Friday, May 25, 2018

WHAT I'M READING: ANGELS AT THE TABLE by Debbie Macomber (2018/5)

It has been a long time since I told you what I was reading but that doesn't mean that I haven't been reading away.  I am going to try to catch up by telling you about one book a week.  The first one is another Debbie Macomber Christmas angels book:  Angels at the Table.

Image result for angels at the table debbie macomber

This book came out in 2012 and I asked for it from my Pollyanna (Secret Santa for those of you not in Philadelphia) at work for Christmas.  My Pollyanna that year was Bob and he thought I had the easiest gift ever and got it for me.  So you know this was not my first read of this book but it was as much a joy to read this time as it was the first time around.

Summary:
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
In this joyous and whimsical holiday novel, Debbie Macomber rings in the season with the return of Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy, delivering laughs, love, and a charming dose of angelic intervention.
 
Shirley, Goodness, and Mercy know that an angel’s work is never done, especially during a time as wondrous as New Year’s Eve. With an apprentice angel, Will, under their wings, they descend upon Times Square in New York City eager to join in the festivities. And when Will spies two lonely strangers in the crowd, he decides midnight is the perfect time to lend a heavenly helping hand.      
 
Lucie Farrara and Aren Fairchild meet after bumping into each other—seemingly by accident—in Times Square on New Year’s Eve. They immediately hit it off and find they have a lot in common: Lucie is a burgeoning chef and Aren is a respected food critic. But just as quickly as they’re brought together, another twist of fate tears them apart, leaving Lucie and Aren with no way to reconnect.
 
A year later, Lucie is the chef of an acclaimed new restaurant and Aren is a successful columnist for a major New York newspaper. For all the time that’s passed, the two have not forgotten their one serendipitous evening—and neither have Shirley, Goodness, Mercy, and Will. To reunite the young couple, the angels cook up a brilliant plan: mix true love, a second chance, and a generous sprinkle of mischief to create an unforgettable Christmas miracle.

My opinion:
Such good books these angel books are.  They are funny, sad, bite your nails to see what happens next, all at the same time.  There are quite a few of these and I love them all.  I'm so grateful to my friend, Debbie, for introducing me to them.  Even when I think I know what is going to happen, I'm never quite sure.  I highly recommend all of these books.

Back next week with book number 6.

Kathy

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

JOE'S BIRTHDAY


Sunday was Joe's birthday.  No, really.  Yes, his actual birthday.  I know it seems as if we have been celebrating for weeks, but this was the real day.  I chose this picture for the blog because "Joe Cool" aka "Snoopy" is his favorite cartoon character.  Although he does love "Huckleberry Hound" too.

Image result for huckleberry hound

We started the day by going to church.  But first we stopped at Shop Rite and got a little birthday cake.  I wish I had taken a picture of it.  It was so pretty with blue and purple swirls in the icing and "Happy Birthday, Joe" written in blue on the top.

I stopped outside the church to watch these birds and take a picture.  It was so fun to see these little birds, a sparrow and a robin, take a bath in a puddle in the parking lot.  I always notice things like this and try to share them with whomever I am with.  In this case it was my friend, Kathy.


By the time we got inside everyone had sung "Happy Birthday" to Joe and he asked me to cut the cake.  There was just enough to go around with two slices to take home and enjoy later in the evening.

In the afternoon Walt and Carole came over and we went to Cracker Barrel in New Jersey for a special dinner for Joe.  That is where he wanted to go.  The morning had been beautiful, but now as we crossed the Delaware River it began to cloud up and started to rain.



We got into the restaurant as it was just drizzling, but as we got seated the heavens opened and it was pouring.  But by the time we were ready to leave the sun was out again.


Walt and Carole had breakfast for dinner.  Joe had the Sunday chicken dinner and I had a pork chop.  I love the way they grill their chops.  It's always so moist and juicy.

I took this picture of Joe in the car on the way home.


I was glad he had such a nice birthday.  But I told him this is it until next year.  I'm all birthday'ed out!

Kathy






Saturday, May 19, 2018

THE THIRD ANNUAL LADIES' BRUNCH

Hello, friends!  I am so busy these days that it is hard to keep up.  Blogging has definitely taken a back seat in my life.  One more busy week to go and then hopefully I will have more time to connect with you all.

Today was the third annual Ladies' Brunch at church.  I invited a lot of my friends, but only one showed up.  I was having a good time eating and talking and forgot to take pictures until the end.  But I do have some to show you.

The food was so good.  Dorothea made it all except for the muffins which I made.  Late last night I got to baking the blueberry and the chocolate chip muffins.  They obviously turned out good because there were only four left which I brought home to Joe and he devoured.

For brunch we had fresh melons and pineapple, scrambled eggs, cheesy potatoes, bacon, sausage, rice and chicken, and salad.  And of course muffins.  There was orange juice, coffee and tea.  Yum!




Carolyn, our pastor's wife, introduced the guest speaker.


Ellin North was so interesting.  She spoke on looking in a mirror and seeing ourselves not just as we look to us, but as God sees us.  Every year our speakers get better and better.



As a take-home gift she gave us a mirror and a list of verses to look up that tells us how God sees us.


It was a great day even though I was really tired because I got up early to watch the Royal Wedding.  Hopefully I will catch up on my sleep sometime this week.

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Kathy