The Alpine Traitor by Mary Daheim

This was better than the last book in this mystery series. I think this is a series that needs to be read from the beginning. Right now I especially enjoy all the references to the Seattle area - it's fun to really know what she's talking about.

Hail to the Chef by Julie Hyzy

The second White House Chef Mystery.

Hyzy does a good job with these. I hope she keeps them coming. This one is brand new, so it may be a while before the next one is out.

These books are clean - no language or other problems. Isn't it amazing that a good story can still happen without those things? (Just a hint of sarcasm there.)

Sisters Weekend - the first generation

Back row: Diane, Audry, Ann, Sally

Front row: Orva, Amy, Joanne (mom), Elna, Jennifer

Each year the Linford sisters, sisters-in-law, and mother get together for a long weekend. No spouses, no children older than babies. We've been doing this since 1991. I look forward to it every year, and have never missed a year yet. We call it Sisters Weekend, and although we have it on the calendar for the second weekend in March every year, we go to great lengths to accommodate someone who can't make it that weekend. This year everyone accommodated me, and we did the weekend a couple weeks earlier than usual.

We commenced Thursday night with dinner. (Tomato soup and panini sandwiches). This year we stayed at Orva's. One tradition we have is that we get "party favors" for everyone. It's like Christmas and my birthday all rolled into one. We gave our party favors out on Thursday night. What a bounty!

Friday we did our usual - sit around and talk, and some of us work on projects - sewing, handwork, computer stuff, etc. I brought my laptop and worked on labeling pictures. It was the perfect project because I could still concentrate on the conversation around me and also get a lot done on the computer. For lunch we went out to eat with our daughters who are 18 and over who could come. We had Lucy, Annie, Rebekah, Audrey, Debra, Laura, Charlotte, and Abbie. We were so stuffed from lunch that we just had sandwiches and leftovers for dinner.

Saturday more talking and projects. Dinner was Raw Vegetable Soup. Delicious!

Sunday we had church, talking and projects (can you sense a theme here?) Dinner was White Bean Chili. Once again delicious! Charles came over and took our group picture (see above). Some of the sisters had individual portraits taken. I had a choir practice that night, then came back. Sunday night always speeds by - the end is coming, and the weekend has gone by too fast.

Monday morning we cleaned up and cleared out. Now Orva has her home back, and we have all rejoined our families. I came home, unpacked, and took a 3 hour nap; sleep is not a high priority at Sisters. I'm already looking forward to next year.

In the meantime I have my own Sisters weekend with my daughters next week. I can't wait!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Action. Intrigue. Suspense. Just when you're sure you've figured things out, there's a twist. Then when you're sure of the next thing, there's another twist. I don't want to say anymore because I don't want to give anything away.

I will say this though: it is young adult science fiction - not really my cup of tea in general. In fact I spent about 10 pages fussing about that in my mind, then I was sucked in and held on for dear life. 

The first snip on the apron strings

Today we went to hear my grandson Austin (age 3 1/2) give his first talk in Primary. He was so darling I could hardly stand it. He stood right up at the podium, looked directly at the audience and spoke into the microphone with great confidence. He delivered a message that hadn't been prepared beforehand - something about children, God, and love (about 15 seconds long). What a great theme! Then just as he was ready to step down, his dad stepped up to help him deliver the prepared message. Another brief, but just as important message about the family. 

It struck me as I sat in the back of the room to watch/listen to him give his talk that that is one of the first times I've really seen Austin from a distance. Usually he is up close and personal with me. I had a tiny glimpse into the future - his independence, and ability to do things all on his own without his parents' help, or my help either. 

I remember that same feeling when I saw my own children from a distance for the first time. It's a little bittersweet. The beginning of the end is here. Although we desire the independence and self-reliance of our children, we love having them close. It is natural for them to move on, just as I did, and every generation before me. As a mother and grandmother, though, I just want to bask in the moments of early childhood and pretend that independence won't really come to pass so quickly. 

The Darcy Connection by Elizabeth Aston

I enjoy these books with an Austen flavor. They are predictable, but I like that sometimes. In fact, I am sometimes looking for a predictable book when the rest of my life is unpredictable. 

I also love the artwork on the book covers.

Married in Seattle by Debbie Macomber

My friend Marsha loaned me this book - it is a clean, light romance - with a bonus feature of taking place in the familiar territory of Seattle. It's a good book for traveling. A very fast read.

Thanks Marsha!

Addicted

I found out about a new game for my phone on Sunday night. Bejeweled 2. I had Ray add it for me - it looked like fun!

I almost never play games on my phone. I'd much rather take a book along to occupy myself in doctor's offices, airports, and other places where I have to sit and wait. I pretty much just use my phone as a phone.

I have just one question. If your phone battery dies, are you playing too much Bejeweled?