The weather
Cool and grey - same old, same old! It hasn't been raining so I have been able to get outside and do some weeding. That is one problem with it not getting very cold in winter here - the weeds never stop growing!
Right now I am
Plotting and planning! I really want to sort out my vintage items so I can open a second Etsy shop. I have been going to and fro with this idea and have read any number of blog posts about the pros and cons of having a second Etsy shop. But I think it is the best way.
Thinking
Probably see above answer! What will be the best items to have in my shop?
On my reading pile
Today is the first day of the Visit Hogsmeade reading challenge (it runs 22-28 June), so I have quite a lot on my reading pile! This will, of course, be much too ambitious but I still like to choose a book for each category.
1. The Marauder's Map - read a book with a map - The Way Home by Julian Barr
2. Three Broomsticks Inn - read a book that is part of a trilogy - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I have wanted to reread the trilogy for ages before I pick up The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
3. Madam Puddifoot's Tea and Cakes - start a book with a cup of tea - Houses of Stone by Barbara Michaels. This is an easy one as it could be any book I read; I always have my tea with me! This book was recommended to me and it sounds SO good. It has all the good things!
4. Hog's Head - not the most popular (less than 10,000 ratings on Goodreads) - A Robot In The Garden by Deborah Install (has 1,858 ratings)
5. Honeydukes - has sweets/baked goods on the cover - Meet Me At The Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan. Pretty sure I have read this before but Jenny Colgan is always a fun, relaxing read.
6. Zonko's Tricks and Jokes - a humorous read - Christmas At Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons
7. The Shrieking Shack - read a horror or thriller - The Woman In Black by Susan Hill
8. Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop - book written by a person of colour - The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
9. Owl Post - book you got via post - Transcription by Kate Atkinson
10. Dervish and Banges - steampunk read - The Bullet Catcher's Daughter by Rod Duncan
As you can see, I have no hope of reading all these in a week. But I will give it my best shot!
The only rule is you must read your Marauder's Map book first as the map allows you to sneak out of Hogwarts and begin your visit to Hogsmeade!
The challenge is hosted by Book Roast. You can see the Youtube video explaining the challenge here.
On my TV
I have been rewatching Glee over the last month or two. Yes, I am a Gleek!
I am now up to the final season and I never did enjoy this one or the fifth season as much as the others. This one has got slightly crazy, what with Sue Sylvester and her crazy doll figurine!
I do like rewatching series so I will have to decide which one I would like to head to next - maybe Doc Martin or The Crown or Victoria or Poldark or Pride and Prejudice? So many to choose from!
I also watched Win The Wilderness, which is a reality series where couples compete to win a wilderness property in Alaska. The owners of the property are such an inspiration. The last episode, where they had to leave the home they had built, had me tearing up. I cannot imagine leaving a place that you had put so much into.
Favourite blog post from last week
It would have to be Jes' May Newsletter over at Strangers and Pilgrims on Earth. It is just so great to have her back, sharing with us!
Something fun to share
Not my cat, but I do have a black and white boy like this one. He has mismatched paw pads - some are pink, some are black.
On the menu
I definitely need to get back to proper meal planning. Hopefully this weekly post will help me do that!
I am moving on to my next book in the 'actually use my cookbooks' project - The River Cottage Australia Cookbook, which I think is now out of print.
On my to do list
The big job on my to do list this week was to clean out the chicken pen completely. And I did it today! The chooks will be happy with their new deep straw. But guess who was even happier?! Flash very quickly found the straw and has happily set himself up in there, much to the chooks' disgust.
In the craft basket
My current three projects:
With Angora Tie - from my Adventures In Stitchcraft project
Looking forward to this week
Hopefully having lots of time for reading!
Looking around the house
I spent some time last week sorting out the piles of paper that had accumulated on one end of the dining table. It looks much tidier now!
I am also looking at my pile of knitting project bags. Each has a WIP that I need to make a decision about.
From the camera
Two sets of triplets were born this week. Lambies are so cute!
Inspirational quote
This is some inspiration for myself at the moment.
Looking forward to a lovely week!
I loved glee when it aired. I've been enjoying the curbside pick up of our county library. I reserve online and then make an appointment to get them. This week is looking to be extra hot!!
ReplyDeleteOur library has been working hard to make sure people get their books too - it is certainly much appreciated by us readers!
DeleteMy husband watched Win the Wilderness and then, I caught the last 3 or 4 episodes with him. Interesting show. Wonder if they'll do a follow up show...I always watch shows like that and want to know what happened after. Did they stay? Are they still there? Where'd the people who left go? Great inspiration from it. Hope you have a terrific week!
ReplyDeleteI looked it up on Google as I too always want to know what happened. I found out that they had stayed on the mountain for four months but then had gone back to England to organise their farm. Then COVID hit so they are still in England.
DeleteI found The Woman in Black quite eerie/scary - both the book and the movie. This week I have been reading Aunt Jane of Kentucky which Jenny of Elefantz recommended on her blog. I have been enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI read a review of The Woman in Black book and they said it was one of the scariest books they'd ever read. I'm not sure if I am looking forward to it! I loved Aunt Jane of Kentucky.
DeleteLove the black and white kitty meme. We have a black and white kitty, she is called Boots because of her white boots :D she has pink and black paw-pads...mostly pink but a bit of black in there.
ReplyDeleteI like the book challenge and I'm not familiar with any of those books except The Woman in Black, which I enjoyed.
Have a lovely week.
Black and white kitties are the best - they are all so different! The name Boots is so cute.
DeleteThey are for sure. I love the name tuxedo cats because Boots really does look like she has a tuxedo on! :D
DeleteI didn't know they were called that until someone commented here last week. I just love that name too!
DeleteI can read two books in a week if I really work at it -- but that would be all. That sounds like an impossible challenge! But there's no harm in trying.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking about doing the same thing with cookbooks. Choosing one per month, making a lot of recipes from it, and deciding if it is worth the shelf space!
Definitely impossible! But I just can't help wanting to look for books to fit all the challenges.
DeleteI thought it was about time to actually use some of my cookbooks. I tend to look for recipes online and forget all about the books.