Good morning and Happy March. Turning the calendar to March is always a relief for me. While it's not really spring, the worst of the winter is usually behind us. Another storm or two could still come our way but, judging from the past few months, I'm not betting on it. March means spring break for the college crowd. My three girls all have different weeks off and I'm looking forward to spending time alone with each of them. Of course, March also means college basketball. The Big East Tournament is coming up this week, and then it's on to the big dance - March Madness!
As for my reading, I seem to have more books in progress than normal. Our yearlong group read of Clarissa has picked up again, I'm slowly making progress on The Makioka Sisters, and also started my first Agatha Christie novel. After just a few pages, I think I'm going to love And Then There Were None. It fits in nicely with Christina's March Mystery Madness, too.
On audio, I finished Trespass by Rose Tremain and immediately started having issues with my iPod. I downloaded You Deserve Nothing by Alexander Maksik, but haven't been able to start listening. Hopefully my daughter can figure out what's wrong, because I really need an audiobook to keep me walking!
Also on the blog this week, I posted an alphabetized February Wrap-Up and shared a chicken pot pie crock pot recipe for Weekend Cooking.
Plans for today include finishing this weekend's Clarissa letters, a long walk, reading more of The Makioka Sisters, and baking a cake to take to dinner. I hope to find something to watch on Netflix Instant this evening... I miss Downton Abbey! How will you spend this first Sunday in March?
My reading has slowed up for some reason. I feel like I'm shirking! LOL
ReplyDeleteRhapsodyinbooks - Between us we could find a happy medium ;-)
DeleteMy reading has slowed up at the moment, I've been reading heavy books that are taking it out of me a bit.
ReplyDeleteYour Sunday sounds lovely, hope you enjoy it :)
Sam - My two main books, Clarissa and The Makioka Sisters, are both slow reads. It's going to be a long time before I finish another book!
DeleteBelieve it or not, I am going out in two minutes to work in the garden. I want to rake some things out of the way of the daffodils that are trying to bloom. I always wait to see if any will before my birthday (the first day of Spring).
ReplyDeleteThanks about the tip on Downtown Abbey. I have heard some much about it and I never thought to get it streamed from Netflix.
Enjoy your day!
Brenda - I hope you enjoyed your time in the garden yesterday. It could be several more weeks here. Netflix has season 1 of Downton Abbey available for streaming now.
DeleteOh, if my iPod isn't functioning, I have a total FREAK OUT. Listening to audio is like a drug for me. I really want to have an Agatha Christine project some day. I am a mystery junkie and I am absolutely sure I would love her, especially And Then There Were None.
ReplyDeleteSandy - This ipod thing is really bothering me. I did the 'restore' thing on itunes, but that didn't work either. Burned my next book to CD so I can at least listen in the car.
DeleteI suppose now that football and Downton Abbey are done, I might just turn Sunday evenings into pure reading hours. Although, I think the next week starts the return of the Sherlock Holmes series on Masterpiece which would fit in nicely with March Mystery Madness!
ReplyDeleteLisa - You're not a college basketball fan? ;-) I will look into Sherlock Holmes on Masterpiece. Thanks.
DeleteI'm sure you will enjoy listening to Agatha Christie. March brought some snow, but it has already melted, thank heavens! Thinking spring!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - We got several more inches of snow today, but they are predicting near 60 by Wednesday. What a crazy winter! I am enjoying Agatha Christie though.
DeleteYay for participating in March Mystery Madness! I can't wait to hear what everyone has been reading and what's good out there!
ReplyDeleteChristina - It will be fun to see all the reviews people link up. I can use some mystery recommendations!
DeleteAgatha Christie, what fun! I've become such a reading slug of late. Spent the bulk of the weekend computer-less (sob!)--sneaked around a bit on Mr. L-S's, but it just isn't the same...And, we visited the newest member of the extended family. March--yikes!!
ReplyDeleteDS - Hope your computer issues are resolved soon. Can't believe it's taken me so long to pick up an Agatha Christie novel!
DeleteYou don't really want to hear that I spent a Sunday afternoon gathering facts and figures for our 2011 income tax do you?? LOL -- didn't think so. I did get to try out the new crock pot, making chicken soup which turned out very well.
ReplyDeleteHope your iPod gets fixed soon. Google the problem; that helped me one time. Have a great week.
Diane - Oh, no...not income taxes! You poor thing. Good idea to google the problem, thanks.
DeleteIf you like And Then There Were None you might like Katherine Hall Page's The Body in the Ivy - a take on Christie's book but it is set in Maine and contemporary. I liked that one a lot.
ReplyDeleteI skipped a lot of updates for Apple and then my ipod went totally fluky. Hope that's not the case for you.
Kaye - Thanks for the recommendation - you know how I love Maine! Don't think I missed an ipod updates, but will double check.
DeleteI feel the same as you; once March rolls around I know there is an end in sight to winter. We however did get more snow last night. Good luck with your reading. I'm doing good still although I feel a lag coming. lol. Have a great week JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteDarlene - March always gives me sense of relief of making it through another winter. A few more inches of snow today, but near 60 by Wednesday :-) Have a good week!
DeleteWhat a nice visit from you. I sure hope one of your daughters can fix your ipod. I'd be lost without mine. Thanks for cluing me into the March Mystery Madness. I love to read mysteries. I'm off to check it out. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteMargot - You'd love March Mystery Madness! My oldest daughter will be home this weekend, so if I don't have it figured out by then she may be able to help.
DeleteThe worst of winter? Wait--did you guys have any winter? Dallas is sneaky in some years we'll get hit with an ice storm in March. But by the 15th I should be able to breath easy--just hoping this early spring doesn't lead to an extra long summer!
ReplyDeleteYay for March Mystery Madness! And Clarissa! And Crockpot Chicken Pot Pie. ;) Hope March is an awesome month for you.
Trish - We've had around 50" of snow, but that's nothing compared to what we're used to. The warmer temperatures were really nice, too - no prolonged subzero stretches this year! Hope your March is great, too!
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ReplyDeleteI just noticed that the old Star Treks are now on Netflix. I just watched my 1st episode of Downton (season 1) while in the car waiting for my kids. It was really good.
ReplyDeleteTi - Just wait, it gets even better!
DeleteI miss Downton too!! I just started watching Bleak House on Netflix and am going to watch a few episodes every Sunday..it's really helping me get through the book too!! Have a great time with each of your girls!!!
ReplyDeleteStaci - That's a great idea! I've had Bleak House in my Netflix queue ever since I finished the book - just over a year now, lol!
DeleteSounds like you had a nice start to March!
ReplyDelete