Welcome to The Weekend Post #130! I’ve changed the name of this weekly post to reflect its new Saturday publication. The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted at Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme. I will also be joining Deb at Readerbuzz for the Sunday Salon and Marlene of Reading Reality in her meme Stacking The Shelves.
My Week:
It’s been a stormy week here on the west coast of Canada with plenty of wind and rain. We’re trying to find breaks in the weather to put up outdoor lights , rake leaves and go for a walk. Friday morning we woke up to below freezing temperatures after our first dry, clear night in almost a week.
Our dishwasher is showing signs that it is on its way out and given its age we decided to purchase a new one. We are hoping it will arrive sometime in the next week. I have a credit card that had offered a $100 rebate on a $500 or more purchase at the store we bought it at so this helped a little and it wasn’t priced any higher than anywhere else. Just a reminder to check if your credit cards have offers. You usually need to register for these offers before purchasing so be sure to check the terms and conditions.
I had my parents and brother over for dinner last weekend and it was a nice visit. Tonight six of us in my family are going to see the light display that’s been set up in a local park. We have been going for several years now and the display gets better with each year. I’ll share some photos next week.
I planted my waxed amaryllis this week and thought I’d share a photo of it on day one. I love the gold colour of the wax making it look a little like a Christmas ornament.
I’m on Bluesky Social! My handle is @thathappyreader.bsky.social . Let me know if you’re on this social media platform so I can follow you.
Books I’ve Added to My Shelves This Week:
From Publishers, Netgalley, Edelweiss+ & Libro.fm:
When Janet faces another setback, her friends Viv and Zelda take her on a luxury cruise aboard the Queen Mary 2 for a much-needed escape. Their trip takes an intriguing turn when they meet fellow widow Primrose Carmichael, whose striking connections to Janet spark a mystery the trio is determined to solve.
Expected Publication: January 13 by Boldwood Books
From The Library:
In Candlelight Christmas, father Logan O’Donnell is determined to create a magical Christmas for his son in Avalon, where the family gathers for the holidays. Despite their differences, Logan and newcomer Darcy Fitzgerald find their guarded hearts colliding, discovering an unexpected love amidst the magic of the season.
In You Belong With Me ordinary Edie falls for Hollywood star Elliot Owen, their love story seems like a fairytale. But navigating fame, long-distance challenges, and relentless scrutiny tests their relationship, forcing Edie to confront whether their romance is a dream come true or a cautionary tale.
After losing her husband, Joanne Huist Smith struggled to stay strong for her children, especially as Christmas approached. But when mysterious gifts from “True Friends” began arriving 12 days before the holiday, the family was drawn together, finding healing and hope through these acts of kindness in this heartwarming true story.
I should note that I’ve read this book many years ago before I was blogging. I rarely re-read a book but this book was so inspirational I knew I wanted to read it again.
What I’m Watching:
Holidazed is a new series centred on five families living on the same cul-de-sac in Oak Bay, Oregon. It explores the joys and challenges of reuniting for the holidays and looks like it will be a lot of fun.
On The Blog This Week:
Book Review: We Three Kings by Kristen Bailey
Book Review: The December Market by RaeAnne Thayne
Can’t Wait Wednesday #115: Three Days in June by Anne Tyler
Book Review: Kiss Me At Christmas by Jenny Bayliss
Who Wears it Better in November 2024?
This Post: The Weekend Post #130
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Monday Matters #119
Book Review: A Christmas Duet by Debbie Macomber
Can’t Wait Wednesday #116
Book Review: The Christmas You Found Me by Sarah Morgenthaler
Book Review: The Christmas Countdown by Holly Cassidy
The Weekend Post #131
That’s a wrap on The Sunday Post #130. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Tina
Busy week you’ve had. Would like to try that book The 13th Gift.
