Review - Mr. Monk on the Road

This morning I finished Mr. Monk on the Road by Lee Goldberg. I really enjoyed this book. Not only do i usually enjoy the Monk books (and TV series--bring it back, please) but this one had Monk, his assistant Natalie, and his brother Ambrose on a road trip in a class C motorhome.

I could relate to the slide outs making the interior much larger, salivating over the neighboring RVs that seem to have all the gear and gadgets one could want, the friendliness of other RVers, and the freedom of being on the road. But it was funny to read camping from the Monk perspective.

I'd recommend this to any adult. Not a lot of offensive material in it at all. It is a murder mystery but not described in gory detail. Now I am on to Inner Circle by David Baldacci.

Disneyland 2011

We realized that this trip to Disneyland was our first with just the two of us in a long time. Sure, we really enjoy taking others, but it was very nice to do things we wanted to do and be on our timetable, not someone else.

One of the different things we did this visit was to notice all the construction that was going on in both parks, but especially in California Adventures.

Entry and exit at California Adventures are under construction. Gone are the big letters that spell out the state. Detours are required to go around where they are removing the old turnstiles and installing the new ones.

The Golden Gate Bridge is slated for removal as part of the overall remodeling. Take a good look, it may not be there much longer.

Construction barriers are up around the new Cars Land and where the farmers market area (next to bugs land) used to be. Cute signs.

Little Mermaid ride is almost done, slated to open in May 2011. It's been interesting to watch the progress.

But the construction in the lagoon is all done and open for the World of Color. Now if we could only stay awake until 8 pm to see it! But we did get fastpasses, so I guess that's the first step.

Even the Disneyland Hotel has major construction going on. Maps are posted to show what the improvements will bring.

Splash Mountain closed for refurbishment
Playhouse Disney is changing to Disney Junior

One of our unique adventures was to eat at the Blue Bayou. It is definitely one of the most expensive in Disneyland but set right along Pirates of the Caribbean ride. Even though there was not much I could eat, our server graciously allowed me to order just the potatoes. DeeAnn had their version of prime rib. Not much flavor. I really enjoyed the salad and gave me an idea for lunches for work (craisens, blue cheese).

But the shrimp salad and cheese soup served in a fresh sourdough bread bowl is a required food when we visit.

A Mickey pretzel and a Mickey ice cream bar are also part of our tradition when we visit.

We went to see Tangled, the current Disney movie. We really enjoyed it and are thinking it might be one to buy for our own collection. Course, I have this strange desire to go out and get a cast iron fry pan for DeeAnn.

We walked over to Paradise Pier hotel to look around. Very impressive and a hotel we will certainly consider for a future visit.

We ate, for the first time, at McCormicks a& Schmidt's at the mall near the park. DeeAnn enjoyed a Parmesan encrusted tilapia that she said was the best tilapia she has ever had. The menu was more limited for me so I had the spinach and artichoke dip with chips.

Rainforest Cafe serves breakfast. Not at all impressive but was fast and not very crowded.

I knew that Disneyland had their own garden, and here is proof, with the orange tree and other plants I could probably identify if I ate fresh vegetables.

And the gardens throughout the park are always impressive. a beautiful wife, beautiful gardens, and being in Disneyland. Can life get any better?

We also found a new restroom we did not previously know about. It's a secret so we can't tell you where it is!

Goofy is alive and present in Disneyland

Review - NERDS: M is for Mama's Boy

NERDS: M is for Mama's Boy by Michael Buckley was a fun book. The premise was that the NERD (National Espionage, Rescue and Defense Society) patrol is back. But this time they face their nemesis, a former teammate, Chompers, now known as Simon. He recruits a hench man, a bunch of squirrels (yes, you read that correctly) and a mama's boy who really wants to be a superhero but settles for being a super villain instead.

I'd recommend this book for a third grader reader who reads well and above. Not much offensive in it thought there is some implied violence.

Now I'm working on Mr. Monk on the Road by Lee Goldberg.

Review - Syren

This morning I finished Syren by Angie Sage. I loved this book, even though it seemed to take forever. But with the holidays, days off, etc. I did manage to finish it.

From Goodreads: "In this fifth book in the Magykal series, Septimus ends up on a captivatingly beautiful island, one of seven set in a sparkling sea. He's stranded there with his badly injured dragon, Spit Fyre, along with Jenna and Beetle.

There are some strange things about the island, including a Magykal girl named Syrah, a cat-shaped lighthouse that has lost its Light, and an eerie presence that sings to Septimus—can he escape the persistent call?

Trouble is also brewing for Lucy and Wolf Boy, who have become entangled with some nefarious sailors at sea, and for Milo Banda, Jenna's father, who is harboring a mysterious treasure chest in his ship's hold."

I'd recommend it and am awaiting for June when Darke, the next title in the series comes out. But now, I'm moving on to N.E.R.D.S. Book Two: M is for Mama's Boy by Michael Buckley.