Monday, March 30, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


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: 

Who can believe it's almost Easter?? A busy week on the home front. Started with poor Bella needing a trip to the vet for an ear infection, a week on she is much better. Eldest son did a couple of days electrical work at our place, not only do we now have ceiling fans I got to spend lots of time with Mia and we all had fun in the pool. We had our regular Scandal viewing and Mia stayed for a sleepover. No reading and very little blog visiting and exhaustion by the end of the week meant no inclination to tackle review backlog ... my bad.


9 months old and the cutest toothy grin

My Dad also called in for a couple of visits and got to see his great granddaughter. 

Day 11 today of gluten-free trial, no change with hands. Settling in to it although I've probably eaten my weight in Cherry Ripe bars. For those of you who mentioned not having heard of a Cherry Ripe ... it's made by Cadbury and it's Australia's oldest chocolate bar. Cherries and coconut smothered in dark chocolate (that makes it good for you, right??) 

Thanks to the sweethearts who offered to send US M&M's and the comments that made me laugh after my gluten-free rant last week, nothing like a good laugh to send a bad mood packing ... it's all good, only 17 days to go :)



Hubby and I have started watching Black Sails since we're caught up on Vikings and Chicago Fire and we're still going on Wolf Hall but I'm super excited about the return of GoT and this season is being streamed at the same time as the US... woohoo!! And for Outlander fans have you seen these Outlandish Tweets? A giggle to tide you over until 4th April. 




Outlandish Tweets 



FitReaders Weekly Check-In: 


 
#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking AboutFitReaders is a great way to stay motivated, accountable and it's more fun having bloggy friends to check in with. If you also have a fitbit and want to add me, let me know :) 

I'm in again for April ... join in!! 

Fitbit Steps: 
Mon: 12,955 steps ~ walk with Bella to vet
Tue:  6965 steps ~ walk in the park with the fam
Wed: 8685 steps ~ swim & walk with Mia
Thurs: 5603 steps ~ pool fun
Fri: 4477 steps ~ pool fun
Sat: 6079 steps 
Sun: 7890 steps ~ gardening

************

Giveaway:

THE TAPESTRY by Nancy Bilyeau (Joanna Stafford #3) ~ tour wide giveaway for 3 autographed hardcover copies. Open to North America and UK. Enter here.








************

Reviews & Posts: (click on title)

TURTLE REEF by Jennifer Scoullar ~ Australian author, her love of the natural world sings! Special read for me since I've not long played with the turtles on Lady Elliot Island. 

************

Finished last week:

GREAT-GRANDMA'S GIFTS by Marianne Jones ~ sweet little children's story

************

This Week's Reading List: 

same as last week 



CONSPIRACY GIRL by Sarah Alderson

WILD WOOD by Posie Graeme-Evans ~ 40% loving it

 A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE by Malla Nunn (audiobook) 

************

Reviews Coming:

CONFESS by Colleen Hoover ~ loved it, mostly. Review Tue

LEAVING HOME by Jodi Picoult (audiobook) ~ three short pieces on the subject of leaving home. Review Thurs

THE LAST ANNIVERSARY by Liane Moriarty (audiobook) ~ Review Thurs

INSIDE THE O'BRIEN'S by Lisa Genova ~ Huntington's Disease is an evil bastard. 

TELL THE TRUTH by Katherine Howell (Ella Marconi #8) ~ great installment, sad it's the last in the Ella Marconi series ... for now. I'm not ready for goodbye! 

THE LAST TIME WE SAY GOODBYE by Cynthia Hand (audiobook) ~ a departure from Cynthia Hand's usual, very moving. 



22 comments:

  1. Mia, brings a smile to my face when I see her gorgeous one. Loved the vid of Outlander Tweets, thanks for sharing and making me watch it! Such fun!! I never started to watch it here, didn't get the online site it shows on, hope to pick up DVD's at some point when they become available.

    Take care, such a bitch with no change in those hands. Think we get those Cherry Ripe bars here, not sure, but I just like plain mint dark Lindt, now that is yum.

    Take care and enjoy family and Easter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kathryn, that last tweet about Claire's boobs cracked me up. Maybe I'm a little odd, I'm not a huge fan of mint chocolate and yet I love Arnotts mint slice biscuits, I like them better than Tim Tams. Do you get them in NZ? Obviously neither Mint Slices or Tim Tams are on the menu while doing this gluten-free trial but I'm comforting myself with the health benefits of dark chocolate :)

      I guess there's still a chance my hands will improve so I'll stick it out but believe me I won't be staying on this one minute longer than I have to ... deprivation without benefit is not my idea of fun.

