Thursday 13- Hallmark Channel Style

I haven't done a Thursday 13 in FOREVER, so I thought I would post one today.

If you follow me on Twitter, it's no secret that I'm a fan of Hallmark Channel movies (shameless plug, follow me here for hot sports opinions and live tweeting of Hallmark movies). I don't know how it happened. One day I wasn't really a fan of the channel and then BOOM, I'm addicted. Sign me up. I'm here for all of them. Gotta watch them all. Lol. I even have the Hallmark Movie Checklist app that keeps tracks of the ones I've watched. I can sense that you are judging me, even through your computer or phone screens, I can tell- yeah, I'm looking at you. :)

ANYWAY, I thought today I would list 13 of my favorite Hallmark Channel TV series/movie series. Yes I like more than 13 but the post is called Thursday THIRTEEN. I'll be honest- I'm a bigger fan of the Hallmark Movies and Mysteries Channel (because mysteries are my jam), but I do watch movies on the regular Hallmark Channel as well. I don't discriminate. :) So, in no particular order, I give you my list. 

1. Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Starring Eric Mabius, Kristin Booth, Crystal Lowe, Geoff Gustafson

10 TV episodes (including 2 hour pilot movie)

11 movies, but we are supposed to get a new SSD movie this year!

I'll be honest- I didn't watch it when it first came out (because I didn't have cable at that time), BUT it quickly became one of my favorites once I started watching it. If your remember back in 2018, I had a bad accident (you can read about it here if you would like) and I discovered this series online. I watched the 10 TV episodes and 9 movies (that's all they had at that time) in a span of less than two days. I was hooked. I will say that fans of this show (#POstables) are some of the best people out there. I enjoy chatting with them on Twitter! Hello to any of them who saw my link on Twitter and are checking out my blog today! :)

2. Aurora Teagarden Mysteries

Starring Candace Cameron Bure, Marilu Henner, Peter Benson, Miranda Frigon, Lexa Doig

12 movies (and per a tweet I saw today, another one is being filmed right now)

Growing up in the 80s and 90s, Candace Cameron Bure was a big part of my childhood, so I will watch any movie she's in (no shame). These movies are based on some Charlaine Harris novels. (If you ever watched the series True Blood, those were also based on books by Charlaine Harris.) I enjoy these movies and am always anxious to see what color and style Candace's hair will be (because it changes for every movie). Lol. I know Roe is the main character but I have to say I think my favorite character is Arthur Smith, played by Peter Benson. 

3. Crossword Mysteries
Starring Lacey Chabert and Brennan Elliott
3 movies (but per IMDB they are filming at least three more)

While most people will always think of Lacey Chabert as Gretchen from Mean Girls, I always think of her as Claudia from Party of Five. She has made a name for herself on the Hallmark Channel and this role is one of my favorites for her. She and Brennan Elliott are great paired up together. This series just started last year and has become a favorite amongst Hallmarkies (as we are called on Twitter). I have to say that Brennan Elliott is the best at talking with fans on Twitter. To be fair, all of the Hallmark stars are good at interacting with fans, but Brennan does it the most. And yes he has responded to me a few times. :)

4. Hailey Dean Mysteries
Starring Kellie Martin, Viv Leacock, Giacomo Baessato, Matthew MacCaull
9 movies (not sure if there will be anymore)

I just recently watched this series after the Hallmark Channel had a marathon of all of them one day. I'm showing my age, but I remember way back when Kellie Martin was in the TV show Life Goes On. She's a good actress and I like her character in this series. I hope they make another one but I don't see anything online about a new one coming up.

5. Morning Show Mysteries
Starring Holly Robinson Peete, Rick Fox
5 movies (there is one other listed on IMDB as being in "post production" but I can't find any more info on it. I hope there are more, I really like this one).

