August Book Update

 Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in August, new (to me) books read: 2 ; books re-read: 2
Favourite book in August: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 in July , new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in July: The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson

in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

August reading: 

• I re-read a couple of fantasy novels I go to when I can't get my brain to like a new book (Dragonsong, Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey)
• I read a non-fiction book about treasure-hunting along the Thames, which was very good (Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem)
• I read the next in a young adult series with a Sherlock Holmes kind of theme, which I've been reading (The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero)
• I started about four books, most of which I will finish eventually, but which don't count yet

August Eating & Cooking

August Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Filled Pasta Bake

2nd: Fend for yourself Monday

3rd: Potato & Pepper Frittata (V)

4th: Lentils with Swiss Chard (VG)

5th: Bacon, courgette and caper pasta

6th: Korean Style Prawn and Spring Onion Pancake

7th: Lamb Korma

8th: Honey and Sriracha Chicken Wings, Potatoes, Runner Beans

9th: Fend for yourself Monday

10th:  Away in the Isle of Wight

11th: Away in the Isle of Wight

12th: Away in the Isle of Wight

13th: Away in the Isle of Wight

14th: Salad with seared tuna

15th: Sausages, Chard & Rosemary Gratin

16th: Fend for yourself Monday

17th: Lemon, Artichoke & Olive pasta (VG)

18th: Runner Bean & Fennel Slaw, Potato Salad, Lemony Three Bean & Feta Salad (VG)

19th: Kate out for dinner

20th:  Goats Cheese Tarts (V)

21st: Tacos

22nd: Roast chicken with beetroot & potatoes

23rd: Fend for yourself Monday

24th: Fennel risotto (VG)

25th: Chicken Soup with Runner Beans and Tomatoes

26th: Filled Pasta with Garlic & Rosemary (V)

27th:  Out to Dinner at Osaka

28th: Black Bean Burritos with Tomatillo Salsa Verde (VG)

29th: Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili (VG)

30th: Fend for yourself Monday

31st: Coconut Lentils with Masala Carrots

Book 46: The Case for Jamie, Brittany Cavallero

 

Third (and possibly final?) book in the young adult series based on the idea of young descendants of the Holmes and Watson family. 

Books 44/45: Dragonsong/Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffery (re-reads)

 

 

A couple of old favourites which I often re-read when I can't settle to a new book.

Book 43: Mudlarking by Lara Maiklem

 

This was great - very interesting read about the author's experience mudlarking (looking through the mud for objects of interest) along the Thames. 

July Book Update

 Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in July , new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in July: The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson

in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

July reading: 

• I read three books from my pile (The Sealwoman's Gift by Sally Magnusson, A Skinful of Shadows by Frances Hardinge, Night Music by Jojo Moyes)
• and one book in a crime series I'm reading, which I recently ordered from ABEbooks (A False Mirror by Charles Todd)

July Eating & Cooking

  July Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Fried butterbeans with feta, spinach & sumac (V)

2nd: Dinner out (Lime & Thyme)

3rd: Greek Style Chicken Salad

4th: Burgers, Hotdogs, Potato Salad

5th: Fend for yourself Monday

6th: Scrambled eggs with pancetta, chorizo, fried onion, cheese & oven potatoes

7th: Turnip laksa (VG)

8th: Summer greens and coconut dahl with spiced sweet potato (VG)

9th: Spinach and ricotta pasta bake (V)

10th: Thai chicken and new potato curry

11th: Picnic at Juniper Top

12th: Fend for yourself Monday

13th: Pasta with cherry tomatoes and romano peppers (VG)

14th: Spanakopita (V)

15th: Mushroom & Sausage Pasta

16th: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut red lentils (VG)

17th: Courgette, refried bean & Goats cheese quesadillas (V)

18th: Picnic out with John & Angela at Blenheim

19th: Fend for yourself Monday

20th: Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, broad beans, toast (V)

21st: Pasta with courgettes, pesto & pine nuts (V)

22nd: Take away (end of school, yay!)

23rd: Salads: potato salad, pasta salad, Moroccan carrot salad, radish & cucumber salad

24th: Minestrone, homemade foccacia

25th: Toad in the Hole, Potatoes, Cabbage

26th: Fend for yourself Monday

27th-31st: Away in Germany

Book 42: Night Music, Jojo Moyes

(purchased - charity shop, New Malden. 15.4.21)

 

Book 41: A Skinful of Shadows, Frances Hardinge

 

(purchased, charity shop, New Malden, 27.12.19)

Book 40: A False Mirror, Charles Todd

 

Book 39: The Sealwoman's Gift, Sally Magnusson

 

June Book Update

Once again, I've set a reading goal of 100 books for the year - I didn't quite make it last year (95), but it's close enough to set that as a goal again (and I like a nice round number). I'll track which books I read in a month and which I liked best. Mostly for myself more than anything, but of course I'm always glad to have others follow along.

