Reviewing Two Styles of Aprons Found on Etsy

I have had aprons on my wishlist for many years. But they are just one of those things that don't seem like a necessity - until I slop tomato sauce on a favorite shirt. Because I don't spend as much time in the kitchen as some people do, aprons definitely felt like a splurge. Now that I own two aprons, I'm not sure why I waited so long!  I did need them. I chose two different styles and I am very pleased with both. 

Old Fashioned CrossOver Apron by TheFortiesRevisited

The Apron:  I have wanted a crossover apron for years.  I prefer to slip something on and off over my head as opposed to messing with ties. The aprons in this shop caught my eye because of the retro style (I think it was the edging that made me think of older style aprons) and the beautiful choices in prints.  The word calico always makes me happy. 

The apron I chose was a cute, light colored, calico floral print with contrasting edging. I chose the style with the sections edged, giving the apron a somewhat geometric shape. The shop offers styles without so much edging. But the contrast on the apron I chose caught my eye. 

The online description is:

"This old fashioned Grandma full apron has subtle coral and blue flowers on a pale yellow background that has a tiny dot. It's trimmed in a dark green bias. The apron design is an 1940's vintage style to complete the look."

 The apron is handmade. The material is cotton.  It is machine washable. 

The Shop: Sally Hill is listed as the owner of TheFortiesRevisited. The shop is located in Worthington, Ohio, US. 

The store lists a variety of items including: full aprons, half aprons, clothes pin bags, smocks/cobbler aprons, children's aprons, and mother/daughter matching aprons. There is a large selection of premade items but if you don't see what you want special orders are accepted. Do you remember rick rack? She even offers aprons with rick rack! She also offers a wide variety of holiday prints. I had a hard time choosing which print I wanted because there were so many I liked.

The Mexican Apron by Orozocosshop

The Apron: While I went to Etsy to shop for a long, crossover apron, these Mexican aprons took me back in time to a neighborhood I lived in years ago. Many of the older Mexican women wore aprons in this style. I remember one abuela in particular who wore similar aprons every day. In fact, I'm not sure if I ever saw her without her apron.

I purchased the black and white check pattern apron because it was more my style than some of the floral embroidered styles offered on Etsy. Honestly, since it reminded me of that sweet woman it was an emotional purchase rather than a purchase with a plan of using the apron regularly. But, I now wear this apron daily!

The online description is: 

"A Mexican style two pocket apron made of lightweight check fabric poly/cotton with bias decoration, opened at the bottom back. Four pleats in front and four at the back.  30 inches long from the shoulder."

 

The apron is handmade. The material is cotton. I did not see that it is listed as machine washable but I am sure it is. However, I will hand-wash it because the material is a bit more thin and I already hand-wash many items.

The Shop: Gabriela is listed as the owner of the Ozorocosshop. The shop is located in Chicago, IL, US.

Comparing the Two Aprons

These aprons are different and I like each for different reasons.  The crossover apron is a thicker material so it will likely last longer. The Mexican apron is made from thinner cotton and will likely wear out sooner. BUT it will be more comfortable in the summer months. The Mexican apron is more full coverage around my torso and protects my entire shirt while the crossover apron is longer and protects most of my jeans. 

Frankly, the aprons have more similarities than you might expect. Both aprons have generous pockets (I've collected the chicken eggs using those pockets!).  And both aprons are very easy to get on and off by slipping them over my head; the crossover with it's straps and wide open backside and the Mexican apron with the very long slit in the back (I apologize that I could not get a good photo of the backside of that apron but if you look closely you can see the slit in the photo).

Now I know when I drop things with liquids, splash, or cook and splatter that my clothes are protected. Both aprons make me very happy and I'm pleased with these two purchases.

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A Whiskey Glass Gift Set - I Loved it So Much, I Bought it Twice

Whiskey Glasses Gift Set

With the holidays coming up, gift buying is creeping into our brains. I have to admit, I'm still trying to keep that door shut for a bit!

Times are tough at the moment, so if you're seeking a gift that's both affordable and elegant, you have to check out this Whiskey Glass Gift Set. 

I've purchased this gift set twice for two people. They appreciated the gift and loved the whiskey glasses as well.

What Is So Good About this Whiskey Glass Gift Set Anyway?

