A good week of sunshine. The magnolias are now in full flower and green shoots appearing on hedges and trees around although I noticed when I was over by the coast last week that the Hawthorn hedges are a week or more ahead to those here in Mid Suffolk.
In the garden something else was also enjoying the sun - the first proper butterfly sighting of the year - a Peacock on the roof tiles, unfolded it's wings to sunbathe. Not many things around for it to feed on so I hope it survives.
I've moved the 11 tomato seedlings from modules to pots, although I only need 5, and they are now out in the greenhouse with fleece right ready. My pepper and aubergine seedlings are now pricked out into modules. Plenty of peppers but just 2 aubergines but I'll make that enough for this year. They are still on the spare bedroom window cill/sill (which is right?!) for now.
Brought these 10 books below home from the mobile library van this week. 9 were reserved and I spotted that the van had another M.W.Craven on the shelves- it's a small novella from the 'Quick Reads' collection from 2022. It's been read already and took less than an hour.
Several favourite authors this month - Alys Clare, Elly Griffiths with her new series of time travelling detective, Tracy Chevalier, Kate Webb and Jim Eldridge. A couple of new-to-me authors - Jim Kelly and Elif Shafak and Robert Peston (although he's a bit odd when on TV news etc!) Decided to re-read 'A Croft in the Hills' while the library still have a copy. I had a copy once, and her other books, but they went in one of the moves.
In March I collected these 9 below and read five of them, took lots of photos of the pages from "The Year Unfolding" to use on the blog and returned the others unread. I decided not to read 'Murder on the Marlow Belle' as it's on TV catch up channel and I rather watch it.
The books that I've read have been added to the Books Read 2025 page
Have a good weekend, I'm off to watch the EGD in her ballet school show. Enjoy the early April sunshine if you have it.
Back sometime next week
The Magnolias in the area where I live have been truly fabulous, and luckily, in spite of the cold weather, have escaped any frost damage. Would be good if it warmed up a bit now but we’ve had some lovely, sunny days.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ballet show! And the weekend! 😁
Lovely sun again here but East wind is chilly - blowing magnolia petals everywhere
DeleteSill is the more common British English spelling, whereas cill is liable for a tariff, should you use it.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your EGD's ballet school show.
Oh dear better be sure to say sill then !
DeleteA good selection of books. I've noticed a lot of magnolias looking stunning this year. It seems nearly every front garden near my Mum's has a magnolia tree in it. I think we use 'sill' as the spelling here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteI still puzzle over why the previous owners put in two magnolias - one right by the other.
DeleteThanks Sue, you’ve just reminded me to check the reserve listing at my libraries to see if it’s worth putting my name on the list for the new Tracy Chevalier. I baulked earlier in the year at becoming 90th on the list…..might be a shorter line now.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to hearing whether you enjoyed it or not
Still lots of people waiting for it here in Suffolk, better read it quickly
DeleteI haven't read the Tracy Chevalier so I'll look out for that. I'm not reading so many books as I've discovered some interesting podcasts but I do love a physical book, just need to get back into the habit. Enjoy the sunshine.
ReplyDeletePenny
The sun is lovely but cold East wind today.
Deletemany of these books have long lists waiting so I need to read several very quickly!
I read 'the Puppet Master' by MC Craven after seeing you mention it the other day. Ooof, the Murders were gruesome! But it was so gripping I couldn't stop reading! Now nerving myself up for the next one... the first chapter was included at the end of this one.
ReplyDeleteIt was Dead Ground by him that I read which is 4th so I need to go back and read from The Puppet Show onwards now
DeleteInterested to hear your thoughts on the Peston book. It falls into the rare category of books that I have returned to Audible unfinished. Happy to give my reasons after you’ve read it.
ReplyDeleteThat will be one of the last of this lot that I try as there is no one waiting for it whereas some of the others have long waiting lists so I'll read them first
DeleteIt looks like a good haul from the library. I'll be curious to hear how you are enjoying the new ones!
ReplyDeleteSome I know I'll like - others I'm not so sure
DeleteI'll be interested to know what Robert Peston's writing is like. I can't watch him or listen to him.
ReplyDeleteHe is rather odd to watch. Hope the book is OK - will find out eventually
DeleteThanks for the heads up on the new Elly Griffiths. It's on order at my library so I have placed a hold on it. Hope you have a good weekend, Sue!
ReplyDeleteThere are still dozens on the library waiting list so I'd better read it quickly
DeleteOOO, you got the new Elly Griffiths! I have it on hold but don't expect to see it before fall as there are a couple hundred ahead of me. I did get her recent short story collection and really enjoyed it although I don't usually like short stories so much. Thank you for the butterfly pictures, I have been trying to draw some butterflies and the one with the wings vertical is perhaps just what I need.
ReplyDeleteCheers, Ceci
I'm glad the butterfly photo is useful for you
DeleteYour magnolia trees are about a month ahead of ours. Everything is still tightly closed buds in my garden.
ReplyDeleteYour veggie plants are doing very well. There is nothing better than being well stocked with nice fresh home-grown veggies.
Enjoy your EGD's ballet recital. She'll love having you at her performance.
The wind is blowing all the magnolia petals off the trees now - sadly
DeleteNo really budding out here, though our Manitoba Maples (Box Elders) are dripping sap.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
I shall look up what they are - not something we have here
DeleteManitoba maples are box elders? I didnt know that!
ReplyDeleteI LOVED There are Rivers in the Sky. I can't wait to see what you think of it.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you mentioned it? as I have no idea why I reserved it
DeleteI did, some time back. Let me know what you think of it!
DeleteWhat a lovely library haul of books!
ReplyDeleteMy sister sent me a photo of a Peacock Butterfly this week too. They really are quite beautiful.
I hope the cold east wind we have doesn't affect these early butterflies
DeleteWe are so far behind you on our trek into spring. I am envious you've already seen a butterfly!
ReplyDeleteI ready my books on an e-reader, but we are now hearing that funding for that is being slashed. Hopefully, our library can keep offering the service. We have a small library, and I can get so much more by download.