Sunday Post: Crazy Days and a Lazy Day

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Mem

This has been a crazy week. My work has been very busy, with only a few hours to rest in the evenings and do our Netflix bingeing. We just finished The Blacklist and started on The Practice, which is a late 90s/early 2000s legal drama. I also want to try Virgin River.

Yesterday there was not much time for rest. After a trip with Doug (my husband) to the wholesale store and one of our favorite antique stores (I also collect vintage glassware), I confronted the large pile of banana peppers and turned them into six pint jars of banana pepper rings, adding some jalapenos to create a medium heat, as banana peppers are quite mild. All of my jars sealed and the pile of peppers is gone for now, so I’m very happy. I might use the same method to pickle some spears of squash.

An example of some of the vintage glass similar to what I collect. I love Jadeite, but I collect a lot of other glass too. I would have taken a picture of my own glass, but the house is really messy today.

Today I was going to go to the store and then create a tomato tart, but Doug saw how wiped out I was and suggested just eating leftovers and canning the remaining tomatoes that I have in a small batch before they go bad. We have some tomatoes gifted by my Aunt Bonnie, from whom I get my name. Our tomatoes are just now beginning to ripen, but we’ll have a bunch in the next couple of weeks. I’m also excited about some habaneros that are ripening right now. I have nine watermelons (nine!) ripening on the vine. Doug went out and pinched all the remaining flowers off of the vine because nine is more than enough for the two of us. The idea I have so far for preserving the excess watermelon is to puree it and freeze it in ice cubes trays to use in watermelon slushies later. I’ve also seen recipes for watermelon fruit leather.

Our crazy watermelon patch that has grown out of the garden and into the backyard.

So I’m sitting on my couch watching the Escape to the Chateau series on Peacock in its entirety. If you haven’t seen it, it’s about a British couple who buy a 19th Century French chateau (Chateau De La Motte Husson) and completely restores it, going from rubble and holes in the roof to glorious over several years. It’s not only about home restoration and crafts projects, but they also show clips from the weddings they host there and the food they prepare. It’s wonderful and is literally an escape. It reminds me how much I loved France the two times I’ve gone there.

My weight loss is still going well. I’m at 18.5 pounds down with a weigh-in coming up on Tuesday. I haven’t been exercising much, so I’m trying to come up with a realistic plan with baby steps that I can stick to. I need something that won’t burn me out. I tend to take on too much in everything I do.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I did a book review as part of a Bookouture blog tour for The Orphan’s Mother by Marion Kummerow.

On Wednesday I did a book review of The Pilot’s Girl, the second book in the Hanni Winter series by Catherine Hokin.

On Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES (schedule subject to change)

On Monday I will do an audiobook review of In the Middle of Hickory Lane.

On Tuesday I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday, if time permits.

On Thursday I will participate in a blog tour for Elodie’s Library of Second Chances

.On Friday I will participate in Book Blogger Hop and Friday 56 if time permits.

On Self-Published Saturday I will promote/review Self-Published/Indie books.

SOME OF MY BOOK HAUL THIS WEEK

Julia Child’s fictional best friend solves murder mysteries in Post World War II Paris. I couldn’t resist!

In 1942, an impulsive promise to her brother before he goes off to the European front puts Avis Montgomery in the unlikely position of head librarian in small-town Maine. Though she has never been much of a reader, when wartime needs threaten to close the library, she invents a book club to keep its doors open. The women she convinces to attend the first meeting couldn’t be more different–a wealthy spinster determined to aid the war effort, an exhausted mother looking for a fresh start, and a determined young war worker.

Although this is another WWII-themed book, it has a different take–a library on the home front. I also used to live in Maine, so I love to read books set in Maine.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK, EVERYONE!

Sunday Post: “Here Comes The Rain Again”

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Here Comes The Rain Again – The Eurythmics.

It must have rained heavily here at some point every day for at least the last two weeks. I hope my tomatoes survive. The watermelon loves it. I don’t know what I’m going to do with all those watermelons and two people! On the bright side, everything around us is extremely green for July/August.

