Rare thing

I have such a weakness for this song.

Different types

Asterios Polyp is a wonderfully inventive graphic novel.  It follows a world-renowned architect (although none of his buildings have ever been built) through two different parts of his life - while meeting his wife and then after his whole world falls apart.

I loved how the characters are drawn.  Everyone has their own particular drawing style and color to show how different everyone is.  The art and the coloring and the characters all come together so beautifully.  7.5/10.

Circus

Absolutely inspired.

Bring it on home

Frustration turned into list-making

Gar!  Blogger is refusing to post pictures.  Hence a picture-less list-full post.

- I've cut two big bouquets of peonies and the smell in the house is absolutely heady.
- The phrase of the moment for me is "forward momentum".  This consists of making all sorts of progress small and large on home and personal projects.  Today I collected up all the un-usable household chemicals to drop off at the collection point, scheduled a pick-up for an old mattress that's been taking up basement space, and replaced some switchplates.  Even though I can't tackle a bathroom remodel all in one go, I can make incremental house progress.
- Salon appointment is scheduled.  I hate all the time it takes when I go to get a cut and color, but I just gotta make it happen.
- I've been taking a camera with me on my regular neighborhood wanderings.  I have a new idea for the front yard.  And pictures!  That Blogger won't let me upload!  Gar!  Also the boy-o and I may have agreed on a patio project we both can get behind.
- My little brother and I got to talking about books we wanted to read but had never gotten around to.  Suddenly, we're doing a sibling read-a-long.  The first book will be a Russian classic.  Love projects like this!

- My garden is chock full of heirloom tomatoes, but I'm still squeezing more in.  Today's addition - Purple Dog Creek. 

- This week, I've been experimenting with sangria recipes.  Mmmmmm peaches in red wine!

- I'm battling a small case of poison ivy from a recent volunteer project.  It's driving me nuts.  Feel free to share any sure-thing remedies.  Technu soap (my usual go-to) is not doing the trick.

Seriously good

Totally addicted.  The Killing is a series on AMC.  It follows the investigation into the death of a teenage girl.  I really appreciate how the girl's family isn't just an after thought as in a lot of other crime shows.

Poppies

Poppies, a photo by Elkhead on Flickr.

I'm a lot in love with poppies this spring (and every spring). May have to add loads more to my garden.

Uncomfortable

I Love Everybody (and Other Atrocious Lies) had me laughing aloud quite a few times.  The author tells some funny stories about awkward situations.  At times though, she just seems far too mean and bitter - something I'm pretty uncomfortable with.  I think it just crossed that line a time too many (although I loved the story about her grandmother's Lifetime TV addiction). 4/10.

Lifelong

As Always, Julia is the collected letter between Julia Child and Avis DeVoto.  My biggest complain about the book is the cover photo.  It is sweet, but as the story of a friendship, I think they should have gone with this snapshot:

How comfortable and cooly theirselves do these ladies look?  As made plain by my blog's title, I am a huge fan of Julia Child.  She was an amazing woman.  This collection only made my devotion more firm.

The correspondence between these two began with a letter from Julia to Avis's husband about an article he wrote on knives.  From that sprung a lifelong friendship.

I would recommend this book to readers who loved My Life in France and want to dive deeper.  I loved peaking into their talks on politics, family and cooking.  Wonderful read!  8/10.

Last Night at the Lobster is so short that it's practically a blip.  It's seriously a good read though.  It tells the tale of the employees of a Red Lobster restaurant that's opened for its last day.  Gorgeous!  I never worked food service, but I spent innumerable days at a Pizza Hut while dating my now-husband.  The waitresses, the manager, the customers - it is so spot on.  8/10.

Green bowlers

The Return of the Dapper Men is a graphic novel with an introduction by Tim Gunn (!!!)  It's a steampunk where there are no adults - only children who live below ground and robots who live above.  Everything changes when the dapper men arrive.

It's an interesting concept, but the story falls a bit flat.  The artwork however is stunning.  Particularly the poster from the end of the book:

Love it!  Overall however, it's a 4/10.

Listyness

Who can't appreciate a book that lists manic pixie dreamgirls and the best Vonnegut quotes?  Other than the already-mentioned, my favorite lists were story songs and songs about true crime.  Inventory gets 5.5/10.

Appreciation

Things I appreciate this week:
- The new birdhouse my dad & mum made me
- A visit from my sister
- Celebrating my father's 70th birthday (it's a family-heavy week)
- Avalon red wine
- My purple iris are abloom & the neighbor's lilac
- The best description of my neighborhood right now is verdant

Maxi

How crazy pretty is this dress?

Dear 16 year old me

Poignant

Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont was a slim little novel about a woman at the end of her days.  She moves into a hotel mostly inhabited by those not yet ready for a care home.  I thought it was sweet and poignant and honest and lovely.  8/10.

Tree houses and books

Lovely.

Unexpectedly sweet

I Love You Philip Morris made me laugh.  It's very like Catch Me If You Can - full of some amazingly true cons. I liked it better than Catch Me though because the love story is pretty touching.   I thought Ewan McGregor was perfectly cast and played such a sweet role.  5/10.

NPR did a great interview of Steven Russell when the film came out. 

Stunners

Really enjoying Lisa Fiorito's pinboard full of amazing clothes.

Snotty

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie has a terrific protaganist is Flavia de Luce (isn't that a great name?).  Flavia is eleven years old, obsessed with chemistry and poisons, and intent on tormenting her older sisters.  The mystery that she finds herself entangled in is cleverly told.  Most of all I enjoyed her snotty remarks and pranks on her sisters.  It's definitely a fun read.  6/10.

No sparkling

American Vampire is a graphic novel about vampires who don't:
- sparkle
- romance teenagers
- look longingly into anyone's eyes

What they do in fact is hunt down people and kill them in horribly violent ways.  It's well written and drawn.  I enjoyed this darker and more terrifying take on the vampire story.  6/10.

May Day

It's May 1st!  A lovely reason to leave bouquets on your neighbor's porches and make something pretty to stuff full of nesting materials for all the birdies flitting around the yard.  Yep, that's today's plan!