A few of my favourite things #80

And so begins another instalment of ‘look at all the books I accumulated last week even though I’m on a book buying ban and trying to curb my library reservations until I tackle my TBR’. Plus some cute Jenson stories.

Charity shop book haul

I can’t help but window shop on the way home from work and one particular window caught my eye all last week. A charity shop had a copy of From the Corner of the Oval Office on display, something I spotted on Instagram recently and made a mental note of. I popped in on my day off and it was only 50p!

Of course, it would have been rude not to check out the other books, especially as they were four for a pound. It felt like fate when I saw Barack Obama’s Dreams From my Father, which I’ve been meaning to seek out since I read Becoming. I also grabbed Eleanor & Park, as I’ve still to read anything by Rainbow Rowell, and A Streetcat Named Bob. Luke rounded out the offer with a QI book.

Motherhood

Jenson was all kinds of cute last week. It’s true what they say: the days are long but the years are short.

Thursday was an especially awesome day and I couldn’t believe how well behaved he was. He has regained his confidence in the swimming pool after a wobbly few weeks and he played nicely with his cousins. He still likes to be carried a lot but he spent most of the day walking, which gave me a nice rest. More of this please.

Even more library books

I popped into the library to pick up my reservation of Vox and couldn’t avoid the rather attractive International Women’s Day stand.

I think I did well to only grab three out of the dozen or so that were on display.

Trewidden Garden

Yesterday we headed to Trewidden Garden with friends and had a lovely couple of hours. The kids loved exploring and it always makes my heart melt to see them playing hide and seek together and hug goodbye.

There are 15 acres to explore and a children’s trail to help keep them entertained – plus so many trees to climb.

The tearoom is run by the Duke Street Cafe team, my favourite spot in Newlyn, and we stopped for a bite. I was impressed when my salad garnish came out looking like this! And Jenson was very taken by the (gluten-free) brownie.

I love being able to take Jenson on adventures at the weekend. We just need the weather to brighten up a bit more.

Giveaways

If you’ve not stopped by for a while, you might have missed the giveaways I posted last week for two of my favourite days of the year. I teamed up with Literary Emporium to celebrate World Book Day. One lucky reader will win a Sylvia Plath gift set. Ends Wednesday at midnight.

And Abrams + Chronicle are supplying a stunning edition of There Are Girls Like Lions for International Women’s Day. Enter by midnight on Thursday to be in with a chance of winning this empowering poetry collection.

As I head off for another week at work, I can’t help but think of the cute kiddo tucked up in my bed. I’ve not been very well lately, thanks to an asthma flare up and a couple of other things, and he’s been such a trooper, offering to look after me and helping to tidy his toys.

I want to savour the moments when we’re lying in bed together and he says: “I need a cuddle please. Bigger. I love you, Mummy.” Each night could be the last before he decides he’s a big boy and wants to sleep in his own bed. Can’t say I’m in any rush for it!

Have a lovely week 🙂