• It comes in a lovely, elegant gift box
• It includes 4 crystal whiskey glasses
• Included is 1 tong
• There are also 8 granite chilling whiskey rocks included
• There's also 1 black velvet bag to safely store the whiskey rocks
• The whiskey glasses are chip and scratch resistant
• The glasses also have thick sides and a solid base
• The glasses have diamond-like details, texture, and sparkle in the light
• These glasses are ideal for Bourbon, Scotch, and Whiskey Lovers
• The whiskey glasses are solid to hold - you feel like you're holding something of substance

What Rating Do I Give This Gift Idea

This Whiskey Glass Gift Set gets a five-star rating from me.

I purchased this first for my oldest son as a birthday gift, then, after seeing how nice it was for the price, I decided to buy one for my brother's birthday.

My brother and I don't usually exchange birthday gifts, but this birthday was a milestone birthday for him, and I knew this set would be something he would use. Plus, the price range was ideal.

When you don't normally exchange gifts with people, but decide for one reason or another that you want to get them something, this is a practical, thoughtful, classy, and affordable choice (in my humble opinion).

In summary, if you know someone who could enjoy a whiskey glasses set like this, don't hesitate; it's excellent value for the price.

You can find the Whiskey Glasses Gift Set on Amazon here.

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The Wedding Guest by Jonathan Kellerman – Book Review

An Alex Delaware Novel

Jonathan Kellerman has written 37 Alex Delaware novels. The Wedding Guest is #34. The series is set in Los Angeles.

Main Characters in The Wedding Guest

• Alex Delaware, a child psychologist in Los Angeles, California
• Milo Sturgis, a career policeman in the Homicide Division of the LAPD

Regular Minor Characters in the Alex Delaware Series of Books

• Detectives Binchy, Bogomil and Reed who Milo refers to as the “Baby Ds”. 
• Robin Castagna, who repairs and builds expensive guitars for musicians around the country. She has been in a long-term relationship with Delaware for many years.
• Alex and Robin's French Bulldog, Blanche

Character Assessment

Delaware and Sturgis form a formidable team. Sturgis has a knack for piecing together the details of a crime. Delaware's expertise is his psychology background aiding him in deciphering the darkest intents driving vicious perpetrators.

 

Plot of The Wedding Guest

*Available on Amazon

In The Wedding Guest, Alex and Milo team up once again to solve a homicide and the crime that led to it. 

At a wedding reception, a horrified bridesmaid discovers the body of a young woman who has been strangled. Not a single partygoer recognizes the victim and there is not a single means to identify her. The bride is convinced the stranger snuck in to sabotage her big day, and the groom is sure it is all a dreadful mistake. 

With over a hundred guests to question, Delaware and Sturgis soon decide that the motive for murder is personal.

Now the party's over and the hunt for the killer begins.

Summary

An uninvited guest. A missing identity. A trail of deadly secrets. 

Once again, Sturgis and Delaware team up to solve a murder in this psychological thriller. As an amateur armchair detective, the needed clues for solving while reading are not uncovered until the very end, but it was an interesting mystery nonetheless.  If you are a fan of Jonathan Kellerman, and especially his Alex Delaware novels, as I am, you will enjoy this one as much as others in the series. 

Related Reviews of Books by the Kellerman Family: 

 

• The Burning by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman
• The Killing Season by Faye Kellerman
• Bone Box by Faye Kellerman

*Book Review of "The Wedding Guest" written by

    ~Wednesday Elf

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Reviewing Homemade Instant Oatmeal

 

I really like oatmeal for breakfast.  It is warm and filling and keeps you going till lunch or beyond.  Unfortunately, I rarely want to take the time to make it.  Boil the water, stir and stir, trying to figure out how much sweetner to put in, it is just a hassle for only one person. As a result, I used to buy instant oatmeal in the package; pricey but quick and easy was my reasoning until one day I took a look at the ingredients:

• Whole Grain Rolled Oats
• Sugar
• Natural and Artificial Flavor
• Salt
• Calcium Carbonate
• Guar Gum
• Carmel Color
• Niacinamide
• Reduced Iron
• Vitamin A
• Palmitate
• Pyridoxine
• Hydrochloride
• Riboflavin
• Thiamin Amononitrate
• Folic Acid

Hydrocloride?  Pyridoxine?  What is that?  Whatever it is I don't think it sounds very healthy.  I would prefer something that is a bit more good for you than store bought instant oats that are full of stuff I never heard of.  