Yes, this movie series stars Rick Fox, as in former L.A. Laker Rick Fox. I absolutely love Holly Robinson Peete and I feel that she and Rick work so well together in this series. I actually got a guy friend hooked on this series (although I'm sure Holly Robinson Peete and Rick Fox starring in it had something to do with it). :)

6. Chronicle Mysteries
Starring Alison Sweeney, Benjamin Ayres
4 movies

I never watched Days of Our Lives (what most people know Alison Sweeney from), but Hallmark has made me a fan of hers. A lot of times these movies put so much makeup on the actresses that it's distracting. Alison is naturally beautiful and they don't cake her make-up on. She looks like a "real person" (if that makes sense). This series started last year and I hope they continue it. This is the second series that Alison has done for Hallmark (not counting her one off movies here and there). 

7. Murder, She Baked
Starring Alison Sweeney, Cameron Mathison
5 movies

These are cute movies- I probably don't like them as much as I like the Chronicle Mysteries, but they are still good to watch. And Hallmark is good at showing their movies a lot, so you can probably catch it at some point. Cameron Mathison is in it and he is another Hallmark Channel favorite. 

8. Martha Vineyard Mysteries
Starring Jesse Metcalfe, Sarah Lind
2 movies (so far)

This is a new mystery series that just debuted this month. The next movie in the series will air in February. The first movie had a little more action than most Hallmark movies, which was exciting. I really hope this series continues on a while. I think it has a lot of potential. 

9. When Calls The Heart
Starring Erin Krakow, Jack Wagner, Kevin McGarry, Chris McNally
7 seasons (still ongoing)

This is my mom's favorite show ever. If Hallmark cancels it, she will riot. Yes, Lori Loughlin was on this series until last year. I'm still bitter with her because I loved the Garage Sale Mystery movies and they had to cancel it after her debacle. Thankfully they just wrote her off of this show and kept it going. But anyway, enough of that. I'm excited about the new season. I was excited when Kevin McGarry joined the cast last year. He is one of my top three favorite Hallmark actors. :)

10. Darrow & Darrow
Starring Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Tom Cavanagh, Wendie Malick
4 movies

I LOVE both Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Tom Cavanagh. I was super excited when Hallmark put them in this series together. I hope they continue this one, I don't see any signs on IMDB of a new one in production, but Hallmark movies are filmed in like three weeks, so maybe we will get a new one this year. **fingers crossed**

11. Gourmet Detective Mysteries
Starring Dylan Neal, Brooke Burns
5 movies

I just watched these movies a few weekends ago and really enjoyed them. Dylan Neal is great in this series (so is Brooke Burns). And the last two movies have had Bruce Boxleitner in them-I loved him in Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Yes I was like five when that show was on, but I watched it with my older sister. And I possible own all four seasons (don't judge).

12. Mystery 101 Mysteries
Starring Jill Wagner, Kristoffer Polaha
4 movies

This is another new series that started last year and per an Instagram post from Jill Wagner, they are filming another one. I love this series and hope there are more mysteries to be solved. I really like Kristoffer Polaha and always enjoy his movies. And Jill Wagner has become one of my favorite Hallmark actresses.  

13. Flower Shop Mysteries
Starring Brooke Shields, Brennan Elliott, Beau Bridges
3 movies

There hasn't been a new movie in this series in almost four years, so I think this one is done, but I enjoyed it, so I'm listing it. Like I said before, I like Brennan Elliott and enjoyed his character in this series. It hasn't been on the air in a while, but they will probably show it again at some point- they do show their older movies frequently.

I know it's late, but that's my Thursday 13 for today. :)

All photos used in this post are courtesy of The Hallmark Channel's webpage. I thank them for not suing me for using them. :) Randomness With Rachel does not receive any compensations for the reviews and comments in this post.

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Sorry for the lack of posts last week. I was still recovering from being sick and I didn't have the energy to blog when I got home from work. 

I know the last few days have been full of sadness and mourning. I felt today would be a good day to focus on positive and happy things, so I'm going with my usual What I'm Loving Wednesday post.

