WEEKLY UPDATES: FEELING THANKFUL…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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Welcome to a week of thankfulness.Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, as I love the gatherings and the FOOD.  This year, I went to two events:  one with family and another with friends who have become family. Friday was a day with leftovers, and that is always wonderful.

I only read and reviewed one book, although I am making good progress on my second one.  I wrote three blog posts, and enjoyed some viewing.  In addition to the Hallmark movies I like, some which I have seen several times, I watched a lovely film called The Noel Diary, starring Justin Hartley, an actor I always enjoy.  And then I watched Where the Crawdads Sing, now showing on Netflix.

Now let’s take a closer peek at my week.

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “ARE YOU AWAKE”

WWW READING…

COFFEE CHAT:  STUFFED…

Review:  The Rewind, by Allison Winn Scotch

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Are You Awake?, by Claire McGowan

Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens

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CURRENTLY READING:

The Couple at the Table, by Sophie Hannah

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That was my week.  A lovely and thankful one, and now I am ready to start watching Christmas movies!  I viewed one last night.  Since December is right around the corner, I am eager for the First Book of the Year event which Sheila has been leading for several years.  I picked out a book that has been on my shelves for a while, and because it is a hardcover version, I have been passing it by…and waiting for the perfect time to pick it up.

Enjoy your week!  Here is my newly styled hair, thanks to my daughter last week.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: COZY TIMES…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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A very slow reading week, with just one book read and reviewed.  Only three blog posts, too.  What did I do with my time this week?  Well, I watched Season 5 of The Crown, and also watched Private Practice again, all six seasons!  I hadn’t seen it in a while, but I still cried at all the appropriate parts.

No outings, but I am longing to see that new movie in the theater: She Said.  It will probably stream soon, too, but I think I might be ready to go to the theater!

It has been YEARS since I went out to see a movie.  Even before the Pandemic.  I used to go regularly, enjoying lunch beforehand.  I miss those times.

So…now let’s take a closer look at my flimsy week.

 

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “THE COUPLE AT THE TABLE”

WWW READING…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “THE REWIND”

Review:  Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, by Lisa Unger

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INCOMING BOOKS:

NetGalley ARC:  Hello Stranger, by Katherine Center – Release Date on July 11, 2023

The Couple at the Table, by Sophie Hannah

The Rewind, by Allison Winn Scotch (Currently Reading)

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That was my week.  What did yours look like? I am planning several events this coming week, with a hair styling at my daughter’s new salon, and meals at two different places with friends and family.  I am also hoping that my No. 2 son will stop by on the upcoming weekend.  Last year, a group of us enjoyed lunch out at a favorite spot.  Below, Thanksgiving day at my daughter’s house last year.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: FINDING MY BALANCE…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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Another great week moving toward a balance in my routines.  I read and reviewed two books, wrote six blog posts, and happily started viewing Season Five of The Crown.  I also enjoyed adding another streaming service to my TV to allow for more comfortable viewing on my couch.

We had some rain this week, which is needed…but I had to time my outdoor chores, like taking out the trash, to avoid sloshing through puddles.

I stayed home all week, with no appointments or outings, but I actually enjoyed it.  Maybe I will do more next week.  Now let’s take a closer look at the week.

 

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SUNDAY POTPOURRI: TIDBITS & TRINKETS…

CLOCK CHANGING…

TUESDAY POTPOURRI:  BOOKISH LOVE…

TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “SHE’S GONE”

WWW READING…

COFFEE CHAT: A GREAT WEEK…

Review:  The Prisoner, by B.A. Paris

Review:  She’s Gone, by David Bell

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Secluded Cabin Sleeps Six, by Lisa Unger (Currently Reading)

She’s Gone, by David Bell

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That was my week.  What did yours look like?  With the time changing of the past week, I was reminded of my wall of clocks that once made that task a bit overwhelming.  So glad I don’t have them now!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A COZY WEEK…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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A week with some rain, a lot of cozy times indoors, and two books read and reviewed.  I wrote five blog posts.  I enjoyed some time viewing Hallmark Mystery movies, like Aurora Teagarden, Hailey Dean Mysteries, Ruby Herring Murder Mysteries, and Darrow & Darrow.  I also enjoyed some episodes of Season 10 of Doc Martin.

