Monday Musing: And I'm Back..

Hello everyone! It's Monday morning, the long holiday weekend is behind us, and I'm trying hard to regroup and organize for what's left of 2012.

First a quick recap of the holiday week:

Tuesday was filled with last minute shopping, pre-cooking anything possible, setting the table (only 17 this year), and completing two Pin It and Do It projects.

Wednesday - Drove 3 1/2 hours to Twin A's college, listening to The Tenant of Wildfell Hall all the way and, for the life of me, I can't figure out why Anne is the least popular Brontë. Caught up with Twin A on the drive home, arriving just in time for slow cooker chicken cacciatore courtesy of Daughter #1. Turkey brining process begins.

Thursday - THE BIG DAY - a Thanksgiving Day celebration with family and food, ending with a favorite movie or two (it's still awkward to watch Animal House with your mother even after you're grown!) This is Twin A 's dessert photo collage.

Friday - Packed up all the leftovers and headed to my sister's for more family fun. So happy my brother and his family from Philly planned an extended visit. I also discovered the pleasures of a chocolate martini!

Saturday - A quick shopping trip with Daughter #1 before the annual Family Christmas Party. With over 30 members of our extended clan present, including most of my cousins, the Yankee Swap is always the highlight.

Sunday began with a trip to the Christmas tree farm. After what seemed to be a shorter than normal search, we cut down the perfect tree. It will be at least a week before we bring it inside and decorate. Then it was off to the movies to see Lincoln, but we were shut out. It sold out just moments before our arrival. We decided to have an early dinner at a favorite local tavern instead, then back home to finish laundry and help daughters pack for their early morning departure.

And here we are... the washing machine is spinning, the dryer is running, the dishwasher is on its second cycle, the refrigerator is empty, and I'm making a grocery list. How many days until Christmas?

On the reading front:
I am thoroughly enjoying The Tenant of Wildfell Hall.... far more than either Jane Eyre (which I really must reread soon) or Wuthering Heights. Why is Anne the lesser Bronte? I definitely need to read more of them all.

I started Without Reservations by Alice Steinbach on the recommendation of a book club friend.  It is definitely hitting the mark.

I hope to finish Comet's Tale by Steven Wolf later today. It's due back at the library and I wasn't sure I'd be able to read it in time. A gentle nudge from Candace at Beth Fish Reads convinced me it was doable.... besides, what self- respecting greyhound owner could pass this up? I recognize many common greyhound quirks and characteristics, but think Comet may be a little smarter than our hound. Sorry, Zelda!

As for the rest of the year, I'm seriously considering finishing these three books and devoting December to Clarissa.... my guilt is getting the better of me! Do you have year-end reading plans?