What I listened to in April!

At the start of the year, I started listening to audiobooks. I always wanted to be a reader but couldn't/wouldn't make the time, so audiobooks were a way around it. I could be busy doing something while still listening to a book. Anyway, I thought I would share what I have been listening too. All of my audiobooks come from my local library through the app BorrowBox. I know lots of what I listen to might be considered old but they are all new to me!

This is what I listened to in April:

Looking for JJ by Anne Cassidy!

Three children walked away from the cottages on the edge of town toward Berwick Waters. Later that day, only two of them came back. Alice Tully knows exactly what happened that spring day six years ago, though it's still hard for her to believe it. She'll never be able to forget, even though she's trying to lead a normal life. She has a job, friends and a boyfriend whom she adores. But Alice's past is dangerous, and violent sad and it's about to rip her new life apart.

I found Looking for JJ quite unsettling to listen to. It’s not exactly an easy or light listen but I did find it gripping. I needed to know what happened six years ago and what happened to Alice now. I had moments where I felt quite sympathetic and then I’d catch myself and feel a bit weird about it, like should I feel like that about a murder? It definitely made me question a lot, especially about people changing and whether the past should always define someone.

Kill Them with Kindness by Will Carver!

The threat of nuclear war is no longer scary. This is much worse. It’s invisible. It works quickly. And it’s coming. The scourge has already infected and killed half the population in China and it is heading towards the UK. There is no time to escape. The British government sees no way out other than to distribute ‘Dignity Pills’ to its citizens: One last night with family or loved ones before going to sleep forever together. Because the contagion will kill you and the horrifying news footage shows that it will be better to go quietly.

Dr Haruto Ikeda, a Japanese scientist working at a Chinese research facility, wants to save the world. He has discovered a way to mutate a virus. Instead of making people sick, instead of causing death, it’s going to make them… nice. Instead of attacking the lungs, it will work into the brain and increase the host’s ability to feel and show compassion. It will make people kind. Ikeda’s quest is thoughtful and noble, and it just might work. Maybe humanity can be saved. Maybe it doesn’t have to be the end. But kindness may also be the biggest killer of all.

I really wanted to get into Kill Them with Kindness but it just didn’t click for me. I gave it a fair go but I kept losing track of what was going on because it felt like it was constantly jumping about. In the end, I didn’t finish it. This is the first book I haven't been able to finish since I started listening to audiobooks.

Lucky Day by Beth Morrey!

Work. Eat. Sleep. Repeat. But not today. Today, the rules don’t apply. After a morning that starts with a terrible migraine, an accidentally strong concoction of painkillers, and a bump on the head, Clover Hendry is not quite herself. And as she walks out of work at 9.47am, for once Clover isn’t worrying about the consequences. For once, she’s going to live for herself, if only for a day. Full of a joyful recklessness, Clover Hendry is taking the day off. But will her new-found freedom uncover long-buried secrets?

I really enjoyed Lucky Day and as a people pleaser it appealed to me. It’s one of those books that just makes you feel good while you’re listening to it and I found myself properly smiling while listening. There were loads of laugh out loud moments too, which I didn’t expect but they really made it such an easy, enjoyable listen. I think I could do with a day life this where I say stuff it to all my responsibilities and do what I want to do.

Audition by Katie Kitamura!

Two people meet for lunch in a Manhattan restaurant. She’s an elegant and accomplished actress in rehearsals for an upcoming premiere. He’s attractive, troubling, and young young enough to be her son. Who is he to her, and who is she to him? In Audition, two competing narratives unspool, rewriting our understanding of the roles we play every day partner, parent, creator, muse and the truths every performance masks, especially from those who think they know us best.

I liked Audition by Katie Kitamura but I’ll be honest, I also came away a bit like I’m not sure I fully got all of that. It’s one of those books that feels really clever and I kept wondering if I was missing something important underneath it all. Like I was reading it slightly out of sync with what it was trying to do. There were parts I really enjoyed and got pulled into but then it would shift again and I’d be back to trying to work it all out in my head. Either way, I’m glad I listened to it even if it’s still sitting in my head a bit like a puzzle

The Black Dress by - Deborah Moggach!

