Book ~ "Lattes, Ladyfingers, and Lies" (2016) Harper Lin

From Goodreads ~ Fran is anticipating her trip to Italy with Matty… until a precious diamond ring is stolen from the town’s jewelry store and an employee is murdered. Fran suspects the storeowner of insurance fraud, but what if she’s wrong? Would her life be at stake again if she butts in on another police investigation?

Francesca is in her mid-thirties and worked in New York for many years in PR.  She moved back home to run the family Italian café in a small town in Massachusetts when her mother passed away a couple months ago.

A jewelry store across the street from Fran's café was robbed one night and Georgina, an employee, was killed during the break-in.  The robber/killer only stole one thing ... a $50,000 ring.  Fran is curious so goes over to talk with Dean, the owner.  Because she has a reputation of solving murders, he asks her to investigate and, though she is heading to Italy next week on vacation with her boyfriend, Matt, of course, she does.  There are many who could have robbed the store and killed Georgina.

This is the fourth in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Series (I've read the first three) by this author ... it works as a stand alone (you don't have to read the others to know what's going on).  It is written in first person perspective in Fran's voice.  The "whodunnit" and ending came together really quickly (as always).  Fran solves the mystery on day three, ahead of the police (as always), which is unbelievable considering she is just a café owner.

I keep reading them because they are a quick light read.  It is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity.  Fran has been dating Matt for a couple months and in this book, there is finally some kissing.  I'm assuming there is more going on considering they are heading to Italy for two weeks.

There are recipes at the end.

Pennies, Toronto, ON

Gord and I had supper this evening at Pennies (on Strachan Avenue/Adelaide Street W).

Before they let you inside, they give you the rules ... you have to wear a mask when you're inside (to go to the washroom), there is a $2 per person charge (to pay for sterilization supplies), one bill per table, etc.  All the servers were wearing masks.

Then when we were seated at a picnic table, Tina, our server, told us the rules again.

I ordered some rosé.

Sliders and tater tots are all they serve.  They aren't taking individual slider orders ... you have to order the combo (three sliders and tater tots for $17.99) or a plate of tater tots.

Gord ordered bacon cheeseburger, two Harlem chopped cheese steak and a corn dog.

The Wheatsheaf, Toronto, ON

I've been to the the Wheat Sheaf many many times over the years.  They closed last summer for renovations and were scheduled to reopen on St. Patrick's Day as the Wheatsheaf Tavern ... and then COVID-19 arrived.  Their patio opened a couple weeks ago and are now the "Wheatsheaf Tavern".

The Wheatsheaf Tavern is the ultimate destination for classic tavern fare, live music, sports and whisky. Gracing the southwest corner of King and Bathurst as it has since 1849, our beloved neighbourhood classic has been thoughtfully restored with new energy and life, while retaining the magic and character of its iconic status. Whether you’re after a live show, specials during the week – half-price wings on Tuesday or wild card Wednesdays? – or catching up on the big game over a pint, The Wheatsheaf has something for you.

I'm off for the next two weeks so thought starting my vacation on the patio of the Wheatsheaf would be a good way to start.

Though the layout is the same, it's nice but different inside ...

Book ~ "The Answer Is ... Reflections on My Life" (2020) Alex Trebek

From Goodreads ~ Since debuting as the host of "Jeopardy!" in 1984, Alex Trebek has been something like a family member to millions of television viewers, bringing entertainment and education into their homes five nights a week. Last year, he made the stunning announcement that he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. What followed was an incredible outpouring of love and kindness. Social media was flooded with messages of support, and the "Jeopardy!" studio received boxes of cards and letters offering guidance, encouragement, and prayers.

For over three decades, Trebek had resisted countless appeals to write a book about his life. Yet he was moved so much by all the goodwill, he felt compelled to finally share his story. “I want people to know a little more about the person they have been cheering on for the past year,” he writes in "The Answer Is ... Reflections on My Life".

The book combines illuminating personal anecdotes with Trebek’s thoughts on a range of topics, including marriage, parenthood, education, success, spirituality and philanthropy. Trebek also addresses the questions he gets asked most often by "Jeopardy!" fans, such as what prompted him to shave his signature mustache, his insights on legendary players like Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, and his opinion of Will Ferrell’s "Saturday Night Live" impersonation. The book uses a novel structure inspired by "Jeopardy!", with each chapter title in the form of a question, and features dozens of never-before-seen photos that candidly capture Trebek over the years.

