Homemade

This year, I set myself the challenge of making homemade gifts for everyone. I have generally stuck to it- there have been a couple of exceptions due to gift lists and such, but I have found it really rewarding. I am still working on the crochet blankets to be given at Christmas, and have rediscovered sewing. At the moment, my sewing machine is out of action and so I have been hand sewing. I had forgotten how much I like doing this, watching a film and sewing away (Oh dear I sound about 90!)





Here is the latest homemade gift, I am really pleased with it.

It is for a close friend who has wanted to begin 'envelope system' cash budgeting

She really likes the sort of 'country cottage' fabrics and prints so I was happy with the choice of fabric I found

Inside the pouch there are 4 coin purses with labels for her to write on so that each purse is a different budget area

And here is her card- very retro and a bit mean as she hates birds!

I have also recently made some seasalt and chilli chocolates for another friend which went down really well but I forgot to take a photo of those!

Book Reviews

 This was great, an imagined account of Roscoe 'Fatty' Arbuckle's life and career. I enjoyed the insight and it read very well - especially as the whole novel is in first person, something I normally find fairly tedious after a while.

 This was fantastic! I love Anthony Bourdain's travel show 'No Reservations' and really enjoy his narration and this is written in exactly the same wise cracking, arrogant style. It is excellent and makes the kitchens of restaurants seem like war zones and the ultimate playgrounds all rolled into one.

I was dubious about reading this as my initial reaction was that it was a 'misery memoir' packaged in a cleverer way. However, I saw Margaux Fragoso interviewed and I gave it a go. My initial reaction was right- this seemed to serve no purpose- it was not a survivors story in any meaningful way, nor was it fully believable. Parts of it were very graphic but it felt like it was trying to be deliberately provocative. Despite the fact that we follow Margaux from the age of 7 to 22, the book ended and I felt I still did not know her, and that I would be more discerning in my choices in future.

Horror

The recent dark wet days have had me snugged in the corner of the settee with the telly on. 

I have found some really great spooky stuff to watch (Horror is my favourite genre) and after listening to Adam Millard talk recently, it made me even more keen. He was really funny and down to earth and seemed to share a lot of the same experiences with horror as me. I think his books may be a little gory for me, I prefer the 'spookier' or paranormal stuff rather than gore- these are a few of the things I have been watching in the downpours....