So I decided to see if I could make my own instant oatmeal that would be convenient, quick and best of all not chocked full of additives and preservatives that are definitely not good for you!  I wanted to make a recipe that I could do in bulk and then split it up into individual servings, that was easy to store and would keep for at least a week.  

I sat down with a pencil and paper and did some thinking.  After coming up with a plan, I did some checking on the internet to see if the ingredients needed refrigeration and how long they would stay fresh.  When I had my formula (I actually did feel kind of like a mad scientist.....hehe) I made my first batch.

It took some experimentation but after a few tries, I finally came up with my favorite recipe for instant oatmeal:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups oats
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (can use Splenda Brown Sugar)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:

Mix these together in a bowl

Put 3/4 a cup into a small zipper bag

How to Cook:

Pour the contents of the baggie into a bowl or mug

Add 1 to 1 and 1/2 cups of skim milk and stir

Cover with a paper towel 

Microwave for about 3 minutes

Stir and let sit for a couple minutes

To keep from getting bored, sometimes I put other things in my oatmeal to give it different flavors like:

• Pistachio nuts or any nuts you like, chopped
• Coconut
• Dried apricots, chopped
• Dates, chopped
• Dehydrated apples, chopped
• Mini Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chips

Sometimes I put fresh fruit in my oatmeal, if I have any in the fridge, like strawberries or blueberries.  I have also been known to put maple syrup or honey in it instead of brown sugar. There are so many things you could put in your oats, it would take years to find them all.  Actually, its kind of fun to come up with different flavor combinations.  I have run across a few that were surprisingly delicious like:

• chocolate chips and peanuts
• sliced fresh bananas and coconut
• dried cranberries and pecans
• diced dehydrated apples and chopped walnuts

These zipper bags do not need to be refrigerated and they last a long time without spoiling.  They also make great jar gifts for friends that have the bad habit of skipping breakfast!      My homemade oatmeal is much healthier and cheaper than what you buy in a store and frankly much more yummy!  Try making some and see for yourself.

__________________________

Image Credits: 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/3180105556/sizes/z/

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Discover St. Charles in the Fall

 One of my favorite places to visit, is a town that is only a few miles away from me.  It is historic St. Charles Mo.  It has a very vibrant Main Street that attracts visitors all year long.  I have written about this area several times in the past and I will include those links later in this article.  Today I want to review with you some of the photographs I took on a beautiful fall day in October 2022.  First of all, here is a photo I took telling a little bit about the history of the area.

Main Street in the Fall

Main street is a wonderful area with cobblestone streets and sidewalks and lots of delightful little shops and restaurants.  In the fall the shopkeepers do a wonderful job of decorating for the season.  We saw lots of pumpkin displays, colorful leaves and some very imaginative displays.  Here are a couple of the photos I took on Main Street.

Halloween Decorations and Activities

Halloween is a fun time on Main Street.  There are a variety of activities for all ages and the shopkeepers have some wonderful displays for the holiday.

You can click on the QR code in the above photo to find out about the Legends & Lanterns tours that take place on Main Street.

These fun characters are motion activated and you can hear them talk and sing when you pass by.  Below you see some of the decorations around the gazebo, which is a gathering place in the middle of Main Street.

The Riverfront Area

A block down from Main Street is the Missouri river.  This area has a wonderful park that provides some great trails and walks along the river.  There is an old train station, and you can see some train cars on the tracks.

There is a lot of history that took place in this area including a departure spot for Lewis & Clark.

Other Articles about St Charles

Here are four other articles I have written about the area.  The first is about the era when St. Charles was the first capitol of Missouri. Visit Missouri-First Capitol  .  Another article was written on the riverfront area. Frontier Park

A favorite time in St Charles is during the Christmas season.  Here is an article on that. Christmas in St Charles

Several years ago I went on the Worldwide PhotoWalk in St. Charles.  Here is an article I wrote. Worldwide PhotoWalk

Read More about St Charles

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How To Get Bright, Younger-Looking Eyes In 60 Seconds

Today I’m delighted to share my review of a new-to-me beauty discovery, Bausch + Lomb LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops. 

