The First Day of the Year
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| Michigan winter: snow and no color or light. |
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| Evelyn, Tom, and Miriam are in Italy. It looks so good! |
Last books of 2025
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| An amusing short story by R.F. Kuang |
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| Rock Paper Scissors — disappointing. |
First Book of 2026
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Just purchased: Tokyo Express. Will be reading today.
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UPDATE: It’s not a very good detective story. The author sets up the mystery of how a clever murder took place, but in the end, simply has a long explanation of the method and motive. Written in the 1950s, it dates from long after Agatha Christie and many others (including some Japanese authors) had been doing a much better job of composing mystery plots.
Last Dinner of 2025 and First of 2026
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| Leg of lamb for New Year’s Eve: leftovers will be eaten New Year’s Day. |
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| Rice pilaf with cashews |
Blog post © 2026 mae sander
The meal looks so good as do all of your meals. I wish for you and your family the very best for 2026.
ReplyDeleteYour opening photo says it all! We "celebrated" last night in London time, watching the fireworks from the London Eye on CNN. Just apps and leftover Thai from the night before. Then the Marx brothers. Can you get more low key than that? Have a wonderful New Year's Day and may the new year be good for us all!
ReplyDeleteThe meals do look yummy! Italy looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteTake care, have a great day!
Your meals look fantastic, as always. This is the perfect time of year to be in Italy. It's actually going to be very pleasant for the next few days here, in the 70s during the day and in the 60s at night.
ReplyDeleteI am starting the new year with a fever. Ugh. Luckily tomorrow is a light work day and then we have the weekend.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had lamb in years! I will have to find some, as i remember liking it. The pilaf looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI like how you did a first and last theme. Great idea. And you are right, Italy looks so nice right now, better than Michigan, and NH too. Happy Jan 2 Mae. hugs-Erika
ReplyDeleteYummy post.
ReplyDeleteWe have a bit more snow, but same idea!
And I'm sorry your first book was disappointing. Here's to better books in 2026.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive final feast of 2025. I read somewhere that Italy is one of the best places to retire to. Now I see why. Look at those blue skies in December. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year! I hope book two of 2026 works better for you!
ReplyDeleteIt's grey and colorless here as well, but minus the snow. Lots of rain and heavy wind.
ReplyDeleteYour food looks delicious - now I'm hungry. I guess I'll go and cook dinner.
I wish you a happy and healthy 2026.
Your meals always look so yummy! Michigan has definitely lost most of its color. LOL My daughter goes to school in the U.P., so they don't even have dry patches of pavement to break up the monotonous white. ;) Thanks for sharing and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteThat meals looks delicious. All the very best to you and yours for a new year full of renewed hope and joy.
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There’s certainly some contrast between Michigan and Italy.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!
Ooh, I hadn't seen "Making Space" around yet, now I'm curious. I've really enjoyed some of Kuang's work. Thanks for highlighting it!
ReplyDeleteA nice way to end and start your year. Sorry to hear the book was disappointing.
ReplyDeleteI like that snow shot. Right in time for New Year's. I hope you like these reads.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year Mae!
ReplyDeleteMan that lamb and rice looks good!!!
ReplyDeleteIf I’m not mistaken, this is my first visit to your blog. My sister went to college in Ann Arbor, and when we went for her graduation, I fell in love with the city, even if it was December. It was simply magical. I love your snowy wintry photo! I’m sure you enjoy sitting on that bench during nice weather. It looks very welcoming.
ReplyDeleteWe’re hoping to go to Italy this year. It looks beautiful.
I’ve read a few of Kuang’s Books. I love that cover!
I’m sure you enjoyed your lovely New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day meals. For health reasons To the Mediterranean diet in June 2025. I absolutely love it! Of course, I still indulge, but these foods have helped me feel so much better!
Happy New Year’s to you and your family!