Welcome spring. The ice on the lake is getting thin, the snowbanks have disappeared, and March Madness, full of drama, excitement and upsets (did you see Kansas lose?) is in full swing. I love this time of year!My Life in France by Julia Child was the only book completed this week, but what a wonderful book. Look for a review at the end of the week.
What else am I reading?
- The Penguin Book of Irish Fiction, edited by Colm Toibin - full of short stories and novel excerpts, I've been dipping in and out all week
- The Ladies' Paradise by Emile Zola - only a few chapter in, but expectations are high (Therese Raquin was a favorite last year) and, so far, I'm not disappointed
- Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life by Catherine Reef - a biography aimed at middle to high schoolers, but providing an interesting intro to Hemingway's life... and full of photos. I plan to read A Moveable Feast next month.
What have I been cooking?
After a trip to the mall yesterday morning, the rest of the day was spent in the kitchen. We made sinfully delicious Chocolate Raspberry Squares from this recipe posted at Beth Fish Reads. Next came a carrot cake (for today's dessert) and, finally, Cardamom-Orange Pork Tenderloin for dinner last night. After all that, I was too tired to do the Weekend Cooking post I'd planned...
Now, I'm off to catch up on some blogs before tuning in for more March Madness. Syracuse plays at noon... there probably won't be much reading for me today. Is your team still in? Are you reading or following the "Madness" today?
I'm very excited for March Madness--but my March Madness is for the Tournament of Books. Go, Let the Great World Spin!!
ReplyDeleteAmy - LOL! The tournament of book is exciting, too. I loved Let the Great World Spin!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOkay...wish I could figure out how to "edit," but I guess I should reread my comments more carefully...
ReplyDeleteAnyway, love the spring header!
Here's an award for you:
http://laurel-rain-snow.blogspot.com/2010/03/virtual-basket.html
Glad to hear you enjoyed My Life in France - can't wait to see your review!
ReplyDeleteIt is already summer here. Too hot for anything!
ReplyDeleteHere is my TSS post!
My alma mater, Georgetown, did a big Hoya Choke-A!!!! Then Kansas and Vanderbilt yesterday and my brackets are a hopeless pile of nothing. :( Switching to the Tournament of Books.
ReplyDeleteGreat books you have going on there! Happy reading!
I loved My Life in France, can't wait to see your thoughts. And all that baking... yummmmmm.
ReplyDeleteI love spring too. It's slow to arrive here in Northumberland, although the daffodils look as though they will flower soon.
ReplyDeleteYou have some good books on the go. And that cooking sounds so delicious - I love carrot cake, maybe next week you can post your recipe?
Spring is slowly arriving here too. We still have some snow that doesn't want to leave though.
ReplyDeleteAll that food is making me so hungry. It sounds wonderful!
Have a great week!
I need to start my Zola soon--I am reading Nana
ReplyDeleteWhat is March Madness? I have no idea.
ReplyDeleteIt got up to 64 today where I am. I've been able to go running after work, which is great after months of the treadmill in the basement!
Spring arrived here a couple of days ago, but it seems to have disappeared again. But that's Cornish weather for you.
ReplyDeleteI'll be particularly interested to know how you get on with The Ladies Paradise. I've been looking at it and wondering ...
sounds like you had a great day in the kitchen yesterday! Sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteI probably should have read Ernest Hemingway: A Writer's Life before reading a Moveable Feast. I am anxious to hear how you like it.
ReplyDeleteI am really not much of a basketball fan, but suffice it to say --- most of my neighbors are very distressed that KU lost last night :(
Joanne...I hope u r enjoying the Hemingway book? I thought it was well done.secyaher
ReplyDeleteI've been curious about My Life in France for quite some time. I loved Julie & Julia (the movie more than the book) and really enjoyed the Julia Child story. Her husband Paul seemed like such a wonderful man. Thanks for the reminder to get this book. And thanks for directing me to those delicious chocolate raspberry bars. Definitely going to make those this week. Mmmmmmmm!
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - Thank you! The header will change again in another week or so when the ice breaks up.
ReplyDeleteDana - I'm planning on a review Thursday or Friday.
Gautami - We never get quite that hot here! The milder weather is a welcome break from the long winter though.
Frances - The Georgetown loss shocked me almost as much as Kansas... that's what I love about March Madness. Hurray for the Tournament of Books!
Beth F - My kitchen was a busy place this weekend. Can't believe I didn't fit in a Weekend Cooking post! I loved My Life in France, too.
BooksPlease - I have a favorite carrot cake recipe, but was experimenting with a new one last weekend. It was good, but I like the old standby better.
Darlene - I'm afraid we all at too much this weekend! Have a great week.
Reviewsbylola - I almost chose Nana! Love Zola, but not a fast read, by any means.
ReplyDeleteE.L. Fay - March Madness is the big NCAA basketball tournament.. I'm a big fan :-)
Fleurfisher - I'm enjoying The Ladies' Paradise so far, but I think it's going to take some time to get through it. Therese Raquin is much shorter, and probably a good intro to Zola if you've never read him.
Booksnyc - The house smelled so good all weekend!
Molly - Your review of A Moveable Feast got me thinking about background reading. There is a lot I don't know about Hemingway's life.
Diane - I saw the Hemingway bio on your blog... am learning a lot!
Les - I think you'd love My Life in France - it was fascinating! The chocolate raspberry bars are a treat we'll make over and over - my favorite flavor combination!
Carrot cake is R's absolute favourite! We went out for a drive in the country yesterday and stopped for a pub lunch. They had the game on so R chose the seat with a view. I, on the other hand, had all the pleasure of listening to running shoes squeak on the wood floor for the duration. It would really help my poor ears if they stepped into a tray of powder before going on the court! Who do I talk to?
ReplyDeleteI read the Hemingway book by Catherine Reef and really enjoyed it. I reread A Moveable Feast shortly after, and just felt immersed in Paris, and Hemingway. Sigh, it was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteDarlene - Sounds like a lovely day despite the game! Had to laugh at your comment about stepping in powder before taking to the court. They actually have big sticky sheets to step on that pick up every last speck of dirt ... so you can hear the squeak even better!
ReplyDeleteJoemamma - I'm so glad to hear that!! Reef's book is very good and I can't wait for A Moveable Feast. A Parisian mood seems to be invading my reading- lol!
I know I have nothing to complain about, living out in mild California. But thank god it's warming up. At the moment, I'm visiting my family in Hong Kong and reading Persuasion.
ReplyDeleteI have meant to read Emile Zola. I'll keep my eye for your thoughts.
Oh, my, those raspberry bars sound good! I made a huge batch of cookies last weekend tho that somebody needs to eat before I do. I hadn't heard of the March Madness Tournament of Books until recently -- sounds like a great idea!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your spring lake picture. It sure is lovely here in LV.
Matt - I really like the four seasons, but winter gets a little long around here. Hope you're having a great time in Hong Kong!
ReplyDeleteKim - Those raspberry bars are my new favorite. They are just delicious. The ice is finally starting to break up...a spring header should appear soon!