Every Day is An Adventure...

Everything is Possible....

5/3/2018

0 Comments

Now go out and make this an amazing day!

0 Comments

Stormy Thursday

4/19/2018

0 Comments

The wind is howling and a storm is blowing in. I'm in the mountains so the weather is very changeable.

I may be forced to read by candle light, lol

I'm enjoying these stories. Full review coming soon.

I did get dinner made before the storm started. (This was Amazing!)

This dish was super easy and quick to make. I roasted garlic, asparagus and grape tomatoes in the oven while the couscous was cooking. (It was seasoned with green onions and veggie stock.)

Then plated the couscous and put roasted veggies, more green onions and slivered almonds over the top. #WIN and instant favorite!

Meanwhile the rains have started.

Rain means flowers (and veggies) soon! #Win

So I'm not complaining at all.

Catch you later-

0 Comments

Shhhh, Sunday Stuff

4/15/2018

0 Comments

And actually you know that could be anything...
Mostly it's uber exciting stuff like moving furniture around, watering the plants and doing laundry...(Roll your eyes, it's okay.) This weekend I had company over.. fun, fun, fun.

Right now we are heading to Albuquerque to eat at An Hy Quan, (a Vietnamese restaurant) serving excellent Vegan food.

Yum!

See you there?

0 Comments

What Are You Reading? April Edition

4/10/2018

0 Comments

More book reviews!

How are things? I'm catching up on my book reviews today, both here and at Goodreads.
According to the site I've only had time to review nine books this year. Of those some were really amazing...while a few let me down. (See below for one that really sucked ass.)

These are the three I'm reviewing today. Guess which one sucked?

Two of the books I recently read were written by Kim Newman and one is a "collection". One of the Newman books is part of the Anno Dracula series, (which I love! ) You can find my review of book two of the series here and book one here.

While reading the first book I knew I wanted to read the entire series, so I've been collecting them.

(Book two and three.)

I was very much looking forward to book three. This one takes place in Rome in the late 1950's.

This book is number three in the Anno Dracula series.

Judgment of Tears by Kim Newman
This book was also released as Dracula Cha Cha Cha in the UK. I started reading this series and was immediately hooked. I really enjoy the authors witty style of including historical and fictional era characters in the story along with a good mystery and lots of twisty plot turns. It's not your typical Dracula saga at all and if you are a Twilight fan - you will hate this.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? The Horror genre? Yes.
Setting: The late 1950's Rome.
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, although now that I'm three books into the series, book one is still my favorite. There are familiar characters from past books and of course a trove of historical and fictional characters running rampant through Rome in this book. I was pleased to see favorite characters from the first book return to add Victorian sentiment to an unsettling time period of decadence and indulgence.
Spoiler: I was pleased to see even the Adams family turn up! How can you NOT want to read this book?
If you are looking for a "traditional" vampire novel you will not enjoy this book, if you want a witty, fun read - then grab the series.

Yes, that's a James Bond spoiler!

The next book I dived into was Angels of Music also by Kim Newman. This one is not part of the Dracula series.

(List of the Angels)

Angels of Music by Kim Newman
I read this book because I'm touring Mr. Newman's catalogue, lol. This isn't part of the Anno Dracula series, but familiar characters do pop up. The book is a collection of stories set around the Phantom of the Opera and the women (Angels) he employees as spies, assassins and general heroes. Most of the cases are of course, paranormal or have a paranormal twist.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? The Horror genre? Yes, have you seen the books I read?
Setting: Set in Paris over a 40 (?) year time period. What's not to love?
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, although it is not a Vampire type novel. There are familiar characters and of course hosts of historical and fictional characters running rampant through France. I was pleased to see favorite characters from the Anno series return to add sensibility to Paris, but I really never cared for the Phantom of the Opera stories in the past, so I wasn't all that excited to read this. But luckily there was just enough backstory on the Phantom to make it interesting, and not overkill. The book centers on the changing roster of ladies (Angels), all with specific talents and gifts; solving and curtailing unusual criminal plots. I enjoyed reading the stories and would recommend the book.
The stories vary in length and make a fun read.