The past week was mostly work and picking peppers (see last week’s post). But yesterday we came out for the weekend to our future retirement house in Bryson City. We’ve named our property Rock’s Rest. The reason is “Where do the rock rest? On da moss.” Our last name is DeMoss.

Here’s the view I woke up to this morning:

Can’t wait til retirement in 2024, when I can wake up to that every day.

I’m getting ready for church, followed by a potluck. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers so that I can somewhat stick to my diet! Have you ever been to a church potluck in the South? Absolutely delicious. I’m at 17 pounds lost right now since May 31st.

EDIT: I made it through the potluck ok without going over my carbs and calories, so I call that a win!

LAST WEEK ON THE BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I did a cover reveal for Shoot the Horses First by Leah Angstman. I’ll be reviewing that around January.

On Tuesday I participated in Top Ten Tuesday

On Wednesday I reviewed the audiobook of Secrets of Magpie Cove

On Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop

And on Self-Published Saturday I reviewed Saving Schrodinger’s Cat by Mark Jenkins. (Due to travels and schedule, this went up Sunday).

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Monday I will be part of a Bookouture Blog Tour for The Orphan’s Mother.

Tuesday I will review the audiobook of In the Middle of Hickory Lane and participate in Top Ten Tuesday.

Wednesday I will post the covers of some more of the books I’ve been reading for the November edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society.

On Friday I’ll review The Wilderwomen by Emmie Ruth Lang and participate in Book Blogger Hop if time permits.

On Self-Published Saturday I’ll review self-published/indie books.

BOOK HAUL

This week I picked up two books:

In audiobook format, this is a science fiction/dystopian mashup.

New Hampshire, 1796. “My name is Ona Judge,and I escaped from the household of the President of the United States. I was the favored maid of George and Martha Washington, but they deemed me a slave and thought me property, and I hear ten dollars is offered as reward for my capture. Now I must write the truth that I have lived, and tell my story…”

THE ABOVE IS ALL THE DESCRIPTION I NEEDED. Can’t wait to read it.

TRAVELS

Just a quick two-and-a-half-hour drive to Bryson City this weekend. However, Harold, our wire-haired dachshund, was not happy about it because he does not like to ride in the car. Here’s Harold recovering after we arrived. He has never gotten sick or anything. He just hates travel.

Have a great week, everyone!

Sunday Post: Pass the Peppers

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

After a week of working hard, I was faced with a pile of peppers! I am shocked at the amount of banana peppers that come off of the plants, which are not that big! And they grow so fast!

Saturday I turned this:

Into This:

And five minutes later my husband brought in more.

My brother sent me a really tasty-looking recipe to use those: Sausage Stuffed Banana Peppers

I’ll be trying this tomorrow.

Next I have to tackle the yellow squash. I already fried some in cornmeal (delicious) and I want to make a casserole. Anyone have anymore ideas for yellow summer squash? It’s coming in fast!

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES:

On Monday I reviewed the audiobook of The Summer of Christmas

On Tuesday I participated in Top Ten Tuesday.

On Wednesday I reviewed the audiobook of After We Were Stolen.

On Friday I participated in the Bookouture Book Tour for Truly, Madly, Amy and in Book Blogger Hop.

On Self-Published Saturday I put up a Spotlight of The Hedge Witch and the Musical Poet and I also did a book review of George Haint, along with a Q&A with the author.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I will share a cover reveal of Shoot The Horses First by Leah Angstman.

On Tuesday I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday if time permits.

On Wednesday I will review the audiobook of Secrets of Magpie Cove by Kennedy Kerr.

On Thursday I will review Always Be My Duchess by Amalie Howard

On Friday I will review Secrets by Fern Michaels and participate in Book Blogger Hop if time permits.

And on Self-Published Saturday I will review and spotlight Self-Published/Indie books.

NEW BOOKS THIS WEEK

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Sunday Post: Slow and Steady #SundayPost

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

This past week found me working hard, listening to audiobooks, and spending a long weekend watching the grandkids. I did a ton of driving this week, both work and personal, and was able to finish two audiobooks that I got from Netgalley and get well into a third.

