The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week, and showcase books and things we have received.
Stacking The Shelves is also a weekly meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Marlene from Reading Reality. It’s all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Sunday, was a rainy day so I got busy catching up on blog visiting and creating review shells. Feedly had 73 posts for me and I finally got current! COYER Book Club is always fun and we talked about how to go forward, what to do in December and plans for 2021 COYER. And Linda was there (from Switzerland)!
Monday was back to pleasant weather. I fenced off 3/4 of the yard so I could weed/feed it and Lulu would not get poisoned. I took a bunch of old leaves to mix into the front yard bed and then we covered it with landscape fabric, followed by pine straw. We started work on the jewelry armoire, first taking off the door so it wouldn’t be as heavy and to take out the shelves and drawers we don’t want. I made good progress but then wasn’t sleeping so I finished my book at 3am.
Tuesday, was a less outdoor day because of the lack of sleep. The weather was still perfect. I focused on household chores and trying to catch up on reviews and review post setups. I made a fresh tomato sauce with tomatoes and basil from the garden.
Wednesday I had every intention of getting out to do more yard work. But the weather was forecasting rain and so I waited and waited, with no rain. I did manage to do a lot of catchup on computer work writing reviews and creating setups. Thursday, we finally got the rain so I could change the temporary fencing between showers and do the final section of weed and feed. I also worked to stake the front yard garden landscape fabric and then cover the bed with pine straw. I finally got my COYER and Library Love challenge links updated. I cooked my daughter’s favorite Cashew Chicken for dinner and made pumpkin muffins & bread. I tried to go to bed early but my daughter and her dad went to McDonalds to catch Pokemon. Since they went out the front door, Lulu, who NEVER barks, barked her head off at 2am because they didn’t take her on their “walk.” I have seriously only heard her bark 3 or 4 times in the 1.5 years since we rescued her.
Friday was a “trying to hang in there” day after a night with less sleep. I read in the morning because I had a headache. I didn’t go out in the yard like I planned, so I’m glad I did more yesterday. The neighborhood chef made clam chowder which was gluten free but they only posted about it at 2 pm and you had to say you wanted it by 4pm. I commented that I wanted it but it was too late, but they are making more for Saturday so we get it!
Well I had high hopes of putting down landscape fabric but we decided the kind we got was too impervious so off to Lowe’s to get some that lets the water through. I did my usual email reading. I tried to figure out if I could read any of the books for review requests. Penzeys was having a GREAT deal so I placed an order to pickup at the local store. I updated my flower journal with the info for the Azalea and Gardenia in the front yard. I shopped the Audible 2-1 sale. Most of them I can get at the library but I found a couple to buy. I’ve been looking on Facebook Marketplace for a little bench for my front porch and finally found one. Now I just really need to power wash the porch from the cobwebs. I finished 2 more books, wrote a couple reviews, and did a little planning for November. I put together a couple of grocery orders for tomorrow. Happy Halloween and Blue Moon!
October Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 25 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge. I listened to 11 audiobooks, read 5 library books, 20 COYER reads, and 2 books which I already own.
All Library books (including ones not reviewed on the blog) 2020 Library Love Challenge
Bookish Resolutions update: I’m not going to be any good at breaking down my goals more into tasks. With yard projects ending as the weather cools, I hope to do some blog ahead in November for 2021. I created post shells as I got ARCs.
I did manage to read 2 books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab
- No Simple Death by Valerie Keogh
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality. These are the exciting ARCs I received this week (If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry):
Big thanks to Tantor Audio!
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I used some of my Amazon no rush shipping credit to buy this for $1.99. I want to listen to the series on audio and sometimes the least expensive way to do it, if it is not at the library, is to buy the Kindle version and add Whispersync. Although sometimes the half off everything audio price is better but there are 17 of these so I’m unlikely to buy them all in one year.
I found a couple audios at the Audible 2-1 credit sale.
Now the really scary one. This is all the Kindle and Audible freebies I grabbed this past week. You can see why I need to do Thrifty Thursday to be sure I read a few at least one each month.
I really meant to cut back on freebies BUT they are free so I guess that won’t be happening.
I’m not including things like reviews posted or upcoming as they are always in the right sidebar. And, my challenge status is also there.
After so much perfect weather, it seems to be cooling off. I had a strong run at yard projects this autumn and will still have some to do but I also look forward to some indoor crafts and more reading.