So...  in June, new (to me) books read: 4 ; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in June: The 10,000 Doors of January by Alix Harrow

in May, new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in May: Commonwealth by Ann Patchett

in April: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 0
Favourite book in April:  The Ninth House, Leigh Bardugo

in March: new (to me) books read: 8; books re-read: 1
Favourite book in March:  Spring, Ali Smith

 in February: new (to me) books read: 4; books re-read: 
Favourite book in February:  A Single Thread, Tracy Chevalier

in January:  new (to me) books read: 6; books re-read: 
Favourite book in January:  An American Marriage, Tayari Jones

June reading: 

• I read another in a mystery series I like, which I've not kept up with recently until now (Riviera Gold by Laurie R King)
• I read a book about reading (The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller)
• I read a YA book which was great (The 10000 Doors of January, Alix Harrow)
• I re-read an old favourite which was mentioned somewhere (I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith)
• I read a novel in a different world by Jasper Fforde (I like the ones set in books) - this one was an interesting concept, but I wasn't quite as keen (Early Riser)

June Eating and Cooking Update...

 June Eating & Cooking - the meals!

1st: Lunch out (pizza) in London

2nd: Dinner with friends, Lyme & Thyme

3rd: Stuffed Peppers, Potatoes, Salad (V)

4th: Salmon, Chard, Noodles

5th: Thai Style Steak Salad

6th: Blue Cheese & Broad Bean Risotto (V)

7th: Fend for yourself Monday

8th: Pasta Genovese (green beans, pesto, potatoes) (V)

9th: Ravioli (from Farmers Market) with sage butter

10th: Courgette & Tarragon Soup (VG)

11th: Mexican salad/burrito bowl (VG)

12th: Sausages, Potatoes, Braised Turnips

13th: Chicken Traybake with Oven Cooked Cabbage

14th: Fend for yourself Monday

15th: Eggs cooked with potatoes & onions (V)

16th: Butternut Squash and Lentil Salad (VG)

17th: Green Bean and Kidney Bean Curry (VG)

18th: Sweet Potato and Parsnip Loaded Fries (V)

19th: Potato & Carrot Tart, Asparagus, Bread (V)

20th: Pizza Night

21st: Fend for yourself Monday

22nd: Thai Veggie Curry (VG)

23rd: Sausages (Bevans at Garsons), Turnips, Potatoes

24th: Tofu Katsu Curry (VG)

25th: Frittata with Chorizo, Potatoes, Peppers 

26th: Sweet Potato & Leek Stuffed Shells (V/VG)

27th: Roast Chicken, New Potatoes, Asparagus

28th; Fend for yourself Monday

29th: Veggie Stir Fry

30th:  Spanish Style Chard with Chickpeas, Roast Carrots, Bread

Book 38: Early Riser, Jasper Fforde

 

(Charity shop purchase)

Book 37: I Capture the Castle, Dodie Smith (re-read)

 

Book 36: The 10,000 Door of January, Alix E Harrow

 

Book 35: The Year of Reading Dangerously, Andy Miller

 

(taken from staff book swap table at work)

Book 34: Riviera Gold, Laurie R King

 

(purchased on Abe Books, May 2021)

May Round Up

 

WHAT WAS FOR DINNER, MAY 2021

• 1st: Sausage and Mushroom Pasta
• 2nd: Chicken in BBQ Sauce, Broccoli, Potatoes
• 3rd: Tomato & Tapenade Tart
• 4th: One Pan Spicy Rice
• 5th: Sri Lankan Runner Bean Curry
• 6th: Chickpea Saute with yogurt
• 7th: Stir Fried Chicken with Broccoli
• 8th: Cheese and Courgette Filo Parcels, Broccoli Soup
• 9th: Roast pork, roast potatoes, cabbage
• 10th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 11th: Scrambled eggs, asparagus, mushrooms
• 12th: Stuffed peppers with potatoes, feta, pesto
• 13th: Mixed bean goulash
• 14th: Takeaway (fish & chips)
• 15th: Paneer and Chickpea Stuffed Pancakes
• 16th: Harissa Spiced Chicken with potatoes and cabbage
• 17th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 18th: Pasta with cherry tomatoes, prawns and asparagus
• 19th: Cauliflower & Potato Cheese
• 20th: Harissa Carrot Fritter Pittas
• 21st: Sausages, Mash, Runner Beans
• 22nd: Spring Green and Yellow Lentil Dal
• 23rd: Ultimate Onion Tart
• 24th: Fend for yourself Monday
• 25th: Giant Butterbean Stew
• 26th: Indian Masala Roast Carrots with Coconut Dal
• 27th: Meatball pasta
• 28th: Courgette and Dill Pancakes
• 29th: Vegetable Biryani
• 30th: Out to Dinner (Wahaca)
• 31st: Fend for yourself Monday

Blog Changes...

 So... I'm not really using this blog much any more and I don't think much of anyone reads it - a lot of my food posting is just on Instagram these days (and Facebook  via Instagram) and I'm never caught up with posting. 

With books, I may still update my reading, but I don't do that in much detail anyway, so...

 I think it's time for this (in theory) daily blog to naturally stop being updated (I won't get rid of it because of all the historical stuff, of course).

I will still keep a monthly list of read and eating and probably one of books, so I can do quick searches as necessary, but if you ARE someone who looks here regularly for content, that's why it's no longer being regularly updated as it once was.  Times change, platforms evolve, people move on. (But I still track what we cook and eat, because, well, I'm just like that! - Before blogs, I had a list in a notebook, lol.)