The Sunday Salon: It's February!

Hello from the very chilly gulf coast of Florida, where it's early afternoon and our wind chill here on the island is still 29 degrees! Today we have all sorts of cold weather cancellations throughout the area - festivals, concerts, and even a library book sale. I've never seen anything like it. We also have an abundance of cold-stunned invasive iguanas lying around. They are basically paralyzed from the cold. This has prompted FWC to set up iguana collection sites around the state where homeowners can drop them off. Sounds like a good idea in theory, but I prefer to leave it to the professionals!

Recent reading//

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Volume 6

by Beth Brower

I've been raving about this series for months as I read them with a small group over at Modern Mrs. Darcy. These books just keep getting better and this is the best one yet! I own the set in paperback, but have also been listening to them on audio. The narration is excellent and all eight editions are available on hoopla.  This is my first 5-star read of the year!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Current reading//

Every Day I Read: 53 Ways to Get Closer to Books 

by Hwang Bo-Reum, translated by Shanna Tan

I enjoy books about books and reading, and just started this collection of short essays last night.

War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy

The chapter-a-day slow read continues...

On the blog//

Top Ten Tuesday : 2025 Author Discoveries

In the kitchen//

I've got two new recipes to share this week. The first is an easy Korean-inspired Ground Beef Bibimbap  from skinnytaste. This is a slightly spicy one-pan meal ready in under 30 minutes. I'd never used Gochujang sauce before and liked its sweet/spicy flavor. I omitted the optional fried egg.

Since I had a bag of shredded carrots on hand, I tried Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal from Joy Bauer. The recipe is sweetened with maple syrup or honey (I used the maple syrup) and contains raisins and pecans. The recipe makes a 9 x13 pan, so I cut it into squares and put several servings in the freezer. I also skipped the cream cheese glaze in favor of a dollop of whipped cream. Delicious!

The week ahead//

I've got appointments scheduled with the dermatologist and dental hygienist... not fun, but necessary. At least I won't be missing out on beach time. It looks like highs will be only be in the upper 50s and low 60s all week!  We're also having friends over for dinner one night... it will be good to catch up.

How was your week? What have you been reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

 

The Sunday Salon: August 21, 2022

 

Hello, friends, and happy Sunday. After a long weekend away, I'm back with another weekly update. It's still unusually warm and dry here in Connecticut, but it feels like summer may be loosening its grip. We've had a few gloriously cool mornings, the angle of the sunlight is changing, and the sun is setting earlier. I love fall and hope it's not too far away...

Last weekend we were in northern NY and Vermont for my father-in-law's memorial service. He died in January, but this was the first time the entire family could come together.  It also marked the tenth anniversary of my mother-in-law's death. As expected, our time together was bittersweet and filled with emotion... plus it was the first time all the grandchildren were together in the same place! That gave everyone the opportunity to meet the younger generation's significant others. Overall, a very memorable weekend.

During that time I didn't read for six straight days (which might be a record) but still managed to finish a couple of books since the last update...

Recent Reading//

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

audio edition narrated by  Karen Murray, Adenrele Ojo

After seeing this book praised on a several blogs, I added it to my list of summer reading possibilities. Then my mother read it, loved  it, and told me I needed to read it right away... and who am I to argue with Mom?

This beautifully-written debut novel follows three generations of a Southern Black family from the WWII era into the 21st century. Wandering back and forth in time, it covers all the tough issues, including race, you'd expect with a family drama. I loved how it showcases the strength of the Black women, who were primarily responsible for holding their families together. 

This was a read/listen combination for me. The audio is particularly well done... highly recommended. I'm already looking forward to Stringfellow's next novel. 

Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt

audio edition narrated by Marin Ireland, Michael Urie

A novel tracing a widow's unlikely connection with a giant Pacific octopus.

 I loved this book! I expected to like it, but did not expect it to become one of my favorite novels of the year. The story focuses on three main characters... a 70-year-old widow, a 30-year-old man trying to find his way in the word, and a giant Pacific octopus. The way these three come together is heart-warming and life-affirming. I won't say too much more about the story but, as soon as I turned the final page, I ordered a copy for my mother.

