A GARDEN AND A BOOK......

I have this piece of overgrown, weed infested ground under my kitchen window.  It started out as a rock garden.  Over the years it's turned into a weed patch. 

Most of the rocks are still there and one plant has survived.  The Yucca plant is actually thriving.  It started as one plant and it now has 3 plants.  This spot has sun all day, but gets some evening shade.  I've been thinking about making a desert garden out of it.  The soil isn't the best so it would be perfect. 

While I was at the library last week, I picked up a gardening book. 
Gardening Shortcuts - Jenny Hendy

This book is full of great ideas for your whole yard, from borders to beds, from pots to sculpture.  It also gives you the names of the flowers to put in your garden.   Really great book.....I give this book 5

Creativity Reading Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BEAUTIFUL BIRD......

I was doing laundary the other day, happened to pas the back door and saw this outside.....

Isn't he beautiful!  I got so excited that I took a few more pictures.

If your wondering what he's doing.....he's eating the seeds off the Maple Trees.  You know those pesky things that come flying off the trees and get all over everything. 

BOOK REPORT.....

The Omnivore's Dilemma - Michael Pollan

Product Description(Amazon)
What should we have for dinner? Ten years ago, Michael Pollan confronted us with this seemingly simple question and, with The Omnivore’s Dilemma, his brilliant and eye-opening exploration of our food choices, demonstrated that how we answer it today may determine not only our health but our survival as a species. In the years since, Pollan’s revolutionary examination has changed the way Americans think about food. Bringing wide attention to the little-known but vitally important dimensions of food and agriculture in America, Pollan launched a national conversation about what we eat and the profound consequences that even the simplest everyday food choices have on both ourselves and the natural world. Ten years later, The Omnivore’s Dilemma continues to transform the way Americans think about the politics, perils, and pleasures of eating. 
Paperback: 450 pages 
Publisher: Penguin (August 28, 2007) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 9780143038580 
ISBN-13: 978-0143038580

MY THOUGHTS:  I've read several of Michael Pollan's books.  It's amazing the way he tracks the food we eat.  We but it from the grocery store, take it home, cook it up and eat it, never thinking about what or where this food really started at.  This book is full of lots of info on food but also what goes into getting it to our tables.  Really good book!  I give this book 5......

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Strolling Through Non-Ficton Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK REPORT........

Upon A Spring Breeze - Kelly Irvin

Product Description(Amazon)

After a devastating winter, a spring breeze promises more than new flowers.... It promises a new chance at love.

Bess Weaver, twenty and expecting her first child, is in the kitchen making stew for her beloved mann, Caleb, one minute, and the next she's burying him after a tragic accident. Facing life as a young widow, Bess finds comfort only in tending the garden at an Englisch-owned bed and breakfast--even as she doubts that new growth could ever come after such a long winter.

Aidan tries to repress his guilt over his best friend Caleb's death and his long-standing feelings for Bess by working harder than ever. But as he spends time with the young son his friend left behind, he seems to be growing closer to the boy's beautiful mother as well.

When a close-knit group of widows in her Amish community step in to help Bess find her way back to hope, she begins to wonder if Gott has a future for her after all. Will she ever believe that life can still hold joy and the possibility of love? 
Series: An Every Amish Season Novel (Book 1) 
Hardcover: 495 pages 
Publisher: Thorndike Press Large Print; Large Print edition (June 7, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1410499723 
ISBN-13: 978-1410499721

MY THOUGHTS:  This book takes place among the Amish folks.   Bess is devasted when her husband is killed in an carriage accident.  Bess is 8 months along with her first child.  What will she do now that she hasn't got Caleb?  Bess begins to doubt her faith and tends to keep to herself.  Her family is worried about her.  Until a few close group of widows step in to help Bess.  But could her future bring Bess the happiness and love she wants?  I give this book 4.......

