Listening: I recently discovered The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey and I’m really loving it. I went back through the archives and am catching up on her various interviews with Shannan Martin, Tasha Morrison, Shauna Niequist, Trillia Newbell, Jessica Turner, Gloria Furman, Jen Wilkin, and Jen Hatmaker to just name a few.
Also, just finished listening to The Orphan Train on audiobook. It was okay but not amazing. I’m moving on to The Light Between Oceans as my audiobook pick. Should I get my tissues out now? I’ve heard it’s a gut wrencher.
Watching: Broadchurch: Series I. If you like British mystery and crime, this is for you. Even if you don’t, try it anyway. This is one of the best series I’ve ever seen. It’s gut-wrenching, humorous at times, raw, riveting, and smart. The story, acting, and cinematography (ah, I geeked out the the cinematography) is superb. When it ended it felt as satisfying as a good novel. It follows a family, a town, and two detectives as they seek to discover the murderer of a 11-year-old boy. The premise is sad but it has wonderful redemption moments too. I won’t say if we watched the last three episodes all in one night. Ahem.
Reading: I got Green Dolphin Country for Christmas. I’d wanted to read it for years, being an Elizabeth Goudge fan but it was out of print for a while, I believe. But the size put me off for a while (it’s 767 pages). I decided summer was the perfect time to delve into it. As always, the writing is exquisite, that old-fashioned quality of character development and description I love so much.
Eating: We are loving Spaghetti alla Carbonara (so easy) and now that it’s zucchini season, we are eating it in many forms like Zucchini Cakes and Sausage Stuffed Zucchini Boats.
Drinking: Lots of cold brew iced coffee. Like, everyday.
Exercising: I’m getting back into my exercise routine with the help of Tracy Anderson’s Precision Toning. With 15 minute segments I can easily fit it into my day and get a real good workout too, either doing one segment or combining them for longer sessions.
What are you into right now?
I love reading what you’re into right now. I always get great suggestions on what to read and watch from you. We tried a new British murder mystery series, Bletchley Circle—a really bad move on my part. We will not be continuing with it. Way too assaulting to my sensitive conscious and mind that gives up no images ever. Ugh. So, with that said, do you think I could handle the British murder mystery you mentioned?
The Light Between Oceans: I seem to recall being frustrated with the characters’ choices being unbelievable. Not that I didn’t believe that people *could* think and act like they did…but that the author didn’t set me up adequately TO believe that THESE characters operated out of the motives and made the choices that they did. Compelling story, though, for sure, and hard to think through. I didn’t really even know how I *wanted* it to end.
Listening: Not much of anything podcast- or book-wise, strangely. I really like Christy Nockels’ new worship album.
Watching: All ten seasons of Friends…I was hooked on that show in junior high/high school, but never saw the last couple of seasons and got all nostalgic for it a few months ago. So I’ve been blowing through scores of episodes while I work out, do dishes, etc.
Reading: Haven’t been doing as much of this OR listening because of the above. EEK. Almost done though! Sara Hagerty’s memoir Every Bitter Thing is Sweet is really resonating deeply with me. (Do you follow her on IG?)
Eating: Tomatoes in/on everything since they’re finally in season 🙂 And some caramel macchiato cookies I made yesterday. Plus peach muffins–did I mention those when you talked about muffins a couple of weeks ago? They are fabulous.
Drinking: Recently discovered I like strawberry in my water along with a splash of lime juice. A little iced coffee, but not as much as in the spring. I’m mad that Dunkin Donuts discontinued their butter pecan syrup after giving me a 99-cent refill cup! 😛