Sunday, June 22, 2025

Summer Reading

Summer Reading Time

Happy Summer - the perfect time to relax on the porch or at the pool with a great book.  For years as a Middle School Librarian I encouraged students to read during the summer and to join the local public library summer reading programs.  For several years before I retired students were allowed to check out books from the school library - as many as they wanted - to take home for summer reading.  It was a HUGE success - students came with suitcases, bags and boxes to carry home books they wanted to read over the summer.  
Now retired, I love having the time to read - and as summer arrives I love to read on our screen porch, feet up, cup of coffee or iced tea...and get lost in a good book.  
And, I am thrilled that our local public library has a summer reading program for adults as well as children.  This year the theme is 
Color Our World
I made sure to pick up my reading log to participate - 

So many great ideas to get everyone reading - I've already completed 5 of the bingo squares!  And I have a stack of books 
(print/eBook/audio) ready to enjoy!
If you are getting ready for summer reading, here are some titles that I enjoyed recently - 
Emmeline lives an enchanted childhood on a remote island with her father, who teaches her about the natural world through her senses. What he won’t explain are the mysterious scents stored in the drawers that line the walls of their cabin, or the origin of the machine that creates them. As Emmeline grows, however, so too does her curiosity, until one day the unforeseen happens, and Emmeline is vaulted out into the real world—a place of love, betrayal, ambition, and revenge. To understand her past, Emmeline must unlock the clues to her identity, a quest that challenges the limits of her heart and imagination.

When I read No Two Persons by this author I knew I had to read more of her work.  Her writing is really beautiful - and I gave this book 4 stars.


Growing up in 1960s Brooklyn, Lena wants to be a baker just like her mother was back in Poland prior to World War II. But questions about those days, and about a sister Lena never even knew, are ignored with solemn silence. It’s as if everything her parents left behind was a subject never to be broached.
The one person in whom Lena can confide is her best friend, Pearl. When she suddenly disappears from Lena’s life, Lena forges college, love and marriage with a wonderful man, the dream of owning a bakery becoming a reality, and the hope that someday Pearl will return to share in Lena’s happiness—and to be there for her during the unexpected losses to come.
Only when Lena discovers the depth of her parents’ anguish, and a startling truth about her own past, can they rebuild a family and overcome the heart-wrenching memories that have torn them apart.

I wanted to like this book - and I did - but it was a little strange in the issue of Perl.  I gave it 3 stars.

Early morning, August 1975: a camp counselor discovers an empty bunk. Its occupant, Barbara Van Laar, has gone missing. Barbara isn’t just any thirteen-year-old: she’s the daughter of the family that owns the summer camp and employs most of the region’s residents. And this isn’t the first time a Van Laar child has disappeared. Barbara’s older brother similarly vanished fourteen years ago, never to be found.
As a panicked search begins, a thrilling drama unfolds. Chasing down the layered secrets of the Van Laar family and the blue-collar community working in its shadow, Moore’s multi-threaded story invites readers into a rich and gripping dynasty of secrets and second chances. It is Liz Moore’s most ambitious and wide-reaching novel yet.

As I went to a sleep away camp and spent one summer as a day camp counselor in the 70's I really enjoyed this book.  Great mystery and good descriptions - I gave it 4 stars.

As the day dawns on the fiftieth annual Hunger Games, fear grips the districts of Panem. This year, in honor of the Quarter Quell, twice as many tributes will be taken from their homes.
Back in District 12, Haymitch Abernathy is trying not to think too hard about his chances. All he cares about is making it through the day and being with the girl he loves.
When Haymitch’s name is called, he can feel all his dreams break. He’s torn from his family and his love, shuttled to the Capitol with the three other District 12 tributes: a young friend who’s nearly a sister to him, a compulsive oddsmaker, and the most stuck-up girl in town. As the Games begin, Haymitch understands he’s been set up to fail. But there’s something in him that wants to fight . . . and have that fight reverberate far beyond the deadly arena.
Just had to read this and loved it - was a big fan of the Hunger Games back when I was working as a librarian.  Even held a food drive for the local food bank working off the Hunger Games theme.

