Good morning and welcome to March! For being such a short month, February sure seemed long. Storm after storm, bone-chilling cold, and here we are... watching it snow again. March has certainly "come in like a lion".
The scene// A very peaceful Sunday morning, 8 AM. My husband has been in NYC since Thursday, Twin B is still sleeping, and Zelda is napping at my feet. I'm sipping a cup of hot, black coffee from my favorite mug and gazing at the falling snow.
Reading// There's something comforting about a long classic in the dead of winter. Although the first few chapters were slow, Middlemarch is picking up now. I think it will be my primary read for the next few weeks.
My one day reprieve from the TBR Triple Dog Dare last Sunday was exactly what the doctor ordered! A quiet day with a couple of hours on the couch with Honeymoon in Paris by Jojo Moyes (my review) left me ready to take on the world by Monday.
Listening// I finished The Boys in the Boat (so good!) and then listened to a very quick book, Eat Move Sleep by Tom Rath. This was an impulse purchase thanks to audible's BOGO sale last week. I didn't find a lot of new information, but thought it was a very good motivator.
Yesterday I started Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman - my other half of the BOGO (buy one, get one) sale - and it's shaping up to be a great listen.
Book Club// We met on Friday to discuss The Boys in the Boat. One member didn't finish because her husband hijacked the book, but everyone else (including the hijacking husband) loved it. The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman was selected for March. I'm pretty happy about that because Les loved it and so did my sister.
Watching// The season finale of Downton Abbey last Sunday had my head spinning. There were so many short scenes from multiple story lines, but no major cliffhanger or catastrophe. That's a good thing. Who could have handled another episode like last year's finale? This season's final image was truly heartwarming and will sustain me for the entire off season.
I'm searching for a show to watch on Netflix streaming while walking on the treadmill and am considering Foyle's War or Call the Midwife. Any suggestions?
Syracuse University basketball... We're coming into the home stretch, but I won't bore you with the details this week ;-)
Syracuse University basketball... We're coming into the home stretch, but I won't bore you with the details this week ;-)
Oh, and the Oscars are tonight.
In the kitchen// Today we're having chicken cacciatore in the crock pot. It will be nice to have dinner waiting when we get home from the train station.
And are blueberries tasting especially good lately, or is it just me? I've purchased a record quantity this week.
And are blueberries tasting especially good lately, or is it just me? I've purchased a record quantity this week.
Anticipating// March Madness!
Wondering// if it will ever stop snowing...
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!
Everyday this past week I opened my front door to see that layers of snow had to be brushed off the car. I call uncle! For real.
ReplyDeleteAnn - I'm with you! This has got to stop...
DeleteIsn't that a charming scene at the end of Downton S4? After Downton, I'm thinking of reading something British or European around that period, i.e., between the two Wars. Any suggestions? I've Henry James' The Ambassadors on my TBR shelf, not sure if I should get to it considering the length. But your handling Middlemarch is an inspiration for me to attack The Ambassadors. As for our temp. this first weekend of March, -30C.
ReplyDeleteArti - I noticed a list on goodreads last week called Downton Abbey-esque Books with lots of suggestions. I know what you mean about Henry James... I've enjoyed several of his books, but they always seem like such a huge undertaking, The Ambassadors is on my shelf, too.
DeleteAh, winter. We finally got some of that (our version). It is peaceful here on a Sunday morning and I'm watching and listening to the rain while having coffee (black). So nice to just sit and look and think. I agree with you that winter is a good season for reading a long classic. I meant to be reading David Copperfield, but have had to stick with shorter books lately due to work. I'm starting Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac. Guess I'd call that a short, 20th century classic.
ReplyDeleteTerri B. - I'll get to David Copperfield one of these days, too. Dickens is definitely winter reading for me. Hope you like Dharma Bums.
DeleteI'm glad Middlemarch is picking up (have you met Undine's twin yet?) I loved both shows, but Call the Midwife is my favorite of the two. You could catch up before the next season starts in late March. I think you'd really like it.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I'm still only in Book 1, but can't wait to meet Undine's twin. That's definitely motivation to read faster! Hoping the new season of Call the Midwife will push me to walk long enough to finish in time!
DeleteMy book club read The Light Between Oceans and we all loved it and had a great discussion.
ReplyDeleteKathy - So glad to hear that!
DeleteI liked The Boys in the Boat so so much. I'm glad to hear that you did too. I love that a club member's husband hijacked the book, that's hilarious!
ReplyDeleteI'm wondering if it will ever stop snowing as well. Ack! We are absolutely buried here in northern Wisconsin. I don't know how it will ever all melt. I can't remember what grass looks like, lol
Have a great Sunday and a great week :D
Jennifer - We were thinking the husband should have joined our discussion!
DeleteI strongly recommend Call the Midwife. There are two seasons so there's plenty of treadmill time. I am in agreement with you on winter and long classics. I'm reading Jane Eyre. Its perfect for snuggling on the couch, a warm blanket over me.
ReplyDeleteMargot - Another vote for Call the Midwife! I hope I can get through 2 seasons before the new one begins!
DeleteThere is hope yet for the end of this winter. Are the birds singing where you are , even in the snow?
ReplyDeleteHarvee - I heard the birds for the first time last week.... guess there is hope for spring!
DeleteWould seem you have found a rhythm to your day. I'm looking for a Netflix series also. Tried "Girls" last night. Didn't work for me. Just finished a Persophone book - A House in the Country. Loved it. Winter rolled back in here about 7:15 this morning. Windy, cold, ugly out. Not quite as bad as you have it though. Brrr.