      Delete
  2. Cherry Ripes aren't gluten-free are they? I've only just found out that caramello eggs are no longer gluten-free so I'm gutted!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cherry Ripes are absolutely gluten-free Deb. They contain wheat glucose syrup which is gluten-free according to Coeliac Australia, glucose syrup is so highly processed all gluten is removed. PS so are Caramello koalas lol.

      Delete
  3. And my fitbit is still broken, sigh.

    A coworker started eating gluten free, let's see how she is doing today

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. is it still under warranty B? I'd feel lost without mine now.

      Delete
  4. Looking forward to the review on the Moriarty book. Not read as yet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not my favourite by a long shot but maybe I wasn't in a very good mood lol

      Delete
  5. I'm such a terrible friend because I missed your gluten free post...I am going to have to go back and read any posts I've missed.

    I don't think I should make any comment about Outlander...you know exactly how I feel about it and if I start talking I won't stop...needless to say you know what I'll be doing next Sunday evening.

    I can't wait to read your Colleen Hoover review....I had no idea she had a new release out. I am going to have to look for that one because I love her books.

    Mia is just gorgeous...and growing up too quickly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all good Karen, it's only a 28 day trial to see if it makes a difference with the neuropathy in my hands. I'll be glued to the TV screen next Sunday too ... did you see the Q&A Sam, Cat and Ron did in Glasgow for the premiere, geez dull crowd lol. PS I'll bring Confess up for you in May if you don't get your act together and come visit in the school holidays haha ... now there's an incentive :)

      Delete
  6. Mia is such a cutie. Personally I can't stand Cherry Ripes but I'm glad you have found something tasty to treat yourself with :)

    Have a great week,
    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

    ReplyDelete
  7. Soooooo went to the store yesterday to find those US M&M's right now .. and as you mentioned at the beginning of your post -- next week is Easter ... so OMG! the store we went to had NO M&M's!!! I was like ummmmmmmmmmm WHAT?!?!?!!?!!?!?!? .... but then Hubby had a BRILLIANT idea :) :) :) Next weekend we are headed to Las Vegas ... and there is the famous M&M store there ... so guess what my friend!?!?!?! You will be getting M&M's from their 4 story store in Las Vegas soon!!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hahaha Julie you are a DARLING!! I want to go that M&M store when I finally visit the US. I bet it smells good. I couldn't believe how little chocolate was in stores here for Easter, the shelves have been wiped clean, ridiculous lol. Have fun xx

      Delete
    2. It is one AWESOME store!! It is 4 stories -- each with a different theme -- they have clothing on one floor, the "candy" floor which has an entire wall of M&M's that you can bag yourself -- any colors you want -- so TELL ME!!!! What colors would you like??? I will build you a bag custom for you!! :) This is what it looks like .... https://www.flickr.com/photos/23819997@N03/2318784017/in/set-72157604074394026 --- they even have Coconut M&M's, Peanut M&M's, Almond M&M's on this wall ... your wish is my command my friend :)

      Delete
  8. I've read or TBR several of these. Glad your week of gluten-free is over, I sure couldn't do it! Thanks for visiting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. That adorable face!! Sounds like a busy week! I had never heard of those candy bars, but they sound good. :)

    I hope you have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Lovely Mia! What fun to spend time with her. Sounds like a wonderful week...and the Cherry Ripe sounds good, except for the cherries...LOL. I love coconut and dark chocolate, though.

    Can't wait to get Inside the O'Briens.

    Thanks for visiting my blog, and the little doll next to Raggedy Anne is Annie, from the theater production of Annie in 1980, in LA. Got it for Heather, but she played with it, and then left it for me...LOL. She is not a collector.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I can't believe Easter is in a few days. We're under three weeks to my daughter's wedding and I've been consumed with the details, lol.
    I love the gorgeous smile on your granddaughter. What a cutie!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Way to hang in there! Sorry there is no change yet, hoping things turn around. I am hoping to get back to FitReaders and turn my Fitbit back on April 1st. Flare-ups are frustrating, especially when it cuts into Cole time. Is Mia standing? She is so adorable.

    ReplyDelete
  13. That is a precious photo of your granddaughter. Good Luck with your diet. Your OutlandishTweets video was blocked here in the US due to copyright issues. So, I didn't get to see it. Happy Easter.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Going gluten free can help so many things! Gage has been gluten free for two years and Jason and I haven't completely made the swtich, but I am fiding more things that we can all eat and like. You can do it! And I hope it offers you some relief.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to leave some comment love, I'm a 'comment back' kinda girl. Don't forget to check the 'Notify me' box