Sunday Praise: What’s made me happy this week?
Well, as Northern Ireland faces Lockdown 3.0, starting next Friday, I’ve had to dig deep to find the little sustaining moments of happiness this week. But they are always there…
- Seamus Seaney HomePlace may be closed, but I was very proud to unveil my online celebration of the 25th anniversary of Seamus Heaney being awarded the Nobel Prize. I’ve worked hard on this and it was great to see it be so warmly welcomed
- Masterchef The Professionals is back! It’s my favourite of all the Masterchefs and the food always looks delicious!
- We’ve been doing a lot of baking this week – homemade wheaten bread and fruit soda bread and yummy Coconut and Chocolate Bars!
- The kids wrote their Christmas letters to Santa this week and even though this year is going to be very different, it was nice to have a little bit of festive cheer.
- I’m joining forces with the official team at Brian Moore at 100 to host a readalong of Brian Moore’s work next year. I’m really excited about this project and will annouce more details on my blog next month!
- One of my favourite artists Andrew Bird has released an alternative Christmas album! It’s a little early, I know, but I just love this…
So, what in your life deserves some praise this week? Let me know in the comments!
Cathy746books View All →
I am a 40 something book buying addict trying to reduce the backlog one book at a time!
746books.com 
Those coconut and chocolate bars look scrumptious!
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They were!
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Ditto! They sound like something straight from a chocolaterie!
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You can come and bake at my house any day! 😀
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Ha! I’d have to bring my wee girl with me – I’m just her assistant 😊
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Those coconut and chocolate bars look yummy! Are they difficult to make? x
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Not at all, super easy! Here’s a link to the recipe x
http://heidisbakingfrenzy.blogspot.com/2014/08/chocolate-coconut-bars.html?m=1
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Lovely thank you! x
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Cathy, being in our second lockdown in England right now, I can completely sympathise. It has been hard to see the positives, but work was a little easier this week, I am a little less tired and taking part in Novellas in November has really helped me get back into my reading (thank you!). I hope you and your family continuing finding joy in the little things as you head back into lockdown. 🙏
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Thanks Jessica – we’ll be fine I’m sure. I am panicking this week and trying to get all the Christmas shopping done in case the shops don’t reopen in 2 weeks!!
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Junior Masterchef was on here when we were in Lockdown and they were like a ray of sunshine. And my word, they could cook! A mirror glaze at eleven!!
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I know! I marvel at these chefs every week.
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I love the look of that fruit bread. I love homemade bread, but living alone means I eat it all. I love that you can find the positives and joys even in this tough time. Have a great week Cathy.
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I love the technical challenge round in Masterchef, you learn Some good skills and tips from the commentary by the judges. I just wish they would ditch Greg Wallace.
The Brian Moore initiative sounds good. I’ve read only one by him – Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne, What a book! Seems like this will be run via u oversight of Exeter which is strange.what is his connection there?
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As far as I’m aware there isn’t a connection, but an academic from Exeter and one from Queens in Belfast are the people putting it together, so I think that’s why the blog is hosted by Exeter Uni. If I’m not mistaken, Judith Hearne might be his only book still in print, which, for a three-time nominated Booker author who published well over 20 novels, is a real shame.
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Your baking looks delicious. Sending you strength for lockdown 3.0. It’s the pits, let’s not pretend otherwise.
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Thank you! It’s actually starting to get hard for the kids. They really miss visiting friends and family.
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That was a very soothing track. Thank you for that and making the effort to find lots of lovely cheering things this week.
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Glad you enjoyed it Denise x
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Thankful for the little things we can still enjoy in lockdown, like Crazy Hair Day for my daughter’s kindergarten class, adding sprinkles to chocolate cookies, and hanging Christmas lights.
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Aw, I love when the kids have Crazy Hair Day! Our decorations are going up on Sunday – Can’t wait!
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We are in another lockdown in California as well and about to head into an even stricter one next week. Ugh. I have been experiencing this low level of anxiety for a few days now. It makes me very antsy. This is the one and only time I could use a treadmill. I’d probably run for miles.
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Do stay safe, it’s such a hard time.
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