Books for all different interests – cooking, historical, emotion mastery, societal constructs, sleuthing, and novels to prompt thought about one’s life journey. As well, a new French film that stars a favorite comedic actress in a bit of a dark comedy. Also, Bridget is back! And a favorite drama series from the past returns, sort of, and perhaps even more riveting in its purpose than the original ever was. Also, a new French cookbook from a beloved GBBO baker and clothes to cozy up in as well as layer for stylish peace of mind. Plus, much more!

Books

—Fearless and Free: A Memoir by Josephine Baker

A book that has been highly anticipated is a memoir, yep in Josephine Baker’s own words. A book originally published in 1949 in France, Fearless and Free, is now translated and available in English. Many know Baker’s life story’s events generally, but perhaps not as told in her own words. Described as “charming, passionate, and brave. Her words are thrilling and intimate, like she’s talking with her friends over after-show drinks in her dressing room. Through her own telling, we come to know a woman who danced to the top of the world and left her unforgettable mark on it.”

Just released on February 4th

—Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico (translated from Italian to English)

While not available in the states until March, Perfection is the first English translated novel by Italian novelist Vincenzo Latronico, but one of many successful novels published in Italy, and it is now available in the UK. Taking a close, intimate look at “millennial expat couple Anna and Tom [who] are living the dream in Berlin”, they are “feeling increasingly trapped in their picture-perfect life, and decides to take ever more radical steps in the pursuit of an authenticity and a sense of purpose perennially beyond their grasp. Described as “a taut, spare sociological novel about the emptiness of contemporary existence, scathing and brilliantly affecting”, I have feeling this novel will prompt much conversation and would be ideal for the next book club selection.

—Shift: Manage Your Emotions—So They Don’t Manage You by Ethan Kross

Released earlier this week, Shift is “acclaimed psychologist Dr. Ethan Kross’s new book in which he dispels common myths—for instance, that avoidance is always toxic or that we should always strive to live in the moment—and provides a new framework for shifting our emotions so they don’t take over our lives. 

“Shift weaves groundbreaking research with riveting stories of people struggling and succeeding to manage their emotions as well as spotlights a wide array of tools that we already have access to—in our bodies and minds, our relationships with other people, and the cultures and physical spaces we inhabit—and shows us how to harness them to be healthier and more successful.” 

Released February 4th

—The Snowbirds: A Novel by Christina Clancy

Centered around a couple married for thirty years, “their ‘separate but together’ partnership is running up against the realities of late middle age: Grant’s mother has died, the college where he taught philosophy was shuttered, and their twin girls are grown and gone. Escaping the bitter cold of a Midwestern winter for the hot desert sun of Palm Springs seems as good a solution as any to the more intractable problems they face”. Let the introspection and life analysis begin!

“Is it ever too late to become the person we wanted to be―and is there still time to change into someone better? The exhilarating, but often confusing transitions of midlife are pitched against the promise and glamour of Palm Springs in this tender, honest story of what it takes to commit to someone for a lifetime.” Editors and reviewers are quite liking The Snowbirds that was just released earlier this week.

—Three Days in June: A Novel by Anne Tyler

The three days set around a mother’s daughter’s wedding in June hold all the story we need to take us from beginning to the end of Three Days in June. “Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit. But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband to be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past”.

British Finds

—The Crime Brûlée Bake-Off by Rebecca Connolly

Let’s solve a murder, while in Britain and while we’re at it, why not center it around the competition inside the tent that usually is known for being quite congenial. However in The Crime Brûlée Bake-Off, niceties are set aside. The first book in a new series by Rebecca Connolly, the amateur sleuth at the helm is Claire Walker, and when she is “selected to be a contestant on the immensely popular cooking show, Britain’s Battle of the Bakers, she is thrilled. She can almost smell the fresh pastries wafting through the air as she and her fellow contestants use historical equipment to bring pre-1900s recipes to life. If she can win the fifty thousand pounds, she’ll be able to ditch her teaching job and launch her baking career.” But then, a contestant is found dead soon after filming begins. To make matters worse, the baker’s death is eerily similar to the legendary death of the tenth Viscountess of Colburn two hundred and fifty years earlier, which sends rumors racing through the estate”.

