Hello, friends. It's another sunny Sunday on Sanibel. We're going to try and make it to the Farmers Market before it ends, so this will be a pretty quick post.
I didn't finish any books last week but we've been enjoying my SIL's visit, preparing some special dinners, and heading to the beach every evening for sunset. No complaints here!
Current reading//
Nine Black Robes: Inside the Supreme Court's Drive to the Right and Its Historic Consequences by Joan Biskupic
What a timely read! Only 25% in now, but I'm finding it to be a fascinating, well-researched book.
If We're Being Honest by Cat Shook
This is a goodreads giveaway win and it opens with the most original, amusing funeral scene ever! I'm about 30% in and finding it very entertaining. Hope I have more time to read in the upcoming week...
On the blog//
In the kitchen//
We love coconut shrimp around here. (It's my favorite air fryer recipe!) I recently came across Tieghan Gerard's recipe for Coconut Chicken Fingers with Bang Bang Sauce on her website, Half-Baked Harvest. This recipe bakes in the oven and was a crowd favorite last week. I can't wait to make it again!
The week ahead//
This week we'll really get down to business sorting my SIL's stuff, figuring out what to move north, and what she no longer needs. She's extended her stay here... I think it's going to take a while to get this all figured out.
We also have a couple of appointments scheduled. Plus, there's an outside chance they'll start the remaining remediation necessary before the downstairs sheetrock installation. You never know...
That's a quick look at my week. How was your? 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 very interested in Nine Black Robes. I hope you get time to finish it and share your thoughts with us.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time with your SIL at the Farmer's Market. Sunset at the beach sounds lovely, too.
Deb - Nine Black Robes is interesting, frustrating, and maddening all at once. I hadn't fully appreciated all the behind-the-scenes work on behalf of the Federalist Society.
DeleteSounds like you have a lot going on! Good luck with everything.
ReplyDeleteCindy - Thanks! Just as I was hoping things would settle down, we seem to have even more projects on our plate.
DeleteI am so glad you are having a good visit with your SIL. I'll get to see mine (and my brother) in August, which will be fun.
ReplyDeleteHelen - We haven't seen much family down here this winter, so I'm really glad she's here.
DeleteCoconut chicken sounds neat — I’ll have to look at that recipe. Good luck with helping your sister-in-law.
ReplyDeletebest, mae at maefood.blogspot.com
Mae - The chicken was really delicious, and I especially appreciated that it could be prepared ahead and the baked when needed.
DeleteLove those Samibel island sunsets. Paradise when there are no storms nearby.
ReplyDeleteHarvee - Exactly!! So glad we can escape during hurricane season.
DeleteI've been on a chicken kick lately and that Coconut chicken looks really good. Enjoy your time with your SIL and those beautiful sunsets.
ReplyDeleteVicki - This recipe is a winner! Hope you like it.
DeleteI would make the coconut chicken in a heartbeat if I wasn't the only one in the house who likes coconut! It sounds wonderful. Sorry, but Nine Black Robes just sounds too depressing for me to handle right now. That said, I'm sure it is a fascinating read. I'm gearing up for a two-week trip to Europe in two weeks, and If We're Being Honest sounds like a perfect airplane book. Will have to get that on my Kindle for the trip! Hope you have a great week. And thanks for posting about what you've been reading--I've just listened to a slew of audio books that I discovered on your site and they were all terrific. Will post on them soonish, I hope. Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteJane - I liked that chicken so much, it might be worth making a batch for yourself, freezing, and baking a few at a time as you want them. I totally get wanting to avoid the whole subject of the Supreme Court right now! For better or worse, I'm kind of addicted and can't look away. Yes, Judging from the first third, I think If We're Being Honest would be a fun airplane book. One of our daughters is getting married in October and another next September, so I'm not sure when we'll be traveling again. Can't wait to hear which audiobooks you've been listening to lately!!
DeleteThat coconut chicken looks really good! I’m always looking for new ways to prepare chicken! Have a lovely visit with your SIL and a great week ahead.
ReplyDeleteJodie - That chicken was so darn good! I'd make it again tomorrow if I could. Have a great week!
DeleteSunsets at the beach and shrimp with bang bang sauce! Does it GET any better????
ReplyDeleteOh wait, I see it's coconut chicken with bang bang sauce! Still sounds delicious!
ReplyDeleteJinjer - LOL... the first link is to the coconut shrimp recipe I use, and the second is to the chicken. The shrimp dipping sauce is slightly sweeter and the chicken recipe sauce has a little kick. I really like them both.
DeleteGlad you're having a good visit with your SIL. That's one stunning sunset! And, yum. That chicken looks delicious. I'm planning to use my air fryer a lot when we head out in the RV in late May. It's fast, easy, and the clean-up is minimal. Currently reading Go As a River, which is finally picking up. It's quite a change from my previous read (Recursion), which I couldn't put down! Have a great week, JoAnn!
