Music Monday -- Robert DeLong feat. K. Flay "Favorite Color is Blue"

Love K. Flay, so I'm really digging this song right now.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #12

As I look outside my window: A bit overcast and rainy looking...

Right now I am: Prepping for our cookout today. I'm making Greek Pasta Salad, Peach Arnold Palmers, Queso, and Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Bars. J is taking care of the brats and hot dogs and Mac n cheese (for the kiddos). Others are bringing various things.

On my bedside table: The Radium Girls by Kate Moore (April's book club selection); Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

On my tv this week: We finished Veep S6 and realized that they are planning on making a seventh season. Yeah! We also caught up with Superstore and watched a few episodes of Full Frontal and Shannara.

Listening to: So much Black Veil Brides. Seriously Arthur is obsessed and constantly asked for them. I can definitely get behind this. He even sings along in the car.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Sloppy Joes
Tuesday - Salsa Chicken
Wednesday - Sausage, Potato, Kale Soup
Thursday - Spinach and Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Lemon Chicken Thighs
Sunday - Spaghetti

On my to do list: I imagine a lot of little things. I completely forget to look at my big list...

Happening this week:

Monday - Hop n Play visit (indoor play place)
Tuesday - Seven Seas Park playdate and picnic; Quick and Easy Cards Class
Wednesday - Home day?; DSP Cards Class
Thursday - Errands probably; library visit
Friday - Chabot Space and Science Center
Saturday - Crop Day
Sunday - Nothing so far

What I am creating: Tons of cards before some of these sets retire at the end of May.

My simple pleasures: A bit of crafting time is glorious right now

From the camera: Boys on a carousel!

Spring Into Horror Update #2

Pages Read: 299 (Lore) + 310 (Bachelor) + 406 (The Drawing of the Three) + 383 (NOS4A2)
Pages Read Total: 2716

Books Read: 3
Books Read Total: 8

Comments: Very decent showing for this week. I knocked out three books (two scary books) and started another very creepy book. Hoping to be able to finish NOS4A2 soon. I'm really hooked into this story.

TBR Pile:

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter
Parasite by Mira Grant
The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King ✓
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
If These Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
Revival Volume 8 ✓
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke ✓
Added: NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (in progress)

Watch list:

The Girl with All the Gifts
Life
Train to Busan
10 Cloverfield Lane
Get Out
Miss Peregrine
The Shape of Water
Annihilation ✓

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King

Title: The Drawing of the Three (The Dark Tower #2)

Author: Stephen King

Publisher: Plume 1989

Genre: Horror

Pages: 406

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Popsugar - About Mental Health; Seasonal Series - Read a book while sitting outside

Beginning just less than seven hours after The Gunslinger ends, in the second installment to the thrilling Dark Tower Series, Roland encounters three mysterious doorways on a deserted beach along the Western Sea. Each one enters into a different person’s life in New York—here, he joins forces with the defiant young Eddie Dean, and with the beautiful, brilliant, and brave Odetta Holmes, to save the Dark Tower.

Picked up the second volume in The Dark Tower series. And seriously, this is one weird book. We travel with Roland into three different time periods in our own world meeting three travelers along the way. I was totally on board with Eddie. Very straight forward story. But then later we meet Odetta and things get even weirder. This is only a story of Stephen King fans. Thankfully I like his weird storytelling. Very interested in where this crazy adventure is going...

