A writer's Random ramblings
Carolina Slade returns to the forefront in Newberry Sin in every way in which she left us hanging. She admits in this volume what fans have awaited since her debut: “The personal and professional aspects of my life hold no clear boundaries.” Reading the copy which author C. Hope Clark gifted me for purposes of this review, I saw into how Slade’s career comes full circle while she navigates many relatable personal and family questions. Astute readers will find themselves seeing the interplay of so many themes and wondering who’s really after whom in this novel. Do the police chase only the answers to some crimes, or are some members also out to get Slade’s job and family by forcing change in her personal and professional relationships? On the investigative level, Slade’s relationships with other Agriculture Department folks and witnesses become complicated. Often, the story hints at people being out to get one another. In some cases, these questions resolve themselves, and sometimes they seem not to have an end. Several characters play both sides off each other, such as the town real estate empire and the police chief directly above Slade. Farmers and the Carson Real Estate team spar over land values and sales. Farmers’ wives try to remain loyal to their husbands while assisting Slade in solving several murders. Only the radio hostess/town gossip leader really proves herself loyal to Slade in the way she shares necessary information and contacts to close the case. The commanding officer and several townsfolk wonder often about Slade’s relationship with fellow Department officer, Monroe. Many try to paint them as a couple despite Slade’s romance with Wayne Largo. Slade maintains her innocence in remaining friends with Monroe throughout the novel, even in a dire situation toward the end where he assumes the appearance of being more to her out of friendly concern. Of course, Wayne allows him the option to do so by flashing a badge at that point so both men can visit Slade. In the process, the reader often wonders whether the police chief may be trying to get Slade transferred from the county due to her relationship with either Monroe or Largo. Such a move could also tear her family apart now that they have settled into the area by causing too long of a commute and the resulting stress. However, her family shows strength and survival, even supporting each other. Through most of the story, Slade’s 14-year-old daughter Ivy dates a 16-year-old boy who goes by Bug, causing concern on many levels. After all, what mother would want her daughter influenced by, let alone in a serious relationship with, someone by such a moniker? Readers and characters alike wonder how far the relationship can go. Will the youngsters consummate it or not? Slade tortures herself several times about not being a good mother, not practicing premarital abstinence as she preaches it. Her sister Ally, who stays at the house to help with the children, buys a pregnancy test for Slade. One day, it goes missing, and everyone wonders who needs it more, Slade or Ivy? Many motherly lectures ensue, with Wayne and Ally both claiming to be there for Ivy. Everyone wonders who has jurisdiction over this case while Slade is away talking to the radio reporter before calling her home to sort it out. Eventually, Ivy’s 9-year-old brother, Zack, plays several roles in other’s relationships. He helps cause one breakup that needs to happen, while bringing an on-again, off-again couple back together. By the end of Newberry Sin, Slade finds out who her true friends are and who fell into corruption. The book brings the reader many surprises. In it, C. Hope Clark has hit another homerun of the mystery genre. Slade goes full circle and comes out on top professionally, all the while keeping her family life comfortable, as we all deserve to be.
0 Comments
Has money gotten tight? Do you have anything in the pantry? Just want to cook for a family on the cheap to fill in some meals between other things already in the house? Believe it or not, one can accomplish this with only a handful of ingredients, especially if some are already in the pantry or freezer, or the necessary herbs exist in the spice rack or as plants on a kitchen windowsill.
What ingredients do I reference, you ask? I like to keep canned tomato products – diced tomatoes of both Italian and Mexican style, large cans of tomato sauce and regular soup can sized tomato paste – in the pantry for a time such as this. Often, these, soup cans of any beans the family likes, and/or dried beans, and one-pound bags of frozen diced onion can be found on the cheap in the grocery store. Boxes of pasta provide the substance under the soon to result sauce for low amounts of funds. Often, oregano, basil, thyme, and cilantro plants happily grow on a windowsill in small pots, or blends of these, chili powder, cumin, and other spices feature small prices in either the grocery or dollar store. Tomato sauce (for spaghetti and lasagna): 28 oz tomato sauce, 28 oz diced tomatoes, ½ pound frozen chopped onions, garlic/oregano/thyme/basil to taste, 7.5 oz tomato paste (extra meat if desired and around, not necessary) It will yield 18 cups sauce after cooking, so depending upon how much sauce your family likes on pasta or in lasagna and manicotti dishes, you may get either 3 or 4 complete meals out of this recipe. I pour the liquid tomato products into a 12-quart soup pot, and scoop the tomato paste on top of it. Stir until combined, then add the onions and garlic. Cook on low to medium-low heat while you gather the herbs. Dried herbs can be added by the shake or spoonful to the sauce, while I cut the leaves of fresh ones right into the pot. If onions are not available, substitute about 6 strands of chive for a similar flavor, cutting with a pair of kitchen shears into the pot, as with the leafy herbs. Simmer the sauce on low heat for 3-5 hours until it tastes as you like. Portion it into freezer-safe containers and refrigerate some, freeze the rest until you need to use it. This recipe costs $6.00 or less. Chili: 28 oz tomato sauce, 15 oz Mexican diced tomatoes and chilies (or one can diced tomatoes and 3 jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced), ½ pound of frozen chopped onions, garlic to taste, 6 cups of beans (if frozen) or 6 15 oz cans beans, cumin and chili powder to taste, 7.5 oz tomato paste. Place the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and dices tomato and chili mixture in the 6-quart soup pot. Stir to combine. Add the onions and garlic. After shaking the cumin, chili powder, and burger seasoning (to give the illusion of meat even if there is none) to taste into the pot, add the onions and garlic. At this point, I cut some oregano, thyme, and cilantro leaves into the mixture using kitchen shears. Stir well, then add the beans. Using the canned beans will result in a quick-cooking version, which cooks in about 4 hours by simmering it on low on the stove. Using dry or frozen (slightly cooked before freezing from dry), cook chili till tender. I used Medium on stove for 4 hours and Low for 9 hours in Crock Pot to achieve it. This will also generally yield about 3 dinners for 4 people, which we like to freeze for another day. This recipe also costs less than $10.00 to make and can provide enough to stretch out a couple of weeks’ worth of menus for cooks on a budget. In these ways, one can easily provide for a family on a limited budget. This will excite many home cooks in today’s economy. It answers the question of how to use pantry staples or items on sale to help the family. Simply the canned goods, produce, frozen veggie, and spice aisles at the store stretch a kitchen in a big way. |
AuthorStuff about me: Archives
June 2020
Categories |