A smoky reading Marathon.

This July day is filled with smoke from a forest fire that started yesterday afternoon. It is on 5% contained this morning and going strong. People are being evacuated and there is much fear in the air. A good day to stay inside and read.

I have joined in the fun of a reading marathon started on YouTube and it runs for the week. I have 5 TBR books and if I get 3 books read I will be happy. All of these book photos are from other sources around the web.

The First book is "Spellcasting In Silk" by Juliet Blackwell. A witch with a vintage clothing shop in San Francisco helps the police solve paranormal mysteries. This is one of many books I have read by this author and they are all fun to read. Since I was born in San Francisco I enjoy reading this witch series and all the references to the city. Lily, the witch, is a kind and loving witch.

2nd is "The Mediator 3" by Meg Cabot.  A YA book about a young girl also solving paranormal mysteries in Southern California.

3rd book is "Eighth Grade Is Making Me Sick" by Jennifer L. Holm. It a picture filled book sort of like a graphic novel but not in comic book form. The book is short and fun to read. Since I worked 8th grades for years it was a fun stroll down memory lane. The bookmark at the bottom is one I made for YA books I read.

4th book is "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown. I heard about this Dystopian novel on YouTube and enjoy a good Dystopian book.

5th book is "Death Rides the Zephyr" by Janet Dawson. this last book I just bought up at the Portola Train Museum. I like murder mysteries so thought I would try this out.

Death Comes to Pemberley

I am reading a book called DEATH COMES TO PEMBERLEY by 
P.D. James. I like Jane Austen books and I like P.D. James, but I love the Jane Austen movies. This book makes me smile the whole time I am reading it. I didn't realize I was smiling at first but then I did and that's why I am writing about it. So many clever references to Pride and Prejudice throughout. In Chapter 4 one character mentions there may be ghosts in the woods on the estate. I am starting Chapter 5 and they are getting ready for a ball. They have been polishing the silver and putting together the flower arrangements. There is a storm outside and I wonder if the murder is next??? Time for me to brew a cup of tea or maybe some iced tea. (speaking of iced tea Joe and I have been enjoying Bigelow's Green Tea with Pomegranate.)

How to Apply Mascara: Makeup Tips

Kerli - Tea Party

Wrap-up of Dec. 2013

Christmas has come and gone. All the fun parties and great food, presents and family memories. I was a tad sad this year. First time in my life that I felt sad for a number of days around Christmas. Miss my mom I guess. Now that I am an orphan and matriarch of the family I didn't think I would have those titles.
Went to a fun Christmas Tea where every table was decorated by a different person. They were so beautiful.

We had snow and it stuck around for a week here at our place.

Here are the books we got for Christmas.  Music, God, Witches and birds. 

2013 was a good year. This next year we will sell my mother's home and have fun where we can. 

Day of Thankfulness.

around and about our place. The joys of having a great husband, great cats and a great place to live.

California Crusin' on such an autumn Day

San Francisco to Ensenada and back. It was so much fun and I was on a quest for all things Day of The Dead. It was the middle of October so I knew someone down south was getting in the spirit of the season.