We had a lovely day yesterday. The high reached 60 degrees and it was sunny so we climbed into the car and drove to a neighboring town. We visited two bookshops that are across the street from each other, bought some sugar-free chocolates (Thank goodness for these! I love chocolate but hadn’t been having any because of the sugar. Don found these at Christmas and I have to tell you, you would never know they are sugar-free!) and stopped off at an art supply store for some markers.
This was my book haul from the used book store. Usually I can’t find anything, but this time? Three books.
A lovely Penguin edition of The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
A book I see on on the IG accounts of many British book lovers – Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. The Ransome books are a childhood staple of many Brits and I’ve wanted a copy for a long time. Much to my surprise, there it was in the children’s book section. Beautiful artwork on the dust cover, as well.
And an even bigger surprise among the gardening books, Derek Jarman’s Garden. Jarman was a British filmmaker who died too young from an AIDS-related illness in 1994. He had a home in Dungeness, Kent, in the shadow of a nuclear power station. His garden became famous for Jarman’s ability to grow and nurture plants in an inhospitable landscape. I really look forward to reading this.
All in all, a great used book day!
Today promises even warmer weather, with sun and a high of 69. Tomorrow, rain. But we need it, as there is a fire danger around here at the moment. Today, I’m going to venture out and see just what’s happening in the garden. I noticed buds on the shag hickory yesterday. I know I have some day lilies emerging. I’m looking forward to seeing just what else is coming up.
Happy Monday.
Love your books, will have to look for the garden book I forgot the name of that beautiful ground cover with the white flowers in your garden. I bought us a start but don’t think it made through the Winter. Can you please tell me the name again?
I can’t remember the name at the moment, Deb. I’ll try and look through my garden notes at some point and I’ll be sure to publish it. Thanks, Deb.
Have you lost weight from eliminating sugar from your diet?
A little, but not nearly as much as I’d like. Thanks, Linda.
You have listed two of my favorites…books and chocolates. Nice book finds. I have yet to find a sugar free chocolate (but I haven’t really looked, either), so I still indulge in the real thing. I have cut down my sugar intake considerably though.
We’ve returned from a quick weekend tour of Wisconsin with our friends, mostly in the eastern part of the state this time. Lots of laughs and good food along the way, make for a fun trip. It doesn’t get much better than that. Now, to catch up on sleep, and laundry. We had nice weather…but it was quite windy. Today….rain. Good day for catching up. Enjoy your day! ;)
Glad to hear you had a nice weekend with friends, Donna! We’re getting your rain tomorrow. Thank you!
We drove by and admired Derek Jarman’s gardens on several trips to England. It was close to where we stayed at Sissinghurst and it is a very scenic area. There’s also a tall lighthouse from which one can see forever. Also the best fish and chips ever at the Pilot Inn.
It sounds lovely. Maybe someday….
Thanks, Barbara!
It’s years since I read Swallows and Amazons, probably at primary school but I think it had that cover and his other stories had the same type of cover but each with a different colour.
It’s set in the Lake District which I visited a couple of weeks ago but we didn’t actually go to any of the Lakes!
Happy Monday
Thank you Dee Dee! I’ve seen the other covers and I think you’re right about them being a different color.
Used books! Don’t you wonder about those who read the words before you, as the new owner?
Rainy day here. Sort of matches the news of the day. We had 64* and sun yesterday…. chance of snow by the end of the week.
I just started The Secret Guests, the historical fiction book re: the Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret during WWII. Good rainy day reading. Enjoy your day with your chocolates!!
I’m going to escape into my mystery as the stock market tanks. It’s all too much. Thanks, Chris.
The Ransome book(s) – never heard of or seen. Children’s section probably so no wonder, I guess. The garden book also sounds interesting. Very glad you had a good day yesterday and wish you a good start to the week.
Calm here, just plugging away at lots of paperwork. Argh!
It’s almost too warm today! We’re not used to it! Thanks, Martha.
Love book stores! And sugar free chocolate? Ok. What is the brand, and where can I buy some? I haven’t had chocolate in so long I am afraid I don’t remember the taste. It is definitely a relationship I would like to rekindle.
Your high temps are lovely, but I’m not complaining about mine which are in the 40s. Plenty of sunshine. And glorious mud! Mud is good because is’t not snow or ice.
It’s made locally, Trudy, so it wouldn’t be available where you are. Sorry! Glad you have mud and not snow!
Long awaited spring weather! Glorious! And what a lovely book haul — a profitable day!
It’s beautiful out there. Rain tomorrow, though. Thanks, Jeanie.
I never think of you having fire danger there; gosh, with all that wet and snow of the past months? Wow. I guess it’s sure not exclusive to my SoCalif and ITS wildfires & drought!
So, as is many times the case, I learn something new from you today. Have never heard of Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome. As a consequence, I’ve been trying to ‘read all about it’. There’s at least eleven books in the series. And then there’s a whole thing on who he reportedly named his book characters after, which is an interesting family connection. Just fascinating.
Thanks!
It’s been quite dry lately and we have dead grass and brush that could catch fire quite easily. There was a brush fire a mile from us.
Thanks, Vicki!
Glad you had a nice car ride. The books are lovely. We have a coy of “Swallows and Amazons’,but I have not read it yet. Enjoy the nice weather.
Marilyn
I will, Marilyn. Thank you!
sounds good. glad you had a nice day!
been gone more than thirteen hours (typical for me nowadays), but have an even longer day tomorrow because of an annual work event at night … so, before i get to bed, i’ll just say i hope everyone is adjusting to the time change and having a nice night.
kathy in iowa
That’s a long day, my friend. I’m sorry. Take care of yourself. I’m slowly getting used to the time change, Kathy.
I’ve been cutting out sugar as much as possible since the beginning of December and I’ve lost about 9 kg in weight.
What was the brand of chocolate you found? I’ve not had any since Christmas… the cravings still occur!
It’s a local brand, Steve, made in the Hudson Valley, NY. A company called Krause’s Chocolates. I don’t know if they ship. I get the dark chocolate truffles and they’re delicious! Thanks, Steve.
I will have to look out for something similar here in France. Thank you I didn’t realise such chocolate existed!
I bet you’ll find some! Good luck, Steve!
due to your blog, I have been buying books that I read, instead of just getting them at the library. I bought a few for 1.99 and some for 2.49 and 2.99 at a thrift store. LOve collecting at that price, and it is all your fault.
I happily take the blame, Jan!