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.....
Library Love Challenge......
Outdo Yourself Challenge......
What's In A Name Challenge.....
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I finished What's In A Name Challenge which is being hosted by Charlie over at The Worm Hole.  This is my list of books read.....


1.The word ‘the’ used twice -The Lioness is the Hunter  - Loren D. Estleman
2. A fruit or vegetable -The Cantaloupe Thief - Deb Richardson-Moore

3. A shape -Gun Boss of Ttriangle - Barry Cord
4.  A title that begins with Z -Zigzag  -  Bill Pronzini
5. A nationality  - Last Christmas in Paris - Hazel Gaynor/Heather Webb
6. A season - Upon A Spring Breeze - Kelly Irvin

BOOK REPORT.....

Gun Boss of Triangle - Barry Cord

Product Description(Back Cover)
Jim Carmody, gun boss of the Triangle herd, tries to deliver the cattle, but finds the buyer dead.  He wants to take the heard back where it came from - but decides to wait for definite word from his partner back home.  But when a rival rancher attacks his cattle and murders his men he goes on a rampage of revenge. 
Series: Gunsmoke Western 
Hardcover: 160 pages 
Publisher: Gunsmoke Westerns (October 1, 2003) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0754082385 
ISBN-13: 978-0754082385

MY THOUGHTS:  New to me author.  Haven't read a western for a long time.  This one was really good.  Story line is great and all the characters fit perfectly to the story.   Jim Carmody just wants to get the cattle home to Texas, but he can't until he hears back from Barstow, his partner.  Jim gets caught up in a range war and has to fight to keep his cattle.  Does he get to keep his cattle?  Does Jim go back to Texas?  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK STUFF......

Friday 56 is hosted by Freda over at Freda's Voice.  Book Beginnings is hosted by Gillion over at Rose City Reader.  Hop over and see what everyone is sharing.

The book I'm using for Friday 56 and Book Beginnings is....

Gun Boss of Triangle - Barry Cord

Synopsis(Back Cover)
Jim Carmody, gun boss of the Triangle heard, tries to deliver the cattle, but finds the buyer dead.  He wants to take the heard back where it came from - but decides to wait for definite word from his partner back home.  But when a rival rancer attacks his cattle and murders his men he goes on a rampage of revenge.



Book Beginning.....
  Jim Carmody turned the roan against the driving rain and crossed Douglas' muddy street to the small rectangle of light painting the mud in front of the Timberlake Stables.
  This was the end of a thousand-mile trail, but the fact did not lighten the Texan's weariness, nor rid him of a nagging irritation that had made him taut-nerved and surly.

Page 56.....
Jim holstered his gun and took a swift step forward.  A cream sombrero had slipped from jet black hair and lay beside the crumpled figure.
 It was Lennie Masters!

BOOK REPORT.....

Fifty Fifty - James Patterson

Product Description(Amazon.com)
What are the chances that convicted killer Sam Blue is innocent of the serial murders of three young women? Determined to clear his name, no matter the cost to her career, Detective Harriet Blue accepts a risky reassignment to a remote town where a diary found on the roadside reveals a murderous plan. And the first killing, shortly after her arrival, suggests that the clock is already ticking. Meanwhile, back in the city, a young woman holds the key to crack Harriet's brother's case wide open. If only she could escape the madmen holding her hostage.  
Series: Harriet Blue (Book 2) 
Hardcover: 400 pages 
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; First Edition edition (February 19, 2018) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0316513229 
ISBN-13: 978-0316513227

MY THOUGHTS:  Book 2 of Harriet Blue series.  Really awesome book.  Loved it.  I"ll be watching and waiting  for the next book to come out.  Harriet is trying to help her brother, Sam.  But she is sent to a remote farming town to investigate a diary found by the roadside suggesting mass murder.  Harriet has to track down all the clues to find this possible mass murderer.  But will she find them in time?  What's happening to Sam?  And what's going on with Whitt and Tox?  I give this book 5.....

