Bilbo's Last Song by J.R.R. Tolkien, Pauline Baynes (Illustrator)

Bilbo's Last Song by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Would be perfect to read to young children beautiful illustrations.

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How to Stop Time by Matt Haig (Goodreads Author)

How to Stop Time by Matt Haig
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderfully written Matt Haig explores what life would be like if you didn't age like other people. He follows the life of "Tom Hazzard" a man who has had many names and many lives, the challenges he dealt with and the fear he has felt over being discovered.

The book begins in the present day, Tom is looking for his daughter. The daughter he abandoned because he was a danger to her and her Mother. When he came back years later to comfort his dying wife he discovered that Marion also didn't age like normal people and that she too had been forced to flee.

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The Fall of Gondolin (Middle-Earth Universe)

The Fall of Gondolin by J.R.R. Tolkien
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I would have given it 5 stars but it's not an easy read. Really wish Christopher Tolkien would have just used his Father's notes to tell the story and not clutter it up with all the explanations and alternate versions.

Basically Tuor (Man from the House of Hador, Turor's Father is Huor.) at the behest of Ulmo (think of him as Neptune) sets out to find Turgon (Elf King of Gondolin, the second son of Fingolfin) and the hidden people and deliver a message. With the help of Voronwe (Elf of Gondolin, the only mariner to survive from the seven ships sent in the West by Turgon.) Tuor finds Gondolin. Due to his heritage he isn't put to death and is given an audience before the King. Tuor delivers his message and lives in Gondolin. Predictably he falls in love with the King's daughter, Idril and they marry. Tuor and Idril have a son Earendel, who is Elrond and Elros' Father (Lord of the Rings: Aragorn is descended from Elros and marries Elrond's daughter ).

Idril talks Tuor into building a secret tunnel as she distrust her cousin Meglin. Her mistrust was well earned as Meglin betrays Gondolin to Morgoth. Gondolin falls and Idril, Tuor, Earendel and some of the Elves flee through the secret tunnel and survive.

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The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand (Goodreads Author)

The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Found the way it was constantly shifting between past and present annoying and it kept me from connecting with any of the characters.

The book begins with Merritt's death, and the discovery of her body by Celeste. If you are hoping for a murder mystery abandon it her death is ruled accidental (which it was).

The book mainly revolves around Celeste and her relationships with: Her parents (Her Mother is dying of cancer), her fiancee Benji (she just wants his money) Benji's best friend (Shooter), and the maid of honer (Merritt). `

Celeste is the most whiny unappealing bride ever. A very rich man falls into her lap and she whines constantly about how she doesn't LOVE him, but she enjoys his money and loves his apartment, but inconsiderately his best friend Shooter has her falling head over hills in love. How can she ever choose between all the financial things Benji can giver her and her LUST for Shooter. Really don't feel her and Shooter are in love or have a clue about love as they barely know each other. And really don't like Celeste although she spends a lot of time trying to convince you that she wasn't wrong to accept Benji's proposal even though she didn't love him and already supposedly had feelings for Shooter. After all she did it for her parents. She allows Tag and Greer (Benji's parents) to spend a small fortune on her wedding to Benji but ... hey that's OK she did it for her parents.

Merritt whose body Celeste found as she was leaving to meet Shooter at the ferry barely has her character developed. She is portrayed as a shallow influencer with a penchant for sleeping with wealthy married men. Featherleigh the other husband stealing slut gets more attention then Merritt. And it's really really hard to care that Merritt went swimming in the middle of the night and drowned, Celeste barely gives it a thought as she agonizes over running away with Shooter and giving up the comfy lifestyle she enjoys as Benji's fiancee.

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Dining Room Wall, Laundry Room Pantry, and Outside

 This is the Dining Room the top half is Emerald Ice and the Bottom half is Flood Tide, there will be a Chair Rail in Urban Sunrise once Bo is finished.

 I decided to put shelf paper on the shelves in the Laundry Room Pantry.  I found this gray and white pattern that I thought went well with both the Glass Slippers, Flood Tide and Urban Sunrise.

 I also found these neat baskets with the teal and gray and they are so handy I keep my cleaning supplies in one and I can just pick the basket up and carry it to where I need them without having to spend time gathering up what I need. I also have my cleaning towels in one. And I love the Simplehuman  Pet Food Storage Container. I got an X-large for the dogs food and it's wonderful. There is a scoop for scooping out the dog food it attaches to the top with a magnet and it truly is air tight. The dogs eat the food at the bottom with the same pleasure they show when I first open a bag.

