Book Review :A Body on the Beach:

 

Celebrating National Beach Day .... 

Rumours swirl around the close-knit community and all eyes are on Kate. Half the village saw her arguing with Sienna at the party earlier that day. It was the usual bickering between neighbours, but when Kate finds herself in the frame can she – and her new husband Woody Forrest – solve the puzzling death and clear her name?

There’s a long list of people who might have wanted to push Sienna – her long-suffering husband Irvin, her jealous younger sister Sally and Timmy Thomson, the man who idolised her, not to mention all the villagers who felt the sharp end of her tongue. Finding out the truth isn’t going to be easy…

Just as Kate thinks she’s getting closer to an answer, an unexpected afternoon visitor shares some curious information over tea and scones that sets her on an entirely different path. And soon she starts to wonder if she might be in real danger too…

Can Kate solve the curious case before the murderer declares the party over? Or have her days of sleuthing come to an end?

If you love cosy crime stories complete with quirky characters, twisty plots and plenty of suspects, A Body on the Beach will have you absolutely hooked until the very last page! Perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Clare Chase.

Book Review

Once again, Ms. MacDonald has outdone herself! This is the fifth in the “Kate Palmer”, cozy mystery series and I absolutely loved this one. Kate has finally matured and is coming into her own. It has taken me a few books to warm up to Kate. I found that, for a nurse, she was not very discreet and talked way too much. Now, I am much more comfortable with her as she is much more mature.

Like all series, I recommend that you read them in order. The series is set in Tinworthy, Cornwall. It is a pleasant and easy read. The characters (at least regulars), I have come to know and understand

At Home with Dot

This week we celebrated Black cat appreciation day 

So I thought what do you know about black cat 

Please support black cat in shelters...

• Black cats aren’t rare—just overlooked.
  One reason black cats are common in shelters is that there are simply more of them. The gene for black fur is dominant in cats, and it's represented in over 20 recognized breeds.
  
  
• Some black cats change color.
  Under bright sunlight, black cats may reveal hidden reddish or copper highlights, thanks to the underlying tabby gene. This makes every black cat visually unique.
  
  
• Their eyes are especially striking.
  The same high melanin content that gives black cats their deep, glossy coats often results in bright orange or amber eyes, creating a dramatic contrast.
  
  
• They might be more resilient.
  Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have found that black cats may have a genetic resistance to certain illnesses, including FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus). Their dark fur might be more than beautiful—it could be protective.

How to help : 

• Adopt: Consider welcoming a black cat into your home. You'll be gaining a loyal companion with personality and resilience. Check your local shelter for black 🐈‍⬛ promotions.
• Donate: Your contributions support shelter pets by funding food, medical care, and lifesaving transports.
• Volunteer: Help your local shelter photograph, socialize, or foster black cats to increase their adoption chances.
• Share: The more we challenge outdated myths, the more black cats find loving homes. Use your voice to advocate for these beautiful animals.

Aug 22 is take your cat to the vet day !  Schedule your appointment now...

Aug 23 International Blind dog day

Silver Creek Cat Rescue mystery...

A cantankerous former mayor.
A dead man with a secret.
A magic gift in the middle of it all.

When forty-nine-year-old Eleanor Rockwell got laid off from her soul-crushing corporate job, she headed north of Austin with her daughter, Evie, and opened Silver Circle Cat Rescue in the small town of Tablerock, Texas.

Five years later, Silver Circle is Wildebridge County's largest shelter for rescue cats, so it's no surprise when Deputy Markham brings Belladonna — former mayor Fiona Blackwell's cat — to the shelter after she's arrested for murdering her husband, Beau. But why, Eleanor wonders, did the Deputy bring a silver drink tray with the sullen cat — and why is Belladonna talking when she walks on it?

Something strange is going on in Tablerock, and Eleanor is determined to get to the bottom of it. Can she figure out who's really running this town before Belladonna's ninth life — and her own — runs out?

