Saturday, February 28, 2026

Sunday Post 130

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Last week I told you about the speed puzzling competition, which took place today (Saturday). We had three hours to complete a 500-piece puzzle. My tiny but mighty team of two called Pixie Puzzlers (I named us) had two goals. One was simply to have fun and the other was to not finish last. 

Welp. We accomplished the first goal of having fun. The second goal, not so much. Yep. We finished...drum roll please.................LAST! 

There were ten teams of up to four people each who had the same puzzle. Those who were on the waiting list were allowed to compete against each other, but they had a completely different puzzle. It took my team two hours and twenty minutes to finish. We're just glad we did finish before the three hours were up and, as I said, we had fun. 

The next competition likely won't be until August and we are definitely planning to do it again. Honestly, it just felt good to complete a puzzle in one afternoon. Oh! And guess what! we were awarded prizes for our perseverance!! My friend received a gift card to Target and I received a gift card to Amazon. (Actually, they let us choose and my friend didn't have a preference, so I chose the one that would allow me to buy the most amount of books/e-books.) So we did walk away with prizes after all. Also, we got to keep the puzzle. I have more room to store puzzles than my friend does, so I brought it home.

Here is the puzzle all ten registered teams completed. It was harder than the last puzzle we did, but easier than we thought it was going to be. And we still finished last. LOL.



IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED
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I listened to Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library (Lakeside Library Mystery 2), written by Holly Danvers and narrated by Allyson Ryan. I enjoyed the subplots, and the mystery was fine, but I would have preferred more sleuthing. I was a bit taken aback when the word "handicap" was used to describe a disabled person. The correct term is "disabled". 
IN PROGRESS
Week 10 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl, is mostly about crows, which I love. The author also mentioned being able to see birds more clearly on the bare trees during the winter. This is one of the things I have always loved about winter. It's so much easier to spot the birds, and yes, they are still around at this time of year.
I'm about 40% through At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mystery 5), by Mindy Quigley. There was one part that was a bit slow for me, but overall I am really enjoying this one. As I approach the halfway point, I'm excited to see how everything unfolds.
UP NEXT
Murder in a Lavender Daze (Aroma Wellness Mystery 2), by Daryl Wood Gerber, will be my next read. This book releases at the end of April, but I was given a physical ARC to read and review. I'm excited to dive into this one. I really enjoyed the first one, Essence of Foul Play.
My next audiobook listen will be Murder by Cheesecake (Golden Girls 1), by Rachel Ekstrom Courage. Now that I'm more familiar with the characters in the television series, I'm really excited to finally listen to this one.
ON THE SCREEN
  • The Traitors - I finished watching seasons 1 and 2. The cast in season 2 took some getting used to, but once I did, I was all in. Overall, it was better than the first season because of the way the cast played the game. I loved watching how their strategies would play out. I was surprised how the end unfolded. I will likely skip the third and fourth seasons since they are rated MA. The first two seasons were rated TV14, which meant there was less profanity. I typically don't watch anything that's rated in MA. However, I know that they will be filming a non-celebrity season soon, which will be rated TV14. I'd love to tune in for that one whenever it airs.
  • Psych - I'm still doing some episode hopping with this show. What is your favorite Psych episode? I don't want anything heavy. I'd like to rewatch the more light-hearted ones.
  • The Brady Bunch - I'm about halfway through the first season. I'm not sure why some episodes don't air on television. I'm hoping eventually they will.
  • All Things Valentine - I rewatched this 2016 Hallmark movie and I still love it. That's the only Hallmark movie I watched all week!
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 130 - Puzzle Puzzle

I had fun with this one! I love the colors.

It took me 2:45 using 35 non-rotating pieces.

I will be participating in a speed puzzling competition today. We are a small team of two, but we'll have fun! 

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Saturday, February 21, 2026

Sunday Post 129

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

So, it appears winter is not done yet and that makes me so happy! It is still February, after all. We are expecting snow Sunday afternoon through Monday morning. It will likely start as rain early on Sunday, then turn to all snow later. I'm on the edge of the 5-8 inch range, so I think my area will probably get about five inches. This storm will not be accompanied by a thick layer of ice, nor frigid temps afterward, so the cleanup will be much faster than the January storm. That last storm we had that ended with a thick layer of ice is still sticking around in spots one month later!