Released February 4th

—The Queens of Crime: A Novel by Marie Benedict

This mystery is already preordered, and I cannot wait to begin reading it when it arrives on the 11th. Marie Benedict is back with another historically based piece of fiction centered around well-known names, this time in British crime writing history. In this particular case (pun intended), The Queens of Crime involves the five greatest female crime writers in the early 20th century Britain – Dorothy L. Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Margery Allingham and Baroness Emma Orczy. Together the five women team up to solve an actual murder rather than just create one for a novel.

—Simply Jamie: Fast & Simple Food (American measurements) by Jamie Oliver

Released in January, British cook Jamie Oliver has a new cookbook, and it has now been adapted with US measurements. Simply Jamie comprises of five chapters covering Midweek Meals, Weekend Wins, Reliable Roasting Pans, Pantry Love and Delicious Desserts, with the goal to inspire you to step into the kitchen and cook because it really can be quite simple. “From 20-minute-to-table dishes and no-time-to-shop pantry rescues to weekend wins that create smart leftover ideas, meaning mealtimes are simple in the days that follow.”

Cookbooks

—One Pot, One Portion: 100 Simple Recipes Just for You by Eleanor Wilkinson

And too often cooking is forgone when we are cooking for one, but I would argue such cooking is some of the simplest cooking there is, and Eleanor Wilkinson’s new cookbook One Pot One Portion seeks to show you how to make it so. “No more eating leftovers or washing multiple pots and pans. Here you’ll find 100 easy recipes for everything you’re craving, even dessert. And to solve the solo cook’s dilemma of what do with the rest of that butternut squash or a half-can of coconut milk, each recipe references another that uses one or more of the same ingredients. If you’ve used an egg white to make the Crispy Chili Beef, you can use the leftover egg yolk to make a cozy Lemon Bread and Butter Pudding for a sweet treat. The chapters include: 

• SPECIAL recipes for next-level joy: Lobster Spaghetti with Lemon and Tomatoes, Salami and Hot Honey Pizza, and Tuna Tostadas with Avocado, Jalapeños, and Pickled Ginger.
• COMFORT recipes for ultimate warmth: Risotto Carbonara, Pumpkin Curry, and Meatball and Mozzarella Orzo. 
• FRESH recipes packed with color and vibrancy: Ginger Chicken Rice Bowl, Peanut Noodle Salad, and Pork and Ginger Lettuce Wraps. 
• SIMPLE recipes for satisfaction without stress: Tortellini and Sausage Soup, Brothy Pasta with Beans and Greens, andChorizo, Potato and Feta Frittata.”

Film

—Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, Peacock

Exclusively streaming on Peacock beginning on Thursday February 13th and also in theaters beginning February 14th, Renée Zellweger is back as the lovable Bridget Jones in Mad About the Boy. “Now a widowed single mother, she must juggle work, parenthood and romance. With the help of her loyal friends (yep, Hugh Grant reprises his role as Daniel Cleaver!), Bridget navigates encounters with a younger man—and a series of awkward interactions with her son’s science teacher—as she strives to forge a new path toward life and love.” Have a look at the trailer. It looks like a wonderfully fun film. 🙂

Francophile Finds

—Chez Manon: Simple Recipes from a French Home Kitchen by Manon Lagrève

One of my favorite bakers in the GBBO tent was Manon Lagrève, and she now has her second cookbook. Chez Manon: Simple Recipes from a French Home Kitchen is “organized around chapters that are set out like a classic French menu, allowing you to mix and match according to what’s in season. Recipes include classics, such as Pistachio and Almond Croissants, Chicken and Prune Pie and Salmon en Croute, to the more modern Beetroot Tarte Tatin and Mozzarella, Nectarine and Hazelnut Salad. The desserts are lick-the-spoon-worthy affairs, such as the Chocolate and Pear Gâteau, Easy Homemade Profiteroles and Mamie’s Apple Tart”.

