>Sizzling hot! That’s what we’re experiencing weatherwise in mid-America. The kind of hot that when you walk outside, your skin melts. Frying-eggs-on-the-sidewalk hot. Firecrackers-in-the-seat-of-your-pants hot. Prickly-pear hot. Anyone relate? With the heat comes the warning: Stay hydrated. We all know that caffeine, colas, and even alcohol DE-hydrates, so we’re told to drink water. Lots of water. Lots of boring water. …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – World’s Best Scones!
>A week or so ago I read The Guernsey Literary Potato Peel Pie Society (Mary Ann Schaffer and Annie Barrows). Oh my! Just a delightful book, set in London and on Guernsey, one of the Channel Isles. Written entirely in correspondence, it was an unusual presentation of story, but one which drew me in at once. The year is 1946 …
>HAPPY FATHER’S DAY
> As I went out walking one morning for pleasure, I spied an old cowpuncher a-ridin’ along. I cocked my head and smiled in admiration as the tune Daddy sang filled the cab of the pickup truck. The miles whizzed by, gobbled up by the Whoopie, ti-yi-yo, get along you little dogies. I’ve long since forgotten where the road ended, …
>THE ESTATE SALE
>I noticed the For Sale sign in the yard first. A quaint Tudor with cheerful daffodils and peonies lining the grill work in front of the entrance area. The home is on our daily dog-walking route, and often the elderly couple who lived there would wave from their webbed lawn chairs. During football season, OU and OSU flags stood staunchly …
>Book Reviews: SUMMER OF LIGHT and RETURN POLICY
>As promised, I’ve got a couple of reviews for you today—books by male authors. Just keeping the balance here. Summer of Light. This book is not a new release (2007, Bethany House), but I’ve just now discovered W. Dale Cramer’s writing and am delighted that I chose this one as my introduction to his fine novels. Mick Brannigan, a construction …
>THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL: Lemonade Pie
>We just returned from a long weekend in the Dallas area, a leisurely trip where we rekindled old friendships, attended the wedding of a gorgeous young bride, and spent hours and hours haunting the old neighborhood and places we loved during the years we lived in the area. As a matter of fact, it’s where two of our boys were …
>BATTLE OF THE SEXES
>So, I’ve been thinking about which I like more . . . male authors or female. Do I choose one over the other? Do I gravitate toward the straightforward, often plot driven books that guys are known for? Or the more character driven, emotional books associated with female authors? Looking over our bookshelves, there are probably more books by male …
>CAFE SPECIAL OF THE WEEK – Tasty Taters
>Thanks to Alice Wisler for allowing me to share one of her recipes from her new book, How Sweet It Is. (See previous post where I reviewed this book.) This is a yummy recipe that main character Deena Livingston learned from the chef she worked with back in Atlanta . . . before she landed in the mountains of North …
>WINNER OF THE SHAPE OF MERCY
> CONGRATULATIONS !!! CHERYL BARKER YOU ARE THE WINNERofSusan Meissner’s Book THE SHAPE OF MERCY I know you will enjoy this book a lot. Thanks to all of you who left comments. I’m sorry you couldn’t all win this beautifully written masterpiece. I hope you’ll stop by the Cafe again to see what’s going on, enjoy the latest in new …
>REVIEW OF HOW SWEET IT IS by Alice Wisler
>It is my pleasure to bring you How Sweet It Is by Alice Wisler (Bethany House. 2009). This book is a little like taking a walk along a lovely mountain path. There are rocks to watch for, bends in the road that lead to unknown vistas, an incline or two that has to be climbed, but the sights and sounds …