12/14/2024

Time Marches On!

Cheers to all you Sunday Salon people and any others!  Sunday Salon is a weekly re-cap of what we've been reading and doing.  Hosted faithfully by Deb Nance of Readerbuzz

We are Marching inexorably toward Christmas, and Yikes!  Shopping to do, or else everyone will end up with a bottle of Lillikoi Syrup or Lillikoi Kombucha. Yes, the passionfruit are plentiful at the moment. Feel free to come and pick up some.

I missed a week which just means more stuff here.  Above you see the kombucha right before bottling.  After pouring it into bottles, some fresh passionfruit juice was added to create a second ferment.  That's why room is left on top, and a secure lid, so we don't get what they call a Booch bomb!

BOOKS READ:

Recipes for Love and Murder, by Sally Andrew, was set in rural South Africa, and interesting for the setting.  Not as insightful or profound as the Alexander McCall Smith series based in Botswana, The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.  I was continually flipping back to the glossary, looking up African words.  I mean if you write in English, why switch back and forth?  Just annoying.

The Marlow Murder Club, by Robert Thorogood, was a delight however.  Several women of a "certain age" unite to solve a murder in their backyard.  Intriguing mystery, capably written, the characters develop as the Murder Club evolves, including a harassed woman police officer.


Death comes to Kurland Hall is #3 in the Kurland St. Mary, Regency mystery series by Catherine Lloyd.  I loved the two previous ones, and this was enjoyable though a bit overcomplicated.  

The Gardener's Plot, a promising debut, by Deborah Benoit.  The bodies are piling up as our amateur sleuth, Maggie uncovers the plot, in the heart of the Berkshires.



In this latest, of my reading anyway, in the Martha's Vineyard mystery series(the third) the 92 year old police deputy (for her extensive knowledge of the area and its citizens),  down-to-earth, Victoria succeeds once more in helping to solve the murders.  Great characters, including a raucous toucan.  Luckily there are more to read!

NOW READING:


A debut by Clara McKenna, set in 1905, Hampshire, England.  We'll see, good so far.

MEMORABLE MEALS:


A pasta dish made with my new purchase, Tonnino Tuna Ventresca.  Apparently the high end of the tuna world, which I was persuaded to buy.  Good though, and worth it.


And a lovely, spicy Lamb Tajine.  Thankfully I made enough to provide for several meals.

FUN OCCASIONS:

We had a very well attended Art Studio Tour here, and the works were overall just fabulous!  Some really talented Artists.  I went with a friend and we had a great time, going from studio to studio, most with several artists represented.  I got a few gifts and some items to keep!



FROM THE GARDEN


Breadfruit, known as ulu here, dehydrating and dried.  Next stop flour!

Well, that's about it for now.  Enjoy the weekend everyone!