Some things I have done this week.

Was talking to daughter-in-law about how my drawer organizers move around, she suggested putting feet on the bottom of them to stop them moving.

Went to Dollarama and found these.  Ended up not using the instant Tac, just the bumper pads.

They worked perfectly for the job.

Now when I open the drawer the organizers haven't moved.

I love these mini cucumbers.  The local store had two packs of 6 on for $4.  I managed to snag packs with seven in them!

They keep really well in my Fridgesmart Tupperware containers.  I also pre-peeled some baby oranges ready for eating.

I made a really yummy couscous salad.  I added to one cup of cooked couscous, some veggies and feta cheese and the dressing on it was Kraft Greek Dressing..

Picked up a book from the library that I had ordered.  This is the selection for the book club in the UK my mother goes to.  They meet at the end of February.

I have been cleaning out cupboards etc and putting things we don't need into boxes to donate to the charity store.  Made a trip to drop off the boxes, while doing some errands.

I remembered to check the library website and managed to snag a space in the February craft club, so looking forward to that!!

 

Cut backs by the Government..............

(image credit)

I don't delve into politics normally but do have to mention I am ticked off about the cut back to the library services.  If our local library branches do not have a book, then we can order it through inter-library loan.  So they search the library system for the copy closest to us and order it in.  Due to the cut backs that service is no longer available.

This will affect book clubs as there are generally 10 + members in each book club and each month you read a book and discuss it.  Now granted you can read a book on an electronic device, but I am one of those people who like to feel paper between my fingers when reading a book.  Normally when ordering for 10 members they have to find books from different libraries.  You can also buy the book from a book store, but I personally don't want to buy books as I read that many.

There are "book club" packs of books where there are multiple copies of books perfect for a book club; BUT one member has to check out the pack for the whole club and no one was willing to do that in the club I had joined....LOL  I really did chuckle to myself when they were discussing this, as it's as though they don't trust one another to bring the books back.

Already the book club members have sent out email messages wondering how this will work out and how we will share books.  I decided that I didn't want to go through all the hassle of doing that and have sent an email to the organizer saying I won't be attending any more meetings.

One of the good things about our library here where we live is that they send out weekly emails for different genre's of book and I am finding those to be useful.  I will just carry on as before with my reading.

Are you a member of a book club?  Do you like it?  I have a stack of books to get through in May; five to review and a couple of my own choices.

To keep up with what I have read pop by my other blog That British Woman's Book Review Blog.

Books.......

As many of you know I am a big reader.  I have always loved reading and now we have moved close (ten minute drive, if that) to a lovely new library I am borrowing books at an alarming rate 😁  I post most of what I read on my book review blog here.  However some I don't review but I love regardless.

One of my favourite series are Laura Childs, "Tea Shop Mysteries."  I have read all of those books, but have only reviewed the newest release Broken Bone China. Infact during the months of January and February I re-read all of the series, just never posted a review on them.

I have read a number of the "Seaside Knitter's Mysteries," by Sally Goldenbaum, and Maggie Sefton's "Knitting Mysteries."  I enjoy both series and want to re-read them again.

One thing I did when signing up at the library was to sign up for the libraries newsletters that come out weekly via email on different genre's of books.  They have been a blessing and I picked up two books on Friday that were suggestions from these newsletters.

Both look really interesting and I thought I would share them with you despite the fact I haven't read them yet.

Bleaker House, by Nell Stevens

"How far would you travel to become a writer?
8000 miles from home
1085 calories a day
3 months to write the novel that would make her name

At least that was the plan. But when Nell Stevens travelled to Bleaker Island in the Falklands (official population: two) she didn’t count on the isolation getting to her…

Hilarious and heartbreaking, this is a book about loneliness and creativity. It is about discovering who you are when there’s no one else around. And it’s about what to do when a plan doesn’t work: ultimately Nell may have failed to write a novel, but she succeeded in becoming a writer."

"Transcription," by Kate Atkinson

"In 1940, eighteen-year-old Juliet Armstrong is reluctantly recruited into the world of espionage. Sent to an obscure department of MI5 tasked with monitoring the comings and goings of British Fascist sympathizers, she discovers the work to be by turns tedious and terrifying. But after the war has ended, she presumes the events of those years have been relegated to the past forever.

Ten years later, now a radio producer at the BBC, Juliet is unexpectedly confronted by figures from her past. A different war is being fought now, on a different battleground, but Juliet finds herself once more under threat. A bill of reckoning is due, and she finally begins to realize that there is no action without consequence."

I mentioned that I have joined a local book club and we meet once a month at the library.  For May's meeting we had to put forward books we wanted to nominate for the upcoming years titles.  Thought you might be interested in what I put forward.  I have read and reviewed all these:

Educated by Tara Westover, review here.

