You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion
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Merry Christmas all! It's 1am Aussie time and I'm heading to bed with the pork sizzling away. Have a lovely day with family and friends.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ysIzP...
I happen to have a bag of Brussels sprouts, Lynda. I don't want to make you wast time with all the stuff you have to do, but How do you prepare the balsamic Brussels sprouts? Thank you!(No need of answer today, I don't plan to do them right now)
Sounds like crimbo has kicked off nicely for you Rusalka! Happy Christmas to everyone! I hope you all have a great day and enjoy yourselves. I'm not sure whether I'll get online or not, probably not.
We've done boring but essential boat chores this morning, then food shopping and wrapping of presents. Now I'm having five minutes to relax while listening to the radio. I have a quick meal ready for us tonight, one that doesn't require too much preparation beforehand or washing up afterwards. Tomorrow I'll be cooking a roast dinner for lunch and then we'll be driving down to my aunts where there will be a house full - my parents, nan, aunt, great aunt, three cousins, their partners and possibly a few others. It's going to be chaotic no doubt. It's the first time in 10 years that I've spent christmas with them all so it will be nice. Then we'll be having a quiet day on Boxing Day on the boat. We might have a little cruise up the canal on our boat if the weather is ok.
My Slow Gin is officially ready to open so I'm excited to try it. I'll let you know what it's like.
The moon looks amazing tonight. I think it's the first time in my lifetime that there will have been a full moon on christmas day!
Shopping done. Gifts wrapped. I wish the best Christmas for each of you in YLTO.Couldn't get Clyde and Boots to pose for a a picture, so these kitties will have to say:
I am at AmyK's apartment. We are waiting for dinner to finish cooking and listening to Twisted Christmas music. Amy and her boys and bf are wearing their Star Wars pajamas. They go shopping together to get new pjs every year.Merry Christmas and Happy Boxing Day to all!
Regarding the moon Sarah, I just read on the news that this year is the first full moon at christmas in 38 years. It happened 3 times since 1900 and the next time is in 2034.
That's it Peggy. I couldn't remember how many years it had been. 38! I must remember to go outside to see it tonight. it was pretty impressive last night.Merry Christmas to everyone. Just had a nice fresh coffee with our new stove top cafetiere. :-)
Merry Christmas everyone! My dad is reading a book on his Kindle, I'm doing my usual, and Christmas music is playing in the background. Once I get ready, we're heading to my son's for breakfast. Then back here to put the turkey on.I hope everyone has a great day!
Happy Christmas!!! My children are all still nestled all snug in their beds! So when they get up will all get moving :-)
Hope everyone is having a great Christmas. We celebrated ours on Christmas Eve since my husband has to work today. I'm going to spend the day with the kids playing games, doing Christmas crafts, and baking. But presents and the big Christmas dinner are done.My husband and I just had our 25th anniversary, so it's been a busy few days. Nice to be able to relax on Christmas Day, for a change.
Merry Christmas! We are having a lazy afternoon here, and enjoying it.
Just back from my aunts. We've had a lovely day. I am well and truly stuffed. I've eaten way too much food and come home with doggy bags too. That's tea sorted for tomorrow evening :-) Now I'm about ready for bed.
Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you have all had a wonderful and safe one!It has definitely felt like Christmas here this year... that is actually me being sarcastic, it has felt like springtime for the last few days. Wed. we had severe thunderstorms in the area that produced tornadoes. Yesterday, Xmas eve, had temps right around 75 F. Today was about the same, but it rained and stormed all day. I hoped to see the full moon tonight but the clouds are preventing it. :(
Other than the crazy weather I've had a good Christmas. Yesterday was spent with my side of the family and today with my husband's side. And every free moment in between has been spent working on the laundry room/half bathroom build. It is coming along quite nicely. I'm excited to see it all come together. But for now, I'm exhausted and going to sleep... after I read a few pages of course! G'night all and once again, Merry Christmas!!!
I hope everyone had a blessed Christmas. Spent the day with my family - good people, good food, and a good time. Wonderful news: my best friend and my niece both got engaged today! Great Christmas for me :)
Happy Anniversary, Bella. No moon for us to see tonight. It is not raining right now but the clouds cover the whole sky.
It will be freezing out by 1am. My car doors were frozen shut when I went out to go home last night at 12:30am.
Spent the day reading and my granddaughter cooked dinner.
Happy anniversary!We had dinner at the inlaws yesterday, I spent the night at my parents and stay here for dinner tonight.
