Welcome July 2024!
This month we’ll talk about some sparkling, bookish news to start off this month.
Included in this post:
*News From Carol Baldwin
*Goodreads Update – July 2024
*Don’t Forget….Author Catherine Michaels – New Release
*Fun and Learning Printables for your Kids – Author Rebecca Lyndsey
*Our 4th of July Taco Bar Was a Hit!
First off, lets hear news from Author Carol Baldwin.
News From Carol Baldwin
Here’s a wonderful article written about Carol Baldwin’s news on Medium by interviewer, Teri Gault.
Thank you, Carol for sharing your words of wisdom on getting a published.
Click here to read more. ► Author Carol Baldwin On How to Get a Publisher to Publish Your Book
Goodreads Update – July 2024
My Review
“The Women,” by Kristin Hannah is not a “pleasant” book, but an important one to read. If you are interested to know more about the Vietnam War and what men, and yes, women, had to endure and life in the 60s, this book is one to read.
*Note: Author Kristin Hannah describes the scenes in this book as though you are right there. *Trigger warning for those who may be find these details disturbing.*
Personal note: This 480 page took awhile for me to get through. It was one which really hit home. Our brother served two tours in the Marines and Vietnam. I remember when I was in 5th grade, a year before he returned, watching the news of the soldiers departing the plane to come home. The news reporters were commenting how quiet the officials and crowds were, since many people in those times were against the Vietnam War. It made me sad at the time and makes me sadder now that I’m older and have learned so much more. Many of those young men and women joined, instead of waiting to be drafted. That’s is exactly what our bother did. He served his four years with dignity and love for his country. He did not pass away in the war, but as a result of it.
I highly recommend those who want to know more about what happened during the years of the Vietnam War and our world in the decades of the 60s and early 70s.
“The Story Within: New Insights and Inspiration for Writers,” by Laura Oliver is a comprehensive guide writing book filled with concise and valuable information. She presents many ideas on how to get started, maintain plots and gives beneficial advice to enhance one’s writing skills.
I enjoyed the examples she shared and insightful tips and tricks which will help with common writing challenges such as, writer’s block, self-doubt, and lack of inspiration.
This 228 page book was a fast and easy book to read with many concepts learned in each chapter.
“America’s Deadliest Twister: The Tri-State Tornado of 1925,” by Geoff Partlow is a book one will think about a lot after reading.
This 160 page book may appear small but is packed full of the history of the disastrous damage the Tri-State tornado caused in the Midwest in 1925. Hitting the southeast part of Missouri first, it wiped out counties through southern Illinois and into southwestern Indiana, killing and injuring many families, leaving many homeless and jobless.
One has to remember, the warnings for these kinds of storms were not in place at that time. We have come a long way creating safety measures to alert those in danger.
Communities also learned about relief efforts in their regions and teaching others on manage large disasters.
If you are a curious reader of history and science, you’ll find yourself looking more facts up after reading this book.
Don’t Forget…
Catherine Michaels has a new release in July!
► Click on the picture below to read last months interview.
Fun and Learning Printables for your Kids – Author Rebecca Lyndsey
Author Rebecca Lyndsey has these awesome links share from TPT, “Teachers Pay Teachers. ” TPT is the one of the largest platforms for PreK-12 resources, created by a community of educators.
Check these out and click here! ► or the image below.
Our 4th of July Taco Bar Was a Hit!
This year for the 4th of July, I decided to do a repeat on a meal/snacks for our festivities. It was such a big hit in the past and easy to do, once you get all your ingredients.
A huge time saver for me was to prepare most of the cutting and chopping, (instead of the tomatoes,) the day before and have a few crock pots on hand. We have one regular sized crock pot and one which has three compartments. (Two small ones and one large one in the middle.) Doing it this way, your food will stay hot throughout the evening for those who want to snack.
Suggested Things to Buy:
Ground Beef – Cooked, crumbled and mix with your favorite taco seasoning. (I added this on warm to the large one in the middle crock pot.)
Your two smaller crock pots on the sides can hold Refried Beans or Mexican Flavored Rice. (I didn’t add the rice this year. If I do this again, I think I’ll look into ordering that side from our favorite Mexican restaurant to save time.)
Taco Shells – Soft and Crunchy
Tortilla Chips
Chopped Lettuce, Tomatoes and Shredded Cheese
Guacamole – homemade or store bought.
Chopped Green Onions
Sliced Black Olives
Sour Cream
Sliced Jalapeno Peppers
Salsa and/or Taco Sauce
In our regular, single Crock Pot, I made …
Cheese Dip
Here’s the recipe you’ll find in the book Cat Michaels and I wrote, “Just Between Sam and Me.” (Dad and Link’s Famous Queso Dip)
This recipe feeds a large crowd. Cut in half, if needed.
1 16 oz. box of processed cheese
1 14.5 oz. can of undrained tomatoes with chopped green chili peppers. Hot or mild, your choice
1 lb. of cooked hamburger
1/2 cup water, more if needed, depending on desired consistency
Your favorite chips for dipping
Cook hamburger until no longer pink and done. Stir to crumble.
Place processed cheese in a crock pot, add canned tomatoes, cooked ground beef, and water. As the cheese melts, stir to the desired consistency. Once it’s done the way you like it, serve in small bowls and dip with chips.
This is also a great way to make a plate of Nachos. Place chips on a large plate or platter. Top with tomatoes, green onions, avocados, lettuce, and sour cream, if desired.
Tell Us About You!
Lastly, tell us what you have been up to. Any new projects?
How was your 4th of July?
As always,
Happy Reading!
Rosie