ReplyDeleteMidlife Roadtripper - I think I'll start with Call the Midwife. Since the new season is starting soon, it might motivate me to get through the first two!
DeleteYou are so right about long classics being perfect for winter, I always get the urge for them at this time too.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with March Madness! I'm not joining in formally but I am hoping to read more than usual.
Sam - Winter and classics have always seemed like a good pairing to me!
DeleteI thought the season finale of Downton was wonderful. Call the Midwife is excellent. You want to keep walking to keep watching!
ReplyDeleteNise' - It's been so long since I've walked outside and my motivation is almost nonexistent lately... hoping a new series will help!
DeleteYou guys have just had a horrible winter. Versus ours, which has been glorious. Doesn't really seem fair. Glad you liked Boys in the Boat...what an amazing story. I love the true stories. And I would HIGHLY recommend House of Cards on Netflix. Spacey is such a good actor, and there is so much scandal and drama and BS that you know is actually happening in DC. You will not be disappointed.
ReplyDeleteSandy - My oldest daughter just mentioned House of Cards, too. Guess I'll have to check it out now!
DeleteWe were 75 degrees yesterday and now have a sheet of ice on our driveway. Hello March! Hopefully spring will make its true appearance very very soon. Blueberries, huh? I passed some up on sale the other day because I figured they'd be too tart, but maybe I should try them anyway!
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to hear what you think of OITNB. We devoured the TV series a few months back but I haven't read the book.
Trish - Now that's just crazy! I've listened to about 25% of Orange is the New Black and love it. The TV series will be a must when I've finished!
DeleteMore snow? We were spared thank-goodness (so far anyways).
ReplyDeleteDiane - Yes, this is getting ridiculous. Looking for a slight warm up for the end of the week...
DeleteWe had a whiplash weekend like Trish - 80 yesterday, and freezing rain in spots tonight. I wish it would settle on one season - and I hope spring comes soon for you all in snowland!
ReplyDeleteI have to put in a vote for Foyle's War, it's such a marvelous series and I am now completely besotted with Michael Kitchen. But all the characters are great, and the stories nicely complex. You might also enjoy the original House of Cards.
Lisa - Those wide weather swings must be even harder to take in some ways! Two friends from book club are crazy about Foyle's War, so I'll have to give that a try at some point. My daughter just suggested House of Cards, too.
DeleteFoyles War without any doubt! Michael Kitchen is just such a classy actor and the period setting is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBookertalk - A couple of my friends just love Foyle's War... they say it's even better than Downton! I'll have to check it out now.
DeleteWe lucked out and the snow went further south we only got an inch but the frigid temps are back. Both shows are so good it would be hard to pick! One every other day?
ReplyDeletePeggy - I like that idea!! Hope you have a great week.
DeleteI loved The Light Between Oceans and think it's a great book club selection. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeletePat - I picked up a copy of The Light Between Oceans yesterday... can;t wait to get started!
DeleteFoyle's War and Call the Midwife are both excellent; I like Foyle's War a little better.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read Middlemarch last year, it took several chapters to hook me, too, but once I was hooked, I loved it.
Carrie - I'm only about 50-60 pages in to Middlemarch and it's picking up, but am not totally hooked yet. Have a feeling that will come soon though...
DeleteI haven't read a classic in so long and I have never read Middlemarch. I am reading so many books these days all at once but my brain is all over the place with them. Can't seem to get the thoughts down in any coherent way.
ReplyDeleteTi - Oh, I know that feeling! I'm hoping to slow things down and concentrate on one big book in March and see how it goes.
DeleteI thought Orange is the New Black was fascinating and a really great read. I'm looking forward to your thoughts on it. I also loved The Light Between Oceans, I think you will, too. I love those quiet mornings with coffee and a good book...I just need the view out your window!.
ReplyDeleteThere are several good shows on Netflix streaming. Foyle's War is great and so is Midsomer Murders, although my husband finds it a little boring! I enjoyed the first season of House of Cards but overall it didn't wow me. I haven't watched Call the Midwife yet but it's on my list. Doc Martin is great, very funny and a beautiful setting and MI-5 is fantastic and there are a lot of episodes. I hope you find something you enjoy!
AMy- I'm approaching the halfway point of Orange is the New Black and just love it... such an interesting book. Thank you for all the Netflix recommendations! I'd never even heard of Doc Martin, but it's on my streaming list now:)
ReplyDeleteIt's been an awfully long winter here too and March definitely roared in. We are warming up a bit now and I'm hoping it'll be here to stay. The only bad part is the rain we're supposed to get. It'll be treacherous on top of the snow.
ReplyDeleteI had picked up Orange is the New Black on audio from the library but didn't get a chance to finish it. I need to take it out again. It was good. I look forward to your thoughts on it.
Darlene - I'll finish Orange is the New Black tomorrow. I really loved the audio production... Cassandra Campbell is a favorite narrator and her performance here is outstanding, as usual. Hope you get a chance to listen.
DeleteCall the Midwife was enjoyable - I haven't seen the second season yet. I also highly recommend Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries. It's got the to-die-for period costumes of Downton Abbey, but it's set in Australia and does of course involve a murder mystery every week. Miss Fisher herself is rather saucy, and the show also features the kind of sweet moments that are enjoyed in Downton.
ReplyDeleteA goodstoppingpoint - Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries sound wonderful! I've never heard of them before, but am off to do some investigating... thanks so much!!
DeleteYes, bring on March Madness! My Bucks are not so good this year, but after yesterday's win against my husband's Spartans I feel better :)
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye - There will be so much good basketball these next few weeks... starting with all the conference tournaments. Bring it on! :-)
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