2020 resolution - shopping my own bag and wallet collection. Any one else?

[SakuraSakura]

How about a challenge to use five different bags next month. Even if it means just taking it out for a good moisturizing.
What is everyone doing for exercise? I am getting to lazy and need to try something new.

Sure, that sounds like fun!

 

[ElainePG]

I just finished The Seven or Eight Deaths of Stella Fortuna by Juliet Grames. I really enjoyed this book, even though there are many dark corners in it. It's a wonderful account of the author's grandmother, meticulously researched and beautifully written, like a fictional novel.

Just read the summary of it on Amazon. It sounds fascinating! I've put it on my list. Thanks for the recommendation.

 

[ElainePG]

At the moment tucked in my bag is A Pretty Deceit by Anna Lee Huber.

It looks as though it's #4 in a series, set just after WWI? I've put the first book on my list!

Have you read the series by Charles Todd (a mother/son writing team), also set after WWI? The main character is Inspector Rutledge. The first book in the series is A Test of Wills.

 

[ElainePG]

I'm reading I Know Everything by Matthew Farrell.

I read the first one by this author, What Have You Done, a couple of years ago. I'm guessing it was an Amazon Prime monthly freebie. I remember that I liked it.

Do you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited? I see that the one you're reading is free on Kindle Unlimited. Or $5.99 without a subscription. I keep thinking about subscribing, but… so many books, so little time.

 

[ElainePG]

Oooh, thanks Elaine! I’m excited to add these titles to my reading list. I love historical fiction and mystery/thrillers!
Also your comment, “We can keep it about handbags by asking: what book do you have tucked into your handbag,“ that’s a criteria I have of bags I carry for longer day activities. In looking at my usage this year, I have not carried these larger bags as frequently. Most of my travels are to the grocery store and school run trips. When I meet friends for walks, I carry my items in my pockets. I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend. I didn’t carry a bag today, I stayed home. I baked a Blueberry Muffin Cake and made a flavourful pork stew for dinner.

I can smell that pork stew from here!
I made a really good beef stew a couple of weeks ago, but I think the same recipe would work just as well with pork. I'll add it to the monthly rotation. The Hubster will be happy (he's more of a meat-eater than I am; I could live happily on veggies, with some fish or chicken tossed in occasionally).

 

[ElainePG]

How about a challenge to use five different bags next month. Even if it means just taking it out for a good moisturizing.
What is everyone doing for exercise? I am getting to lazy and need to try something new.

I love this challenge. Giving 5 of my bags a "spa day" in December is a great plan, considering that I can't get to the spa myself!

 

[ElainePG]

Hard to believe we are already at the end of the month. I have been very naughty but i stuck by my rule of only sticking to the shelf space I already have.
7 Bags in - Three of these I will receive for Christmas From brother and Dh but I got to pick them so I am counting them in. One has yet to arrive but I am counting that as well. There was actually an 8th bag but it came in and is leaving again today ,so I am not counting it.

3 Bags out
1 slg in
0 slg out
0 sport/travel bags in
1 Sport/travel bag out

It has been a crazy stress filled month. Playing with the bags helps keep my mind off other things. Also the bags I bought were very budget friendly. Sad to see some of my favorite styles no longer being made or not in the same gorgeous fabrics.

I'm sorry that November was a particularly difficult month for you.

 

[ElainePG]

I loved the queens gambit on Netflix!

I'm loving the book, which I started last night. But I may end up also watching the rest of the Netflix version. Maybe on my iPad. I thought it was beautifully produced. And apparently there are some major differences between the book & the Netflix version.

 

[Cookiefiend]

Hard to believe we are already at the end of the month. I have been very naughty but i stuck by my rule of only sticking to the shelf space I already have.
7 Bags in - Three of these I will receive for Christmas From brother and Dh but I got to pick them so I am counting them in. One has yet to arrive but I am counting that as well. There was actually an 8th bag but it came in and is leaving again today ,so I am not counting it.

3 Bags out
1 slg in
0 slg out
0 sport/travel bags in
1 Sport/travel bag out

It has been a crazy stress filled month. Playing with the bags helps keep my mind off other things. Also the bags I bought were very budget friendly. Sad to see some of my favorite styles no longer being made or not in the same gorgeous fabrics.

3 bags out! Congratulations!
It has been stressful - I feel ya...

How about a challenge to use five different bags next month. Even if it means just taking it out for a good moisturizing.
What is everyone doing for exercise? I am getting to lazy and need to try something new.

Sounds good to me!
I haven't been exercising at all, other than a few walks with Coco. I *need* to, but I am soooooooo unmotivated. My weight is up, I've been craving all those warm, cozy stews and breads. Especially bread. Or pasta...

 

[cowgirlsboots]

You look terrific! And I am in awe that you made the dress. Especially the neckline details.

Thank-you so much @ElainePG ! The pattern I used is very good, much better than the recent patterns you can buy. The neckline came together effortlessly and fit at the first attempt. They really knew how to draft patterns in the 50ies!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

Some time you might want to try Cannery Row. It's right down the street from me, so I suppose I'm biased, but I adore this book. I reread it every couple of years, just to remind myself what Cannery Row was like in the 1940s, before it became a tourist destination.

One of the things I love about this book is that the key characters Steinbeck writes about existed IRL.

I love Cannery Row!

 

[cowgirlsboots]

I just downloaded the book from our digital library. I have a 2-hour ride to see the neurosurgeon tomorrow (I'm not driving, mind you!). I'll read Santaland Diaries on the way. Laughter is the best medicine!

Good Luck for your meeting! xxx

 

[ElainePG]

I finished reading All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny (#16). @ElainePG, I am thinking of you. I recall you’ve read some of the books in the series. This one was really satisfying, maybe part of the enjoyment came from reading it while I was cozy in front of the fireplace.

Does anyone have book recommendations they would like to share? We’re heading into more Covid Lockdown restrictions.

One thing more about the Louise Penny books (perhaps @More bags and I aren't the only ones who read them?). From a delightful food column in this past Sunday's New York Times, written by Dorrie Greenspan, who ushered Louise Penny around Paris as she researched All The Devils Are Here. I'd say this is a pretty good summary!

"…I’ve read through her books, all of which include family, mystery, murder, knotty moral dilemmas, goodness lost, goodness found, dogs, a duck, children, very old people and food, lots of it."

 

[ElainePG]

Thanks, everyone, for the good wishes. I should have some answers by later today.

Breathe in. Breathe out.

 

[dcooney4]

It looks as though it's #4 in a series, set just after WWI? I've put the first book on my list!

Have you read the series by Charles Todd (a mother/son writing team), also set after WWI? The main character is Inspector Rutledge. The first book in the series is A Test of Wills.

I have read only the one before this. She has done another series I enjoyed. So as I find them I read them. Charles Todd sounds familiar but I don’t think I have read anything by them. I will have to check it out.