All posts by cindyhazelett

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About cindyhazelett

I live in the country and spend much of the year enjoying our gardens and outdoor activities. Also, I have been involved in dog rescue for over 15 years. I have been a volunteer for numerous rescue organizations, do therapy dog work, and pretty much all things "dog".

Shetland Sheepdog

Books Lists and Life

Books & Reading, Dogs & Other Animals, , , , , , , ,
Shetland Sheepdog
Our foster dog who has since been adopted!

Wow, I had no idea I was so far behind in reporting my books read. Below are the lists for the months of March and April 2025. I will have to make another post soon to update you on my lists for May and June. Things have been busy, but still! My husband and I were both sick with the flu for three weeks. As I was recovering, my husband came down with it. A foster dog has come and gone on to his new home. We have done pet sitting for four dogs, two from the same family at a time. And the gardens are in full swing now requiring daily work. Whew, I am tired just thinking about it. So, here you go, my lists for March and April are below.

Books Read in March 2025

  1. The Lincoln Highway-Amor Towles (761 pages)

This book was not what I expected although I am glad I read it. Emmet is released from a juvenile work farm where he was sent for involuntary manslaughter. He discovers that two friends incarcerated with him stowed away in the warden’s trunk when he was delivered home. Emmett has gone home to take care of his 7 year old brother Billy. Their mother ran off years before, their father recently died, and their father lost the farm to the bank. Emmett and Billy plan to hit the Lincoln Highway and start over in San Francisco. This book covers their unexpected adventures for the 10 days before they head west. Most involve Wooly and Duchess from the work farm and next door neighbor Sally.

2. Artful Journals-Janet Takahashi (Non-fiction)

I really enjoyed this book about journal making. I learned some new techniques and enjoyed seeing the photos and processes.

3. The Art of Card Making-Various artists (Non-fiction)

This is a nice book with card projects, envelope making, etc. I enjoyed looking at the book but am not going to do any of the card projects. I would rather make my own than copy someone else’s templates.

4. Reason for Hope-Jane Goodall (Audiobook)

I have read this book before in print. It is an excellent book describing Jane’s time with the chimpanzees at Gombe and her continuing experiences. Not only is she a scientist, she goes to great lengths to change the world. I decided to to do the audiobook this time because I love Jane’s voice.

5. Tea with Elephants-Robin Jones Gunn

Friends Fern and Lily fulfill their dream of traveling to Africa together. Now middle-aged, God helps them see their blessings on this trip. We the reader get to live the experiences through them. From touring a tea plantation to seeing lions and elephants. The writing in this book is beautiful.

6. The Serviceberry-Robin Wall Kimmerer (Non-fiction)

The cover byline says it all-Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World. Some parts of the book were beautifully written and at other times, I found it to be a slow read. The message of the book makes it well worth reading.

7. Journal Sparks-Emily Neuburger (Non-fiction)

This Storey Book is part reference book, part hands on workbook. I enjoyed it and it is highly thought provoking. For now I have jotted down several ideas from it but may purchase my own copy in the future.

Magazines:  Country Living

Books Read in April 2025

  1. The Sketchbook Challenge-Sue Bleiweiss (Nonfiction)

Focuses on picking specific prompts for journaling ideas. Gives examples through showing individual artists works and comments. Also talks about how to do various methods such as screen printing or using wax, etc. Beautiful images of artists’ work.

2. Identity Unknown-Patricia Cornwell

A one time love interest and long time friend of Dr. Scarpetta is found dead at a defunct amusement park. He was an extraterrestrial scientist and died under suspicious circumstances. Lucy, Benton, and Pete are all working with Kay to solve the case. I thought this book was slower paced than most in the series because there was so much ground work to lay first. The last quarter was exciting. As with all Cornwell’s books, I enjoyed it.

3. Kiss Me At Christmas-Jenny Bayliss

I have read all five of Bayliss’ novels and enjoyed them all. I wouldn’t pick her books by the titles but when I see the author’s name, I grab them. I have never read one of her novels and not felt better. In this one, school guidance counselor Harriet Smith is trying to get through Christmas while her college age daughter spends it away from home. Hence her one night stand who shows up the next day as the attorney representing the owner of the defunct theater her students have broken into. Harriet takes responsibility and is let off the hook if they agree to fix the place up and put on a play for the holiday. Lots of caring friendships and more transpire throughout the course of the book.

4. Unraveled-Peggy Orenstein (Audiobook, Nonfiction)

This title is appropriate on two levels. It is about knitting a sweater, from shearing the sheep to processing the wool and then knitting the sweater. It is also about so much more. The book starts during the pandemic and onward. The author describes mentally unraveling with pandemic concerns, the demise of her father, and more. I’m glad I listened to this rather than reading it. I think it may have been a slow read but was an enjoyable listen.

5. Better Than Friends-Jill Shalvis

Another thoroughly enjoyable book from Shalvis. Olive Porter is back in Sunrise Cove to help her best friend with her son and provide moral support after the friend’s husband is in an accident on the job that puts him in a coma. Olive’s parents live off the grid and may be missing too. While dealing with all this she attempts to avoid former love interest and friend Noah Turner who happens to be her best friend’s twin brother. No luck. The two are continually thrown together with predictably delicious results.

6. Make Magic-Brad Meltzer (Nonfiction)

An inspirational message to his son’s graduating class at university. This message is actually for all of us. We need more magic in the world and the fact that it’s within our reach gives hope. This is a vey short book that should be read again and again.

7. The Grownup’s Guide to Painting with Kids-Jennifer McCully (Nonfiction)

This book contains instructions for lots of fun looking projects that I might try with or without kids. Not right now though so I am putting it on my Thrift Books Wishlist and returning this copy to the library.

