Old Girls Go Off the Rails by Maddie Please: Feel-Good Fiction at Its Best

 

If you’re craving a warm, uplifting read that feels like a sun-drenched escape with your favorite friends, Old Girls Go Off the Rails by Maddie Please is pure joy on a page.

 When Lizzie Stevens was eighteen, her best friends Harriet and Anna headed off on a dreamy interrailing adventure across Europe while she stayed behind, stuck in a sensible bank job and an ordinary life. Decades later, at sixty-four and freshly divorced from a painfully dull husband, Lizzie gets the chance to rewrite her story. Unexpectedly reunited with her old school friends, she declares: this time, she’s getting on the train.

What follows is a gloriously chaotic rail trip from Paris to Venice and then along the sparkling Croatian coast. The three women are older, wiser (well, mostly), and far less flexible than they were in their teens, but they’re determined to make up for lost time. Expect plenty of laughter, questionable decisions, sore feet, and the kind of heartfelt conversations that only happen when you’ve known someone for forty-plus years.

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Old resentments bubble up, secrets come to light, and the friends don’t always see eye to eye. Yet through every argument and every stunning sunset, their deep affection for one another shines through. And then there’s the mysterious “Mr Grumpy” who keeps popping up wherever they go… Is he following them? You’ll have to read to find out!

Maddie Please has created three wonderfully real, flawed, and lovable heroines. Lizzie especially stole my heart — watching her finally step into the life she always wanted was genuinely uplifting. This book is funny, tender, life-affirming, and full of second chances. It’s the perfect reminder that it’s never too late to chase adventure, rekindle friendships, or even find a little holiday romance.

If you love feel-good stories about women rediscovering themselves later in life, pack your bags (and your sense of humor) and jump on this train. You won’t regret it.

 You can order a copy here.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review. 

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Boho Jungle Chic Tablescape

Some pieces just make you smile the second you see them. For me, it’s this pair of vintage Italian ceramic monkeys I inherited from my mom nearly fifty years after she brought them home. Glazed a creamy white with the sweetest little faces and curly tails, they’re stamped simply “Italy” on the bottom. They’ve lived on bookshelves as bookends, perched on mantels, and now as the centerpiece of my cozy little brunch table for two.

 

I wanted the whole setting to feel like a sun-drenched jungle brunch that somehow stayed elegant. Artificial palm leaves serve as oversized placemats, layered over a faux burlap tablecloth and a tone-on-tone boho woven runner with playful fringe. The beige cloth napkins from PurpleEssences add that soft, natural texture I love.

  

The black square dinner plates act as a dramatic base for the 9-inch Fitz and Floyd “Manhattan Garden” salad plates. Those salad plates are pure joy—raised dimensional leaves in shades of green on a creamy beige ground, finished with a delicate braided rim. They make every dish look like it belongs in a garden. 

 My beloved Juliska “Little Monkey” Petit Singe Whitewash mugs (retired pattern, now shockingly expensive on replacement sites) sit ready for coffee or tea. Each one has the cutest embossed baby monkey peeking out—talk about tableware that makes you grin! 

For glassware, I mixed Mikasa “Park Lane” crystal wine glasses with amber stemmed water glasses that pop beautifully against all the greens and whites. 

 

Cordless black table lamps on either side of the monkeys cast a soft, flattering glow, while the rustic Creative Co-Op Stoneware, Reactive Glaze Pitcher behind them holds a faux candle and faux grasses for that extra layer of romantic, flicker-free light.

 

The monkeys themselves sit front and center, one with his tail curled, the other looking sweetly curious, as if they’re waiting for my guest to arrive. Every time I walk past the table I catch myself smiling. That’s the magic of a tablescape done right—it turns an ordinary meal into something memorable and turns inherited treasures into new family stories. 

 

What vintage or sentimental piece do you love pulling out for your own table? I’d love to hear in the comments! 

 

By the way, if the monkeys look familiar it’s because I have used them in the past in this "A Night in the Tropics" Tablescape and in the Jungle Nights Tablescape. I think it’s important to get as much joy out of our beloved things as possible. 

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This post is linked to: Tablescape Thursday

Cold Veggie Pizza: A Recipe Full of Old-Fashioned Gatherings

 

I often find myself drifting back to those long-ago gatherings—the laughter echoing across the yard, the clink of glasses, the way the table groaned under all that incredible food. Most of those dear people are gone now, and while I try not to linger too long in the memories (it aches a little), I can’t help but smile when I think about the spring and summer afternoons we spent together on the patio.

