« Tuesday dinner with Wini Moranville | Home | Flan pâtissier »
Cozy weekend links to love
By Ann | February 22, 2013
I admit, I took this photo about a month ago during the big chute des neiges in Paris. Though there’s no snow predicted this weekend in Washington, I’m still craving coziness: the smell of cookies in the oven, a slow braise on the stove, a lazy afternoon on the couch with a good book. Ahhh… a good book! Here’s what I’ve been reading:
–In Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, author Therese Anne Fowler traces the lives of tortured F. Scott and his daring, Southern belle wife. Like their marriage, the book is both tragic and thrilling and it made me want to read and reread Fitzgerald.
–As a follow-up, I’m now immersed in the callow adventures of Amory Blaine as told in Fitzgerald’s first novel, This Side of Paradise. Next up is Tender is the Night (did you know Fitzgerald used Zelda’s diary entries from her time in a psychiatric hospital to portray the character of Nicole Diver?). And I read again a few of his brilliant short stories – I’ve always loved ”The Ice Palace.”
–Have you ever wondered what it would be like to marry a man who grew up in a palace? What if the palace turns out to be a sprawling, moldy family manor on the outskirts of Delhi? Where the Peacocks Sing tells the story of my friend, Alison Singh Gee, who moves in with her Indian husband’s family. The memoir is National Geographic’s Traveler’s book of the month. My copy is on its way!
–Isn’t this book cover gorgeous? I love Randy Susan Meyers’s writing and she explores new territory in this novel about the collateral damage of infidelity. The good news? I’m giving away a copy on my Facebook page – just “like” and “share” the post to enter to win. (I’ll also be giving away several more books via Facebook in the coming months, so please “like” my page for future updates.)
–In between lengthy quiet reading periods, I also hope to make this banana bread, with chocolate chips added, of course! Question: I’ve been hoarding old bananas in the freezer and noticed they exude a lot of liquid when defrosted. Do you mix this in?
Bon weekend, tout le monde!
P.S. As soon as I posted this, it started flurrying! Extra cozy! xo
Topics: In the news, Uncategorized | 25 Comments »
25 Responses to “Cozy weekend links to love”
Comments
« Tuesday dinner with Wini Moranville | Home | Flan pâtissier »
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:01 pm
Thanks for this book list. I’m halfway through Alice Hoffman’s Dovekeepers, then I have to read Gone Girl for book club (I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet)…but I fell in love with Zelda because of her portrayal in Midnight in Paris, so I can’t wait to read your suggestions.
Also re: the banana bread. Martha Stewart’s recipe is the best ever. If the bananas are super liquidy you can dump some, but you want them to be fairly moist and slimy. Also, if you don’t have sour cream, the recipe works perfectly well with yogurt (plain or vanilla).
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:03 pm
Your snow picture is surprisingly timely – we got a dusting this morning, too!
In response to the banana question, logic tells me it’s ok to use the liquid, but I never do. Also, aren’t defrosted bananas one of the weirdest, most disgustingly fascinating textures around?
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:21 pm
Love that snow pic! I’m currently reading Alice Munro’s latest collection of short stories, Dear Life. And I recently finished a fluff “memoir” by Vicki Tiel. It was quick, fun reading, and it really does set an amazing 60s scene.
And on the banana bread: I’d use the liquid, but I’d reduce it first to concentrate the banana flavor. Sometimes banana bread can be very bland.
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:27 pm
As I am no baker, I can’t help you with the banana bread (although I could help you eat some, happily). Just wanted to thank you for the excellent sounding recommendations–they will poke me to get back to reading more this weekend.
So jealous that you got to see all of that snow in Paris!
Bisous,
H
February 22nd, 2013 at 6:48 pm
Ann, thanks for this delightful entry and reading list! Love the look of the snow-covered courtyard. I’m currently reading The Girl Who Fell From the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow, and just finished another excellent book, The Tin Horse by Janice Steinberg. Cheers, Meg
February 22nd, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Its raining here … Cosy? Mmm welll it’s forecast to be 28 degrees … Just hot and humid. Enjoy yr Barbara bread, and no, don’t use the juice, it’s a cake not a braise
February 22nd, 2013 at 9:36 pm
Yeah, go ahead and dump in the liquid from the bananas. It can’t hurt.
Thanks for the book recommendations! I’ve added them to my list.
Stay warm and take care!
February 22nd, 2013 at 10:20 pm
I’m dreaming of a cozy, snowy, weekend in.
Alas, here in Seattle I might have to settle for a cozy, gray, weekend in…but c’est la vie!
February 22nd, 2013 at 11:00 pm
Ann, thank you so much for alerting me to Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald. I’ve been fascinating with her life since I read the wonderful biography, “Zelda” by Nancy Milford, many years ago. I’m sure I’ll love the book (when it comes out in March!). Cheers!
February 23rd, 2013 at 4:21 am
These sound like great suggestions. I’m always looking for a good read. Can you also do a giveaway for some “free time”?
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:45 am
Thanks so much for your kind, kind words and the giveaway!