Crystals, Belladonna, and Murder is the first book in the Silver Circle Cat Rescue Mysteries — a purr-fectly cozy cat midlife series set in the small town of Tablerock, Texas with just a touch of magic.

Book Review : 

When the Silver Circle is asked to take a cat whose owner is being held for murder by the police things get complicated. The murder suspect sent over a crystal tray with the cat. They discover a hidden compartment containing articles stating that the tray enables cats to talk. Trying to figure out what is going on involves them in the murder investigation. Fun, easy read.

Biscuit Goes to School

Biscuit Goes to School A Back to School Story for Children (Ages 4-8) (My First I Can Read)

Go back to school with Biscuit and share the love of reading with your beginner reader! 

Biscuit can't wait to go to school! Even though no dogs are allowed, he is determined to see and do everything that takes place at school. But what will happen when the teacher discovers a puppy in the classroom?

Reassuring and sweet, Biscuit Goes to School is an excellent choice to share with little ones getting ready for preschool, kindergarten, or first grade.

This My First I Can Read book is carefully crafted using basic language, word repetition, sight words, and sweet illustrations—which means it's perfect for shared reading with emergent readers. The active, engaging My First I Can Read stories have appealing plots and lovable
characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.

From the Back Cover

Share the love of reading with your beginner reader!

I Can Read books are widely recognised as the premier line of beginner readers. Inaugurated in 1957 with Else Holmelund Minarik's Little Bear, illustrated by Maurice Sendak, the series has grown to over 200 titles, which include mysteries, adventure stories, poetry, historical fiction and humour. Featuring award-winning authors and illustrators, and a fabulous cast of classic characters, I Can Read books introduce children to the joy of reading independently.

Just like his young fans, Biscuit can't wait to go to school! Even though no dogs are allowed, he is determined to see and do everything that takes place at school. But what will happen when the teacher discovers a puppy in his classroom?

Ages 5-7

About the Author

Alyssa Satin Capucilli is the author of the bestselling Biscuit books as well as the Katy Duck books and many other beloved children's books. She lives in a book-filled home in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York.

Book Review 

These books make it easy for parents to find leveled books for their child. There is a circle at the top of each book indicating the level of the book with a number and color. Pre-Pimer books are good for parents to read to their toddlers up through kindergarten and beyond where kids become profecient enough to read it to mom and dad.

When your child can read and understand the PP level on their own, a parent needs to begin purchasing level 1/first grade level books to read to their child. Following suite, when the child can read and understand level one books on their own, parents progressively move to the next level.

Don't put away the books they have mastered...put them in your home library so they can choose it to read again. The more the times a kiddo reads a book, the better they understand and this is what promotes reading!

Finally, the books are fun to read, not boring. A majority of the stories come from award winning children's book authors and illustrators.

Today starts school here today . Thanks for joining my celebration . Lisa

 

Death of an Ice Cream Scooper

Apparently, the mouthwatering new ice cream flavors on the menu in coastal Bar Harbor, Maine, are really just to die for . . .
 
Food and cocktails columnist Hayley Powell doesn’t know what to believe when Lydia Partridge, the put-together owner of gourmet Bar Harbor Ice Cream, suddenly reveals fears that her husband may be having an affair. There’s no other way to explain why Jamie, a respected professor, was spotted in a remote part of town with a much younger woman. But instead of learning the truth about the secret meeting, Lydia opens her freezer truck to find another surprise—the dead body of a summer employee . . .
 
The shock continues as photographic evidence proves Jamie was spending time off campus with the victim, one of his students. Now, Lydia desperately needs Hayley to discover if Jamie really is a cheater—and, worse, a ruthless killer. With her own complicated family issues to address, can Hayley make sense of a popular college girl’s love life and out the true culprit before the case, or another person, goes cold?
 
Includes delectable recipes from Hayley’s kitchen!

