Hello, friends. This has been a monumental week for our family, so let's get right to the news. We have officially sold our lake home... the closing happened Thursday. We were not present for the bittersweet event (documents all signed beforehand) but it certainly marks the end of era. If all goes smoothly, we will close on our new house later this week.
Finished this week//
by Lori Gottlieb
narrated by Brittany Pressley
I've been raving about this book for the past week or so and was truly sorry to reach the end. Lori Gottlieb is a therapist and in this book she tells the story of five therapies - four patients, plus her own. [She begins therapy with "Wendell" after being blindsided by a breakup with her long-term boyfriend.] I thought it was fascinating to observe the process play out from both sides of the couch!
Each story pulled me in right away and I looked forward to popping in my earbuds each morning before heading out on a walk. Flashes of insight occurred throughout the listening experience... insight into my own feelings, motivations, and interactions with those closest to me, as well as with casual acquaintances.
The audio production was excellent and I highly recommend listening. It was well worth the audible credit! Brittany Pressley has narrated hundreds of audiobooks, but this was my first time listening to her. It will not be the last.
Current reading//
by Cara Wall
This book was on display with the new fiction at the library. I'd added it to my wish list last summer after several reviewers compared it to Wallace Stegner's Crossing to Safety, an all-time favorite. I couldn't just leave it there! Very good so far... more soon.
On the blogging horizon//
Nonfiction November is my favorite blogging event of the year - five weeks, five topics, five hosts, and an Instagram photo challenge, too. The details are here... it all starts next week.
In the kitchen//
It doesn't feel like fall here, but I decided to try a couple of fall-like recipes anyway. Both were keepers. Stuffed Delicata Squash with Sausage-Mushroom Stuffing from skinnytaste was so good! The Italian chicken sausage and savory mushrooms perfectly complemented the sweet flavor of the squash.
I also made Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad (minus the quinoa) from pinch of yum for lunches last week. Basically, I roasted sweet potatoes and chick peas, and added walnuts coated with maple syrup for the last five minutes. We ate it over baby spinach, sprinkled a few dried cranberries on top, and drizzled a simple Asian vinaigrette. Delicious!
The week ahead//
We're finally going to see the Downton Abbey movie this afternoon and maybe grab an early dinner afterward.
The closing on our new (to us) house here is scheduled for Friday. We have meetings with the insurance agent and contractor scheduled early in the week. Keeping our fingers crossed it all goes smoothly! I also desperately need to schedule a hair appointment this week.
How was your week? What are you reading today?
The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.
Nonfiction November starting already. My brain still thinks we are in September.... I did the NFN for the first time last year and looking forward to having another go
ReplyDeleteBookertalk - I'll look forward to chatting about nonfiction with you soon!
DeleteI feel happy and maybe a bit sad for you. Bittersweet is the word, maybe. Happy that you have found a buyer and sad you are leaving a place you have loved. Wish we could have the happy without the sad, but I guess it isn’t possible.
ReplyDeleteI’m terribly glad you liked Maybe You Should Talk to Someone as much as I did. The stories of the individuals being counseled were fascinating, but I also enjoyed learning about the therapeutic process. It almost made me want to go see someone just to experience it for myself.
I need to start making plans for Nonfiction November. I started a list of books I want to look for this time at the end of the last Nonfiction November. It’s about time to start pulling those books out and looking for some of them at the library.
Have a fabulous week. Fingers crossed for the closing to go well.
Deb - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone made me think a little therapy might be an interesting experience, too. LOL! I'll starting working on my list for NF November this week. It seems there are a lot of books I want to read right now, so I'll have to narrow it down. The library hold list may help me with that part ;-)
DeleteGlad all went well with lakehouse closing and hope this week's 'new' house closing goes as well. We've moved a lot and closed on a lot of houses. I guess it's not as momentous for us. I really can't believe how much can be done remotely these days. I loved Maybe You Should Talk to Someone and am thinking about listening to it again. I thought it was a perfect book for walking and listening. Have a wonderful week! And you do know that fall won't be the same in Florida - ha!
ReplyDeleteKay - Fall definitely won't be the same in FL! I'm so happy to escape winter, but will miss fall. Wonder how far north we'd have to go for a getaway weekend with foliage. Probably farther than we could comfortably drive in a day...
