Hello, friends. It's a beautiful day in Florida and I feel strangely calm. Yes, the pandemic is still raging out of control and, as a country, we face all the same problems as a week ago. BUT I feel more secure now knowing experienced, competent professionals are in charge.
The highlight last week was being able to see my father-in-law again... the first time since early November. My sister-in-law drove him over and we were all able to visit for a couple of hours. He's doing well now, but has lost some weight. My mission is to fix that!
I tried two new recipes this week, both featuring Asian flavors. First up was Hoisin Pork Tenderloin from Taste of Home. (After last week's dry pork chops, it was back to a tenderloin.) I couldn't tell you the last time I purchased either ramen noodles or hoisin sauce, so this was a tasty change of pace for us. It was pretty simple to prepare, too. My daughter especially loved it.
READ LAST WEEK//
The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton
I love this book more every time I read it. This was my third time, but the first read/listen combination. I used an audible credit and chose Lorna Raver's narration. Definitely another 5-star experience!
The online T Book Club event is later this week. Claire Messed will be the guest speaker and I can't wait to hear her take on Undine Spragg. She is one of the most memorable characters I've ever come across! I'll give you an update next weekend and let you know about the next selection, too.
UP NEXT//
I just finished The Custom of the Country this morning and am not sure what I'll pick up next.
Under consideration are:
The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Middlemarch by George Eliot (another reread)
IN THE KITCHEN//
I tried two new recipes this week, both featuring Asian flavors. First up was Hoisin Pork Tenderloin from Taste of Home. (After last week's dry pork chops, it was back to a tenderloin.) I couldn't tell you the last time I purchased either ramen noodles or hoisin sauce, so this was a tasty change of pace for us. It was pretty simple to prepare, too. My daughter especially loved it.
A few days later I made Sweet Lemon Shrimp from Damn Delicious. The shrimp is marinated in a mixture that contains hoisin sauce (again!), honey, and plenty of fresh lemon juice. She says to marinate 30 minutes to overnight, but I think the lemon would become overpowering if you left it too long. I ended up marinating for an hour and a half. We roasted the shrimp as the recipe said, but they would be good grilled, too.
Today I made my father-in-law's favorite Cinnamon Sugar Apple Cake from Pinch of Yum. We're planning to see him for dinner.
How was your week? What have you been 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 am with you one hundred percent. We face the same problems, but I now feel like we have competent people in charge.
ReplyDeleteI bet it was wonderful to see your father-in-law again. We haven't seen our son and his wife since 2019, since we'd planned to get together in the spring of 2020.
Custom of the Country is going onto my list. I definitely want to read a book you enjoyed so much.
The pork tenderloin and the shrimp dish both sound fabulous.
Deb - So sad the pandemic has kept families apart. My heart breaks for those that could not be with their loved ones or say goodbye before they died. We feel very fortunate this week.
DeleteOooh, that apple cake looks good! I'm glad your FIL is doing better and that he has you to take care of him. I just downloaded a short plot summary of Custom because it's been so long since I read it...I remember Undine vividly but not the details of the story. I noticed that event on my calendar and thought I should do some homework. Save me a seat!
ReplyDeleteAudrey - Glad you're going to the T Book Club... let's sit together! ;-) That apple cake is a keeper. I've made it countless time and it's always delicious.
DeleteI'm reading the Warmth of Other Suns right now. She is an amazing writer. Tough stories but so worth it. Transcendent Kingdom is also on my list. I have yet to read a George Eliot book but Middlemarch has been on my list for awhile now. I'm hoping this year. I haven't heard of the Custom of the Country from Edith Wharton, but I've also had her on my classics list. I may have to read this one as an audiobook! Glad it's so beautiful down in Florida right now. Someone should enjoy some sun! We've had snow and rain and clouds all weekend. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteHeather - I decided to start The Warmth of Other Suns and already agree with you... Wilkerson is an amazing writer!!