This was one of the more gruesome tales.

Now on to the 3rd book - 'Haunted Trails' which is so misleading.

This Introduction doesn't match the book.

UGH! File this one under NO, Just NO!
This book wasn't what I thought it was, I thought it would be actual stories of camping, hiking, outdoor adventures with the paranormal or at least “urban legends” type stories. It was more like a middle school collection of short, classic (read old), ghost stories, mostly taking place in the UK. So if you are not familiar with the horror of overgrown hedges or abandoned manor houses it won’t really scare you. Some of the stores were well written, but not any more frightening than normal ghost stories you would tell around the camp fire. I’m donating the book to a school library.

Famous authors, short tales.

Was it a page turner? No
Do I like this genre? The Horror genre? Yes, have you seen the books I read? But this one fell under the written for 12 and under level of scary tales!
Setting: I thought it would be set in nature. Mostly the short stories are set in the UK.
The story telling? Yes/No
Was it well written? Yes/NO
Would you recommend this book? NO
The stories vary in length and while some of the authors are well known, I was so disappointed in this book.

But fortunately look what just came in the post today!

More reviews soon!

0 Comments

March Box Reviews

4/6/2018

0 Comments

I haven't been reviewing any boxes lately because I actually figured you were tired of seeing the same old thing....but I did get a Spring Fab Fit Fun box in and some really awesome Vegan snacks though and thought I would share.

Are you like me and love mystery subscription boxes? It's really nice getting something other than junk mail or bills in the post, lol. So here is what I received in March:

Spring Fab Fit Fun box!

Full Magazine explaining everything that is included.

I had to read - but the mask is VEGAN leather. #Win!

There were a few items I didn't really care about and a few that were not vegan so I donated, but for only $49.99 I still feel like I got my money's worth. I will probably go ahead now and purchase a yearly subscription. You save $20 by doing this and get first pick on "add ons". If you want to try and a box (and save some money too!) use this link: SAVE You get $10 off your 1st box!

(This is my 3rd box!) It works out to right around $200USD worth of stuff...and almost ALL of it is full size, so you get to actually try the products out.

The purse is Vegan Leather too!

The pattern + the cool mint color really feels like spring.

New beauty products included this month.

Oh my, LOVE the COLORS!!

I did read this is made with honey, so I will be donating it.

And a cute bag of lip masks.

Oh! Almost forgot this nice soy candle was also in the FFF Box.

Vegan Cuts had over 15 products!

March Vegan Cuts box was jam backed with goodies!

So much stuff!

I am glad to see this in a "take away" size package.

There were a lot of snacks and also this FULL SIZE box of spaghetti. I buy this brand, so am excited to try.

This tea is REALLY NICE!

The Vegan Cuts box is $22.95 (including shipping) - it goes down in price if you buy a 6 month or year sub. There are always at least 10 and sometimes 15 products inside. I didn't take many pictures, because at the time I wasn't planning on posting a review. UH OH....but yeah you get the idea right? I have been getting this box for over 2 years and it only gets better each month. #WIN

And not from a box (but notice my new candle, lol) I have been eyeing these marble trays for some time. I finaily broke down and bought one. I love it and have no idea why I waited so long!

Nice, right? I paid a little more to get a size big enough to actually use.

So what boxes do you get? Are there any good ones I should check out? Leave me a comment - I'm always looking to try new products and find cool, vegan or off beat stuff.

Once again save $10 off your first FFF box here and enjoy your weekend!

See you at the airport~

0 Comments

March Reads Part 1

4/3/2018

0 Comments

Happy April!
I hope all is well in your world? Life is great here. Work is good, weather is pleasant and I've a trove of new books, lol So it's time to ask that question, "What have you been reading?" Do you have any new recommendations or books to share? Cause I could always use another for the TBR shelf.
Currently I've changed my work schedule I have more time to read. #win!
So I've a few books to review.

It time once again for me to upload book reviews for the past month. Some I have already added to Goodreads, most I'm still in process.

I'm continuing my Kim Newman reading tour.

I bought this one in Feb but didn't have time to properly enjoy it till March.

