Hey there friends! How was your weekend? I hope that you all had a good one. Mine was pretty mellow, but sometimes those are the best kinds right? I spent most of my time at home, doing a whole lot of things that I totally enjoy but don’t usually have the time to do during the busy school term. And boy it was such a treat!
Saturday
For the past few weeks, I have been really keen to find a show that I can binge-watch on my own. Currently, I’m watching Blue Bloods with Steve and The Walking Dead with Sam and I’m loving both. Although The Walking Dead sometimes scares the living daylights out of me! But I like to have a show that I can watch at my own pace.
And I found one that I’m totally loving- 911 on Disney Plus! It’s so good with just the right amount of tension, drama, and possible romance.
I managed to tear myself away from the umpteenth episode to make dinner and I think this was my biggest achievement on Saturday!
Spare
It was pretty late in the evening and after watching TV all day I almost felt like my eyes were going square so I decided to jump into bed and start reading Prince Harry’s book, Spare.
I’m pretty late to the party and it seems like almost everyone has already read it. But I was determined to wait patiently for it to become available from our local library. Now I have to admit that I had heard so many details about the book that I thought that I might not find it interesting anymore. But I was wrong and I’m so glad that I was wrong because I absolutely loved it and could not put it down!
So here are a few thoughts. I’m going to try and stick to a few thoughts because I could probably go on and on!
No Time To Grieve
Right from the first few pages I was hooked and as I read it I could almost hear Prince Harry’s distinct voice in my head. The book starts with Harry describing that horrible time when he was a young boy and he learnt of his beautiful mother’s death. Prince Charles came into his room, told him the news and then pretty much left. No hug, no comfort, nothing. Then the next day it seems that it was business as usual. Even after the funeral, it seems that nobody talked about the tragedy. Not his family, his school friends. No one.
Remembering That Fateful Day
It made me think about what I was doing when I first found out that Princess Diana had been killed in a car accident. I remember it was a really cold afternoon and we were living in the tiny flat that we were renting. Steve was getting ready for work and I was playing playdough with Luke who was nearly four years old at the time. Funny how some details stick in your head!
Anyway, I turned on the TV and there it was. Every channel was reporting this terrible news and I literally could not believe my ears! I wanted it to not be true. How could this possibly be true? I was so sad, and I remember calling my mum who hadn’t yet heard the news. After I called her I called other relatives and then friends. We were all stunned and very very sad.
I cried watching the funeral and seeing that letter on the coffin that said ‘Mummy’ just about broke my heart. It seemed that everyone was talking about Diana everywhere. I know that I was.
I guess my point is that it almost feels like everyone else in the world had the opportunity to grieve the loss of Diana, Princess of Wales. And we didn’t even know her personally. Yet Harry and I’m sure this includes William didn’t. It sounds like they just had to carry on. So it’s no wonder that all of this has taken a huge emotional and mental toll on Prince Harry. And maybe this book is part of his grieving and healing process.
A Great Read
I have read some comments about Spare being a book full of whingeing and complaints, but it’s not like that at all. Prince Harry’s story is laid out in raw detail. And it’s all about him finally having the voice, to tell the truth- even if it’s incredibly uncomfortable!
The book highlights the enormous struggles and challenges that Prince Harry has faced throughout his life. Yes, he is a Prince and so comes from incredible wealth and privilege, but he is also human. And what comes across clearly is his desperate plea for awareness and change in regard to the press and tabloids. As I read the book I often found myself shaking my head in disbelief at how reporters can make up such blatant lies. And then get enormous financial rewards for selling these lies! And it really makes me sad that people can be so unkind.
I really like Harry and Meghan and I hope that they can have a long and happy life together with their children. And I really wish for the day when I open up my Google home page and I don’t see yet another mean story about them.
Sunday
The only downer to my mellow weekend was that I started to feel unwell again on Sunday morning. Remember that annoying head cold that I told you about last week? Well, it turned into a sinus infection. My face was aching so badly that I ended up going to the doctor in the afternoon and he prescribed some strong antibiotics. I’ve been taking Panadol for the pain and I’m hoping the antibiotics kick in fast and do their thing to get rid of the infection.
