Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 7/11/2021: Summertime 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….

Hello all and happy weekend. I haven’t posted an updates post since May and time is flying as usual. I hope you are doing well and enjoying your summer. Summer tends to get busy for us because both my kids and my husband have birthdays back to back, and it seems like each weekend we have plans, then we try to fit in a vacation trip as well. I can’t complain, I love the summer months and enjoying the sunshine as much as I can.

Maybe TMI but in the midst of being busy with work and family these past few months, I had to have a root canal. A painful complicated one that involved two one and a half hour long visits to a specialist who gave me THREE shots of Novocain per visit, a round of antibiotics and prescription painkillers which after taking just one pill I decided to stick to Advil forever. I’m glad it’s over and done with and I hope to never have to go through that again in this lifetime or the next.

Anyway, on a good note, work announced the hybrid schedule is permanent so I am happy about that. It’s great working from home a few days a week then driving into the office a few days. I’m finding it a nice balance.

And I was finally away on vacation recently doing alot of this which was very relaxing:


Onto my bookish updates…..


recently on the blog:

I shared my thoughts on Sarana and the Dark King by Ivy Keating.


I reviewed The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.

In my mailbox:

After loving The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah I ordered The Great Alone by the same author.

I received The Bookshop Murder by Merryn Allingham via Bookouture, The Santa Suit by Mary Kay Andrews via St. Martin’s Press and Neon Gods by Katee Robert via Sourcebooks Casablanca.



I purchased The Power by by Naomi Alderman and this fun bookish tote at the coziest little Indie bookstore I found while on vacation. It was a little book cabin and the owner was very nice.






crochet
I crocheted a coffee cup coaster and cozie for my cubicle.



I finished up my son’s blanket. I made this for him as one of his birthday gifts in May.



watching:
We watched all 3 Thor movies and are watching the Avengers films next so we can watch the new Loki series. Have you watched any of these?

That wraps up my updates, what are you up to? What are you reading? Otis says enjoy your weekend and stay safe 🙂



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Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. The photos in this post are my own and not to be removed from here.

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 5/2/2021: Hello May

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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….

Hello and happy weekend. I can’t believe it’s May already. I hope everyone is doing well. As of this past week hubby and I are fully vaccinated, we both got our second doses. Sigh of relief. My husband just had a sore arm both doses but I had more symptoms mainly with the second dose. About 15 hours after the second dose I ran a low grade fever and had body aches for about 24 hours then I was good as new.
Aside from that, I’ve been reading, crocheting and taking walks enjoying the nice weather. I’ll share a few flower pics at the end of this post.

Onto more updates….

recently on the blog:
I posted a few reviews!

Her Three Lives by Cate Holahan


A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay


Garden in a Seed by Nazanin Mirsadeghi


Impermanence by Ren Powell

coming soon:

My review of Bird’s Eye View by TK Ray is coming up this week.

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in my mailbox:

I have a great mailbox this week. We went to a local favorite used book and record shop and I found two like new copies of these two books. Lisey’s Story by Stephen King and Transformations by Anne Sexton
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crochet:
I finished up a sweater I had been working on for a few months. My daughter bought me this beautiful yarn for Christmas. I put my shawl to the side for now because I want to finish up a blanket for my son in time for his May birthday in a few weeks. He’s turning 25! I cry just thinking about that.

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watching:
Ghost Adventures as usual and Seeking Sister Wife because it is completely nuts.
Also of note, Secrets of the Whales on the Disney app is fantastic. Have you seen any of these?

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I’ll close with photos of a recent walk through our local state park. The Cherry Blossoms in particular are my favorite. Thank you for stopping by and enjoy your weekend. What are you up to? What are you reading? Stay well.

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Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. The photos in this post are my own and not to be removed from here.

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 4/11/2021: Updates

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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, happy weekend. It’s hard to believe we are halfway through April already. I like this time of year though, the longer days, the weather warms up and the flowers start to blossom…


I got my first dose of the vaccine two weeks ago. I’m not going to lie, I was excited but also nervous. Thank goodness it went well and my second dose is in a few weeks. I had minor side effects, mainly strong arm pain from my shoulder to my hand but once that peaked around 8 hours after the shot it started to get better and I was back to normal within 48 hours. I feel so much better just knowing I’m halfway there to being fully vaccinated. My husband got his first dose last week and had zero side effects.

On another note, I’ve decided I’ll be doing these Sunday updates every other Sunday because it fits a little better with my schedule. Plus, I’m usually a slow reader and I don’t like to only post Sunday updates with no book reviews in between.

Onto more updates…

in my mailbox this week (both perfect for National Poetry Month):

Impermanence by Ren Powell via Poetic Book Tours for an April 28th review.


Garden in a Seed by Nazanin Mirsadeghi arrived via the publisher for an April post.


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Recently on the blog
I shared my thoughts on Puppy Kisses by Lucy Gilmore. This was nice contemporary romance with puppy rescue in the plot.

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Coming soon:

A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay . Um scared much? Yes. I finally started this one and am breezing through it, but I can’t read it late at night before bed like I usually do with my current reads.

