Cookbooks for sweet treats and, their antithesis, vegetables too! A new series to take you around the world touring gorgeous, inspirational homes with a playful Scottish host, a new comedy series that is sure to leave you in stitches (the best kind 😉). And we cannot forget the books! Titles focused on art sharing how it elevates our life, as well as how it has depicted food through the centuries, novels to prompt pondering about living, love and home searching, and clothing finds – bien sûr – classic items to ensure you are stylish and comfortable. Still there is so much more.

Books

—The Anthropologists: A Novel by Aysegül Savas

Released this summer to strong positive reviews, the novel The Anthropologists,”unfolds over a series of apartment viewings, late-night conversations, last rounds of drinks and lazy breakfasts . . . providing a soulful examination of homebuilding and modern love.” Following the apartment hunting journey of Asya and Manu, dialogue revolves around envisioning their future in a foreign city: What should their life here look like? What rituals will structure their days? Whom can they consider family?”, and while their life is being dreamt and built, the lives of their family where they grew up are unfolding as well.

—Food and Feasting in Art by Sylvia Malaguzzi

Arriving just in time for Thanksgiving and the holidays that welcome so much food into our lives. If you appreciate art, as well as food :), you might want to pick up Food and Feasting in Art. Released in 2008, discover oodles of masterpieces of western art that “explore the rituals, customs, and symbolism of food and dining”. 

—How Art Can Change Your Life by Susie Hodge

Speaking of Art. 🙂

Broken down into twelve chapters (see the detailed table of contents below), “readers will learn how art can dissipate anger, help to overcome sorrow, inspire self-reflection, as well as tackle other mental challenges. Artists have been conveying aspirations, feelings, ideas, and stories for thousands of years, and this book will help everyone ‘read’ those messages with the goal of enriching their own emotional life through art.” And as you will notice, each sub-chapter is taught and includes a specific piece of well-known art.

—Who’s Afraid of Romanée-Conti?: A Shortcut to Drinking Great Wines by Dan Keeling

Wine lovers! I have recently begun to watch (finally) Drops of God on AppleTV+ (thank you to everyone who encouraged me to do so), and so my mind has been thinking about a variety of concepts pertaining to vineyards and vintages of wines. With that said, Dan Keeling’s new book Who’s Afraid of Romanée-Conti?, which will be released this coming Tuesday, takes readers “on a quest to find out why some wines matter – and why many others don’t”. From new-school Burgundy, Barolo and Champagne to Tenerife, Corsica and Chianti, Noble Rot co-founder Keeling visits some of the world’s most renowned vignerons and vineyards. “Throughout, he details the complex aspects of traditionalist wine culture, offering insights into subjects such as sulphur in winemaking, building a cellar, and many personal recommendations on what to buy for every pocket”. I must confess, I am quite curious as this would be a helpful resource and what also looks like an enjoyable read based on the pages shown on the purchase page.

British Finds

—Alan Cummings’ Paradise Homes, BritBox

Get ready to travel and be inspired by gorgeous homes from around North America and Europe as home décor lover Alan Cummings’ takes viewers with him for five episodes touring homes that will capture our awe. View the trailer below. I think this will be an enjoyable escape series to watch, and you have all of the episodes at your fingertips now on BritBox.

—Blitz, AppleTV+

Opening last week to a limited release and fully to the public on AppleTV on November 22nd, Saoirse Ronan is receiving high praise for her starring role in the movie Blitz directed by Steve McQueen. Set during WWII in London, “nine-year-old George (Ronan’s character’s son) is evacuated to the countryside by his mother, Rita, to escape the bombings. Defiant and determined to return to his family, George embarks on a journey back home as Rita searches for him”. Have a look at the trailer below.

—English Country House Style: Traditions, Secrets and Unwritten Rules by Katy and Milo Campbell

Released this past October, and my apologies for missing this one, is English Country House Style. And along with showcasing tours of gorgeous English country homes’ interiors, authors and photographers Katy and Milo Campbell share the traditions, secrets and unwritten rules. I cannot wait to welcome this book into my library and perhaps you too are eager to peek inside.☺️🇬🇧❤️

—Killing Time: An Agatha Raisin Mystery, book #35 by M.C. Beaton

A cosy mystery read for fans of the television show (which is based on these novels), is the latest caper in the Agatha Raisin Mystery series. Killing Time, by M.C. Beaton, centers around “a series of shop burglaries disturbs their quiet Cotswolds village. When the break-ins take a violent turn and a murder occurs, it’s all hands on deck to find the killer. As if that weren’t keeping Agatha busy enough, Sir Charles Fraith has called on her to help stage a glamorous promotional extravaganza on the grounds of his ancestral home, Barfield House”.

