I have a cat asleep on me...

Bruce is being quiet for a change!

Sunday shopping

I have spent the day today doing some xmas shopping with my other half and also cleaning the house. Exciting stuff!

We went and did a bit of shopping in Cardiff Bay and finally got ourselves a tidy set of cutlery ready for xmas dinner! After a late lunch of hot dogs we cleaned the house and I've made a beef and ale casserole which is now bubbling away nicely ready for tea!

I'm putting my xmas trimmings up next weekend so trying to figure out where everything will go. I'm also still reading the Night Circus. It's taking me a while because I've been so tired but I am enjoying it.

Friday feeling?

It's Friday!! Woohoo! I'm not feeling very Friday-like at the moment though. I had to take half day from work today as I was so tired, I couldn't concentrate. I had a nice afternoon nap with Bruce though and watched some Midsomer Murders.

Bruce is having another nap sat next to me now as we are sharing a duvet on the sofa. He is such a cutie when he is asleep. I just hope he remembers to have a lie in tomorrow morning.

I had to take Mr Sheli (also known as Steven!) to the hospital last night as he hurt his ankle again playing football last night and wanted to go to A&E to get it checked out. After 2 hours of waiting, they told him there was nothing they could do as he had torn his tendons and ligaments! Grrr! So this is why I'm so tired today! No wonder really.

I'm hoping to feel more chirpy tomorrow!

(By the way, I've decided to read The Night Circus first and am going to start it this evening. I love the black edged pages! Steven reckons it looks like a book that belongs to a vampire!)

Look what I've got!!!

Look at all the books that I had delivered today!! (Well they were delivered yesterday but my mum brought them to my house today!)

I can't wait to start reading them but can't decide what to read first! I'll let you know when I make my decision!

Book Review: A Tiny Bit Marvellous

I finished reading A Tiny Bit Marvellous by Dawn French last night.



I really wish I could say that I enjoyed this book but I really didn't. In fact I couldn't wait to finish it, but for all the wrong reasons so found it really hard to motivate myself to actually pick it up.

I didn't like the characters, especially Dora and the way her sections were written. When I was reading it all I could hear in my head was the voice of Dawn French when she played Vicky Pollard's mum in Little Britain. If you can imagine that then you will know what I am talking about!

Very disappointing! I won't be starting a new book now until tomorrow when my mum will bring over my delivery of books. I'll tell you all about that tomorrow!

Book Review: The Other Side of the Story

I'm a little late posting this but I finished reading The Other Side of the Story on the weekend.

I really enjoyed reading it and was really engrossed in the character's stories! It was based around 3 main characters and they all featured in the books in separate sections. I liked this as it was easier to keep track of each character and also was a bit like reading 3 books in one. I also liked that this book was a book about writing books and really inspired me as I'm starting my Creative Writing course in January (still need to mention about this!).

My favourite character was Gemma as she was the funniest and the person I could identify with the most.

I was a little disappointed with the ending as it was a little predictable but the book was tied up nicely at the end and you knew what everyones future would be. I would definitely recommend this book, especially to Marian Keyes fans!

Buying books

I had a lovely girly day out on Friday with an old friend I had lost contact with and we went and had lunch and did some shopping in Cardiff. And of course lots of gossiping!

I got a lovely notepad in Paperchase for when I start my Creative Writing course in the new year (Eeeek! More on this soon!) and of course a new pen which is supercute and is covered in a Russian doll pattern. I had to stop myself from buying the entire range to be honest but was very restrained!

I also went into Waterstones for a look around as I love bookshops. I was very disappointed that there were no offers on for me, and the only ones that would have interested me were for books I already have. I was intending on treating myself so felt a bit rubbish about this.

But on Saturday morning I got the latest catalogue from The Book People and found loads of books I wanted that were really cheap!!! So I have ordered a grand total of 14 books (this should keep me going until Santa brings me some more!!) but I will let you know more about them when the postman brings them for me!! :-)

Crafty crafting

This afternoon I watched Kirstie's Handmade Britain for the first time. It has been on Channel 4 on a Wednesday night for the last few weeks but I haven't managed to catch an episode until now.

It is hosted by Kirstie Allsopp and shows all sorts of different crafts and she then enters competitions with what she has made. It has really inspired me to be more crafty and make things as this is something I enjoy doing and it really gives me a sense of achievement to see the finished product. I have recently posted a few times about the christmas cards I have made but am considering trying some other things.

I like baking so am going to try and do more of it. I am also tempted by things like jam and chutney making.

I am also quite tempted by some sort of needlecraft project as this could be something that I could undertake over a long period and would hopefully be very proud of what I made.

Any suggestions gratefully received!!

Even more Christmas cards!

I've taken some better quality pictures of the cards I've made so you can see them better.

Here they are:

I've made a few Welsh language ones for my friends too.

This one is my favourite out of all the ones I've done so far.

I need to make quite a few more to make sure I've got enough though!! I'd better crack on!

Thank Ewe...

