Books of January 2012

I’ve been meaning to write this for weeks. Ever since we entered the month of february. But somehow I never got around to it. Anyway, 3 weeks late is better than never, right?

You have probably figured out that I really love to read. And I’m doing really good this year. Already finished 9 books. And I’m not reading like 10 books at the same time. I actually think my record was 12 books at the same time. That was a couple of years ago. I’ve matured since then. Maybe not.

Well, the thing is, I love to read books. Book reviews on the other hand kinda bore me. I don’t wanna know a whole lot about what goes on in the book. I just wanna know if it’s good. And analyzing books……get me outta here!!!

Ok, so now you know not so expect long book reviews from me. Click the covers for more info on the books. Here we go:

Agatha Christie: The Sittaford Mystery

I’ll tell you a secret. I’ve already forgotten who did it. That’s why I can re-read Agatha Christie books again and again. Every time is like the first time. The same goes for the movies of course. Except for Murder on the Orient Express – I remember who did done it that time.

It’s not a Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple novel. It was a young girl who was the “detective” in this one. I don’t remember her name. I did like the book. I didn’t love it, but I liked it. Man, I should write book reviews for a living. I’d be a hit.

The book fits in with my Goodreads Agatha Christie Group. We read all of her books in chronological order. I’m behind, I’m reading the book I was should have read in November. I’ll catch up. And it qualifies for 2 of my reading challenges.

 

Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games

Loved it, loved it, loved it!!! This was an audiobook. I might have mentioned this before, but I like to listen to audiobooks  when I cook. So looking forward to the movie. Read it! Now!

 

Jasper Fforde: The Well of Lost Plots

This is the third Thursday Next novel. I wouldn’t know how to describe these books. They’re a mixture of all kinds of stuff. Weird, funny and entertaining. I love that. And I really enjoy reading them. And it qualifies for this reading challenge.

 

Daisy Goodwin: The American Heiress

This was another audiobook. I just love that cover. I sometimes choose books based on the cover. Don’t you? This was romantic and historical. Nice!

 

Charlaine Harris: Dead and Gone

This is the 9th book in the Sookie Stackhouse series. I’m still enjoying this series, and it’s always a quick read. Still need more Eric in the book though. Am I right, ladies??

That was it for January.

So what have you been reading? And why aren’t we friends on Goodreads?

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Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge 2012 – My Progress

I’m a Snoop. Which means I signed up to read at least 6 books.

1. Agatha Christie: The Sittaford Mystery – finished January 9

To see my original post, go here.

 

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Wordless Wednesday – Sadie & Savannah

Sadie & Savannah at 4 months.

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Sadie has finally achieved the ability to sit still for the camera.

 

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Look! See the light bubbles? New camera lens – oh, it was a happy day!!!

 

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A trip to IKEA equals a box for Savannah. That’s a happy kitten.

 

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“Look at me staring dreamily into……nothing”

 

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Sadie: “Savannah, you wanna wrestle??”

Savannah: “Anytime! Anywhere!”

 

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Me: “Oh girls, that’s not lady-like behavior. Stop that, and just sit and look pretty. No? Ok, I’ll go eat a cookie then.”

 

Thanks for stopping by. Now go check out some more Wordless Wednesday photos.

D.

 

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Freeze Brain

It’s been freezing cold here for more than a week now. And I seem to have developed freeze brain. It’s a variation of being confused most of the time.

And the effect on my language is quite amusing. Like yesterday when I talked about taking the radiator, when I meant the elevator. And keep saying goodnight instead of goodbye.

But I have been baking, so I got recipes for cookies, scones and cream puffs coming. I really need to add some real food as well. But it still gets dark pretty early, which means no light for photographing the food.

I’m waiting for a new washing machine to arrive. I’m very excited about it. No more carrying heavy bags of clothes down to the laundry room. My laundry baskets are very close to overflowing. But I refuse to wash before the washing machine is installed.

I actually look forward to doing laundry this weekend. That’s kinda sad. But I did already buy my fave detergent. I like the smell. Oh, the joy of choosing how your freshly washed clothes should smell.

Alright, I’m gonna leave now before I embarrass myself.

Goodnight……I mean Goodbye.

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ABC Muffins – Apple-Buttermilk-Cinnamon Muffins

2012 01 27_1894_edited-1.jpgI made these on friday. They were quick to make. Nice and moist (no dry and crumbly muffins for me). The cinnamon scent from them is just lovely. And the little crunch on top gives such a nice sound when you eat them (or maybe that’s just me).

No more talk, it’s monday and I’m not really making too much sense today anyway.

Apple-Buttermilk-Cinnamon Muffins (12 muffins)

What you’ll need:

  • 2 small apples
  • 4 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 275g/2 cups flour
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1-1/2 tsp baking soda
  • a pinch of salt
  • 100g/7tbsp butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 200C/390F.

Peel and core the apples. And cut them into small pieces. Sprinkle with 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon. Mix and let it sit to steep.

In a mixer or foodprocessor, combine the flour, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, softened butter, egg, buttermilk and vanilla extract. Let the machine run until everything is mixed. Easy, right?

Add the apples and mix well with a spatula.

Pour the batter into 12 muffin liners. Combine the remaining 2 tbsp sugar and 1 tsp cinnamon, and sprinkle it on top of the batter.

Bake for 18 minutes.

I also added a cinnamon glaze, just to try and overdo the whole cinnamon thing.

Cinnamon Glaze:

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • milk

Combine powdered sugar and cinnamon. Mix with a little milk at a time, until you reach the desired consistency.

Drizzle over the muffins.
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Enjoy!

 

 

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