Thoughts Opinions & Memories | But I Smile Anyway...

Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home and The Dog Dies by Barb Taub #BookReview #AmReading

20 Aug 2018 26 Comments

by Ritu in #AmReading, Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Barb Taub, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Book Review

Yes, another day, another book!

This time I am reviewing Barb Taub’s hilarious book, Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dog Dies. It is a collection of essays written by Barb through her life as a columnist for several papers, and if you enjoy it, there are so many more on her blog!

Figel-146

I met Barb for the first time at the second Annual Bloggers Bash Awards in London, way back in 2016. I had won a competition and was awarded a special bracelet to commemorate one of her fiction works from the Null City series.

Check out Barb’s books here.

I can confirm she is as bubbly as her blog posts sound!

I have also read Do Not Wash Hands In Plates – a memoir of hers from travelling around India which was fantastic too.

This book I had on my Kindle, ready to read, then one day I received a package! Lovely Robbie Cheadle of Bake and Write fame, had won a copy of the book, but not wanting to put postage costs up for Barb (as she lives in Sout Africa) she nominated me as the recipient of her prize. Thanks Robbie!

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It took me a while to get round to reading it (that tbr pile is literally teetering by my bedside, as well as on my kindle!) and I am so glad I did.

Here’s my review.

My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Now, I am not quite at retirement stage, not looking out for grandchildren, as my own kids are still young, thankfully, but I enjoyed reading Barb Taub’s collection of essays immensely!
The articles about motherhood resonated deeply, and I have to say I snorted with laughter at many!
Barb Taub has a way with words, her humour is brilliant and these short essays keep you turning the pages.
You could dip in and out of this book, but I was so immersed, I read it continually (when my own children would allow) until the very last page!
Definitely recommended!

My Amazon Review here.

My Goodreads Review here.

Buy Life Begins When The Kids Leave Home And The Dogs Died here.

Spidey’s Serene Sunday – Part 183

19 Aug 2018 46 Comments

by Ritu in #bloggers bash, Audio, Family, Spidey's Serene Sundays, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Family Togetherness, Quote, Serene, Spidey

“I think togetherness is a very important ingredient to family life.”

Barbera Bush

Thanks, Spidey.

Togetherness really is the epitome of a close-knit family.

I feel blessed to be part of one of those families.

It means you don’t just get together in times of joy, but you rally around when times are tough too.

Just like with my Pops. I was so fortunate that our family is so close, that when I couldn’t be there straight away, there was someone else to help out.

(By the way, many of you asked, Pops is doing so well now. It’s been six weeks since the surgery, and finally, the wound has fully healed and the dressings are off. He’s walking, albeit slower than usual, doing his yoga breathing exercises, but nothing more strenuous, and he has even managed to drive a short distance. thanks to you and all your good wishes, and the care of both family and professionals, he is more or less the Pops of before!)

And now we are off to forge a little togetherness too, our little family of four.

As of tomorrow, we will be officially on holiday. Taking time to be together, just us, and enjoying each others company, as well as some relaxation time.

Don’t worry, I’m making no sweeping statements about not being here because you know me, somehow I’ll still end up writing something, or answering comments 😜

But electronics and social media will be at a minimum (well, that’s the plan, anyway!) and family time will be at the forefront of everything.

We will sit together and eat, do activities together, spend time with each other, and create memories too.

What do you do as a family, to ‘forge a little togetherness’? 😘

Have a peaceful Sunday Peeps ❤ And enjoy your week!

Seven Cities Of Delhi by Rajiv Chopra #Book Review #AmReading

18 Aug 2018 20 Comments

by Ritu in #AmReading, Reviews, Thoughts Opinions & Memories

In my mission to always support our wonderful Indie authors out there, I decided to purchase a book a little out of my usual genre, by photographer and writer, Rajiv Chopra.

Here is he, with a pen rather than his camera – his usual weapon of choice!

I have been following Rajiv’s work for a long while, and was extremely excited at the thought of his book, Seven Cities Of Delhi, which was to be a combination of photography and historical facts about the glorious city of Delhi, and I wasn’t disappointed!

Makes me want to go again and actually explore more, rather than just go shopping! (Oh, and eat Gol Gappe!!!)

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My review!

