Linking up with Sunday Post hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer and It's Monday! What are You Reading? now hosted by Kathryn @Book Date.
On the home front:
Lots of family time this week. Showed off our veggie plot at the community garden to Dad, he was suitably impressed. Amazing how much its grown in just a few weeks and we are already getting zucchini, baby spinach and tomatoes.
This weekend we celebrated my eldest son's birthday; he's my Halloween baby but we celebrated early before he returns to work. We had sweetpea for her regular sleepover, Saturday Christine planned an awesome birthday surprise for Anthony - V8 super car driving experience, then all the family went out for dinner and a walk in the city.
Lots of family time this week. Showed off our veggie plot at the community garden to Dad, he was suitably impressed. Amazing how much its grown in just a few weeks and we are already getting zucchini, baby spinach and tomatoes.
This weekend we celebrated my eldest son's birthday; he's my Halloween baby but we celebrated early before he returns to work. We had sweetpea for her regular sleepover, Saturday Christine planned an awesome birthday surprise for Anthony - V8 super car driving experience, then all the family went out for dinner and a walk in the city.
#FitReaders Weekly Check-In
#FitReaders co-hosted by Felicia @ Geeky Bloggers Book Blog and Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. FitReaders 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 :)
Check in for October thru to December is with Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. A pretty good week for me, walking and lots of fun time in the pool.
Check in for October thru to December is with Jen @ That’s What I’m Talking About. A pretty good week for me, walking and lots of fun time in the pool.
with Uncle Cal
Fitbit Steps:
Mon: 7851 steps ~ walk with Bella, showed Dad our community garden plot
Tue: 8533 steps
Wed: 9252 steps ~ walk & gardening, swim with the fam :)
Thurs: 8551 steps
Fri: 10,714 steps ~ walk with Bella
Sat: 8073 steps ~ walk in the city
Sun: 8o35 steps ~ walk with Bella
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Reviews & Posts: (click on title)
LONE STAR by Paullina Simons (audiobook) ~ slow start but good
THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir (audiobook) ~ finished and reviewed same day ... that should tell you something lol. 5 star surprise favourite!!
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Finished last week:
NOVEMBER 9 by Colleen Hoover ~ YAY CoHo I love you. Book tour review 19th Nov
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This Week's Reading List:
ALL I WANT by Jill Shalvis (Animal Magnetism #7) ~ I love this series
MEDICIS DAUGHTER by Sophie Perinot ~ book tour
THE QUEEN OF THE TEARLING by Erika Johansen (audiobook) ~ I'm in a bit of an audiobook funk since finishing The Martian. I've only listened to an hour of this one. Someone tell me it's totally awesome and I should keep going??
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Reviews Coming:
AFTER YOU by Jojo Moyes (Me Before You #2) ~ enjoyed this so much. Review Tue
MENAGERIE by Rachel Vincent (audiobook) ~ holy heck!! 5 star awesomeness.
BURNT PAPER SKY by Gillie Macmillan ~ OMG heart-in-mouth psychological thriller
THE OUTBACK MIDWIFE by Beth McRae (audiobook) ~ loved this memoir
UNDER THE MOON by Gabriele Wills (Muskoka Trilogy #3) ~ good until the abrupt end, then I realised the trilogy is no longer a trilogy. Not sure when book 4 is due for release.
THE COINCIDENCE OF COCONUT CAKE by Amy E. Reichert ~ another fave this year
ALMOST FRENCH by Sarah Turnball (audiobook) ~ loved it
I've heard mixed things about Queen of the Tearling. I started it but didn't get far so put it aside although I think I will return to it at some point!
ReplyDeletehttp://dualreads.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/sunday-post-25th-october-2015.html
hmm not quite the inspiration I needed lol ... Oh well I'll see how it goes.
DeleteLove the family pictures! Sounds like you had a really nice time with them :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your thoughts on The Queen of the Tearling. I own a copy but haven't read it yet. You are the third person to mention how good the audio of The Martian is. I will have to give it a try sometime.
Thanks Christina. I'll persevere with The Queen of the Tearling a bit longer, I'm sure it's just me, The Martian was THAT good lol
DeleteI just finished reading Jill's latest! I love that series!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteme too ... and I'm liking the latest so far :))
DeleteIt always amazes me how fast vegetables and things grow- it's really quite remarkable. And your son looks like he enjoyed his birthday- that V8 experience looks like it would be a blast!
ReplyDeleteLooks like your reads were good! I didn't think The MArtian would appeal to me- I like sci fi but not always the sciencey type if you know what I mean, but I've heard so many good things I want to try this one now.
He had a ball Greg, and it was actually fun for all of us watching. I was so surprised to love The Martian as much as I did, I love Sci Fi but Science really isn't my thing so I get where you're coming from and you absolutely MUST try The Martian ;)
DeleteFantastic pictures this week! Your son looks so happy. Your vegetables make me miss mine. My garden has finally died since we've had a frost but I love getting fresh veggies - especially at the beginning of the season. You're reading list for this week is great. I love Jill Shalvis! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteHe was beyond excited, something he's been wanting to do for years. We're very lucky in Brisbane Katherine, we don't really get frosts, plants are more likely to keel over with the heat lol. Hope you have a great week too!
DeleteAm looking forward to The Martian myself.
ReplyDeleteHope it's a fave for you too Mystica.
DeleteSounds like you had some lovely family time!!
ReplyDeleteThe Martian was brilliant and I am so looking forward to seeing the movie!
