“There is no fragrance in April breezes till breathed with joy as we wander by.” – William Cullen Bryan
In the opening lines of The Waste Land, T.S. Eliot laments, “April is the cruelest month." He challenges the idea that spring is a happy time, preferring the forgetful numbness of winter over the pain of growth and renewal. While this April has indeed been challenging with its severe weather fluctuations, power outages, taxes, and, in our case, car trouble, I am still energized by longer days and emerging growth in our garden. I love every season, but the first few weeks of each new one are always my favorite.
Here’s a review of what I read, watched, listened to, and enjoyed in April.
READ:
Forever Paris: A Guide to the Timeless Soul of the City by Marin Montagut — “Marin Montagut est un illustrateur et designer français. Sous sa marque éponyme, il crée des manquent à son quotidien et les met en scène dans sa boutique parisienne. Il est l'auteur de plusieurs ouvrages” (Goodreads). I love the illustrations in this book and would really like to visit Montagut’s shop.
Home Sweet Maison: The French Art of Making a Home by Danielle Postel-Vinay — “How do the French create the elusive and alluring sanctuaries they call home? This question long intrigued Danielle Postel-Vinay. Thanks to a chance encounter with a French expat in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and years of immersive research, she embarked on a quest to discover the secrets of the French home aesthetic. Experiencing first-hand la belle vie—the beautiful life—Postel-Vinay now shows everyone how to create their own French sanctuary, a home sweet maison, no matter where they live. Providing more than just interior decorating and design tips, Postel-Vinay teaches you how to foster the warmth, beauty, and rituals inherent in the French home and create an environment better suited to living a rich, full, connected life. At the center of the book is the idea that your house should be a reflection of you, your hobbies, your family history, your rituals, all the things that make your life unique. A happy home is a home that expresses your rituals and your taste, not one that relies on prefab décor from a mass retailer” (Goodreads). I would have loved some images and illustrations in this book.
WATCHED:
Eva Longoria Searching for France (CNN) — “A devoted Francophile whose career has taken her to France countless times, Longoria now goes deeper, savoring the traditions, innovations and regional flavors that have defined French cuisine for centuries. Along the way she uncovers the history that shaped it, from royal courts and monastic vineyards to the regional communities that turned local ingredients into enduring culinary traditions.” I can’t say I’m a bit fan of Eva or her French, but I love France and its culinary diversity.
Old episodes of Restored on the Magnolia channel — “Preservationist Brett Waterman transforms historic homes with fascinating stories and untapped potential. With a passion for homes with unique character hidden beneath neglect and poor renovations, Brett restores these properties to their former glory” (YouTube). The restorations are fascinating, but I’m not a fan of the finishing touches (paint, decor, etc.). I might be done.
LISTENED TO:
My newly updated I Love Paris playlist. I miss visiting Paris this spring, but I’m eagerly anticipating my next trip in October.
April Instapuzzle Mini Playlist:
April Daydream (Serene Station)
Sugar Sugar (The Archies)
L’Amour, Le Macaron, Häagen-Dazs (Stella Jang)
Spring Flower (Hey Joon),
April (Ophelia Wilde)
It’s a Lovely Day Today (Ella Fitzgerald)
Tiptoe Thru the Tulips (The O’Neill Brothers)
Beautiful Things Piano Instrumental (Benson Boone)
Yellow Spring (30 Dream)
ENJOYED:
The first signs of spring in our yard — The magnolia, red bud, and Tina crab are blooming and my Wisconsin wildflower garden is already lush with ferns, Virginia blue bells, violets, lilies of the valley, and even the first trillium.
The first week with my new car; although the L-H cars saga is ongoing.