DeleteI feel calm, too, although our weather is the opposite of yours right now. Windy, hail and rain! We got home from our walk right before it started to hail.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you guys were able to see your FIL again! I'll bet he was happy to see everyone and have a change of scenery. He's probably happy to get your home cooking, too. :)
That Hoisin Pork Tenderloin looks fabulous. I'm definitely going to give it a try. The Sweet Lemon Shrimp sound good, too. I would think that the lemon juice would almost cook the shrimp if you let it marinate overnight. Kind of like ceviche.
Enjoy your week, JoAnn!
Les - Last week was a relief in many ways. The inauguration, of course, but it was so good to see my FIL again! I'd prepared myself for him to be in worse shape than he actually was. It's done him a world of good to be able to spend time with family again. Things are definitely looking up!
DeleteA much calmer week and a very moving inauguration as well. We've been eating quite a bit of shrimp and a few asian dishes as well. Curious about the sweet lemon shrimp recipe. Hope you have a good week JoAnn.
ReplyDeleteDiane - The shrimp dish was very easy and I'll definitely make it again. I think the 1 - 2 hour range is fine to let it marinate... as Les said, much longer and it'd be ceviche! Have a good week :)
DeleteI love the beach photo! It’s supposed to snow here tonight and tomorrow. I’m not looking forward to it. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
AJ - The snow is beautiful, but I'm not really missing it. Ha!
DeleteThe Warmth of Other Suns was a tough book -- I tried to read it but found it so disturbing that I gave up. Wilkerson's book Caste is also hard to read, but I persisted and it was very informative and ultimately enjoyable to learn so much. Rereading classic authors like Wharton and George Eliot is a great idea.
ReplyDeletebe safe... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - I started The Warmth of Other Suns today and am already impressed by her writing. We'll see how I do with the disturbing parts. Eventually I'd like to read Caste, too.
DeleteMmm I love hoisin sauce and pork! That apple cake sounds delicious. Kind of sad I only have one apple in the house and I've already done my weekly shopping. :-(
ReplyDeleteJinjer - I'd forgotten how much I like hoisin sauce! Think it will find it's way into some other recipes before long. Hope you get to try the apple cake... maybe next week! ;-)
DeleteNice to see family. I miss my children so much - its been almost an year as Australia has closed borders and the general view is that 2021 will be closed fully as well.
ReplyDeleteMystica - I sure hope you get to see your children before too much long. This pandemic has been so tough on so many families. Take care!
DeleteLooks like you are enjoying wonderful weather!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week
Shelleyrae - This is the best time of year in Florida!
DeleteYes, the relief is pervasive! I will have to give Edith Wharton another go. I have liked the books I have read by her. The Warmth of Other Suns is a book I will never forget and I also loved Transcendent Kingdom. This week I am going to dive into Solaris by Stanislaw Lem, Polish sci fi writer from the 20th century. It is going to be Polish month for me with Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk coming up for a reading group.
ReplyDeleteJudy - I decided to start The Warmth of Other Suns today and am already impressed by the writing. It so compelling, too. Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead is on my list. Will look forward to your thoughts.
DeleteBoth recipes sound good. I haven't tried a new one for a while. I'm with you about finally having competent governance. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - The whole thing is a relief in so many ways. I'm even sleeping better at night, lol! Happy reading.
DeleteWhat a difference a week can make, especially when we now have professional people running the country!
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Rachel to the Rescue...and loved it!
Enjoy your week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
Laurel-Rain Snow - I was worried the events of January 6th might decrease your enjoyment of Rachel to the Rescue... so glad that was not the case. Elinor Lipman is a gem!
DeleteI'm glad you were able to see your FIL and you will be able to fatten him up with your lovely meals! I especially like the sound of cinnamon apple cake.
ReplyDeleteNow that yuo mention it, we have had some dry pork chops and it turned us off to buying it again. I need to try the tenderloin.
Tina - I'm sure there's a trick to keeping pork chops moist, but I haven't made them enough to master it. Maybe I'll let my husband grill them next time... that might help. Getting the weight back on my FIL has become my mission, lol!