This started as a read/listen combination, but the audio was SO good that I switched to listening exclusively. Marin Ireland is a favorite narrator and I absolutely loved  the voice of the octopus! I'm going to follow up with the nonfiction The Soul of an Octopus soon.

Current Reading//

Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark

This library hold came in a couple of days ago. It's a long book (592 pages) and my plan was to preview it, but I'm 14% in and still reading. It's the story of two 80-year-women, lifelong friends, and a beloved summer enclave in Maine. 

I'll start another book on audio tomorrow, too... perhaps The Soul of an Octopus.

On the blog//

Two Reviews: The Monsters of Templeton by Lauren Groff and The Pedant in the Kitchen by Julian Barnes

In the kitchen//

I've been trying to cook a little more the past couple of weeks. I've made Turkey Chili Taco Soup from skinnytaste,  a Blackberry Peach Galette from Half-Baked Harvest, Basil Pesto Chicken Caprese from Vinkalinka, and I finally tried the Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Cutlets recipe that Tina shared several weeks ago. That touch of Dijon mustard adds a really nice flavor boost!

The week ahead//

I have a feeling this week is going to fly. We have a couple of appointments for our daughter, more catching up to do at home after traveling, and a visit from Daughter #1 and her boyfriend coming up on Thursday. 

Plus, the chair we ordered back in early April will finally be delivered on Friday. I can't wait! After that, we're just waiting on the coffee table. Definite progress... slowly, but surely.

How was your week? What are you reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

The Sunday Salon: Two More Days...

November is here at last and Americans are already voting in record numbers. It's hard to think about anything other than the election and what the future holds, but I pray for a clear winner as soon as possible.

This week's good news... our house is finished! We are expecting furniture deliveries over the next couple of weeks and are moving other things over in the meantime. We should be settled in plenty of time to host a very small Thanksgiving dinner.

The other positive news is that my ankle is finally healing. I've started walking again -  slow, short walks - and seem to be tolerating it well. The key is not to overdo it, so I will very gradually up the pace and distance. It may be a while before I can get back to brisk three mile morning walks.

Finished last week//

Anxious People by Fredrik Backman

My inclination was to dnf this novel around 20%, but so many trusted book blogging friends loved it, so I persevered... and was richly rewarded. The book is about a bank robbery that's not actually a robbery, that turns into an accidental hostage situation. Weird, right?! In addition, you have a full cast of quirky characters. Though the storyline seems disjointed initially, it progresses to a most satisfying conclusion! 

Current reading//

I haven't been able to get into any of the novels I've picked up recently. This is certainly due to my inability to concentrate on anything other than the news. I have been listening to nonfiction on my all-too-brief walks and am enjoying:

The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power

by Deirdre Mask, narrated by Janina Edwards

Nonfiction November starts now//

It's time... Nonfiction November starts tomorrow. The Week 1 prompt is My Year in Nonfiction. Hopefully I'll have a post ready to go by the end of the week. The complete schedule can be found here. 

In the kitchen//

We've had some wins in the kitchen over the past couple of weeks. The Mustard and Maple Pork Kebabs from Katie Workman were a big hit. We loved the combination of flavors (and colors from the peppers)... it was a delicious meal to prepare on the grill.

I found the recipe (pictured above) for Pistachio-Crusted Salmon with Lemon Cream Sauce on Taste of Home. My favorite roadside fish stand had some local tripletail, which I love, so I opted to use it in pace of salmon. It was amazing!

Finally, I made this Semi-Homemade Chicken Pot Pie from Seeded at the Table. It's called semi-homemade because it uses refrigerated pie crust and rotisserie chicken, but it was still what I consider pretty labor-intensive. It was worth it though... this was the best chicken pot pie ever! The only change I made was in using poultry seasoning in place of the celery seed. This is the only chicken pot pie recipe I need!

So how have the past couple of weeks been for you? What are you reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz. 

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

A Father's Day Sunday Salon: June 21, 2020

It's a sunny Father's Day here is southwest Florida. We'd hoped to go out for a celebratory (outdoor) brunch or dinner but, after a week of rapidly increasing COVID-19 cases, we decided against it. My 92-year-old father-in-law has requested pizza instead. He hasn't had it since before the lockdown began, so it looks like a pizza party is Plan B!

