May 2025 Book Count

 I have updated my reading goal to 100

Loving, Ohio By: Matthew Erman Ill by: Sam Beck

Fiction: Paranormal, Religion, Graphic Novel, YA 216 pages

East of West, Vol. 1: The Promise by: Jonathan Hickman, Nick Dragotta et al

Fiction: Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Graphic Novel 152 pages

East of West, Vol. 2: We Are All One 144 pages

East of West, Vol. 3: There Is No Us 144 pages

East of West, Vol. 4: Who Wants War? 144 pages

East of West, Vol. 5: All These Secrets 144 pages

East of West, Vol. 6 144 pages

East of West, Vol. 7 128 pages

East of West, Vol. 8 144 pages

Everything is Fine Volume One: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel by: Mike Birchall

Fiction: Horror, Graphic Novel, Mystery 272 pages

The Lost Apothecary by: Sarah Penner

Fiction: Mystery, Historic, E-book

Visitations by: Corey Egbert

Fiction: YA, Graphic Novel, Religion 336 pages

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur: Full Moon By: Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, Natacha Bustos

Fiction: Pop Culture, Sci-fi, Graphic Novel 264 pages

Death in a Prairie House: Frank Lloyd Wright and the Taliesin Murders by: William R. Drennan

Non-fiction: True Crime, Biography, History 230 pages

The 2024 Easy Keto Diet Cookbook For Beginners: 2000 Days of Mouthwatering Low-Carb Recipes Plus a 30-Day Stress-Free Keto Meal Planner for Effective Weight Loss By: Ava Rayne

Non-fiction: Cooking, E-book

Medieval Exorcisms: The History and Legacy of the Beliefs in Demonic Possession during the Middle Ages By: Charles River Editors

Non-fiction: History, E-book 

NOTE: this book is not just about the Middle Ages.  It is as much if not more about the witch trials of Salam, MA and other ones in a more modern time from people of denominations that didn't exist in the Middle Ages.

Lost Worlds: Civilizations That Time Forgot by: Vivek Singh

Non-Fiction: History, E-book

NOTE: this book is not in Goodreads.

Month of Halloween Part:1

 Some of these books were picked out before Halloween or are not topical. (The trivia books with will appear in this and the next posting are for a possible spot on a trivia podcast.) 

The Living Flame of Love by: Juan de la Cruz (St. John of the Cross)

Non-Fiction: Religion, Classic, Poetry, E-book

Part of this book is his poetry as well as an explanation of it's meaning.  And part of it is letters that he sent to various people.  

Brick Greek Myths: The Stories of Heracles, Athena, Pandora, Poseidon, and Other Ancient Heroes of Mount Olympus by: John D. McCann, Monica Sweeney, Becky Thomas

Fiction: Classic, Pop Culture, E-book

A retelling of the major Greek myths told in Lego.  

The Romanovs: A Captivating Guide to the Last Imperial Dynasty to Rule Russia and the Impact the Romanov Family Had on Russian History by: Captivating History

Non-fiction: History, E-book

A short history of the Romanov dynasty in Russia.  It highlights the major people and events including of course the end of the Tsars in Russia.

Opium and Absinthe by: Lydia Kang

Fiction: History, Mystery, E-book

This book takes place in NYC shortly after the book "Dracula" came out. Tillie is the younger daughter in one of the wealthy, society families.  She has a riding accident and is given opium for the pain.  Soon after the accident her older sister is murdered.  From the way she was killed it looks like it was a vampire.  Besides the bite marks the major possible clue to what happened was an absinthe bottle found next to her.  Tillie is determined to solve her sister's murder, and gets help from unexpected places while also dealing with her growing use of the opium.

The Best Bar Trivia Book Ever: All You Need for Pub Quiz Domination by: Michael O'Neill

Non-Fiction: History, Science, Art, Sports 265 pages

Mostly a good collection of the trivia likely to show up in things like bar trivia games.

The Professor & the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity & the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by: Simon Winchester

Non-fiction: History, Biography, E-book

The story of the main creator of the Oxford English Dictionary and the American, who was found criminally insane, who was the biggest outside contributor to it. 