I really need to get one for the cat food. Bo did a good job on spacing the shelves and I have it pretty well organized.

 I used the granite from where they cut my cooktop out for a small table outside.

 Eventually I need to find something better for a base and to get it smoothed out and polished. It's the perfect size for me to sit my coffee on in the morning.

Leverage in Death by J.D. Robb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When Rogan walks into a meeting and sets off a suicide vest it looks like an open and shut case, but Eve quickly learns he was coerced into it by threats against his wife and child. Before she can track down the killers they strike again this time in an art gallery. The motive is money but Eve must race to find out who is behind the bombings before another family falls victim.

On a personal note Roarke acts as Peabody so Peabody and McNab can accompany Nadine to the Oscars which Nadine wins.

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Cabinets and Counter

 The cabinets were custom built and installed by Mercier's Cabinet and Woodworking, Inc.

 I can't wait until you see the new light fixture. It was a surprise Bo arranged for me and it's perfect.

 I didn't have to wait long to get my counter top. It looks marvelous, these pictures don't do it justice.

W. E. Wade Tile Company fabricated the granite and installed it. They also did the flooring in my family room.

In this picture you can see the pattern a little bit with the different colors but this is one granite that you need to see in person to get the full effect It's gorgeous when the light hits it and the blue/green pops out. And just wait to you see it with the backsplash.

The Cabinets

 The cabinets were custom built by Mercier's Cabinet and Woodworking, Inc. I love my shelves by the sink, it allows me to personalize the kitchen a little.

 This is the cabinet for the refrigerator.

 It really made my kitchen look so much better.

 I actually don't have much wall space in the kitchen.

 Once the cabinets are in, it's going to be about 96% cabinets if not more.

 I really just have wall space over the window and over the door to the laundry room.

 It's funny how a microwave cabinet and a refrigerator cabinet can actually make your kitchen look bigger.

And I was really lucky the cabinet guy and the granite guy are located next to each other and they often work together. The granite guy was able to come out and get the measurements he needed right after they installed the cabinets.

This and That

 Bo put the shelves back up in the Laundry room.

 I really love the Glass Slippers and the Flood Tide together with the Urban Sunrise Trim.

 Unfortunately I decided the leash holder had to go, It's in the way of everything and I kept knocking it down.

 It's hard to imagine how good this is going to look once it's completed.

 Goodbye empty space.

 The cabinets are here.

 We had the entire room tiled so the cabinets will actually be sitting on tile.

Stygian (Dark-Hunter, #27)

Stygian by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I was actually all ready to give it 5 stars and then I got to the middle of the book, I knew she was going to have to rehash some stuff I already knew but after Stryker slits Urian's throat she practically lifts chapters word for word from previous books and if that isn't annoying enough they are disjointed. For example one chapter ends with Styxx delivering Apollo to Apollymi and then Apollo is wrecking havoc with no explanation for how he escaped.

The book actually starts with Urian's childhood Davyn is actually Urian's brother in law he was the husband of Urian's twin brother Paris. And Urian had a really shitty childhood even though Stryker loved him and favored him over all his other kids. For one thing because he had blue eyes, women refused to feed him (Remember the Apollites have to drink the blood of each other to live).
Stryker couldn't feed him because he had already gone Daimon and his Mother (Hellen) couldn't feed him because she was Greek and thus not affected by Apollo's curse. Apollymi actually feed him her blood when he was a baby. As a teen Urian was forced to feed from a cup from blood that Stryker forced his men to donate. Hellen eventually left Kalosis (where the Apollites and Daimons live under Apollymi's protection). Unfortunately the humans found out about Hellen's connection to the Apollites and murdered her during the day when her sons were unable to help her. Urian and his brothers exacted a fitting retribution for their Mother's murder.

