The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe'

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Café by Alexander McCall Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is the fifteenth in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Series. I have read and enjoyed every one. With each book, Mma Ramostwe becomes more of a hero to me. She is surrounded by very flawed individuals, yet she sees their good and loves them. She just loves them. Ah, that the world were full of Mma Ramostwes! I admit this book lagged in the middle a bit, but, as always in this series, came to a very satisfying conclusion. I am sure I will read number 16 and 17 and . . . so on. Not today or tomorrow, but eventually I will buy the next one and read it. This series is kind of like comfort food to me- I don't want to "eat" it every day, but occasionally get a craving and nothing else quite hits the spot like Mma Ramostwe and her friends.



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Farewell to John and Cindy

On Friday, March 9th, we traveled to Boise, Idaho.  We stayed with Joan and Tom.

My brother, John, and his wife, Cindy are headed to the Phillipines to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints.  We went to hear them speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday and to bid farewell to them.  They will be amazing missionaries.  Of that, I'm sure!

John is so wise and Cindy, so loving.  

On Saturday morning, then again on Saturday afternoon, we attended Devin and Sarah's daughters' basketball games.

Ken and Tom went into the Idaho mountains to go snow shoeing and to relax in a hot spring.

It was Ken's first time snow shoeing.  He really liked it.

They weren't the only ones with the idea of getting into the hot spring.

While they were in the mountains, Joan and I went to Trader Joe's, out to lunch, to Sophie's ball game, then back to her house and made rolls for the big party the next day.
When the guys got home and ready, we went out to dinner.

After dinner, we drove to the newly dedicated Meridian temple.

The next day, Sunday, we drove to Caldwell to attend John and Cindy's ward.  They both gave such good talks.  After the meeting, we went to their house for a big dinner and mingling and visiting.

Ken, Jed, and Tom

Sarah and Joan

Sisters

I will miss this cheerful, loving sister-in-law

John and Cindy's daughters, Ami and Ali.  I love these beautiful nieces and simply don't get to see enough of them.

Dessert table

The buffet

Me with Cindy's sister, Rhonda

Rhonda, an amazing cook, was in charge of the food.  Many helped by making and  bringing dishes.  It was a feast for the eyes as well as the tummy.

I know!

Eden, Ali's daughter, is a senior in high school.  Just the day before, she competed in the Washington state forensics competition and took first place in humorous interpretation.  She and her dad flew to Boise Sunday morning, arriving just in time for the meeting.  Eden was kind enough to perform her piece for us.  It was absolutely amazing!

Because of glare, this picture didn't turn out well.  It is the framed boat that our great grandpa made- a replica of the boat on which he sailed.  It hung in our childhood home and now in John's home.

After the festivities, we drove by our childhood home.  My dad would be sad to see that all of his beautiful trees and flowers are gone.  It looked so very bare.

One of Joan's and my favorite traditions is to play duets together.  Because she teaches piano, she has lots of duet books.  For 45 years, I have played the Primo part and Joan the Secondo part.  But, alas, Joan is better than me, so I moved to secondo.

Tom and Joan jus chillin on Sunday evening

We drove home on Monday, listening to a John Grisham book.  It was a delightful weekend in Idaho!
If you are interested in following John and Cindy's adventures in the Philippines, they have a facebook page "With Love From the Philippines."