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, another cold morning but I’m getting used to it. My garden cover will arrive today so hopefully I can save my lettuce until next week when it will get warmer. I did Sunday visiting, and then updated the COYER links for December. After our walk, I was happy to see my new little greenhouse arrived so we put it together and it fits the lettuce bed quite well. It will work well for starting seeds in the spring also, although I am getting a different unit for that.
Monday, I continued to look at gardening stuff on Cyber Monday. I purchased some hoops and fine netting to use to keep out squirrels, rabbits and birds, maybe even bugs. I can take the green cover off in the summer and use netting instead. I had trouble getting Lulu fed because Abby kept going for her food. I got the Q & A questions back from Dannika Dark and set up the post for Jan 4th. She did a nice job with the answers. She has been so great to work with me and giving most of the prizes for the Read-along. I see Audible has their sale where every audio is on sale up to 85% off which goes until Dec 8 (today). I ordered some more Adagio tea. After dinner, we sat on the sofa watching tv until the neighbor came to pick up Abby.
Tuesday, a relaxed morning without barking. I didn’t sleep in; I just didn’t feel the tension of being rushed. It’s still cold. I can never remember which attachment is which for my Dyson cordless stick vacuum, so I made labels for them. I also reread the information on cleaning the filters. My daughter has been watching the first episode of everything she might want to watch on Britbox or ones I mentioned. I made a shared Google sheet for us with how many seasons, episodes per season and length of episodes so we can keep track as we try to watch everything during the discounted period. Luckily most shows have just 3-4 episodes per season but many times the episodes are 1.5 hours long. I’m excited to watch many different shows and rewatch ones like Inspector Lynley and Miss Marple that I watched on PBS probably 10-20 years ago. My daughter and I took the TV out of the box and turned it on to make sure it works, then boxed it up again until it will be installed. Then I wrote some reviews. We walked with the neighbor and Abby. Then we decided to set up the TV on our coffee table until it’s mounted on the wall. I dug around in the garage to find a board and protective coverings and we set it up. It went well and we are loving the big screen for watching.
Wednesday, another relaxed morning. Even though the grass was frosty it didn’t feel too bad when I went out in the yard with Lulu. Unfortunately, my daughter is having her first migraine in a couple months. So we called to schedule rescue injections. Her PT helped some but didn’t get rid of it. I picked up items at Walmart and a couple items at Aldi. When we got home I put things away, then walked Lulu while my daughter rested. The neurologist called in an RX so I went to pick that up at HT along with 2 things they were out of at Aldi. Currently we have been watching Karen Pirie on Britbox.
Thursday, I’m still a bit tired but making progress on things. I received invites to a bunch of ARCs this morning and then setup review posts for them. I want them but I also wanted a “read what I want December”. The temperature dropped all day, so the neighbor and I walked Lulu and Abby a bit early. My daughter didn’t feel up to walking. We watched a British episode of Kitchen Nightmares. I’m not sold on this series yet.
Friday, the coldest day this week about 40F/ 5C for the high. But in 2 days it will be 65F/19C on Sunday (today when you are reading). I’m well into my final BBNYA finalist entry to score now and finally engaged. It was hard to read at bedtime earlier in the week and I was getting worried. Now that I’m into it, reading will go more quickly. My daughter had a specialist gastroenterologist appt. We stopped in at the Wegman’s across the street there for a couple items and then at the Asian market on the way home for bean sprouts. I printed out a guide to how much caffeine is in the tea blends we are drinking.
Saturday, usually this is a nice day at home. When I woke, Ashley had updated FS Poster which I didn’t expect until tomorrow or Monday. The new version seems easier in the setup, but that may be because I had the old version already setup and there are definitely some similarities. This week, my neighbor, my daughter and I went to a party for Wake Democrats with the neighbor. It’s over the noon hour with pizza. It was fun and I knew a bunch of the people. Also 3 of the candidates who won were there. They had gluten free pizza too. On the way back, we stopped at the Chocolate Cafe which was right on our route. The owner is Celiac and everything is gluten free. We got some baked goods. When we got home, I started the dishwasher and got the soup going in the crockpot. Then I could go do more FS Poster setup. I have all the socials attached except Mastodon. I don’t know if the “Revive Old Post” or tomorrow’s posts will auto-share. Chirp and Audible both have some excellent deals so I got a few things. I won’t finish up the Audible purchase until tomorrow.
**Yesterday Ashley updated me to the new version of FS Poster. We will hope for the best. But I still can share my posts through Jetpack and IFTTT and Buffer so they’ll get out anyway. **
Of course, I’m going to do COYER 2025. I understand and support the lighter, simpler schedule. You can click the graphic for more information. It will run the entire year with 3 check-ins. The monthly readathons will have some themed reading. I’m doing my annual Read-along and chats. I normally read about 100 books for COYER a year. This year will be strict rules so that will be less reads.
