Favorite Mysteries

 

 

Many of my favorite mystery authors have new books coming out in the next few months. There is something special about a good mystery series, where I know the characters well. The authors of these books give us smart and resourceful investigators who always find a way to solve the murder or crime. Most of my favorite characters are strong women.

At the same time, we get a glimpse of their day to day lives and their interactions with other interesting characters who we get to know well over the course of the series. All these characters are like old friends, that may be gone for a while, but always come back when the next book is published.

Coming 9/10 is the next installment in the Kinsey Millhone series. This alphabet letter series started with A is for Alibi, published in 1982. Kinsey is a smart, independent private investigator who solves financial mysteries with a California flair.

Coming 8/27 is the next Goldy Schulz mystery. These are fun murder mysteries and since Goldy is a caterer, who just happens to get involved in crime solving, the author includes her recipes at the end of each book.

The next Temperance Brennan book will also be published 8/27. She is a forensic anthropologist and solves old or unusual murders by examining the bones of the dead. The television show Bones is based on these books.

Cornwell's character, Kay Scarpetta, is a Chief Medical Examiner based in Massachusetts, with ties to the U.S. Military and the FBI. These books are psychological thrillers with complex plots and characters. This new book in the series comes out 11/12.

The latest installment in the English crime series with Inspector Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers will be published on 10/15. Both of these Scotland Yard detectives are flawed, yet extremely complex and interesting characters.

Are these mystery series your favorites too? If so, there is a lot of reading to look forward to in the next few months :-)

Happy Wednesday!

 

Linking with Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Favorite Thing

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Painting a Wrought Iron Patio Table and Chairs

 

 

There were finally a couple sunny days in a row and my number one priority was getting my wrought iron patio table and chairs painted. I wanted to update the color from its 1990's shade of green to a metallic shade that would match the other outdoor furniture we have. This Rust-oleum metallic spay paint and primer was perfect for the look I wanted. The coverage was great and the whole project - four chairs, plus the table, took about two hours. And since it was a sunny, low humidity day, it dried in no time and I was able to put it back in place and enjoy the results.

I am very happy with how it turned out and feel since it was a good quality patio set, it was worth taking the time to freshen up and update. The color is just what I wanted and it even has a little bit of metallic sparkle when in the sunshine. We will be able to enjoy many outdoor meals here in the years to come.

All from a few cans of spray paint and a couple of hours work.

Happy Tuesday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Lil Luna

A Stroll Thru Life

House of Rose

Southern Lovely

Diana Rambles

Your Home Based Mom

Tutus and Tea Parties

Savvy Southern Style

Handy Man Crafty Woman

The Charm of Home

Have A Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson

Serenity Now

Funky Junk Interiors

I Heart Naptime

Sunny Simple Life

Between Naps on the Porch

Alderberry Hill

The Dedicated House

Cozy Little House

a bowl full of lemons

Kathe with an E

Life on Lakeshore Drive

Craftberry Bush

Live Laugh Rowe

A Delightsome Life

Cedar Hill Ranch

Skip To My Lou

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Rooted in Thyme

The Girl Creative

The Tablescaper

Jennifer Rizzo

DIY by Design

Common Ground

Coastal Charm

Stonegable

 

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Two Father's Day Cookouts and Two Salads

 

 

We had two different cookouts for Father's Day - one at my parent's house on Saturday and one at home on Sunday. At the cookout at my parent's, all the dads took a picture together to commemorate the occasion. We always have a great time when we get together, and more importantly, my Dad enjoys himself when he is surrounded by family.

For Saturday's cookout, we prepared dinner by group effort to take the work off my Mother's shoulders. We grilled cheeseburgers and brats and I made a yummy Tex Mex Frito Salad that I had pinned here. It was full of fresh goodness and I lightened it up by using low fat cheese and no fat dressing. I would make this again, but serve the fritos on the side to sprinkle on top of each serving, so they stay crunchy.

At home on Sunday, we had a quiet family day while watching the U.S. Open golf tournament. My husband took a break from watching the tournament to barbecue some delicious chicken on his brand new grill - his Father's Day present, along with Tiger's tickets for the family.

I prepared one of our favorite salads with strawberries, mandarin oranges and chinese noodles - the perfect summer salad to serve with chicken.

Summer Salad with Strawberries and Oranges

1 bag mixed lettuce

2 cups sliced strawberries

1 can mandarin orange slices, drained

1 bunch green onions, chopped

1 cup shredded parmesan cheese

1/2 can Chinese noodles

Poppyseed Dressing ( I used fat free)

Toss lettuce, strawberries, oranges and green onions in large salad bowl. Right before serving toss in cheese and 1/2 of noodles. Add dressing to taste. Sprinkle remaining noodles on top.

I hope my husband, my father and my father-in-law in Florida all had a wonderful Father's Day and feel appreciated for the great fathers they all are.

Happy Monday!

 

{Linking with these friends}

Gooseberry Patch

Lil Luna

Sunny Simple Life (From The Farm)

Make Ahead Meals

Rattlebridge Farm

This Gal Cooks

Mom's Test Kitchen

Stonegable

Semi Homemade Mom

Barns and Noodles

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style

 

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Friday on the Patio

 

 

There is something about Friday afternoons on a perfect summer day that beg for a fun drink and the chance to relax on my patio, as the day winds down. The sun shines through the trees, as I sit and reflect on a week where much was accomplished and I anticipate the start of the weekend.

As I sit and relax and wait for my husband to arrive, my view includes all the flowers that give my patio color and fun. Purple, pink and white petunias fill this fire pit turned planter.

Red geraniums spill out of a pot sitting close by.

 

White pansies, still happily blooming with our mild temperatures, wave prettily in the breeze.

Near the table, many shades of purple flowers overflow in this large planter.

A pretty bouquet in a simple mason jar, tied with raffia, sits on the table for me to enjoy. There is a sneak peek in this photo, of my newly painted table - more to come on that.

A fun drink, sunshine and flowers nearby - a perfect Friday afternoon happy hour for one, on my pretty patio.

Have a great weekend!

 

Recipe for Watermelon Martini

Blend and purée 1 cup cubed fresh watermelon until very smooth. Place in martini shaker filled with ice. Add 1 1/2 ounces lemon vodka and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Shake well and strain into a martini glass. If you like a sweeter martini, add 1 packet of Splenda along with other ingredients. Enjoy :-)

Linking with Mockingbird Hill Cottage, Favorite Thing and Thistlewood Farms

 

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