The Dark Tower:

#0.5 The Little Sisters of Eluria
#1 The Gunslinger
#2 The Drawing of the Three
#3 The Waste Lands
#4 Wizard and Glass
#4.5 The Wind Through the Keyhole
#5 Wolves of the Calla
#6 Song of Susannah
#7 The Dark Tower

Next up on the TBR pile:

Bachelor Nation by Amy Kaufman

Title: Bachelor Nation: Inside the World of America's Favorite Guilty Pleasure

Author: Amy Kaufman

Publisher: Dutton 2018

Genre: Nonfiction - Media

Pages: 310

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Nonfiction Adventure; Seasonal Series - Lemonade; I Love Libraries

Bachelor Nation is the first behind-the-scenes, unauthorized look into the reality television phenomenon. Los Angeles Times journalist Amy Kaufman is a proud member of Bachelor Nation and has a long history with the franchise--ABC even banned her from attending show events after her coverage of the program got a little too real for its liking. She has interviewed dozens of producers, contestants, and celebrity fans to give readers never-before-told details of the show's inner workings: what it's like to be trapped in the mansion "bubble"; dark, juicy tales of producer manipulation; and revelations about the alcohol-fueled debauchery that occurs long before the fantasy suite.

I heard Amy Kaufman do an interview on Here to Make Friends (a Bachelor podcast). I was intrigued by the premise of the book even more than the books written by former contestants. I dove into this one headfirst and didn't stop reading until the end. In speaking to a ton of people formerly involved in the show, she gained a very interesting perspective. I was at times horrified and intrigued. A very interesting take on the show.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Odds and Ends

Here's my randomness for the week:

Yesterday's adventures convinced me that I'm much happier surrounded by 18 month olds than 4 1/2 year olds.
I really need to find some new recipes for dinner. Feeling like we are in a rut...
I forgot my physical book yesterday but thank goodness, I had my phone! Reading accomplished.
Tea, tea is good.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke

Title: Monstrous Creatures (The World of Lore #1)

Author: Aaron Mahnke

Publisher: Del Rey 2017

Genre: Horror

Pages: 299

Rating: 3/5 stars*****

Reading Challenges: Share-a-Tea; A to Z - M; I Love Libraries

In this beautifully illustrated volume, the host of the hit podcast Lore serves as a guide on a fascinating journey through the history of these terrifying creatures, exploring not only the legends but what they tell us about ourselves. Aaron Mahnke invites us to the desolate Pine Barrens of New Jersey, where the notorious winged, red-eyed Jersey Devil dwells. He delves into harrowing accounts of cannibalism—some officially documented, others the stuff of speculation . . . perhaps. He visits the dimly lit rooms where séances take place, the European villages where gremlins make mischief, even Key West, Florida, home of a haunted doll named Robert.

In a world of “emotional vampires” and “zombie malls,” the monsters of folklore have become both a part of our language and a part of our collective psyche. Whether these beasts and bogeymen are real or just a reflection of our primal fears, we know, on some level, that not every mystery has been explained and that the unknown still holds the power to strike fear deep in our hearts and souls. As Aaron Mahnke reminds us, sometimes the truth is even scarier than the lore.

So I am conflicted on this collection. I'm giving it 3 stars, but for most people, I would give it 5 stars. I thought I would be reading more and/or extended stories from the Lore podcast, but by and large, it was just the podcast episodes written out. Given that I have listened to almost all of the episodes of Lore, I was just revisiting the same stories. For those that do not listen to the podcast this is a very fun collection of scary maybe true/maybe not stories. I really did enjoy that aspect. And the illustrations are really great.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Spring Bucket List Update #1

A slow start to this season's bucket list. Let's see how we've done so far this season.

Have an Easter Egg Hunt ✓ -- We attended a hunt at our favorite indoor play place and we had a hunt at home on Easter.
Dye Easter Eggs ✓ -- Arthur and I dyed a few eggs right before Easter.
Beach picnic
Ride the steam train at Tilden
See the baby goats/sheep/pigs at the farm
Go to the farmer's market
Make fun cupcakes
Make a fairy door
Have a cookout
Visit Happy Hallow
Create a gardening project for Arthur
Paint my nails a springy color
Play with sidewalk chalk
Go to a botanical garden
Visit five different parks
Fly a kite
Make strawberry shortcake
Have an ice cream sundae night
Visit Chabot twice before our membership runs out
Blow bubbles
Make a rainbow craft
Host a tea party
Make dirt pudding
Bake flower pot bread
Go berry picking

Next up on the TBR pile:

Music Monday -- CHVRCHES feat. Matt Berninger "My Enemy"

Can't wait for the new CHVRCHES album. Love love loving the two singles they have out.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #11

As I look outside my window: It's so dark... but we had a beautiful sunny day once the rain moved out.

