Before we start, thanks for all the feedback yesterday! I’ll go with the cream top. Not sure what to do about the toenail situation (Nicole seemed very sure I should NOT go the bandaid route, so I’ve quashed that option). But I feel like things are looking up, outfit-wise!
Anyway, I recently finished two pretty heavy books- Ken Follett’s The Pillars of the Earth (oof) and then We Burn Daylight by Bret Anthony Johnston (about the Branch Davidian saga in Waco). I liked them both, but felt like I needed something a little lighter after that.
These were both rereads- I read all the Agatha Christies in my youth. If I’m lucky, I don’t remember the plot and can thoroughly enjoy the books all over again. About halfway through Caribbean, I was pretty sure I remembered it, but still enjoyed seeing how Christie put it all together and managed her famous misdirection. I did NOT remember Appointment With Death, so that was a very fun reread!
I’ve recently started listening to the Currently Reading podcast, and I love it! One of the hosts, Meredith, is making her way through the Christie mysteries, and she had a VERY interesting tidbit to share. Agatha Christie’s books are all around 200 pages, and guess what- there’s a reason for that. At the time she was writing, paper was rationed, so there was a page limit. Reading her books as an adult, my one complaint would be that her characters aren’t very well fleshed out. But it turns out, she didn’t have the time (or paper) to flesh them out! Knowing that she had a page limit, it was extra interesting to read these books and see how she did what she did, with that constraint.
Next up:
I’m pretty sure I heard about this from…Stephany? (Please correct me if I’m wrong!) I believe it was also discussed on an episode of Currently Reading, but I haven’t listened to that one yet. This is a mystery about a middle school teacher in Japan whose daughter is killed by two students (I didn’t give anything away there, don’t worry). It’s interesting, very easy to get into, and I think it’s going to be a quick read because I don’t want to put it down.
Oh, and what’s that, you ask? That golden bookmark? That was a present from ELISABETH! She sent me a congratulations card after my race, and in lieu of a gold medal or gold star, included a gold book mark. Obviously I love it very much and will use it every day from now on!!!
Okay… eating. Well, I used this recipe for Gochujang sauce, and put it over tofu and broccoli. It’s easy, we all like it, and my daughter can take leftovers to school for her lunch (win-win-win!) We garnished it with cashews- basil would be good too.
And, for Mother’s Day my husband made lentil Sloppy Joe’s from Minimalist Baker. These were good! Here you can see our classy dinner with potato chips and Olipop sodas.
What are you reading?
If you had a special dinner for Mother’s Day, what was it?
Top photo by 2Photo Pots on Unsplash
21 Responses
I’m reading “The New Extraordinary Leader, 3rd edition” by Dr. Jack Zenger and Dr. Joseph Folkman as well as “Pronoun Trouble” by Dr. John McWhorter right now.
I actually didn’t have any special dinner for Mother’s Day.
I do consider the gift from Ms. Elisabeth Frost to be quite special. I also have a gift – a bookplate, specifically – from an author that both you and I have heard of, Jenny. If you’d like to know more about that, you can tell me.
And no, I didn’t realize that not remembering the plot of a book that you used to read can be advantageous.
It definitely can! And I’m intrigued about this bookplate- it must be special.
Yes, it is special. It comes from Dr. Gretchen Rubin. After one fills out a form on her main site, she sends the bookplate to that person. She’ll send the bookplate for free if it is sent to an address in the US or Canada.
I am reading the berry picker, 80% done. I like it so far, not love it yet.
I made burgers for the family and gigantic salad for me. Sloppy joes sounds so good. I’ve really into beans/lentils lately and will try it too.
The Berry Pickers definitely got mixed reviews! I haven’t read it- I’m not sure if I would like it.
Yes, I love lentils. I should eat them more often.
Hi Jenny! Okay, I’m going to make one more push for the pedicure. Honestly, they will not judge you. Whatever your feet look like, they have seen worse! And it might feel great to have them pampered like that. If you’re still not comfortable, why not just give them a coat of polish? A dark polish would cover up the bruising. Okay, that’s all I’m going to say, I swear I’ll drop the subject. I just love pedicures so much, they are such a lovely little luxury, and I want to spread that little luxury to you!
I just finished This Motherless Land, which I read on the heels of Mansfield Park, of which it is a retelling. It was good but I didn’t love it. I had some issues with the dialogue and characters, and also the time periods, but those were just little quibbles. It was a satisfying read. Next up: Blue Sisters! I have had this book on hold forever and it’s finally here.