8. We Solve Murders-Richard Osman

The story is fast paced and exciting. I’m pretty sure this will be made into a movie as was Osman’s previous book. The story line switches between characters and locations always chasing the murderer/s. The main characters are private security officer Amy Wheeler and her father-in-law, retired detective Steve Wheeler. The plot of this story in a nutshell is someone is trying to frame and kill Amy. They and friends go globetrotting to solve the case before it’s too late.

9. Love at First Book-Jenn McKinlay

This is a little different than McKinlay’s usual books but so good. Even teared me up at one point. Emily Allen lands a job as assistant to her all-time favorite author while she writes the final book in her famous series. Emily leaves her needy, controlling mother behind and flies to Ireland for the job. Of course, the author has an unfriendly but extremely hot son to contend with. You will become smitten with all the Irish characters in the book. When it’s time to leave, will Emily go? No spoilers from me!

10. Birds and Flowers in Colored Pencil-Fei Niao (Nonfiction)

Not much intro or technique. It does have some nice drawings though. I tried specific areas from a couple pictures. I need more guidance.

11. Little Landscapes-Priscilla Hauser (Nonfiction)

I like nearly all the paintings in this book. They come a tracing pattern for each one! I’m taking this book back to the library but have added it to my Thrift Books list to buy later.

12. Acrylics for the Absolute Beginner-Charles Evans (Nonfiction)

Same deal as above. Added to my list to buy later. I have to finish the painting lessons in the book I’m currently working through before I start another.

Magazines:  Forks Over Knives, Best Friends, Mary Jane’s Farm (I enjoy this one so much I just ordered a subscription!)

Acrylic painting

Art, Hiking, Books, and Catching Up

Books & Reading, Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Thoughts On Life, , , , , , , , ,
Acrylic painting
Acrylic painting styled after a drawing I saw in a magazine.

This post will feature a little of this and a little of that since I have been remiss in frequency of posting so far this year. That doesn’t mean I haven’t kept myself busy though.

I continue to work on my painting skills, or lack thereof. I am working my way through a book of acrylic painting lessons by Lee Hammond. I do every lesson, even the ones that do not appeal to me. I figure the point is to learn new techniques and ideas. I am afraid if I skip one, I will be deficient in a basic skill forever! I did take a break from the lesson book and do the painting above. Every so often I like to paint something just for fun. After all, if it’s not fun, why am I doing it? This painting is done on a 5 x 5 inch flat canvas. I think part of the reason I find her to be so cute is because of her diminutive size. And she gives me lots of ideas for other paintings. Silhouettes of my nieces with things they like painted inside, gymnastics, girl scouts, etc. A silhouette of a sheltie with things like leashes, agility equipment, sheep, and such painted inside. Seeing as one of my goals is to become proficient enough to donate a painting to our local Sheltie Rescue auction to raise money for the dogs, this last idea may be a good one.

I have been trying other artistic endeavors too. I have done some handmade cards for people’s birthdays and other events. Some have been painted; others have been collage. I find that I enjoy collage and art journaling. I guess I like my senses to be bombarded with lots of information. My brother always says I don’t like any food unless it has at least five things in its name. Like cookie dough, chocolate chunk, fudge swirl chocolate ice cream. I would have to say he is correct on this. My first thought on vanilla is blah! I know it’s not true but my thought when I hear vanilla is, absence of flavor. I have to say that my preference for multiple items carries over to all senses, not just food. I read multiple books at a time. Different books for different moods, right? And then, sometimes an audiobook is a better option, say when driving. And I tend to lean towards multimedia when it comes to art. The fact that I want to try various mediums goes along with this mindset. That’s why art journaling is fun to me. It can combine it all. I even made a tiny little journal that I bound with thread and needle.

Hiking view
West Branch State Park, Buckeye Trail near East boat ramp.

We have begun hiking again. Not every day like we were, but currently a couple of days a week. It would be more, but on some of the days my husband golfs, so he already has his walk in for the day. We stopped hiking last fall because our dog Zekie’s health was failing, and I couldn’t bear to leave him home by himself. He would have had to be crated, with his severe separation anxiety, I knew he would have been drooling and making a mess of himself. His Cushing’s Disease and liver disease caught up to him and we had to let him go in January. I still miss yelling, “Zeke, put that down” and “Zeke, stop licking that”! (The Cushing’s Disease left him with a need to lick everything in sight; the cabinets, the floors, himself. And I mean constantly. I must have told him to stop licking the wood floors thirty times a day.) Ahh, the good old days. Then we went through a spell of weather where it was too icy to walk. But now, milder weather is here, and we are walking more.

I am reading as always and will leave you with my list of books read for January and February. Enjoy!

Books I Read in January 2025

  1. The Life Impossible-Matt Haig

The book starts with Grace Winters living a shell of a life after the death of her husband, and the death of her 11 year old son years ago. Out of the blue, she inherits a house in Ibiza from a former coworker she hadn’t heard from in decades. Grace goes there and is met with mysterious happenings that lead to a new life and exciting times to conquer an evil force. After an odd encounter with an unknown life form in the sea, Grace develops unexplained powers that help her with the coming challenges. A mysterious and beautiful book.

2. Pumpkin Spice Puppy-Lauren Berenson

Dog enthusiast Melanie Travis is back on the heels of another murderer. She is dropping off pumpkin spice tokens for her school’s fundraiser to a local pet store and finds a body along with the victim’s devoted Chow. Her search uncovers multiple people with a grudge against the victim including neighbors who didn’t like all the rescue Chows he took in. A short read with an enjoyable story.

3. Modern Watercolor Workshop-Pooja Kendall-Umrani (Non-fiction)

A beautiful book for the beginner. Painting geometric/repeating shapes. Good for learning techniques and controlling the paint.

4. Between the Sound and the Sea-Amanda Cox

Joey (Josephine) accepts a temporary job in a different state rehabbing and old, decommissioned lighthouse. There is a mystery to be unraveled surrounding the disappearance of the keeper’s daughter. A widower is using his wife’s life insurance money to fund the project. Enter the widower’s grandson in opposition to the project. Lots of unsolved mysteries from long ago to be addressed. The book got off to a very slow start for me but I keep with it and the end was rewarding.