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 huge thanks to Valentine PR/ Elizabeth Hunter, St. Martin’s Press, Harper Audio.
(If you click on the cover, it will take you to the Goodreads entry)
I’m collecting all the Richard Jury series by Martha Grimes because of my favorite narrator. These were $4 at Chirp.
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.
Apparently Chirp has free audiobooks all the time at this link: HERE
Chirp Freebie Friday:
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.
- 🎧 Good Turn by Dervla McTiernan @DervlaMcTiernan#AoifeMcMahon @HarperAudio #LoveAudiobooks - January 18, 2025
- Read-along & #Giveaway:On the Edge by Ilona Andrews @ilonaandrews @ilonaandrews.bsky.social @reneeraudman @AceBooksPub @acebookspub.bsky.social @TantorAudio @tantoraudio.bsky.social #Read-along #GIVEAWAY @victoria7401.bsky.social - January 17, 2025
- Thrifty Thursday: Jodi Burnett edition @Jodi_writes #JodiBurnett #ThriftyThursday #KindleUnlimited - January 16, 2025
Sweet Lulu💜 How many outfits does she have? Do you make them?
Oh, how I want that Brennan audiobook. Enjoy!
yes I’m very excited to listen to it.
She has about 10 outfits and a Halloween costume, 2 coats and 2 sets of boots. I only make the handknitted ones but she has changed size and the nicest one is too big now.
I like the idea of a “read what I want December” but I have too many commitments. The Love Haters is a good title. Happy reading!
That’s what I try to do I read a few holiday things. Then I do the top 10 lists so I don’t have reviews due the holiday week.
I’ve had lots of ARC offers lately but they are all coming out next year. I love the greenhouse tent! And Lulu is looking as cute as ever😁
Thanks Tammy. These more indie releases just happen when they happen. One I expected, the other I though would be January. The mini greenhouse is working so well. The lettuce is staying warm enough. Now that the temperature is increasing for a few days though I’ll need to open it up for the rain tomorrow.
It’s been so cold here too but up to 50 today and rain is coming the next 3 days. Lulu looks so cozy. Your little greenhouse looks nice. I like the idea of reading what you want in December although I have a few pending reviews due. I’ve been reading alot of holiday stories.
Thanks Naida. I’m really loving the greenhouse as it is keeping my lettuce growing. I’ll have to open it up for the rain this week. It’s going to get to near 70 here. Lulu loves cozy.
Love the book haul. Ya for COYER. Hope you enjoy the challenge. I might do a Series a Month to try and knock out some books. Will see. I’m trying to get out of my reading slump. Try using a Reading Journal Tracking and planning out books to read for 2025. Have a great week.
Thank you. I do like the SIAM to read books in a series all together. I think if you read things from favorite authors or books you have always wanted to read. I also find mixing genres helps me keep reading more easily.
5c is freezing but then It’s 25.2c here right now at 4.00am and I don’t like that either. Its expected to get to 36c before noon
I hope the greenhouse keeps your lettuce safe
Wishing you a wonderful reading week
Thank you. The lettuce is doing great so far.
I need to look into those garden covers! My lettuces are doing well despite the cold overnight temps. I think they’re in a sort of protected area in our garden. Our flowers and zinnias lasted the longest there and didn’t freeze with the ones way out in our front property froze right away. I loved Miss Marple on film. I have all the dvds, but I have no idea where I put them since we moved (probably the attic) and I don’t even have a dvd player anymore. I should get Britbox. I think I’d love a lot of shows on it. A big TV makes it so nice to watch! Happy to hear you’re enjoying yours!
Thank you Rachel. I got the fun garden stuff. Here’s the one in the photo: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRDTT31T?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title I also got some flexible options for covering some with netting this summer. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B14YZL25?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1 I love the British shows. I have tons of DVD and even VHS and I still have players. But we are enjoying the new big TV.
Hope you have a great week and enjoy all your reading.
Thank you. The days go by so quickly with so many things I want to do.
The new greenhouse thing looks great! Hope the injections help your daughter get rid of the migraines for a while again! Lots going on for you this past week, it was cold here too. Have a good week!
Thank you Lisa. They chose to give my daughter a pill pack and it seems to be working or at least reducing the level of the migraine.
I love Lulu’s little outfits. My Falcor has a bunch of sweaters, T-shirts, and a pair of boots but boy he hates those boots. I posted a picture of him today in his pajamas. lol
lol Lulu also hates her boots but she LOVES her sweaters.
Love the greenhouse tent! I’m hoping to do beds after the additions are done in the Spring. I skipped Chirp’s Friday freebie this week after my indulgence last week. lol I still need to do that Audible back up thing you suggested. Might be a good project once all the presents are wrapped. I hope you have a good week! Enjoy the warmth because it looks like we’ll dipping again soon. Ugh.
