MarthaE Cooking #5

Here are more of my HelloFresh dishes for weeks three and four of January. It does take me 30 to 45 minutes to cook but I get to listen to audio books while cooking so that is just fine.

Banh Mi-Style Meatball Bowl with Pickle Cuke Salad and Ginger Rice.
My fridge sort of froze the cucumber and my bowl doesn't show the rice. Still, it was a delicious dish.

One-Pan Cheesy Beef Tortilla Melts with Green Pepper  & Spicy Cream Sauce.

This was pretty easy to make and something I really like.

Spicy Maple Chicken with Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Roasted Green Beans.
This was enough food to provide three meals instead of just two. 

Vegan Thai Coconut Ginger Curry
with Bell Pepper, Green Beans, Peanuts & Lime Rice.
The nice thing about the portions of ingredients is I can use all or less of a seasoning, like the curry, to match my own tastes. This lets me experiment a little to discovery how I like the flavors. 
I'd be glad to eat this one again too.

The plan comes with a free breakfast choice. I like these Belgian waffles - I get four for the week.

I added a small serving of scrambled egg with potatoes left over from a prior meal. 

Sunday Post January 28, 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 29, 2024

I am linking with Sunday Post at Caffeinated Book Reviewer.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? now at The Book Date (at Wordpress)

What Are You Reading? is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

I am feeling much better although I seem to be taking a nap after dinner in the evenings. 
I am without water again as my well pump suffered when we had a power outage Saturday. The well man said it will be a day or two to fix it.

I have to have another ultrasound and biopsy for the doctors to decide how to treat my situation. I am confident the tests will show negative and all will be well. I expect to schedule the testing in the next week or so.

I took two pictures after the storm on the 9th and Google Photos made a panorama that shows the downed trees on both sides of my driveway.

I continue to play catch up on work and it feels good to accomplish each task. 

I am still enjoying my chair yoga and have lost a few pounds.
I will continue to pray for the Advent messages all year: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love.

Our weather did warm up into the 70s for a couple of days. Today it is back to the 50s and I need to turn the heat back on. 

I finished four audios and made progress in the ebook. I posted one NetGalley review.

I visited only 11 blogs again last week. No shout Out this week.

Audiobooks.com is still sharing some free listens for children.

• Sunday Post January 21 2024/It's Monday! What are You Reading? Plus Mailbox Monday January 22, 2024.

• NGTBR - #Netgalley Audio Book Review: The Fish of Small Wishes by Elana K. Arnold.

• MarthaE Cooking #4.

• Sunday Words of Encouragement January 28, 2024 - What is Your Condition?

Finished Reading:
1. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).

Zone War
By: John Conroe
Narrated by: James Patrick Cronin
Series: Zone War Series, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 54 mins
My Rating 4.25. This tells the story of a Post-Apocalyptic reality show with a young hero helping the military, and vice a versa.
I like the protagonist and will probably pick up the next in the series.
Source: December 2023 Audible Plus Catalog.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Click on link to see full description.

2. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).

Winter World
By: A. G. Riddle
Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini, Amanda Leigh Cobb
Series: The Long Winter, Book 1
Length: 11 hrs and 4 mins
My Rating 4.25. The earth is facing global freezing and it turns out there is an external cause. The story is told from the view of two characters, a disgraced roboticist scientist, and an astronaut who may be trapped in space.
I liked the characters, the science, and the story. I am glad I have the next book, Solar World.
 Source: October 2023 Audible Plus
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, 2024Audiobook, and 2024Season Goals.
Click on link to see full description.

3. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).

Always Faithful
By: Sherry A. Burton
Narrated by: Bethanne Reid
Series: Jerry McNeal, Book 1
Length: 2 hrs and 43 mins
Genre: Supernatural, Ghosts
My Rating 4.5. Jerry McNeal has a "gift" that tells him when there is danger or death. Sometimes he gets there in time and sometimes he doesn't. But he has learned to listen to his feelings. In this introductory story, we meet Jerry, and he gets a bit of ghostly K-9 help. I liked the characters, the story and the narration. I wish the short stories in this series weren't priced higher than I'd like to pay for under $4.00.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: 12/2/2023 Audible $3.47.
Publisher's summary
Call it a premonition. Call it intuition. Call it anything you like, but Pennsylvania State Trooper Jerry McNeal simply thinks of it as “that feeling.”
That feeling may come on without warning, so intense he can’t breathe.
Or, it may be a gentle nag that pulls at him until he decides to do something about it. He never quite knows what “it” is until he gets there, but when he arrives, he always knows he’s found what he is looking for.
During one of the biggest snowstorms of the year, Trooper McNeal feels that familiar stir. An unease that grows with each flake that falls. Its intensity pulls at him until Jerry has no choice but to venture out onto the treacherous roads, following an invisible pull that grips at his very soul.
Tonight, that feeling is going to take Trooper McNeal into a blizzard when the streets are supposed to be empty to save a life that would have otherwise been lost.
Only tonight, Trooper McNeal is not going alone….
©2019 Sherry A. Jones (P)2022 Sherry A. Jones