Released in October, 2024

Cookbooks

—Sift: The Elements of Great Baking by Nicola Lamb

A new cookbook that upon its released has been praised by Nigel Slater, British baker Nicola Lamb’s Sift looks delicious from beginning to end. Being released this next Tuesday, Sift “begins with the foundational ingredients that underpin great bakes—flour, sugar, eggs, fat—before delving into the techniques that bring recipes to life: texture, color, how things rise, and a technical overview. 100 tested, tried, and true recipes follow and are organized by difficulty and time commitment, ranging from easy 30-minute cakes to spectacular showstoppers you can devote a weekend to, including:

• Bake in an afternoon: Marble Cake with Chocolate Frosting, Lemon Curd Meringue Tarts with Blackberries, Miso Walnut Double-Thick Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Bake in a day: Mango Shortcake with Candied Lime, Fancy Rhubarb Tart, Olive Oil Brie-oche with Roasted Grapes, Honey, and Thyme
• Bake in a weekend: 3-Day Focaccia; Pain au Chocolat; Classic Fruit Custard Danish”

My tastebuds are dancing! Just in time for the holidays when you are looking for that special, unique, unexpected bake to share.

—Sun-Kissed Cooking: Vegetables Front and Center by Brooke Williamson

Now let’s step away from the sweets and ground ourselves in vegetables. Brooke Williamson, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Season 14, and on Food Network, crowned the first winner of Tournament of Champions, will release her first cookbook on Tuesday. Sun-Kissed Cooking provides a “fresh look at produce-forward cooking that combines a deep love of ingredients, a respect for seasonality—which also incorporates preserved and canned vegetables—and an unexpected flair that makes cooking with produce inventive, fun, and incredibly delicious. Williamson inspires home cooks to follow their imagination and build dishes from whatever vegetables or fruits capture their fancy in the moment. With over 100 fresh and unexpected recipes, arranged by the ingredient at the center, from mushrooms and tomatoes to peas and pods to starch and greens—accompanied by sixty enticing photos—she shows how to get the most out of items from the farmer’s market or the produce aisle.”

While certainly for vegetarians, Sun-Kissed Cooking will demonstrate to everyone who wants to eat better without compromising flavor or skimping on ingredients they love—many dishes feature meat, poultry, and seafood – how to enjoy a vegetable based eating approach.

—That Takes the Cookie: 85 Tasty Treats for Every Occasion by Ryan Alvarez and Adam Merrin

Now, back to sweets. 🙂 It’s the holiday season after all, and in That Takes a Cookie, you are in for a treat! Fun and playful twists on classics, such as Pumpkin Pie Thumbprints, Chocolate Brigadeiro Truffles, Cinnamon Crumble Apple Blondie Bars, Toasted Marshmallow S’mores Cookies and more. Released this coming Tuesday as well, there is no shortage of baking inspiration.

Films

—Christmas Eve in Miller’s Point

A new holiday movie that draws inspiration from classic comedic festive movies of the past weaving in a whole lot of dry wit as well as laugh-out loud hilarity and all of it happens on one night – Christmas Eve. Have a look at the trailer below to discover this film that might just suit your search for that unexpected festive treat to relax the mind and celebrate the season.

Francophile Finds

—Alexandra Ehle, season 2, MHzChoice

I was tickled to discover unexpectedly earlier this week that a new season of a delightful French crime caper returned this past Tuesday on MHzChoice. Alexandra Ehle is the coroner with a quirky side (the first scene of the new series is below that displays this well), and with each case, she makes it her mission to “restore dignity to the dead and giving them justice”. Look for four episodes in this new season with a new one dropping each Tuesday.

Shopping

—&Other Stories Belted Jumper Dress

A sweater dress for warmth that allows for a bit of leg. Wearing with a tall boot makes stylish sense, and I can see this outfit being worn to work or that holiday party depending upon the weather and setting. And it’s available at a great price.

—Cos Merino Wool Turtleneck Top, gray/argyle (solid colors also available)

Ideal for layering, and look at those long arms! Yes! And, yet another item available at a great price.

—Me + Em Cotton Stripe Relaxed Shirt White/Brown/Merlot/Gold

If you are looking for a classic button-up stripe shirt, but want a touch of something different, this might be just what you’re looking for.

—Staud Carryall Tote (more colors)

An investment. Yes, but a beautiful investment that is classic in structure, function and color options. Loving the size of this carryall.

Television

—Bad Sisters, season 2, AppleTV+

They’re back! The Garvey sisters return this coming Wednesday the 13th for a new season consisting of eight episodes. Winning a BAFTA for the first season, the second of Bad Sisters has been much anticipated. Creator and co-star Sharon Horgan shared recently that what guides her as she is writing each season is the answer to this question: ‘If these were real women and they found themselves in this situation, how would they behave?’ “So for the second season, she wanted to explore the fallout from John Paul’s murder, and the secrets pulsing underneath the surface of the sisters’ lives. Have a look at the trailer below.

