cat is being a serious Ass-Pain...needing attention and People Food...Oh, I got a bottle of Rescue Remedy...gave her a bit on her paws the other day when she was washing herself all to hell..it calmed her down..but sparked her appetite..Go figure..Thanks for the recommend on That, by the by..

give her a spritz once a day for a few days.. bet you see a difference !

*munchies* lol

Hey, people....this thread is still Active until January 1st...don't leave me all alone...y'hear!!??

;-}

.......Kath, I got the drops cause Miss Kitty doesn't like spray bottles....she is doing better...and so is her appetite!!

Hey Jude,
Holy cow! I've been lurking here and now realize I haven't said a proper hi! in days! I'm sorry. Didn't mean to dis ya! Though I feel like I have connected with you somewhere in this maze...

I'm so messed up with 2010 and 2011 threads, 3 Christmas celebrations (coming up) in this house, as well as doctor and vet vists every other day ... stupid time of year to be scheduling medical stuff. geeze! Don't know how it all came together like this.

At least you have Kath - she is a very loyal friend! :)
What kinds of drops are you giving your kitty to increase her appetite? Need some for my Mom. :(

Hey, Claudia!!

Don't worry....you couldn't dis me if you tried!! And my thoughts are with you...positive ones...in your celebrations...Ain't family grand?? And don't you know that doctor/vet visits don't respect Holidays...we gotta do 'em, right?

The drops for my cat....RESCUE REMEDY...that Kath told me about. My cat has been washing herself silly llately..and I can't find a thing wrong with her skin...no red patches, no scabs, no ICK whatsoever...I rear she's a tad neurotic..so I got these drops and she's calmed down a bit...but now she's got the Munchies (jeez, I hope they didn't put Pot in these drops!)...but isn't pulling out her fur....One or the other, right?....As for your Mom...not sure this stuff would help...but there is a RESCUE REMEDY for people...I forgot.....

I started my 2011 thread but won't post reviews until after January 1st...the new one is open for Chat...but Business won't start until 2011 does...You can find me at either place.

;-}

I will continue to try to keep track of you over here..
or over there or in this time, or that time.... or??

any rescue remedy is for people and animals...
spray, drops with or without alcohol..
I have used it for years..
good stuff.

There are lozenges too, now.

So...Wot?

are you supposed to be a Scarecrow??? You don't scare me, Sis...never will, no!!!

She likes the drops..I have to put them on her paw...and rub what's left on her nose

never tried the People version....
;-}

Hi, Jude! *waves* Didn't mean to neglect you! I'm just way too far behind every which way . . . this challenge & that challenge, this year & next year . . . and RL.

Hope your kitty settles down without eating you out of house and home!

Miss Kitty has settled down quite a bit...but she knows that "something is up"...re: THE HOLIDAYS...more people are calling...I'm cooking different foods (I indulge myself during the winter with things I haven't tried before..or dishes that take more time to prepare) and she gets to sample all that what smells so good...So do I...and my hips will show it!

don't worry, Terri...I don't feel neglected..what with bouncing from this thread to my 2011 thread....and RL..yeah, that...

****I still have at least one review to post here before the year's end....maybe 2....so stay tuned, my Peeps!*****

;-}

Good! you should indulge yourself a bit. I am glad that you are
having more people calling and doing some fun jude things..

>45 mckait:

.........somebody is following me...........where? where?

I spot a Kath......big *hug*

;-)

#44: I still have at least one review to post here before the year's end....maybe 2....so stay tuned, my Peeps!

Cool beans! I love your reviews, Jude!

I do too.. and {{{{jude}}}}

Of course I am following you, jude.. count on it!

Of course I am following you, jude.. count on it!

.........then I'd better behave myself, no?

;-)

heavens no!

'Jude' and 'behaving herself' do not seem to belong in the same sentence together! :)

Hi Jude!
Happy Tuesday-before-Christmas!


glitter-graphics.com

Thanks, Claudia

it took a while to see the GIF...i'm watching

that's me....always jumping-off-the-cliff...without looking over my shoulder

thank you, my friend

;-}

Don't know why I posted that on your thread Jude... I thought it was kinda funny when I first saw it... didn't expect the sleigh!
Sorta like when I read your posts - always something unexpected and funny...
hehehehe

Aw, c'mon, Claudia

Christmas, and Life, sometimes catches us that way!

I love the GIF....don't worry

;-}

hilarious GIF lolol'

you two crack me up

Hey Jude!
Kinda quiet here...
Did you get snow/snow blower yet? Want me to shake your globe?
Ron is out blowing our driveway... 5-6 inches nice heavy snow... ahhh! :)

Hey Claudia...I was just about to go to your thread!

It is quiet here.....no reason except I am trying to fend off the Holiday Blues.....

No snow blower yet...but I did get a new show shovel/pusher.....and I think it was a hex. No measurable snowfall since....cross my toes that it stays this way...I do like snow...but not to the point that I am Snowed In..

I am being a Slug today....have to start cooking tomorrow. No company expected, but I feel like fixing a small Feast anyway..

;-}

We'll be having a quiet Christmas (no company expected) on Sat.
And thank the goddess after last weekend's festivities around here plus one more to come next week.
I am making a few frivolous goodies for dinner even so... after all, it will be Christmas!
Maybe you can wait long enough for a sale on the snow blower... be careful they don't run out of them (like they do around here).
Have a slug-ger of a day! ;-)

Joining you in the alone for the Holidays club and the cooking of a small Feast:)

Remember, you are never truly alone when you are in the hearts and thoughts of others..



Wishing you happiness.

Aw, thank you.....

I have my Pork Roast in the oven...and the house is starting to smell of Rosemary & Garlic

That's all I am going to cook today...tomorrow I'll roast some Root Vegetables and do my Kale

Hope to get some reading done this afternoon...

;-}

Hope you are having a wonderful day.... thinking of you!

Thinking of you, too...Kath!

Hope all the kids are there.....and the furkids are behaving..My cat is going crazy over the cooking smells. My root vegetables are roasting and she's sitting in front of the stove....acting very twitchy!
Loves the smell of garlic, but she won't eat it...probably a good thing. Anyway, I'll do my Kale this afternoon..then pig out around 5 or 6...

Love the GIF Tree!

;-}

glitter-graphics.com

((Jude)) Keep cozy and warm!

Will do, Claudia......you do the same.

It's trying to snow here, again...very pitiful though

;-}

Impossible to keep up... just trying to keep you on my radar, my friend!

That's okay, Kath...there's nothing much going on here anyway

;-)

Good morning! Once again I am busy .. but hopefully just for the morning..
cross crossables for me would ya?

Everything but my eyes...I have to go into town this morning!!

;-}

deal! thnx

Have a day full of good energy and happy news, ladies!

Off to prepare a waffle brunch for the crowd!

Just stopping by to offer best wishes for the upcoming New Year, Jude!

YO!! Terri

take it over here:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/104725

until I have actual book reviews..then I'll do a whole new "do"

;-}