This wise, charming, and inspiring book is further evidence why Trebek has long been considered one of the most beloved and respected figures in entertainment. 

Alex Trebek was born in Sudbury, ON, in 1940 to a Ukrainian father and Franco-Ontarian mother, who broke up when he was young.  He went to boarding school and university in Ottawa.  He got a job at CBC and that was the start of his career.  After spending about 12 years with CBC, he headed to the U.S. and ended up hosting many game/quiz shows, including Jeopardy! since 1984.

Alex married his second wife, Jean, in 1990 and at the age of fifty, became a father for the first time (they now have two children) ... it's obvious that family is important to him.  He and Jean have supported many causes over the years, both financially and with their time.  In March 2019, he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and started chemo treatments.

Who hasn't heard of or watched Jeopardy!?  I like the show and Alex seems like a nice guy so I thought it would be interesting to learn more about him in a book written by him.  Last week I read a book about him written by someone else that recently came out so knew a lot of the stories he told.  But Alex told them at a higher level in his own voice and didn't give as many details.  I liked the writing style.  And it seemed like he picked and chose the stories he wanted to tell.  As a head's up, there is some swearing (he doesn't drink or smoke so said he needed to have one vice to make him "cool").

It was interesting to read about Jeopardy! ... how the show works, how he feels about it, the contestants that stand out for him, etc.

There were lots of pictures.  I read the ebook and the pictures were really small, though, regardless of my efforts to make them bigger.

It was nice to hear his story in his words.

Fan and feather dish cloth

I knitted a fan and feather pattern dish cloth tonight ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Mod Stripes) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

Book ~ "Their Last Secret" (2020) Rick Mofina

From Goodreads ~ Janie Klassyn was only fourteen years old when she made the blood pact with her friends. She could never imagine she was setting in motion the horrifying crime that would tear her peaceful prairie town apart. 

Twenty years later in California, school counselor Emma Grant struggles to keep her past buried. But when she finds a note on her car threatening to reveal her secret, it becomes harder to keep up the deception. Even her teenage stepdaughter suspects that Emma is hiding something. Now, with her celebrated true-crime author husband digging into a decades-old murder case for his next book, and a suspicious accident involving someone who’s been following her, the perfect life Emma’s built is crumbling, forcing her to take desperate steps to save it.

Janie, Nikki and Marie (the "Skull Sisters") were fourteen and living in Eternity, a small town in Manitoba.  Janie regularly babysat for the Tullocks and, though they were wealthy, they always shortchanged her when it came to paying her.  One night while the Tullocks were out of town, the girls decided to break into their house and steal some money so Janie could have what was owed to her.  The family came home unexpectedly and by the end of the night, the family of four were brutally murdered.  It didn't take the police long to realize that Janie, Nikki and Marie did it and they were sentenced to prison.  When they were released to start a new life, their names were changed and their records buried since they had been minors.

Twenty years later, we meet Emma who is a school counselor in California.  She is married to Ben, a successful crime writer, and stepmother to Kayla.  Suddenly there are notes left on her windshield and she suspects she is being followed and she'll do anything to keep her secret past hidden.

I've read a few books by this author and liked this one ... until I got to the end.  I didn't like the ending and thought it should have gone a different way.  I liked the writing style and it is written in third person perspective with the focus on wherever the action is.  It jumps back and forth in time, which is noted at the beginning of the chapters so you know where and when it is.

Fan and feather dish cloth

I finished knitting a fan and feather pattern dish cloth tonight ... I like this pattern and have made many over the years.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Country Stripes) and size 4.5mm knitting needles

Cast on 42 stitches (or a multiple of 18 plus 6)

Knit 3 rows of garter stitch for the border

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: K 3, P to last 3 stitches K3

Row 6: K3, *(K2 tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (K2 tog) 3 times, rep from * to last 3 sts K3

Row 7: Knit

Repeat Rows 4 - 7, keeping first and last 3 stitches in garter stitch, until piece measures desired length

Knit 3 more rows of garter stitch to make the bottom border

Cast off and darn in ends.

Tom's Dairy Freeze, Etobicoke, ON

I spent a couple hours at Colonel Samuel Smith Park this afternoon ... it was hot and sunny.

I felt like I was overheating so stopped in at Tom's Dairy Freeze on the Queensway.

