Sunday's Seven Snapshots.21

Cuddles from my sweet Ivy girl

Getting a juice fix

One of my favorite places in Sydney - The Oxford Tavern...getting another juice fix...

...with some of my favorite people...

...having a favorite guilty treat - Chili Cheese fries with diced jalapeños! (This is a difficult treat to find in Sydney)...

...and having a favorite drink (peach mojito) and my favorite guy. So many favorites, this post should be on a Friday :)

Sydney Street Art in Petersham

List #26 - Semi-Charmed Kind of Life Summer Book Challenge

Yeah, yeah, yeah...surprise, surprise...another book challenge.  Sorry not sorry if you get bored with my book posts, but they're going to happen.  The first book challenge that I ever participated in was hosted by Megan, and I imagine I'll be forever a participant.  If you're new here and/or unfamiliar with Megan's challenges, here's a link with the details:

Semi-Charmed Kind of Life Summer Book Challenge 2015 - SCSBC15

And here's my list or go check it out on goodreads:

5 points: Freebie! Read any book that fits the general rules. -
Gathering Prey by John Sandford

READ May 17, 2015

10 points: Read a book you have never heard of before. (Just go to a shelf and pick a book based on the cover, the title, whatever you want!)

Paper Chains by Nicola Moriarty - I went to my favorite second hand bookstore, wandered around looking at titles of books, covers, and reading the synopsis on the back.  I did not want to cross reference to good reads because I thought that would be cheating ;)  I selected this book, only to discover it IS on my good reads "to read" list (along with 462 other books, so I didn't remember it).
READ May 5, 2015

10 points: Read a book that has been on your TBR list for at least two years. (If you've had a Goodreads account for 2+ years, this will be easy to figure out. If you don’t, do your best to pick a book you’re pretty sure you’ve been wanting to read for years.)

Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys  

READ June 9, 2015

10 points: Read a book that won a Goodreads “Best Book” award in 2014.

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart  
READ June 21, 2015

15 points: Read a book by an author who is completely new to you. 

Missing by Sam Hawken

READ May 30, 2015
 
15 points: Read a book by an author you have read before. (No re-reads for this one.)

The Book of Joe by Jonathan Tropper  

READ May 12, 2015

15 points: Read a book with "light" or "dark" in the title. (Or "lightness" or "darkness.")

Darkside by Belinda Bauer  
READ June 19, 2015

20 points: Read a book with the name of a city, state or country in the title.

 Last Night at the Viper Room: River Phoenix and the Hollywood He Left Behind by Gavin Edwards
READ June 4, 2015

20 points: Read a book with an animal on the cover.

Summertime by Vaness Lafaye (also released as Under a Dark Summer Sky)
READ July 17, 2015

25 points: Read a book that is part of a series with at least four books.

Killer by Jonathan Kellerman 
READ May 25, 2015

25 points: Read a book that is longer than 500 pages long. — Submitted by winter finisher Kristen from See You in a Porridge. - 

Middlesex by Jefferey Eugenides (my copy was 566 pages)
READ August 6, 2015

30 points: Read a book with an alliterative title. (All words in the title must begin with the same letter; no exceptions for articles or prepositions. Examples: Gone Girl or Nicholas Nickleby. Yes, this is tough, which is why it's worth the most points!) - 

Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
READ June 15, 2015

I read the categories and went to my bookshelf (and floor).  I had eight books that fit the challenge sitting there waiting to be read.  All eight were purchases from second hand bookstores that I'd picked up over the last couple of years.  Finally, I'll get around to reading them! 

Have you read any of these books?  Do you participate in book challenges?

Friday Favorites Five vol.9

Happy Friday one and all - let's get this party started!

Favorite list of books: Top Ten Most Challenged Books of 2014 - I'm not going to lie; this list makes me want to read all of these books.

Favorite anti-bullying post of the week: (although heartbreaking too) -
"Teach your kids that even THEY aren’t perfect, so judging other kids is NOT COOL."

READ this

Favorite love thyself article I read this week: No, I Won't Be Losing Weight for My Wedding -
"Our wedding is a celebration of the partnership we will work hard to nurture. It is not a time to dread, starve myself, or force difficult change."

Favorite transformation story that I read this week (it was actually originally posted in the NY Times July 2013, but I just read it for the first time): The Rock 'n' Roll Casualty Who Became a War Hero 

And, for a laugh..........

