We need to talk about Kevin

It began badly when the woman introducing the film got the title wrong. It never really got any better. I know that film versions of brilliant books often disappoint but this one was even worse than Even Cowboys Get the Blues. Despite excellent casting it never managed to even touch on the central theme of the book which was all about the choice to have children or not and the nature/nurture debate. It was also far too long. Endless shots of people in waiting rooms had me verging on leaving several times. A good editor could at least have carried out some damage limitation on this disastrously bad film version of one of my favourite books of recent years.
(The photo was taken by Maaike in the bar beforehand when we were still reasonably cheery...)

Finnegan's Wake Film

Went to see this film tonight. Forgot to take a photo whilst there but can surely borrow one from Maaike's blog later...yep, mission accomplished.
There was an entertaining intro from the 2 men who did the nigh on impossible job of translating the book into Dutch.

Christmas Post

Wonka Bars

Oh joy!

Pakjes Avond

Assorted nonsense parcelled up ready for Christmas. And that on Sinterklaas! (Smug Gits R Us.)

Fiat Doblo Cargo Test Drive

I've been eyeing this possible replacement for the Wee Blue Van for some time so when by chance an invitation from the dealer for a test drive appeared on my doormat I phoned them straight away to arrange a date.

Redmond O'Hanlon in Utrecht

Last night there was a special screening of the first episode of this programme in one of the filmhouses in Utrecht. With Mr O'Hanlon himself. Afterwards some discussion with him and 2 of the people who travelled with him during the filming followed by a Meet And Greet in the bar.

More Poppies

Some days I manage to colour co-ordinate my knickers and my socks, and this always amuses me, but this is the first time I've ever managed to co-ordinate my book with my duvet cover. And my teacup.

Remembrance Day

Joep and I drove to Poperinge to see the exhibition in the Talbot House around the new book by Stefan Brijs.












Typically grey November Flanders day with mountains of beet at the side of the farmroads.

Bookexchange Incomers

These are the books I harvested from the latest bookexchange. The first 4 are for Riny, the ones in the basket are for me.

Halloween Book Exchange

A number of years ago when I was living in a genuine crumbling mansion, the tradition of having a bookexchange at my place around Halloween was born. After a few years break when the mansion had finally crumbled and I lived in a tiny place with no room for such things the tradition has been revived again here in the latest forest dwelling.

Thirteen women from my online bookgroup, 3 kids and several hundred books. (And a LOT of food.) I forgot to take many photos (and actually stole the first one from this bloggrrl...) I also forgot to burn the Wicker Wummin I'd found in the woods behind the shed when everyone was there so Hanneke and I were the only ones to witness this fusion of Halloween with the cult Scottish film.



Janneke came along this morning to help us eat some of the leftovers and to pick out a few of the last books. Another thing I forgot to do yesterday was to take a photo of everyone with the picture frame so the leftover black cat was the only one to pose with it.

The Night Before the Bookexchange

Am watching Tim Burton's film, 'The Nightmare Before Christmas' (about how the people from the land of Halloween take over Christmas) whilst carving out Halloween lantarns from a turnip, a pumpkin and an orange. This afternoon tidied up the shed in preparation for tomorrow's bookgrrls meeting.

Meatloaf?

During the felling of a sick tree this morning I spotted a bat clinging to the wall of the house. I think he must have been sleeping in the tree when it came down.
He hissed angrily at me while I was taking photos and didn't look like he wanted to be adopted and given a daft name so I set him free on the other side of the road where he could find a peaceful place to sleep further. (I was wearing leather workgloves during all this - bats are known to spread rabies by biting.)

Shoe Door

In the doghouse

Since Max I've never had a dog about the place who appreciated the doghouse but Shadow made himself at home right away.

New Workplace

Moved one of the embroidery machines from Utrecht to the kitchen in Lopik the other day and the first order I made on it was for aprons with 'Kitchen Princess' on them.

Sil the Rabbit Whisperer

3 dogs and a cat

Last week I found myself in the unusual (for me) position of having a lodgercat instead of a lodgerdog in the house for one night. Full story can be read under this link. Just to assure everyone that I haven't been converted from my normal status of dogwummin, here's a photo of me with Shadow, the resident alsation belonging to the nearest neighbour together with 2 temporary alsation crossbreeds. (Shh, don't tell Shadow but his halfbred pals are both actually much prettier than he is...)

Hammock Dreams?

Have decided to spend the night in the newly hung hammock. Or have I...? May decide it's too dark and scary and run in to my bed after all, but we'll see how it goes.

Bookswapmeet

Orpheus en Euridice