By: Jaymie Leighton Müller
Title: Cast Iron Alibi
Series: Vintage Kitchen Mysteries
Author: Victoria Hamilton
Website: Victoria Hamilton Mysteries
So... I normally head up to Canada to visit my Grandma Leighton for the Memorial Day long weekend - last year Jocie, Jakob and I all made the trek and had a cookout with grandma - but I won't be doing that this year.
However... we live on a Christmas tree farm and have bought a chunk of land next to us that we plan on converting into a pumpkin patch and holiday store fun spot, so there is a lot of work to be done.
Our little family is definitely going to take time this long weekend, though, for some at home staycation fun. We'll be doing a cookout, a camp fire, and Jocie and I are going to redecorate the big treehouse... we're making it over into a treehouse teahouse. At Jacob's store, The Junk Stops Here, he has a box of mismatched china plates, teacups and saucers that will be perfect to use, and for crafting material.
But we'll also be taking some family time to read this weekend. Jakob (I've convinced him to read for fun, not just forestry manuals!) is reading a double header... he's in the middle of The Call of the Wild by Jack London, and I suggested Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild, a based-on-a-true-story biography that I found interesting, though ultimately sad. As a companion, I suggested he read The Wild Truth, by Carine McCandless, sister of the subject of Into the Wild, Chris McCandless.
Jocie is going to start reading one of my childhood favorite series, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. It's a timeless adventure tale that holds up superbly, with the benefit of several books in the series once she's done Lion, and a wonderful series of films based on the books!Some of my reading material for the weekend is... cookbooks! I'm finally getting serious about The Vintage Kitchen, my cookbook based on my grandma's recipes. Maybe I'll even try out a couple of the recipes this weekend. (Who am I kidding?? I'll also be reading some of my favorite Regency romance novels, and bugging my author friend Melody Heath about when her next one is coming out!)
So... what are your Staycation plans? Gardening? Cooking? Reading???
~::~
Tell me your Memorial Day plans this year and be entered to win a $20 USD Amazon gift card!
Remember:
1 - Entries are welcome internationally; the Amazon gift card will be sent from the Amazon site of your choice in an equivalent to USD.2 - Enter by Midnight, Friday, May 22nd.
3 - Please provide a first name and an email address: youremail (at) yourserver (dot) com
4 - Please note that entries posted after Midnight, May 21st, will go into a moderator's queue and will be approved before I select a winner.
What's on sale
THREE Victoria Hamilton Mysteries are on sale for just 99 Cents each! Whatta deal!
Leave It to Cleaver
#6 of the Vintage Kitchen Mysteries
Amazon.com - Amazon.ca - Barnes & Noble
Muffin But Trouble
#6 of the Merry Muffin Mysteries
Amazon.com - Amazon.ca - Barnes & Noble
Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark
#1 in the Lady Anne Addison Mysteries!
Amazon.com - Amazon.ca - Barnes & Noble
Posts
I sadly have to work non Memorial Day this year. But when I get home my family and I will be having from burgers on the grille and watch some fireworks.
ReplyDeleteKitten143 (at) Verizon (dot) net
I think some burgers on the grill. My daughter has to work so I may have to babysit,
ReplyDelete[email protected]
As I work from home, I will be spending the long weekend in the garden working or on my porch reading. So sad the Canadian border isn't going to open until June 20th.
ReplyDeleteryannaward71(at)gmail(dot)com.
My staycation involves working in the garden, reading more books, and more walks with my husband. Normally we go to the beach but this year we will be enjoying the sun at home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance! Jess
maceoindo at yahoo dot com
With doctor appointments with specialist two hours away on both Friday and Tuesday, it will be nice to stay at home during the holiday weekend. It wouldn't be Memorial Day weekend without a cookout. With modern day ways, grilling is year round, but as a kid Memorial Day weekend was the start of grilling season just as July 4th was for watermelons and homemade ice cream. We will definitely be upholding this family traditions just haven't decided on what the meal in be just yet. That mainly depends on what is in the freezer or what we might be able to find at the store since meat seems to be limited in variety these days. With the weather being nice and temperatures nice and more springlike now, it will be a nice time to sit on the front porch either reading a good book or photographing the wide array of daily critter visitors we have. Love getting photos of the migrating birds since they are here for such a short time and are so colorful.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the fabulous opportunity to win a $20 Amazon gift card!
Please be safe, stay healthy and by all means read a good book for a little adventure.