Favorite Friday flashback of the week - because when two great performers like David Bowie and Mick Jagger collaborate, of course they are going to give us a timeless song that is still just as fun to dance to as it was decades ago (yes, I know it is a cover).  Plus, this video, oh this video, it is so fantastic...fashion choices and the dancing antics of these two is guaranteed to make you giggle.  

Want to see more Friday Favorites?  Check 'em out at Amanda's link-up:

Meet the Felines Link Up

I never owned a cat.  Cats scared me and typically hated  me.  But...my guy loves both cats and dogs, so I was willing to give an effort to see what this whole cat thing was all about.  My guy, his two kids, and I went to our nearest Animal Welfare League in November 2013 to adopt two kittens. We left with three! And they have enriched our family ever since.  I'm a total cat convert.  Yep.  Crazy Cat Lady, all the way.

They are so much like children; they all have unique personalities, and we love each of them so much.

Name:  Ricky Sparkle  

(That's right.  Sparkle.  I was already named Ricky at AWL.  My human mama says Ricky Martin is handsome and knows how to move.  My human brother, who just turned six at the time, had the honor of giving me a middle name.  That's what the kid named me, and I like it.) 

Stats:  

• Tuxedo cat
• Male
• Silky, shiny coat
• Green eyes
• Slim
• Agile
• Curious
• Mischievous

Likes:   

• Climbing through window blinds (and bending them)
• Sitting at the window and staring outside
• Chasing the other cats
• Taunting my doggie sisters through the sliding glass door
• Looking for food on the kitchen counter
• Attempting to eat the dog food (while my humans are dishing it up)
• Killing cockroaches or millipedes or spiders or whatever other little critter tries to creep in our house
• Climbing the screen doors or windows
• Sticking my paw (or head) under a flowing water faucet
• Balancing on the top rail of our stairs
• Laying on our iron board, or clean clothes, or drying rack
• Hiding in drawers
• Climbing the Christmas tree
• Yanking down Christmas tree ornaments 
• Snuggles on mama's chest
• Purring
• Meowing

Name: Ivy Lou 

Kinda like Blue Ivy but backwards, and different, so not really like that at all.  I'm not really a diva either, so my sweet name suits my sweet demeanor.  I'm not sure why the font just changed, but I'm not the smartest of the bunch (apparently, neither is my mama because she can't correct it.)  Oh well.  I'm an easy-going girl.

Stats:  

• Torti (or torty, or tortie) cat
• Female
• Medium length coat
• Greenish-gold eyes
• Bootylicious
• Flirtatious
• Affectionate

Likes: 

• Bags
• Boxes
• Catching sunrays through windows
• Taunting my doggie sisters through the sliding glass door
• Looking for attention from the men of the house
• Running from my brothers
• The heat from the satellite tv box
• Piles of clothes
• Daddy's jeans (my favorite place to lay)
• Bouncing while I run
• Rolling over when I say hello (c'mon humans, that means I want a belly scratch!)
• Chewing the tip of my tail...I know, it's weird, but it's a habit

Name: Astro Naut  

We were waiting in the AWL office for my human daddy to complete the adoption paperwork, and my human mama was bouncing around Texas-themed names.  Some suggested: Sam (after Sam Houston), Willie (after Willie Nelson), Stevie (because it could give props to Stevie Ray Vaughan and Stephen F. Austin).  The rest of the humans weren't feeling any of these.  So, mama started offering up sports teams and names.  Astro (after the Houston Astros) is the name that they all turned and said "yes" or "I like that".  Secretly, I was thinking it's the name of the dog on the Jetsons, but whatevs.  I'm orange-ish, and I'm told that's the right color for a Houston Astro.  My middle name?  Well, the human brother steps up and decides my middle name is "Naut" because "Get it? It's like astronaut!" (Yes, this conversation happened.  Plus, it works.  NASA is in Houston, and NASA has astronauts). 

Stats:  

• Ginger cat
• Male
• Greenish-gold eyes
• Loyal
• Lazy
• Affectionate 
• Intelligent
• Awarded "best Cat ever" by my human brother
• BFF to my human mama

Likes: 

• My mama
• Cat food
• Cat treats
• Breakfast
• Naps
• Dinner
• Snuggles with my mama
• Headbutts with my mama
• Belly rubs from my mama
• Hanging out with my mama while she takes a bath
• Laser pointer time with dad
• "Helping" my mama read (this may consist of laying on top of the book)
• Sleeping in the cat tree
• Sleeping next to my mama
• Sleeping on my mama

All of us get along really well.  We play with each other, cuddle each other, and pretty much all five of us (kitties with my daddy and mama) sleep in a queen size bed every night.  We are great with our 7 year old human brother who absolutely adores us.  He thinks we're "the cat's meow".  When asked why he liked us so much his response was:

"They're really, really cute, and they're part of our family." 

