The Sunday Salon: July 31, 2016

How is it that tomorrow is August 1st?!
Does anyone else feel as though time is on the express train?

Reading:
I maintained a decent reading schedule this week.

I managed to finish the Jessica Fletcher mystery, Manhattans and Murder, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I'm sure it helped to have the old 80s re-runs playing in my head as I read along, but ultimately I thought this was a well-written whodunit. I truly escaped into the holiday season of New York City, and I enjoyed the Cabot Cove characters.

Totoro Family Recipes: Giffy Bacon Dawg

My husband is a hot dog aficionado. He enjoys them boiled, broiled, grilled and roasted. While some condiments are optional, yellow mustard and sauerkraut are an absolute must.

Geoff knows his way around the kitchen, and several years ago he invited some family friends over for a cookout. Little did they realize the simple hamburger - hot dog fare would be taken up a notch or two.

Wordless Wednesday: Ice Cream

I  had to treat myself ... it was National Ice Cream Day!

For more weekly photos, visit Wordless Wednesday.

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My Travel Bucket List

Anyone who knows me, knows I love to travel.

I don't necessarily desire to see the world (although that may become a future dream), but I do have several places I want to visit in an intimate way.

When I travel, I like to immerse myself in the culture, meet the people, and adopt their lifestyle for as long as I stay.

Within the next five years, my husband and I will both retire and (hopefully) have the time and resources to begin our travel adventure.

Some of these locations we will visit before Spring, 2021... and others we will wait until we have more time and money to invest. Some of the locations we have visited before, but many will be first time excursions.

TSS - July 24, 2016

I've taken a few baby steps toward healing this week. I can now drive in a limited capacity (one-handed, so I tend to stay within a five mile radius) - I can now bathe and dress myself - and I can type and write with my right hand (although I have to take multiple breaks). I feel as though I have my life back.

However... with triple-digit temperatures all week, I must admit I have not felt like leaving the air-conditioned house.

Reading:

While I spent more time reading Kindle Unlimited books and listening to podcasts this week, I'm still working through my cozy mysteries and enjoying every minute. My goal is to read 1-2/week. My current read is a Jessica Fletcher mystery, Manhattans and Murder. I suppose the weekly television series, Murder She Wrote, was my first foray into the cozy genre, and I am enjoying the nostalgic return reading this novel.

TSS - July 17, 2016

The Midwest is facing near triple digit temperatures for the rest of the week. It's a good thing I found my reading mojo again.

Reading:

Without going into great detail... I find myself in the same situation as five months ago. I managed to trip over the dog and break my right shoulder. My right arm has been immobilized for the last three weeks, which means I have been confined to my house without the ability to dress myself, bathe myself, cook for myself, or write. That leaves watching television and reading. My Kindle is now my best friend.

I renewed my interest in cozy mysteries, and have read four in the past few days. I consider this research, as I have had an idea to write a cozy mystery series for the past three years. I have a lot to learn in terms of developing a setting for the cozy, an amateur sleuth, a plausible plot, a list of suspects, and a variety of red herings to keep it interesting.

My Amazon Prime Day Experience

I just recently became an Amazon Prime member. In January, as I was recuperating from a broken left shoulder and fractured left hip, I took advantage of a special offer to try this service for $79/year. Since I was homebound for four weeks, I thought having groceries delivered to my door would be a nice convenience.

Interestingly, I have not used the Prime Pantry feature yet. But I have greatly enjoyed the benefits of Amazon Prime Video and Prime Music. So far I have watched five seasons of Downton Abbey (yes, I am behind the times) and I have created a number of personal playlists to match my mood.