Right now I am: Finally starting the last season of Veep. Somehow it got lost in the television shuffle.

On my bedside table: The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King; Alice in Zombieland by Gena Showalter

On my tv this week: We finished S3 of The Magicians. Such a great season! We also started Veep S6 and Shannara Chronicles S2.

Listening to: Lots of Black Veil Brides

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Leftovers
Tuesday - Smothered Pork Chops
Wednesday - Salsa Chicken
Thursday - Fresh Tomato Sauce Spaghetti
Friday - Spinach and Blue Cheese Stuffed Chicken
Saturday - Lemon Chicken Thighs with Potatoes
Sunday - Sloppy Joes

On my to do list: I'm certain that I have things on my to-do list, but I cannot remember what they are right now. I must do a check-in today.

Happening this week:

Monday - Errand Day; DSP Class
Tuesday - Oakland Zoo (hoping the rain holds off); Coloring Class
Wednesday - Kid Trade with a friend
Thursday - Home day
Friday - Hellyer Park Playdate
Saturday - Stamp Club
Sunday - Cookout

What I am creating: I've been working on Project Life spreads and Memory Planner pages. I finished the 2017 family album. Woot!!! Now I can start tackling my 2018 album. I still need to finish Q and A's 2017 albums.

My simple pleasures: Wacky cake, fluffy books, time for crafting

Looking around the house: Because of bingo, my kitchen and dining room are clean. I need to do a. pick-up of the living room and playroom.

From the camera: My little builders at Bay Area Discovery Museum

Spring Into Horror Update #1

Pages Read: 316 (If Walls Could Talk) + 314 (Dead Bolt) + 144 (Revival) + 112 (Penny Dreadful) + 432(Halifax)
Pages Read Total: 1318

Books Read: 5
Books Read Total: 5

Comments: I started with month with two great and fun paranormal cozy mysteries. Moved on to two good graphic novels. And ended the week with the real life tragedy of the explosion in Halifax.

TBR Pile:

Interview with a Vampire by Anne Rice
The Great Halifax Explosion by John Bacon ✓
Alice in Zombieland by Gina Showalter
Parasite by Mira Grant
The Drawing of the Three by Stephen King
Jennifer Government by Max Barry
If These Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell ✓
Penny Dreadful Volume 1 ✓
Revival Volume 8 ✓
The World of Lore: Monstrous Creatures by Aaron Mahnke (in progress)

Watch list:

The Girl with All the Gifts
Life
Train to Busan
10 Cloverfield Lane
Get Out
Miss Peregrine
The Shape of Water
Annihilation ✓

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Great Halifax Explosion by John U. Bacon

Title: The Great Halifax Explosion

Author: John U. Bacon

Publisher: William Morrow 2017

Genre: Nonfiction - History

Pages: 432

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - Nonfiction Adventure; Popsugar - Set at Sea; I Love Libraries

After steaming out of New York City on December 1, 1917, laden with a staggering three thousand tons of TNT and other explosives, the munitions ship Mont-Blanc fought its way up the Atlantic coast, through waters prowled by enemy U-boats. As it approached the lively port city of Halifax, Mont-Blanc's deadly cargo erupted with the force of 2.9 kilotons of TNT—the most powerful explosion ever visited on a human population, save for HIroshima and Nagasaki. Mont-Blanc was vaporized in one fifteenth of a second; a shockwave leveled the surrounding city. Next came a thirty-five-foot tsunami. Most astounding of all, however, were the incredible tales of survival and heroism that soon emerged from the rubble.