Anne
I love your Lulu *smile* She seems to be the perfect dog for you and your daughter. She looks absolutely happy in the picture with Lulu. Stay safe and well and happy reading!
Thank you Vi! She is the best dog. She wasn’t happy about the hood on the unicorn costume but she put up with it. And she likes it MUCH better than the scary doorknocker from last year.
Oh my goodness, you are so busy in the garden. With a week of torrential rain showers, our grass is nearly knee high, but Himself hasn’t managed to get out and cut it… We need to get out and weed, replant and tidy the garden for the winter sometime soon! I hope you have a peaceful week, Anne – and get a chance to put your feet up:)).
Thank you Sarah! It wasn’t a bad week but I had several days where I meant to get outside and didn’t. If I can just get down the landscape fiber, and if the peonies arrive and I plant them, it will be all set. I did FINALLY catch up with setting up posts and reviews but alas, now I have read more books and need to write more reviews.
Oh wow, a chef who makes clam chowder for his neighbors? That sounds like a neighborhood I need to live in? Hope you have a good week, Anne!
He has a full menu every week for 5 week days, all delivered to your door. The soup is a new addition once a week or so, now that it is turning colder. Delicious but some things are spendy.
Wow, 25 books! That is so amazing that I won’t even comment, other than to say “Good going!”
Enjoy November…and we could use some of that rain here!
Here are MY WEEKLY UPDATES
That’s sort of a slower month for me. I can usually manage a book a day almost but it’s been a crazy time. I finished up 3 books over the last 2 days or it would have been a poor showing for me. LOL I just have so much I want to read. I don’t schedule or get many ARCs in December so I can catch up or just read what I want.
Fresh tomatoes… And cashew chicken sounds yummy. Love Darker Shade of Magic! Have a good week and stay well.
They were delish and that basil makes a difference. We put the basil in eggs and other dishes too, and I make fresh pesto sometimes. I loved A Darker Shade of Magic too. I look forward to reading on in the series this month.
Thank you Mary!
You’ve been very productive, Anne. Thanks for sharing the pictures of your garden. I’m still so far behind in The Guild Codex series. Lol! Loved the first two books.
Hope you have a great week.
Thank you. It seems no matter what I do I almost always wish I could fit in more.
Well its great you were able to get some gardening in before its too cold. I need to blow some leaves and such, but it was raining every day this week.
Enjoy your reads!
Thank you Samantha. I am glad it is only raining about 1 day or so a week but it is getting colder now. I have just a bit to finish up.
That is so nice that you have a neighbor who is a chef and cooks for the neighborhood. Lulu and your daughter look so happy. That’s great you have her. Nice to see the garden and yard coming along. You are amazing and keep yourself so busy with projects. Have a great week and happy reading!
Thank you Angela! I’m hoping to finish up the big projects in the next few days so I can get back to the baby quilt and some other indoor stuff. Blogging and reading more too. Lulu is just the best. You’ll be so excited to have Panda.
you are such a go getter. i wish i could get as motivated as you. we still have cleanup from the hurricanes and i have my fingers crossed that we are done with them…at least for this year.
Well I’m not a go-getter every day. There were too many days this week I passed on the outdoor work. It turned out to be for the best since I had the wrong landscape fabric. I want to finish the outdoor stuff other than leaves and just read, quilt, sew and knit and get some 2021 blog stuff done soon.
I should also work in my garden Anne! But honestly I am so lazy!
Now 25 books that’s just amazing. I really feel humbled when I visit your blog!
You are no lazy at all. Everyone has different skills and strengths. I am the master of pack a lot into a day. But I need to plan more time off!
[…] – Books of My Heart‘s […]
LOL, our rain would be forecast and then stall out or go around us a few times earlier this year so I had no idea how to plan my day. Sounds like you still got a ton done with the yard weed and feed and your jewelry cabinet. Wow you went to town on your post set up. Glad the bookclub was fab.
Have a great week, Anne!
Thank you Sophia! I did work a lot of days to get things set up. I don’t think I was behind but somehow I had a lot of ARCs plus stuff for others. I really, really want to move forward to get a bunch of 2021 setup once I finish the bulk of these outdoor projects. Have a great week! At least the election ads will be finished.
I need to take some inspiration from you and get busy in our yard. My yard was so pretty when I moved in and I am amazed by how much damage 3 dogs can do in such a short time. I love the photo of Lulu and your daughter. Have a great week!
