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:
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.
I'm so happy about your ankle and your house...and sincerely hoping that we'll all be joyously happy soon (all of us except you-know-who, that is). I just finished The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine (not my favorite of her books, but I liked the ending!) and am saving Elinor Lipman's Rachel to the Rescue for tomorrow ...
ReplyDeleteAudrey - I've got a copy of The Grammarians here somewhere... my daughter won a goodreads giveaway and passed it on to me. She liked it but hasn't read Schine's other novels, so I appreciate your opinion. Rachel to the Rescue sounds like so much fun. Hope to get to it soon. Let me know what you think!
DeleteYou've had some good news this week. Your ankle is better (hurray!) and your house is finished (wonderful!)
ReplyDeleteInteresting that you didn't love Anxious People at the start. I will remember that when I finally get my copy.
My mom used to make chicken pot pie every now and then and bring each of her children pies. That's a good memory.
Deb - When you get to Anxious People, be sure to give it 25%... I think YOu'll end up enjoying it!
DeleteGlad your ankle is healing and thanks for the book ideas. The Address Book sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteJudee - Such an interesting topic. I'm enjoying The Address Book!
DeleteGood news regarding both the house and your ankle! I've got the Backman novel coming up soon from the library and you had me nervous at first but it sounds like I'm going to enjoy it a lot!
ReplyDeleteLisa - This was my first experience with Backman. Think I'll have to give his earlier novels a try!
DeleteJoAnn--I'm so happy and relieved to hear that you will soon be settling into your new home. And equally glad to hear your ankle is strengthening. I'll be so interested to learn of your November Nonfiction reads. I'm just finishing up The Nine by Jeffrey Toobin. As an audio it took some time, but has been more than worth it. I can't wait to read a bio of Chief Justice John Roberts, after he's left the bench. He's a few years younger than I (I think just a couple), so it may be awhile. He interests me enormously, in fact his entire career interests me. Not to mention his recent decisions and opinions.
ReplyDeleteWe all need to take care of ourselves this week. I'm wary and a bit frightened based on incidents reported in the NYTimes.
Judith - I'm so glad you continue to enjoy The Nine. That's the book that sparked a long string of Supreme reading for me. The new bio of John Roberts, The Chief by Joan Biskupic, was fascinating. Perhaps the most encouraging point for me was that above all else, Roberts seems to value the public perception of the judiciary. He seems committed to keeping it nonpartisan. I'd love to hear your take when you get to it.
DeleteSo happy the house is done and the ankle has healed well.
ReplyDeleteI'm so ready for the election to be over, every day my anxiety escalates yet I feel positive change is in the air by the sheer numbers that have already voted. I'm glad u persisted with Anxious People; Quirky yes but wow!
Diane - Yes, the early voting numbers are enormously encouraging. I have a feeling it's going to be a long night tonight...
DeleteI've heard good things about both books you mentioned. Glad to hear your ankle is better and that you're in your house for Thanksgiving! I cannot wait until this election is decided.
ReplyDeleteHelen - Being able to go for walks, even short ones, has been good for my anxiety level before the election.
DeleteI may need to resume reading Anxious People. I also stopped at around 20%, so I am reassured that the book can be good.
ReplyDeleteI love salmon, so that Pistachio-crusted salmon sounds delicious.
Enjoy your week and your books, and may we enjoy a clear winner on Tuesday!
Laurel-Rain Snow - Anxious People took me two tries, but I'm glad I kept going the second time around. I have a feeling you will enjoy the characters!
DeleteI'm so glad to hear your ankle is feeling better. Definitely be careful not to overdo it! I was not very good at that when I broke my ankle and I think it about doubled my recovery time!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - I'm trying to be so careful with my ankle... it would be horrible to make things worse by overdoing it.
DeleteYay regarding your ankle, and new house!
ReplyDeleteYour comments on Anxious People have been common, and everyone I’ve seen who persevered loved it, as did I.
Wishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - I didn't realize so many readers struggled early with Anxious People... wish I'd known that going in. So glad I persevered!
DeleteHey, so exciting about your house! You can actually move in, that's terrific! It's hard not to think about the election: I've had the news off but still hard to focus. I hope there are some blue biden/harris signs somewhere in Florida, though I know unfortunately there's a sea of red there, sigh. It's worrisome. But I hope you have a great winter there. & getting your ankle fully back in time sounds promising, even short walks are essential. stay well.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan - Yes, what a week! We did have plenty of blue here on the island, but obviously not enough statewide. We're pleased with the outcome on the national level... hope the nightmare is over soon.
DeleteWhat a great update - your house is ready and your ankle is healing! Have fun decorating!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Angela... just hope I can start shopping again sometime next year. Hard to decorate online!
DeleteSo exciting about the house and good news on ankle. I've been hesitant to read Anxious People because of the mixed reviews, but I'll likely pick it up over the winter. The Address Book sounds fascinating.
ReplyDeleteBeth F - The audio version of Anxious People was really good, too. I ended up doing a read/listen combination.
