Friday 28 April 2017

Five on Friday - My week

Five on Friday - It's been a funny week, full of variety. From granny squares to cakes with some flowers, films, and chocolate thrown in for good measure. I'm joining with the Five on Friday group again this week. Instead of a walk along the beach, I'm inviting you to have a look at the things I've seen and experienced this week.  


We (M) planted these yellow daisy like plants last year. Any flower that looks like this is an instant favourite with me. There's just something special about them. With their big larger than life long petals and bright cheerfulness they are a delight to find in a border. At the moment they are in full bloom and provide a welcome home each time you park on the drive.
 
   


Easter crispy cakes. These simple little cakes are made all year really but with a few eggs added are suddenly Easter cakes. Teen 2 made these, melting milk chocolate in a covered dish in the microwave. Stirring in enough crisped rice to evenly coat and then spooning them into cup cases to set in the fridge with a few eggs nestled in the top.




One night this week we went to our friends house and watched a film together with other families and a lovely dog called Misty. This is one we've seen many times now called God's Not Dead, the trailer is here, we've seen the second film in the series too. The films are projected onto a giant pull down screen with surround sound. With nibbles half time it's just like being at the cinema. I particularly love the music but the simple message of the story is brilliant. There are some deep thoughtful moments and some hard going emotional parts but overall it's a good family film with passionate beliefs. I'm a bit confused about the age though as the box says PG but Amazon say (12).   



The local WI wanted me to show them how to crochet, we decided on a simple granny square as that would be the easiest thing to start with. I prepared a slide show with pictures and instructions. They all bought along wool and a crochet hook and wine and Prosecco. With tea, coffee and crisps we were good to go. Whoever thought the WI was dull. There were some interesting shapes and we all agreed it was fun, but not easy to teach others to crochet. If you crochet or even knit, you may like to remember how and when you learnt. Was it from a book, another adult guiding you. Of course today there is google and youtube with a whole range of methods. It can still be confusing as each person has their own particular style, method and habits. Personally I learnt from a book and asking my Mum for help. 

For the tutorial of the granny square and for turning it into a heart afterwards there's a link here.


It's book club time and this is the book we've been reading. A long time ago I started coming up with the questions for the book and for this one I wasn't able to find any on-line from other book clubs. So it was time for me to check out some reviews and draw thoughts together and shape some questions ready for a discussion. Rather than tell you what the book is about, here are the questions we are discussing. 

1. What are your feelings about the book, eg the plot and were you moved or gripped with interest?

2.
What did you think about the characters, Daisy so perfect, Kian a well loved guy and Jules – what were your feelings about her before and after Daisy's murder? 

3. What do you think about the book's structure eg the book is full of time jumps and reflections. Why might the author have chosen to tell the story the way she did? Was the many descriptions about the pub, extended family and Ruby necessary and how did they contribute to the telling of the story?

4. What did you feel when you'd finished reading? Do you think it 'a weak payoff when the concluding action happens off-screen' as one review says. Or was this book never about crime solving but a story of enduring love and commitment?

5. How do you feel about the issue of 'being nice' to girls in light of this book eg the international discussion about the socialization of girls to be “nice” even when they have warning bells going off in their heads.

6
. Have you read any of Susan Lewis other works and would you choose to read any in the future.

I'll leave you with an interesting critical review of the book here. See what you think, obviously it contains spoilers. If you're interested in more of Susan Lewis books see here.

Next months book is Mercy by Jodi Picoult. 
                                         

18 comments:

  1. What a wonderful week you've had! Love the granny square. Learning to crochet is something I'd like to do after I've completely got the hang of knitting. You're never too old to learn! I'll have to look into that book. I've read several of hers before and have liked them.

    Happy Five on Friday!

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    1. Bella Coco's youtube crochet tutorials are fantastic to help with crochet. She even does some left handed ones and they're all in UK terminology. I've not read any of this author before but that's what's great about book clubs, you get to read books out of your usual reading pile. Enjoy the weekend!

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  2. Those yellow flowers are simply stunning! The plot of your book sounds somewhat familiar but I don't think it's the same book I read. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!

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    1. I guess many books do seem similar, there are many ideas within different themes but eventually they will have familiar plots. Thank you for visiting, enjoy the weekend!

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  3. Learning to crochet whilst quaffing Prosecco...brilliant! I love Susan Lewis and have just read A French Affair which I couldn't put down, not read your book.

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    1. I don't suppose anyone will believe me but I didn't have any Prosecco, I was the boring one with tea. I did however have wine at the book club, but then we do meet in a pub.
      It was fun though and at the WI meetings there is a shared supper afterwards and we usually have wine then.
      If you do ever read this book, do let me know what you think about it. I've put the link to a review above and I think some felt - that to be the case. It was an easy read but... like most books we discuss, it always amazes me how different all our views are afterwards.
      Thanks for commenting. Happy weekend!

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  4. Sounds like you have had an interesting week. I can't remember who first taught me to knit, possibly my grandma or my mum but I do remember knitting at junor school both boys and girls had to learn, we all knitted rather strange looking, holey scarves. I've never been good at sewing or knitting I'm afraid. Have a lovely weekend:)

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    1. It sounds a lovely thought to learn knitting at school but I just can't imagine how that would ever work in schools today. When I was helping at the primary school, one of the teachers did a needle craft group after school for the junior aged kids. A few wanted to learn to knit, so myself and another Mum tried to help with teaching 2 small groups between us and it was hard work (a total nightmare, lol).
      Apart from some silliness (even though it's optional) they did try hard. It was mainly boys wanting to learn. Thanks for visiting enjoy the weekend.

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  5. i haven't read this book, your "show" crochet came out very nicely !

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    1. Hi Gattina, thanks for visiting. Yes it went well, one of the lady's said she'd crocheted a few more squares the next day. Brilliant. Enjoy the weekend x

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  6. The yellow daisies are beautiful, so cheerful in what has been a chilly week. My Godmother taught me to crochet. The WI group sound like plenty of fun and I am sure there was lots of laughter while you crocheted

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    1. We've had a real all sorts bag of weather recently. Today it's howling a hooley (very windy). Our Wi is fun but it helps that we are a friendly group with our 'little group' meeting for the book club too. In fact the members were recruited from the book club. Enjoy the weekend x

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  7. It's certainly been changeable weather in our region this past week. Many of those tulips I shared on my blog post are going over, but other flowers will take their place and I hope the apple blossom which is looking lovely survives the wind, rain and possible frost and then attracts the pollinators. Those yellow daisy-type flowers along your drive must be a cheery sight. Sounds like you've been having a great time at your social groups. Wishing you a good week ahead.

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    1. It's nice to see different flowers appear throughout the year in the garden. All the socials come at once it seems. Book club at the end of the month. WI at the beginning and WI craft group near the end on alternate months. The film nights are weekly.
      Thanks for visiting, have a good week x

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  8. Lovely moments from your week! How exciting to be teaching your WI to crochet, I am sure they will all love it!

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    1. It's strange how these opportunities appear but yes it was fun and definitely worthwhile. I think learning new skills is what the WI are about anyway and it was new for me teaching too! Have a good week x

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  9. What a great Five on Friday post, thank you so much for participating, I apologise for being so late getting round to everyone's blogs, we had so much going on that I just didn't get a chance, I hope you understand. All the Best - Tricky

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    1. That's ok, no problem at all. They're all very interesting, thanks for organising them. Take care, Cathy

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