Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sunday Salon: Ahhhhhhh

Praise the Lord, someone finally hit the off button.  We attended a track meet yesterday, then headed up here to our heaven on earth for the week, St. George Island.  I'm hoping to do some chilling out, some reading, some wine consumption, shopping, napping and MAYBE a little review-writing. 

Over the years, we have been to this island, located in the panhandle of Florida off the coast of Apalachicola, probably more than a half dozen times.  Four of those times have been at Thanksgiving, breaking the stereotype of turkey day by celebrating with the crash of waves as background noise.  Every time we cross the long bridge to this strip of land with a bunch of houses on stilts, my heart sings.  But it has been three years since our last visit.  The last time we were here, I had just started my blog and was fretting the entire week over a post I was writing for James (Ready When You Are, C.B.) on Larousse Gastronomique.

I turn into a different (better) person when I'm here.

Up until Saturday, I was busy with dentist appointments, horseback riding lessons, packing for our trip, and hosting our Books, Babes and Bordeaux book club (discussing "Unbroken").  I was so preoccupied though, not only with our upcoming trip and getting the hell out of Dodge, but with my most excellent reading adventures.

I finished the audio of "The Knife of Never Letting Go" by Patrick Ness (the first installment of the Chaos Walking trilogy).  I became totally obsessed with it.  So I attempted to get the second installment "The Ask and the Answer" on audio, but no go.  I downloaded it via Overdrive on my phone as an e-book and read it in only a few days, despite the fact it is a looong book.  I've now just started "Monsters of Men" on audio.  I'm going to knock this one out here on my vacation.  What a series.

I also listened to "The Stranger You Seek" by Amanda Kyle Williams, which was insanely fun.  The murder mystery was very satisfying but the real treat here was the protagonist, a Chinese-American, recovering alcoholic, crotch-grabbing, ass-kicking woman worthy of your attention.  I cannot WAIT to write this review.

I'm now reading, in print, "The Hunchback of Neiman Marcus", a testament to all of us near-menopausal wives who are grieving over our lost younger bodies, our children who are embarrassed to be seen with us, and are contemplating our aging parents.  This is a fast read, and highly entertaining, written in verse form.  I should have it knocked out today.

Even though I'm on vacation, I can't promise I'll be around 100% of the time.  I'll do my best.  What are you all up to today?

   



23 comments:

rhapsodyinbooks said...

How about some pictures too? I'm not really familiar with the panhandle - I want to see those houses on stilts!

Zibilee said...

Oh, so glad that you are finally in your relaxing spot and that you will have some time to just be quiet and subdued. It has been a lot of very busy weeks leading up to this, so I am excited for you that you will be having some downtime now. Have fun and take some excellent pictures. We will hold down the internet while you are gone!

raych said...

MANCHEEEE! I'm so glad you're loving that series. It is, in my opinion and the opinion of at least one other person I know, better than The Hunger Games, though less HEAVILY APPLAUDED.

Though there are rumors of making it ALSO into movies, to which I am opposed.

Anonymous said...

Happy vacationing!

Unknown said...

So happy you are beachside and relaxing. Sounds like reading is going well. Enjoy!

Michelle (my books. my life.) said...

Sounds lovely. Enjoy your relaxing week. My boss is off to Captiva Island for the week so I'm jealous of all of you island-bound Floridians.

bermudaonion said...

I hope you have a wonderful, relaxing getaway! We still don't know where we'll be eating our turkey this year.

Unknown said...

It turned out to be too rainy for wine-tasting so I'm sitting in the newly redecorated Starbucks reading everyone's blog posts.

And lovin' life. :-)

Heidenkind said...

We've only vacationed during the holidays once and it was MADNESS. Speaking of, I can't believe Thanksgiving is almost here! Where did the month go?

JoAnn said...

Relax and enjoy your vacation. We're just chillin' today, too. Happy Thanksgiving!

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your week, Sandy! You really deserve the break. :)

Alyce said...

Ah, that looks lovely! It's cloudy and grim here but we're still managing to have fun relaxing with indoor activities (video games, reading blogs and legos - depending on which family member I'm referring to). I hope the rest of your week is relaxing and enjoyable!

Carrie K. said...

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!

Jenners said...

Kick back and just relax and enjoy your downtime! With the crazy life you lead, you deserve it!! Read and drink and nap and eat and just chill out!!

Marie Cloutier said...

I hope you have a wonderful time! sounds like heaven to me.

Julie P. said...

Enjoy the week!!!

Beth F said...

Enjoy your down time. Beautiful photo.

The Bumbles said...

Well geeesh! I hope that because you are on vacation you will NOT be visiting everyone - you should be relaxing with the waves - insanely jealous, I am.

Ti said...

I hope you have a lovely time there. We are still wrapping up dental appts over here. The Boy has to get his 2nd phase of braces tomorrow...which means he will be pretty sore come Turkey Day. I wanted to wait, the Ortho said no. I think some serious Advil will be in the mix.

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

I'm in book 2 of the Chaos Walking series, I can't wait to hear your thoughts.

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

Those stilt houses have me curious! They intrigue me! Enjoy your break!

Kathleen said...

I hope you are enjoying your break Sandy! It is well deserved!

Alice said...

Have a good vacation, Sandy! Will be missing you.

I've been posting lots of pictures about Penang and the latest one being lotuses in a beautiful, historic blue Mansion.