 This book is for 3 of my reading challenges........
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK REPORT.....

Never Never - James Patterson

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Harry Blue is the top Sex Crimes investigator in her department. But even she didn't see this coming: her own brother arrested for the grisly murders of three beautiful young women. "For her own good," she's been sent to a desolate location and assigned to a new "partner." But is he actually meant to be a watchdog? In her strange new home, Harry vanishes in a place where no one would ever think to look for her.  
Series: Harriet Blue 
Hardcover: 400 pages 
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company; First Edition edition (January 16, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0316433179 
ISBN-13: 978-0316433174

MY THOUGHTS:   A new series I've started.  By my favorite author, James Patterson.  This is a series set in Australia.  It's about Harry Blue, Harry is short for Harriet.  Harry is a Sex Crimes investigator.  Her brother, Sam, is arrested for the brutal rape, torture, and murder of 3 women.  To keep Harry out of the investigation, her commander sends her into the outback to a mining community to investigate miners that have come up missing.  There are 3 missing miners and no one seems to know where they went.     Harry also has a new partner, Whitt.  But is he sent there to spy on Harry?  What has happened to her brother?  And what has happened to the miners?  I give this book 5....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK REPORT.....

My Own Words - Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Product Description(Amazon.com)
The first book from Ruth Bader Ginsburg since becoming a Supreme Court Justice in 1993—a witty, engaging, serious, and playful collection of writings and speeches from the woman who has had a powerful and enduring influence on law, women’s rights, and popular culture.

My Own Words offers Justice Ginsburg on wide-ranging topics, including gender equality, the workways of the Supreme Court, being Jewish, law and lawyers in opera, and the value of looking beyond US shores when interpreting the US Constitution. Throughout her life Justice Ginsburg has been (and continues to be) a prolific writer and public speaker. This book’s sampling is selected by Justice Ginsburg and her authorized biographers Mary Hartnett and Wendy W. Williams. Justice Ginsburg has written an introduction to the book, and Hartnett and Williams introduce each chapter, giving biographical context and quotes gleaned from hundreds of interviews they have conducted. This is a fascinating glimpse into the life of one of America’s most influential women. 
Hardcover: 400 pages 
Publisher: Simon & Schuster; First Edition edition (October 4, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 150114524X 
ISBN-13: 978-1501145247

MY THOUGHTS: This book is filled with Ginburg's life.  From her days of collage clear up to her appointment to the Supreme Court.  Filled with little facts about being a woman with a husband and child and going to school.  Her co-justices and what they do when not in court.  Dinners, parties, or lunch.  Ginsberg and another justice even had an Opera made for them and they were in it.  Really good book with lots of info about the life and work of Ginsburg.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.....
Strolling Through Non-Fiction
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK REPORT.......

ZigZag - Bill Pronzini

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Zigzag is an original novella, in which a safe and simple accident investigation becomes the unraveling of a twisted murder scheme.
Grapplin, which first appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, deals with the kind of missing person case that can end in only one of two ways, closure or heartbreak.
In the second short, Nightscape, readers discover how, indeed, one thing just leads to another (First published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine as The Winning Ticket).
The final work, Revenant, is another original novella and entangles Nameless in a weird crime with fearful occult overtones. 
Series: Nameless Detective Novels (Book 45) 
Hardcover: 272 pages 
Publisher: Forge Books (May 17, 2016) 
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0765381036 
ISBN-13: 978-0765381033

MY THOUGHTS:  I've read several of this author's Nameless series.  I liked them a lot.  This one is no exception.  It has several stories of cases the detective worked.  As you can see it is Book 45 in the series.  I may have to add them to my Series Tab.  Really good book!  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges......
What's in a Name Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

BOOK REPORT......

