Its Monday what are you reading this week?

I am enjoying this meme from J Kaye's blog, it is nice to see all sorts of different books! This week I have only managed to read one book, Devil's Brood by Sharon Penman. Sharon is the author that got me into straight historical novels. I love the way she writes and how she really gets you involved in the characters. The first time I read one of her books I only realised at the end that it was actually a true story. I can thoroughly recommend her. However, they are definitely not light reads.

This week I will be reading From the two rivers by Robert Jordan, and then will see what next once I have finished that.

Its Monday, What are you reading this week?

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This week has been a fairly good week, I have managed to read 3 books. Considering things are hectic at work, I think that is quite good.

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella. This is my first one of her books that I have read, I thoroughly enjoyed it and will definitely read more.

Second Glance by Jodi Picoult. I havent really enjoyed the last few of her books that I have read, but this one was excellent. She really draws you in to the characters and makes you part of their lives. Well worth it.

Without Warning by Carol Smith. I havent read one of Carol's books for a while and this one was brilliant. Although I did guess who the killer was about halfway through, she really keeps you going right until the end. I love the way you never really know what is going to happen with each character.

At the moment I am reading Devils Brood by Sharon Penman and will start on World without end next.

52 walks in 2010 week 3

Todays walk happened on the spur of the moment after work. It was quite overcast and windy, so had to lighten the photos up quite a bit. We went to the Japanese Gardens near my house, which I have not been to since Brenda was about 2, so was a nice change from the routing places we go to. I will try and go back later when we have more time.

I was not sure what this bird was, from a distance it looked like a crane, but when I got closer I wasnt too sure.

No idea on this one, any suggestions welcome!

Egyptian Geese

It's Monday, what are you reading?

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I knew that the moment I went back to work I would find reading harder and it has happened. Just dont get enough time to read now. I did manage to finish two books for the week though, and if I continue like that I will make my 100. Do have some extras already, which will be good since I have registered for my next 2 modules, so wont get as much time then either.

The two I managed to read this week were:

English Passengers by Matthew Kneale. I loved this book, but found it to be slow reading and a little confusing with all the different narrators. It really had a little bit of everything, drama, comedy, history and I found it thoroughly enjoyable. Although the book was a bit slow it really came down to quite a nailbiting finale. I would definitely read more from this author.

This year it will be different by Maeve Binchy I love Maeve Binchy, but am not really into short stories. So although I did enjoy them, I dont really feel that I was able to get my teeth into this book. A nice, light read though.

I have now started Second Glance by Jodi Picoult, and then have Remember me by Sophia Kinsella and World Without end by Ken Follett. I am sure that will keep me busy for the coming week!

Favourite Foto Friday #72

The theme this week is Close ups, but I am going to do back to school instead. I was a little bit dissapointed in the pictures this year. Brenda is going through a phase where she doesnt really want to pose, and just sort of stands there. She is also starting to develop up top and spends her time slouching to hide her chest, so all in all, not a great combination for photos, but cant miss the obligatory back to school photos.

Please go over to Hannah's blog to see some cute kiddies. Hannah's pictures this week are gorgeous!

52 walks in 2010 week 2

I did my second week yesterday, we went along Umhlanga Pier late in the afternoon. Unfortunately Brenda is developing a fear of tsunamis and refused to stay there for long. Funnily though, she is happy to swim in the sea, you just cant walk!

This little bird was eating in the bird feeder when we got there, and was still there when we got back.

Umhlanga Pier, this is the first time we have managed to walk on it because everytime we have been down it has been closed for something.

Umhlanga Lighthouse

Umhlanga looking north

Looking south

Not really a great photo, light was bad and Brenda was not co-operating!

This little seagull was flying all over!

First day of school tomorrow..................

Well, the holidays are over, and Brenda is back at school tomorrow. This holiday was only 4 weeks as the kids are getting 5 weeks in July. As a result we didnt really get much done besides Christmas, New Year etc. What have I been doing for the last two evenings? Marking stationery! Felt like hundreds of pens, pencils, crayons, kokis, roll ups, pencil crayons, books, file and the list goes on and on. I have boxes of broken pastels at home and every year end up buying new. We do donate the old ones to underpriviledged schools, but still, surely there should be a limit. The school is always asking for paper for recycling and her previous school was always telling the kids how many trees they saved with the paper sent, but what about all the pencils, and half used books. How does that impact our environment? Why does one child need so much stationery I hear you ask? Absolutely no idea, but what the teachers ask for is what the teachers get! Otherwise, "Mommy, my teacher will shout at me if I dont have it!" Only another 7 years to go, by that time we will be able to fill a tip! And not to mention, made myself nearly bankrupt!

Its Monday what are you reading this week?

I am quite impressed with myself as so far I have managed to keep up and in fact am actually a bit ahead of the game. This is good though, because I know that at some stage life will get in the way of the reading! So, for what are you reading this week I actually have quite a few books.

This week I have read:

1) Finished the courtship of Nellie Fisher series, The Longing and The Forbidden

2) Making your mind up by Jill Mansell I really enjoyed this book, such fun, lighthearted comedy.

3) Little Face by Sophie Hannah. This book was read for an online book club. It is really not the sort of book I usually read, but I enjoyed it. Very intense though, and lots of layers, you really have to think about it, well I did anyway.

4) Polar Shift by Clive Cussler. I love all of Clive Cussler's books. I was introduced to him through my real life bookclub and honestly is one of my favourite authors now. I love the fact that his books are so fast paced and find it very hard to put them down.

5) Bad Blood by Linda Fairstein. Once again, one of my favourite authors so I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

As for what I am going to read this week, last night I started English Passengers by Matthew Kneale. While I am enjoying it I can see it is one that may take me a little longer to read. After that I am not actually sure what I will read. I will have to hit the library!

Favourite Foto Friday #71 - Grandparents

The theme this week is Grandparents. With us living on the same property as my parents, Brenda sees a lot of them and has a special relationship with both of them. This is Brenda and my mom early in 2009 and with my dad at Christmas 2008.

In other news, Brenda turned 12 on Wednesday. I really cannot believe where the time has gone, it seems like just the other day she was born. We went out to lunch at a restaurant about half an hour from here which has a lovely play area. She may be 12, but Brenda is still a real tomboy at heart. Unfortunately there were not that many other kids there but she had fun anyway.   Sorry, no idea why blogger, put the photos like this, but I cant seem to move them.

After that we stopped off at Gateway Shopping Centre where we went to the new indoor funfair that has just opened. Brenda had an amazing time and even persuaded my mum to go on the dodgems with her!

Please hop on over to Hannah's blog to see lots of cute kiddies with their grandparents!

52 walks in 2010

Over on UKS a few of us are doing a photography challenge for 2010, to do 52 walks in 2010 and then post the photos. I have attempted to do a walk every day since last Friday and every day something has happened. Actually went down to the beach last Friday but couldnt get parking, and various other things have happened, culminating with today when our geyser burst this afternoon. So, to make sure that we got this weeks walk in, just landed up walking up the road this afternoon with Brenda and my mom. The first picture is of the view from our road, unfortunely it was a bit hazy so you cant really see the sea!

Another one of the view

Brenda took her scooter, and had a wonderful time going up and down the hill, until the rubber came off the wheel.

I think this is a White Hibiscus, but not 100% sure. Despite it being summer, I found very few flowers to take photos of.

Our neighbours still have their Christmas decorations up!

Oh well, that was our walk, hopefully the next one will be a little bit more exciting. I have been trying to come up with 52 different walks, and off hand can only think of about 10. Will have to do some researching over the next year!