All Sunday I've been humming catchy tunes from a new film.
The day before we watched Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix. I didn't think I would enjoy it so much. There are quite a few crude jokes, innuendos, but overall it's an entertaining family film (age rating 13+).
I'm not a fan of Will Ferrell, but he's pretty good in this film as a man-child obsessed with winning the Eurovision contest. Rachel McAdams is brilliant, and Dan Stevens totally stole the show as the gay Russian star.
Once the soundtrack CD is out, I'm going to buy it, as I keep listening to the videos on YouTube. I know you can get it on MP3, but this is not something I use.
Monday, back to homeschooling and art lessons from Seesaw. This time Eddie has chosen to draw Toothless, following the step by step video on Art for Kids Hub.
Walking into town with Eddie and my husband, when Sasha was at school. We popped into our favourite book shop, and even got a couple of books, including The Wild Way Home by Sophie Kirtley. It's about a 12-year-old boy whose newborn baby brother needs a heart operation. In anxiety and panic he flees through the ancient forest and gets transported into the Stone Age. We're half way through, and it's quite sad.
This book is chosen as the Waterstones Book of the Month for kids.
Last week I took part in two blog tours for Broken Silence by Liz Mistry and A Quiet Death in Italy by Tom Benjamin. The first one is rather tough to read, as it deals with such topics as human trafficking and modern slavery. The second one is set in Bologna, it made me think of that beautiful town, and how much I'd love to explore it again.
We receive a weekly fruit and veg box, and there was a pineapple in the previous week's box. We don't often eat pineapples. I find that the fresh pineapple is too much for my sensitive teeth. So, I decided to use it in baking. I have cubed it and pre-baked in a tray with rum and demerara sugar, then the next day I added the pineapple to the cake batter. It turned out to be a very tasty cake.
On the way home from the town centre I've spotted this evil-grinning cloud.
My echinacea is going to bloom soon, I can't wait to see its spiky petals.
I love hollyhocks, this elegant white one with purple veins has been planted by my Mum a few years ago. It's taller this year, and has more blooms on it.
We didn't do much on the so called Super Saturday, I'm not a pub-goer, and wasn't planning to go out for a meal anywhere. Did you happen to visit any place you've been longing to see?
I'm not sure if bars have reopened here but restaurants have, so we've been a few times, at lunchtimes. It's not too bad, with many tables out of action so that people are distanced. Love Eddie's picture - he's got some real talent. The cake looks and sounds delicious - hmmm I love pineapple !
ReplyDeleteThank you, Cheryl, I've only been to the local café for the takeaway, haven't dared to go in for a meal yet. We were glad to see that the local Greggs is open for takeaway too. Eddie was very excited. The cake turned lovely. I prefer tinned pineapple to the fresh one. :)
DeleteIt was so much talk about pubs opening that I think many people forgot (me included) that there are others in the category, including the place we've been to yesterday: the Cat Cafe! I loved it. The cats really missed the visitors. I'm going to post about it later today, so have a look on my website if you want to see them.
ReplyDeleteIt is so quiet. I think it is safer than going to the supermarkets, as the tables are spread out, everything is cleaned all the time and people are considerate. While I'm not going to go to pubs, I am considering going to some local or less local (as in Manchester) veg*n restaurants, supporting small businesses to survive.
Thank you, Anca! I bet the cats missed the cuddles. Will check out your post. I've seen your photos on Insta, the cats look so cute.
DeleteThat Eurovision film is on my list of things to watch.
ReplyDeleteAhh! I recognised that that was a drawing of Toothless. We've been watching those films recently.
That cake looks so good. Yum! Yum! x
Thank you, Kim, we love Toothless, both books and films, even if they're pretty different. We even went to meet the author last year.
DeleteAnother fantastic drawing by Eddie! Your cake looks amazing. We didn't do anything on Super Saturday either. It's our wedding anniversary tomorrow and it would be nice to go to a restaurant, but I don't actually think many are open.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sarah, the cake was lovely, I will try baking something similar again, with tinned pineapple, it was too much faff to cut the fresh one. :)
DeleteThat’s a brilliant drawing of Toothless. I do love seeing Eddie’s drawings on your blog – he really is very good at it. The Wild Way Home sounds like an interest book – part of me would quite like to read it but I’m not sure if I’d find it too emotional, given the memories of all of Jessica’s heart operations. That pineapple cake looks yummy. We didn’t venture out on Super Saturday – I’m not sure I feel ready yet to go into pubs and restaurants. #project366
ReplyDeleteThank you, Louise, we finished the book, it's beautifully written but I think it's not the book for you, too many triggers, and also we found it quite depressing, even if the end is mildly optimistic.
Deletethere is also an unhappy baby cloud under it.
ReplyDeleteThe pineapple sounds yummy done like that, I might have been tempted to cook and it eat without adding it to the cake.
Bob loves toothless and that is great art work, well done Eddie.
Thank you, Elaine! I can see that too. I did eat some of the pre-baked pineapple, as there was a lot of it.
DeleteI think we are still a little behind in the lockdown easing. Love Eddie's picture - he's got some real talent. The cake looks and sounds delicious xx
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan, I think Eddie's been progressing with his drawing since lockdown, as he spends a good amount of time on it, and doesn't hurry.
DeleteThe EuroVision film with Will Ferrell is face! I thought I recognised that guy... Dan Stevens as in ex Downtown Abbey? I seriously could not fathom out who it was! The cake looks amazing! I never really cook with pineapple so wouldn't have had a clue where to start but glad it was fab - soaking the pineapple sounds like a good idea, especially with rum to give it a kick! Hope you are all having a lovely week! Sim x
ReplyDeleteIs ACE not face... ;) x
DeleteThank you, Sim! Yes, Dan Stevens is Matthew from Downton Abbey, but here he's completely different. :)
DeleteRum and pineapple cake what a winning combination! Toothless is another great drawing. I might have to get a regular fruit and veg box our supermarket is starting to get REALLY busy.
ReplyDeleteWe loved Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga - we have even downloaded the album and adore the real Iceland eurovision entry song too. That is a brilliant drawing of toothless
ReplyDeleteWill Ferell is a very funny and great actor, in my opinion. OMG The Toothless drawing is so adorable!! The book by Sophie sounds interesting, although there have been a lot of books of kids leaving their families and going on a magical voyage. The cake looks delicious. Cute grin and lovely flower
ReplyDeleteWe have had a takeaway but no shops or cafes or restaurants or pubs. I have no idea when I will feel confident for those :( I have seen the Eurovision trailers but wasn't sure if it was any good (WF can be hit or miss IMO) #project366
ReplyDeleteMy hollyhocks haven't done well this year..only one now has started growing...will see if it flowers.
ReplyDeleteThe drawing of Toothless is good! My girls love Toothless!
Edie is very clever I love the picture. We didn't go out on Super Saturday the thought of going to a pub really doesnt appeal especially after seeing all those pictures on the news as well. I have been growing on some new hollyhocks this year and I was not expecting any flowers but one is budding up so I think we may get lucky.
ReplyDelete