... All my awesome new books and journal! I‘ve never read any of these! I can‘t wait to delve into the Country House history, and I don‘t think I will be able to save the Country House Christmas until Christmas! (I‘ve already looked up her estate - Lyme - and wow. 😲😍) The mysteries all look terrific - right up my alley! The map is amazing - I love it!

Thank you so much for everything, Karen!

And thank you so much for hosting, Chrissy!

@Chili What a wonderful adventure! Thank you for putting together such a thoughtful journey through the English countryside!

I love the snacks you chose - wow!! And I especially love that you included sustenance for my traveling companions. 🐶❤️🐶 The Timtams are delicious! I had to sneak one in with my morning coffee 😄 I can‘t wait to try the Caribou coffee - in my Caribou coffee mug! ☕️ Thank you for my bookish goodies & tote for carrying ...

I‘ve gotten rather behind on posting reviews - I‘ve read/listened to these in the last few weeks

I‘m still very much enjoying Mrs. Jeffries (I‘ve started #5)
Borrower in the Night drew me in with its historical mystery (I may have to dig in to the next Vicky Bliss)
Joy in the Morning - Poor Bertie, it really wasn‘t his fault this time!
In the Teeth of Adversity - Don‘t read if you are iffy about dentists!
Death in the Tunnel - facts & deductions

They‘re here!!! 😍 Is it August 14th yet?! 🤣

#staycationintimeswap

Your package went out yesterday @Chili ! The tracking says it will be there Friday. The box is arriving incognito 😎

#staycationintimeswap

Beginning this one as my lunchtime time read - thank you for sending it @Kendyl ! I thought it fitting to have my coffee in an Orient Express mug 🚂

And Week 4‘s check-in for #BFC :

I reread Footsteps in the Dark, a fun Heyer mystery that takes place in a recently inherited country house. The young and intrepid proprietors investigate to find the source of the hauntings beleaguering their new home.

93,000/105,000 steps
5/10 books

I just realized I didn‘t post my #BFC Week 3 Check-in

96,000/105,000 steps
4/10 books

Light-hearted and entertaining, this first installment in the Mrs. Jeffries mystery series introduces us to Inspector Witherspoon and his domestic staff. Unbeknownst to him, his housekeeper, maid, cook, coachman and footman, assist him in gathering information for his cases and help put him on the right track.
In this one, they investigate to discover why a respectable doctor was poisoned - and by whom.

#cozyinthesun

Book 4 #BFC

Between our anniversary and the holiday week, I was way under on my steps, but I had lots of terrific food, and one book was added to my total. 👍

86,000/105,000 steps
2/10 books

#bookfitnesschallenge

This is the introduction to Perkins and Tate, and the competent, yet unlucky, PR Man, Doug Perkins.

I highly enjoyed Murder at the Cat Show (foreshadowed at the end of this one), but the Cover-Up Story is just too depressing. The PR “Client” is a piece of work, and his horribleness goes on and on. At times it is utterly cringeworthy. I didn‘t enjoy the mystery, as much as look forward to the end of the story.

#cozyinthesun

Book 3 - #BFC

Kicking off #cozyinthesun !

A terrific lunchtime read - 4 Poirot cases in one volume. They may be short stories, but in each one the mystery and characters are perfectly developed.

Isn‘t the cover gorgeous?! Thank you so much @cobwebmoth !

#bookfitnesschallenge Book 2

I squeaked in on the steps, but I made it! 105,000/105,000
One out of ten books read. 👍

#bookfitnesschallenge

After much thought, because this is a serious question, I arrived at the 3 things I must take when time traveling. To achieve both mental and physical comfort, I‘d like:
1. A Nutrimatic Machine - that works - and dispenses both food and drink.
2. A fluffy blanket to serve as blanket, pillow, etc.
3. A collection of all Georgette Heyer‘s mysteries (they are my ultimate comfort read)

Feel free to question my selections. 😆

#staycationintimeswap

The final installment 😭 (thus far)

These cozy mysteries are so cute and wholesome, with a delightful use of words by Ms. MacRae. The story builds a bit further - and Geneva “meets” someone new. I hope another book will be forthcoming!

