Nova Scotia's Community Haul ~ January 2021

I received my January Nova Scotia's Community Haul subscription box today.

Weddings and school concerts, charity bake sales and chase-the-ace - our community halls are where Nova Scotians have come together for generations to celebrate and support one another. Since we’re together apart for the foreseeable future, we’ve transformed the community hall into a Community Haul. 

Community Haul, partnered with Symplicity Designs set out to create a safe and fun way to help the small business community through the next year. Our product forges connection, creates community, and offers you the opportunity to explore Nova Scotia - all from the safety of your home. 

We've launched a 12 month subscription box to celebrate Nova Scotia business owners and help reboot the regional economy. By pledging your community support with a subscription, you can help keep the lights on for dozen of small businesses during these economically stressful times. What's more, every box sold will support the IWK Foundation to provide care for the women and children in the Maritimes.  

Support Nova Scotia businesses by opening your doors to our Community Haul!

I'm originally from Nova Scotia and thought it would be fun to receive stuff from "back home" and help support their economy.

Here is what I received ...

Hint of Lime Designs bookmark

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Book ~ "Olive, Mabel and Me: Life and Adventures with Two Very Good Dogs" (2020) Andrew Cotter

From Goodreads ~ "Olive, Mabel and Me" is the new book from broadcaster Andrew Cotter and his now internet famous canine companions, Olive and Mabel.

Olive and Mabel went viral on social media with their sporting contests during the COVID-19 lockdown, with Andrew Cotter’s unique commentary propelling the videos to over 40 million views.

Now Cotter shares stories of his adventures with his loveable (and occasionally exasperating) canine companions in this beautifully written, touching and laugh-out-loud funny new book.

I first became aware of Andrew, Olive and Mabel in the spring when I came across his "company meeting" Zoom video with his dogs, Olive and Mabel.  Around that time, I was starting to do more and more live webinars since COVID locked us all down and I couldn't do face-to-face meetings (which was about 75% of my job).  I thought the video was a hoot and I started following them on social media.  I love reading books about animals so was looking forward to reading his book.

Andrew is a Scottish sports broadcaster working primarily for the BBC, covering mainly golf and rugby union.  When COVID arrived and all the sports he covered were cancelled, he didn't have anything to do.  So he was bored and spontaneously filmed Olive and Mabel eating and put a funny sports-like commentary with it.  He uploaded the video and was pleasantly surprised at the response.  He's since done more videos, including the Zoom company meeting.  And that led him to write this book.

The book starts with his childhood, where his family always had dogs, and that started his love of dogs.  He always wanted one but he and his partner, Caroline, didn't get one until they settled down away from London.  They started by doing a lot of research to find the perfect breed of dog for them.  They determined that a Lab fit the bill and got Olive as a puppy.  Four years later, puppy Mabel joined their family.  Olive is a black Lab and Mabel is a yellow Lab and they have distinctly different personalities, which Andrew amusingly explains.  Andrew is very much into intense mountain hiking, sometimes with a lot of snow, and Olive and Mabel often join him on his day long treks.

I liked the writing style and enjoyed this book.  It was informative but amusing.  It's obvious Andrew love love loves his dogs.

Humber Bay Park West, Toronto, ON

It was such a nice sunny day today that Gord and I headed to Humber Bay Park West for a walk.  It was good to get outside ... it's been a while since we've had a nice day.  There were quite a few people out and about so we all had the same idea.

We've been to Humber Bay Park East many many times and don't know why we've never gone to Humber Bay Park West, which is less than five minutes from it.

There are a couple parking lots and we found a spot in the one in the middle.  We walked around a nearby point and then head southwest and ended up at the dog park.  Then we turned around and headed to the beginning of the park, doubling back to the car.

Sticker Day

Today is Sticker Day ... and it reminded me to dig out my stickers and celebrate!  I haven't taken them out in years!

I started pen palling when I was about 10 and then stopped when I was about 34.  I had the same pen pals for many years and at the most I was writing to about 100 people!

A part of pen palling was collecting stickers to put on letters and envelopes so I got involved in sticker exchanges.  How a sticker exchange worked was there would be maybe 10 to 20 members from all over the world.  When you received the envelope full of sheets of stickers, you would take out what you wanted and replace them and put your initial in the corner.  Then you would send the envelope off to the next person on the list (this is back when postage was cheap).  When the envelope of stickers came back to you and sheets of yours were still there (that meant than no one wanted your stickers), you had to take them out and replace them.

When I first joined sticker exchanges back in the 1980s, I was still living in Antigonish, NS, and there wasn't much of a selection there so it was a great way to get exposure to so many different stickers from all over the world!