Thanks Carol. I love my little greenhouse. When you download those Audible files, if you have as many as me it’s about 300GB. So I got a 512GB flash drive. I sent in my last BBNYA scoring today.
I hope your daughter is doing well. All those books look so good. I hope you have a great week!
Thank you Yvonne. She’s doing a little better.
Cute little Lulu!!!! I’m glad you went ahead and started watching your big screen TV!
Me too. Lulu doesn’t know what to think about how much couch time is happening though.
I’d love to know what COYER is! I’m sorry your daughter had a bit of a setback. Enjoy your new gardening supplies.
Thank you. Jodie, COYER is Clean Out Your Electronic Reads. It’s a Challenge. It used to be once or twice a year but went to all year during COVID. The rules and Readathons and such are a little different each year. This year will be a bit more relaxed. If you clicked on the graphic it would take you to the Challenge announcement and rules but here they are: https://www.becausereading.com/coyer-out-to-lunch/ I’m very excited for new gardening tools.
Love the plant tent!! That’s great! I was crazy cold here this past week, then today it was 55! I might try COYER next year. Historically, I do NOT do well with challenges.
Thanks Samantha. COYER is pretty relaxed. I like the supportive community. Next year will be lowkey. They change up the rules a bit every year. They adopted my Read-along a few years back. The facebook group is regular communication and support, but it’s all optional.
I hope to get back out in my yard to do some work this spring. It is a mess right now. I haven’t tried to grow food but I hope to keep a few plants alive. I need that Katherine Center book! I can’t find it on NetGalley so it must be invitation only right now. Have a great week!
Thanks Carole. I am always trying to improve my gardening success. yes the Katherine Center was an invite.
Last week was so busy that is a bit of a blur, tis the season… LOL Sorry your daughter got a migraine. I thought it was so good that she was going migraine free. Fun to set up the new TV and sort through a show schedule. New little green house will be really great for extending your growing seasons. I should look into one of those if it could help extend my growing season a bit and I could definitely use the netting against the critters who help themselves.
Have a good week, Anne!
Thanks Sophia. There is something so exciting about gardening supplies. The migraines have been much fewer and better since the new med in September but she can still get them. I’m trying to keep things quiet here to get through the holidays.
I wish we had Wegman’s up here. My sister has them (my niece even works at their local one). I’ll get to go over Christmas when we visit. It’s been colder and rainy here and I’ve been skipping out on walking. I just can’t get motivated to go out there.
I hear you. When it’s 40s I don’t always want to walk. But Lulu loves it so much, it’s hard to disappoint her. I love Wegmans and wish one was closer. But at least we have one.
I am sorry your daughter suffers from migraines. They are the worst! Looks the a really great book haul this week!The covers are all inviting.
Thank you. My daughter has been MUCH better since the new med in September but she still gets some migraines.
Glad your garden cover is working nicely. Hope it saves your lettuce! Sorry to hear that your daughter had another migraine, but I guess it’s good that it’s the first in a couple of months. Hopefully this will be the last for a long while!
Thanks Nicole. The lettuce is hanging in there. yes her migraines have been much less since Sept when she started the new med. This is the first multi-day one. She’s had a few here and there which were stopped quickly by her regular abortive meds.
Sounds like another busy week where you got a lot done. I love seeing pics of Lulu. Yesterday, Zekey painted me a Christmas tree (we used his paws and paint). I have ones from Cass and Apollo which we hang at Christmas and he was feeling left out. He did really well. I’ll have to remember to add it to my blog. I’m reading as many Christmas themed books as possible but this month is already flying. Hope your daughter’s migraines let up.
Thank you Barb. There is always plenty to do that I want to do and books I want to read. This month does seem to be going quickly.
The Martha Grimes books look good! 😮 I’ll have to keep an eye out.
Hope you have a good reading week!
Thank you Nicky. I got them at the library the first time around. I love them. It’s my favorite narrator so I am collecting them when they are on sale.
I love how you’re organizing your Britbox watching and it’s so smart to watch the first episode so you can decide what to binge first! I hope you’re having a great week and you’re all staying warm (especially Lulu!).
Thanks Katherine. Lulu is a cuddle monster and loves her sweaters and blankets. We are enjoying our Britbox and working our way through series.
I hope your daughter’s migraine is better.
I use the TVTime app to track what we’re watching and what we want to watch. I don’t think it will do everything your spreadsheet includes but it might be worth checking out.
I decided not to accept review books when I restarted my blog in 2020 so every month is read-what-I-want month! It’s pretty nice and keeps things low-pressure for me since my blogging time is so inconsistent. I hope you find a good balance of need-to-read and want-to-read.
Thank you Jen. It’s really a problem of wanting to read (or watch) everything. I have to prioritize.