Heavens, it’s cold this morning! We had already been up 3 hours and the thermostat had only climbed 2 degrees. The good news is that it’s going to warm up after today and this bitter cold will be moving on.
I’m driving Don to get his car this morning. It’s been fixed and all is well. What a relief! I’m going to run some errands after that. I’m almost done with Michael Connelly’s newest and then I’m going to start The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, a book I’ve been meaning to read for a long time.
We watched Judy the other night, starring Renée Zellweger. She is simply superb. She captures the essence of Judy Garland toward the end of her life and her performance is powerful and moving. Don worked with her on a movie several years ago and he thinks very highly of her. She was warm and friendly and kind. They played their guitars together and sang. So, we’re pulling for her in the Oscar race.
I want to share something from reader Barbara, who lives in Canada. You might recall that she did this once before. Barbara recently received a parcel of books from a local independent bookseller that she knows. One of them, The Overstory, is a book that Barbara has already read. She would like to give this copy to one of you. Aren’t we lucky? If you remember, I loved The Overstory. In fact, it was my favorite read of 2019. I’m an evangelist for this book and would love nothing more than to see one of you win a copy. So. This is officially a giveaway post. If you’re interested, please leave a comment on this post. The usual rules apply. Don’t leave a comment via the email version of this post. You have to come to the blog and leave a comment here. I’ll keep the giveaway open until Saturday morning, and then I’ll pick a winner via the Random Number Generator. Good luck!
And a big thank you to Barbara!
Happy Wednesday.
It was 43 degrees Fahrenheit here this morning!
I hear iguanas are again falling out of the trees, but we haven’t noticed and there are iguanas on our property. They’re usually fine unless we have a string of really cold days. In reality, they are too many and it would be good to have a reduction in population, but I feel sorry for them. People here kill them, which is, unfortunately, legal.
It will get into the mid 60s today. We don’t have heat beecause it’s so rarely necessary, but when it is, we miss it! We’re bundled up and the cats have blankets. Tomorrow it will get into the mid 70s. YAY!
Keep warm up there, Claudia!
It has been very cold here in SE Indiana but thankfully it is starting to warm up today! I have been keeping warm by staying inside and quilting, crocheting, reading and watching just enough news to know what is going on. I would love to read The Overstory. I hope you and Don have a nice day……take care and stay warm!!
Lorinda
Barbara has such a generous spirit!
I’d love to read this book as it’s on my Books to Read List! I could then add it to my Little Free Library for others to enjoy. We had visitors to our LFL a few days ago when it was only in the 20s! Brrrrr!
It is always nice to try and win a book, when you haven’t read any of their books before. Great way to be introduced to their writing style.
Thank you.
First time commenting on your blog Claudia, but I’ve been joyfully reading it for many years!
Thought I’d try my luck in winning a copy of The Overstory as I’ve followed many of your book recommendations and never been disappointed. Sunny and a very cold -26C here in New Brunswick, Canada this morning (-13F).
Hello from wet and chilly Northern California!
The Night Circus was one of my favorite read, in 2019; I look forward to your impression of it.
As for the Give away, THANK YOU Barbara.
Peace and all good things,
Deb
Thank You for your post today. I always check and read your post every day.
I’ve enjoyed several of your recommendations, so I’m sure this one is a winner. Please add me to the give-away.
It is cold here in NC as well – although I’m sure it doesn’t compare. I’ll be very interested to hear what you think of The Night Circus. I have read it and have definite opinions. I have loved the talk about your new doll houses. That’s how I found this blog originally. I am still working on my first house – the same model as your original one. I realized I had to create a backstory for it – like you do. I started by purchasing 2 dolls who own it. I haven’t decided yet if they are roommates or lovers.
I loved The Night Circus. I’ll be anxious to hear what you think of it.
It is darn cold here but sunny in Innisfil. We are north of Toronto and south about
30 miles from Orillia, your family’s neck of the woods. So happy that Don’s vehicle
and him are motoring again.
I would love to read The Overstory as your review of it was wonderful. Thank you
Barbara for your generosity.
Stepped out the door the other day ( Milton, NY) and was surprised how cold it was..brrrrrr..
just finished the Night Sister by Jennifer McMahon..so I’m in need of a good book!
Thank you !
I am anxious to hear what you say about Night Circus. I have read so many varying reviews, and haven’t read it yet. I started The Overstory but it was a 2 week book from the library and I decided about 30 pgs in, that it deserved to be an unhurried read. I was on the wait list for a couple of months, and knew there were many behind me, also waiting. So many wonderful books to read!!!
It is warming up here, as well. However, we are now to have 3 days of snow beginning tonight. But, the total accumulation is only to be about 3 inches over those few days. I guess we can handle that. Back into the 40’s early next week.
Hope you have a peaceful day, and can stay away from the news. ugh.
I would like to read The Overstory. Already learned something new from just the title. (ō′vər-stôr′ē) 1. The highest layer of vegetation in a forest, usually forming the canopy. 2. The trees in a forest whose crowns constitute this layer. I would be happy to win a copy.