Even dressing up as Effie Trinkett a few times...
Yes, I had fun as a librarian!

Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit.
But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband to be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past.
Told with deep sensitivity and a tart sense of humor, full of the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life, Three Days in June is a triumph, and gives us the perennially bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer at the height of her powers.
I wanted to read this after seeing Anne Tyler interviewed on Sunday Morning CBS...and it was good, but not great. 
I gave it 3 stars.

 
At an intimate, festive dinner party in Seattle, six women gather to celebrate their friend Kate's recovery from cancer. Wineglass in hand, Kate strikes a bargain with them. To celebrate her new lease on life, she'll do the one thing that's always terrified her: white-water rafting down the Grand Canyon. But if she goes, each of them must promise to do one thing in the next year that is new, or difficult, or scary—and Kate gets to choose their challenges.
Shimmering with warmth, wit, and insight, Joy for Beginners is a celebration of life: unexpected, lyrical, and deeply satisfying.

Another one by Erica Baurmeister - and again I loved it.

  I gave it 4 stars.


Hana Babic is a quiet, middle-aged librarian in Minnesota who wants nothing more than to be left alone. But when a detective arrives with the news that her best friend has been murdered, Hana knows that something evil has come for her, a dark remnant of the past she and her friend had shared.
Thirty years before, Hana was someone Nura Divjak, a teenager growing up in the mountains of war-torn Bosnia—until Serbian soldiers arrived to slaughter her entire family before her eyes. The events of that day thrust Nura into the war, leading her to join a band of militia fighters, where she became not only a fierce warrior but a legend—the deadly Night Mora. But a shattering final act forced Nura to flee to the United States with a bounty on her head.
Now, someone is hunting Hana, and her friend has paid the price, leaving her eight-year-old grandson in Hana’s care. To protect the child without revealing her secret, Hana must again become the Night Mora—and hope she can find the killer before the past comes for them, too.

This book was not what I thought...talk about not judging a book by it's cover.  But I loved it - learned so much about war-torn Bosnia and Serbia and all the killing and hate.  Yes, we saw it on the news back in the day, but reading it through a young girls lens was so moving.  And reminded me that people were - and still are - capable of so much hate.  This is the only book in the bunch I have given 4 stars!

Hope some of these titles make you want to grab a cold drink, find a comfy spot ( in the shade, it's going to be a hot week and as much as I love reading at the pool I think this week will be TOO HOT) and enjoy a good book.

Are you participating in a summer reading program?  What books are you planning on reading this summer?  I would love to hear your picks!   Please leave a comment below - I really enjoy hearing from you!

Have a great summer and stay cool!

😎









 

Sunday, June 8, 2025

Broadway in Lancaster

 



Broadway in Lancaster

We attended an event to support live theater in Lancaster, PA.  So blessed to have the Fulton Theatre here in downtown Lancaster.  If you are ever in the area, be sure to check it out - 
The building has a rich history...a pre- Revolutionary prison, a theatre in the 1800's, a movie theater in the 1900's...
you can read about the history here - 
We first attended the theatre years ago when we lived over an hour away, then we moved to the edge of Lancaster County and were closer and got to enjoy more of the shows.  When we moved to Willow Valley in Lancaster almost 8 years ago, being 5 miles away from the Fulton was a great perk!  The Fulton provides Broadway quality entertainment close to home.  As big fans of Broadway shows we agree with that statement and enjoy the shows on the Mainstage, as well as smaller shows in the intimate Groff Theatre area.
So, we were excited to attend a fund raising gala for this great organization.  We had attended events in the past two years, both held in the theatre.  This year we were excited by the venue - Trust 46.
This old bank building in downtown Lancaster has always caught my eye...driving home from church this week when we passed by I would think "somebody should do something with that beautiful building" - and somebody did.  It is now an event venue and I could not wait to see the inside.
A great night to get dressed up...and remember how to walk in heels!

Each table was a Broadway show theme...and someone from the show was there to guide you to your table.  We were at Peter Pan table and I got to chat with Captain Hook!

