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.
Don’t forget to look at my giveaways on the right sidebar.
Over the weekend, we decided on a short getaway (3 nights) to Lynchburg, Virginia. We were going to go on for another 3 nights in Williamsburg but we just weren’t up to it. Friday night, we got Thai takeout which was excellent. Saturday, we walked a bit in the downtown and then went out to Natural Bridge State Park. Lulu enjoyed the activities. She’s much better at climbing stairs than we are. It was beautiful but a little warm. We got some T-shirts and I was thrilled to get a wind chime for $8. For dinner, we chose a Chinese restaurant for takeout, although my daughter had sushi. The food was very good here also.
Sunday, we went to an alpaca farm. The weather was a little hot but we had a great time. We did buy some alpaca yarn and clothing. We had put Lulu in her new soft crate. She got out! Everything was fine though. I had to run back to Kroger to buy aloe because my daughter sunburnt part of her neck. This time we chose Italian takeout and got pizzas and I got a spinach salad. I was so full each night. The quantity of food was so much.
Monday, we just got up and came home. I did manage to buy 18 bottles of my free n gentle body wash in Virginia. It’s only $2 a bottle so I was happy to stock up. I was so glad to be home to water plants, do laundry and catch up on computer stuff. I listened to 2 audiobooks on the trip and watched HGTV, which we don’t have at home. I’d watch it all the time and get nothing else accomplished. It rained a bit tonight. I ordered more soil for the planter. They don’t have it at the closest store so I’ll have to go to the one in the next town for pickup.
Tuesday, I let myself sleep until I woke up. I’m running around trying to catch up on visiting posts, doing laundry and getting organized for the rest of the week.
Wednesday, I went to pick up the dirt and return extra blocks. Then I got filthy getting the dirt into the planter. I did more prep of the garage. I picked up a few groceries. I baked pumpkin muffins. I juggled reviews to fit in a blog tour I want to do.
Thursday, I filled the trunk with more extra pavers to return. I got a text that the cabinets will be delivered tomorrow. My installer says the demo won’t start until the 18th so I have another week to eat baked and stovetop food. Then it will switch over to microwave or grilled or takeout food. Also to pack the rest of the kitchen stuff. I posted more things on the Buy Nothing fb group. I have a bunch of shorter audio books for review and I’ve been running through them. I’ve been setting up more posts today; I just got so many ARCs. I stayed up late to help my daughter edit her paper which was due at midnight. I also set up my post for the challenge I am doing for HoHoHoRAT.
Friday, apparently I haven’t opened several author emails over the past week. I went to work cleaning that up this morning. The cabinets arrived. The guys were nice about placing them where I wanted in the garage and helping me go thru the checklist to make sure I have them all. I can get my car in with the cabinets. My plants came by FedEx that I ordered and I got an email from the local nursery I could go pick up. I wish I had seen it earlier but I thought my contractor would come see the cabinets so I was hanging around..
Saturday, we are finally getting some rain. I’m doing some kitchen stuff. I planned meals for the next 5 days of things we won’t be able to eat during the kitchen reno. I finalized things with Angela on the new Bingo option for next year’s Library Love. I made a vegetable dish my daughter really likes for dinner with chicken. Then I planted the shipped plants just before dark, but I still have 2 packets of bulbs to plant tomorrow.
I am joining in on the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon this year. I hope to listen to a bunch of the Anne Perry Christmas novellas, as well as some holiday freebies I have.
I’m going to host a Thrifty Thursday challenge for HoHoHo Readathon for freebie reads which will post November 18th.
Click on the image on the left to go to the overall Readathon sign-up!
How do I do it?
I’m currently using Mailpoet for post email notification which has had some issues. I’m looking at switching to one of the 3 providers Ashley (NoseGraze) has suggested Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Mailerlite. Has anyone used any of these? Do you like them? What don’t you like about them?
If you have any tips for me, please comment.
Things I Learned This Week:
OK if I’m asking for help, I’m also going to share the cool things I learn. You may already know them but hopefully it will help someone.
So alpacas, llamas and camels are all part of the camel genetic family. Llama are very territorial; they will spit and fight. One kick would shatter your bones immediately. Alpaca see anything unusual and they run. There are about 400,000 alpacas in the United States. It takes about half a million to support a textile mill. Ralph Lauren did work with alpaca farmers to provide US made alpaca clothing to the 2018 US Olympians. Alpaca clothing is very warm but also cool, and moisture wicking. It is hypoallergenic. Abraham Lincoln wore alpaca coats / suits because he was allergic to wool. Alpacas are very soft. Alpaca poop is good as gold. It doesn’t smell and is an excellent fertilizer. I would love to have some for my garden but it is in high demand.
Stacking the Shelves is hosted by 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):
Thanks so much to Tantor Audio, and Berkley Romance.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I couldn’t resist a 99¢ deal on a series I am collecting by an author I enjoy set in a world I love.
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.