—St. Denis Medical, NBC/Peacock

I cannot wait to watch this new comedy series. Set in an Oregon hospital that is underfunded and understaffed, the team of doctors, nurses and administrative staff along with the constant flow of patients presents endless moments of hilarity. Have a look at the trailer below and look for St. Denis Medical to debut next Tuesday.

The leaves seen above on the viburnum may be largely blown away by now, but they were gorgeous while they hung around.

The blog posts were plentiful this week, beginning on Saturday with the new A Cuppa Moments for TOP Tier Members and the favorite seasonal post that was shared Sunday – TSLL’s Annual Holiday Gift Guide for Anglophiles + Francophiles. As the week unfolded, a detailed Monday Motivational post sharing a simple ‘ingredient’ list for successfully acquiring a new, desirable habit. The first new podcast episode of the month explored in-depth the sometimes unexpected, but always beneficial skills and abilities we gain when we are living a life of contentment, and if you are looking for a post with encouragement, support and a deep breath to get your feet back underneath you, be sure to check out this extra post this week – How Contentment Supports, Strengthens and Elevates Our Lives During Unwanted Moments.

On top of the regular work week, I spent some time gardening (indoors), potting up two Amaryllises that will hopefully bloom with the start of the new year, and this coming weekend the last few iris bulbs will arrive so I will be outdoors, bundled up, playing in the dirt before it freezes entirely. I must say, I am very much looking forward to this ‘must’-do. So much nourishment in doing something today for a beautiful tomorrow.

And a week from tomorrow, look for a detailed tour of the finished primary closet as it is now finished – wahoo! Having lived with it for about a week has given me time to collect my thoughts on all that would be helpful to share, and promise to do just that and cannot wait to reveal the Befores and Afters. (If you are interested in taking the tour and are not yet a TOP Tier Member, explore becoming one here, so you can read the detailed post.)

Now to the weekend, and may you serendipitously stumble upon a captivating book, begin to feel the ‘jolly’ in the season at exactly the pace you prefer and at some point or another feel overcome with reason to smile just because. I am so deeply grateful for your choosing to stop by today. Until Monday, bonne journée.

~Monty Don shares how to prepare for winter on Gardeners’ World’s podcast.

~And one more with Monty Don. His November Tips & Advice monthly post.

~Gardening has become a source of great joy in my own life, so I always miss being able to be outside regularly when the colder weather arrives. This article shares the science behind the inextricable link between gardening and happiness. [House & Garden UK]

~Are you trying to find a sustainable way to dispose of your pumpkins (or after Thanksgiving)? Often local farms would love for you to donate them for their farm animals. Here in Bend, there is a destination to donate, and I look forward to doing that come late November. This website helps you find where a donation spot may be near you – Pumpkins for Pigs.

~Saving this article for future trips to France – A low-key, bicycle-filled French Island to Unwind. Written by Jo Rodgers for Vogue.

~Staying in Paris, The Earful Tower shares 10 tips from a local for Getting Paris Right the First Time.

~Sending a big Thank You to TSLL member and long-time reader Elizabeth B. for sharing this post with me whichgives a tour of Alice Waters’ newly redesigned Arts & Crafts home in Berkeley. Loving the kitchen and the library especially.

~Dietitians share the best time of day to eat dinner. Great food for thought 😉! [Real Simple]

~Now this is a fun (and inspiring) home tour – Peek inside this 17th century Cotswold’s home that is tucked within a walled garden [Domino]

~Another article to save for your future trip to Provence, specifically Aix. Recommendations from Perfectly Provence of where to each lunch.

~Even though the below video is an advertisement for a piece of real estate in NYC, I think you will enjoy it. A detailed video tour of the townhouse where Eleanor Roosevelt used to live. The interior décor details are exquisite. Pour a cuppa, sit back and get lost in the history and timeless, top quality details.

~Explore last week’s This & That: November 1, 2024

A handful of films being highly praised by critics, books of sleuthing, books about England and their history with food and a historical fiction book that will keep you intrigued. Clothing for sleeping stylishly, layering effortlessly, dressing well and saving money on your workout wear. Also, steak knives – discover the French brand you can rely on for quality dining. Plus much more. 

~Please note: TSLL is supported by you, readers who take the time to stop by (merci!), peruse and sometimes welcome into your life mentioned and recommended finds. Affiliate links are present in today’s post and may earn commissions for TSLL when you purchase. View TSLL’s full Privacy Policy here.