Small Addition to the Master Bathroom

 Space is limited but both my husband and I wanted a place to hang things. So he came up with the idea to put two hooks on the bathroom door. We got the KOHLER K-13433-CP Coralais Robe Hook, Polished Chrome that matches our faucets.

 They are heavy and sturdy and do a GREAT job. I can hang my clothes up and he can hang his towel up so we are both happy.

 There will be a few more changes as I am not finished tinkering with the Master Bathroom yet. ~Alasandra

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman (Goodreads Author)

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When the book opens Ove is 59, which seems young to me for him to be treated like such an old man. I wonder if it was an error in the translation. Anyway when the book opens Ove is depressed his wife died 6 months ago from cancer we later learn and he was given early retirement to make way for the younger generation. So Ove decides to join his wife (Sonja) in the after life.

First he decides to hang himself and takes careful measurements to insure the hook is in the center of the room, but is interrupted by Parvaneh (the pregnant one) and Patrick (the lanky one) moving in next door. Patrick accidentally backs into Ove's mailbox. Then the rope breaks so Ove decides on to use his Saab to kill himself, but before he can Parvaneh interrupts again, Patrick fell off the ladder he borrowed from Ove and Parvaneh needs Ove to take her and her daughters to the hospital. OH and can he give her driving lessons.

He next decides to throw himself in front of a train but gets sidetracked with saving a man's life then he has to keep the council from putting Rune in an institution, help Adrian fix his girlfriend's bike, mend the relationship between Mirsad and his Father, rescue a cat and before you know it Ove has decided he is too busy to die.

Very heartwarming and uplifting, it reminds me somewhat of the movie UP.

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Here We Lie by Paula Treick DeBoard (Goodreads Author)

Here We Lie by Paula Treick DeBoard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The story revolves around two women Lauren who comes from a life of privilege, but in lots of ways has less financial freedom than her roommate Megan, as her Mother controls the purse strings. She finds herself in photography but then loses herself in a man, who her family will never accept. For Lauren learning the truth will mean turning her back on her family.

Megan comes from a middle class exists in the Midwest. When her Father contracts cancer she delays going to the State College to care for him and she eventually chooses to end his suffering when he ask. His Life Insurance policy makes it possible for her to attend Keale (an exclusive all girls private college) where she meets Lauren. From the beginning Megan tells a mixture of lies about her life. So when Michael (Lauren's brother) rapes her on the island she feels no one will believe her and chooses to flee rather than confront him. The choices she makes afterwards seem guaranteed to make it hard for anyone to believe her as she starts lying to everyone about where she is. 14 years later when another woman comes forward Megan finally finds the courage to tell the truth.

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The Cast by Danielle Steel

The Cast by Danielle Steel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reads something like a fairy tale. Kait Whittier is seated next to a famous producer at a New Year's Eve Party and he encourages her to write a Bible. She does while she is off for Christmas Break and the next thing you know she has a hit TV show and is involved in a romance with a hot actor.

The various other big name actors all have interesting lives along with Kait's children. Except for the death of Kait's oldest daughter her life seems pretty charmed.

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Year One (Chronicles of The One, #1)

Year One by Nora Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It's darker than the books she normally writes but fabulous. An old prophecy is fulfilled when Ross' blood mixes with the blood of a pheasant he killed and falls inside the stone circle unleashing what would come to be called "The Doom" a virus that kills 80% of the Worlds population.

Bands of people will band together to survive, but others The Raiders, The Dark and the The Purity Warriors will seek to destroy.

Max Fallon and Lana leave New York, to find Max's brother, Eric. But Eric's new found power coupled with his girlfriend Allegra turn him to the Dark and he will seek to kill Max, Lana and the life she carries. Fleeing the mountains where Eric tried to kill them, they will lead a band to New Hope where they will find friends. But when Eric and the Purity Warriors come to New Hope Max will give his life so Lana can escape.

Alone and pregnant Lana will find sanctuary with Simon on his farm. Love will blossom between them and "The One" is born. Fallon Swift will have 13 years of safety according to Mallick who is her protector and will be her trainer. He leaves gifts for her before he vanishes.

Fallon Swift looks to be the main character but I hope we will find out what happened to the people in New Hope that Lana had to leave behind. Arlys (the reporter) and Will, Fred, Flynn and his wolf Lupa, Jonah (paramedic) and Rachel (doctor), Eddie and his dog Joe.