I'm loving...
That I'm feeling well enough to work out again. I went almost three weeks without working out due to being sick. I managed to get in a virtual 5K on Sunday after church and yesterday I got in 3.5 miles after work, as well as a few FitOn App workout videos. T-minus 5.5 weeks until my half-marathon. I'm starting to think I jumped the gun signing up for a half-marathon, but I'm committed to it, so I have some time to make up on my training. EEK! Oh, for those not familiar with a virtual 5K, you sign up online and they send you the running bib, shirt, and medal. You are on the honor system to actually follow through and complete it, but honestly, if you are going to pay for a 5K, why WOULDN'T you complete it? I want to feel that I've earned that finisher's medal. I don't even take the medal out of the packaging until I've done it. This virtual 5K was supposed to be done in December, but December was like, three days long for me, and I ran out of time. But I got it done on Sunday and finished in 45:11. Boom.

This was after running 3.5 miles and doing two workout videos yesterday. I was beyond exhausted.

I'm loving...
That I got all my Christmas decorations put away two weekends ago. My living room seems so empty without all of them.

I'm loving...

The newest additions to my Damsel Den (AKA sports room). I found these panoramic framed photos at a sports memorabilia shop a few weeks ago, and with the help of a friend, they are now on display (I had to rearrange my wall layouts some). The top photo was taken at Game 3 of the 2010 World Series and the bottom one was taken at the Winter Classic on New Year's Day. I felt I needed both of them since I was actually at both of those games. :)

I'm loving...
That I got to spend time with friends last weekend (after staying home for three weekends in a row). On Friday night some friends and I went to Texas Live for food, fun, and an 80s metal cover band (the band was an added bonus, we had no clue they were playing). Lol. I was out until after 11pm for the first time in I don't know how long. You would have thought I was back in my 20s. On Saturday I went to the Rangers Peek at the Park (which took the place of Fan Fest this year). I didn't feel like waiting in line for autographs (because we all know I would rather have a photo with the player than an autograph) but I did check out the foundation booth sale and got a Mike Minor framed photo. After the other photo purchases earlier this month, there is no wall space in my Damsel Den, so he's in the hallway for now. One day I'll have a bigger house with a bigger Damsel Den. ONE DAY. Lol.

Our new ballpark, Globe Life Field. It's not as pretty as our old Ballpark, at least from the outside. I keep telling myself when it's 112, I will appreciate the roof and the AC though.

I'm loving...
My new running shoes. I figured if I'm going to run (mostly walk) 13.1 miles on March 8th, I needed good shoes and I needed time to break them in. I went to Run On! Coppell and a nice kid named Carter helped me get the right shoes for my feet. Evidently I've been wearing the wrong size shoe for years (who knew?) He found the perfect shoes for me and also hooked me up with a 20% discount. Yes, I have big feet and these look like clown shoes, leave me alone. :)

What are YOU loving today?

It's OK Thursday....

It's OK...

...that my Christmas decorations are still up. Before you start judging me, I had every intention of taking them down last week, and then I got sick. And I just haven't felt up to it this week. My goal is to have them all packed away by next week. 

Yes, I had two big trees, one in my living room and one in my sports room. I'm extra like that. Lol. And yes, the wise men were on the other side of the room from baby Jesus.

...that I'm pretty sure I'm going to bail on all my weekend plans because I just don't think I'm going to feel like going out and socializing. I really just want to stay home and rest some more. I haven't been able to work out while I've been sick and my half marathon is SEVEN weeks away. I've lost valuable training time. I want to rest this weekend so I'm able to get back to training next week. Also I don't want to go out and risk aggravating my cough and congestion in the cold air (because Texas has decided it wants cold weather this weekend). 

...that I haven't seen any of the movies nominated for Best Picture. To be fair, I can't remember the last time I saw a movie in the theater. Per my Fandango app, the last movie I saw was in April (Avengers: Endgame). There were other movies I had intended to see, but just never got around to it. I honestly don't watch the Oscars (not that there is anything wrong with them, I just don't care for awards shows). The last time I saw a movie that won Best Picture was in 2003- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, so my track record isn't that good. Lol.