I inherited my dad's very sensitive, easily irritated eyes. The whites have gradually developed increasing redness over time, especially when my eyes are tired or after I have applied eye makeup. The redness in the whites of our eyes not only detracts from their appearance but also makes us look older and more tired.

My mom suffered from dry macular degeneration that left her legally blind, so I'm extremely careful about what I put in my eyes. Until recently, I limited myself to occasional use of sterile, single-use saline eye drops when my eyes ache. However, I recently learned about LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops from Bausch + Lomb from a knowledgeable and trustworthy YouTube beauty influencer I follow, Sheri from Graceful Beauty and decided to give them a try. (I highly recommend subscribing to Sheri's Graceful Beauty YouTube channel.)

I have been absolutely amazed and delighted by the remarkable difference one drop in each eye makes after just 60 seconds. My eyes instantly look whiter, brighter, refreshed and much more youthful!

Read on to check out my before-and-after photos!

These unretouched close-up comparison photos of my eyes were taken just one minute apart, before and after I applied one drop of Bausch + Lomb LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops to each eye.

LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops Are Like Photoshop For Your Eyes!

LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops are a brimonidine tartrate ophthalmic solution 0.025% from Bausch + Lomb, the makers of the Ocuvite Eye Vitamin and Mineral Supplement that I have been taking for many years on the advice of my opthalmologist. They're a brand I know and trust.

Here's what I love about the LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops:

Safer Than Other Redness Relieving Eye Drops

• These FDA-approved eye drops contain no bleach or dyes. 
• According to the LUMIFY website, what makes this product different from its competitors is that "Other redness relievers constrict the arteries in your eyes, which can deprive the eye of oxygen. And that works to relieve redness at first, but commonly causes rebound redness. But low-dose brimonidine...restricts the venules, which helps to relieve redness without limiting the flow of oxygen...[for] whiter, brighter looking eyes that last up to 8 hours - with a low risk of rebound redness when used as directed."

Unique Formulation

• LUMIFY claims to be the only over-the-counter redness reliever eye drops product that contains brimonidine. I did a quick search on Amazon for the active ingredient, brimonidine tartrate, and none of the the other products that appeared in the search results contained this ingredient.

Works in One Minute, Lasts for Hours

• LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops are clinically proven to to reduce redness in 1 minute. Just one drop per eye is all you need to see the drops work their magic!    
• The company claims the effects last for "up to eight hours." Although I find that they start to wear off sooner, I'm very pleased with how long the improved appearance of my eyes lasts. 

Check out these close-up photos before-and-after of my eyes to see the difference they make in just 60 seconds!

My eyes immediately before applying one drop of LUMIFY Redness Reliever Eye Drops to each eye; as you can see, the red lines and the redness in the inner corners make them look older and more tired.

This close-up photo was taken one minute after I applied the LUMIFY eye drops. The red lines are almost entirely gone and the redness in the inner corners has disappeared. You can see how much whiter and brighter my 68-year-old eyes look compared to the "before" photo.

Doesn't Sting My Sensitive Eyes

• As I mentioned, my eyes are extremely sensitive. I was delighted (and relieved) to discover that these drops don't sting my eyes at all!

Safe for Contact Lens Wearers

• Although I don't wear contacts, according to the LUMIFY FAQ, "LUMIFY can be used with contacts, but be sure to take them out before putting LUMIFY in your eyes. Wait 10 minutes before putting your contacts back in after use of LUMIFY."

Flents Ezy Drop Eye Drop Guide Helps You Apply Eye Drops Quicker, Easier, More Accurately and More Hygienically

• It's important to keep the tip of any eye drops bottle from touching your eye to avoid contaminating the drops with bacteria. However, appling eye drops to our own eyes without touching the tip to the surface of our eyes can be tricky (and sometimes frustrating).
• Although we can get better with practice, it's much quicker and easier to use an aid like the Flents Ezy Drop Eye Drop Guide that lets you position the tip of the bottle directly over your eye while keeping it a safe, hygienic distance from the surface.
• By ensuring correct placement every time, this application aid helps you avoid wasting expensive eye drops (and getting them on your face instead of in your eyes!).

