It may be a bit extravagant.
A C H R I S T M A S N O V E L R E V I E W
I just finished reading the new Flavia de Luce mystery novel, which author Alan Bradley describes as "A Christmas pudding" of a book.
As usual, Flavia is up to her old tricks. While she is planning to glue Father Christmas to the chimney pot, a film crew is roaming the halls of Buckshaw, helping her father to pay the bills while filiming "The Cry of the Raven". Phylis Waverly, the world famous movie star, is also roaming, and she and Flavia soon become fast friends. But something is hidden behind her bejeweled costumes and flawless makeup... something sinister! When Flavia finds her, dead as a doornail with a ribbon of cine film tied in an elaborate bow around her neck, she is immersed in a Christmas Conundrum. Amid her quest to discover the killer, Flavia unearths interesting facts about her Aunt's murky past, and faces puzzling questions about her belief in Santa Claus's existence.
I loved this book, but felt that the mystery could have been a bit deeper and more elaborate, like in past Flavia de Luce books. Other than that, it was a wonderful book, full of fabulous Christmas details and firework displays, and, of course, intriguing chemical formulas.
N A P P I N G
Happy Thanksgiving everybody even though it's not Thanksgiving anymore!
The other day I was feeling sad because I spent most of it doing homework, so I decided to build a fort in the loft. It took a lot of work and I was actually pretty sweaty when it was finished but now it's probably my favorite place in our house. It's a great place to nap and to read and to generally wear large hats. I also do tons of meditating up there. Just kidding, I can't meditate at all. Also, I've never really tried. Here is a video, but you can see a better quality one here.
T H E C R E A M O F T H E C R O P
photo here
One of my favorite things are these peculiar pictures. They are quite strange and a good showing of how people long for excitement and attention, I think. Also they are kind of frightening.
Also this cake, which was made for Princess Elizabeth's marriage to Lieutenant Philip in 1947. The recipe called for a bachelors button, a wedding band, a thimble, a donkey, a 3-penny coin, a horseshoe, and a wishbone, all made of silver, for good luck. It was watched night and day by these two policemen, whose names have sadly been lost to us over the years.
T A R T E D E P O M M E
I generally live off pie these days, and let's face it, I've never looked or felt better. So, take my advice and help yourself to more pie!
P O P !
Mr. Popper's Penguins is spectacular with doughnuts, as most things are. It is one of my favorite combinations.
Penguins are habitually bouncy creatures who wear red shoes, and Mr. Popper is a house painter with dreams of the South Pole. That's pretty much all you need to know, besides knowing where to get a good doughnut.
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