Tunnel fun

The goats had the best time exploring the tunnel. It's always fun watching how something so simple turns into a whole event for them.

 

Lion Meat- from the archives

 

Monday, October 27, 2008

Lion Meat

Tonight we went to Sam's Club! My 9yo and 11yo boys begged and begged to buy the LION meat and cook it tomorrow night! Poor guys I had to tell them it was loin not lion!

The Best Good Thing Discovering Joy on a Very Bad Smad Day by Anna Housley Juster - A Review

This sweet picture book is perfect for those rough days when nothing seems to go right. It does a great job showing kids that it’s okay to feel upset and that they don’t have to rush through those feelings to find happiness again.

The story is gentle and relatable, focusing on how even one small good thing can make a hard day feel a little lighter. The message is comforting without trying to “fix” the emotions, which makes it feel very real and reassuring. The illustrations add warmth and help show the emotional shifts in a way young readers will easily understand.

This is a great choice for read aloud time, classrooms, or bedtime, especially for kids learning how to handle big feelings. A lovely, calming book that reminds readers they’re not alone on their worst days.

★★★★★

 Amazon link, small commission may apply

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Measure by Nikki Erlick - A Review

The Measure starts with a hook that’s impossible to ignore. One day, everyone receives a box. Inside is a string that tells you exactly how long you’ll live. From there, the book isn’t really about the strings themselves. It’s about what happens once certainty enters the room and refuses to leave.

The story moves through a wide (too wide) cast of characters, from everyday people to those in power, all reacting differently to the same truth. Some open their boxes immediately. Some never do. Some build their entire lives around the number they now know. The novel is at its best when it focuses on the quiet, personal fallout. Marriages strain. Parents make impossible choices. Love starts to feel conditional, measured not in years shared but years remaining.

Erlick’s writing is soft-spoken and thoughtful, which works well for the themes she’s exploring. There’s a steady emotional pull rather than big dramatic swings. The book makes a strong point that knowing more doesn’t make life easier. It often makes it smaller. Time becomes something to hoard, compare, and weaponize, and that shift feels uncomfortably believable.

Where the book stumbles a bit is in its scope. With so many perspectives, some characters feel more like ideas than fully realized people. The social commentary is interesting and often chilling, but it occasionally comes at the expense of deeper emotional connection. Even so, the questions the book raises may linger after you’re done reading.

The Measure doesn’t try to give answers. Instead, it leaves you sitting with the same unease as its characters. If you knew how long you had, would it change how you live. Or would it just change what you’re afraid of.

★★★½

(Purchase on Amazon, a small commission may be earned) 

A Sneaky Sill‑Side Spectator

Caught this little explorer peeking out from behind the flowers on the window sill today. Cats always seem to find the perfect spot to hide, watch, and pretend they’re completely invisible.

 

Crispy Country Corn Fritters

Golden corn fritters made pantry simple, crisp outside and tender inside. Quick to mix, perfect with honey or butter for any meal.

CORN FRITTERS

1 can (approx. 2 c.) creamed corn
2 tsp. sugar
3 large eggs
4 tsp. baking powder
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients and mix just until flour is blended. Cook like thick pancakes until brown on both sides. Good with honey or butter.

What If We Were All Honest! A Children's Rhyming Book About Honesty, Trust, and Doing What's Right by C.M. Harris - A Review

This is one of those children’s books that feels simple on the surface but carries a message that really matters. Through easy, gentle rhyme, it talks about honesty as something positive something that helps kids feel good about themselves and their relationships, not something wrapped in fear or punishment.

I appreciated how approachable this felt. The message comes across naturally, making it great to read aloud provoke conversations. It invites kids to think about their choices and how honesty plays out in real life, which is exactly what reflective children’s books should do.

There is such a need for high moral, values centered stories like this, especially ones that respect children’s ability to understand big ideas. This book creates space for trust, empathy, and meaningful discussion in a way that feels warm and encouraging.

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy. A thoughtful, heart forward read with a purpose.