I got a blue raspberry dipped vanilla cone ... and it was delicious!

Pretty!

Because of Covid-19, their outdoor eating area is gone.  So I ate it in the car with the air conditioning going.  Plus they only take cash, which is different considering everyone else is asking that you pay by credit card.   If you don't have cash, there is an ATM at the side of the building.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park, Etobicoke, ON

It was hot and sunny and I felt like being outside so I drove to Colonel Samuel Smith Park (about a 20 minute drive west) for a walk this afternoon.  Gord and I had been there once a couple years ago and like it.

Colonel Samuel Smith Park is an urban park and a former weekend get-away destination for Victorian Torontonians. The park has a variety of attractions, including a children's playground located only steps from Lake Ontario. The park is named for Lieutenant Colonel Samuel Smith and lands were part of his property in the 1800s. The park was developed from the 1970s onwards and opened in 1996.

A scenic hiking trail along a peninsula on Lake Ontario provides access to the waterfron, and to several rocky beaches with views of the lake or for birdwatching. A nearby yacht club provides opportunities for boat watching. The park offers a panoramic view of the city, with the iconic CN Tower visible on a clear day, as well as prime fishing spots and other outdoor activities.

Throughout the park are observation decks, from which visitors may spot wildlife engaged in various activities, such as turtles sunning themselves on the rocks, groups of baby ducks and swans, beaver dams and even the beavers themselves. Over one hundred bird species nest in the area.

I took the path that headed right to the water and there was a nice breeze.

Lakeshore Yacht Club

I headed east along a path.

Book ~ "Who Is Alex Trebek?" (2020) Lisa Rogak

From Goodreads ~ After a contestant wrote “We love you, Alex!” as his final "Jeopardy!" answer, fans around the world quickly chimed in to proclaim their own love and support for beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek. In the wake of his devastating cancer diagnosis, the moment provided the perfect opportunity to reflect on what the show - and the man - meant to them.

It was no surprise since millions of devoted viewers have long considered Alex Trebek to be a part of their daily lives ever since he began hosting the show in 1984. Now biographer Lisa Rogak gives readers a look at Trebek's early life, his career and his personal life throughout the years, drawing on many sources to tell his full story for the first time.

There are many surprises, like the fact that Trebek was almost 50 when he discovered that he had a half brother, as well as the revelation that for a short time he actually dreamed of becoming a priest. The native Canadian also struggled with depression after the failure of his first marriage and for years afterward he despaired of ever having a family of his own until he met the woman who would become his soulmate.

Alex Trebek was born in Sudbury, ON, in 1940 to a Ukrainian father and Franco-Ontarian mother.  His parents broke up when he young, with his mother leaving the home because she wouldn't have been able to support the two children if she took them with her.  His father couldn't work and look after them so Alex was sent to boarding school in Ottawa, where he eventually went to university.  Not knowing what he wanted to do after graduation, he applied for a job at CBC and that was the start of his career.  After spending about 12 years with CBC doing various jobs, he headed to the U.S. and ended up hosting many game/quiz shows, including Jeopardy! since 1984.

Alex married his second wife, Jean, in 1990 and at the age of fifty, became a father for the first time (they now have two children).  He also discovered a thirty year secret that he has a half brother.  Alex and Jean have supported many causes over the years, both financially and with their time.  In March 2019, he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer and started chemo treatments.

Who hasn't heard of or watched Jeopardy!?  I like the show and Alex seems like a nice guy so I thought it would be interesting to learn more about him.  I don't know if the author spent any time with Alex but the notes section in the back is quite detailed.  I liked the writing style ... there was a lot of information provided but it wasn't too much.  I feel like I got to know Alex, if what the author writes is true.  It was also interesting to get some behind-the-scenes info on what happens on Jeopardy!.

I read an ARC-version and I'm assuming (hoping?) the published version will have pictures as there were none in the ARC.  If there aren't any, there should be.

Ipsy Glam Bag - July 2020

My July Ipsy Glam Bag arrived today.

• $12 a Glam Bag ($223CN for a year)
• 5 beauty products worth $50+ (the average Glam Bag value in 2019)
• Glam Bags are available in the U.S., U.S. Territories, & Canada. U.S. shipping is free. Taxes will apply to all bag orders shipped within the U.S. Canadian shipping is $2.95.

Here's what I received ...