I spent Friday, Saturday, and most of today watching our twin three-year-old grandkids. I’m exhausted! Especially since I had to drive over two hours one way to drop them off today. It is rewarding, but also tiring at the age of almost 58.

My diet is going well. I was down 14 pounds in 6 weeks last week. I don’t weigh in again until Tuesday. Slow and steady wins the race, right?

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Sunday I posted a review of Outcast as part of a review for Zooloo’s Book Tours and participated in Sunday Post.

Tuesday I participated in Top Ten Tuesday

Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop

For Self-Published Saturday, even though it went up Sunday, I posted a review of Torn Asunder by David V. Mammina

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Monday I will review the audiobook of The Summer of Christmas by Juliet Giglio and Keith Giglio

Tuesday I will review the audiobook of After We Were Stolen by Brooke Beyfus and also participate in Top Ten Tuesdays

Wednesday I will review The Guest List by Fern Michaels.

Friday I will participate in Book Blogger Hop if time permits.

Saturday I will review Self-Published books as part of Self-Published Saturday.

NEW AUDIOBOOKS I RECEIVED THIS WEEK.

Ivy’s Christmas screenplay is being made into a movie–In her hometown in July! And the boyfriend she killed off in the script still lives there.
After their house burns down, Avery and Cole find out they’ve been living in a cult most of their lives, and they were kidnapped years ago.

A young couple is given a honeymoon week at the fabulous Pink Hotel, but due to wildfires find themselves confined with the ultra-wealthy guests and the hotel staff, and tension ensues.

NEW BOOKS I RECEIVED THIS WEEK

A psychological thriller about a neighbor with a secret.

A richly rewarding novel about family bonds, the power of words, and the resilience of mothers and daughters in 1930s Appalachia. (Does this sound like it’s up my alley or what?!)
A Christmas book by Debbie Macomber should be a light and fun read.

I got a huge haul of books last week, but I’ve already finished two of them, which were audiobooks, on those long drives this week. The one I am most excited to read is Light to the Hills, but I’m excited about them all.

Hope everyone has a great week!

Sunday Post: Playing It Cool

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

As you know, it was sweltering at home and in the car in my last Sunday Post. The A/C at home was fixed first, and the car was finally fixed on Thursday this week, so I am back to “Cool Runnings.” (I miss John Candy.)

Doug and I finished our June short story (a little late) for the 2022 Short Story Challenge. The theme is folklore, and we’ve found lots to write about. I have found that as opposites we make a great writing team, because each person’s weaknesses are usually the other person’s strengths.

I buckled down and got a lot of reading done and got caught up on most of my Netgalley books. Of course, then I had to request more. Right? So I have a nice book haul to report.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES:

Sunday I reviewed Suspects by Danielle Steel

Monday I reviewed The Beach Trap by Ali Brady

Tuesday I posted another short story my husband Doug and I finished called “Sweet Azalea.”

Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop and reviewed The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander.

For Self-Published/Indie Saturday, I reviewed Amanda in France by Darlene Foster and did an interview with Darlene.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Sunday I am doing a blog tour and book review of Outcast by Claire Voet

Tuesday I will participate in Top Ten Tuesday if time permits.

Wednesday I will review Secrets by Fern Michaels.

Friday I will participate in Book Blogger Hop if time permits and review The Guest List by Fern Michaels.

And on Self-Published Saturday I will review and/or Spotlight Self-Published books. (I’ve got two of my grandkids next weekend (the twins!)) so I will post when I can.

NEW NETGALLEY BOOKS THIS WEEK

What Song The Sirens Sang by Simon R. Green

This is the third book in the Gideon Sable series, and I’ve read the first two. This is magical realism at its best.

This is Book 3 in a cozy mystery series about a “senior citizen sleuth.” That hooked me because I’m going to qualify for the senior discounts soon myself.

I don’t usually request romances unless they have some other aspect that interests me, and this one is a historical romance and revolves around a Duke looking for a fake fiance. I wanted something light, and this sounds lighthearted, and possibly funny–I hope.

