Anyone who knows me knows that bread is my favorite food of all. I could live on that old food punishment of only ‘bread and water’... as long as I could choose the kind of bread.
You see, along with my love of breads, I am also somewhat a ‘bread snob’. I have certain breads I prefer, and know where I can get them. For instance, the very best French Bread is found in only three places - San Francisco, New Orleans, and, believe it or not, Houston. No other French Bread tastes as good.
Bakery breads are my very favorite and fresh baked breads are next in line. I no longer get store-bought bread, but go to the bakery section instead. I also keep frozen bread loaves in my freezer for stormy winter days when it is not easy to get out to the stores and bakeries.
Recently, my son asked me if I liked Croissants. I assured him that I did and he told me about a new bread he had just discovered that was delicious. He brought me a loaf to try. It’s called Croissant Toast. The loaf he brought is made by La Boulangerie, a San Francisco bakery begun by a Frenchman, but I have since discovered that there are several other brands out there.
Croissant Toast
Croissants are a French Pastry made from puff pastry usually in a crescent shape - a buttery layered treat often served for breakfast in Europe.
Croissant Toast is a super flaky bread made with real butter in the style of croissants. It is a loaf-style bread made from yeasted pastry that has the taste and smell of a croissant but slices like bread. The flaky crust and the soft buttery interior is unbelievably delicious. It combines a favorite pastry into a loaf style bread
As toast for breakfast, it melts in your mouth.
It is absolutely fantastic when fixed as French Toast ~ fluffy and thick, and very tasty.
Summary
Croissant Toast breads are available in several different brands and found in many stores, including online at Amazon. To date, I have only tried the Croissant Toast by La Boulangerie, which was delicious, and which I highly recommend to fans of breads and croissants. But, if you try this tasty product from other companies, come back and give me your opinion. Toast has never tasted better!
*Croissant Toast Food Review written by Wednesday Elf
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If you enjoy an intriguing mystery combined with a hint of romance, then
you will love the movie, "Gourmet Detective".
Currently, the Gourmet Detective Hallmark series offers 5 episodes.
However, today I will only be reviewing the pilot movie of the series where
Detective Maggie Price meets the "Gourmet Detective", Henry
Ross.
Price and Ross first encounter one another when Henry is filling in as the
instructor of a cooking class. Maggie is there on a date. She
immediately takes exception to Henry's nickname, the Gourmet Detective, and
shows annoyance when he exhibits his ability to read people and know things
about them based on observation.
From the very beginning of the movie, it is clear a restaurant is being
sabotaged. It is impossible to know if the timing of the sabotage is
due to the health inspector's upcoming visit or if it is to run off
customers. Either way, when roaches and rats are released in the kitchen,
it is obvious someone wants to shutdown the restaurant.
However, a murder at dinner is rather extreme and unexpected.
When the Gourmet Detective is asked to help figure out who is sabotaging
the Duquette Restaurant, he readily agrees to help out his friend. At
an exclusive dinner, one of the guests is murdered and Henry (the Gourmet
Detective) is a witness. In order to avoid being considered a suspect,
he agrees to work with Detective Price to offer his food expertise and insider
information.
Mostly due to Maggie's confrontational and combative attitude with Henry,
he has to work harder to be friends with her. She reluctantly allows
him to cook for her and her family while working on the murder case
together.
Eventually, their relationship becomes more comfortable as they work
together to find the identity and the reason for the murder.
I did not suspect the real murderer until the two "detectives" found the
incriminating evidence which made this a fun mystery movie to watch.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
I have read books by K L Slater before and really enjoyed them so when this book appeared on my Amazon recommended list with the byline 'We promised to keep each other's secrets. Until they found the body...' well I just had to read it!
This book does not disappoint. If you have yet to be introduced to author K L Slater she is a British author known for her psychological crime thrillers.
This book, Husband and Wife, is told from various POVs and also jumps timelines, but it's always easy to keep track of. The main POV is Nicola who, if I'm being honest, is a little irritating at times. Let's have a look at who is in the book:
Nicola and Cal are husband and wife, parents to Parker and doting grandparents to Barney. Cal is a self-employed plumber while Nicola is a former cancer patient who just wants to spend more time with her son and grandson.