We didn't get to the movie on the weekend, maybe next weekend ... I can't wait!
DeleteLovely family pix! That baby girl is growing up so fast...cute little ponytail.
ReplyDeleteI thought my eldest was going to be a Halloween baby...he was due 11/2, and I was having contractions all day on Halloween....but no, stubborn child that he is, he arrived two weeks later.
I remember having a garden and loving the bountiful zucchini and tomato yields I had...so many dishes prepared with these veggies.
I am eager to read November 9 and After You. Thanks for visiting my blog...enjoy your week.
Isn't she just! Babies have a mind of their own don't they lol, I wouldn't know how to deal with a late baby, all 3 of mine were premmie.
DeleteWow look at the veggies. So glad you were all able to get together and celebrate. What a nice gift for your son..I am sure he loved it. I get giddy whenever someone loves the Martian as much as I did. Have a fantastic week!!
ReplyDeleteI know Kimberly, every time I think about The Martian I want to squeal and tell the world haha
DeleteGreat week, great books and happy bday to him
ReplyDeleteThanks B :)
DeleteLooks like you had a fun week - love the family pics. Your garden impresses me :) So glad you loved the audio of The Martian. I did too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Mary, it was such a fun week, I love it when all the fam is home. I loved The Martian audio so much I'm having trouble getting into anything else!
DeleteIt must be nice to grow your own veggies and see them grow! I am looking forward to your review of Menagerie, I heard good things about, but haven't read it myself yet. I hope you'll have a great week!
ReplyDeleteMenagerie was freakin awesome ... I can't wait for the next one!!
DeleteHappy Birthday to your son! My kids took the last of the vegis out of their garden. It was a good year. Looking forward to November 9.
ReplyDeleteThanks Nise`. I loved November 9, hope you do too
DeleteI like the pics of your garden. We did a garden this year as well!
ReplyDeletenice... nothing like having fresh homegrown goodies :)
DeleteEvery time I see a picture of you I think SHE CAN"T BE OLD ENOUGH TO HAVE GRANDKIDS! Really... you look very young and fit and healthy.
ReplyDeleteI of course realise I'm old enough to have grandkids, but am in denial about that fact... particularly since I was still trying to get pregnant in my early - mid 40s (just a few years ago!).
haha looks can be deceiving but thanks. I think we're similar age Deb. I had fertility issues so I was very lucky to have the boys in my early 20's thanks to IVF
DeleteOh such gorgeous photos. A bit jealous of all that stuff in your vegie garden. Today we erected a couple of wire trellis things for the beans but haven't planted them, maybe tomorrow. Potatoes just showing first leaves.
ReplyDeleteGreat walking - ha, I always keep a watch out on the Fitbit site - you egg me on!
I can't totally speak up for The Tearling - I read it and had to attend to it as I got it as a first read on Goodreads, not the audio version. It was okay. Have you listened to any of the J D Robb ones - they are fabulous on audio.
Have a good week.
Thanks Kathryn and same goes with fitbit lol. I'm loving having the garden, I have my herbs at home and container fruit trees but not a lot of room. Never planted potatoes ... maybe I should. Are they pretty easy to grow?
DeleteAnother not so inspiring opinion on the Tearling lol. I was hoping it was just me, coming down off The Martian. I started the In Death series but print not audio, I might check what I got up to and see if I can pick up the audios.
Potatoes can even be planted in containers. I have terribly sandy soil, I should build it up more. But I do get a crop that keeps me going for awhile. I see you have mulch on hour plot and I need to do that too.
DeleteI am not hunting out any more Robb books - any I don't have I'm getting at Audible as I reach the book. The narrator does Roarke, Peabody etc so well.
Sounds like a great family week - the pictures are great! Our growing season has come to an end, so I envy your garden right now. Will keep an eye out for your review of After You... I hope to read it soon!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your son!! How fun is a Halloween birthday!!! My friend's daughter was born the night before Halloween, on "Devil's Night". Lol. She was so close to Halloween. It looks like his birthday surprise was amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking good! The only thing I really miss in the transition from summer to fall is all the really fresh veggies.
Happy Birthday to your son!! How fun is a Halloween birthday!!! My friend's daughter was born the night before Halloween, on "Devil's Night". Lol. She was so close to Halloween. It looks like his birthday surprise was amazing!
ReplyDeleteYour garden is looking good! The only thing I really miss in the transition from summer to fall is all the really fresh veggies.
First of all, happy birthday to your son! Love that his birthday is on Halloween. What great pictures!
ReplyDeleteI saw you gave November 9 5 stars on Goodreads - YAY!!!! I'm excited for your review of it. CoHo never disappoints! :)
And awesome steps again!
Have a lovely week and happy reading!
So much cuteness, I can't stand it!! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou are the second person who mentioned how awesome MENAGERIE by Rachel Vincent in audiobook is. I may have to pick that one up! I look forward to your review.
You have a handsome family. The last book intrigues me so it went onto my TBR.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos.
ReplyDeleteNice books and week for you.
Have a good week this week.
Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
My It's Monday, What Are You Reading
Great photos this week and happy birthday to your son. I love that picture of them walking together!! I've been waiting for The Martian to come to my library so I can borrow it. I heard great things about this and I really want to read it. You are doing great with your steps and I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome young man! Our youngest granddaughter is a "Sweetpea" too. Your little one looks adorable.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked The Martian too. Happy Reading this week.
Oh, that picture of your son kissing Mia melts my heart :)
ReplyDeleteLove that you have a plot of garden!