Come, Tell Me How You Live

- Agatha Christie

first published 1946, Harper Collins Publishers 1999

Am enjoying the non-fiction diary format at the moment. This is a travel book about camping in the desert in the late 30s and early 40s. Interesting to read the personal voice of Agatha Christie, who writes very funny anecdotes, similar in observation to Bill Bryson.

This book had me laughing at the misunderstandings between cultures. Agatha Christie goes to Syria and Lebanon with her archaeologist husband, Max Mallowan and a crew of local workmen, a sheik, chefs and drivers. Also there is a Mac, a supremely sedate and quiet architect, with whom Agatha has trouble making any conversation. They are looking for pre-Roman treasures, those dating from from before AD. 

A 'tell' is also the name of a dig site; a 'bump' in the desert that contains an old city. 

Party

sunny day luck, friends, family, playground, cupcakes and sausage sizzle

Birthday girl

presents with yawns, pancakes, cupcakes, kids theatre with friends, a sleep, more presents, and potato gnocchi for dinner with family...

favourites so far: dinosaur wrapping paper and ukelele

Party preparations underway

audio books and quilting

On a tight deadline for Joy's birthday, so combining talking books with quilting. Have listened to 'N or M'  and up to the last cassette of "And then there were None' both by Agatha Christie. I am so very glad clever Agatha wrote lots and lots of books. I find her books well written and descriptive and it's nice to have a rollicking plot of a whodunit. The only setback is the characters are always having afternoon tea with cakes and other goodies (well it's not such a big setback)

The Miracle at Speedy Motors - Alexander McCall Smith. 2008 

I love spending time with Precious and the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. So calming and earnest with ordinary daily turmoil presented in an honoured way. Small miracles and plenty of kindness and understanding. Read this in one go. 

This week's pizza: potato and rosemary, mushroom and bacon. 

Spinach and ricotta gnocchi

Cooking together. Making our favourite dish. From Stephanie Alexander's 'A Cook's Companion'. Just like play dough; higher vegetable content. I believe this is Joy's favourite dish. She can eat an adult size portion for lunch and want more for afternoon tea.

The Night Eater

Ana Juan, 2004, Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic, New York

How magical is the pink marshmallow-y night eater? He travels with the moon and eats up the sky before the day comes. The drawings are so very beautiful, painterly and whimsical. 

The plot goes something like this: one day the moon tells the night eater that he has been eating too much night and is getting to be rather large; the night eater is upset and refuses to eat any more; the world is covered in darkness and it gets rather cold. The resolution comes when the night eater starts to speak and a little piece of star slips into his mouth, he forgets why he stopped eating and everyone is happy.