Monday, August 8, 2016

Pick Your Favorite

Howdy everyone. Today's post is a little of this and a little of that.
But first thing is that  it is T day. A big hello to all the T Gang.
Be sure to stop by Altered Book Lover, Bluebeard's and Elizabeth's blog to see, or even better, to join in on the T for Tuesday fun.
I want to show you some of the food I ate on my journey to Iceland. Today I am showing you lunch.  Now we only ate lunch a couple of days because what we  usually did was eat a big breakfast (included with our hotel) and then do dinner. Lunch was generally something light or snack. 
But one day we went for a picnic.  We actually had a late lunch because finding a picnic table was about impossible at lunch time. We drove past about 15 tables and they were all filled. So after we back roaded off to the glacier and then drove back out again we finally found a table for lunch! You can see my drink was water.

This was our view from the table. We were draining out some melted ice from out cooler bag which is what that blue blob in the foreground of this lava field is.
And one day we had these delicious ice cream bars. Not exactly high on the healthy list, but boy did it taste good. 

Most days my snack lunch included a handful of these along with some cheese and crackers. One of my companions brought this mega-bag , (and actually I brought a couple of small bags), but we all shared them. They have peanuts which are good for you, right?
 And finally the day we flew home we decided to have a big lunch since our flight was at 5:30 in the afternoon (17:30) . And even though we were due in by 7:30 (19:30), we knew by the time we got through customs and out of the airport it would be late.
So I had this yummy fish and chips with another glass of water.
And I also wanted to show you the cool ATC's I received from Halle  of Halle's Hobbies for the T Day Anniversary swap. I know it took me a bit as I was away the week they arrived, so I must apologize for being a little bit behind.
 And look at this gorgeous card she sent them in.
And I've been reading a lot lately. I love going back through my blog posts at the end of the year to see what I actually have read, so I am also going to give you a few  book reviews. I'll be quick.:)
 I've reread these books (#s 1 &2) in the Sookie Stackhouse series, but I wanted something fun and not too intense for the plane trip. Plus I haven't read them in many years and I've had a hankering to reread them. A good vampire story  is always worth a reread.
 And I'd never read any Willa Cather, but she is a classic American author. I loved this book. I know this story is about 100 years old but in some ways it still felt very fresh with a strong woman lead character. If you don't know it, the story is about immigrants on the Nebraska prairie. But in some ways it is interesting how some parts of life don't change no matter when or where someone lives. There's still loneliness, the search for love, and wanting to build a decent life.
 And now I am reading this story which one of my traveling companions told me about. The story takes place in Iceland in the year 1000, and it bounces back and forth between  people and the Norse gods. I am enjoying it. Its right up there with the vampire books I mentioned earlier, light and a little bit of fantasy. Of course it helps that I am just back from there and I can really picture the scenery and story based on what new things I learned last week.

OK, I think that's enough babbling for me. I don't need to write a book. 
Have a great Tuesday everyone.

20 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I was thrilled that you shared your lunches with us and your lunch and traveling companions, too. I'm still blown away by that black lava. It's really beautiful in a haunting way.

Halle has made quite a name for herself with those scraps she sews onto cards and envelopes. She's published in Sew Somerset after someone saw her art somewhere.

You have certainly chosen an eclectic reading mix. I'm sure these all are great, and the Iceland book is one I am sure you enjoyed after the trip.

Thanks for sharing your picnic and your book reviews with us for T this soon to be Tuesday.

Valerie-Jael said...

Love the look and sound of your holiday food - M&Ms, Magnum, fish and chips - yes, it would have made me very happy, too! Your books all look great. The ATCs and card from Halle are beautiful - enjoy. Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

Sound really yummie what you had to eat in iceland and Halle's artmail looks super!!!
You are such a big reader - I love reading - but admit to read not as much as I would like to - But somehow I seldom got around to it.
Too much internet and television and crafting-
shame on me as I was a bookseller for 20 years of my life....

Lisca said...

Welcome back Erika!
More Iceland photos! I can't get enough! It's fascinating to see those lava fields. They have their own stark beauty.
Great to see you gals having lunch. Is that you in the blue checked shirt taking the picture?
The Magnum ice cream bar is one of my favorites (topped by a double choc Magnum). I'm not familiar with M&Ms (I recogn ise the packet as they are very famous, but I don't think I've ever eaten one). But the fish and chips look absolutely scrummy! Even though I am reading this early in the morning....
Halle's ATC are great. And a lovely card. Don't you just love happy mail!
Thank you for mentioning the books you read. The Iceland book sounds interesting. I love a bit of fantasy mixed with history (and vice versa).
Wishing you a good week ahead,
Lisca

Meggymay said...

A delicious plate of fish and chips, I've just had breakfast but I can still think how good they look. Super photo, the lava makes it all look so vast and bare of habitation. Its an interesting book list, nothing beats a good book does it.
Happy Tuesday
Yvonne xx

Christine said...

Lovely post, what a great picnic. Sounds like trying to get a table at Costco. love your friend'sATC's Erika.

sheila 77 said...

Thanks for the book list, it's good to see what other people are reading and get recommendations. I always try to see the title of a book someone is reading on the train.

Darla said...

Now how many people can say they had a picnic in Iceland? That is pretty special. The lava flow looks so interesting too.

The ATC's you received from Halle are really interesting. Trades like that are fun aren't they?

Halle said...

Loved seeing your photos from Iceland. It looks like such an interesting place to visit.
Glad the ATC's arrived safely and that you liked them and the card. :)
You definitely have an eclectic taste in books. I tend to stick to romance, romantic thrillers and thrillers.

johanna said...

a friend of mine is just currently on iceland and now i´m eager to see her photos! how funny you found Magnum icecream... it is on top of my Sweets list, worth a sin:)
happy t-day and enjoy summer!

Dianne said...

hmm...always interested in recommendations for good books! must confess I haven't read the Willa Cather book, but maybe that's one for me to try! Love your pics of Iceland...the lava fields look a bit like you are on the moon! sounds like a fun trip, though...with lots of good food and snacks. thanks for sharing! Happy August!

Krisha said...

Great post, and I have noted those book titles. They sound like the type of books I love to get my hand on.

There isn't one thing, you shared, that I haven't had on vacation, until recently...I'm trying to do better....not always succeeding ...but trying....LOL!

Happy T-day, Iceland looks interesting.

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

Yummmmm fish and chips sure look good. happy T day.

Divers and Sundry said...

There's nothing I love better than a picnic :)

I remember loving that Cather book, too. I also loved her books _My Antonia_ and especially _Death Comes for the Archbishop_. I haven't read anything by her in long years, but I have fond memories of those books.

Let's Art Journal said...

What a spectaculr view you had for your picnic and it's very cool to have lunch by a lava field! Love your other holiday treats too, especially the fish - yum! Your ATCs from Halle are awesome and the stitched card is so beautiful. Enjoy all those books and wishing you a Happy T Day! J :-)

Anonymous said...

Perfect post. Yummy food, amazing view, good friends and good books! xox

Rita said...

Looks like a fun time! Nice ATCs and good books. How can you go wrong. :)

Carol said...

Great post!!! I've always thought Iceland would be a cool place to visit :) I've been reading like crazy every since I hurt my back... it's something I can do while I set or lay on ice and heat. I used to read obsessively when I was younger.

Jeanie said...

Those lava fields are fascinating and that lunch looks delish!

pearshapedcrafting said...

I missed T last week - away with Grandsons - I love seeing your photos and the post from Halle! I have never heard of Charlaine Harris - the books look fun! Hugs, Chrisx