New blog posts 9th to 15th October

[PetiteRaleuse]

Good morning. I have started the week with a rant about getting old before my time here

This weekly series of threads has been great for my blog. Great for hits, great for feedback and great networking and discovery of other blogs. So don't just post and run, try and take a moment to look through what we've all got to offer. There's so much variety and great writing on here.

Also, this week is the MN week for their Miscarriage Code of Care Campaign. MmeLindor has been co-ordinating the blogging side of this so will be able to remind us how we can get involved if we wish.

songs we sing to our children this is a Mme , if anyone wants to take it up please do!

Thomasima, I just wanted to say thanks for you lovely post linking my blog. I got my biggest ever number of hits from it, and some lovely messages.

Grace, interesting blog. I am hypothyroid and have a 4yo and bfing 1yo so I know all about tiredness too! Just one thing to mention, the links on your blog are quite difficult to read against the background. Don't know if you can change the colour of the links?

Evening All,

Talking of maternity leave - mine ends next week, I managed to wangle a one day week next week to ease me in gently. It goes so fast - and I've had more than a year off!

I've been making Pumpkin Party Bread this week.

I have had a bit of a weird week, more emotional that physical as such. But luckily I've scheduled a whole bunch of recipes, so at least the blog doesn't look depressed too! I am working my way through this... but its much harder when you're in a different country and so far away from family!

Whenever I am upset or just plain annoyed with life, I make this chickpea curry, it's my comfort food. I hope you guys enjoy it as well.

[[http://foodfootballandababy.blogspot.com/2011/10/chhole-channa-masala-curried-chickpeas_12.html Chhole Masala (Chickpea Curry)

I really need to get a grip :)

Chhole Masala (Chickpea Curry)

I have posted about poop vs my ikea rug
www.purplemum.com/2011/10/then/

Has anyone else got a message from drinkaware.co.uk inviting them to an exclusive thingy in London next week?

FB
Aren't drinkaware doing something with MN at the moment?

Scatcat
Hope you are ok. It is hard being so far from home.

Scatcat - I'll definitely be giving that a go this week as I'm trying to make myself like chickpeas! I am seriously the Worst Vegan On The Planet. :)

MmeL, thanks. I'll be fine... I have periodic episodes of depression (it started off after I had DD) but I get over them with some intensive hard work. During this time though, its hard to get a grip on anything, and I do struggle. Being far away from family doesn't help for sure. Buy hey, I am lucky to be where I am and with a lovely supportive DH and beautiful DD + the wonderful Mums from Mumsnet so I keep going :)

I hope you enjoy the chickpeas. I find that Indian food is the easiest in terms of going vegan, there is such a huge variety around, and I love sharing my recipes!

Good morning. I have posted about my bin collection. Fascinating eh? Oh the joys of life in France. pint-sized-rants.blogspot.com/2011/10/rant-about-my-bin-collection.html

Bin collection very controversial subject!

Boring you mean? my stupid binmen haven't bothered coming for two weeks and no-one seems to know if they are on strike or just not bothering. Vive la France.

Well, after months of bravado, I just got my first one star rating on Goodreads and am trying to be both philosophical and also dignified about it. And probably failing miserably...

I wrote you a five star Amazon review yesterday though so I hope that helps counter balance it :)

Oh, I have some chickpeas in the cellar, I think.

Petite
I laughed at your bin men

MmeG
Naughty to leave a bad review but not state what it was they didn't like. Go have a look on Trip Advisor, it always makes me laugh when people leave a bad review then say, "The hotel was ok but it rained all week so we didn't enjoy our holiday" or something like that.

Maybe they don't like historical fiction, so that you could at least have answered, "Then don't bloody buy any of my books, you are BANNED".

Aw, Petite, thank you! I've just seen and it really cheered me up! :)

MmeL: I wish they'd said why they hated it so much but on the other hand that may have upset me more. They do seem to read a fair bit of historical fiction - they gave five stars to Wolf Hall and seem keen on Plaidy, whom I abhor. I'm not going to dwell on it too much though - they gave two stars to Wuthering Heights fgs.

Gave five stars to Wolf Hall? And Plaidy? Well that settles it. They have no taste.

Though have to admit I didn't like Wuthering Heights either. Couldn't find it in myself to sympathise with any of the characters.

I seriously dislike Wuthering Heights and indeed every book by the Brontë sisters, however I have to guffaw at someone giving it two stars then awarding five to something by sodding Stephen King. ;)

I liked The Tenant of Wildfell Hall but other than that I'd agree on the Brontes.

Five stars for Stephen King. You've got to be joking.

Ooh, yes, I thought of that one as I hit 'Post Message'. It's probably the best out of the lot. I can't abide bloody drippy sodding Jane Eyre though.

I wish I was joking. She didn't give one star to many books - I'm in very select company along with Eat, Pray, Love and The Sodding Da Vinci Bloody Code.

Yes Jane Eyre is awful.

Well she obviously has inconsistent tastes in that I agree on her other one star choices but not on anything else she (or he) has done that you have mentioned.

I think we can officially declare her opinion therefore to be worthless. :)