The Sunday Salon: January 24, 2021

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!

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.

The Sunday Salon: January 17, 2021

Hello from windy, cool Florida. It's been another news-heavy week but, thankfully, reading provided a welcome diversion and kept me from becoming overwhelmed. Unfortunately, my kindle died midweek. Not a total surprise, since it had been touchy for several months. A new paperwhite arrived an hour ago... can't wait to get it set up!

Another welcome distraction this week was a virtual presentation by Audubon of Southwest Florida on my favorite pink birds- spoonbills and flamingos. Over the past couple of months, I've enjoyed exploring a variety of free online events... bookish and otherwise.

Now for the books...

FINISHED LAST WEEK//

THE FORTUNATE ONES by Ed Tarkington

The first book from my Shelf Subscription (Annie's pick) ticked all the boxes for me. Some reviewers say it's reminiscent of The Great Gatsby - and I can see that in terms of theme - but I was reminded more of the late Pat Conroy. This was such a well-written coming-of-age story... definitely one to sink into the pages and lose yourself! 

Intuitive Eating: A Practical Guide to Make Peace with Food, Free Yourself from Chronic Dieting, and Reach Your Natural Weight by Evelyn Tribole,  Elyse Resch 

This book was mentioned in our local newspaper early last week. I was curious enough to check the library for a copy and found the audio available via hoopla. It was an interesting listen, but probably nothing you don't already know. Still, it's good to be reminded every now and then. The audio was about four hours long and it went even faster since I increased the speed.

CURRENT READING//

THE CUSTOM OF THE COUNTRY by Edith Wharton

I didn't make much progress this week. Between my kindle being out of commission and the impulse listen about food and eating, Edith was pushed to the back burner. It will become my primary read now that the new kindle has arrived. I want to finish before the T Book Club zoom next week.

IN THE KITCHEN//

The big hit last week was Slow Cooker Olive Garden Pasta e Fagioli from Damn Delicious... so, so good! I forwarded the recipe to my mother, sisters, and daughters... and am wondering if this week is too soon to make it again.

For a treat, I made a Blueberry Buttermilk Cake from NYTimes. This recipe has become a favorite because it's so flexible... you can use any type of berry and any kind of milk, too.

My husband has been asking for pork chops lately. I prefer tenderloins, but decided to try Pork Chops with Lemon-Caper Sauce from the NYTimes. The sauce was delicious, though it took a bit more effort. He really liked it, but they were still pork chops. 

THE WEEK AHEAD//

Inauguration, at last! I'll admit to being a little nervous about how it will all unfold, but am hopeful we'll enjoy a celebration Wednesday evening.

Another virtual lecture  - the week's topic will be Sand Dunes: A Global and Local Perspective.

And more reading, cooking, and walks as we continue to keep a very low profile.

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.

The Sunday Salon: January 10,2021

The first full week of 2021 is over and it already feels like an entire year! I am horrified by Wednesday's events and pray we make it safely to January 20th. 

On to the books...

FINISHED LAST WEEK//

 The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

The author calls this a work of creative nonfiction. I call it a unique, powerful blend of memoir and journalism.

The author herself is a Harvard-educated undocumented American. In addition to writing about her own life, she travels to various cities to chronicle the experiences of others. In NYC she examines the role of undocumented workers on and immediately following 9/11. She examines the lack of health care available to undocumented immigrants in Miami. Other chapters focus on Flint, Cleveland, and New Haven. She addresses issues unique to the undocumented, including some I'd never considered...  eye-opening to say the least.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by the author. It kept me completely engaged throughout. Highly recommended. 

CURRENT READING//

The Fortunate Ones by Ed Tarkington

The first book from my Shelf Subscription arrived. Both the title and author were unfamiliar, but my reading taste seems to align with Annie's and the enclosed recommendation card made it sound like my kind of book. So far, it is! I can't wait to pick it up later again later this afternoon.

Earlier in the week, I attended a Facebook Live event sponsored by Parnassus Books where the author spoke with Mary Laura Philpott, author of  I Miss You When I Blink.  I'm enjoying these "pandemic events" very much.