The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg, review here.

and The Gown: A Novel of the Royal Wedding by Jennifer Robson, review here.

Have you read any books recently that you thought were really good?

Missing blogging...........

I have missed blogging.  Life has been busy these past few months, and quite a few times I have started to write a blog post and then thought why bother?  However time and time again I have come back to my blog to find things; whether it be a recipe or a pattern.  

I had thought about completely deleting my blog but its like having a library of me and things we have seen, done and made over the years that it would be such a shame to get rid of it all.  

So I think I will give it another go and try and be a better blogger and post about our life.  I know I don't work outside of the home but I seem to have a lot of things going on.  The grandkids are all growing, and have plenty going on in their lives.  We moved house last November got lots going on with the new house.  I am a busy bee with sewing and have lots to share with you there.

One of the things I have benefited from with my blog is making some very dear friends from all over the world as well.  That in itself is priceless.  So with that in mind I am going to try and get back into the habit of blogging about my life.  Will prepare a post for tomorrow (Sunday) and start from there.

Meanwhile I have joined my local library and joined a book club, so have been reading quite a bit recently and have read a number of good books.  So if you get time check out my other blog "That British Woman's Book Review Blog."

I will leave you with this photo of the pattern and material for a bag class I will start this coming week.

The fabric is "Spring Awakens," by Debi Hron for Henry Glass & Co.  The bag pattern is "The Sling Along," by Studio Kat Designs.

Just call me Olive.....

Had our book club meeting this week. Our book this month was Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Stout; I read and reviewed the book here.

For the most part all the members enjoyed the book, a couple didn't but that's not unusual, not everyone likes the same thing.

The main character was Olive.  She was a no nonsense, crusty woman, who spoke her mind, didn't suffer fools gladly, but underneath had a softer side that occasionally peaked out.  I said I could so relate to her and thought I saw a lot of me in her.  Turns out a few others felt the same way.

So now if someone is grumpy, we're going to call it an "Olive" moment.  Turns out there was an HBO series as well that was based on this book, which you can read about here.

Have you ever read a book and thought "that character is my twin?"

Our November book choice is "Ru" by Kim Thuy

Home of the Week and other things.........

This week's "Home of the Week," is not my cup of tea and it's not the $1.2 million asking price that's putting me off; it's the fact that it is a triplex; aka: a three times one bedroom apartments in a two story building.  You can't swing a cat (sorry Jane and fellow cat lovers) in any of the apartment's.  No I'll pass.

I LOVE, LOVE this week's "Condo of the Week,"  It's on the market at $550,000 and is a co-op.  I don't know anything about co-op's but unless you are a cash buyer it could be a little difficult trying to get a mortgage.  It is small at 800 square feet, but look at those views and it does feel bright and airy inside, don't you think?

The "Cottage of the Week," is on the market for $3 million and comes with two smaller islands.  It looks very nice but you can only reach it by boat from what the description says?  Also who has $3 million to spare for a cottage, not me!

Gill's "Cottage of the Week,"is on the market for $189,900 and yes it needs a little work!!  Okay it needs a bit of work, but is on 31 acres.  I love it and will be showing dh this one.  The bathroom does worry me...........A LOT!!  The kitchen needs work and the deck outside is DANGEROUS but the potential is there and oh did I mention the 31 acres!!  I wonder how long that would take me to cut the grass??  I'M JOKING!!!

Okay now I am confused thank you everyone for pointing out the link doesn't work.  So I went back to the listing only to find it's not there anymore?  I have to assume it has sold, as I know I saw it yesterday......senile I may be getting but I know I saw it!!!  I was even planning in my mind what I would do to make it ours; what changes I would make.....oh well I will look for another cottage and post it tomorrow.

I posted a book review yesterday for "The Chaperone," by Laura Moriarty. It's a super book and our book club choice for September, you can read it here.

I am a gnome knitting factory at the moment.  I have 9 (I think) to make for Our Little Man's birthday party as take home gifts.  I volunteered for it.  

Funny little bits for Yarn Along this week........

This is what I got done this past week in knitting:

Those are all the bits knitted up for two more gnomes.  I have a third one on my needles as these are all gifts for a neighbours grandkids who are coming to visit next week.  Just need to sew them together and stuff.

I read and reviewed this book:

and this book which I reviewed also:

I am starting this book; it's our book club choice for September "The Chaperone," by Laura Moriarty:

For more Yarn Along posts with Ginny, please click on this link.

Our Book Club reading list until September 2016

At our last meeting we chose the books for the upcoming year (and more).  So I thought I'd share with you our choices in case you want to read along.  If you click on the title of the book, it will take you to Amazon where you can read about it.