The Republic of Pirates: Being the True and Surprising Story of the Caribbean Pirates and the Man Who Brought Them Down by: Colin Woodard

Non-fiction: History, 405 pages

This book tells the story of the heyday of Pirates in the Caribbean and who and what ended much of it.

 Death & Co: Modern Classic Cocktails, with More than 500 Recipes by: David Kaplan, Nick Fauchald, Alex Day

Non-fiction: Food, 320 pages

A collection of cocktail recipes as well as information on how to bartend/make good drinks, the bar and people connected to the bar.

Post Quarantine Books Part 3:

 Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #76 by Sholly Fisch, art by: Silvana Brys, Walter Carzon, Horacio Ottolini, Scott Jeralds 
Fiction: Pop Culuture, Mystery, Graphic Novel, E-book

This book contains a couple of adventures.  This includes an adventure with the "ghosts" being famous authors and one in a hotel. 

Assassination!: The Brick Chronicle of Attempts on the Lives of Twelve US Presidents by Brendan Powell Smith

Non-Fiction: History, Biography, Pop Culture, E-book

The story of all the assassinations and attempted assassinations of American presidents, done in little plastic bricks that legally can not be called Lego.  

Mental Floss: What's the Difference? by: Mental Floss

Non-Fiction: Science, History, 208 pages

A quick and easy way to know the difference between similar things that people got confused over, as well as who you will impress with this info.  

Sir Apropos of Nothing: Gypsies, Vamps, and Thieves by Peter David, art by:Robin Riggs

Fiction: Fantasy, Graphic Novel,  148 pages

A knight without a grand pass goes on a number of adventures.

Who Put the Devil in Deviled Eggs?: A Food Lover's Guide to America's Favorite Dishes by Ann Treistman

Non-Fiction: History, Food, E-book

This book goes over classic Americana dishes.  It includes the history of the food as well as a clasic recipe for it.

Kitchen Things: An Album of Vintage Utensils and Farm-Kitchen Recipes by Richard Snodgrass

Non-Fiction: History, Food, E-book

This book tells about various utensils as well as having artistic black and white pictures of them.  It also includes family recipes and history of the author and their wive's family cooking.

Drinking with Saint Nick: Christmas Cocktails for Sinners and Saints by Michael P. Foley

Non-fiction: Food, Religion, Holidays, History, 224 pages

A collection of drinks relating to the various holidays connected with Christmastide.  It also lists beers and wines which have names, ingredients or histories that connect with the day.  

Microwave Cranberry sauce

2 c. cranberries
2/3 c. sugar
3" cinnamon stick
1/2 t. nutmeg
4 drops lemon extract
water to cover bottom of microwaveable glass dish

Place a ingredients in a microwaveable glass dish with a lid. Cover. Microwave for 2 minutes. Stir and re-cover and microwave 1 minute. Repeat until berries have all popped. Let sit in microwave for 10 minutes. Remove cinnamon stick. Place in serving dish and refrigerate until cold.

Recipe: Cranberry Sauce with a Bite

1 C. Water
1 C. Sugar
3 C. Cranberries
1/2 t. grated Ginger
1/4 t. Black Pepper
Dash Cayenne Pepper

Combine all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until boiling and all the cranberries pop. Remove from heat and let cool. Transfer to serving bowl and cool in fridge until set.

Recipe: Cran-pineapple Buckle

Note: in cooking a buckle is a cobbler using cake.

2 C. Cranberries
2 C. Pineapple
1/2 C. Water
1/2 C. Sugar
Lemon cake mix
Eggs
Pineapple juice
Oil
1/2 C. Oatmeal

Combine cranberries, pineapple water and sugar in a small sauce pan. Heat until cranberries pop and the mixture is boiling. Set aside. Pre-heat oven to 350. Make cake mix following the directions on the box except replacing water with pineapple juice. Grease a 9 X 13 pan. Add 1/2 of the cran-pineapple mixture. Cover with the cake mix. Spoon remaining cran-pineapple mixture on top. Sprinkle Oatmeal on top. Bake for 35-40 mins until cake is done. Place under broiler until oatmeal is browned, about 2-3 mins.

