Book
The Summer Book by Tove Jansson. It's one of her few adult novels, and it's one of the best things I've read in a very long time. The story of a grandmother and her young granddaughter spending a summer on a tiny Finnish island, dealing with life, grief, pesky neighbors, and the beautiful (and so foreign) landscape.
Music
Once again, The Americans are bringing back musical memories from my early teens. Last week it was Ultravox Vienna. But here I'm sharing an acoustic vesrion Midge Ure performed a couple of years ago. It's even more touching,
TV
Game of Thrones, what else? I'm also addicted to reading the recaps the day after. And by the way, I'm awfully confused by the season premiere of Orphan Black. What is going on there? Who works for whom?
Perfume
There are so many spectacular new releases that it's harder than ever to keep up. I'm still infatuated with Eau de Celeri (compliments whenever I wear it, followed by disbelieving looks about the name). I've also been testing a couple of new vanilla fragrances, and the top one is Provanilla by Providence Perfume Company. Not what I'd expected at all, and surprisingly perfect for warm weather.
Makeup
Matte eye shadows. I may have bought a lifetime supply recently.
Frequently Worn Item/Outfit
Silk shirts with everything.
Guilty Pleasure
Diner food. This is Jersey, after all.
Food
Other than the above: fruit salads.Orange, banana, apple, and a splash of Cointreau.
Bane
The cats have been fighting a pesky virus one or two at a time. It wasn't too big of a deal, just (clear) sneezing and diarrhea. You can imagine the fun we had.
Joy
It's really honest to god spring.
Anticipation
The royal baby. I was kind of hoping he or she will have been born on Her Majesty's birthday, but whatever. Whenever.
Wishlist
I'm looking for simple maxi dressers that can be dressed up or down.
Random Thoughts
I'm typing this with one hand while massaging my face with my favorite propolis cream and listening to the rainstorm outside. It feels good, but not conducive to thoughts, random or otherwise.
How are you doing? What are your loves, joys, banes, recommendations, and random thoughts? Please share.
Art: Will Barnet- Kiesler and Wife, 1985
Book - One Nation Under God, written by Princeton professor Kevin Kruse.
ReplyDeleteMusic - Grace Jones, Sisters of Mercy, Siouxie & the Banshees, Brian Ferry; I'm on an 80's kick. (I love Ultravox!).
TV - I'm so glad Game of Thrones started, I love the series and have read all of the books. I've also gotten into Daredevil, a series from netflix, it's habit-forming.
Perfume - anything with incense or green notes.
Makeup - I've been wearing a lot of Ellis Faas, recently restocked creamy eye shadows, # 113 & 114.
Frequently Worn Item/Outfit - anything flat or loafers.
Guilty Pleasure - cream of anything soup (tomato or broccoli are my favorites), with loads of cheese on top, (of course)!
Food - I found a recipe for cheese sticks made with a base of ground cauliflower as a substitute for gluten. It's addictive and makes for an excellent pizza crust!
Bane - Office politics and back issues.
Joy - time off with family and hikes around SF/Bay area.
Anticipation - Yes! The royal baby, I can't wait!
Wishlist - that I'm able to hire a new employee soon!
Random Thoughts - I do hope your kitty cats feel well very soon, there's nothing worse.
Books........I have been on a quest for the ultimate chewy oatmeal cookie. I am satisfied with my recipe for crisp oatmeal cookies (Joy of Cooking, 1963 edition, "Quick Oatmeal Cookies," using the optional orange zest,) but I had not been satisfied with the chewy recipe I got off the Internet, which led me to The Fannie Farmer Baking Book by Marion Cunningham, and Maida Heatter's Book of Great Cookies. I think I have a chewy oatmeal cookie which pleases me now. My church, The United Church of Christ is having its national meeting in Cleveland this year, and the call is for the 80 local churches in the region to provide oatmeal cookies......such is my obsession. I've signed up to provide 10 dozen.
ReplyDeleteMusic: Peter Gabriel's So. Sounds as good now as it did in 1986.
Fragrance...Givenchy's Pi, which smells a lot like warm oatmeal cookies.
Frequently worn item: light weight colored (as opposed to white) long sleeved t-shirts. It is spring, but here in Ohio, the temperature changes--frequently!
Food: Other than oatmeal cookies, roasted asparagus. Low temperature roast, (325 F) in melted butter, high temperature roast (400-425 F) in olive oil. Light but thorough application of sea salt with either one. About 15 minutes either way, and it's wonderful!