Released in September 2024

—Un Ours Dans Le Jura (A Bear in the Jura, English title – How to Make a Killing)

Okay, hear me out on this one. At first, I thought, there is no way I would want to watch this new French film, but then I looked at the cast, discovered it is a comedy, more of a dark comedy but with LaureCalamy it will be light and hilarious from time to time no doubt, and now I cannot wait to watch it.

Un Ours Dans Le Jura stars Franck Dubosc and Calamy (from Dix Percent and Antoinette dans les Cévennes – loved this film) and while yes, there is a bear, an actual bear in the first scene of the film, it is only indirectly part of the plot. In fact, the phrase and unofficial title of the film is The Bear Did It. After watching the trailer, you will quickly understand why.

The hilarity ensues as Calamy and Dubosc’s characters, married in the film, are in need of money due to their current financial difficulties and raising a 12-year-old son with learning difficulties. They decide to keep the money (two million Euros, so you know, more than a small sum) and then wind themselves in figurative knots to cover their tracks while the investigation into the deaths that occur at the beginning of the film unfold. Have a look at the trailer below and look for it in France now and hopefully in the states in the coming months.

Home & Kitchen

—Food52’s Holcomb Teeter Glass Carafe with Ash-wood Lid

If water is your go-to drink of choice as well, and you are looking for a beautiful carafe to keep it in as well as place on the table during meals, this piece of art is both functional, simple and beautiful.

Available in two colors, the carafe is crafted from hand-blown glass with a smooth rim that will prevent any drips. The glass is dishwasher safe (the ash wood lid is not).

—Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote, multiple sizes, colors

Whether heading to the grocery store or the market, these multi-pocket canvas totes can hold whatever you might have on your grocery list. Made with heavy duty canvas, you will find pockets for milk, eggs and produce, and in the caper green color, there is even an insulted insert for frozen items. The straps are adjustable, and the tote stands upright all on its own. Oh! And there is even an attached ring for your keys and a holder for a fresh bouquet of flowers. Voila!

Shopping

—& Other Storiess Alpaca-blend Knitted wrap cardigan, light gray

We are living in the teens and twenties (Fahrenheit that is) here in Bend, so definitely still sweater season here, but the luxury of a wrap sweater is always nice as you can layer it and style it with a bit more freedom for your ideal comfort.

Cozy in with a glass of wine as the day concludes and look stylish while being comfortable at the same time.

—COS Gleam sunglasses, square, pink/gold

Available at a good price, these oversized sunglasses add a touch of signature style.

—goop’s Nourishing Repair Body Butter

Gwyneth Paltrow’s go-to body cream for keeping her legs looking young and firm – her words, not mine – but at this price, comparable to other body creams that offer the same promise, it might be worth giving a try to see if it’s true.

—J.Crew Premium Rib Short-Sleeve Polo Shirt, three colors (one stripe option)

Available in navy (seen here), as well as black and red & white stripe, this polo shirt can be layered underneath a blazer or worn on its own.

—Staud’s Rocki Sweater, two color options

Another timeless layering piece and ideal for our remaining winter months, this boat-neck sleeveless sweater top looks ideal for wearing under that wool blazer, so you more worrying about becoming too hot while keeping the look together throughout the day.

Television

—The Pitt, Max

Released on January 9th, Rotten Tomatoes is loving this new “hyper” realistic hospital emergency room series starring of ER fame Noah Wyle. Described as it is because there are 15 episodes that detail literally 15 hours in one shift, “This medical drama series offers a realistic look at the challenges healthcare workers face, as seen through the experiences of the frontline heroes at a Pittsburgh hospital.” From the creators of ER – R. Scott Gemmill, and produced by ER showrunner John Wells, there is definitely similar crossovers from that series that became a fan favorite more than 30 years ago. Have a look at the trailer below and watch a new episode Thursday night on Max now.