 The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton

I'm (re)reading this for the January T Book Club sponsored by NYTimes Style Magazine. It is the second in a series of four discussions on classics of American literature. I started listening to the audio version read by Lorna Raver, but will make it a read/listen combination after finishing my current print book. More information on the 1/28 event can be found here.

IN THE KITCHEN//

Last week I mentioned that I was about to bake Katie Workman's Chocolate Banana Cake. Well, I did and it was delicious! This week I'm buying a few extra bananas so I can make it again.

Another night I made this White Chicken Chili from Taste of Home... it was quick, easy, and not too spicy. Most of the white chili recipes I've tried use boneless chicken breasts or thighs, but this one called for ground chicken. We all agreed it's a keeper.

THE WEEK AHEAD//

This will likely be another news-heavy week. My goal is to stay informed, without becoming overwhelmed by the constant coverage. Good thing I'm in the middle of two excellent books!

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.

The First Sunday Salon of 2021

 
Hello, friends! Hope you're enjoying a peaceful New Year's weekend. It's sunny and a little warmer than usual here in southwest Florida, but we're expecting a cold front by tomorrow. Today we're cleaning, putting away Christmas decorations, and getting organized for the week ahead.

Our Manhattan daughters were here for several weeks in December. Fortunately they were able to quarantine at out recently-vacated condo before eventually joining us at the house. We all kept a very low profile (numbers are way too high in FL) and they have both tested negative (again) since their return to the City. Now we are back to three... one adult daughter lives with us.

Within the past week I've discovered a renewed energy for reading and, hopefully, blogging. My ankle seems to have healed well enough to allow me to walk 2.5 miles with minimal pain. Last week I was able to walk five days. The time on the beach with an audiobook in my ears has done wonders for my mood! I'll maintain this pace/distance for a few weeks and see how it goes.

Finished last week//

Rachel to the Rescue by Elinor Lipman

I've been an Elinor Lipman fan for years, but hadn't heard about her latest until Audrey mentioned it. This is the first novel featuring Covid and the Trump presidency (in an unfavorable light, in case you're wondering) I've come across, but many more are sure to follow. Lipman's witty prose and quirky characters made for a light, fun reading experience.

Last week Audrey and I attended a virtual event sponsored by Belmont Books featuring Lipman in conversation with fellow author and friend Caroline Leavitt - a delightful evening! I hope events like this continue post-pandemic. 

A Quiet Life in the Country

by T.E. Kinsey, narrated by Elizabeth Knowelden

It's been quite a while since I listened to a cozy mystery, but this was a perfect post-Christmas diversion. The first in the Lady Hardcastle Mystery series, our main characters are an eccentric, English widow and her lady's maid, Flo. They have retired to a quiet life the country, but somehow murder and intrigue follow. My favorite aspect of the novel was the witty banter between Lady Hardcastle and Flo. The narrator's British accent made it even more enjoyable. Be sure to choose the audio if you decide to give it a try!

 

Current reading//

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

This book was included on several  "Best of 2020" lists, so I decided to use an audible credit. The nonfiction audio is narrated by the author, an undocumented Harvard-educated American, and is very moving. I've also borrowed the ebook from the library, but will probably continue listening... almost halfway through now.

On the blog//

Wrapping Up 2020 and a Look Ahead

In the kitchen//

I'm planning to make Ina Garten's Weeknight Bolognese  (a favorite) for dinner tonight and, since there are a few overripe bananas to use, I'll try this Chocolate Banana Cake recipe from Katie Workman. 

I also have to plan menus for the week and make a grocery list. I'm still shopping once a week (at 7 AM) but look forward to the time I don't have to be quite so organized... 

How was your week? What have you been reading lately?

The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz. 

It's Monday... What Are You Reading? is hosted by Kathryn at Book Date.

Wrapping Up 2020 and a Look Ahead

 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

At last. As a result of everything 2020, this space has been woefully neglected. And as for reading... I simply could not concentrate on books for much of the year.  

