Pooch, Books and Everything Inbetween

Happy Monday... a.k.a Direwolf Day 🐺😂 . Oh here we go again... I'm trying to focus only on positives this week and take it one day at a time... so three good things about today are- . 1) I get to watch Game of Thrones tonight 🐺 . 2) I have new notebooks to use in work today 📝 . 3) I've got some freshly baked bread for breakfast 😋 . . #cairnterrier #cairnterriersofinstagram #mypooch #mydirewolf #positivementalattitude #positives #itsthelittlethings #readingnook #terrier #cornersofmyhome #happymonday #cutepooch

Say one thing for Joe Abercrombie, say he's a bloody good writer. . ⚔️ . I finished The First Law trilogy... it took me almost a year to get through but I made it!! . This is the first dense fantasy series I have ever read and OH MY GOSH!! I feel like I have been on the journey of a lifetime and have met people who will be a part of my life forever!! It has been absolutely AMAZING!! . The series starts with The Blade Itself... which is probably my least favourite... it's dense and full of information... usually I don't do well with books like this but from the start I fell in love with Logen and his pot and so I had to continue along the journey with them... once I met Glokta and Bayaz I was HOOKED!!! . The whole trilogy has been this crazy whirlwind of battles, stress, clunky romance... it's full of these wonderful morally grey character. Some of them are beyond violent and crazy... if I met them in real life and hadn't been privy to their thoughts I would definitely run away fast... but if I met them now I would embrace them with a big hug... even Black Dow 😒 I loved them all... the good, the bad and definitely the ugly!! . Last Argument of Kings was my favourite book... full of some of the most tense battles ever.. and the way everything came together and was wrapped up nicely 😱- chuck in the lovely closing of the circle ending... nothing short of genius!!! . Also... without spoiling anything my ship happened!!! I was so happy!!! I squeee'd out loud when it happened! And then cried happy tears!😭😂 . I ended up audiobooking parts of the second and third books... these are narrated by Steven Pacey! I cannot begin to praise him enough! His characterisation and delivery is spot on... he captures Abercrombies dry wit and sarcasm perfectly... so if you are struggling with the books (especially the first super dense one) I recommend giving the audiobooks a try (but Pacey versions only!!) . 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 . #grimdragon - book(s) I won't stop posting! . . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bibliophile #booksofinstagram #epicreads #igreads #thebladeitself #joeabercrombie #thefirstlaw #bookreview

“Everyone says apologizing works, but it never really does. Not quickly enough anyway." - Beautiful Broken Things . . Good grief isn't it hard to snap out of a bad mood sometimes!? . I am a barrel of rage and frustration this week! My job has pushed me over the edge and I cannot find my zen no matter how hard I try... . It's another miserable day here today! I have the day off so I've gotten up early and equipped with welly boots and raincoat I am off for a muddy trudge with the pooch... hopefully I will release some of my anger and find some endorphins to put me in a better place!! . Do you have any "snap out of it tips"? . I usually find going outdoors helps... just getting to some sort of natural space really helps me get out of the boxed in and trapped mindset... I'm hoping the walk will give me this!! . . #grimdragon - three word title . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #book #booknerd #booksofinstagram #epicreads #igreads #instabook #beautifulbrokenthings #flatlay

Sometimes the day is so miserable and grey you just need to channel your inner Hufflepuff and find some sunny yellow flowers to brighten the day... . 🌻 . #flowers #inspiredbypetals #yellowflowers #hufflepuff #hufflepuffaesthetic #mygarden #beautifulweeds #summerflowers #yellow #cornersofmyworld #flowerlove

Hello August... my favourite of the summer months! . 🌻 . Mostly because I know September is just around the corner bringing with it the start of Autumn and of course my birthday!! 🙈😂 . . . #august #doodles #sunflowers #cairnterrier #mydoodles

"You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you." . . Yes that quote might be slightly cliche but I still find it one of the most heart fluttering, knee weakening, swoon worthy quotes of all time 💕 . Gah! It's just such a perfectly romantic moment... and there isn't a day goes by where I don't wish I was Lizzie in that moment* . . Today is the 200th anniversary of the death of Jane Austen... I haven't read many of her books... Pride and Prejudice and Emma being the only two... I recently purchased Persuasion which was recommended by a lot of you but I've yet to get round to it... maybe I'll start it this week** . . In other news... I finished my first term of silversmithing last night... I made two necklaces, three rings and a bracelet... I'm probably only ever going to wear the bracelet but hey, it's all learning!! My next term starts in September so I have a little break and some time now to think of new ideas!! . Eeek and tonight I get to watch the new episode of Game of Thrones!!! I'm so excited and so far I have managed to avoid any spoilers!!! 🙌 . . Have a lovely day... and make sure you channel your inner Austen today!!! . . . *an exaggeration- in reality quite a few days go by where I don't even think about it but hey! . . **unlikely... I'm currently reading 4 books... if I add another one I will explode! . . . #janeausten #prideandprejudice #janeausten200 #booksandtea #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #book #booknerd #booksofinstagram #instabook