How To Get Bright, Younger-Looking Eyes In 60 Seconds by Margaret Schindel

Read More Beauty Reviews From Our Contributors

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Ken Follett's Never, A Book Review

In the past, I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a few historical Ken Follett novels. Never, however, as a modern war or political thriller about the possibility of nuclear disaster, was a definite departure for me.

Never is a saga about a crisis that could lead to a third world war. Follett himself says that the story was in part a result of his discovery that no one wanted the first world war. This book spans the globe from Africa’s Sahara Desert to China and the United States. It is 800 pages of story filled with a large cast and numerous story lines.

The Washington Post calls Never “a cautionary tale of global catastrophe.” Exactly. They also say that it is “credibly detailed and alarmingly plausible.” Disturbing? Yes, but I agree.

VIDEOS

The first video shown below is a short trailer for the book, illustrating the Defcon system and alluding to the suspenseful nature of this novel. The second video, called Behind the Scenes with Ken Follett, is more interesting, detailing how he came up with the idea for this book.

RATING

Readers on Goodreads gave Never four stars; readers on Amazon gave it four stars as well.

Many reader comments show that people enjoyed the book, as I did. The story was extremely well researched and detailed and the storylines were interesting.

Many also found the book a bit longer than they thought it might have been and a bit slow or hard to be absorbed by at first and I agree on both of those points. I was also disappointed with how the individual story lines were sorted out and with the ending.

The premise of this book is disturbing. That is, seeing how a nuclear war might be played out. Let us hope that we never know the truth.

Like other readers, I give the book four stars and recommend it for those who enjoy political thrillers and for those who have enjoyed Follett’s previous contemporary thrillers. You can find Never here on Amazon in whatever format you prefer be that Kindle, audiobook, hardcover, paperback or audio CD.

See you
at the book store!

MORE KEN FOLLETT:

Ken Follett's Century Trilogy Reviewed  

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Noel Next Door Review: Hallmark Christmas Movie

Hallmark begins the Christmas movie season with the premier of Noel Next Door starring Natalie Hall and Corey Sevier. Get ready for the tried and true Hallmark Christmas theme with neighbors, Grinches and the holiday season.

Noel is the next door neighbor who is attempting to reestablish her life with her young son. Jeremy is the Grinch next door neighbor with medical challenges as he attempts to navigate the season along with his grouchy holiday attitude. 

As the two neighbors unknowingly interact outside of the neighborhood, the misunderstood neighborhood Grinch and Noel begin to establish a friendship and you know what happens in Hallmark movies!

Chemistry And Christmas Grinches

The key to any Hallmark Christmas movie or any Hallmark movie is the chemistry. Noel and Jeremy have good banter and believable chemistry. The storyline is Hallmark, nuff said which is why... Hallmarkies love Christmas Hallmark movies. 

Overall I'd rate Noel Next Door a Hallmark B. Worth watching, but probably not on the rewatch list. And if you know Hallmarkies, rewatching is also key to Hallmark Christmas movie season!

More Hallmark Christmas Movies Reviewed

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2022 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2021 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

You, Me & The Christmas Trees by The Savvy Age

A New Year's Resolution by Cynthia 

Hallmark Christmas Movies 2020 Reviewed by The Savvy Age

Finding Father Christmas by Cynthia

Christmas Tree Lane by The Savvy Age

Broadcasting Christmas by Cynthia

Top Ten Hallmark Christmas Movies by The Savvy Age

Debbie Macomber's Mr. Miracle Hallmark Movie Review by Cynthia

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Have You Heard of DampRid? I Tried It, Check Out This Personal Review

Review of DampRid - Yes or No?

We don't have a dehumidifier in our basement.

We weren't in the mood to make that purchase yet.

We knew we had to do something with that typically musty smell you get in the basement, and I had seen commercials for a product called "DampRid." 

So, of course, off I went to investigate.

What is DampRid?

Basically, DampRid is a hanging moisture absorber that helps to rid a space of humidity and, thus, odors.

You can use it just about anywhere; closets, basements, bathrooms, laundry rooms, storage, garages, boats, RVs, and more.