February 23rd, 2013 at 3:20 pm
No snow in Washington is right — instead it’s my least favorite kind of precipitation: freezing rain. Voie de vie — Alice Munro is absolutely the best, isn’t she? I’ve read everything she’s ever written. And an editor friend who’s worked with her once told me she’s actually a great person, too.
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:10 pm
Ah the snow. That was the best snow I’ve seen in the 8 years I’ve lived here. Hope we won’t have to wait another 8 yrs for another.
Have you read Nancy Milford (not Mitford)’s Zelda? I enjoyed it — despite being compared to her every time someone saw me reading it. (This was when I was going through a rather intense phase in NY and dismissed the repeated comments to the fact that I was taking ballet at the Joffrey 4 times a week).
What fun to re-read F.Scott, though. I ought to, too.
February 23rd, 2013 at 5:15 pm
And yes, I knew of the Nicole Driver journal-inspiration, but also always wondered whether Hemingway may have taken a bit of Zelda and put her in the Catherine Bourne character of The Garden of Eden, although CB is far more zen-crazy than Zelda.
February 24th, 2013 at 8:25 am
Looks a wonderful book, I’m going to check it out.
Can I just say that snowy photo is absolutely gorgeous!
February 24th, 2013 at 8:29 am
Oh I forgot to answer your question about the bananas … when I use my frozen ones, I just mash them in the bowl I defrost them in and dump the whole lot into the mixture. It might depend on the recipe but I’ve never had a problem.
February 24th, 2013 at 2:37 pm
Love anything and everything about Zelda Fitzgerald. I first became aware of her and her ways in “Bobbed Hair and Bathtub Gin.” Since of course have devoured Fitzgerald again (The Beautiful and Damned is my favorite) and Milford’s “Zelda.” I can’t wait for this new book to come out!!
February 24th, 2013 at 3:56 pm
Alison — I want to read Gone Girl! Thanks for the banana bread tips. It turned out brilliantly but next time I’m going to use yogurt!
Camille — I almost threw the bananas away, they were so slimy and horrible. Thank goodness I’d read your comment first!
Voie de Vie — I love Alice Munro! And the Vicki Tiel books sounds fun — thanks for the suggestion.
Heather — We have to make a banana bread date one of these days. Hope you’re having a lovely weekend with the newest member of your canine posse!
Everyday French Chef — I love these suggestions! The Tin Horse sounds fascinating, especially since I grew up in Southern California. I’d love to learn more about the Los Angeles Jewish community during the 1920s.
Bachelormum — I think all of us in the Northern Hemisphere are heaving a wistful sigh at the idea of 28ºC!
Loulou — Thanks! I actually ended up dumping most of the liquid. There was just SO much of it — about 3/4 cup. Fascinating yet disgusting!
February 24th, 2013 at 4:11 pm
Shut Up and Cook — Ah, but rainy and grey is cozy, too. Btw, I’m watching another show set in Seattle (The Killing) — you have a beautiful city, m’dear!
Wini — I couldn’t tear myself away from Z (even when I *should* have been working). I hope you enjoy it!
Amy — Oh, I WISH! I bet that give-away would take this blog viral
Randy Susan Meyers — Thanks for stopping by my blog! I’m thrilled to help spread the word about your gorgeous book!
Daisy de Plume — I didn’t know of the Nancy Milford bio until now, nor Garden of Eden. So much Fitzgeraldia to discover. Side note: I love, love, love Nancy Mitford. My literary idol.
Emma — Thank you! I took the photo in the courtyard of our Paris apartment! Thanks for the cooking tip. Next time I’m going to be brave and add the banana liquid to the bread. It was still super moist, though!
Kristen — I had no idea there was such a cult following of Zelda until now! And I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never read The Beautiful and the Damned. It’s now on my list — thanks for the suggestion!
February 24th, 2013 at 5:37 pm
Ann-
It’s such a pleasure to have book suggestions!
Like some of the others, I have a pretty strong aversion to thawed bananas–I save the frozen ones for smoothies and stick to really ripe fresh for baking.
February 26th, 2013 at 1:27 am
I love the picture of snowy Paris and all of these links to such a great collection of books! So happy to know that you’re reading and relaxing after sending your project off!
You’ve also made me want to read (or reread) all the F. Scott Fitzgerald I have on my shelves! The post-dissertation life will be oh so rich!
February 26th, 2013 at 7:13 pm
@Ann and CK – This is my first Alice Munro, but I expect it won’t be my last. Her sense of place is extraordinary.
February 27th, 2013 at 12:02 am
chocolate éclairs forever! Though I do love a cold slice of old fashioned South African melktert with generous dusting of cinnamon.
February 28th, 2013 at 5:20 pm
Shannon — Thanks for the tip. I think I’d rather hide my slimy bananas in baked good than in a smoothie though. My silly rationale — at least the cake is cooked (and bacteria potentially killed?)?
Katy — Keep going! Courage!
Gillian — I just looked up melktert — sounds like the texture might be softer than flan pâtisser (which is quite pasty). Thanks for the introduction to a new dessert!
March 2nd, 2013 at 10:21 pm
P.S. Ann – the Tiel book actually has recipes in it! I think you’ll get a kick out of them.