 I'm coming to you late today because I took the day to do some much needed mundane chores such as dusting, laundry, etc., #Goodtimes Actually it felt good to be physically active and see concrete results, so much of what I do online is less "physical" and requires longer timeframes to see results. (Unlike instantly seeing the laundry basket go down, lol) The sun came out for a bit but it is still cooler, with more rain on the way! I have hope though as the weather is supposed to become warmer starting Sunday. I posted a bit more in April and thought I would give you the rundown, if you missed anything...  Quick Book Reviews: Isolation Diary: Have a great evening and speak soon~
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Happy Tuesday!
It’s kind of a grey day here in central New Mexico this morning, but I’m not complaining. I am grateful that we are having a bit of rain and the temps are dropping. 
It’s been a busy week already and it’s only Tuesday! Lol, I have a couple of baby showers to attend this month and a wedding (well NOT attend in person, but on Zoom), and I’m wrapping gifts for those, reading, painting, and there’s always work…
But I also found time to write up two quick book reviews for you today, both by Neil Gaiman. 
Quick Book Review - Tuesday Edition:
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman
Speak soon~
 Happy Thursday! It’s a chilly, rainy morning here in Central New Mexico. I thought we were going to beat the rain on our morning walk, but it started just as we got to about the halfway point! But all this rain equals amazing Spring flowers so I'm not complaining. There's lots to talk about this morning, so I'm just going to dive right in with another book review.  Thursday Short Review:
Deception Point by Dan Brown
This review contains affiliate links, but I never post about anything I don't love. Okay now I'm off to tackle the laundry and put on a pot of coffee. Have a great day! 
Happy Sunday!
I'm getting a late start this morning because I slept in. It was after 9:00 before I had my first coffee. Of course, the fact that I stayed up till 2:30 chatting on WhatsApp had nothing to do with it, lol. 
But regardless, it's a gorgeous day here and I'm going for a lovely, long walk this morning. But before I go run off, I thought I would knock out a few more book reviews, lol. I'm so far behind, that I really should be writing 10 at a time, lol - but we both know thats not going to happen. Today we will have to make do with two, instead.
Yesterday, while I was trolling for books on Amazon I noticed there was an Expanse novella that I hadn't read yet, so I scooped it up. Auberon came out in November 2019 and I have no idea how I missed it then? Oh yeah - I remember now, I was busy writing my book, lol. 
Sunday Short Review:
Auberon (An Expanse Novella) By James S.A. Corey
If you read the The Churn novella, you were given insight into Amos Burton and the Baltimore criminals. Erich from this novella is a main character in Auberon and his story is worth catching up on. Also read my review of Book One in this series here. Saturday Short Review II: The Churn: An Expanse Novella (The Expanse) By James S.A. Corey
I have paid links in this post, but trust me, I only make a small fee off them and never write about anything I don't personally love.
Okay I'm off for that walk now. Have a great Sunday!  Hi, friends! Spring is in full swing over here in our part of the world, and I'm doing a bit of Spring cleaning. I admit that I forgot/lost my password to Goodreads and am a bit late in updating my book reviews. (So be prepared for weekly reviews until I am caught up.)  I read Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse Book 1) way back in February 2019 and was hooked on the series. So before I review the entire 8 books in this series, and overload you, let's begin with book #1. Saturday Short Review: Leviathan Wakes (The Expanse Book 1) By James S.A. Corey
 James S. A. Corey is the pen name of fantasy author Daniel Abraham, author of the critically acclaimed Long Price Quartet, and writer Ty Franck. They both live down the street from me in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I think I have seem them buying tacos, but I kept my cool and didn't fan girl out. lol.  More reviews shortly!  Hi, friends! Winter is in full swing over here in our part of the world, so naturally, I have two things on my mind: reading and staying warm! Nothing like a warm fire and a good book! Fortunately I have a pile of TBR and a cozy place to read. #WIN  This book was recommended to me and was so good!   Great Book! Hounded by Kevin Hearne
 I read this while I was ill (even the SC filter couldn't make me look normal) I have ordered book two and three & can't wait for them to arrive.  Did I mention the old gods pop up in this story?  I also read Garden Spells last month while I was ill. Although, I couldn't get into it at all. I was surfing around Amazon (always dangerous) and it was a "recommended for you based on your other purchases" so I gave it a try. :( Perhaps will try it again later.    I'm not going to review it - other than to say I had to force myself to read it....and feel like it was a waste of time. But I do plan to review at least two books every week till I get caught up. (Perhaps I should review four at a time or we will be at this till next Christmas?) Lol  My Neil Gaiman reading frenzy continues...although Sandman is a collection of other peoples stories.  I'm currently reading.  So enjoying the "Expanse" series, too. I think there are 7 books, with another coming out in later this month?  :D The snow is melting! Making for a clear, but cold day. I'm headed back to my spot by the fire to finish Leviathan Wakes. I actually put off reading this series because I enjoy the television show so much. Usually reading and watching don't mix, you know? But I haven't been disappointed...
