Reading Review

Strange Fits of Passion - Anita Shreve

This novel tells the story of a woman fleeing domestic abuse.  It is clear from the beginning that there is going to be a dramatic climax to the story and it didn't disappoint. 

The book is set in the seventies and that is quite telling in how the topic of domestic abuse is dealt with. 

I enjoyed the story and how it was told from different points of view. 

The Saint Steps In - Leslie Carteris

Another in the Saint series, this was a nice little mystery.  This time it was set in America and while I am still getting used to the style of Charteris' writing, I enjoyed the story and trying to figure out what was happening.

Bill Bryson's African Diary - Bill Bryson

This was a short but sweet little read.  I like Bill Bryson's writing and his diary of a week in Kenya to raise money for CARE international did not disappoint.  I can only recommend it!

Recipe: Fruity Mince Curry

Ingredients:

• 300g mince
• 1 onion
• 2 eggs
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2cm ginger
• Chopped tomatoes
• Curry powder
• Cinnamon
• Salt
• 5 dried apricots
• 100ml orange juice
• 3tbsp coconut milk
• Handful red grapes

Instructions:

1. Chop the apricots and boil them in the orange juice to form a chutney.

2. Brown the onion, garlic and ginger. Add the mince, cinnamon, curry and seasoning.

3. Add the tomatoes and chutney to form a sauce. Chop the grapes and stir them in. Transfer the mixture to a baking tin.

4. Combine the eggs and coconut milk and pour over the mince mixture.

5. Bake for 25 minutes at 160℃.

Make it Monday - Crochet Owl Hat

This weekend I got stuck into my new crochet book and made this cute hat for a little girl's birthday.

It was quick, easy and fun, I'm enjoying crochet more and more and I can't wait to try another new project.

The plaits are especially cute.

Weekly Wisdom

Learn to be your own best friend.

The Saturday Update

After a false start with work this week, (too few students attended the course for it to run) I had more time than expected on my hands so I have spent some time organizing our office which means upstairs is closer to being done in my big clean project.

The kids had a good week, both back at Kindergarten and nursery with new staff and making lots of friends.

Nico had semester holidays on Thursday and yesterday so we had a couple of trips out for shopping and lunch. We felt like we'd lost a limb without the kids but it was very peaceful and also nice that we could pick them up together.

After a lot of back and forth this week, my Gonis party for today has had to be put on hold due to illness but hopefully, I've found lots of people for when it does happen.

I've had two days off paleo after losing 8lbs in January but I'm getting back on it again because I do feel much better on it!

Next week I'm hoping for a full course so I can get going with work and find a routine again.

Links!

Watching this and considering this.

Funny photos.

What a wonderful project!

Having stopped taking my phone to bed, I can relate to this.

Good advice.

Parenting.

An eye-opening story.

One of my favourites - inspirational as ever.

February Goals

Here's what I'm hoping to achieve this month:

• Get all my new jobs up and running.
• Finish sorting upstairs in the house.
• Launch my online Dawanda shop.
• Continue with Paleo and exercise.
• Crossstitch and video every day.