We’d make a feast of simple, fresh things: homemade bread still warm from the oven, a giant bowl of fruit salad bursting with local peaches, berries, and melon, and always something cool and colorful like this veggie pizza. One afternoon stands out especially—a late lunch of chilled sangria, that crisp homemade bread, the fruit, and slices of this veggie-packed “pizza” we devoured in the sunshine.

I couldn’t track down our exact old recipe, but this version captures everything I remember: the buttery crescent crust, the creamy ranch-spiked spread, and a rainbow of crunchy raw veggies on top. The secret to its yumminess is the dill and garlic powder. Not every recipe has these two and they certainly should. It’s light, refreshing, and perfect for warm-weather get-togethers. Double the recipe for a bigger crowd and use a 15×10-inch pan (jelly roll size) for an impressive platter.

Garden Fresh Veggie Pizza

1 8-oz. pkg. refrigerated crescent rolls
½ c. sour cream
5 oz. cream cheese, softened 
⅛ c. Duke’s mayonnaise (about 2 T.)
1½ T. ranch seasoning mix
½ t. dried dill weed
¼ t. garlic salt
¼ t. onion powder
1½ c. chopped fresh broccoli
½ c. thinly sliced radishes
1 scallion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 carrot, grated
1 stalk celery, thinly sliced
¼ c. sliced black olives
½ c. shredded mild cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray an 8” x 10” pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

Unroll the crescent dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the pan to form a crust, sealing any perforations. Let it rest 5 minutes, then prick all over with a fork. 

Bake 10–12 minutes or until golden brown and fully cooked. Cool completely. 

In a medium bowl, mix the sour cream, softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, ranch seasoning, dill, garlic salt, and onion powder until smooth and creamy. 

Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled crust using an offset spatula. 

Scatter the chopped broccoli, radishes, scallion, bell pepper, grated carrot, celery, black olives, and shredded cheddar evenly over the top. 

Cover and refrigerate 1–2 hours to let the flavors meld and firm up. 

Cut into squares and serve chilled. 

This dish always felt a little fancy without being fussy—just fresh, crunchy, and full of that nostalgic patio-party vibe. If you’re hosting this spring or summer, give it a try. It might bring back some happy memories of your own.

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Toasted Mozzarella Stick Subs with Grilled Veggies: Knife-and-Fork Required

 

The late Mr. O-P was the undisputed sandwich king in our house. He could turn a few simple ingredients into something downright magical, and I swear his sandwiches always tasted better than anyone else’s. Since he’s been gone, I’ve had to learn to make my own. I’m getting better at it—both the making and the enjoying—but there’s still something special about a sandwich someone else puts together.

 

 That said, I may have just outdone even Mr. O-P with this one.

 

 I found the recipe for Toasted Mozzarella Stick Sub Sandwiches on thetipsyhousewife.org and immediately thought, “This is either going to be brilliant or completely ridiculous.” Turns out, it’s both—in the very best way. I already love grilled peppers and onions (especially piled on an Italian sausage sandwich), so this version had me at hello. Toss in mushrooms and you’ve basically created my personal vegetable heaven. I could happily eat these sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms as a main dish all by themselves.

 

 The finished sandwich is gloriously messy. There’s zero chance of picking it up with your hands, so grab a knife and fork and settle in. It’s loaded with three crispy baked mozzarella sticks, gooey melted cheese, and a mountain of caramelized veggies, all tucked into a toasted garlic-buttered roll with marinara sauce. It’s unique, ridiculously satisfying, and—bonus—kids go absolutely wild for it.

 

 I didn’t have sliced cheese the first time I made it, so I used shredded mozzarella instead. It melted beautifully and I’ve never looked back. This is now a regular in my house, and I have a feeling it’s about to become one in yours too.Toasted Mozzarella Stick Sub Sandwiches

6 frozen mozzarella sticks
1 c. marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
4 slices mozzarella, provolone, or your favorite cheese
3 small-to-medium green bell peppers, sliced into larger pieces
1 medium yellow onion, sliced
1 pint white mushrooms, thinly sliced
3 T. olive oil, divided
2 t. garlic salt, divided
1 t. freshly ground black pepper
2 t. Italian seasoning
2 French rolls or sub rolls

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Slice the peppers (keep them a little chunky so they stay the star), onion, and mushrooms.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the vegetables and sauté until they’re soft and beautifully golden. Don’t season them yet—salt early and they’ll steam instead of caramelize.