Book Review: 

DEATH OF AN ICE CREAM SCOOPER is the fifteenth book in the Hayley Powell Mysteries by Lee Hollis. With humorous repartee, memorable characters—both human and animal alike, and a fast-moving plot, it’s no wonder this has been an enduring and endearing series. Just when I thought this series couldn’t get any better, the brother-sister author duo strikes again and has hit this newest release out of the ballpark

Bug Hunt : Weave a Spider Web

 

Backpack Explorer: Bug Hunt: What Will You Find?

Head outside and get the buzz on bugs! Packed with educational prompts and activities, this fourth book in the Backpack Explorer series encourages junior naturalists to spot insects while on a walk in the woods, playing in a park, or searching right outside their front door. Twelve interactive field guides help young seekers identify fliers, crawlers, and pollinators, while sensory scavenger hunts, projects such as Weave a Web or Make a Bug Hotel, and cool bug facts boost the insect intrigue. Equipped with a real magnifying glass, stickers, and a log for recording sightings, this book is the perfect companion for any nature

 adventure.

Weave a Web : 

• Paper plate
• White string
• 1 black pipe cleaner
• Whole punch
• Scissors

Step 1: Cut out the center of your paper plate. Punch holes all around the inside. Tie the string around one hole and have your child weave through the holes to create the web, providing the amount of guidance necessary for your child to be successful. To stop the string from fraying, place a small piece of clear tape around the end.

Step 2: Cut a black pipe cleaner into 4 pieces. Help your child twist the pieces together to make a spider.

Step 3: Tie the spider into the spiderweb, and your project is complete!

2026 Summer Library  Camp : our adventure begins June 1st. Join me for the fun ...

Make Your Own Board Game

 

Make Your Own Board Game: Designing, Building, and Playing an Original Tabletop Game

It's National Scrabble day! 

Tabletop board games are having a comeback, and especially within a younger, tech-y audience who enjoys the challenge and opportunity to work in an analog sphere. Game design expert Jesse Terrance Daniels teaches all the fundamentals of game design, from rule-setting to physical construction, along with original illustrations that capture the ethos and energy of the young, contemporary gaming community.
 
Readers will learn the “building blocks” of game design, including game components, rules, and gameplay mechanics, and then how to craft a game, with a variety of examples and design prompts. After completing Make Your Own Board Game, readers are equipped with a broad understanding of game construction and flow and ready to create games that are playable and satisfying, while also expressing the makers’ unique creativity and passions.

Book Review :

The book is a guide to making board games. It lists the important components, tips for making rules, how to identify and make gameplay, and other tips. The book also includes sample games that highlight certain components of game design. There's also dissection of classic games to show points each chapter talks about .I highly recommend this book if you are interested in board games or thinking about making one for a class or community project. 

Book Review time :

 Book Review: 

A Catered New Year’s Eve

Sisters Bernie and Libby Simmons are reunited with a distant relative who wants them to cater a New Year’s Eve event—and help find a guilty party . . .
 
It’s been years since Bernie and Libby’s parents became estranged from Ada Sinclair’s side of the family—though the reasons for the rift are lost to history. The sisters, however, are intrigued when Ada makes contact and tells them about the long-ago deaths of her father and his business partner—both of which were ruled accidental.
 
Ada thinks otherwise—and has a plan. On New Year’s Eve, she’ll gather a group of guests and read from a diary she’s found in her mother’s attic that she thinks will expose the culprit. The Simmons sisters agree to provide refreshments for the bash, but when the night arrives, a guest drops dead. In the tumult, the diary disappears. When Ada is arrested for murder, she’ll have to hope that Bernie and Libby can provide a resolution before the clock runs out.
 
Includes Original Recipes for You to Try!

Book Review: ( from Library collection) 

Love the rapport with the sisters and their father. Very different and unique. Enjoyed reading this and look forward to many more books just like it.

Have a great New Year!

 

Murder at the Christmas Cookie Bake-Off

Tucked away inside an old lighthouse in Beacon Harbor, Michigan, bakeshop café owner Lindsey Bakewellis ready to make her first Christmas in town shine bright. But her merry plans crumble fast when murder appears under the mistletoe . . .
 
