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.
Sunday, I didn’t set the alarm and slept a bit later than usual. This week will be very busy so I wanted to relax that way. I picked cherry tomatoes to put in my eggs for breakfast. There are peppers and regular tomatoes nearly ready. It will get close to freezing one night this week so I’m preparing for it. I found a pile of ARCs on Netgalley I already had planned for 2024. There’s the usual blog visiting today. I really need to write reviews! Instead I fired up the Harley and rode around, and got gas. It started right up which was great. Then I read up on Garden plants and temperatures. I picked the two peppers, I’ll have to bring in the tomatoes and pick the basil in the next day or so. I finally decided to just buy FS Poster. Let’s see if I actually get to it this week.
Monday, well today went more smoothly than I expected. The weather was near 84F / 29C and lovely fall colors. I was headed to the Harley dealership. They found everything was in good shape including the battery even though I haven’t ridden much since COVID started but I did get an oil change. It went faster than they projected so I was home at a reasonable time to get a few things done. I did get in some reading while I waited though. Ashley already loaded my new FS Poster Plugin. I’ve been able to connect a few accounts with some work. Now to see how the post sharing goes.
Tuesday, today is rain and a big drop in temperature. The rain held off until afternoon so my daughter was able to walk the dogs. I managed to bruise my foot so I wasn’t walking. Plus I ran my errands to Trader Joes, Wegmans and Harris Teeter. It is a struggle to get the gluten free products. Trader Joes is out of pumpkin ravioli for the season. And nobody had the gf squash ravioli either. I baked an acorn squash. We layered cheese ravioli, squash, pesto and a little Parmesan. It was very good, although not pumpkin.
Wednesday, brrrr! It’s around 40F / 5C but the wind chill is 34F/ 1C, and it’s windy. My daughter’s legs are hurting so I limped through the walk. Abby and Lulu both pooped twice and I couldn’t get one of the poop bags open even when I took off my gloves. Lulu loves her sweater. I have all the start of the month tasks and so many reviews to write. My daughter had a chiro appt and I had a few things to pick up at Aldi. I picked all the cherry tomatoes, lettuce and basil. Then I brought in all the tomato vines. I covered the chard and snow peas. I managed to get a few things finished and maybe figured out why the share to Instagram wasn’t working. I don’t usually go back to the computer after dinner, but I still had some things I had to do.
Thursday, another cold morning. I got an early start because I have so much to do. My daughter and I both pushed through the walk. When we got back, the garage door didn’t work, so we had to call the neighbor. Abby loved sniffing around our back yard off leash. The neighbor had the same code panel on her back door and so we were able to get Abby home again through the back door. I got a dermatology appt for my daughter and an appt for vaccine updates for Lulu. We also scheduled for my daughter to talk to Career Service at her college about what she might do next. I went to work on blog posts, giveaway winner emails, menu planning.
Friday, it actually froze last night and there was frost on plants at 10am still. I covered some because we are going to have warmer weather for awhile yet. Max came at 11am and then we had to go right away to a emergency sort of dermatology appt for my daughter. I dropped her there and went to BJ to get the propane tank filled and do a pickup. I was done before her appt started even. We were only gone about an hour. Afterward, I got soup going in the crockpot. We went up to the office. I wrote a review. Then I had to run to Harris Teeter for the new RXs.
Saturday, I got up and got Max and Lulu out. I fed them and put my breakfast in the oven. Then I cleaned up Max’s night area. After one more time outside, we all went upstairs to the office. Now I’m doing the usual stuff with the snoring contingent. They are both asleep. I packaged up some of the Blogoversary wins to take to the post office next week. I’m still notifying winners. I got a review written, still more to do, and updated linkys for month end for Library Love and COYER. I still have a lot of posts to set up for 2024 challenges and the Top 10 for 2023, and the 2024 Read-along. In addition to the author of White Trash Zombie, the publisher seems excited and is offering some prizes. It’s a good thing this week looks quieter. The weather is project to be dry and 72-79F, 22-26C until next weekend when it drops to 59F/15C.
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.
I purchased the FS Poster on Sunday night and Ashley had the plugin loaded for me the next morning. I started by connecting my social accounts. Facebook and Twitter were pretty easy. I had to read directions and make a few tries to connect Mastodon and Instagram. I sent a support email for Threads along with some general questions. I may have it set up to share posts from my RSS feed but maybe not. Nope.
I still have dlvr.it and IFTTT connected in the meantime, although the Instagram share isn’t working now for some reason. I changed things so dlvr.it is sharing to Instagram and IFTTT goes to Mastodon and that is working MUCH better. Buffer’s connection to Instagram is clunky. I use Buffer manually to share deals daily to Facebook, Mastodon and Instagram and it does allow a lot of control which I appreciate.
I got a response from FS Poster in about a day but haven’t had time to work with it. So far I have nothing connected and sharing so it’s not as simple as my other tools. Maybe I’ll have more for you next week.
