Top Ten Halloween Reads

by Carol7 Comments
I don't tend to read horror novels, or really any truly scary books, but there are some that are just perfect to read around Halloween. I included some kids books, too, just because I loved them when Amber was little. Top Ten Halloween Reads 1. The Berenstain Bears and the Spooky Old Tree by Stan and Jan Berenstain - Three terrified little bears explore the inside of a mysterious old tree and go into, up, through, over, down, and out. I love the illustrations in this one, too. 2. Dracula by Bram Stoker - The classic story of  the aristocratic vampire that haunts the Transylvanian countryside is a must-read and perfect for the season. 3. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irvin - Amber and I are reading this one together this year. It's a little old-fashioned, but a Halloween classic. I love the Disney version too. 4. Bunnicula by Deborah and James Howe - Great story about a vampire bunny and some other...
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Review: The After House by Mary Roberts Rinehart

by Carol11 Comments
When I borrowed The After House by Mary Roberts Rinehart from our library, I honestly had no idea it took place aboard a ship. I picked it out solely based on the author. I had listened to one of hers before and enjoyed it, so I thought I'd try another. Apparently the title should have given it away, though. I didn't realize an afterhouse is the deckhouse nearest the stern of a ship, not that it would have mattered one way or another. Our narrator is Ralph Leslie, a young man, out of money after paying for medical school and just released from the hospital following an illness. Leslie jumps at the chance to spend the summer aboard the Ella, a yacht owner by millionaire Marshall Turner. Leslie is to act as the steward for the guests housed in the afterhouse. There is some stress on board, but it seems like the journey should be pleasant enough, until Leslie discovers the...
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My Meatloaf

by Carol13 Comments
I don't like meatloaf, or meatballs actually. I never cook meatloaf at home, but my husband and daughter both like it, so my mom serves it occasionally when we're over for dinner. But she also always cooks something else for me. Isn't she great! So, I was looking through recipes a while ago and came across this one at Rachael Ray's site. I thought, if I'm going to ever like any meatloaf, it's probably this one. All the ingredients sounded good, especially the onions on top. Mini Meatloaves Smothered with Onions 4 Servings Prep 15 min Bake 45 min Ingredients 1/2 cup pitted dried dates, chopped 1/2 cup breadcrumbs 1 1/3 pounds ground beef 3 onions, 2 thinly sliced and 1 finely chopped 3 slices cooked bacon, chopped 1 egg, lightly beaten 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar Salt and pepper 4 tablespoons butter, melted Directions: Position racks in the top and bottom thirds of the oven and preheat to 375°. In a bowl, combine the dates and breadcrumbs, working the mixture through your fingers to...
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Flash Fiction: My Penance

by Carol6 Comments
Image credit: Misty Mountain by =ramseyst My Penance 436 words I sit in the balcony of the old stone church, listening to the familiar strains of "Amazing Grace" rising from the congregation. I see a few folks craning their necks, looking up at this old choir loft, hoping to catch a glimpse of the ghost. Once in a while, someone, most often a child, will see me, but they are few and far between. More often, people feel me, look up as I pass, edge away if I stand near them. Being haunted has been good for the Sycamore Church. The pastor repeats time and again that there is no ghost, but still people come, hoping. With the people come money and publicity, though, and the church is thriving, but that’s not why I keep returning. I love listening to the pastor’s deep, rich voice, hearing his melodic readings of the Psalms, watching his dark, passionate eyes scan the audience. Tonight, it feels like...
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Thursday’s Tale: The Strange Visitor by Joseph Jacobs

by Carol9 Comments
Image credit This tale struck me as the perfect one to tell to a group of kids around a campfire, especially with Halloween on its way. In the "Strange Visitor," retold by Joseph Jacobs in English Fairy Tales, an old woman is sitting at her spinning wheel one night. She is sitting and spinning and feeling lonely. She wishes for company. But, once again, be careful what you wish for. In comes a pair of feet that sit down by the fireside. The old woman keeps working and wishing. Then in comes a pair of legs, followed by knees and thighs. Piece by piece a person comes in and sits by the fireside. Finally, after the whole body is assembled, the old woman speaks to it. "How did you get such broad broad feet?" quoth the woman. "Much tramping, much tramping" (_gruffly_). "How did you get such small small legs?" "Aih-h-h!-late--and wee-e-e--moul" (_whiningly_). "How did you get such thick thick knees?" "Much praying, much praying" (_piously_). "How did you get...
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