Pru is on her own. But then, so are plenty of other people. And while the loneliness can be overwhelming, surely she'll find a party somewhere? Pru's husband has walked out, leaving her alone to contemplate her future. She's missing not so much him, but the life they once had - picnicking on the beach with small children, laughing together, nestling up like spoons in the cutlery drawer as they sleep. Now there's just a dip on one side of the bed and no-one to fill it.

In a daze, Pru goes off to a friend's funeral. Usual old hymns, words of praise and a eulogy but it doesn't sound like the friend Pru knew. And it isn't. She's gone to the wrong service. Everyone was very welcoming, it was oddly a laugh and more excitement than she's had for ages. So she buys a little black dress in a charity shop and thinks, now I'm all set, why not go to another? I mean, people don't want to make a scene at a funeral, do they? No one will challenge her and what harm can it do?

I was hooked on this after the first chapter wondering how things were going to unravel next. Just when I thought I had things figured out, it would shift and I’d be sat there thinking I didn't see that coming! There’s a nice mix of humour and sadness running through it and has a mischievous edge that made me keep listening just to see what happens next. There were so many twists and turns and I could have never have guessed the ending.

What have you been reading or listening to lately?

The Wednesday Hodgepodge #56

I hope you are all having a good week. It's Wednesday, which means it's time to join in with the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce who blogs at From This Side of the Pond! Each week there are 6 questions, we answer and then link up. Simple!

1. What do you make more complicated than it needs to be?

I make pretty much everything more complicated than it needs to be by overthinking things. I can turn the smallest decision into a whole drama. Deciding what jobs to do first, replying to a message, planning a day out, even choosing what to watch on TV somehow becomes a major life decision. I overthink things, thinking of every possible outcome and I usually end up confusing myself even more. Half the time, the simple answers were the ones I thought of at the start but my brain likes to add extra steps just to keep life interesting.

2. What impresses you?

People who seem to have their life together all the time! You know the ones who's houses are always spotless, their meals look like something from a cookbook and they somehow manage to make family life look easy. They’re organised, never seem rushed, always remember appointments and manage to wear the cutest outfits without them seeming to try too hard. I know social media only shows the good bits and real life can’t possibly be that perfect all of the time but I am still impressed by people who manage to juggle everything while making it all look so easy. Then there's me over here walking into rooms and forgetting why, losing my phone while it’s in my hand and repeating myself to the girls about ten times a day before anyone listens.

3. On a scale of 1-10 how picky of an eater are you? (1=extremely and 10=not at all) If you had to eat a meal made entirely of one color what color would you choose?

I’d say I’m about a 9. I will eat just about anything and try most things at least once. There’s not much that I flat out refuse to eat apart from broccoli and green leafy vegetables but sometimes I will eat them if they are hidden well in a meal.

If I had to eat food made entirely of one colour, I’d pick beige. Beige food is something special. Chips, bread, pasta, roast potatoes, chicken nuggets, crisps, pastries, toast and cake! It might not be the healthiest choice but I would definitely not go hungry. Never mind one meal, I think I could last a week just eating beige food.

4. What does balance in life mean to you? Does your life currently feel 'balanced'?

Balance in life to me means having time for the things I have to do and the things I want to do. A balanced day for me is getting all the boring jobs done like the washing, cooking and tidying up and then still having time left to sit down in front of the TV and watching whatever show I'm watching, playing games on my laptop or enjoying a nice cup of tea.

I think my life feels pretty balanced at the moment. Of course, there are days when everything feels a bit too much or the to-do list never ends but at the moment I am in a good place. I think it helps that I am realising that I don't have to be productive every second of the day, some downtime is good!