Parker is Nicola and Cal's son and he is married to Luna and the father of Barney. Parker is in sales and very ambitious. Luna is a fashion influencer - her parents are very well to do and Parker, Luna and Barney spend most weekends at her family's estate.
Sarah is a young mother to a four-year-old daughter who went out for a night with friends and ended up being discovered dead from strangulation in an alley.
In this book Parker and Luna drop their son Barney off at Nicola and Cal's for the night as they are going into the city to an event and spending the night in a hotel. Parker also tells his mum he wants to talk to her the following morning when neither his father or his wife will be around.
During the night the police pay Nicola and Cal a visit as there's been a car accident and both Parker and Luna have been seriously injured. This is the start of a great book that will have you guessing. I was convinced I'd worked out who had murdered Sarah, I thought I had seen through the red herring and was so confident - I was also completely wrong.
The guilty party took me completely by surprise which is a refreshing change and makes me want to read it a second time to see if I can pick up on some different clues.
Let me know if you've read this book and if you have - did you guess the right culprit?
This book was free for me to read as part of my Amazon Unlimited membership which I tell people is like having a library card for Amazon!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Sometimes when cooking for a crowd you need some additional cooking space.
We find this especially true when our kids and grandchildren are visiting.
Fran bought this Bella Essentials electric griddle to help solve this
problem. This griddle is a versatile, user-friendly kitchen appliance
designed to make cooking a breeze.
Bella Electric Griddle Design and Quality:
This griddle is a sleek, modern design with a non-stick cooking surface
that ensures easy food release and easy, cleanup.
The 10 x 16 cooking
surface is large enough to prepare multiple items simultaneously, making it
ideal for a large family breakfast. The griddle features a sturdy base with
non-slip feet for stability.
Key Features:
Non-Stick Coating: Even foods like pancakes and eggs slide off
easily.
Adjustable Temperature Control: With a temperature range of up to
400 degrees, the adjustable control dial allows precise cooking for a
variety of dishes.
Drip Tray: The removable drip tray collects excess grease and makes
for easy cleanup.
Cool-Touch Handles: The heat-resistant handles ensure safe handling
during and after cooking.
Even Heating: The griddle heats up quickly and distributes heat
evenly preventing hot spots to ensure consistent results.
Pros:
The Non-Stick Cooking Surface
Even Heating
Adjustable Temperature
Removable Drip Tray
Cons:
The cord length is a bit short which may limit placement options in some
kitchens
Due to the size, finding a storage space in smaller kitchens can be a
challenge.
We have a space on our counter with an outlet easily accessible, and we
have a shelf in our basement for storage.
So, for us, the pros outweigh the
cons. The Bella griddle is a helpful kitchen appliance when cooking for a
crowd in our house.
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I have just recently received my first handcrafted ergonomic crochet hooks from Nelsonwood and I'm so excited to show them to you. Nelsonwood crochet hooks are handmade, primarily wooden, hooks that are as much pieces of art as they are functional tools for crochet. No two Nelsonwood items could ever be identical, so every hook is a custom artpiece that only you possess. They feel so velvety smooth that I just want to pet mine, like a calming fidget. Do you think I'm being dramatic? I would have thought so too had I read this prior to touching and seeing my first Nelsonwood hooks.
Crochet is a fiber art in which items are made using yarn and a hook. Crocheted items can be functional (hats, socks, blankets), unique art pieces and heirlooms (doilies, christening gowns), or fun (shaped pillows, amigurumi, stuffed animals, and costumes).
I enjoy crochet very much and am astounded at some of the intricate art I see crocheters producing. I am a moderately skilled crocheter but my retirement dream is to spend plenty of time sitting on the deck and learning to crochet intricate doily tablecloths, mosaic blankets, and beautiful wearables.
Many crocheters have their favorite brand or style of crochet hooks (and yarns, but that's an entirely different maze of rabbit holes to go down). I recently saw a crochet youtube tutorial in which the artist showed her Nelsoonwood hook. I was so astounded by how beautiful it was that I went directly to the website. It wasn't long after that I ordered my first Nelsoonwood hook.
Nelsonwood
Bryan Tyler Nelson is the Texas wood artist of Nelsonwood. He handcrafts beautiful wooden items with a focus on bowls and crochet hooks. And the selection of woods and base/body parts seems endless.
