The Sunday Post #230 | November 15, 2020

   

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's a chance to share news: a post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books,
 and share what's coming up on your blog in the week ahead. 
Tropical Storm Eta came through on Thursday and my company urged all employees to work from home (I was already working from home on Thursday so no change there). While the storm caused some damage where it made landfall (further south in Florida) it ended up being pretty anti-climactic here. Heavy rain and strong winds throughout the morning and by early afternoon the sun was out. So at least I don't have to add storm damage to the list of 2020 fails. 

After much consideration, I invited my mom and sisters over for dinner on Friday. There ended up being five of us (one sister did not come) and we dined al fresco with tables and chairs set up, distanced from one another. It was good to have a casual meal (pizza take-out for the win) and just spend some time together while being safe about it.

Update: Last week I mentioned the marinara sauce that I'd made. When I used some this week I used the immersion blender to smooth it out and I liked the texture so much better (just say no to chunky sauce!). I also added a bit of Splenda and that toned down the acidity perfectly. So, thanks to anyone who had the sugar suggestion. :) 
  
This week's 80's music fix is Lean On Me (1987) by Club Nouveau. Fun fact: At about the three-minute mark when they sing "we be jammin'", I was convinced they were saying "with pajamas." Didn't make a bit of sense but I was sure of it. It took years before I finally figured it out. :)



Tuesday, November 10

Thursday, November 12

Friday, November 13

WHAT I COMPLETED IN THE LAST WEEK

   

Read:

Listened to:


WHAT I'M CURRENTLY READING

   

Reading:

Listening to:


How was your week? Any new books? Any news to share?
I'd love to hear about it!

54 comments

  1. Glad you were able to host a meal with your family. A bit of per-covid normalcy is a nice thing. I am all for the anti-climatic storms. People down and around your neck of the woods could use a break from the hurricane season. I hope there are no more this year

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    1. No kidding, it's been a record-breaking hurricane season. So much damage and loss. We've had some near misses in my area but nothing too bad, thank goodness.

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  2. Yay for a family dinner win! And I so feel that meme about the plague. So true.

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    1. Yeah, I'm totally feeling the chubby women lying around with no bra vibe. LOL

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  3. My sister has been a bit of a social butterfly lately and noticed her a few times without a mask. I might have to have her wear one when she comes over for the holidays since she needs to be careful not to get out mom sick.

    Glad the storm wasn't as bad as you thought it would be. These hurricanes this year are just insane!

    I hope you have a wonderful week, Tanya! Happy Reading!

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    1. It's hard when family members have different views on the virus or don't take the same precautions. It gets tricky then. :( I have one sister who has never taken it seriously and, sadly, I keep my distance because of that.

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  4. I’m glad you were able to spend time with family,
    I always add a bit of brown sugar to my Mariana sauce, I prefer it smooth too.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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  5. That is nice you were able to dine outside and have your family over. Mine are all on the East coast. Ugh. Yes, sugar cuts the acidity perfectly. Glad you survived the storm without damage. Have a wonderful week!

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  6. Hey Tanya, I am just stopping by from Kimberly's Sunday Post 👋 I am pleased to hear you survived the storm undamaged; have been able to enjoy an al fresco family dinner and have done some tasty cooking! Take care and happy reading in the coming week. 🙂

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    1. All in all, not a bad week. :) Thanks for stopping by, Jessica!

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  7. I'm so glad you didn't get hit harder by Eta. Also happy for you for spending some safe time with your family. The weather here has gotten nasty, so no more of that for us probably for a while.

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    1. I'm lucky in that getting together outdoors is almost always an option... practically year round.

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  8. That totally random quote made me laugh :D

    Al fresco is the way to go during this pandemic, it's just getting harder with going into fall and winter. And now I'm in the mood for some pizza.

    ~ Corina | Sunday Post

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    1. Thankfully, where I'm at we can do outdoor dining almost year 'round. That will help!

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  9. That's lovely you had a family get together. I feel it's good when it's outside. The weather won't support that much longer here. We just stay home and don't see anyone plan. I'll be interested to see your thoughts on Queen Move. The author's a gorgeous person. I was lucky to meet her at Book Bonanza last year. I've read some of her other books now. Take care and stay well!

    Anne - Books of My Heart

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    1. It felt strange to have people over (even just the three of them) and we all stayed outside and stayed distanced. I think it was more for my mom than anything. She lives alone and the isolation is so hard for her.

      I just adore Kennedy Ryan. She has such a big heart and is like a ray of sunshine. :)

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  10. That must have been so nice to have diner with your sister and mom. Even with lots of space between all of you! And I thought it was only me, non English pseaking, who misunderstood songs LOL

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  11. I love your random quote! I have had my mom and sister over. My mom lives alone and her mental health from being alone all the time was not good. I just consider her to be a part of our household at this point. I am so glad you didn't have any storm damage! Have a great week, Tanya!