5. If you could travel the world for a year what would be your first destination?

If I could travel the world for a year, my first stop would definitely be America and I don't think I would get much further as there is so much that I want to do and see over there. It’s one of those places I feel like I already know a bit from reading blogs, watching videos and following people online but I would love to see it in real life. I’d want to visit some of the places I’ve read about, walk the streets I’ve only seen in photos and I also like the idea of meeting some of my favourite bloggers along the way. Then there are places like Disney World and Land, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone National Park, Las Vegas, New York City and of course Washington D.C.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am writing this on Sunday afternoon after being out for lunch and what a good lunch it was! It was just Stu and I who went out and we decided to get the three courses. I had a prawn cocktail for starters, honey roast gammon and all the trimmings for my main and then Chocolate Cremeux for dessert. I had no idea what a chocolate cremeux was before Sunday, it's like a mousse but more denser. It was amazing and the butterscotch ice cream on the top was something else! We finished out afternoon out by having a few games of pool. It was just going to be one but I beat Stu on the first so it had to be best of three. He won. Hmmf. 

Little things we can do to be kinder to bees!

World Bee Day is this week, which feels like a good excuse to stop for a minute and think about the little bees. Not in a big way, I must now grow a meadow way but in a small, everyday way. Bees are getting on with a very important job and most of us are just getting on with our day without really noticing them. Being a bit kinder to bees doesn’t mean becoming a gardener, buying fancy seeds or suddenly knowing what you’re doing outside. It’s mostly about tiny changes, a bit of awareness and letting nature exist. Here are some simple ways to help the little creatures out!

Let things be a bit scruffy!

You know that tiny patch of grass or weeds that you keep meaning to sort out? Leave it! Dandelions, clover, daisies and all those things we’re taught to see as messy are bee cafes. Early spring, especially when there’s not much else about, those little yellow dandelions are like flashing neon signs saying food here. You don’t need a wild garden. You just need not to panic when something grows where you didn’t plan it.

Put water out!

This one is so simple. Bees need water. Not a deep bird bath where they’ll drown, just something shallow. A saucer, an old lid or a plant pot tray. Put some pebbles or stones in whatever you are using so the bees have got somewhere to land, add a bit of water and you’re done. You’ve just created a bee pit stop with about 30 seconds of effort, just keep topping it up with water.

Skip the chemicals!

We’re sold so many sprays for gardens. For patios, weeds, ants, moss and anything that exists outside. A lot of them are tough on bees. If you don’t need to use it, don’t!! Weeds in random places are not hurting anyone and a few bugs on plants is just nature doing its own thing. Less spraying creates a safer space for bees.

Support bee-friendly brands where you can!

It’s one of those little swaps that doesn’t feel like much but really does help. Grab your honey from local sellers, pick brands that look after pollinators or even stick a few quid towards a bee charity if you can. It all adds up more than you’d think.

Don’t panic if a bee looks a bit worn out!

They do this thing where they just run out of steam or get a bit chilly and end up sat still looking like they’re on their last legs. Most of the time they’re fine, just having a rest. If you want to help, a tiny drop of sugar water nearby (not honey) can give them a boost.

Don't panic if they come inside!

They’re not exactly thrilled to be inside either. The easiest way to help them out is turn the lights off, open the window and blinds and give them a minute. They’ll usually figure it out without any drama. There is no need to chase them around.

Talk about bees like they matter!

Especially with kids. Instead of making bees seem scary, just chat about what they do and why they matter. Point them out when you’re out and about, mention little facts here and there. The more normal it is to respect them, the better.

Being kinder to bees isn’t some big lifestyle change. It’s just noticing them, making a few small changes here and there and letting them get on with their thing without interfering all the time.

Our weekly meal plan! 18th - 24th May #MealPlanningMonday

Happy Monday! I hope you have all had a good weekend. Ours was a good one, they always are when Becky has her weekend off work and we get to have some family time. It feels like we hardly see each other properly during the week sometimes with work, college, appointments and everyone doing their own thing, so weekends like that are lovely. 

