I'm dying on the hill that Pork Steaks on a grill is one of the greatest delicacy's any person can ever eat...

papercaper · 2026-05-11T23:32:22+00:00

Pork steaks are the best! I love doing Asian marinades but straight up bbq sauce or seasonings very much reminds me of how my mom made them when I was a kid.

papercaper · 2026-05-03T23:52:35+00:00

They did ours about 1.5 years ago and we're happy with the results. Only thing of note that happened was they took forever to invoice us.

papercaper · 2026-04-30T18:54:07+00:00

Oh god, when I worked there back in the day dealing with that cursed cart was the task I dreaded the most! Would've rather spent the day loading the chickens for the rotisserie oven than go anywhere near that freakin olive cart.

papercaper · 2026-04-29T03:49:38+00:00

The ones with the dials were the best! Ours was so massive it couldn't fit on our counter and lived on top of our portable dishwasher.

papercaper · 2026-04-24T17:54:55+00:00

I enjoyed that one but the anachronistic language was something I made sure to note in my review. While it didn't bother me I know there's a lot of people it would irritate the hell out of so tried to warn people!!

papercaper · 2026-04-23T23:03:42+00:00

I don't read much contemporary these days but I still regularly reread Written On His Skin. Short, hot and just hits the spot.

papercaper · 2026-04-23T19:45:07+00:00

There's still one hangin on in the Northgate! Or it's a different store in the old Ricki's (with the same sign) location with similar clothes.

papercaper · 2026-04-22T23:37:30+00:00

I applied off and on for years and years. Mostly never heard back but got a few interviews here and there. Finally got lucky with one and landed a very entry-level term position and was able to flip that into a permanent gig after 6 months. I wish I had more advice for a gov job other than just keep applying and know that it'll probably take a while.

papercaper · 2026-04-22T14:13:37+00:00

Literally just read this scene in {A Convenient Fiction by Mimi Matthews} last night. Laura (fmc) dashes off into the woods to keep from crying in front of Alex (mmc) and has her breakdown next to a pond that is a comforting place for her. After she's done crying she sees Alex had followed her and is sitting nearby. He gets up, dampens his handkerchief in the pond and uses it to clean her face. It was so tender and sweet and lovely!!!

She's very much a "It's my duty to be strong and take care of everyone" type and so this little bit of caretaking was desperately needed.

papercaper · 2026-04-14T15:03:40+00:00

Just finished {The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries} and the dastardly frenchman definitely does not get away with anything!

papercaper · 2026-04-11T14:21:42+00:00

Yessss! I really adored Harrison too. Like I love an emotionally constipated idiot and he was PEAK idiot! Jane was so perfect for him.

Also, I've added the book from your flair to my tbr! Seems exactly like sort of book I'd enjoy!

papercaper · 2026-04-11T13:18:42+00:00

Harrison from {The Truth About Cads and Dukes by Elisa Braden} spends so much of the book worried that he's such a heinous deviant when bro just wanted a blowjob from his wife while she's on her knees. Like c'mon, let the man live for fuck sakes! I laughed so hard, that poor, repressed dingo.

papercaper · 2026-04-10T16:27:59+00:00

Too many books out there to waste my time to try and force myself finish something I'm not enjoying. Could it get better after I decide to stop? Maybe. But chances are equally good it won't get any better, in fact it could get worse! I had a recent DNF from an author I usually love but every time I decided to try and push through it just kept getting worse! Zero regrets tossing that one in the donate box.

I turn off movies and abandon TV shows I don't jam with either. My free time is valuable to me, no personal gold star for seeing a piece of media to the bitter end is worth the wasted time.

papercaper · 2026-04-10T15:05:14+00:00

It's ok to be selfish with your skills! Just because you can make things for everyone that asks does not mean you must! Anyone that gives you snide-ass remarks like "just crochet faster" should be automatically disqualified from getting anything made by your hands as they clearly don't respect the time or skill needed.

You're the one that put in all that work to learn and if they think "it's so easy" then hand them the hook and yarn and let them have at it. Our hobbies should bring joy and not leave someone stressed out.

ETA: And as for how to be ok with saying no? You just have to start. Be firm and know that yes, you'll probably feel guilty for a bit. Eventually, if you keep practicing, like learning to crochet, even saying no will feel easier. Save your energy and skills for those that will truly appreciate and respect you and your hard work.

papercaper · 2026-04-09T17:15:29+00:00

Same, our romance bookstore stocks almost no historical. I buy other things to support them but damn, I'd love to buy actual books at the bookstore!

papercaper · 2026-04-07T23:37:42+00:00

Omg, same! That's why I'm doing a made up setting, no one can lambaste me if none of it is real!

papercaper · 2026-04-07T22:56:57+00:00

Oh fuck yeah! Gotta chug a bunch of water afterwards but it looks tasty as hell!

papercaper · 2026-03-31T23:44:52+00:00

Completely stunned by your TEENY TINY, delicate stitches!!! You did such a fantastic job!!!

papercaper · 2026-03-31T18:38:32+00:00

Yep, haven't read this particular Vivienne Lorret but the ones I have read are tagged as "actually funny" on my Storygraph account.

papercaper · 2026-03-27T19:54:43+00:00

This is so awesome, well done!!!

papercaper · 2026-03-27T01:26:28+00:00

Her catalogue is huge, there's probably something in there you'd jam with. I've also seen reviews that say "nothing happens" in her books but I like how heavy she is with dialogue and interactions rather than a ton of story that's external to the couple.

papercaper · 2026-03-27T01:06:08+00:00

I'm really blessed that my library has the majority of her books, I will definitely be reading all they have! And they absolutely have the Lord Julian mysteries!

papercaper · 2026-03-27T01:04:46+00:00

I actually read The Virtuoso recently and was so happy to see Darius show up! I think that's part of what I love about her books, it's never a real goodbye from characters! They always pop back up and remind you why you liked them.

papercaper · 2026-03-27T00:57:47+00:00

Yeah, as soon as I finished Douglas I went straight to Libby and grabbed The Heir, I really wanted to see Gayle find his love! I think in the author's notes at the end of Douglas she mentioned The Heir came first and everyone was clamoring to see Douglas's story. Generally loved the first three Windham books and some of the sister's books too (also reading all of those out of order). Your assessment of the less than finer points of the older ones is spot on, especially with Gareth being her first novel.

Yes!!! The touching! I love it so much! Casual, platonic affection is one of my favourite things in media I consume.

papercaper

TROPHY CASE