I kept the sheets of stickers protected in photo albums (sorted by style, content, type, etc. ... yes, I was that anal!).  Once I stopped using them, all those photo albums took up a lot of space so I took the stickers out of the albums and put them in a canvas bag which has spent the last 20 years or so in my closet.

I took them out today and went through them and sorted them a bit ... there are hundreds and hundreds of sheets!  

I've sort of got them by type ... animals, hearts, rainbows, unicorns, funny sayings, famous characters, shiny, scratch 'n sniff (some still smell after all these years!), etc.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of kid-size  of purple on purple Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens ... a pattern I've used many times.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 30 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 36 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 9 above, purl 2, put 6 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 6 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 4)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 6 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 6 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Book ~ "Till Death Do Us Tart" (2018) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ Torte - the small-town bakeshop no one can resist - is hosting a midsummer night’s wedding ... where merry-making and murder are served up in equal measure. 

Jules Capshaw has too much on her plate - and she’s feeling the pinch: the whole town of Ashland, Oregon, is in on the surprise Elizabethan-themed wedding she’s planning for her mom and soon-to-be stepdad. But is her secret scheme half-baked? She’s hiding racks overflowing with sweet treats while Torte is topsy-turvy with a major remodel and the return of Jules’s estranged husband, Carlos. 

And until now, Jules had no clue about the bitter family feud that has her friend Lance frazzled and suspicious. But when a party crasher takes someone out with a serving of poisoned wine and Jules discovers the deadly cup was intended for her, it’s time to turn the tables on a killer.

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been over a year and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother. 

Jules' mother is engaged to Doug, the town's head of police, and Jules is planning a surprise A Midsummer Night's Dream-theme wedding (to tie in with the town's Shakespeare Festival) for them at the winery she is a part owner in.  The whole town is in on it and Jules is secretly baking for it while hiding it from her mother and Doug.

Carlos and Ramiro, his teenage son, arrive from Spain for the week to attend the wedding.  Jules has never met Ramiro and only recently learned of his existence.  This is causing extra stress.

And if she didn't have enough on her plate, her best friend, Lance, has been out of town for a couple weeks and when he returns, she finds out then where he was.  He was visiting his father in the next town who is dying.  When he does pass away suddenly, Lance suspects his brother, Leo, had something to do with it and includes Jules in his investigation.

This is the eighth in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've been reading the books in this series and have read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting a pair of kid-size Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  I've never made them for kids and adapted a pattern I've used many times.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 30 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 36 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 9 above, purl 2, put 6 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 6 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 4)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 6 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 6 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Book ~ "Another One Bites the Crust" (2018) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ Torte - the beloved small-town bakeshop run by Jules Capshaw - is set to hit the stage. But who would have guessed that murder would makes a surprise appearance?

It’s the role of a lifetime for Jules. The Shakespeare Festival has returned to Ashland, Oregon, for the season and Torte has been cast as the supplier of Elizabethan-era treats for the main event. But on the eve of opening night, a brawl between Jules’s friend Lance, the artistic director, and a strapping young thespian named Anthony almost brings down the house ... and the next morning, Anthony is dead. 

Jules knows that Lance loves his drama - and his just desserts - but she also knows that murder is way off-script for him. Now it’s up to Jules to cut through a bevy of backstage betrayals and catty co-stars who all have their own secrets - before the curtain drops on someone else.

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been over six months and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother. 

Ashland is a quaint Shakespeare-theme town and the Shakespeare Festival is starting up again for another season.  After opening night, one of the lead actors is found murdered by Lance, the festival's artistic director, and he is soon arrested.  Though Lance and Antony didn't get along and Lance is a drama queen, Jules doesn't think her best friend killed Antony and sets out to find out who did.

In the meantime, Jules' mother recently got engaged to Doug, the town's head of police, and she is busy helping her mother plan the wedding.

This is the seventh in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've been reading the books in this series and have read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Book ~ "Caught Bread Handed" (2016) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ Jules Capshaw is still chewing over her husband Carlos’s return to Ashland, Oregon. Could there be too many cooks in the kitchen? Whatever is stirring between those two will have to wait. Despite the Oregon Shakespeare Festival being dark for the winter, the bakeshop is bustling, the dough is rolling, and there’s no rest for the weary … especially when murder is thrown into the mix. 

When Mindy Nolan, the owner of a new restaurant in town, turns up dead, the batter at hand thickens. Jules knows that there was bad blood between Mindy and others in town and tracking down the killer could prove to be an unwelcome treat. And to top it all off, there’s Carlos, who is pleading - with those delicious dark eyes and sexy Spanish accent - for Jules to take him back. Is home where the heart is or will she make a fresh start … and risk getting burned? 

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been over six months and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother. 