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    1. I'm kind of in the same boat, Carole. My mom lives alone and the isolation is hard on her. We have her over for dinner every Friday night plus once or twice during the week. She's not quite a cautious as I would like her to be but she does pretty well. And we still mostly keep our distance when she's over. No hugging/toughing, etc.

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  12. I’m glad there was no storm damage and you got to spend time with your family. LOL at that painting meme. I could totally be one of those women. I hope you have a great week!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  13. That sounds like a nice visit with your family! It's starting to get a little too cold around here to be able to do much outdoors, so it's nice that you can take advantage of it!

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    1. Yeah, I know that eating outdoors is probably coming to end end for a lot of people, but it's practically a year-round option down here. :)

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  14. OMG I love that random! Perfection, lol! Great to get in some family time while still staying safe, and that you perfected your marinara sauce. :)

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    1. Thanks Rachel - yeah, the little bit of family time was nice. Not something I will do often but keeping it small and distanced felt safe.

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  15. I love all the 80's songs with lyrics that sound sooo much like something else. I know it's not just 80's songs but some of them... yup. :) And that's really cool you were able to get together and have pizza. Sounds great! Glad the storm wasn't too bad considering. Also--- I have to agree, I much prefer smoother sauce to chunky!

    Love that random quote! :)

    Have a great week Tanya!

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    1. Oh yeah, misheard lyrics always crack me up. Some I can totally understand but others are like, where in the world do you get that? lol

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  16. An anticlimactic storm sounds like a success to me, no one has time for storm damage to add on to the list of how 2020 sucked. Glad it was anticlimactic for you though. I’m jealous of your al fresco dinner with family. We’ve entered winter and I get to meet with friends for some very chilly walks, it’s not quite as fun.

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    1. Thankfully, here in FL we can do outdoor dining almost year-round. I guess I should add that to my list of things to be grateful for. :)

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  17. I'm glad you guys are ok after the storm. It sounded like a big deal. So many natural disasters all over the world. The situation in Philippines and South America is especially scary.
    Also, that's nice that you were able to have distanced meal with your family! Hope you have a good week, Tanya!

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    1. Thanks Nick. We've been very lucky with the storms this year. A couple near misses but no direct impact.

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  18. I'm happy to that you got to see family safely and that you didn't get much damage. I can't believe what I'm seeing in terms of flooding!

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    1. Yeah, the flooding damage where it made landfall was so bad. We got really lucky in that regard.

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  19. I'm glad you didn't have any storm damage! And that's great you were able to have a fun meal with some family members. I do hate that Winter is coming, because it makes seeing people kind of moot if the weather is so bad you can't be outside. haha

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I guess that's one upside of living in Florida... we can do outdoor dining/gatherings practically year round.

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  20. YAY for no storm damage and being able to see your family! Time with family always helps soothe my soul, I'm so happy you got to be with them! AND NO WAY! So back in 7th grade I thought the Bob Marley song was Pajamin! I would sing it....
    We're pajamin, we're pajamin
    And I hope you like pajamin too
    *SIGH* lol
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. LOL We are misheard lyrics twins, Jen! Apparently both of us hear something about "pajamas" in the music. Hahaha!

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  21. Glad to hear you made out okay with Eta. I think that's the storm that closed schools here this past Thursday because it caused so much flooding. And yay for getting to spend some quality, social-distanced time with your family. :)

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    1. Crazy that it caused damage from FL clear up to your area.
      It was great to finally see more than one family member at a time (in this case a whopping three LOL).

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  22. I'm glad the storm was an anti-climax. (In the best way!)
    It's awesome you got to have a meal with your family too. I think the separation from loved ones has been the worst thing about all this mess. :(

    I love the totally random!
    Hope you've been having a good week.

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    1. Yeah, the inability to see family is hard. I haven't seen my younger sister in months but she has never taken the virus seriously and I don't feel it's safe to be around her. :(

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  23. Yay for the family dinner!! And so glad you didn't have any hurricane damage. I'm curious to hear how you've liked all the books you're reading!

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    1. We really got lucky with the tropical storm. Some wind and rain and no damage at all. Thank goodness!

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  24. Good to hear you didn’t get storm damage. That’s great you got to have some family time, I miss it and am dreading Christmas, it’ll be so different.

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    1. I know. :( Christmas is going to feel rather somber this year. I keep telling myself it's only temporary... but I've been telling myself that for eight months now.

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  25. Snow Angel Cove was such a good read! I hope you enjoy it. And YES!! to the plague meme. 😂

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    1. I wish I had read Snow Angel Cove instead of listening to the audio version. Because the story was super sweet but the narration was awful! When I continue the series I'll definitely be reading not listening.

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  26. Love that cartoon, it made me laugh ! I'm glad the storm mostly spared you and that you were able to have lunch with your family - haven't seen my sister in months.... Happy reading :)

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  27. OMG that totally random meme cracks me up - because #truth lol

    I'm glad you had a nice (safe) visit.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Oh yeah, I'm very much in touch with that random this year. I think a lot of us are. LOL

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