Love A Library

I love libraries.  I have ever since I turned five and was able to get my very own library card.  Now I love them even more because I can go on the Roanoke Library website and order any book I want.  I generally go to the Advanced Search page.  There I can just look at the newest Fiction or Non-Fiction published this year, or late last year.  I can also choose to look for only paperback books or hard covers.  The library lets me know when I have books and I just walk in and pick them up.

This last week I really scored.  I got a bunch of new books that I have had on request for some time.  They all came in at once.  Isn't that always the way?

Check these out!



I haven't really liked the most recent Stephanie Plum books.  It seems like Evanovich was just writing the same book over and over with just different names.  This one took the characters forward a bit and was better than the last few I have read. 



I ALWAYS like Robert Crais.  He writes several different characters and then combines them every once in awhile.  Elvis Cole and Joe Pike frequently share a book.  Both characters are equally appealing and for different reasons, but always because they do whatever it takes for Elvis to save the day in his role as private investigator.  These take place in Los Angeles and I like revisiting places I know, while I go along the exciting ride with these interesting characters.  In this book he brought in three different characters from previous books and that made it fun.  It works just fine as a stand alone novel, if you have never read him.  But I predict if you do, you will go back and read all his novels.  He's that good. 



Every once in a while you have to read some non-fiction.  I prefer novels, but this book sounded interesting.  It tells the story of the pirates along the Barbary Coast.  Some countries paid tribute so that their commercial vessels weren't attacked by pirates.  When the US gained freedom from Britain, we lost the protection from them for our ships and they were boarded, had their cargoes stolen and their crews enslaved.  The fledgling country had a limited amount of money available to pay these pirates and no Navy to protect them.  This book explains how the problem was solved with the Muslim pirates that had no respect for any non Muslim nation and felt they could enslave all captured sailors and torture, kill or hold them for ransom.  They could take tribute money and still take a ship or two.  We also would have had to make deals with, and pay tribute to, many of the groups along the Barbary Coast.

In this book you also understand why the Marine Hymn includes "to the shores of Tripoli".  It was a quick read and you might find you like history presented in this form, rather than the dates/battle form most history books use.



I ALWAYS like David Rosenfelt. He writes a series about an extremely wealthy lawyer, Andy Carpenter, who only works when backed into a corner.  And when he believes his client is innocent.  In addition, he runs a dog rescue and all of the titles involve dogs.  He is funny and interesting.  He also writes stand alone novels, but I prefer the Andy Carpenter ones.

After all, who doesn't like a murder mystery with dogs??  Look at that FACE!

Arborio Rice Pudding

I was craving rice pudding.  Usually when I make rice pudding, it is with leftover rice and I use eggs and milk for a custard.  I pour it over the rice and bake with a bit of cinnamon and lemon zest. 

This time I wanted to use some of the Arborio rice I use for risotto. Arborio is plump and short and turns creamy when used for risotto.  Wouldn't a creamy rice make a great rice pudding?  While searching for recipes I found this quote from Stephanie Plum via Janet Evanovich.

"Ranger declined the butterscotch pudding, not wanting to disrupt the consistency of his blood sugar level.  I had two puddings and a coffee, choosing to keep my pancreas at peak performance.

Use it or lose it is my philosophy."

I'm with Stephanie.  Plus, it is only four Tablespoons of sugar for 4 servings.  Not THAT bad for a dessert, is it?

This recipe is adapted from Dave Lieberman's

 

Arborio Rice Pudding

1 cup water
pinch of salt
1/2 Tablespoon butter
1/2 cup Arborio Rice
2 cups milk.  He used whole, I used 2 %.
4 Tablespoons sugar.  It was plenty sweet.  I might try 3 Tablespoons next time.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Flavorings of your choice.  I used
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
I was afraid to use lemon zest with all the spices, but I may try that next time.  Use what you like and have in the pantry.  Dave Lieberman just used cinnamon.

Whipped cream or Cool Whip for serving, optional

 

Boil the water, salt and butter in a medium saucepan.  Add the rice.  Return to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Shake the pan from time to time.  Keep cooking until all the water is absorbed, about 15 minutes.  The rice will not be cooked through at this time.  But you are not through cooking it!

 

While the rice is cooking, place the milk, sugar and the spices you chose in another sauce pan.

 

Bring it to a simmer.  Not too hot, you will scald the milk.  When the rice has absorbed all the water, add it to the milk mixture. and continue to simmer until the rice has absorbed most of the milk.  It will start to get thick.  This will take another 15 minutes, or so.

 

Remove the rice from the heat and transfer it to a large bowl.  Let it cool to room temperature.  You may then chill it, but I like my rice pudding served slightly warm. 

 

You may have it plain or serve it with whipped cream or Cool Whip.

A perfect treat for a cool evening.

Explosive Eighteen

I recently checked out Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich from the library. I was reading it while Lee was driving. I had been giggling at some of the things Stephanie Plum was doing and decided Lee should have the pleasure of hearing what it was that struck my funny bone. So I read him a couple of paragraphs.

If you read this series, you will know that Stephanie's Grandmother LOVES to go to funerals. She always causes a problem and this time was no exception.

'It was close to nine o'clock when Grandma found her way to the cookie table. She ate three cookies, wrapped four more in a napkin, put them in her purse, and she was ready to head for home.
"It got better after you left, " she said. "Melvin Shupe came through the line and cut the cheese right when he got up to the casket. He said he was sorry, but the widow made a big fuss over it. And then the funeral director came with air freshener, and when he sprayed it around, Louisa Belman got an asthma attack and they had to cart her out the back door to get some air. Earl Krizinski was sitting behind me, and he said he saw Louisa's underpants when they picked her up, and he said he got a stiffy."
"Louisa Belman is ninety-three years old."
"Well, I guess to Earl, underpants are underpants." '

Lee didn't laugh. He sat there driving for a minute and then said, "That is why I hate going to funerals."

And that is why he strikes MY funny bone.