Sunday, January 9, 2022

The Sunday Salon: January 9, 2022

Hello, friends, and welcome to my first Sunday Salon post of 2022. The holidays are now officially behind us as our daughter and her boyfriend flew back to NYC yesterday. We also took down the Christmas tree and put away the last of the decorations. Today is all about laundry and cleaning (with an audiobook in my ears, of course), but I'm hoping to eek out an hour late this afternoon to sit on the beach and read...


Current reading//

The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles

It's January 9th and I'm still  reading my first book of the year! It's nearly 600 pages and life has been hectic around here, but this is taking too long.  It's a read/listen combination and I have about a hundred pages left... so if I get that time on the beach this afternoon, I'll finish today. 

I loved Towles' first novel, Rules of Civility, and still find myself thinking about the Count in A Gentleman From Moscow. This book is very different. More later...


On the blog//


In the kitchen//


I was searching for a quick, easy dinner to feed a crowd last week when this recipe for Crispy Onion Chicken from Taste of Home  appeared in my inbox. It was SO good and there wasn't a crumb left over, but  I had a really hard time adding an entire stick of butter! I ended up using quite a bit more chicken than the recipe called for (pounded to an even thickness) so that made it a little better anyway. Later in the week both my sister and sister-in-law tried the recipe and their families loved it, too.

Now with all of the holiday treats finally gone, it's time to get back to healthful eating again... 


The week ahead//

We are concerned with my FIL's health again and most of our energy will be there this week. Prayers and healing thoughts appreciated...

How was your week? Have you finished your first book of the year? What are you reading now?


 
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.



61 comments:

  1. I understand how difficult it is to finish a long book when there are lots of people around. I hope you get a chance to finish Lincoln Highway today. I am curious about your thoughts.

    Crispy Onion Chicken sounds fantastic. A whole stick of butter? Perfect. I'll look for this one.

    Sending thoughts and prayers to your FIL.

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    1. Deb - I always feel guilty reading when there are people around. One night the guys all watched an old war movie, so I took the opportunity to slip away and read... heavenly!

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  2. Sorry your FIL is not doing well - not a good way to start 2022 for sure. The Lincoln Highway is one I need to read - perhaps in February or March. The chicken recipe sounds really good - thanks for sharing.

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    1. Diane - My FIL is 94 and has had a difficult time the last year or so. We are mostly keeping him comfortable at this point, but it's tough.

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  3. Sending you good wishes for your FIL and i hope everyting is fine.
    That onion chicken recipe is going to make it's way into my menu planning! As for books, I can manage to read two at once if one is nonfiction. I am weird that way. Never could get into audio so I read both physical books and the ones on my kindle.

    Happy new your to you!

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    1. Tina - I always used to read two books at once, usually one fiction and a nonfiction. It started changing when I began doing read/listen combinations... it feels like total immersion, lol. I especially love nonfiction on audio, so I must be an auditory learner.

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  4. Like you, I have enjoyed all three of Amor Towles's books. I read The Lincoln Highway in November, really enjoyed it, blogged here:
    https://maefood.blogspot.com/2021/11/the-lincoln-highway-by-amor-towles.html

    I hope all of your family will soon be healthy.

    best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com

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    1. Mae - Thanks for sending your link! I'm going to wait until I finish to take a look, but I'm curious to see what you though. Especially since you read his previous books.

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  5. I'm sorry to hear your FIL isn't doing well. That is a tough way to begin a new year.

    I hear you about getting back to healthy eating. I have some winter salads planned for lunches to help me get back on track.

    My first book of the year was Amanda Gorman's poetry collection Call Us What We Carry. Now I'm reading your favorite of 2021 - Count the Ways. Sorry to say I'm not liking it. My mom (an avid reader of your blog too!) says it was her favorite of 2021 too.

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    1. Melissa - Yea, it's a tough to start to a new year in that respect. We're mostly keeping him company and comfortable now... not easy to be 94, I guess.

      I'm looking forward to reading Amanda Gorman's new collection. Sorry you're not enjoying Count the Ways, but glad to know it was also your mom's favorite. My sister's birthday is this week and I'm planning to give her a copy. I'd love to know some of your mom's other favorites. We must have similar reading tastes and you can never have too many recommendations! ;-)

      Hope you enjoy those winter salads. I've got a few to try this week, too. Commenting on your blog has been iffy for me lately, but I'll keep trying...

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  6. Gorgeous sunset! I'm hoping to make time to walk out to the bluff this evening and watch the sunset. It's been too rainy and cold, but I see nothing but blue sky right now, which is wonderful!

    I am also still reading the two books that I started at the beginning of the year. I'm making progress, but with jury duty during the daytime, I'm a bit distracted in the evenings. I'm reading Taste by Stanley Tucci and One Two Three by Laurie Frankel. I'm listening to Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, which is a reread. If it weren't for book club, I'd stop listening since it's pretty dull the second time around.

    The crispy onion chicken sounds delicious. When I find a recipe that calls for a full stick of butter, I mentally calculate how much that would be for each serving. It usually isn't as bad as it sounds when it's divided out that way.

