Hello, friends! It's a beautiful summer day in southern Connecticut - lots of sunshine, low humidity, and a nice breeze. A perfect day for being outdoors! I'm planning to go for a walk after finishing this post and spend the rest of the afternoon at a nearby park.
It's been a full week with our daughter and her boyfriend here until Tuesday evening, then carpet installation on Wednesday and Thursday. On Friday we did some exploring up the Connecticut River, but I forgot to take photos... so above is another picture of the garden at Harkness Memorial State Park from a week ago.
Read last week//
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
I mentioned in my review of The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah that it primarily made me want to reread Steinbeck's novel, and I didn't waste any time. After 40+ years, it's surprising how much of Steinbeck's story stuck with me over the decades. It is truly an American classic! I'm planning to watch PBS's Ken Burns documentary, The Dust Bowl, this week and will post about my entire foray into the Dust Bowl as soon as possible.
Current reading//
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
audio edition narrated by Carrie Hope Fletcher and Kwaku Fortune
After finishing The Grapes of Wrath last night, it was time to lighten up! Listening to the What Should I Read Next? podcast, this book was mentioned by the guest as being light and especially good on audio. The audio version was available for immediate download from my library via hoopla and I already have the ebook on my kindle. The first chapter sounds like this will be just what I need. So much for my July reading plans...
In the kitchen//
I tried a couple of new recipes last week and also returned to an old favorite. I made Fish Florentine from skinnytaste using halibut which we all enjoyed. Last night I made Slow Cooker Thai Peanut Chicken from Well-Plated by Erin. It was good (wish I'd sprinkled chopped peanuts prior to serving), but I'm not sure I'd make it again. For lunches I made Napa Chicken Salad with Sesame Dressing from Pinch of Yum. I use a bag of broccoli slaw instead of the cabbage...this recipe has become a favorite!
The big hit was a super easy Puff Pastry Galette from Simply Delicious! I made one with blueberries and one with strawberries. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream to make it even more special.
The week ahead//
I'm looking forward to a neighborhood get-together early this week. We'll gather on one of the cul de sacs... everyone brings their own chairs, beverage of choice, and a snack to share. It will be a great opportunity to meet more of the neighbors. Then mid-week we'll drive up to NY to spend some time with my parents. Should be a great week!
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.
Lovely picture! Enjoy your walking and also your neighborhood get together. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kay! I just need to figure out what to make/bring for the get together.
DeleteI think you are wise to read something light like The Flatshare after your reread of The Grapes of Wrath. I remember Grapes of Wrath as one of my all-time most moving reads.
ReplyDeleteThose galettes look great. I like how much easier they are than pies, though I don't remember going to the trouble of making puff pastry for them.
Enjoy your neighborhood get-together, JoAnn!
Deb - After two Dust Bowl novels, The Flatshare should be a perfect change of pace. The Grapes of Wrath is in a class all by itself when it comes to American literature and I completely agree about it being one of the most moving reads ever!
DeleteI did not make the puff pastry for the galettes (although I have made my own in the past). What makes this recipe so quick and simple is using frozen puff pastry... only takes a few minutes to put it all together!
A neighborhood party sounds like so much fun! It seems like getting the condo in CT has been a really great decision for you.
ReplyDeleteHelen - Getting a place here has been a great move for us! We love where we lived in central NY, but it was just too hard for the kids to get to from NYC. We still have a few friends in the area from when we lived here 30+ years ago, so an easy transition for us.Proximity to NYC, makes it a win all around!
DeleteYour weather sounds lovely! We are enjoying sunny, warm (upper 60s) weather, too. I broke out the shorts and flip-flops yesterday. Whoohoo! :) I did yoga this morning and will head out for a walk later. I should do some yardwork, but I think I'll sit on the deck and read all afternoon!
ReplyDeleteI may do a personal "chunkster" challenge later in the year and a reread of The Grapes of Wrath is high on that list. I'm so glad you enjoyed it as much as the first time around. I think it was 1977 when I read it. I thought it was great! I'll be curious to hear your thoughts on The Flatshare. I remember seeing it on a few blogs a while back.
I love galettes and plan to make one or two for our visitors later this month. My favorite is peach, but strawberry is also very good.
Your neighborhood gathering sounds just like ours, only we meet in someone's driveway. Lots of fun and important to be outside where we can breathe the fresh air!
I'm almost finished with Klara and the Sun, which I'm enjoying, but can't say that I love it. Not sure what's next, but it will be something for Paris in July.
Have a great week, JoAnn. Enjoy your visit with your folks!
Les - Everyone here has been saying how perfect the weather has been, but honestly this is just how I remember it from the 80s! Glad you finally broke out the short and flip-flops. I had to put mine away briefly when we were here in April, and I missed them. An afternoon reading on the deck sounds perfect... I hope your afternoon worked out that way.
