Month: January 2017

  • Book review: Mary Russell’s War by Laurie King

    Mary Russell’s War: And Other Stories of Suspense by Laurie R. King My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love this series. I love everything about this series. I love the fact that it’s Sherlock Holmes. I love the fact that Sherlock Holmes found an apprentice worthy of him. I love the fact that the…

  • Book review: Everything Under the Heavens by Dana Stabenow

    Everything Under the Heavens by Dana Stabenow My rating: 3 of 5 stars I bought this book because it is uncommon to find English language historical fiction books about China. This book takes place in 14th century China, at the end of the reign of Kublai Khan (the grandson of Genghis Khan). The main character…

  • Deer Valley 2017 (aka Flight from DC)

    Washington, DC area locals know that every four years in January, it is best to leave town, no matter who has been elected president.  Downtown DC is shut down for security reasons, traffic is even more horrible than usual, and the kids get a day off of school.  We fled town for Deer Valley at…

  • Inn at Little Washington December 2016

    Another one of our annual traditions is to go to the Inn at Little Washington after Christmas and spend the night.  While Jim and I usually do it with just the two of us, this year, we took the kids.  (I know—I want to come back in my next life as one of our kids,…

  • Book review: The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes

    The Trouble with Dukes by Grace Burrowes My rating: 4 of 5 stars This is the first book I’ve ever read by Grace Burrowes, and I was very pleasantly surprised. (I know–I’m on a romance kick.) The characters are deftly drawn, especially the secondary characters, which made the book particularly enjoyable. I expect the hero…

  • Pyromaniacs enjoy!

    I should have put this video up earlier, but last year, we had a lesson on how quickly a dry Christmas tree can burn (it’s a pyromaniac’s dream)…