Happens all of the time. From cat vs. human.
“Eve” – First of a trilogy.
In Iris Johansen’s 11th Eve Duncan novel, the first of a trilogy, “Eve” zeros in on the kidnapper and serial killer who she believes years earlier abducted and murdered her seven-year-old daughter, Bonnie. In this story, we get a glimpse into Eve’s background as a teenager, the conception of Bonnie and Bonnie’s kidnapping.
Did “Eve” motivate me to read the next two stories (“Quinn” & “Bonnie”)? No. I am beginning to question if I still care to find out the outcome. I was very excited to hear that Johansen was finally writing a resolution to Bonnie’s story, but I was disappointed. The story ends with a cliff-hanger, leaving the door open for the next novel, “Quinn”. I feel many of Johansen’s recent Eve Duncan books are repetitive and that she has been dragging the Bonnie story line on for far too long. This book gave the impression that all would be revealed and instead it gave almost no answers.
Please note: If you have not yet read the last novel about Eve, “Chasing the Night”, you will want to read it before this particular novel, since it incorporates the same characters, and while the novel stands independently, you will understand it much more with the background information from “Chasing the Night”. I did not know this going into “Eve”.
Delightfully Living: Day 110 – Day 117
365 photo project – the simple act of taking a picture every day for a year. The idea behind starting the project is for me to try to get myself to slow down and take a different look at the world. The series is called Delightfully Living. This is Day 110 – Day 117.
What you will see: moments of time, food, details of the world around me and things that I enjoy.
Day 110: Waffles for breakfast!
Day 111: Someone made herself comfortable in our bed! Pulled the covers over herself and was even snoring.
Day 112: A little gift to myself from Baltimore – a bunny cotton holder.
Day 113: While watching a movie Layla wanted to get in on the action.
Day 114: Cupcakes for Take Our Daughters & Sons to Work Day I hosted at work.
Day 115: Brownie Waffle Pinterest Fail!
Day 116: A little treat: Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter & Jelly Chocolate Bar.
Day 117: Saving the Elephants Party Hosted by Amarula Cream at the Bronx Zoo.
Ahoy Matey! Shiver me Timbers!
My husband is a big pirate fan. You wouldn’t know it by looking at him.
So of course on our recent Baltimore trip, a friend and I decided to surprise Mr. Sweet with a “Bring Your Own Grog” cruise in Fells Point. Since 2008, Urban Pirates has been launching daytime family cruises and nighttime adult cruises on their 52-foot custom built pirate ship, “Fearless.”
We opted for the nighttime version, where you can board the ship with any alcoholic beverage of your pleasing. Once on the ship, you are fitting with a costume and serenaded with entertaining pirate soundtracks. The whole experience was a blast as we sang along with our fellow pirates, drank our grog and laughed till our stomachs hurt.
The entire cruise takes about an hour, as the ship leaves from Ann Street pier, sails along Tide Point, Locust Point, Federal Hill, and the Inner Harbor. Though, you won’t venture out onto the open seas, you can dress, talk, and play games like a pirate as you safely cruise around the harbor.
Be prepared to man the water cannons and blast away any enemy pirates!
Urban Pirates runs four nightly trips every Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $25 and many of the cruises book up early (we booked about two weeks in advance since it was their first trip of the season). The cruise is a really unique way to see Baltimore, from the waters view and I suggest it for kids and adults alike!
Urban Pirates
912 South Ann Street
Baltimore, MD 21231
(410) 327-8378
Pinterest Fail!
So I was in a rush the other day. My sister and her boyfriend were coming over for our weekly game night/movie night/drink a bottle of wine night. I made adorable mini meatloaves, mash potatoes, biscuits and veggies. I wanted to have a little dessert but didn’t have the time or the energy to make something elaborate. That is when Pinterest came into play.
I am constantly looking to Pinterest for ideas and saw a wonderful picture of brownie waffles. How cute I thought! How quick! How different!
I made the mix, sprayed the iron with PAM and popped the batter in.
Problem 1: I walked away (even thought it was only 3 minutes)
Problem 2: I placed a bit too much batter into the iron.
Problem 3: I was in a rush.
Problem 4: Please see picture.
Yikes! There was batter everywhere! Dribbling down the cabinet and on the floor!
I do take responsibility for this Pinterest fail. I am not sure if I will ever try it again, but the end result was cooked brownie pieces scraped off of the iron and a lot of mess to clean up. It was yummy, but not at all pretty.
Blue Moon Café
Mr. Sweet & I have a friend. He is a lover of food. We have gone on dozens of trips with him and his girlfriend and never have been disappointed. He plans trips like no one I have ever met. We know when we are going away with him that we will come back with hilarious stories, full bellies and lots of memories.
He has yet to steer us wrong.
So when he suggested stopping by the Blue Moon Café in Fells Point, MD we were all for it – even with the hour wait.
The atmosphere is upbeat and welcoming with its eclectic décor of fireplace mantles, artsy knick-knacks and collectibles, Day of the Dead skeletons, and the hodgepodge of tables and chairs.
The menu offers classic dishes or house specialties all in generous portions. We each ordered something different so we could all have a taste of something unique. The huevos rancheros with chorizo, eggs, fresh salsa, cheddar and crisp corn tortillas were delicious, but the winner was definitely the Captain Crunch French Toast. Oh and the homemade biscuits and jams – Yumm! Cinnamon rolls the size of your head!
I am so happy we don’t live closer because I would want to eat here again and again.
Blue Moon Café
1621 Aliceanna Street
Balitmore, MD 21231
(410)522-3940
Delightfully Living: Day 102 – Day 109
365 photo project – the simple act of taking a picture every day for a year. The idea behind starting the project is for me to try to get myself to slow down and take a different look at the world. The series is called Delightfully Living. This is Day 102- Day 109.
What you will see: moments of time, food, details of the world around me and things that I enjoy.
Day 102: One of the best and biggest crab cakes I have ever had! So good!
Day 103: A behind the scenes experience at the Aquarium in Baltimore.
Day 104: On our way home from Baltimore we stopped to eat. For the life of me can NOT remember what the place was called. I do remember the BBQ chicken nachos. They were sooooo good!
Day 105: Missing Baltimore.
Day 106: An extreme close-up of Layla. She is really starting to love the camera.
Day 107: We are big breakfast for dinner kind of people. Our breakfast pizza contained sausage, cheddar cheese and a fried egg.
Day 108: “How do dinosaurs..”
Day 109: Books, tissues and tea. Trying to get better.
April Roundup
I have decided that at the end of each month I am going to do a roundup as a reminder to myself of the great things that happen. It is a simple but effective memory keeping tool. It’s a great way to feel a sense of accomplishment, and get us ready to greet a new month of possibilities.
