<— HAPPY MONDAY & MADE EVEN HAPPIER BECAUSE OMG LOOKIT WHAT’S LIVE YOU GUYS!!!!! The Wives!!!! I think the whole day should be a mass-buddy read (though I’ve read it, so I’ll be living vicariously though all of your guesses and freak-outs).
Marta: Is it as good as C.Hoover “Verity”?
Maryse: Yes!! I loved it as much. Totally different story altogether but amazing creep-factor and kept me guessing the whole way to the very end. AND OMG LOVED IT!! Here’s my Book Review.
Tracie: One clicked!!
Kat: This book was phenomenal!!!
Wendy: Was an awesome book!! Didn’t see any of it coming!!
Three Things:
1.) I one-clicked that super-sale a couple of days ago and I’ve started it! “Red, White & Royal Blue: A Novel“!! LOVING IT! Makes me chuckle and gives me the warm and fuzzies of happy reading time. I love when I feel like this while reading.
2.) I discovered I could “roast” a ton of different vegetables in my air fryer (<— This is the exact one I have). Instead of using the oven today – it was already busy cooking a casserole, I sliced up some sweet potatoes, drizzled them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and roasted them at the highest temp for 10 minutes and they came out PERFECT!!!! Like all toasty crispy brown on the outside, and deliciously moist and perfect and sweet on the inside. I also roasted my Ina Garten Brussel Sprouts in there today too, and they came out wonderful!! YAY AIR FRYER! 😀
3.) So… I have a head of cabbage. I got it from one of my Misfit Market veggies boxes a couple of weeks ago and it’s still in my fridge… just sitting there waiting for me to create something from it. Thing is, I’m not the biggest cabbage fan. I like it when it’s St. Patrick’s Day and we make corned beef & cabbage, sure… but in the grand scheme of things, what the heck should I make with this thing? Luckily, kept whole and wrapped, they can last weeks in the fridge… any ideas before it digests itself in my fridge?
Also these deals are still on 😀 but one of ’em is ending TOMORROW and one of ’em ends in 7 days!!!:
- ➔➔ 4 months of Amazon Unlimited Music for a super-bargain. AMAZING deal! “... This limited time offer provides on-demand, ad-free and unlimited access to 50 million songs on any device via the Amazon Music app...” <— I use my Echo to play mine. UPDATE!! This deal ends in 7 days so get in on it now!!!
- ➔➔ 3 months of Audible at a significant discount!! You can get in on this deal until December 31st (ENDING SOON!!!)
- ➔➔ Audible now has an “Escape” package membership (30 day free trial) (romance audiobooks!! this one is SO cool, and worth it – unlimited listening for all of the audiobooks in the program, and there are tons)!!
- ➔➔ Three months of Kindle Unlimited for a super-bargain!!
➔➔ Sarah J. Maas – Throne of Glass Series <— SALE ALERT!!! EVERY BOOK IN THIS SERIES is on sale today (a few are even super-bargain priced!!!)
Tessa: I devoured those one right after the other.
Sandra: Seriously amazing writing, awesome story about a girl who kicks major ass as an assassin! Highly recommended
LOOK WHAT JUST WENT LIVE 
!!!
- The Wives: A Novel by Tarryn Fisher <— LIVE!!! HOLY MOLY TARRYN FISHER ALERT!! I READ AND 5-STAR LOVED THIS ONE SO HARD!!! Here’s my Book Review
Steph N: I’m snapping up The Wives as soon as it is available!!
Maryse: …her writing is incredible. Being in the main character’s head is EXACTLY how I would feel and think… UGH what a predicament. I think Tarryn Fisher is truly my most favorite. Her voice is incredible.
Ela: I’m at **% of The Wives! WTF
Maryse: 😀 It gets even more WTF!!!! *claps!!!*
Ela: Done. …I loved it.
Marisol: worth every penny & then some.