Well, you can't get much better than that.

Cat conversion complete.

Join our mama's link-up, so we can meet other felines in bloggerland.

An InLinkz Link-up

And, if cats aren't you're thing (I don't know why they wouldn't be), there is a Meet the Canines link-up too.  So, you can check that out here:  Meet the Canines

List #25 - I'll show you my books, you show me yours... vol.3

ISteph and Jana host a monthly link-up - a place for bloggers & readers to share what books they've read the previous month.  I blog.  I read.  I've talked about the multiple book challenges I'm tackling.  So, this link-up is a great way to share my thoughts on books I've read, keep track of my book challenges, and find (even more!) books to read that are shared by others.

I know, I know.  I already posted about a book today.  That was a requirement for challenges that I'm participating in.  Sorry not sorry for the repetition.  I've read a lot this month.  This may be some kind of record for me.  I probably deserve a treat for my efforts.

 1.  Stolen by Lucy Christopher - I read this for the Aussie Author Book Challenge, and you can read my review here.  Go on.  Read it.  Because this book was gooood.

 

 2.  The Martian by Andy Weir -  Story - wonderful. Characters - fantastic. But....... I'm not science-y enough for this. I skimmed A LOT. The math talk and science talk was WAY over my head and out of my zone of interest. When talks of oxygenators, RTGs, EVAs, how much space needed for farming, how many solar panels needed for energy, etc...it was too much for me. All VERY important things to maintain life, but things I'm happy we have scientists to study and mathematicians to calculate. Astronauts are smarrrrrrt. The characters are the winners for me. If it weren't for the characters, I would have quit the book.  I will watch the movie because I really like the casting.

 3.  The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom - When I finished this book, I was almost at a loss for words. I experienced a full range of emotions from disgust to joy. The most important lesson to me to take from this story is what traits determine a family...loyalty, protection, support, and love...regardless of birthright, heritage, or race.  A book filled with interesting characters that will make you feel all kinds of "stuff".  

4.  The Cuckoo's Calling by Robert Galbraith - This was my first J.K. Rowling book (because she's who wrote it).  Don't try to draw me into your Harry Potter world.  I'm glad you're a fan.  I'm not interested.  Anyhoo.  It took me a little while to get pulled into this. I felt the skeleton was there, but the meat and muscle wasn't. I'm glad I persisted because I grew fond on the lead detective; he's the kind of damaged goods character that I enjoy.  I was happy with how most pieces of the story came together.  There was one big question I had that wasn't answered very well, but I can't really discuss that without giving away important details. So, forget I said anything.  This book did not convince me that J.K. Rowling is the world's greatest writer, but I plan on reading the new book in this series, so I thought it was good enough for that. 

 5.  All That I Am by Anna Funder - I read this for the Aussie Author Challenge.  I thought this was a superb historical fiction read, so if you're into that sort of thing, read my review.

6.  Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell - Again, Rainbow Rowell has written characters who are almost impossible not to fall in love with. Reagan - although a supporting role, was my favorite character by far. I loved her spirit.  The only criticism I have is I never "got" Harry Potter, so I had to be really creative in imagining the love and fandom of the world of Simon and Baz. If you were into HP, then you'd like this book even more than I did. A joy to read.

The next three books that I read (7,8,9) were all for the Aussie Author Challenge - you can read what I thought of all three of them in this review.  Go read now; I'll still be waiting here for you to return.

 7.  Strange Places by Will Elliott 

8.  Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley

 9.  Frantic by Katherine Howell

  10.  Private L.A. by James Patterson and Mark Sullivan - I am one of the reasons James Patterson is a gazillionaire.  I read almost all of his books.  I like Jack Morgan - the lead character of the Private series.  He is featured a lot in some of these books, and a little in others.  I find the ones that he is in a lot (Private #1 Suspect), I like more than the ones he's not (Private India, Private Games).  As with almost all James Patterson books, it is quick, easy to read, with several storylines happening at once that seem to be wrapped up by the end.  It feels like watching a movie rather than reading a book.  You know how Law & Order SVU will take a real life story straight from the headlines and tweak it for fiction?  This story does that featuring a Brad & Angelina-type power couple being kidnapped with their three adoptive children.  This one was good, but not great.

