What I Read Last Week...{12.01}

I didn't do a What I Read Last Week post last week because a) it was Thanksgiving and b) because it was Thanksgiving, I didn't do much reading. However, in the past two weeks, I managed to finish two books, both of which were really good. That was a relief, because I'd run into a series of mediocre and underwhelming books lately.

Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day by Winifred Watson

Miss Pettigrew, an approaching-middle-age governess, was accustomed to a household of unruly English children. When her employment agency sends her to the wrong address, her life takes an unexpected turn. The alluring nightclub singer, Delysia LaFosse, becomes her new employer, and Miss Pettigrew encounters a kind of glamour that she had only met before at the movies. Over the course of a single day, both women are changed forever.

My Take: This description doesn't do the book justice. The plot itself is a lot more interesting than that, although it did take me a couple of chapters to get into the story. It is hilarious, sweet, touching, and even a little inspiring. This book is published by Persephone Books, which specializes in "forgotten" literature of the twentieth century.  So basically all the books they publish are on my "To Read" list.

My Recommendation: Definitely, definitely read this! Unless you don't like interesting and funny books.

The Magnificent Ambersons by Booth Tarkington

Set in the Midwest in the early twentieth century—the dawn of the automobile age—the novel begins by introducing the richest family in town, the Ambersons. Exemplifying aristocratic excess, the Ambersons have everything money can buy—and more. But George Amberson Minafer—the spoiled grandson of the family patriarch—is unable to see that great societal changes are taking place, and that business tycoons, industrialists, and real estate developers will soon surpass him in wealth and prestige. Rather than join the new mechanical age, George prefers to remain a gentleman, believing that "being things” is superior to "doing things.” But as his town becomes a city, and the family palace is enveloped in a cloud of soot, George’s protectors disappear one by one, and the elegant, cloistered lifestyle of the Ambersons fades from view, and finally vanishes altogether.

My Take: I didn't like this quite as much as Miss Pettigrew, but it was great nevertheless. It's not a book with a lot of action, but focuses more on the development of the characters, who are extremely likeable in spite of their shortcomings.  Tarkington won the Pullitzer Prize for this book, but was overtaken in popularity by Orson Welles' movie version in the 1940s. I haven't seen the movie, but it's a shame that the book isn't more popular.

My Recommendation: It's not a book to read just for pure fun. But it is a classic and a wonderful, underappreciated novel. Definitely worth reading when you're in the mood for a classic.

Things I Love: Knock Knock Notepads

Knock Knock's motto is "we put the fun in functional" and it is SO true! They make a notepad for pretty much every occasion. Seriously.

Need to say you're sorry?

Have a crush on someone?

Never remember what to get at the store?

Can't decide what to wear tomorrow?

Can't stand confrontation?

They even make some pads for...adult use.

Case in point

Cute, right? Which one do you like?

Carry-On Bags

I travel quite a bit, so I've gotten packing my carry-on bag down to a science. I'm not one of those amazing girls who can fit everything they need for 3 days into a carry-on suitcase. No, I'm one of those girls who has to pack a full-on suitcase for a long weekend, including outfits for every conceivable event and multiple shoe possibilities for all weather conditions. Therefore, my carry-on bag usually just contains my "essentials" for the flight, and something to wear in case my luggage gets lost (quelle horreur!)

I'm not actually in the market for a new carry-on bag, but if I was, I'd probably choose one of these. All of these bags have top-zip closures, which if you ask me, is essential for plane travel. Plus, you can sling all of these over your shoulder, or you can carry on your arm. The best thing? These bags aren't TOO big, so they can double as a regular purse. You see? You're actually saving room. Good for you.

1. DVF Vintage Print Nylon Tote
2. MEND Where the Wind Blows Bag
3. Oryany Sydney Bag (called Mutable Silhouettes Bag on Anthropologie)
4. Kipling Kyoko Sequin Large Tote
5. MICHAEL Michael Kors Jet Set Python Tote
6. Kate Spade Cape Mountain Harmony Baby Bag
7. Louis Vuitton Totally MM Bag
8. Kate Spade Gold Coast Sierra Tote
9. MARC by Marc Jacobs Take Me Tote

What a great weekend!

I had an absolutely wonderful weekend...I hope everyone else did as well.

First of all, I didn't have to go to work on Wednesday, so it was nice to spend an extra day preparing for Thanksgiving. I managed to figure out my tablescape, which is usually done at the last minute.