Whenever I'm at home for a whole day (not just over for a cup of coffee) I feel so in the middle. My mom is in the kitchen doing some last preparations and she likes me there to chat and help a bit. And my dad is in the living room wanting to show me all the things the brand new 3D tv can do and he also brought down his old record player so we can play some records together. I just move from one to the other, cook a bit, watch part of a 3D movie, talk a bit, play Janis Joplin records... :)
Hahaha, Peggy, I know what you say! People think that being parents is a hard work, but being a son/daughter it's something too! :)
Sounds cute, Peggy.We had a nice christmas. For years my kids have been getting up in the middle of the night, usually around 1:30, to see if Santa has come and then we all get up (bc of course he has been here!) and we spend a couple hours opening gifts. Some of us stay up and some of us go back to bed and stay in our pjs all day. It's a fun, relaxing day. Today my side of the family comes over for a relaxed night of food, drinks and fun. The kids play and open gifts and we have a nice, relaxed night. I love this time of year. I just wish the weather would cooperate and feel more like winter!!
I hope everyone had a nice Christmas. Mine was very nice, very low-key - just mom and me (by choice). We had breakfast, opened presents, saw Star Wars, then had dinner. It snowed off and on in the morning, but the roads were clear when we had to be on them, which I'm grateful for. We do our big family get together on Christmas Eve, and it was fun watching the girls open their presents. The 3 year old was all about the presents this year; she'd get one opened and ask for the next one. The little one just wanted to play with the Play-Doh!
Just finished day 3 of Christmas at 3am on the 27th. Day 4 starts at lunch. I'm so ready for a day of reading in my chair... but its so lovely to see people as well. Urgh. Night! Hope you've all had a good day.
We've had a lovely day of doing nothing. Apart from eat, read, play games and browse the Internet for things to spend our Christmas money on. We just bought a stereo which I'm excited about. We've been without music for far too long. I'm still in my pj's :-)
Happy Anniversary, Bella.The madness and mayhem that is my son and his family arrived 1-1/5 hours late for Christmas Dinner. No problem though. I purposely invited them early. Hehehehe. By the time it came to clean up, I was done physically. My knees and back were giving me grief. (Arthritis sucks.) I felt bad, but I let my son & daughter-in-law clean up. Things I used to do and think nothing of are problematic now and it really makes me feel sad and frustrated.
My grandson played crib with his great-grandfather. There was much yelling about horseshoes which meant that the young one was getting a string of lucky hands. Dad tells me that Tyler won one game and he won two. I'm not sure he's telling the truth. LOL!
This afternoon, Dad and I are going to go see Star Wars. Then he & I will see who's got the horseshoes tonight when I bring out the crib board.
Peggy wrote: "Happy anniversary!We had dinner at the inlaws yesterday, I spent the night at my parents and stay here for dinner tonight.
Whenever I'm at home for a whole day (not just over for a cup of coffee..."
This sounds like an ideal day.
Glad to hear all have had a good X-mas!(Happy aniversary, B)
Hoping everyone up north of England in Yorkshire and Lancashire are all okay. Lynn, particularly hoping you and yours are alright after reading all about York's flooding today.
Rusalka wrote: "Hoping everyone up north of England in Yorkshire and Lancashire are all okay. Lynn, particularly hoping you and yours are alright after reading all about York's flooding today."
I can't believe the devastation to be honest. Some homes in Cumbria have been hit at least 3 times in the last couple weeks. I am so pleased we are not up there on our boat. There are many people who live on boats who have had their boat float over the edge of the bank and then when the water level dropped their boats tipped over and sunk. Also boats getting stranded in fields. I heard on the news last night that it's going to get worse in the next couple days too. I thought it had rained a lot down South but it just doesn't compare. Our Government needs to sort out some flood defenses and start dredging the rivers/canals again to ensure this doesn't continue to happen (which it will with climate change).
I was thinking about you guys, and then remembered you were down South at the moment, so should be fine (most of those river systems run to the sea instead of down south from my terrible knowledge of English geography?). But those rivers are terrifying.I heard that too, that another 80mm or so is expected in the next day? I hope it's not that full on down where you are as well.
I find it particularly sad as I'm seeing all these cities, towns and villages I know, and that are huge features in my Dad's stories, floating away. But as we were discussing here earlier today, it's what happens when your country is built around rivers for trade and supplies when there were limited road options. I love England for it, but the devastation is huge when it happens, and seems to be happening, as an outsider, more and more.