This is the unforgettable story told in John U. Bacon's The Great Halifax Explosion: a ticktock account of fateful decisions that led to doom, the human faces of the blast's 11,000 casualties, and the equally moving individual stories of those who lived and selflessly threw themselves into urgent rescue work that saved thousands.

After hearing about this disaster on an episode of Stuff You Missed in History Class, I heard about a book detailing the event. Randomly the library had it on the new releases shelf last week and I knew that I had to read it. The book is very well researched in detailing the events leading up to the explosion and the aftermath. I was horrified to read about the tragedy that befell the citizens of Halifax. And yet, it was a fascinating read. I was thoroughly engrossed in the book for the entirety. Definitely a great read for fans of history.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Revival Volume 8

Title: Revival Volume 8: Stay Just a Little Bit Longer

Author: Tim Seeley, Mike Norton, Jenny Frison

Publisher: Image 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

This is it, the final chapter in the critically acclaimed crime/horror rural noir, REVIVAL! Police Officer Dana Cypress has solved the mystery of the murder of her sister, but now she must decide whether too seek justice or help the perpetrator save the town of Wausau from eating itself alive.

Such a great ending to this very weird story. I was hooked on the series in Volume 1, and barreled through to the end. Definitely a weird storyline. But such great characters. I was fully into this series.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Penny Dreadful Volume 1

Title: Penny Dreadful Volume 1

Author: Chris King, Jesus Hervas

Publisher: Titan 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 112

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Graphic Novel

Continues the story directly after the shocking events of Penny Dreadful's season three TV finale!

A bit of a disappointment I must say. I was excited to see that they created a comic continuing the storyline that we thought ended at the conclusion of Season 3. Unfortunately, the storyline wasn't that great And more importantly, the artwork was very messy and confusing. I was having a hell of a time trying to figure out what the panels were trying to portray. Darn. I had high hopes for this one.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell

Title: Dead Bolt (Haunted Home Renovation #2)

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Publisher: Obsidian 2011

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 314

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - Pink on cover

Turner Construction's latest restoration project is a historic Queen Anne Victorian in San Francisco. This time general contractor Mel Turner has to work around the owners who insist on sticking around- along with some ghosts that insist in their own way that the work stops...

The ghosts aren't the only ones standing in the way of the renovations. A crotchety neighbor, Emile Blunt, secretly wants this house, and could be behind some of the disturbances. But when Emile is found dead, it's Mel who appears guilty. Now she must restore the building-and her reputation-before it's too late.

Second book in this series and I am still loving it! Mel is a great character and this book continues to explore her awesomeness. I loved this story I evolving a beautiful old house, some eccentric characters, and a collection of ghosts. Too fun! And even I didn't quite catch the killer on this one. Oh yeah, and we get some traction on the Mel and Graham front. Love it.

Haunted Home Renovation

#1 If Walls Could Talk
#2 Dead Bolt
#3 Murder on the House
#4 Home for the Haunting
#5 Keeper of the Castle
#5.5 A Haunting is Brewing
#6 Give Up the Ghost
#7 A Ghostly Light

Next up on the TBR pile:

Videos and Flowers

So much joy!

Could be fun a la Spy.

This one looks very weird. I'm intrigued!

Looks suitably creepy...

Loved the story and the graphic novel adaptation. I have hopes for the movie version.

Next up on the TBR pile:

If Walls Could Talk by Juliet Blackwell

Title: If Walls Could Talk (Haunted Home Renovation #1)

Author: Juliet Blackwell

Publisher: Obsidian 2010

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Pages: 316

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: A to Z - I; I Love Libraries; Seasonal Series - First Book

Melanie Turner has made quite a name for herself remodeling historic houses in the San Francisco Bay Area. But now her reputation may be on the line.

