The gorgeous sunsets just keep on coming here at Mockingbird Hill Cottage.
Oh, friends, I’m sharing a book review over at Just Finish This Page that I want you to read. I hope I’ve written it in a way that makes you want to get a hold of the book ASAP and dive right on in. It’s titled Small Blessings: A Novel and it’s by Martha Woodroof. I simply loved it. I can’t say it enough. I know you will love it, too. It’s wise and funny and charming and moving and uplifting. So please stop by the other blog and read about the book. I don’t normally wax rhapsodic on both blogs about a book, but I am so much in love with this novel that I’m throwing caution to the winds.
Speaking of waxing rhapsodic, if you haven’t watched any of Last Tango in Halifax, do. It usually airs on PBS. I believe there have been two seasons. We caught the second season on PBS and are now watching the first season on Netflix. It stars Derek Jacobi and Anne Reid and a cast of wonderful actors. When I say wonderful, I truly mean it. Such amazing work by each and every one of them that Don and I are enthralled. It’s about many of the same things Small Blessings is about: second chances, the yearning to be loved, finding one’s way through life. Brilliant.
Also very, very happy that Newsroom is back on HBO, along with The Comeback. Sunday night was a happy night here at the cottage. This is Newsroom’s final season which makes me very sad, indeed.
Don bought this little tin for me in New Haven. I love it. I don’t know about you but I have a lot of random crap. Love the graphics.
We’ve been taking Scoutie on walks on the grounds of our little library. She likes it there and she invariably does a little gallop down the sloping driveway. Adorable – a word I seem to be using fairly frequently to describe my girl. Can’t help it. The other day we walked by the little pizzeria in our town, succumbed to the aromas coming out of the building, and the next thing we knew, Don was inside ordering a pizza.
Here’s Scout, waiting with me for her dad to come out of that door.
He’s right inside that window!
Happy Wednesday.
Pizza always smells delicious though it doesn’t alway taste as nice as it smells!
This pizzeria can be hit or miss, but the pizza we got that day was delicious.
I second your comments about Last Tango in Halifax. Loved both seasons and can’t wait for a third. That tin is so fun, too.
The tin makes me smile, that’s for sure. Now to find some random crap to tuck inside!
Oh Miss Scout, you make my heart happy! I already put the book on hold at the library after reading your post, so yes you made me want to read this book asap! Now I want to check out this series on TV. Hope you have a great day. I’m trying to get some rearranging done in my home as it has once again become a big mess with too much stuff everywhere! How does that happen?
hugs,
Linda
It happens every day around here, Linda!
My library doesn’t have that book, but I’ll put it on my reading wish list (which is 3 pages long – I keep a Word document). Thanks for the Netflix recommendation, too. I’ll have to check it out. Scout is so pretty…I love her fur. It looks so thick and soft. I would love to pet her. :-)
She’s has very soft hair, rather like a cat’s. It’s very pet-able.
I have only watched the first episode of Last Tango on Netflix, and did think it was very good. Just haven’t made it back to watch more yet. I read your book review, and will make a note of it because it does sound very good. Always glad to read your recommendations! Have a great day, Bess
You also, Bess!
My TBR list is getting out of control. This one sounds so good. When you said you were still thinking about the characters, I knew I had to read it. Those books are the best.
So happy Scout is joining you both on some walks in town. They get bored, too, and some new scenery (and smells!) is always a fun thing to enjoy. I love when dogs fixate on the building or place their Mom or Dad is in ~ it always makes me smile.
A Random Crap box….. why didn’t I think of that. The only thing ~ is that I would need about 28 of them to stuff all the random crap into. Creating more random crap. It is a never ending hamster wheel.
I wonder if there’s something trunk-sized for Random Crap?
I absolutely loved Last Tango in Halifax, so much so, that I bought the DVDs.
It is coming back for a third series. The acting is wonderful and the scenery stunning.
My husband was English so watch UK television, you can’t beat their drama and
humour. I read the same UK mysteries that you do as well, and a few that you
don’t.
I think that, on the whole, the quality of their writing and acting on these series is so much better than the standard fare here in the US.