No outings this week, and I didn’t miss them!  The coziness kept me happy each day.

Now…let’s take a peek at the details of reading and blogging:

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “THE GIRLFRIEND”

MONTHLY WRAP-UP:  HELLO, NOVEMBER…

WWW READING…

COFFEE CHAT:  A RAINY DAY…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “THE PRISONER”

Review:  Such a Pretty Girl, by T. Greenwood

Review:  The Girlfriend, by K. L. Slater

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INCOMING BOOKS:

The Prisoner, by B. A; Paris (Currently Reading)

The Girlfriend, by K. L. Slater

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That was my week!  A little reading, some blogging, and lots of coziness.  I enjoy being surrounded by some of my favorite things, like the Coca Cola dining set and the Baker’s Rack.  The Mary Engelbreit plates on the wall always cheer me up!

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BIRTHDAY WEEK IS OVER!

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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My birthday is finally in my rear view mirror, but I am still savoring the memories.  This past week, I had two more birthday dinners, and now I will relax into my routines again.  I read and reviewed only two books and wrote four blog posts.  I also enjoyed some viewing, which included The Watcher, The Good Nurse, and Human Capital.

Let’s take a closer look at my reading and reviewing:

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “THE NURSERY”

WWW READING…

COFFEE CHAT:  BIRTHDAY COUNTDOWN…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “SUCH A PRETTY GIRL”

Review:  The Nursery, by Sue WatsonReview: 

Big Shot, by Julie Mulhern

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Such a Pretty Girl, by T. Greenwood (Currently Reading)

Big Shot, by Julie Mulhern

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That was my week. My favorite outing this week was a birthday dinner at Flemings, an elegant and delicious place that I had never tried before.  My long time friend of 50 years was my host for the event.

 

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WEEKLY UPDATES: A FABULOUS WEEK…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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My week was fabulous!  Just as my actual birthday is right around the corner, my surprises continue from unexpected places and sources.  Lunches out, a birthday dinner with my daughter that turned out to include my No. 2 son who had driven up from Las Vegas.  And then I ended up reading and reviewing three books, writing three blog posts, and going to the doctor to get my third COVID booster and my flu shot.

Next week will bring even more, as my granddaughter is taking me out on Monday and my oldest friend is taking me to dinner on Wednesday.  So can I say it has definitely been a good week?

Now let’s take a quick look at my reading and blogging.

TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “SISTER DEAR”

WWW READING…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “THE FAVOR”

Review:  The Neighbour Upstairs, by Kathryn Croft

Review:  Home Truths, by Tina Seskis

Review:  The Favor, by Nicci French

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INCOMING BOOKS:

The Nursery, by Sue Watson (Currently Reading)

 

The Favor, by Nicci French

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That was my week.  What did yours look like? After last night’s dinner that included my unexpected No. 2 son, we went to hang out at a local bar for drinks.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: BACK TO MY ROUTINES…

 

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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It was another week that moved beyond my family visits and back into my routines.  I only read and reviewed one book, however, and wrote four blog posts.  I enjoyed viewing a sequel to The Firm, which kept me glued to the screen for several nights.

An outing took me back to a favorite restaurant where I enjoyed chatting and eating with a friend over quiche and a mimosa.  We had planned to go to Barnes & Noble, but when we arrived, they were still closed.  Our hunger drew us to the restaurant across the street.

Now let’s take a closer look at the week.

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS: “THE NEIGHBOR UPSTAIRS”

WWW READING…

COFFEE CHAT:  BACK TO MY ROUTINES…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “THE SOULMATE”

Review:  Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult, et. al

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INCOMING BOOK:

The Neighbour Upstairs (Currently Reading)

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That was my week.  I am finally getting back into my normal groove, although my reading is not very productive.  I hope to do better next week.  I am still enjoying adding to my collections of trinkets, like the Queen Elizabeth mug on my Baker’s Rack below.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: SETTLING INTO MY ROUTINES…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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After my Prague son returned home, and after the wonderful outings and activities were over, I had to return to something resembling my routines.  I did read and review two books and write four blog posts.  I cleaned, did laundry, and spent some time watching shows on my laptop and my TV.  The house was too quiet!

