BOOK REPORT: Recipe For a Perfect Wife by Karma Brown

      2018. Nate and Alice Hale move from busy New York City to a dilapidated 1940’s fixer-upper complete with the former occupant’s belongings in the quiet suburb of Greenville. Nate is ecstatic. Alice, not so much. Happy that Alice has resigned her PR position Nate feels it’s the perfect time to start a family and Alice can write the book she’s anticipated for so long.


Alice isn’t so sure she’s ready for a family. She’s at a loss without her PR job. Whoever heard of being fired for one innocent mistake. Alice feels alone and foreign in suburbia until she meets he older neighbor, Sally.  


1955, Nellie Murdoch, has the perfect life. Husband, home, and a beautiful garden she loves tending. The garden reminds Nellie of the fun times she and her spent together when she was a child. 


Her husband Richard is desperate for Nellie to become pregnant so that he too can prove his masculinity becoming a father like his male counterparts. Nellie has been pregnant before but miscarried the day Richard arrived home from work finding Nellie working in the garden instead of preparing his after work cocktail and placing dinner on the table. A furious Richard chastened her too roughly. 

Nellie finds a friend in Miriam her older neighbor who sees and hears the abuse.  Richard doesn’t allow his abusive nature to be seen by anyone. That would make things imperfect.

Nellie entrusts Miriam to hold on to letters she writes to her mother but never mails. 

In 2018, Miriam’s daughter, Sally gives the letters to Alice. Upon reading their contents, Alice is privy to Nellie’s life as a “perfect” wife. It also opens her mind to what she wants in life.

 As the author relates the stories of both women, the reader can see how both want to be seen, heard and recognized as a person. Examine the similarities and difference in the lives of two separate women living 63 years apart. 

Throughout the book. Alice's chapters begin with an admonition on the duties of a perfect wife.

Nellie's chapters begin with a rolling pin icon and  recipe that the author has collected from vintage cookbooks or one of her own.

My experience making  Herbed Cheese Popovers. From the 5 Roses Cook Book (1913)

Additional recipes and credits 

The covers of this books speak volumes. On the hard cover the title obliterates the woman's face indicating her lack of worth. The paperback copy shows the imperfections of the woman displaying her as jagged. Yet in another sense it could symbolize the many facets of this person. Her face is also covered.

!!!!SPOILER ALERT !!!: I subscribe to Cityline on Facebook. Two of the personalities were discussing the book with its author. If you want to know what was discussed click the Cityline link above. The video is about 18 minutes long.

NOTE: I did notice that the title on the books they have don't cover the woman.

This was a fantastic read. It had surprises that I didn't even know were coming. But I guess that's what a surprise is.😃 If there's a sequel, I'll be in line for it.

That's it ***

Trick or Treat

I haven't passed out Halloween candy in about 23 years. Most times I keep the outside lights off which deters trick-or-treaters from ringing the bell.
Many go to churches, businesses or  homes of friends for their Halloween treats.
A lot more children live on my street than what once did. So this year I put out decorations (for the first time in my adult life) to let them know I'm on board with the holiday tradition.

I bought this gauzy pumpkin  spirit at Dollar General for $4.00 But

I wish I'd waited and gotten something very similar from the Dollar Store.

It looked pretty plain just hanging on the tree so I decided to add some things.

I got empty water bottles and sprayed them black. There's also a

plastic cup I painted purple. 

Those "potion" bottles needed labels so I had these printed at Office Depot. 

You'll see down below what was done with the RAID.

Here are the potion bottles with their labels. You probably

have some of these in your pantry.😊

You can't mix your potions any old way. You need the correct recipe.

Broomstick Fleas won't always work in place of Brain Juice. That's why

you need a books of SPELLS.

After mixing the concoction  you need something to drink it from.

These plastic chains were dabbed with red and silver paint.

They'll hang from the tree limbs with the potion bottles attached.

No longer a plain pumpkin with no personality. Purple cup in right hand

chains of potions hanging from the tree and in one hand. Book of SPELLS

at the tree base in case you need that special spell for someone special.

Another $1 diddy. It too was lacking personality so you see what I did.

Couldn't let the door go undressed. Made the bats from heavy weight black paper. Dotted on the eyes and mouth.

Added eyeballs and blood at the mouth of the skeleton.

Spider in one hand and a can of RAID in the other. Anything could happen.

I enjoyed making these and setting them out. I made sure I bought candy that kids like but I don't. Anything leftover will be given away.

That's it***🦇

Best Wishes on Your 30th Wedding Anniversary

I'm about to break my own rule about blog posts without pictures.

This past weekend was a busy one starting Friday evening.


Attending my brother and his wife’s 30th wedding anniversary was fun. Since my brother likes antique cars specifically Chevys, each table had a framed picture of a particular Chevy along with it’s year on each table. Guests were seated according to make of car and the year. I was seated along with other family members at the 1957 Bel Air table. (I think it was a Bel Air. I know it was 1957). The tables and chairs were draped in white with each chair having a lime green ribbon sash around the back. It was absolutely beautiful.

The reflections the children gave of their parents were hilarious. All three expressed love, gratitude and thanks to their parents.

The band played music from the 1970s as well as a good bit of jazz. They were magnificent. After guests were allowed to serve themselves, a DJ took over the entertainment. We wobbled, bunny hopped,and did the cha cha slide. I really enjoyed myself and I wish them good health and happiness always.

I don’t have  pictures out of respect for their privacy.

THAT'S IT***

Friday-My First Red Hat Society Meeting

Sunday-Local Comics Perform at a Benefit

June 2, 2012  I thought stating my posts for the next few days would make me more timely.                 It didn't.