5. How to Let Things Go-Shinmyo Masuno (Non-fiction)

Written by a Buddhist monk. The book contains 99 tips to relinquish control and free yourself up for what matters, per the cover. This book has something in it that could benefit everyone. Lots of good insights.

6. Big Vegan Flavor-Nisha Vora (Cookbook)

The book begins with lots of information and techniques before going on to recipes. Many of the recipes look delicious, but again I don’t have many of the ingredients on hand and I have a fairly well-stocked kitchen.

7. Dog Songs and a Thousand Mornings-Mary Oliver (Audiobook, Poetry)

I’ve discovered the magic of Mary Oliver from Facebook. This book is read by her. It is short, enjoyable, and easy listening. I went through it in two days while making dinner and a trip into town.

Magazines:  Downeast (2), AARP

Books I Read in February 2025

  1. A Merry Little Murder Plot-Jenn McKinlay

I love all of McKinlay’s books, especially the Lindsey Norris library lover’s mysteries! Lindsey and her friends must solve a murder and catch the killer during this Christmas season mystery. Lots of support from friends and fun times as Lindsey and crew try to keep their artist in residence from becoming the next victim.

2. The Blue Hour-Paula Hawkins

A story about Vanessa the artist and her friend Grace who live on Eros Island in the British sea. I’m not sure whether to call this a murder mystery, a slow paced thriller, or a character study. It fits all three categories. Vanessa has died and left her artwork to the personal museum of her married ex-lover. There is speculation about happened to Vanessa’s missing husband. The friend Grace is present throughout it all. Part of the story is told with pages of Vanessa’s diary and flashbacks. The story kept me intrigued and I would recommend it.

3. Counting Miracles-Nicholas Sparks

The book centers around Kaitlyn Cooper, a doctor and single mother, and Tanner Hughes, retired military and trying to find his place in life. Elderly Jasper lives nearby with his dog Arlo and plays a vital role in their lives. Jasper is horribly disfigured from a tragedy years earlier. All are drawn together with the appearance of the legendary white deer. A very good story.

4. Book Play-Margaret Couch Cornwall (Non-fiction)

A lovely book about how to make little handmade books. Covers supplies, techniques, and offers a few projects. I got some new ideas that I may just give a try!

Magazines: Best Friends

My recommendation from the above books is as follows. If you want an enjoyable book that makes you think, read The Life Impossible or Counting Miracles. If you just want to have fun, read A Merry Little Murder Plot. There weren’t any books listed above that I didn’t like.

And I’ll share the picture below just to make you smile! PeeWee likes to sleep on the back of the couch for multiple reasons. He stays out of the way and doesn’t get stepped on. He can watch out the window for neighborhood excitement such as the US mail jeep, delivery trucks, tractors, motorcycles, and loud cars. And all the better to see what we have on our plates on the tv trays that may be of interest to him. And everything is of interest to him!

Sheltie
PeeWee sleeping on the back of the couch.
Paintings

Creativity in Cooking and Painting

Cooking, Thoughts On Life, , , , , , ,
Paintings
Little paintings
Soup
Homemade soup

What do these two images have in common? I see both as a form of artistry.

The paintings are self-explanatory. I think it’s safe to say that everyone views paintings as art. Above are small two-inch paintings that took me approximately an hour each to complete. I can now say I’m much better at blending colors, particularly blues, than I was. My palm fronds and suns are also improved since last week. Not perfect but heading in the right direction.

See the two seascapes above? They are the same painting. I wasn’t happy with it, so the next day I went back and redid it. In the first version, I intended to paint waves, but I couldn’t decide if it looked like mountains or waves. I painted over the bottom half then made a different horizon and new waves. Then I added the palm branches in the foreground to give the illusion of depth. (Thank you, YouTube videos!)

So, how does this all relate to soup? Well, I don’t generally cook with recipes, I just create and make adjustments as I go. I started with homemade broth. I keep a “soup sack” in the freezer that I add to whenever I have anything that I think would make good broth. The first ingredients I added to the soup pot were onions and celery. I decided to also include minced garlic to add another layer of flavor. Always use fresh garlic, never jarred. There is a world of difference. I added white beans, minced red skin potatoes, and spinach-ricotta dried raviolis. Just as in the painting that wasn’t quite right, neither was the soup. In went a can of diced tomatoes. Then it was time to add the details, the spices. Salt, pepper, and thyme. Still not right. I added a mix of marjoram, oregano, basil, and garlic powder. You may think the minced garlic would have been enough. The powdered garlic gives another level of depth. Just like painting where all shades of blue are not the same, neither are forms of garlic.

I think that cooking and baking are art forms. You can cook for subsistence, or you can cook a thing of beauty. The beauty may be in the taste or the presentation or both. In art you can make shapes and figures to get your point across or you can go in for the details. The details can elicit emotion, show beauty, or both. The level of involvement is up to you. There is a place in this world for both things.

Of course, when creating you are never likely to come up with the exact same thing twice. When painting, this is a good thing. When cooking, I’m not sure. When someone asks me for a recipe for a dish I have made, or even what it is called, I am at a loss as to how to respond. This usually results in said person looking at me like I have two heads until I just start reciting a list of ingredients. Oh well, such is life!

Books I Read in October, November, & December 2024

Books & Reading, , , , , ,
Lessons in Chemistry

I have been remiss in posting lately and hope to do better in the new year. Happy 2025 my Friends! I don’t really have a good excuse for not writing. I’ve spent quite a bit of time taking care of Zekie the wonder dog and working on my new hobby of painting, but mostly I’ve just been lazy. So, on to my list of books read for the last months of 2024.

