M.A. Kropp: Writer, Blogger, GeekGirl. My Life. My Words. My Way.
My rating: 4 of 5 starsEric Ripert is a well-known, Michelin-starred chef at one of New York's best restaurants, Le Bernardin. He grew up in the Andorra region of France, where his mother was an excellent cook, but insisted that the kitchen was no place for a boy. He adored his father and was devastated … Continue reading Friday Review: 32 Yolks: From My Mother’s Table to Working the Line by Eric Ripert
For those of us in the US, this past Thursday was Thanksgiving which, for many, marks the beginning of the winter holiday season. It's also been a bit of a controversial holiday lately for some, but I choose to think of it more as a day for family and gratitude. The actual history of the … Continue reading And So It Begins
My rating: 3 of 5 starsI like food. I like to eat good food (perhaps a bit too much!). So, I generally enjoy reading the stories of the people who have worked their way through the difficult journey to professional chef. And if that chef happens to be woman, all the better, because the food … Continue reading Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef by Gabrielle Hamilton
On Saturday, we went to Spiedie Fest in BInghamton. Spie adies are a bit of a local thing here. It's chunks of marinated meat, originally lamb, but now made with pork and chicken also, grilled and served on slices of soft Italian bread. It's a summer thing that started in BInghamton, and isn't known too … Continue reading It’s a Local Thing
This year? Not so great. We started the gardening year during the main part of the COVID-19 lockdown, so we weren't going anywhere. Which meant that getting in things like planting medium and other yearly needs was put off for a bit. I did start some of the vegetables indoors as usual, but I had … Continue reading Monday Musings: How Does Your Garden Grow?
My rating: 4 of 5 starsSince we moved to our current home, I have not been able to have an earth garden. That's one of the minor drawbacks of living in a townhouse development. So, I have moved my gardening to pots and other containers, both flowers and vegetables. This book is a great resource … Continue reading Friday Review: The Vegetable Gardener’s Container Bible by Edward C. Smith
February is the worst month, as far as I am concerned. It seems to go on forever. It's often cold, but you know the warm weather is not far off and that just makes it seem colder. Many February days are gloomy, cloudy, and gray. Makes me want to just nap through the whole month, … Continue reading Whatever Wednesday: Random Stuff Around Here
(Those of you not in the USA or who are not football fans can skip the first paragraph.) This was kind of a weird weekend. We didn't watch any football on Sunday. It was the Pro Bowl, and honestly, we gave up watching that one a few years ago. It's just a big media foofra … Continue reading Monday Musings: Games, Poke, a Groundhog, Writing, and a Book for You
Summer Sale!! During the month of July, all my books and stories will be on sale at Smashwords. Three, including the first two stories in my urban fantasy series, The Yo-Yo Files, are free. My short fantasy collection is half off, as is my latest sci-fi novel, Two's Company. My first novel, Circle Unbroken, is at even more of a discount. Ebooks are … Continue reading Tuesday Thoughts: At Least the Heat Wave is Over
Summer Sale!! During the month of July, all my books and stories will be on sale at Smashwords. Three, including the first two stories in my urban fantasy series, The Yo-Yo Files, are free. My short fantasy collection is half off, as is my latest sci-fi novel, Two's Company. My first novel, Circle Unbroken, is at even more of a discount. Ebooks are … Continue reading Monday Musings: Beer Fests and Other Amusements
And So On... 