This is a cute sheep card I have made for someone I work with to say congratulations on a promotion and also thank you as she has been a good friend to me recently.

I hope she likes it!

Christmas Shopping

I've been out nearly all day today doing some xmas shopping. I got some lovely bits and pieces for my friends and thanks to a handy 3 for 2 offer managed to get myself a new purse! I've been doing my shopping on and off for a while so have now basically finished. I just have a few little bits to get and need to get something for my Nanna.

I really enjoy xmas shopping as I like spending time buying things for other people and like trying to get special little things to suprise them.

Now to crack on with getting my cards done in time to send them!

More Christmas cards

Here are a few more xmas cards I've made in a slightly different style.

Book Review: The Sisters Brothers

I have just finished reading The Sisters Brothers and really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure I would like this book as it is a cowboy/western style story and I've never read anything like that before as I generally don't find it interesting.

This book was on the shortlist for the Man Booker Prize this year so I thought I would give it a go based on this and I'm glad I did.

The story is about two brothers named Eli and Charlie Sisters and follows them on a job. It is no ordinary job though as they are hitmen paid to murder people. The story is set at the time of the Californian goldrush and is an amusing yet dark tale of their journey and the various saloons (and whores) they visit on the way. DeWitt has written this really well and turned what could be a very serious and dry story into something which I think could have a fairly universal appeal. Do not expect your average spagetti western though as you may be disappointed!

Crap tv

I've always been partial to a bit of crap tv. I will literally watch anything about people, history, cats, monkeys and just random stuff. I have found that my penchant for crap tv has got worse since I've had to take some time off work, and have shocked myself that I have enjoyed it and don't mind who knows!!

I've always watched reality tv such as big brother and I'm a celeb (new series tonight woohoo!). And am a massive fan of come dine with me, coach trip and three in a bed. I also have a soft spot for don't tell the bride, young apprentice, young, dumb and living off mum.... the list is endless.

Since being off work I have started watching something I never thought I would...the only way is essex. I'm quite enjoying it and even have my favourite people and the ones I hate. I also sit shaking my head at the stupidity of them (for example, did you know that the moon and the sun are actually two different planets?) but still watch it! I've tried watching made in chelsea but I hated it. I think I'll stick to towie as my guilty pleasure!

I've also discovered a new programme called sorority girls on E4. I find it fascinating that there are girls like this in America who are so involved in their sorority and that it's a bit like a religion. Episode 2 is on next tuesday so I'm looking forward to that.

I hope all this crap tv isn't ruining my braincells and that intelligent people can watch reality tv too!

Book Review: An Idiot Abroad

I've just finished reading Karl Pilkington's travel diaries from when he visited the Seven Wonders of the World. I can't remember the last time I read a book as funny as this and loved it from beginning to end! I managed to read it all in one day. I hope a similar book is released for series 2!

I've also managed to find the whole of series 1 on the catch up thingy on my tv as I didn't have Sky when it was first shown. So I've been watching a lot of Karl Pilkington! He reminds me of a cross between myself and my boyfriend's best friend. I find him really endearing and he has a similar mindset to me (which is a bit worrying!)

Book Review: The sense of an ending

This week I read The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. It was the winner of the Man Booker Prize this year.

I had high expectations for this book as it won the prize over the rest of the shortlist. I have read Jamrach's Menagerie and Pigeon English from the shortlist and really enjoyed them so was looking forward to this book.

Unfortunately I was really disappointed. I found that the first few pages did not grab me and I found them difficult to read. I did not feel an affinity with the characters and they weren't particularly likeable or the story itself particularly gripping. Even though the book was only 150 pages, it took me a few days to finish, just because I found it difficult to motivate myself to pick the book back up.

I wouldn't recommend this book and am disappointed that this won the prize. I still have three books from the shortlist to read so at least I have those to look forward to!!

Cute cat pic

I got this picture from my mum's facebook page and think it's really cute!

Christmas cards

I've taken up card making this week and am really enjoying it. It's something for me to concentrate on and I've found out that I'm more creative than I thought!
Here are a few cards I've made.

Book Review: Jamrach's Menagerie

I finished reading Jamrach's Menagerie yesterday and really enjoyed it, even the sad bits.
The story is about Jaffy Brown and his life. He starts working at Mr Jamrach's menagerie after deciding to stroke a tiger on the nose when he was 8 as he has an obvious talent with animals. When he is older he goes on an expedition on a ship to find a dragon for one of Mr Jamrach's customers. The story follows his voyage and what he encounters on the way.
I loved the way the book was written. I could really imagine the scenes in Jaffy's life. Because of this, the reader feels a real affinity with the characters. This story will stay with me for a very long time and is a real story of bravery.
It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize this year, but did not win. I've got another four books from the shortlist to read, including the winner so I'll see if I agree with the judge's choice!

Mushroom Soup

I made some mushroom soup today. I've never made it before but based it on a recipe that my aunt gave me.
Soup is one of my favourite things and have recently started making batches myself and eating it with some lovely crusty bread! I just have to learn to make the bread now!