October Reading: I had another good reading month. I managed to read 26 books. Audiobooks continue to help me read more. Some count for more than one challenge. I listened to 16 audiobooks, read 5 library books, 20 COYER reads, and 8 books which I already own.
All Library books (including ones not reviewed on the blog) 2023 Library Love Challenge
I did manage to read 8 books I own (goal is 3 per month):
- Murder and Breakfast by Sophie Love
- Magical Midlife Madness by KF Breene
- 🎧 Eagle by Janie Crouch
- 🎧 Shamrock by Janie Crouch
- 🎧 Besieged by Kevin Hearne
- 🎧Defending Keirnan by PJ Fiala
- 🎧 Code Name Sentinel by Sawyer Bennett
- Singed by Kaylea Cross
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):
My sincere thanks to Montlake, Thomas & Mercer.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I bought these audios with a $15 coupon from Audible.
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.
- 🎧 Disturbing the Dead by Kelley Armstrong @KelleyArmstrong @katehandford @MinotaurBooks @MacmillanAudio#LoveAudiobooks - May 2, 2024
- National Park Mysteries : Canyonlands Carnage, Saguaro Sanctionby Scott Graham @sgrahamauthor @joeljrichards @TantorAudio #LoveAudiobooks - April 30, 2024
- Sunday Post – 28 April 2024 @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - April 28, 2024
We’ve had some freezing nights here as well. My tomato plants, zucchini and basil are pretty much gone. I didn’t cover them up and I was out of town at the time. I’ll just start new ones with seed next year I guess. I wasn’t super crazy about my tomatoes anyhow. I just bought frost blanketing to protect my creeping fig. Last year the snow sat on it for like a month and froze all the vines off my retaining wall and the leaves burned and much of their climbing progress died off. They’ve come back quiet a bit, but I don’t want to start from scratch again next year.
Sorry to hear you hurt your foot!
That’s awesome the publisher is offering gifts up for the next read-along!
Thank you Rachel. The basil does the worst with cold. I really appreciate how authors and publishers have stepped up so much. In the early years I had to do a lot myself, unless Tantor audio published the series. They are always great on providing prizes. Brilliance Audio also.
FS Poster sounds interesting, I may look into it. I love seeing your Harley, you look so happy sitting on it! Have a good week, Anne😁
Thanks Tammy. I hope to figure out FS Poster a bit. At least to get it posting to Threads. Everything else is working well with dlvr.it and Buffer right now. I had a great weekend last weekend with the temp around 80 and riding around on the Harley in fall colors. In the old days, I used to put 13-19K on the Harley and only a few thousand miles on my car in a year.
I have never heard of FS Poster, I have been using Planoly, and it’s pretty easy I just hate the monthly cost. So I plan on looking into this FS Poster. Thanks for sharing that, Anne. Have a wonderful week ☕📚🦃❄️😊
Thanks Jody. I have not gotten it to work yet at all but haven’t spent any time with it. I got it because it also posts to Threads. I am sharing well with dlvr.it and IFTTT (for free) to Twitter, Masotodon, Instagram and Facebook right now. They have a good demo of it online.
I just purchased it too, lol! I am going to give it my best shot. Thanks for sharing this with us, Anne. I appreciate it very much 😊
If you figure it out I’ll come to you for help!
OMG, I can’t figure this thing out to save my life. I have been sitting here for hours absolutely stumped. Sorry, Anne, no help here 🤣
Sweet Lulu💜
Look at you on that hog!!! Lookin’ good, Anne. Thanks for the heads up on the new Bree Taggert book. I’ve waited on a description and cover for the audio version. And, you amassed some great freebies this week. Congrats on a great reading month, too.
Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Jonetta. I’d easily come visit you on that hog except then I couldn’t bring Lulu and I know you want to meet her. That’s why I ride less Harley these days; it’s not for my daughter or Lulu.
Yep definitely getting cold here too. Enjoy those new books! https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2023/11/04/sunday-post-quaking-and-baking/
Thank you Bonnie. I doubt we will have snow until a month or two from now though.
You look so badass on your Harley Anne!
Thanks Sophie. I need to be alert and take precautions because it can be dangerous and cars often don’t see motorcycles.
I love Erin Mallon, but Showmancing the Bone was just a little weird for me. You definitely need to get in riding your Harley before it gets too cold! Sounds like a very busy week. Hope this is a good week and your foot is all better now!
Thank you Lisa. I really hope this week is quieter.
You’ve really had a sudden drop in temperature! Your plants must be shocked. You had such a a good reading month in October too. Have a wonderful week ahead Anne.
Thank you Jodie. If the temp had dropped more gradually I could have had almost another month perhaps of basil and lettuce and tomatoes. Although the basil is the most finicky.
It got down to freezing several nights this past week here. Next week, we are back to lows in the upper 50’s-60’s! Its crazy. Glad the Harley is all good. My husband is having issues with the battery in his.
Thanks. I was worried about my battery since I hardly rode the past year.
