Happy Valentine's Day to all! Yes, that is a red velvet cupcake above. No, I didn't have it this year for Valentine's Day, but my daughter did make us some of those several years ago. Looks yummy, doesn't it? We did go out for a Valentine's Day dinner last evening and enjoyed some tasty seafood and then actually ordered dessert. I had a sort of brownie thing with a salted caramel sauce and tiny scoop of chocolate chip ice cream with it. It wasn't a huge serving at all, but it was tasty and definitely enough.
As I'm sitting here writing this, we have rain falling outside. Not a storm or not yet (hope it doesn't progress to that), but just some quiet moisture that we can definitely use. The wildflowers will need some in order to be able to bloom in quantity. The moisture will also tamp down some of the pollen that has been blowing in and around quite freely. Since cedar pollen and I don't get along, anything to help with that is welcome. I have had some pretty bad sinus headaches this week and I hate those.
My reading has been a bit slow, but I did finish a couple of books this week and attended one book group. I didn't get to go to our mystery book group meeting because of a sinus headache and so had to miss talking about The Queens of Crime by Marie Benedict. I did enjoy that one though and hope they had a good discussion. I also attended that 'Book Cafe' group and had nice time talking with others about their recent reading. I forgot to make notes though and so don't have titles to share - sorry.
The first book I read this week was a re-read of The Wonder Test by Michelle Richmond. I originally read that book back in 2021 and wrote about it in a post here. I did enjoy it again and remembered why I often like mysteries or thrillers that include private schools or those type of settings. I think I would like a sequel to this one because of the mother's FBI agent profession.
Think that's about all I have to share. Again, Happy Valentine's Day! And hope all of you have a nice reading week to come. I'll be back around soon.
I love red velvet cupcakes - especially if they have cream cheese icing! My splurge lately has been ordering desserts at restaurants - I rarely regret it. Your dessert sounds yummy. Too bad about the book club but glad you enjoyed Queens of Crime. I enjoyed that one as well and immediately had to read more Sayers and Marsh. This Book Made Me Think of You is on my TBR. It sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYes, the icing on that cupcake pictured was cream cheese icing. Really good! My daughter is very talented at cupcakes. I am sorry that I missed the discussion of The Queens of Crime, but my head just was not cooperating. Hope you'll try This Book Made Me Think Of You. I'd be curious what you think of it.
DeleteHappy Valentine's Day! That cupcake looks delicious. We're going out on Wednesday and I plan to have dessert. I've been so good since New Year's, not having any alcohol and very, very little sugar. But, moderation in all things, including moderation, right? :) I have This Book Made Me Think of You on my tbr list. Sounds like a good one. I'm re-reading a mystery right now (In the Woods by Tana French) and am really enjoying it. I've forgotten so much about the book so it's as if I'm reading it for the first time. I plan to read The Likeness next month. Have a good weekend!
ReplyDeleteLes, hope you guys have a nice 'Valentine's' dinner on Wednesday. Yes, moderation indeed. For me, telling myself that I will never have something again is like 'putting it in my hand' - ha! I encourage to try This Book Made Me Think Of You. It is sad, but the thoughts on grief and how books can help were very good. Oh, In The Woods - I loved that book. Have read it a couple of times. Should read it again and also The Likeness.
Delete“‘This Book Made Me Think of You” sounds like quite the tearjerker. I’m a sucker for books about books, so I’m sure I’ll be taking a long look at this one; can’t believe I haven’t seen it around before now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSam, it was a bit sad, but it also had some good thoughts on grief and moving on and how books and new friends can be helpful. It just came out very recently so I think libraries are just beginning to get it. Hope you like it if you decide to try it.
DeleteYou got me with that opening sentence. This Book Made Me Think of You sounds like a book I'd enjoy. The red velvet cupcake looks delicious, but your brownie with salted caramel sauce and chocolate chip ice cream sounds even better! Belated Valentine's Day wishes :)
ReplyDeleteYes, that opening sentence was a good one. I think you should at least think about trying it. Lots of wonderful things in it and definitely some sad ones. We do know that books can help us through hard times though. Oh, yes! When we do order dessert at the restaurant I always think about the other offerings, but I almost always get that one. Hope you have a good week!
DeleteThx for the V-Day wishes. We went out to dinner too and were so full took the dessert home in a box, lol. Love the look of that cupcake. Wow what a good gift ... a book each month for a year at the bookstore. I would love that ... I need to find this Joe husband, lol. Glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteSusan, yes, we've done that too - with the box of dessert. I will say that we mostly share a dessert, but my husband is not as big a fan of the brownie thing and I decided I could have it all to myself. Ha! Yes, Joe, the husband, in the book was very thoughtful. Tilly grows and changes through the book and it's a good one to show that grief can be helped with good friends, new challenges, and some wonderful books. Have a good week!
DeleteThis Book Made Me Think of You finally arrived for me at the library, and now I'm happily reading it. The storm that you experienced morphed into a Thunderstorm Warning and a Tornado Warning by the time it got to us, but surprisingly there was little damage.
ReplyDeleteI'll be interested in hearing what you think of 'This Book...', Deb. Glad there wasn't a lot of damage. Hope we all can avoid that as well this spring.
DeleteI've got both Queens of Crime and This Book Made Me Think of You on my TBR list. Glad to know you liked both of them! And that cupcake does look yummy; though red velvet isn't my favorite. I'd much prefer your brownie dessert. :D
ReplyDeleteLark, I must say that the brownie dessert seems to be popular with the commenters here. Ha! Hope you get a chance to read both the books!
DeleteI've never been one to order dessert when I eat out, but it can be such a fun way to treat ourselves every once in a while!
ReplyDeleteI agree. We don't get it most of the time, but now and then for a special occasion.
DeleteMy hubby got me a slice of red velvet cake for Valentine's Day - yum! This Book Made Me Think of You definitely sounds like it would be a tearjerker for me!
ReplyDeleteAngela, red velvet cake - yum, indeed! 'This Book...' is a bit sad, but it's also got a lot of happy stuff. I loved the parts about how reading helps us through life events if we let it.
DeleteWe had a really good discussion about The Queens of Crime. Good recommendation!
ReplyDeleteGayle, so sorry I had to miss it, but I'm very happy that The Queens of Crime had a good discussion. You never know, right? Ha!
DeleteI read This Book Made Me Think of You last week and loved it so I'm glad you did too. Your Valentine dinner sounded great! Have a good week!
ReplyDeleteMary @Bookfan
Mary, I'm glad that you liked 'This Book...' as well. I think many might enjoy it. Yes, nice Valentine dinner. A good week to you too!
DeleteSinus headaches are the worst. I get them every spring. Right now Jason is on antibiotics for a sinus infection. I'm glad you were able to enjoy Valentine's Day and dessert. This Book Made Me Think About You sounds lovely. I'll have to add it to my list.
ReplyDeleteStacy, so sorry that Jason has had a sinus infection. I hate those. My headaches are better, though the wind is still a bit high around here, but we are coming to the end of the cedar season. Wonderful! Yes, you might think about trying This Book Made Me Think Of You. It was a good one.
DeleteI plan to read This Book Made Me Think Of You by Libby Page. Just not sure whether I will try to get a copy this year or the next.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I really liked it and I suspect there will copies around whenever you decide to try it. :-)
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