It's Friday and that means it's time for some
Random Things.
Thank you Nancy!
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My kitchen chairs are back.
You may remember I sent them out to be reupholstered.
They look great and the kitties are so happy to have them back home.
We can now all sit at the kitchen table in the morning.
They nap while I have my tea and toast and check email.
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When July rolls around that means it time for the
Tour De France.
I love watching these amazing bicyclists and really enjoy
seeing the beautiful countryside.
Arm chair traveling at its best!
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I saw this on Face Book and it made me think of my Granny.
She always made a macaroni and pea salad for the 4th of July.
She added a little onion and some sweet pickle relish, I think.
The recipe for this one, Macaroni and pea salad with chives,
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I recently finished reading A Cup of Light by Nicole Mones.
I really enjoyed it.
Lia Frank is a specialist in Chinese porcelains and is sent to China by her auction house to evaluate a privately owned collection that is for sale. Lia is amazed by the quality and quantity of the porcelains she must evaluate ... are they real or fake. There is great beauty in imperfection -- something Lia knows all about. Lia is extraordinary and she is flawed. She is a mnemonist -- she can remember every porcelain, every catalog, all the history of each piece she has ever seen ... and she must call upon that ability to fill in the missing information on the pieces she sees. She is also deaf without her hearing aids ... something she turns into an ability rather than a liability. This was my kind of book. I have enjoyed everything I've read authored by Nicole Mones. She knows China. Wonderful history on Chinese porcelains and the emperors kilns in Jingdezhen -- something I really enjoyed that others may find a little boring -- too much information, but with my interest in Asian ceramics -- I was in heaven! Fascinating look at the ah chans and the illegal sale and distribution of art works. Lastly, a very quick and sad look at lead poisoning in young Chinese children -- something that may be fairly common because of all the pollution in China. Throw in a little unexpected romance and Mones has another winner.
But this is not my favorite Mones book.
That honor belongs to The Last Chinese Chef!
*****
It is peach season and I'm enjoying peach smoothies.
The best of summer time!
I hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend.
Wishing YOU well and much joy!
