Sunday Post 135

Hi everyone!

Through Monday, I am linking with the following: 

Reading Reality, who hosts Stacking the Shelves

Readerbuzz, who hosts Sunday Salon

Caffeinated Reviewer, who hosts Sunday Post

The Book Date, who hosts It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Happy Mother's Day to all kinds of Moms! I know this day isn't easy for everyone. Know that I'm hugging you in my heart.

I had an ultra quiet week of nothingness, which was most welcome after a very active April. Last week, I had no appointments and no social events. I do enjoy getting together with friends and family, but I also cherish my alone time. It was bliss. I got some reading, blogging, and puzzling done.

Here's the puzzle I started working on. It's a Star Wars theme. It's 500 pieces and it has a 3D effect.

I picked up this puzzle at a swap last year. The box contains two 500-piece puzzles. On the way out, the person who donated it wished me luck and said she gave up on it. But how could I pass on a two-in-one puzzle? 

When I opened the box last week (yes, it took me months to dive in), I noticed that one puzzle had not yet been started at all. The pieces were still in the sealed bag. I decided to start with the one that was open. There were large chunks already assembled. I wanted to start from scratch, so I took them all apart. This process took ten minutes! The pieces lock in very tightly, but it also goes to show how much of the puzzle was already done. I don't know why they would get that far and then give up. Perhaps I'm about to find out. LOL.

Can you tell from the picture that there are a lot of extra pieces? They are all duplicate pieces. I measured the puzzle, so I'm certain I'm only missing one edge piece. But I don't even know where it goes. I made a break in the bottom, but I don't know if that's the correct spot in which it goes. 

Anyway, I think I finished the easiest part of the puzzle. The rest will be much more difficult because the colors are very similar. Also, all of the pieces (besides the edge pieces) are only two shapes, which is resulting in a lot of false fits. But I'm determined to finish it. Eventually. Hopefully this month, during Star Wars month. I started it on May the Fourth (be with you).

IN THE BOOKS

RECENTLY FINISHED

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I finished Spell to Pay (Spellbooked Mystery 2), by Elle Wren Burke. I enjoyed it, although there was one aspect I was hoping for more of. You can read some excerpts from Spell to Pay here and you can read my full review here.

IN PROGRESS

I read Spring Week 7 in The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year, written by Margaret Renkl and illustrated by Billy Renkl. I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I understand how taking pictures can take some people out of the present moment, but for me, it does the opposite. Taking pictures has helped me notice and appreciate the natural world so much more than I used to. 

I'm enjoying Between a Roquefort and Hard Place (Grilled Cheese Mystery 7), by Linda Reilly. I'm already loving it more than the previous book in the series. Some time is taken to set up the mystery, but it doesn't take long before the real action begins.

I'm currently listening to A Deadly Inside Scoop (Ice Cream Parlor Mystery 1), written by Abby Collette and narrated by Shandra Skye. I love the setting and most of the characters, but I'm struggling to become invested in the mystery. I'm about 70% done and I think I know who the culprit is. I'll be pleasantly surprised if I'm wrong. You can read some excerpts here.

UP NEXT

I think I know what my next read and what my next audiobook listen will be, but let me not say anything just yet in case something changes. (How's that for a cliffhanger?)

ON THE SCREEN

• The Way Home - It's hard to believe there are only seven episodes left in this entire series. How are they going to wrap up every storyline and answer every question without rushing the last few episodes? I am enjoying this season, but I can't help having doubts about how it will end.
• High Potential - I finished season 2, so I'm all caught up.  One aspect of the beginning of the season felt off and I wish they would develop more of the characters, but otherwise, this is a phenomenal show. It's a fast-paced police procedural, with a cozy mystery element (the amateur sleuth turned consultant for the police department) and a touch of a thriller vibe.
• The Brady Bunch - I started watching season 3. This season begins with the Bunch in The Grand Canyon, only the first of the three-part premiere didn't air. And I can't find it anywhere on TV. It's one thing to skip episodes, but to jump into a new season with the second episode of a three-part premiere seems like an odd choice. Anyway, I'm glad they are back home in the fourth episode. The ones where they travel are some of my least favorite episodes. I think they're missing the light-hearted humor and coziness that I love so much.
• Bottled With Love - This is a 2018 Hallmark movie. I remembered that I enjoyed it when I first watched it, but I had forgotten everything else about it. After watching it a second time, I loved it. It has a You've Got Mail vibe, but I actually like this movie more. Andrew Walker and Bethany Joy Lenz rarely disappoint.
• Kentucky Roses - This movie premiered on Hallmark last week. I enjoyed it and I might be open to watching it again. Good timing with the Kentucky Derby, Hallmark. Also, fun fact: Preakness will be taking place just 13 miles away from where I live next Sunday. The usual track in Baltimore is being renovated, so they had to temporarily relocate. (No, I won't be going.)

ON THE BLOG

• Sunday Post - 05/02 - Weekly Recap
• Book Review - 05/06 - Spell to Pay, by Elle Wren Burke
• Friday Features - 05/08 - Bookish Response, Featured Book, Feline Friday, Nature Pic
• Puzzle - 05/09 - Mother's Day

Have a great week!