Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Books ~Author News ~ Recipes ~ Crafts ~ New Trivia Contest Question
Welcome to the 04-12-2024 edition of the weekly Friday Finds.
Well, the eclipse has come and gone. Do you think there was enough hype to hold us until the next one? Seriously, it’s an awesome phenomenon. One of the barn cats & I sat on the deck and watched some stars come out. I believe she thought it was the shortest night ever, and then she wanted breakfast. lol
We are entering that crazy time of year when we have weddings, track meets in the snow, and probably will soon be in the heat, as well as end-of-year school events. Garden and flower bed prep has begun, along with some spring rain. We have been woefully short of rain the last couple of years. As much as I dislike dreary days, I’ll take them if they mean the well and aquifer get replenished.
What’s happening in your part of the world this weekend?
Until next week, Peace & Love to you!
Gina
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Blog News
I had a fun week on the blog with the following reviews:
Concerning Intellectual Suicide in The Human Race” by Massimo Fantini
Leave Everything You Know Behind by Ginny Fite
Clytemnestra’s Bind (The House of Atreus, 1) by Susan C. Wilson
Deadpan: A Novel by Richard Walter | #Satire #MagicalRealism #Intolerance #Bigotry
I have more scheduled for next week, so please check back often.
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Recipes
Chicken Primavera from Christian Reynoso (Bon Appetit)
While pasta primavera can all too often seem like it’s stuck in the ’80s, the best versions highlight fresh quickly cooked spring vegetables bathed in a creamy—not claggy—sauce. And it turns out the primavera treatment is equally delicious when you swap the pasta for golden brown chicken cutlets.
Think of the pearl onions, asparagus, and peas in this recipe only as a template—primavera means spring in Italian, so feel free to bring any and all of the season’s green vegetables into the mix. You can swap in fava beans, sugar snap peas, or even wild ramps. If you can’t find pearl onions (you want the frozen peeled ones), use chopped scallions or spring onions.
One thing you really shouldn’t substitute here: the heavy cream. (Half-and-half will curdle when it mixes with the lemon juice in the pan sauce.) —Christian Reynoso
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A press-in-the-pan crust makes an easier-than-pie dessert that tastes just as heavenly!
My mother-in-law always made Rhubarb Crunch in the spring. I was looking for a different take on rhubarb recipes when I found this one from Betty Crocker. I can’t wait to give it a try. The rhubarb is flourishing this year, so it won’t be long until we are enjoying this early spring treat.
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You can also check today’s corresponding email newsletter for more recipes. (Don’t get the Friday Finds email? Sign up on the sidebar! ) —>
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024| Books
I’ve been on a Darcy Burke binge lately. I have reviewed some on the blog, and others will be featured later. I’m reading Impassioned, The Phoenix Club #2 this weekend. If you want to do a “read-along,” let me know. I love to talk books on any platform, any time.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Burke, Darcy (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 340 Pages - 03/05/2024 (Publication Date) - Oliver Heber Books (Publisher)
Speaking of read-alongs, my Instagram Book Club is reading Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree this spring. It’s been on my radar for a while. I just needed a push to get to it.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Baldree, Travis (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 296 Pages - 06/07/2022 (Publication Date) - Tor Books (Publisher)
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Author News
This is my latest scoop from Indie Authors.
I knew I was forgetting something last week. I wanted to share this note and clip from Mim Eichmann when I shared the news about her upcoming release, Tayvie’s Story. If you weren’t aware, Mim is quite the vocalist as well as an author.
For well over two decades, she was known primarily in the Chicago area as the artistic director and choreographer of Midwest Ballet Theatre and director of its home, Midwest Ballet Academy, bringing full-length professional ballet performances to thousands of dance lovers every year. She was the recipient of many arts programming grants.
A desire to become involved again in the folk music world brought about the creation of her acoustic quartet Trillium, now in its 15th year. This folk band is well known for its eclectic repertoire, performing throughout the Midwest, and has also released four CDs.
She’s also written the lyrics and music for two award-winning original children’s CDs, “Why Do Ducks Have Webby Toes?” and “Wander Down Beyond the Rainbow,” and occasionally schedules concerts of her children’s music and movement programs.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Eichmann, Mim (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 355 Pages - 07/23/2024 (Publication Date) - Living Springs Publishers (Publisher)
After missing the BBNYA (Book Bloggers Novel of the Year Awards) last year because of eye issues and surgeries, I agreed to participate again this year. You will see lots of future notes and mentions of the competition. For now, if you are an Indie Author, sign-ups are still going on. I think all the authors who participate seem to enjoy it and receive some fantastic prizes.
If you want to sign up as a panelist, I’m sure they would love to have you. You can find more information at the following links.
2024 BBNYA Author Sign-Up Form
2024 BBNYA Panelist Sign-Up Form
If you have a few minutes, won’t you look at my review archives? Vote for your favorite Indie Author review by leaving a comment on that post for a chance to earn the author a special badge and yourself a chance to win a quarterly prize.
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Creative News
Last week’s Friday Finds featured yarn and embroidery. So, I searched for something a little different this week.
This is unfinished wood. Sizing 4″ to 10″ is cut on 1/8-thick birch, while 12″ to 18″ is cut on 1/4-thick birch.
If you would like holes for hanging, please mention in the note to the seller area. Holes can only be added for sizing 18″.
You will need:
*Paint
*Glue
*Paint Brushes
*Water
The majority of our orders are cut live on social media. Be sure to follow to watch your order being cut.
It’s funny how a person gets locked into thinking about something a certain way. Fresh eyes have a different perspective. I’ve always made 10-bead abacus counters. I recently had a customer request an abacus for her water bottle. She only wanted three beads because she drinks three bottles of water per day. Wow, I had never thought of doing custom-sized abacuses, but I promise you that option is going in the shop as soon as I get some samples made up. I have more color options coming soon, too.
Weekly Friday Finds | 04-12-2024 | Trivia Time
This week’s trivia question is:
What is the oldest soft drink in America?
The answer to last week’s question:
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn takes place in the fictional town of St. Petersburg, Missouri, which was based on what real town? Hannibal, Missouri!
Leave your guess in the comments below to be entered in the monthly drawing. (Email Newsletter subscribers get double entries)
Remember, if you find something you like in this post, leave a comment and click the LIKE button at the bottom of the page. It means the world!
See you soon for more Weekly Friday Finds Fun!
Gina
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Thanks so much, Gina, for including the youtube link and how it all links back to my soon-to-be-released novel! Like so many writers, it’s been a dream come true to research and write about a subject I hold so very dear to my heart — early New Orleans style jazz music!
You are most welcome, Mim. Glad to help in any way I can.
I signed up for BBNYA as an author! 🙂
I have no idea what the oldest soft drink is but someone said Dr Pepper and that seems reasonable 🙂
Good luck with BBNYA! And I have you entered in the trivia drawing!
I ended up being outside during the eclipse but didn’t look up because I didn’t have eye protection. It’s unlikely I would’ve seen anything anyway because it was so cloudy. I’m excited for spring gardening too!
Dr. Pepper is the oldest soft drink! That surprised me!
Have a great weekend!
Thanks for stopping by Jessica. I have your entries added to the jar!
I’m looking forward to reading Legends and Lattes with you!
Thank you for shouting out BBNYA
Thanks, Ashlee! I need to go find a copy of the book.
Lemonade is the oldest soft drink.
Thanks for stopping by, Terri! I have added you to the trivia jar!