It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

An author I have not read for quie some time - The Truth About You by Susan Lewis. I used to devour her books but then I felt she had gone off the boile a bit. This is her latest book I think and so far so so good.

Lainey Hollingsworth has spent her whole life on the outside of a secret. Her mother would never discuss the reasons she abandoned Italy when Lainey was a new born, nor has she ever stayed in touch with the family she left behind.
Now Lainey's mother is dead, taking the secret with her, and leaving Lainey free to find out about her roots.
Her husband, Tom, appears supportive, until he hits her with a bombshell that shatters the very foundations of their marriage. Another secret Lainey never knew anything about.
Shaken, but more determined than ever to find out who she really is, Lainey takes her children to Umbria in search of answers.


What she finds in the sleepy, sunbaked village of her birth turns her world inside out.

Pop over to The Book Journey to see what everyone ese is reading today. 

Daily Snappers #89

Mother.

I have had a lovely Mothers Day.

I went for a 2 mile run/walk first thing.

Came home and the boys made me a Slimming World friendly brekkie.

 One of my presents was this fabulous bad created by Carry Couture Bags - too nice to use.

But I did use it when I went crafting this afternoon with the girls.

Now I am about to sample my not Slimming World friendly Thorntonds chocolates!

Daily Snappers #88

Fast forward.

Couldn't think of anything for todays prompt apart from the Sky TV remote.

All day I have heard geese flying over the house - these were definately going quite fast and of course they were going forward!! Sorry.

Daily Snappers #87

Book.

It was mentioned that this prompt was made for me. And this was how I spent my lunch break today.

Daily Snappers #86

Plenty.

My new running shoes are getting plenty of use at the moment. This week saw the end of our 10 week Jog Scotland beginners class. We went from puffing and panting at running alernate 30 seconds running woih 30 seconds walking at the end of January to running for 15 minutes without stopping last night (plus a short 2 minute walk and a further 8 minute jog) I have to day we all feel chuffed with our achievement - and we are going to carry on after the Easter break.

Daily Snappers # 77

Charge.

The pay and display meter in the car park next to work. I try to avoid paying for parking my car anywhere - and dislike car parks due to the close proximity of other cars next to my baby!!

Daily Snappers #72

Seemed to have missed the odd day out here and there.

Card - the contents of my recycling bin.

Skywatch Friday

Love walks with big open spaces and big skies - and no people.

We walked from Garmouth to Spey Bay (for tea and toasted teacakes in the Scottish Whale and Dolphin Centre) and back.

Pop over to the Skywatch blog for more skies from around the world.

Daily Snappers #85

Empty.

My empty breakfast bowl this morning - it had been filled with porridge, strawberries and raspberries - yum!

Daily Snappers #84

Warm.

I have one of these in my rucksack for when I go walking - to keep me warm. They are a scarf, a hat, keep you ears warm - essential this far North. Although saying that I could dispense with my woolly hat on tonights run - Summer is on the way!!

Daily Snappers #83

Crease.

This is the cardinal sin against all books. (But don't worry this is an old book bought from a charity shopt to be cut up and die cut all in the name of paper crafting!!)

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Hubby is away at the moment so that means more reading time - every cloud and all that :)

I am reading My Husband Next Door by Catherine Alliott. I love her books - usually set in the countryside with some amusing characters.

When Ella married the handsome, celebrated artist Sebastian Montclair at just nineteen she was madly in love. Now, those blissful years of marriage have turned into the very definition of an unconventional set-up. Separated in every way but distance, Sebastian resides in an outhouse across the lawn from Ella's ramshackle farmhouse.
With an ex-husband living under her nose and a home crowded by hostile teenaged children, gender-confused chickens - not to mention her hyper critical mother whose own marriage slips spectacularly off the rails -Ella finds comfort in the company of the very charming gardener, Ludo.
Then out of the blue Sebastian decides to move on, catching Ella horribly unawares. How much longer can she hide from what really destroyed her marriage . . . and the secret she continues to keep?


Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Daily Snappers #82

Hobby.

I havea few hobbies but the one I don't do nearly enough of despite having enough stash to stock a small shop is scrapbooking. Managed to finish 7 half started pages this afternoon.

Daily Snappers #81

Crafty.

The only crafty thing I have done today is some cross stitch while I was watching TV tonight.

But this morning myself and Caron went to a craft fayre in a local primary school. I went mainly because The Speyside Sweet Company run by the lovely Tracey had a stall - and I really fancied some of her ginger tablet as it is the best around.

I also stopped at this stall with loads of hand knitted goodies - I did fancy the rabbits with a Cream Eg inside but eventually went for a knitted owl.

Daily Snappers #80

Bland.

I'm afraid this chocolate was more bleugh than bland. The power of advertising - the boys saw this on the TV and wanted some. They love it. I did try a small piece (9 syns per biscuit - so not worth it!) and it wasn't quite as bad as I thought it would be. Why mess with plain old Dairy Milk??

My Month In Numbers : February

Way late with this - now struggling to think what I actually did last month!

I know I read 7 books - only 1 of which got a 5 star rating.

I have continued with the jogging - at much to my surprise I am getting better at it - and actually starting to enjoy it! In February I ran (slowly!) 41.69 miles in 11 hours and 42 minutes burning off 6391 calories. It is a bit disappointing when you think you have to eat 3000 calories to put on 1 pound.

Walking took a bit of a back seat in February and I only managed 14.9 miles in 5 hours and 30 minutes burning off 1937 calories.