4. Audio on Smartphone (ATBR).

Cut
Written by Annelie Wendeberg
Narrated by Emma Galvin
Run Time 6h 4min
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian.
My Rating 3.75. I had a lot of trouble with the protagonist in this dystopia. She is a troubled young girl who chose to abuse herself after suffering abuse. She is a 'late bloomer' who struggles against the 'status quo'. Her ability to push through her abuse, humiliations, and depression is, to her surprise, what results in her being chosen for a verly select position in society. Her mentor, Runner, is a man of secrets. The dystopian world is harsh and was interesting but I'm not really sure the story fits the reference to The Hunger Games. The narration was well done for the story. It is doubtful I will continue with the series but others might like this.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: July 2021 Chirp Purchase $16.95 $2.99
PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION
I’ve reached my expiration date. Not that it matters. We’re all going to die. To sixteen-year-old Micka, all words have flavours. Her emotions come with such force that she can’t help but carve them into her skin. The night she decides to kill herself, she meets Runner, a mysterious stranger who makes her question everything she’s learned about the end of the world. His message is terrifying: it wasn’t some mysterious disease that killed ten billion people. We did this. Humanity sleepwalked into climate disaster and ecocide, just to butcher and rape until blood stained the seas. Micka is sure Runner is lying. Her instincts urge her to stay far away from him. But he makes her an offer she finds hard to resist. There are only two rules she must follow: Kill. Survive. Because the final wars were never meant to end.

Currently Reading:
1. Kindle (/NetGalley )App on Smartphone (NGeB2023)

The Altered Moon 2: The Tyrant of Unity
By James McGettigan, Jingjing Huntley (Photographer), Fabiana Granado, Kyle Davis, Jason Frank, Serena Lucatero, Jacqui Corn-Uys (Editor), Anthony McGettigan (Editor), Judy McGettigan (Editor)
This is still reading slowly. I have reached 45%.
I'm going to give it one more week. Then I may put this on hold to read one of my other NetGalley ebooks.
Source: December 27, 2023 NetGalley.
Archive date 1/11/24 I have it downloaded so I am able to continue to read it.
2024TBR, 2024NetGalley, 2024Alphabet, and 2024ebook Goals.
Click on link to see full description.

2. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).

EMP: Equipping Modern Patriots
By: Jonathan Hollerman
Narrated by: Kent Clark
Series: EMP: Equipping Modern Patriots, Book 1 (4 books)
Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins Genre: EMP,
Genre: Post-Apocalyptic
This is a rather typical post-apocalyptic story of family survival. It is entertaining and I have less than 3 hours left.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source: 7/18/2021 Audible Sale $5.00.
Publisher's summary
EMP: Equipping Modern Patriots is a harrowing story of survival after the destruction of the electric grid and nearly every electronic device in the country. Jonathan Hollerman paints a vivid and disturbing picture of society falling apart after an Electromagnetic Pulse attack against our nation.
Can you imagine a world with no phones, no TV, no internet, and no way to access your bank account? Without the electric grid, there would be no lights, no heating or air conditioning in your home, no public water, and the sewer could back up into your home. Without modern vehicles or interstate trucking, the supermarkets would quickly run out of food. Since the majority of the military is not hardened against an EMP, they would be unable to come to the aid of its citizens and maintain order. Our humanity is questioned when survival of the fittest becomes reality.
This is not only a thrilling story but offers practical, life-saving advice for an imminent threat. If you enjoyed Patriots by James Wesley Rawles or One Second After by William Forstchen, then you will enjoy this story of survival.
©2013 Jonathan Hollerman (P)2014 Jonathan Hollerman