★★★★★, Pub Date Apr 07 2026

Amazon Link - Small commission may apply

What’s That For? by Vanessa Bergeron - A Review

This is a beautiful, joyful read that really stands out for its vibrant, crisp illustrations. The visuals immediately grab attention and beautifully support the imagination play woven throughout the story. I loved how the book encourages kids to wonder, guess, and explore ideas without rushing to give all the answers, making it feel both playful and thoughtful.

It’s the kind of picture book that invites conversation and creativity, especially during shared reading time.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via NetGalley for review purposes. All thoughts are my own.

★★★★★

Pub Date May 05 2026 

My Dad, My Hero by Kacey Hoysted, illustrated by Alyssa Yazbek - A Review

This book has a strong and heartfelt concept honoring children of service members, but the execution fell short for me. The Kindle edition was extremely brief, only seven actual pages shown side by side, and it was not labeled as a board book, which made the length surprising and a bit disappointing. 

The story is very specific to the Army, which limits its connection for families with loved ones in other branches. As a parent of two sons serving in different branches, one of whom is also a father, broader representation would have made this much more meaningful. I did appreciate the final page that invites the child to draw their service parent, which was a thoughtful and engaging touch. Overall, a nice idea, but far too short and narrow in focus.

★★★

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy for my honest review. 

Amazon link, small commission may apply

The Big Mouse Party by Anastasia Temborska - A Review

This book makes a really strong first impression. The cover is bright and fun, and the first page does a great job showing exactly what you are supposed to be searching for. I really liked having those reference images up front, and it made jumping into the book feel easy and exciting.

After that first page, though, those helpful visual guides disappear. There are no more images reminding you what to look for, which made the search and find experience feel less clear as the book went on. The pages also become very busy, with a lot going on visually, and while the instructions are extremely detailed, they start to feel overwhelming rather than helpful. The interior illustrations aren’t always as bright as the cover either, which makes the experience feel uneven overall. It starts off strong but slowly loses some of its magic.

Overall, it is a cute and creative idea with a promising beginning, but more visual consistency and continued reference images would have made it much more enjoyable.

★★★

I received a free ARC copy from NetGalley and the Publisher for my honest review. APR 7, 2026 Publish date

Amazon Link, small commission may apply

Across the Vanishing Sky by Catherine Cowles - A Review

This was such an easy book to fall into. It’s definitely a bit long, but honestly, I didn’t mind much because there was always something going on. Every time I thought things might slow down, another layer of the story pulled me right back in. It felt like one of those reads where you keep saying just one more chapter and suddenly a lot of time has passed.

The characters really carried this story for me. They felt real, messy, and emotional in a way that made me care about what happened to them. I loved how the romance built slowly and naturally. Nothing felt rushed, and the connection between the characters grew in a way that made sense given everything they were dealing with. There’s a lot of emotional weight here, but it’s handled really well.

The multiple story lines were a big win. There’s suspense, family dynamics, personal healing, and romance all woven together, and somehow it never felt overwhelming. I stayed interested the entire time because each thread added something important to the overall story. Even the quieter moments felt like they mattered.

While the book could have been a little tighter, I was happy to stay in this world longer because I was invested. It’s engaging, emotional, and full of heart, and it kept me hooked from beginning to end. A really solid four star read for me.

★★★★

Amazon link, small commission may apply

A Still Moment in Sorrow

From a past evening of stillness and peace. Today my heart aches for a friend who lost her son. Faith does not erase the pain, but it reminds me that God’s love is steady, even in the darkest moments, and His presence remains when everything else feels shaken.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

Lord, wrap Your arms around every heart shattered by loss today. Bring comfort where words fail, peace where pain feels overwhelming, and strength for each step forward. Hold my friend close and remind her that she is not alone, even in this deepest valley. Amen.

 

Murder at Raven's Edge by Louise Marley - A Review

I really wanted to like this one, and I stuck with it far longer than I normally would because the setup had potential and I kept hoping it would tighten up. Unfortunately, the reading experience never smoothed out for me.