You will notice that I have begun listening to an occasional audiobook. I still love print books but have decided to listen to audiobooks upon occasion when I am in the car or cooking dinner. This way I can add another book or two a month! I have discovered that I only really enjoy non-fiction works on audio. I tried a couple works of fiction and having the characters voices read by one person does not work for me. I also have trouble keeping my mind on the narrated story line. I’m ok with that. Increasing the non-fiction works I take in is a good thing!

Out of all the books following, there is one that stood out to me from all the others as my number one recommendation-Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. It has been a long time since I read a book that I could not put down. This one did the trick. I related to the main character and her struggles to be taken seriously as a woman of science. Elizabeth Zott is a strong-willed, memorable character.

My second recommendation of all these books is Somewhere Beyond the Sea-by TJ Klune. It is the sequel to The House Under the Cerulean Sea. Arthur Parnassus and Linus Baker are back along with the assorted magical creatures who are their children. It is a book about inclusivity, kindness, and doing what is right. The characters are all endearing, except for the “bad guys”!

October 2024

  1. Fire and Bones-Kathy Reichs

    Tempe is called to Washington DC to examine the remains of fire victims, interfering with her planned romantic getaway with her partner Ryan. Tempe feels duty bound to do her best to identify the victims even though it puts her at odds with Ryan. Tempe follows a tangle of clues, making friends and enemies along the way.

    2. The Last Mrs. Summers-Rhys Bowen

    Georgie O’Mara’s friend Belinda inherits a tiny, rundown fishing cottage in Cornwall. The two take a trip to check it out. They discover it in nearly uninhabitable condition. They meet a childhood friend while there and are invited to stay with Rose at Trewoma Hall. Turns out Belinda had an affair with Rose’s husband before they were married. The husband is murdered, and fingers are pointed at Belinda. There was also a previous murder at the estate. Georgie must quickly solve the case before Belinda is tried for murder.

    3. Creative Collage-30 Projects-Clare Youngs (Non-fiction)

    The book shares techniques and supply information and then gives specific project ideas.

    4. Lessons in Chemistry-Bonnie Garmus

    Oh my gosh, this book was so good! I couldn’t stop reading it. Elizabeth Zott is a chemist in the 1950’s. She is not your typical woman in any way. She meets the love of her life, award winning chemist Calvin Evans but refuses to marry him because she wants to remain a chemist and be taken seriously. They do move in together and adopt a dog named Six Thirty who of course has an enormous understanding of the English language. Calvin dies and Elizabeth discovers she is with child. Another hurdle for her in 1950’s California. Elizabeth struggles to be taken seriously as a scientist and provide a home for her child. She falls into a job as an afternoon tv host on a cooking show and bases her recipes on chemistry. This book is hilarious while pointing out the challenges of a woman trying to be taken seriously.

    Magazines:  Down East (2), Fall Gardening, Oh Reader

    November 2024

    1. Tell Me Everything-Elizabeth Strout

      Lucy Barton is back, along with Bob Burgess and Olive Kitterage from previous books. About relationships and life in Crosby, Maine. Bob is defending a murder suspect from their town.

      2. Close Knit-Jenny Colgan

      This centers around knitting and flying an airplane. Gertie lives with her mother and grandmother. Frequently their friends come over to knit. Gertie works at the local market but takes a short-term job with the wee, local Scottish airline. Her new boss and former school mate, Morag, is also her new flat mate. Struan is a teacher at the school and is ordered to take his students on an overnight camping trip. Struan is also Gertie’s school crush. An unexpected blizzard hits when the students are camping. Gertie, Morag, and Struan must all work together to save the children.

      3. You Could Make This Place Beautiful-Maggie Smith (Audiobook)

      No, it’s not written by that Maggie Smith as I thought when I checked it out. This is about a wife and mother of two, and her experiences struggling through her divorce. It was a little depressing for my taste but not a bad book.

      4. Living the Creative Life-Rice Freeman-Zachery (Non-fiction)

      The book features several artists and gets their answers to various art-related questions. Everything from what is creativity? to what are your workspaces and habits? More about a creative lifestyle than the art itself.

      5. After You-Jojo Moyes

      This is the sequel to Me Before You. The original is spectacular and is burned in my memory. This book is good but as always, the first one is better. After losing Will, Louisa’s life is depressing and seems to be on hold. Enter Sam Fielding a paramedic who treats Louisa after a freak accident. The book centers around Louisa attempting to get her life on track and figuring out what and who is important to her.

      6. Cottage Core Simplified-Katie Merriman (Non-fiction)

      This book delivers what the cover offers-a guide to countryside charm, comfort, and happiness. A nice cozy book.

      7. Big Magic:  Creative Living Beyond Fear-Elizabeth Gilbert (Audiobook)

      An inspiring book for writers and other artists. Personal experiences from the author of Eat, Pray, Love.

      8. The Christmas Tree Farm-Melody Carlson

      Maddie McDowell returns to the Christmas tree farm she and her sister Addie have inherited from their grandparents. Maddie has been teaching in Mongolia for the past five years. The two sisters are at odds over whether to keep the farm. Enter Gavin, the neighbor both girls are smitten with. There is a lot of back and forth bickering before a conclusion is reached. A cozy holiday novel.

      Magazines:  AARP, Yankee, The Power of Connection (Oprah), Forks Over Knives-Plant-based cooking, Best Friends

      December 2024

      1. Somewhere Beyond the Sea-TJ Klune

        Arthur Parnassus, Linus Baker, and their menagerie of magical children are back in this sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea. I think of this book as the inclusive version of a fantasy story. The group is once again combatting the powers of evil that try to control them and rule their lives. I do so enjoy these books!

