Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday June 7, 2020: Random Updates

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists….

Good morning all, I hope you are staying well. These are amazing and historic times we are living in right now. How are you holding up?

I’ve been MIA from blog land a few weeks because I am very busy with work and putting in 10 hour days and weekend hours even from home. I’m still working from home until further notice. They are actually remodeling the office building I work in to make it safer before they allow us back. Restrictions are being eased further in NJ as the state enters phase 2 of reopening next week. We are still being extra safe and social distancing.

I’m trying to avoid social media these past few days even more than usual, it is so overwhelming. On top of the death of George Floyd and the protests and riots, the world is still in the midst of a pandemic. I couldn’t watch the heartbreaking Floyd video all the way, I started to cry. It totally blows your mind that something like that can happen. And he is not the only one, it happens all the time.

Well, in the middle of the craziness good things happened and that is what we need to hang onto and work towards: The street in Front of White House was renamed “Black Lives Matter Plaza”  and  this Michigan sheriff who put down his weapon and joined protesters “. There is always hope and we have to do our part to bring positive changes.

On another note, we’ve still been taking our daily walks. My neighborhood is nice and quiet in the mornings so we head out early before it gets too hot. I shared this on my Twitter this past week, when I was driving up my street I came upon a black bear. You can see the clip here if you’re interested. He looks like a teddy bear but yikes. We see black bears here every year mainly in the Spring and early Summer and also in the early Fall before they hibernate. Thankfully and knock on wood, I’ve never come upon one during my walks but it’s always in the back of my mind to be careful. We live in a wooded area.

onto my bookish updates….

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday May 24, 2020: May The Force Be With You etc.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists….

Good morning, Happy Memorial Day Weekend. I hope you are doing well. May has come and is nearly gone so quickly. We’ve had a stretch of nice weather here which is supposed to continue with this upcoming week. It has been really nice in the 60’s and 70’s.

Today marks day 63 of Quarantine. The governor has eased restrictions here just in time for Memorial Day weekend and I think it’s a little too soon so we are still home. On Friday during my lunch hour we took a drive out and passed by the local state park near home which has been re-opened. Already around noon there were alot of people walking and biking in the park and I only noticed 2 people wearing masks as we drove through. I also noticed with the amount of people walking around that most were not social distancing as they passed by each other closely. We didn’t get out of the car but I was surprised almost no one had masks on when the entrance rules clearly state please wear a mask when visiting. I hope cases don’t spike in upcoming weeks but I find it incredible how some people are very lax about this whole thing.

Well, that’s enough of that…I had a good week and I am grateful. I baked Nutella cookies using a co-worker’s recipe. They are delicious and have a soft cake-like texture. Interestingly enough the recipe calls for ricotta cheese but you don’t taste it. They were a big hit here at home so I am going to make another batch soon.

onto my weekly updates…..

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday May 17, 2020: Book updates, crochet and still staying home

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists….

Good morning and I hope this post finds you safe and well. I hope the moms had a nice Mother’s Day last Sunday. I had a really nice one at home with my family and was spoiled with these thoughtful presents, all of which were ordered online….

I dropped a homemade cake for my mom and a pink rose-bush I ordered online for her garden and we chatted through her window a little. It’s sad but I’m also grateful. Our stay-at home order was extended another 30 days from the May date so we’re inside until June. I’m still working from home until then at least which I’m fine with. Today marks day 56 of quarantine. My indoor allergies have gotten bad so I had a virtual visit with my allergist last week which was interesting. I feel that will be the norm for a while.

onto my bookish updates…

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday May 3, 2020: Reading, Crochet and Etc.

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news. A post to recap the past week, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up for the week on our blog…
Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week. Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists….

Happy Sunday everyone, I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I am happy May is here. I keep wanting time to push forward if that makes sense. Hopefully the covid cases keep going down as the weeks pass. My niece tested positive last week but she’s doing okay and staying home so knock on wood it is on it’s way out of her system. It took her 10 days to get her test results back.

We had more of less the same kind of week, thankfully uneventful, still working from home, still staying inside. My husband had to go to the grocery store finally after almost two weeks for a few things we can’t get from curbside pickup. So while there he picked up a few packs of burgers which we’ve been grilling this weekend and eating al fresco in the backyard. The weather has finally gotten really nice here and after rain pretty much all last week and most of April, we’ve now got a stretch of gorgeous sunny weather in the 60’s and 70’s for the next couple of days.

I’m relishing the sunshine and warm breeze on my face. It’s funny the things you really stop to appreciate now. The parks here in New Jersey have been reopened after being closed for a few weeks and I’m hoping people are social distancing if they go. As of now we are still in lock-down until May 15th.

onto my weekly updates….

Crochet Over 130 Techniques and Stitches by DK

source: free ARC from Netgalley/ DK publishers
title: Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches
genre: crochet patterns
published: September 15, 2020
pages: 320
rated: 5 out of 5

blurb:
Learn more than 130 fully illustrated techniques and stitches and put them into practice as you go, creating 80 imaginative projects for home and to wear.

Packed with step-by-step photography and clear instructions, Crochet has everything you need to crochet a gorgeous array of clothing, home decor items, and toys. Get started with your first crochet hook, work a range of classic granny squares, and discover how to craft delicate lace and openwork pieces. Practice your newly learned skills on simple projects as you move through the book, or dive straight into the dedicated projects chapter, which includes amigurumi and toy designs, blankets and pillows, and clothing for children and adults.

Newly updated with a fresh design and brand-new photography, Crochet is both a perfect guide for beginners and an invaluable resource for more practiced crocheters

my thoughts:
Crochet: Over 130 Techniques and Stitches is a great crochet pattern book full of creative projects. With a variety of patterns, techniques and ideas this one is good for both novice and seasoned crocheters. There is plenty within these pages to give you inspiration.