Kay Garrett
2clowns at arkansas dot net
We'll still be hiding at home on Memorial Day, but I'm hoping to get some takeout from the BBQ place near here. ckmbeg (at) gmail (dot) com
ReplyDeleteThis weekend is a biggie. My 50th wedding anniversary. A small family celebration. In the future a trip that would be memorable and special. Perhaps Canada as I am Canadian and miss being there or a beautiful beach where I can read and relax. Anne. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'll be working. Because it is in a winery, we'll be making wine slushies. I hope there are some left over at the end of the day. cheers (at) marjimmanor (dot) com
ReplyDeleteI have been on vacation all week, just relaxing since I have been working a lot of overtime. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteNot much on the schedule for this weekend. I usually plant my flowers, herbs, and veggies. Hopefully weather will cooperate. I would like to go on a picnic with hubby but that too depends on the elements. Thank you for the opportunity. lsum1258 (at) aol (dot) com
ReplyDeleteA beautiful, unforgettable holiday weekend filled with sunshine, long walks, picnics and fun outside. Our grandchildren who fill our lives with joy and give us great pleasure. Ellie. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI plan on taking a day trip to Books A Million and the rest of my weekend will be spent lost in a book. Angela -- bookaunt at outlook dot come
ReplyDeleteI work Saturday and Sunday of Memorial weekend, but Monday it’s supposed to rain. This means that I will split my time puttering around the house and reading. Thank for for the opportunity of this drawing.
ReplyDeleteI've been on Administrative Leave from my full-time job. Still have my part-time telecommute job, plus we're taking care of our two grandsons. One plan is to make homemade pizza (my husband makes the pizza crusts from scratch, I do the sauce and toppings. The grandsons love the spinach/mozzarella/garlic pizza the best! teenlibn at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteSunday is our son's birthday so we will be having a special meal and upon his request, a carrot cake. Monday we will visit my husband's parents grave site to plant flowers and spruce it up. Otherwise it is a quiet weekend, enjoying all our work so far in our gardens and watching our cats chase Miller moths. robeader53(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteMy staycation plans are to order a bunch of delicious barbecue from our favorite place (curbside pick up), watch a bunch of movies and make a blanket fort with my son (it's supposed to rain all weekend here)
ReplyDeleteThat's Monday, right? That's clinic day. Most holidays falling on Mondays aren't holidays for me! What I would LIKE to do is have a bbq party with my family!
ReplyDeleteI'm tired of cooking, going to order take out burgers and fries from the Pub a few blocks away. Have a great weekend. Kathy [email protected]
ReplyDeleteThis year my birthday is on Memorial Day. I am getting Free Little Library, which we will be installing that day in our front yard. So, excited to be sharing this with our neighbors.
ReplyDeleteWe have a Zoom wedding on Sunday, and following that, there will be a car parade driving by the house to congratulate the new couple. Other than that, no special plans for the weekend. Except reading, of course, and I should be getting Cast Iron Alibi in the mail today!
ReplyDeleteMichelle [email protected]
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI accidentally forgot to include my name and email. So sorry: Jeanne, [email protected]
DeleteMy grandson is visiting from the UK. I'll be spoiling him. cmori54(at)Yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI'll be working on Memorial Day, I'm a nurse, so my schedule is set and doesn't change (unless I ask for a day off here and there!) SInce I work nights, we will likely BBQ before and maybe have a few neighbors over! Judy, [email protected]
ReplyDeleteWorking this weekend. I'll be sleeping Monday!
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Memorial Day is when (in my family) we remember those who are not only gone but served in our military. Like my cousin Arnie, a first gen American. His father came to the US in the late 18 - early 1900's from Jerusalem (Israel) and married my great aunt. Arnie signed up and ended up serving in the Oxi-Moron branch of the Army (military intelligence). He was liaison to the German underground, a camp breaker (he spoke multiple languages) a Town Marshal and was at the Neurenburg Trials to identify his contacts. He came home a 1st. Lt. and based out of Ft. Meade in Maryland. He fought in three wars and is buried with honor in a National Cemetery near Corning, NY Major Arnold J. Lapiner. His wife Golda is right next to him. First Lieutenant Golda Lapiner.
ReplyDeleteMy Father and Step Father both served, two uncles and multiple cousins. My adopted daughter is a Ft. Hood graduate and served in Iraq. This all goes back to my first ancestor who came from Portugal in 1693 to Newport R.I. and helped found the Turo Synagogue. Rabbi Moses Seixas... His grandson joined the NY Militia and fought in the Revolution..
This is who we remember and honor...
I am always down with Gardening, Cooking and Reading! We are frying chicken this weekend and sharing with our next door neighbor. A quiet at home Memorial Day weekend. Thanks for the giveaway and I love your books.❤
ReplyDeletebcollin981(at)gmail(dot)com
Staying home as Pa remains on lockdown. I am one of those crazy ones who follow the rules. Thanks for the giveaway and stay safe. [email protected]
ReplyDeleteIm in PA too. Near Pittsburgh. Stay safe!
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