Mailbox Monday October 15

It's time for another Mailbox Monday post. This month's host is Marcia at Mailbox Monday.

Just a quick post this morning. It's back to work for me today. The weekend was nice and relaxing. I managed to get a book read. Stayed tuned for some reviews this week.

I got this book for review as a surprise awhile back but somehow I overlooked it when I posted my MM.

Yes, Chef; A Memoir by Marcus Samuelsson (courtesy of Random House)

The next three books are purchases I made. One was on a trip to Barnes and Noble. It's been a very long time since I went to the bookstore and I was shocked to see how much it had changed. It was more of a toy store. I also noticed how few employees were there. It made me sad. Our bookstore used to be a bustling place. Not so much the night I was there. I was looking for a copy of Blackberry Winter but they didn't have one copy. I had to go home and order one. I really wanted to support my local bookstore but sadly, it didn't work out that way. I did buy the Ray Bradbury book and some sketchbooks for my daughter.

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio

Have you read any of these books? If so how did you like them?

Dewey's Readathon Wrapup and Lasagna Recipe

My wrap-up post is going to be short and sweet. Somewhere about midnight last night, I realized I had been sleeping for awhile when my book smacked me in the face. I tried to start reading again when I felt my eyes getting heavy. I decided it was time for bed. I slept clear through until 10 this morning! I must have needed some sleep.

I didn't finish the book I was reading but I did make a huge dent in it. I did a couple of mini-challenges. I did manage to visit some new to me blogs and also made stops at some favorite blogs. I took a very relaxed approach to the readathon this time. As always, I had a great time!

I did make some Crockpot Lasagna yesterday which was delicious. If you want the recipe you can find it here. The recipe is posted on the Crockin' Girls website where they even have a video where they show you how to make it. I have their cookbook which is delightful. I have made several of the recipes in it and have been pleased with all of them.

I am looking forward to the April readathon and hope it falls on my weekend off again.

Dewey's Readathon Midway Post

I am doing okay. I just had dinner and am getting ready to clean that up. Then I think I will move to the bedroom to read for awhile. I get my second wind in the evening so I should be good for awhile.



Mid-Event Survey

1) How are you doing? Sleepy? Are your eyes tired? The eyes are okay and I am not tired yet. I work nights so this is when I get my second wind.
2) What have you finished reading? I haven't finished my book yet.
3) What is your favorite read so far? Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven since it is the only thing I have read so far
4) What about your favorite snacks? Crockpot lasagna-it was delicious
5) Have you found any new blogs through the readathon? If so, give them some love! I found some new blogs and commented on them. I always meet new friends during the readathon!

Dewey's Readathon..It's Here!!!

Dewey's Readathon has started. I am about to begin my day of reading. I slept in this morning since I worked last night but I am ready to go. It is a rainy day which is perfect reading weather! I don't have a stack of books to read yet but I do have the book I am starting off with.

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven

I filled out my introductory questionnaire even though I am starting late.


Introductory Questionnaire

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? I am reading from rainy Wisconsin

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I am looking forward to The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? Not really a snack but I am trying out a new recipe today...Crockpot Lasagna

4) Tell us a little something about yourself!
I am the mom to three young adults, a spoiled dog and three spoiled cats. I recently went back to work full time after being a stay at home mom for 25 years. I love to read many different genres of books.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? I am starting much later than usual since I worked last night. I usually start pretty early but not this year. I don't have tons of snacks either as I am going to try not to overeat which I did last readathon.


Let the reading begin!

Mailbox Monday October 1

It's Monday and time for another Mailbox Monday post. This month Mailbox Monday will be hosted by Mailbox Monday, where it all began!

Not sure what is going on with my blog layout today. It was fine when I went to bed last night. When I woke up this morning, everything was askew. My sidebars are at the bottom of my layout but when I go to change the layout, it shows them in the correct place. Blogger is driving me nuts today! I will see what it looks like when I get home from work tonight.

I am excited about the books in my mailbox this week. One is a win, one is a purchase, and three are for review. One is for a TLC Book Tour.

The Letters by Luanne Rice and Joseph Monninger (this was a purchase)

Things Remembered by Georgia Bockoven (this is for a TLC Book Tour on Wednesday, October 17th)

The Painted Girls by Cathy Marie Buchanan(courtesy of Riverhead Books)

The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton(courtesy of Atria Book Galley Alley)


The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani(won from Leah at Amused By Books. Thank You, Leah!)

That is what came to my home. What wonderful books made their way into your home?

Weekend Cooking-The Crockin' Girls Slow Cookin' Companion

The Crockin' Girls Slow Cookin' Companion by Nicole Sparks & Jenna Marwitz

Hardcover: 376 pages
Publisher: Five Star Institute (April 20, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984961402
ISBN-13: 978-0984961405

I had this weekend off of work and decided I needed some Fall comfort food from my crockpot. I recently purchased The Crockin' Girls Slow Cookin' Companion. I got to work and found a great recipe that satisfied my need for comfort food! Cheddar Vegetable Sausage Casserole. It was easy to make and used items I had on hand. I really appreciate it when a cookbook has recipes that use items that I can find easily or usually have on hand at home.

First, let me tell you a bit about the cookbook. The cookbook is wonderful! It is very well done. The authors of the cookbook, Nicole Sparks and Jenna Marwitz have compiled a book full of favorite recipes from family, friends and their online crocking community. There are breakfast recipes, appetizers, soup recipes, side dishes, main entrees, and dessert recipes all made in the slow cooker. Each recipe includes a full page photo of the finished recipe. I really like having a picture of what the finished product looks like. Another huge plus for this book is that the book stays open and lays flat. I hate when I have a cookbook that won't stay open while I am cooking. I was very impressed with this cookbook! I know I will be using it quite a bit. It is now one of my favorite cookbooks.

The Cheddar Vegetable Sausage Casserole was a big hit here. You can click here for a link to the recipe on the Crockin' Girls website. If you like smoked sausage, you can't go wrong with this recipe. I did put a dollop of dijon mustard in my soup mixture when I made it. I like a little zing in my cheese recipes. This was a hearty and filling meal that was perfect for a cool Fall evening.

I purchased this cookbook for my own personal use.

Weekend Cooking is a weekly meme sponsored by Beth Fish Reads.
Weekend Cooking is a chance to share the food love. Be sure to check out all the yummy cooking posts on Beth's blog.

Dewey's Read-a-thon

Dewey's Read-a-thon is coming up in October. I am so excited! It is one of my favorite reading events of the year! This year the read-a-thon is October 13. It is looking like I should be off work that weekend. I missed the spring read-a-thon since it fell on my weekend to work. Now I need to see what books to put in my read-a-thon pile. Want to join me and the many others who will be participating? Click here and sign up!