You choose the components to each hook you order at Nelsonwood.
Hook. Most importantly to me, you are able to choose a wooden hook or a metal hook. My favorite hook over the years has been the Boye brand. So I select that option and the size hook.
Base (body). This is the largest part of the hook. Where you hand holds onto. You can choose one of the many woods listed (with a vast variety of colors and grains) or you can choose one of the AlumiLite designs. AlumiLite is a "Proprietary Casting Urethane". It is very strong, stronger than Acrylic and will not break or chip.
Exotic Wood Ends. Whether you choose a wooden or AlumiLite base, you will then choose an exatic wood for the ends (for example, the far end of the hook and the piece between the base and the metal crochet hook on my custom Nelsonwood hook.)
My next order will be a hook with the AlumiLite base. There are so many options. There are some styles that have feathers or dried flowers inside. With the clear AlumiLite, it looks like they are floating.
All handcrafted items, that aren't created first then are "ready to ship" take slightly longer to receive after ordering. The site states that it typically takes between 4-5 weeks for the hook to be created and shipped. That is reasonable for a custom, handmade item. I feel that mine arrived in the 3 to 4 week time frame. (Frankly, I only usually check my post office box weekly. And my Nelsonwood hooks arrived a week sooner than I had anticipated).
As I can begin to see retirement age approaching, my hands seem to be retiring before the rest of me. I find myself wondering if days filled with working with my hands/fingers will be a realistic goal. This is the primary reason I hurried to order this ergonomic hook option. I also would like to be able to surround myself with a few nice, possibly heirloom, items here and there.
I did find the ordering page a bit confusing. Part of that was 1) I rarely read directions and just try to race through and 2) there are so many options that I had a very hard time making decisions. The good news is that Bryan has included a step-by-step "how to order" page that was extremely helpful (once I chose to look at directions!)
These hooks are pricey. I am not at all saying they are over-priced. Like all handmade items and works of art, the price is higher than mass-produced items. In fact, for what they are, the Nelsonwood custom crochet hooks are very reasonably priced. A younger me would not have been able to pay this price. Fortunately, the older me is able to splurge on some gifts to me. And, is it really a splurge if the ergonomic shape will help me continue crochet well into my retirement?
I tend to use only a range of 4 hook sizes; F, G, H, and I. So I have plans to buy Nelsonwood hooks in those four sizes. And the next will be one of those gorgeous AlumiLite bases. Probably one with the combination of flowers and fathers.
Personal Thoughts About Stereotypes
I'm rattling on about being an older woman and am looking forward to crocheting during my retirement. That is me personally. In no way do I want to continue the myth that crochet is a hobby that is only for old ladies.
There are many males (adult and younger) who are passionate about crochet and who are extremely talented. I am so very thankful for these folks who are sharing their passion and talent on social media.
I have worked with at-risk and special needs children for decades. I often offer crochet as a way for these children to have a hobby, develop skills (physical and emotional), have an outlet for their amazing creativity and so on. Unfortunately, over the decades, most males and many young female children were hesitant to try; citing "that's for old women".
I am thrilled that so many people, of such a wide range of age, gender, race, and culture are sharing their crochet passion with others. And am especially thrilled that males are showing their talent on social media.
Thank you for that.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
An alternate history where the Axis powers won World War II, leading to a divided America ruled by Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.
Main Characters:
Juliana Crain: A woman who becomes entangled in the resistance movement.
John Smith: An American who becomes a high-ranking Nazi official.
Frank Frink: Juliana's boyfriend also gets involved in the resistance.
Trade Minister Tagomi: A Japanese official with a mysterious interest in alternate realities.
Setting:
The series is set in the 1960s in a dystopian world where the U.S. is split between the Greater Nazi Reich (east) and the Japanese Pacific States (west).
Number of Seasons:
Total Seasons: 4
Episodes: The series has a total of 40 episodes
Season 1 was released in November 2015
Summary of the Series
The show begins with Juliana Crain receiving a mysterious film that shows a different version of history, where the Allies won the war. This film is part of a collection known as "The Grasshopper Lies Heavy," which depicts alternate realities.
As Juliana delves deeper, she discovers a complex web of resistance movements, secret alliances, and dangerous enemies.
