Yes, I am okay. To all of you who have sent me emails and DMs asking what’s happened, where have I gone, well…. I’m great and I’ve been living in a tent. By choice.

So . . . about mid-July we packed up about 75% of our house and put it into storage and started remodeling. Like everything around here at Chez Boyle, we do most of the things ourselves. We packed.

We did some demolition. Here is the point where my husband said, “you’ll never get all that in your car.” I did.

Then we patched things up and … Read more »

So I should probably warn you, this week’s list might break your TBR. There you are warned. On the good side there is no violence, bad language

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, or strobe lights in the paragraphs ahead. Just books, some ideas to make your life easier, an awesome salad and a GIVEAWAY.

Have a great 4th of July weekend. And to those of you outside the US, have a great weekend.

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Have you heard of Newsletter to Kindle?  This is a service you can sign up for that sends the newsletters you subscribe to directly to your Kindle, so … Read more »

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Do you like rooting for the little guy? Here is the video for you. In Penguin v. the Orcas, our hero is a plunky little penguin who finds itself being chased all over by a band of orcas, and finds a way to escape that is a delight. Enjoy.

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When new shows arrive, I always get excited because I love good mystery shows but not police dramas. Shows like, Person of Interest, or The Pretender. The Equalizer, with Queen Latifah in the starring role checks all the boxes. Cool, savvy heroine? Check. Nerdy tech? Check. People … Read more »

A week to Christmas? Egads! I’d be really panicked if it was a usual year–big dinner to plan. Family arriving from around the country. And getting those last minute gifts done. But this year? Just trying to finish two knitting projects. That’s it.

We all have people we miss seeing, and at Christmastime, no less, it is harder. But I take a deep breath–one of any number I’ve taken over the last 10 months and remind myself, this shall pass. And on the other side is next year. With high hopes for the blessings of family and friends around my … Read more »

So this week has been one of time to write. A bit of baking. And that quiet sense of waiting that happens just before the rush of the holidays begins next week. I like to dip my toe into the holidays before it turns into a rush and I have few things this week to ease you into that and happy mayhem.

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Let the Christmas cookie recipe exchange commence! The first one I am sharing with you is an old family recipe, Chocolate Cookie Bars. My mom always made these at Christmastime and occasionally when we’d talk her … Read more »

Don’t we all need some wonderful things to curl into right now?

Call it distractions, call it self-care, call it soothing, but I am all about finding the things that make me feel contentedly at home.

Books, baking, and a few shows to binge while knitting. Join me where it’s cozy.

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Yes, I am breaking my own rules and wading into Christmas prior to Thanksgiving. (I so envy Canada that they celebrate Thanksgiving in October and then can dive into Christmas!) But I was thinking, who’s up for a Cookie Recipe Exchange? I’m going to look into how we … Read more »

Yikes! I usually draft this up Thursday afternoon and have it all ready to go bright and early Friday morning. But yesterday afternoon was so beautiful, I ended up enjoying a sunny afternoon instead. So you are getting the late version.

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I can’t believe the fifth book in Sherry Thomas’s wonderful Lady Sherlock series, Murder on Cold Street, comes out next week.

October 6 if you don’t want to miss a moment of Charlotte’s escapades. Can you tell I’ve got a bit of Holmes thing going lately?

Haven’t read the series? Start with A Study in Scarlet Women… Read more »

As I look out the window at nothing but smoke, my heart goes out to everyone affected by the wildfires on the West Coast. Prayers going out for rain and relief.

That, and four day weeks throw me. What? It’s Friday already? Hence, this is a little late this morning.

So let’s get going with something to lighten our hearts.

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A few weeks ago, I told you I was diving into A Queen in Hiding by Sarah Kozloff. Since then, I’ve read all four books in the series. I have been binge reading. Leave me alone reading. Staying up … Read more »

This week just flew by. I completely lost track of the days and now, here it is Friday. And since I am neck deep in canning peaches and pickles, (not in the same jar, I promise!) let’s get straight to it:

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My husband and I finished the Second Season of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix last night. We are huge fans. I loved Season One so much, I think I’ve watched it like three times–there is so many details that are just so subtle, it really does require a second viewing.

At least, that is what I tell myself.… Read more »

Here we go again! Another week and another Friday. And I am in a whirlwind.

I start off on a big adventure tomorrow–I’m helping my college son move back to Chicago. We will be driving from Seattle to Chicago, via Butte, Montana, Casper, Wyoming, and Lincoln, Nebraska, before we roll into Chicago.

You can follow along on our bubble adventures across the west and into the great midwest on my Facebook and my Instagram accounts. Wave at us if we are motoring through your neck of the woods.

And don’t worry, we have face masks and Clorox wipes I recently … Read more »