DeleteGlad the first closing went well and fingers crossed for the second! How exciting! That squash recipe sounds good! I'm looking forward to Nonfiction November, too! Trying to get my TBR sorted out.
ReplyDeleteAngela - I remember reading The Radium Girls last year based on your recommendation & look forward to seeing which NF books you've enjoyed this year!
DeleteI remember our big move as if it were yesterday. So bittersweet, but so exciting, too! I think what made it less tearful was the fact that we were moving to such a gorgeous place, much like you two have. You had a lovely spot on the lake, but now you are in a beautiful place near the ocean. Makes it easier, doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteI haven't been listening to my audio book on this road trip, but once I finish (The Nest), I might dive into Maybe You Should Talk To Someone. It sounds intriguing.
As I told Kay in a recent comment, I can't wait to get home and pick out my nonfiction books for Nonfiction November. It's one of my favorite blogging events of the year!
Your recipes sounds delicious, but my husband is not a big fan of squash, sweet potatoes or quinoa. :(
We our enjoying our final week of this two-month long road trip. We have found some amazing campgrounds and have seen gorgeous fall colors, mountains, lakes and rivers. Not much reading going on, but when I do have a few minutes, I pick up Wish You Were Here by Stewart O'Nan. It's very good, but I think I enjoyed Emily, Alone and Henry, Himself a little bit more. Maybe I'm just too distracted.
Congratulations again on your new home! Any road trips in your future??
Les - I think our moves are very similar and, yes, it's much easier leaving the lake knowing that "my beach" will be so close! It's always encouraging when I hear how you and Rod have thrived with your new lifestyle. Even with all the real estate commotion, we are very happy here. Most of our 2020 travel budget will be taken up by renovations, but I still think we'll get out of Florida for at least a couple of months next year...August and September anyway. We'll spend some time with my parents and maybe rent a place on the CT coast for a while, too. We'd like to explore new places in 2021 though!
DeleteHope you enjoy the rest of your road trip. Your photos are beautiful and have given me a few more ideas for future travels.
I read Wish You Were Here over a rainy Labor Day weekend several years ago and liked it very much. Emily, Alone was much better though, and I still haven't gotten to Henry, Himself. There are SO many new releases I'm excited about now. Will probably pick up Olive, Again very soon.
Isn't it funny how our moves are very similar. Retirement is wonderful, especially if you can live near the ocean and travel whenever the urge arises. Now you just need to get an RV and join us in our travels! :) We typically travel in September and October, but might head out in August this next year. We're beginning to talk about where we'd like to go and so far, the San Juan Islands is at the top of our list. 2021 will probably include the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, but we'll see.
DeleteI agree with you about Emily, Alone. I'm enjoying Wish You Were Here, but it's not calling to me like the other two in this trilogy.
Les - The Grand Tetons and Yellowstone are on our list, too, but we'll see how long it takes to get there!
DeleteI had to pop back here and tell you I just finished listening to Maybe You Should Talk To Someone. Loved it!! What a great audiobook. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteLes - I'm glad you loved it, too. It was SO much better than I was expecting. Might see if the book club would be interested in reading/discussing.
DeleteCongratulations on the sale of your house! Our son is in the process of buying his first home and it's been one hiccup after another. Right now, I'm not sure if the sale will happen or not.
ReplyDeleteMaybe You Should Talk to Someone sounds excellent! I loved The Dearly Beloved.
Kathy - That happens sometimes with real estate. I hope it works out for Vance, but if it doesn't I'm sure he'll find something else soon. My nephew is going through the same thing right now.
DeleteThe Dearly Beloved seems like a slow book, but so beautifully written. I really like it so far.
I love delicata squash - this version sounds so good. (But so does the salad...) Thinking of you as you start on this new chapter (it was unintentional, but maybe that's a perfect way to describe it for you!)
ReplyDeleteAudrey - This might have been the first time I've cooked delicata squash, but I loved it! Just bought a couple more of them... will slice and roast this time. So far, I'm very happy with the new chapter :)
DeleteCongratulations on the sale of your house and I hope the closing on the new house goes smoothly. It's definitely a bitter sweet moment. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone definitely sounds intriguing and I've moved it up my TBR. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - So much change in such a short period of time, but it's all good. I think you would enjoy Maybe You Should Talk to Someone as much as I did... it's a great lesson. Hope this is a good week for you, too.