        2. The Murders in Great Diddling-Katarina Bivald

        In the book, author Berit Gardner attends a tea party in the tiny village of Great Diddling. The event takes place at the home of a wealthy estate owner. Her estate is set to be inherited by the disliked nephew. (I’ve read the first 30 pages of this book two times and cannot get into the story. Back to the library it goes. The story sounds interesting, it just isn’t holding my attention right now.)

        3. Does This Taste Funny?-Stephen Colbert & Evie McGee Colbert (Cookbook)

        The Colberts are from the South and so are the recipes featured in this book. Many from Evie’s mother. There is also humorous commentary from the authors, the two being from the late night talk show that bears their name.

        4. The Heart Healthy Plant-Based Cookbook-Pulapaka

        Many intriguing recipes are shared. They sound tasty but most require ingredients I don’t have on hand/are quite spicy, not necessarily hot. Not what I’m into right now but I may check this book out at another time.

        5. A Cyclist’s Guide to Crime & Croissants-Ann Claire

        Sadie Greene is successful at her corporate job and offered a promotion. She is also so busy that when her best friend comes by and asks her to go for a bicycle ride, she turns her down. Her friend is killed by a hit and run motorist on this very ride, forcing Sadie to reexamine her priorities. She quits her job and takes on the dream she and her friend shared of owning and running a bicycle touring company in the French countryside. Murders seem to follow Sadie, and she must solve them to save her new dream job.

        6. A Christmas Carol-Charles Dickens

        Even though I have seen several versions of this Christmas classic on screen, including the Mr. Magoo version, I had never read the original. Now, I have! It is as you would expect, and well worth the read.

        7. The Rose Arbor-Rhys Bowen

        Bowen’s books are a lovely combination of historical timepiece and cozy murder mystery. Liz Houghton is a former investigative reporter trying to fight her way back to the newsroom. She focuses on a missing child and wonders if the current case is tied to three unsolved missing child cases from years before. An evacuated and bombed English village comes into play in the cases. It took me a bit to get pulled into the story, then I couldn’t put it down.

        8. Lucy Burdette’s Kitchen, Recipes & Stories from the Key West Food Critic Mysteries (Cookbook)-Lucy Burdette

        I thought this was going to be a book about a food critic’s life on the island since I wasn’t familiar with the author. Instead, it contained recipes from a murder mystery series. Still, the book gave a nice island feel, and I may check out the mystery series.

        Magazines:  Real Simple

        An Artistic Journey

        Thoughts On Life, , , , , , ,
        Watercolor
        My first watercolor.

        “What is there to do but strive, and seek, and find, and not to yield.” Enlightenment by Sarah Perry

        I was looking for a meaningful quote this morning and came across this one. It spoke to me as I realized that I have been subconsciously living this quote in the last couple of months. We are living in tumultuous times, and it has not gone unnoticed by me that I am spending quite a bit of time pursuing a new hobby that allows me a bit of escape. I am searching out an artistic path even though I do not know where it will take me. And I guess that is the point of searching. The not knowing where you will end up. The possibility of discovering magic you did not know existed.

        I have taken up painting after not having picked up a paint brush since elementary school. For some reason in high school the art classes were at the same time as the college prep classes that I needed. For now, I have started with acrylics and will focus on these for a while. I also tried watercolors yesterday and will try oil paints in the near future. Over the weekend I made a sketch with watercolor pencils. I rather liked them because they gave me a sense of control. Giving up control is hard for me. That is why I feel I must try all the mediums. In case I am missing out on something because of my need for control and structure. And what if there’s one thing I don’t try, and it was the thing I would have loved and benefited from most of all?

        Watercolor pencil sketch.

        I tried a totally different art form last month. I went to a local library and took a short class on collage. I didn’t care for the particular project they were working on, but I did like the process. I tend to like the look of multimedia art, so this is something I plan to pursue at home in other forms. It is so versatile. I can make projects as simple as bookmarks or go for more complexity. Art journaling really appeals to me. And you can make quite complex “paintings” by collaging. I think the whole process just screams fun.

        I have done embroidery, cross stitch, and needlepoint since I was young. In high school I completed a few latch hook rugs. My brother still has the Cookie Monster rug to this day. I have designed and made felt ornaments and pictures for years. I suspect I will be getting one of my “learn how to knit a scarf” kits out of my large tub of future projects. I want to try it all.

        Acrylic painting of our wonderful Baxter.

        Art is such a unique thing. It allows you to escape from the world and add something to the world at the same time. And hence by making art, we can strive, and seek, and find, without yielding. Our art can make a difference to others, but more importantly, it can make a difference in ourselves.

        Peace to you.

        Snippets of Nature

        Books & Reading, Country Life, Gardens, , , , , , , ,
        Woodland
        Woodland view.

        “I can sit alone by an open window for hours if I like, and hear only bird songs, and the rustle of leaves. The trees are pure gold and orange.” Virginia Woolf

        Here is another Virginia Woolf quote that is speaking to me. (Recently, I read a list of quotes from another blogger’s site that spoke to me so much that I saved the list. Here is a link to that post-https://katiegilley.com/2024/10/09/quotes-from-september-2024/) I think it can apply to any nature encounter that touches a soul. It takes me back to a day over 20 years ago when I was sitting on the front porch of my last home. I had a book with me and was chilling out, contemplating the fact that I would soon be moving to a new house even though I didn’t really want to move. It was a breezy day and suddenly I noticed the sound of the wind in the quaking aspen trees growing in the field next to me. It was the most magical sound that went on and on. I remember thinking “I can’t believe I will not be able to sit here and hear this sound again. It is the most perfect sound.” Yes, I was having a bit of a pity party, but even in my distress I recognized how lovely and restorative nature can be. The sound was such perfection that I remember it to this day. I have numerous memories of such snapshots in time that I have spent in nature.

        Patio garden.

