In order to help you get through this crazy, busy, and often insane time of year, I thought I would share with you my new favorite forms of entertainment.
In no particular order…this is what I have been enjoying.
PODCASTS:
I particularly love podcasts where I get to hear really candid stories of entrepreneurs telling the host the truth of how they got started…the more these entrepreneurs follow a dream with guts and little experience, the more I LOVE THEM! There is nothing more inspiring than seeing someone make their dreams come true! And if they started at the very beginning, tumbling their way to the top, making mistakes, and figuring it out as they went along…the more I enjoy hearing about their success.
Podcast success stories:
How I built this: Kate Spade with Kate and Andy Spade. Episode from February 6, 2017 recorded in 1991.
In this podcast Guy Raz interviews Kate and Andy Spade about the very, very beginning of the creation of the Kate Spade empire. Starting from their days in college, the Spades take him through their very humble beginnings of making the first Kate Spade purses. Kate talks about finding sources in the phone book and carrying purses in garbage bags through the NYC subway system. It’s a lovely, entertaining, fun, and touching listen.
The Second Life: Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard: The Veronica Beard Co-Founders The March 11, 2019 episode
I am always very late to the fashion party. Raised by my father who wore Nantucket reds and button downs from Brooks Brothers paired with old worn topsiders and Ray Bands… my fashion sense tends to lean towards “boatyard apparel”. As a huge fan of Kate Schelter’s stunning watercolors and her fabulous book Classic Style, I first discovered the brand Veronica Beard when Kate posted on Instagram about a collaboration with the Beard sister-in-laws. Somehow this led me down a magical rabbit hole of discovering the über talented Beards and Swansons. I can’t remember how I stumbled upon the podcast series The Second Life with Hillary Kerr and in particular her extraordinary interview with Veronica Beard co-founders Veronica Swanson Beard and Veronica Miele Beard. This interview is absolutely one of my favorite podcasts. I have listened to it several times and immediately called both my daughters and told them they had to listen to it. I LOVED hearing about the guts, grit, and a hell of a lot of humor these two women shared about the creation of their fabulous fashion brand. I literally laughed out loud alone in my car, hearing about them running their business out of their homes, juggling motherhood and business,, and how they put themselves out there and took risks to follow their dreams. Even if you don’t know what your dream is…this podcasts is for you! If you are thinking of or have ever juggled motherhood and work, this is also a great listen. Veronica Swanson Beard gave some advice which I thought was spot on. Now in my 50s, with a moment to myself, I am much more in tune with how hard and time consuming the gift of motherhood is. I look back with such love for my little babies who all now towering over their mom. This podcast really addresses the difficult juggle, I particularly loved when the two Veronicas spoke about driving around NYC together with a big car full of carseats doing work errands. I could so relate!!
Mystery Podcasts:
National Park After Dark:
My husband and I started listen to this series on “The Summer of Long Road Trips AKA 2021"“. We got so into it that we never minded getting in the car to zig zag across the country. This podcast is created by two friends, Danielle and Cassandra, who share a deep passion of hiking, camping, National Parks., and mysteries. Each host takes turns presenting a story to the other and to their audience highlighting different National Park mysteries for each episode. We found this series hilarious, touching, and riveting. My husband loved it so much that he went ahead without me on a solo drive from Michigan to Vermont! The nerve of him! That has never happened before! There is no need to listen to these in order but we did just for fun.
Murdaugh Murders Podcast: by Mandy Matney
Anyone else following this insane story in South Carolina? Holy Hell, what is going on down there?! The poor families who have fallen prey to this insanity! This particular podcast on the Murdaugh case is hosted by local journalist Mandy Matney. Mandy does a great job of taking you step by step through all of the evidence of this case. Her research is extensive and the ways she explains it keeps us hanging on. I’ve really enjoyed the detailed and factual style manner Ms Matney uses to present the case. I must admit I am always thrilled when I see she has released a new episode of this unbelievable story.
TELEVISION:
McCleod’s Daughters 2001, 224 episodes
There were many wonderful shows that most of us became glued to during the pandemic. We watched all the ones everyone else was talking about all over social media. After we watched ALL of the TV, I enjoy finding other shows that were a bit unknown, especially international shows and movies. This can be a little challenging for a Needlepointer! Subtitles and needlepoint do not go hand in hand. I often turn to my British subscription to ACORN TV for new content. My favorite of all my finds was an Australian series. I often look at how many episode a show has…the more they have, the higher the probability that their formula works. I stumbled upon a show that brought me great joy. One night out of desperation for something to watch I clicked on the first episode of McCleod’s Daughters and never looked back. I went into this blind which was really wonderful. I had no idea what to expect. What I will tell you is that after the first few episodes… You, my friend, are going to want to be a cowgirl in the Outback! Grab your Carharts, your dirty T-shirts, and your work boots because there are cattle to rustle, some horses to gallop, family dinners to eat, and some cowboys next door to flirt with! I absolutely loved this show. I grew to love all of the characters, and rooted for them throughout various calamities and triumphs. Life is hard and wonderful out in the Aussie desert. Simple pleasures are not taken for granted and friendships are gold.
I always travel with my little pillow, an eye mask, a book and a reading light.
BOOKS:
While this title was one I had heard before, it was not a book I had ever owned or read. I recently bought my husband and I Kindles so we can travel without carrying lots of books around. My new Kindle came in handy this summer on Lake Michigan when my daughter Birdie was nose deep in a book she was couldn’t put down. I purchased my own copy and didn’t put it down until I was finished!
One Thousand White Women: the Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus
One Thousand White Women is a historical ficticous journal, don’t you just love a journal? I do! This one tells the story of pioneer women, who for various reasons, make a deal with the U.S. Government to go out west and marry men from American Indian tribes as part of a “deal” between the Indian Nations and the US Government. I don’t want to give away anything as I began this novel with no previous knowledge and that was so wonderful and perfect. I literally could not put this book down (or in my case, my kindle.) After finishing this amazing and informative story…I was delighted to learn there are two sequel journals! I will 100% dig into these in the New Year. What I will tell you is that this story is riveting, touching, and both heartwarming and heartbreaking. There are several twist and turns and constant adventure. I thought it was very well written.
AUDIBLE BOOKS:
We were Liars by E. Lockhart
I love an island and I especially love an island off the Massachusetes coast. This story covers the trials and tribulations of 3 generations of residents of a small private island near Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. My daughter and I were glued to this book on a drive across country. It was not until we were finished that we learned that this was originally a YA book. Don’t let this deter you, it’s a pretty interesting story.
MUSIC:
For lack of a better term, these are my favorite “albums” of late.
CLASSICAL MUSIC: : Berliotz : Harold in Italy preformed by Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra Gorgeous music.
SOUNDS OF NATURE: Lightening, Thunder, and Rainstorm: Amazing two hour midnight thunderstorm This is my all time favorite “white noise”. I often put this on when I am on a plane and want to read or sleep and want to block out the sounds of my neighbors. I also put it on when I just really need to chill out and put my head down. The second track is my favorite.
Enjoy my friends!! Feel free to share your favorites in the comments!