On Friday, I got together with a friend to practice puzzling. The next speed puzzling competition that we're participating in is next Saturday. We'll have three hours to complete a 500-piece puzzle. Last September, we were given two hours to finish a 300-piece puzzle and we were done in less than an hour. Besides simply having fun, our main goal is to not finish last. I believe we can accomplish that!

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED
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I finished The Tell-Fang Heart (Vampire Pet Boutique Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke. This is the first full-length cozy mystery I've read that does not contain a murder and I loved it! There was a fun tie-in to Valentine's Day, though not much in the form of romance, and the mystery was well-crafted. I will definitely continue this series. The next one, A Midsummer Fang's  Dream, is set in the summer, so I'll read it then.
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I listened to In Farm's Way (Farm to Table Mystery 3), written by Amanda Flower and narrated by Rachel Dulude. I never met a book by Amanda Flower I didn't enjoy and this was no exception. A well-crafted mystery with ice fishing on the side had just the cozy winter feels I was looking for. The next one is called Crime and Cherry Pits and it is set in the summer, so I'll read or listen to it then.
IN PROGRESS
Week 9 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl, is my favorite chapter so far. It's titled "It's a Mystery", which caught my attention since I love mysteries (of the cozy variety). The author encounters something mysterious and tries to identify what it is. I won't give it away, but the outcome is quite amusing and the author's sleuthing taught me new things.
UP NEXT
Cue the pizza cravings! At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mystery 5), by Mindy Quigley, is still up next. I will start reading it on Sunday. I won a paperback copy of this book last year and I'm excited to finally dive in! It is set around Valentine's Day. This book is nominated for an Agatha Award this year.
My next audiobook listen will be Long Overdue at the Lakeside Library (Lakeside Library Mystery 2). Not only does this take place in the winter, but February is National Library Lover's Month. So it's perfect timing all around.
ON THE SCREEN
  • The Traitors - I haven't watched the reunion show yet, but I finished season 1. I'm not surprised who won, but it was an emotional conclusion. I can't wait to watch the reunion, then move on to season 2. (NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!)
  • Psych - I re-watched a few more of my favorite episodes. It's been a comfort watch when I need a good laugh.
  • The Golden Girls - I finished season 1 and now I feel ready to listen to the cozy mystery based on the characters. It's set in the spring, so that's when I'll listen to it on Libby.
  • The Brady Bunch - I watched a few more episodes in season 1, while also listening to The Real Brady Bros podcast. Those guys laugh so much and they make me laugh. I love hearing their perspective on each episode.
  • Valentine Ever After - This is a 2016 Hallmark movie that I enjoyed, so I watched it again. I still love it.
  • Because of Cupid - This movie premiered on Hallmark this past Valentine's Day and I watched it during the week. It was really cute! I felt that they could have leaned into the whole Cupid and magic potion idea a lot more, though. That would have made it even better. At times it took itself too seriously. However, I would probably watch this one again.
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 129 - Colorful Hearts

This puzzle took me 2:59 using 35 non-rotating pieces. Remember, you can modify it to change the level of difficulty.

Which of the hearts is your favorite. Mine is the greenish blue one with the yellow stripes on the bottom right. It makes me think of plaid, which I love.

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Saturday, February 14, 2026

Sunday Post 128

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Our weather has been warming up. We had temps above freezing last week, so that has been helping to melt the snow and ice, which at this point looks like dirt. Our temps are supposed to warm up even more this week, so the melting shall continue. I have a feeling winter is on its way out. I'm not ready. I would love at least one more good snowstorm.

I had a few appointments last week, most of which went well. Sometimes I feel like going to appointments is a part time job. Anyway, the one appointment that brought me results I wasn't prepared for was physical therapy. It was supposed to be my last appointment, but my range of motion and even my strength this time have regressed. This was the first time in five weeks I had gone to therapy, as I was about to be phased out of the program. Every time I stop going, I regress. However, this time I really think it was just a bad day for me. If I were evaluated the next day, I think the results would have been better. So, I'm still going twice a month at least for one more month, while continuing to do the exercises at home.

I only have one appointment this upcoming week and I'm also meeting a friend to practice for our next speed puzzling competition, which is coming up in two weeks.