Book 1 - #bookfitnesschallenge

Having very much enjoyed Amelia Peabody, I thought I would give Vicky Bliss a try. I‘m an hour into the audiobook, and I‘m still not draw into the story. I intend to finish this one, but I don‘t know if this series is my cup of tea.

#BFC round 2 is off to a great start!

I‘ve gotten my step goal everyday, and day 1 was lots of fun. We walked around, banged on the music wall, baked Strawberry Moon cookies, said hi to the girls 🐓, and sang Happy Birthday! Auntie went home exhausted 😅

There was really just one thing I didn‘t like about this book. Namely, that this is a book to be finished in one sitting, and I could not listen to it all at once! 🤣

A grandmother, tired of her volunteer work at the hospital and garden club, walks into CIA headquarters to apply for a job as a spy. An fortuitous mix-up occurs, and the most unbelievably believable series of events occurs. Mrs. Pollifax is wonderful, and yes, “Unexpected.”

#BookFitnessChallenge Round 2 Goals:

Steps instead of miles - I feel more accomplished getting steps, and I seem to get to my goal better by focusing on steps. 🤷‍♀️
A goal of 10 books instead of 12 this time around.

(Bell and Ted modeling books they “picked out” for their cousins)

Round 1 round up - I met my fitness goal 2/6 weeks and didn‘t even come remotely close on the book goal.

On to Round 2 and setting new goals. Peace out!
#bookfitnesschallenge #bfc

I am so excited to have a couple hour drive! Why?
Because I am loving this introduction to Mrs. Pollifax! ❤️

This is between a pick and a so-so for me. I much prefer the English setting for the Wodehouse tales, and these stories take place in New York. In addition, Reggie Pepper is the protagonist in a few of them (described as an earlier version of Bertie in the back blurb), and I would much rather hear of Bertie‘s ridiculousness and Jeeves‘ solutions.

Book 4 for #bookfitnesschallenge

Yeah, it was one of those disappointing weeks.

At least I enjoyed the one book I finished this week!

✔️ Murder at the Cat Show 😺

#bfc #bookfitnesschallenge

#motivationalquote #bookfitnesschallenge #bfc

The kids made their contribution to the #Litsydown photo collection 😄

Well that was fun!

Do you like cats?

Do you like light-hearted mysteries with “characters”?

Then this is for you! Best described as an “Ode to the Cat” story with a few mysteries to be solved. The protagonist, a PR man, is tackling their latest job - handling the public relations for a cat show. Tongue in cheek, yet fairly educational on the behind the scenes of a show. I highly enjoyed the narration.

Book 3 - #bookfitnesschallenge

Signed up and ready to go!

@LibrarianRyan has set up a year-long challenge to journey through reading - from picture books and easy readers through middle grade and YA to Adult ... and Austin Powers 👯‍♀️🤣

I have many books on my shelves that I‘m looking forward to reading for these prompts! I‘m excited! 😄

#BBRC

I made it!
#bookfitnesschallenge

I‘ve been considering what to say about this book. To sum it up ... bitterly disappointing.

Well-written, but with uncozy-like heartbreaking losses, to which was added a series of frightening incidents, culminating in an event that completely ruined the book for me. I am still angry.

I read for enjoyment, and this experience was, unfortunately, not enjoyable for me.

Book 2 for the #bookfitnesschallenge

Watching the storm come in, starting Moonspinners, and enjoying a cool drink. (Perrier, elderberry syrup, and slices of blood orange 🍊)

I love this adventure! I‘m reading it for the millionth time, somewhat satisfying my summer wanderlust.

In the story, once the ship docks, Anne and Suzanne will proceed to the Mount Nelson Hotel in Cape Town.

I‘m always curious when I read specific places in older books, and often look them up to see if they were fictional or actually existed. Mount Nelson was a real hotel, and still is. It is also amazingly gorgeous! 😍

Being transported by a book to a different time and place is magical ❤️ Wouldn‘t it be awesome if you could capture that magic and share it with another Litten? You can!

@Chrissyreadit came up with the genius idea to swap books & surprises all centered around a time and place you would like to “travel” to. Fancy Jane Austen‘s England? Or Nemo‘s Submarine? Anywhere, anytime, & you don‘t even have to leave your couch! It is the ultimate staycation!

I didn‘t quite get my miles, but I would have had far fewer if not for @Gissy ‘s pep talk. 💪 Thank you, friend! ❤️ And I have a book on the board, so we‘re rolling now!