I haven’t read either of those newer books- but I have read Mansfield Park! I loved all the Jane Austen books, but the only ones I’ve reread are P&P and Sense and Sensibility.
I really wish I had thought of a pedicure earlier. I would have had to do it today, and I have SO MANY OTHER things to do! Sigh. But a coat of polish is still a possibility.
I finished reading Beautiful Ugly (it’s a thriller) yesterday and I could not put it down. It was different enough to really hold my attention and it was just fun to read. I mean…people were dying in it and that part isn’t fun, but it’s a thriller so kinda what one expects.
Wow, my comment took a dark turn there. Moving on. Yay! Your bookmark arrived.
I didn’t do anything too special for Mother’s Day, though I did win a prize at church. My husband flew out for a work trip to Germany Sunday morning. I didn’t even think to get a picture with the kiddos. Oops.
I agree with Nicole about the polish. If you don’t go dark, I’d suggest something creamy that would match your top! Like an off-white/cream polish?
Ha, it’s funny how deaths in a mystery or thriller don’t seem that real. Oh, that person was poisoned or stabbed to death? Oh well! Whereas in another context it would be horrifying.
Okay, I’m heading to the store in a bit and I’ll see what I can do about the nail polish!
I actually do consider the golden bookmark that you sent to be quite special, Ms. Elisabeth Frost.
I just finished “Annie Bot” which several people raved about. It was an interesting read in light of all the conversations about adaptive AI. I would it give it 3.5 stars but rounded up to 4. Now I am reading “Crow Mary” which is another buzzy book among bloggers!
I should try to find some summery open-toed shoes to have as an option. My only open-toes shoes are extremely casual (flip flops!). I think painting your toenails is a good solution, though! But people probably won’t be looking at your feet (but no one is coming to me for fashion or personal care advice lol… I am so very low maintenance…). I also should try to find more casual summer clothes. I have work clothes and then athleisure and nothing really in between… Some of my dresses are pretty casual but they are 5-10 years old!
No special meal on Mother’s Day for me… I made soup in the instant pot which was an odd meal choice for a 90+ degree day but it was what we had planned.
Ha- here in Florida we disregard the weather. If we want soup in the summer we just crank up the AC.
i have heard GREAT things about Crow Mary- I’ll be interested to hear what you think. I don’t think anyone has disliked it so far.
I’m thinking you’re right- no one is going to be looking that closely at my feet. You would think I would just have close toed shoes, but close toed dress shoes ALWAYS pinch my feet. So… here we are, sigh. I’m sure it will all be fine, whatever I decide to do.
No special meal. I’ve been to a lot of restaurants lately.
I’m reading another Freda McFadden book. Just finished Caire, Darling.
I’ve never read anything of hers, but I know she’s popular! I just saw a display of her books in the store- now I’m intrigued.
PEDICURE! Yours will for sure not be the yuckiest feet of the day– probably not even in the top 10.
Those sloppy Joe’s look awesome– I think Ben would love them– will report back.
Weeeelll… honestly I think they might be in the top 10 : ) It really turns out that I just don’t have time for a pedicure- it would have been a great idea if I had planned it in advance.
The sloppy Joe’s were good! I ended up adding a little more salt to the recipe, but that’s just me- I like things salty.
Both blouses are cute, but if I had to choose, my vote would actually be for the bright blue top as it has a punchy, festive color, would go with your purple nailpolish, and is in the color palette you favor in your other clothes (blues). The ruffle sleeves are a fun embellishment too. Try it on and see how you feel in it?
Reading things our speakers have been gifting me at the moment, and also rereading a ton of Dickens. I downloaded the first Bridgerton book (I’ve watched the series) to read in honor of our visit to Bath.
I ate a sandwich on Mother’s Day… I’m looking forward to being with family next week!
Well- I have to admit that I already returned it. But now I’m regretting it! I should have tried it on and really given it a chance. Oh well- you can see why I’m bad at these things.
I hope you have a nice celebration when you finally get home!
This prompted me to go see what is up next on my Libby list because I just finished my ebook this morning and now I’m in a tailspin because I DON’T HAVE AN EBOOK. PANIC!!
Ha, Engie that is definitely a cause for panic! I hope you get it sorted out ASAP.
I love Olipop! I usually have one at lunch when I’m at work to give me something to look forward to hahaha, but I bet it was good with those sloppy joes!