Welcome to The Weekend Post #210! 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.
My Week:
After a few hot days earlier this week, the weather has turned decidedly cooler, with showers expected on and off over the next several days. Our gardens and lawn need the rain, so we’ll happily take it.
It was a busy and enjoyable week. I had a pedicure on Tuesday, enjoyed lunch with my husband and sister on Thursday, and celebrated my brother’s and sister’s birthdays with a family dinner on Friday.
Vancouver is gearing up to host seven World Cup matches beginning June 13, and the city and local businesses are fully embracing the occasion. One of our local ski mountains, Grouse Mountain, is displaying the largest Canadian flag in the country, visible from much of Vancouver. The flag measures 160 metres by 80 metres—the equivalent of two football fields—and weighs 3,000 pounds. Note the absence of visible snow.
The airport has etched “Go Canada” into the grass alongside one of its runways, while Science World, the large domed structure built for Expo ’86, has been transformed into a giant soccer ball. In the photo below you can see the domed stadium in the background. Large watch parties are also being organized throughout the Greater Vancouver area.
While I’m not a soccer fan myself—although I certainly enjoyed watching my son play when he was younger—I do love seeing the city host major international events and welcoming visitors from around the world.
Given that the city has invested nearly $750 million in preparing for the tournament, let’s hope it proves to be a wise financial decision and leaves a positive legacy for Vancouver.
Recent Additions To My Bookshelf:
From The Library:
When Evie Hamilton takes on the challenge of restoring a once-prestigious Cornish hotel, she quickly realizes that determination alone may not be enough, especially with a meddlesome staff and mounting pressures. Help arrives in the form of Abby Jones, a temporary employee sent by the hotel’s parent company, who hopes to build a friendship with Evie while secretly pursuing her own personal mission in Cornwall. As their lives become intertwined, the arrival of Abby sparks change throughout the community, bringing together a charismatic chef, a gruff pub owner, and others who are searching for fresh starts. But as hidden truths come to light, Evie and Abby must decide whether they are willing to dismantle the lives they know in order to rebuild not only the hotel’s reputation, but also their own futures.
Naomi thought she had the perfect life—a loving marriage, a beautiful home, and a family straight out of a fairy-tale ending—until her husband abruptly leaves her for a much younger woman, empties their accounts, and uses top divorce lawyers to force her out. Refusing to accept the collapse of everything she built, Naomi becomes increasingly fixated on her husband’s new girlfriend, and what begins as curiosity spirals into a dangerous obsession. As she uncovers disturbing secrets and finds herself drawn into a web of deception, Naomi must decide how far she is willing to go to protect the life she believes should have been hers.
What I’m Watching:
I’m looking forward to watching Season 5 of Sweet Magnolias on Netflix beginning June 11. Is anyone else a fan of this show?
On The Blog This Week:
Review of Mary Kay Andrews’ Road Trip: A Fun Blend of Mystery, Romance, and Irish Culture
Can’t Wait Wednesday #191: Hot Girl Murder Club by Ashley Winstead
Celebrity Book Club Picks for June 2026
This Post: The Weekend Post #210
Next Week On That Happy Reader:
Pre-publication day review of Beach Thriller by Jamie Day
Publication day review of Brighter Than Before by Courtney Walsh
Can’t Wait Wednesday #192
Who Wears it Better in June 2026?
The Weekend Post #211
That’s a wrap on The Weekend Post #210. How was your week?
I wish you a wonderful week ahead!
Jonetta | Blue Mood Café
I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned that Vancouver tops our list of cities we’d like to visit soon. Hubby spent a lot of time there when his brother called it home and he still raves about it. Thanks for the reminder about Sweet Magnolias (yes, I’m a fan) and I hope you love Five-Star Summer.
Have a great week and I’m loving how your city is preparing for the World Cup games.
thathappyreader
Thank you for the kind words Jonetta! Have a wonderful weekend.
Marg @ The Intrepid Reader
I bet the city has a great vibe in the lead up to the tournament. That flag is huge!!
We really loved the city when we visited a couple of years ago!
thathappyreader
It does have a great vibe. I’m glad you enjoyed your visit here Marg! I tried to comment on your post but I get security warnings still.
Lisa Mandina (Lisa Loves Literature)
We had beautiful weather at the beginning of the week, and it creeped into getting summer hot and humid unfortunately. We are also hosting some World Cup matches here in Kansas City, so that is very exciting. Like you I’m hoping it creates some positive things that stay with the city after it is all over as well. I need to get in and get a pedicure soon, although still waiting on my finger nails to grow out the damaged areas before I will go have my manicure again. And even then I’ll just do my regular polish like I do on my toes. Have a great week!
thathappyreader
That’s wonderful Lisa. I hope you have a great week too!
Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
$750 million is an absurd amount to spend on a sporting event but the flag is certainly impressive. Vancouver is on my bucket list.
I’ll probably watch the new Season of Sweet Magnolias eventually but I’m currently watching The Artful Dodger with my daughter.
Thanks for sharing your week
thathappyreader
Thanks Shelleyrae.
Anne - Books of My Heart
I love Vancouver and in fact we talked about moving there at one time. I’d love some of your rain and cooler weather.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
thathappyreader
I love the fact we typically have mild winters and summers Anne.
Vicki
Wow, that’s a lot of flag and a log of money. I LOVE Canada and wish I could be there! We were thee at the begining of the year and Canadian people are much nicer than Americans in some states.
thathappyreader
Thanks Vicki!
Victoria
That flag is so big it looks unreal! I look forward to reading what you think about The Divorce. I liked the first two seasons of Sweet Magnolias. I am not sure if I’ll watch this season, maybe if Dana dumps that louse of a husband… and if they give Dana better outfits–the way they dress her is terrible potato sacks and big belts.
thathappyreader
I’m interested to see how the NYC setting changes the show.
Aj @ Read All The Things!
Wow, that is an impressive flag. I hope you’re having a good week!
thathappyreader
Thank you!
Her Digital Coffee
I’m looking forward to Freida McFadden’s latest release too! Thank you for sharing those photos, I had no idea they did that and it looks incredible. Have a lovely week Jodie!
thathappyreader
You too!
Yvonne @ It's All About Books
Wow that flag is impressive! One day I will visit Vancouver… I hope you will enjoy your week and happy reading!
thathappyreader
Thank you Yvonne!
Deb Nance at Readerbuzz
I’m clueless about the World Cup, but I think Houston is hosting some of the games. I hope it turns out to be a good idea for your city and mine!
thathappyreader
I do too Deb!
Rolé @ Hooked By That Book
I’m not a big soccer fan myself, so I’ll see how much I keep up with this world cup. Hope you have a great week and enjoy all your reads!
thathappyreader
Thanks Rolé.