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Rachel's Reflections Posts

Review – Pride & PerceptionInstagram 5-25-21
June 1, 2021
Rachel
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Review – Pride & Perception

Posted in Book Blogger

Pride & Perception

by Sue Barr

Pride and Perception

Genres: Regency, Historical Romance, Pride and Prejudice, Adult
Release Date: March 5, 2021
Pages: 363
Purchase from: Amazon

My Rating: ★★★★☆

View ratings overview

☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.

What if…

The entail on Longbourn had been broken?

The Bennets owned Netherfield Park?

Jane Bennet had firm opinions?

Lizzy overheard the second derogatory comment Darcy made about her beauty? After the Bennets had dined at Netherfield Park, he said, “Her a beauty? I should as soon call her mother a wit.”

Yeah – that one.

This is a story where we explore all these beautiful what-ifs.

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Bumbledore: A Continuous Joy
May 31, 2021
Rachel
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Bumbledore: A Continuous Joy

Posted in Cat

Two years ago, we adopted our rescue cat, Bumbledore. Last year, I shared his story, including how far he’d come, especially since the start of pandemic telework. Now, another year later, he’s continued to improve by leaps and bounds.

Any of you who follow me on Instagram already know he’s become a cuddle monster. Every morning, he sits on my lap anywhere from 10-30 minutes, just enjoying my company and some pets. I make sure to post a photo to my story each day. I often joke that Bumbledore pays rent through cuddles and social media content.

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May 28, 2021
Rachel
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A Warning to the Pen Curious

Posted in Fountain Pens

“Hi Mrs. Smith!”

“Oh, hello, Jen. How many times have I told you to just call me Barb?”

“I couldn’t do that, Mrs. Smith, you’re around my mom’s age, and that just doesn’t seem right.”

“Well, the invitation is there, Jen. You’re in your 30s, it’s OK to call me Barb if you want.”

“I’ll think about it Mrs. Smith. By the way, you know about fountain pens, don’t you?”

“I do, I grew up with them. Why do you ask?”

“A friend of mine uses them, and I’m kind of curious.”

Mrs. Smith sighs and gestures to the chair next to her, inviting Jen to sit. “So you’re interested in pens, are you? Be warned, that’s dangerous territory, dear, dangerous indeed.” Jen’s eyes pop wide, and Mrs. Smith waves away her obvious fear. “Oh, perhaps not necessarily dangerous to your life, but to your wallet, to your interests!

Keep ReadingA Warning to the Pen Curious
Making Life Colorful5-26-21
May 26, 2021
Rachel
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Making Life Colorful

Posted in Personal

I’ve wanted to paint my stair risers in a rainbow for about a year now, and for the last 4-5 months, I’ve been thinking of painting the kitchen cabinets as well.

With our financial situation back in hand by the end of March, we went out to choose and buy paint. I’ve been industrially painting ever since.

Now that I’m done, I’m delighted with the results. It’s almost hard to believe we had a bland kitchen for so long.

Keep ReadingMaking Life Colorful
May 21, 2021
Rachel
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A Surprising Joy

Posted in Fountain Pens

It’s not often I write a pen review — let’s be honest, it’s almost never — mostly because there are so many reviewers out there. However, in this particular case, I feel impelled to share my thoughts.

About a month ago, I realized that I no longer had an orange pen in my “Under $250” category. I can’t have a pen rainbow without orange. To try to fix that issue, I solicited some suggestions from my lovely local peeps in the DC Metro Pen Crew.

I received a lot of suggestions, and the Pilot Custom 74 is the one I ultimately decided on. By sheer coincidence, I had a birthday coupon for Pen Chalet, so that’s who I ordered from.

Keep ReadingA Surprising Joy
Review – Mrs. Perivale and the Blue Fire CrystalInstagram 5-18-21
May 18, 2021
Rachel
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Review – Mrs. Perivale and the Blue Fire Crystal

Posted in Book Blogger

Mrs. Perivale and the Blue Fire Crystal

by Dash Hoffman

Mrs. Perivale and the Blue Fire Crystal

Series: Mrs. Perivale
Genres: Fantasy
Release Date: March 1, 2017
Pages: 335
Purchase from: Amazon

My Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

View ratings overview

☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.

“People your age belong at home.” 73 year old Mrs. Perivale is told when she tries to volunteer. With her son grown and gone, and her community turning their backs on her, the gravity of no longer being needed sinks her spirits deeply. She wonders if she has outlived her usefulness until a mystical little creature sneaks into Alice Perivale’s home and begs her to come with him; there is a prophecy about her, and she must help save his world!