This book is on my list!! So generous!
this book has been on my “to read” list since last year…would love to receive from your friend!
What a gorgeous photo! And I know exactly what you mean about Judy and Renee. She was drop dead amazing and an award for this performance (to go with her SAG and Globe) would be more than well deserved!
Thanks to Barbara! I’m delighted to enter. Any book you recommend I’m all for reading!
What a neat surprise! I would love to win a copy of this book!
In our part of Kansas we had snow, then rain overnight. Since I am driving my husband 30 miles one way for shoulder therapy I was very happy not to have slick roads!
I would love a copy of the book! I love your blog so much, I look forward to it each day.
New to your blog. Been enjoying it very much. I had gotten away from reading books, but you’ve got me back to the book. Please enter me in your drawing.
i’d love to win this book. it’s been on my list since you wrote about it, and my library doesn’t have it. thanks, barbara and claudia, for the chance to win. –suz in ohio
It is now starting to warm up…but snow in the next few days is expected.
A giveaway is always a nice surprise. Thank you to Barbara! That is quite generous! Enjoy your day! ;)
It’s cold here too in southeast NC. Being from Baltimore though, it’s really not too bad. I’d love to win a copy of the book! That is so nice of Barbara.
Wow! That’s really cool that Barbara is so generous, as are you! And I would love to win it, so here’s to picking a good number! Fun.
It is a few degrees warmer here but still have ice. The sun feels fabulous on my neck and shoulders, even though through the window!
Sounds like a book I’d enjoy! It’s cold here in upstate SC, too-20’s is cold for us!!
Good afternoon. Love your photo of the thicket in snow & early morning light.
It’s 30-something in Connecticut where my daughter is coping with the flu – yes, I told her to get a flu shot. Where I am it’s a fairly mild 58. We had fog & mist, now gone past.
Thank you, Cara, for mentioning iguanas – I had never heard of them being an invasive species & the fact that they fall from trees during cold snaps – Wow! I had to look them up. Quite an animal.
Thank you, Barbara, for your generosity, too.
Trying to stay positive during this difficult political atmosphere. May we come out whole in the end.
Barbara’s generosity is appreciated. Winning this book would certainly keep me entertained while snuggled under several layers of blankets. It is too cold for my old bones.
What a lovely gesture during a cold and sometimes snowy January. Thank you Barbara for the book and Claudia for arranging the giveaway. I’ve learned to trust your judgement , Claudia. Just finished Magpie Murders at your recommendation. You weren’t wrong!
Would love to read “overstory”. Keep warm !!
Do I need another book? No. Do I want another book? Yes I do! Thank you both for the giveaway! Sounds like a good read!
It “warmed” up to 27 degrees here today. And now more snow is on the way tonight through Sat. Yep, over three days in a row with snow. Yippee. (Said sarcastically.)
Barbara is very generous with passing along these gorgeous books ~ I was the lucky winner last time. So I will pass this time because of that ~ and also because I already read the book from the library!
ohh a give away!!! Thank you so much Claudia and Barbara!
dq
It is very generous of Barbara to pass this book along to one of us! I am looking forward to reading this book.
I would love to read this book. It is so nice of Barbara to offer it.
I recently read an NPR piece interviewing the author. It sounds fascinating.
Hello Claudia. Thanks to you I found Louise Penny so I’d love to have a chance to read Overstory. Thank you to Barbara and you for the giveaway! Keep warm and at least the sun will be shining in the Hudson Valley today.
Hi Claudia! No need to include me in the generous giveaway–I have this book on my list on NOOK. But I wanted to say how glad I am Don’s car is in good shape. Also your photo is just the essence of a beautiful winter day! Our snow here still looks pristine which I love but it will be nice when the temps get out of the teens. I didn’t want to watch Judy because I didn’t want to see her in the sadness of her last years, but I admire Renee Zellweger’s work and am pleased to hear what a down to earth person she is. A recent interview published in relation to the movie’s release showed her as a very thoughtful person, about her life, her art, her career, and about the harsh criticism women always receive about their appearance. Wish I could remember the magazine. I feel better about admiring someone’s art when I hear they are a decent human being. Enjoy your warmer temps! Woohoo! 40s!!!
I would love to read the book.
I would like to be included in the drawing for this book. It sounds great. Thank you Claudia and Barbara.
Brrrr is right. It is cold here too. We have so many birds because of the heated birdbath. Water is scarce right now. It’s nice to sit with a book and tea in our sunrom with the space heater and watch them play.
Thank you Barbara. I would love the opportunity to read this book.
I would love a copy of the book. I will add it to my reading list!
Glad the cold weather is breaking. Cold here in Florida too but I am loving the change.
Oh, I have been wanting to read this book. Thank you for a chance to win a copy!
What a lovely thing for Barbara to do! Whether I win or not, this book will definitely go on my reading list.