Ashland is a quaint Shakespeare-theme town and recently a flashy chain restaurant opened and not many are happy, which has caused conflict.  When Mindy, one of the owners of the restaurant, is found murdered on the site, it could be one of many who killed her ... including Alan, who up until recently had owned the space but lost it due to financial difficulties, or Rosamond, who has the ear of the town council and has been petitioning to have the restaurant closed down.

In the meantime,  Carlos showed up out of the blue wanting to work things out with Jules.  He is spending the week in Ashland before he heads back to the cruise ship and and he wants Jules to go with him, and she is very tempted.

This is the fourth in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series and I'd recently read the first couple and the last one in this series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I just finished knitting another pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens.  They are fun to make.

I used 4 ply yarn and 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

1. With A, cast on 42 sts
2. Knit 1, purl 1 for 18 rows
3. Purl
4. Purl, increasing 2 stitches on each needle for a total of 48 stitches

Pattern

1.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
2. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
3. Purl 2 rows with A
4. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
5. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
6. Purl 2 rows with A
7.  *Knit 4 with B, slip 2 purlwise with A*, repeat to the end of row
8. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
9. Purl 2 rows with A
10. Knit 1 with B, * slip 2 purlwise with A, knit 4 with B*, repeat to the last three stitches, knit 3 with B
11. Repeat this row 4 more times (5 in total)
12. Purl 2 rows with A

Thumb

1. In step 12 above, purl 2, put 7 stitches on a stitch holder for the thumb and cast on 7 stitches, purl to the end.  Purl 1 row.

Mitten

1. Knit the pattern until long enough (I did 6)
2. Knit 1 row
3. *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
4. Knit 2 rows
5. *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
6. Knit 2 rows
7. *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
8. Knit 2 rows
9. *Knit 2 together*, repeat to the end
10. Thread the yarn through remaining the loops and pull tight
11. Weave end inside

Thumb

1. With A, pick up the 7 stitches from the holder
2. Pick up 7 stitches around the thumb hole for a total of 14 stitches
3. Knit to fit length of thumb
4. Knit 2 together all around
5. Thread the yarn through the remaining loops and pull tight
6. Weave end inside

Book ~ "On Thin Icing" (2015) Ellie Alexander

From Goodreads ~ Welcome to Torte - a small-town family bakeshop where the treats are killer good.

It's the dead of winter in the sleepy town of Ashland, which means no tourists - and fewer customers - for Jules Capshaw and her bakery. But when she's asked to cater an off-season retreat for the directors of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, business starts heating up ... until Jules finds a dead body in the freezer.

Someone at the retreat has apparently iced the bartender, a well-known flirt with a legendary temper - that is, before a killer beat him to the punch. Then, from out of nowhere, Jules's own ex-husband shows up - and soon becomes a suspect. With accusations piling up higher than the snow - and thicker than a chocolate mousse cake - Jules has to think outside the (recipe) box to find the real culprit ... and make sure he gets his just desserts.

Juliet (aka Jules) was raised in small town Ashland, OR, but dreamed of seeing the world.  She grew up helping her parents in their bakery, Torte, and went on to culinary school.  She got a job with a cruise line and didn't get home often after that.  She met her husband, Carlos, an executive chef, on a cruise and things were going well until she discovered he had a secret.  With a broken heart, she headed home to figure things out.  It's been six months and she now happily shares ownership of Torte with her mother.  Though she and Carlos had agreed to not contact each other until the new year, Jules thinks of him often.

Things have quieted down for Torte now that it's not the tourist season so when Jules is offered a catering job for a weekend retreat in the middle of nowhere, she accepts it and takes along Sterling, her young employee, as her sous-chef.  She gets quite a surprise when Carlos shows up out of the blue wanting to work things out.  Tony, the bartender, is a jerk and when Jules finds him murdered the next morning, anyone could have had reason to kill him, including Carlos.  Because of the wintery conditions, the roads are blocked for the local police so Jules calls the police officers from Ashland.  Thomas, one of the Ashland officers who arrives, is Jules' high school boyfriend and may still have feelings for her.  Needless to say, this adds more tension to an already stressful situation.

This is the third in the Bakeshop Mystery series and I liked it.  I've read all in this author's Sloan Krause Series and I'd recently read the first couple and the last one in this series.  This book works as a stand alone ... there is enough information provided.  It's written in first person perspective in Jules' voice.   It was a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity. There are recipes at the end.  I look forward to reading the others in this series.

Happy new year!

I wish you health ... so you may enjoy each day in comfort.

I wish you the love of friends and family ... and peace within your heart.

I wish you the beauty of nature ... that you may enjoy the work of Mother Nature.

I wish you wisdom to choose priorities ... for those things that really matter in life.

I wish you generosity so you may share ... all good things that come to you.

I wish you happiness and joy ... and blessings for the New Year.

I wish you the best of everything ... that you so well deserve.