The Setup (A Bro Code Standalone Book 4) by Rachel Van Dyken <— LIVE!! RACHEL VAN DYKEN ALERT!! OCD?? She wants NOTHING to do with him when she finds out about his reputation... “…this woman screamed puzzle from the way she ducked her head every time anyone looked at her, to the way she counted food and tapped the table when she didn’t think anyone was watching. I’d like to think I took pity on her that day when, in fact, she was the one that took pity on me and asked if I needed a friend. She assumed I had a learning disability since I’d been staring so damn hard. Things would have ended there, except, my bosses need someone to test the new Wingmen App and since I was the only single guy on the floor — I was nominated, right along with the only single woman, the same one who thinks I need to use my fingers to count…”
Good Girls Lie by J.T. Ellison <— LIVE!! PSYCH-THRILLER ALERT!! “...In a world where appearances are everything, as long as students pretend to follow the rules, no one questions the cruelties of the secret societies or the dubious behavior of the privileged young women who expect to get away with murder. When a popular student is found dead, the truth cannot be ignored. Rumors suggest she was struggling with a secret that drove her to suicide. But look closely…because there are truths and there are lies, and then there is everything that really happened...”- Cobra (Reapers MC Book 8) by Elizabeth Knox
- Bound to Midnight: An Immortal Ops World Novel (Crimson Ops Book 3) by Mandy M. Roth
- Releasing Keanu: A Stand-Alone Second Chance Romance (The Kennedy Boys Book 8) by Siobhan Davis
LUST HATE LOVE (Fallen Angel Book 4) by Ella Frank & Brooke Blaine <— M/M ROMANCE ROCK STAR ALERT!!! “…As the sexy, charismatic bassist for world-famous rock band Fallen Angel, whatever Killian Michaels wants, Killian Michaels gets. Or at least that was the case until the band’s gorgeous new manager, Levi Walker, shot him down after a blistering first kiss…”- Hooked: A Dark Billionaire Romance (The Billionaire’s Secret Club Series) by C.C. Piper
- Reprisal: A Dark High School Bully Romance (Montlake Prep Book 3) by Nora Cobb
- Sacrifice: A Reverse Harem Fantasy Romance (Her Soulkeepers Book 1) by Sadie Moss
- Angel and Wynn: A Red Team Wedding Novella by Elaine Levine
- Wings & Roots (The Scions Book 3) by Gemma Weir
On Call by Aria Cole and Mila Crawford <— HE’S HER BOSS!!! “...It should have been a simple date. A glass of wine, the best bolognese in the city, and one handsome New Year’s Eve stranger. But Lacey Miller’s life is far from simple. And going home with your new boss is never recommended...”- Brood (Hell’s Riders Rhino Chapter Book 1) by Joy Blood
- The Heart of Hill Country (Adams Dynasty) by Sherryl Woods
- Just One Kiss (The Carter Brothers Book 1) by Tory Baker
- The Lies by Maria Filandro <— SHE’S AN IMPOSTER IN THE FAMILY… “...Meredith Barnes and her mother Laura reunite with their New York high society family after two decades of estrangement. While Laura receives a lukewarm welcome, Meredith gains the affection and trust of almost everyone. But what the family doesn’t know is that Meredith doesn’t have an ounce of Barnes blood in her veins. She’s an impostor hired to steal their trust fund for revenge, and because she’s desperate to keep her own secrets, she must play the part well...”
A Torn Dream (Jade Book 2) by Lucy Rains <— REVERSE HAREM ALERT!! “…This is a Reverse Harem novel, with mature content and language. It is strongly recommended to read A Broken Jewel, Book 1 of the Jade Series, before reading A Torn Dream...”- After 5 by Janet Leigh <— TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE ALERT!! “Historical romance meets Sci-fi time travel in this fun romp through time.”
- The Prince of Broadway: Uptown Girls by Joanna Shupe <— HISTORICAL ROMANCE!!