Once they’re tender and lightly browned, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon garlic salt, the black pepper, and Italian herbs. Give them a final toss and remove from heat.

While the veggies cook, bake the mozzarella sticks according to package directions until crispy and golden.

Slice the rolls, drizzle the cut sides lightly with the remaining olive oil, and sprinkle with the remaining garlic salt. Place on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly golden, flipping halfway so both sides get a little crispy.

Spread marinara sauce generously on both cut sides of each roll. Top each with two slices of cheese. Return to the oven for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Place three hot mozzarella sticks on each roll, pile high with the sautéed peppers, onions, and mushrooms, and add an extra drizzle of marinara if you’re feeling saucy.

Serve immediately while everything is hot, melty, and gloriously messy. 

Delish! 

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Honest Review: The Body at St. Edmunds – Atmospheric Cozy Mystery with a Supernatural Twist That Didn’t Work for Me

 

I had high hopes for The Body at St. Edmunds. The premise sounded like the perfect blend of cozy mystery and historical intrigue—exactly the kind of escapist read I usually devour. Photographer Georgina Drake is documenting the restoration of historic St. Edmund’s church when a young craftsman, Liam Jacobs, collapses and dies after eating homemade banana bread. What first appears to be a tragic allergic reaction quickly spirals into something far more sinister. As DI Colin Bradshaw leads the official investigation, Georgina finds herself drawn into a chilling parallel with the church’s Victorian past: the mysterious deaths of a vicar and his sister, rumors of hidden treasure, a legendary tunnel beneath the building, and a dusty diary full of dark secrets. Throw in a podcast stirring up local treasure hunters, and you have a story rich with present-day danger and centuries-old secrets.

 The setup is genuinely compelling. The dual timeline—modern murder investigation intertwined with 19th-century tragedy—gives the novel layers and keeps the pages turning. Georgina makes for an engaging amateur sleuth: creative, resourceful, and deeply connected to the historic building she’s photographing. The author does a nice job evoking the atmosphere of an old church under restoration, with its dusty corners, stained glass, and sense of hidden history waiting to be uncovered. Fans of cozy mysteries with strong historical threads (think a lighter version of books by Elly Griffiths or Kate Ellis) will likely find plenty to enjoy here. The series’ popularity is easy to understand—this is the eighth installment, and the recurring characters and setting clearly have staying power.

 Unfortunately, I couldn’t finish the book. The element that tipped it over the edge for me was the introduction of a ghost communicating through a woman’s hearing aid. While I tried to reframe it in my mind as a psychological twist (perhaps paranoia or mental health issues manifesting as voices), it ultimately felt too far-fetched and pulled me out of the story. The blend of grounded murder mystery and full-on supernatural elements didn’t quite land for me, even though the rest of the plot had real promise.

 Final Verdict:

The Body at St. Edmunds offers an atmospheric, treasure-laden mystery with strong historical echoes, and it will likely delight readers who are more comfortable with ghostly interventions in their cozies. For me, however, the supernatural angle was a step too far, preventing full immersion despite a very promising start. I’d still recommend giving the series a try if you enjoy lighter historical mysteries—earlier books might suit your taste better if this one’s ghostly twist is the outlier. Three stars for concept and setting, but ultimately DNF for this reader.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

If this is your kind of mystery, you can order a copy here.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for providing me with an advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Creamy Pasta with Asparagus & Bacon – Restaurant-Quality Dinner in Minutes

There are a lot of reasons to love this time of the year, one of which, for me anyway, it’s fresh asparagus. One of my favorite ways to enjoy it is with pasta, and I have made it quite of a variety of ways using pasta, and not once if I ever been disappointed. The beauty of it is that it’s fairly quick to put together, and it’s good enough to serve company as well as enjoy on a weeknight. 

 Creamy Pasta with Asparagus & Bacon

4 oz. farfalle pasta

2 T. unsalted butter

1 clove garlic, finely minced

1/3 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 t. chicken soup base

2/3 c. heavy cream

Salt & freshly ground black pepper, to taste

6 thin Melissa’s asparagus spears, diagonally cut into 2” pieces, blanched

3 strips bacon, cooked and crumbled

2 T. Melissa’s pine nuts, toasted

1 T. chopped parsley

Extra Parmesan cheese, for garnish

 

 Cook the bow tie pasta according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a 9” skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about one minute until fragrant.