With the spirit of the holidays wafting through the Beacon Bakeshop, Lindsey thinks she has the recipe for the sweetest Christmas ever—winning the town-wide cookie bake-off. Unfortunately, striving for a picture-perfect December in Beacon Harbor is a lot like biting into stale shortbread. Low on staff and bombarded by visits from family, Lindsey can barely meet demands at work, let alone summon the confidence to face fierce competition . . .
 
Self-appointed Christmas know-it-all Felicity Stewart is determined to take the top spot in the bake‑off, and she’s not afraid to dump a little coal in everyone’s stocking to do it. Just as the competition heats up, everything falls apart when the judge is found dead—and covered in crumbs from Lindsey’s signature cookie!
 
Solving a murder was never on Lindsey’s wish list. But with her reputation on the line during the happiest time of the year, she’ll need to bring her best talents to the table in order to sift out the true Christmas Cookie culprit.
 
Includes Delicious Recipes!

My Book Pick for the week: 

Great read! From the moment you start to the the very end! Lindsay and Wellington keep it interesting! And the wrong murderer jailed! But the truth prevails! Why people can't be kind instead of vindictive is beyond me! Kindness always wins... And the truth of course! Happy reading!

Come join us Saturday at the Melville Library for our annual Cookie Exchange and Fun!! 

October Fire Prevention month

 

Firefighter Danny The Dog: Essential Fire Safety for Kids

Danny is an Adorable Dog who has just become a firefighter.
His very first mission is to teach Children the Important of Fire Safety.

Throughout this book, Danny explains the causes of Fire & how to prevent it with illustrations in a fun & engaging way.

"Essential Fire Safety for Kids at Home or School."

Will Danny Firefighter the Dog be able to teach your kids one the most important lesson?

Fire Truck crafts: 

Construction paper,glue and popsicle stick ladder. 

Egg carton truck 

October is National Fire Prevention month 

 

A Fatal Family Feast

Angie Turner’s Idaho restaurant, the County Seat, is the perfect site for a picturesque country wedding, but the party planning skids to a halt when the groom-to-be is implicated in a murder investigation…
 
When Angie’s best friend and business partner, Felicia Williams, picks the County Seat to host her upcoming nuptials, Angie wants it to feel like a family affair--especially since Felicia is set to marry the farm-to-fork restaurant’s talented sous chef, Estebe Blackstone. Unfortunately, the bride’s actual family is far less enthusiastic about the union. They’re pulling out all the stops to cancel the couple’s wedding, even arranging for a surprise visit from Felicia’s ex-fiancé (and her father’s current lackey). But when her ex is killed days before the ceremony and Estebe is framed for the crime, Angie and the County Seat crew must scramble to solve the murder and save the wedding . . 

Book Review: 

A Fatal Family Feast was an absolutely sensational read. The mystery this time is a tough one for the Scooby Gang. The pace really picks up after the murder. Angie’s determination really knew no bounds. As the wedding day approached Angie was really dealing with a lot and Ian was a terrific helpmate. His uncle Sheriff Allen Brown really impressed me too for the part he played. There were plenty of twists leading up to the amazing and scary reveal. I had pinpointed the killer a bit earlier but that scene had me positively riveted to the pages.

 As always the  mystery was great, the characters are stellar, and the ending was so darn wonderful. 

I can hardly wait for the next book to be released. Lisa 

Book Review: Killer Green Tomato

 

Killer Green Tomatoes (A Farm-to-Fork Mystery Book 2)

An Idaho restaurant is ripe for success until the tomato supplier is accused of murder in this cozy mystery by the New York Times bestselling author.
 
To Angie Turner, nothing tastes more like summer than her Nona's fried green tomatoes. Eager to serve the dish at her new farm-to-table restaurant, she's found the perfect produce supplier—her sous chef Estebe’s cousin, Javier. But her hopes are crushed when Javier’s new girlfriend turns up dead and the police name him as their prime suspect.

