Hello bookish friends. First week of October has me reading outside thanks to cooler temps, using the slow cooker and planting pollinators. I hope your week is going well.
Currently reading The Elements by John Boyne.
From Goodreads - "The narrative follows a mother on the run from her past, a young soccer star facing a trial, a successful surgeon grappling with childhood trauma, and a father on a transformative journey with his son. Each is somehow connected to the next, and as the story unfolds, their lives intersect in unimaginable ways."
I'm over halfway through with this book and it's quite a page turner. Set in Ireland and England, there are triggers on rape and abuse but nothing graphic.
Four different stories and circumstances with the point of view of a perpetrator, a victim and I am not so sure about the enabler label on one story. Anyway, Boyne is linking up these stories and people in each section titled Air, Earth, Water and Fire. I can't put it down.
Surprise in the mail - Thank you to Deb at Readerbuzz for the seed packet and lovely card! I have planted them and hope for some pollinators to visit. I also planted my Seed Pop but so far, only a few sprouts. Maybe I am overwatering. We will see.
CrocktoberFest time. This slow cooker isn't mine but I thought it looked so cute .
First thing I wanted to do was make this Peach and Pear Cobbler (click on link for recipe). I made it ages ago and posted on my defunct food blog. Dessert in a slow cooker - yes please. Next crock effort is a lentil soup. We are starting to get cooler temps. Very excited.
Sharing with:
Deb at Readerbuzz for Sunday Salon
Joy for British Isles Friday
The Slow cooker is adorable! Mine has had a hard life and is about to be replaced but haven't decided what size I want to replace it with - and if I want to splash out and get something really fun looking! Fingers crossed the seed pop produces more sprouts and that you get all kinds of birds and butterflies. I love the idea of pear and peach cobbler especially in a slow cooker! I'll have to try it though I suspect that I don't like pears quite as much as I think I do. Will have to test that theory.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I thought it was so cute, but I have a big oval sort for roasts and a very small one for oatmeal.
DeleteIf those seeds come up I will definitely take photos!
I have had a small kitchen appliance addiction for years, as in I have multiple crock pots in different shapes and sizes. And I've wanted a VW Beetle since I was a teenager! So I think I see one of these VW crockpots in my near future.
ReplyDeleteVicki, that might make a cute addition to your collection!
DeleteI love the ease of a slow cooker and plan to use mine more this fall/winter. We actually have three, which come in handy at Thanksgiving. Mashed potatoes in one, gravy in another, stuffing in another. Everything stays nice and hot that way. I also use my air fryer quite a bit when it gets too rainy to grill outside. That's a super cute slow cooker! I passed an electric VW bus today (we see quite a few in our area) and thought it would be fun to own one!
ReplyDeleteI have the Boyne book on my tbr list. I've enjoyed all of his books with the exception of the Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I think I read it right after The Book Thief and felt it didn't compare. Probably should have read it without trying to make that comparison.
Les, the slow cookers rock for planning ahead and keeping food warm for events.
DeleteI didn't know the VW bus were electric now, or some options for them anyway.
Thanks for the tip on the Boyne book The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I will try a different one of his next time.
Here's a link to my reviews of the books I've read of Boyne's. The Hearts Invisible Furies is excellent, as is A Ladder to the Sky. Actually, so is The Absolutist. Happy reading! :)
DeleteThank you!
DeleteGood luck with the seeds! This summer we had lots of bumblebees and regular bees. They loved the zinnias and coneflowers, sunflowers, and some wildflowers we planted from seed.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Harvee. We did get some coneflowers but I forgot about zinnias. I love watching the bees and butterflies flitting around.
DeleteHooray for reading outside again! What a relief after such a long hot summer. Our FL neighbors were ecstatic when they finally got an overnight low of 70. That crock pot is adorable and I see the have a VW beetle, too. It would make me happy seeing it on my counter as the soup cooks. The John Boyne book was published as 4 separate books in the UK and I initially had them all on my list individually. Glad to hear you're enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I thought that cooler weather would never get here! The Boyne book does mention it was 4 separate stories but it's very cool how he has woven in the characters to make this a novel.
DeleteI made lentil soup for the next post with CrocktoberFest theme already. It's so handy to get it started and walk away.
A few things seem to be coming up from the Seed Pop. Thank you so much for sending it to me. I hope your wildflowers pop up, too.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed John Boyne a lot in the past---I've read both Boy in the Striped Pajamas and The Heart's Invisible Furies.
Deb, I intend to read more by Boyne but I have a loose reading list to attack upcoming. I am so glad you have had luck with your seed pop! So far I only see a few sprouts and not sure if I overwatered. We will see.
DeleteMy husband does all the watering. I tend to do too little or too much!
DeleteI have some sprouts from the one you sent! I can't wait to see what flowers they are as they grow.
DeleteI need that crockpot!! Well, I don't but...I do love mine even if the writing on the buttons have worn off. I love it because it browns, roasts and steams. No need for extra pans.
ReplyDeleteI added The Elements to my wishlist. I am also reading a new to me author, set in Ireland and England, Naoise Dolan, The Happy Couple.
Jackie, isn't it cute, a little VW. Thanks for the suggestion about Naoise Dolan, I am going to check that out. I love settings in Ireland, England and Scotland,
DeleteThe Elements sounds interesting. I hope you continue to enjoy it. The cobbler looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Joy. Dessert is often overlooked as a crock pot idea. I made lentil soup as well. Love the style of Byne and you can expect me to link up with more of his books in the future.
DeleteI’ve made a few self saucing puddings in my slow cooker, chocolate and a butterscotch were my favourites.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the seed growth.
Wishing you a lovely reading week.
Thank you, Shelleyrae. I like the idea of those self saucing desserts. Lentil soup is up next. I am starting to see sprouts from those seeds!
DeleteThat slow cooker is so cute!!! I am also enjoying popping dinner in the crockpot and walking away, It is so much easier. Lol.
ReplyDeleteErin, it's an adorable slow cooker, not sure if it's a reliable one but cute all the same.
DeleteI really need to remember to look up recipes for my new crockpot!
ReplyDeleteBibliophilebree, they are so easy for a dinner without all the fuss!
DeleteWow a cobbler in a crockpot -- that sounds for me! I might try to make that. And that VW slow cooker is pretty adorable. I hope the wildflower mix takes off and I look forward to hearing more about the Boyne novel. Sounds like a nice time of year there. Enjoy !
ReplyDeleteSusan, I am starting to see sprouts so I am hopeful. My slow cooker is going to get some use upcoming. It's nice to set it up and walk away.
DeleteThat VW slow cooker is the most adorable thing ever. Good luck with your garden!
ReplyDeleteAJ, I thought it was cute as well!
DeleteThat slow cooker is amazing! I can think of someone in my life who would LOVE it.
ReplyDeleteNicky, it would make a cool christmas gift for sure.
DeleteThat crockpot is the cutest and the cobbler and soup sound delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jinjer. I knew you'd like the crockpot!
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