Thank you Carole. I think you deserve a break after the moving this summer. I am doing all the planting and drainage work, etc which could / should have been done last year but I was just too busy unpacking and being exhausted. And I didn’t even have to sell a house because I was renting before. Hopefully, you got some sort / throw/ organizing done in the moving and unpacking. That has been a great feeling for me.
I still need to do some final yard work before it gets too cold. We haven’t had the best weekend weather yet so I may have to make some time during a weekday. So amazed and proud of the work you’ve done so far!
Have a good week!
Thank you! I’m so excited to have the plants and other projects. It helps me feel like something is working / improving in this crazy year. Plus I love to see the flowers. Some of the bushes aren’t likely to bloom next year as they will take time to establish but the sooner I get them planted the sooner I’ll have the blooming.
I can definitely relate to the fact that a lack of sleep makes life hard. My insomnia this week cut my writing retreat short because by the end of the week, I couldn’t focus well enough. But I still got a lot done earlier in the week!
This week has had more challenges and some shortened sleep but I just keep working away. What else can we do? I do appreciate the amazing weather we are having
I love the whole neighborhood chef thing. I wish we had someone like that here. You sound like you got so much accomplished. I did a bunch of yard work today and was happy to get it done, but I was tired after. I ordered a Camelia bush online to be delivered to my garden center because I couldn’t find any variety I liked at Home Depot or Lowe’s. I’m so excited about it because I love having garden flowers available to cut and display inside. I usually have Camellias floating in water during winter.
We really have so much in common, at least with reading and flowers Rachel. I think you are doing a better job with health and fitness than me. But I really wanted to get these perennials established this fall so some can start to bloom next year. Some will take longer to bloom though. I have to pace myself or I get tired as well.
Looks like you have a nice haul to keep you busy when finally warm and cozy indoors.
Seriously, I am grateful to have access to all the books from a variety of sources which I receive.
I wish I had your fantastic yard skills, Anne. Not only is it great exercise but you save a lot of money. Are you able to listen to books while you work?
I couldn’t find anything in the Audible sale that I didn’t already have or could get from the library so congrats. That was really strange about Lulu’s barking. Maybe it was a combination of the moon phase and your daughter’s leaving.
Have a great week?
Yes I listen to audio books all the time when out mowing, raking, planting etc. I have to turn up the volume with mowing or leaf blowing though. I also listen a lot when quilting or cooking or doing chores around the house. Yes I think it was my daughter going out the front door which caused the barking. She doesn’t do it when we go out the garage, but she thinks the front door means she gets a walk.
You really did a lot of good work in the garden, your tomato/basil homemade sauce made me drool…
I see you got a book by Michael J. Sullivan ! I read a couple of his years ago that I still think about with much fondness, I need to follow their series. Have a good week (headaches free) 🙂
Well this week has been a continuation of trying to make things happen I’ve had new success and new problems. That’s life. There certainly have been some stressful aspects of this week.
Hope this week underway is a good one – stay safe!
Thank you Jen! I hope your week is a good one. This week seems to be some real highs and real lows. But at least the weather is awesome here.
Sounds like a pretty productive week, Anne. I hope you finally get that clam chowder… sounds yummy! Is it a neighborhood food truck? Or just a neighbor who cooks? We’re having cooler temps this week (low 70’s instead of mid-80’s) and I’m loving it.
I keep on working on things. Our great weather has helped a lot. It’s also been 65-75 here. Well there was a day that was 55 I think but I was happy to have one rainy day to stay inside. We did enjoy the clam chowder but my daughter likes mine better and mine is certainly cheaper although more time consuming. The chef is a personal chef / caterer who lives in our neighborhood. We also have a restaurant in the golf clubhouse. I live in a golf neighborhood but I hate golf. But it’s a nice neighborhood, well kept and the homes keep their values.
Sounds like you’ve had a good week Anne. And you’ve got some great reading done.
Stay safe and happy reading.
Thank you Maureen. I feel fortunate to have so many great books to read.
I’m absolutely going to make the next book club! I’ll need to set a reminder this time…
Hope you enjoy Damned Souls! I love the ending so much.
That would be awesome! I’ve already read both books and don’t plan to reread them so I’m ready. I am really excited to hear it. I wait for the audios so it’s always a bit later.