The scene// 8:00 AM... and home again! We left three week ago in the dead of winter and returned yesterday evening to find that spring is finally here. Sure we still have a few lingering snow banks, but the ice on the lake was breaking up and this morning it's entirely gone. I'm celebrating with a cup of hazelnut coffee.
Reading// I finished The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman and The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress by Ariel Lawhon. Both were wonderful. Yesterday I started our next book club selection, Defending Jacob by William Landay.
Listening// You guessed it - Middlemarch, still. I'm over 80% done and loving it... but it's one long book, folks.
Watching// Foyle's War. I borrowed the first season from the library in Florida, watched a couple of episodes with my father-in-law, and am totally hooked. I'll continue watching via Netfllix.
In the kitchen// After three weeks away, there isn't much of anything in the refrigerator or on the pantry shelves. A trip to Wegmans is my highest priority today!
Blogging// I've missed you all and can't wait to get started again! With plenty of reviews to write and countless blogs to visit, it may take all week to catch up.
Planning// A remodeling project in Florida. I spent much of the last week meeting with contractors, selecting cabinets, tiles, granite, etc. One more trip in early May and we'll be ready to get started, but I'm a little nervous about not being on site while the work is done.
Loving// Spring in Central New York. I opened the windows last evening for the first time since November.
Later today// We'll have Palm Sunday dinner with my parents and siblings. I can't wait to see everyone!
It's finally time to change the blog header again. Happy Spring!
I'm in northcentral Pennsylvania (not too far from you, I'm guessing) and I'm ready for spring too. Nice to be able to open the windows here...
ReplyDelete...I also have enjoyed Foyle's War. I'm up to the last few episodes on Netflix, but have been waiting to watch them because I don't want it to end yet.
Bryan - I can certainly understanding saving those last few episodes. I don't want to finish all of Jane Austen's books and have been keeping Emma in reserve for years... just so I'll have one more!
DeleteI enjoyed reading your journal blog. I like your winter header.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tea :)
DeleteWelcome home! We were all working at Reunion yesterday and even though it was on a Saturday (sigh) at least we got to spend most of a workday sitting outside in the 70-degree sunshine. Trust it to be raining on our actual day off, though. (I'm glad about Middlemarch! and Rosamund? Undine-esque?)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - The more I read, the more Rosamund remind me of Undine... can't wait to see how this all turns out!
DeletePS Our local Wegman's opens in two weeks!! I'm guessing it will be too mobbed to go there until September, but still...so excited.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - When our Wegmans built a new store and moved to the other side of the parking lot, I was there on opening day. Talk about a mob scene!! I just walked through and took in all the wonderful sights and smells - it was worth it. My advice would be to go take a look (maybe not on opening day) and grab a hand basket just in case... don't even think about trying to push around a shopping cart ;-)
DeleteWelcome back, and happy Palm Sunday ! I'm so glad that you enjoyed Foyle's War. I was pretty much hooked from the first episode as well, but like Bryan above I haven't seen the most recent - I'm doling them out too.
ReplyDeleteLisa - Foyle's War really hooked me from the first episode, too. I'm glad there are many episodes I can look forward to watching. My husband enjoyed it, too.. always a plus!
DeleteI'm sure you're happy to be back to warmer weather!
ReplyDeleteKathy - We were in the 70's today and will be there again tomorrow... just about perfect for me!
DeleteHa! We've had our windows open all winter, and now we are closing ours since it's been getting close to 90 degrees. And to respond to your comment over at my blog, the audio of WE ARE WATER is just incredible. Words can't describe. It has been an awesome experience.
ReplyDeleteSandy - We had one record-breaking day last week in Sanibel... think it hit 90. That's when I started to think it might be time to head home. As for We Are Water, I really want to reread it on audio. Everyone is raving about the production. So sorry I didn't listen the first time around.
DeleteWelcome home and hope that you love Defending Jacob -- the audio was awesome.
ReplyDeleteDiane - The book got off to a quick start and drew me in right away. Glad to know the audio was excellent, too.
DeleteHappy you are back!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Deb.
DeleteWelcome back! Enjoy this nice weather!
ReplyDeletePat - The weather has been glorious today. Fingers crossed for another day or two just like this!