July: The Vagrants by Yiyun Lin - I have read and reviewed this book already here.

August: The Color of Tea by Hannah Tunnicliffe - I have read and reviewed this book here.

September: The Chaperone by Laura Moriaty

October : Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout

November: Ru by Kim Thuy

December: Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake by Anna Quindlen

January: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (looking forward to this one)

February: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

March: The Virgin Cure by Ami McKay

April: Pomegranate Soup by Marsha Merhan - I have read and reviewed this book here.

May: The Children Act by Ian McEwan

June: Annabel by Kathleen Winter

July: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

August: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

September: Memories of a Victorian Midwife by Charlotte Fuhrer

As you can see there is a wide variety of books and subjects that we are going to read.  This is one reason I like the book club, it takes me out of my comfort zone and I get to experience new authors and new subjects that I would not normally read.

If anyone has read any of the books on the list, please let me know what you thought?

Book Club Meeting.....

Photos from the book club meeting.  I served gingerbread, scones and watermelon slices.

 I used this recipe for the scones.  It's a tried and true recipe.

 This is my Nana's recipe for gingerbread, and the only recipe I do not share.....sorry. 

 Can't remember where I got these napkins, very appropriate don't you think?

Cups and saucer's all ready for the tea.  Denby Sweet Pea, out of production now.

 Even managed to cut up some lemon wedges for the tea.

 Made up a jug of Crystal Light for those who wanted a cold drink.
Had a great meeting, 13 out of the 14 members turned up.  Have chosen books for the next 14 months, I will let you know what we will be reading when the list is all written up.  Next month's book is "The Vagrant's."  I have already read it and reviewed it here.  I posted another book review: Rosewater and Soda Bread," which is the sequel to "Pomegranate Soup."  Both are super books and well worth reading.

I won't be hosting again until December for the Christmas pot luck.  I will be only hosting that one in future, unless someone else can't host a month, then I will step up again.

What are you reading at the moment?

Bit of a change up this week.

Here is my menu plan for the week:

Instead of eating things on certain days; these are the meals I am going to make and whatever we fancy that night off the list is what I will make.

I am hosting the book club meeting today.  So on Sunday thought I'd get a jump start on the cooking and made the gingerbread.  While the oven was on put some Scotch eggs in too cook along with some Rosemary potato wedges.

I'll show you what else I served the ladies tomorrow.

This month's book was The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion.

You can read my review here.  Has anyone read The Rosie Effect?  What did you think of it, as the reviews were mixed?

Couple of interesting things I thought......

I deleted just over 2,300 spam messages from the blog.  I hadn't cleaned out the folder since the beginning of April.  You would think people would have better things to do than send all that spam?

As you know I belong to a book club, and we meet once a month, year round.  At the June meeting we are going to choose books for the next 12 months.  We all get to choose, but you do have to have read your book of choice.

I get to choose and the book I had in mind I hadn't read, so I ordered it from the library through inter-library loan.

You can read a preview here.  I am thoroughly enjoying it so far.

I live in a "small" town of 25,000 people and there is a lady in the library who as part of her job co-ordinates the book's for the book clubs in town.  There are 17 book clubs that she deals with.  Ours isn't registered with the library, and I am guessing there are probably more that are not as well.  For a small town I thought that was a lot of book clubs?

Are you part of a book club?  Are there a lot of book club's where you live?  How many members are in your club?  We have 12, but usually average around 9 or 10 members attending each meeting.

The Canadian Sniper..........

This is a true story, as it involves me!

We live on a subdivision (estate) where there is still ongoing construction.  In this day and age unless it is screwed down things "walk."  So the builder has a security guard patrolling on a night after hours and all day on the weekends.

We have come to know the weekend guy reasonably well.  He was good enough to let us look through the house when it was being built; even though we shouldn't have, and he went out of his way to talk to us, and vice versa.

Around Christmas time we noticed we hadn't seen him in a while and there was another guy in his truck.  So one day early January I got dh to stop the truck so I could ask the new guy where our old guy was.  Turns out our old guy had fallen and broken his elbow and was going to be off work for six weeks.

So new guy introduced himself and said we would be well protected as he was an ex Canadian Military Sniper!

So I said, "Oh, have you seen the movie American Sniper?"

Can't remember what he said but he did say the following:

" The guy who holds the Canadian record for the longest shoot and kill of 2.3 km was in the same unit as me in Afghanistan."

I said, Oh," meanwhile thinking to myself 2.3 km....no way.

The security guy then says, "his name is (Something don't remember ) TWADDLE."

Now at this point I should have clicked what was happening, but I was fixated on the 2.3 km.  We talked a little more and then left.