- Unmasked Heart: A Dark Arranged Marriage Bully Romance by Veronica Eden
- A Sun So Bright (Reigning Hearts Book 3) by K.G. Fletcher
- Husband Material by Emily Belden
Falling For Her Manny: A Sweet Workplace Romance (Single In the City Book 2) by Tia Souders <— SHE’S A SINGLE MOM TO TRIPLETS & HE’S HER NEW NANNY (and he has a girlfriend… oh oh)… “…As a single mother to triplets, when her parents decide to retire to Florida, life is about to get even harder. Her kids have been removed from daycare and have somehow turned into little monsters overnight, which means finding a nanny on her shoestring budget. Enter Blake Britton. He’s a bike shop owner on a mission to prove to his girlfriend’s elitist family that he’s father material. But in order to do that, he must take a job as a nanny…“- Unfinished Sympathy (Absolution Book 1) by Amélie S. Duncan
- Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade Book 6) by Lauren Dane
The Secret She Keeps (Whitaker Island) by HelenKay Dimon <— SHE’S HIDING FROM SOMEONE... “…For years she’s pretended to be someone else, but Maddie Rhine is done living in the shadows. Old habits are hard to kick however, and when her past follows her to Whitaker she’s forced to hide once more. Except with Connor. Effortlessly sexy Connor makes it difficult to ignore him. He sees right through her…and senses her fear. Someone is watching her. And waiting for the right moment to strike. This time Connor vows to be ready…“- Rough Love (Tannen Boys Book 1) by Lauren Landish
- Arranged: A Dark Mafia Romance by Vanessa Waltz
- Dark Horse (The Kingmaker Saga Book 5) by London Miller
PREORDERS (going live soon!!! 😀 )
The One for You (The Ones Who Got Away Book 4) by Roni Loren – December 31st 2019- Sweet Agony (Angels Halo MC Next Gen Book 2) by Terri Anne Browning – December 31st 2019
- Mr. Nobody: A Novel by Catherine Steadman- January 7th 2020
- The Night Country: A Hazel Wood Novel (The Hazel Wood Book 2) – January 7th 2020
- A Heart So Fierce and Broken (The Cursebreaker Series) by Brigid Kemmerer – January 7th 2020
- Ruthless Knight (Royal Hearts Academy) by A. Jade – January 7th 2020
- Moral Compass: A Novel by Danielle Steel – January 7th 2020
- Scavenge The Stars by Tara Sim – January 7th 2020
- The Vanishing (Fogg Lake Book 1) by Jayne Ann Krentz – January 7th 2020
- Come Tumbling Down (Wayward Children Book 5) by Seanan McGuire – January 7th 2020
- The Harder You Fall (Rixon Raiders Book 3) by L.A. Cotton – January 7th 2019
- Come Back for Me by Corinne Michaels – January 7th 2020
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Hey, do you like cabbage rolls? You could use your cabbage in a lazy man casserole dish. Can be done in slow cooker if you have one. You simply chop up cabbage layer filling etc. saves all the fuss of rolling…
My mom used to always make them when I was little (the actual roles), and as a kid I didn’t like ’em, but I bet as an adult (like a casserole – cheesy even…) that just might do the trick. And I DO have a slow cooker!!! So yes. This weekend it is!!!
Thank you Nancy. 🙂
1. I have you covered on the cabbage. I’ll get back to you in about 10 minutes!
2. I think I’m going to cut 3-4 inches off my hair. It hangs down to my bra strap now and I think I want it above my shoulder blade. 🤷♀️
3. We’re going to Austin for NYE tomorrow night, as we do every year. There are a couple bars that share a “backyard.” They’ll have 3-4 stages set up and about 20 bands will perform as other bands from a particular year. This time it’s 1959 . Not my favorite in music, but it will be fun to see Elvis and Patsy Cline!
Cabbage recipes:
PORK AND CABBAGE STIR-FRY
Ingredients
6 cups cabbage, cut into short strips
3 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
4 medium carrots, julienned – I buy a bag of matchstick carrots
1 pork tenderloin (1 pound), cut into 3/4-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh gingerroot – buy a tiny piece; it’s all you need (USE FRESH!)
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth, divided
1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
4 teaspoons cornstarch (I always skip this!)
Directions
In a large nonstick skillet or wok, stir-fry cabbage in 1 teaspoon of oil for 1-2 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add carrots; stir-fry until carrots are crisp-tender. Remove and keep warm. In the same pan, stir-fry pork in remaining oil for 2 minutes. Add ginger and stir-fry for 2 minutes or until pork is lightly browned. Stir in 3/4 cup broth and soy sauce. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 3 minutes or until meat juices run clear. If using, combine cornstarch and remaining broth until smooth. Gradually stir into pan. Stir in the cabbage mixture. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2-3 minutes or until thickened. I skip the rice too and either serve with riced cauliflower or make a quick egg drop soup.
SKILLET EGG ROLL (one of my friends just turned me on to this!)
