If I have to choose November favorites, it might be between #OneDayHH and my trip to Seattle and Surrey, BC. The ordinary magic of the every day and a trip to see friends in the Pacific Northwest. I need the ordinary and the adventure to fully appreciate either.
Read and Reading:
I watched Silver Linings Playbook several months ago. This month I read Matthew Quick's book. It was so interesting to see the movie first, then read the book and see what changed. The movie kept the heart of the story but did a lot of rearranging, going so far as to add a character and decrease other characters' involvement. I had way less ethical concerns about the therapist in the book compared to the movie. (There's still the issue of boundaries should a therapist interact with a patient outside of therapy but the movie features a pretty flagrant ethical breach compared to the book.) The book allows you to see the nuances of mental illness, whereas the movie brought those concerns front and center. Both are a must-see and must-read.
The Middle Place (Corrigan) is gorgeously written. Though I'm not a parent, I related to her description of the middle place: that point in adulthood with your parents still living while you raise your own children. You are someone's parent and yet you turn to your own parents in times of crisis and adversity. Corrigan writes of her breast cancer diagnosis, which was followed by her father's own cancer diagnosis, and how their treatments affected her as a mother and daughter. Beautiful, poignant work.
I finished reading Coming to my Senses (Harrad) on the plane. Full review coming soon. I also read Bel Canto (Patchett) on the plane and was fully captivated by the story. Patchett's characterization and pacing let the plot unfurl in a languorous way that only added to its depth. I learned so much about opera in the process and the role of music in our lives. I cannot wait to see how it translates as an opera.
I have waited YEARS for Diane Setterfield's follow up to The Thirteenth Tale. Bellman & Black is completely unrelated to her debut and yet there are similarities. Myths and magic aren't far off from fairy tales, after all. Certainly more morbid, Bellman & Black deals with loss, relationship, the cost of one man's mistake, and, interestingly, the rise of the funeral industry. While I believe The Thirteenth Tale is her stronger work, I haven't stopped thinking about this one.
You can see all the books I've read at Goodreads.
Currently reading: First Among Sequels (Fforde), Longbourne (Baker), Holy is the Day (Weber), Thirst (Oliver), Eat With Joy (Stone), Feast (Lawson), A Million Little Ways (Freeman)
(I read 14 books this month.)
TV:
Must-see TV: The Vampire Diaries, The Originals, Reign, Once Upon A Time. The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills
I'm in the middle of season 2 of Friday Night Lights. Such a remarkable show.
Less remarkable but somehow I can't quit them: Hallmark and Lifetime Christmas movies.
Music
New discoveries: Gregory Alan Isakov (friends have recommended for ages and I finally gave him a shot)
Listen to the What I'm Into 2013 Spotify playlist.
Whole 30 Update
I wrote about finishing my Whole 30 while in the middle of the 10 day reintroduction period. It turns out dairy is my enemy- though I'm hoping to isolate the particular kinds of dairy that make my skin so angry.
Things I Love:
- Whiskey Eggnog and Dark Chocolate Peppermint ice cream from Jeni's. Even though the dairy provoked my eczema, it was worth it.
- Ordering tea at Thistle Stop Cafe means you are served with a mini teapot and a teacup and saucer. Almost a luxurious experience. It's becoming one of my favorite places to write. Plus, I love their mission!
- Great finds at McKay's Used Books
- Trying kombucha for the first time. I think I liked it?
- Chelsea Batten is a friend of a friend who stayed with me for a few days while in town working on her project. Loved getting to know her and hearing some of her story. She's one to watch!
- I'm buying new dishes in stages, starting off with these green beauties from World Market. I'm envisioning a mix of green, yellow, and possibly gray.
- I cannot say enough good things about the 6 week Enneagram class I attended at a local church. Amazing in every way.
- Rearranging bookshelves at Barnes and Noble. Hey, it happens. (Have you read Jesus Feminist yet? No matter what you think about the title or feminism, it's a must-read.)
- My trip to Seattle and Surrey, BC!!!!!!! What a life-giving trip it was. While I don't plan on moving to the PNW, I sure enjoyed my visit.
- I had a great time gallivanting around Seattle with my friend Linda. I loved getting to experience her city!
- Of all the tea shops I tried in Seattle, Remedy Tea was my favorite. Such presentation and attention to detail!
- Orangette fans will appreciate this: I enjoyed a Sherlock & Watson (one of the best drinks I've ever had) and a chocolate chip cookie with gray salt at Essex and then an amazing white pizza at Delancey. No Molly sightings but both places are worth a visit.
- Also worth visiting: Hot Cakes. Because Peanut Butter Cup Molten Chocolate Cake.
- I finally experienced the heaven known as Buffalo Exchange. We also went to a ginormous Goodwill. Seattle, you have some amazing thrift and consignment stores!
- My first ever time in Canada. Surrey and White Rock, BC didn't disappoint.
- Catching up with dear friends: Kelley, Idelette, Claire, and Sarah. I feel positively spoiled to have seen them twice in the same year! Loved getting to meet their families. I'm especially grateful to Idelette and Scott for hosting Thanksgiving for us Americans. A festive feast with my people- I couldn't ask for anything more.
- The day after I got back in town, I met up with the lovely Cara Meredith who was visiting family. She is such a beautiful soul!
1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY GIVEAWAY
In honor of the What I'm Into 1 year anniversary, I'm hosting a giveaway. Simply link up your What I'm Into post and you'll be entered to win. Giveaway is open to everyone who links up regardless of where they live. There are 3 prizes with 1 winner each. Each of these prizes embody my What I'm Into posts: cowls, books, tea.
- a cowl by Ashleigh Baker
- a $25 gift card to Amazon
- a Thistle Farms mug and Stash tea (or coffee from Crema, if that's your preference)
Winners will be chosen after the link up closes December 9. They will have 48 hours to claim their prize or another winner will be chosen.
UPDATE: Giveaway is now closed and the winners have been contacted. Congratulations: Leanne, Emily, and Christie.
What I'm Into Link Up Guidelines:
1. Today’s link-up will stay up for one week. The next What I'm Into link up will be Monday December 30.
2. Link the unique URL of your post, not your blog's home page. Readers peruse link ups months after the fact and you want to make it easy for them to find your What I'm Into post.
3. Please include the What I'm Into button or mention you're linking up with What I'm Into at Leigh Kramer.
4. Visit at least 2 other posts in the linkup!
What have you been into this month?
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