Bane........trying ton prevent fleas. Vacuuming frequently with my HEPA filter vacuum.,
Joy.....seeing the flowers spring up!
Gratitude........working eyes.
Lawrence and Rosa del Gata in Ohio
PS. dried cherries are a delicious change from raisins in oatmeal cookies, or dried apricots, coarsely chopped.
ReplyDeleteBook
ReplyDeleteElias Canetti - The Torch in My Ear (The 2nd book of The Memoir Trilogy)
Music
Heaven 17 and Depeche Mode
TV
Inspector George Gently
Perfume
Thanks to your wonderful Papyrus de Ciane review I've been getting to know Parfumerie Generale scents better. I already know that Papyrus de Ciane and Querelle will loom large in the future, as a bonus both are not only great scents but very much work-appropriate. Have ordered more PG samples!
Makeup
Still stuck with pinkish red matte lippies, have almost used up a tube of All Fired Up!
Food
Obsessed with talleggio cheese.
Anticipation
Waiting for asparagus season to start!
Hi Gaia! Wishes for a quick kitty recovery!
ReplyDeleteIt really is spring, and instead of whining about everyone else's photos of springtime flowers and the endless cherry blossom posts, I can go into my yard and enjoy my own flowers. It is delightful.
I miss the Jersey diners! I had the best roast chicken with real mashed potatoes and real gravy at a diner in Edison and it was memorable. Why do my roast chicken never turn out like that?
That Tove Jansson sounded like something so absolutely necessary for my existence at the moment that I raced off to order it before even finishing reading this post. Have been too busy to read almost anything recently, but realize I need to make the time, no matter what.
ReplyDeletePerfume: Bogue Maai, Regence's Kolnisch Juchten, Diorling, Chant d'Aromes, vintage Piguet Baghari, Ma Griffe, Aftelier Wildflowers, Orchid and Haute Claire.
Anticipation: Patric's May chocolate bars (thanks for your post about them!) and am with you in looking forward to the royal birth.
Bane: Horrendously violent thunder storms, which terrify our feline children to the extreme - actually, one of the ones that came through last week was literally the worst I've ever been in in my whole life and I was as scared as they were as we all huddled together in what we hoped was a semi-safe part of the house.
Joy: Reconnecting with a friend from my early childhood. And countless violets blooming happily in our back yard.
Clothes: A variety of new white shirts and beautiful super wide brim hats.
Food: Meyer lemons and am craving a really good bowl of homemade borscht.
TV: The Dr. Blake Mysteries and Call the Midwife
Wishlist: Time. Need so much more of it.
Anna
Food - mango chicken curry at Paprika on Lawrence Avenue in Chicago
ReplyDeleteFun - climbing up the silks and doing fun and hard circus aerial stuff
Anticipating - spring violets
TV - new season of Louie
Perfume - Honey by Velvet and Sweet Pea
Joy - making candied violets, little bouquets of violets, sitting by violets with my dog
clothes - long loose dresses in the summer
Makeup - glitter
Book
ReplyDeleteLeanda De Lisle's "Tudor: The Story of England's Most Notorious Royal Family" and I can't put it down, despite how huge it is. I'm fascinated with the older royal families, especially the Tudors. Francesca just sent me a copy of Dan Jones "The Plantagenets" which I plan on starting afterwards. I also won a free book from Strand that I need to go pick up this week. =)
Music
Lately, so much Taylor McFerrin and Bilal. Delicious, jazzy R&B.
TV
I'm debating maybe buying one, finally.
Perfume
Pierre's new Paris Seychelles, MAAI, and Elisire Poudre Desir. Also, testing out Kurkdjian Oud Satin Mood today, and I'm shocked by how much I like it.
Makeup
I'm with you with the matte eyeshadow, paired with very bright or very dark lips.
Frequently Worn Item/Outfit
slightly off-the-shoulder shirts.
Guilty Pleasure
Wine, so much wine.
Food
Eggs and toast, or tacos. Or Thai. So much Thai.
Bane
My skin is not happy with me right now. I think I need a facial. And I need to re-heel my boots and booties.
Joy
Having work-related drama dissipate! WHAT A RELIEF.
Anticipation
My bookbinding class on Sunday, and seeing you next weekend!!!
Wishlist
A facial, and a new pair of Spring-appropriate shoes that are closed-toe.
Random Thoughts
I need to keep more tea at work. And a large tea cup. I just need tea 24/7.