I posted the first paragraph or so from Henrietta's War on Friday but I haven't made any progress there. I do really want to get some time to read this book this week because so far I have really enjoyed it!
I have read a fair chunk of Aria's Travelling Bookshop by Rebecca Raisin which is a book that I have downloaded from the library. The odd thing is that I can only read this using the Borrowbox app which I can only seem to read on my phone. That does mean that I can read at 4am if I can't sleep but otherwise isn't that convenient. I definitely prefer to be able to read on my Kindle. I recently got a review book from Netgalley that couldn't be sent to Kindle either so goodness knows how I am going to read that but I will figure it out.
I am also still listening to The Moon Sister by Lucinda Riley. I mentioned last week I was going to try and vary the speed of the audio, which I did, but maybe I have to work up to a higher rate slowly. At the moment I have it at 1.2 and I am not sure that I want to go too much faster at this stage.
We watched a couple of episodes of Normal People this week. We do have a tendency to watch an episode or two of a show an never get back to it again. There's no reason not to get back to it but we will see.
I did have a Sunday afternoon binge watch of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix which is based on a series of books by Sherryl Woods and which I haven't read. Robert was busy in the bathroom sanding, painting etc so I got to just watch a few episodes in a row. It's pleasant, easy watching, so I will probably watch more.
In Life
The social life is kind of getting back to normal, kind of. I don't mean in terms of going to an art gallery, or the movies. I did get together with a group of friends for a divorce party/dinner. My contribution was White Chocolate Cheesecake. With this particular group of friends, there is no other choice. Last time I went I wanted to try a baked cheesecake so I made a Salted Caramel Baked Cheesecake which was yum but I did get in trouble because it was the "right" cheesecake! I have been making this cheesecake for more than 10 years and apparently they still haven't had it enough times!
We, by which I mean Bob the Builder, is still working on the bathroom, but there is really just one big job to do once the acrylic panels come into the hardware store. Other than that, just finishing touches. I am, however, looking forward to when my son can go back to using the main bathroom rather than our ensuite. I don't really mind except either his bodywash is different or he uses a lot of it because everytime I have the next shower after him the shower base is like a skating rink. It's so slippery!
We have recently been refinancing and making changes to our financial priorities which sounds very very grown up, and is! It's also kind of stressful but everything was sorted out last week so we are now on our way towards our goals. As part of this, we are also starting to look at new cars. There are just so many options, and it's hard to know what the right choice to make is. This will be the first time I have ever had a brand new, or near new, car.The last thing to mention this week is that the signup is now open for Paris in July, hosted at Thyme for Tea! I am excited to participate in this again. It was always part of my plan for this year, but it would have been much easier if we had actually been allowed to go to Paris but I am sure I will come up with something!
I am eager to join in for Paris in July this year. We did make it to Paris in early February, and I haven't even had an opportunity to post pictures on my blog. I always love to plan for a big event, so I've spent a lot of time yesterday looking at potential books and movies, plus cookbooks to cook from. I think I need to make a list of French food I want to try to cook, too.
ReplyDeleteI think you are smart to start to set some financial goals. We started saving in earnest about fifteen years before we planned to retire, and I'm glad we did.
I have been thinking about books, movies, quotes and things for a couple of months
DeleteWe haven't done much socializing yet other than chatting with neighbors in backyards or driveways. I'm certainly missing all that and it will be a while - numbers are steadily climbing in the US (not surprising).
ReplyDeleteGood for you on updating your financial priorities! We are refinancing as well and hopefully it will come through without any issues.
Athira, the refinancing process was not as easy as I would have hoped but we got there in the end.
DeleteThe cheesecake sounds yum to me. We've been invited to a party gathering this week ... the first since Covid and I think all are a bit wary about if it's safe here. Who knows ... but we'll do some distancing. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteThat cheesecake is alwaysyum!
DeleteI hate moving up the audio rate it just never seems to be satisfying. Sometimes I wish I could though!
ReplyDeleteI've put it back to normal speed Kathryn. It sounds better to me.
DeleteGlad you got through the financial stuff, that is a hard job! Good luck with the car shopping. We had a lunch with friends a couple of weeks ago and ventured out to a restaurant last week. Very different than expected. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteWatch this space on the car story! It's very exciting.
DeleteSounds like you are keeping busy and getting things done. I do sometimes speed up narration of audiobooks. It depends on the reader. I don't want my book to sound like it is read by the Chipmunks! Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI think it is probably a fine line between a good listening speed and chipmunkish Kathy!
DeleteWe sometimes do that, too, watch a couple of episodes of something and don't get back to it again. Not because we didn't like it, but for some reason just didn't go back. I did watch the first episode of Sweet Magnolias. I did read a couple of the books, which I loved. I will have to find time to go back and finish the series - both on TV and in books :) Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteThat's it Yvonne. It's not that you don't like a show but you just don't get back to it!
DeleteI've heard great things about A Gentleman in Moscow too. I'll have to check out Paris in July. I might join in!
ReplyDeleteI hope you do join in for Paris in July Laura!
DeleteLots of great things going on with you. Your white chocolate cheesecake sounds delicious.
ReplyDeleteI have that challenge with NetGalley and Kindle, too. That's usually why my NetGalley books are the last ones I read.
Hope you have a great week.
Cheryl, life is good that's for sure! I'm very lucky.
DeleteI hope you are able to find more reading time this week so you can dive further into Henrietta's War. It does sound good. I hope you are also enjoying Aria's Travelling Bookshop. I do not especially like reading on my phone either, and much prefer my Kindle. It comes in handy sometimes though when that isn't an option, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI am glad you were able to get together with some of your friends. That must have been nice. The cheesecake sounds yummy. I miss cheesecake.
I was just thinking of all the novels I have set in Paris--and with Paris in the title--and wouldn't it be fun to read them in July?
I hope you have a great week, Marg.
It would be fun to read some of them in July for sure!
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