For What It's Worth


Tuesday, March 26, 2024

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Don't leave me hanging this way...

 


4 women of various races sit on a blue sofa thought bubbles about their head that say Tell Me Something Tuesday
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Will you start a series if you know it probably won't be finished?

Answer: No. And I'll go a step further and say that I've pretty much stopped reading series all together.

Several years ago, mostly with YA (& mostly trilogies) were getting out of control. Between the overhype, the filler second books and bad endings, I backed far away from series. 

I was is the midst of about 45 series and I  just quit. It takes a lot to hook me now. I've read a few duologies but mostly stand alones. 

I don't really count romance series, with different couples, in that though. Or any series that may be the same world but different characters/story. I feel like you can jump in and out of series like that - skipping books. 

I'm so far removed from bookish social media though so I may just dabble again. I know I'm weird, but I do not like getting super hyped about the next installment and what might happen, shipping couples etc. That sets up too many expectations, anxiety and disappointments for me as a reader. I never felt that way before blogging - so maybe there's a way to get back to that care free reading experience. 

How about you? Will you start a series if you might not ever know how it ends?

 *cough* George R.R. Martin *cough*



Friday, March 22, 2024

It's a Wrap (up)...

Well, look at me! I've been posting twice a week for about 3 weeks now. How long will I last? lol

Here's a wrap-up of my week for inquiring minds...

LIFE:

Deep red, heart shaped ceramic mixing bowl with a small pour spout at the bottom tip. A business card and small, round leather piece with the Jefferson Street logo lie next to it on a wood table
Kevin ordered this gorgeous ceramic batter bowl by Jefferson Street Ceramics, for our anniversary but it didn't get here on time - but here it is! Look how beautiful! It has a spout for pouring and is microwave, dishwasher safe but I'm afraid to use it. 

I also have their ceramic pie wights. Everything is handmade and at pretty reasonable prices for quality in comparison to many other places. 

We had 5 sunny, wonderful days and it's pushed all the Cherry Blossoms, Magnolias and spring bulbs into blooming. We took full advantage of it going to the Portland Japanese Garden taking a short hike after and eating dinner outside every day. But alas...we are back to standard PNW spring - rain everyday for the foreseeable future and 50's. It was nice while it lasted and completely boosted my spirits. 

BAKING:

I forgot to take a pic, but I made 7 grain bread - which is a basic white bread with 7 grain cereal (I used Bob's Red Mill). Really good and great as toast or for sandwiches. 

a round, white breakfast plate with cloud like egg whites with a yolk in the center. Bacon, melon and blueberries fill out the plate
Sunday, I got fancy with my eggs and made Parmesan Cloud Eggs with this recipe from Eating Well. It does take a few extra steps - separating and whipping the egg whites - but was still super simple and looked so fancy. Everyone was curious about how it tasted and the texture of the egg whites is odd at first but they have parmesan cheese (and I added chives) so that added a nice sharp/salty flavor. We liked them and I will make them again. 

I also baked Irish Cream Coffee Cake from the NYT. The Irish cream liqueur tasted SO yummy in this (even though I don't drink alcohol) but the original recipe is ridiculously unhealthy - even by dessert standards. 622 calories; 32 grams fat; 16 grams saturated fat;42 grams sugars. I made a few tweaks to make it health(ier) for Kevin's co-workers with various issues. I used a simple cinnamon, cocoa powder, sugar layer in the center instead of the crumble and for the top I only used half (if that) of the crumble mix and used oat flour, way less sugar and plant based butter. It was delish but, honestly, did not even need the topping. I would make the cake part again. 

READ:

Zip. Nada. But I did got to a new local, indie bookstore that was adorable and bought books and other little things I do not need lol

WATCHED:

Also not much. I had my bff weekly, virtual movie date and we watched 27 Dresses which was just added to Netflix. It's been a while since I've seen but it held up and we both loved it - although watching now - we saw red flags with the love interest (stole and red her planner/tore out an appointment page) lol But this is a rom com and he will be wonderful and those traits will not turn into anything bad. 

I think Kevin and I are watching the new Willy Wonka this weekend. 

Finally, I have this pretty pic from the Japanese garden. We were there early, when the sun was just starting to peek through and it cast this lovely rainbow on the stairs as we were leaving. 



Have a great weekend
&
let me know what you've been up to!





Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Tell Me Something Tuesday: Vacation...all I ever wanted. Vacation, had to get away...


4 women of various races sit on a blue sofa thought bubbles about their head that say Tell Me Something Tuesday
Tell Me Something Tuesday is a weekly discussion post where bloggers discuss a wide range of topics from books and blogging to life in general. 

It is co-hosted by (Linda from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, Roberta from Offbeat YA, Jen from That’s What I’m Talking About, Berl's from Because Reading is Better than Real Life  and me) 

Join in by answering this weeks question in the comments or on your own blog.

If you would like to join TMST and receive periodic emails of upcoming topics, please fill out this GOOGLE FORM. TMST is a laid back meme – join in or opt out depending on your interest in topics or schedule.

Question: Where would you like to travel?

Answer: Boring answer but right were I am. We moved to the PNW so we would be able to take long weekends and travel more frequently but, for several reasons, we haven't been able to yet. 

We haven't been on a vacation since we lived in FL almost 5 years ago. We used to combine book events like BEA & ALA as vacations and it was great. My MIL stayed at our house to watch the dogs. We don't have anyone like that here so wherever we go has to be dog friendly. 

The whole region is filled with outdoor activities that are dog friendly all along the coast and mountains so it's possible but, like I said, there have been things going on that have prohibited us from doing more than the occasional day trip. 

So here's hoping that 2024 is the year that we can start taking those trips!

Do you have any dream vacations or one you have scheduled?


Cartoons tyle graphic of head of sheltie. Underneath says Bark Back in the Comments