Anne
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
- Thrifty Thursday: HGTV Edition @VoiceofCass @RaquelleJaxson #ThriftyThursday #Challenge #Giveaway #KindleUnlimited - September 19, 2024
- 🎧 We Solve Murders by Richard Osman @richardosman #NicolaWalker @PRHAudio #LoveAudiobooks - September 17, 2024
- Sunday Post – 15 September 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - September 15, 2024
I’m glad you guys had a nice trip! And you must be getting excited for the kitchen renovation. Love the pics with Alpacas. They look so soft.
Thank you! I love alpacas and they are very soft. I used to tell my daughter we would start an alpaca farm after she finished college. I would do the business end and she would work with colors for the dyeing of the yarn. Because we are knitters. I had no idea they were so expensive though.
Great post! I loved reading all about your trip and the alpacas.
All the kitchen reno stuff stresses me out. lol
Hope you have a great week!
Thank you Jinjer. It was fun to do a short trip as long as we were careful. But I love being back home. The kitchen stresses me out too. I have another week to cook yummy stuff and then it’s more takeout and simple microwave stuff and sandwiches.
I love that you gals got to take a little road trip up to Virginia. I want to get to Williamsburg someday, too. The alpacas are adorable. Yay for progress toward your kitchen reno and getting your fall bulbs for planting. Reminds me I need to replace some of my irises. How fun that you’re doing HoHoHoRAT. I love that readathon. I’ll be sure to have a Christmas freebie ready. 🙂
Have a good week, Anne!
Yes I think it will be great fun. I always use it to read a bunch of holiday type freebies. Also this year I want to read many of the Anne Perry Christmas novellas I didn’t know existed. They don’t seem to be part of her series which is perfect. In April 2023, I’ll need to divide my SDB iris. It’s every 3-4 years so if you want I’ll let you know. I could send you some. We have visited Williamsburg twice before so it was easier to not go there but we love it and they have lots of great GF restaurants. Of course, we are not eating IN restaurants so it’s not quite the same.
Awww – that alpaca – and interesting trivia bits on them. Have a good week and happy reading.
Thank you! We loved the alpacas. The one we were hugging and took photos with is the herd sire – worth $500,000 dollars! I’d love to have an alpaca farm but had no idea they were so expensive to buy.
I’m glad you enjoyed the Virginia trip, great photos! The alpaca farm looks like fun too.
Happy reading this week! I’m participating in the Ho-Ho-Ho Readathon too 🙂
Thank you! It was fun to get out just a little. I’m looking forward to the RAT.
OMG I would have olved to go on that mini trip with you!
I’m sure we would have loved to have you Sophie. If you ever come to the states, we have a nice guest room.
What a great weekend getaway! I’m glad you had fun — and thank you for sharing the pictures from the alpaca farm. There are a few people around here who keep/raise alpacas, but not in any quantity, just a few animals. Their fleece is so soft! I was given half a fleece right before the pandemic started; I still need to clean it, card it, and spin it. I think that will have to wait until spring, though.
Great work on your garden! And can’t wait to see your kitchen when it’s all done.
Thank you! I loved the alpacas. We were in Lynchburg area.
I am glad you were able to get away for the weekend, Anne. It sounds like you had a nice time in Lynchburg. It rained here on Friday too. I wish it had last the weekend at least, but I will take what I can get. The Singles Table looks good! I hope you enjoy your new books and have a great week!
Thank you! It was a short but nice break. I’m glad we didn’t do the full 6 night though. I have too much to do at home right now (always).
Looks like a nice little trip! I need to get away, but don’t know that I will until maybe if I go to Branson during the Christmas time stuff at Silver Dollar City. Ooh, I liked New Orleans Rush, listened to the audio of that one. You got some good books, and had a busy week! Hope next week is good as well!
Thank you Lisa. I’m a fan of Kelly Siskind. I am always excited about my books. I’m just moody when it comes to reading some days.
Great photos! I hope you enjoy all your books in the new week. Thanks for visiting my blog.
Thank you! I am lucky to enjoy almost all of the books I pick these days.
That sounds like a wonderful trip. And I love those photos!
I love the look of New Orleans Rush. I definitely will check that one out.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Thank you Maureen! It was nice to get out just a little.
Aww the Alpacas are so cute!!! Sounds like a busy week.
I must now go search out freebies that you posted. Thanks! Hope you have a great week.
I totally loved the alpacas.
How fun! Looks like an amazing trip. And yay for Chinese takeout- I always love that. 🙂
I’m thinking of doing the HoHoHo readathon too. I’ve done it in the past but it’s been a while. I did enjoy some of the Anne PErry novellas but haven’t read the last few…
Thank you for the kind words on my blog as well. It’s been a week!
Thank you Greg. I hope I wasn’t too political. Some of this is just getting ridiculous. My brother is hanging onto some of his GOP ideas and I call him out on it. At least he doesn’t like tfg.
I’m excited for the HoHoHoRAT this year. I usually feel it’s a little early to read holiday books but the publishers put them out in October ffs.