I discovered an old series I used to love called Garage Sale Mysteries, and found myself caught up in it, almost as if I had never seen these episodes.  I also listened to Ronan Farrow’s podcast Catch and Kill…and the additional parts of the documentary Allen vs. Farrow.  These extra episodes of the show were very interesting.

So here I am on a Saturday wondering what to read or do next.  Next week, I will resume having coffee with an old friend…we’re going to Barnes & Noble, an old hangout we haven’t visited in a while.

Now…let’s take a closer look at my week.

 

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SUNDAY POTPOURRI…

WWW READING…

TUESDAY EXCERPTS:  “LEFT ON TENTH”

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “MAD HONEY”

Review:  Left on Tenth, by Delia Ephron

Review:  Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Our Missing Hearts, by Celeste Ng

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CURRENTLY READING:  Mad Honey, by Jodi Picoult

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That was my week.  Empty house, an attempt to resume my routines, and a little bit of angst about moving on from what was a wonderful family time.  Now I look forward to recreating my usual life, while remembering those wonderful bonding days.  Below, my No. 2 son celebrated his birthday with two of his adult children at a Dodger’s game.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: MOVING BEYOND A GREAT MONTH…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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Another great week has passed:  the final one in a series of great times with family members.  My eldest son flew off to Prague on Wednesday, although he was rerouted a couple of times along the way.  It seemed fitting that one of his last flights was via Las Vegas, where he got to spend more time with my No. 2 son before landing at LAX.

I did manage to read and review two books this week and write four blog posts.  My viewing was sporadic, mostly shows I had seen before.  I was pretty distracted by last minute outings to local restaurants, one of which was a neighborhood Irish pub called Groggs.

Now let’s take a closer look at my week:

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WWW READING…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “THE SILENT WOMAN”

MONTHLY WRAP-UP:  HELLO, OCTOBER!

COFFEE CHAT:  GOODBYE TO MY VISITORS…

Review:  Evil Woman, by Julie Mulhern

Review:  The Silent Woman, by Minka Kent

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INCOMING BOOKS:

The Silent Woman, by Minka Kent

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CURRENTLY READING:

Left on Tenth, by Delia Ephron

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That was my week. A culmination of great moments with family members, even though saying goodbye for now was bittersweet.  I like looking at this photo of my two oldest sons at a place in Las Vegas called The Tilted Kilt.

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WEEKLY UPDATES: ANOTHER GREAT WEEK…

Good morning! Today’s post will link up to The Sunday Salon and The Sunday Post for weekly updates.

Mailbox Monday is hosted at the home site: Mailbox Monday.

And let’s join Kathryn, our leader in It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?, at Book Date.

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Another great week, with family activities and outings.  I also finished reading and reviewing two books:  one was excellent, the second one, not so much.  Then I finished a third book today!  I wrote five blog posts. 

My eldest son stayed with me another two days on the Murphy bed, and we enjoyed some outings.  We had dinner at a nearby Irish pub with my granddaughter Fiona and her friend.  My son then spent time with one of his friends from back in the day.  Hopefully we will end the weekend with more time with other family members.

Now let’s take a closer look at my week:

 

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TUESDAY EXCERPTS: “LESSONS”

COFFEE CHAT:  A GREAT WEEKEND, ETC.

WWW READING…

SOAP MOMENTS…

BOOKISH FRIDAY:  “BLOWBACK”

Review:  The Fall Girl, by Marcia Clark

Review:  Babysitter, by Joyce Carol Oates

Review:  Evil Woman, by Julie Mulhern

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INCOMING BOOKS:

Evil Woman. Country Club Murders #14, by Julie Mulhern

Blowback, by James Patterson

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That was my week.  Another enjoyable one with family time, outings, and even some reading and viewing. At Grogg’s Irish Pub nearby, I enjoyed another dinner with my son, my granddaughter, and her friend.  I had the fish and chips.

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