• Make-up bag
• kensie Life Beat Eau de Parfum - $5.50 value
• BASD Body Lotion in Seductive Sandalwood - $1.34 value
• BELLÁPIERRE COSMETICS Banana Setting Powder in Medium - $35 value
• RATED GREEN Rosemary Balancing Scalp Pack with Charcoal - $4 value - I liked this.
• KVD VEGAN BEAUTY Tattoo Liner in Trooper - $7.64 value

Total value (excluding the bag) - $53.48US

Book ~ "Margaritas, Marzipan, and Murder" (2015) Harper Lin

From Goodreads ~ Summer tourist season is winding down, but the Cape Bay police find a dead body in the alley beside Mary Ellen’s Souvenirs and Gifts. Police rule it a suicide but Francesca Amaro knows it’s murder. Who would buy a bag of souvenirs, including a box of delicious marzipan, only to commit suicide moments later? 

Even though the police tell her to stay out of the case, Fran is too curious not to investigate, even though she’s running a busy and popular café.

Francesca is in her mid-thirties and worked in New York for many years in PR.  She moved back home to run the family Italian café in a small town in Massachusetts when her mother passed away a couple months ago.

Fran is out with her friend and employee, Sammy, and Sammy's friend, Dawn, celebrating that Sammy has finally broken up with her boyfriend after ten years of going nowhere.  Dawn hears that a body has been found next to a souvenir shop and rather than continuing to celebrate, she wants to go check it out ... so off they go.  Mike the police detective tells Fran that it's a suicide but she wonders why would somebody buy candy and souvenirs and then kill themselves outside the store?  So she starts asking questions to find out what really happened.

This is the third in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Series (I've read the first two) by this author ... it works as a stand alone (you don't have to read the others to know what's going on).  It is written in first person perspective in Fran's voice.  The "whodunnit" and ending came together really quickly but it worked for me.  Fran has been taking kickboxing classes at her local gym for less than two months and is able to use the moves from the classes to defend herself when she is attacked by the killer and subdue them.  Really?  I've taken boxing and kickboxing classes for years and don't think I would have the ability or confidence to not only beat someone up but keep them down on the ground by putting my foot on their throat.

It's a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity.  Fran has been dating her high school friend, Matt, for a couple months and in this book, there are finally some "light kisses", which given their ages is unrealistic.

Sammy's friend, Dawn, is nasty and way too sarcastic (and not in a funny way).  I don't know why such a nice person like Sammy would put up with her.  I found her annoying and hope she doesn't pop up in future books.

I find it unbelievable that café owner Fran would be so proactive in investigating the murder of a stranger and be able to gather more information than the police, who she acknowledges are competent.

There are recipes at the end.

Topbox - July 2020

My July Topbox arrived today.

Get 4 hand-picked deluxe samples delivered to your door for $15 per month. It's the best way to discover the products you'll love.

Here's what I received ...

 MaskerAide Beauty Pineapple Brightening Jelly Mask - $8 value 

Glam Glow Supermud Clearing Treatment - $2.46 value

Glam Glow MoistureTrip - $5.40 value

My Clarins RE-BOOST refreshing hydrating cream - $2.80 value

Shea Moisture African Black Soap Body Lotion - $3.67 value

Total value = $22.33

Book ~ "Tea, Tiramisu, and Tough Guys" (2015) Harper Lin

From Goodreads ~ When Francesca’s old high school crush, Todd, is accused of murder, she is convinced he is innocent. The police don’t believe Todd’s story, and neither does Matty. 

During the busy summer tourist season at Cape Bay, Francesca sets out to prove Todd’s innocence. Matty, however, investigates to prove Todd is guilty. Why does Matty detest Todd so much? But what if he’s right—what if Todd is a murderer?

Francesca is in her mid-thirties and worked in New York for many years in PR.  She moved back home to run the family Italian café in a small town in Massachusetts when her mother passed away a couple months ago.

A man named Joey is found murdered outside Todd's Gym.  The police investigate and it seems like they are focusing on Todd, the owner of the gym, since that's where the body was found and Joey worked out at the gym.  Pretty slim reason to suspect Todd, I thought.  Fran had a crush on jock Todd when they were in high school more than 15 years ago and they haven't seen each other since then.  All of a sudden he has a crush on her now that she's back in town and is putting the moves on her.  She automatically thinks he's innocent and sets out to find out who killed Joey.