        We have a patio garden that we enjoy sitting in. It has a lovely fountain that gives us the sound of falling water. Sometimes, I like to turn the fountain off and sit in the garden. Then I can focus on the sounds of the birds, wildlife, and trees. We live out in the country and regularly see turkey vultures, hawks, and an occasional owl or bald eagle. The sound of their wings flapping is an amazing experience. So powerful as they glide over the little valley, occasionally giving a single flap as they glide by. I also enjoy hearing the chittering and scolding of the squirrels. I even enjoy the cooing of the mourning doves and cawing of the crows.

        After a number of years of watching the crows interact, I have a new appreciation for them. We observed an unusual experience with the crows near our house a few years ago. Around a dozen crows congregated in some of our pine trees and spent the day there. They cawed sharply and urgently. After a while the calls became more repetitive but distressed. Each bird had the same call that it repeated. We knew something was wrong but had no idea what. The next day we went out into the patio garden which is next to the pine grove and in one of the bordered sandstone flowerbeds, we found a juvenile crow that was dead. It had only one wound and we think it was attacked by a hawk or other large bird of prey. We think the urgent calling had been the adults trying to scare away the predator and protect the younger bird. The slow, plaintive calls we heard later on, we think were ones of sorrow. We buried the young crow with sadness. This got me curious about crows. I read that they live in family units. I have a greater respect for crows after this incident.

        I think that part of nature’s magic is that it helps us live outside of ourselves, get out of our own heads for a bit. No matter what is happening in our lives, the world goes on around us, most of it without any input from us. In this way it makes me feel better and I am able to put life in perspective. And this is one reason why going for a walk in the woods makes us feel better. Whatever is going on in our private lives, life in the woods still goes on, unaffected. The Japanese have something called shinrin-yoku which means forest bathing. Forest bathing is immersing yourself in nature for physical, emotional, mental, and social health. People have been doing this for centuries and I think it is fitting that someone has put a name to it.

        I started this post to share how this Virginia Woolf quote above makes me feel. It is amazing how two sentences can make me feel so many emotions and have so many memories. This is the beauty of words. I hope you are able to have such experiences in your own lives through nature as well as words. I would love to hear about them. (Link to my thoughts on another Virginia Woolf quote https://sanctuary-acres.com/2024/10/28/fueled-by-fall/.)

        Fall beauty

        Fueled by Fall

        Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, Thoughts On Life, , , , , , , , , , , ,
        Fall beauty
        The view this morning.

        “Autumn is my season, dear; it is, after all, the season of the soul.” Virginia Woolf

        Recently, I read a list of quotes from another blogger’s site that spoke to me so much that I saved the list. (See her post here-https://katiegilley.com/2024/10/09/quotes-from-september-2024/) I decided to start my own series of posts, each on just one of the quotes I found to be meaningful. When a writing strikes emotion in me, it makes me feel a connection to the author and want to read more of their work to see if we really are of like minds. Maybe they have captured more of my feelings and put them into words. The first, by Virginia Woolf, is above.

        For many years, I did not like fall. It reminded me of going back to school. School meant homework, discipline, and being indoors all day. It wasn’t that I disliked school. I just liked being at home better. Being at home had a certain freedom that I didn’t have at school. Years later as I was enjoying the beauty that is fall, I decided it’s time to get over that negative association with fall, grow up, and move on. Autumn has been my favorite season ever since. I love fall.

        The vivid and varied colors in the trees and plants are glorious. I used to see red, yellow, orange, green, and brown. Now I see so much more. Red leaves so dark they are carmine. Coral leaves with yellow specks scattered over the surface. Salmon colored leaves that fade into peach and coral, all on the same leaf. What little jewels that sparkle in the sun! Where I live the majestic old sugar maples put on some of the best shows. The gold in the birch leaves changes hue when the trees release them, and they flutter to the ground. One thing that has helped me to appreciate these colors in greater depth is that I have recently given painting a try. I don’t just pick up a tube of yellow paint and begin painting yellow leaves. I have a simple set of paint tubes with limited colors. Even so, do I use medium yellow, lemon yellow, deep yellow, yellow ochre, or cashew? And of course, you mix colors, giving you limitless other shades to choose from. I will still never capture all the shades that Mother Nature has created. Painting has opened my eyes to see more than I did before. The greater depth was always there, I just didn’t see it. What other areas of our lives does this hold true for?

        Another reason for my love of fall? The air is crisp and refreshing without the cloying heat of summer. It is the perfect weather for hiking. Fall is jacket time, and they are easily shed when you get too hot on the trail. Then you are quite comfortable and can concentrate on the beauty all around you. We often hike near bodies of water: lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. The photo above is from our hike this morning. I requested we hike on this particular trail this morning for the color contrast between the leaves and water that I knew would be there. It did not disappoint. (Wild Cherry Trail, West Branch State Park, Ohio) The trail is only one mile long, but I always think it seems farther. There are ups and downs, many tree roots popping up in the trail, and so much to see. I would rate it as moderately difficult. Our dogs had a blast as did we. Shelby stayed home but the other four went along. Cassius the greyhound and PeeWee the tiny sheltie is just in front of my husband. Zekie and Claire walk with me. Zekie was wearing his new llama sweater as his fur has thinned with the Cushing’s Disease. I think he rocks it!

        Autumn hike
        Dogs on the trail.

        Homemade soups are something else that I enjoy in the fall. They say comfort to me. I never have a recipe when I make soup, so people are forever asking me, “What kind of soup is this?”, to which I invariably respond, “Umm, I don’t know…” and go on to list the ingredients. The soups you can make are endless and no two are ever the same. I think the key to making the best soup is to make the broth from scratch. I have a soup sack in the freezer for this purpose at all times. I make soups and stews often enough that sometimes I do have to use boxed broth. It is still a satisfying meal to have on a cool evening. With leftovers for lunch and maybe longer!