The biggest issue was pacing. Scenes felt padded, with a lot of circling the same beats—events would move forward, then the narrative would swing back again, and the constant back-and-forth started to feel like momentum loss instead of suspense-building. On top of that, there were frequent repeated thoughts and internal commentary that read as random and redundant rather than illuminating, so I found myself skimming just to get to the next actual development.

Because so much page time was spent on repetition and mental noise, the tension didn’t land for me—rather than feeling pulled through the mystery, I felt stalled in it. By the time I reached the last stretch, I wasn’t curious so much as tired, and that’s usually the point where I know a book and I aren’t clicking.

officially Did Not Finish at 86%. At that point, continuing felt like forcing it, and I didn’t want to spend more time pushing through material that wasn’t working for me. That said, if you enjoy a more meandering, highly introspective style—and you don’t mind frequent reiteration of thoughts—this may work better for you than it did for me.

I might look up a recap to see how it ends, if I decide I care, but I’m calling it here.

Currently Busy Doing Nothing

Our boy goat chilling in the grass, just chewing away without a worry. Simple, peaceful, and way too cute.

 

The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer - A Review

This was a quiet, thoughtful read with a really interesting premise. Clover is a death doula who collects people’s final regrets, which immediately sets a reflective, slightly melancholy tone. The book is very much about slowing down and thinking about life, choices, and connection.

The writing is gentle and comforting, and some of the observations about regret and missed opportunities really land. I liked how the story reminds you that life doesn’t have to be loud to be meaningful. There’s a softness to it that makes it an easy book to sit with, especially if you’re in the mood for something introspective.

That said, it didn’t fully pull me in emotionally. Clover’s personal journey felt a bit predictable, and while her growth makes sense, it never surprised me. Some of the side characters felt more like ideas than fully developed people, which kept me from getting too attached.

The pacing is slow and steady—great if you want something calm and reflective, but it might feel flat if you’re hoping for strong plot movement. The romance is sweet and low‑key, but also very safe and expected.

Overall, this is a nice, cozy, emotionally gentle book that touches on meaningful themes without going too deep. I enjoyed it, but didn’t love it—and that’s why it lands solidly in the middle for me.

★★★

Amazon link, small commission may apply

My Favorite Half-Night Stand by Christina Lauren — A Review

A fun, flirty concept” what if your one-night stand becomes your online crush?"—makes My Favorite Half-Night Stand an easy binge, especially if you like friend groups, witty banter, and a modern dating setup with texts, apps, and awkward group dynamics.

Millie is the only woman in a tight-knit group of guy friends, and lately she’s been feeling like the odd one out—especially as everyone else couples up. After a wild night, she ends up in bed with a stranger, and when her friends talk her into trying online dating, she connects with a profile that feels surprisingly perfect. The catch: the “new guy” might not be new at all.

What worked for me was the humor and the pacing. Christina Lauren delivers plenty of laugh out loud moments, and I loved the way the story explores how differently people present themselves in person versus behind a screen. The friend group is lively, the dialogue is snappy, and the romance has a sweet undercurrent even when things get messy.

The reason it is 3.5 stars for me is that some of the conflict relies on miscommunication and assumptions that felt a bit stretched. A few emotional beats are brushed past quickly, and I wanted deeper follow-through on certain friendship dynamics (especially once secrets start stacking up).

Still, if you’re in the mood for a contemporary rom com with a strong ensemble cast, a modern dating twist, and plenty of charm, this is worth picking up. Recommended for readers who enjoy friends-to-lovers energy, light angst, and a happily-ever-after.

★★★½

Amazon link, small commission may apply

Just Austin Being Austin

This is one of those very Austin moments. Prickly pear growing wherever it feels like, soaking up the sun, not worrying about a thing. It’s tough, a little rough around the edges, and still kind of beautiful. 

 

Family Recipes - Derby Pie

This recipe is a long-time family tradition, Derby Pie, so delicious either cold or warm, makes a great breakfast too. It isn't a celebration in our family without Derby Pie. 