...that I don't like Girl Scout cookies. Yes, I'm sorry, it's true. Yes, I don't even like the Thin Mints. I'm not a fan of chocolate and mint mixed together, but that's a story for another day. 

...that I'm already planning at least three trips this year. Maybe four. I've started saving up for them (because I'm all about budgeting these days). More details as they pan out. :)

What's OK with you?

XOXO!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving...

That I'm taking an interest in my blog again. I even spent tonight doing a little redesigning. Some of it's the same, but I changed up the fonts and I made a new blog title header. Here are some headers that I made, but decided not to use. For those wondering, I used the website Be Funky for the new headers.

This is the previous header

I'm loving...

That I'm slowly feeling better. I got sick last week-allergies turned into a horrible sinus infection-which had me in bed for four days. I'm still congested but my cough is A LOT better. I'm still taking it easy this week, just to be sure I'm 100% better. I'm just thankful it wasn't the flu. Yes, I got my flu shot but evidently there is a flu strain going around that the shot didn't protect against).

I'm loving...

That I got my Rangers season tickets for this year-this is my 9th year as a season ticket holder. That means that my Opening Day ticket at the NEW Rangers Ballpark is SECURE! This will be my 15th straight Opening Day. For those who only keep up with me through my blog (and who don't follow baseball), the Rangers said goodbye to their old ballpark last year (it was very emotional) and are moving next door to a new one (that will HOPEFULLY be finished by March 31). This one will have a retractable roof and AC (meaning no more days of sitting out in 112 degree temperatures watching baseball). I wasn't too excited about a roof at first, but I'm trying to tell myself it's a good thing. No more sunburns. No more heat stroke. No more boob sweat (seriously, it's horrible). No more sitting for 4 hours just to have a game delayed or canceled due to rain. Hopefully we will have some pretty days where the roof will be open and we can enjoy baseball the way it's meant to be played- in the open air.

I guess I won't be needing my Steve Avery fan at Rangers games anymore.

Not gonna lie- I'm gonna miss this view.

T-shirt giveaway for the last game.

They started the countdown in 2018, I think it started at 100 games left. Got my photo by the sign before the last game.

My last photo at a Rangers game at the Ballpark.

I'm loving...

The ever-changing Texas weather (okay, maybe I'm not loving that too much). Last Friday morning it was 72 degrees. That evening we had tornadoes and severe storms come through the Metroplex. Saturday morning we had snow (not a lot, just enough for people to flood social media with "it's snowing in Texas" posts. Today we had a high of 81. Tomorrow morning when I leave for work it will be 48. It's a never-ending fun game of "will I use my AC or heater today?" Sometimes you use both in the same day. This is probably why I can't get to feeling better. Lol.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!

Book Reviews 2020: Cozy Mysteries

**All reviews on Randomness With Rachel are done on a five-star rating system. The reviews are solely my opinion and no one else's. Randomness With Rachel does not receive any incentives or compensations for reviews.**

I know, it's been a LONG time since I've posted book reviews on here. I said I was going to try and be better about it in 2020, so here we go. So far this year, I've listened to three cozy mystery audiobooks, so I'm putting them all in one post. I'm a big fan of cozy mysteries so you will see more reviews of them in the future. I won't go back and post book reviews from late 2017-2019, but you can check out ALL my book reviews on Goodreads. (Click here to see my past Goodreads reviews.)

Murder at Blackburn Hall by Sara Rosett

Format: Audiobook (Audible)

I am LOVING this series! I enjoyed the first book (Murder at Archly Manor) and I think I might have enjoyed the second one even more. I love the main character, Olive, and am enjoying seeing her character grow from the first book. She seems more sure of herself in this book and is not afraid to do what she has to in order to find a solution to an issue.

I'm interested to see what will happen with Jasper, I feel a hint of something "more" in their relationship. I hope to have more of his character development in the next book!