Urian's only real friend was the dragon Xyn (who in the early days of their relationship never allowed him to know she could take human form). He was genuinely baffled when Xyn was upset over his marriage to Xanthia. When his brother Telamon died Urian learnt that he has the power to bring him back to life, and his powers made him popular with the ladies which was helpful because he had caught Xanthia cheating on him. After his divorce from Xanthia he continued to care for her children until their deaths. He also learned that Xyn could take human form, unfortunately since she couldn't feed him they both believed their relationship was doomed. Urian married Sheba (Apollite Amazon) and went to live with her people before they were slaughtered by Helios soldiers. When he returned home Xyn was gone and he had no way to find her. They eventually did reunite and agreed to meet once a year with the understanding that if either found someone else they wouldn't show up. Xyn didn't make it to one of their meetings and Urian believed she was dead. At this point Stryker has ordered him to wipe out the Peter's clan due to a prophecy, but when he went to kill Phoebe he couldn't and they fell in love. Due to his love for Phoebe he protected her family and betrayed his own.

Now we get a rehash of things that happened in Styxx and Dragonsworn (Dark-Hunter, #28)

Xyn and Urian reunite but he still goes to free Phoebe with Xyn by his side once he learns that she is still alive. Apollo was using Phoebe to get to Urian as he needed Urian's blood (Urian is part human Atlantean Egyptian and Apollite ... and was born with the blood of three pantheons and gods). Apollo uses the blood and Hades's scepter, which he stole to open a gate. Urian plans to sacrifice himself to close it but Stryker pushes him out of the way and nearly dies. Actually he would have died except Urian saves him and they make up. Phoebe ask for a divorce, which is a relief to Urian as it leaves him free to be with Xyn.

The time line didn't advance much and we didn't really learn anything new. Not sure if we learned this in Styxx or not Styxx is a Chthonian and has the ability to kill Gods.

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Note: From previous books the Phoebe/Urian love story was sold to us and I remember thinking when we found out Phoebe was alive how nice it was that Urian would get his happy ending and be reunited with her. So I was totally expecting them to be "the couple". But I fell in love with him and Xyn as a couple and love the fact she was friends with him before they got romantically involved. Another reviewer was upset about Urian's serial relationships but she seems to forget what he had to do to feed. It totally makes sense that Apollites would find someone else as soon as possible in order to feed. The Phoebe/Xyn/Urian triangle did pose more of a dilemma as we had been sold on Urian/Phoebe in previous books. I think she did need to establish more that while Urian had a deep love for Xyn they never thought they could have a real relationship due to his feeding requirements. and that he truly believed she was dead when he meet Phoebe. So yes unlike Styxx and Bethany, Urian did move on. Would he and Phoebe have lasted, apparently not once she learned he was responsible for her relatives deaths. So their relationship always had a fatal flaw in it, a flaw we just didn't learn about until this book. 

Coming Together Nicely (Kitchen)

 The granite looks fabulous, it looks even better now that we have the backsplash. It was installed by W. E. Wade Tile.  And I LOVE my stainless steel sink. I really like the Kohler faucets in the Master Bathroom so I went with the same thing for the kitchen, KOHLER K-15253-4-CP Coralais Kitchen Sink Faucet, Polished Chrome

 Love the way my cooktop looks on the granite. Wish I wasn't such a messy cook because it's a pain to clean, but it really does look nice. And does a fabulous job cooking. I have two Power Boil burners a burner for melting things and one for keeping things warm. We got the Cooktop from Lowe's and it's a GE.

Smooth Surface Electric Cooktop (Black) (Common: 30-in; Actual 29.75-in)

Item #: 737418 | Model #: JP3030DJBB

 The oven is a GE too as is the Range Hood. I'll be honest I haven't used the Oven that much I use the microwave most of the time and the few times I have used the oven I have used the Traditional choice instead of the Convection but I have been very pleased with it's performance so far. I haven't needed to clean it yet so I can't tell you anything about that but it did an excellent job boiling chicken and baking homemade pizza. I also love the fact that I can control it from my phone, and that when I am outside it will ring my phone to let me know it's through cooking.

GE Cafe Self-cleaning True Convection Single Electric Wall Oven (Stainless Steel) (Common: 30 Inch; Actual 29.75-in)

Item #: 687953 | Model #: CT9050SHSS

The Range Hood seems loud to me but I love the light and it looks great.

GE Profile Undercabinet Range Hood (Stainless Steel) (Common: 30-in; Actual: 29.875-in)

Item #: 841215 | Model #: PVX7300SJSS

 I absolutely adore the microwave cabinet and the microwave/convection oven. The Microwave is a Kitchen Aid. It has so many different options.