They're designed to last approximately 60 days. However, they lasted at least 90 days in my basement.

How Does Damp Rid Work?

It comes with 3 hanging moisture-absorbent packets per box.

Yes, it has a hanger hook on each one, so it's easy to hang anywhere.

Essentially it's a dehumidifier that doesn't need electricity.

The top half of the bag has scented (or unscented) absorbent crystals, and the bottom has an empty bag that will slowly fill with water as the moisture is pulled from the air.

How I Used DampRid

I took the three hanging bags and put them in three different spots in our basement.

Then, I forgot about it.

After going to check it months later, I noticed that the bottom bag for each had, in fact, filled with water it drew from the air.

I figured it would work, but I was still surprised to see the water there - yep, it indeed worked.

Did It Make Our Basement Smell Better?

Yes, DampRid did, in fact, get rid of the stinky/musty smell in our basement. 

Just be aware that when you first hang the product up, the scented crystals are quite strong, but the scent does fade.

I like the strong smell, but others with sensitivities may not.

If you're sensitive to smells, they do offer a fragrance-free product.

Would I Recommend DampRid?

Heck yes!

In fact, I bought a second box of three hanging packets and put them in the basement again.

Our basement absolutely smells better, and humidity is being drawn out. 

Obviously, it's not as good as an electric dehumidifier, but I'm happy with this product.

I don't want something else to plug in to drive up our hydro bill! So, this product serves the purpose.

Granted, I have to keep replacing it every 90 days or so, but I'm willing to do that.

I'm actually considering another box for my closets.

If you're ok with scented products, go ahead and give this one a try. However, they do offer a scent-free product.

Five stars.

You can find it on Amazon here.

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My Gal Sunday – Book Review

By Mary Higgins Clark

Recently I have been reading my way through books by the Queen of Suspense, Mary Higgins Clark. Although I seldom read short stories, preferring full-length novels, I came across My Gal Sunday, a collection of four stories about an irresistible sleuthing duo. The stories were delightful and I was left wishing Ms. Clark had written more novels featuring this duo. 

The Characters in My Gal Sunday

The book contains four short stories, each starring the same characters and continuing one to the next in order. By that, I mean that some of the other characters and situations in one story are mentioned in the next.... and the next.

The main characters are a dashing ex-president (Henry Parker Britland IV ~  wealthy, worldly and popular ~ and his new wife Sandra (Sandy) O'Brian ~ clever and lovely ~ a newly elected congresswoman from New Jersey. Sandy is the daughter of a motorman on the New Jersey railway and worked her way through school. The media loved it.  When they married, a newspaper ran the headline LORD HENRY BRINTHWHIP MARRIES OUR GAL SUNDAY, a reference to the once popular radio soap opera that for years, 5 days a week, asked the question:

Can a girl from a mining town in the West find happiness as the wife of England's richest and most handsome Lord Henry Brinthwhip.

Because of this, Sandra, new wife of Henry, became known to all as 'Sunday'. 

The Stories

The premise of stories in this book is that Henry & Sunday somehow become involved in solving baffling high-society crimes and make a formidable team. 

In A Crime of Passion, Henry's former Secretary-of-State, a close friend and political alley, is accused of murdering his lover Arabella Young.

In They All Ran After the President's Wife, Sunday is kidnapped and a frantic Henry works with the Secret Service and his friend and former Vice-President (who is the current U.S. President) to locate Sunday and bring her home safely.

In Hail Columbia! Sunday & Henry reconstruct a long-unsolved case aboard the presidential yacht.

And in Merry Christmas/Joyeau Noel, we find Henry & Sunday getting ready for Christmas at home when a 6-year-old boy turns up on their doorstep. They take him in and work with the police, but the boy never speaks or answers any questions, so finding out who he is and where he belongs becomes a difficult problem. A sweet tale about a Christmas Miracle.

Summary

Mary Higgins Clark tells us in the book acknowledgments that as a child she was a big fan of the radio show “My Gal Sunday” and had a huge crush on Lord Henry and thought he and Sunday made a perfect couple.  That's why, when she wanted to create a new husband-and-wife suspense team, she thought about Lord Henry & Sunday and asked herself “suppose Henry is a former American President, smart, nice, rich and handsome, and suppose Sunday is a stunning, savvy young congresswoman?” The stories in her book of short stories, My Gal Sunday are the  result!