I made these napkin rings out of twine and feathers


and I created this centerpiece out of gourds spray painted white and some heirloom silver pieces.


I added a bunch of candles in various heights and shapes,


and it was a very pretty setting. I was satisfied, anyways.



Thanksgiving Day was great. We always have family over. This year, we invited my uncle and 3 cousins because my aunt is still in the hospital after having two strokes earlier this fall. We also had my best friend/cousin and her dad over.

I have to say, it's very satisfying to have boys at Thanksgiving dinner because they are so appreciative of food. They raved about my pies, which are good, but not THAT good. If you need a confidence boost, I suggest making dinner for 3 men who have no idea how to cook.

The rest of my weekend flew by. I'm kind of sad to have to be back at work today, but there are only about 3 weeks until the beginning of my Christmas vacation. Yay!

Happy Thanksgiving!

I posted yesterday about things that I'm thankful for, but I realized I left something important off my list! I'm grateful to YOU (whoever is reading this right now) for reading my blog! I started this blog 6 weeks ago, and I never expected anyone to care about what I had to say. I was surprised and pleased to find that I was wrong!

I'm off to start making pies now, sticking to my schedule, of course. I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday, and I will look forward to hearing how they went.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Counting My Blessings

...my wonderful husband, who is patient and good-natured and loving, even when I'm difficult (not that I ever am)

...my parents, who have given me so much support (emotional and well, financial too)

...my brother, who is still my best friend

...the opportunity to travel, because it makes you see the world and your life differently

...online shopping, because sometimes you just don't want to go out

...peonies, because something about those flowers makes me so happy 

...my house, obviously because it's a roof over my head, but also because decorating it provides endless hours of entertainment

...the ability to cook and bake, because I love being able to feed my family

...dark chocolate, because that's the best use of calories ever

...my crazy friends and family, because I like crazy


Last, but not least, I'm thankful for
...Jesus Christ, His love and protection, and His many blessings.

What are YOU thankful for?

Simplified Clam Chowder

It was really cold last night, and what's better on a cold night than a bowl of clam chowder soup and a hunk of crusty sourdough bread? That's what we had for dinner last night. And since we didn't have to worry about getting anyone to bed by a certain time, we ate by the fireplace, lingering over our meal. It was heavenly.

This is a super easy version of clam chowder because it uses canned clams and clam juice instead of fresh. While there are times that I like to make fresh clam chowder, last night wasn't one of them. Like I was going to go to a fish market after working all day and in the freezing (for San Diego) cold. Not much. Considering the amount of time it saves, I'd say it's worth giving up a little bit of flavor. It's *almost* as good as the real thing. This recipe is adapted from The Best 30-Minute Recipe which I raved about here.

Ingredients:
2 cans of minced clams (6.5 oz each)
2 bottles of clam juice
2 medium red potatoes, diced into 1/2 inch chunks
1/8 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 slices turkey bacon, finely chopped
1 shallot, minced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 cup flour
1/2 cup soy creamer or heavy cream
1 tablespoon italian parsley, minced

Directions:
1. Drain the cans of minced clams, reserving the clam juice
2. In a saucepan, combine the reserved clam juice, the 2 bottles of clam juice, the diced potatoes, the thyme, and the bay leaf.
3. Cover and bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer. Let the clam broth cook while you prepare the rest.
4. Put 1 tablespoon of oil in a Dutch oven and heat to medium-high. Fry the bacon until it is brown and crisp, about 5 minutes. *Note: I used a little oil because turkey bacon doesn't have much fat in it. If you use regular bacon, then omit the oil.
5. Add the shallot and the salt and and cook on medium heat until tender and slightly brown, about 4 minutes. *Note: I used a shallot because my husband doesn't like onions. Personally, I think onions would be better.
6. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.
7. Add the flour and cook for about 2 minutes.
8. Add the clam broth to the Dutch oven and bring to a boil
9. Turn down the heat and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 10 minutes.
10. Add the minced clams, parsley, and creamer and bring to a simmer for about 2 minutes. *Note: I used soy creamer because my husband is allergic to milk. I would DEFINITELY use real cream if I could!

Serve with slices of sourdough or French bread and a side salad.

 P.S. When I first served this, my husband wanted to know why it wasn't white. It's because I used the same Dutch oven to fry the bacon and cook the soup. If you have to have a white clam chowder soup, you can use a separate pan to fry the bacon, and just use regular oil to brown the shallots and garlic. I wasn't about to wash an extra pan just so my soup could be white...