Claudia — Page 977

Frost, Flowers, Leaves & Horses

October 15, 2016 at 9:26 am by Claudia

We had frost last night. And, if you remember, we had frost a few days ago. My moonflower and morning glory vines are toast.

Sob.

I had a good run with the morning glories, but the moonflower and I were just getting into a rhythm of beautiful blooms.

Last night, I covered the geraniums, brought some of the porch plants in and covered the others with sheets. Fingers crossed. This is so frustrating given the fact that the weather is getting warm again in the coming week with – get this – a high in the 80’s on Thursday.

October frosts: I really, really dislike you.

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The limelights are turning pink. In anticipation of the frost, I clipped several of them and brought them in the house to dry. They may or may not be in the vintage ice cream maker that sits on the café table. Perhaps I’ll take a picture or two for you today.

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The sedum Autumn Joy is looking particularly beautiful.

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I took this picture yesterday and posted it on Instagram. The colors of the autumn leaves are particularly vivid this year. Those reds! Is it because it was so dry this year? I have no idea.

We went on a trail walk yesterday and brought along some carrots for the horses, who now eat out of our hands. We love that.

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Ashley (the mom).

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Pliers (the son).

This little ritual of stopping by to say hello and give them a treat makes us happy.

I just finished Missing Presumed this morning. How lovely to read and read and read, sipping coffee made for me by my husband, with a shawl around my shoulders. For those of you who missed it, I have a book giveaway going on (see yesterday’s post) and I also asked the readers of Just Let Me Finish This Page to share what they are reading. Stop by and share your current reads with us. We all love these posts because we can compare notes and learn about authors who may be new to us.

Happy Saturday.

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Book Review: Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner

October 14, 2016 at 9:49 am by Claudia

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Today I am reviewing Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

About the book (from the publisher): Fresh from solving Memphis’ most sensational murder case, Homicide detective Billy Able and his ambitious new partner Frankie Malone are called to a bizarre crime scene on the outskirts of town. A high society attorney has been murdered while dressed in a wedding gown. Billy is shocked to discover that he has a very personal connection to the victim. When the attorney’s death exposes illegal practices at her family’s prestigious law firm, the scandal is enough to rock the southern city’s social world.

In a tale of the remnants of Old South aristocracy and entitlement, twisted by greed and vengeance, Billy must confront the secrets of his own past to have any chance at solving the murder of the girl he once knew. But, as he seeks the truth, he’s drawn closer to an embittered killer bent on revenge – and eliminating the threat Billy poses.

My review: Gosh, I liked this novel! I was unfamiliar with Lisa Turner’s work before I read Devil Sent the Rain. I’m now a fan. As there are two other books in this series of Memphis police procedurals, I will be making up for lost time.

Turner clearly understands and knows the South. Her descriptions of Memphis are evocative and paint a picture of life in that city, as well as life in other, more rural, areas of the South. Also ringing true is the portrait she paints of Southern ‘aristocracy,’ and the members of that tribe who cling onto a way of life that is fast dying.

Billy Able is a fascinating character – one with a past that is very much a part of this present-day mystery. I really want to read the other two books in the series to follow his journey prior to Devil Sent the Rain. All of the characters are written in great detail, with sharp and telling portraits of the key players. The plot is complicated and compelling. As with all good mysteries, I couldn’t put it down as the story catapulted itself toward the denouement.

This is an excellent police procedural/mystery rooted in the deep south, with the past at war with present. From that starting point, everything spins out of control. I recommend it highly.

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About the author: Born in Memphis, Lisa Turner is a southern mystery author who could the roots of Southern identity around her characters, then pushes them to the edge. She travels between her ancestral home in the Deep South and her writing haven on the wildly beautiful coast of Nova Scotia.

Published by Harper Collins.

Good news! One of you will win a copy of Devil Sent the Rain. Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose a winner on Sunday evening.

And stop by Just Let Me Finish This Page today, where I will be asking my favorite question: What are you reading?

Happy Friday.

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Our Celebratory Day

October 13, 2016 at 9:51 am by Claudia

Thank you for wishing us a Happy Anniversary yesterday!

It turned out to be a lovely, picture-perfect Autumn day and we decided to drive to Woodstock to celebrate with a meal at one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants.

Hop in the car and we’ll take you along with us. (All photos captured on my iPhone.)

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Further down the road from us – fall colors on display.

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The mountains we can see from our front porch. This, however, is the best view – so good that we stopped the car so I could take this picture.

We took the back roads all the way to Woodstock; a leisurely drive that brought more than a few gasps at the beauty surrounding us.

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Those are the Catskill mountains in the distance.

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A Little Free Library around the corner from the restaurant.

We love The Garden Café, but we hadn’t been there for a while. They’ve expanded into the adjoining space and the whole place has been redecorated and I fell in love with the new look.

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There are vintage mirrors, almost all of them round in shape, on all the walls. I’m now inspired to start collecting small round mirrors for the bathroom walls. I also loved the hanging lights.

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Can you imagine how thrilled I was to see this niche? Vintage pottery with dried flowers. Perfect.

I have to show you the bathroom.

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The bathroom door, which made me swoon a little. I would like this in my house, please.

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The coatrack right outside the bathroom door. Yes, of course, I’ll take it. (I wish.)

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Love, love this sink. Reusing these vintage porcelain sinks is such a great idea. And then there’s the vintage looking faucet and handles.

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Don went outside to take this picture.

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I love this man.

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Yours truly. My freckles are back.

Lunch was scrumptious. We met a couple visiting from England (Eleanor and Mike) and had a delightful conversation with them. They told us that after observing us at our table, they thought we were on a date. (Love that!) I guess we were on a date.

We exchanged email addresses and we’re going meet for tea when we go to London.

After lunch we took a walk and Don, who was carrying a mysterious bag, steered me toward one of our favorite places in Woodstock – this covered bridge:

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He pulled out two long-stemmed white roses. Back story: the man who married us eighteen years ago included the exchange of two white roses in the ceremony, and he urged us to do the same thing on every anniversary. We haven’t always been able to do that – sometimes we just plain forget to – but Don snuck out yesterday morning and bought two roses. So we stood on the bridge and gave each other a white rose, taking a moment to share our feelings and renew our vow to love and support each other.

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See? There they are.

We did a little window shopping (I actually bought a dress!)

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Thought you’d get a kick out of this sign in a shop window.

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And this addition to the stop sign made me happy.

It was a perfect day. Slow, meaningful, beautiful, and full of laughter.

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The obligatory selfie, taken by the bridge.

Thank you again. We love being married to each other and we are blessed by your friendship.

Happy Thursday.

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Frost, Flowers, Leaves & Horses

Book Review: Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner

Our Celebratory Day

Lambs Like to Party

A Note

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