Have you read any Neil Gaiman? How have you found his stories? . 🐀 I've only read Neverwhere and I started but didn't complete American Gods... . 🐀 . I've been slightly underwhelmed so far by his books and am worried I'm doing it wrong! I was enjoying American Gods but then... I don't know I just fizzled out and lost interest... . 🤷🏻‍♀️ ...and Neverwhere... well I enjoyed the story but good grief I hated Richard Mayhew!! I just found I wanted to shake him or slap him throughout most of the book... he was one of those people who is unhappy with their lot in life... but weirdly seem to be happy being miserable! . 🙄 . I'm thinking of giving Stardust a go as a final attempt... @dreamsinslowmo seems to think I might enjoy it more... and I did love the movie so 💁🏻 . . #grimdragon - unhappy characters . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #book #booknerd #booksofinstagram #epicreads #igreads #instabook #neverwhere #neilgaiman

Making friends with the locals... I always think the best friends are animal friends! . 🐐 . #goat #holiday #minibreak #devon #epchrishouse #ilfracombe #animalfriends #cornersofmyworld #ruralliving #goatfriends (at Ilfracombe)

Good morning 🌻 . I'm off to the depths of Devon for a couple of days today for a wedding... it's a beach wedding... in the U.K... please keep your fingers crossed the weather holds 🤞🙏 . ...I might just pack my brolly just in case!! 😂 . . Now to stress out about what I'm wearing... it's a casual wedding... which whilst I love casual... how casual is wedding casual?!?! Especially beach wedding casual?? . Currently I have a cotton maxi skirt with a simple top... but my husband broke the news to me last night that I remind him of my Grandma when I wear it!!!! I'm not going to lie... Grandma was not the look I was going for! . 😭 . As the wedding is tomorrow I'm probably going to have to wear my Grandma outfit anyway... but if anyone has any ideas on how to de-granny clothing I would really appreciate it!! . . . #tealover #teacup #handpaintedmug #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #book #booknerd #booksofinstagram

"You might belong in Hufflepuff, Where they are just and loyal, Those patient Hufflepuffs are true, And unafraid of toil.” . 💛 . Happy Tuesday 👋... I was tagged by @shereadsbymoonlight to do the #bythebook tag... . . Which book is on your nightstand? . The Stand 🙄... it lives under my bunny, face wipes and an old cup of tea now 🙈 . . What was the last really good book you read? . Oooo... is it bad that I want to say ACOWAR? I really enjoyed it!!! Or if not that... then probably NOS4R2... (ooo and The Fireman!! They are my fave reads this year for sure (oh and Mistborn I loved that too!)) . . Which book would we be surprised to find on your shelf? . Angels of Death... ye I don't know what I was thinking when I bought it... I've given it to my husband now 🤦🏻‍♀️ . . How do you organise your bookshelf? . I don't... the man in my life is supposed to be making me some new shelves that will hold my books... but you know... hell could freeze over by the time that happens 🙄 . . Which books should you have read already? . Outlander books - they seem up my alley... and good grief CROOKED KINGDOM!!! I was meant to read it last year... didn't... it's now July and it's chances of being read in 2017 are looking slim! . . A book that disappointed you? . The 100!!! I went out and bought it after watching the first episode... what a turkey!! And then I read the other books and it just got worse!! . . Aah I'm off to an all day meeting now to discuss "lessons learnt"... always fun!!! 😒 . . . #grimdragon - books in shadow . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #hufflepuff #booknerd #booksofinstagram #harrypotter #harrypotterbooks #hufflepuffpride

Sometimes... it's a Monday...and all I want to do is post a photo of my Pooch... . 🐶 . Eeep it's my penultimate silversmithing class tonight... and I have two projects to try and finish off 😱😱😱...it's not too crucial actually as I'm going to be returning for the A/W course that starts in September... so it's not the end of the world if I don't get them finished! . . In bookish news... I'm getting close to the end of Summer of Night 😱😱😱 it has been an adventure and a half... and I'm excited/ terrified to find out how it all ends!!! . . . #cairnterrier #cairnterriersofinstagram #pooch #cutedog #summer #cornersofmyworld #mygarden #gardenlove #summerdog #doginflowers #cairnterriersofig #summerinbloom

"For love, she cheated death. For her world, she will become a weapon." . . #grimdragon - middle book of a series - ACOMAF . . Hmmm... so I'm aware that this is the second time in short succession that I've posted about this series... sorry but I was at a hen party last night and I'm a tad hungover today - my brain cells are not functioning correctly... it was a struggle just to take this photo and the temptation to just scoff the pringles pre shoot was so HARD to resist!! . 😅 . My husband is playing golf this morning and I desperate for him to finish and get home soon so he can make me a bacon butty... Holly @the_infinite_book_dragon convinced me the last time I was hungover that grease is the cure... and I have to say... she's right! . 🥓🥓🥓 . But until then... I'm going to work my way through these Pringles and Chocolate Fingers and hope hard that it does the trick... 🤢 . Have a wonderful Sunday... and if you're a fellow sufferer... I feel your pain!! . . . . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #acomaf #sarahjmaas #hangovercures #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #book #booknerd #booksofinstagram #acourtofmistandfury

