It's a beautiful, sunny morning in southwest Florida. The island is in that quiet post-holiday, pre-winter break lull... and I'm loving every moment!
Finished this week//
by Helen Ellis, narrated by the author
While I laughed out loud at "Peggy Sue Got Marijuana," this essay collection mostly missed the mark for me. Like her short story collection, American Housewife (my review) I found it to be very uneven. Some of the humor simply didn't work for me. The author's narration, however, was pitch perfect and kept me listening. This might have been a DNF in print.
2.5 / 5 stars
Current reading//
The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope
I've finally settled into Timothy West's narration, but ended up reading more than listening last week. Either way, I love spending time in Trollope's world. What I don't appreciate is goodreads telling me I've only finished one book this year! [note to self: avoid starting 2021 with an 800+ page book] Closing in on the 40% mark, this could take another week or two.
On the blog//
Back to the Classics 2020
In the kitchen//
I had a couple of new recipe successes last week. First I took this White Chicken Chili Dip from Heartbeet Kitchen to a neighborhood gathering kicking off the winter season. It disappeared quickly!
Midweek I tried Butternut Farro Salad with Blood Orange Vinaigrette from allrecipes. My plan was to make this Pear and Farro Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash, but I couldn't find a delicata squash anywhere... not even Whole Foods! So I bought a butternut squash instead and searched for recipes using it along with the farro I'd already purchased. We liked this quite a bit and it will make another appearance on our table soon. The recipe suggests chilling the salad before serving, but I preferred it warm.
Home renovation//
I mentioned last week that our project came to a complete halt over the holidays, but there were signs of life again last week. The cabinets have been ordered and this week we will select plumbing fixtures.
The week ahead//
In addition to shopping for those plumbing fixtures and a hair appointment, it's shaping up to be a wonderfully routine week. I'll take it!!
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.
Your weather sounds perfect! I agree with you on Southern Lady Code - in the end, it was just too much.
ReplyDeleteKathy - At least Southern Lady Code was a short book, lol!
DeleteI had seen The Southern Lady Code mentioned on a few best-of lists from last year, but I'll be honest that one comment from a blogger/friend who said she thought Ellis was insensitive to LGBQT people turned me off from even trying the book.
ReplyDeleteBryan - I saw the 'gay friends as trophies' comment and agree with it. Overall, just not my cup of tea... though the narration was great.
DeleteLook at that photo of your winter. Wow. Beautiful weather.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that Southern Lady Code was a disappointment. Humor can be a hit or miss thing with me. Often it's a miss.
I started the year out with a huge book, too, but I knew it wasn't going to be all I was reading. I know that not everyone likes to have several books going at one time, but I seem to do best that way.
Have a great week!
Deb - I've had good luck with my last couple of humorous reads, but this one was just off somehow. On the plus side, it was short and the narration was great!
DeleteI have never read Trollope. Someday maybe. It does seem like the new year has finally gotten going.
ReplyDeleteJudy - This is actually my 13th Trollope novel (six Barsetshire Chronicles and six Palliser series) but my first stand alone. It's wonderful, but SO long!
DeleteOh, my, all of your recipes look so good -- especially the salads. I finally (!) have a new oven, after 5 1/2 weeks without one, so I'm actually looking forward to a turn back to winter in our weather next weekend (it's 70 degrees out today!) As I anticipated, I'm not staying caught up with you on TWWLN but I will rededicate myself to it this week... I'm on chapter 24, because I diverted for Sanditon. (If you have Amazon Prime, the Masterpiece Theater version of TWWLN is available. I remember not watching it when it was broadcast because I didn't like David Suchet as a bad guy, instead of Poirot. :) But I will when we finish.
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Hooray, you got your oven!! I do have Amazon Prime, so will plan on watching with you when we're done reading. It's hard for me to read more than one book at a time and I hesitate putting TWWLN aside to read something else. Might lose my momentum! No pressure to keep up and, of course, I won't post any spoilers :)
DeleteWhat fun to resume your home project. I also like the look of the food. Yum!
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your reading, and thanks for visiting my blog.
Laurel-Rain Snow - I'm glad we don't have a hard deadline, but I'd sure like to move into the house soon...
DeleteIt looks nice & warm there in SW Florida. We are in a deep freeze here for the whole week which is not good, but cozy staying by the fire. I wish you well with Trollope ... 800 pages reminds me of The Goldfinch which took me a month. Enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteSusan - Spending so much time on Trollope has me questioning whether this will be the year for The Goldfinch after all! ;-)
DeleteI am glad you are enjoying such pleasant weather, JoAnn. Ours is fairly nice as well. We need to buy Mouse a new pair of tennis shoes for a new dance class she wants to try (hip hop), but other than that, it's going to be a laid back day. Mouse and her dad are working on her latest Lego project while I do a few blog visits. I hope the home renovations go without a hitch! I have so many ideas for our house, but time and money are the biggest obstacles. I can dream for now though . . . I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWendy - Sounds like you guys had a very peaceful Sunday... always a good thing. Hope Mouse enjoys her new dance class. My daughters loved them at that age, too. Fingers crossed for continued progress on the house!
DeleteWe had gorgeous low to high 60s weather this weekend - so weird but, I'll take it. Glad the renovation work is back in progress.
ReplyDeleteDiane - High 60s? Wow! We had record heat over the weekend, too. Naples, south of us, set a record for the highest temp of ANY January day ever! Hope the warm weather continues for you a little longer. Have a good week :)
DeleteLovely picture! I didn't realize the Trollope was such a chunkster. It sounds really good but I get a bit impatient with lengthy books. I would probably have to save this one for vacation when I have much more uninterrupted time.