The History of Bees - Maja Lunde

Product Description(Amazon.com)
This dazzling and ambitious literary debut follows three generations of beekeepers from the past, present, and future, weaving a spellbinding story of their relationship to the bees—and to their children and one another—against the backdrop of an urgent, global crisis.
England, 1852. William is a biologist and seed merchant, who sets out to build a new type of beehive—one that will give both him and his children honor and fame.
United States, 2007. George is a beekeeper fighting an uphill battle against modern farming, but hopes that his son can be their salvation.
China, 2098. Tao hand paints pollen onto the fruit trees now that the bees have long since disappeared. When Tao’s young son is taken away by the authorities after a tragic accident, she sets out on a grueling journey to find out what happened to him. 
Hardcover: 352 pages 
Publisher: Touchstone; 1st Edition edition (August 22, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1501161377 
ISBN-13: 978-1501161377

MY THOUGHTS:  I don't usually like books written this way.  With three different stories.  But this one hooked me on the first page.  These stories with  history, agony, and heartbreaking are stories that  combine to make a statement about what's going to happen, starting with the past, going to the present and then to the future.  It's actually a really scary thought if you think about it.  These tiny creatures that fly around collecting pollen so they can make honey to feed their young, we all depend on them to keep the world going!  I give  this book 5......

This book is for 2 of my reading challenges......
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Library Love Challenge
**************************************************************************
I totally forgot to post my Month In Review for April.  Hosted by The Book Date.  Hope over and check out all the books, your might find your next book to read. This is my April in Review.

Books Read
My Lost Brothers - Brendan McDonough-5 Stars
Love, Star Girl - Jerry Spinelli 5 Stars
Poldark - Winston Graham - 5 Stars
The Garden of Small Beginnings - Abbi Waxman - 5 Stars
The Atomic City Girls - Janet Beard - 5 Stars
The Embroidery Book - Christen Brown - Stars
"Y" is for Yesterday - Sue Grafton - 5 Stars

New to Me Authors
Brendan DcDonough
Jerry Spinelli
Winston Graham
Abbi Waxman
Janet Beard

Top Book for April

The Atomic City Girls - Janet Beard

BOOK REPORT.....

The Cantaloupe Thief - Deb Richardson-Moore

Product Description(Amazon.com)
A murder mystery set in NE Georgia, USA, and featuring a reporter, Branigan Powers, who is commissioned to investigate a cold case, an unsolved murder of a wealthy widow ten years previously. She enlists the help of Malachi Ezekiel Martin, a homeless man who is both a possible suspect and a possible sleuth: the idea being that homeless people get overlooked, and hence see things that are concealed from the rest of the population.  This is the first in an intended series of novels featuring Branigan, Malachi, and Branigan's friend Liam, who runs a shelter for the homeless. 
Series: A Branigan Powers Mystery 
Paperback: 288 pages 
Publisher: Lion Fiction (June 27, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1782641920 
ISBN-13: 978-1782641926

MY THOUGHTS:  New Author and series for me.  Now all have to do is find the rest of the series at my library.   This is a different kind of mystery.  Instead of a cop, there is a reporter, Branigan Powers.  She gets a cold case, the only murder in Grambling, Georgia that has gone unsolved.  The paper that Branigan works at is running a 10th anniversary of case.  Once Branigan starts asking questions, people start dying.  Are they connected with the murder?  Is Branigan in danger?  Read the book, it's really good.  I give this book 5......

 This book is for 4 of my reading challenges.....
Read the Rainbow Challenge
What's in a Name Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge

TAST.....

The new TAST(Take A Stitch Tuesday) stitch is posted.  You can see all the embroidery stitches at Sharon's place....Pintangle.  Hop over and check it out.

Week 17
French Knot

AMERICANA SAL.......

Kaye over at Kitten Stitching is hosting an Americana SAL.  I'm going to join and see if I can actually finish a piece of Cross Stitch.  I used to do Cross Stitch years ago and had lots of Cross Stitch "Stuff".  Fabric, needles, Floss and kits.  I sold it all and now I haven't got anything, except Hobby Lobby to get supplies.  They don't have a lot of variety.  But I guess I could order on-line.  Not sure what the Americana SAL is.....here is some info.....