As I watched the numbers rise all week, I spent more time reading, blogging, cooking, swimming, and walking on the beach. I even finished two books! Look for a review post later this week...

Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls: A Memoir

by T Kira Gadded, narrated by the author

You Think It, I'll Say It by Curtis Sittenfeld

Current reading//

Passing by Nella Larsen

On the blog//

This Week's Read: You Think It, I'll Say It
Quick Thoughts on Four Recent Reads


In the kitchen//

I tried two new recipes and both were winners. First was a Berry Buttermilk Cake from NYTimes... so light and delicious! The flexibility of this recipe is a plus, too. It calls for buttermilk, but says you can use any type of milk. Any kind of berries if fine, too... even frozen. I'll try it with raspberries next.

This Sun-Dried Tomato, Spinach and Quinoa Salad from Cookie + Kate  was perfect for lunches! I made it on Sunday and enjoyed it for days. It will be a go-to recipe all summer long.


The week ahead//

Twin A will travel back to NYC this week, so we'll drive her to the airport. Other than that, literally nothing else is planned. There will likely be a trip to the grocery store late in the week, maybe a socially distant glass of wine outside with a friend. Also, more walking, reading, blogging, and cooking.

How was your week? What are you reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

The Sunday Salon: May is Here

And now it's May. Strange to say, but this new normal is starting to seem  normal. I hardly remember my last meal in a restaurant, pedicure, carefree shopping trip, or neighborhood gathering. My greying roots, however, tell me exactly how long it's been since my last visit to the hair salon!

Oddly enough, it has been a good couple of weeks. I've managed to carve out at least an hour of reading time every afternoon (thanks for the inspiration, Judith!), tried quite a few new recipes, walked on the beach at least once every day, and even scored some toilet paper at the pharmacy. Most importantly, we all remain healthy.



Recent reading//

Unsheltered

by Barbara Kingsolver, narrated by the author

Our library book club was supposed to read Animal Dreams last month but, obviously there was no April meeting. Rather than rereading an older title, I opted for one of Kingsolver's more recent books instead. I've read and enjoyed most of her novels over the years and have come to expect themes of environmentalism, feminism, and social justice. While present here, the novel did not feel especially heavy-handed.

Unsheltered, published in 2018 and set in Vineland, NJ, features dual timelines, over a hundred years apart, centered around the same house. This format doesn't always work for me. One story often grabs my attention while the other seems to drag. The modern story here was slightly more appealing, but I loved how Kingsolver included historical figures (Charles Darwin, Mary Treat) and events in the older timeline. Of particular note, these two narratives fit together better than any dual-narrative novel I can recall.

This was a read/listen combination for me. Kingsolver narrated the audio version herself and, as with Flight Behavior, I increased the speed slightly but thoroughly enjoyed her performance.

Clock Dance

by Anne Tyler

There is something comforting and familiar about an Anne Tyler novel. I fell into her world -  with slightly off-beat characters, set mostly in Baltimore - and my world melted away. Nothing too heavy or too taxing, I breezed through this book in a couple of days, enjoying every moment.

Current reading//

Cat's Eye

by Margaret Atwood, narrated by Kimberly Farr

Judy's recent review of The Robber Bride  inspired me to revisit a favorite Margaret Atwood novel. I loved both The Robber Bride  and Cat's Eye  back in the 90s and let library availability determined my ultimate selection. This started a read/listen combination, but I'm mostly listening now as other ebook library holds have arrived.

I'm a third of the way through and still love the book... despite experiencing feelings of dread and anxiety along with the main character as she "reminisces about a trio of girls who initiated her into the fierce politics of childhood and its secret world of friendship, longing, and betrayal."

Redhead by the Side of the Road

by Anne Tyler 

I wasn't expecting to read another Anne Tyler novel so soon, but my library hold of her latest arrived Friday. This one is very short (under 200 pages) and also features unusual characters in Baltimore.