1 stick butter or margarine
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. chocolate chip morsels
1 tsp. vanilla
1 unbaked pie shell
½ c. all-purpose flour
2 eggs

Melt margarine and cool. Mix sugar and flour. Add margarine. Slightly beat the eggs and add to the preceding mixture. Add chocolate chips and vanilla. Pour into pie shell and bake 40 minutes at 350°. Serve hot or cold with ice cream or whipped cream. I always double this.

In Our Bones - Quote

Life is not a straight line leading from one blessing to the next and then finally to heaven. Life is a winding and troubled road. Switchback after switchback. And the point of biblical stories like Joseph, Job, Esther, and Ruth is to help us feel in our bones (not just know in our heads) that God is for us in all these strange turns. God is not just showing up after the trouble and cleaning it up. He is plotting the course and managing the troubles with far-reaching purposes for our good and for the glory of Jesus Christ.

John Piper

More Than Friends by Denise Hunter, Narrated by Kim Churchill - A Review

This was such a sweet friends-to-lovers romance set on an Island, and the setting truly shines.

The wild ponies, the coastal atmosphere, the small-town routines, and even the barn and pasture scenes give the story a grounded, peaceful vibe that makes the journey feel even more immersive.

Jenna and Ty’s relationship felt easy and familiar in the best way. Growing up as next-door neighbors and best friends gave their chemistry a natural foundation and watching that friendship shift into something deeper was handled beautifully. Their connection never felt rushed, and the emotional development between them was believable and heartfelt. I especially appreciated how the story explored finding your place in life, career uncertainty, the realities of dating a first responder, and the idea of what “home” really means.

Several subplots are woven into the story in a way that adds richness without pulling focus from main story line, including a storyline involving Jenna’s mother that kept me engaged and curious to see how it would unfold. The pacing is slower than some of Hunter’s other titles, but the story remains clean and thoughtfully written, handling heavier themes with care and never feeling emotionally overwhelmed.

Denise Hunter remains one of those authors whose books I will always pick up. Even when the pace is gentler, her storytelling, sense of place, and emotional honesty shine through. This was a warm, comforting read with swoony moments and meaningful themes.

★★★★★

Amazon Link, small commission may apply

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC copy for my honest opinion

Bad Words by Rioghnach Robinson - A Review

I loved this book. Truly loved it. Clear‑the‑schedule, just‑one‑more‑chapter‑that‑turns‑into‑the‑last‑chapter loved it. Easy five stars and the kind of read that pulls you straight out of a reading slump.

The premise hooked me immediately. Parker Navarro is an author still carrying the sting of a brutal review written years ago by Selina Chan, a high‑profile literary critic. When she’s assigned to review his next book, they clash publicly, the argument goes viral, and suddenly their long‑standing tension is great for his sales and her publication’s traffic. Messy. Complicated. Completely irresistible.

What makes this book stand out is that it’s not just banter and chemistry, though it absolutely delivers on both. It dives into the publishing world, criticism culture, and online discourse in a way that feels sharp, current, and real without ever feeling heavy‑handed. The push and pull between creating and critiquing, and how quickly the internet turns conflict into spectacle, is handled with insight and heart.

Selina and Parker are stubborn, driven, and wonderfully flawed. They don’t just mildly dislike each other — they genuinely clash, and their arguments actually make sense. No flimsy misunderstandings. No dragged‑out drama. Every shift in their dynamic feels earned, and watching them slowly learn to listen instead of react was incredibly satisfying.

Enemies to lovers is done right here. They truly resent each other at the start, professionally and personally, which makes every crack in the armor and every moment of connection hit harder. The romance builds naturally and lands with intensity, tenderness, and real emotional payoff.

I also need to say this: the editing is spectacular. The pacing is tight, the dialogue snaps, and the story flows so smoothly that nothing pulls you out of the experience. The polish on this book is obvious, and it elevates an already fantastic story into something exceptional.

Fast paced but never rushed. Smart without trying too hard. Emotional without losing the fun. I was fully invested from beginning to end, and the final pages had me grinning and immediately wanting to tell someone about it.

I officially have a new favorite author, and I cannot wait to read what Rioghnach Robinson writes next.

If you love sharp dialogue, publishing‑world drama, and romance that actually earns its emotional payoff, do not skip this one.