The author's writing is so good you can actually imagine that you are in England in the 1920s. The description of the setting and clothing makes you feel like you are there. At the end of the audiobook, the author explains how she came up with the story idea and what kind of research went into it. I can't wait to see what Olive's next adventure will be! Spoiler alert: I just started listening to the audiobook for book 3 today.

The Body in the Attic by Judi Lynn

Format: Audiobook (Chirpbooks)

I'm a big fan of cozy mysteries so when I saw this one, I had to check it out. House-flipping. Murder. Family Drama. Mystery. Oh my.

I thought the mystery storyline was well written- it had me guessing until the end. Although I felt the mystery plot was more of a "sub plot". The rest of it isn't bad, it just felt like I was reading a normal fiction novel with a little mystery sprinkled in. I like the characters though- they are well developed and thought out. This is the first book in a series so I hope to see some of the supporting characters have bigger roles in the next one.

I don't mind romance in mystery novels, but I feel this one was a little bit of an overkill and took away from the mystery too much. Even with all of that, I enjoyed it and will check out the next one in the series. This is an easy read for a lazy Saturday afternoon (or in my case, an easy listen).


Lending a Paw by Laurie Cass

Format: Audiobook (Chirpbooks)

Okay, I'll admit, the plot description sounded a little cheesy: With the help of her rescue cat, Eddie, librarian Minnie Hamilton is driving a bookmobile based in resort town of Chilson, Michigan. But she better keep both hands on the wheel, because it's going to be a bumpy ride. 

BUT, this turned out to be a super cute cozy mystery. I was hooked from the moment I started listening to it. The main characters are charming and likeable. Even the minor characters have an endearing element to them.

This is the first book that I've read by the author and I really like her writing style. The plot was well thought out and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing until almost the end. This is another book that is a perfect weekend or vacation read. I listened to a good portion of it while out training for a half-marathon. I look forward to checking out Minnie and Eddie's next adventure!

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

I'm loving...

That I got my craft closet organized last weekend. It was a DISASTER. After working on Trunk or Treat decorations throughout October, I let it get so disorganized. I bought a cube shelf from Target and spent about four hours getting it all organized last Saturday. Here's hoping I can keep it this way from now on.  My goal is to declutter and stay better organized in 2020.

Before photos:

After photos:

I'm loving...

The workout app FitOn. It's amazing. I've been using it for 24 straight weeks. I absolutely love it. It's free to download and all the videos are free- no hidden cost. They did just add a FitOn Pro option where you can pay to have a meal plan customized for you, but I'm just using it for the videos. And there are so many (and they keep adding new ones). They range from super easy to "OMG I want to die" hard- and there are 18 different trainers so you can workout for weeks and not get bored with the same trainer. In the past I've become bored with workout videos because it was the same person every day (and a lot of times the same workouts). They also added a section called Before Bed where it has 2-3 minutes videos of stretches to do before you go to sleep. I HIGHLY recommend this app.

After each workout, it gives you the option to take a photo (it saves it in the app, it only shares it if you want it shared). It can help show the progress you are making. Or just remind you that you did the workout and didn't die. Lol

I'm loving...

That I saw my first musical of the year last night. My friend Rob had an extra ticket to the production of The Color Purple at the Winspear Opera House. This was my first time seeing it and the cast was AMAZING. I can't image another cast topping their performance. If you are in Dallas, go see it. I think it's here through early next week.

I'm loving...

That I completed my GoodReads book challenge last year. In years past, I've fallen short (way short). I actually started my 2019 challenge at 30 books, and I met that in early October, so I bumped it up to 40 books. I finished book number 40 on Dec. 31, but I got it done. This year my goal is to read/listen to 45 books. I just started book 5 yesterday. Speaking of books, I know I'm behind on my book reviews on here. I'll try to start doing those for this year (I won't go back the last few years and post any older ones though). I DO keep my reviews up to date on GoodReads if you would like to add me there. Click here for my link.

What are YOU loving today?

XOXO!