ReplyDeleteIliana - I think this is one of Trollopes longest. Many consider it his masterpiece. It's excellent, but taking a LONG time to read.
DeleteStarting with an 800 page book will just seem to set you back in your reading goal! I’ll have to give Trollope a try one day, heck maybe this year! I had another book on my list for 2020 & it’s a Trollope but I think the author is a woman’s first name. My list is inside....too lazy to get up right now! Ha
ReplyDeleteCongrats on moving ahead with renovations. We are still planning on the bathroom after getting a new shower stall.
Love your weather report!
Tina - Starting the year with an 800-pager may not have been the best strategy, lol! I think there is a female author named Joanna Trollope... even think I read something by her several year ago. Hope it's a good one!
DeleteI envy your weather and "a wonderful routine week." Happy to hear construction is back underway. Picking everything is always so much fun.
ReplyDeleteSorry Southern Lady Code didn't work for you. I enjoyed it, but agree that in print it might have been harder to like.
Have a great week!
Susie - It seems like 'routine weeks' are few and far between these days, so I embrace them when they happen. Hope you have a good week, too!
DeleteThat weather - beautiful! It's pretty gross and gray here today. Lol.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your projects and your week!! :)
Erin - This is always the time of year I think moving to Florida was the best idea ever. Might be a different story in August ;-)
DeleteThat marina pic is lovely. I have a thing for boats and water.
ReplyDeleteMy reading week is going so well. I have been on fire with my reading. I chalk it up to good book picks. I just picked up #7 for the year and I can tell it's going to be a little bit of a challenge. Not a page turner like the others before it. It's Bunny by Mona Awad. Reminding me too much of Mean Girls and Heathers.
Ti - You've been reading like a madwoman lately... a streak of good books will do that! Hope it continues a bit longer for you :)
DeleteWhat a lovely cheery photo.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - Thanks... hope your week is off to a good start!
DeleteThe white chicken chili dip sounds delicious! I have to admit I'm a little bit jealous of those finishing books on audio. I can only do it if I'm a captive audience on a road trip ;)
ReplyDeleteBecki - I'm a big audiobook fan. Most of my listening used to be in the car (when I spent a lot more time driving alone) but now my morning walks are my favorite listening time.
DeleteJoAnn, I am pleased to hear you are enjoying the quiet post-holiday, pre-winter break lull, and you are reading and trying new recipes.
ReplyDeleteThis past week, I have been reading the science-fiction, thriller, Cold Fire by Dean Koontz and my new cookbook, Quick Cooking by Mary Berry - So I am looking forward to trying plenty of new recipes soon!
Jessica - A sci-fi thriller sounds like a good winter read... and you know I love cookbooks, too. Will look forward to hearing about the new recipes you try. Most of my cookbooks are in storage, so I'd like to borrow a couple from the library this week. We'll see what catches my eye! Hope your week is off to a good start.
DeleteI can see that an 800 page book could make your reading goal seem slow. I'm glad you are enjoying it though. Your recipes sound good too. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I probably should have gotten well ahead of my reading goal and then picked up the 800-pager... now I know for next year, lol!
DeleteGoodreads is just too persistent! I haven't finished a book even so I'm staying out of Goodreads web for now. It's easier on the mobile app, lol.
ReplyDeleteOne of these days, I will read Trollope because of how much you recommend it. If I do, which one would you recommend as the first book?
Athira - I may have to stay away from goodreads until I finish Trollope, lol! The other Trollope novels I've read have been the 6 Barsetshire Chronicles and 6 Palliser novels, and I much preferred the Barsetshires. Unfortunately the first book, The Warden, was actually my least favorite ... though it's also fairly short. If you can make it to the second, Barchester Towers, that one is excellent!
DeleteBeautiful weather highlighted in your photo - nice! Also, I do love a wonderfully routine week. A happy week to you!
ReplyDeleteOh, how I love that picture with the blue sky and puffy white clouds! We have had nothing but rain and wind for a couple of weeks. I know it will eventually clear off, but I'm getting a little tired of the constant gloom and damp. At least it's not snowing!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see pictures of your new cabinets. I'll bet your kitchen is going to be stunning once it's finished.
I'm re-reading an old Barbara Kingsolver novel (The Bean Trees) and absolutely loving it. I hope to re-read at least one book every month this year. On audio, I'm listening to The Girls. I think this is missing the mark for me. I just don't care about Evie and find my mind wandering as I listen. Of course, my new favorite podcasts (What Should I Read Next and He Read She Read) have been competing for listening time, so it's easy to ignore Emma Cline's novel. I'm giving up, though, since I've started and quit four other audiobooks in the past month.
Les - I'm so glad you're enjoying the podcasts! I've got several that I'm trying out and they always have me adding another book or two to the wish list. It just never ends, lol.
DeleteThink I mentioned to yo that I'll be rereading Animal Dreams in a couple of months for the library book club. I also just picked up a copy of Unsheltered, so will give that a try this year, too... maybe even as a read/listen combo.
Hoping to finish the Trollope this week and move on to a short book! ;-)
Your photos of Florida always make me want to pack my bags and head south--such a beautiful sky.
ReplyDeleteYes, GoodReads can be a bit of a nag when it comes to long books. I read War and Peace early last year and was behind in my book count for quite awhile!
JaneG - I'm falling further behind on goodreads but mostly managing to ignore it. Hoping to finish Trollope this week and start a coupe of short books, lol!
Delete