I’m writing this on Sunday afternoon and what a weekend we had.

We took advantage of a lovely cool Saturday morning, drove an hour down to Gilroy and spent the day at Gilroy Gardens. It’s a theme park with rides for the younger set. And it was surprisingly quiet. The husband reckoned that everyone may have been doing last minute taxes!

Taking advantage of the short lines and lovely weather, we rode on as many rides as we could, including some that we didn’t ride last year partly because of height minimums. The park only opens in March until November so F has grown quite a bit since then. And he was so happy to be able to sit the spinning garlic and all the roller coasters! The only two rides he wasn’t tall enough for were the mushroom swings and the banana boat ride which has a 48 inches minimum.

Luckily with the in-laws around they were happy to bring C (who’s three next Sunday!) to the rides more suitable for his age and height.

We also tried out a new Japanese restaurant. It’s only a couple of weeks in existence and the service and speed of the food’s arrival was a bit slow. But the food was really good though, especially the chirashi! And I love love love chirashi (which really is sashimi on top of sushi rice) so I’ve eaten it at quite a few Japanese restaurants in the Bay Area. And i must say this was one of the better ones. I hope they sort their service and speed out! I would love to go back.

 

Currently…

 

Reading:

Girl at War – Sara Novic

Ok so apparently I put a hold on this Overdrive e-book a while ago, forgot all about it, and also somehow ignored the email that told me the hold came in and was automatically checked out to me. So I’m now trying to finish it as quick as I can before my library e-book expires and I have to borrow it again!

 

 Black Thorn, White Rose – edited by Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling

Also dipping into this collection of short stories for Once Upon a Time

 

The Secret Chord – Geraldine Brooks

I’ve seen so-so reviews of this book (mostly by those who love Brooks’ other books) but this is the first Geraldine Brooks I’ve picked up and am intrigued so far.

 

Watching:

Was watching Jurassic World again. Haha! It was such a silly thing to rewatch but I had fun

Eating:

Well, I had lots for breakfast. We went out to our favourite diner, Dino’s! And had the usual breakfast special – pancakes, over-medium eggs and bacon.

Drinking:

I’ve just made some cold-brewed barley tea. I don’t know if you’ve ever had Japanese/Korean barley tea but it is seriously the best thing for a hot day. And today promises to be a hot one. It’s only 10am and I’m already in shorts and a t-shirt.

Cooking:

I’m thinking of a pasta with brussels sprouts and bacon.

Possibly a chicken curry too.

 

Browsing:

Ooh-ing the covers of these beauties from Restless Books (via Caustic Cover Critic)

An article in The Atlantic on Valiant’s Faith, first seen in the Harbinger comics, now with her very own series! 

No idea who this chef is but he’s written some amusing inscriptions in his cookbooks (Food52)

Such an inspiring post from Andi about health and running!

Anita Brookner, Queen of the Damned (The Millions)

14 novels named after celebrities (Booklist Reader)

Added to the TBR;

the gods lie. by Kaori Ozaki (via BookDragon)

Like a Mule Bringing Ice Cream to the Sun by Sarah Ladipo Manyika (via Harriet Devine)

 

Last week:

I read:

The Old Garden – Hwang Sok-yong

 

I posted:

 

#AtoZChallenge – N is for Nasi Lemak

#AtoZChallenge – M is for Mangosteens and more

#AtoZChallenge – L is for Laksa

Wild Girl by Kate Forsyth

#AtoZChallenge – K is for Kiam Hu and Kiam Chye

#AtoZChallenge – J is for Juice

 

How was your weekend? What are you reading this week?