Christmas in July! Christmas books are starting to come out on Netgalley and I love it. This is a historical Christmas mystery from Anne Perry.

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

I roasted a chicken yesterday, so it’s leftover chicken and stuffing today! I tried to make low-carb stuffing for myself yesterday but decided that going forward I will just save up carbs elsewhere to have our real stuffing recipe. Sometimes you’ve got to have the real thing.

WHAT WE’RE WATCHING

Season 8 of Escape to the Chateau is now on Peacock. We love this series about a British couple who bought a French Chateau, and it’s amazing what they’ve done with it in eight years.

Sunday Post: Feeling the Heat

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Temperatures were rising here in Tennessee, starting with my house and car! First the AC went out in the house about 10 days ago. The repair people were so backed up (It’s their busy season) that they could not come out for a week. They finally came out this Thursday. Luckily for us, we had window air conditioners in our upstairs bedrooms, so we relocated upstairs for the week. We were able to stay cool until the problem was fixed. Then the AC went out in my car Thursday while I was working. I had a headache by the end of the day. And it’s going into the shop next Thursday. Hopefully we’ll be able to stay cool the rest of the summer. For centuries, people just endured the heat, and here I am making a big fuss about it. As much as I love historical fiction, I don’t think I’d have been a good pioneer.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I reviewed A Dress of Violet Taffeta by Tessa Arlen for a blog tour by Austenprose.

On Tuesday I reviewed To Kiss A Wallflower, a Timeless Regency Collection for a blog tour by Austenprose and The Girl From Jonestown for a blog tour by Bookouture.

On Thursday I reviewed Dark Blue Waves by Kimberly Sullivan for Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours.

On Friday I participated in Book Blogger Hop.

On Saturday I reviewed The Juche Box Set by Adria Carmichael for Self-Published Saturday.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Today (Sunday) I’m reviewing Suspects by Danielle Steel

Monday I’m reviewing The Beach Trap by Ali Brady and The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander

Tuesday I’m going to participate in Top Ten Tuesday if Time Permits

Thursday I’m reviewing Peril at the Exposition by Nev March

Saturday I’m spotlighting/reviewing self-published books on Self-Published Saturday

NEW BOOKS THIS WEEK

I got two new books this week, both from Kensington Books.

This is another Gilded Age mystery by Rosemary Simpson. I just love this series, set in Gilded Age New York. I am fascinated by that period in history. This one is set at Niagara Falls. I can’t wait to read it.

The 2022 Christmas books are beginning to come in, and I’m excited to read this trio of Christmas cozy mystery novellas by Carlene O’Connor, Maddie Day, and Peggy Ehrhart. I love Netgalley Christmas season, which starts in July!

WHAT’S FOR DINNER

Our Sunday dinner this week will be somewhat homemade pizza. The “somewhat” is because the crusts are purchased, but I use my homemade marinara for the sauce. I am actually canning more marinara tomorrow as we are running out. The picture above is of my last batch. It is great to have this delicious sauce on the shelf. Since I’m cutting carbs, I’m using a low-carb bagel as my crust. Doug is using one of the premade pizza crusts from the store which are ready to bake. My toppings will be pepperoni and mushrooms. Doug’s will be ham, mushrooms, and onion.

Sunday Post: Plans? What Plans?

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme

Good morning on a Sleepy Sunday from a very tired grandmother. I spent all day yesterday with my three grandchildren. They live two hours from me so in addition to driving four hours, I played all day with three-year-old twins and a seven-year-old. I’m exhausted! Many of the things I had planned for the blog this week didn’t happen, but such is life. “Always plan for the fact that no plan ever goes according to plan.”–Simon Sinek.

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

On Monday I gave a sneak peek at books I reviewed for the August edition of Historical Novels Review.

On Thursday I reviewed BAKE: My Best-Ever Recipes for the Classics by Paul Hollywood.