ReplyDeleteLes - My SIL has a lot of work ahead of her, but it's great to have her around for a few weeks. I've come to think of my air fryer as a small convection oven, and don't use it as much as I did last year. Probably because I got out of the habit of having one when we were in CT. I've been curious about Go As a River and will look for your final thoughts. Hope you have a good week!
DeleteLooks like you are really enjoying your current reads. Have a great week.
ReplyDeletehttps://wordsandpeace.com/2023/04/23/sunday-post-84-04-23-2023/
Thanks, Emma - you, too!
DeleteI used to love coconut shrimp but my shellfish allergy increased so I can't but I will definitely try the coconut chicken recipe. That sounds amazing! Your SIL's visit sounds nice. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKatherine - The coconut chicken is the next best thing! Hope your week is off to a good start.
DeleteYour coconut shrimp looks so yummy. Have a fun visit with your SIL.
ReplyDeleteAnne - It's one of my favorite recipes. Have a great trip!
DeleteI love coconut shrimp. Coconut chicken must be good too. Nine Black Robes sounds like such an interesting book. I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteYvonne - Both recipes are perfect for any coconut lover!
DeleteThat coconut chicken looks good! We've been using our air fryer a lot lately and I love how the chicken comes out. I'll have to check out that recipe. That sunset looks beautiful. If I'm not mistaken I think Samantha Brown did a show on Sanibel in her Places to Love show. Looks very pretty.
ReplyDeleteRachel - You're right, Samantha Brown was here for a show a few years ago... it caused quite a stir! I should really use the air fryer more, but it's stored on a high shelf in another room and that always discourages me from making those recipes. But is does do a great job!
DeleteFirst of all, thank you for your recommendation for The Latecomers. Fantastic writing. I am only partially into the book but I like the style.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I missed something but is your SIL moving back north? You mentioned she had much work to do, sorting things to see what was heading north. Many times I miss Pennsylvania but not the snow.
Lots of good reading for you! I appreciate learning about new authors from my friends. We have been busy planting daylily plants and more as the house is finally painted. I'm balancing the crochet tutorial with reading, gardening and puzzle time!
Tina - I'm so happy you're enjoying The Latecomers! My sister read her previous novel, The Plot, and recommends it. I've got it on my list now. So many good books out there!
DeleteMy SIL has been living the family home in northern NY for quite a few years. Just before the pandemic, she also got a place in the community where my FIL was living. When his health started failing, she stayed down here year round. She went north last summer, then Hurricane Ian trashed her place here. It's fixed now, but rather than move back in, she's moving out. Her plan is to find a place to rent for season next year. We'll see how things shake out after that.
Sounds like work is coming along on your house... it looks so good! Once we get the inside fixed up, I'll tackle some landscaping projects, too. Hope you have a great week!
I am loving The Latecomer! I've just gotten to the part where Harrison is being driven to college and can't wait to get away. I also saw on Vicki's site she mentioned Encyclopedia of an Ordinary Life which you also highlighted :-) Will check that one soon.
DeleteThanks for the SIL story. Makes sense to rent next year until she decides what to do. We had some horrific storms roll through here yesterday (Nothing like Ian!) and are just getting electricity back. Tornado hit a neighboring town.
Tina - So glad you're still loving The Latecomer! For Encyclopedia, I would suggest reading that one slowly - maybe just a few essays a day. We've got storms rolling through tonight - heavy rain and wind. Thankfully we are not in the tornado zone. Rainy season is just about here... time to think about heading north!
DeleteSounds like you are keeping very busy. The recipe sounds great. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteKathy - Seems like it's been a whirlwind of activity here lately. Happy reading this week!
DeleteEnjoy your week! That coconut shrimp looks delicious! Here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
ReplyDeleteLaurel-Rain Snow - Oh, it was! I love anything coconut. Have a good week.
DeleteI'm glad you are reading the Nine Robes book. I am curious to hear if it's really interesting. I worked at the same time of that author at The Post and she seems astute about the court. I'm furious about the court's direction too!
ReplyDeleteSusan - I remember you mentioning that you both worked at The Post at the same time - very cool! Haven't made much progress on any of my books the past 4 or 5 days, but I will let you know.
DeleteI have a favorite old Cooking Light recipe where you bread the chicken fingers with a combination of crushed cornflakes (I use Special K), coconut and curry powder...it sounds awful but is suprisingly good. This sounds more sophisticated and much better!
ReplyDeleteAudrey - This recipe does sound very similar. I have two of Gerard's cookbooks and have had good luck with her recipes!
DeleteSounds like two great books you are reading and nicely balanced. Love that you are getting to the beach for the sunsets.
ReplyDeleteKathryn - The sunsets are the best thing about being here, especially this year since the hurricane!
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