 11.  Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - This is a fantastic book about transformation, growth, family, friends, mental illness, and finding your own voice. I found myself caring about the characters...all of them...and interested in their lives and wanting the best for them.  This was written in 2003, so keeping that in mind, it was fun to see that the kids didn't seem to all have mobile phones yet, and one of the characters is always listening to his "discman".  Highly recommend it...I'd give it an A-

I enjoyed it so much, I immediately followed up by reading The Piper's Son, where the author takes a look at the same social group five years later through another's eyes.  I'm enjoying that one even more.  So, look for that next link-up :)

Book lovers - have you read any of these?  What did you think?  Will you read any of them?

Book Review - Saving Francesca - Melina Marchetta

Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - Francesca has entered a supposedly co-ed high school in Sydney that hasn't quite learned how to offer a fair play to its female students. She experiences the awkwardness of a new social group and learns what real friendship means. All the while, her strong-willed, opinionated mother is battling acute depression, and all of Francesca's family suffers. This is a fantastic book about transformation, growth, family, friends, mental illness, and finding your own voice. I found myself caring about the characters...all of them...and interested in their lives and wanting the best for them.

This was written in 2003, so keeping that in mind, it was fun to see that the kids didn't seem to all have mobile phones yet, and one of the characters is always listening to his "discman".  

Highly recommend it...I'd give it an A-

I enjoyed it so much, I immediately followed up by reading The Piper's Son, where the author takes a look at the same social group five years later through another's eyes.  I'm enjoying that one even more.  I haven't finished it yet, but I'd guess I'd give it an A+.  

I read this book for two different challenges:

Check it out!

 

 

1. Not Without My Sister by Kristina Jones, Celeste Jones, and Juliana Buhring
2. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
3. The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston and Mario Spezi
4. The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom - READ 18 March 2015
5. Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
6. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
7. Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
8. Veronika Decides to Die by Paolo Coehlo - READ 5 February 2015
9. Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - READ 11 April 2015
10. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
11.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
12.  I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Alternates:

1. For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway
2. Angela's Ashes by Frank McCourt

I'm diving in to this challenge with the hopes of reaching "Kangaroo" status.  I'm really liking my list, so I'm happy to find yet another the challenge.

KANGAROO
– Read and review 12 titles written by Australian Authors of which at least 4 of those authors are female, at least 4 of those authors are male, and at least 4 of those authors are new to you;
– At least 6 fiction and at least 2 non-fiction, and at least 2 titles first published in 2014 or 2015.

Female authors:
Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta - Completed 11 April 2015
Frantic by Katherine Howell - Completed 06 April 2015
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty (published 2014)
Girl, Defective by Simonne Howell

Male authors:
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
The Rosie Effect by Graeme Simsion (published 2014)
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
A Long Way Home by Saroo Brierley (non-fiction) - Completed 10 Feb 2015

Authors new to me:
Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley - Completed 3 April 2015
Strange Places by Will Elliott (non-fiction) - Completed 2 April 2015
All That I Am by Anna Funder  - Completed 29 March 2015
Stolen: A Letter to My Captor by Lucy Christopher - Completed 11 March 2015
 

Sunday's Seven Snapshots.20

This Sunday's Seven Snapshots is dedicated to gardening. You read that correctly. I didn't make a mistake. My guy got this insane idea that we should have a family garden at his mum's house. I've never grown a thing - not a houseplant, not flowers, not even a cactus. Yet, here I am, married to a man who wants us to grow a garden. Always an adventure...

This is me asking the question "what in the hades has he talked me into" with Roxy, my mother-in-law's beautiful sidekick. 

Wayyyy down at the end, Neil & Kay are planning. 

Veggies and herbs waiting to be planted. 

One of my jobs - to write in chalk where everything was going to be planted. 

Tashy (my niece) helped. She also ate dirt. My sister-in-law said it's good for her immune system. 

Liam (my stepson) helped too. For about fifteen minutes. He decided the iPad was more interesting. 

Yep, I planted these babies. Carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower. Any wagers on if I can actually grow them?  

My guy failed to tell me that funnel web spiders live in dirt. I hate spiders. And, funnel webs ain't no joke. You need an anti-venom if they bite because you could die. 

Besides the funnel web sightings, today was a success. A family activity that could produce some beneficial results.