Meanwhile, Angie’s in quite a pickle trying to choose between the romantic interests of Estebe and Ian, the owner of the local farmer's market. But between managing her restaurant and navigating a new love triangle, she’s determined to dig up evidence and catch the real killer before her favorite tomato farmer gets fried.

At the Library : 

I enjoyed this second of the series by Ms. Cahoon. Angie's sous chef introduces her to his cousin for some fresh produce which then entangles Angie into helping when his cousin is arrested for murder. 
The mystery was good, I was led down a couple of false trails until I figured it out. Love these characters and will continue on with this series.

Try this recipe....

Cozy Mystery : Halloween

Cottage on Gooseberry Bay: Halloween Moon

USA Today Bestselling author Kathi Daley brings you a heartwarming mystery series about finding answers and fostering hope while building friendships and embracing the magic of life by the sea and small town holidays.

Ainsley Holloway had come to Gooseberry Bay to find answers about her past. She’d come to find an explanation for the dreams that haunted her after the death of the cop who’d both rescued and raised her. And she’d come to identify the family she couldn’t remember but knew in her heart she’d once belonged to.

Ainsley hoped that by finding these answers, she’d also find healing. She hoped that once she’d resurrected the memories buried deep in her mind, she’d find peace.

The Cottage at Gooseberry Bay is a series about, not only finding answers, but finding hope.
It’s a series about family and friendship.
It’s a series about shared holidays, festivals, and celebrations.
It’s a series about shared heartbreak and hardship.
And it’s a series about the bond that can be forged amongst strangers when tragedy binds two or more individuals with a common goal.

In book 1 in the series, Ainsley arrives in Gooseberry Bay only to find there will be no easy answers as she’d so naively hoped. Unwilling to leave before she gets what she came for, she rents a cottage on the sea where she and her dogs, Kai and Kallie, can settle in and wait.

Her first night in town she meets a young woman who is later found dead. The local sheriff has labeled the death of this young woman a suicide based on a text message she’d sent before she died. But Ainsley, who’d spoken to the victim only hours before the text was sent, isn’t quite as sure of the easy answer the sheriff would like everyone to believe.
An investigative journalist by trade and cops daughter by upbringing, Ainsley never had been the sort to walk away from unanswered questions, so with the help of new friends she meets along the way, she initiates a parallel investigation which seems to indicate the sheriff’s real motivation in trying to sell the suicide angle to the community is to protect the interests of a very rich and very powerful man.

Book pick :  I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one. I found the last thirty pages to be somewhat rushed and it ended in a hurry. I was hoping for more on Ainsley’s quest for her past but I guess that will come in the next book. An enjoyable read!

Vegan Soul Food Cookbook

 

Instant Pot Vegan Soul Food Cookbook: 85 Faster, Healthier Southern Favor

Whip up fuss-free vegan soul food with your Instant Pot

The Instant Pot makes it easy to enjoy plant-based Southern cuisine without requiring much time or effort in the kitchen. This vegan cookbook provides 85 easy and healthy Instant Pot recipes for soul food dishes you know and love, from Porkless Rinds and Cheeze Grits to Cajun Chick’n Salad and Shrimp-less Gumbo Stew.

What sets the Instant Pot Vegan Soul Food Cookbook apart from other Southern vegan cookbooks:

• An intro to your Instant Pot—Learn why this versatile appliance is the perfect kitchen companion for creating vegan soul food, and discover detailed instructions that set you up for mealtime success.
• Truly simple recipes—Discover effortless Instant Pot recipes that utilize nutritious, budget-friendly ingredients you can easily find at your local grocery store.
• Plant-based Southern staples—Build a strong foundation for your vegan kitchen with delicious recipes for soul food staples like Maple Butter, Coconut Bacon, Buttermilk Biscuits, and Chick’n Cutlets.
• Book Review 

Feed your soul with the mouthwatering flavors of vegan comfort cooking—this beginner-friendly guide shows you how.

I am not vegan so was pleasantly surprised! Would unequivocally recommend trying the recipes in this book. These dishes are a flavor party in your mouth and your tastebuds will do a happy dance.