At her newest project, a run-down Pacific Heights mansion, Mel is visited by the ghost of a colleague who recently met a bad end with power tools. Mel hopes that by nailing the killer, she can rid herself of the ghostly presence of the murdered man-and not end up a construction casualty herself...

Finally started this series after reading and loving Blackwell's Witchcraft Mystery series. I do enjoy a good cozy mystery now and again. This one really hit the spot. I immediately fell for Mel and her band of misfit characters. The storyline was a great introduction to her world and what we can expect from the rest of the series. Can't wait to dive into the next one.

Haunted Home Renovation

#1 If Walls Could Talk
#2 Dead Bolt
#3 Murder on the House
#4 Home for the Haunting
#5 Keeper of the Castle
#5.5 A Haunting is Brewing
#6 Give Up the Ghost
#7 A Ghostly Light

Next up on the TBR pile:

April 2018 Life Goals

Let’s check in on March's goals and my progress.

Read 10 Books -- Success! I went way above my goal and read 15 books this month! Very excited about my progress this month.
Catch up on BOTM books -- Success! I'm completely caught up, just in time to receive my April selection.
Focus on and complete Week in the Life this month -- Success! Documented and completed.
Do something for my birthday -- Success, I guess. I had a few hours away from the kids and explored Pleasanton.
Check in with. few friends -- Success!
Keep up with Lunch planning -- Fail. Totally dropped the ball on this one.
Restart MommaStrong (exercise in general) -- Fail.
Make Quentin's 18 month appointment -- Success! He had his appointment on the 30th.

April's Goals:

Clean out the downstairs closet -- It's gotten a bit out of hand and is a catch-all right now.
Read 15 books -- Upping my goal from last month a bit. Hoping to keep my reading momentum up.
Meal Plan for all of April -- I've gotten a bit lazy with meal planning. Really hoping to rectify that.
Do a clothes clean-out for me and the boys -- Looks like it's about time to move Quentin and Arthur up to the next size.
Figure out our summer travel plans -- Need to figure out when the twins will be coming this year.
Knock off 5 items from my Spring Bucket list -- I keep forgetting that I made this.
Try 5 new recipes -- Itching for something new in our rotation.
reate a grocery and activity budget and stick to it -- Last month got a bit out of hand. Need to get back into a stricter budget this month.

Next up on the TBR list:

Music Monday -- The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar "Pray for Me"

This entire album is amazing, but I'm really loving this song right now.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Life Right Now #10

As I look outside my window: The sun is starting to set and the breeze has picked up a bit. Thank goodness as it was getting a bit warm in the house.

Right now I am: Being forced to watch a very weird very 80s movie by J. Not sure why I agree to things like this.

On my bedside table: Dead Bolt by Juliet Blackwell; Jennifer Government by Max Barry

On my tv this week: We catch up with The Magicians (oh my, so good!), finished Happy, and started The Shanaara Chronicles S2.

Listening to: Lots of Black Veil Brides this past week. Q really enjoys them. I finally got a video of Q dancing to them.

On the menu for this week:

Monday - Black Bean Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Tuesday - Ranch Cheddar Chicken
Wednesday - Veggie Beef Soup
Thursday - Leftovers
Friday - Pot Roast
Saturday - Sesame Chicken
Sunday - Texas Cheese Fries

On my to do list: Hmmm... I have no idea. Guess I need to do a brain dump today and figure out my list.

Happening this week:

Monday - Errand day
Tuesday - Happy Hollow
Wednesday - BADM
Thursday - Home Day; Coloring Class
Friday - Park time; Quick and Easy Class
Saturday - Spring Bingo
Sunday - Home Day

What I am creating: I'm working through the rest of our family Project Life album for 2017. I only have a few months left to do. I'm also planning on starting my March Memory Planner pages.

My simple pleasures: Lots of hot tea, good music, podcasts, good TV shows.

Looking around the house: Looks like it's about time to vacuum again.

From the camera: Flowers at the park