Ingredients
1 pound ground sausage (I used 1/2 lb ground sausage, 1/2 lb ground pork)
1/2 white onion, sliced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced
1 tablespoon soy sauce (I definitely used more than this)
1 small head cabbage, shredded
1 cup shredded carrots (used matchstick carrots again)
8 oz. mushrooms, sliced
1 tablespoon sesame oil (probably used less of this)
1/4 cup chopped green onion
Directions
Cook ground sausage (or whatever you use) with sliced white onion in a LARGE skillet over medium heat, making sure meat is crumbled and cooked through. Do not drain. (NOTE: I followed this last time. Next time, I’d drain for sure AND I’d cook the mushrooms during this stage so they have more of the sausage flavor). Stir in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Add cabbage, carrots, mushrooms (if you haven’t already), and stir for a few minutes until softened. Remove from heat, stir in sesame oil, and top with green onions.
SPICY THAI SHRIMP WITH SHREDDED CABBAGE
2 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/4 cup water
1 cup shredded cabbage
1 tablespoon minced garlic
8 large fresh shrimp, peeled and deveined (I always use precooked shrimp)
2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons sliced onion
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon soy sauce
Directions
Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a skillet over high heat. Add cabbage and 1 tablespoon water stir-fry for 30 seconds. Remove cabbage from skillet and place on a serving platter. Heat the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil in the skillet over high heat. Place the garlic and shrimp in the skillet and stir until garlic is lightly browned and shrimp turns pink (if using cooked shrimp, I just add at the end to warm). Add pepper, onion, cilantro, soy sauce and remaining water to the skillet. Stir-fry for 10 seconds. Pour the hot mixture onto the cabbage.
THIS recipe is higher calories, but keto friendly (I think). It’s rich and sinful, but I would definitely use ground sausage over ground beef next time: https://bit.ly/35bEeie
THIS is my new go-to coleslaw. I buy a bag of shredded cabbage with carrots so I don’t add any more. Then I adjust the dressing accordingly. I think I doubled it last time. It’s super low calorie and refreshing. Not heavy and mayonnaise-y like regular coleslaw. https://bit.ly/2Qc3eSy
I’m going to add these to our Recipe post!!! Thank you R. P.S. I’m going to make PORK AND CABBAGE STIR-FRY (gotta grab some ginger and then I’m good to go!!)
Yay! Hope you like it! It’s one of my faves and easy because unlike most stir-frys it can sit in the skillet until you’re ready to eat.
Where is this recipe post you speak of???
That skillet egg roll sounds really good. Have to try it some time.
I just posted a few recipes and it didn’t take for some reason! Maybe it was too long. I’ll email you!
P.S. It just needed me to approve the post (probably length) but feel free to make super-long comment posts anytime you want. 😀
https://pin.it/25ppje4lewlc3v Something like this is what we’ve always had growing up. I think it’s good for those that don’t even like cabbage bc u can’t really taste it. Always served, not really soup style, but with a little juice on the plate and butter bread to sop all that goodness up. Also, it’s really good to mush all the potatoes and carrots/cabbage on your plate. 😉 I’m sure there are other recipe variations out there, but it was always just ham, potatoes, carrots, cabbage, a little broth and butter bread. Yum!
This sounds like ultimate comfort meal. Thank you, Tasha!! Now when they send me cabbage again, I’ll have all sorts of stuff to try.
I HATE wasting food. And now I get to learn new things (and try new things) in the process.
Also, YAY release day!! I’ve been waiting for Good Girls Lie so I snatched that up quick. I’m intrigued by The Wives also, but I can only afford 1 of those at the moment. Have to go cook for my trip now, I slept in and we’re supposed to leave in a few hrs. 😬
I love the idea that you’re making memories for your kids like we had when we were little. Same for us… always a HUGE party when all the cousins got together. Some of my best memories ever in my life. My cousins are my very best friends too.
It’s good fun for the littles, not so much fun for me as an adult. Lol. Actually, it’s not so bad. It’s just a lot of work yet. Maybe in 10 years I can chill a little more.
I use cabbage to make Lettuce Wraps:
1 lb 93% lean ground beef
3 cups shredded cabbage
1/2 jar House of Tsang Szechuan Spicy Sauce
Lettuce For Wraps
Brown ground beef, breaking into small pieces. Pour in 1/2 jar sauce and stir. Mix in cabbage. Cabbage will start to wilt slightly and it’s done. Serve in lettuce or just eat as is (like my family).
