Saturday, May 9, 2026

Sunday Post 135

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Happy Mother's Day to all kinds of Moms! I know this day isn't easy for everyone. Know that I'm hugging you in my heart.

I had an ultra quiet week of nothingness, which was most welcome after a very active April. Last week, I had no appointments and no social events. I do enjoy getting together with friends and family, but I also cherish my alone time. It was bliss. I got some reading, blogging, and puzzling done.

Here's the puzzle I started working on. It's a Star Wars theme. It's 500 pieces and it has a 3D effect.





I picked up this puzzle at a swap last year. The box contains two 500-piece puzzles. On the way out, the person who donated it wished me luck and said she gave up on it. But how could I pass on a two-in-one puzzle? 

When I opened the box last week (yes, it took me months to dive in), I noticed that one puzzle had not yet been started at all. The pieces were still in the sealed bag. I decided to start with the one that was open. There were large chunks already assembled. I wanted to start from scratch, so I took them all apart. This process took ten minutes! The pieces lock in very tightly, but it also goes to show how much of the puzzle was already done. I don't know why they would get that far and then give up. Perhaps I'm about to find out. LOL.

Can you tell from the picture that there are a lot of extra pieces? They are all duplicate pieces. I measured the puzzle, so I'm certain I'm only missing one edge piece. But I don't even know where it goes. I made a break in the bottom, but I don't know if that's the correct spot in which it goes. 

Anyway, I think I finished the easiest part of the puzzle. The rest will be much more difficult because the colors are very similar. Also, all of the pieces (besides the edge pieces) are only two shapes, which is resulting in a lot of false fits. But I'm determined to finish it. Eventually. Hopefully this month, during Star Wars month. I started it on May the Fourth (be with you).

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED
🍄🍄🍄🍄
I finished Spell to Pay (Spellbooked Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke. I enjoyed it, although there was one aspect I was hoping for more of. You can read some excerpts from Spell to Pay here and you can read my full review here.
IN PROGRESS
I read Spring Week 7 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I understand how taking pictures can take some people out of the present moment, but for me, it does the opposite. Taking pictures has helped me notice and appreciate the natural world so much more than I used to. 
I'm enjoying Between a Roquefort and Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly. I'm already loving it more than the previous book in the series. Some time is taken to set up the mystery, but it doesn't take long before the real action begins.
I'm currently listening to A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), written by Abby Collette and narrated by Shandra Skye. I love the setting and most of the characters, but I'm struggling to become invested in the mystery. I'm about 70% done and I think I know who the culprit is. I'll be pleasantly surprised if I'm wrong. You can read some excerpts here.
UP NEXT
I think I know what my next read and what my next audiobook listen will be, but let me not say anything just yet in case something changes. (How's that for a cliffhanger?)

ON THE SCREEN
  • The Way Home - It's hard to believe there are only seven episodes left in this entire series. How are they going to wrap up every storyline and answer every question without rushing the last few episodes? I am enjoying this season, but I can't help having doubts about how it will end.
  • High Potential - I finished season 2, so I'm all caught up.  One aspect of the beginning of the season felt off and I wish they would develop more of the characters, but otherwise, this is a phenomenal show. It's a fast-paced police procedural, with a cozy mystery element (the amateur sleuth turned consultant for the police department) and a touch of a thriller vibe.
  • The Brady Bunch - I started watching season 3. This season begins with the Bunch in The Grand Canyon, only the first of the three-part premiere didn't air. And I can't find it anywhere on TV. It's one thing to skip episodes, but to jump into a new season with the second episode of a three-part premiere seems like an odd choice. Anyway, I'm glad they are back home in the fourth episode. The ones where they travel are some of my least favorite episodes. I think they're missing the light-hearted humor and coziness that I love so much.
  • Bottled With Love - This is a 2018 Hallmark movie. I remembered that I enjoyed it when I first watched it, but I had forgotten everything else about it. After watching it a second time, I loved it. It has a You've Got Mail vibe, but I actually like this movie more. Andrew Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz rarely disappoint.
  • Kentucky Roses - This movie premiered on Hallmark last week. I enjoyed it and I might be open to watching it again. Good timing with the Kentucky Derby, Hallmark. Also, fun fact: Preakness will be taking place just 13 miles away from where I live next Sunday. The usual track in Baltimore is being renovated, so they had to temporarily relocate. (No, I won't be going.)
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 137 - Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all kinds of moms!

This one took me 1:46 using 24 non-rotating pieces.

Enjoy!

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Friday, May 8, 2026

Friday Features 35

Happy Friday!

Today I'm once again participating in six blog hops.  You can click on the host links below to find the blogs of others who are participating in each blog hop. If you're a blogger, feel free to join through the host links.

Question: If you designed a cover for a beloved book, how would it look, and how would it reflect the story.
My response:  I read primarily cozy mysteries, which usually take place during a fairly short period of time. I like to read them when they're "in season" and I love book covers that make it obvious in which season the book is set. So if I designed a book cover, that's mostly what I would focus on. It would also have some elements from the story in it.

I'm currently listening to the audiobook, but today's excerpts are from the e-book format of A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), by Abby Collette.

Here's the beginning:
Today I was going to touch the stars.

And here's an excerpt from 56%:
    I clicked print and checked a few of the other links before circling back to the prison website. I printed the page that told the crime he'd committed, his release date, birthdate and place of incarceration. I didn't know if I'd ever need it for anything.

So our amateur sleuth went from thinking she was going to touch the stars to investigating a suspect. This book is the May pick for The Cozy Mystery Book Club. I'm planning to finish it next week, so stay tuned to read my thoughts on it.

I don't remember when I took this picture (it's on Shutterfly and has the upload date, not the date I took the picture), but it's a common theme for Fiona. She's the twistiest cat I've ever known.


I know the quality of this picture isn't great, but it's the best I can get of Blossom and Bud without scaring them away. I believe they are finches. They have both come to the balcony together a couple of times, but the red one is who has been visiting multiple times a day every day since the beginning of March. These visits provide quite a bit of entertainment around here. The cats love them. Fiona just sits and watches them, but Bell speaks with Blossom. There's a reason she's earned the nickname Gabby Bell! It's funny, though. Bell is so bashful. She often hides behind the curtain so Blossom can't see her.
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