What are you reading? Do you have any recommendation? Share your current "can't put it down" books please!  Hey! How are you? If the rest of this year passes as fast as Janurary did then I'm in serious trouble!  So what the Hell did I do? I had guests for 2+ weeks and worked. The house was full of people, plus some stayed down the street at a B & B. So there was lots of laughing, eating and visiting going on! It really was an amazing visit!  We watched some movies... I blogged about some movies to watch with your BFF here and also reviewed a random movie a friend recommended to me here. I also managed to do some used book shopping.  I read a bit and owe you several reviews. Hopefully later this week I will get those out. The top book on that pile Hounded by Kevin Hearne was recommended by one of my friends here for the visit. She knew I would like it and she was so right! I'm already reading the second one in the series and buying the rest! We decided to eat healthy for this adventure so I mostly cooked. We wolfed down nice cream and smoothies everyday as well as homemade soups, Buddha Bowls, vegan cookies and lattes. I didn't take many pictures because I was busy eating too, lol!  Buddha Bowl - Red Beans, Sweet Potatoes, Avocado, Yellow Squash, Onions, Peas, Fresh Mushrooms ~ MMMMMMMMM We ate a LOT! I think we went through approx. 40 pounds of bananas in two weeks! It's hard to tell because I had a lot of produce before we began this adventure, lol. Everyone seems to be happy eating plant based vegan and no one went hungry. The downside though, one person caught a cold and before you knew it we all had it. I finished off the month in bed, but at least I had a lot of new books to read.  Call me sneezy- I'm excited to see what February brings.
See you at the airport~  Another mini used book haul~ Hello ~ So I’m wondering, how do you feel about New Year’s resolutions? My 2017 resolution was to stop spending so much on printed books and working so much. I actually went on a book buying fast for several months in 2017 and cut way, way back in 2018. It was difficult because I so love books, but it is made easier when I think about having to either ship them or store them when we move again. And the working so much? Well, I have taken a bit more time off and am back to daily walks, which help me handle the stress a lot better. Just getting away from my desk and out in nature has made a big difference.  Behold the beautiful New Mexico Mountains!  Bring on the veggies! I also vowed to eat better - which I'm still enjoying. :D
Some resolutions really change your life, others not so much. So for 2019 I am working on buying used books (cheaper and recycling is always a good idea) and also being picky about how many I keep. I'm going to continue eating the clean, veggie rich diet and make more time to travel. I think we may visit Sweden this year as well as some short trips in the US. So how about you? What are your resolutions and are you keeping them? 
Hi! It seems ludicrous to think I went on a "book buying fast" for most of the summer, doesn't it? I stayed away from Amazon (for books anyway) and did my best to avoid books stores, not that those really exist anymore. So just recently I've started shopping again. (You can read about the fall mini book haul here.) I held back, so it's a short post, lol. Part of my recent promise to myself has been to stop working so much and find time to do things I love. I have put so much on the back burner lately because of work, but now that I am taking time to read, make art and travel again I feel so much better! #WIN So far I've read two books from that mini haul. 
The first book I read was this delightful book on Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef. This is a lovely book filled with the artists stories, photographs, history and art.
Frida and Diego by Catherine Reef
The book itself is art.
The richness of the paintings featured are captured well.
I am happy to add this book to my collection.
Reading in front of the fire is the best.
The second book I read this week was Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett.
This has been on my list to purchase for sometime, but I never seemed to remember it at Amazon. The used bookstore had a well read copy for $1 so I couldn't pass it up. Next I will probably buy in hardback.
Pretty much sums up the book.
Frightening how true parts are though! Yikes!
Now I'm off for a mini road trip~ Have coffee, can travel!
And I packed the new sketchbook - Catch you later!
 Used books are often treasures that are out-of-print or rare. Hi, So I am off my "book fast" and currently building my TBR stack. I enjoy spending time browsing online and in person at used bookstore because you never know what you will stumble upon. Some authors might argue that books shouldn’t be sold in this manner since they don’t earn royalties on used books. I understand that, but as is the case with libraries, used book stores are a great place to discover authors and their work and add to your collection. If you are like me, once I find an author I like I usually purchase the entire catalogue.  Ignore the stickers...  Today's treasure were:
Another reason I'm drawn to used books is they offer a sense of their personal history. “To Jim, with love, Margret” makes me wonder about Jim and Margret and about their connection to the book. How did the book find it's way here? How many hands did it pass through? I rarely see a book with lots of highlighting and comments in the margins. Most often they maybe a bit worn from repeated reading, but I actually take that as a positive sign. So other than book shopping it was a normal day of work and usual errands. I plan on taking next weekend off to read and finish the details of my upcoming December trip.  I admit I love travel planning! After much research I have narrowed it down to two lovely guests houses for my next trip. This weekend I plan on booking one as I map out the rest of the adventure. This jaunt has a lot of moving pieces as I have a multiple state expeditions planned and have to schedule in work around sightseeing. I know by December I will be ready for some warm weather, but I'm happy now to pull out the boots and jackets.  Overall I'm enjoying the cooler weather this week. How about you? The fall weather is so nice! I dug out warmer leggings and last years boots earlier in the month and was pleased to see the boots are now a bit big on my legs. #ThankYouYoga While I'm still not where I want to be, the scales has finally started tipping in the right direction. Plus I feel so much better as well. Between yoga, walking more and eating better I feel much more like myself again. Now I'm ready to go adventure! Just as I was ending this entry, the post arrived with MORE BOOKS!  I purchased these online from Thrift Books and they are in excellent condition.  So excited to dive in!  Warm reading "nest" is calling... See you at the airport (or a used book store)~ |
Author Welcome to my (I used to travel) blog, my healthy Vegan lifestyle blog and my life! It's a lot, but it's my passions and I just love to write about it. Here I share tips, stories and photos from my adventures and life. This is the place where people can find daily inspiration to travel and motivation to live healthier lives and laugh a bit too! 
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