It's a sunny Sunday morning in Florida... I'm back from my walk, sipping my second cup of coffee, and anticipating a low-key day. We've spent a lot of time with my BIL and his family over the past week. It had been almost two years since we'd seen the nephews, so we've enjoyed catching up with their lives and careers. Tonight we'll have one more dinner together before they head home tomorrow.
Current reading//
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
I'm nearing the end of this nearly 600-page novel and loving it! Franzen is such a talented writer and his latest novel is the first of a planned trilogy. I'm definitely down for the next two... and already hoping the wait won't be too long.
On the blog//
In the kitchen//
The winner in the kitchen last week was Abruzzo Summer Minestrone from the Food Network. It calls for a variety of summer veggies, but I'm sure you could use whatever you have on hand. The only substitution I made was baby spinach for the Swiss chard, and I added it at the end as the soup was removed from the heat. The recipe calls for 16 oz. tomato and sausage pasta sauce. I used the entire jar of Classico with sausage - delicious!
There were some beautiful Honeycrisp apples at the store last week, so I made our favorite Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake. I've shared this recipe before, but it's worth mentioning again... a fall classic around here!
Viewing//
I don't remember who mentioned The Chair recently, but we watched the six-episode first season on Netflix and enjoyed it quite a bit. Sandra Oh stars as the newly-appointed (and first female) chair of the English Department at Pembroke University. I'm hoping for a second season.
Later today//
After finishing this post, I'll peruse the newspapers, catch up on blog reading, and spend some more time with Jonathan Franzen. Later this afternoon we'll have my BIL and SIL over for dinner. If I get ambitious, I may even bake something for dessert.
How was your week? What have you been reading lately?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.
I also enjoyed the Chair, but am not sure if I'll watch a second season (if there is one). I do like Sandra Oh!
ReplyDeleteHelen - I liked The Chair more than my husband did, but this type of academic drama is right up my alley. Sandra Oh did a great job!
DeleteMmm, that soup looks so good - I'm loving that soup season is here!
ReplyDeleteAngela - I can eat soup all year long, except for maybe the hottest of days. This recipe was delicious!
DeleteFun fact: Much of The Chair was filmed at my daughter's college, Chatham University in Pittsburgh. It was quite a big deal. They also filmed parts at Washington & Jefferson College which is a little south of here.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - I'm SO glad you mentioned that! We've spent a ridiculous amount of time speculating... but somehow never googling. That must have been an exciting time at Chatham!
DeleteIt looks beautiful in Florida! We are continuing to enjoy some above average temperatures in Wisconsin. It is so wonderful to spend time with family. Hope you enjoy your dinner tonight. Sounds like a perfect day!
ReplyDeleteGretchen - Thank you... we had a wonderful farewell dinner last night. It's so good to spend time with family again. I hope your warm days in Wisconsin hang on a little longer... we know what comes next!
DeleteI remember Non-Fiction November from last year! I think I will try to do one or two non-fiction reads for this.
ReplyDeleteHave a good week and happy reading!
Elza Reads
Elza - I always enjoy Nonfiction November. It looks like we'll have company for a good party of the month, so I doubt I'll get to read as much as I'd like. But I'll still welcome all the excellent reading recommendations.
DeleteWe've had a very grey and damp day in Nottinghamshire, so I'm hugely envious of those gorgeous blue skies in your photos. Enjoy your time with family and that hefty book.
ReplyDeleteLouise - We used to live in upstate NY where winter lasts 6 months or more... these blue skies are such a welcome change!
DeleteI want to eat all of the food you posted. Lol. That apple cake is going on the list, so is the soup.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your downtime!
Erin - That apple cake is one of my FIL's favorites! I've tried so many, but always come back to this one.
DeleteGlad to see that you are enjoying the Franzen. I don't see many people ever talking about his books, and I'm wondering if maybe their length is what puts people off them. They do require an extra effort, but this one sounds as if it's well worth the time. Looking forward to hearing what you have to say about it.