DeleteI read The Grapes of Wrath for the first time in 1975 or 76. I don't think I fully understood much of the time period then, but it still made quite an impression. East of Eden and Travels with Charley are my favorite Steinbecks, but GoW is just the perfect American novel.
The Flatshare will be a complete change of pace... and I think a British rom-com is just what I need after two heavy, emotionally draining novels. So glad it popped up on the podcast I was listening to last night.
When we start getting peaches, I'll certainly use them for this galette recipe. I'm not a huge fan, but they're my daughter's boyfriend's favorite. And the frozen puff pastry makes it ridiculously easy.
I'll be interested in your final thoughts on Klara and the Sun. Seems like one I should read, but am just not sure it's for me...
Hope you have a great week!
Sounds like you've been busy. The Flatshare is on my wishlist. It looks good. Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - The Flatshare is off to a strong start... think it will be perfect after the last two heavier novels.
DeleteIt is cool (71 degrees) and rainy here in NC. I played some games with my family this afternoon, now I am blogging before settling in for an evening of reading. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteCindy - I do love a rainy day at home every now and then. Games (or a puzzle), blogging, and reading would be my preferred activities, too. Enjoy!
DeleteAll of those recipes sound so good! I bought the Well Plated cookbook on a whim and have bookmarked a bunch of recipes in it, as well as some on the blog, but have only tried one -- a butternut squash, chicken and wild rice casserole -- and had exactly the same reaction as you had to your chicken. I'm especially intrigued by the salad -- and love your idea of using broccoli slaw. I'm definitely going to "borrow" that idea from you. :)
ReplyDeleteSomeone else mentioned The Flat Share to me a little while ago, so I'm going to look for it. I'm glad you're having fun exploring Connecticut!
Audrey - I didn't know Well-Plated had a cookbook! The Thai Peanut Chicken was good, but didn't quite make the regular rotation cut. As for the chicken salad, it's definitely a winner! Broccoli slaw adds more veggies (a plus!) and I use maple syrup in the dressing, not sugar. Keeping everything in separate containers and then tossing prior to serving keeps it all crunchy. Hope you like it!
DeleteI love the photo. I have Thai Peanut Chicken planned to make soon which is a different recipe so I'll have to compare them and decide which one looks the best. I want to watch The Dust Bowl and more from Ken Burns. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteVicki - Let me know how your Thai Peanut Chicken turns out. I love those flavors and would like to try another recipe. We'll have to compare notes after watching the Dust Bowl series.
DeleteHave fun with the neighborhood party. We haven't had one on our street in ages.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - The neighborhood gatherings we had in Florida were always so much fun. Can't wait to get to know more of our neighbors here, too!
DeleteWhat a keeper of a photo from Harkness! I love it! And I'm so glad you've had a wonderful experience reading The Grapes of Wrath. I read it in my twenties--not connected with any class--and was bowled over by the power of Steinbeck's writing. Will never forget it, and it is more than worth a re-read.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I thrill to your culinary adventures! Best to you.
Anonymous - Sorry your name didn't come through in the post. Steinbeck is one of my favorite authors and I would list East of Eden and Travels with Charley as all-time favorites. I agree that the writing in The Grapes of Wrath was just so powerful... probably a candidate for THE great American novel. I enjoy cooking and experimenting with various recipes and flavor... have to do more than read all the time ;-)
DeleteJoAnn, what a full week you had and next week looks great as well, I slwys look forward to what you made in the kitchen and I'd say your family and friends are lucky to be the recipients of your love of cooking. I've never made Napa chicken salad but the Panera version is one of my favorites when we occasionally did curbside. Enjoy your time with the new neighbors and family in NY.
ReplyDeleteDiane - I love that Panera salad, too, but haven't had it in ages. Cooking has been a hobby for long time, but I enjoyed it more as the kids got older and were willing to experiment along with me. Dining out has been one of my husband's "retirement pleasures" so I'm glad we can still enjoy outside dining at most of our favorite spots.
DeleteThe weather really was gorgeous today - glad you were able to enjoy it! Always love reading about your recipes - I am not much of a cook, but always looking to be inspired!
ReplyDeleteAngela - Today really was the perfect weather day! So glad we could get out and enjoy it. I've always enjoyed cooking. Right after college, a friend and I took a series of French cooking classes from a local chef. They were mostly fussy recipes I haven't used in years, but I'm always on the lookout for delicious dishes that can be prepared easily at home!
DeleteGreat idea to read The Grapes of Wrath -- I've been thinking about it since following the modern highway that replaced old Route 66 where the Okies traveled. It's been a long time since I read it.
ReplyDeletebest... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - Rereading The Grapes of Wrath after so many years was a great, albeit draining, reading experience. I think Travels with Charley will be my next Steinbeck reread.
DeleteOh! Low humidity sounds heavenly, though I’m grateful for the rain we’ve been getting! Yes, many parts of classics stick with me as well. I’m not sure if I read The Grapes of Wrath, but I just may have to pick it up. Thank you sharing!
