A Five Star Review

Five reasons I'm giving Five Stars to:

The Kat Holloway Mysteries by Jennifer Ashley.

1. The series - We are in 1880 London and Kat

Holloway is a cook in a posh house. There is

an interesting upstairs-downstairs scenario, there is

a mysterious Daniel, and there are of course bodies.

2. The protagonist - Kat is always the smartest, 

kindest and most capable person in the room 

AND she's a fantastic cook. But I'm not holding it 

against her because, relatively speaking, she is a

product of her time.

3. The sensibility - So many protagonists of historical 

mysteries are liberal feminists with modern 

sensibilities that you forget how difficult it was for

a single woman to make her way. These books

feel more authentic in this respect.

4. The domestic details - I love details of daily life

and these books take the time to let us know how

a cook in Victorian London went about her day.

There are a LOT of yummy food descriptions.

5. The atmosphere - If you are in the market for

a light and gentle read, fast paced but without gore, 

with a likeable heroine, a nice feeling for the period

and a bit of romance, this could be the series for you.

♡

Featured: I made this granny square blanket
as a wedding present. Made with love to celebrate love.

Scarf Weather

If I had a scarf for every day

I'd always look so clever,

and every day would be laundry day

and I'd be ironing forever.

♡

Featured: It is not yet scarf weather

around here but we live in hope.

Run Rabbit Run

A long time ago, 

or maybe last week

I met a very pink rabbit;

We got to talking 

and I was keen 

to hear about his habit.

He told me he liked

to wake with the sun

and begin each and every day -

with a great big smile

and happy thoughts

and only nice things to say.

Some days were grey

and if you listened well

you might hear a rabbit complain:

that the air was cold,

the grass was wet

and he didn't like the rain.

But the very next morning

he'd be up with a smile

ready to welcome the sun,

because a pink rabbit knows

that each day is a gift

and he loves every single one.

♡

Featured: A pink friend

addicted to happiness.

The Toys Are Upset!

The toys are upset

and they're muttering a lot,

summer is ending

and it's still very hot.

Everyone else has

a lot of time off,

but when they want a break

these children just scoff.

They work so hard

and they do work cheap,

they mind the children

so the grown-ups can sleep.

But if they don't get a vacation

whatever the cost,

they're off on a strike

and the kids can get lost.

♡

Featured: Four exhausted friends.

A Nice Day Out

Summer was not working,

he was sitting in the shade

and mumbling to himself:

"I quit, don't need to get paid.

I thought I got the good season,

the one with games and fun,

nobody thought to mention

I'd be getting sun and more sun.

Having a sunny disposition

is harder than I thought

when I'm always getting burnt

and I'm always always hot!"

♡

Featured: We had a nice day out

in the hot sun and were

very happy about it.

An Unexpected Guest

One hot and boring day,

I went outside to play,

I saw a dragon in the garden

and said ‘I beg your pardon’?

The dragon was surprised

he didn’t realize

that little boys could talk,

really, he was in shock.

He said: ‘I’m stopping by

to see a butterfly’.

his wings are gold and red,

his name is Happy Fred.’

I said: ‘oh don’t you worry,

I scared you, I am sorry,

the roses by the shed

are where we’ll find your Fred.

It really was quite sweet

to see the two friends meet,

we had a rugby match

and played a game of catch.

They both flew on to Rome

and me? I went back home.

Now do you wonder why?

‘cause little boys can’t fly.

♡

Featured: A new softie friend.

A Five Star Review

Five reasons I'm giving Five Stars to:
The Bunburry Mysteries by Helena Marchmont.

1. The series - Alfie McAlister inherits a
cottage in the village of Bunburry. Someone
has died recently, the locals think that it is
an accident, but Alfie is not convinced.

2. The protagonist - Alfie is a Cary Grant

kind of protagonist - intelligent and

elegant with a keen appreciation of fun.

3. The literary connection - "anyone can be good in
the country, there are no temptations there" -
we are in Oscar Wilde country with a bit of
Miss Marple thrown in. 

4. The Atmosphere - these books are so

light they may very well float away

if you don't hold them tightly.

5. In short - if you are in the market for

a short and gentle read,
contemporary with a vintage feel,
these may well be the mystery novellas for you.

♡

Featured: A felt needlework
of a garden my niece drew for me.