    I'm so sorry your father-in-law isn't doing well. I'm glad you are close by and can help with his care. I'll keep all of you in my thoughts...

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    1. Les - Jury duty sounds pretty exciting. Hope it's an interesting case. I gave my mother a copy of Taste and she loved it! I'm going to see if she'll listen to the audio, too. Don't remember a lot about Major Pettigrew, but think it was on the quiet side.

      What a great way to think about all that butter!! I did use chicken than they recommended, so it could have almost been healthy ;-) Either way, it was delicious.

      I'm hoping for a peaceful, comfortable week for my FIL. Things will probably not get a lot better.

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  7. I'm re-reading Rosamunde Pilcher's Winter Solstice after you (I think it was you?!) mentioned it...I remember loving it the first time and I was in the mood for a wintry book (we finally got some snow on Friday!) I smiled at your mention of the entire stick of butter. One of my mother's special occasion dishes when we were growing up was a delicious garlicky chicken dish that absolutely swam in butter (I don't remember how many sticks, but a LOT.) I don't think that she or I would try that recipe if we found it today so I'm glad we were able to enjoy in the days when we didn't know any better. Thinking of your FIL and all of you...

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    1. Audrey - Yes, I mentioned Winter Solstice and then never got a chance to read it! Sounds like you found the perfect opportunity. My reread of The Shell Seekers was a highlight of 2020 and I was hoping to slip in another before 2021 ended.

      Some of the foods we grew up on make me shake my head now. All the butter, sodium, and preservatives! The crispy onion chicken really was delicious though, and when you think of it the way Les mentioned... Hope your 2022 is off to a good start. Are you going in to work or remote again?

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  8. I haven't finished my first book of the year yet. The one I called "My First Book of the Year" is probably one I'm going to read over several months since it's sayings of Epictetus. I want to savor them. My first actual finished book of the year probably will be one called Chatter: The Voice in Our Head, Why It Matters, and How to Harness It by Ethan Kross.

    Like everyone else here, sending you and your family thoughts and prayers in regards to your father-in-law.

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    1. Bryan - That book sounds like one that is meant to be savored over a longer period of time... always better to stop and reflect rather than rushing ahead with that kind of book. We appreciate all the thoughts and prayers for my FIL... hoping it won't be a long haul for him.

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  9. What a beautiful beach shot, I love the colors and the reflection on the water! I'm still on my first book too. Will keep praying for your FIL!

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    1. Vicki - It's always so rewarding when we can get over to the beach for sunset... so, so beautiful! We appreciate the prayers very much.

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  10. I have finished my first book of the year, but it was not 600 pages! I hope you are able to finish yours today.

    That is a beautiful beach sunset picture! While my lawn is not the beach and it is covered with snow, I still see beautiful sunsets out my front window. It is so amazing.

    I'm praying that all goes well with your father-in-law this week.

    Have a great week!

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    1. Gretchen - I've spent most of my life in NY's snowbelt and kind of miss the beauty of those snowy sunsets... always amazing! We appreciate the prayers. My FIL may be in for a tough week.

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  11. I agree that your beach shot is wonderful. Will keep all you in my thoughts and prayers regarding your FIL's health. And I've actually finished 3 books this year so far. Yay! Now if I can just continue this pace, I think I'll be happier and calmer and all the good things. Take care, JoAnn!

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    1. Kay - I'm getting a little anxious that tomorrow is the 10th and I haven't finished a book yet. May have to stay up late and finish it tonight! Finishing three books means your year is off to a great start - hooray!

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  12. My First Book had quite a few pages, too, but not as many as yours. I think it is important to choose a book that we will love.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - So true! The last few years I've chosen a new release by a known author to start my year... it's worked every time!

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  13. I am reading The Lincoln Highway, too. I am pretty daunted by its length and it is due at the library on Tuesday so I will have to return it unfinished and get back in line.Sigh. My Sunday Salon Post

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    1. Anne - Yes, The Lincoln Highway is one long book!! At this point, I can say more editing would have been in order. It's still quite a story though. Hope you can get back to it before too long.

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  14. Definitely sending thoughts and prayers for your FIL.

    That onion chicken sounds delicious! Adding that to my "recipes to try" folder.

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    1. Jinjer - That crispy onion chicken was a real winner! I appreciate the prayers for my FIL. Take care.

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  15. Haha, I was *literally* searching my library for anything by Amor Towles yesterday. I read Rules of Civility years ago but I've never managed to get my hands on any of his other books.

    Your picture makes me miss my daily walks on the beach on Siesta Key. We're just far enough from the beach here outside Charleston to make it terribly inconvenient.

    Your FIL will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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    1. Jen - Amore Towles is a great writer. A Gentleman is Moscow is much slower than Rules of Civility, but The Count is the best character!

      I'm hoping to get up to Siesta Key in the next month or two. My daughter's boyfriend has family there, so we probably visit next time they're with us. That beach is beautiful... not surprised you miss it, especially this time of year. Charleston does have many charms though...

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  16. I am sorry your FIL is doing badly and hope that you can figure out how to help him. Good luck finishing your first book!