This is the second in the Cape Bay Cafe Mystery Series (I read the first a couple weeks ago) by this author ... it works as a stand alone (you don't have to read the first one to know what's going on).  It is written in first person perspective in Fran's voice.  The "whodunnit" and ending came together really quickly.  It's a quick light read and is a "cozy mystery" so there is no swearing, violence or adult activity.  Fran has been dating her high school friend, Matt, for a couple months and though there have been a couple hugs, I don't think they have actually kissed yet, which given their ages is unrealistic.

I found it unbelievable that café owner Fran would be proactive in investigating the murder of a stranger even though the police, who she acknowledges are competent, are on it.  She's adamant that Todd didn't do it, which I found hard to believe considering she hasn't seen the guy since high school and he barely knew she existed in high school.

There are recipes at the end.

Butterfly stitch pattern dish cloth

I knitted a butterfly stitch pattern dish cloth tonight ... it's the first time I'd tried it.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton Yarn (Pinky Stripes) and size 4.5mm knitting needles.

Cast on multiples of 10, plus 7 stitches ... I cast on 37.

Knit three rows.

Here's the butterfly pattern:

Row 1: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 2: Knit row

Row 3: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 4: Knit row

Row 5: Knit 1, purl 5, * with yarn in back slip 5, purl 5 *, knit 1

Row 6: Knit 1, * knit 7, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2 *, knit 6

Row 7: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 8: Knit row

Row 9: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 10: Knit row

Row 11: Knit 1, with yarn in back, slip 5, * purl 5, with yarn in back slip 5 *, knit 1

Row 12: Knit 3, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2, * knit 7, lift the 3 strands then knit 1, release the 3 strands, knit 2 *, knit 1

Repeat rows 1 to 12 until desired length (I did 10 rows of butterflies).

Purl row

Knit 3 rows.  Cast off and darn in ends.

Mimico Waterfront Park, Etobicoke, ON

I wanted to go for a walk this afternoon and ended up driving to Mimico Waterfront Park in Etobicoke.  I'd never been to this park before ... I saw it on the GPS and turned left off Lakeshore Blvd. W onto Norris Crescent towards it.  There is no parking but I found a spot on Norris Crescent.

This park lies on the Lake Ontario Waterfront between Humber Bay Park West and Norris Crescent Parkette. Its features include 1.1km of multi-use waterfront trail, headlands and cobble beaches, a small bay, boardwalks with small pockets of wetland habitat between the boardwalk and shoreline, and terrestrial and aquatic habitat enhancements to support healthy ecosystems. 

This park was created by Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) with funds provided by Waterfront Toronto. It was developed in two phases, the first completed in 2008 and the second in 2012. It provides safe access to the waterfront, improves the ecological functioning of this section of the Lake Ontario shoreline and offers environmental, economic and social benefits to the Mimico community and broader region.

I started at the west end of the park and walked east.

Honeycomb (aka Newfie) knitted mittens

I finished knitting a pair of Honeycomb (aka Newfie) mittens tonight using Red Heart Super Saver Stripes (Polo) yarn.  I'd made a pair of mittens last week using this yarn but this time the colours went the opposite way.

I usually have black as the main colour and something else as the second colour but this time I just used this yarn and I am happy with the way they turned out.  Very colourful!  I used 5mm double pointed needles.

Wrist

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

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. 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

The Heartbreak Chef, Toronto, ON

We had a power blackout last Friday night so we sat outside with some of our neighbours, had a drink and chatted.  The chat turned to fried chicken and Andrew and Nonna said how good the fried chicken is at the Heartbreak Chef (Queen Street W/Brock Avenue in Parkdale).  It's been in our heads all week so that's where Gord and I picked up supper this evening.

We both got three-piece fried chicken dinners ... the dinner came with tator tots and cole slaw.  The chicken is boneless and there are two sauces for it ... buffalo and jerk.  Gord got his with no sauce and I got jerk sauce on the side.  I'm glad I did ... I love jerk sauce and this was too spicy.  I'm not a fan of cole slaw so gave mine to Gord and he said it was really good.  The tator tots were fun ... they were a bit spicy (but in a good way).  The chicken is boneless and tasty.  I dipped mine in the creamy Frank's Red Hot and it was good.  There was lots of food and we both have leftovers for tomorrow.

Jerome was friendly and chatty.  Thanks, Jerome!