John Smith's rise in the Nazi hierarchy presents a chilling view of the cost of power and loyalty.
Trade Minister Tagomi's spiritual journey and encounters with alternate realities add a layer of philosophical depth and hope.
Why the Series, The Man in the High Castle is Captivating
Alternate Realities: My favorite part of this series is the alternate realities! The series masterfully explores the concept of alternate realities, posing the intriguing question of what the world might be like if Germany and Japan had won WWII.
Suspenseful Plot: Each episode is filled with suspense, political intrigue, and unexpected twists, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Complex Characters: The characters are well-developed and multifaceted, making it easy to become invested in their personal journeys and struggles.
Visual and Historical Detail: The series is visually compelling, with meticulous attention to detail in its portrayal of a 1960s dystopian America.
Anticipation for More: Despite the conclusion of season 4, fans are left craving more, wondering if there will ever be a season 5 to explore the alternate realities and unresolved storylines further.
As a fan, I can't wait to see if there will ever be a season 5 that delves deeper into these compelling characters' and alternate histories and fates.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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To date, there are 39 books in the Alex Delaware series by author Jonathan Kellerman. Victims is book #27 in the series, published in 2012. It features child psychologist Alex Delaware who, in his spare time, acts as a consultant to the Los Angeles Police Department on difficult murder cases his best friend, homicide detective Milo Sturgis, investigates. Victims, as well as the entire Alex Delaware series of books, takes place in Los Angeles.
Synopsis of Victims
A woman is found murdered in what becomes the first in a gruesome crime spree. The first victim, Vita Berlin, was not a very nice woman, mean and rude to everyone she met, but still…..she didn’t deserve to be murdered.
The third victim in the bloody spree was also not a very pleasant individual; yet, the second victim was considered kind, well liked and loved by all.
With no apparent connection among the victims, Detective Sturgis is baffled with practically no clues except for a blank page bearing a question mark left at each scene.
Milo calls in his go-to expert in hunting homicidal maniacs. But despite his finely honed skills, even Alex is baffled as each slaying occurs and a direction cannot be found toward solving these crimes.
Finally, as pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together, and a horrible portrait of a sinister mind emerges, Milo and Alex begin to see the pattern leading them to a solution found within a shuttered mental institution.
Summary
A murder mystery not for the faint of heart, but an exciting read for long-time fans of Alex Delaware and his detective friend, Milo Sturgis. You might want to keep the lights on while you read.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Even though the movie was released in 2017, I just finished watching "The
Zookeeper's Wife" and I suspect it will haunt my mind for a long time to
come.
I use the word "haunt" for several reasons. First, there are some
scenes that I found very hard to watch. Actually, I closed my eyes for
fear of what they would actually show. As it turns out, there really
wasn't anything too graphic to view, but my mind's eye had no problem
filling in what the filmmakers graciously left out.
Second, I had trouble believing parts of it. I won't go into detail,
but I would be interested to hear if you had the same reaction if you watch
the movie.
And last, but not least, was the obvious question of what would I do, what
would any of us do, if faced with the same decisions.
It is for that last reason that I would recommend this
movie.
When I picked up this DVD to watch, I chose it because the images on the
cover looked so "precious". I had no idea I was about to watch a movie
based on a true story, on real people, and events in Warsaw during
WWII.
In real life, the Żabińskis were recognized by Yad Vashem (The World
Holocaust Remembrance Center in Israel) as "Righteous Among the Nations" for
their heroic actions and saving hundreds of Jews. The Warsaw Zoo is
still in operation today.
Antonina Żabińska was the zookeeper's wife. The couple had friends from a
variety of backgrounds and nationalities. Antonina had one admirer,
Lutz Heck, who would play a big part in the survival of the zoo and
unwittingly help them with their ability to "hide" and transport Jews to safety.
Knowing in advance that the Germans would be moving into Warsaw sooner or later, Antonina
refused to leave her husband, her home and the zoo animals. As a
result of that decision, she and her son became an integral part in caring for and
sheltering the Jews that arrived at the zoo.
Not long after the occupation of Warsaw, the valuable zoo animals were transferred to the
Berlin Zoo in Germany by their "friend", Lutz Heck. Under the guise of
raising pigs for the German soldier's meals, the zoo was allowed to remain
open and became the perfect hiding place. However, there was much danger in the day to day operation and not everyone could be saved.
