Inspiration From Around The Globe

Shen Yun

INSPIRATION FROM AROUND THE GLOBE!

1. CHINA: Shen Yun, a fabulous show with Chinese music, dance, acrobatics, history....I highly recommend!

Gorgeous!

2. HOLLYWOOD: The 2014 Oscars, Bette Midler

Proof you're never too old to rock the red carpet!

 

 She's 69, people! 69! Amazing!

3. GREECE: The Greek's Forced Bride by Michelle Reid

My obsession with Harlequin Presents continues. This book manages to pack in a crazy ex-wife, bitchy sister, horrible parents, asshole ex-fiancee, stolen funds, humiliating newspaper headlines, and even a drink getting flung into the hero's face. So exciting!

Greece: A land of love and alpha tycoons!

4. CANADA: Louise Penny's new Gamache book coming August 2014!

THE LONG WAY HOME....Here's the book blurb!

SQUEEEEEEEE!

Louise Penny!

5. SCOTLAND: Super Top Seekret New Project

My new WIP...Bet you can't figure out what it's about!

Hint: It might involve haggis!

 Haggis with potato mash

I hope you enjoyed this quick tour around the world and are now inspired for the day!

Ciao, bambini!

Penelope

Coming Up: Cool Books, Opera, and Shen Yun

Cool reads and events coming up on Penelope's horizon...

1. A long time ago (B.C.--BEFORE CHILDREN), my husband cultivated an interest in opera. We decided to rekindle that hobby with a trip to the Boston Lyric Opera this spring. We're getting tickets for Rigoletto, an opera by Giuseppe Verdi. My husband has already started listening to opera music again, much to my children's everlasting delight.

2. Next event...we're taking the whole family to see Shen Yun this year. It looks like an incredible show that combines Chinese culture, music and dance.


3. I'm reading my Christmas stash of books...

I just started reading Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. So far it is HILARIOUS and I can't stop laughing. My mom sent me this for Christmas.

Next I'll be reading Mud Season by Ellen Stimson. My hubby got me this book about a city slicker who moves to Vermont. It sounds right up my muddy alley.

Finally, hubby got me this adorable cocktail book called Storied Sips. I'm thinking of doing a new year's resolution where I try every single cocktail recipe in this collection before the end of 2014. This is sort of the antithesis of all those healthy resolutions. I like it!

I'll leave you with the recipe for a mai tai since I'm dreaming of a tropical island at the moment. Here you go....the MAI TAI recipe from Storied Sips...

2 oz. aged dark rum

1/2 oz. orgeat (almond) syrup

1/2 oz. Cointreau

1/4 oz. simple syrup

Juice from 1 lime (fresh)

Put all ingredients in a shaker, shake it up, pour into a lowball glass and garnish with mint. Pretend you're in Floria in the sunshine!

Hope everyone is well and staying warm and dreaming of a tropical island...

Penelope