Glad you got a lot done this week with errands, bike maintenance, and keeping your garden going until regular frost sets in. Bummer about your bruised foot and your daughter’s health struggles. Hope the new plug in you bought sorts out the shares to social media for you. Way to go on your reading totals and getting so much off your TBR.
Have a great week, Anne!
Thank you Sophia. I really really want a quieter week ahead to do more reading and getting things set up ahead.
Looking good on the Harley! You sure had another busy week. Makes my having to go to work seem easy. LOL I loved White Trash Zombie. Need to read some more by the author.
Thanks Laura. Well that’s the Read-along next year if you haven’t read the whole series. I haven’t read any of it but I bought them all and my friends loved it. I hope I do.
You had a great month of reading! I love adding audios too!
Thank you! Audiobooks doubles the amount of books I read.
Wow that’s a great reading month and you got so much done this week. We had a cool snap and lots of rain but then it has warmed up some. If there had been a dog or two in out neighborhood who Apollo could play with we probably would have held off on a pup a while longer. He is doing good though and is training pretty easily because he wants to be like Apollo. Hope you have a great week!
Thank you Barb. I’m sure Zeke will pick up quickly and you all will be very happy. He sure is cute!
Squash sounds good. I like your weather. We had snow on Halloween. And cool that the author of White Trash is participating. I remember seeing those books and loved the covers!
Thanks Greg! This kind of weather is so nice. And it’s perfect for squash. I’m surprised at the support of the author and publisher for the White Trash Zombie Read-along. I think it will be fun. I’ve got to get to work on the rest of the setup though.
It is nice to see you on your Harley! Glad that everything checked out okay. It sounds like you had a lot of errands to run once again. I am not ready for the cold but I have had to break out the winter coats on a couple of walks lately. I hope that you have a wonderful week!
Thanks Carole. I hoped my daughter would get a shot when I was coming down the street to head home but she missed it. oh well. It was so hectic last week. I look forward to the lack of errands this week, I hope. We only need our MN winter coats maybe 2 days a year here. The MN high school kids could do year round here in shorts and flip-flops. The cold days here are mostly 40-50 day and around 30 at night. But that is a few months off yet.
I hope you and your daughter are doing well. It looks like you had a good reading month in October. Hope November is a good one and that you have a good week!
Thank you Yvonne. I am looking forward to a quieter week with less errands and more time at home.
My family seemed to have brought the warmer temperatures to my in-laws’ in Utah this past weekend. The nights were chilly, but the days were pleasantly warm. I had been worried our clothes wouldn’t be good enough for the cooler weather, but luckily that didn’t prove to be the case. We’re back home in California now and it isn’t much different. I am glad you were able to get out and go for a ride on your bike! It looks like you had a good October reading wise. I hope November will be just as good, if not better for you. Have a great week, Anne.
Thank you Wendy. It’s great you were able to travel. I’d like to travel more and have in the past but my daughter’s health and not wanting to leave Lulu, and COVID have held me back.
All the freebies!!!
I might as well have them since they are free.
Lulu looks cute in her sweater. It hasn’t been too cool here lately. In the 80’s most of this week.
Lulu loves her sweaters but this week has been warm enough. Tomorrow the temp will drop to the 50-60s for the high so it might feel good in the evening or early morning.
Ugh. Sorry that FS Poster isn’t an easy fix-it-all. I’ll continue to watch your progress.
Our garage door broke the other day. I heard this loud bang and realized the next day that one of the cables snapped and the door dropped. I’ve got a call in to have it fixed. I also have little critters moving into my “attic” space (we don’t have a true attic, which makes it that much harder to stop them). The joys of fall and home ownership.
I hope your foot is getting better and that you are having a good week.
Thank you so much Jen. My foot is quite a bit better, almost there. It’s been the quieter week I hoped to have but I was behind on ARCs so I have spent a lot of time reading and writing reviews. Today finished Scourged and all the novellas following. The weather has been gorgeous; tomorrow is the cool down. No time spent on FS Poster so far this week.
I love cherry tomatoes with my eggs in the morning and I love that picture of you. Good luck with your reviews and electronic woes and I hope you have a great week.
Thank you. I have had a week with gorgeous weather and scrambling to catch up on ARCs but it’s going well. Tomorrow will be the cool down, back to light jackets anyway. No work on my social media sharing stuff this week.
Great reading! I’m on target with most of my projects but there is one or two I’m a bit worried about. Lulu looks so cute in her sweater! It’s just starting to get cold enough for my dog. Between his size, double coat, and the fact that the breed is not from a warm climate he likes it as cold as it he can get it.
Thanks Katherine. I think the predominant Chihuahua in Lulu’s mix plus her Southern life make her appreciate the warm weather. The handknit sweater I made for her is too big now, she’s lost some weight. But I have ones I made for Gina our previous dog, a miniature poodle which fit or are just a little small. Lulu’s shaped differently with 19% dachshund.