We spent the Thanksgiving holiday relaxing in Lake Tahoe. The trip up and down the 395 to Lake Tahoe was a breeze. We are blessed with two well behaved boys who make 8 hour car drives easy. I think it helps that we don’t have TV in our cars. For the trip, we set up portable TVs on the headrests and they spend the drive watching their favorite movies. Because they only get to watch TV in the car a couple of times a year, it’s a phenomenon and we hear not a peep from them until they need to use the restroom or get hungry. While they watch movies, The Mister and I listen to books on tape.
Once we got there, I never left the house and took only a handful of pictures. The boys had a great time sledding and building snowmen the first two days with The Mister while I was cooking (and later recuperating from cooking) the holiday dinner. By the time I was ready to go outside and play, the snowstorm hit. The next two days were spent lounging in pajamas with movies and books. I can’t say I was disappointed.
I read Everything is Illuminated and To the Lighthouse, both from my Unread Library collection. I’m now in the middle of Bloodroot and am considering what to read next. I burned through almost all the super easy beach reads this summer and am left with classics, modern literature, and some really out there stuff (auras and chakras) that I don’t know how I will finish (Ekhart Tolle). I started To the Lighthouse ten times over the last five years, and in the beginning third of Everything is Illuminated I found a plane ticket stub from 2002 to Reno, Nevada. Isn’t that weird? I kept imagining sitting next to my 2002 self on that plane ride, tapping her on the shoulder, and saying “You’re going to read that book in Lake Tahoe, but it won’t be for another eight years, one law degree you’ll barely use, and two young sons.”
Both books were good, but To the Lighthouse had several brilliant passages that required marking up and note taking. That’s the joy of reading literature, one I admit to frequently forgetting. It’s not easy or fast, but the reward in reading sentences that astound you with their beauty and complexity is beyond measure, as is the exploration of themes that remain relevant 83 years later. After law school, I shied away from complex, analytical reading. I had my fill of it, you know? But To the Lighthouse may have inspired me to once again read for art as well as pleasure.
That doesn’t mean I’m not looking for the next great love story. Sadly, unless I get one as a gift, I’m going to have to find it in the unread library. The Age of Innocence was a bit of a love story, at least the movie was. I can still remember that scene with Daniel Day Lewis and Michelle Pfeiffer in the carriage, where he slowly unbuttons her glove and kisses the interior of her wrist. Tell me you remember that scene because I just spent 10 minutes on youtube looking for it to no avail. Anyway, I remember thinking it was the best kind of seduction (the female kind, The Mister and my male friends would add) because everyone was buttoned up to the point that even innocuous contact was rife with electricity.
Other than Victorian sex scenes, I have nothing else to talk about. It’s always slow getting into the swing of things when I’ve been away from the blog. Can you believe tomorrow is my birthday? Not just my birthday, but this blog’s birthday, too. I started Pancakes and French Fries on my 35th birthday. I didn’t do it for symbolic reasons. This was not a gift to myself as I approached middle age as a former career woman with two young children. Really, I just thought it would be easier to remember the start date if it was on my birthday. I was right.
Stop by tomorrow and we’ll celebrate.
Becky O. says
Sounds near perfect- pajamas, check.
No where to run to, check.
Cosy family time, check.
Great car ride with books on tape, check!
Now, when are you going to write about Deathly Hallows part 1?
: )
Andrea Howe says
I was starting to wonder about the Great Disappearance of Jules, so now this explains it. On a side note, after seeing your pretty picture, I am now sorely regretting not buying the kids more weather appropriate snow coats last week when I had the chance to ship them Ground. Their going to freeze their asses off in their Old Navy jackets unless I have some heavy duty snow gear shipped Overnight.
Jules says
Go to Walmart and buy the snow boots (the boys got the camo ones). They’re good for -5 degrees and worked perfectly during 2+ hours of constant snow play! As for jackets…we had those up there, but try Marshalls or Ross. My dad bought a snow jacket for Mikey there right before we left.
Andrea Howe says
Correction: ‘THEY’RE’ going to freeze their asses off :)
Luckily we do have nice boots, bibs and gloves for them that we invested in last winter and they still fit-thank goodness! But, we have been skating by on hand-me-down jackets for the last couple of years. We have a Marshall’s right by my house so I’ll check there tonight. Thanks!
Jules says
Hah! I didn’t even notice “their/they’re.” Stupid homophones.
We’re the opposite–we invested in everything but the boots. I can’t justify buying nice ones until they are older. I’ve had my snow boots (classic Caribou Sorels) for over 20 years now!
leyla says
This is the best kind of weekend. I’m working on my Unread Library but not getting very far. Except for one book about mountain climbing that I bought at a gift shop while we were camping, I haven’t added any new books to my shelves. Pretty proud of myself, actually.
Annie says
I’m glad I’m not the only one struggling to get back in the blogging (or any other ) routine. Isn’t this time of year just made for doing nothing but snuggling by the Christmas tree? Why can’t we all just agree to do that for the next three weeks?
Londen says
There you are! Your trip sounds fabulous and I’m sure the boys loved the snow! Pajama days are my favorite, I’m having one today!
Rachel (heart of light) says
Happy almost birthday to both of you!
I need some new books for my library list, so I’ll be checking out To the Lighthouse. And hoping that I don’t have to wait for four months like I did with The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake (which I only ended up liking, rather than loving). Sigh.
Erika says
Great pic! The trip sounds awesome! Missed you guys….did you get those books dropped off at your moms? nice cheesy reads…dont forget to drop off those books…just realized they turned them into True Blood…had no clue!!
xo
Amydelle says
Jules,
We share the same birthday! Just thought I’d send a little message wishing you a happy one!
I love your blog- and I think it is wonderful that you made the decision that you don’t need to be super thin to be stylish. Good for you. You are beautiful.
Dorothy says
Law school RUINED my ability to read good, solid BOOKS. I pick up Dickens and my hands start to shake. I developed a nasty scnience-fiction habit (I blame my husband), which has been my only solace of late. That, and historical romance, easy reads that don’t make me think. I really ought to dig out some of my unread classics…
Kelly mitchell says
Ahh, snowy days. We had the best of intentions to go to our cabin last weekend, but I decided I didn’t want ot get snowed in with a 2 month old. After reading your post, maybe that would not have been a bad thing.
Jennifer says
I am really impressed that you read To the Lighthouse. After I suggested it to you, I tried to reread it and it is pretty slow going. I was looking for my next book and Everything is Illuminated was checked out so I got Foer’s other book Extremely Loud. What a change from what I have been reading lately!
elena says
Jules,
Sorry I am just getting to this now, but have you read Cutting For Stone? Its an amazing book by an author who captivates the reader with his writing. There were countless passages I wanted to mark and reread. In fact, I am planning to go back and reread i tmore slowly in a little while. I know you have your unread library, but please consider reading this book once you have a chance. It is really special.
sandy e says
LOVE LOVE LOVED “Water for Elephants”! Hope everyone else enjoys!