Honour by Elif Shafak - A Review

I have joined a book club.
This has been on my to-do list for a very long time but I selfishly thought that I wouldn't have to time to read the nominated title and be able to fit in the books that I really wanted to read. Well funnily enough, even without being in a book club, I haven't found time to read everything that I have wanted to read so what had I got to lose.

Britmums launched a book club last month and I clicked on that link faster than the kindle sales of 50 Shades of Grey (which I haven't read).

Honour by Elif Shafak is the story of a Turkish family, their heritage, their secrets and their struggle to be at peace with themselves. The story steps between Turkey and London, and between different members of the family both in the past and in the present, putting down layers of misfortune and misunderstanding on which the youngest generation are raised. Three children, with very different personalities, try to do what they believe is right upholding the honour of their family through their mother. She has her own challenges brought from a difficult childhood as an identical twin and her large, all female family, and to her estranged marriage and her affair.

It is a beautifully written novel, evoking a sense of unease in places, tension in others and warmth. I particularly liked the sections of the book devoted to Turkey and the older generations, loving the colour and texture of the authors language. It wasn't at all difficult to read, and not too 'literary' but felt like a worthy read none the less. I am not belittling chick lit at all but I can't live off a diet of Prossecco without the occasional glass of wine or bottle of cider.

I would definitely recommend this book and am passing it on to a friend who kindly gave me Me Before You by Jojo Moyes as a gift for World Book Night.

And if you want to join in with the Britmums Book Club then follow the link and sign up.

Disclosure: I was sent a free copy of this book by Britmums for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Silent Sunday

Responsibility

Sometimes responsibility can lie heavily on our shoulders. It can weigh us down with its gravity. The idea of shirking it, rebelliously dancing in our heads. And then you have the chance to do exactly that - throw it aside and skip all over it. Or in my case, wave it goodbye in the rear-view mirror.

It was only a brief adieu and I returned to my responsibility happily, refreshed and rejuvenated thanks to a day at a Bannatyne's Spa won in a Britmums competition.

The lawn is most definitely the Mr's responsibility

A day without responsibility at the Spa.

Responsible for ensuring the safety of art from the three amigos.

The tea urn is a great responsibility at toddlers group.

Responsible for the safe return of the bee to the garden who mistook my windowsill for a safe haven.

Responsible for watering the plants.

Responsible for safeguarding our history in the minds of our children.

Did you get a responsibility free hour or two this week? I can highly recommend it!


Join The Boy and Me to see what they've been up to this week.

Mess and manners

If your child made a mess like this while having lunch at home, you'd clear it up.
If your child made a mess like this while having lunch in a restaurant, what would you do?

In the first instance, I would have been picking bits up as they fell. Who wants mushed food on the soles of their shoes? In the second instance I would pick up the worst of it with a napkin. There is absolutely no way I could stand up, brush myself and my child off (adding to the carnage that was lunch on the floor) and walk away.

But the two mums and their two children who sat at the table next to us did exactly that this week.

I think I may have gawped as they walked away. I was embarrassed for them. Then I was apologetic to the waiter who came to our table, on behalf of the rest of mothers who would have made an attempt to clear it up. I think to have left this kind of mess is just plain rude and arrogant. Yes you are paying to be waited on. But who do you think you are? For goodness sake, get some manners and show some respect!

Apologies to the Mr who I may have slightly embarrassed as I took this picture and apologies for the rant, but occasionally you just have to let off some steam.

Silent Sunday

Sun-smiling

The sun shines and it is like the world is smiling at you.
So I am gorging myself on sunlight, soaking it in, hoping that it will see me through the inevitable dreary days that will come.

Morning sunlight pouring through the windows attracts boys who want to play.

Too busy playing in the sun to eat his first breakfast, so a second breakfast today.

Sunlight on my dining room floor.

Warmer evenings and a mysterious artistic duo are painting the town, literally.

The sun seems to be making his eyelashes grow longer.

My garden workforce.

Jigsaws on the dining room floor where the sun shines.

May the sun shine on your week.

Join The Boy and Me to see what they've been up to this week.

Spring clean to Spring craft

Spring is the traditional time for a mammoth clean up isn't it?
Except I don't do housework willingly, so instead I am having a mini Spring clear out starting with clothes.

I don't have an extensive wardrobe and much of it is very last season. Actually last season before last before that one. Staring into its depths my wardrobe only serves to taunt me with its tired shrugging shoulders (padded) and its lazy crumpled pleats (unironed). I have some classics that I have had for years but are now so worn that they are only useful for the Scouts rag bag collection, and some fashion disasters that will likely reside in a charity shop for months.

I made three piles.

Pile 1 - classics not threadbare and/or wear often.
Pile 2 - too challenging for even the best make do and mender.
Pile 3 - hasn't seen the light of day for years.

Pile 1 was refolded, hung on wooded hangers and replaced in the (now more spacious) wardrobe.
Pile 2 was sorted into two more piles. One consisted of fabrics I might use for crafting or sewing and buttons I can reuse. The other was bagged up for the Scouts.
Pile 3 is heading to the charity shop.

I have done the same with the Mr's shirts and the kids clothes too and this provided a rather opportunistic pile of fabric that shouted "Make something with me!!" So I did.

All over my Instagram feed I see quilters using shirt fabric for projects but not being a quilter I sought inspiration on Pinterest and came up with this.

Credit: Not on the High Street

Three shirts, a bit of ribbon and a rummage through the button stash later, I knocked up this heart decoration.

Happy Home, Happy Heart x

Linking to the Pinaddicts