"Welcome to the Red, White and Bluest blog around! Each month we stitch on our own Americana (or Patriotic) projects. You choose your chart, fabric and threads. Share your progress as you go along and post any finished pieces by the last day of the month. You can join at anytime throughout the year and choose which months you wish to stitch with us. There will be the occasional giveaway, maybe some quizzes and competitions and definitely lots of FUN!"

So hop over to Kaye's place and check it out.  I will be putting a link to the Americana SAL in my sidebar.

BOOK REPORT......MY LOST BROTHERs

My Lost Brothers

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Brendan McDonough was on the verge of becoming a hopeless, inveterate heroin addict when, for the sake of his young daughter, he decided to turn his life around. He enlisted in the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a team of elite firefighters based in Prescott, Arizona. Their leader, Eric Marsh, was in a desperate crunch after four hotshots left the unit, and, perhaps seeing a glimmer of promise in the skinny would-be recruit, he took a chance on the unlikely McDonough, and the chance paid off. Despite the crew's skepticism, and thanks in large part to Marsh's firm but loving encouragement, McDonough unlocked a latent drive and dedication, going on to successfully battle a number of blazes and eventually win the confidence of the men he came to call his brothers.
Then, on June 30, 2013, while McDonough - "Donut", as he'd been dubbed by his team - served as lookout, they confronted a freak 3,000-degree inferno in nearby Yarnell, Arizona. The relentless firestorm ultimately trapped his hotshot brothers, tragically killing all 19 of them within minutes. Nationwide, it was the greatest loss of firefighter lives since the 9/11 attacks. 
Hardcover: 288 pages 
Publisher: Hachette Books (May 3, 2016) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0316308188 
ISBN-13: 978-0316308182

MY THOUGHTS:  Really gripping book.  Started reading this book and could not put it down.  Following the life of the young man through the drugs, parties and messed up life was amazing.  And he done it all for his daughter.  Brendan got off the drugs and left that behind, he joined the Granite Mountain Hotshots, a very elite group of firefighters.  He was fighting wildfires.  The way these men went in and fought with mother nature was awesome.  Brendan   gives you insights into the fires, how they fought them, and what are the names of the things they do.  I have a totally different view of the way these people fight fires.  They are very courageous men and women that take their lives into their own hands to fight for the people that live in these fire area.  To me they are all HERO'S!  I give this book 5......

The book is for 5 of my reading challenges......
Alphabet Soup Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge (Done)
Memoir Reading Challenge

IS SPRING HERE?????

Maybe, it was 39 degrees this morning.  Haven't been able to plant the tomato's, corn or grape vines for fear they will get frozen.  While I was our looking around the yard, I did spot some new growth on the Rose Bush I planted last year.  It's kind of spindly right now, but it's green.

Also the Paper Whites are up, full of blooms.

Some of the flowering trees are blooming and of course if nothing else is up and going, there's always the Dandelions.

BOOK REPORT.......

Love, Star Girl - Jerry Spinelli

Product Description(Amazon.com)
Love, Stargirl picks up a year after Stargirl ends and reveals the new life of the beloved character who moved away so suddenly at the end of Stargirl. The novel takes the form of "the world's longest letter," in diary form, going from date to date through a little more than a year's time. In her writing, Stargirl mixes memories of her bittersweet time in Mica, Arizona, with involvements with new people in her life.
In Love, Stargirl, we hear the voice of Stargirl herself as she reflects on time, life, Leo, and—of course—love. 
Paperback: 288 pages 
Publisher: Ember; Reprint edition (April 28, 2009) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0375856447 
ISBN-13: 978-0375856440

MY THOUGHTS:  New author for me, and of course I read the second book first.  Now I've got to get the first one.  I enjoyed reading this book.  I've found I truly enjoy Diary form books.  They are like looking into the life of the person.  In this book you are seeing a young girl who has moved and left all her friends behind.  Along with a boyfriend, Leo.  Although Stargirl makes lots of new friends at her new home.  Does Stargirl find a new love.  Read and find out.  I give this book 5.....

