Wednesday, 24 May 2017

Sunny Afternoon, Good Books and some Good Food.

Hasn't the weather taken a wonderful change for the better. After those biting north easterly winds and buckets full of rain, we now have calm beautiful blue skies and bright sunshine. We've been very busy the last few days so it was good to escape into the garden for a few hours of sunshine this afternoon. I had a good book to finish reading and took some crochet out with me too.



I love reading and like many different genres of book, but I think my favourite has to be a good crime or thriller novel. I really enjoy reading Linwood Barclay, I like the twists and turns and that many of his books are set in Promise Falls with characters overlapping in different stories. I've just finished a trilogy, Far From True, Broken Promise and The Twenty-Three. I'm glad I didn't start them until they were all out in paperback as it meant I could go straight from reading one to the next.





The first one set the scene, introduced the characters and raised questions. The second book wasn't as exciting as the first, but helped bring many of the different strands together.



The third book was a page turner, I felt invested in the outcome and there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing throughout the book.




All three books have been popped in a bag with some other bits and pieces ready to take to one of the local charity shops, I hope someone else gets as much enjoyment from reading them as I have.

While I was in the garden I picked a couple of radishes to have with some side salad for our tea this evening. The vegetables planted in our vegtrugs are growing at quite a rate this year.




To go with the salad I made some chicken and pasta, it was too hot to spend too much time over the cooker today. Just stripped some chicken off some chicken thighs from the fridge.



Covered them with some passata and thickly chopped tomatoes




I tore up some mozzarella and stirred it through with some cottage cheese (I'd started stirring before I realised I hadn't taken a picture).




Sprinkled some cheese over the top and popped into the oven and left it to do it's thing for about 30 minutes (make sure the chicken is properly cooked through).




So simple, but extremely tasty with some pasta and salad on the side.




Take care
xxx


19 comments:

  1. It's good you have been able to relax this afternoon and enjoy the beautiful weather.
    The chicken dish looks delicious. X

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  2. I have to read those books, and eat that food. Thanks for the tips.

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  3. I haven't heard of Linwood Barclay before but I enjoy reading a series so that the story can carry on. I agree, it's far too warm to stand over a cooker so your meal is just the thing for a day like today.

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  4. Hi Cheryl, so glad you enjoy Linwood Barclay's books. He lives not too far from us. He had a newspaper column In the Toronto Star for years which I always enjoyed too.
    Your dinner looks delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipe.
    Enjoy your nice weather!
    Robin

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  5. Glad you could get out in the sunshine. I love crime novels too. The sunshine, a good book, crochet, maybe a glass of wine. Idyllic.

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  6. Hallo Cheryl, I have read all of Linwood Barclay's books and like you, can't put them down until I've finished it.
    I remember Richard and Judy had his first one 'No Time For Goodbye' as their book of the month and I immediately bought it after the review they gave. I think it was his best one and later books refer to the goings on in that book.
    Can't wait for what he comes up with next.

    Joan (Wales)

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  7. I've just read 5 crime fiction in a row - hope they don't have any effect on me!
    Like the look of the chicken and tomato bake

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  8. Oh yes we are definitely at the quick and easy meal stage now with these warm days, can't bear being in a hot kitchen.
    Not heard of KB but it's so good when you find an author you enjoy.
    Lisa x

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  9. I like a good crime mystery with twists and turns too.
    Our sunshine has turned to a cool misty rain today.

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  10. Hi Cheryl, I am happy you are enjoying time in the garden. The books sound very good. I like the looks of your dinner too. The radishes are so pretty - my husband loves radishes.

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  11. Glad the weather was nice enough that you could sit and have some relaxing time in the garden. Nothing better than sunshine and a lovely book. I haven't ever read any of those but will have to look up. I love a good mystery.

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  12. Hi Cheryl, how lovely to spend time out in the garden doing handwork & reading, your weather is looking so warm & sunny.

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  13. Beautiful Cheryl. Your weather look so sunny & warm over there. Glad you are enjoying some time outside to do your reading & your craftwork. xxx

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  14. It's been a lovely change with the weather hasn't it, we do have to make the most of it.
    I've read a couple of Linwood Barclay novels but it was quite a while ago. The trilogy sounds good, i might look out for it at the library, I too love crime and a good thriller, psychological thrillers are my favourite... not sure what that says about me, lol.

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  15. Yes, our weather has been good just recently, I hope it lasts until the Bank Holiday Weekend ...

    So nice to spend time outside.
    I love radishes ... Yum!

    All the best Jan

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  16. Linwood Barclay is popular at our little library, you always have to wait for his books.

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  17. I've not yet tried a Linwood Barclay book, I'll have to order one. I love mysteries, these days especially historical mysteries, as long as the bodies pile up... ;-)
    Amalia
    xo

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  18. THat looks like a yummy dish. Glad you enjoyed the books and that the weather is cooperating!

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  19. I am totally nicking that recipe... I love the combination of tomatoes, chicken and cheese.

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