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED
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I finished listening to Sleep in Heavenly Pizza (Deep Dish Mystery 4), written by Mindy Quigley and narrated by Holly Adams. I still like Public Anchovy #1 more, but this one is another strong installment in the series. It has the same great characters and a solid mystery.
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I listened to Star Valley Winter, written by RaeAnne Thayne and narrated by Carly Robins. This is the first in the Outlaw Hartes series.  The plot was fine, but I strongly disliked the male lead character. He lacked character development. He remained mean through the end of the book, so I was not rooting for them as a couple. The book also contains sick animals and even a dead cat, which is not my cup of tea.
IN PROGRESS
How are we already in week 8 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl? This book is making me realize just how fast time flies!
I'm still enjoying The Tell-Fang Heart (Vampire Boutique Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke. This is the first full-length cozy mystery I've read that does not contain a murder (at least not yet and I'm more than halfway through it). However, there is a mystery to solve that has high enough stakes for me to care about it. I also like the tie-in to Valentine's Day.
UP NEXT
At Death's Dough (Deep Dish Mystery 5), by Mindy Quigley, is still up next. Mindy Quigley announced last week that there will indeed be another Deep Dish Mystery after this one. Yay!!! (On a side note, I've been eating more pizza than usual while reading this series!)
My next audiobook listen will be In Farm's Way (Farm to Table Mystery 3), by Amanda Flower. I'm very excited to finally continue this series. I always enjoy her books.
ON THE SCREEN
  • The Traitors - I'm still on season 1 because I haven't been watching it every day. I am enjoying it and I plan to binge all four seasons. (NO SPOILERS, PLEASE!)
  • Psych - I re-watched a few more of my favorite episodes. This show always makes me laugh!
  • The Golden Girls - I watched the Valentine's Day episode, which is in a later season. I also watched a few more episodes in season 1. I have one more episode to watch in the first season, which is the one that explains how they met. It also introduces the whole cheesecake thing, although cheesecake is briefly mentioned in another episode close to the end of season 1. I'll soon be ready to read or listen to the book based on these beloved characters. I feel like I know them pretty well at this point.
  • Parks and Recreation - On Galentine's Day, I watched the Galentine's Day episode, which introduced the "holiday" celebrating female friendships. This is the first time I've watched this show. I probably won't continue watching it. I was just interested in that one episode.
  • Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story - This was in Hallmark's 2025 Countdown to Christmas lineup and I finally watched it the weekend of the Super Bowl. I loved this movie! I don't think you have to be a football fan to enjoy it. It was quirky and fun. I loved all of the characters.
  • The Way to You - This was the first movie in Hallmark's Loveuary lineup. I'll be surprised if this doesn't end up being my favorite new movie of the year. It was really good!
ON THE BLOG
Have a great week!
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Puzzle 128

Happy Valentine's Day!

This puzzle took me 2:57 using 35 non-rotating pieces. It took me longer than I expected, probably because I was keeping an eye on a certain tortie cat who chose that time to get into mischief. I did pause the puzzle at one point, but for the most part, I just let the time keep running.

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Friday, February 13, 2026

Friday Features 30

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: How do you feel about the current state of romance novels.
My response:  I don't read a lot of romances, but I think there is a wide variety for all types of romance readers. 


Today's excerpts are from the paperback format of The Tell-Fang Heart (Vampire Pet Boutique Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke.

Here's the beginning:
"Look at this smooshie face! Who has a smooshie face? You do!"

And here's an excerpt from page 56:
    "Are you just here to gawk at me?" she asked with narrowed eyes.

This book was released a few years ago and it's been on my bookshelf since then. It's a paranormal cozy mystery set around Valentine's Day, so I decided to finally read it. So far there's no murder and I'm more than halfway through it. However, there is still a mystery to solve, which is light and fun. The main character is a disabled vampire. She is a wheelchair user who has the same disability that the author has, so it's authentic disability representation.

Here's a throwback picture from August 2022 when the gal pals were just a few months old. They want to wish everyone a very happy Galentine's Day!



Here's another throwback picture. This one is from the day after the Blizzard of January 2016. What I really loved about this storm was that it was all snow. That's the difference between that storm and the one we had two weeks ago. The one we had two weeks ago was topped with a thick layer of ice. I much prefer this fluffy white stuff.
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