"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest form of appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them." — JFK
READING:
Tiny Little Things by Beatriz Williams — “In the summer of 1966, Christina Hardcastle—“Tiny” to her illustrious family—stands on the brink of a breathtaking future. Of the three Schuyler sisters, she’s the one raised to marry a man destined for leadership, and with her elegance and impeccable style, she presents a perfect camera-ready image in the dawning age of television politics. Together she and her husband, Frank, make the ultimate power couple: intelligent, rich, and impossibly attractive. It seems nothing can stop Frank from rising to national office, and he’s got his sights set on a senate seat in November. But as the season gets underway at the family estate on Cape Cod, three unwelcome visitors appear in Tiny’s perfect life: her volatile sister Pepper, an envelope containing incriminating photograph, and the intimidating figure of Frank’s cousin Vietnam-war hero Caspian, who knows more about Tiny’s rich inner life than anyone else. As she struggles to maintain the glossy façade on which the Hardcastle family’s ambitions are built, Tiny begins to suspect that Frank is hiding a reckless entanglement of his own…one that may unravel both her own ordered life and her husband’s promising career” (Goodreads)
The Summer I Met Jack by Michelle Gable — “Based on a real story - in 1950, a young, beautiful Polish refugee arrives in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts to work as a maid for one of the wealthiest families in America. Alicia is at once dazzled by the large and charismatic family, in particular the oldest son, a rising politician named Jack” (Goodreads).
WATCHING:
All the Light We Cannot See (Netflix) — The story of Marie-Laure, a blind French teenager, and Werner, a German soldier, whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II. I read this book in 2016 and remember being especially intrigued by the model of Saint Malo, a beautiful city that I visited in 2005.
Suits (Netflix) — “On the run from a drug deal gone bad, brilliant college dropout Mike Ross finds himself working with Harvey Specter, one of New York City's best lawyers.” We held out for a long time, but since colleagues and family are talking about it, it was time.
The final season of The Crown - Part 1 (Netflix) — I remember the events surrounding the death of Princess Diana like it was yesterday.
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (Apple TV+) — 50 years later, it still makes me smile. I love Peanuts.
LISTENING TO:
I’m still in cool jazz mode and will likely keep listening to Vince Guaraldi radio on Pandora throughout the holidays. A November favorite is always George Winston’s Autumn.
My November Instapuzzle Mini-Playlist:
Pictures of You (The Cure)
Twinkles & Shimmers (Familiar Stranger)
Macarons (Charlēne)
Autumn in Paris (Jan Baars)
Thanksgiving Theme (Vince Guaraldi)
Tour Eiffel (Cavendish Music)
French Café Kisses (Global Genius)
Back in Black (AC/DC)
Black and White (Three Dog Night)
ENJOYING:
Slowly decorating for the holidays — I was home sick for two days (bronchitis) and beautifully falling snow inspired me to slowly start bringing out the holiday decorations. Usually, I am insistent about celebrating one holiday at at time; therefore, no Christmas decorations come out until after Thanksgiving. Yet, this year, I started with “winter” decorations — my little white village, snowflakes, etc. Over Thanksgiving break, I trimmed my five trees: Icy white in the living room, Scandi/outdoorsy on the deck, French in the loft, antique glass ornaments and silver icicles in the guest room, and nautical in “the boys’ room”.
Early snow — It snowed all day the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Our home already feels so festive and cozy and Mother Nature upped the ante.