3. Audible on Smartphone (ATBR).

The Valley
A Lee Harden Novel
By: D.J. Molles
Narrated by: Christian Rummel
Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins
Genre: Action, Adventure, Post-Apocalyptic
I loved the series and the character, Lee Harden, so I want to continue in this new stage of his life.
2024TBR, 2024Alphabet, and 2024Audiobook Goals.
Source 6/16/2023 May Audible Credit.
Publisher's summary
It has been six years since plague, famine, and war ravaged the planet. World powers have collapsed. The human population has been reduced by 90 percent, and those who survived must always contend with a novel apex predator: human beings whose very DNA has been radically altered by the plague.
In a quiet valley in Northern California, a settlement of survivors called the Redoubt is threatened by Colin Horner, a savagely pragmatic ranch boss, whose land they’ve been squatting on for years. With barely any ability to defend themselves, all they can do is try to forestall Horner’s demands for a quantity of food they’re incapable of growing. But as the clock runs out for the Redoubt, a small group of heavily armed individuals shows up out of the blue, led by a man with a scarred face and a missing eye.
Lee Harden might be scarred and battered, but he is a professional warfighter, with years of near-constant combat experience and one mission: find settlements beyond the current reach of the Interim Government, give them hope, and keep them alive. Backed by his longtime team of operators, Lee aims to resolve the conflict between the Redoubt and Horner. But something strange is going on in this seemingly quiet valley. Someone is breeding hybrids—part human and part mutated apex predator—and using them as a weapon.
When peace talks between the Redoubt and Horner go bad, Lee finds himself stuck in the middle of a seething conflict that’s about more than just land. As the valley unravels into chaos, Lee and his team gamble with their lives to unravel a convoluted network of lies, secret obsessions, and ties that bind, in order to learn just who it is they’re protecting, and what exactly they’re protecting them from.
In his first-ever stand-alone Lee Harden novel, DJ Molles immerses you in a world of gritty realism and slippery morality, filled with characters that just want to do the right thing—if they can figure out what that is.
©2023 D.J. Molles (P)2023 Audible, Inc.

I expect to get to one or two more audios this coming week.
I am looking at the letters G, H and U for my next picks. 

January 28, 2024 - I am enjoying the YouVersion App called The Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble. (The link is to the plan online.) We are still reading in Genesis.
I am also enjoying a 21 day Fast, Read, Pray, Acts Challenge.

I finished four books, rated with mini reviews/comments above.

NETGALLEY STATUS--
I continue on an ebook. I now have two more ebooks. I still have an older audio on my shelf I need to listen to.
I still have the two old NetGalley ebook titles.

Other Sources: I have a dozen or so books that I received from Facebook links and newsletter sign-ups, not specific review requests. plus many titles through InstaFreebie over the past few years.

Welcome to Mailbox Monday.

Mailbox Monday is a gathering place for readers to share the books that came into their house last week and explore great book blogs. This Meme started with Marcia at A Girl and Her Books (fka The Printed Page) and after a tour of hosts has returned to its permanent home at Mailbox Monday. Thanks to the ladies sharing hosting duties: Serena of Savvy Verse & Wit, and Me. Emma has retired so we are looking for another person willing to assist.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

No new review titles.
I bought four audios on Chirp. 
I still have Audible Plus titles to be listed when I get time.

Two new Kindle title this week.
Are your mailbox and TBR piles blooming?

Review Titles

NONE

Won

NONE

Purchased

January 24th, 2024 Four titles at Chirp

The After Cilmeri Series Boxed Set
Written by Sarah Woodbury
Narrated by Laurel Schroeder
$19.99 $0.99

White Haven Hunters: Books 1 - 3
Written by TJ Green
Narrated by Diana Croft
$14.99 $1.99

Poison and Party Hats
Written by Madelyn Scott
Narrated by Caroline Turner Cole
$9.99 $0.99

Fortress of the Lost Amulet
Written by Michael Webb
Narrated by Tim Campbell
$9.99 $0.99

Free

January 25, 2024 Two Free Kindles – directed by a Newsletter.

Skating the Blue Line: A Hockey Romance (Chicago Dark Knights Series Book 1)
By Jocelyne Soto

Betting on Cinderella (The Cinderella Romances Book 2)
By Petie McCarty




I still have audible plus titles to list.

Two new free title added to Kindle library.  Free titles might be found at Bookbub, Book Adrenaline, Ereader News Today, Inspired Reads, or Kindle ebooks.

Sunday Words of Encouragement January 28, 2024 - What is Your Condition?

I don’t have water this weekend as my well pump went out Saturday afternoon when we had another storm and power outage. Fortunately, my well man checked it today and will fix it in a day or two.

I pulled these notes from our Sunday School Teacher’s message in June. During that month we were focusing on movement of youth around the world. Some SS members noted how the OU women's softball team gave thanks and testimony. We need to recognize our joy comes from the Lord. Lift our eyes up to Christ and give Glory to God.  We pray that the Lord raise up a standard!