On Friday I reviewed A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong

Self-Published Saturday was postponed due to the abovementioned visit to the grandkids.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Monday I will review A Dress of Violet Taffeta for an Austenprose Book Tour.

Tuesday I have two book tours: The Girl from Jonestown for Bookouture (formerly called “A Home for the Lost.”) and To Kiss A Wallflower for Austenprose.

Thursday I will review Dark Blue Waves for HFVBT (Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours)

Self-Published Saturday I will spotlight and/or review self-published books.

BOOKS I RECEIVED THIS WEEK

Big Book Haul This Week:

NETGALLEY

When I saw that the author of The World According to Garp had a new novel out, I jumped on it!

I noticed something while reading this that I can’t wait to share with you.

HISTORICAL NOVEL SOCIETY

The reading has begun for the November issue of Historical Novels Review. I have three books so far:

A Christian Novel about a family that starts a boarding house in frontier-era Nebraska.

Summer 1968. Jack devises a plan to keep his older brother Pete from getting drafted.

A Regency Romance with a “family secrets” vibe.

WHAT I’M WATCHING

I’m loving The Lincoln Lawyer! A lawyer fresh out of rehab inherits the practice of a recently murdered friend and does business mostly out of the back of his Lincoln.

Have a great week everyone, and I hope all your plans work out (unless you’d rather they don’t!)

WHAT’S FOR DINNER?

I thought it might be fun to add my Sunday dinner plans. I have some leftover rotisserie chicken, some mushrooms, and a lot of fresh broccoli florets, so I’m currently looking for a recipe for chicken and broccoli casserole (no rice or pasta).

Sunday Post: Hard Work Pays Off #SmokyMountains

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at the @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See the rules here.

I’m continuing with the new diet plan and I’ve lost 7 pounds so far, and I’ll weigh in again tomorrow. There’s a long way to go, but it’s a step in the right direction. The garden we planted recently is starting to grow and we’ve got some squash blossoms already and a few flowers on the tomatoes. It’s great to see efforts being rewarded.

Happy Father’s Day to my husband Doug, the rock of our family. I mentioned he had been painting his car, and it’s finished. I’m really proud of him.

I was in Blowing Rock, NC on the Blue Ridge Parkway the other day, and here are some pictures from an overlook. I’m blessed to live in such a beautiful area.

LAST WEEK ON THE BLOG

Things were a bit quieter on the blog this past week as I was busily finishing up reviews for the August edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of the Historical Novel Society. I will share the covers of some of the books I reviewed soon. I can’t post the reviews until after the magazine is published.

Monday I reviewed The Lives of Diamond Bessie by Jody Hadlock.

Wednesday I posted an excerpt of Bonds by Marie Ann Cope.

Self-Published Saturday I posted a review of Death at Dusbar College by Laura DiNovis Berry.

NEXT WEEK ON THE BLOG

Monday I will share the covers of the books I’ve been reviewing for the Historical Novel Society the past few months.

Wednesday I will review A Rip Through Time by Kelley Armstrong

On Friday I will review The Hurricanes of Weakerville by Chris Rylander

On Self-Published Saturday I plan to review Downfall by Caleb Ward.

BOOKS I RECEIVED THIS WEEK:

A DRESS OF VIOLET TAFFETA by Tessa Arlen from Random House for an Austenprose blog tour.

Have a great week everyone!

Sunday Post: Productive Week

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at the @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See the rules here.

This has been a busy week here at our house. I was swamped at work, so I didn’t get to do as much posting as usual. The new diet is going really well. I lost 5 pounds the first week, and I weigh in for the second time tomorrow. The prediabetes drug that I’m on, Metformin, has almost erased my appetite, which is amazing. I found a Facebook group that actually uses Metformin for weight loss.

I have to brag on my husband a little. This week he’s been painting his car! He was getting ready for a car show, but didn’t quite make it. However, the car is looking wonderful. A few weeks ago, he painted my 1999 Subaru. I am determined to use that little car a lot due to the high gas prices, and he made it look great.

That’s my little Subaru above. We call her Hazel. He did a great job! I’ll post pictures of my husband’s car after he gets finished. It’s a Dodge Magnum.