Dh and I talked about the conversation and again we were fixated on the distance and why an ex military sniper was working as a security guard at a building site.

I mentioned this at our book club meeting which I think was a week later, and we all had a good laugh about it.  I even talked about it with my family in Britain and they all laughed about it.

Fast forward to this past weekend and our old security guard is back and so was telling him the story about what an idiot I am in believing people and it turns out this is one of many stories this guy was telling.

However he did get one fact sort of right this guy.  Corporal Rob Furlong of the Canadian Armed Forces did indeed record a kill at 2,430 metres back in 2002 in Afghanistan.  You can read more about it here.  The record holder is a British solider  at 2,475 metres again in Afghanistan.

It still amazes me that guns can fire bullets that distance with deadly accuracy; oh and I will believe anything that people tell me!!

By the way has anyone seen American Sniper?  It looks like a good movie.

(I posted another book review here; it's our April choice for our book club.  I am ahead of the game!!)

Book Club and more about Spring?

I am a member of a book club called Book Ends.  We have 12 or 13 members all who live in our subdivision.  I have been a  member since July.  I have yet to go to a meeting where every member attends as like everyone we all have busy lives and especially during the winter people want to escape the weather.  In summer we also have members with cottages who also go away for the summer.  Overall though we are a great mix of ladies who have something in common, we all enjoy reading books.  

I am probably one of the weaker members as the majority of the books we read I would never ever have thought of picking up and reading, but this is what I love about the club it makes me read things I normally wouldn't have.  I have yet to see a book that we all agreed we loved, but again that's what makes this fun.

I thought I would list what we are going to read over the next few months, so if you want to join in feel free.  We meet the second Monday of every month, so if you want to post a review feel free to do it on my book review blog, where I post all my reviews. I usually read the month's book ahead of time and review it well before the meeting.

There is a link on my main page of my regular blog, or here is a link.

Just so you know if you click on the title of the book it will take you to Amazon where you can read more about the book.  All members take turns choosing a book.  I haven't chosen one yet, but I do have this one in mind as it sounds good for when it comes to my turn.

March: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson - you can read my review here

April: The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

May: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

June: The Rosie Project By Graeme Simsion

July: The Vagrants by Yiyun Li

I think we will choose the next few months worth of books around June.

In February 2015 the book was: Tomorrow Their Will Be Apricots by Jessica Soffer - I did not attend this meeting nor did I read the book for various reasons.  It got mixed reviews by the members.

January 2015: The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway. You can read my review here.

December 2014: Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed. You can read my review here.

November 2014: The Storied Life of A.J. Firky by Gabrielle Zevin. You can read my review here.

October 2014: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. You can read my review here.

September 2014: No Time For Goodbye by Linwood Barclay.  You can read my review here.

August 2014: A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews.  You can read my review here.

July 2014: The Chalk Girl by Carol O'Connell. You can read my review here.

I posted another book review yesterday here; this is for the regular books I review.

I know a lot of information to take in at once, but you know the post is here so you can come back to it again and again.

Okay when I watched this I wasn't overly happy.  By the way if you live in the Great Lakes area of the States, you will be no more happier than me either!!  I love an hour and a bit North, North West of Toronto.

I guess what this is telling us we need to be patient.  The better weather will come it's just delayed.

Change of pace.......

You can only unpack boxes for so long until you get totally fed up of it..........I'm at that point.  So as I am going to a baby shower on the 13th, I decided to see if I can get a baby quilt put together before then.  We don't know what the sex of the baby will be so I am hoping this is neutral enough to do either sex.  It is to trim up and I need to buy I am thinking chocolate brown material for a border and backing.

 The main colours are brown, orange, yellow, and green.

As many of you know I enjoy reading, so have decided to join a book club on the subdivision.  The first meeting is on Monday July 14th, so I have ordered and will have to read this book before then.  It's doable, due to there being nothing on the tv except repeats!!!

You can read more about it here

Here is our list of books for the next year:

 July 14 The Chalk Girl - Carol O'Connell 

Aug  11  A Complicated Kindness - Miriam Toews

Sept  8.  No Time to say Goodbye - Linwood Barclay 

Oct  14  The Book Thief - Markus Zusak 

Nov  10  The Storied Life of A.J. Firky - Gabrielle Zevin 

Dec  8   Wild From Lost to Found on the Pacific coast - Cheryl Strayed

Jan  12  Snow Flower and the Secret Fan - Lisa See

Feb   9  The Invention of Wings - Sue Monk Kidd

Mar.  9  No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency - Alexander McCaul Smith

There seems to be a wide range of genre of books, so should be interesting.  Also I have never read any of these books, so that in itself is a positive thing.