Star rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I’ve appreciated the photography of Rajiv Chopra for a few years via social media. I have visited Delhi several times and enjoyed my time there too. So when I read that there was a book combining both, I felt a compulsion to buy.
Seven Cities of Delhi? Who knew? I have read many tales and historical novels about various rulers who dominated Indian history, and it was really fascinating to read about how they left their marks on the capital of India.
Rajiv’s photos, in black and white, gave a grainy, almost to the era feel to the pictures, I wanted to step inside to see the colour!
If you love to read about long-forgotten Indian history, and have a fascination with the beautiful photographic structures, I recommend this book!

Available on Amazon here.

My Amazon review here.

My Goodreads review here.

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#SoCS August 18/18 – ic-ical

18 Aug 2018 56 Comments

by Ritu in #SoCS, Poems, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #StreamofConsciousnessSaturday, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, ic-ical, poem, Socs

Linda’s prompt for SoCS this week…

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “-ic or -ical.” Find a word that uses the suffix “-ic” or “-ical.” Bonus points if you use both. Have fun!

Historic or historical?
Lyric or simply lyrical?
A comic, or more comical?
This really is hysterical

A clinic or just clinical?
Classic or purely classical?
Electric or electrical
No, I think it’s magical!

Using logic, or being logical?
You like music, or a musical?
A sceptic or extremely sceptical?
Is this just illogical?

Cynic, or mighty cynical?
Tactic or playing tactical?
Mystic or spookily mystical?
No, I’m just being idiotical!

Ritu 2018

Just another silly nonsensical poem!!!

Catch ya later Peeps! Happy Saturday!

https://lindaghill.com/2018/08/17/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-aug-18-18/

10 Days of Keto – #KindaKeto

17 Aug 2018 87 Comments

by Ritu in Health, Thoughts Opinions & Memories Tags: #kindaketo, Blog, Blog Post, Blogger, Blogging, Health, Keto Diet, Weight Loss

It’s been ten days (as the title says) and I can say that I have actually managed to stay on the Keto diet successfully for all that time!

Honestly, I didn’t think I’d be able to do this – you know me and my sweet tooth!

But I have managed to be good, and I do think the fact that I am eating meals made up of more whole foods, rather than low-fat ones, means that I am feeling fuller for longer.

And I am drinking lots of water, or peppermint tea too.

What have I been eating? Oh, I have been cooking up a storm here! And for the most part, these meals have been filling and tasty too!

And I have tried a good few Keto baking recipes, using almond and coconut flour, or eggs, with varying success!

Coconut pancakes I tried, and they were… okay…

Lil Man wanted to try, so he got blueberry ones, I had plain with just butter.

Then, I thought I’d have a go at cauliflower bread toasties… this was my first #KetoFail!

What it was meant to look like vs. what I ended up with!

I realise now I hadn’t squeezed the water out of the cauliflower enough, but the scrambled cauliflower cheese I ended with was still pretty tasty, just not great to look at!

I managed to make these with more success later in the week.

I was intrigued by Cloud Bread. I have to say, I haven’t really had bread cravings, but, being on school holidays, I had time to experiment… #KetoFail part two!

The fluffy rolls I was expecting vs. the ‘slices’ I ended up with!

I couldn’t make my egg whites fluffy or stiff! But I think I had grease in the bowl. Still, I was able to have sandwiches!

The last #KetoFail was Almond Scones.

They should have been relatively firm and easy to slice… instead slightly chargrilled on top, and rather crumbly. Very dry! But I don’t believe in waste. Lil Man tried these too, but they weren’t to his liking (I hadn’t expected him to like them!) I have been eating one every day, as my snack, and they are okayyyyy.

If I have wanted anything sweet, which to be honest has been minimal, I have had a couple of squares of dark chocolate. (Which I don’t really like, so it’s easy to eat less!)

I’ve managed to get on the treadmill a couple of times, and the exercise bike a little (gotta train up for that half marathon!) and even wobbled on the vibration plate machine thingy that Hubby Dearest bought for his mum!

And has it been worth it?

Well, let me tell you that starting weight of 11st 1lb is now 10 st 8lb, so I have lost HALF A STONE!!!!

It isn’t the easiest of eating plans to adhere to, and I know next week it will go out of the window (we are away for five days) but I shall try my best to stick to most of the principals and hopefully I won’t undo too much of the good work!

But there you have it – #KindaKeto is #KindaWorking!