Life ¤ Love ¤ Laughter ¤ Linds

A Stitch In Time by Beryl Kingston, my latest NetGalley title, was both excellent and easy to read!  This historical novel was filled with descriptive prose and emotion.  Set during WW1 and the Roaring Twenties, the tale follows one family determined to make their way despite the hardships of life in lower-class London and the intertwining of their lives with an upper-class family full of dysfunction despite their wealth.  Once I could read through the cant (mostly the first few chapters) I was enmeshed in Rose's narrative. In turns heartbreaking, surprising, comical, and filled with grit, it was a remarkable book. Women were extraordinary through the Great War and the lives they built afterwards were inspiring, as reflected in this work.  The determination to keep on - pull up the bootstraps and rely on each other, the resilience of families (as built by blood and by choice), and the hardships faced were unimaginable, but Kingston did well in painting this picture as a co

My youngest son is not picky, with the exception of pizza, hot dogs, and breads (unless it's a bakery loaf.) He loves new restaurants, enjoys picking out new recipes ("Mom, we should try this one!"), and will usually eat any home cooked meal he's served.  His faves include potatoes in any form, butter chicken (but not the way I make it), and rice and peas. (Grandpa's are still his favourite.) The last few weeks he's been asking for burritos... but not at-home burritos - fast food burritos. The closest burrito bar is about 25 minutes from us.  Considering it's the last official day of winter break... and that I have to pick up Kaleb's skis from the pro-shop across the street from a Mucho Burrito, we decided to have a lunch date today and finally get our burritos.. That is my priority. I have a million other stops to attempt, and I know running a full day of errands means he'll most likely get on my nerves. (Honestly, we haven't left

Have you ever noticed that women need each other, but especially mothers need someone on their team?  Have you noticed that sometimes other moms can be just horrible in their judgement and criticism?  Have you ever felt convinced you were messing up your kids irreparably? Wondered if you're slowly poisoning them because they won't eat a darn vegetable despite your best efforts?  Wanted to crash on your best friend's couch in yoga pants with tears because it seems like you do everything at home, and at work, and at school?  If you can relate to any of those questions... you'll relate to my latest read.  I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and/or author through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. My first read of 2019 and a new-to-me author:  Pippa James .  The Happiness Project was a charming glimpse into the life of three mothers as they make a list of New Years Resolutions together.  Being a mother

I'm not big on resolutions (mostly because I am acutely aware that my staying power is laughable - good intentions and all that.)  However, I feel like I am in a constant state of assessment - what can I drop? Where can I improve? Why did I do that?  As this year comes to a close, I'm not sure I actually changed much at all over the last twelve months.  I know in some ways I've matured (impressive at 37 years of age!)  I know I've also found myself frustrated.  I've been craving change.  I've been dreaming.  I wonder about the next ten years.  I've tried to make small changes to improve things that I have control of.  Some days I've completely lost control of everything... hello, out of control spiral! In the next year, without making actual resolution declarations, these are the reflections I'd like to embrace. Simplify.  Life, home, habits.  Just stop overthinking, overdoing, and indulging in over-consumerism.  Find myself.  I really can&#

I've finished up another new NetGalley title that perhaps captured me enough that I was grateful for yet another morning to sleep in.   It's just so hard to put a good book down when you're cosy in bed and the novel is gripping.  The night light features of my tablet mean I can read all night long without being a disturbance.  As much as I love a real book, there are definite bonuses to e-books. Victoria Connelly is an author I just discovered through this NetGalley request and I'll be adding additional copies of her titles to my to-be-read shelf.  While reading One Last Summer I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to call each and every one of my friends who has ever meant the world to me and to also live life to the fullest as if tomorrow were an unexpected gift.    It was a moving tale with flawed characters (man, I wanted to smack those girls sometimes) which made them feel very real.  The prose was descriptive and I felt like I too was vacationing alongside friends

A few days ago, I looked at all the books on my bookshelf that have not been read, and then I opened my Google Books app, followed by my Kobo app, followed by my Amazon app, and thought, as I browsed the hundreds of unread titles available to me, that I just didn't have anything to read. For a non-reader, I'm sure this sounds absurd - hundreds of titles, but nothing to read?  How can that be?  It's much like a woman with a walk-in closet full of amazing clothes and shoes who just can't find the right outfit.  Or my kids after we've done groceries and have a fridge full of food who can't quite find something to eat. So I joined NetGalley as an attempt to prevent any droughts in my reading choices.  I requested a fine number of books, and much to my surprise was awarded the privilege of reading more than I expected within the first 24 hours.  Now I feel pressure... must read the books.  Must do them justice. The first title I chose to read was Robin Lee Hatcher