What I Read for Fun :: Runaways

Runaways (2015): Issue #1
written by Noelle Stevenson, illustrated by Sanford Greene
Marvel Comics, 24 pages
YA, fantasy/scifi, action, comics

George
by Alex Gino
Scholastic, 240 pages
middle grade, realistic fiction, LGBTQIA
publication date: August 25, 2015

What I Ate for Dinner :: Mourayo

Soupies Sharas: Grilled cuttlefish, herb flavored evoo; spinach | $14

Kypriako Haloumi me Sousami: Sesame crusted Cypriot haloumi cheese; mixed grilled vegetables | $10

Mourayo
1732 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009

What I Made for Dessert :: Lemon, Ricotta, and Almond Flourless Cake

http://cakeletsanddoilies.blogspot.com/2013/07/lemon-ricotta-and-almond-flourless-cake.html

What I Read for Fun :: Nimona

Nimona
by Noelle Stevenson
Harper Teen, 272 pages
graphic novel, upper MG/YA, fantasy, science fiction

What My Daughter Read for Fun :: Lumberjanes

What I Made for Dinner :: Moroccan Chicken with Carrot Puree

http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Moroccan-Chicken-With-Carrot-Puree

What I Read for Fun :: The Boys in the Boat

The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics
by Daniel James Brown
Penguin Books, 416 pages
nonfiction, history, sports

What I Read for Fun :: March, Book Two

March, Book Two
written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell
Top Shelf Productions, 189 pages
nonfiction, history, memoir, graphic novel, young adult/adult

What I Read for Fun :: Cleopatra in Space

Cleopatra in Space, Book One: Target Practice
by Mike Maihack
Graphix, 176 pages
middle grade, graphic novel, science fiction, adventure

What I Read for Fun :: Capital Days

Capital Days: Michael Shiner's Journal and the Growth of Our Nation's Capital
by Tonya Bolden
Abrams Books for Young Readers, 96 pages
middle grade, nonfiction, history

What We Purged from My Son's Bookcases :: Younger Books

What I Bought for My Son to Read :: Summer Reading

What I Read for Fun :: Lucky Strike

Lucky Strike
by Bobbie Pyron
Arthur A. Levine Books, 272 pages
middle grade, almost magical realism, contemporary

What I Read for Fun :: The Spiritglass Charade

The Spiritglass Charade: A Stoker and Holmes Novel
by Colleen Gleason
Chronicle Books, 360 pages
YA, alternate historical fiction, fantasy/ghosts/vampires, steampunk, mystery

What I Read for Fun :: Under a Painted Sky

Under a Painted Sky
by Stacey Lee
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers, 384 pages
YA, historical fiction, Western, multicultural

What I Ate for Lunch :: Shake Shack @ Nationals Stadium

What I Baked for Dessert :: Cranberry-Orange Scones

Our immediate neighborhood is adopting a Village concept to help elderly residents age in place. Part of that includes sponsoring neighborhood get-togethers (for all ages) like a weekly walking group and occasional reading group, seasonal get-togethers, and a game night. The newest addition is a baking class taught by one of the residents. I immediately signed up when I saw it on our listserv because I want to learn more tips and tricks to improve my baking skills.

The first class was held over the weekend and we baked cranberry-orange scones. They were surprisingly easy to make but I'm so glad I had an experienced baker showing us the way. You really don't have to work the dough very much and I was close to doing so when she intervened, "Stop, stop, stop!"

I'm off to buy buttermilk and a bench scraper on Monday so I can make some more at home! I'm thinking of also making blueberry-lemon scones for the grown-ups and plain scones with coarse sugar on top for my daughter.

[picture taken by my across-the-street neighbor Bob who was my baking partner this week]

What I Read for Fun :: Lumberjanes: Beware the Kitten Holy

Lumberjanes, Volume 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
written by Noelle Stevenson & Grace Ellis, illustrated by Brooke Allen, colored by Maarta Laiho, lettered by Aubrey Aiese
BOOM! Studios, 128 pages
upper middle grade/YA, graphic novel, fantasy, adventure

What I Ate for Lunch :: Oakville Grill & Wine Bar

I forgot to take a picture of my burger, but it was hardly memorable so it doesn't matter. (The burger my husband concocted last week was far superior. And I asked for Cheddar cheese, not American -- I know the difference!) A lot of people at my table ordered salads and those looked pretty good, especially the shrimp and scallops ones. Oh yes, we also shared the Ahi Tuna Carpaccio appetizer, which was pretty decent.

The apple pie a la mode was better; it wasn't too sweet and had a nice caramelized flavor to it. But it's huge and I think the portion is too large (and expensive -- $8) for lunch. (I couldn't finish the last couple of bites, which is unusual for me.)

It's a perfectly serviceable restaurant but I'm too cheap to want to come back. I'd rather go to a more hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Wheaton, but that's a personal preference. I will say the service was good and our server was friendly and attentive.

Oakville  Grill & Wine Bar
10257 Old Georgetown Road
Bethesda, Maryland 20814