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Rainy-day Saturday cookies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup shortening

• 1-1/3 cups packed brown sugar

• 1 egg

• 2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 cup milk

• 1 cup diced fresh or frozen rhubarb

• 1 cup chopped pecans

• 1 cup raisins

• 1/2 cup flaked coconut

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Nutritional Facts

1 serving (2 each) equals 252 calories, 12 g fat (3 g saturated fat), 12 mg cholesterol, 120 mg sodium, 36 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 3 g protein.

Directions

1. In a bowl, cream shortening and brown sugar. Add egg; beat well. Combine dry ingredients; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk. Mix well. Stir in rhubarb, nuts, raisins and coconut.
2. Drop by tablespoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 375° for 12-15 minutes or until golden. Cool on wire racks. Yield: 3 dozen.

Editor's Note: If using frozen rhubarb, measure rhubarb while still frozen, then thaw completely. Drain in a colander, but do not press liquid out.

Book Club Read

I'm Proud of You: My Friendship with Fred Rogers by Tim  Madigan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Read this with a highlighter in hand. There are so many great quotes and thoughts throughout.  This book is very tender and sweet. And it really made me think about men and feelings and emotions. I don't know many men like these two. They openly expressed their love for each other and they weren't even family! I also questioned Tim's anger/depression. It appears that it was a mental illness rather than truly a life traumatizing childhood.

The book became most meaningful as it applied to Steve's experiences. I recommend this book for men and women and for those who are going through their own "furies."


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Wanderlust

It's true. I have it. Wanderlust. I am driven by a desire to travel and see new places and meet new people and try new food.

Lately a few people have asked me how many countries I have been to and I didn't know.

So here's my list (and it's not in any order):

1. Canada
2. Mexico
3. Belize
4. Nicaragua
5. Brazil
6. Japan
7. Thailand
8. China
9. Taiwan
10. Australia
11. England
12. Scotland
13. Latvia
14. Estonia
15. Sweden
16. Denmark
17. Russia
18. Czech Republic
19. Germany
20. France
21. Spain
22. Italy
23. Holy See
24. Malta
25. Cyprus
26. Turkey
27. Israel
28. Greece (Crete)
29. Switzerland
30. Austria

Tell me your favorite place on earth.

Later I'll post all the U.S. national parks I've been to. :)

A Town Like Alice

A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Yes, I read this again.  Still LOVE it. I convinced my bookclub to read it too and they all loved it which totally validated how good this book is.

Like many others I saw the Masterpiece Theatre version of this and immediately went out and got the book. This is beautiful tale of the strength of women and written by a man--I always marvel when a man is able to really capture it. You must read this and then see the movie--not vice versa.

After reading this book I went out and found everything I could by Nevil Shute. I highly recommend all of his books.


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2015 Challenge--yes,I'm behind!

The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Really 3 1/2 stars. I did like the back and forth between the two story lines I just felt like the book went on too long. This is a supernatural story that links the generations.


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Trip to Curitiba, Brazil

Before I forget everything I need to at least post pix.

Here are pix from the Serra Express Train from Curitiba to Morretes. Tuesday, April 7, 2015.