He Said She Said

Have you read this book "He Said She Said" by Erin Kelly?

The Telegraph named it one of the best books of 2017, and as far as a suspense novel goes, it is very clever.
This is exactly the kind of novel I don't normally read, which really highlights the brilliance of book clubs (this is the pick for my Fun Book Club this month).  Book clubs do help one get past the genres they normally stick to, out of habit perhaps more than preference.

Ingrid chose this book, and quite rightly pointed out that the topic would be an interesting one considering the movement through so many industries, and in so many countries, examining ideas of sexual consent.  We'll have a good discussion around this book, that's for sure!

 Even though I found it riveting, I can't even say that I absolutely loved it, I found some of the dialogue a bit annoying at times.  Of course it all became clear at the end, and I felt a bit shocked at the tangled web of suspense and the "reveal".  Quite masterful storytelling!

You can read a review of this book, and information about the author, in The Guardian here.

Do you read suspense novels?  Have any recommendations for me, classic or contemporary?
I have to say, a suspenseful novel is one interesting  way to get through the winter!
xoxDani

Unrest

Yesterday morning while exchanging some emails with my Fun Book Club ladies, Maggie (one of our most vivacious members) suggested in the thread that we watch a new documentary on Netflix all about her disease.

I've known that Maggie suffered from something that I didn't understand, she is sometimes able to attend book club, and sometimes not.  When she does attend her spirit is high but physically she's tired, and not just normal tired, bone-tired.  She told us that she suffers from ME, or Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (formerly referred to most commonly as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome), but I didn't really know what that meant in any meaningful way.

So I watched Unrest yesterday afternoon and what an eye-opener it was.  What did I know about Chronic Fatigue Syndrome except that it was a disease that was ridiculed, do you remember the jokes about it?  The term ME much more aptly describes this disease, it is not just about fatigue, it affects the body on a deeply cellular level.  It is basically cellular collapse of the entire body, and there is no cure and really no treatment for it.  In fact it is very difficult for scientists to even get funding to do research into the cause, the treatment or the cure.  This is a disease that needs more awareness... pronto!

I encourage you to watch it even though it will break your heart.  How much do you know about ME?  Do you know anyone who suffers from it?
xoxDani



SaveSave

Elephant Vase

Flowers from Sweet Violets

 I really like a flower vase that is made of ceramic rather than glass, but they can be a bit difficult to find.  Something about viewing the knobby stems through murky water somehow seems to detract from the flower arrangement above.
Of course, flowers should be given constant fresh water so that it doesn't go murky!  Somehow, though, it reminds me of swimming through reeds.
There's my odd thought I'll put out there for today!

Last night's Fun Book Club sadly had greatly reduced numbers: we were only four.
It was lovely to see the ladies though.  H is just back from walking a marathon in Florida, C is busy as usual, working hard and looking after her aging mother, while T is recovering nicely from hip surgery all while keeping her business going.

The others were very much missed.  I do think though, if there's going to be a book club with low numbers it will be in January.  Some members are travelling (to warmer places, lucky ducks) and it's also a time of year when illness can rear its ugly head a bit more frequently.

My snacks were not amazing: I bought a small brie for those ladies who eat dairy, and I set out some nuts, chocolates and some coconut crisp cookies that I purchased.

We all had a glass of wine, which was lovely.  Accompanying that was a discussion that women often seem to have: is it acceptable/healthy to have a glass of wine every day?  The consensus seemed to be yes, as long as it's one glass, but we all know it can be a slippery slope.

We also discussed earthquakes, and disaster preparedness.  This was in part due to H mentioning the very frightening false alarm that occurred in Hawaii last weekend (you can read some personal accounts in the form of letters to the editor here).  I then recommended a really excellent podcast I've been listening to: Faultines on cbc radio.  If you've ever wondered about the likelihood of an earthquake on Canada's west coast, and how one should prepare oneself for it, this is the podcast for you.  I've learned so much listening to it.
I think I'll finish listening to it today as I do some cooking.

I hope you have a happy and healthy Wednesday, disaster-free.
xoxDani

Sorted

 I tend to have very little patience for sorting through my ironing basket, and it is the one household task that I will put off doing for as long as possible.
This might be why it's so satisfying when I actually clear the task off of my list.
I spent yesterday morning paying bills and doing some mid-month tax filing, and once that was finished I attacked the housework.  By mid-afternoon I was ready to sort through the laundry room.  The machines had been whirring all day with bed linens, towels and clothes but it was time to clear the decks.
The lower level of our house was a dirt-floored cellar when we bought it.  The laundry was stuck in a sad, scary corner full of cobwebs and damp.
It was the first area we renovated, and in the winter months it becomes incredibly cozy.  The kitchen is just up the staircase, the laundry room smells of lavender and the fire roars away in the family room area.