DeleteGood news about your ankle and your house! Hopefully the good news keeps coming this week..
ReplyDeleteThat salmon looks delicious!
Erin - Eventually we got our good news... I feel 100% better!
DeleteGreat news about your house! I'm glad your ankle is healing too. Your recipes look good. I've been looking for a good chicken pot pie recipe. I hope you enjoy nonfiction November. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - I haven't quite gotten to Nonfiction November yet... so many distractions last week. Let's see what the week ahead brings. Happy reading!
DeleteI am glad to hear good news from you. Other friends are besieging me with troubles they are having. Of course the election anxiety is frightful. Trying to stay positive. Happy New House!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy. We're slowly getting settled... now if I can only get my reading back on track!
DeleteI'm so excited that your house is finished and your furniture will be arriving. How wonderful that you guys will get to be settled in your place. It's been quite a journey, right? Also so glad your ankle is better. Take it easy and I bet you'll be back to your walking routine before long. Glad you guys are doing well, JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteKay - It's good to hear from you! We are slowly settling in... at least we have beds now, lol. Haven't gotten back to reading yet, but I'm hoping things start to settle back into a comfortable pattern again soon. Take care and stay safe.
DeleteSo glad your new place is done!! Also glad to hear that your ankle is healing nicely. A small Thanksgiving gathering sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteTi - I know your family usually has a lower-key Thanksgiving and I'm looking forward to giving it a try this year. Who know, it could become a new tradition here!
DeleteCongratulations on finishing the house! Woot! Woot! And also glad that your ankle is healing. All that are so worth celebrating!
ReplyDeleteI am intensely fascinated that your street addresses can reveal more about race/wealth/etc so I need to look for that book.
Athira - Unfortunately I haven't make much progress on the book this week... too many distractions, I guess! Let's see what next week brings :)
DeleteGlad to hear the ankle is on the mend. I have to put Anxious People on the list--I'm intrigued.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the house being ready. You will have a very busy November!
I'm currently trying to figure out what to have for Thanksgiving. Two of the three kids can't join due to Covid on the rise, and my husband and daughter just informed me that they don't really care for roast turkey! So I'm open to suggestions...maybe a pork roast. Time to experiement, I guess.
Reading lots of various things--The Mirror and the Light (but very oppressive), The Overstory (amazing), Sand County Almanac (slowly). I think I want another non-fiction in there as well.
Take care and enjoy the move-in!
JaneGS - So glad you're enjoying The Overstory. I read the first story (was it just a chapter?)months ago and was impressed, but had to return it to the library. I've since purchased a copy... now to pick it up again!
DeleteOur three daughters will be here for Thanksgiving, so I will cook a turkey for the five of us. Will just need to find some recipes to help deal with all the leftovers!
I haven't read a thing all week, but hopefully I'll be able to concentrate on books again soon. Take care.
It's been very difficult to think about anything other than the election. I hope whomever wins, we have calm across the country. Wishful thinking, perhaps, but we'll do our part and hunker down.
ReplyDeleteHooray for the completion of your house! How exciting! And to be all moved in before the holidays will be wonderful. Have fun decorating!
I'm glad your ankle is doing better. I know it's hard not to resume a normal routine, but it sounds like you're taking things slowly. I haven't been out walking much, but now that I have a Peloton, I don't feel too guilty. I'm getting a great workout on that thing!
I'm glad the Backman book turned out to be a winner. I've got it ready for an audio listen. Still plodding along with The Fireman by Joe Hill.
The seafood recipe sounds delicious. A friend served us pistachio-crusted seabass several years ago and I still remember how good it was, so I'll add your recipe to our rotation. I might try it with halibut or black cod. I've never made a chicken pot pie, so I'll give yours a try.
Have a good week and think positive thoughts for a new administration!!
Les - What a weeks it's been! I'm thrilled with the election results and am hoping for the best for the lame duck term. Everything looks a little brighter this week though.
DeleteI haven't read a thing all week and didn't get to a Nonfiction November post either... just too much going on between the house and the news. Not sure I mentioned it in the post, but Anxious People was a read/listen combination for me. The audio was well done. I think you'll enjoy it.
Great news about your house. I can imagine how exciting, and exhausting, that must be.
ReplyDeleteHappy, too, to see that you ended up enjoying Anxious People so much. I still think about that one every so often and find myself trying to figure out how Backman ever put together such a great way of revealing what was really happening to those characters.
And...election night...I pray for a large enough margin either way that we don't prolong the agony for another month or so. That would be horrible for this country.
Sam - We're thrilled to finally be done with the house. Much of our "northern furniture" looks silly here, so will try to replace it slowly... hoping it's safe to shop again soon.
DeleteI'm glad the election is finally behind us. Now I am hoping for the best for a peaceful transition. Sigh.
That's great news about your house and your ankle. And, today, great news about the election! Here's hoping things we can all come together and achieve great things.
ReplyDeleteIliana - Yes, my thoughts exactly. Let the healing begin.
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