        As for the opening quote, I do feel that autumn is the season of my soul. Most people see New Year’s Day and the beginning of a new calendar year as a time for starting over. I have never felt this way. I used to mock the idea in my own way. When someone would ask me if I had resolutions for the new year, I would respond with something such as “I plan to eat more chocolate.” I have since decided that if the turning of the calendar gives someone inspiration to make changes and better themselves, more power to them. It is not for me, however. I see it as just another day. New inspiration comes for me as fall arrives. The cooler temperatures rejuvenate me like a breath of fresh air. I have newfound energy and freshly inspired ideas. If I make changes to my life or take up a new hobby, it is going to be in the fall. I feel like I come alive again. My mind resumes functioning after the shutdown from the heat of summer. Once I’m done planting, weeding, watering, etc., there isn’t much left of me. (Can you tell we don’t have air conditioning?)

        Woodland
        Woodland view from the trail.

        Oh, and when it comes to hiking in the fall, let’s not forget those crunchy leaves. What is your favorite part of fall?

        Garden, Therapy Dogs, and Books I Read in August & September 2024

        Books & Reading, Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, , , , , ,
        Rose & Snapdragon

        The roses are having a second bloom of activity with the rain and cooler weather. We haven’t had a hard frost yet, so all the plants in the walled garden are still gracing us with beauty. I think the blooms in the fall are twice as sweet. The plants bless us with a last round of activity before the long winter’s sleep.

        In addition to gardens, therapy dog work has been keeping me quite busy. I have done more evaluations for potential therapy dogs this year than ever before and I still have three more sessions to go. That’s approximately 30 more dogs! Why so many? Personally, I think there are not as many evaluators around. I need to get Claire tested to be my next therapy dog since Shelby retired. The only evaluation I can find besides my own, is five hours away. I guess it will have to wait until next year. I never felt that Claire was quite ready to test even though she is sweet as punch. She will have to step up and start my next generation of therapy dogs. If she can master that long distance stay (20 ft), we should pass.

        I read every day, no matter what. It centers me. So here is my list of completed reading material for the past two months. Occasionally, I start a book and decide it is not for me and return it to the library.

        August 2024:

        1. Pets and the City-Dr. Amy Attas (Non-fiction)

        This is the most engaging nonfiction book I’ve read in some time. Dr. Attas tells about numerous encounters as a house call vet in Manhattan, including several famous clients-Joan Rivers and Billy Joel are a couple. All the tales are entertaining and it’s fun reading what she encounters. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with this one.

        2. East Coasting-Chitnis & Dorazewski (Non-fiction)

        What a beautiful book! It tells you about places to visit in the northeastern United States and has wonderful watercolor paintings throughout. It worth reading even if you have no plans to travel.

        3. The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club-Helen Simonson

        The story is set just after World War I. Constance Haverhill is expected to give up her job, as are so many women of the time, to the men returning from war. She goes to the seaside for the summer as a lady’s companion. While there she meets Poppy Wirral and her group of women who wear pants and run a motorcycle service. Constance finds she also quite likes Poppy’s gruff brother who lost part of his leg during a plane accident. An enjoyable story.

        4. Never Leave the Dogs Behind-Brianna Madia (Non-fiction)

        Brianna is a social influencer who lives alone in the desert with her four dogs in a small trailer. She is brutally honest in sharing with us, her trials through the demise of her marriage and figuring out her new normal as she searches for who she is now. Of course I thought the best part was her dedication to her dogs.

        5. Eruption-Michael Crichton and James Patterson

        Although Crichton has passed, he left this partially finished manuscript and his research. It was finished by Patterson. A volcano is going to erupt in Hawaii and it will be the big one. Other factors added to the volcano make this a world threatening event. Volcanologists, the army, and demolition experts work tirelessly before it is too late. An exciting book well worth the read.

        Magazines:  Country Living UK edition, Cottages and Bungalows, AARP (2)

        September 2024:

        1. The Summer Swap-Sarah Morgan

        Lily has escaped to Cape Cod after dropping out of medical school. She is figuring out the next phase of her life while cleaning cottages for the summer. Cecelia is reluctantly back at her Cape Cod cottage hiding from her family and the notoriety of her late artist husband. Kristen, Cecelia’s daughter, shows up at the cottage after walking out on her career-obsessed husband. All have issues they are dealing with and need to decide the direction they want their lives to take. They choose Cape Cod for their ruminations.

        2. The Summer Escape-Jill Shalvis

        Anna Moore is a private investigator. Her sister Wendy is expecting triplets soon. So of course, this is the perfect time to delve into their father’s past to see if he was a crook after finding a stolen coin in his belongings. It does result in Anna meeting Owen Harris who runs an outdoor adventure business. The coin is one from a collection owned by Owen’s aunt. Anna and Owen start to trust each other and work together on the case. Wendy gives birth to the babies in the midst of the investigation. Another enjoyable Shalvis book with likable characters.

        3. How to Be Old-Lyn Slater (Non-fiction)

        Good reading on what is expected of the older person and examples of how the author avoided it. This book covers the decade of her 60’s year by year. The author is a social/clothing influencer. There was a lot about the fashion world that I didn’t really care about. After finishing the book, I can say, I wish I had spent my time reading something else. The book is fine, it’s just not my cup of tea.

        4. Sandcastle Inn-Irene Hannon

        This book is from the Hope Harbor series. Vienna Price loses her career job and goes home to her free spirit mother. Mary Quinn goes to Hope Harbor to help his sister with the rundown B&B she purchased. The two come together to rebrand and spruce up the inn. Both are running from trouble in their lives, as is the young contractor couple who join them on the inn redo. Hope Harbor is the perfect place to contemplate the life changes all are working on. A pleasant read.

        5. Four Thousand Paws-Lee Morgan (Non-fiction)

        A veterinarian’s tale about being a check point veterinarian for the Iditarod as the dogs race across the Alaskan wilderness. Morgan has been an Iditarod vet for 10 years and worked many different checkpoints to make sure the dogs are healthy. He has anecdotes about the dogs, the mushers, and the Alaskan natives. An informative and fun book.

