Monday, December 22, 2014

Twas the Monday before Christmas! What Are You Reading & Photos Galore :)


A weekly event hosted by Sheila from Book Journey to discuss your reading week ~ the books you've read and those you plan on reading in the coming week. I love this meme, it helps me stay on track ... well, most of the time. Thanks Sheila! 

On the home front:
Big blogger FAIL ... great intentions succumbed to pre-Christmas craziness, dead hot water system, toilet fail, 4 new car tyres, youngest son's graduation from university with a Bachelor of IT, Callum and his girlfriend also moved back home this weekend ... just for a few months ;) an engagement party in Toowoomba and eldest son finished a month long rotation working away, he left the day before I returned from the UK so I'd not seen him for over 2 months. Family needs me right now and book reviews will have to wait til the New Year ... apologies to some fave authors for my slackness. 






proud mumma


Everyone got their Christmas mojo on? I've still got to brave the masses and do the Christmas grocery shop, some Christmas cooking and wrapping and then enjoy the egg nog, family time, photos and festivities. It's my daughter-in-law's birthday Christmas Eve and do I need to say I'm super excited about my granddaughter's first Christmas ... squueeee :) 



gorgeous to grub in 30 secs ~ grub is way more fun haha



Just in case you're not back visiting before Christmas - from my family to yours ... hope your Christmas or holiday celebrations are filled with much love and laughter, spent doing what you love ... with those you love xx



#bookblogwalkers update #50: Felicia's Book Blog Walkers: love that so many of my friends are doing Felicia's challenge to move and get healthy. Very excited Fit Readers is on in 2015, co-hosted by The Geeky Blogger's Book BlogThat's What I'm Talking AboutSign up here.


If you also have a fitbit and want to add me, let me know :)

A pretty good week, some days better than others 
Mon: 8687 steps - walk with Bella 
Tue: 7264 steps  
Wed: 8000 steps 
Thurs: 18,769 steps ... yay me :)
Fri: 6960 steps
Sat:  8013 steps 
Sun: 5013 steps

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I'm doing Sheila's First Book of the Year 2015 (there's still time to sign up - here) and I think I'll be reading FIRST FROST, Sarah Addison Allen's new book which I'm really excited about. I love her writing! 

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Giveway Winners: 

THE LIGHT IN THE LABRYINTH by  Wendy J. Dunn ~ Congrats Elysium 

SELDOM COME BY, by Sherryl Caulfield ~ Congrats Faith Hope & CherryTea

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Finished last week:

OUR KIND OF LOVE by Victoria Purman (Boys of Summer #3) ~ really enjoyed this one!

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This Week's Reading List: 

THIS SHATTERED WORLD by Amie Kaufman & Meaghan Spooner (Starbound #2) ~ 10% done, good so far

THE WINTER CROWN by Elizabeth Chadwick (Eleanor of Aquitaine #2) ~ (audiobook) 75% done. So good, should finish it while I do some Christmas cooking and wrapping. 

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Reviews Coming:

THE SILENT SISTER by Diane Chamberlain ~ page turner but ending a little anticlimactic

THE TUDOR VENDETTA by C.W. Gortner (The Spymaster Chronicles #3) ~ enjoyed it and surreal to be visiting Westminster, walking London and Southwalk while reading this one. 



26 comments:

  1. Gorgeous photos. What a list of downers to face after fab trip. Nightmare stuff. Congrats on youngest son, wonderful celebration I am sure. Love Mia and I know Christmas will be all the more special for you because of her.

    Great choice for first book of the year. I'll be reading it a little into January. you've been doing well with the exercise, I have tapered off a little, but will get back to it soon.

    May your Christmas be blessed and great family times.

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    1. Thanks Kathryn, things have been a little crazy but Christmas is going to be extra special this year with Mia. Have a joyous Christmas!

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  2. LOVING the photos!! Congrats to your son!!!! And Merry Christmas my friend!!!!! I just started a 'new to me' series last week, and I really LOVE them ... it's the "Rose Gardener Mysteries" by Denise Grover Swank ... and they are quirky and fun to read!!

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    1. Merry Christmas to you and your gorgeous family Julie. Not heard of the series so I'll have to check it out :))

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  3. Wishing you a happy reading week and a joyful holiday!

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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  4. Merry Christmas! Enjoy your time with your family :)

    I haven't picked my first book of the year yet but I am currently reading First Frost and I like it so far. I have read This Shattered World and I thought it was good. I haven't written my review yet and I need to get to that.

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    1. Same to you Christina! Good to hear you're enjoying First Frost and I'm not far in to This Shattered World but I'm liking it so far. I'm behind with reviews ...argh

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  5. Wow you have been crazy busy trying to do it all :) Hope things settle to a nice simmer soon :) Love all the pics and thanks for posting about the first book! I am excited about it :)

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    1. me too Sheila. I'd better send my 1st book pic to you before I forget lol

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  6. You have been busy! Congrats on your son's graduation. Hope your holidays are great and have a merry Christmas! First frost looks good and should be a good way to start the year- and The Winter Crown looks good too.

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    1. Thanks Greg. The Winter Crown is fabulous, hoping to finish it before Christmas. Merry Christmas to you and yours :)

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  7. Family comes first, reading can wait! Have a wonderful holiday season. Sounds like you will be busy.

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    1. I'll be looking forward to reading and relaxing in the New Year Kathy. Have a truly joyous Christmas :)

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  8. It sounds like a hectic time but a really wonderful one too! That grandbaby of yours is adorable. :)

    Enjoy the books this week, enjoy your family, and have a wonderful Christmas!

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  9. Wow, when it rains, it pours! I hope everything is back in working order :)
    Congrats to your son on his degree! Your granddaughter is adorable. Enjoy all the last minute errands, activities and celebrations. Merry Christmas, Sheree! PS my instagram is mbh956 (it's private so click request)

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  10. No apologies necessary! Congrats to your son. Sorry about the disasters one after another. They seem to happen all at once. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas. Mia is gorgeous.

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  11. Congrats on your handsome son's graduation, and have lots of fun with your family after your long time away! That little baby is such a sweetie--take lots of photos on Christmas of her. Enjoy your week and your reading, but most of all your holiday family time :)

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  12. A very busy time, but lovely that you've been able to spend time with family. Have a great holiday season!

    Deb

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  13. You sound happily busy so that's fine! Enjoy the holidays and to you and yours Happy Christmas

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  14. Is there some rule that when one thing goes wrong, a whole series of things follow? My daughter says it is three things...sounds like you had more than your share.

    But on the wonderful front, congrats on your son's graduation....and look at Mia, so gorgeous and almost a big girl!

    Enjoy your holidays...I'm doing the First Book of 2015, too. I sure want to read First Frost, but I don't have that one yet.

    Thanks for visiting my blog.

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  15. Hi Sheree,

    Wow! you made me feel exhausted just reading about all the drama, let alone living it! I hope that everything comes together for you on Christmas Eve, so that Christmas Day can be a relaxing, happy, family time :)

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  16. I hope this week is quieter and you enjoy Christmas for all it's worth. Happy Christmas!

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  17. You've had an exciting December for sure! You look fantastic in that graduation pic with your son.
    I hope your Christmas has been full of love, laughs and happy baby squeals :)

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  18. Was on vacation when I saw this and couldn't post from my phone :\ congrats on the graduation.. lovley photo of you and your son. wow how tie has flown! Love the gran baby pics. too cute! hope this holiday season was fun and memorable.

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