chaliepud

Sorry to hear that Peace, if it is overpriced there is a possibility it will come down to your price eventually? Good luck with your new viewings!

Funny that, I often get hyperactive before an attack, perfect time to get lots of housework done!

Concussion, with Will Smith, fantastic, both myself and my 11 year old son enjoyed it, and all the better for being based on a true story.

Gordon Kaye today, aged 75, best known as Rene in Allo Allo.

1. The Letter - Kathryn Hughes Goodreads synopsis: Kathryn Hughes’ new ebook The Letter offers readers a chance to absorb themselves in the lives of two women, born decades apart but whose lives share a number of parallels. The novel explores two historical strands, bringing together an abused housewife from the 1970s and a young girl from the early 1940s in a story of love, loss and unexpected consequences. The Letter follows the life of Tina in the 1970s who seeks respite from her abusive marriage by volunteering at a charity shop. One day, while sorting through the pockets of a second-hand suit, she comes across an old letter. It is still firmly sealed and un-franked. Unable to resist the pull of curiosity, Tina opens the letter. It was written on 4th September 1939. She is so moved by the contents and bemused as to why the letter was never delivered, she embarks on a quest to find out what became of the writer and his intended recipient. The mystery of how this love letter ended up in Tina’s hands is also uncovered through Billy’s story from the early 1940s. He writes a letter that will change his life forever, unaware that it will not be read for another 34 years, and then by a complete stranger. With a swift pace, memorable characters and a wonderful conceptual depth, Hughes’ novel is one that simply can’t be put down. Goodreads average rating 3.87 My rating - 3 stars (feeling generous!) This book receives varying reviews, I've seen some raving ones and others far less complimentary, clearly a book that divides opinion. I was drawn to the dual timelines, one of them set in World War One, one of the historical settings I enjoy the most. The premise is interesting and the subject matter not light (teenage pregnancy, domestic abuse, adoption) but the writing simply didn't do it justice, it was far too light. There were way too many coincidences, it seemed like they were needed to keep the story together, as if the author couldn't find another way to make it work, it almost felt like the author has not spent enough time planning a beginning, middle and an end to the story! I was probably a little generous with the three star review, in hindsight it was more of a two, but it mainly held my interest and was an easy read so it gets a little credit for that.

So did I, it was so dry! I read all the time at home but had no interest in Shakespeare and Lord of the Flies! I'm sure she'd love to know that she cultivated a love of Literature in you.

Good luck Laura, sounds like you are off to a good start! What are you making your smoothies with? I use coconut water instead of juice to keep the suagr levels down. I fancy one now but just had a big brunch ( I now only eat 2 meals a day, when I'm not working anyway, and fast from early eve to late morning where possible).

Temps the same here, was a cold dog walk! My eldest has just left to referee a football match, they're not allowed to wear anything above the shorts and t-shirt, so he has rather a lot of layers underneath!!!

It is a great book, I really must get to The Angel's Game and Prisoner of Heaven this year but I've heard so many negative things about TAG that I haven't felt the urge as yet! But, I do really want to read PoH! Have you read any of his other books?

Central Intelligence, reasonably funny but glad we didn't pay to watch it at the cinema!

We caught a bit of that, should be called Spot the Celebrity!! We just watched Episode 1 of Season 13, next up, the latest episode of Timeless.

Happy reading in 2017!

There are a fair few of us attempting this in 2017! Good luck!

Excellent, maybe your mission should be to tract Mrs Baker down and give her the good news!

I'm trying again now but I am such a technophobe I scare myself! My boss asked me to prepare an Excel document and could't understand why I laughed at her! I'll send positive thoughts, I felt it flowed very well, although not an exciting read,more slow and deliberate. I know that psychology interests you so hopefully it will hold your mojo, I learnt so much from it about the early days of effective (and non-effective) psychotherapy/psychiatry. Wow, they are pretty rare everywhere except in Oz and NZ, I hope he was well cared for, maybe if you see the owner with him you could ask if he is friendly and get talking about my two. Most are friendly towards people but they can be protective, and perhaps one belonging to a vulnerable person could be more so. When I visit London I often make sure I have a few doggie biccies in my pockets to share with the dogs of homeless people as they often get overlooked. I'm sure I could work with them but as I don't have any animal care qualifications I would probably only be able to clean up poop and feed, not really my vocation, I can do that at home! Maybe in time I will try something but I think I'll be content with cuddling and helping out if they need any babies bottle feeding etc, wouldn't that be lovely?! Hopefully you'll visit us at some point and I'll be able to introduce you to the animals!

I finished Comfort & Joy by Kristin Hannah, not good! I've now started When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi and also The Man Who Broke into Auschwitz, which has been on my TBR a long, long while.

Yay! I hope you get to it but no pressure! I have a mental list of a few I want to get to this year, some of those ones I have been gifted as I really feel I would like to read those sooner so I can offer feedback to the givers! I've managed to not buy any books yet too, 21 days! That makes me happy, though whether I will feel the same when there are gaps on my bookcase I'm not sure! My plan is to read enough of my TBR so that I can swap them with the books on my Read bookcase, there is a way to go to achieve that though!!

Very cold here, only just scraping above freezing, have walked the dogs so treating myself to an afternoon on the recliner, half watching the footie and looking out at the sunshine in the garden. The dogs are laying near the doors, sun shining in and underfloor heating on!

Hi Peace, have a fabulous 2017, filled with all your favourite things. Will keep everything crossed for good news regarding the house, how exciting! Can we all come to the house warming party?!

Since I started paleo/primal/clean eating I have become more aware of ingredients; before, if someone asked me my favourite food I would have said something that had alread been put together, eg pie, a roast, even bread, but now I would reply eggs, or maybe beetroot, something I can use with something else to make a delicious meal or snack. This got me wondering what would be everyone elses favourite ingredients, non-processed of course! Maybe name 10, if you can stop there of course!! Mine would be, Eggs Kale and baby spinach Potato Beetroot Salmon, smoked haddock, mackerel, most fish actually - need to eat more! Minced beef Grass fed butter Chicken Goats cheese or feta Leeks and onions Avocado, at least half a day! Coconut and avocado oils Coconut aminos Furikake, though technically it is processed, it is healthy! Would love to chat with any other clean eaters, or wannabes!

Raw eggs are kept in a wooden egg box on the counter here, I may occasionally put them in the fridge if it gets very hot but as poppyshake says, it is rather rare! We get through a lot of eggs so I don't even bother to look at the best before dates. Steve would like us to have chickens but with Jojo it wouldn't be a good idea! I agree re tomatoes, they are kept in a bowl on the window sill where they look nice and are to hand as I use them quite a lot for breakfast especially.

Could you not use colouring pencils frankie? Would be a softer effect? Alternatively would gel pens work, you'd have to find the softer tipped ones (fibre tipped?) not the ballpoint ones but might work. Good luck with your search! I am loving mine but still only using black pen and being functional! I have all sorts of lists in there, health info, meal ideas, books and films, work stuff...so handy having it all in one place!

I went to see Blood Brothers with my eldest yesterday evening, it must be the 5th time I've seen it but it was one of the best, such an emotive play with so many layers, just love it.

Sounds lovely, nice when you can make a new friend who has lots on common with you.

Me too, they can't help being the way they are, it is hard to educate wild animals as to what behaviour is acceptable in their local community. I sometimes leave a couple of eggs out for our local ones as they love them. I have to be careful though as Jojo is not so keen on the little creatures and even my cat will chase them away; can be a funny sight, the fox scales our 6 foot fence and runs along the top, closely followed by the cat who is, in turn, closely followed by the dog.