1) I have had an exercise breakthrough this week. It’s a reward program. I absolutely love to read, and I haven’t had much time in the last 7 years. So I realized that if I load up my kindle with books that I want to read, that I have a free hour of reading time while I jog, I mean plod, along on the treadmill. I get so into it that 80 minutes went by today. I think this is my new thing. So, I need your help: Good Book reccomendations!!??
2) Have I ever told you about one of my favorite blog subscriptions? Atlantic Pacific. Her quirky and highly attuned fashion sense is right up my alley. Love her. Do you have any favorite fashion bloggers?
3) Seattle is till as stormy as ever, but the dark gray and wet seem to be broken up with real moments of early spring. The budding crocus from a few weeks ago were held by the freak snow storm and the cold wet weather, and now they are really blooming and the daffodils are close as well. I am really looking forward to Spring this year…
4) We are not all wrapped up in very many shows. Obviously we are bombarded by the fan bases of all the good shows we don’t watch (like homeland, house of cards, etc.) But we have been very into the Olympics (well Pete more than me- he is weirdly obsessed with luging?) and also this new Pirate show on Starz called Black Sails. Is that funny!? has anyone else watched this show? I am into it…
5) We ate take out or out like 6 times in the last 10 days. I feel a tad bit gross…. like maybe I see a juice cleanse coming on.
I am spending all of my pinterest drool time over this board and this board. So good. And then fulfilling my inner design-o-file here and here,
ok, major food porn from around the web this week:
6) OMG Gorgeousness. These are not just any old poached eggs.
7) Banana Bread French Toast with Strawberry Sauce, Honey and Whipped Cream. I am still trying to process how good that sounds to me and stunning these pictures are.
8) This Curry dish knocked my socks off from the second I saw it. I have to make it!
9) Doughnut Ice Cream. The best of two worlds….
10) Chocolate Coconut Mounds Bar Brownies. WHAAATTT!??? pass me 12 immediately please!
Print Recipe
The Goldfinch
What sorts of books do you like? If you’re looking for funny, might I recommend Oscar Wilde? His plays (The Importance of Being Earnest, An Ideal Husband) are full of such great zingers. He makes me laugh out loud.
And—all I know is that Goodreads is the best way I’ve found to both keep track of books and find new ones you may like. It’s not perfect, but it’s close!
Thanks Bridget- that sounds like a great resource!
The Paris Wife
What Alice Forgot
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
All checked out from my public library … Kindle e-books. Check and see if your public library does too (I’m sure it does).
Since you love animals, may I recommend the James Herriott books? They were written by a veterinarian in the British Isles, based on his experiences over many years. That may sound dry, but he was one of the best writers ever — and the chapters are short, so it’s easy to put the book down if you have to run after a kid. 🙂 I have returned to those books over and over, and they will make you laugh and cry and think, about people and love and life. The first two are “All Creatures Great and Small,” and “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” Also, “The Hobbit” is a great read, and the other Lord of the Rings books. “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” is a great, original, fun romantic read. Have fun, I remember those years of not having any time to read when my kids were small, and you have a great solution!
I am a total with Black Sails on Stars. It is interesting, violent and beautiful scenery . All the goof stuff and more . Made the raisen/ cinnamon bread today , I am watching two family members wolfing down one whole loaf with a giant pot of tea on a wet , gray Sunday afternoon with the last of the Olympics on T V. Great way to take some time out and just relax. Happy weekend all. Susan
I LOVE Rainbow Rowell (I just wrote a long gushing review of Attachments this week) – she’s clever and funny and the plots of her books are just spot on.
Thanks Janssen- love the rec.
I second The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
The Night Circus
The Edge of the Earth
Anything by Isabel Allende
If you like crime fiction like The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, try Jo Nesbo or Denise Mina
The Orchardist
Thanks Beth!! And I still haven’t read The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, so it may be time for that as well!
To get myself in an outdoor state of mind, I am reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard right now. Very dense with language- very Thoreau-ish. And of course if you want the ultimate chick books you can’t go wrong with Jane Austen. On top of ‘Pilgrim’, I am also in the middle of ‘Mansfield Park’ and ‘Emma’. I usually don’t read three books at a time, but here in the East it has been a long, cold winter.
Oh, and since you have daughters you might enjoy the charming Flavia DeLuce mystery series by Alan Bradley. Sixth book in the series just came out.
Thank you so much Kelley- I have always wanted to get into the Jane Austen books. I feel you on the long dark winter. Ours hasn’t been as cold, but boy is it gray.