I’ve heard there is a Szechuan mix but have never been able to find it. My family loves the House of Tsang brand. I find it in the International section at Walmart but have seen it on Amazon. I’ve tried making it with diced chicken but the sauce was too spicy…maybe more chicken and less sauce 🤷🏻♀️
YAY!! Thank you Mona. I love lettuce wraps and asian cooking so this is right up my alley! 😀
Maryse have you tried cabbage borscht? SO good
Kelly, I have not, but I’m looking it up right now. 😀
Ohhhh that’s all sorts of crock-pot comfort food right there! YESSSS!! I also saw you can serve it with sour cream. Mmmmmmmmm YUMMY!!! Makes it a touch rich. NICE!! Thank you Kelly!
I am of no help. I hate cooked cabbage. It’s okay raw but it gives me the hiccups. Though, as far as raw, salads with raw cabbage can be good. I’m not a coleslaw fan but an actual salad with it is yummy.
Thank you for the heads up with the Throne of Glass series being on sale. I had one more book to buy, Kingdom of Ash, and it’s mine! YAY! I still have to read Tower of Dawn but that deal is too good and convenient to pass up. It’ll be ready for me when I’m done with Tower.
Oh! Princess Ballot from last week. GOOD. 🙂 Finished it the day after it was released and couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait for the next one.
I got a mini sewing machine for Christmas so I have to go look up patterns. I used to do a little bit of it and figured a mini one would be good for minor repairs and also see if I really want to commit to doing it again. Thinking skirt first. 🙂 With cotton!
Tessa, I was looking at that Princess Ballot…I want to end the year with a really good bully. LOL! Halllp!
It’s a really good. 🙂
Tessa yes those deals were incredible. The newest one was super-bargain priced. CRAZY.
I’ve always wanted to know how to sew and make my own things (or at least take in some of the stuff I won’t wear ’cause they don’t fit me right), but I always get so frustrated with sewing machines and mess everything up. But then again, those were sewing machines from the 80s, so… maybe these new ones will be much easier for me to work with.
You’re giving me the urge, Tessa… which one did you get?
It’s a mini one. It’s not going to be as great as a full size one but I can relay what can make sewing machines SUPER frustrating.
First, cheap thread. It constantly breaks and makes it harder to sew having to go back and fix the spot every 5-8 inches.
Second, cheap cloth. (sense a pattern? lol!) If your cloth is too cheap, it’ll easily bunch and tear. Mostly tear, lol! I did a costume with cheap cloth and OMG, it took me longer to do a simple Grecian dress than it did to make a whole Medieval peasant outfit!
Third, and most important, start simple! SUPER simple! Learn your machine and also how to sew with the simple patterns. There’s a company called Simplicity that all the patterns are exactly that, simple. I’m looking at a free pattern of a maxi skirt. It’s a stretch one size fits all where the waist has a separate piece to sew on later as the one size. It’ll be perfect for remembering how to sew and steadying my hand, and seeing if I love sewing (though it’ll be a while until I buy a full-size one!)
I love this. Thank you so much Tessa. I had no clue that you had experience in this!!! I’m dying to see these costumes. And whatever else you end up making. 😀
Lani Lynn Vale wrote a 3 book paranormal series ( I Like Big Dragons). I enjoyed this series. The second book in the series is free (which never happens!!). It is called Dragons Need Love, Too. I have all 3 if anyone wants a loan.
Great find Kathy!!!!! I’m gonna one-click it!
Oooh, thanks for the remind. I’ve been wanting to read that!
OMG, I love cooked cabbage SO much! Any cabbage really.
Maryse–I just saw your Josh and Hazel fb post. I listened to it last week and loved it! I think it’ll be a hit with you. I can’t wait to read The Wives! I’m on the list at the library, but I may have to break down and get the audio book with my audible credit.
I can’t wait to start it (and I especially can’t wait to hear what you think of The Wives, since we have similar psych-thriller tastes)
Maryse, in Australia we make this https://www.changs.com/recipes/Crispy-Noodle-Salad/
It’s absolutely delicious, I’m low carb and it’s really only the fried noodles that are a no no, so I just go easy on the noodles. The recipe says wombok or Chinese cabbage but normal cabbage is perfectly fine. Also at Christmas lunch my daughter in law served fried shallots (in a packet from the supermarket) with the salad and it was a lovely addition.
Oh wow!! Thank you so much Ann!!! Now I won’t be afraid of cabbage anymore with all these awesome sounding recipes. I like that this one is raw!!!