DeleteOh, I love this foodie post. I am also so glad you could spend time with your FIL. Finally! If you keep cooking meals like that then he will add some pounds in no time.
ReplyDeleteI love the photo you included too. Look at that sky. So inviting.
Ti - It's funny, but my FIL's weight has almost become an obsession. I'm always looking for new dinner or dessert recipes he might like! Think he's up a couple of pounds just in the last week, lol.
DeleteI have got to prioritize Custom of the Country - a three-peat is a definite recommendation.
ReplyDeleteSo nice that you were able to see your father-in-law. This pandemic has definitely taken its toll on all of us in different ways. I am filled with hope for the coming months.
Take care and read on!
JaneGS - Undine is the epitome of the expression "piece of work"... Wharton outdid herself in creating that character! I was supposed to read The Buccaneers next (especially after reading The Husband Hunters last year) but the T book club selection changed my plans. Maybe I'll get to it later this year. I seem to be more excited about the classics again... hope it lasts!
DeleteThe sun!! What is that like? Lol. And your dinners all sound so good. It sounds like your FIL will be eating well at your house!
ReplyDeleteErin - This is such a beautiful time here in Florida... too bad it can't last all year! Very thankful to be able to see my FIL again. We'll get that weight back on him soon!
DeleteI'm glad your father in law is all right & could visit, nice! It is also nice the country has been turned over to a real adult to govern. There is much relief and hope I think. It sounds like you will have a great discussion over the Wharton book .... pls report back on this. Enjoy.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan - I'll be sure to post an update about tomorrow's meeting. My book club went to hear Claire Messud speak at Colgate University a few years ago and she was quite impressive. Very smart and articulate. I'm sure she'll give a great presentation on The Custom of the Country!
DeleteOh, I would love to be able to have some of that nice weather! No such luck in the Pacific Northwest.
ReplyDeleteI've never read The Custom of the Country, but I've been working on classics through the Serial app, so I might check to see if they have that. - Melinda @ A Web of Stories
Melinda - I used to read a lot of classics, but not as many in the last couple of years. Hoping to change it up this year. I tried the serial app years ago, but I either wanted to read ahead or fell behind! Hope you're having better luck.
DeleteSuch a nice post! We're in a cold spell here in the Northeast U.S. Brrr! I'm just catching up with Monday posts at the end of the day. I need to retire! I'm tired of working; it really cuts into my reading time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Laurie. I have to say that retirement has been the best... despite the pandemic! Hope you get some sunshine. That helps even when it's cold. Have a good week.
DeleteThat is so great that you're able to visit with your father-in-law. We have not seen our family since March. I'm so tired of this pandemic but like you said, there does seem to be a more hopeful air. Thank goodness. I just hope now we can have some good direction/action about what we need to do to get this under control and just so many other things we need to work on. I really need to read some Edith Wharton. Have only read one of her novels which I really enjoyed so what am I waiting for right? Hope you have a wonderful week ahead!
ReplyDeleteIliana - Seeing my FIL has been one of the most positive things that's happened in a long time. He really is doing much better! Edith Wharton has become a favorite over the years (not sure why it's taking so long to read the bio I purchased years ago) and it's going to be fun to hear what Claire Messud has to say about The Custom of the Country tonight.
DeleteI'm also very glad to be safely under the Biden administration. And even though the vaccine distribution has been frustrating, at least we have a vaccine. Six months ago, we didn't even know if there would be a vaccine at all.
ReplyDeletePinch of Yum is my favorite food blogger! Her recipes are so creative, healthy, and delicious.
I'm reading Life Class by Pat Barker, which is the first in a trilogy about England during WWI.
Aileen - Things are definitely looking up with a new administration. I'm hoping we can get my husband signed up for a vaccine this week... fingers crossed.
DeletePinch of Yum is one of my favorites, too. Her recipes always turn out so well.
I've heard of Barker's Regeneration trilogy, but not this one... off to investigate!