A Good Read

The Silver Ladies of Penny Lane

by Dee MacDonald

Along with her best friend Orla, Tess Templar, 62, makes bespoke outfits for larger ladies. When life gave them lemons and their loved ones let them down, they pooled their resources and bought a dressmakers shop on the corner of Penny Lane. Tess’ life, and the business are doing just fine. But one day, while studying her tired eyes and shapeless figure in the mirror, Tess realised that she doesn’t want her life to be just fine anymore. Having gained a lot of weight herself since her husband ran off with a younger woman, Tess is determined to get back in shape by joining a slimming club, get a tan by going on a cruise and find a date for her daughter’s wedding. She wants to rediscover herself, she wants life to be extraordinary, to experience the kind of whirlwind adventure that will have the power to make her smile when she’s confined to the armchair of a retirement home.
With encouragement from Orla, Tess joins an over-the-hill dating agency and the two friends book a singles cruise around the Mediterranean.

I think this was billed as a hilarious feel good read. Well I didn't think it was hilarious, it was a little bit funny in parts. I could relate to Tess wanting to rediscover herself. She had some ridiculous disastrous dates. It was just ok.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

My Favourite Family

The Canada Geese babies are doing very well

They all went for a swim around the pond

and then the babies decided to go for a walk.

I'm not sure because it happened so quickly,

but I think one of the babies saw off a duck!

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

A Good Read

The Witch of Tin Mountain by Paulette Kennedy

In Depression-era Arkansas, something wicked has come to a haunted mountain town. An evil power binds three generations of women in the Ozark Mountains, it has followed them across the decades.

In 1831 a young woman named Anneliese was burned to death as a witch. She wrote in the Grimoire book, part diary, part recipes, and part spells and curses. The book has been passed down through generations of women, and fifty years later in 1881, Deirdre, a young woman in the village of Tin Mountain adds to the book.

In 1931 Gracelynn Doherty is living peacefully on Tin Mountain, helping her adoptive granny (Deirdre) work her cures. She finds the Grimoire and wants to know more about it but Deirdre is reluctant to talk about the past.

Despite whispers that the women are witches, the superstitious locals still seek them out, whether to remedy arthritis or a broken heart. But when evangelist Josiah Bellflower comes to town promising miracle healing, full bellies, and prosperity, his revivals soon hold Tin Mountain in thrall - and Granny in abject fear. Fifty years ago, in a dark and desperate moment, she made a terrible promise. Now Josiah has returned to collect his due.

The story is written in two alternating timelines. Deidre in the 1880s, and Gracelynn in 1931. Both characters are similar and I sometimes forgot which one (and timeline) I was reading about. I did enjoy it though.

∼ Happy Reading∼ 

Polly x

World Cocktail Day

I think there is a World Day for almost everything now! World Cocktail Day is celebrated annually on May 13th to mark the anniversary of the first 1806 definition of a cocktail. The New York tabloid The Balance and Columbian Repository defined a cocktail as "a stimulating liquor, composed of spirits of any kind, sugar, water and bitters". It's a global celebration of mixology, creativity, and the history of mixed drinks, encouraging people to visit bars or craft their own cocktails. 

I like cocktails and over the years have tried a few.

The Cherry Bakewell has been a firm favourite since first tasting it

celebrating my birthday five years ago.

That is now joined by the Toffee Fudge Espresso Martini

first tasted last week at the Ivy.

I craft these at home now!

Cheers 

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all you lovely mums in Australia, America

and maybe a few other countries

These gorgeous flowers arrived yesterday

from my darling Aussie daughter and her partner.

Note the pretty bow at the back

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x 

Good Friends

Yesterday was a wonderful day - I met my 3 lovely best friends from when I used to live in Bedfordshire. Two are still there, I'm in Essex and S now lives in Surrey.

We think it's been 10 or 12 years since we last met. After hugs and greetings at the station we had coffee at BloomsYard and then went to The Ivy for lunch. 

The decor is beautiful

Shepherds pie is their signature dish, and it is delicious. I thought I made a mean one but theirs is the best I have tasted. I think I went a bit overboard with the veg!! That Toffee Fudge Espresso Martini cocktail went down very well. I had Crème Brûlée for dessert

We met at work over thirty years ago and despite a bit of an age gap between me (the eldest) and S (youngest) we instantly became friends, sharing the general ups and downs of life, enjoying lots of short breaks away, nights out, evenings at each others houses, commiserating when boyfriends behaved badly, and then later weddings The conversations never stalled, we had so much to catch up on and reminisce with much fondness.

oOo

An update on Mr & Mrs Canada Geese

On my way out I was concerned when I couldn't see them

at the pond, and the nest was empty.

I was so relieved when I returned later and saw mum and dad and a chick

and then one by one 5 more furry little balls of cuteness

emerged from under mum's wing.

I was very concerned that they would get too close to the road

but mum soon called them back.

Stay safe little ones.

∼ Be safe and well∼ 

Polly x