Monday Musings No. 163

The Secret History of Audrey James, American Countess, linen outfit for Spring and more on Monday Musings. 

Monday Musings No. 163

Good Monday morning friends! Did you enjoy your weekend? I hope that with the advent of Spring you had a bit of warm weather and a sprinkling of color from the blooming trees. We are at the beginning of pollen season and things are starting to get a fine layer of green dust, inside and out. Nit looking forward to weeks of this but it’s the way nature works.

My peonies are poking out of the ground, the dogwood has green sprouts and the Japanese maple is starting the get little buds as well.

Speaking of flowers. I ordered native NC wildflower seeds from a company about 3 hours from here. Yesterday in my email I received a tracking notice that my seeds were in transit by way of Texas. No wonder shipping costs so much these days.

We had a great weekend. Saturday we went to a party. There was a band, lots of friends old and new and family too, fabulous food, bocci ball, and basketball. It was a March Madness party but I never watched one minute of the game.

Then Sunday, a leisurely morning reading before mass, a little lunch and a long walk. After that I tried two new recipes and then ended the day starting my new book.

How was your weekend? What did you do?

1. Read~The Secret History of Audrey James

The Secret History of Audrey James is one of the best books I have read in a long time.

Northern England, 2010. After a tragic accident upends her life, Kate Mercer leaves London to work at an old guest house near the Scottish border, where she hopes to find a fresh start and heal from her loss. When she arrives, she begins to unravel the truth about her past, but discovers that the mysterious elderly proprietor is harboring secrets of her own.

Berlin, 1938. Audrey James is weeks away from graduating from a prestigious music school in Berlin, where she’s been living with her best friend, Ilse Kaplan. As war looms, Ilse’s family disappears and high-ranking Nazi officers confiscate the house. In desperation, Audrey becomes their housekeeper while Ilse is forced into hiding in the attic. When a shocking turn of events embroils Audrey in the anti-Hitler movement, she must decide what matters most: protecting those she loves, or sacrificing everything for the greater good.

Inspired by true stories of courageous women and the German resistance during World War II, The Secret History of Audrey James is a captivating novel about the unbreakable bonds of friendship, the sacrifices we make for those we love, and the healing that comes from human connection.

MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

If you have already read these books or missed something I have featured before on the blog check out My Bookshop on Amazon. 

2. Watched~American Countess

If you don’t follow or watch American Countess you need too! Julie visits so castles, steely homes and country houses all over the Uk.

3. LINKS: READ+WATCH+LISTEN

The Legend Behind One of the Oldest Burger Restaurants in America

Four key takeaways from release of JFK files

What pasta revels about the universe

The 51 Best Canadian Films of All Times

Why Aren’t Women Allowed to Play Baseball?

These Scientists Are Building a Cat Database to Understand Why They Act Like That

21 Little Tidying Tasks Professional Organizers Do Every Single Day

A New Supreme Court Case Seeks to Revive One of the Most Dangerous Ideas From the Great Depression

‘The Dreaded B-Word’: How to Start Budgeting

Why Do Plastic Containers Always Come Out Wet From the Dishwasher? Science Has the Answer

4. SHOPPING BREAK~OUTFIT OF THE DAY

It’s linen season! White linen is classic but this year why not add a little or a lot of color to your Spring and Summer wardrobe? This week I paired this beautiful, and colorful linen skirt with a plain white t-shirt then added a few colorful accessories.

Outfit Pieces~ Click the Photos

You could also wear w white linen blouse or a colorful t-shirt, maybe yellow or red and then change out your accessories to complement your selections.

Are you a linen lover? Where is your favorite place to buy linen separates?

5. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT THIS WEEKEND

Saturday I joined Kim, Juliet is taking a break, for Weekend Meanderings, I shared Course at The National Gallery, embroidery artist Sue Bibby, Louvre Couture Art and Fashion, and more on Weekend Meanderings.

THAT’S ALL FOR NOW

Have a great day friends, thank you for spending part of your day with me I hope that you enjoyed Monday Musings.

You can also keep up with me on Pinterest, Instagram, and Facebook. And last but not least, if you like Pinecones & Acorns share it with a friend!

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On My Radar~Spring