Easy “Ranch” Dressing

By looking where people are reading this blog from, it appears that many of you live outside of North America. And from what I have been told by Europeans obsessed with ranch dressing, it’s mainly an American thing. And so I would like to share with you a super easy way to make something tasting like ranch salad dressing, in case you can’t find it in you stores, or you can but you ran out of it and need some now!!! (Some people are sooooo obsessed with ranch dressing!)

Ranch Dressing

Serves 1

2 T. mayonnaise
1 t. lemon juice
½ t. sugar
1/3 t. Italian seasoning or mix of dried herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley
Dash each of:
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder

Mix all together. To improve flavor let sit in fridge ½ hour.

Easy “Ranch” Dressing

By looking where people are reading this blog from, it appears that many of you live outside of North America. And from what I have been told by Europeans obsessed with ranch dressing, it’s mainly an American thing. And so I would like to share with you a super easy way to make something tasting like ranch salad dressing, in case you can’t find it in you stores, or you can but you ran out of it and need some now!!! (Some people are sooooo obsessed with ranch dressing!)

Ranch Dressing

Serves 1

2 T. mayonnaise
1 t. lemon juice
½ t. sugar
1/3 t. Italian seasoning or mix of dried herbs such as basil, oregano, and parsley
Dash each of:
Salt
Pepper
Garlic powder

Mix all together. To improve flavor let sit in fridge ½ hour.

Spinach & Cheese Lasagna

Serves 10-12
1 package lasagna noodles
1 T. olive or vegetable oil
1 24oz. container of cottage cheese
1/3 C. cilantro (use leaves and stems)
1 egg
1T. Italian seasoning
1 small onion quartered
Dash salt & pepper
2 26 oz jars/cans of pasta sauce
6 C. finely chopped spinach
2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese
Cooking spray


Cook lasagna noodles according to package directions. While that is cooking place cottage cheese, cilantro, egg, Italian seasoning, onion and salt and pepper in a blender or food processor and blend until it forms a think sauce. Spray a 16” X 12” pan with cooking spray. Then pre-heat oven to 350. When lasagna noodles are al dente drain well and then lightly toss with the oil to reduce sticking. Then layer the lasagna in the pan starting with ¼ of the pasta sauce, then 1/3rd of the noodles, next 1/3rd of the cheese sauce, and lastly 1/3rd of the spinach. Repeat until you use up all of the ingredients (you should end with pasta sauce). Cover with a layer of mozzarella cheese. Then cover the pan with foil. Cook covered 45-50 mins. Then cook uncovered 5-10 mins. until cheese is bubblely.

Tarter Sauce

Even if you don’t abstain from meat on Fridays during lent, if you do any grocery shopping you’ve noticed that all seafood tends to go on sale at this time of year. But, tarter sauce being on sale is a toss up. And it’s so over priced anyway. So here is a quick tarter sauce recipe to go with those fish sticks that were 50% off.


½ C. mayo
2 T. fat free sour cream
2 T. sweet pickle relish
1 t. lemon juice
1 t. dried dill
½ t. finely grated lemon zest
Dash of black pepper

Mix all ingredients together let set in fridge at least ½ hour before serving.

Holiday Recipe –Variations on Easy Hummus

- Replace chickpeas with one medium size eggplant that has been salted, drained and rinsed, and roasted until soft to make Babaganush (which we have no idea how to spell, sorry.)
- Replace the tahini with ½ C peanut butter and add a pinch of red pepper flakes and a dash or two of hot sauce to make a spicy peanut sauce.
- Add 2 extra cloves of garlic to make garlic hummus.
- Add 2 roasted red peppers to make roasted pepper hummus.
- Add a handful of basil and replace tahini with roasted pine nuts to make pesto hummus
- Omit tahini and olive oil and add one avocado and the juice of one lime, after blending add 1/3 C. diced tomatoes for a creamy guacamole

Holiday Recipe – Easy Hummus

1 can chickpeas (drained)
3 cloves garlic
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 C. tahini
½ t. salt
Olive oil (about ¼-1/3 C.)

