My week: It was another pretty quiet week here. Jarrod's schedule shifted again, to working 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., so that was a bit of an adjustment. I got a haircut on Monday and had several (at least 6) inches chopped off, and it feels so much better!
Reading: I finished and thoroughly enjoyed "The Royal We," then read the short story collection "American Housewife" in one day. It was ok... a little wacky and not particularly memorable. I did absolutely love the line, "...hot chocolate is a gateway drug to reading." Ain't that the truth!?
Then I read and loved "His Majesty's Dragon" by Naomi Novik, the first in a fantasy series that's set during the Napoleonic Wars with one huge departure from reality -- dragons. Dragons are bred to be used in battle, but they're also highly intelligent -- and they hatch from the egg already knowing how to speak -- and form an unbreakable bond with their handlers so they're sort of a cross between pet, equal, friend and weapon. Our main character's dragon is named Temeraire, and it was absolutely impossible not to fall in love with him. I enjoyed this book so very much and I can't wait to read the next story in the series! Luckily there are nine books out, so I won't have to wait to find out what happens.
Now I'm a little ways into "Underground Airlines" by Ben H. Winters, a speculative fiction novel set in present day imagining the Civil War never occurred and slavery is still legal in four states.
Knitting: I worked up the knitted hummingbird a friend asked me to make, and I absolutely love how he came out! (You can see a couple photos here.) I had a few requests to make more, so that's what I'm working on at the moment.
Watching: We finished up season 4 of "Orphan Black" and now comes the long wait til the spring to find out what happens next. That show always has me on the edge of my seat! I also watched a few more episodes of the BBC period drama "Lark Rise to Candleford." It makes for such easy, pleasant viewing and it's the perfect thing to watch while knitting.
Baking: I made cinnamon rolls for the first time ever this week, and holy cow, were they good! I love baking and I love cinnamon rolls, and I think I must have subconsciously avoided making them for so long because a tiny little part of my brain knew I would end up devouring almost an entire pan by myself. These particular rolls-of-amazingness were pumpkin pecan cinnamon rolls with maple frosting; here's the recipe from Bakerella.
Buying: I pre-ordered myself the British version of the new illustrated "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets." I wish I had thought to do that for the first illustrated edition last year, but oh well.
Looking forward to: My mom's visit is fast approaching -- she'll be here a week from tomorrow! We'll be going to Kauai, Jarrod's and my favorite island, for a few days and I hope she loves it as much as we do!
Mmmmm! Cinnamon rolls! They're one of things I miss not being able to eat since being diagnosed with diabetes. I really must try to find or develop a sugar-free recipe.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you liked Temeraire. It's a fantastic first book and a joy to read. I also liked the second book, Throne of Jade, although not quite as much as Temeraire.
I read the Temeraire series before, and I remember really enjoying it. Glad you did too!
ReplyDeleteMy It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.
I love Orphan Black and am sad to know the next season will be the last. Oh well, it's had a good run and I guess I would rather it end while it's on a high point rather than go on forever and lose quality. Felix in my favorite! Those cinnamon rolls look awesome and you said the magic word - pumpkin! I wouldn't be able to stay away from them either. Have a great week and it's so nice your mom is getting to visit soon!
ReplyDeleteI liked the first few books in Novik's series but burned out around book 5. I'll have to give them a try again now that some time has passed. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteThe cinnamon rolls look yummy, and I just love that book quote you shared regarding hot chocolate!
ReplyDeleteI'm super excited for the illustrated edition of Chamber of Secrets, but because I'm not usually a pre-order kind of person, I didn't. And now with the release being tomorrow I'm like 'WHY??!?!'
It sounds like you have some fun plans lined up for when your mum visits - I bet you're super excited. I hope you have a great week!
Those buns look delicious! And so glad you loved The Royal We...I did too! A perfect light, fun read!
ReplyDeleteAnd I agree with you on American Housewife as well.
Orphan Black is great, isn't it? I'm so excited to see what happens in the final season.
ReplyDeleteThose cinnamon rolls looks amazing. I guess it's time to add them to my fall baking list! :)