It's time to close out the year with a few statistics, favorites, a look ahead.

Number of Books Read

My grand total was 41 books... the fewest in my 30+ years of record keeping.

Fiction/Nonfiction

63%/37%... slightly more fiction than last year

I read mostly female authors (78%), just a few classics, and only two books in translation. 

Longest/Shortest Book

The Way We Live Now  by Anthony Trollope, 864 pages

Intimations  by Zadie Smith, 97 pages

More than half of my books were read/listen combinations. I enjoy listening to audiobooks while walking (and am finally getting back into it after breaking my ankle in September) and picking up the same book on my kindle afterwards.

FAVORITE FICTION

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo 

The Daughters of Erietown by Connie Schultz 

 

 

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson

The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher (reread)

FAVORITE NONFICTION

Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb

House Lessons: Renovating a Life by Erica Bauermeister

Notes From a Public Typewriter by Michael Gustafson

LOOKING AHEAD TO 2021:

READING

• No reading challenges
• Goodreads goal set low - 40 books
• Read/listen to books I own
• 6 months Shelf Subscription (Annie's picks) from The Bookshelf Thomasville, GA
• continue T Book Club (NYTimes Style Magazine) series featuring classic American Literature, The Custom the Country by Edith Wharton is up next

BLOGGING

• try to post more consistently
• continue Sunday Salon/Weekly Update posts
• bring back book briefs (short reviews)
• resume occasional Weekend Cooking posts

Good-bye 2020. No apologies and no guilt, but I am full of hope for a better year of reading and blogging in 2021. Happy New Year, friends!

Closing the Book on November

Driving home on a recent Friday evening, I stopped along the Causeway Islands to gaze at this stunning sky... something I rarely do. It's been a long month, and this moment of quiet beauty did much to calm my mind. 

So, November... In addition to the election and ongoing political aftermath, my 93-year-old FIL is dealing with some health issues. Following his most recent hospitalization, he was admitted to a skilled nursing rehab facility and began a two-week quarantine. Today, my sister-in-law can finally see him, but only outdoors and only for 30 minutes. He will be discharged to his independent-living unit later this week, and my SIL has arranged for support staff. Needless to say, this has been difficult for all concerned. 

Meanwhile, we moved into our new house. The unpacking and organizing continues.

And Thanksgiving happened. We had two Zoom calls (one with our NYC daughters, one with my parents and siblings) and a quiet turkey dinner for three... so far from our norm.

One daughter arrived late last night and is quarantining in our now-vacant condo. She'll stay through Christmas... can't wait to hug her in another week or so! We hope our other Manhattan daughter will be able to spend time here as well.

In the midst of all this, I just realized that today is our 35th wedding anniversary!

As for reading and blogging, not much happened on either front. I missed Nonfiction November, but do plan to read your posts. I'm certain they'll provide recommendations for an entire year of fabulous nonfiction. Issues with both blogger and my computer have prevented regular blogging. I'm planning to ask Santa for a new laptop for Christmas!

 On audio//

The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power

by Deirdre Mask , narrated by Janina Edwards

This is the only book I managed to finish all month. An interesting listen... just wish I was able to give it my full attention.

In print//

I set aside so many titles, I lost count! Perhaps something ultra-light was in order:

What Happens in Paradise by Elin Hilderbrand is the second book in her Paradise series set in the Virgin Islands. After 40%,  I just didn't care about any of it and set that aside, too.

Guess it official... I'm in a reading slump.

What to do??

NYTimes Style Magazine  is launching the T Book Club. Its inaugural pick, Go Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin, will be the focus of a virtual event on December 17. I've borrowed both the ebook and audio book from the library and am ready to get started.

Last year I listened to Baldwin's If Beale Street Could Talk and knew I wanted to explore more of his work. This seemed like the perfect opportunity.... fingers crossed it will bust the slump! I'll keep you posted.

How was your month? What have you been reading lately?

It may take a while, but I can't wait to catch up on all of your posts!

The Sunday Salon: Two More Days...

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:

The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power

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.