We have Moved!

Well, we have finally moved to the country! It's not quiet what I expected as yet but the adventure has only just begun. The plan to have a place where we could grow our own vegies and have some animals is on hold till everything gets a little bit more settled - hence the "Chooks" part in the title of this blog.

We chose to rent for a little while until we rid ourselves of our house in Sydney. I'm working about 15 mins from home now - no longer a 45 minute drive to work and its a nice drive through the country side.

The girls have now settled into their schools and making friends and having fun. Thanks to the internet they can still keep in contact with their old friends without it costing me an arm and a leg.

Because we're renting I can't start any gardening, only maintaining what we rent - which was beautiful when we first moved in but needing some work again now, just cleaning up the leaves. It's a tropical garden with lots of frangapani's, hibiscus, palms and a very nice green lawn. Something I haven't seen in Sydney without a ridiculous water bill attached to it.

With just getting the computer back I haven't been on very much but going back to some of my forum's to see whats been happening. I've been a member of Freecycle for sometime but it doesn't look like there's much up here - do I start one?? I'm trying to be careful not to put my hand up for too much at the moment and just enjoy life for a while.

Well - I think that's all for now

Alita

Shadowbrook by Beverly Swerling

I've just completed this very long but compelling book called "Shadowbrook". Not one of my usual choices but it was on special when I was buying big from QBD a little while ago and I liked what the blurb said so thought why not.

What I didn't count on was the descriptive language and the background history that the author put into the book. She has obviously spent a lot of time researching the for this story.

Set in America during the war between the British and French with everyone in between, Indians and Americans. There are 2 main characters - Quent and Cormac. The tale takes us on their journey through war, love, death, family, religion and politics. Being "bridge" people they live their lives between the whites and the Native Indians. Following a dream that Cormac has they attempt to bring peace between both sides and in doing so rid them both of the French.

I enjoyed it imensely however be prepared for a long read. It took a while for me to finish it and I'm normally pretty quick but that could be because I haven't read this type of book for a long time and also didn't know much of the history of the time in America.

Sabriel, Lirael & Abhorsen - Garth Nix

I've just finished the last of the series - Abhorsen. I must say that I really enjoyed Garth Nix's writing - this series is called the "Old Kingdom Trilogy" (also known as The Abhorsen Trilogy). The story starts with Sabriel - a young girl about to leave school in the Southern Kingdom and who's father the Abhorsen in the Northern Kingdom disappears. Its a story of her journey of discovery, finding out who she really is and what she is capable of. Along the way she meets Touchstone, who also discovers what he's made off.

It journeys into "Death" with the bells of the Abhorsen and the various gates that await those and the perils.

The second book Lirael is about a young girl who just doesn't fit where she is - it too is a story of her journey of discovery, interlocking into the story of Sabriels family. There is also a great character in this called "The Disreputable Dog" who is her true friend.

The final book Abhorsen brings all the story together and to and end as such - however you are left wanting a little bit more.

A great read for all - even though it was found in the "Teen Section" of my local bookstore. Interestingly my middle daughter (who's 12) who I thought would like it did not like it as much as I did. She preferred another series of Garth Nix - "The Keys of the Kingdom".

And we begin - Again

Some time ago I started a blog. When it began it was just about posting but then I joined a few things and the next thing I knew I spent hours viewing other people's blogs and earning points to gain more views on my blog - and for what?? So in the end I deleted it. And now I'm starting again.

So, to catch up on things.

We have now moved out to the country to a small country town near the coast of NSW. I love it, it's quiet and peaceful - well apart from my 3 girls, 1 dog and 1 rabbit.

My blog is going to be called Books, Chooks and Things ......

Welcome.

Alita