ReplyDeleteI loved Anne Bogel’s I’d Rather Be Reading, so you can be I just subscribed to her podcast! Your neighborhood get-together sounds like it will be fun! Happy reading!
Miaismine - I've gotten some great reading suggestions from Anne Bogel's podcast. Hope you do, too!!
DeleteFirst, thank you for your nice comment abouot my return to blogging. I am so sorry you also fell, it's so hard to get over the knee injuries. I have been using the RICE method. Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation and it helps.
ReplyDeleteI liked Beth O'Leary's books but the Switch was particularly good. It's nice to have older characters in stories :-) Her grandmother in that one was fabulous.
Funny you mentioned the peanut sauce and chicken. I was going to make a slow cooker dish using peanut sauce and rice noodles but the bottled sauce I bought had three peppers for the spice/heat level. Too hot so I didn't even open it. Looking for a milder version.
Tina - Glad to hear your knee is improving. Mine is just cuts and scrapes, but I'm kind of angry CVS would leave the rebar spindles protruding from the pavement. Grr!
DeleteI'm enjoying The Flatshare so far - very light and the perfect change of pace from the Dust Bowl reading. Will add The Switch to my list. That sounds great, too.
The peanut sauce I made for the recipe wasn't too spicy, but I would have liked more peanut flavor. If I try it again, I'll add more peanut butter and sprinkle crushed peanuts on top.
Oh, yes, The Four Winds does bring to mind Grapes of Wrath! Now I may need to reread some Steinbeck!
ReplyDeleteI loved The Flatshare, and after reading it, I went on to enjoy more from the author.
Your cul-de-sac get-together sounds wonderful. Thanks for sharing, and enjoy the week.
Laurel-Rain Snow - While reading The Four Winds, I was struck by the similarities to GoW, but had to reread Steinbeck's novel to be sure. The Flatshare was such a good choice to follow up... nice and light and a complete change of pace! I'm enjoying it very much so far.
DeleteYour weather sounds great. Right now, rain is pouring down at my house. Your neighborhood gathering sounds like fun. I've lived here for five years now and only know the names of two of my neighbors. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - June and July have been pretty perfect weather-wise here and I'm hoping that continues for the rest of the summer. This seems to be a pretty social neighborhood so far... looking forward to meeting a few more people this week! Happy reading!
DeleteI read THE FLATSHARE a few years ago and really enjoyed it! I am hoping to get to Beth O'Leary latest at some point. Have a great week! - Melinda @ A Web of Stories
ReplyDeleteMelinda - I'm over halfway through The Flatshare and really enjoying it... the perfect book for right now!
DeleteSounds like you had a good week!
ReplyDeleteThat Napa Chicken Salad sounds really good and I bookmarked the recipe for next week's meal plan! One meal down, four more to go. LOL I also checked California Pizza Kitchen's menu to see if it is anything like my favorite salad of theirs. It's been 6 years since I've had one so I forgot what all is in it! Turns out theirs is a Thai Crunch salad so it has cucumbers & peanuts and a peanut dressing...and Edamame, which I always have them remove. Yuck. lol Anyway, totally different salad so I'm really excited to try the Napa salad!
Also bookmarked the Puff Pastry Galette recipe! Wow!! Yum!
Loved Grapes of Wrath and the Ken Burns doc about the Dust Bowl is really good (as all his docs are).
Enjoy your neighborhood get together and drive to New York!
Jinjer - Can you believe I've never been to a California Pizza Kitchen?? One opened in a mall about 20 miles away in FL and I'm hoping we can try it one of these days. I'm not a big fan of edamame either. We had a great time at the neighborhood gathering last night and will be driving to NY tomorrow, so lots of fun stuff this week. Haven't gotten to the documentary yet...
DeleteWhen I read The Grapes of Wrath (for the first time in my 60's) I was mostly amazed by how political it turned out to be. I finally understood why it has been banned and challenged so much. The Napa salad, especially when made with bagged veggies, sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteCheriee - It's interesting how relevant The Grapes of Wrath still is today... and how many of the same issues still face members of our society! Sigh...
DeleteI can see how you would be needing a lighter read after The Four Winds and The Grapes of Wrath! Grapes of Wrath is a fantastic novel, but very intense and sobering.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your beautiful summer :)
JaneGS - I agree. The Grapes of Wrath is one of the most intense and sobering novels I've ever read! The Flatshare is proving to be a delightful change of pace... just what I need.
DeleteWow those pastry puffs look delicious! I have listened to the Flatshare and it is light and a bit fun. I hope you are enjoying Conn and NY ....
ReplyDeleteSusan - The Flatshare was a lot of fun. I especially liked it on audio and ended up mostly listening. Will remember to try O'Leary's other books when I need something lighter.
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