Also, Dewey’s Read-A-Thon is April 24. Will you be reading along? I will be this year.


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Crochet
I’ve been working on a granny square shawl for the past several weeks and am nearing the end of the project. I wanted to use mainly Spring/Summer colors, mostly yellow. Here are the granny squares in progress and while being blocked.





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Watching:

My daughter and I are hooked on The Witcher on Netflix. Have you watched it? So good!

That covers my updates for now. Thanks for stopping by. What are you up to lately? Happy reading this week!



Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. The photos in this post are my own and not to be removed from here.

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 3/28/2021: Updates and Spring is in The Air

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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, hope you are well. It’s been a beautiful week here in Jersey with Spring officially making its appearance. We’ve been taking our daily walks and enjoying the nice weather in the mid- 60’s and high 70’s some days with it still brisk in the mornings and evenings. That’s Otis in the photo enjoying the view on one of our walks by the lake last weekend.

A few things have changed since my last Sunday update. I got notice we are not back due to the office now until May so more employees can hopefully get vaccinated in the meantime. SIGH OF RELIEF. I am so grateful. And I finally was able to book my vaccine appointments! My first dose is this upcoming Wednesday. Wish me luck. This means I will be fully vaccinated by the time I go back to the office building in May. How do you feel about the vaccine? Are you getting it or passing on it?

Onto more updates below
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In my mailbox:

Red Deception by Gary Grossman arrived via BookTrib/MeryMoss Media.


Author Ivy Keating sent me a copy of her latest Sarana and the Dark King



Currently reading:

I’m finishing up Puppy Kisses by Lucy Gilmore which was provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca. I tried to finish this one and review it last week but my thoughts will be up this week.



Watching: I watched Into the Wild which was sad but also inspiring. I teared up more than once and I ended up ordering the book Into the Wild based on Chris McCandless’ story. Have you seen the film or read this one?


Crochet: Here is an “Inauguration Bernie” I crocheted a few months back. Bernie and his mittens went viral and so did this crochet pattern. I ordered pliable crafting wire for his glasses and my daughter shaped them for me.








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That covers this week’s updates. What are you up to lately? Stay well and enjoy your reading this week.

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Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. The photos in this post are my own and not to be removed from here.

Sunday Post/Mailbox Monday 3/21/2021: Book updates and the cat couch.

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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….

Hello and happy weekend. Another week flew by and I’m glad March is coming to a close. It always feels like such a long month before Spring finally arrives.

I hope you are doing well and staying safe. My husband has been back to work for several months and now I just got the news they’re bringing us back to the office soon for alternating weeks. We’re still on the waiting list for the vaccine. I’d be lying if I said my anxiety is not sky high right now. I’ve been lucky enough to have been working from home for over a year and I had hoped we’d stay virtual through the summer at least but I guess not. Aside from the fear of possibly getting infected I don’t even know where to begin. Where are my work clothes even? I haven’t dressed business casual in over one year. Where is my makeup? I don’t think I know how to even walk in heels anymore.


Book-wise I finished a book this past week and posted my thoughts yesterday making it my first book review of 2021. I have not started another book yet but I think it will be Grounds for Murder (A Coffee Lover’s Mystery Book 1) up next.

Also, thank you for all the love on last week’s updates post. You guys are the best.

Onto more updates….


Recently on the blog:

I reviewed Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine here. This was a solid read although some of it was a little bit far-fetched.

In my mailbox:

Seven Perfect Things by Catherine Ryan Hyde came via NetGalley. I have yet to read a book by this author that I didn’t enjoy.

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Watching:
We watched Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel which was very interesting and a little bit surprising. Have you seen this one?

Crochet:
I shared a few crochet photos last week so today I will share the cat couch pictures. I finished the cat couch in November 2020. This was a commissioned item. I am very proud of the result, I love the way it turned out. I adjusted the pattern a bit and it took me about 4 1/2 months to complete in between other things. This was commissioned by a family member that is why I agreed to do it in the first place but I will never take such a large project on again for commission. It is just too time consuming and I couldn’t possibly charge the true value for my time and effort on an item like this.




This is a little bit of the construction. Once I crocheted up all the several pieces I cut foam to size and placed it inside the seat, the cushions, the armrests and the backrest. I also doubled up on the foam pieces and hot glued them together so they would be sturdier and not slide out of place. After that I sewed the crocheted parts together and closed them up. The construction was a little bit complicated but I enjoyed the creativity of it and seeing it all come together. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to crochet so I wanted all the parts to match up, be flush and even all around the couch. I used up two pounds of yarn total on the whole thing. And I crocheted a granny square as a throw blanket on back and I made a small granny square throw pillow to match.



The hardest part was giving this couch away! Such a labor of love. I can’t recall the exact measurements but the couch was around 24 inches wide so it’s a pretty nice size. Now Otis needs a cat couch of his own. I plan on making one in a few months for him. I have a few projects on my hook now that I want to finish up first.
Next week I will share more of my crochet projects that I completed while on blogging hiatus.

That’s all for now. Happy weekend and happy reading. What are you up to?


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Disclaimer: Nothing in this post is available for download. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small affiliate commission. The photos in this post are my own and not to be removed from here.