EasyConvect™ Conversion System

Takes the guesswork out of convection cooking by ensuring exceptional results when experimenting with new recipes or familiar favorites.

1.4 cu. ft. Capacity

Provides large cooking capacity while complementing your convection oven.

All my dishes fit perfectly.

Broil Element

Combines the high power and even coverage needed to achieve results similar to outdoor grilling results.

Crispwave™ Technology and Crisper Pan

Allows the microwave oven to be used for grilling, frying, and convection cooking. The specially designed crisper pan can be used to brown, crisp, and pan-fry foods.

Sensor Steam Cycle with Steamer Container

A sensored microwave oven cycle that allows precise steaming based on the food type and doneness level selected. Includes a steamer container to help you get the best results.

 I love the Steam cycle. I have steamed Salmon in there a few times and vegetables, they turn out wonderful. This is hands down my favorite new appliance, and I use it the most.

I have really enjoyed the steam feature, it cooks salmon, shrimp, oysters and fresh veggies to perfection. I made the best cheese toast in the Convection Oven, and the crisping pan delivers tasty hamburgers, bacon and fried eggs.  It's easy to use and it does a wonderful job defrosting food. It's very spacious too. I have used the convection feature to cook casseroles, bake bread and make cakes and it's done an outstanding job. I really enjoy cooking again.

Somebody on the Kitchen Aid site mentioned the red steamer bowl melted. Obviously they didn't bother to read the instructions. It clearly states to only use the steamer bowl with the steam function. The accessories they provided are all very nice. I have a crisper pan to use with the crisp function, a metal rack that you can use to put your own dishware on for baking as well as a baking tray. And the steamer bowl. They all wash up well and are a pleasure to use with the functions they are designed for, but you do need to read the manual so you will know what to use when.

I love the way the door opens like a regular oven it makes it so easy to get dishes in and out I have mine at counter level in a microwave  cabinet and it's perfect. I gave the specs to the cabinetmaker and the microwave fit perfectly

The only thing I would change about it is the handle, but that is just cosmetic. The Microwave and Convection Oven Work Great and make it a pleasure to cook, I love all the options it has.

I looked at all the microwaves on the market and this one had the most options and did the most. I always wanted an extra oven at Thanksgiving. Now thanks to this wonderful microwave I have it.

I have had the microwave for 7 months and I still love it. 

 Love the granite windowsill.

 I am thrilled with the refrigerator cabinet. We have a really SMALL kitchen so I had to have a small refrigerator, there wasn't a lot to choose from in the size I needed but I am pleased with the refrigerator. The freezer is really spacious.

GE 17.5-cu ft Counter-Depth French Door Refrigerator with Ice Maker (Stainless Steel) ENERGY STAR

Item #: 952954 | Model #: GYE18JSLSS

 I love my new cabinets. The Furniture Bottoms give the illusion of more space in my kitchen. And the drawers are so spacious, it's much easier to organize and find things. And the dishwasher is so quiet and I absolutely LOVE the third "top" rack it's perfect for putting the lids to your Tupperware and other small or flat things. I put the crisper pan for the microwave on the third rack.

Bosch 800 24-in Stainless Steel Pocket Handle Tall Tub Dishwasher with Stainless Steel Tub and Delicate/Economy Cycle (Actual: 23.5625-in) ENERGY STAR

Item #: 836312 | Model #: SHPM78W55N

 I gained a few inches of counter space by extending the cabinets closer to the door.

And this niche is going to be for my cup collection, really can't wait for you to see it with the tile added.

Volga Blue

 I went over to Mobile to look at my slab. You really can't tell much from the picture as it was acting like a mirror.

 But this is the Volga Blue

The bedrock of this stone is actually a very light grey – despite its overall black appearance. What gives it its black color is the vast amounts of black mineral deposits that make up over 80% of this stones mass. These black mineral deposits can range in color from a very dark grey, through to pure black. They are usually dense and well defined – which gives an effect that almost looks like shattered glass.

However despite the black minerals making up the bulk of this stone, it is the stunning blue mineral deposits that give this stone its name. And boy are they stunning!
They can range in shade from a deep and dark navy blue, through to a super bright almost sky blue color. Depending upon the density of the minerals in these sections they can actually be pearlescent. This means that they will look slightly metallic in color, and will display a range of shades of blue

 Here it is cut down and ready to be installed. I sure was happy when they pulled into my driveway with it.