The snow began to gently fall late Monday morning and didn’t stop until early in the morning. Before we knew it, we had six inches, and it wasn’t going anywhere as the temperatures remained below freezing. Off and on all week and continuing into the weekend, the snow continued and will continue, delicately falling, creating a beautiful snowscape all over Bend. Currently, we have about eight inches or so at Le Papillon, and wonderfully, it is light and fluffy. Nelle has enjoyed playing in it on our walks, and each time we head outside to shovel the sidewalk, it is an occasion to savor.

Nelle exploring in the snow on one of our walks at the off-leash park.

As February begins, winter may be holding her grip (the groundhog was right!), and that is okay by me. Work has continued on the book with discussion about the illustrations this week with Sarah Lœcker who came up with some delightful details upon hearing the focus of the book that I cannot wait to see come to fruition. Slowly, but steadily, book #4 is coming together.

Conversation on February’s A Cuppa Moments continues and has been full of love and support, not only for Nelle and myself but for all of the members offering inspiration, ideas and insights about our topic of discussion of the month. If you haven’t stopped by yet, be sure to pop over and check out all that has been shared so far. Monday’s motivational post encouraged us to find the gift in uncertainty that paradoxically is available to us all, and Wednesday’s podcast episode explored how savoring where we are and how we most enjoy living is the best place for find and welcome love into our everydays.

Delighted to see you stop by today and may the weekend ahead be full of cheers unexpected, completed tasks that then inspire you to slow down and savor regularly in between all the doing, and of course, many everyday moments to savor. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~Learn how to make these beautiful, specialty cookies in your own kitchen with the help of American baker living and teaching in Versailles – Molly J. Wilk! Make Springerle Cookies (even if you don’t want to make them, be sure to take a look at them – they are works of art!)

~The house tour of the week is this 18th century dairy converted into a beautiful sanctuary on the Dorset coast. The olive green exterior entry doors into the garden remind me of Provence, and the interiors quintessential English country cozy. An ideal combo. Enjoy exploring. [House & Garden UK]

~This IG Reel sharing a conversation with a woman aged 102 who shares the secret to aging is inspiring and full of joy.

~This recipe from Smitten Kitchen immediately captured my curiosity – The Invisible Apple Cake – and I think I might give it a try this weekend.

~The Louvre will be undergoing significant renovations beginning in 2026 which will include giving Mona Lisa her own room. Expect all remodeling to be complete by 2031. [NYTimes, gift link]

~17 Cotswolds villages to visit [The English Home]

~The growth that happens when you’re in between chapters [Tiny Buddha]

~What to prune in the garden in February [Homes & Gardens UK]

~What to do when your mind can’t let go (of something that would be helpful to let go of) [Zen Habits]

~Eight things to do in Paris in February [Frenchly]

~Looking for sweet treat inspiration for Valentine’s Day – Here are 15 desserts to make and many include chocolate. [Real Simple]

~Perhaps small talk isn’t all it’s cracked up to be for enjoying life to its fullest. Instead? Big Talk [Atlantic]

~And a heads up about a unique whodunnit coming to Netflix brought to us by Shondaland (Shonda Rhimes), starring Uzo Aduba, The Residence. Look for it on March 20th, and I will be sure to include it officially in a future This & That when it premieres.

~Explore last week’s This & That: January 31, 2025

From Paris, to the English countryside (twice!), to London, to Tokyo and even northern Italy, the movies and television series shared this week burst with wonderful storylines to enjoy. As well, a new much anticipated Broadway play opens, a new partnership with an up-and-coming interior designer to welcome her impeccably cool, yet timeless taste into your home, and clothing finds from high and low brands worth shopping are on sale. Still there is so much more. 

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