We spent Saturday evening watching the Eurovision Song Contest, which is always a lot of fun! It is one of those nights where you sit there wondering what on earth is going on half of the time but you can’t stop watching. The whole thing is madness and our song was totally crazy. The chorus went like this: Eins, zwei, drei, Darlin', I need something salty, Eins, zwei, drei, With a slice of pepperoni, I'll pay, you can owe me. That'll be a pony?? See, madness! Eurovision makes no sense but it is the best entertainment. We came last with 1 point, Bulgaria won with 516! lol

Yesterday Stu and I went out for lunch. We had planned to leave the girls at home to fend for themselves but in the end, it was only Ellie at home, as Becky got called in to do some overtime because they were short staffed at work. She wasn’t too impressed at first as she had been looking forward to a lazy Sunday but extra money is always handy. So poor Ellie had to make her own lunch while Stu and I went out and had a roast dinner cooked for us, dessert and a couple of glasses of wine at the pub. Hehehe!

Last week's meal plan went well. The only meal we didn't eat was of course yesterdays and the Peri Peri Spiced Basa Fish Cakes With Chips And Spicy Peas on Saturday. We had leftover pizza from the night before and had that with chips. This week is a big week for Ellie. She is resitting her English GCSE exam. Hopefully, this time she will get the pass that she has missed out on for the past few years. This will be her last chance, as at the end of next month she leaves education. Eek!

On the menu this week we have:

Monday - Gousto Meal - Peri Peri Spiced Basa Fish Cakes With Chips And Spicy Peas!

This is bumped from Saturday! Basa fish cakes mixed with sweet potato, coated in panko breadcrumbs and packed with peri peri spice so they come out crispy on the outside and soft in the middle. It comes with chips on the side, plus peas that aren’t just plain peas. There’s mint and a bit of chilli in there too. It all sounds so full of flavour.

Tuesday - Gousto Meal - Chinese Takeaway Style Chicken Balls With Vegetable Fried Rice!

This is one of those meals that I am really looking forward to making because it sounds just like a Chinese takeaway at home. Crispy chicken balls with a sweet and sour dip and vegetable fried rice. My family say they don’t like sweet and sour sauce but when I have made it at home in the past, they loved it! Takeaway style meals at home always feel like a treat and it saves so much money compared to ordering an actual takeaway.

Wednesday - Pork and apple sausages with potato wedges!

This is one of our own meals which we haven’t had in such a long time. It’s simple, two packs of pork and apple sausages from the supermarket and homemade potato wedges. Sometimes the simple meals are the best ones. The sausages always smell amazing when they’re cooking and the wedges always go down well with everyone.

Thursday - Gousto Meal - Classic Creamy Chicken Thigh Pie With Mash & Roast Carrots!

This is a one for Ellie. She loves any type of chicken pie! Tender chicken and sweet leeks in a golden pastry. Served with a hearty helping of roasted carrots and creamy mash. I’m really looking forward to this one as you can’t go wrong with creamy chicken and mash together.

Friday - A takeaway of some sort!

Friday night is an easy night for me. I don't cook and we order takeaway. Last week we had pizza from the pizza shop which was so good and there were leftovers for Saturday lunchtime too. Who knows what we will have this week? I am thinking fish shop as it's been a few weeks since we last had that.

Saturday - Gousto Meal - Fried Egg, Bacon, Tomato & Garlic Mushroom Breakfast Baguette!

This sounds like the ultimate weekend breakfast or lazy brunch sort of meal but we're having it for tea. A crusty baguette filled with bacon, fried egg, juicy tomatoes and garlicky mushrooms! It feels like it's going to be a messy one but very tasty!

Sunday - Something with mash & gravy!

As much as I want to go out to eat again for a Sunday roast, we have to be sensible. I am thinking we will have something with mashed potato and gravy. Maybe sausages or chicken?

What are you eating this week?