Monday, October 3, 2016

Monday Musings

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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.

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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!


I'm linking up with Kathryn of Book Date for It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

7 comments:

  1. 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.

    I'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.

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  2. I read the Temeraire series before, and I remember really enjoying it. Glad you did too!

    My It's Monday! What Are You Reading? post.

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  3. 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!

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  4. I 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!

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  5. The cinnamon rolls look yummy, and I just love that book quote you shared regarding hot chocolate!

    I'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!

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  6. Those buns look delicious! And so glad you loved The Royal We...I did too! A perfect light, fun read!

    And I agree with you on American Housewife as well.

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  7. Orphan Black is great, isn't it? I'm so excited to see what happens in the final season.

    Those cinnamon rolls looks amazing. I guess it's time to add them to my fall baking list! :)

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