Finding herself in a magical place she had no idea existed, committed to a dangerous mission far more vital than helping out in her neighborhood, Alice dusts off her courage and bravery, rediscovering the feisty, sassy, powerhouse woman she is deep inside. She is determined to find the stolen Blue Fire Crystal before the imbalance between elements destroys all of the magical land of Corevé. Together with her extraordinary family of six cats and her skeptical-yet-devoted butler Henderson, she takes on the tremendous challenge.

With time running out and the world falling to pieces, Alice’s precious companions are pulled away from her, and she is faced with impossible choices. Does she choose what she wants most of all, does she rescue her family, or does she save the world that will not survive without her?

Keep ReadingReview – Mrs. Perivale and the Blue Fire Crystal
May 13, 2021
Rachel
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My Perfect Assassin’s Creed Game

Posted in Miscellaneous Information

Alright, this should be my last Assassin’s Creed (AC) post for a while. Should as in I don’t have any other ones planned.

We’re five months out from Valhalla‘s release date, and the rumor mill is working overtime on “leaks” and theories of varying degrees of believability for the next entry in the series. While I have precisely zero insight into the next AC game, I do have several — *cough* many *cough* — ideas about what I’d like to see in a future game.

And so, I give you the elements that would make up my perfect AC game. Be aware, this post doesn’t take into account the likelihood of any of this actually happening.

Keep ReadingMy Perfect Assassin’s Creed Game
Review – MistakenInstagram 5-11-21
May 11, 2021
Rachel
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Review – Mistaken

Posted in Book Blogger

Mistaken

by Jessie Lewis

Mistaken Book Cover

Genres: Romance, Regency, Pride and Prejudice Variation, Historical Romance
Release Date: February 10, 2019
Pages: 585
Purchase from: Amazon

My Rating: ★★☆☆☆

View ratings overview

☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.

A tempestuous acquaintance and disastrous marriage proposal make it unlikely Mr Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet will ever reconcile. Despairing of their own reunion, they attend with great energy to salvaging that of Darcy’s friend Mr Bingley and Elizabeth’s sister Jane. People are rarely so easily manoeuvred in and out of love, however, and there follows a series of misunderstandings, both wilful and unwitting, that complicates the path to happiness for all four star-crossed lovers more than ever before. Re-edited with new and extended scenes for 2019 publication.

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May 10, 2021
Rachel
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Monday Munchies: Cucumber & Lime Agua Fresca

Posted in Monday Munchies

I found this one on Cooking Con Claudia’s YouTube channel. You’ll likely be seeing her channel mentioned several times, as I really like her recipes. The recipe is slightly modified from her video How To Make A Refreshing Cucumber Water With Lime.

For those unfamiliar with Agua Fresca, think of it like lemonade but with other fruits. You mix the fruit juice(s) with water to get a refreshing drink.

Cucumber & Lime Agua Fresca

What You Need

  • 4 cucumbers
  • ⅓ cup fresh squeezed lime juice (takes 3-4 limes)
  • ⅓ cup sugar
  • ¾ cup + 2½ cups + 2½ cups water
  • Blender
  • Small pot
  • Nut milk bags -OR- fine mesh strainer
  • Pitcher or container for storage
Keep ReadingMonday Munchies: Cucumber & Lime Agua Fresca
Día de Muertos, Pen RealizedShowing a full skull on the old pen.
May 7, 2021
Rachel
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Día de Muertos, Pen Realized

Posted in Fountain Pens

I’m back with post three, so you know what that means. My pen arrived! If you have read my previous posts (1, 2), I suggest you do so to know how this pen came to be. Be forewarned, there is A LOT of pen porn in this post. And you can click/tap any image to view it larger. I take no responsibility for pen envy, pen lust, or pen purchases resulting from the content in this post.

Keep ReadingDía de Muertos, Pen Realized
Review – Elizabeth Bennet: HeiressInstagram 5-4-21
May 4, 2021
Rachel
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Review – Elizabeth Bennet: Heiress

Posted in Book Blogger

Elizabeth Bennet: Heiress

by Don H. Miller

Elizabeth Bennet: Heiress Cover

Genres: Pride and Prejudice Variation, Historical Romance, Regency, Romance
Release Date: February 4, 2021
Pages: 247
Purchase from: Amazon

My Rating: ★★★☆☆

View ratings overview

☆☆☆☆☆ – Did not finish
★☆☆☆☆ – Hated it
★★☆☆☆ – Disliked it
★★★☆☆ – Okay
★★★★☆ – Liked it
★★★★★ – Loved it
Read the full explanation of my book rating system.

This story takes up the lives of Darcy and Elizabeth and their family and friends soon after Bingley holds the ball at Netherfield Park. Mr. Bennet receives news that Mr. Collins has died, and, there being no other living male descendants of the grandparent who created the fee tail on Longbourn, Mr. Bennet may will Longbourn to the daughter of his choice. He chooses Elizabeth, with the full agreement of Jane, her elder sister. Thus, although the family fortune is not affected, Elizabeth’s personal standing is raised because she is now the heiress of a desirable estate. This story explores the effects this may have on Elizabeth’s life and her somewhat contentious relationship with Darcy.