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Time Cat Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander

Time Cat by Lloyd Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jason discovers that his cat Gareth can time travel and convinces Gareth to take him with him. Their first stop is Egypt were an unhappy Pharaoh Neter-Khet discovers he can't shout orders at cats.

He moves through time meeting St. Patrick in Ireland, then Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci a quick trip to South America where he meets the Incas and then arriving in North America on the Eve of the Revolutionary War before returning home.

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Pantry and Back Porch

I decided to put shelf paper on the shelves. I like the way the gray matches the trim

I also found these neat baskets with the Flood Tide and Gray colors. And I love the stainless steel pet food keeper. This is the X-Large so it holds 40lbs. (simplehuman® 40-Liter Pet Food Storage Can)

I am so happy I can finally start organizing everything.

This is what was left over after they cut out where my cook top went. Eventually I will take it in and let them shape it up and polish the sides.

But it works fine as a table and I am enjoying having somewhere to sit my ice tea in the meantime.

Stalking The Angel (Elvis Cole, #2)

Stalking The Angel by Robert Crais
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bradley Warren hires Cole to find a rare Japanese manuscript that was stolen from him and to protect his family after they are threatened but fires him when Mimi is kidnapped.

Being Cole he is determined to find Mimi and with Pikes help they track her down to where she is staying. Determined to find out why Mimi faked her own kidnapping Cole talks to her and discovers Bradly was sexually abusing her.

But when he tries to intervene and get therapy for the family Mimi makes her own arrangements and kills her Father. Now Cole is left wondering how much of what Mimi told him was the truth.

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Miscellaneous Kitchen & Dishwasher Review

The crocheted towel on the right was made by my Grandma Agnes for my trousseau many years ago. This is the first time I have used it. It makes me smile every time I see it.

Bamboo silverware tray for my drawers.

I got a fruit basket.

Bo got me the Arthur Court paper towel holder for Christmas, and I already had the Lemon & Butterfly Trivet and Utensil Holder.

I think the Lenox spoon rest goes nicely with them.

I love my new dishwasher the third rack is very handy.

Item # 836312 Model # SHPM78W55N

Bosch 800 Series 42-Decibel Built-In Dishwasher (Stainless Steel) (Common: 24-in; Actual: 23.5625-in) ENERGY STAR 

It holds a lot and it is very quiet, most of the time I wouldn't know it was on if it wsn't for the red dot on the floor when the dishwasher is operating.

I found this Canister and Tea Pot at Tuesday Morning, I am going to keep Bo's tea in it.The pattern is Herbs de Provence

I'll probably move the knives and put them next to the cook top. I love my little froggy sponge holder I have had it forever. I think he will be sticking around. 

First Meal Cooked ~ Kitchen Remodel

 I got this dish drain that sets inside my sink. It's very handy for unloading the dishwasher and stows away nicely under the sink when it's not in use. The faucet is KOHLER K-15253-4-CP Coralais Kitchen Sink Faucet, Polished Chrome, it matches the faucets in the Master Bath. I love their sleek design.

 The Oven with the cooktop over it.

 The Kitchen Hood, I love the lights.

 The stainless steel sink is nice and deep.

 Loving my refrigerator, it is small but it has room for everything I need. You just have to think about where to put stuff. And the freezer holds a ton of stuff.

 My dishwasher is really, really quiet.

I can't wait to show you the tile backsplash.

And the very first meal I cooked in the Oven. ~Alasandra

Twisted Prey (Lucas Davenport #28)

Twisted Prey by John Sandford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lucas gets another shot at Taryn Grant when she tries to have Smalls eliminated permanently. Unfortunately the trail leading back to Grant keeps getting eliminated so Lucas gets creative in bringing her down. Looks like Grant killed the wrong man this time, because his girlfriend has the skills to end the Grant problem once and for all and Lucas has no compunction about putting Grant in her cross-hairs after she Ok'd an attack on Weather.

Enjoyed reading about Kidd, he has always been one of my favorite characters and I was sorry his series ended so I really appreciate it when he pops up in a Davenport book.

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Got Granite ~ Kitchen Remodel

 My convection over and the Microwave/Convection Oven Comb. I love them both.

 I love the rack over the microwave, it's so handy for storing my bake ware.

 Love how nice the shelves look.

 New can opeaner

 And a new stainless trash can (upgrade from the cheap plastic one I used for years).

 And now we have the granite.

 It didn't take them long to install it. They already had the cut out for the sink so this side was really fast.

This side took a little longer as they had to make the cut out for my cooktop.