Weight loss is steady with 4 gone this month :)

I was stupidly excited to see the Northern Lights for the first time.   Callum and I spent 2 hours in the freezing cold down at the beach in Lossiemouth - but it was well worth it. When I saw them I didn't know whether to laugh or cry as it was so amazing.

 

 

Pop over and see Julie and her month in numbers - and I will try not to be so late this time!!

Skywatch Friday

A blustery walk on Sunday. The first couple of miles were OK along the River Lossie as we were protected from the wind by the trees and sand dunes. The way back was another story - walking headlong into very strong wind down the beach back towards Lossiemouth - with the sand being blown about.

We had a well neeed cup of tea and a slice of Bakewell Tart when we reached the Harbour Tearooms!!

Pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

Daily Snappers #79

Signs of Spring.

Spotted this little chap in the garden this morning - the first one I have seen this year - and then I saw another :)

Daily Snappers #78

In front.

This was the view in front of my car this morning when I took Andy through to work extra early - do not fear - he was driving as I was taking the photo.

He is off to the far east for 3 weeks with work - Singapore and The Phillipines again plus South Korea and Malaysia (last time his plane overshot the runway in Davao so fingers crossed his plane does not vanish into thin air!!) He isn't looking forward to the heat but will get weekends off so not all bad - even if he does end up eating dog and insects on sticks!!!

Daily Snappers #76

Lucky Charm.

This is Missy Mojo and she came home with me tonight from Slimming World. She will be keepin an eye on me this week - making sure I am on the straight and narrow. And I need it too. I only had 1/2 pound to get to target tonight - but I had a maintain instead :(

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

Am spoilt for choice this week - my library card is full and I have caught up with my e reader book club choices so lots of new titles to read.

I love Strictly Come Dancing (the UK version of Dancing With The Stars) although didn't watch for years as cannot stand Bruce Forsyth as a host. Judge Craig Revel Horwood has written 2 autobiographies - and I am reading them in the wrong order!

As the most outspoken judge on Strictly Come Dancing, Craig Revel Horwood is no stranger to controversy and is notorious for his cutting put-downs and often brutal honesty. In "All Balls and Glitter", Craig turns the spotlight on himself and is at his most candid yet. Craig tells his remarkable life story, beginning with his childhood in Australia, and spills the secrets of his celebrity encounters.

Please pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Daily Snappers #75

Unwind ro rewind.

I went with unwind.

And the perfect place to unwind is down by the sea.

It was my local crop (in a village hall with a view of the sea) - tea, cake and lots of laugh - to relax and unwind.

Daily Snappers #74

Afternoon.

This afternoon I went for a 4 mile walk with my friend Caron - we walked along the RiverLossiemouth for a couple of miles before crossing the sand dunes and walking back up the beach. The walk back was hard going as we seemed to be walking into glae force winds with the sand being whipped up and blown down the beach.

Thank heavens for the Harbour tearooms (much improved since I was last in there many moons ago) for tea and a slice of Bakewell tart.

My legs are tired now though as I went out for a 2 1/2 mile jog/walk as well this morning.

Daily Snappers #73

Something beginning with M.

I had an idea for todays photo - it has something to do with moustaches - but then you just see something and it all changes.

M is for Moo - spotted on the back of a van in Tescos car park

M is for marinade - my Slimming World teriyaki salmon marinading for tea - it was delicious.

Skywatch Friday

A cold frosty walk through the sand dunes at Nairn beach.

Pop over to the Skywatch blog to see more skies from around the world.

Daily Snappers #71

Handle.

It was such a gorgeous day today I went for a walk down to the cathedral during my lunch break - the cathedral isn't open to the public at the moment as there is some restoration work taking place. But this is the handle of the door into the visitors centre.

Beautiful blue skies.

Daily Snappers #70

Chequered.

The best I could manage for todays prompt was the rug in the sunroom - my favourite room in the house.

Daily Snappers #69

Shape.

I love the shape of these Grape Hyacinths in the garden - they always remind me of my Nan.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

The sun is shining so time to start a book by one of my favourite authors. A Place to Call Home is the latest book by Carole Matthews - shame I have to go to work otherwise I would carry on reading.

In the dead of night, Ayesha takes her daughter, Sabina, and slips quietly from her home, leaving behind a life full of pain. Boarding a coach to London, all Ayesha wants is a fresh start.

Hayden, a former popstar, has kept himself hidden away for years. He's only opened up his home to two people - Crystal, a professional dancer with a heart of gold, and Joy, an ill-tempered retiree with a soft spot for waifs and strays.

When Crystal asks Hayden if Ayesha and Sabina can stay with them, he reluctantly agrees and, as different as they may be, they quickly form an unlikely bond. So when enemies threaten their peaceful home, they will do all they can to save it and each other.

Pop over to The Book Journey and see what everyone else is reading today.

Daily Snappers #68

Rest.

I have finished the rest of my February block on my Once Upon a Time sampler. Firstly I noticed that my princess appears to be lacking any arms. They when I took the fabric out of the hoop to reposition it for March I have realised I didn't start off in the right place. I think there is enough fabric underneath where I have stitched but some careful counting is needed otherwise I might be starting from scratch!

Daily Snappers #67

Play.

Taken whilst on my run this morning (I am now up to 6 minutes jogging with a 3 minute walk inbetween - repeated 3 times - and the photo was taken during a walking section!)