Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Cookies on a Cloudy Day

Today is a perfect baking day, it's grey, drizzly and blowing like mad. These cookies are a favourite in our house, full of pecans, cranberries, chocolate chips and oatmeal. Well, R really doesn't get too excited about the oatmeal part, who am I kidding? This morning I had to go to a service kiosk at the mall to get my licence plate renewal sticker. It costs $74 each year and is to be renewed by your birthday, mine is on Friday. Does anyone else feel that it's a bit of a letdown to give the government money because it's your birthday? To put it all behind me, I drove down the road to Chapters for a browse around and then realized I have all the books I need. Notice I didn't say want. I did spy a copy of The Time Traveler's Wife which I'm curious to read now, there's a whopping 76 holds for that title at the library and over 900 reviews on Amazon, apparently I've been missing out. Last night, I placed an order for Susan Hill's, Howard's End is on the Landing. I'm very curious to read about her experience of reading from her shelves and the who's who of authors mentioned in the book. And if I'm honest...I covet one of the most gorgeous pieces of cover art I've ever seen. For fun, I'm going to see how long it takes me before I crack and buy a book in 2010. Hill's book will be inspirational reading. Deacon and a black squirrel are having a staring contest through the glass doors, time to throw out more peanuts. It's cheap entertainment for Deacon and I'll get some laundry done...time to go!

17 comments:

  1. Hill's book will, I am sure, be inspiring and riveting reading; I am very much looking forward to reading it later this month. The cover art is worth the book alone; there are similar gift cards and gift wrap available to buy in independent bookshops here and I wrapped many a gift in sheets last Christmas.

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  2. I'd love to read Howard's End is on the landing, too. I can't seem to stay away from Chapters especially now I have a 25% off coupon for one item. One. So will have to restrain myself and not get more! :D

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  3. Mmmm...cookies. After a winner is declared, does Deacon go wild barking? Hill's book is on my wishlist but I can't decide whether or not to pre-order now or ask for it for Christmas. I have a feeling the more I hear about it, the sooner I will want it. The least the gov't could do is spring for your renewal sticker as a birthday present...geez:)

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  4. Paperback Reader, Oh that would be gorgeous paper! I would make a tedious job out of opening my gift so as not to ruin it.

    claire, What to do, what to do! You'll have to let me know which book was worthy of your coupon...have fun looking.

    Book Psmith, Deacon doesn't make a sound, our other Border Collie would. These dogs look for jobs and watching a squirrel for Deacon is just that. As a side story, Deacon has taken to watching the answering machine...he's waiting for it to 'speak'. This boy is a character!

    Love your idea about the government buying my sticker as a present lol!

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  5. Wet and gray and cold here, too. Those cookies look so yummy: perfect to munch while reading.

    Very impressed with your restraint in the bookstore! Wish I had so much self control... K x

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  6. I'm afraid having all the books I need is not a concept I understand - I definitely need a copy of Howard's End is on the Landing! Briar does her staring contests with a seagull. He stands on our garden wall regularly and Briar glares at him through the bay window.

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  7. Susan Hill's book is lovely and although I read it in rather a hurry (which completely isn't in the spirit of the book), it's making me think about how I've been reading over the past couple of years - and I'm now seriously thinking that I should give up reading the book blogs which definitely make me more acquisitive and more-more-more about books in a way I certainly wasn't pre-internet. I certainly never used to have two or three books on the go at a time or have them piled up all over the house, bought but unread. Think it might be time for a Campaign for Real/Slow Reading around here. Of course, her book ends with her Final 40 list of books of a lifetime ... rather to my relief, I'd already read about half of them! And I am trying to resist taking the others as a challenge!

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  8. kristina, I'm reminded of a time when I had a little wool hoarding problem and swore I wouldn't go down that road again...it's a slippery slope! D x

    FleurFisher, Briar is too cute! Our other b/c Squire, would try to herd seagulls in the park. He was very frustrated when they simply flew away.

    m, Since I've been reading book blogs (only this past year) I've just about filled a bookcase with titles I've been tempted by. On the other hand, reading the book blogs makes me very happy! Should there be a support group?

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  9. I love the sound of those cookies - any chance of a recipe? Think Ken would like them. I've pre-ordered Hill's book...and I'm about to start a book diet, a week tomorrow! Unfortunately not to reread favourites, but to catch up with my 100+ TBRs...
    The Bodleian does a good line in bookish cards and paper like Claire mentions; but having used that for the past 4 years, I think it's time for a break this year!

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  10. I think a support group would make me worse! As soon as you said, I'm Darlene, I'm a Persephone-aholic ... I'd think, Must read that!

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  11. Howard's End Is On the Landing is near the top of my wishlist, too. Like Book Psmith, I'm thinking of putting it on my Christmas list. The cookies look yummy. I have a similar recipe, but ended up making apple crisp...yet again! Maybe an apple cake this weekend.

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  12. Claire and I are excited because its release date in England has been brought forward! Hurrah!

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  13. verity, Sure! I'll send the recipe to you through email. I'm sure receiving a gift wrapped in bookish paper from you makes people smile - no matter how many years in a row. R laughed when I told him that I ordered a book about someone reading from their shelves, too ironic.

    m, Persephone books could never be any part of a book buying ban! Where are my smelling salts...

    JoAnn, Apple Cake yum! You've reminded me of a wonderful Apple Bundt Cake recipe...I'm going to make it this weekend. Thanks JoAnn!

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  14. The cookies look amazing! very tempting indeed. I love your Autumn in London picture - today it is actually not raining here so resembles your image!

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  15. Bloomsbury Bell, Thank you! The London pic is also my screen saver at the moment. I've already chosen a London in Winter picture but I'm hoping that snow is a long, long way away yet. Enjoy your sunny day!

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  16. Apple bundt cake sounds great!

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  17. I've yet to read The Time Traveler Wife, too. I'll get to it eventually...It always feels so liberating to say I'm not going to spend money and buy more books...until I see what other people are coveting and then I want one, too. Maybe a local library will get Susan Hill's new book (or there is always ILL)!

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