So I didn’t really do much on Sunday other than blow my nose, watch more 911 and read Spare which I ended up finishing. We did enjoy some sweet treats though.
Hot chocolate
Caramelised figs, bananas and ice cream.
And strawberry milkshakes made with real strawberries and honey!
All in all, it was a really nice mellow weekend and I enjoyed it (when my face wasn’t throbbing). I have some fun things planned for this week and I just want to be well enough to enjoy them!! Thanks so much for being here and reading along. I hope that you have a wonderful week!
Happy Monday!
Linking up with Holly and Sarah for Hello Monday
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Hope you are feeling better Ruth! Sometimes the mellow weekends are just what the doctor ordered- your meals always make my mouth water!!
Thanks Holly!
I’ve been waiting forever for Spare to be available at our library. I might need to go out and purchase it instead. That caramelized figs, bananas and ice cream looks so good! Hope you are feeling better!
Jill – Doused in Pink
Thanks Jill! I thought about buying a copy too because I thought that the library might have forgotten that I was on the waiting list!
I know where I was when I first heard of Diana’s death. My then husband and I were getting into a friend’s car in Orlando, Florida. It was totally dark and nighttime. I felt sad and cut off from reality.
I’m excited you’re watching and liking 9-1-1! I love that show! And I’m glad you liked Spare too! Hope you’re feeling better!
Thanks Dara!
A mellow weekend sounds like a good one.
I have had to tear myself away from Grey’s Anatomy to get things done over the weekend. I’ve seen it before but I’ve forgotten so much of it.
I am not a fan of Prince Harry at all but I do feel sad for him after reading his book. I remember coming in from a night out and putting the TV on while I was getting ready for bed and saw the news. My friend and I sat watching until almost 5am, it didn’t seem real.
Oh no! I hope you are feeling better now. Sinus infections are no fun. x
That sounds like such a relaxing weekend! We enjoy 9-1-1 too and even started watching 9-1-1 Lonestar too.
I’ll have to watch 9-1-1 Lonestar! I love Rob Lowe.
100% agree on all your Spare thoughts.
I never think to make desserts like grilled banana and ice cream, that looks so yummy, we will have to try it!
Hi Ruth
Hope you are feeling better!!We have all had the flu over the last 3 weeks….now I have the flu shot so hopefully that’s the end of it.
I just can’t help myself commenting on the book…aaaggghhhhhhhhhh
Maybe because I listened to him reading it on audible,I have such a different view-yes I know he lost his mum and his childhood is different from pretty much 99.999999%of people in the world…but to me he is such a whinger…..and hypocrite…and also keep in mind he did not actually write the book…..I am also sick of hearing about them …but had to voice my opinion .I guess I am team William-he also lost his mum,but like the rest of the world,has to get on with it.Also listening to the stories of his school days makes me cringe…i actually paid for the audio book but couldn’t continue listening to it…I need a loooooong break before getting back to it….😂😂ok obviously i am triggered by it🤣🤣
Love you and miss you
Oh wow! 😂🤣 It will be interesting to hear all the media commentary after the coronation! I’m so glad that you guys are over the flu. It seems to be hitting hard. Yesterday was the first day I felt better in ages. Love and miss you too 😘
I hope you are feeling better now. The food looks delicious too. I like to read Spare too. I should check the library.
Have a great day!
#MMBC
I need to read that book. I’ve heard so much about it, and it’s always interesting to get another perspective.
Love the milkshakes too.
XOOX
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Mellow weekends are the best!
I haven’t read Harry’s book but I know many have. I remember being on a night out with my bestie and finding out in the early hours. It was so very sad.
I hope you are feeling better now Ruth after your sinus infection. Take care xxx
Thanks Jayne xx
Hope you’re feeling better. We had some sickness in our house this week also. I can’t wait to read Harry’s new book. I have followed both of the boys, and their mother before that. I remember waking up and seeing the news in the middle of the night.
I’m sorry you’ve been unwell, I hope you are feeling better now. I remember when Princess Diana died, I was at home with two small children, we’d just come back off holiday the day before. I haven’t read Spare, but I may give it a try. I love all the nice foodie treats you’ve had over the weekend.