“I’m so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers.” — Lucy Maude Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
READING:
Books:
The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans — “A modern tale of desire and deception set in the world of 1930s Parisian haute couture - perfect for fans of The Perfume Collector or The Paris Wife. Alix Gower has a dream : to join the ranks of Coco Chanel to become a designer in the high-stakes world of Parisian haute couture. But Alix also has a she supports her family by stealing designs to create bootlegs for the foreign market. A hidden sketchbook and two minutes inside Hermès is all she needs to create a perfect replica, to be whisked off to production in New York. Then Alix is given her big break - a chance to finally realize her dream in one of the most prominent Parisian fashion houses - but at the price of copying the breakthrough Spring Collection. Knowing this could be her only opportunity, Alix accepts the arrangement. But when a mystery from her past resurfaces and a chance meeting has her falling into the arms of a handsome English war reporter, Alix learns that the slightest misstep - or misplaced trust - could be all it takes for her life to begin falling apart at the seams (Goodreads).
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge — “As Paris rediscovers its joie de vivre, Tabitha Knight, recently arrived from Detroit for an extended stay with her French grandfather, is on her own journey of discovery. Paris isn’t just the City of Light; it’s the city of history, romance, stunning architecture . . . and food. Thanks to her neighbor and friend Julia Child, another ex-pat who’s fallen head over heels for Paris. Between tutoring Americans in French, visiting the market, and eagerly sampling the results of Julia’s studies at Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, Tabitha’s sojourn is proving thoroughly delightful. That is, until the cold December day they return to Julia’s building and learn that a body has been found in the cellar. Tabitha recognizes the victim as a woman she’d met only the night before, at a party given by Julia’s sister, Dort. The murder weapon found nearby is recognizable too—a knife from Julia’s kitchen. Tabitha is eager to help the investigation, but is shocked when Inspector Merveille reveals that a note, in Tabitha’s handwriting, was found in the dead woman’s pocket. Is this murder a case of international intrigue, or something far more personal? From the shadows of the Tour Eiffel at midnight, to the tiny third-floor Child kitchen, to the grungy streets of Montmartre, Tabitha navigates through the city hoping to find the real killer before she or one of her friends ends up in prison . . . or worse” (Goodreads).
A Shoe Story by Jane L. Rosen — “Esme Nash jumps at a second chance to step into the future she's sure was meant to be hers. As she retraces her steps, one pair of borrowed shoes at a time, making new friends and reconnecting with her old love, Esme tries on versions of herself she didn't know existed. But the hazy August days and warm summer nights pass too quickly, and Esme must decide how much of the life she imagined still fits, and what--and who--is on the road ahead of her” (Goodreads).
Links:
The 10 Prettiest Places to Visit in the Fall (CN Traveler) — I have been to 7/10 of these places, albeit not always in the fall. I don’t love #9 — totally not my vibe, but maybe I would like it better in autumn. I am excited to be traveling to #7 next spring. #4 and #5 are two of my favorite American cities and I especially love them in the fall. I have visited #3 several times in the spring and summer. I don’t know about fall, but this city is legendary for it’s Christmas decorations so I would like to return during the holidays. #2 is only ninety miles from home, yet I don’t go there often enough and I don’t know if I’ve every visited in the fall. And of course, #1 is my favorite place to visit at least once a year no matter the season.
40th Anniversary of the Violent Femmes — I wasn’t able to get tickets, but I’m looking forward to watching the concert on PBS.
The Best Cities in the US: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards (CN Traveler) — Guess who’s #3 in the Best Big Cities?! “So much more than just a day trip from Chicago, Milwaukee has many (if not all) of the same qualities that make other cities on this list buzz—and then some. Located on the shores of Lake Michigan, the city’s surprisingly eco-diverse location makes it a hotbed of locavore cuisine. A spate of award-winning restaurants have helped Milwaukee shed its beer-and-cheer reputation, though you can still get your fill of both between fine dinners. The dedicated revitalization of neighborhoods such as the historic Third Ward and Lincoln Village has also kept visitors busy with specialty shops, galleries, and more creative businesses.”
Stroll, Sip and Dance Through Paris, in the Footsteps of Artistic Giants (NYT) — I love historic, literary, artistic Paris.
WATCHING:
Halloween Favorites:
It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown — a seasonal tradition (3 times so far this year).
Hocus Pocus — Would it be Halloween without The Sanderson Sisters?'
Practical Magic — I love the vibe of the town, the house, and the 90’s fashion.
Beetlejuice — Favorite Scene: The Banana Boat Song.
Lupin Part 3 — “France’s most wanted gentleman thief is on the run, but he’s heading back to Paris when Lupin returns for Part 3. Assane Diop (Omar Sy) is planning his most intense — and probably most insane — heist yet. The master of disguise is not afraid of danger, and this stunt is a 12 out of 10 on the danger scale” (Netflix). We binged the season in one weekend.
Lessons in Chemistry — “In the 1950s, Elizabeth Zott's dream of being a scientist is challenged by a society that says women belong in the domestic sphere. She accepts a job on a TV cooking show and sets out to teach a nation of overworked housewives way more than recipes” (Apple TV+). I usually prefer the book to the movie or TV show, but this adaption is visually captivating.
LISTENING TO:
Cool jazz: It just reminds me of fall.
My personally curated Halloween playlist: “Thriller” (Michael Jackson), “Superstition” (Stevie Wonder), “Zombie” (The Cranberries), “Devil Inside” (INXS), “Ghost Town” (The Specials), “Psycho Killer” (Talking Heads), “Peek-a-boo” (Siouxsie & the Banshees), “One Step Beyond” (Madness), “Dead Man’s Party” (Oingo Boingo), “I Want Candy” (Bow Wow Wow), “Rapture” (Blondie), “Season of the Witch” (Donovan), “Witchcraft” (Frank Sinatra), “Moondance” (Van Morrison), “Somebody’s Watching Me” (Rockwell), “Time Warp” (Rocky Horror Picture Show), “Ghostbusters” (Ray Parker, Jr.), “The Munsters”, “Love Potion Number Nine” (The Searchers), “Purple People Eater” (Sheb Wooley), “Werewolves of London” (Warren Zevon), “Witch Doctor” (David Seville), “Evil Ways” (Santana), “Spooky” (Classics IV), “The Addams Family”, and of course “The Great Pumpkin Waltz” (Vince Guaraldi).
My October Instapuzzle Mini-Playlist:
The Great Pumpkin Waltz (Vince Guaraldi)
Les Feuilles mortes (Yves Montand)
Couleurs de l’automne (Jean-Denis Frigault)
A Bushel and a Peck (Doris Day)
Hello October (Sugar Lime Blue)
Spooky (Classic IV)
I Want Candy (Bow Wow Wow)
Halloween Waltz (moon blues)
Thriller (Michael Jackson)
ENJOYING:
October —- It’s one of my favorite months of the year — the colors and the smell of the changing leaves, “sweater weather”, bonfires and football, comfort foods and red wines. October is a big hug.
36 hours in Door County — It was chilly and windy, but we enjoyed wine tasting and lunch with friends, hiked in the woods, picked apples and sipped cider, shopped, dined, and relaxed, and just when we were ready to head back home, the sun came out beckoning us to stay a bit longer. So we sat by the Bay and watched the season’s final sailors batten down the hatches.