This really is a delightful, lighthearted and fun series of stories. I hope you enjoy the short stories in My Gal Sunday as much as I did. 

Related Reviews:

• Two Little Girls in Blue by Mary Higgins Clark

*My Gal Sunday Book Review written by Wednesday Elf

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Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe Reviewed

Our son's favorite dinner is my baked lemon pepper chicken. I serve it over rice, which I make in my rice cooker while the lemon chicken is baking in the oven.

I normally make 6 servings, but the recipe can easily be doubled.

Six serving may sound like a lot, but each serving is 1/2 of a chicken breast. Baking the chicken in smaller pieces allows the flavor to bake fully through the piece of chicken and makes it very tender.  The recipe, as shown below, is enough for 3 or 4 adults.

When my oven went out last year and I had to wait months for a replacement, I started baking this recipe in my Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven.  Since it has a convection bake option, the lemon chicken baked up beautifully in the small oven without heating up my kitchen. Now, I bake it in my countertop oven every time I make it, unless we are having company and I need more chicken.

Delicious Baked Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipe

Because the rice takes 45 minutes to cook in my rice cooker, I start the rice before I put my chicken in the oven. I make 2 cups of rice for this dinner.  

Prep Time	Cook Time	Ready In	Yields
15 min.	35 min.	50 min.	3- 4 servings

Ingredients 

• 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (Cut in half to make 6 pieces)
  
• 2 Lemons - Thinly Sliced
  
• 8 Tablespoons Butter, plus more for coating the pan
• 2 1/2 Tablespoon McCormick Lemon Pepper Seasoning
  
• 2 1/2 teaspoon salt
  
• Chopped Fresh Parsley (if desired)
  

Directions

1. Heat the oven to 425°F. (Convection 400°F)
2. Lightly coat baking dish with butter
3. Wash and pat dry chicken breast with paper towels – Cut in halves
4. Melt butter in the microwave. Add Lemon Pepper seasoning & salt to melted butter. Stir until combined
   
5. In a large bowl, roll each piece of chicken in the butter mixture and place it in the prepared baking dish. (brush any remaining butter on top of the chicken pieces once they have all been rolled in it)
   
6. Place 2 or 3 lemon slices on each piece of chicken
   
7. Bake for 35 minutes
   
8. Garnish with chopped parsley, if desired
   

Calphalon Performance Cool Touch Countertop Toaster Oven ReviewedMcCormick Perfect Pinch Lemon Pepper SeasoningHamilton Beach Rice Cooker Reviewed

 

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Quick & Easy Baked Lemon Chicken Recipe Reviewed Written by:

© 2021 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
 

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Halloween Tree Review

I previously reviewed the Halloween felt ornaments that we made for our Halloween tree this year.  When several people said they had never heard of a Halloween tree, I knew I needed to show you our tree.

Last year, we decorated a 5 foot skinny tree for Halloween with a variety of store bought Halloween ornaments. However, this year I wanted a smaller tree for our handmade ornaments. My husband selected one that could sit on our kitchen table or counter. That allows us to enjoy it all day long since it is not relegated to a corner in the den. 

I love this little Halloween tree!  It is the perfect size to accommodate our new handmade ornaments, plus it has orange lights that are battery operated. It is the perfect Halloween centerpiece and a great touch of Halloween decor in the room where we spend the most time.

Pre-lite Spooky Birch Halloween Tree

FUNPENY Lighted Black Birch Spooky TreeCheck PriceThe spooky birch Halloween tree makes the perfect centerpiece for our kitchen table.  It is 2 feet tall, painted black and embellished with glitter that does not fall off or stick to your fingers.

Our tree has 18 battery operated orange lights. The switch is on the side and easy to turn on without having to move or lift the tree. 

The tree also comes with spiders and web material, but we opted to not use those decorations because we wanted the tree to display our handmade felt ornaments. 

There are a few options available on this little, inexpensive tree. You can choose orange lights, purple lights, or a combination of the two. 3 AA batteries are required to light the tree and they are not included with the purchase of the tree.

More Halloween Fun! 

The Halloween Contributors Love Halloween

Halloween Tree Review by:

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