Our teacher’s message was “I just dropped in to see what condition my condition is” (Song by Kenny Rogers.)
Our condition is beyond just physical. It is emotional, political, and Spiritual, tied up in our personal, family, social, and work settings . What is “conditioning”? Think of things we connect to condition: hair, air, wood. The purpose of conditioning is reinforcement. We adapt, modify, or mold to be conformed.

Our world is being conformed. Christ followers need the precaution to watch, check up on our condition. Determining illness is not always simple. It takes more than self-examination. Many people act with wrong, secret motives. Jeremiah 17:9-10.

Paul recognized that he had feelings that drew him to this life and other feelings that drew him to eternal life with God. He couldn’t trust his own feelings. Philippians 1:20-26. The heart can deceive but Spirit can reveal. We are told to be careful of judging others when we have our own blind visions. Matthew 7:1-5.

Too much propaganda in this world is directed to turn us against each other. Jeremiah 13:10-11.  What we allow in our eyes and ears is processed in the soul. We need to discipline ourselves to run the race God has set for us. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27.

Check for weaknesses: Superman’s kryptonite, Samson’s hair. Judges 16. Popeye needed spinach, not extra hamburgers.

Have we clothed ourselves with our Spiritual tights and capes? God's armor. Ephesians 6:10-18.
Revelation speaks to seven churches and five get a bad diagnosis. They don't see their true condition.

Be diligent and turn away from your indifference. Find others, like a small group, to keep you accountable. Do not be conformed to this World.

I like this song for this message: All the Pretty Things. 

Verses for Today:
Jeremiah 13:10-11  NIV
10 These wicked people, who refuse to listen to my words, who follow the stubbornness of their hearts and go after other gods to serve and worship them, will be like this belt—completely useless! 11 For as a belt is bound around the waist, so I bound all the people of Israel and all the people of Judah to me,’ declares the Lord, ‘to be my people for my renown and praise and honor. But they have not listened.’

Lord, help me to focus on You and Your Will. Help me remember that the things of this world are fading in the light of eternity.

MarthaE Cooking #4

I am still enjoying cooking my HelloFresh dishes each week.
These were the first two weeks of January:

HelloFresh Sweet Thai Chili Burger and Sweet Potato Fries

HelloFresh Sweet and Spicy Avocado Toast with Feta - Yummy!

HelloFresh Monterey Jack Un-fried Chicken (panko coating with cheese)

Hello Fresh Jammy Bacon & Gouda Melt 
with caramelized onion & potato wedges.
This is another one I really liked since I am a bacon and cheese lover. 

I am enjoying the cooking and learning seasonings and add ons. 
I am also enjoying the fact that all the ingredients (other than oil and butter and basics like sugar, salt and pepper) are provided in the package. Also, I don't have to go shopping and I am not wasting food. 

#Netgalley Audio Review: The Fish of Small Wishes by Elana K. Arnold

This is a charming story.
The Fish of Small Wishes
by Elana K. Arnold
Narrated by Erin Ruth Walker

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CQHLR68J
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Roaring Brook Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 30, 2024
Print length ‏ : ‎ 41 pages
Reading Age:4-8 years
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0.

Description
Fall in love with a modern fairy tale inspired by a Jewish family memory in this magical picture book by award-winning picture book creators Elana K. Arnold and Magdalena Mora.
Once, there was a girl named Kiki, who found a fish on the asphalt.
The fish was very hot and very dry.
But when Kiki put it in the bathtub, it started swimming, and growing, and . . . speaking?
"I want to grant you a wish for saving me," it said.
A wish-granting fish!
Alas, this fish was only a fish of small wishes, and Kiki’s wish was too big.
Unless . . . there was a way for both their dreams to come true.
Follow Kiki and the wish-granting fish in this contemporary fairy-tale perfect for fans of A Big Mooncake for Little Star and Carmela Full of Wishes.

Review:
Kiki was too shy to play with the other children. One afternoon she found a giant fish on the hot sidewalk. She knew this wasn’t good and brought the fish to her bathtub. The fish started to swim and spoke to her through bubbly, watery words! The fish offered to grant a wish, but he said he could only grant small wishes.

Even though the fish grew, Kiki’s wishes were still too big. Can Kiki find a wish that the fish of small wishes could grant? Kiki decided to get help to dig a pond for the fish. Kiki’s efforts had a surprising result.

This is a very sweet story. It provides a message showing taking our focus off ourselves to help others might just help us too. I would be glad to share the audio or print with my grandchildren.

Audio Notes: Erin Ruth Walker does a beautiful job on the narration. Her performance matches the sweet story and I totally enjoyed the audio.

Source: 12/11/2023 received at NetGalley. This qualifies for 2024NetGalley, 2024Alphabet, and 2024AudioBook goals.