Stir in the grated Parmesan and chicken soup base until well blended. Slowly whisk in the heavy cream. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

Add the cooked pasta to the sauce and toss until evenly coated. Gently fold in the blanched asparagus pieces.

 Sprinkle with the crumbled bacon, toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and an extra dusting of Parmesan. Serve immediately.

 This dish is a true winner—elegant enough for company but easy enough for a weeknight. The crisp-tender asparagus, smoky bacon, and crunchy pine nuts pair perfectly with the silky garlic-Parmesan cream sauce. Highly recommend making the pasta and blanching the asparagus ahead of time so it comes together in just minutes when you’re ready to eat.

 If you try it, I’d love to hear how it turns out! What’s your favorite way to use fresh asparagus? Drop a comment below.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

 

If you like this recipe, be sure to try Pappardelle with Leeks and Bacon (shown below) as well. It is SO GOOD!

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Applejack-Spiced Date & Walnut Loaf

 

I used to be the ultimate night owl—sleeping until 9 a.m. was easy when I regularly stayed up until 1 or 2 in the morning. These days, though, I’ve fallen in love with earlier rhythms. I’m usually in bed by midnight and up with the sunrise, drawn to that soft morning light and the promise of longer, brighter days.

 The only downside? By 11 a.m., I’m pleasantly peckish. That’s when I’ve embraced what the British charmingly call Elevenses—a light mid-morning snack traditionally paired with tea or coffee and something small and sweet like a biscuit or slice of cake.

 The world has such delightful versions of this ritual. In Flemish, it’s a “tienuurtje” (a little 10 o’clock). In Bolivia, it’s Salteñadas at 11 a.m., featuring a savory-sweet salteña with a soft drink. Swedes elevate it to Fika—a cherished social break with coffee and pastries. How utterly charming is all of this? I’m completely on board.

 And then there’s the wild American chapter: during the early decades of the 19th century, U.S. elevenses reportedly involved a shot of whiskey. Whoa indeed!

 

This Applejack-Spiced Date & Walnut Loaf is an original recipe I created, inspired by a very special bottle of applejack. Last year, as I have mentioned, my son’s house caught fire, and in the chaotic aftermath of emptying his liquor cabinet, he handed over everything he had—no interest in taking any of it back. It’s been both bittersweet and surprisingly fun discovering all the different liqueurs and spirits he had collected over the years. I’m now determined to put every bottle to good use, turning what could have been a sad reminder into something delicious and joyful.

 The applejack brings wonderful warmth and subtle apple depth to this richly spiced loaf, balancing the sweetness of dates and raisins with cozy spices and crunchy walnuts. I love serving it for elevenses (or afternoon tea, or a proper Fika moment), sliced thick and slathered generously with clotted cream. 

Applejack-Spiced Date & Walnut Loaf

1 8-oz. pkg. chopped dates
½ c. dark raisins
½ c. golden raisins
¼ c. unsalted butter
½ c. hot strong coffee
½ c. heated applejack
½ c. packed dark brown sugar
1 large egg
1½ c. all-purpose flour
1 t. baking soda
1 t. baking powder
1 t. kosher salt
1 t. ground cinnamon
½ t. ground nutmeg
¼ t. ground cloves
Pinch ground allspice
1 c. chopped walnuts

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9” x 4” loaf pan with Baker’s Joy (or grease and flour); set aside.

Combine the chopped dates, dark raisins, and golden raisins in a large bowl.

Heat the applejack and butter together until the butter melts and the mixture is steaming hot. Pour it over the fruit along with the hot coffee. Stir well and let the mixture cool completely, breaking up any clumps as it softens.

Once cooled, stir in the brown sugar and egg.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice.

Stir the dry ingredients into the wet fruit mixture until just combined, then gently fold in the walnuts.

Pour into the prepared pan and bake for 50–60 minutes, checking with a toothpick starting at 50 minutes (it may need a bit longer due to the generous fruit).

After cooling for a short while (still slightly warm), wrap the loaf in wax paper, then aluminum foil, and place it in a ziplock bag. Refrigerate for several hours before slicing. This step helps the flavors meld beautifully and keeps the loaf wonderfully moist.

Slice thickly and enjoy with a cup of tea or coffee—extra delicious when slathered with clotted cream. It’s perfect for elevenses, afternoon tea, or any cozy coffee break moment. One bite and you’ll understand why I’m all in on these global traditions.

 

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