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May 3, 2021
Rachel
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Monday Munchies: Mac & Cheese & Cheetos

Posted in Monday Munchies

Let me preface this by saying that I never promised these recipes would be healthy. This is a holdover from my high school/college days. I rarely eat it now, because my body protests if I over indulge, but I still love it.

In high school, it was common to have the lunch lady ladle nacho cheese into a bag of hot cheetos. That combination was heavenly. But getting perfectly melted nacho cheese at home can be difficult, so I experimented, and eventually settled on mac & cheese & cheetos. I have no idea how this would taste with regular cheetos, but you’re welcome to experiment if you aren’t a fan of spicy food.

As a side note, the photo shows standard Kraft mac & cheese, because they were out of the shell version, which, in my opinion, is much better. So follow the recipe, not the photo.

Mac & Cheese & Cheetos
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An Epic OdysseyInstagram 4-29-21
April 29, 2021
Rachel
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An Epic Odyssey

Posted in Non-Stationery Reviews

After playing through Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (2015), I gave myself a little breather, then gleefully dove into Odyssey (2018). I decided to start a new game plus (see below), one of the many awesome features introduced in Odyssey. For the record, at the time of writing, I’ve logged just over 51 hours of playtime — for this play through — at the easiest setting on my PlayStation 4. Everything that follows is based on that experience.

NOTE: This post is LONG, even for me. A real Odyssey, just like the game. I’ve done my best to give it descriptive subheads so you can scroll through it and read the bits that interest you, if you want. And I’ve added lots of photos to break up the text some. I wanted to do, and I feel I have done, this game, and my recent Assassin’s Creed review series, justice. I have one more post planned, then likely won’t write about Assassin’s Creed again until the next game is announced.

Keep ReadingAn Epic Odyssey
April 26, 2021
Rachel
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Monday Munchies: Golden Milk Dalgona Drink

Posted in Monday Munchies

I found this one on Honeysuckle’s YouTube channel. Although the video is titled Dalgona Coffee Recipes, only one is actually coffee based, and this isn’t it. The Golden Milk Dalgona Drink is the final one she makes in the video.

Combining a couple of recipes from the original video, I’ve made two different versions of this drink. The egg-based version (below) is really good for breakfast. The cream-based version makes a great dessert.

Golden Milk Dalgona Drink

What You Need (Serves 2)

  • ½ tsp turmeric
  • ⅛ tsp cinnamon
  • ⅛ tsp ginger powder
  • pinch of black pepper
  • 1½ tsp sugar
  • 2 egg whites -OR- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream (see deviation below)
    NOTE: You can’t use the egg whites that come in a carton, those won’t whip up.
  • ~8oz of your favorite milk
  • 2 16oz cups (bigger cups mean less mess when you mix)
Keep ReadingMonday Munchies: Golden Milk Dalgona Drink
April 19, 2021
Rachel
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Monday Munchies: Banana Mocha Smoothie

Posted in Monday Munchies

I found this one on Girl Gone Gourmet after a Google search for healthy snacks. I’m not a fan of coffee, so I was a bit nervous about trying it, but it’s really good! I halve the recipe, because the original is practically a meal.

Banana Mocha Smoothie

What You Need

  • ¼ cup cold brew coffee (You can make your own, but I buy a small bottle of plain cold brew coffee. It lasts for quite a while in the fridge.)
  • 1 banana, sliced and frozen
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 tbsp unsweetened baking cocoa
Keep ReadingMonday Munchies: Banana Mocha Smoothie
April 16, 2021
Rachel
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Sailor Fatigue

Posted in Fountain Pens

It took me quite a while to get into Sailor pens. I didn’t buy my first until October 2019 — 2 ¾ years after buying my first fountain pen. Not gonna lie, I’m still pretty pleased with that initial Sailor purchase — the Tequila Sunrise. It was, is, a worthy first Sailor purchase.

I’ve bought 13 more Sailor pens since then, all in the Pro Gear family, 10 of which I’ve kept. Not a bad ratio, and compared to my total pen purchases, not too terribly many. However, it does encompass the most fountain pens I’ve purchased of the same general model. It ties with TWSBI 580s, at 11, for most fountain pens I own of the same general model.

To be honest, I’d likely own more Sailor Pro Gears if they were less expensive and more easily purchased. But, fairly often, the ones I found interesting were from super small runs through stores that don’t sell online. And we all know what eBay sellers do to prices. But I digress…

Keep ReadingSailor Fatigue
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