This book is for 5 of my reading challenges.......
Read The Rainbow Challenge
Whatever I think Of Challenge
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge

TAST......

is Take A Stitch Tuesday and hosted by Sharon over at Pintangle.  She gives you a new embroidery stitch every week.  This is week 16.....the stitch is

Satin Stitch

I some trouble with Satin Stitch, couldn't get my lines to even up.  So I went with Outlined Satin Stitch.  I started making a sun, but as you can see it turned into a fish.  To see a Tutorial of Outlined Satin Stitch click here.

BOOK REPORT......POLDARK

Poldark - Winston Graham

Product Description(Amazon.com)
In the first novel in Winston Graham's hit series, a weary Ross Poldark returns to England from war, looking forward to a joyful homecoming with his beloved Elizabeth. But instead he discovers his father has died, his home is overrun by livestock and drunken servants, and Elizabeth―believing Ross to be dead―is now engaged to his cousin. Ross has no choice but to start his life anew. 
Series: The Poldark Saga (Book 1) 
Paperback: 400 pages 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark; Official PBS TV Series Tie in ed. edition (June 9, 2015) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 1492622079 
ISBN-13: 978-1492622079

MY THOUGHTS:  The minute I picked this book and read the synopsis I was hooked.  I love reading books set in the 1600's and onward.  This book starts in 1783 with the death of Joshua Poldark.  The story follows Ross Poldark through to December 1787.  The story follows the life of Ross.  He's come home to life not of his choosing.  Ross has to start over.  His farm is run down, his father has died, and his Elizabeth is marrying his cousin.  So Ross goes on.....he starts with the farm, buying some animals and planting crops.  But will Ross ever find love and happiness again?  I give this book......5

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.......
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge
Try Something New Challenge

BOOK REPORT........

The Garden of Small Beginnings - Abbi Waxman

Product Description(Amazon)
Lilian Girvan has been a single mother for three years—ever since her husband died in a car accident. One mental breakdown and some random suicidal thoughts later, she’s just starting to get the hang of this widow thing. She can now get her two girls to school, show up to work, and watch TV like a pro. The only problem is she’s becoming overwhelmed with being underwhelmed.

At least her textbook illustrating job has some perks—like actually being called upon to draw whale genitalia. Oh, and there’s that vegetable-gardening class her boss signed her up for. Apparently, being the chosen illustrator for a series of boutique vegetable guides means getting your hands dirty, literally. Wallowing around in compost on a Saturday morning can’t be much worse than wallowing around in pajamas and self-pity.

After recruiting her kids and insanely supportive sister to join her, Lilian shows up at the Los Angeles botanical garden feeling out of her element. But what she’ll soon discover—with the help of a patient instructor and a quirky group of gardeners—is that into every life a little sun must shine, whether you want it to or not... 
Paperback: 368 pages 
Publisher: Berkley (May 2, 2017) 
Language: English 
ISBN-10: 0399583580 
ISBN-13: 978-0399583582

MY THOUGHTS:  Loved this book.  So full of everyday people and things.  One heart broken mother of 2 girls is just now getting back to like after the loss of her husband.  Lilian is an illustrator of books.  Her boss sends her off to take a gardening class.  She takes her 2 girls and her sister.  They meet lots of new people and soon are all good friends.  There is also love in the air for Lilian's sister and a couple other people.  Lilian is also seeing someone, the instructor of the class.  But is she ready for a relationship?  Her body says yes, but her mind isn't sure.  I give this book 5......

This book is for 3 of my reading challenges.......
Strolling Through Non-Fiction/Good Reads
Library Love Challenge
Outdo Yourself Challenge