#bookfitnesschallenge

My first book for the #bookfitnesschallenge!

Continuing the series I‘m enjoying immensely - this one has an arts & crafts festival and a top secret yarn bombing - lots of fun!

“I never heard of yarn bombing before today, but now that I have, I know it‘s something I‘ve always wanted to do.” - 75 year old Ernestine 😄

There is a nascent archeological dig on the site of a local historical homestead, along with an educational program for kids. Just as the Weaver‘s Cat‘s quilt history course is set to begin, a murder occurs on the grounds - and Kath must find out how and why, and discover what the victim had just been about to tell her…
Major plot developments in this one! I recommend starting from book 1, if you are interested, as each book builds on the story.

Ahhh, I just came across this prize! I had no idea it existed! Wodehouse plus mysteries?! Sounds delightful!

I was very close on my mileage goal this week, and I have books in progress, just not completed. I‘m still pretty pleased with how it‘s going!

Point total - 42

Also, TGIF!

#bookfitnesschallenge

Well, I did not meet my fitness goal, and I haven‘t put any books on the board for my total goal. Whomp whomp.

But I know the goals are attainable for me, so I‘ll keep on keepin on! 👍

Point total - 36

#bookfitnesschallenge update:

I‘ve found it really tough to get my miles in this week, so I‘ll have to fit quite a few in today if I am to meet my goal ... 30.25/40

Only 9.75 miles to do in the next 12 hours!

This morning I checked out the little library, and Ted checked on their water supply.

I am in a complete state of bliss surrounded by my lovely gifts! Thank you so much, dear Litsy friends @cobwebmoth and @Chrissyreadit ! This was just wonderful! ❤️❤️❤️ (gushing emails to follow 😊)

Oh my goodness! @Chrissyreadit !!!! 😱😱😱❤️❤️❤️

@Chrissyreadit Your #selfcareswap package is on its way!

In 2 weeks, Hannah has to be able to fit in the custom Regency gown ordered for her mother‘s book launch party. The situation will require a strict diet and - horrors! - going to fitness classes at Heavenly Bodies, a new gym. Hannah must investigate when she finds a body in the jacuzzi, and 4 of the detectives are off the case due to “personal involvement” with the victim. Including Mike and Bill!

(Another one that is ok, not one of my favorites)

Time to get these potatoes off the couch! (Well, 1 out of the 3, anyway)
I signed up and made my goals for the #bookfitnesschallenge !

2 books per week
40 miles per week

Join in @wanderinglynn ‘s book and health challenge! Head over to her page for more info - it begins May 10th!

I‘m excited to get started! 😄

@wanderinglynn has set up a #bookfitnesschallenge !

Books ✔️
Getting in more exercise ✔️
Prizes! ✔️

Sounds like fun! 😄

I am so excited to read this!

All the non-thriller, cozy type mysteries I have read end with Christie & Heyer in the 70s, and don‘t start again until around 1990. This is a culinary cozy from 1983! There are even recipes, printed on the insides of the covers!

Have I mentioned I‘m excited?! 😄

1. Maine - made me want to move there!
2. Roasted tomatoes, sautéed halloumi and pita
3. Sitting out in the early morning (before the heat!) with a book and coffee
4. Citrus simple syrup with sparkling water
5. Shade - I wear it at every opportunity!
6. Under my patio umbrella ⛱
Thanks for the tag @Chrissyreadit !

While we took the Tedster on his walk this morning, (Bell says walks are for silly boy dogs, not cool teenagers), I stopped and added a few books to little libraries in our neighborhood.

I never thought to check the directory to see where others may be nearby, so I did that today. Only 1 of the 4 I‘m aware of are in the directory. Is there another directory out there?

https://littlefreelibrary.org/ourmap

I loved the portrayal of the bulldozer type American patriarch and his family. Hyperbolically hilarious.

Wilde‘s wit is certainly present in this one, but I didn‘t find it as enjoyably absurd as Importance of Being Earnest (against which all things are measured.) The plot turned surprisingly sappy, and reminded me of The Abbot Ghost by Alcott.

I am looking forward to seeing the Margaret O‘Brien film, though it appears to lack verisimilitude. 😆