Mix chickpeas, garlic, juice, tahini and salt in a food processor. Slowly stream in olive oil until desired thickness. Serve with pita bread, chips or veggies.

Holiday Recipe – Sweet and Spicy Cheese Ball

1 lb. cream cheese
½ C. crushed pineapple (drained)
½ C. chunky salsa
1/3 C. roasted pecans (chopped fine)

Mix first 3 ingredients together and then form into a ball or log shape. (wax paper is helpful) coat in pecans and refrigerate 2 hours. Serve with crackers

Holiday Recipes

We thought that you may like some quick an easy recipes for any New Year parties you may be hosting or going to. So in the next few days we will have some ones great for noshing on all night long.

Holiday Recipe – Layered Dip

Ingredients
One can refried beans
1T garlic
1T paprika
1t. chili powder
1T. onion powder
1t. pepper
3T. taco sauce
1C. salsa
1 can diced tomatoes (drained)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed)
2T. lime juice
1 Pt. sour cream
1 ½ C. shredded cheese (cheddar or taco/Mexican blend)
6 green onions (sliced)
1/3 cup black olives (sliced)

Mix refried beans, garlic, paprika, chili powder, onion powder, pepper and taco sauce together. Spread evenly in a 9” X 13” pan. Then add even layers of the remaining ingredients in the order they are listed. Chill in the fridge for at least 1 hour. Serve with tortilla chips.

How Long to Cook a Turkey

As 95% of Americans will be eating turkey on Thanksgiving here’s how long to cook it. (Apparently 5% of Americans are vegetarians) And remember to let it rest 20-30 minutes to allow for carry over cooking and to let the juices redistribute.

Roasting at 325

weight (lbs) unstuffed (hrs) stuffed (hrs)
10 to 18 : 3 to 3 1/2 4 to 4 1/2
18 to 22 : 3 1/2 to 4 4 1/2 to 5
22 to 24 : 4 to 4 1/2 5 to 5 1/2

Grilling

Whole unstuffed 10 to 18 lbs turkey: 2-4 hours
Turkey breast 3 to 9 lbs. : 1 ½ to 3 hours

Deep fried
Whole unstuffed 10 to 18 lbs turkey at 375-400: 4 minutes per pound.

Harvest Rice

Serves 4

1 ½ C. water
1 C. Apple Cider
2 C. instant brown rice
1/2 C. Craisins
1/3 C. raisins
1/3 C. dried apricots – Chopped
1 t. cinnamon
1/3 C. chopped almonds

Add liquids and fruit to a sauce pan. Heat to boiling and then add rice and cinnamon. Cover and turn down to a simmer. Simmer for 5 minutes. Turn off heat. Let sit 5 minutes or until water is absorbed. Stir in almonds and fluff rice.

Quick & Tasty Creamed Corn

Serves 4 - 6

1 can corn
1 can cream style corn
½ C. heavy cream
2 t. brown sugar
¾ t. cinnamon
½ t. allspice
1 t. vanilla extract
Pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients together in a small sauce pan and heat on medium low until warm, do not let it boil.

Recipe - Cranberry Pumpkin Bread

Makes 2 loaves

Dry Ingredients
4 C. flour
1 ½ C oatmeal
2T. baking power
1t cornstarch
1 ½ t baking soda
½ t salt
1 t pumpkin pie spice
1 T. cinnamon
1 t five spice powder
½ t ginger

Wet Ingredients
¾ C. oil
¼ C. brown sugar
1 T. vanilla
5 eggs
2 T. molasses
1 ½ C. craisins
4 C. pumpkin puree

Topping
1/2 C. brown sugar
½ C. craisins
¼ C. oatmeal



Preheat oven to 350. Mix dry ingredients together in one bowl. Mix wet ingredients together in different bowl. Pour wet ingredients on top of dry and mix until all the dry ingredients are moistened. Spray loaf pans with nonstick spray. Divide batter evenly between the two pans. Cover with oatmeal, then craisins and lastly brown sugar. Bake for about 50-60 minutes until done.