In the kitchen//

As I've mentioned before, my kitchen has been extremely busy during this pandemic. My challenge is to prepare three meals per day for five adults, with limited availability of certain ingredients and infrequent trips to the grocery store. Here are some new favorites:

I've been looking for the perfect bolognese recipe for years. The updated Weeknight Bolognese vfrom Barefoot Contessa is the best one yet. Next time I'll dial back the black pepper, maybe by a third.

Dinner doesn't get much quicker or easier than this Taco Salad Casserole from Taste of Home. I made it twice last month to rave reviews all around.

If I can get a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, this Asian Chicken Rice Bowl (also from Taste of Home) will be on the menu again this week. My husband mostly tolerated it, but all three girls loved it!

Ground turkey has been plentiful. Tonight we're having Turkey Black Bean Enchiladas from Diethood for the second time. Easy to make and so good!


I'm also baking more than normal (so happy to find a bag of flour last week!) and usually make soup a couple times each week, too. Nothing I'm preparing has been especially fancy or involved... we're mostly craving comfort food these days.


The week ahead//

More of the same for us. The state of Florida is moving ahead with phase one reopening, but I'm happy our island/city decided to extend the ban on rental accommodations and keep beach public parking lots closed until May 15. Restaurants will reopen tomorrow at 25% capacity indoors and outdoor seating with appropriate social distancing. I will not be among their first customers... and am worried about a spike in two or three weeks.


How are you holding up? Is your state opening up again? What have you been cooking and reading?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

The Sunday Salon: June 9, 2019

A gorgeous weekend at the lake...and, believe it or not, the first time this area has enjoyed three consecutive precipitation-free days since September! No wonder parts of our lawn are still  too soggy to mow. The past week has been devoted to outdoor chores and the place is now nearly ready for summer. I still need to get more flowers and my family will come over to help get the docks in this afternoon. It was a good week for reading and listening, too.

Finished this week//

I Miss You When I Blink: Essays

by Mary Laura Philpott, narrated by the author

This memoir in essays reminded me of Kelly Corrigan, Ann Patchett, and Anna Quindlen. The latter are among my favorites and Corrigan isn't far behind. These writers all get women, their lives, the myriad issues impacting us daily, as well as "big picture" concerns. Philpott, though younger and less seasoned than the others, has a style just as engaging and appealing.

I generally prefer listening to memoirs, especially when narrated by the author. Philpott has a pleasing voice which, I felt, added more feeling to her written words.
My rating:

The Chief: The Life and Turbulent Times of Chief Justice John Roberts

by Joan Biskupic

This biography, the third of a current Supreme Court justice I've read this year, was both interesting and informative. It also unsettled me in ways I'm still trying to understand. Look for a review once I've worked it out.



Current reading//

Inheritance: A Memoir of Genealogy, Paternity, and Love

by Dani Shapiro, narrated by the author

Drop what you're doing and get on your library's hold list for this book now! If you have an audible credit, go ahead and use it. I'm hoping to finish today or tomorrow and am certain this will end up on my list of favorites at the end of the year.



Book club meeting//

Ten of us met for brunch last week to discuss Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. I loved the book and so did nearly all of the others. Some found specific plot elements unbelievable, but overall we were willing to suspend disbelief and make adjustments for time/place. We marveled at Owens' writing and are hoping she chooses to write another novel.

Up next is Ordinary Grace by William Kent Krueger, an author I have wanted to read for years! Several of you have recommended his work and I seem to remember reviews recommending the audio version of this novel. Have you read Krueger?



In the kitchen//

I missed my big kitchen! It's a pleasure to cook dinner again and I did that every night last week, mostly family favorites. Last night I tried something new - Grilled Balsamic Caprese Chicken from Joyful Healthy Eats. It was delicious! I followed the recipe exactly as written, except marinated the chicken for a few hours instead of fifteen minutes.


The week ahead//

My visit to the hair salon can't come soon enough! Though I finally found a good hairdresser (that sounds old-fashioned... are they called stylists now?) in Florida, I am overdue for a cut and color. I'll also get the rest of the flowers in this week, and hopefully we'll put the boat in the water, too. My sister-in-law is planning to visitThursday and Twin B will come home Friday for Father's Day weekend.


How was your week? What are you reading today?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.