Have not even heard of Blue Sky until recently where I am seeing it mentioned on Instagram and blogs. I used to love Twitter until Musk took over and deleted my account years ago.
thathappyreader
I hope you love the 13th Gift as much as I did when I first read it. I’m listening this time Tina!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
So glad to see you on BlueSky! I’m new there, too, and am enjoying. Have a great week and enjoy these holiday movies💜
thathappyreader
Thanks Jonetta. I’ve just learned of BlueSky this week. ☺️
Joy Weese Moll
Terrific picture of the amaryllis. That’s fun before it even begins to do what we expect an amaryllis to do.
thathappyreader
I think so too Joy. I love growing the regular amaryllis and I’m excited to see how this one does!
Sarah Erwin
Absolutely love the picture of the waxed amaryllis. So cool!
thathappyreader
Thanks Sarah!
Olivia
Sounds like a lot of fun things going on in your life right now! I’m in western NC and we hit close to freezing last night. We keep dancing near around freezing, but not long enough to affect some of my hardier plants. Impatiens are still hanging on for example. The amaryllis looks interesting! I wonder if my local greenhouse would have them?
thathappyreader
I still have my summer hanging baskets blooming for some reason Olivia including the fuschias! The waxed amaryllis are sometimes hard to find as they sell out quickly although I noticed that there is a 3 pack for sale Costco here.
Harvee
I may try bsky. Everyone is! Have a good week.
Harvee
thathappyreader
My thoughts too Harvee!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
I added you on BlueSky!
Wishing you a great reading week
thathappyreader
Thank you! I followed back ☺️
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
I tried You Belong With Me and couldn’t get into it sadly. I need to watch Holidazed! I went and followed you on Bluesky. I need to get on there more! Hope you have a good week!
https://lisalovesliterature.bookblog.io/2024/11/17/weekly-wrap-up-198-november-17th-2024/
thathappyreader
Thank you Lisa! I followed you back. ☺️
Diana @ Book of Secrets
I love the gold amaryllis bulb! My mom still has an amaryllis plant she got when I was born, over 50 years old now. It just keeps making new stalks year after year. I added you on BlueSky!
— Diana
thathappyreader
That’s amazing Diana! I haven’t had much success in getting amaryllis to rebloom so that’s fantastic! I followed you back on BlueSky!
Anne - Books of My Heart
I’m also on Bluesky for awhile now @booksofmyheart.bsky.social I followed you. Welcome! Sometimes if you have Costco or Sam’s Club they have deals on appliances which may have additional features, lower prices or things like free delivery or a longer warranty. The dishwasher is the next thing we will probably need to replace or the microwave but I like the ones we have and will use them until they die. I sometimes think the newer ones are less sturdy.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
Thanks for following! I followed you back. Yes I see appliances here in Costco too!
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I joined BlueSky this week. I’ve followed you there.
Good luck with the new dishwasher!
thathappyreader
Thanks Deb! I’ve followed you back. ☺️
Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer
Loving all the holiday reads. I found you on BlueSky and followed you back. It reminds me so much of 2011 Twitter.
thathappyreader
Thanks Kimberly! I’ve followed you back ☺️
Cindy's Book Corner
You are the second blogger to mention BlueSky. I had never heard of it. I hope you have a great week!
thathappyreader
A lot of people are exiting X to move to BlueSky to avoid the AI nonsense that’s showing up there.
Carla
Sounds like you had a really good week.
Your books all sound good. Especially The 13th gift.
thathappyreader
Thanks Carla. I can’t wait to start it.
Snapdragon
Bluesky is a nice platform, but it has quickly become an echo chamber. There some hatful people on there that need to get off the internet and tough grass.
thathappyreader
I can’t say I spend much time on any social media.
Her Digital Coffee
The light display sounds like a wonderful tradition. Thanks for sharing a photo of the waxed amaryllis, it does look like a Christmas ornament! I haven’t heard of BlueSky, but I’d love to look into it. Have a great week Jodie!
thathappyreader
You too Winnie!
Carla@CarlaLovesToRead
It sounds like you’ve had some really good family time, Jodie. I’m trying to get my hostas pulled and leaves raked, but it has rained everyday since I got home. I hope you are having a wonderful week.
thathappyreader
I hope you’re having a wonderful week too Carla!