DeleteI’m planning for NonFiction November too, I might have to add Maybe You Should Talk to Someone to my list.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the sale of your home and the imminent closing on your new one.
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - I'll look forward to your NF November posts. I always get so many great recommendations... the challenge is to read them before the event comes around again, lol! Happy reading :)
DeleteI look forward to hearing about your new adventures! :)
ReplyDeleteI just read about Nonfiction November and I am in! It sounds like a lot of fun. :)
Erin - Nonfiction November is the best! Bloggers recommend so many good books... and I'm always amazed at the variety of topics.
DeleteGlad the lakehouse closing went well.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing Nonfiction November places. I've never participated before, but maybe I should.
Carol - Thanks! Hope you decide to join in for NF November.
DeleteCongrats on selling the lake home...and enjoy your new place, which will be quite a different experience. But you've gone back and forth between the gulf and the lake for a while, so it probably won't be a big adjustment.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your week, and I'm looking forward to seeing how your blog reflects those changes.
Laurel-Rain Snow - Our familiarity with the area will make adjusting much easier. Still, finding new doctors, dentists, etc. will be a challenge. At least I've found someone to cut/color my hair. It's all about priorities, lol!
DeleteCongratulations on the sale of your lakeside home and good luck on the closing of the new gulfside one. :) I'll have to give my wife the recipe for the Quinoa Sweet Potato Salad since she is now a vegan. I never even heard of quinoa until she started making things with it. Not bad.
ReplyDeleteBryan - I'm not a vegan or vegetarian, but have been trying to serve more meatless meals. My husband has been a good sport, but he'd rather have a steak,lol!
DeleteWow. You sure sold fast. And closing this week on the new too? How efficient. I bet you are super exited. I can't wait to hear all the details of your new home. Hopefully, a few pics once you are settled.
ReplyDeleteTi - I never even dreamed the timing would work out this well. After today's meeting, we're still on track for Friday... fingers still crossed. There will definitely be photos when we're finished!
DeleteVicki - We were so happy the house here didn't sell over the summer. It seems like the summer market here is similar to the dead of winter in centrall NY, lol! I'm almost halfway through The Dearly Beloved now and enjoying it very much.
ReplyDeleteSo happy all seemed to go so smoothly with your sale and repurchase. Much happiness! I had high hope for Dearly Beloved, but I ended up in the minority with this book. I loved the beginning but then it just seemed to drag for me and it took me weeks to finish it.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I can see how The Dearly Beloved might take weeks to finish...approaching the halfway point and it's definitely slowing down. We'll see what happens.
DeleteHow does Sunday manage to come around so quickly? I listened to the Otherppl podcast with Lori Gottlieb and found her a truly good person. I need a haircut too!
ReplyDeleteJudy - I started listening to an episode of Just the Right Book! podcast that has Gottlieb as a guest... so interesting. My haircut is scheduled for Thursday. I'm counting down the hours at this point, lol!
DeleteSo does Gottlieb have to change her clients' names in order to divulge their problems & therapies in the book? Just wondering how she writes about it. I'm sad about your lake house but understand it's the end of an era, wow. Your signing on the new house is exciting no doubt. I hope the Downton Abbey movie is good. I'd recommend the movie Judy to you .... as my husband & I liked it very much. ... about Judy Garland.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Yes, Gottlieb does change her clients' names, and also the name of her therapist. The Downton movie was wonderful... I was so happy to spend time with those characters again! I'll add Judy to our movie list, too. Thanks for the recommendation.
DeleteHow exciting about the houses ... I get the bittersweet, but so much to look forward to and you've spent enough time in Florida to know you're doing the right thing for you. I'll have to check out the Gottlieb audio.
ReplyDeleteBoth recipes look fantastic!
Beth F - Gottlieb's book is so good on audio! I hope you get a chance to listen to it soon.
DeleteHoly cow, you have so much going on! It will be bittersweet leaving a house you’ve been in so long but you have spent so much time in Florida so....it’s home too. Welcome , my friend!
ReplyDeleteHow did I never pay attention to non-fiction November? I’ll check out the links you provided when I am on a computer and not this tablet.
Tina - Happy to join you here in Florida and even happier to be leaving winter behind forever! Hope you decide to join in for Nonfiction November :)
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