Sunday Salon — February 23
Good morning!
Time: // 8:33 am.
The scene: // Cloudy and cool — but our snow is all gone after some rain and unseasonably warm days.
Listening to: // Nothing. I should probably fix that.
Set in the 1920s around a celebration of Guy Fawkes Day
Reading: // Too many books. I’m still reading The Clockwork Universe by Edward Dolnick and Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson for my project to learn about science in England in the 1600s and DK Eyewitness Travel book, Great Britain, so I can see sites related to the people and activities of that time period.
The famous Gunpowder Plot, the thwarting of which is observed on Guy Fawkes Day (“Remember, Remember, the 5th of November…”) happened earlier in that century. I didn’t end up with a book on that, but I picked up the Daisy Dalrymple Mystery, Gunpowder Plot by Carola Dunn. That’s proving to be fun.
I also started the Young Reader’s Edition of The End of Overeating by David A. Kessler. The title for this version is Your Food is Fooling You: How Your Brain is Hijacked by Sugar, Fat, and Salt. I’d like to give this book to every 14-year-old in America. I’m finding it an excellent review for myself as well.
Blogging about: // Isaac Newton. I reviewed the biography by Peter Ackroyd and included his mildly gross illustration of reshaping his own eye ball in my Wondrous Words Wednesday post.
Participating in (NOT) // The book discussion of The Memoir Project by Marion Roach Smith that I mentioned last week, originally scheduled for February 28, has been canceled. So, unmark your calendars for that one — sorry for any inconvenience.
What are you up to this fine Sunday?
Rob worked longer than expected and then a friend from California called so, what was supposed to be a relaxing day with the two of us finally watching The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, turned into my trying to keep Holly calm and watching the movie alone.
Unseasonable weather is right. We had a really bad thunder and lightning storm the other night. Very strange for February!
Thanks for visiting my blog. And thanks for the tip about better butter but I am curious about brands or where you find this better butter. I have been using Whipped butter on toast etc. just because it is natural— just butter and air. And just regular butter if I bake, though I am curious if the coconut oil (which is hard) could be used in replacement. I am obviously trying to make some positive changes in my diet and muddling along as best I can. The book about food fooling you sounds good. I think I will look for it for my library and read it before I put it on the shelf!
We get Organic Valley pastured butter at Whole Foods. It’s a seasonal product since cows in much of the country can’t eat grass all year around, but butter freezes!
My former boss was from England and he threw a big Guy Fawkes party every year complete with effigy, bonfire and fireworks.
I loved learning about that!
Looking so forward to Easter… my grandmother always claimed the weather never straightened out til after Easter.
I think I’ll check out The History of Overeating. It sounds like something I should read and then pass on to my 12 year-old who loves to bake sweets.
Today I finished up last week’s school assignments. Now I’ll probably start writing my paper, a review or two, and some letters.
Hope you’re enjoying your Sunday!
I didn’t realize there was a YA version of Kessler’s book. I listened to the adult version on audio – it is very good! Have a good week!
Guy Fawkes day, I forgot all about that!
I’m interested in the Sugar, Fat, Salt book. Sounds like good info to know. Thx.