Book Review: Hot and Sour Suspects

 

Hot and Sour Suspects: A Noodle Shop Mystery

At the Ho-Lee Noodle House, murder is on the menu.

When Lana Lee’s best friend, Megan Riley, asks her to help host a speed dating contest at Ho-Lee Noodle House, she doesn’t see the harm in lending a hand. The night goes better than anticipated, and both Lana and Megan are beyond thrilled with the results. But before they can break out the champagne, Rina Su, fellow Asia Village shop owner and speed dating participant, calls to inform Lana that the date she’s just matched with has been murdered. Under suspicion of foul play, Rina enlists Lana’s help in finding out what really happened that night.

Without hesitation, Lana begins to dig into the man in question. To her dismay, she quickly finds that Rina’s date has a rather unsavory past. There’s a long line of slighted women, angry neighbors, and perturbed co-workers—all of whom seem to have a motive.

As Lana continues to spiral down the treacherous path of scorned lovers and mistreated acquaintances, she can’t help but dwell on how quickly an innocent evening filled with hope and positivity could turn so sour. When the media gets in on the case, Lana must rush to find the killer before more dates turn deadly.

Book Review: 

Vivien Chien is the 8th A Noodle Shop Mystery. It can easily be read as a standalone as the author provides all the needed background information on our main characters as well as what has happened in past A Noodle Shop Mysteries. I found Hot and Sour Suspects easy to read with developed characters. Hope you enjoyed this latest book and i highly recommend this book series. It will make you hungry... 

Book Review: Batter Off Dead

 

Batter Off Dead (A Country Store Mystery Book 10)

In South Lick, Indiana, fine foods and classic cookware can be found at Robbie Jordan’s Pans ’N Pancakes. Unfortunately, her country store also seems to stock up on murder . . .
 
Robbie and her new husband Abe O’Neill are enjoying a summer evening in the park with fellow townsfolk excited for some Friday night fireworks. In attendance are senior residents from Jupiter Springs Assisted Living including Roy Bird, father to South Lick’s very own Police Lieutenant Buck Bird. Despite his blindness, Roy is a member of his group home’s knitting circle, spending quality time with some lovely ladies.
 
But when the lightshow ends, one of the knitters who sat with Roy is found dead, a puncture wound in her neck. The poor woman’s death echoes that of Buck’s mother and Roy’s wife—an unsolved homicide. To help find the killer, Robbie’s going to have to untangle the knotty relationships deep in the victim’s past . . .
 
Includes Recipes for You to Try!

Book Review:  I lived in Indiana for many years and this book was like coming home. This  is another great read in this series. The characters are warm and friendly and I enjoyed the added recipes. Glad to be back in Indiana. Lisa 

Modern Macrame Style:

 

Modern Macrame Style: 20 stylish beginner projects for the home with step-by-steps, techniques, tips and tricks

Modern Macrame Style is the ultimate guide into the world of macrame for beginners.

Macrame expert Amaia Martin, from La Terra Macrame, has created 20 unique projects to introduce you to this millenary art and make you fall in love with it!

You will be working with sustainable materials such as recycled cotton, jute and raffia, to create a selection of plant hangers, wall hangings and lifestyle items, that will help you develop your macrame skills, as well as adding warmth and a bohemian touch to your home interior.

Throughout the book, you will find tips and design variations that will allow you to adapt the projects to your style by using different fibers, colors or techniques.

Learn over 10 macrame knots and patterns that will allow you to master this craft and start making your own designs in the future. The world of Modern Macrame will be at your feet! You will be able to create anything from simple plant hangers to intricate lampshades, rugs or even a macrame chair.

You will also be introduced to another of Amaia’s passions, plants. She has selected her top 10 indoor plants to complement each of the plant hangers in this book, and added care tips to keep them looking their best.

Get ready for a crafty journey to a beautiful and sustainable home!

Book review 

So I must confess I dabbled in macrame as a kid.But I was excited to see it come back in fashion. I grabbed this book and decided to get inspired to try it again. She has some great idea for projects and directions, and  the plant tips are an added bonus. If you are interested in knowing more about this craft - read this book. 