Not at all! Your comment was one of my favorites this week and I agreed with all of it!! 🙂
Looks like y’all had such a nice time! We NEED a vacation – just a small weekend getaway. And you got your body wash, yay!!
Good luck with the cabinets – sounds like that project is imminent. Enjoy the good food while you can lol ?
I’ve used mailchimp for work and keep meaning to convert the blog over. I need to coordinate with Michelle though and we’ve been unsuccessful in both being available at the same time. You’ll have to let us know what you choose and how it works.
Have a great week!
Thanks for the input on the mailing software. It seems to still be working so I’m not keen to change unless people aren’t getting my emails.
Your trip to Lynchburg sounds like fun. Great pictures. We have a neighbor who has a few Alpacas and they are fun to watch when we drive by.
It was fun. Thanks. Do the alpacas run when people are going by?
The alpaca’s are pretty lazy. They never seem to move much, but they like to sit in the sun, or stand in their field and eat.
Looks like you had a good time on you trip.
It was short but that was perfect. I’m still not comfortable with being out lots. We stuck to outdoor activities and takeout meals.
It looks like you had a lovely getaway! I love alpacas! They’re so cute so I’d have definitely enjoyed that farm. Interesting facts about them I never knew! I do like Llamas, too, but I don’t want to get spit on. Just looking at a Llama picture makes me laugh.
It was very nice and I appreciated it was short. We are just love zoos and farms . Alpacas are just a focused view which combine with our love of knitting.
Your trip looks like it was so fun! I love alpacas, they are so cute! It sounds like you learned some neat facts while you were there.
Alpacas are adorable and very useful and worthwhile animals.
I’m glad you both enjoyed your impromptu vacation, and the food!
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you Shelleyrae! It was nice to get out just a little bit.
I love that you had such a nice trip! I’m so glad that you are feeling good and are able to do all the stuff! Have a great week
Thank you Victoria. It’s kind of a miracle we both felt well enough to go. We stuck to outdoors but that meant more walking. Lulu loves walking though. My daughter got a cane to help her with balance issues.
Hooray for the getaway! Sounds like y’all had a wonderful time – but it’s always a relief to be back home, isn’t it? The alpaca is so cute. 🙂 And nice score on the body wash! Hopefully that will last you a good long while. I hope your week is off to a great start, Anne!
Thank you Tanya! It was nice to get away a bit but we did outdoor activities, wore masks and got takeout. I am thrilled to be home. It’s just so much easier right now. If we hadn’t gone I was going to have to do a day trip for body wash. lol
That scenery is absolutely stunning. I never realised alpacas and llamas were so different in personality, they’re both cute animals. Happy reading and have a great week!
I didn’t realize the differences so I as glad to learn more. I knew alpacas were more widely used for fiber.
Looks like you had a great trip, Anne? And thanks for the info on the alpaca!!!! Good stuff.
Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Jonetta. We enjoyed the alpacas so much.
I highly recommend sticking with MailPoet which is what I have been using for the past 4 years. Everything else is just too expensive to be worth it.
Well I would love to stay with Mailpoet if it would actually send my emails. Thanks for the recommendation though. I’m trying to work through it .
Looks like a great trip and I love your pictures. I use Mailchimp and I’ve found it fairly easy to use. I haven’t had any issues either, and it’s been a couple of years now.
Thank you for your input. Mailchimp seems very popular.
I am so glad that you were able to take a little trip. It sounds like you had fun! It will be really exciting to get your new kitchen. I hope that you have a great week and enjoy all of your new books!
Thank you Carole! It was fun to get out a bit but I’m glad we kept it short. I’ve got to buckle down on the kitchen packing now.
I’ve got Badge of Honor for my kindle. It sounds like your trip was a blast!
I enjoyed getting away for a short time. I’m glad to be home with so much to do right now. Just finishing up fall planting, and weed/feed. Now it’s on to the kitchen renovation.
A kitchen renovation sounds like more than I could handle… So much chaos and mess! And not being able to cook whilst it’s happening… And losing your kitchen for almost a week! Argh! A close work colleague got her dream kitchen installed last year and I listened to her stories riveted and horrified, lol… And nothing went wrong. It was just a lot! I hope your install goes smoothly and it’s everything you wanted. That’s one thing about major home upgrades – they give you that satisfying happy feeling once they’re done and dusted!
Glad you had a wonderful time away. 🙂
Yes it is a lot. I went down the rabbit hole on some computer stuff today and I really need to step up my packing game. I won’t enjoy the mess and kitchen down for more like a month. But it will end.
I’m sorry I’ve missed some of your recent posts! I just realized I’m not getting email notifications anymore, and that is the only way I blog hop. I resubscribed! So weird. Anyway, your trip photos are so cool, sounds like you had a wonderful time. I love that alpaca!
I’m having problem with my mail sending provider. I’m trying to fix it. Right now I have to update my posts to have it send.
We loved the alpacas.
Now I want an alpaca!
That trip looked great. So glad you guys got to getaway for a bit! We celebrated my son’s 18th birthday on Sunday. Lots of fun, but WOW! I can’t believe he’s 18 already.