ReplyDeleteSam - Franzen seems to put people off both in terms of his writing/length/vocabulary and his personality. I think he's truly talented and his books are well worth the time and effort.
DeleteI loved The Chair...and I am looking forward to Crossroads. I hope the length of it doesn't mean it will be slow going...sometimes the longer books hold my attention so much that I don't notice the length.
ReplyDeleteYears ago, I read 1000 page books readily (Gone with the Wind, for one).
Enjoy your week!
Laurel-Rain Snow - Crossroads is long, but I'm not finding it slow going. It's a book to really skink into!
DeleteI used to read very long books more frequently years ago. The two most recent (both over 1000pgs) were The Count of Monte Cristo and A Suitable Boy. Loved them both.
I'm so glad you linked us up to this year's NonFicNovember hosts / blogpost / themes. I've been waiting for the announcement and I saw it here first! Woo hoo!
ReplyDeleteFranzen book is on my shelf!
I bookmarked that delicious-looking apple cake recipe!
Jinjer - I'm glad you'll be in for Nonfiction November... just love that event!
DeleteHave you read Franzen before? I loved The Corrections and Freedom. Will get to Purity eventually.
The apple cake recipe is really easy to make... a big plus!
I was surprised to get two books in the mail this week, including the Franzen book. It's wonderful to hear how much you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteI thank you for sharing the info about Nonfiction November. I'm getting reading for thie event. It's one of my favorites.
The minestrone looks delicious.
Deb - Lucky you receiving the Franzen book! I had to return the hardcover to the library because there were holds, but was then able to get the ebook from the country library system. I should finish this week -so good!
DeleteAh, how lovely to have such a beautiful Sunday. We were lucky to have nice, sunny, warm weather in California and even yesterday was gorgeous here in OR, but today the rain arrived and it hasn't stopped since 8 am. We head home tomorrow and thankfully, it should be dry for our drive home. Then the rain returns for at least a week. Hello, fall. ;)
ReplyDeleteHow's your FIL doing, JoAnn? I've been thinking about you guys since your return to FL and hope he's improving. I'm sure he's happy to have your wonderful meals again!
You've convinced me to try Franzen's new book, but it will probably be next year before I get to it. Maybe I should just wait until he's about to publish the second installment. :)
Mmmm, that soup looks fabulous. I would substitute with the spinach, too. Not big fans of chard.
I think I first heard about The Chair on Helen's blog and have only watched the first episode. So, I should keep going, eh? My husband isn't interested, so I need to carve out some time to watch it by myself.
I finished my favorite book of the year a couple of days ago. Review is up on my blog. If you haven't read Hannah Tinti's second novel, The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley, you simply must! It's your type of book and I absolutely loved it. My husband is reading it now and I can't wait to discuss it with him.
Have a great week, JoAnn. Hope your beautiful weather continues so you can get out and enjoy your daily walks. I have a feeling I'm going to be living on my Peloton for the next 4-6 months.
Les - The rain on your instagram video was pretty impressive. I definitely wouldn't venture out in that! Hope it's a better day for traveling today.
DeleteMy FIL is stable now, but he's lost some ground and is not as mobile. We have been racing to get an elevator installed in our house (main living areas are 13' above ground here) but it may not help. He's only traveling now in a wheelchair w/medical transport van...
I liked The Chair much more than my husband, but he was humoring me since I love a drama in an academic setting. I would watch another season if they decide to continue.
You've got me curious about that book now... and it's not one I've even heard of before! Will definitely look for it.
We hit a milestone this morning with the temperature finally dipping to 70 overnight! I opened the sliders early this morning for the first time in 5 months... it was glorious! We might even get down to the high 60s tonight, lol!
