Skywatch Friday

I love the colours of Autumn.

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

Too Many Cooks by Dana Bate

This is the second book by Dana that I have read. I read The Secret Supper Club whilst lying on a beach in Portugal. Sadly no exotic location for me this time but Too Many Cooks would be a perfect holiday read.

I admired Kelly for taking a leap of faith in leaving the US following the death of her mother to come to the UK to become a ghost writer for a celebrity cookbook. The celebrity in question is Natalie and I have to say there is nothing very likeable about her (or her assistant Poppy). Kelly then falls in love with Natalies husband (the chinless MP Hugh) but it isn't too be. We need a follow up book so we can find out what happens with Kellys writing career once she is back in the US.

The only problem with this book is that with all the food references it made me feel hungry.

Thank you for Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this title.

Kelly Madigan seems to have it all: a fabulous boyfriend, a supportive - if eccentric - family, and a flourishing career as a cookbook ghostwriter. But after finding a letter from her recently-deceased mother, criticising her stable but unexciting life, Kelly knows she needs to make a change. When a mysterious new writing opportunity in London presents itself, she jumps at the chance to get away from it all.

Enter Natasha Spencer - Oscar-winning actress and health nut, not to mention a total nightmare. She's working on a new cookbook and has asked for Kelly's help. What Kelly didn't factor in was meeting Natasha's dishy MP husband, Hugh Ballantine.

Away from her family, friends, and the life she knows - will this fish out of water ever get back in the swim?

Favourite Season?

I love Autumn - the colours, the cooler air, wrapping up warm - and the start if some half decent TV! This was the view in my local park at lunchtime - which happens to be where the library is. What could be a better place to spend my lunch break.

I like Winter even better - especially if it is accompanied by snow. Thankfully I live in the right part of the country for the old white stuff.

And I love the dark evenings - means more time for colouring in.

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

2 quick books on the go this week.

A favourite of mine is the Agatha Raisin series by M C Beaton (one of her books was shown on Sky at the start of the year although my Agatha looked nothing like the one on the TV!). I have read most of the recent installments but found a nice new copy of Agatha Raisin and the Vicious Vet in my local library - this is the second book in the series. They are only short books and very easy to read.

I am also reading an e book No Run Intended by Hannah Phillips. I heard about this book on the Run Mummy Run page on Facebook. I started running in January 2014 and couldn't run for a bus - last month I ran my first 10k race (in 1 hour and 1 minute) and this weekend I have entered my first half marathon - eek. Hannah has a similar story - started running to lose weight and the book follows her struggles along the way. very funny and very true to life.

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

Clocks go backwards (or is it forwards?)

And I think I made best use of the extra hour today.

A cracking 5 mile run in the sunshine.

Followed by a crafty afternoon with the girls - with (halloween) cakes too.

Another cracking game of rugby on the telly with the RWC drawing to a close - torn over who I want to win though.

Skywatch Friday

A day off work and a beautiful morning for a run - blue skies and a slight breeze - perfect running weather.

5 miles and really didn't need the woolly hat! Maybe next time more running and less stopping to take photos.

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

My Dad encouraged me to try Linwood Barclay.

Glad I did.

Love a proper page turner.

Broken Promise is the first in a new series by this author set in Promise Falls.

The morning it all started, newspaper reporter David Harwood had plenty to worry about. A single parent with no job, forced to return with his young son to the small town of Promise Falls to live with his parents, the future wasn't looking too rosy. So when his mother asked him to look in on his cousin Marla, who was still not quite right after losing her baby, it was almost a relief to put the disaster his own life had become to one side.

The relief wouldn't last long.

When he gets to Marla's house he's disturbed to find a smear of blood on the front door. He's even more disturbed to find Marla nursing a baby, a baby she claims was delivered to her 'by an angel.' And when, soon after, a woman's body is discovered across town, stabbed to death, with her own baby missing, it looks as if Marla has done something truly terrible.

But while the evidence seems overwhelming, David just can't believe that his cousin is a murderer. In which case, who did kill Rosemary Gaynor? And why did they then take her baby and give it to Marla? With the police convinced they have an open and shut case, it's up to David to find out what really happened, but he soon discovers that the truth could be even more disturbing...

Pop over to The Book Date to see what everyone else is reading today. Sad to say goodbye to Shelia and The Book Journey on a Monday but I am sure we all fully understand why.

LSNED 2015 #30

Finally uploaded all my photos for Learn Something New Every Day. I doubt I will do anything further with my photos as I rarely have the time to craft anymore - but I have enjoyed it. Thank you to the very talented Shimelle, Same time next year?

My favourite chocolate in button form.

LSNED 2015 #29

My beautiful Bella.

LSNED 2015 #28

Love blue skies.

LSNED 2015 #27

First pizza in a long long time :)

LSNED 2015 #26

Race day nerves.

LSNED 2015 #25

Race treats for my 10K.

LSNED 2015 #24

Beetroot makes your salad cream go pink!

Skywatch Friday

23.5 miles on the bike with the Belles - from Cullen, through Findochty, Deskford and Lintmill (with a stop for coffee and cake) before back to Cullen.

A great morning on 2 wheels - no better way of seeing the countryside and visiting new places.

(Love the smiley face on the sign!)

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

It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

A bit of light reading alongside Splinter The Silence by Val McDermid. I am reading Too Many Cooks by Dana Bate.

Kelly Madigan seems to have it all: a fabulous boyfriend, a supportive - if eccentric - family, and a flourishing career as a cookbook ghostwriter. But after finding a letter from her recently-deceased mother, criticising her stable but unexciting life, Kelly knows she needs to make a change. When a mysterious new writing opportunity in London presents itself, she jumps at the chance to get away from it all.

Enter Natasha Spencer - Oscar-winning actress and health nut, not to mention a total nightmare. She's working on a new cookbook and has asked for Kelly's help. What Kelly didn't factor in was meeting Natasha's dishy MP husband, Hugh Ballantine.

Away from her family, friends, and the life she knows - will this fish out of water ever get back in the swim?

This is the second book by Dana I have read - I read The Secret Supper Club whilst on holiday a couple of years ago and enjoyed it - a perfect beach read. And I have just spotted another title The Stall of Second Chances which is now on my to be read pile!!

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

Skywatch Friday

Looking out over the Moray Firth.

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

LSNED 2015 #23

Our new rescue cat Bella - doing her homework!!