Bookclub - "Rescue"

Jnnuary 9th the date of my last post...hmmm where did that time go? I haven't read any books in that time either or magazines for that matter but we did have bookclub last week.  We chatted about "Rescue".  Most of us enjoyed the book - nice easy read - just right for the holidays.  In one part of the book Dad reads his daughter's diary.  Have you read someone else's diary?  I must admit I did sneak a couple of peeks at my Mum's when I was young - boring - Mum's was very factual, no juicy gossip.

I kept a diary in primary school and I've still got two of them.  One pink with a little lock to keep people out and a blue one.  I have reread them and they don't exactly make for exciting reading - "I love Todd", "I love Wayne", "I love Warren"...etc etc. in fact I think I must of had a crush on every boy in my class.  Then when Tom was born I kept a journal  - just another word for a girls diary, sadly that didn't last long.  And now I blog...well sort of.

Bookclub dessert this time was a very delicious cherry crumble...mmmm

Next book...

"Back when we were grown-ups" by Anne Tyler

I've not read anything by Anne Tyler before.  One of her books "The Accidental Tourist" was made into a major film and she has won the Pulitzer Prize for "Breathing Lessons".  I'm trying not to expect too much as I don't want to be disappointed.  One of the reviews says this book is "one of her very best yet" but I've read reviews that have promised me "humour" and yet I didn't laugh once.

So the blurb says:

"One morning, Rebecca wakes up and realises she has turned into the wrong person.  Is she really this joyous and outgoing organiser of parties, the put-upon heart of her dead husband's extended family?  What happened to her quiet and serious nineteen-year-old self, and what would of happened if she'd married her college sweetheart?"

It's nearly time to go back to work, no more finding a comfy spot and reading for as long as I want, drinking copious amounts of tea or eating whenever I think I'm hungry.  Maybe going back to work will be a good thing - physical exercise, drinking water because it's quicker than tea, eating less because there's no time and of course money....I don't mind going back to work as it's only for a school holiday program to start with, so a nice slow start, then another week off before going back properly.  I'm also very fortunate that I have a job I love. 

Enjoy your Sunday night.

Crazy weather

I got up extra early this morning so I could finish "Cleo" before we went off to cricket.  What a great book and now I know why the waiting list to borrow it was so long at the library.   Definitely worth not doing the housework for...

It was a nice morning for cricket...at the beginning...then slowly, slowly, very slowly, the mist came rolling in.

By the time they left to play cricket in the seniors this afternoon it was raining...did I blink and miss summer???

Live more boldly... No 1

Last year I tried "living more boldly" and I must say it was a bit of a fizzer...so this year I'm trying again.  I think today I can have a

Now before I tell you why I deserve a tick you must remember that what I consider to be "living more boldly" will be completely different to what you consider "living more boldly" to be.  So, this is what I bought

Garlic....

Yes that's right I've never bought a bulb of garlic before.  I've bought plenty of food with garlic already in it but never in it's natural form.  Even tho I love the taste of it, I've always been too scared to use it myself.

So tonight I made a simple tomato and basil bruschetta. 

Very yummy but we won't need to worry about vampires tonight in our house.  You could say I was very heavy handed with rubbing the garlic clove on the bread.  Oh well practise makes perfect....

"Cleo" by Helen Brown

Absolutely loving this book.  I'm two thirds of the way through it and really hope that I can ignore my messy house for a couple more hours so I can finish it tonight.

You will need some tissues but if you try not to put yourself in Helen's shoes, you'll be right. There are so many parts of the book worth a mention but where do I start and where do I stop? I think you may just have to read it yourself. 

I do want to share this bit about indulgence. 

"...Cleo was changing my attitude to indulgence.  Guilt isn't in cat vocabulary.  They never suffer remorse for eating too much, sleeping too long or hogging the warmest cushion in the house.  They welcome every pleasurable moment as it unravels, and savour it to the full...They don't waste energy counting the number of  calories they've consumed or the hours they've frittered away sunbathing.
Cats don't beat themselves up about not working hard enough...they see the treadmills of human obligations for what they are - a meaningless waste of nap time."

I must of been a cat in a previous life because I'm pretty good at eating too much, I certainly don't count calories and I'm exceptionally good at napping.

Cheers, Judith

Cleo by Helen Brown

My lovely neighbour dropped over this afternoon with my next read...thank you.  So tonight I'll get started on "Cleo" by Helen Brown.

