Happy

I've not done a Friday Happy for a couple of weeks.

I am feeling a bit tired at the moment. It's my own fault enitrely. I'm reading far too late in the night, and going full whack during the day. I've decided to take it a bit easier over the weekend, and then ramp it up again next week. We are off to France on Thursday, so lots of packing, shopping and cleaning to be done before then. I also want to visit a couple of local places of interest. Places I've been meaning to go for a while. I wonder if I'm cramming as much as possible into my final weeks with Pops at home full time?

Anyway, bumper happies!! Joining in with the rather gorgeous Gillian, who I met earlier this month. What a babe. What treat to meet her and her lovely family. Next time (because there will be a next time), I'd like to chat over a few beers and set the world to rights with her. She's that kind of a gal! And she wore a rather lovely necklace. I notice these things, you see......

Bristol

No sooner had I come home from Bestival, I was off again to Bristol. Probably not the best planning, but it was the only time I could go. And I miss my family a lot. We are a close knit bunch. It was the weekend of the annual balloon festival, and my sister's house is in the perfect place to watch them float by in the early morning. Olly was entranced by them. We went into central Bristol a few times, which is always great. There is a vibe to Bristol. It can be edgy sometimes, but it's a creative, vibrant hub, and I love it. Visiting Bristol has also sent me off into a spiral of thoughts and memories. I'm still trying to catch hold of them, and decipher what they mean.

Garden

The garden has been a mixed bag this summer. I have loved my sunflowers, thistles and Achillia. But the Dahlias are a poor show, and my greenhouse was infested with something that laid waste to everything. I did get some tomatoes and cucumbers, but in the end I admitted defeat. I have cleared it out, and given it a very good clean. Hopefully I will be able to start again with seed planting for Plot No 10. I am still picking blueberries, and the plums are ripening too. Everyone should have a blueberry plant. They are pretty and crop prolifically. Put it on your list, and go get yourself one next Spring.

New

I have bought three more cushions in an attempt to brighten up my horrid brown leather sofas. They were cheap as chips from IKEA and Asda. (Another reason for loving Bristol is the choice of retail options. I spent a couple of hours in John Lewis, just walking around with my mouth open..... but I digress). I have also bought a straw bag. I need another bag like a hole in the head, but it was in the sale. I love a sale. It gives me permission to treat myself - "Oh this? It was in the sale." I say that a lot to Marc. A sale justifies any purchase, however unnecessary, don't you think?

Read

I have been a proper little book worm of late. I stay up far later than I should, lying on my tummy with the pillows scrunched underneath me just so. I pull my bedside table closer to the bed, so that the lamp can shine down onto the page. I finished 'A Homemade Life' last night. I read about it on Isabelle's post for The Year In Books, and it sounded like my cup of tea. I would recommend it. She is a blogger, who has written a memoir/recipie book. Poignant and sad in places, but ultimately uplifting. My late submission for Laura's series is in the pile too - 'The Shock Of The Fall' by Nathan Filer. I shall be taking it with me to France.

Result

Last, but by no means least, Sam got his AS Level results!! He wrote them down on a piece of paper and passed them to me while I was on the telephone to a friend. I think that friend is now deaf. I can't begin to describe how proud I am of him. He has grown and changed so much this year. He has this amazing work ethic, both for his studies and his holiday job, and I have watched him with a quiet pride and great bursts of love. Yes he is a messy git, and I really wish he would get a hair cut. I hate that he has taken to eating pizza in his room late at night (I am woken by the waft of cheese and tomato regularly), and I hate his taste in music (I am a music Nazi, apparently). But, you know, sometimes all those years of pull your hair out parenting does feel worth it. This one of those times. And yes, I know that academic results aren't everything blah, blah, blah....but actually these are important to him and what he wants to do. So they are important to me.

That was the happy.

Right, I'm off for a date with my sister in law and a bottle of wine. Or two. See ya!

Leanne xx

The Year In Books - July

My book choice for July.

I fell in love with my June reads, which were Gillespie and I, by Jane Harris and Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver. My goodness I became immersed in both books. Wonderful. I almost hate the authors for their talent. I am always left rather lacking.

If you love a good character, and a story that envelopes you and pulls you in. If you want to giggle at some clever prose and cry at poignant and sad stories, then these two novels will be right up your alley.

Joining in with Laura

Leanne xx

The Year In Books - June

I thoroughly enjoyed May's read. I have read a few of Kate Atkinson's novels. I found this one very thought provoking. The idea of a life lived over and over again, and whether the chance to live again would prompt you to make changes for yourself and maybe the fate of the world. This is Ursula's fate. To be born and to perish. To be born and to live. To live again and again with different reactions and outcomes during her many lives.

My choice for June is 'Gillespie and I', by Jane Harris. Another female author.

Linking up with Laura


Leanne xx

The Year In Books - May

So late to the party. I'm usually early. Can't bear to be late. It brings me out in hives.

I've already started this one. And I am enjoying it. I just couldn't get on with Half Of A Yellow Sun. Perhaps I wasn't in the mood. I shall have another crack at it later in the year.

I did enjoy dipping in and out of some poetry. I would like to buy this, after listening to an interview with him on Radio 4. I read an awful lot of gardening books in April. And also this book group read. It made me think about the relationship that I have with my sister. We are like chalk and cheese. Would I stand up to the establishment if I thought that something wasn't right? I'd like to think I would.

Linking up with Laura.

I shall be having a good look at everyone else's reads. My Amazon wish list grows steadily longer. Never enough hours in the day.

Leanne xx

The Year In Books - April

I haven't finished my book choice for March. I haven't finished my book group book. I am a bad reader.

So I shall be continuing them into April.

I'll also be reading some favourite poetry.

Linking up with Laura.

Happy reading.

Leanne xx

The Year In Books - March

Joining in with Laura's monthly link up.

My book for March. Mel and Jenny M from book group suggested I read this. It has been on my bookshelf for a few months now. Now I have my readers I can cope with the small print. I have a feeling that this will be an intense read. Am I up for that this month?

Last month's read was thoroughly enjoyable. I do like short stories, and I've often thought that they must be difficult to write. For me a good short story is  novel in miniature. Annie Proulx is a master of the short story as is Garrison Keillor. If you pop over to Good Reads you can see what else I have been reading.

Leanne xx

The Year In Books - February

My book for February.

Reading has become a pleasure again, thanks to my new glasses. I don't usually choose books on the basis of their awards, but Margaret Atwood (guru goddess) has sung it's praises. And who am I to argue with that?

I have posted a review of sorts about my January read over on Goodreads. If you are already a member, please link up with me. I'm always on the look out for a good book recommendation.

My own book group read this month is 'The Immortal Life Of Henrietta Lacks. I am looking forward to this one.

Joining in with Laura



Leanne xx

The Year In Books 2014

I am a reader. I have always enjoyed reading. Sometimes I read and read and read. Other times I don't read anything other than a magazine or a seed catalogue. It doesn't make the love of a good read any less.

I belong to a book group, which I can thoroughly recommend to anyone wishing to either start one or join one. I have read some cracking novels that I may not have chosen for myself, because of book group. I have fallen in love with the novels of Maggie O'Farrell thanks to book group. I have read some howlers too, but that's okay. The food is always good at book group, and the people I have met through it are just the best bunch of ladies.

When I read this post by Laura, I wanted in. The idea of an on line reading group really appeals. It will motivate me to read the current backlog on my bookcase, and I can maybe get some recommendations from others.

This is my read for January:

I've already started it, and am hooked. Why don't you join in too? Follow the link and sign up!

Leanne xx