        6. Making Bentwood Trellises, Arbors, Gates, & Fences-Jim Long (Non-fiction)

        Gives information about finding flexible wood and various ways of fastening them together. Contains a number of different designs. Good general info to help you come up with your own structures.

        7. The Summer We Started Over-Nancy Thayer

        The Grant sisters, Eddie and Barrett, are close even though their parents weren’t typical. The family and several friends are all at the new family home on Nantucket for the summer. The sisters are finding men and relationships whether they want to or not. The family loves books but dad’s obsession has reached hoarder status. Enter, Eddie’s boss from New York City. She is a famous author. Dad is a struggling, unpublished author. And then there’s the late brother’s child. Lots of fun relationships in this story.

        Magazines:  Down East, Yankee, Country Living (2)

        PeeWee the Sheltie

        Bringer of Joy

        Country Life, Dogs & Other Animals, , , , , , , ,
        PeeWee

        Time for an update on PeeWee! He has been with us for nearly a year now. He fits in so well that it seems he has always been here. (Read about his arrival here-First Foster Dog This Year! and his trials before he made it into the house Foster Pupdate!) After we lost Baxter unexpectedly to cancer last spring, our home was not the cheery place it used to be. Our pack was older, and Baxter was no longer here to make us laugh with his antics and expressions. PeeWee arrived in the fall and after adjusting to his new surroundings, he started making us laugh again. PeeWee was just two years old when he arrived. Our other dogs are all nine and older. He has livened us all up! He even gets 14 1/2-year-old Shelby to play with him frequently. Of course, her version of playing is to stand rigidly, wagging her tail and smiling while occasionally stomping her paws. It gets her exercise and makes her happy, so it’s all good.

        At his six month recheck PeeWee still had high numbers on his Lyme test although it did come down about 100 points. So, he got a second round of doxycycline and will have another recheck in six more months. Mercifully, he shows no symptoms. And he loves getting his antibiotic because it is given in a chicken flavored pill wrap. PeeWee has lost one pound since his last vet visit, but it is no wonder. He jumps on and off the back of the couch about 50 times a day. His new favorite thing is to lay in the windowsill and watch the squirrels in the yard and the cars go by.

        PeeWee fills his days with his windowsill antics, banana time, chewing bones, harassing his doggie sister Claire, occasional zoomies, and begging for food. Although this is all well and good, he wants us to resume hiking. We take the summer off from hiking because it is too hot and there are too many biting flies. Also, there is too much work here in the summer with gardening and large projects. PeeWee does not understand this. When it is time for a hike, he will zoom, squeal, and bark when his leash comes out of the closet. He runs to the car. On the drive to the day’s chosen hiking spot, he looks out the window the whole way to the trail head. If he deems the drive to be too long, he starts getting antsy and pacing. Once on the trail, he diligently looks at and sniffs everything he notices. There is no down time, he is on a mission to take in new information!

        He also goes in the car with the other dogs for trips to grandma’s house. This is not quite as exciting as hiking, but still cause for constant watching out the car window. His favorite place along the way is a busy intersection where five roads cross with a couple of gas stations and other places of business. There is so much to see here that PeeWee’s little body is tense with concentration and watches all activity and even the excitement of pedestrians! We rarely have pedestrians where we live, so it is quite the novelty for him. There are no sidewalks, and it is rural so very few people ever walk by our house. The city streets are a thing of wonder to him.

        In short, we are smitten with PeeWee. He is just so cute that everything he does is adorable. Not that we’re biased. Wink, wink!

        PeeWee enjoying the patio.

        Glimmers of Fall

        Country Life, Gardens, , , , , , , ,
        Dahlia

        Fall will soon officially be here. I look forward to it and am enjoying the cooler weather and slower pace already. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy the plethora of flowers and the bounty from the vegetable garden. But it is exhausting!

        Assorted vegetables, that large tomato in the front is a pineapple tomato
        Tomatoes, mostly Lemon Boy and Jet Star
        Green beans, pole and Romano

        There was not a lot of rain this summer which meant frequent watering. It takes me about an hour and a half if I water everything. Since we have begun composting and tilling it all back into the vegetable garden in the spring, our production has greatly increased. I pick about every third day and the three photos above show what I got in one picking three weeks ago when the garden was in full production. We went to one of the box stores and got a freezer this year. I am busily trying to fill it up. I’m certain I won’t have to buy green beans over the winter. I’ve also frozen zucchini and yellow squash, and bags of diced tomatoes for soups and sauces.

        I always look forward to the first frost when I switch my time from gardening pursuits to hiking, baking, and extra reading. Autumn is my favorite hiking season. The leaves have turned to jewel tones as they hang from the branches and converge to make a colorful tapestry in the sky. The view as we drive home from the nearby park is spectacular as we look towards home. The park road is at the top of one hill, and we live at the top of the next hill. You can see trees in all their fall finery surrounding the reservoir of blue water in the span of land in between the hills. On a sunny day, it is enough to take my breath away!

        With the cooler evening temperatures, I have begun enjoying a cup of tea as I read and relax in the evenings. I have a rather large collection of teas. Black teas, green teas, herbal teas. Each variety in assorted flavors. I order our vitamins from an on-line company that has good quality and prices. You have to reach a certain total to get free shipping, and I am usually just shy of the total. So, I throw a box of tea on, to reach the free shipping requirement. The tea and the shipping are nearly the same price so I may as well get the tea. Thus, I have amassed quite a collection! Black tea with peppermint, herbal peppermint, green tea with pear, apple cinnamon chamomile, to name a few. And we always have the old standby English Breakfast. I make sure to buy the ones that have each tea bag individually sealed, so my supply doesn’t get stale.

        There are many things I like about fall, and these are just a few. I would be curious to know what you like about fall. Comment and let me know!