★★★★★

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to St. Martin’s Press  for providing an advance review copy

BLUEBERRY DELIGHT DESSERT

Blueberry Delight, simple, fresh, and irresistibly inviting 

16 graham crackers
2 eggs, well beaten
½ c. melted butter
1 can blueberry pie filling
¼ c. sugar
1 (12 oz.) Cool Whip
1 (8 oz.) Philli cream cheese
Drop or 2 of lemon juice (for
½ c. sugar 

Make crust with crushed graham crackers, butter and ¼ cup sugar. Cream the cream cheese and sugar together. Add eggs. Spread mixture over crust. Bake 20 minutes at 350°. Cool and spread with blueberry pie filling, then spread on Cool Whip. Keep refrigerated.

KUNG PAO CHICKEN WITH PEANUTS

KUNG PAO CHICKEN WITH PEANUTS

1 egg white
½ tsp. sugar
½ tsp. salt
1 to 3 Tbsp. hot pepper oil
1 tsp. cornstarch
2 Tbsp. peanut oil
1 lb. chicken, cubed
1 Tbsp. water
1 Tbsp. sherry
Oil for frying
1 c. raw, skinned peanuts
1 tsp. cornstarch, mixed with 1
3 Tbsp. soy sauce
Tbsp. water

Whisk egg white lightly with salt and 1 teaspoon cornstarch. Add chicken and mix. Set aside. Deep-fry peanuts in a small saucepan until golden. Drain on absorbent paper.

Set aside. In another bowl, mix sherry, soy, and sugar. Heat wok and add 2 tablespoons peanut oil. When oil is hot, add chicken and stir-fry until it turns golden. Add sherry mixture slowly around edges of wok. Add peppers and cook until slightly softened. Add peanuts and mix well. Add 1 to 3 tablespoons pepper oil depending on spiciness desired. Use
cornstarch-water mixture to thicken if necessary.

I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman - A Review

This was a quiet, heavy read, and I’m glad I chose the audiobook for it. The story is very minimal and bleak, focused more on ideas than plot, which I appreciated in theory even when it felt slow. There’s a lot of reflection and repetition, and at times it felt emotionally distant for me.

The narrator on the audiobook was excellent and honestly made a big difference. Her calm, steady voice fit the tone perfectly and helped keep me engaged during the slower sections. Without that performance, I think this might have been a tougher read.

Overall, this landed right in the middle for me. Thought provoking and memorable, but not something I loved or would rush to reread.

★★★

Amazon Link, small commission may apply

Visit your local library, I did. 

The Woman in the Window by A. J. Finn - A Review

J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window channels the vibe of Rear Window in a modern, more psychologically tangled way. Like Hitchcock’s classic, this story leans heavily on voyeurism, suspicion, and the unnerving tension of watching something you’re not supposed to see. But instead of a man trapped by a broken leg, we’re watching a woman trapped by her own fractured mind — and that shift makes the suspense feel far more intimate and emotionally charged.
 
Anna Fox, once a respected child psychologist, now spends her days sealed inside her home and her spiraling thoughts. 

Her agoraphobia keeps her from stepping outside, so she fills her time with old movies, too much wine, a dangerous mix of medications, online communities, and the long‑range camera she uses to observe her neighbors. It’s her only connection to a world she can no longer face in person.

When the picture‑perfect Russell family moves in across the street, Anna is convinced she witnesses something terrible through her lens — something she shouldn’t have seen. But was it real? A hallucination? A blurred memory? Rear Window asked similar questions, but in Anna’s case, her unreliable mind adds an extra layer of uncertainty. The danger feels closer, more personal, and harder to rationalize.

The novel digs into themes like agoraphobia, addiction, alcoholism, grief, anxiety, depression, and distorted memory. Anna shoulders it all and watching her struggle to navigate reality — or decide if she even wants to — gives the thriller its emotional punch.

Even though I predicted several turns, The Woman in the Window still kept me hooked. It’s moody, atmospheric and makes the familiar voyeur‑thriller setup feel fresh again.

★★★★

Amazon link (Small commission may apply)