I would have thought your govs would have been on to it by now with flood defenses, as you are all so close to rivers. But I guess seeing your lot invented the bureaucracy that my lot uses, you're probably only in stage 2 of a 30 year planning stage with consultations and focus grouping the trout trousers appreciation society before anything can be committed to, let alone built. Ignoring the fact that some of these 1000 year old towns will be washed away by then, you have to follow procedure. Bah.
We're fine. Canals on the whole tend to be safer when there's a lot of rainfall but many canals follow river routes too and as it's the rivers which have burst their banks, they've flooded the canals. Down where we are, the canal is actually on higher ground than the river which runs next to it so if anything like this were to happen, I'm guessing we'd be ok. Check out the boats which have been stranded in these pics - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph... It makes me really sad to see that. Scary indeed!I'm not sure what we're expected down here rain wise. We've been hit more by winds.
I used to live in Maidenhead which sits on the River Thames. The properties that backed on to the river were flooded practically every year. Some of those houses are owned by rich celebrities. (Rolf Harris used to be one of them, but lets not talk about him aye). So much money was thrown at a new flood defense project. Basically, a new river/canal was created and diverts water away. It is very effective and has sorted out the problem there now. Well, on the whole anyway. A couple years back we had flooding in the Thames area and it was devastating but it wasn't just because of the water levels on the rivers but also the water saturation of the ground surrounding the river. We had some Dutch experts come over to discuss flood defenses when this all happened but who knows what ever come of that. Probably as you say, 30 year project ;-)
The Government have made loads of cuts over the years and dredging of the rivers has not been done as frequently as it used to which doesn't help. A stretch around here in Bath was done this year and they found cars, mopeds, shopping trolleys and god knows what else in there. And that was just one small little stretch. No wonder the rivers can't flow properly. What frustrates me is that we can find money easily to go bomb other countries in the name of "keeping the UK's people safe" but not directly on things which keep the UK's people safe.
Oh that's right. I know Maidenhead well as we have discussed before. I was telling Lexx about some of the houses I've visited in that area, that pretty much don't have a fence, just a row of reeds and then it's the Thames. And as to Rolf... well... Holy shit!! Those boats are terrible! So lucky no one was killed. You get flooding like that and you guys need to get the hell off the boat! So you guys are on the canal, not the river? Sorry to ask silly questions, but we obviously don't have canals in Aus.
See. That's the smart thing to do, get the Dutch in. Who are the world experts in canals and stopping their country from flooding as the majority of it is under sea level? Oh, yeah, those blokes next door. How about we get them in. Sounds like they shouldn't just consult, but give them money and let them get on with the job.
I totally hear you with the priorities and money with govs and these things that affect everyday citizens in our own countries. Not only are we throwing money again towards not particularly effective responses in the Middle East, but this week we have half the country on fire again (one spot being my family's holiday area so that hits home a bit) and the other half under water. We also found out that the top 4 mining companies not only did not pay tax in this country at all in the past tax year, we are also paying them billions of dollars in tax payers dollars in government hand outs and allowing them to open more coal mines in the country, which directly contributes to these problems we are spending millions of dollars dealing with as they devastate the environment. Our particular government is moronic, full of environmental lip service, and addicted to mining.
That's terrible, Sarah! I hope the weather really doesn't get any worse. Here is the US we have had flooding, storms and tornadoes across 7 different states in the last few days, and more than 40 people has been killed, and many homes totally destroyed. So sad.
Travis, how is your grandpa doing?What about your mom, Lynda?
I miss having free time for goodreads ! Specially for YLTO ..
Been busy a lot lately, and found my self 1 week job which turned out to be 1 month job, the manager lied to us and didn't assign any dates in the contract and now he's stalling into paying my salary ! Acting all busy and stuff.
That's a mistake I so gonna learn from.
No dates no sign.
Some times I feel like I'm toooo polite even to ask for my right :/
More rain and thunderstorms with a chance of tornadoes in my area today. Several local cities were already dealing with flooding before today's rains began moving in. :( I just hope these storms pass without any more destruction or deaths. We almost have our laundry room/half bathroom finished! I'm so excited. I think we can move the washer and dryer in tonight and install the toilet and sink too! We are going for a very rustic look in this room so we built the vanity for the sink and it is awesome! It is made from metal posts for the legs, 1x6 pine boards stained dark for the top and sides, and a galvanized bucket for the sink. I'm really proud of how it is turning out. I'll post pictures as soon as we have it completely finished!