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    1. Helen - My FIL is now at a hospice house... wonderful, caring staff. My husband has been spending quite a bit of time there. Less than 50 pages left in the book. Tonight, for sure!

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  17. That's a long first book! That would probably destroy me to have right off the bat. Are you liking it? I finally got to Good Company which turned out to be my first book ... on audio by Marin Ireland of course. It was a fine drama. Would love to sit outside again ... someday.

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    1. Susan - I can say with certainly that I won't choose such a long first book next year, lol. Good Company was so enjoyable on audio. Marin Ireland is one of the narrators of The Lincoln Highway, too!

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  18. Take your time and enjoy The Lincoln Highway! Hopefully you are enjoying it at any rate. Sending prayers your father-in-law's way. I am hoping to curl up with Madeline Miller's Circe tonight, but I may try to fit in a little more of the nonfiction book I'm struggling through. I hope you have a good week!

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    1. Wendy - I am enjoying The Lincoln Highway... it's quite an adventure story! Have heard such wonderful things about Circe (especially the audio) but I still haven't gotten to it.

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  19. I think my husband would like that Crispy Onion Chicken recipe
    My mum has just read all 3 of Towles books in the last week.

    Wishing you a great reading week

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    1. Shelleyrae - Your mum read all three in a week?! A couple of them are really long... she must be a fast reader! ;-)

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  20. Hoping FIL will soon get better.
    I haven't trid Towles yet!
    https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/01/09/sunday-post-48-1-8-2022/

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    1. Emma - Towles is a very talented writer. His current book could have used more editing though...

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  21. I hope you get a chance to finish your book. That is quite a long one. I also need to get back to healthy eating. Come see my week here. Happy reading!

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    1. Kathy - I'll finish tonight for sure... less than 50 pages now! Happy reading this week.

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  22. I'm curious as to whether your finding the Towles novel to be slower reading than his others that you've read. 600 pages is a big time-investment when it becomes a slog to get through a page...still have this one on the shelf right behind me but I haven't decided when to tackle it yet.

    Prayers for your father-in-law's recovery.

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    1. Sam - The Lincoln Highway isn't slower reading, I've just had more distractions. It's quite an adventure story - not a slog, but not my usual fare either. I'll finish tonight for sure!

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  23. Crispy Onion Chicken sounds really good. I never seem to be able to read such long books so I can see why it's taking you so long. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Yvonne - I used to love really long books, but don't read them nearly as much these days. The chicken was delicious!

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  24. Sorry to hear of your father-in-law's health. I hope you found your beach time, sounds like you could use it. Happy reading! https://cindysbookcorner.blogspot.com/2022/01/its-monday-what-are-you-reading-2-22.html

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    1. Cindy - I never did get to the beach yesterday, but should be able to carve out some time tomorrow afternoon. My FIL is our main concern at the moment...

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  25. The Lincoln Highway was one of my top audiobooks of the year, if I ever get around to doing my end-of-the-year list! My MIL has been in the hospital for eight days (broken hip and COPD) and tonight they announced no more visiting allowed due to the COVID surge! We are heartbroken to think of her lying there alone, with no one to help her take a drink of water or eat anything. I hope your FIL is OK; I know at some point we have to let them go, but it is sad to have it happen as a crisis situation.

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    1. Laurie - I'm so sorry to hear about your MIL and understand your frustration all too well. My FIL's decline began earlier in the pandemic and we were unable to see him for several weeks... it was agonizing for everyone. I'm hoping your MIL's situation improves soon.

      The Lincoln Highway's audio production is excellent! I do love multi-narrator performances. This will not be my favorite Towles novel, but I am enjoying it very much.

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  26. I have yet to read anything by Amor Towles, but I have heard amazing things about A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW and one of my book clubs is reading it this Spring, so I'm looking forward to that. Happy New Year! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories

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    1. Melinda - Towles is a very talented writer and I highly recommend giving one of his books a try. Rules of Civility is still my favorite, I still think about the Count in A Gentleman in Moscow, and The Lincoln Highway was a wonderful adventure with a flawed, but likable cast. Hard to go wrong with any of them!

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  27. JoAnn, You left me a comment on my blog about the RIP Challenge. What is that? I am curious. My TTT list

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    1. Anne - RIP, Readers Imbibing in Peril, is a fall event where we read mystery, suspense, supernatural, horror, etc. There used to be a blog to collect reviews but it moved to instagram last year. Here is my blog post introducing it:
      https://lakesidemusing.blogspot.com/2021/09/its-september-and-rip-is-here.html

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  28. Very long books however interesting, leave me restless as I want to read, finish and move on. I do hope your FIL's health improves.

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    1. Mystica - I used to read longer books much more frequently than I do now, but that was before I started tracking my reading.

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  29. Hope our FIL is doing better. Good thoughts heading your way. I liked A Gentleman in Moscow but haven't read her others.

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  30. I remember reading Gentleman in Moscow a while book. European settings are fab. have a great week.

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  31. I am hesitant to add more books to my TBR, but The Lincoln Highway sounds so interesting! I am so interested to read your thoughts. Prayed for you all this morning.

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