DeleteWelcome back.Looking forward to future books.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam. It's good to be back home :)
DeleteWelcome home! I am listening to Wife, Maid & Mistress and am enjoying. Look forward to your club's thoughts on Defending Jacob.
ReplyDeleteNise' - Thanks! I had to look up the audio of The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress and see that Ann Marie Lee is the narrator. I really liked listening to her read The Whole World Over by Julia Glass. Hope you continue to enjoy the audio. I'm only a few chapters into Defending Jacob, but it's captured my interest already.
DeleteWelcome home! I listened to Defending Jacob at the beginning of the year and thought it was great. I also loved The Wife, The Maid and the Mistress.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the remodel - sometimes not being there is best. We I renovated my place in the city, I moved out and only checked in once per week. I think if I had to see the daily progress (and hiccups) it would have driven me nuts but this way I was pleasantly surprised (and much less stressed!)
Colleen - Glad to know you liked Defending Jacob. My sister is leaving for vacation this week and I recommended she bring The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress along, too.
DeleteWhen we renovated our house just over 10 years ago, we all moved in with my parents and I was checking on things daily... it was torture. We'll see if being 1000 miles away is better. You're probably right ;-)
How nice that you could get away while winter finally decided to be over!
ReplyDeleteLisa - Even though the warmth is not here to stay, I can now be assured that the lake will not freeze over and any snow that falls will be gone the next day... I can live with that ;-)
DeleteHow nice to return to much better weather than you left from! I started Middlemarch yesterday and am excited about reading it, but know that it is going to be a long process.
ReplyDeleteAnbolyn - Middlemarch has been growing on me these last few weeks. The beginnings is slow, but you'll soon find yourself wrapped up in the story. Now I can't wait to see how it all turns out.... it's definitely a long-term commitment!
DeleteOooo, Defending Jacob is fantastic! And I'm glad you're still loving Middlemarch.
ReplyDeleteMy parents have been binge watching Foyle's War lately, and I've been able to sit in on a few episodes - it's really good.
Carrie- I can't wait to get back to Defending Jacob tonight, but I also want to continue reading Middlemarch and see how things turn out... such a difficult decision! Then again I could also watch another episode of Foyle's War ;-)
DeleteI plan to read The Wife, the Maid and the Mistress soon.Glad you liked it!
ReplyDeleteHarvee - You're in for a treat. That book is even better knowing it's based on atrue story.
DeleteIt's nice to be able to open the windows, we just opened ours over the weekend as well. Finally! Glad you got to come home to nice weather.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the remodel project!
Greg - After such a long winter, the fresh air feels so good! Not thrilled to have snow forecasted again tomorrow....
DeleteWelcome back to the Blogosphere! Three weeks in FL in spring is definitely enviable.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your thought on Middlemarch--such a marvelously rich book with such interesting characters and stories.
My 90-year old mom loves Foyle's War - she gets nostalgic watching it, and says it is very accurate. It's on my list to watch...probably this summer after we finish Suits, which I am loving.
I'm considering reading The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress--glad to hear you liked it.
Happy Spring!
JaneGS - I've been reading and listening to Middlemarch for so long, it's come to seem like an old friend - will almost hate to reach the end.
DeleteMy FIL (88) is the one that got me started on Foyle's War. He watched the first couple of episodes with us and also praised the historical accuracy. I'm glad there are so many episodes available through Netflix.
I think you'll enjoy The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress. It keeps you turning the pages and is even more interesting because it's based on a true story.
The ice may have gone off the lake on Sunday, but it's snowing again today... one step forward and two steps back ;-)
I love your changing blog header. Folyle's War is so great! The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress was fabulous in audio. HOpe your upcoming holidays are wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - The Wife, the Maid, and the Mistress is is excellent in print, too. Hoping for a sunny day soon to take a new header photo!
DeleteFoyle's War is on Instant - so you can watch one right after the other if you want! I loved it until the end of the war. Then something changed that I can't quite put my finger on.
ReplyDeleteNan - Thanks - just watched another episode after reading your comment!
DeleteIt sounds like you have been busy...in a good way! Happy Easter to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteKathleen - It's been a crazy winter, but I'm hoping things settle back down this spring. Hope you had a very happy Easter, too!
Delete