Cook Book Review

 

Just the Basics Cookbook: Learn How to Cook with Essential Techniques and Fundamental Recipes

Build your culinary confidence with this essential cookbook

Discover the key ingredients for success in the kitchen with How to Cook: Basic Cookbook. An indispensable reference for new home chefs, this book helps you create a well-stocked kitchen and get cooking with 40 beginner-friendly recipes.

What sets this cooking book apart:

• Cooking 101—Get ready to start slicing and sautėing with a rundown of must-have equipment along with tips for reading recipes, preparing your workspace, and more.
• Flavor profiles—Learn to assemble delicious dishes thanks to a detailed explanation of the five basic tastes and lessons in building balanced flavors and textures.
• 40 delectable recipes—Put your newfound knowledge to the test with a range of simple yet satisfying recipes that will have you cooking everything from Creamy Risotto to Soy Ginger Scallops with confidence.

Sharpen your culinary skills and learn how to prepare tasty meals with How to Cook: Basic Cookbook.

Kindle Unlimited : A great beginners Cookbook. That covers the basic and beyond.  Know someone who is moving into an apartment or new home -this would make a great gift. 

Book Review: Tomato Love

 

Tomato Love: 44 Mouthwatering Recipes for Salads, Sauces, Stews, and More

Tomato Love is a joyful collection of recipes that celebrate the favorite high-summer fruit. There’s nothing quite like a luscious Brandywine or a sweet Sungold freshly-picked from the vine, but tasty canned and jarred products ensure tomatoes can be enjoyed year-round. The recipes in this collection invite year-round eating, new takes on classic dishes like red sauce and tomato soup, along with a mix of fresh ideas ranging from Sweet, Spicy, Smoky Barbecue Sauce, Roasted Tomato Basil Soup with Pumpernickel Croutons, to Caprese Pasta Salad with Salami and Shakshuka with Extra Veg. Home cooks, backyard gardeners, and CSA members overwhelmed with the bounty of the season will find dozens of inspiring ideas for introducing variety into the everyday repertoire of meals. With fresh and nourishing ingredients at the forefront, this cookbook makes it easy for families to put good food on the table—with easy cooking steps, ingredients that are readily available, and delicious recipes. Every recipe is shown in a color photo, making the book easy to browse and use.

From Net Galley : Wonderful time of the year for this book to arrive, recipes look good and easy to understand. with wonderful pictures. These recipes will become family favorites. 

Book Review: Recycled Crafts for Kids

 

Recycled Crafts for Kids: Fun and Easy Crafting with Recycled Materials

Transform plastic bottles into colorful decorations, amazing animals, interesting game, Homemade Recycled Bird House, Cute Apple Shaped Boxes, Unique Piggy Bank, Pop Bottle Craft, DIY Cozy Coupe Gas Can, Milk Jug Ghosts, Plastic Bottle Basket and jewelry. It provides a varied selection of budget-friendly, eco-conscious projects that are great for imaginary play, bedroom decorations, gift giving and more! You’ll be so proud of the projects you’ve created and customized with your own hands―and they are as fun to make as they are to play with!

Book Review: 

This is such a cute book. Filled with great idea's - I cant wait to make some of these with the kids at the library.  Never throw out your plastic bottles - just make crafts. Lisa 

Summer Crafts for Kids

 

Summer Crafts for Kids: Easy & Fun Summer Craft Ideas for Kids

Keeping the kiddos busy and entertained all summer long can be hard work. These summer activities will be your go-to manual for crafts the kids will love creating.

You'll find 5 summer craft theme ideas:

• Paper crafts

• Decorative crafts

• Beach-themed crafts

• Yarn crafts

• Clay crafts

Imagination and fun are the only requirements. Have fun this summer!

Book Review:

I am always looking for new idea's to share with the kids at the library. This book is filled with some fun and easy crafts kids will enjoy to make. The beach crafts was just what I needed for Summer reading.