Blurb says:

Helen Brown wasn't a cat person, but her nine year old son Sam was.  So when Sam heard a women telling his Mum that her cat had just had kittens, Sam pleaded to go and see them.

Helen's heart melted as Sam held one of the kittens in his hands with a look of total adoration.  In a trice the deal was done - the kitten would be delivered to them when she was big enough to leave her mother.

A week later, the family suffered a terrible tragedy and totally traumatised, Helen completely forgot all about the kitten until a little black bundle of fur was delivered to her doorstep.

Helen was ready to send the kitten back, but it wasn't long before Cleo's zest for life helped the grieving family laugh again.  Cleo went on to become the uppity high priestess of the household, vetoing visitors (in an uncannily spot-on way), terrifying dogs, and building a very special bond with her human servants (aka the family).

Sounds like I might need a few tissues to go with this book but as usual I'm up for it.

Same place again...

Port Elliot again today but with two of the bookclub girls and our boys.  Bit breezy to start with but that didn't last long.  Still wasn't warm enough for me to do anything but paddle my feet, but the boys had a quick game of cricket on the sand and then they headed off with their boards into the water.  My youngest bought his first wetsuit with his Christmas money yesterday and happily christened it today.  It did make him look very skinny, but he said it was money well spent.

I took "At home with the Templetons" with me but didn't read any of course, too busy talking.  But tonight finished it...yeah...I'd have to say an enjoyable holiday read.  Parts were predictable but I was surprised when one of the family secrets was revealed - always pleased when a book has a surprise in it.  There weren't too many characters to keep a track of  and I thought the story flowed quite well.  Although maybe a little drawn out in places.  I also enjoyed it more than the only other book I've read by Monica McInerney - "Those Faraday Girls".  I would definitely read another of Monica's books quite happily.

What book next?  I've got plenty on the bookshelf unread but my lovely neighbour told me yesterday that "Cleo" was waiting for me...might need to pop next door tomorrow.

Cheers, Judith

Where am I?

At the best seaside spot I know...

Horseshoe Bay, Port Elliot

Richard is a firm believer in the healing qualities of sea water. 

So after being stung by a bee on News Year Eve, where else would we

take his swollen, itchy, red foot but to our favourite beach.

Of course instant relief (Richard and sea water is a standing joke

in our family),  Michael and I managed to contain our laughter just...

It was a little too cold to go swimming but perfectly fine for paddling our feet.

If you walk out on these rocks two things are certain.

One, you'll eventually get wet and two, you'll get to see seals playing.

Of course you wouldn't go to Port Elliot and not visit the Bakery.

It was worth getting in the 40 metre queue to buy lunch. 

Fortunately they employ lots of staff and the queue moves quickly.

I had my usual - pasty and vanilla slice - so much for "living boldly" and

trying new things...

I took "At home with the Templetons" with me but of course with such

beautiful scenery I didn't read a page.

The boys and I are going down again on Tuesday but still won't get much

reading done as I'll be too busy talking with the girls. Oh well at least I get to read at night.

Hope you have a wonderful day.  Cheers, Judith

PS My lovely neighbour has started a blog too.  Hope you've

got time to take a peek...

http://gardentravels.blogspot.com/

Happy New Year

We celebrated New Year's Eve at a friend's house last night.  The day had been hot but fortunately the evening was cool (one of the joys of living in the hills) and we were able to sit outside under the stars.  We nibbled on a yummy cheese platter while sipping on a Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir.  Next came prawns on the bbq and salmon for mains and last, a lemon curd cheesecake.  Mmmmmm, delightful food and of course the best of company.

One thing that didn't come up in conversation was New Year's Resolutions.  Do you make them?  I did last year and that was "to live more boldly".  That is, to try new things, be more adventurous, try new recipes, wear different colours etc etc etc.  How well did I go?  Welllll, I think 2010 was a trial run and that in 2011 I will embrace it wholeheartedly...lol.

Meanwhile I read through "Australian Vintage Living" by Bonni Masefau yesterday and started on "The Shabby Chic home" by Rachel Ashwell.  So many 'ahhh, that looks beautiful' moments in both books - enjoying them immensely. 

I have moved "At home with Templetons" by Monica McInerney from beside my bed to next to my chair - time to get reading some more fiction.

Looking forward to reading many more books this year. 
Happy New Year.  Cheers, Judith