Last Week on Bonnie Reads and Writes

On Tuesday I reviewed Surviving the Wilderness by Maggie K. Black.

On Thursday I reviewed The Eleventh Commandment by Mary F. Burns.

And on Self-Published Saturday I put up a Review and a Spotlight.

I reviewed The Scarlet Forest by A.E. Chandler and I put up a Spotlight of Before by J. Kilburn.

Next Week on Bonnie Reads and Writes

I am currently finishing up eight reviews for the August edition of Historical Novels Review, the magazine of The Historical Novel Society. That is going to keep me busy until my deadline on the 15th.

However, on Monday I will be posting a review I did for the May edition. It is The Lives of Diamond Bessie by Jody Hadlock.

On Tuesday I will try to join Top Ten Tuesday if time permits.

On Wednesday I will post spotlights of some of the books I’ve read this time for HNS.

And on Self-Published Saturday I will review Death at Dusbar College, an indie, middle-grade fantasy/mystery set at a magical college.

Saturday is also open for Spotlights if anyone wants to submit one.

BOOKS I PICKED UP LAST WEEK

The Beach Trap was an approved request on Netgalley. It appears to be a different take on “The Parent Trap,” and I loved both versions of that movie.

Morganthau was a Netgalley widget sent from Random House. This is about an influential American family, and I had never heard of them, so I had to check it out.

Dark Blue Waves will be part of a Book Tour from HFVBT Tours. This one combines Jane Austen and time travel. What’s not to love?

Have a great week, everyone!

Sunday Post: Time to Pay the Piper

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at the @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news and a post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See the rules here.

This past week arrived with a smack in the face on Tuesday at my annual physical. My high blood pressure has gotten higher, my heart is having to work too hard to pump blood, and I have prediabetes. So my response is: “It’s been fun, carbs and sugar, but I’ve gotta let some of you go.” I’ve known people who have lost limbs and gone blind due to diabetes, and I am not going there. The doctor suggested a lower-carb diet (not keto or low carb). I’m supposed to keep carbs to 100 and below. So I have done that pretty much the past three days. Bread, cakes, and cookies will be the first to go. I’m in search of a low-carb bread now. I’ve ordered some lower carb cookies/bars to replace sweet snacks for now. My carbs will come in the form of vegetables and fruits. I can still have chocolate occasionally. I have no desire to do keto. Been there, done that. It resulted in temporary weight loss that I couldn’t sustain. A hundred carbs a day is something I can keep up forever. I’m approaching my exercise in moderation by starting out small: 15 minutes a day of walking, and going up from there. With the exception of YESTERDAY.

Yesterday I learned how truly out of shape I was. As I mentioned before, I had started some tomato and pepper seeds inside under a grow light, and my plants were finally ready to transfer to the garden. I started out saying I was going to do the planting by myself because Doug was busy working on the car. I found myself taking hours, as I had to rest in between each planting. Doug ended up finishing the car and coming to help me complete the garden. Never again will I let myself get so out of shape!

LAST WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

Monday: I did a review of Prayers for Prodigals By James Banks
I also did a blog tour/review for Midas by Alan Meredith
Last and most important: I did a tribute to my Uncle, Wayne Jenkins, who died in Vietnam

Tuesday: I reviewed The Magic of Lemon Drop Pie by Rachel Linden

Saturday: For Self-Published Saturday, I reviewed Desperate Tides, Desperate Measures by Brett Salter.

NEXT WEEK ON BONNIE READS AND WRITES

MONDAY: I’m posting my review of Surviving the Wilderness by Maggie K. Black

On Friday I plan to review The Eleventh Commandment by Mary F. Burns

On Self-Published Saturday I will review an audiobook: The Scarlet Forest by A.E. Chandler

BOOKS I PICKED UP ON NETGALLEY LAST WEEK

Audiobook: The Key to Deceit by Ashley Weaver

Sweet Land of Liberty: A History of America in 11 Pies:

Little Red House by Liv Andersson