I'm sorry, CFDeeDee. I hope it settles soon. I hate when people take advantage of who wants to work.
Sounds cool, Kimey. Looking forward to seeing the pics!
Sandra wrote: "Travis, how is your grandpa doing?What about your mom, Lynda?"
Thanks for asking, Sandra. Mom is doing okay. Here blood pressure got a little high on Christmas night, but not concerningly so, but she did have to take a pill. Otherwise, things have been good. She's promising she is going to eat better, but, she's also having a lot of "last splurges". In January I'm going to do a Whole30 Challenge, to reset my system post holidays, so that will help her eat better too.
My sister showed up on Saturday, she's from Alaska, and we had no idea she was in Washington visiting her father-in-law. I haven't seen her in over a year, so it was a really nice surprise. She took mom out shopping, and then we all had dinner together before she had to leave.
So, my morning is starting off in a very frustrating way. I got to sleep late last night, so I woke up late this morning. When making my breakfast, the new pepper grinder's lid was secured, so the entire contents dumped into my eggs as well as all over the kitchen. The clean-up and redo of breakfast put me further behind schedule. I let the office girls know I wouldn't be coming in until 9am. It gives me a few minutes of eating breakfast and checking in on GR!
Sorry to hear about all the flooding issues plaguing England right now. Floods can be so devastating, and destructive. Hope everyone is safe and secure.
Ooh Kimey tornadoes really sounds scary. Hope its only a little tiny one which would pass safely.You feel my pain Sandra :(
The flooding in England sounds awful. I'm glad to hear you are safe and sound, Sarah.Sorry to hear about your contract, CFDeeDee. I hope the manager comes through with your payment soon.
Glad to hear your mom is doing better, Lynda.
Whew haven't been here in a few days since I ran out of data. Lots happening aroind the world. Thanks for asking Sandra. Problem #1 is under control. Waiting for colonoscopy for unknown digestive problems which started during his stay. He was wadhing up to be moved back to the local hospital when they noticed something wasn't right. Sooner or later he'll be let free. He is eating solod food again.
Glad to know both, Lydia's mom and Travis' grandpa, are doing better. Hopefully this will be history soon. I took a look at the Whole30 Challenge and it looks interesting, Lynda. I was thinking last week that I'll be probably doing some New Year Resolutions (for the first time after like 20 years) and that challenge could be a good start for the physical health part. Will read more about it.
@Lynda sounds like you had a lot of fun with your sister :D glad your mon doing better @Janice I hope so too .. Keep your fingers crossed for me :(
Got a gift card for amazon and you know I don't want books I want music. I've spent hours debating what to get and finally decided on The Highly Suspect's Mister Asylum album and Shinedown's latest Threat to Survival I think is called. And 1 book for my son Where the Sidewalk Ends: The Poems and Drawings of Shel Silverstein since part of a reading challenge dor break from school is to read poetry. My wife doesn't understand why it us necessary to buy a book to take a challenge so serious. Well if she was aember of YLTO then she would probably undersrand how serious a reading challenge is
Oh my gosh, Travis! Where the sidewalk ends is the best! My husband can still recite the Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout poem from that book :) what an awesome book to get your kiddo :)
Travis of NNY wrote: "Well if she was aember of YLTO then she would probably undersrand how serious a reading challenge is ..."
Most people don't get us book lovers. You should see the looks I get when I try to explain the geocaching challenge or the topplers. Monthly challenges, they seem to get.
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You'll love this one...!! A book club & more
Books mentioned in this topic
It Starts with Food: Discover the Whole30 and Change Your Life in Unexpected Ways (other topics)The Whole 30: The Official 30-day Guide To Total Health And Food Freedom (other topics)
Fortunately, the Milk (other topics)
Fortunately, the Milk (other topics)
Where the Sidewalk Ends (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Gillian Flynn (other topics)Fiona Wood (other topics)
Jay Feldman (other topics)
Kevin Hearne (other topics)
Cherie Currie (other topics)
When we get back tonight, I need to finish wrapping presents, then do some quick house cleaning.
Tomorrow will be nice and low-key - going to see Star Wars in the afternoon, then a dinner of sausage stuffed acorn squash and balsamic Brussels sprouts.
Merry Christmas to everyone - wishing you many books in your stockings this holiday.