This book is number two in the Anno Dracula series. I read book one here if you want to read my review.

The Bloody Baron by Kim Newman
I read book one and was hooked on the series and the authors witty style of including historical and fictional era characters in the story along with a good mystery. It's not your typical Dracula saga at all and if you are a Twilight fan - you will hate this.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? Yes/No. The Horror genre? Yes. The WWI era? No
The story telling? Yes
Was it well written? Yes.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, although now that I'm three books into the series it was my least favorite. Honestly this is only because I'm not a fan of war epics and I know very little about this time. There are familiar characters and of course hosts of historical and fictional characters running rampant through Germany and France. Now add in Vampire Nazis and Allied Forces playing deadly games, famous spies and then throw Dracula in the mix! I was pleased to see favorite characters from the first book return to add Victorian sentiment to an unsettling time period. This book also highlights how new inventions changed the way war was waged and how difficult it was for some men in charge to understand this. Fortunately Edgar Poe is brought forward to record all the glory that is the war and the Bloody Red Baron. Yeah, that was a spoiler but come on! Edgar ("I dropped the Allen") Poe? How can you NOT want to read this book?
If you are looking for a "traditional" vampire novel you will not enjoy this book, if you want a witty, fun read - then grab the series.

Judgment of Tears or The Dracula Cha Cha is number three in the series. I just finished it and will probably review it later in the month.

Next Book, not by Kim Newman, hahahhah

Tokyo on Foot by Florent Chavouet
Another book I found via Goodreads. One of the people I follow had pick it up on a whim and reviewed it. I instantly fell in love with the sketch art. The artist/author is Florent Chavouet a French author who spent six months staying in Tokyo. His humor and insights make for a fun read, but the art and the energy he captures make this a treasured travllers book.

Was it a page turner? Yes.
Do I like this genre? Yes.
Was it well written? Yes. I like the fact the author is the artist and it's not an illustrated book. The art IS THE BOOK. There is actually very little written in the book.
Would you recommend this book? Yes, if you love sketch art and traveller stories I think you would enjoy this book very much. I have ordered a few of the authors other books and am excited to add them to my collection.

The Art:

#Loveit!

Nice right?

Part two coming soon!

See you at the airport~

0 Comments

Lazy March Days

3/31/2018

0 Comments

How can March almost be over?
This month has flown by!
So how has your month been? March has been wonderful for me. Work is going great, lots of good things are in the works (more about them soon!) And I even found time to read a bit. #WIN

Currently reading..

I am behind in my book reviews...

I hope to post the reviews later this week.

But then the trees started blooming and I don't want to stay inside on the computer...

OMG!

Spring is here!

I have also been cooking less and snacking more this month...

The March Vegan Cuts box was excellent!

Love this new tea.

Really nice and organic.

More book and product reviews soon.
Plus more travel tales and more all around randomness!

Catch you Later~

0 Comments

March Vegan Food Diary

3/14/2018

0 Comments

March is always a busy month, but that doesn't mean we can't still eat good food, yeah? So to prove that - here is a mini vegan food diary. I have tried to cook more and eat less take out. Plus be more creative and try new recipes.

I've tried to step out of the box with my cooking. Leeks and Fennel are new to me.

But cooked up with pasta make an awesome change.

Braised tofu, noodles and green beans + : jalapeños for the win!

Organic Tofu with turmeric and salsa for vegan scrambled eggs,

Corn and peppers were the base of a few quick dishes I made.

Yes, we eat a lot of peppers.

Homemade Hummus and homemade chips. (Yes, heavy on the peppers!)

Next round...

Add extra herbs and spices.

More expermenting with simple oat cookies. No flour, no sugar - just PB and dates + nuts in this batch.

Read new book while waiting for cookies to bake, lol.

Tried out this new vegan burger mix.

Add water, let it sit a few minutes and then fry up.

I like to have stuff on hand for when people stop by. Stuff that is easy to cook and also doesn't scare the non-vegans. LOL So I bought a new pantry friendly burger mix. It actually tasted okay, kind of bland, but with pickles, onions and peppers it made a tasty burger. I'm gonna keep some on hand for surprise company.