Take care, Les...hope the unpacking and reorganizing gets done eventually ;-)
I'm in the middle of a long book too, I don't think David Weber can write anthing shorter than 700 pages. The apple cake is tempting too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Those long books sure can slow things down, but this one is pretty amazing. Hope yours is, too.
DeleteYum that soup looks great. I just love soup weather . I like the cover of that book, it looks so retro, but I would never take on a 600 page book...at least I dont think I would.
ReplyDeleteHere is my link:
https://twogirlsandtheirbookishlife.blogspot.com/2021/10/its-monday-what-are-you-reading_18.html
Tee - The soup was so good that I'm planning on making more later this week! Soup weather here means temps below 70 ;-)
DeleteThat's great news about you liking the Franzen. Woohoo! The critics seem to love it too. I've just finished the audio of Larsen's Passing which I learned about from your site ... was it last year? Anyways it did blow me away ... and the movie is due out soon. I sort of listened to the whole thing twice ... sad at the end.
ReplyDeleteSusan - The Franzen book is just so good!! I'm closing in on the end and am going to hate to part with it. Wonder wheh we can expect book 2?1
DeleteI did read Passing last year with the NYTimes book club and loved it! The movie is out next month, right? Can't wait.
The cake looks divine! Honeycrisps are my favorite apples but they were so expensive in Alaska ($4 or $5 a pound!) that I didn't have them for a while. We've been buying them like crazy in SC though!
ReplyDeleteAre you still as hot in Sanibel as my in-laws are in Naples? They're just melting.
Beautiful pics! Florida's Gulf coast is hard to beat!
Enjoy your week!
Jen - I'm not sure why, but Honeycrisps are more expensive than other varieties of apples here, too... but I just love them!
DeleteWe've had record-breaking heat here lately. Some friends from NY are actually going back for a few weeks because they can't stand the heat. Early this morning we were down to 70s with a nice breeze, so I actually opened the windows for the first time in months. It was glorious!
That apple cake sounds amazing and it actually feels slightly fall like so it's perfect for that. I'll have to try that recipe. It sounds like you had a wonderful time with family. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I bought a few more Honeycrisp apples today and may make the cake again this weekend... it's SO good. My BIL and family left today. It was so good to see everyone. It's been a long time!
DeleteGosh the weather in Florida looks glorious! It is most definitely fall here with the leaves changed and the cool weather. I’m jealous. lol. Your soup looks so yummy. I’m a huge fan of soup especially with our winters.
ReplyDeleteI just reserved Crossroads at the library. I’ve never read one of his books but this one sounds good. Hope you’re having a good week JoAnn!
Darlene - It has been beautiful here all week, but I definitely miss fall colors, sweaters, etc. As far as soup goes, I love it any time of the year regardless of temperature. Franzen has been a favorite ever since I read The Corrections... definitely on the literary side and so very talented!
DeleteThat soup and that cake look delish.
ReplyDeleteI'm not watching much on TV. I have a bunch of stuff to watch but not in the mood.
Finished The Stowaway. Review to post Monday. Taste but Tucci was so good. Need to write that review. I think I may read the Towles book next, The Lincoln Highway.
Ti - I'm hoping to start Taste next... and am dying to read The Lincoln Highway, too.
DeleteThank you for sharing the recipes! We love to have soups in the winter. Unfortunately it's still too hot here for me to enjoy a soup! And, the cake well that can be enjoyed anytime :) Hope you've been having an excellent week!
ReplyDeleteIliana - We've only had one night where the temp has dipped below 70, but I think that will change by the end of this week... fingers crossed! I'll eat soup in any weather;-)
DeleteI'm going to see if the library has The Chair, that sounds interesting. Our temps have started getting a bit cooler but actually much warner here than the past years for this late in October.
ReplyDeleteLoving that soup!
Tina - I liked The Chair more than my husband and would watch another season if they make one.Not sure about him...
DeleteWe still haven't gotten below 70 at night, though they have on the mainland... hopefully it will happen by the end of the week!