We loved Last Tango too. Can’t wait for the next season. We’re currently watching a BBC show called Waiting for God. I got the whole six seasons for my husband’s birthday. Stars Stephanie Cole (auntie Joan from Doc Martin). About a retirement home!! Wish we had more shows like this on US television.
Waiting for God has aired on PBS – at least our station – for several years. I’ve seen it before. I wish we had more like this, too.
I have watched both seasons of Last Tango in Halifax Claudia and just fell in love with it. So glad you are enjoying it. Lately I’ve been caught up in The Gilmore Girls on Netflix. There are about 150 episodes and I’m at about 136. The characters are endearing and quirky and I just love it. Your girl sure looks happy in the pictures these days. Beautiful weather here, cooler in the evening and the mornings are just right to sit on the porch and enjoy a nice hot cup of coffee.
I like the Gilmore Girls, too, Janie. But I have a lot of episodes to catch up on.
If it was any other dog, I’d think that, just maybe, that gaze was directed inside the pizzeria in hopes of receiving a chunky warm slice. But this is Scout, so we know she is for sure waiting on her Dad. That pooch is Way Too Cute. You guys have a great day.
She was definitely waiting on her dad, Janet!
Will add that book to my wish list on amazon! I adore Last Tango in Halifax, especially season one. Each and every character is so well written and the dialogue is so intelligent.
It is such a smart show – beautifully done.
Pizza right about now sounds wonderful! It would surely warm the body and soul on this blustery day! Scoutie is looking young and playful these days! What a cute tin for all your random crap…how soon before it’s filled? ;)
I haven’t been able to narrow down all the random crap that I have. Hard to decide just what will go in there!
Thanks for all the good recommendations Claudia. This girl isn’t too culturally astute when it comes to “literary kinds of things” – so I trust your opinions. I’m on the library wait list for the book – and I’ll be sure to check out the series you mentioned.
I’m detecting in your recent posts that you are really enjoying the small blessings in your life right now. Just reading about yours – helps me to refocus on my own small blessings. When we are truly grateful for what we have – good or bad – it really does change things, doesn’t it? It’s all about really living and enjoy the moments we are given. Have a wonderful day Claudia.
Very grateful for small blessings. Nothing like being away from home for an extended period of time and also far away from your husband, to make you appreciate all the simple things. And being thankful for those blessings makes all the difference!
Great sunset picture..Looks like Scout is happy to be back home!!
I think she is now. At first, it was confusing for her. She still misses the park, but we’re trying to make up for that by taking her places.
Pizza sounds awfully good right now. I’m stuck at my desk over lunch (again) having to review a million page contract because of course the client needed it yesterday. (Sigh.)
That tin is so funny!
Oh darn! Sorry that you have to go over that contract, Barbara.
i went straight over to the library page and ordered it up. I am so happy and yet sad that the Newsroom is back on. Love that show. xo Laura
I know – happy it’s back but sad because it will soon be over for good. Sob.
Your walks at the library and your outtings with Scout look all too fun! Pizza is hit or miss most of the time. But even a warm pizza sounds good to me right now! Trying to get over this anemia – some days I feel ravenous; and some days no appetite at all.
The sunset is gorgeous. We’ve had some pretty ones lately- right now the wind is howling outside.
I like the tin graphics and the random crap! Pretty much sums up my house right now! I try to do a litle very day — but the house is winning I’m afraid.
I’m going over to read your review. Have a warm and toasty evening Claudia!
I will, Pat. It is supposed to turn quite cold tonight…but today was lovely. Feel better soon, my friend.
Try Happy Vallley and Ms. Fisher’s Murder Mystery on Netflix.They are just as wonderful as Last Tango in Halifax. Why is it that British TV has such great quality dramas? I just finished Rosemary & Thyme this summer. Loved that murder mystery also.
“Random Crap”..that tin is so funny..and much to small..lol..Miss Scout is certainly enjoying her outings with Mom & Dad isn’t she..They are calling for 29 degrees here tonight..I’m putting an extra quilt on the bed..Brrrr..lol..
I always love your book reviews, and have found more then a few great books, and authors because of them, thanks!
Love that tin, Don is a real sweetie, and he knows you very well.
Jen