We enjoyed the cocktail of the evening...

and John enjoyed his in the bank's vault.  After a career in banking this felt like old times!

The building was beautifully restored, and this mural depicted Lancaster in colonial times.

Here are some other shows and the guides to those tables.

Cats is the next show coming up at the Fulton next week!





Had to get my photo with Annie...and I think if I took off my heels we would be the same size!

"Feed me, Seymour!"
Lots of great appetizers to enjoy...

and lots of people to chat with..

I enjoyed the chicken and waffle appetizer!
Floral arrangements were gorgeous...

and lovely table setting!

I put my program under the charger and it made a pretty photo.

Salad starter...

bottle of red, bottle of white!

Dinner was filet, crabcake on a cornbread medallion and creamed spinach - yummy!

Marc Robbins, the artistic director of the Fulton, talked about the joy of live theater...then several performers sang songs from the upcoming shows...Jekyll and Hyde, Dear Even Hanson, and other Broadway favorites.  After the entertainment there was an auction to raise funds for the future of the theater.

And we enjoyed a fun evening of good food, great music, and some dancing, too!

A dessert buffet was spread out in the vault...so many goodies but we were so full from dinner we just sampled a few.

Finally it was time to head home...walking to our car we passed by one of the huge windows and I caught this photo.  It was a wonderful evening - nice to get all dressed up, enjoy good food, wine, and music - all for a fabulous cause!
Do you have local theater near you?  Are you a Broadway fan?  Do you like to get dressed up to attend functions like this ?
Let me know your thoughts in the comments below - I love hearing from you!  
Thanks for visiting Our New Vista and have a joyous June!

Sunday, June 1, 2025

Crab Bites

 

Crab Bites

This is a recipe I had not made for a few years, but our building was having a pot luck party and I thought these would fit the bill.  The recipe was given to me by a friend and I have made them many times in the past.
I was inspired to make them as our local grocery store had English muffins buy one, get one free.  I decided to make a double batch!
Here is the recipe - 
1 stick butter or margarine, softened
1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread
1 1/2 teaspoons mayo
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
7 oz. can of crabmeat
6 English muffins, split
Blend all ingredients by hand and spread on muffins.  Cut muffins into quarters.  Freeze until ready to use.   Broil 4-8 minutes, or bake at 400 degree until brown and bubbly.
So...I got to work...
I used whole wheat muffins 



Softened the butter...remember I am making a double batch so I have plenty on hand for the summer...

Used a mix of white crabmeat and lump crabmeat...




Be sure to drain the crabmeat...I think the mix of shredded and lump make a nice mix on the muffin....



Mix everything together...

Spread on the muffins...

Cut in quarters...

Line a sheet pan with wax paper...

Place the bites on the pan...

and pop the pan into the freezer  - 
that way they freeze individually and you can pull out how many you need at any time...


Put the bites in a freezer bag...

and freeze until needed!
That's it !  But wait...have you noticed something?  I did not notice that I did not mix in the Kraft Old English cheese spread until I opened my pantry and saw the jars sitting there. Oops!  I was going to take the bites out of the freezer and try to spread a little of the cheese on each bite, but thought that would be difficult as the cheese isn't very "spready".  So...when it came time to bake the bites I just put them on a sheet pan and sprinkles some shredded cheddar cheese on each bit...and it worked out fine.  
They were delicious...and you can see I forgot to take a photo while the dish was full....I had to grab a photo before I put them back on the table - and all of the bites were devoured!
So...I have a jars of cheese spread for the next time I make this recipe.  
Has this ever happened to you?  Did you ever leave something out of a recipe?  And if so, how did you remedy the dish?
I would love to hear from you!  I have to admit I was upset with myself for this goof, but glad it turned out fine.
Let me know what you think in the comments below - I love hearing from you!
Happy June to everyone - wishing you all a great Summer!
Thanks for stopping by Our New Vista!

Summer Reading

Summer Reading Time Happy Summer - the perfect time to relax on the porch or at the pool with a great book.  For years as a Middle School Li...