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
When I visit the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the area I always gravitate to is the Japanese Gardens. In this post, I will be reviewing my last visit to the gardens and sharing the photos that I took of this beautiful, serene garden. The scene above shows the Japanese Bridge as it goes over to Teahouse Island. It is what you see as you enter the path the goes around the lake in the garden.
The garden at St. Louis is considered to be the largest Japanese strolling garden in the country. It covers 14 acres in the Missouri Botanical Garden.
My Visit to the Japanese Garden
I visited the garden on a beautiful day in early July. My sister and I took the tram from the entrance of the botanical garden and got off on the stop for the Japanese Garden. From there we took the path to stroll around the large lake and enjoy the serenity of the afternoon. I stopped to photograph many of the historic lanterns that were found around the path. One near the entrance was from the World's Fair in St. Louis in 1904. It is the first one in the photos below. Others were gifts from various cities in Japan. You can find out more about them at the link I list at the bottom of the page. Here are a few photos of the different lanterns.
The lanterns were placed within the beauty of the garden and add to the peaceful setting.
The garden also has some wonderful waterfalls that give you a peaceful feeling. The one below is one that I have photographed often in the past. The foliage around it gives it different feels, depending on the time of year you visit.
An interesting feature of the garden is a bench in the shape of a flower. It is an Anemome and is the favorite flower of Courtney Bean Obeta, a St. Louis artist. It was designed in her memory.
Another interesting bridge is this crooked bridge that goes out into the water. It is a favorite for children (and adults) to walk.
I hope you have enjoyed my pictorial review of my visit to the Japanese Garden in St. Louis. To learn more here is an Amazon book you might like. https://amzn.to/4cscM3v .
I have written other reviews on the Missouri Botanical Gardens. Here are some links to my reviews.
I invite you to read more about this beautiful garden at the Missouri Botanical website on the Japanese garden page. Japanese Garden
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
Are you a Murder/Mystery Fan? If so, this is a book that you should put on your radar! Shari Lapena's novel, What Have You Done? is a page turner and will keep you guessing right until the very end.
Right now it is in pre-publishing and is scheduled for release on July 30th of this year.
Shari does a masterful job in keeping the suspense growing in this novel. The story begins in a small town where everyone knows everyone and nothing ever happens either! The folks in Fairhill, Vermont are about to find out what happens when something happens......
A farmer's field and a tired farmer coming back to the homestead after a hard day in the fields, notices turkey vultures flying in the distance. This can only mean something is out there and it could be some forest critter or something bigger.
Roy Ressler (the farmer) must go out and investigate, but he's not really looking forward to finding out what those vultures are gorging on. He's not too fazed by what he's facing, after all he's a volunteer firefighter in the town and has seen some pretty nasty things, but nothing has prepared him for this find.
The small town is home to one high school, one grocery store and a hardware store. There is not too much going on in Fairhill. Until now!
This book had me reading into the late hours of the night. I just had to find out how everyone was connected and who could possibly have caused so much tragedy in such a short time.
The author does an amazing job of making you feel like you would know these people and so you become invested in the story before the second chapter is complete. I guess it's a good thing I'm not a great sleeper.
Everything you ever thought about living in a small town is true in Fairhill. No one worries about locking their doors, drawing the drapes or having a security system in place. Everyone knows everyone and very little is ever out of place.
The kids hang out at the local graveyard telling ghost stories and spooking each other out. But it is more comedy than anything else.
All of that is about to change.....Evan, Taylor, Riley and Diana (friends since grade school days) are about to have their world torn apart!
I don't want to give away too much of the story, so I will just let you know that there is some "colorful" language and a little bit of teenage dating angst in this story. But nothing that is too "in your face".
I'm sure that you will become totally involved in this story as I was.
As a member of NetGalley.com, I was privileged to read this book as "An Advanced Readers Copy". I would give this novel 5 STARS *****!
If you would like to join me and read lots of different types of books just click on the link above, but if you want to read a great book than click the link to Amazon to order your own copy!
Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”
![The Zookeeper's Wife [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51X+X8zeZ5L._SL500_.jpg)