Happy Friday!!! . . What are your plans for Friday and the weekend?? Anything exciting? . I have a day off and luckily the weather is sunny but not ridiculously hot... so I'm currently enjoying some tea and toast in the garden! . 😋 . As it's daylight I've begun listening to Summer of Night again for the #grimdragon readalong... I've reached a part in the book that has made it a no go to listen to in bed at night! NOPE NOPE NOPE! . 😱 . . . . . #tea #morning #mygarden #summer #littlethingsinlife #ruralliving #lovegardening #cornersofmyworld #littlestoriesofmylife #tealover #herbs

"Anybody can have green fingers; it is simply a matter of following straightforward instructions and applying common sense." - Food from your Garden . 👩🏻‍🌾 . Are you green fingered? Do you grow your own fruit and veg? . . I have to admit it's something I've struggled with for a number of years... I would plant lots of different things only for them to wilt and die! . 😭 . But this year (with a lot of help from my mum and this book!) I have managed to successfully grow a small amount of fruit and veg... strawberries, courgettes, cucumbers, sweetcorn and some apples and raspberries on the way! It's really exciting and I have to say there is something super satisfying about eating your own stuff!!! . . This book has been super helpful and full of inspiration to keep me motivated with watering and feeding my plants... I picked this copy up second hand and it is a fairly old book... from 1977... but really how much actually changes with gardening! . . I'm quite excited for harvesting and making my own preserves later in the year... something I've never done before!!! . . In other news... AARGH it's Flying Ant Day here 🐜😱🐜😱🐜😱 . . #grimdragon - cookbooks / books about food . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #bookblogger #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #booknerd #booksofinstagram #instabook #flowers #gardening #gardenlove #handgrown #beautyofstillmoments

Good morning ☕️ . Welcome to the kitchen... fancy a cup of tea? coffee?? . . Aaaah I'm feeling human again this morning... sleep has been restored to my body and it feels good!!! . . Thanks for all the well wishes for the Pooch yesterday... she is much better... if I'm honest I have very little sympathy for her upset stomach the night before... I think she'd eaten something dead and gross that she shouldn't so really... it serves her right! 💁🏻 . . Have a lovely Tuesday and have a Happy Independence Day... if that's your thing! . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #booksofinstagram #howtobeawildflower #kitchen #tea #handpaintedmug #beautyofstillmoments #tealover #flowers #myeverydaymagic #strawberries #summer

Happy Sunday!! . . I'm travelling back home today after a weekend in London... and I can't wait to get back and put my slippers on! Why is it that trips to cities are always so hard on your feet?! . 😩 . #grimdragon - tbr... I will be continuing to plough through Last Argument of Kings this month... gah! I've just come through a stressful battle... I'm slightly in love with Ninefingers so basically anytime there is a battle involving him I get really anxious because I LOVE HIM AND I NEED HIM TO LIVE FOREVER!!! 😍 . . So... I have to confess that I've never been a battle scene fan... I've always found them boring and dull... clash of swords here... blood splatter there... blah blah blah... 😴 but I'm really enjoying them in this book... I don't know if it's because I've changed, if it's just Abercrombies writing or if it's just that the potential for an appearance by the Bloody Nine just makes everything more exciting... but either way I've been finding these battle scenes tense and exhilarating... they aren't over glorified like other battles I've read... they seem honest, brutal and full of genuine fear! I LOVE IT! BRING ON THE SWORDS!!! . ⚔️ . Well... I'm off to catch my train now... see you later! . 👋 . . . . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #bookaholic #booklr #bookworm #bibliophile #bookish #booknerd #booksofinstagram #epicreads #igreads #instabook #joeabercrombie #lastargumentofkings #thefirstlaw #tbr

This wasn't the photo I'd planned for my #julytbr . . I made a promise to myself earlier this year that I would try and be more realistic with my photos and actually try and capture what my life and surroundings are like rather than creating a mythical world... staging complex shots has been a hard habit to break... I know that sounds odd... but it's crazily addictive... however I feel like perhaps I'm getting there this month finally! . . It's not because I think there is any problem with creating a beautiful social media world... but it's just something I can't sustain and I've nearly burnt out multiple times trying to keep it up... . . So... as I was getting ready to set up a staged #tbr shot... I decided to just take this one... with the pooch watching as always... my unsightly broken gate and out of control weeds in the background...and obviously my fake tbr... because who am I kidding if I think I'm going to manage all of these this month! 🙈 . . I am slowly working my way through The Last Argument of Kings... so you never know I may actually read that one by August... the rest are just some unread books that I'm super excited to get to! . . Happy Saturday lovelies... I was meant to be going to see Adele but sadly she's cancelled 😭😭😭 so I'm probably just going to cry all day instead! 😭😂 . . #circleofbookishfriends - tbr . #books #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookstagramfeature #booklr #bibliophile #bookish #cairnterriersofinstagram #cairnterrier #doglove #gardenlove #mygarden #joeabercrombie #theshadowofthewind #bookstack #myeveryday #thelastargumentofkings