 I have a civilized method to get through the boring task of ironing: setting up the board in front of the fire so that I can iron away while watching the afternoon news.

 It was just a year ago this week that we put this gas fireplace in the basement family room.  It is the perfect size but it is not to be underestimated: "feel the heat coming off of that thing!" as my Dad would say.
Once we had this fireplace installed we were able to shut off the electric baseboard heating on the entire lower level permanently.  This has saved us hundreds of dollars in electricity costs just in the first year.  It also added the final touch to this series of cozy basement rooms: laundry room, large bathroom and family room:  the whole place just finally feels sorted.

Today I have something special on the agenda: my Fun Book Club this evening, here at my house.  I cannot wait to get caught up with those interesting women.  I'll let you know how it goes.
Have a great day today, hopefully you'll have someone fun in it!
xoxDani

The Best Laid Plans

 I'm a bit late off the mark, but this week I finally organized my planner for 2018.
As you can see I have a planner from Louis Vuitton, and it is extra special not just for the classic look of it and the perfect size, but because it was a gift from my dear friend Tabs!
I've been using it for about three or four years, and even though I have an iPhone with apps etc I just don't feel organized unless I plan things out on paper.
It's not just me who feels this way, you can read a NYT article about the case for a paper planner right here.

It is possible to acquire the new year inserts from the Louis Vuitton store, which I have done once.  They are quite special with a yearly theme and attractive stickers, but the inserts from Filofax also fit in this planner just perfectly.  I order the "personal" size from their website.

This is next week starting to take shape.

 I prefer to open my planner and see one week at a time.  I fill it in with appointments and social events, but I also note down any illness in the family as it happens, just so that I have a record of it.

I also make note of things like my migraine attacks, one of which I had yesterday.
It's interesting (if frustrating) to look back on a year and take in the frequency and severity of something like migraine attacks: all other plans for that day and likely the next will be scrawled out.

The best laid plans!

I also buy the inserts to make lists and notes.
I'm a great one for list-making.

Ironically enough the novel I'm reading right now (for my Fun Book Club) is indeed titled The Best Laid Plans.  By about 7:30 last night my migraine had calmed to the point of exhaustion and I was able to lie down and read for a bit before I fell asleep ridiculously early.
I'm so enjoying this book, it is hilarious and the characters are not only well-drawn, they ring true.  You can read about Terry Fallis and his books here.

I hope your plans for today go off just as you hope!
xoxDani

Paisley and Leopard

 I did some slapdash sewing and found new life for my antique wool paisley throw.
The throw is very dear to me because I bought it from Ellie's store, and those of you who were also fans of Ellie and her wonderful blog Have Some Decorum will understand the special qualities of this paisley.  Special because she herself chose it at a brocante in Paris!

Ellie was a big fan of paisley in decorating, and this piece in particular was quite old with a lovely tassel trim.  I used it as a tablecloth for about a year, and then as a throw for this little sofa, but alas Scout had her way with it and it developed a couple of significant holes.

What would Ellie do?  I think she would have kept on using the paisley in decorating in some way, so I've made pillow covers, two quite large ones, out of the best bits of the fabric.

 They really suit the feeling of this room, it is the small bedroom in our house, on the second floor, that we use as MrBP's dressing room.  The room is filled with tweed and books and an ancient rug that MrBP's great-grandfather brought back to Vienna at the end of the first world war.

 I have a portiere hanging in lieu of a door, which while not an excellent choice for a bedroom works perfectly in this kind of space.

The shelves are filled with books and also boxes of ties and baskets of socks and boxer shorts!

Speaking of books, tonight I'll be going to the Christmas potluck for my Fun Bookclub.
I belong to two bookclubs, one serious and one fun.  Why the distinction?  Well for example, the December bookclub for my fun club is a potluck dinner with lots of chatting and laughs, and a book exchange game.  We don't read a book to discuss for this event because let's face it, it won't be discussed anyway.  This bookclub is made up of women who have quite serious jobs, a few psychotherapists, doctors, a woman who runs an estate business, another who sits on various quite serious sounding boards.

My serious bookclub is smaller and made up of women (and one man) who are my closest friends, but we always discuss the book in minute detail and if one hasn't read the book you might consider not attending!  For our December bookclub we're reading a book about the hospital at the centre of Hurricane Katrina (Five Days at Memorial), not exactly a light read.

 I love both of these bookclubs and I'm quite glad they're so different.  It makes for a fun change!

I'm planning to dress up a little bit tonight, and by that I mean wearing my leopard shoes (well, changing into them once I wrangle my snow boots off) with my black outfit.

I think that leopard, like paisley, is a neutral!
Do you belong to a bookclub, serious or fun?
I'll be spending the morning outside with Scout, we've had our first significant snowfall overnight and it's a winter wonderland out there.  We'll go to the park and run around like little kids (or at least Scout will).
Enjoy your day today,
xoxDani