Books, Lots of Books

Hello there! It's been a while. I thought I'd drop in and say hi, how are you doing. It's been a year... diet issues - awaiting hospital appointments (2 hospital departments). Throw in 2 holidays, one in The New Forest, shared in my last post and the Peak District, then later in September down to Hampshire and then on up to The Peak District. At some point, I'll cobble together some more holiday photographs. For now, I'll list some books that I've been reading or listening to.

My lovely Nan passed away in May, she was 97 years old.
My uncle passed away before my Nan.
Later we all visited my Dad in August.
Sadly later still my Dad passed away, we had the funeral in October. 
My lovely auntie is now seriously ill with pancreatic cancer, she's just moved into a hospice. 

Library Books: I don't always read them all. I mainly read for my own enjoyment, so if I don't like it, then it gets returned. The non-fiction books, I tend to borrow them to see if I want to buy them. Most times I don't buy them... which is good as my bookcase will be bursting.

Reading Books in Series: I've re-read this series, it follows on from the popular TV drama Home Fires

Enjoyed both of these: I love Milly Johnson's books. Dear Mrs Bird is set during the second world war. 

Women on the Homefront: book one and two

Rookery House Series: The characters in these books follow the same characters in the 'Women on the Homefront series'
Books: One. Two and Six shown. I'll read the others in this series at some point. 

Some Agatha Christie 2025 Challenge (instagram): Including Cat Among the Pigeons and Three Act Trilogy. 

Re-reading some Lucy Diamond books: Summer at Shell Cottage. Lots of family drama unravelling on holiday. 

Beach Cafe Series: The first book is called The Beach Cafe, I've ordered it from the library. I think I've read it before but as I've read these recently, I thought I'd order it. They are very light easy reads.

June - I vaguely remember it being about a virus

July - interesting and a bit sad in places

August - a good story

September - relieved it wasn't a scary psychological thriller

November - thoroughly good book

Lastly some of this years book club reads: I've mentioned Jan - April before. 
I didn't finish Verity by Colleen Hoover for March. 
The Book of Beginnings by Sally Page - I'll read that one day. with everything going on over April/May, it got forgotten. 
October's book was Lip Service by Maureen Lipman, sadly nobody read that one. I think autobiography and similar type books won't be featuring in our book club again. 

I can't remember all the story details of each book, strange really as you get absorbed into the story. In the Summer, I try to read more books, a sort of 'Summer Reading Challenge' I aim to read one book a week then. I hope to read more, scroll less. 
How about you, are you reading along some book series, or bookclub lists? 

Take care 
Bye for now. 

 

Christmas catch up

Hello there, dusting off my blog with a little update of recent activities. Happy New Year to you all. 

I don't really do New Year Resolutions, however if I were to, I'd aim to be more present with less scrolling. I'd list plans to read, bake and craft more with some home organisation thrown in too. 

Crochet Baby Blanket:: using up colours (purchased with birthday money). I've enjoyed using Rico baby cotton yarn. I purchased some cream acrylic yarn, to separate the bold colours. Just crocheting the border now. 

Photos from Instagram::  celebrating my anniversary last year, library books to read - some for the Summer Reading Challenge - I do this every year (six books over six weeks). Knitting all the greens. Birthday card poster from my parents. Covid back in January, first time. Baking for the WI Horticultural show. 

Finishing Books:: the last book in the Fairacre series by Miss Read. I'm taking a break this year from the Miss Read books. 2025 I'll will be reading the Monthly Book Club choice and one Agatha Christie book - either from the 'Read Christie 2025' challenge on social media, or one of my own AC books. Plus either library books or my own books.  

Family games:: Buzzer round challenges on the PS 2 
The system is old now for modern digital TV's, so it freezes a bit. 

2024 Advent Knit-a-long:: with the Victoria Methodist church - found on Facebook. A Star Table Mat.

2023 Advent Knit-a-long:: Noel table mat. The plan is the same as above, a short reflection and instructions for 4 rows of pattern. 

Reindeer Plant Holder:: A Christmas gift from younger son.

Reindeer thought lost:: found in the loft. Both on the kitchen windowsill.

Christmas Jigsaw:: Mark is busy with this one.

Rainbow Cardigan:: Knitted for the WI charity donation for Rainbow Babies.

Crochet Dog Paws:: crocheted for the WI Christmas Tree, part of the tree festival in the village church. 
The paw prints are stiffened with PVA glue.

Angus:: with his noisy squeaky Giraffe, don't be fooled by the cute face... it's a noisy toy! 

Church Nativity Scene:: knitted by one of the members. This is on display each year, it's a lovely tradition. 

Church Advent Calendar:: children take turns each week to light one of the 4 candles. The centre candle is lit on Christmas Day.

Church Christmas Tree:: beautifully decorated at the coffee morning.

Town Christmas Tree:: in the Market Square.

Mini Christmas Tree:: in the Bathroom

Off to do a little crochet now, this time is important to me. Daily knitting or crochet, time to unwind and relax. Until next time, bye for now. Thank you for reading, I'll be visiting your blogs this week.