Old year out, new year coming in!

Well 2016 is winding down. Christmas was fairly quiet with my children and their dogs (three that get along pretty well). Tree hasn't lost many needles and is still drinking. Always a good sign. New Year's Eve will be quiet. Not my favorite holiday. Busy catching up and trying to organize papers and calendars. I did manage to make my Goodreads challenge this year. I am currently reading The Bronze Horseman, another book on the Leningrad siege. Historical fiction, romance. So far so good. It is a long book and it is due January 4th so I really need to read steadily (not sure I can renew it as it is from another library).

I did finish Lab Girl the next book club selection. I had a difficult time getting into the book. Having done molecular biological research for many years it was interesting and the set up was unique. But the story itself I found slow. Glad I read it. It is on so many "to read" lists of 2016. I will continue with Her Spyness series

and found another mystery series set in England at the start of WWII- Mr, Churchill's Secretary.

There seems to a theme here!

Holiday party 2016

My book club always does a holiday party in December. Several times we tried to discuss a book with little success. Too many distractions! We always have a potluck dinner- my group loves to cook and eat well. One year we even had a little carol sing. But usually we just gather and have a great time and relax. Oh and we do a Yankee Swap. There is always a gift that makes the rounds. This year it was a pair of earrings- a book and a wine glass! I made a pomegranate cheese ball (thank you How Sweet It Is food blog!)

and apricots with blue cheese which seemed to be well received. Beautiful festive table.

. We had a few desserts including red velvet cupcakes and rum soaked, chocolate covered cherries!

. We have a couple of the group who had to cancel at the last minute but here is a picture of the rest of the merry makers!

. I am trying to catch up on the newspapers and I read the Wall Street Journals Books of the Year in the Review section (Dec 10-11). So many books. I am reading our next selection for book club- Lab Girl.

. Interesting. It was on many to read lists for 2016.

Gearing up for the holidays

Some how I missed November. Totally flew by. This year is quickly coming to an end. Have been reading a lot. Enjoying the Her Royal Spyness series. Yes, light and easy to read but fun. Right now I need fun. Thoroughly enjoyed City of Thieves and our discussion in our book group was very energized. I did request another book on the Siege of Leningrad- The Bronze Horseman. Will see how that works out.

. Our next meeting is simply our annual Christmas potluck and Yankee Swap. Always a good time. Have had a few cold days and even a dusting of snow. Today is a catch-up day for me as we have some trees being cut down and I am home dealing with that. Going through papers, mail, email. Stuff I don't like doing (does anyone?) so it piles up until I can't stand it anymore. Actually I am feeling like I am making progress in de-cluttering, my holy grail.