Explosive Eighteen

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I do not know how she does it!  Janet Evanovich manages to keep Stephanie Plum and her family and friends involved in interesting stories book after book.  Usually, after eighteen books (she also writes other books in between) most writers have run out of interesting plots.  The books have "I wrote this because my editor wanted another one" air about them.  Not so with Evanovich. I have to admit there were a few that fell short, but very few.  Also, it took me three books to hook me. 


Everyone is there: Morelli, Ranger, Lulu, Connie, Grandma Mazur, her mother and father....and many more! You will wonder about halfway through this book about the significance of the title...just be patient.  You'll love it! 


BTW...

"One For the Money",the movie is to be released in January.  


Kathryn Heigl will play Stephanie Plum, 

Jason O'Mara will play Morelli,

Daniel Sunjata will be Ranger

 Sherri Shepherd is Lulu.  I pictured Lulu as a little bit

more endowed "everywhere".

The biggest casting surprise is Debbie Reynolds for Grandma Mazur.  I can't picture it, but am hoping to be pleasantly surprised.  

I usually like a book better than I like the movie (click here see trailer)...we'll see!

If you haven't read the Plum books and see the movie, you will want to read them now.  Be sure and get on the list at your library. I am sure there will be a long waiting list as soon as the move is released.  Those of us that have read them will probably want to read them again.












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A Madrigal..ing We Shall Go!

We seem to be keeping I-40 "hot" lately.  We went back the University of Central Arkansas.  This time we attended the 36th Madrigal Feaste presented by the UCA Chamber Singers. We were treated with an awesome concert of Renaissance music and a dinner of Prime Rib of Beef or Chicken.

 I had never attended a current day Madrigal dinner, but Chuck has been to a couple of them.  John Erwin, the Director of the UCA Choir, was also his church choir director in the mid-70's.  He was the UCA Choir Director then and is still the director.  Madrigals were popular in the 16th and 17th Centuries. 


As we arrived we were announced to the other guests.

The singers arrived in a processional and serenaded us before dinner and during dinner.  The waiters served dessert...a flaming "figgy" pudding...tasting a lot like spice cake with powdered sugar icing.  Then, the Chamber Singers serenaded us with more period Carols as they moved around the room.   







We had a wonderful time!
The music was great 
as were all of the singers. 
We were completely in awe 
by the their talent.  


It is hard to imagine 
the work that went into 
preparing for this
Madrigal Feaste.  


Congratulations to 
Director Erwin and
each and every singer.  


















Also, thanks for the great service provided at the dinner...
...kudos to the servers. 

To Be or Not To Be Inspired

I don't know about you, but from time to time I go "cold" on my creativity.  As a result, I do nothing.  Then, I start to clean up/organize my craft area(s).  

The minute I start touching and looking at my inks, stamps, clip art, embellishments I get all kind of ideas.  The morale of this story...keep in touch with my "stuff". 

I can close the doors on some of my stuff.

I see a lot of suggestions/tips on how to organize your work space.  To tell you the truth, I do better if it is not organized.  

To give you a peek at how an unorganized work space looks I thought I would take a few pictures of my mess.  I confess to liking the mess and enjoy getting inspired by its messiness.  My "stuff" is spread out all of my house.  If we have company, it has to be planned.  I have to do some major picking up so they will have a place to sit and a table on which to eat.

Am I the only one that likes and gets inspired by this jumble of stuff....or do all artists have lovely studios with a lot of "cubbies" with all of their stuff organized and color coded?